^RY OF PHiNcef^

^^OG/CAL SE1A\^
BX 8915 .\J5 1815 v
2
Witherspoon, John, 1723-

1794.
The works of John

Witherspoon

THE

WORK8
OF

JOHN WITHERSPOON,

D. D.

SOMETIME MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT PAISLEY, AND LATE

PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON COLLEGE, IN NEW JERSEY.
CONTAINING

ESSAYS, SERMONS,

&c.

ON

IMPORTANT SUBJECTS

INTENDED TO ILLUSTRATE AND ESTABLISH THE DOCTRINE

SALVATION BY GRACE, AND TO POINT OUT ITS
INFLUENCE ON HOLINESS OF

01'

LIFE.

TOGETHER WITH HIS

LECTURES ON MORAL PHILOSOPHY,

ELOQUENCE AND DIVINITY;
HIS SPEECHES IN

THE AMERICAN CONGRESS;

AND MANY OTHER VALUABLE

PIECES,

NEVER BEFORE

PUBLISHED IN THIS COUNTRY.

VOL. IL

EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR J. OGLE, PARLIAMENT-SQUARE 5 M. OGLE,
GLASGOW 5 OGLES, DUNCAN, & COCHRAN, LONDON J

AND

X JOHNSTON, DUBLIN.

ADVERTISEMENT.
J.

HE

following Sermons, though

firft

preached on

have been felefted

particular occafions,

in order to

a little fyflem of the truths of the gofpel, to

form

point out their relation to one another, and their

There appears

on praflice.

influence

to

be the

greater neceiTitj of this, that evangelical principles

have for fome time pafl been falling greatly into

difrepute

which

weak and

why

gle reafon,

take to be the true, and the

fin-

religion is at prefent in fo very

languifhing a

ftate.

The

attempt ought

not to be confidered as ariling from a thirll of fame

for a

man mull

judge very

iii

who

expedl to

ftiould

increafehis reputation by efpouiing this defplfed

caufe.
are

muft

alfo obferve, that thefe

difcourfes

not publiihed as containing any thing better

than

many

pra6tical writings of the laft age

as an endeavour to perpetuate the

fame

truths,

and

to

bul

knowledge of the

fupply the place of thofe which,

through the antiquity of ftyle and manner, fee m to

be falling into forgetfulnefs.

particular in them,
fcripture-do'ftrine

by

on human

It

life.

is

it

If ther^

an attempt to

is

any

thini*

illullrate the

experience, and obfervations

hath long been

my

opinion^

that an impartial vi^w of the courfe of pro\idence,

an^l of the

and ways of men, would

chara6ters

greatly contribute to eflabliih us in

truths of the

gofpel

tlte

belief of the

and that the very oppoiitiou

given to them by worldly men, ftrves

^ccomplilli aad

co.nfirTtj.

th^io.

at

cncg t^

ADVERTISEMENT.

IV

There

many

will be found, in

of the fermons,

expreflions of reference to the time of their being

firll

preached, particularly to the adminiftration of

the facrament of the Lord's fupper.

It

had beea

cafy to have altered the fentences in which exprefs

mention

made of

is

that ordinance

but as there

is

often a peculiarity or propriety of language through

the whole of a difcourfe, which

when we know
firft

is

compofition, I chofe to let

them Hand

Another reafon inclined

were.

beft underftood

the time and circumflances of

me

to the

fame

thing: the choice of the fubjefts for publication

made

in fuch a

manner

its

as they

as to give a pretty full

was

view

of the revelation of divine mercy in the gofpel, and

by

means

that

But

as there

is

to illuftrate

and fupport the truth.

much
way to

a great danger of running too

into controverfy and fpeculation, the beft

avoid this feemed to be, to

let

the fermons detain

every thing particular and pradlcal, intended for the

inftrudtion, reproof, or confolation, of the audience,

xvhen-they were

marks,

firft

delivered.

commit them

with very

little

to the

With

thefe

few re-

candour of the public,

concern as to the judgement of thofe

v/ho read only to pafs fentence upon the ability of

the writer

but earneftly praying, that

make them

God may

inftrumental in turning fmners from

the error of their ways, and promoting the fanlification

truth as

and peace of thofe

it is

who have known

J.

Faislej'j

the

in Jefus.

May

i6. 1768,

w*

OMTEHTS

OF

VOLUME

SERMON

II.

I.

All mankind hy nature under s{?i,

Romans, iii. 23. For all have finned, and come
of the glory of God,

fliort

SERMON
The

sinfier

/ 9

11.

without excuse before God.

PsALi\i, cxxx. 3. If thou. Lord, fliouldft

iniquities,

Lord,

who

fliall

SERMON

fland

mark
-

^^

III.

Hope of forgiveness vjith God,

Psalm, cxxx. 4. But ihere is forgivenefs with
thee, that thou

mayft be feared,

SERMON

^c

IV.

The nature of faith.

I

John,

iii.

23.

And

this is his

That we iliould believe on

Son Jefus Chrid,

SERMON

commandment.
name of his

the

-^o

V.

Christ^ s death a proper atonement for sin,

1

John,
our

ii.

lins

And he is the propitiation for

and not for ours only, but alfo for

2.

the iins of the

whole world,

SERMON
The

Rev.

i.

love of
Unto him

5.

92

VI.

Christ in redemptioii.
that loved us,

us from our lins in his

own

SERMON

and wailied

blood,

116

VII.

"Redemption the subject of admiration to the angels,

I

Peter,

i.

ii. lalt claufe.

angels defire to look into^

Which

things the

14;

CONTENTS.

viii

SERMON
Glorying

VIIL

hi the cross.

vi. 24. But God forbid that I

fhould ^lory, ia\e ia the crofs of our Lord
Jcfus Chrift,

Galatians,

.167

SERMON
The world

Gal ATI AN s,
the world

crucified

vi. 14.
is

IX.

hy the croJs of Christ,

By whom

laft claufe.

crucified to

me, and

AVOiid,

The world

crucified

hy the cross of Christ.

By whom
-

SERMON

in prayer*

Andhefaid,
go, except thou blefs me,
xxxii. 26.

SERMON
26.

And

he

SERMON

I will not let

247

XII.

Fervency and importunity

Genesis, xxxii.

217

XI.

Feriwicy and i?nportunity

iliee

ip3

X.

vi. 14. lail claufe.

the world, %c.

Genesis,

unto ihe

SERMON
Galatians,

in

Prayer,

faid, iSc.

I'ji

XIII.

Ohcdience and sacrifice compared,

I

Samuel, xv. 22. Hath

light in burnt-offerings

the

Lord

and

as great de-r

as in

facrifices,

Behold, to
obeying the voice of the Lord ?
obey is better than facriiice and to hearken,
;

than the fat of rams,

SERMON

293

XIV.

The nature and extent of visible religion,

Matthew, v. 16. Let your light fo fliine before men, that they may fee your good works,
ai)4 glorify jouf Father which ig in heaven^,
323

PRACTICAL DISCOURSES
ON THE

LEADING TRUTHS

GCSPEL,

of thk

SERMON

I.

ALL MANKIND BY NATURE UNDER

Romans,

iii.

For, all havefinnedy and come

THE
the

New,

are linners

and

Jf)ort

of the glory of God*

that

to

God

to

the Old Teftament and

is

to fay, tranfgreflbrs of his law,

the ftroke of his juftice.

meaning

can give

in

proceeds upon the fuppolition that they

liable

None

23.

whole revelation of the will of

mankind, both

SLV.

to the

This only

of redemption.

doctrine

can underfland, at leafl none can relifh or

embrace

it,

unlefs they believe, and are perfuaded

of this preliminary truth.

What

have now faid appears from many ex-

prefs paflages of the holy fcriptures

larly evident

Vol.

II.

from the general

and

flrain,

is

particu-

and from the

ALL MANKIND BY

10
very

full

of the epiflle to the Romans.

iliTi6lure

who had

the apoflile,

Ser. I.

never been

at

Rome,

In

it

gives a

and particular account of the doctrine of Chrifl

and he lays the foundation for

laboured proof, that

by a

and

diflinft

mankind, both Jews and

all

In imitation of his example,

Gentiles, are underfm.

I intend to begin

this

my difcourfes on practical religion,

by endeavouring to imprefs your minds with a fenft

This mull lead the way

of the fame truth.

faving knowledge

Redeemer

of the

only can build fecurely,

who

to the

and as he

takes care that every

part of the fuperilrufture reft immediately or ulti-

mately upon the foundation,

be remembered by

faints,

it

is

as necelTary to

be received by

as to

fin-

ners.
It

may

perhaps, on a flight

view,

appear to

" All mankind," fome will fay,

be fuperfluous.
** are ready to acknowledge that they are finners
and there
cere in

this confeflion."

may

little refleciion

acknov/ledgement

imperfed and
of

fin that

But,

is

either

defective.

commiflion of

continue in

it.

when

very

It is

it

it,

of

infincere, or

very

plainly a light fenfe

all

fin that

betrays

men

a light fenfe of fin

the threatenings in the

the admonitions of his j)rovi-

not from a light fenfe of

the preaching of the gofpel

ferted, its

and emboldens them to

It is plainly

edge of

word of God, and

Is

brethren,

enables the multitude to fleep in fecurity

that blunts the

tlence.

my

convince you, that this general

It is plainly a light fenfe

into the

great reafon to believe they are fin-

is

is

fin,

that

not wholly de-

ineftimable truths are received without

tliankfukiefs,

and

hearti without profit

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

For thefe reafons,

I propofe,

SIN.

IT

through the

ance of divine grace, to difcourfe a

words of the
and

iinned,

And,

read

" For

all

of the glory of

fliort

have

God

:"

in fo doing, fhall,

Endeavour

I.

now

apoftle

come

aflift-

on the

little

to confirm

the truth contained in

mankind are linners, or tranfgreffors of the law of God, and liable to his righteous"
judgement. And,
II. Shall make a praftical improvement of the
them, That

all

fubje^t.

In the

I.

then, let us endeavour to

Jirfl place,

confirm the truth contained in 'the text. That

ail

mankind are finners, or'tranfgrefTors of the law of

God, and liable to his righteous judgment. And

my

here,

brethren,

it

puts

me

little to

a Hand,

what manner to handle this important fubjeft

whether in the way of reafon or affedtion whein

ther in the

way

of cool and conclufive arguments

dire6led to the judgement, or pointed interrogatories

-direfted to the

Many, nay innumer-

confcience.

have been brought by

able, are the cavils that

men

of corrupt minds agaiiifl this fundamental truth.

The
and

father of
juftly,

which

if

he

as

lies,

indeed, feems to confider

is

muft end in the

If there be any

weaken

able to
fall

or undermine,

and warning

among you,
v/ill

it

and ruin of the whole fabric.

as pofTibly there are,

iufefted with the poifon of infidelity,

tion

it,

the corner-flone of true religion,

aU exhorta-

be treated by fuch with

dain, while their obje6lions,

not been brought into view.

dif-

however weak, have

On

the other hand,

ALL MANKIND BY

Ia

Ser. I.

away by

there are multitudes of finners borne

who

and paflion,

who have

the force of fpeculative reafoning, and

an unhappy tendency

to overlook, as

concern thern, every thing that

way.

^ye

fhall

both

to

is

what does not

treated in that

be obliged, therefore,

and oh

lufl

are incapable of underftanding

that

may

it

have an

to

pleafe

God

to

enable

me

to prefs

upon the confcience, this neceffary truth,

fome carelefs perfons may be awakened,

as that

fo to propofe to the

and brought
ful

to

and that

an attention to the one thing need-

any have hitherto taken up with

if

imperfed notions of

upon the
on

t/je

religion,

may

fand, they^

dangerous

diftruft that

judgement, and fo

and built their hope

be perfuaded in time

lituation,

'diid

to

found

it

to

up-

Rock of ages.

For the reafon above

termine v/hat ufe

mony

is

affigned,

it is

be made of

to

on fuch a fabjecl.

The

de-

difficult to

fcripture-tefti-

charge of guilt upon

the iinner feems to be only preparatory to, and

muft, as

it

were, pave the

of fcripture-truths.
fcriptiiire is to

liclent

declaration.

known

for the reception

be relied on,

this

call in
I find

catechifm,

is

ready

the

Befides, I
that

which

in

fuf-

to chal-

worthy author of a well-

commonly ufed

in the inftruc-

rience, in the anfwer to that quellion,

mifery?"

is

queflion every fuch fcripture-

iion of children, joins together fcripture

you know,

God

one paiTage

but the unbelieving heart

and

lenge

way

If the teflimony of

and expe-

"-How

do

you are born in a flate of fin and

Anfwer, " God's word tells me fo.
find my heart naturally backward to
that

is

good, and prone to that w^hich

is

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

After

evil.''

by

the law

make

9x16.

powerfuly

on

fubjeft

this

own

the tefi:imony of our

Allow me

In the further

iv. 12.

therefore, I fhall, firsts

fcripture-decla-

you fome of the

that I

and actual

join together original

Every one who

is

concerned in both

The

whelmed, hath flowed

of

fin

Adam

v.'orld in

fin.

I fay,

and indeed they are

wickednefs in which the

firfl:

what

able to underfl:and

parable the one from the other.

the

And

avoid handling the fiibjed fyflematically and

tedioufly, I

is

and

hearts.

to lay before

fcripture-declarations on this fubjecl

may

them

and, 2dlyy confirm

not

able to

is

vifible flate of the world,

from experience, the

Firsty

Heb.

you fome of the

briefly lay before

rations

God

<iiat

fhall

in the bare repetition of

of this head,

illuftration

we

fin,

that

the rather,

own word, even

his

quick

it,

knowledge of

the

them

feparate

example, and confidering

this

is

I3

SIN.

infe-

deplorable

general

over-

is

in a continued flream from-

and the finfulnefs of every

perfon's practice has the corruption of his nature

as

its fruitful

fource.

old world,

Gen.

v/ickednefs

of

vi. 5.

See' the account

"

man was

given of the

And God faw

that the

great in the earth, and

that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart

was only

evil continually."

pare with G^w,

I will

21.

"

This you

may com-

And

Lord

the

from

for the imagination of man's heart is

his youth.'^

See alfo the confefllon of David, Pfal.

" Behold

my

faid,

not again curfe the ground any more for

man's fake
evil

viii.

was

fiiapen in iniquity

mother conceive me."

B3

and in

li.

fin

5.

did

In this the rfulmi/l'

ALL MANKIND BY

24
pl#..-.

fal

....

Sei. 1.

and univer-

riv teaches the original

What

corruption of our nature.

he

aflerts

cerning himfelf, muft be equally true of

human

race

otherwife, infteaci of

making

conthe

all

a pro-

it would be an excufe or
Nothing can more plainly

per part of his confeHion,

extenuation of his

fin.

aukward en-

fliow the force of this text, than the

deavours ufed by fome to evade or milinterpret

For example, how mean a fubterfuge

is it to

it.

pre-

David declared he was fliapen in iniquity, and conceived by his mother in fin, becaufe
lie was the iffue of fome criminal comm.erce between his father and a maid-fervant, or between
tend, that

the wife of JelTe and another

man

This

is

plain-

ly a profane invention, offered without any

man-

leafl infinuation in the hiflcry

ner of proof, or the

of that great prince.

iide his

Befides,

it

is

purpofe in the pfalm referred

is confeiling his

own

finful nature,

ful deeds of his parents.

evidently beto,

where he

and not the

If there be

fin-

meaning

in

humble himfelf before

God, not only for his adultery and murder in the
matter of Uriah, but as a " tranfgreffor from the
words, his intention

is,

to

womb."

To

this

you may add

flefh, is flefh
is fpirit."

Lord and Saviour

" That which is boi-n of the

viz. our bleffed

than David,
himfelf, John,

rit,

the teflimony of a greater

iii.

6.

and that which

is

born of the Spi-

For underftanding the proof drawn

this text, you may obferve, that though the

word ^e^ has various fignifications in fcripture

from

fometimes, for example, lignifying the weaknefs

of our mortal nature, unable to fupport

itfelf,

and

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

SIN.

a variety of changes, which mufl at

liable to

end in diffolution

yet here

our nature as corrupted by

the oppofition of the

who

that thofe

two

This appears from

fin.

claufes

pleafc

God."

It is

who

that Job,

for

are regenerated, are

bear the fame meaning

viii. 8, " So then they

It

it is

mull therefore

Rom.

in this place as in

that are in the flelh cannot

with a view to this great truth

pleads with fo

much warmth
4.

his ge-

"

And

open thine eyes upon fuch an one, and

dofl thou

me

into

judgement with thee

bring a clean thing out of an unclean

With

certain,

liable to

ftill

neral integrity, yet fays. Job, xiv. 3.

bringell

lail

evidently fignifies

it

the weaknefs of mortality.

all

this agree

many

Who can

Not

one.'*

other fcripture-declara-

fome of which I ftiall mention. Pfal. xiv.

2.3. " The Lord Ipoked down from heaven upon

tions,

of

children

the

men

to fee if there

that did underftand, and feek

gone

they are

afide,

there

none

is

womb

doeth

they go

not,

become

are all
filthy

no not one."

good,

are ellranged

from

be
" Yea, thou
yea, from that

aftray as foon as they

born, fpcaking lies."

heardell

together

" The wicked

Pfal. Iviii. 3.

the

that

all

were any

They

God.

Ifa. xlviii. 8.

thou kneweft not,

time that thine ear was not opened

for I

knew

that thou wouldft deal very treacheroufly, and wall

from the womb."

" What then? are we

Rom.

called a tranfgreffor
9. 10. II. 12.

they

No,

in

no wife

for

we have

before proved

both Jews and Gentiles, that they are

fin

as

it

is

written,

There

is

iii.

better than

all

under

none righteous, no

all mankind sy

l6
not one

There

is

none that underftandeth, there

none that feeketh

is

Ser. i,

Thej

God.

after

are all

gone out of the way, they are together become

unprofitable, there is none that doeth good, no

To

not one."

he quickened

only add that clear and

thefe, I

Eph.

ftrong paflage,

ii.

who were

"

i. 2. 3.

dead

And you

in trefpafles

hath

and

wherein in time pall ye walked according

fins,

to the

courfe of this world, according to the prince of the

power of the

air,

the fpirit that

we

had our converfation

all

of our

lulls

flefh,

and of the mind

now worketh

Among whom

the children of difobedience.

in

alfo

in times paft, in the

fulfilling the

defires of the

fielli

and were by nature the children

of wrath, even as others."

In this
ture

fummary view of the

upon

fubjeft, I

this

declarations of fcrip-

have confined myfelf to

fuch palTages as have an afpeft upon the Hate of

our nature in general.

a proof of

its

And,

may

With

this

be drawn confequentially as
view, not to

your

indeed, as conclufive

being the do6lrine of fcripture,

mention

attention to the

many

direlly.

other arguments, I beg

two following

The

tenor

of the gofpel-meflage, particularly the extent of

the commillion, and the language ufed through the

whole

Mark

xvi. 15.

"

Go

ye

into all the world,

and preach the gofpel to every creature." John,

fo loved the world, that he
iii. 16. " For God
--gave his

only-begotten Son,

lieveth in him, Ihould not

lalling

truth.

life."

Whom

Examine

that

whofoever be-

perilh, but

the

import

did the Father love

have everof

or to

this

whom

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

did he fend the Saviour

SIN.

To

I7

the world, and to

For what end did he love them,

every creature.

and for what purpofe did the Redeemer come

them from

fave

danger

perifhing

of

were in

Doubtlefs,

In vain, then, do

fin.

why were

But

perilliing.

To

they in

becaufe "they

men

exercife their

away particular pafTages.

This truth does not reft upon an expreffion or two,
the meaning of which muft be afcertained by criIf
tical Hdll, but upon the whole of the gofpel.

ingenuity in explaining

we do

not throw afide the Bible altogether, Chrifl

Jefus

came

into the

world

to obtain forgivenefs for

the guilty, to fave the miferable, and to redeem the

ilave.

The

other argument

the covenant of peace

drawn from the

is

ting feal, both under the^Old

New,

If they

received thefe

commiffion of aftual

is

initia-

Teftament and the

of which infants were admitted to be par-

takers.

nature

feals of

and particularly the

itfelf

muft be

defiled

feals

before the

cannot be but the

guilt, it

efpecially as baptifm

exprefsly called the baptifm of repentance for the re-

imjjton of fnu,

Thus

Mark

have

i.

4.

laid before

you what

the fcripture

teaches us on the finfulnefs of our nature, including

all

the pofterity of

Adam, without

befeech you, therefore,

confider the concern

the whole.

If

my

exception.

beloved hearers,

to

you have

in

it,

as a part of

you have any belief of the truth

of the fcriptures as the word of God, attempt not

to

warp or pervert them when fpeaking contrary

to

your fond prejudices.

fliould

Defire not that minifters

fpeak unto you fmooth things, and prophe^

ALL MANKIND BY

ey deceit

but receive with humility and fear the

however heavy a fentence of condem-

divine will,

nation

Ser. I,

miay carry againll yourfelves, viz. that

it

you are finners by nature f that your hearts are efand

tranged and alienated from the love of God
;

that, if

you

now

you

fliall

not fee

mercy.

his face in
I

die in that condition,

proceed to the fecond branch of this head

which was, to confirm the account given in fcripture from experience, that is to fay, from the vifible

own

of the world, and the teftimony of our

flate

hearts.

Let us, then, fee what evidence

from the

And

is

afrorded us

of the world, that

vifible ftate

my

have

all

what an inilru6live lefTon, but at the fame time what a humbling and melancholy profpe<St, opens to our view

fmtted, &:c.

here,

brethren,

There

are

many remarks which might be

bly made on the

to ftiew

ftate

how much

men, and what

fin

of the world in every age,

hath reigned in the hearts of

defolation

place of their abode.

profita-

it

The

hath wrought in the

great difficulty

is,

to

range them in proper order, and propofe them in a

fimple and perfpicuous manner, that ordinary hearers

may

purpofe,

underftand and profit

let

us

firft

by them.

For

this

take a view of mankind in a

public or national, and then in a private or perfonal capacity.

I.

Let us confider mankind in a public or na-

tional capacity.

In this view, what

of paft ages but the hiftory of

inftead of talking

up with

hypothefes of philofophers,

is

human

the hiftory
guilt

If,

the idle and vifionary

we

only attend to what

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

men have

been in

be obliged to fay,
"
of God, that
the imagination of

with the Spirit

It is not

fa6l,

man

the heart of

we

I9

SIN.

fhall

only evil from his youth."

is

proper here to omit, or rather

it is

highly

necelTary to mention, the impiety and idolatry of

Excepting the fmall

feveral nations of the world.

nmnber of Abraham's family, who were the eleBion

of Gcdj and, by a peculiar difpofition of Providence, the depoiitaries of his truths, every other
nation

upon the

face of the globe, not only de-

of the true God, but

ferted the worfhip

long into the moil ftupid and

was not peculiar

ignorance, and

fottifli

head-

This

who

to thofe nations

whom

fell

idolatry.

continued in

more improved and poby the name of

the

lifhed thought proper to dillinguifti

barbarians, but

was

were moft highly

as well as the wifell

fays in

this

equally true of thofe

at leafl

Of

civilized.

men, the
ch.

epiftle,

themfelves to be wife,

apoftle very juftly

22. 23.

i.

who

the wifed nations,

" ProfelTmg

they became fools;

and

changed the glory of the incorruptible God, into

^n image made like to corruptible man, and to
birds,
I

treat

and four-footed

and creeping

beafts,

things.'*

muft make even a farther obfervation, and in-

your attention

feffion

feem

to

to

it,

That the

wifeft in pro-

have become the greateft

fools.

It

feems to have been defigned in providence, as a

ftanding and indelible

mark

human
who were moft

of the vanity of

wifdom, that thofe very nations

and moft fuccefsful in

early in their application to,

the cultivation of the liberal arts, were the moft

extravagant and fenfelefs in their theological opinions and religious

rites.

mean,

particularly,

.;

ALL MANKIND BY

10

the Egyptians, Greeks, and

ferpents and

bulls and calfs,

'

Sen

Romans

infects,

the moll ftu-

worfhipping

pid of four-footed beafts, and creeping things of

This every one

the moil fliocking form.

himfelf

tisfy

of thefe

of,

who

celebrated

tranfmitted to us

Consider,

my

as

nations,

by

fa-

they have been

themfelves.

brethren, the unnatural cruelty of

the religious rites of

many

nations.

quent and general with them,

facrifices,

may

will look into the hiflories

was freup human

It

to offer

and make their children pafs through the

the very refledlion on w^hich

fire

lifl

a confiderate perfon with horror.

fufHcient to

is

Confider alfo

the fcandalous impurity of fome of their ceremonies,

and the obfcene hiflory of the objedls of their

Strange to think of indeed

worfhip.

yet fo

it is,

that mofl of the eminent WTiters of antiquity are

employed

in defcribing the drinking and merriment,

the fcolding and quarrels, the tricks and robberies,

and the amorous intrigues of their gods and goddefTes.

If

we

doubted

think in a ferious manner on thefe unfadls,

can

we

felves freethinkers,
lation only to

the

firfl

form

Oh

help faying,

titude of thofe wretches

among

who have been

rational

who

us

the ingracall

taught

them-

by reve-

and confiftent notions of

caufe and creator of all things, and yet re-

and pretend

je6l revelation entirely,

upon human reafon

am

to

found them

fenfible there are

fome

who

do not think that the idolatry of the heathen

world ought to be reckoned among their crimes
but

find

if

you

it

will confult the

Old Teflament, you will

confidered there as the

firll

and moll

atro.-

NATURE UNDER

Ser, I.

cious crime

21

the vengeance of an

wliicli folicited

God. If you
Romans, you will find
offended

SIN.

confiilt

epiflle to the

this

way in tlie account giv^en of human apoilacy.

The full: of all
the ten commandments, which were given as a fum
of the moral law, is, " Thou flialt have -no other
gods before me."

leads the

it

And

indeed, if the

fn-ft

duty of

natural religion be a confefTion and acknov/ledge-

ment of God our

creator, the

of

iirft

be, a contempt of his name,

or

all

fms mull

a profanation of

his worfhip.

From this,
human

But idolatry was not alone.

fource,

fruitful

What

a terrible detail

of every age

every other

as

vice.

given us by the hiftorians

is

On what

is

it

of the world have

tranfa61:ions
it

flowed

that all the

flill

turned

great

Has

not been on the ambition, cruelty, injuftice, op-

and raging luft and impurity, of men.

Whatever number of virtuous perfons was among
them, they fcem to have either lain concealed, or
fallen a facriilce to the envy and malice of others.
prefiion,

Since the

firft

murder, of Abel, by his brother

Cain, what terrible havock has been

We

by man
makes little
!

attention

made of man

are fo habituated to this, that

impreflion.

We

it

can even perufe, with

and delight, the narratives of ilratao-ems'

of war, ferocity in combat, devaftation and blood-

Who

fhed.
greateft

Who

are the perfons

renown

are the perfons

objects

of

beeii the

who have

hum^n

who have been

admiration

the greateft

Have they not

moft adive, and the moft fuccefsful, de-

ftroyers of their fellow-creatures?

Vol.

acquired the

in the prefent or preceding ages

II.

This circum-

ALL MANKIND BY

22

communicates the

ftance, indeed,
to the

whole

general

fliows that

guilt of individuals

belongs to mankind in

it

and that the defcription given by the

more Ihocking than

apoftle is not

29. 30. 31. 32. "

to retain

Scr. I.

'

Ood

And

true, ch.

i.

28.

even as they did not like

God

in their know^ledge,

gave them

over to a reprobate mind, to do thofe things which

are not convenient

malicioufnefs
ceit,

God,

being

full

malignity

filled

with

wickednefs,

fornication,

teoufnefs,

of envy,

all

unrigh-

covetoufnefs,

murder, debate, de-

whifperers, backbiters, haters of

defpitefiil,

proud, boafters, inventors of evil

things, difobedient to parents, without underftanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affedion,

implacable, unmerciful

who knowing

the judge-

ment of God, (that they who do fuch things are

worthy of death), not only do the fame, but have
pleafure in them that do them."
There are to be found upon record inftances of
fuch dreadful and aggravated

guilt, as

it

were

to

be

wifhed they had been, or could have been, buried

in oblivion.

For

this reafon, I fhall neither

tion their names, nor cite the

ferve, that the extent

examples

men-

but ob-

and prevalence of wickednefs

fhould be confidered as a ftrong proof of the corruption of the whole race

and the particular

fig-

nal inftances of aftonifliing or monftrous crimes, as

a proof of the exceffive depravation of our nature,

and what man

know

it is

in his prefent ftate is capable of.

plealing and gratifying to

to talk of the

dignity of

beauty of moral virtue

a manner

as to

make

human

and

if it

human

pride,

nature, and the

be done in fuch

us efteem the only means of

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

recovering our

man

as

certain

ence to

he now

is,

23

integrity and original glory, I

loll

have no objeftion

SJK.

to

But

it.

if

it

be fpoken of

without regenerating grace,

am

more agreeable to reafon and experifay, that, from the lengths to which fome

it is

have proceeded, when placed in circumftances of

owing

temptation,

it

providence

that others

fomewhat

power of

to the

reftraining

have been comparatively

better.

have feen

is

it

with great apparent juf-

obferv^ed,

tice, that

probably one end which

when he

fliortened the

God had
human

period of

view

in

life after

the deluge, was, to let bounds to the progrefs of

human

As

guilt.

llrengthen

by

of wicked

the

is

it

men

true

caufes

peace which

And

indeed, if

of any

little

we now

enjoy,

reafon to adore the

but very

little to

man heart.
The moil
to

by

to

time, a race

many hundreds

living

would degenerate and harden

conceived.

of vice

nature

habit, and increafc

of years,

to a degree not ealily

we examine
degree of

we

into the

order

fhall fee

and

abundant

wifdom of Divine Providence,

afcribe

much

goodnefs to the hu-

truly excellent characters

which are

be found in hiflory, and the moll illuftrious

deeds which thofe heroes have performed,

have

for their very foundation the corruption of the hu-

man
and

race.

In

legiilators

this

remark

of antiquity,

have in view the fages

who

acquired fo

much

renown by eilablilhing fyllems of policy and government for diiferent Hates. What was this elfe,
and indeed what was it called, but taming the favage,

and reftraining the profligate part of theif

ALL MANKIND BY

24
fellow-creatures
in

view

human

It

feems plainly to be the point

human

in every

law, to bridle the fury of

and hinder one

inclination,

This

king a prey of another.

the apollle Paul,

law

that the

but

godly and

is

man from maby

well defcribed

Tim. i. 9. lo. " Knowing this,

made for a righteous man,

not

is

and difobedient, for the un-

the lawlefs

-for

Ser. I,

for fmners, for

unholy and profane, for

murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for

man-flayers, for whore-mongers, for
file

themfelves

for

liars,

with mankind,

for perjured

psrfons,

them

that de-

men-llealers,

for

and

if

there be

any other thing that is contrary to found docWe have indeed the teftimony of men
trine."
It has been found
a-ainll themfelves in this cafe.
to

any exception, that the longer

hold, without

men

live,

with

whom

they have the greater fufpicion of thofe

they live

the greater experience they

have of the world, they have the harder thoughts

of

men

In particular, thofe

in general.

who have

been moll converfant in public life, and have obtained moil of what is called a knowledge of the
world, have always the woril opinion of human
nature.

Let us now, from a general, come

2.

and perfonal view of our prefent

ticular

may
of

to a par-

flate.

You

be apt to fuppofe, that though the iinfulnefs

human

verfal

nature

that

is

too general, yet

though

x^ice

it

is

not uni-

and wickednefs have ap-

peared confpicuoufly, and though perhaps wicked

men may have

obtained the afcendency in every

nation, this v/ill

not ferve to found a fentence a-

gainll every

man.

We

might upon

this part of the

^'ATURE UNDER SIK.

Ser. 1.

25

fubjeiH: obferve, that the truth illuftrated

receive confirmation

Human

ledge of one another.

nothing by a clofe infpedlion.

general or particular,

viewed

at

raiHiers,

when

grown

Take

it

either in

befl appearance is

The

a diflance.

diminilh

greateft

when

and beft cha-

lullre.
This indeed has
That rnuch familiarity breeds

their

into a proverb,

On

contempt.

we may

account

this

that if fuch is the

is

its

gain

will

nature

clofelj examined, have always fuch

and imperfections attending them, as

blemilhes
greatly

above will

from our mofl intimate know-

fafely fay,

Hate of our nature, that no

man

able to juftify himfelf, or obtain the entire ap-

probation of his fellow-finners

much more " mull

every mouth be flopped^ and- all the world become

guilty before

God," Rom.

But the chief

iii.

19..

illuftration of this part

of the fub--

mufl be from the teftimony which confcience

jel:,

conftrains every

man

have

to.

be

to

my

amine, therefore,

bear

againfl: himfelf.

brethren,

fatisfied, that

you

Ex-

what reafon you

yourfelves, unlefs your

natures have been renewed

are under the dominion of fin

by

the

Holy Ghoft,

nay, that even fuch

have been " brought again from the dead*' do

flill feel " a law in their
members warring aas

gainft the

law of

ber, then, that

God

in their

in fecret,"

and "

candles."

It

who

was

fearch a

little

feetli

fearcheth Jerufalem as with

necelTary formerly to take notice

of the enormous effefts of fin in this

now

Remem-

minds."

you have to do with him " who

life

we mufl

deeper, and confider the begin-

ning and fource of thefe in the difpoiltion of the

heart.

It

is

true, there are

C3

probably

many

here

ALL MANKIND BY

0i6

Ser. 1.

who are

juftly chargeable

fuch

impiety, lying, injullice, or micleamiefs

as,

may

with the

crimes

grofTeft

-,

God, that their fins

may find them out, and his word may he quick
and powerful to their conviftion. But what I have
now in view is, to maintain the univerfal concluand oh

that

it

pleafe

profligates,

For

but

this purpoie,

many men have

man is a linner.
the utmoil moment to

only that

fion in the text, not

been

{liat

every

it is

put you in mind what

of

There are
properly is.
two ways of defence, you know, upon any trial
the one is, to deny the fa6l
the other, to maintain it is no crime.
It is of neceffity, therefore,
in xho. Jint place, \q afcertain the charge, by anfin

account of the nature of

fin.

Of

this,

do not

think there can be produced a jufier account than

we have

" Sin

is any
want of conformity unto, or tranfgreflion of the
law of God:" which is nothing elfe but a brief
illuflration of the v/ords of fcripture, " Sin is the

in our Shorter Catechifm

tranfgreflion of the

law."

Let the confcience, then,

of every hearer anfwer to the charge.

kept, or have you broken the law of

Have you
?
Have

God

you been obedient fubjefts to the King of kings ?

Have you done your own will, or the will of him
that made you ? However unwilling you may be to
put this queflion

be able
in the

vWe

home

at

prefent,

to decline the tribunal, or

no perfon

ihall

evade the anfwer

day of judgement.
have one great

difficulty to flruggle

with

in the attempt of bringing the guilty to confeffion,

that fin hath

blinded the underilanding, and per-

verted the judgement

fo

that

after

we have

faid

NAtURE UNDER

Ser. I.
that fin

27

the tranfgreflion of the law, there will

is

What is the law, and

Upon this we miift have

remain another que (lion,

how

SIN.

fax doth

extend

it

recourfe to the remaining traces that are left

the

confcience

and

upon

nothing more proper

fee

home that fmnmary which God hath

own right and our duty, in the firft
commandment^ " Thou Ihalt love the

than to prefs
given of his

and great

Lord thy

God

with

and with

foul,

all

all

Are you your own ?

Can you plead any
Is not yovir

amiable
If he

Maker

Is

is not,

thy heart, and with

all

command

exceptioii to this

and

infinitely perfeft,

he not worthy of your fupreme love

who

is it,

or

what

that

is it,

there be any thing

more

jufl

is

none upon

title ?

than the fentiIxxiii.

?

there none, or lef >,

whom

vation

it

its

very exiftence, and

depends every moment for

May

Ijerve

prefer-

fome hold of

not hope to have

hearts, then, naturally,

bitually and fupremely fct

your

its

here, in pleading the rights of their

your

and

whom

from

in the Creator,

every inferior nature derives

on

and

earth that I defire befides thee."

Is there excellence or fweclnefs in the creature,

is

you have

ment expreffed by the pious Pfalmift, Pial.

25. " Whom have I i:i heaven but thee
there

infinitely

reafon to prefer, or that can produce a better

Can

thy

thy mind," Matth. xxii. 37.

Have you no lord over you ?

firft

Maker

finners

Are

and have they bee:, ha-

upon

and leading care

to

God Has
know him,
?

it

been

and to

him, to inquire irto his will, that you might

do wp.'t

x.^as

acceptable to

lieve^ that in his

favour only

him
is

life,

Do you

be-

and therefore

ALL MANKIND BY

28

Ser. I.

do you feek your happinefs and your comfort in

him

Many

are apt greatly to miftake

upon

this

feems to be the leading deception

fubje6l ; nay, it
of fmners, to think nothing evil or punifhable, but

human

fuch grofs crimes as are diforderly in

and obnoxious

ciety,

is

human

make them

poffible to

there

to

how much guilt

God and yet
human depravity. The

fenfible

in a total forgetfalnefs of

this is the

fo-

It is fcarce

laws.

very fource of

chief thing blameable in our attachment to other

things, is their filling the

room

that

due

is

God,

to

their being employed in a mamier that is difiionour-

God,

able to

words, their being

or, in other

in^*

ilruments of rebellion againll the will of God.

Are

there any of you,

my

who, by the

brethren,

kindnefs of Providence, have been kept free from

grofs, vifible,

and fcandalous offences

a natural coolnefs
chafte or fober

have been

jufl or

who, from
have been

of temperament,

who, from a principle of honour,

generous who, from the di61;ates
;

of prudence, have been regular and decent

have been unmindful of your duty

been unwilling
light in

fence

to think of

to

and yet never confefTed the obligation

but

God, have

him, or llrangers

him ? and are you not linners

Have you been preferved by

to de-

in his pre-

his power,

Have you

been living daily upon his bounty, and yet feldom

or never given
different
is

him

thanks, except in the mofl

in-^

and formal manner, and fuch worfliip as

much more

ground of

proper occafion for repentance than

c ufidence

How,

able to fland h\ the judgement

then,
?

**

fhall

you be

For of him,

NATURE UNDER

Ser. I.

and through him, and

whom

COME now

29

him, are

to

all

things

to

Amen."

be glory for ever.

II.

SIN.

make fome

to

provement of what has been

faid

im-

praftical

on

this fubjet.

And,
1

From what

has been

you may

faid,

how

learn

deeply and furely the foundation of the gofpel

It

laid.

is

is

in the aftual ftate of the world,

laid

and in that depravity of our nature, which

it is

which nothing but the

obftinacy and perverlion of mind can have

impoffible to conceal, and

greateft

the courage to deny.

but an

inv.'ard

am

fenfible, that

by

mifery, wrought

Spirit of the living

the

embrace the gofpel

will bring the linner to

the neceflity of falvation

may be

As

and obfervation.

yet

evinced in the

by reafon
when atthe wifdom

the vifible creation,

tentively viewed, ferves

to

difcover

and omnipotence of God, and

open volume,

is,

as t were,

which men of every

read and admire

it is

God,

and mofl fatisfaftory manner,

clearell

as

nothing

and perfonul convi^lion of guilt and

fo

toi^gue

an

may

the ftate of the moral world,

called, plainly points

out the guilt and apof-

tacy of man, and loudly calls for the interpoiition

This it is our duty to attend to,
of the Saviour.
not only to ftop the mouths of gainfayers, but to
ellablifh

the faith of God's children, that

not be overthrown or unfettled

objections of thofe
2.

From what

who

lie in

by

world,

may

wait to deceive^.

has been faid, you

may

what fentiments we Ihould look upon the

the

it

the cavils and

or perufc the hiftcry

fee

with

ftate

of

of providence.

ALL MANKIND BY

30

and what

Scr. I.

we may reap from it. When we

our own age and country, what

profit

fee, as at prefent, in

profanenefs and negleft of God, what contempt

or defertion of his worftiip, prevails

of every rank

and

among many

what pride and luxury, what riot

what uncleannefs and debauchery,

fenfuality,

what

lying, fraud, and perjury

ferve

how

and when

we

ob-

one race of finners has fucceeded another

in every age, and that true religion has been generally, as

ilate,

is

it

ilill,

we ought

to

in a llruggling or perfecuted

be humbled for the

nature, and the fliare

buted to the general

fin

of our

which each of us has

contri-

Iiiilead of finding fault

guilt.

with Providence for the permifiion of

to

be

filled

and others for the perpetration of

to

we ought

fin,

with a holy indignation againfl ourfelves

We

it.

ought

admire that wifdom and power by which the

King of kings
lence of men.

bounds

fets rellraining

we

Neither ought

to

to the vio-

omit adoring

his holinefs in the awful vifitations with

which he

fometimes .overtakes and overwhelms the wicked

in their wickednefs.

When

he fends out his fore

judgements of war, famine, and peflilence

when he looks

to the earth,

able to bear

the guilt that

all

and
is

it

or

trembles, as un-

laid

upon

it

when

thunder, lightning, and tempeft, feem to threaten

the immediate dififolution of the whole fabric

ought to confider
fin,

he
works

render to

every

to that time,

man

and deferved vengeance

but univerfal

when

we

the juft punilhment of

and look forward with fear

fliall

tial,

all thefe as

it fliall

when

according to his
lliall

not be par-

not be cccafional

NATUR"E UNDER SIN.

Set. I.

and temporary, but

final,

5!

unchangeable, and eter-

nal.
3.
flate

You may

learn,

from what has been

who

and danger of thofe

fald,

the

are chargeable with

heinous and aggravated nature.

If all
without exception are " under fin, if every mouth

fins of a

mufl be Hopped,"

If thofe

God,
what

fhall

felves to

firfl

Lord

lived to themfelves, and not to

a reproach to reafon, as well as a

may even

words of the apoflle Peter,

be faved, where

fay further, in the

" If the righteous

fhall

the ungodly and

the finner appear ?" i Pet. iv. 18.

beg your

attention to this, that

loofe livers

the

principles.

It

impure

done

anger

not be able to fland in the judgement

fcandal to religion

ther

to

become of thofe who have fold themwork iniquity, and whofe abominable

pfaclices are

fcarcely

be the condition
wtio have

order,

others to provoke the

who have

fhall

fhall

the fhameful pre-eminence of

being finners of the

more than

what

8i.c.

who have

of thofe

warmefl advocates
is

do the ra-

we always
for

find

libertine

the drunkard, the fwearer, the

fornicator,

who

are fo ready to produce in

converfation their pretended arguments againfl the

human nature. I fpeak to all fuch

What benefit will .you reap by
denying original corruption, when you are juflly
If
chargeable with fo many actual tranfgreflions ?

corruption of

within hearing.

there are, or ever were, any perfon in the world

without

fin,

furely

fo yourfelves.

you cannot pretend

You

are

afhamed

hidden fcenes to your fellow-finners

you conceal them frpm

to
;

that

you

are

reveal your

but

how

fhall

the Searcher of all hearts

ALL MANKIN^D BY

32
If

you cannot bear

Ser. I.

be told your'

to

faults

by your

with what fpeechlefs confufion

fellow-creatures,

you ftand at laft before the judgment-feat of

Let me, therefore, addrefs you in the words
of your Maker by the Pfalrnifl, Pfal. 1. 21. 22.
" Thefe things thou haft done, and I kept lilence

fliall

Chrift

thou thoughtefl that

thyfelf

but

was

altogether fuch a one as

will reprove thee, and fet

Now,

order before thine eyes.

that forget

be none

God,

left I tear

you

May it

to deliver."

them

conlider this,

in.

ye

in pieces, and, there

pleafe

God

efFeftuallj

to convince

you of your

you

mercy, as revealed in the gcfpel, for

to his

your forgivenefs.
the Pfalmift, Pfal.

be angry, and ye
wrath
l,]}at

is

I
ii.

iin

and danger, and

to lead

conclude with the advice of

" Kifs the Son,

12.

kindled but a

left

he

from the vvay, when his

perifti

little.

put their truft in him,'

BlelTed are

all

they

SERMON

II.

THE SINNER WITHOUT EXCUSE BEFORE GOD.

Psalm, cxxx.
If

3.

Lotdf fiouldit mark iniquUieSy

thoUf

Lord, who

fiall stand F

JUSTICE

and mercy are the perfeftions of the

which we
Our world is

divine nature, in
peculiar concern.

and the

human

as finners

race the great, or, fo far as

the onlj objedls of their united exercife.

apprehensions,

jiift

muft

lie

at the

have a

the great theatre,

we

knov/,

Clear and

of thofe attributes,

therefore,

foundation of

all

religion.

It

is

eafj to fee, that a difcoverj both of juftice and

meixy

is

ancc.

He

he

is

neceffary to bring the linner to repent-*

muft

involv^ed,

certainly,

and mifery in which

way by which

lie

may

and by which he can only obtain a

The fame views

recovery.

are equally neceifary

every Chriftian, during his continuance in this

to

imperfect
denial

and
to

fee the guilt

and the

ftate.

They

which ought

to

to that humiliation

are neceffary to that felf-

be his habitual character,

and penitence v/hich ought

be his frequent employment.

I

muft, however, obferve, that, though there are

few of the

attributes of

Vol. IL

God more frequently fpokeij

THE SINNER WITHOUT

34
of,

perhaps there are few

Men

have

weak

of

perfuafion

lefs diftin6lly

the

On

or

God, and

of

juftice

thence defpife his mercy.

underftood.

knowledge

imperfect

an

either

Ser. 2.

the other hand, they

prefumptuous views of his general

are apt to take

merc}^, and thence defpife his juftice and feverity.

This

is

dominion of

are under the

of

who, upon the whole,

not peculiar to thofe

God

Even

fin.

the children

themfelves are ready, either to lofe their

views of the majefty and holinefs of God, w^hich

fhould incline

them

and godly fear

ing his mercy, to

dage and

illiberal

to the honour of

him with reverence

to ferve

on the other hand, by neglect-

or,

fall into

that

ft ate

which

fear,

God, and

of

bon-

flavifti

equally injurious

is

hurtful to their

own

peace.

.On thefe accounts

have chofen

to inlift a little

David, in which

on, 'this paflage of the pfalmift

juftice

"

iniquities,

If thou. Lord, fhouldft

who

ftiall

by feme,

But there

ftand?

thee, that thou

that this

Lord,

forgivenefs with

is

mayeft be feared."

It is

thought

pfalm was compofed in that me-

morable period of his

the matter of Uriah

when he was plunged

life,

by

in the deepeft guilt,

was

mark

we

and mercy

have an united view of divine

his adultery

but more

and murder in

commonly that it
when the immi-

in the time of his perfecution,

was

nent dangers to which he

brought his

lins

/erving what

is

ftrongly

to

fo

often expofed

remembrance.

here faid of the mercy of

another opportunity,

let

us

now

confider the

given us of his juftice^ in this paftage

*'
;

Re-

God

to

view

If thou,

EXCUSE before god.

Ser. 2.

mark

Lord, fhouldft

Endeavour

iniquities,

iland ?" For this purpofe, I

to afcertain

35r

who

Lord,

fhall

ftiall,

and explain the mean-'

ing of the pfalmift's alTertion.

IL Support and confirm

from

it

fcripture and-

experience.

IIL In

the last place,

I fhall

improvement of what may be

L Let

us, tlion,j^r/r,

make

faid

endeavour

a pra6bical

upon

it.

to afcertain

and

explain the meaning of the pfalmilPs expreflion,

**

If thou, Lord,

who

ihall

Lord,

Thefe ^vords evidently

carry-

Ihouldll

Hand ?"

mark

iniquities,

them the deepeft fenfe of iin, a ftrong and inward convibion of the impoffibility of juilifying

in

himfelf before a pure and holy God, if he fhoul'd

deal -with

him as in juftics he might " If thou.

mark iniquities, O Lord, who fhall
:

Lord, Ihouldll

God

fland?"

prefent, to

is

confequently

all

The

known.

an omnifcient being, every where

whom

all

our

our thoughts and ways, and

fins, are

exprefTion,

and mufl be perfectly

then, cannot

mean, that

there are any fins unregarded, or not obferved of

God

becaufe this

is

impofTible.

The marking

of iniquities here, feems to be an allufion to wdiat

human

pafTes in

or put

courts,

upon record

all

where the judges

that is brought

condem-

In this view, the meaning mufl be,

nation.

fhould fo

mark

all

down

againfl the

criminal, in order to found a fentence of

us for

{qX

if

God

iniquities as to proceed to punifh

of which vve were really guilty, there

could be no pofTibility of ^flanding fuch an impartial trial.

D2

THE SIKNEH WITHOUT

$6
need not

tell

Ser. 2.

you, that the putting the words in

*< O Lord, who fhall
Hand }^

the form of a queftion,

does not imply that there

is

any uncertainty in the

matter, or that any can be found pure enough to

endure fuch a fcrutiny, but rather ferves

in the ftrongeil

manner. Again,

pofe, that the pfalmift,

"

in general,

Who

by

fms,

This

is

by bringing
to

fin,

or to extenuate his

many

in the

world,

who

are

an excufe or palliation of

But the true

guilt of particular offenders.

trie

fpi-.

rit

of repentance leads to very different fentiments

it

makes

the finner fix

it

in others equally guilty.

think the number of thofe

chargeable with any

deny

putting the queftion thus

indeed the praclice of

who feem

to

are not to fup-

ftand?" deligned to turn

fhall

the accufation from liimfelf,

own

we

upon

his

point at the fins and plagues of his

own faults, and

own heart, with-

out thinking upon the fms of others, imlefs as they

may

be an occaficn of diicovering

to

him more of
own nature.

the depravation and wickednefs of his

So that the

general import of the pfalmifl's expref-

feems to be, If thou. Lord, fhouldft execute

fion

the decrees of juftice, and puniih every thing that

done amifs, the holiefl

is

be able to abide the trial

fuch a fmner as

n.
truth

be able

PROCEED now

from

be pleafed

man on earth would not

how much lefs would
;

to ftand^

to fupport

to obferve, that

^f the holy fcriptures

it

it is

is

Pfal. cxliii. z,

**

this

And you will

the conflant doctrine

the uniform language

of humility and penitence there.

ifl,

and confirm

fcripture and experience.

Thus

the pfalm-

Enter not into judgment with

EXCUSE before god.

Ser. 2.

thy fervant

of Job, ch.

but

how

no

for in thy fight fhall

To

juftified."

the

ix.

iliould

fame purpofe,

37

man living

fee the

2.3.4."! know it is fo
man be jufl with God ?

be

language

of a truth

If he will

contend with him, he cannot anfwer him one of a

He
who

thoufand.
ftrength

wife

is

mighty in
him,

hath hardened himfelf againft

and hath profpered?"

infinite

heart, and

in

clear difcovery of the

majefty of God, the unfpotted holinefs of

his nature, the extent, the purity,

and

of his law, will immediately carry

home a

tion of the truth,

and

make

pure and wretched creatures

fpirituality

convic-

us fenlible what im-

we

are

it

make

will

every one of us cry out with Job, after a difcovery

of the divine glory and perfedion, ch. xl. 4. 5.
*'

I am vile, what Ihall I anfwer thee?

mine hand upon my mouth. Once have

Behold,

will lay

not anfwer

fpoken, but

I will

will proceed

no further."

**

but

And

feeth thee.

myfelf, and repent in

dud and

yea, twice, but I

again, ch. xlii. 5 6.

.

have heard of thee by the hearing of

now mine eye

Wherefore
allies."

ear

ttife

abhor

Every

true

penitent will fay, with the pfalmift, Pfal. xix. 12.

"

Who

can underftand his errors

me from

daily prefcivatioil
patience, in

tlie

Lamentations,

we

cies that

Nay, he

fecret faults."

fions

fail

great

is

iii.

as

an

cleanfe

thou

will confider his

evidence of the divine

fufpenfion of his fentence

22. 23. " It

is

as in

of the Lord's mer-

are not confumed, becaufe his compaf-

not.

They

are

new every morning

thy faiihfulnefs."

Thefe,

my

brethren, are examples of the fenti-

xnems and language of the fcripturc-faints

D3

and

if

5^

THE gjNNER WITHOUf

we look

into their characters, as fet before

little

we

in the infpired writings,

iis

abafement
religion

is

improvement

more any perfon has made

m fo much the humbler manner

very contrary to the
5

more

will

clearly

and more readily confefs

pov/er and influence over his

the world

real

he will think and fpeak

in holinefs,

fee the evil of fin,

this is

that felf-

fhall fee,

one of the moll certain proofs of true

that the

-,

Ser. 2.

own

heart.

fpirit that

its

know

prevails in

and particularly oppofite to the reigning

temper of the prefent age.

know

alfo that there

many

objedions raifed againft this fundamen-

tal truth.

But inftead of wrangling controverfy,

are

m which our underftandings are often loft,

pailions irritated, rather than fubdued

and our

for further

inforcing the above truth, I fhall only urge every

hearer to a ferious and impartial reflection upon

his

own condud*

ihe bleiiing of

am

This, I

perfuaded,

God, be the moft

eiFelual

v/ill, by
means of

carnal mind, and

filencing the reafonings of the

forcing the confcience to a confeiiion, both of the

equity of the law^ and the guilt of difobedience.

For attaining

this end,

I fhall

general fubjeCts of examination

m^ay fliow fidelity to your

them

to the trial,

omitted,

How

i.

2.

propofe three

and beg that yoii

fouls,

in bringing

many" duties have yoti

which you muft be

'have performed?

own

jufl

How

fenfible

you ought to
you been

often have

guilty of exprefs tranfgreifions of the law of

3.

How many

God

blemiihes and imperfedtions cleave

to thofe very duties

which jou endeavour

form

his will

in obedience

to^

to per-,

EXCUSE BEFORE GOD.

Ser. 2.

How many

Then,

I.

39

duties have

you omitted,

which you mufl be fenfible you ought to have performed ? In charging you with negled of duty, 1
mufl begin with unthanl<;fuhiefs and forgetfulncfs of

God. Let the confcience be ever fo much biafled

by partialit}^, or perA'-erted by wrong principles, is
it pofiible to deny the obligation of every creature
acknowledge

to

dependence upon the author of

his

his being, the preferver

of his mercies
fenfible of this

Rock

of the

formed you

and the fource

my

brethren, been

How

unmindful have you been

This

is

the

by

of every

And

the

whofe

are

God

was one of the

human

whom you

What

God.

fo,

is to us,

But

laft

claufe,

and

is,

is

you indeed ac-

depend for every

moment

that

you

have often thought that

greateft evidences of the depra-

nature,

on earth fhould

fpeak

23.

of the world, have

continue in exiflence

ftate

and the

againft a great prince

ch. v.

breath that you draw, for eveiy

it

that

tranfgreflion^

whofe hand thy breath

in

knowledged God, on

vity of

God

all fins,

thy ways, haft thou not glorified."

all

men

Say, ye

of

particular

prophet Daniel,

the

and the

firft

was a lieavy charge brought

It

"

liis life,

that begat you,

parent

fruitful

of

But have you,

tliat

an abundant and opulent

fo generally lead to neglel of

this,

when

interpreted, if I

may

but that the greater our Maker's goodnefs

commonly

the lefs

is

our gratitude to

him ?

fpeak to thofe whofe confciences are

more enlightened, and who have not wholly forI Vv'ould

gotten the Lord.

Are

manifold omilTions

you

not

you

What

alfo chargeable

fenfe

with

of gratitude have

retained; and exprefled; for innumerable

mer-

THE SINNER WrtHOUT

40

and temporal,

fpiritual

cies,

your families

How

to

Scr. 2.

yourfelves and to

unequal the payment of gra-

titude to the debt of obligation

What

ufe have

you made of them in God's fervice ? What advantage have you reaped, for your own fandlification, from the bounty of Providence, from the
ftrokes of Providence, from the ordinances of divine inftitution, from the truths of the everlafting

gofpel,

from feafons of

from edifying examples,

What have you done
?

portunities of worfhip,

from

admonitions

faithful

good of others

for the

and op-

inftruftion,

How

you

often have

re-

lieved the neceffitous, comforted the diftrefTed, in^

truded

the ignorant,

admonifhed the negligent,

punifhed or rellrained the

fpeak to

many who have

profane

in improving their time and their talents

ly there
that,

fo

is jufl

ground of humiliation

yet fure-

to the beft,

even under a convi6tion of duty, they have

imperfeftly difcharged

very perfons

who have

Alas

my

brethren,

it

and probably the

done moll, will be mofl

fincerely grieved that they

it is

light of fins of omiflion.

have not done more.

a great miflake to think

How much

the condition of thofe thoughtlefs

forgetting that they
to live for

felves

hope

not been wholly negligent

finners

were made

to ferve

no other purpofe than

do

I pity

who,
God, feem

perfons,

to

enjoy them-

And O the miferable delulion

who fet their minds at eafe by the

of thofe
filly

ex-

That they do harm to none but themfelves

hear and tremble at the tenor of the fenthem
Let
cufe.

tence in the great day, Matth. xxv. 30. " Call

the unprofitable fervant into utter dar^nefs

ye

ther^

EXCUSE before god.

Ser. 2.

41

be weeping and gnalliing of teeth.'' It ij;

the firfl duty of natural religion, " Give unto the
fhall

Lord the glory due unto

fum of

all

20. "

Ye

and

;"

the

it is

the duties of the gofpel, i Cor. vi. 19.

are not your

with a price

and in your

own;

fpirit,

which

for

God

therefore glorify

Confider in

2.

name

his

ye are bought

your body,

in

are God's."

how many

you have

iiiilances

been guilty of exprefs tranfgreffions of the law of

God,

law written upon your

his

own word.

peated in his

God

If

at all

of the law of

tent,

you mufl be deeply convinced

in

of your in-

numerable

tranfgreffions, in thought, in

(i.)

thoughts

takes

life

heart.

Sin

is

are

None

its

the

word, and
of your

iins

hath

its

Every enormity

in

featcd in the

and dominion there.

throne
the

and ex-

its fpirituali ty

in deed,

How many

and re-

hearts,

you know any thing

heart

it

from the impurity of the

rife

will think light of fins of the heart,

who have any acquaintance with the word of God.

Let them but

faw

refleft

upon the account given of the

of the old world, Gen.

guilt

that

earth,

the wickednefs of

vi. 5.

"

man was

And God

great in the

and that every imagination of the thoughts

of his heart was only evil continually."

Let them
upon the faying of the wife man, Prov. iv,
for out
23, " Keep thy heart with all diligence

refledl

of

it

are the iffues of life ;" Jer. xvii. 10.

Lord fearch the

every

man

heart,

"

the

try the reins, even to give

according to his ways, and according to

the fruit of his doings."

How many

thoughts are there in your hearts,

admitted and entertained,

dilhonourable to

God,

42

THE SINNER WITHOUT

'

Ser. 2.

unthankful for his mercies, impatient under his

providence

How many

thoughts, envious, mali-

towards your neighbour

fpiteful,

cious,

How

many wanton lafcivious thoughts, and irregular defires ? How many covetous, worldly, vain, ambiLet me befeech, you alfo to contious thoughts ?
sider, that thefe are not fins that we fall into feldom,
by

or

occafional temptation, but multitudes break

upon us every day, and in a manner every hour.

What an infinite number, then, muft we be charge-

in

able with in twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years

many

If fo

be tht
'

are the fins of a fingle day,

guilt of a

whole

life

What

reafon to cry

"

out, with the prophet to Jerufalem,

fliall

How

long

vain thoughts lodge within us ?"

(2.) Let

tongue.
fins

what mull

me befeech you

Here

I fhall

not

to confider the fins of the

infill

much on

the grofier

of the tongue, lying, flandering, backbiting

of thefe, though few will be fenfible they are guilty

themfelves,

infifi:

abundantly ready to complain,

all are

as reigning in the

world in general.

on impure converfation,

expreflions, or allufions to obfcenity

afraid

many

ihall

and lafcivious

though

am

here prefent are far from being inno-

cent of the charge.

the

Neither

filthy

But befides

thefe, the fins

of

tongue are fo many, that the moll watchful

Chrillian cannot fay he

is

guiltlefs.

meek Mofes was provoked to fpeak

with his lips." The apoftle James

**

Even

the

unadvifedly

has given us

a very flrong defcription, both of the general prevalence, and mifchievous influence of the fins of

the tongue, James,

we offend

all.

iii,

If any

man

8.

" For in

many

things

offend not in word, the

EXCaSE BEFORiE GOD.

Ser. i.

43

fame is a perfe6l man, and able alfo to bridle the

whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horfes

may obey

mouths, that they

bout their whole body.

which though they be

helm,

fmall

Even

tongue

fo the

iniquity

is

And

little

For every kind of

lifteth.

fire,

little

a world of

tongue amongft our members,

whole body, and fetteth on fire
;

and

been tamed of mankind

man tame

it

is

And

poifon."

it

fea,

none

to think thefe fins of the

is

men

that

fhalt

be

of deadly

prefume, after

all,

tongue inconfiderable,
tells us,

Matth.

That every

let
xii.

idle

fpeak, they fhall give an ac-

count thereof in the day of judgement.

words thou

fer-

tamed, and hath

fay unto you.

fhall

of hell.

fire

evil, full

may

us remember what our Saviour

36. 37. " But

on

but the tongue can no

an unruly

that

is fet

and of birds, and of

beafts,

and things in the

pents,

governor

member, and boafleth

the tongue is a

of nature

the courfe

juftificd,

For by thy

and by thy words thou

be condemned."

(3.)
let

turn a-

the ihips,

fo is the

defileth the

it

llialt

we

Behold how great a matter a

kindleth.

word

alfo

and are driven of

fo great,

whitherfoever the

great things.

that

and

winds, yet are they turned about with a very

fierce

fire

us

Behold

Now, to

thefe fins of heart

us add the confideration of

adions,
or are

by which we
the means, by

and converfation,

all

either oftcnd

the fins of our

God

ourfelves,

a doubtful or fufpicious ex-

ample, of inducing others to offend him

a6bs of infobriety

ourfelves

all

the

and intemperance with regard

of injuftice, treachery,

with regard to others.

or

to

oppreflion,

Let us confider thofe

fins

THE SINNER WITHOUT

44
which we

to

Scr. 2.

by our refpective callings and

by our refpe6live ages or tempers,
and the fociety with which we ftand

are led

employments, or

by

or

fituation,

The

conneded.

lightnefs and frothinefe of fome,

the fournefs and morofenefs of others, the inconfideratenefs

and folly of youth, the plotting and

ambitious projeds of riper years, the peevilhnefs

and covetoufnefs of old age, and the vanity and

felfifhnefs

we

carry with us through

if not all

the feveral

Thefe things are moft,

ftages and periods of life.

of them, fins in themfelves, and do infalli-

bly betray us into a great number of others.

we

confider all

can

we

to adopt the language

refufe

our

fcripture, that

the hairs

upon our heads,

fea-fhore

In

more

are

fins

upon the

we

If

this with any meafure of attention,

in

of the holy

number than

or than the fand that is

fine, if

we

confider the fins

are guilty of, according to our conditions and

relations in the world, as hufbands

and wives, pa-

and children, mailers and fervants, magiftrates

rents

we

and fubjecls, minifters and people,

fhall find

the account fo prodigioufly fwelled, that

we

have more than reafon to cry out, with the

" Lord, if thou fhouldfl mark iniquities,

pfalmill,

who

fhall

fhall

Lord,

ftand?"

3. Confider the fins that cleave

ligious duties, and every thing

to the will of

God.

The

even to your re-

you do

in obedience

purefl worfhipper on

earth m\ifl afk forgivenefs for the fins even of his

holy things.

am

not here to

pocritical performances
flians,

done merely, or

or fpread,

as

of

infill

many

chiefly, to

upon the hy-

profefling Chri-

be fecn of men,

a covering, over their hidden and

EXCUSE. BEFOR15 god.

Ser. 2.

fhameful deeds
zeal

which

nor

from

arifes

which

glory, and

am

45

I to

mention that religious

ftrife,

contention, and vain-

aims

chiefly

at the

fupport of

party-names

becaufe thefe are direftly and emi-

nently linful

they are an abomination in the fight

of God.

But,

my

brethren, even in thofe per-

formances which you go about with fome meafure

how many defects are to be found

Oh how" much negligence, coldnefs, and formalihow many wandering, vain, idle,
ty, in worlKip
of lincerity,

and worldly thoughts,

your

in

bodies are in the houfe of God

infinite

the

hearts,

when your

Conllder only the

glory and majefty of God, in whofe fight

who

heavens themfelves are not clean, and

charges his angels with folly

you have ever prayed

of

rence

at

and fay, whether

with becoming reve-

all

Confider only the unfpeakable

fpirit.

condefcenfion of that

God

to his creatures,

and the

unfearchable riches of his grace to the finner

and

whether your hearts have ever been fuitably

aifefted with his love.

fay,

It is

our duty,

my

how far
God with

brethren, to confider

we have been from preaching the word of

him in whofe
we have done it with

proper imprefilons of the majefty of

name we fpeak

how

far

fimplicity and dignity, neither fearing the cenfure,

nor courting the applaufe, of our fellow-finners

how

we have done

far

aflfedion,

it

with that holy fervour and importunity,

which the value of

thofe precious fouls to

fpeak manifeftly demands.

finefs to confider,

attention,

Vol.

with that tendernefs and

is it

how feldom you

reverence,

II.

And

humility,

whom we

not your bu-

hear with that

and

love,

with

THE SINNER WITHOUT

<56

truths of the ever-

which the facred and important

lafling gofpel

ought to be received

hear much more

critics

as linners

as

how many

abilities

how many nm

as

learners,

and content them-

marking the weaknefs of an

or praifmg the

and

as judges^ than

rather than

felves with

-Ser. 2.

indifferent,

of an animated fpeaker

with itching ears from one con-

gregation to another, or even from one party or pro-

may be edified, but

How
may be gratified
many loll ordinances, how many mif-fpent Sabbaths
have we to lament before God
When we come to the fecond table of the law,
liow many finful motives mix their influence
how
in the duties we perform to our neighbours
many afts of juftice owe their being, in part at
ieaft, to fear of reproach
how many works of cha-

felTion to another, not that they

that curiofity and fancy

rity

owe

their fplendour to a defire of applaufe, as

well as to a better principle

done, were I to go through
the

C hr ill ian life,

cleave to them.

fhould never have

all

the great duties of

and obferve the

I believe

finful

may

defers that

fay with great

would we but deal faithfully, there

would be no more neceflary to our humiliation, than
truth,

ftril

that

examination of our duties themfelves. This

would oblige us

to confefs, that

teoufneffes are as filthy rags before

"

all

God

our righ;" that

mufi not plead for reward, but forgivenefs

no merit of our own, but

infinite

mercy

alone,

we

that

mull

be the foundation of our hope.

III. I

COME now

to

make fome

pradical appli-

cation of the fubjed; for your inftrudion and di-

EXCUSE BETORE GOD.

Ser. 2.'

And,

redlion.

of lin

How

how

How

great

them before you

4^

the deceitfulnefa

the conlideration of our

is

which

the order in

is

the blindnefs of linncrsl

aftonilliing

eafy and obvious

fnis, in

fet

i.

have endeavoured to

Sins of omiffion on the one

hand, .and of commiflion on the other

by

faulty in both refpets, viz.

negle6led, and Uns

fins in

mixed with the performance

God,
:

thought, in word, and in deed, againft

our neighbour, and ourfelves.

ny

and duties

eflential qualities

are there in a great

Yet, alas

hov/

ma-

meafure ignorant of the

fins

they are chargeable with, and therefore fleeping in

fecurity

Think,

to deliverance.

written

my

beloved hearers,

To know your

condition.

upon

Is not the

all

danger,

Would

dence

ment,

if there

proclaims the

was no offence
fm of man.

an injurious world, and a

blind

is

proaching

may

2.
ilefli

mud

from

it

it

net

much

An

frail

of divine judge-

Every

natural evil

inclement feafon,

dying body, confpire

And

yet, after all,

how regardlefs
Awake, I befeech

warning,

how

deaf

of the ap-

trial
you, while
be peace, and look upon your danger,

while there
to fly

Is

not often

is

the fmner to the difcovery,

to the friendly

there

works?

the difpenfations of provi-

there be fo

in pointing out our linful flate.

how

ftep

clear,

and

the Creator's

by

on your
iirif

law of obedience

engraven upon the confcience

repeated and inforced

the

is

is

yet given

you time and opportunity

it.

If the holieft cannot ftand before

living can be juftified in his light,

be the Hate of thofe

who

guilt of ati-ocicus, aggravated,

God,

how

if

no

fearful

arc lying under the

and repeated crimes

THE SINNER WITHOUT

48

Scr. 2.

Though great profligates often defert the ordinances o

that thej rhay fin at greater eafe, and

God,

lefs reiiftance

this, there is

je.t,

reafon to fuppofe there are not a few

of the chief offttiners

them

within, others attend

as

may blind their neighbours,

may have

and meet with

lefs fuf-

How,

can murderers, fornicators, fwearers,

then,

drunkards,

and retainers of unjuft gain, hear what

thieves,

hath been faid on this

tliemfelves

Hear

eternity's fake

fake.

eafp

a cover, that they

dillurbance from without.

or

fome
from

the rather, that while

defert the ordinances, that they

picion

meet with

in fo numerous' an affembly as

li.ear,

without trembling for

fubje(St

your fouls fake

for

hear for

befeech you, for Chrifl's

God may

that the Sj^irit of

carry

home

" quick and powerful,

the truth,
Iharper than a two-edged fword," Heb. iv. 12. It
and make

it

an eafy thing for you now to diiTemble the fins

which men would punifh, and even to boafl of the

is

iins v^^hich

men muft

ber the tv70

<*

tolerate

following

thing to

It is a fearful

living

Heb.

iv.

13.

keep

to

do ;" and, Heb. x. 31.

the hands of the

fall into

God."

In the

3.

last

place. If

any Chriftian

his confcience tender

and

iiefs

if

delires to

have a

faithful, to

deep, grov\^ing and humbling fenfe of his

own

finful-

he v/ould bar the gate againfl the entrance of

pride, or banifh

he

remem-

but hear and

All things are naked, and open unto the eyes of

him with whom we have

<*

paiTages

delires to

it

after

it

has obtained admiflion

walk humbly and v/atchfully,

as in the prefence of

God,

let

him

often

let

if

him live

lift

himfelf

EXCUSE before god.

Ser. 2.

awful tribunal

at his

It is

49

eafy to juftify ourfelves

who have fo little to require, and from

much may be concealed. The truth is,

before men,

whom

fo

not

is

it

a great

at defiance.

fitteth

upon the throne of

ly greater

be able

matter to

world

But

to

his holinefs,

moment, and of infinitely

He trieth the reins and the

evil.
You fee how Job

ty.

reth

to

look up to that
is

fet

the

God who

of infinite-

greater difficul-

heart.

He

abhor-

defended himfelf

againll the accufations of his friends, held fall his

integrity,

did

and would not

God fpeak

to

him

let

it

go

but no fooner

in the greatnefs of his

power,

tlianhe confelled his vilenefs, and laid his hand up-

on his mouth.

In the fame manner, he that would

guard againll the impofuions of a deceitful heart,

that

would not be abufed by

led allray

walk

by

a miilaken

flattering

world

that

friends, or

would rather

in the path of penitence than fecurity

liim live as in the prefence of

And

God.

let

happy,

happy they, who take confufion of face to themnow, and feek for mercy through the blood

felves

of the atonement, in comparifon of

tify

themfelves now, but

fliall

utterable confufion before the

to

tliofe

iland at

who jufwith un-

Supreme Judge, ready

nronounce the irreverfiblc fenlencc.

lall

SERMON

III.

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH

Psalm
But

GOI>-

cxxx. 4.

there is forgivenefs ivith thee

thai thou mayesi he

feared.

AFTER
we

our owii miferable and

coniidering

guilty ftate, and

how

little

any plea which

can offer will avail before the holinefs and ju-

xlice

of

God,

mercy,

as the

peace.

This

is

it

is

When

penitent.

proper to

our eyes to his

of the utmofl neceflity to every

a fenfe of fin hath truly taken

hold of the confcience,

man

tiirn

only foundation of our hope and

it is

fo intolerable, that

can continue long in that condition.

the waves and

billov^rs

no

When

of divine wrath are going

over him, he mufl either fallen upon fome ground

of hope, or fuffer Ihip wreck upon the rocks
defpair.

There

are indeed (alas that

fo liable to -delulion !)

many

we

AvayS of

of

Ihould be

weakening

the force of conviction, and obtaining a temporary,

ig[nperfel:,

or falfe peace.

Dut the only

fafe

and

Ser. 3.
flable

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

5J

the divine mercy.

And

ground of hope

happy the fmner who

is

obtains fuch difcoveries of

make him

extent and efficacy, as to

with undivided

and

afFedlion,

cleave to

upon

reft

chor of his foul, from which he

it

its
it

as the an-

refolved never

is

to depart.

Believe

it,

own

into his

more the

Chriftians, the

more

the

ftate,

real

{inner looks

and thorough his

acquaintance with his

own

finds that not the leaft

ray of hope can

This

that quarter.

if

he had

my

multiplied

Hand

When

faid,

I confider

condemn me.

my hope.

Thy law

can

I fee

I fly,

my

muil

although

upon

as the

thou

God

founda-

own

confcience pafles

not able to fupport the

and holinefs.

Whither, then,

Here I

defire to take re-

unfpeakable confolation, there

forgivenefs with thee

oughteft to be feared.
this fubjeft,

as

nothing in myfelf to plead.

am

juftice

I fix

but to thy mercy

fuge, and to

have been,

thee,

My

me.

accufes

upon me.

view of thy

great and

But, Lord, thou art a

This

of infinite mercy.

fentence

how

and without excufe, before thy

holy tribunal, and juftify

tion of

more he
from

arife

taking the

this paflage,

tranfgreflions

fpeechlefs,

fliouldft

the

connexion with the other

in

it

is,

precifely the import of the

is

pfalmift's declaration in

one branch of

heart

which

tirely practical, I

fo that thou

In

is

mayeft and

difcourfing further on

intend to do in a

manner en-

propofe, in a dependence on di-

vine grace, to follow this method.

I.

ihall

give a brief view of the difcoveries

which God hath made of

tion of the linner's

hope

his

mercy, as the founda-

or, in other

words, fhow

HOVE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

$1

what reafon we have

Ser.

to believe that there is

3',

for-

givenefs with him.

I fhall

II.

point out the connexion between ths

mercy of God and his fear or explain the import

of this expreffion, " There is forgivenefs with thee^
;

may ell be feared."

make fome pradical improvement

that thou

III. I Ihall

of

the fubjeft.

I.

First, then,

let

us attempt to give a brief view

God

of the difcoveries which

merey,

made of

hath

hope

as the foundation of the iinner's

fhew what reafon

in other words,

have

w^e

his

or^

to

be-

lieve, that there is forgivenefs

with him.

For

this

purpofe, I obferve,

that the patience

and

forbearance of

God

of his providence,

fome

this affords

firft

is

of

all,

towards finners, in the courfe

Even

the efFe6l of his mercy.

faint hope, that there

givenefs with him.

may

'

be for-

See the reafoning, or the ex-

poftulation of Jonah on the refpite of the deflruction of

Nineveh, Jonah,

unto the Lord, and

not this

my

Therefore

faying,

to anger,

gracious

**

And

pray thee,

was yet in
Ta.rfhiili

he prayed

O Lord, was
my country ?
;

for I

knew

God, and merciful, flow

and of great kindnefs, and repenteft thee

of the evil."
is

when

iv. 2.
I

before unto

I fled

that thou art a

faid,

The

fentence being fufpended, there

time given to apply for pardon, and fpace for the

exercife of repentance,, with

who

We

can

may

tell,

whether he

add to

kindnefs to

this,

may

peradventure,

his continual benignity

all his creatures,

or

not be gracious.

and

not excepting the evilj

the unthankful y and the unholy.

The

native

teiv-

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

Scr. 3.

dency of both thefe

ance

we

as

Rom.

are told,

^^

lead the guilty to repent-

is to

4.

ii.

" Or

defpifeft

thou the riches of his goodnefs and forbearance,

and long-fufTcring, not knowing that the goodnefs of

God

leadeth thee to repentance

ought to be mentioned,
fufficient it is

cd

of

itfelf to

Taking

fpirit.

am

?'*

But though

whole plan of providence,

many tokens of our Creator's

much to be feen of the jullice and

there are fo
fure, fo

difpleaholinefs,

of the goodnefs of God, that

as well as

in-

wound*

give confolation to a

in the

this

how

very fenfible

muft

it

leave the iinner Hill under a dreadful uncertainty in

Torn by

a matter of fuch infinite concern.

which

fpicion

of

reillcfs

is

anxiety

is full

and knowing that he muft

ihort..

God

]y appear before

unembodied Hate, he is
queftion to himfelf. Wherewith

often putting this

come before

to

in an

Lord
ftand in the judgement ?

fhall I

God

2.

the fu-

infeparable from guilt, he

the

How Ihall

And

I be able

therefore,

h^th revealed himfelf in his word, as

merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and flow to

finner's

This was the great truth on which the

hope depended ever fince the apoftacy of

our

parents.

anger.

firft

man

Never

produce his

obedience

may

fpeak

character in

Thus,

fince that time could

divine favour in

liis

any

own

and therefore the mercy of God, early

intimated in the
if I

title to

at the

^.7. " And

all

firft

fo,

promife, continued to

make,

the leading part of the divine

the difcoveries he

made of

liimfelf.

giving of the law, Exod. xxxiv.

the

Lord defcended

ftood with

him

there,

the Lord.

And

the

in the cloud,

5<,

and

and proclaimed the name of

Lord palTed by before him, an4

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

54

The

proclaimed,

Ser. 5.

the Lord God, merciful

Lord,

and gracious, long-fuiFering, and abundant

nefs and truth

giving iniquity, and tranfgreflion, and

will

good-

in

keeping mercy for thoufands, for-

by no means

clear the guilty

fin,

and that

vinting the ini-

quity of the fathers upon the children, and upon

the childrens children, unto the third and to the

To

fourth generation."
mill David, Pfal.

ciii.

and gracious, flow

Hear

cy."
l8.

Who

**

the fame purpofe the pfal-

" The Lord

prophet Micah

God

is

merciful

and plenteous

to anger,

alfo the
is

8.

in

mer-

Micah,

vii.

likeointo thee, that pardon-

eth iniquity, and paffeth

remnant of his heritage

by

the tranfgreflion of the

He retaineth

not his an-

ger for ever, becaufe he delighteth in mercy."

do not here flay to conlider what hints were

given in the ancient difpenfation, of the atonement
I

which was afterwards to be made by the incarnation

of the Saviour. Doubtlefs there was fome reipel
to this in the very
matty

and

his/eed

firfl

alfo in the

all

The fame

promife of the feed of the ivom

promife to Abraham, that in

nations of the earth fliould be blefled.

Mofaic oeconomy.

It

faw

and of confequence underftood

it

was on

the facrifices,

diflerent rites

of the

muft, however, be allowedj

that the faithful in thofe ages

But

hy

thing was prefigured

and flaadowed out by many

the revealed

it

only obfcurely,

very imperfeftly.

it

mercy of God, which

they were obliged to feek in the

way

appointed

by

himfelf, that they placed their entire dependence.

I

how very encou*

many
how very gracious

cannot help obferving to you,

raging the aflurances of pardon are through

paflages of the

Old Teftament

HOPE of forgiveness with god.

er. 3.

S5

the invitations to the finner, as if they had been

contrived on purpofe to remove the jealoufy which

*^

Come now,

Lord

too

are

guilty

the

and

though your

as white as

fnow

they

be

I,

ihall

am he

own

apt

he as

fins

fcarlet,

i.

as

mine

that blotteth out thy tranfgreffions for

22. "

unto me, for

remember thy

have blotted

fins."

Ho, every one

out,

that thirfteth,

waters, and he that hath no

If.

as a thick cloud,
fins

have redeemed thee."

18.

they Ihall be

thy tranfgrefiions, and, as a cloud, thy

''

If.

though they be red like crimfon,

wool." If. xliii. 25. " I, even

fake, and will not

xliv.

entertain

to

us reafon together, faith the

let

money

return

If. Iv. I.

come ye to the
come ye, bu^
:

buy wine and milk without

money, and without price." Is this the word of
God ? Are thefe pafiages written for our benefit ?
Is there any thing more plain, than that God is
and eat

yea, come,

merciful and gracious

mercy

How

exercife of repentance
it is

nay, that he delighteth in

great encouragement

is

this to the

In this very view, indeed,

urged by the prophet in the 6th and 7th vcrfes

of the laft-cited chapter, " Seek ye the Lord while

he

may be found

near.

call-

ye upon him while he

is

Let the wicked forfake his way, and the

unrighteous

man

his thoughts

and

let

him

return

unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him,

and

to our

I fhall

God,

for

he will abundantly pardon."

only add, that as the fcripture every where

bears teflimony to the readinefs of

returning finners, fo there are alfo
in

which he declares

failings

his

which continue

God to pardon
many pafi!ages

readinefs to pardon the

to cleave to his

own peo-

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

and

pie,

treat

grace: Pfal.

them with
Lord

children, fo the
If.

xl. II.

herd

he

" He

them

carry

as a father pitieth his

them

pitieth

fhall

fhall gather

the utmoft tendemefs and

" Like

13.

ciii.

Ser. 3.

him."

that fear

feed his flock like a lliepthe lambs with his arm, and

his bofom, and fhall gently lead

in

thofe that are with

Mai.

young."

iii.

"

17.

And

they fhall be mine, faith the Lord of hoils, in that

and I will fpare

I make up my jewels
them as a man fpareth his own fon that ferveth
him."
3. But that nothing may be wanting for the com-

day when

plete illuftration of this truth, obferve, that

it

ap-

pears in the clearefl manner from the gofpel of

In the
Chrifl, that there is forgivenefs with God.
fulnefs ^of time, God fent his own Son in our nature, to
ces, to

In

be a victim and
bear our

facrifice for

fins in his

this aftonifliing event, indeed, the love

,cy of

God

16. "

iii.

the tree.

and mer-

with the brightefl luflre

fliines

God

fo

John,

loved the world, that he gave

his only-begotten Son, that

him
In

our offen-

own body on

whofoever believeth on

fhould not perifh, but have everlafting life."

we have

this great tranfaction,

not only an af-

furance of obtaining, but fee the price paid for the

purchafe of our pardon

i Pet. i. 18. " For ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things, as fllver
and gold, from your vain converfation received by
:

tradition

from your fathers."

the juflice of
ciliation

God

and

eace, juilice,

feals the pardon,

fmner.

In the

Inflead of finding

fland in the

and adds

infinite

way

of our recon-

being fully
to

fatisfied,

the comfort of the

value of this atonement,

we

HOPE OF forgiveness with god.

Ser. 3.

may

power of

infinite

Salvation, in all

its

that,

fo

we may

this Saviom^,

of thofe

fect fecurity

fmners

57

extent of the divine mercy.

iee the

who

In

tlie

fee the per-

put their trufl in him.

parts, is offered to the chief

as the

apoflle exprelTes

it,

of

Heb.

" That by two immutable things, in which

was impoffible for God to lie, we might have a

vi. 18.
it

who have

ftrong confolation,

hold upon the hope

II.

PHOCEED now

which was,

tills

exprellion,

exprellion

refuge to lay

to the fccoftd thing

mud

be a

little

word y^^r, which

Sometimes,

as

is

forgivencfs with thee,

The import of this

we under-

different, as
is

fometimes taken in &

being fo eminent a part,

ufe of to fignify the

whole of religion

it

awe and veneration of the

of God, with which every one of

confider
leall

it

poffefl'ed.

mada
it

facred mjahis fervants

fliall

briefly

in both thefe views, there not being the

oppoution between them, and both carrying

them

iu

be habitually

to

is

fometimes

figniiics that

ought

and fometimes in a more limited fenfe.

larger,

jelly

propofed

between the

his fear, or explain the import

" There

mayeft be feared."

that thou

ftand the

fled for

before us."

to point out the conne6lion

mercy of God and

of

fet

tlie

moll important and fulutary inflruc-

tion.

If vrc take the fear of

the

whole of

God

that duty

in the text to Cignify

and obedience

wc owe

to

him, then the connexion between forgivcnefs with

God and his being feared, appears from thefc twQ
conlideratiojis.

,>L.

II.

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

58
I

A difcovery

of the

mercy of God

Ser. 3.

is

ly neceflary to his being loved and ferved

who have

thofe

from God, prefents him only

the obje6l of terror and averfion

having the

by

Defpair of mercy

once been finners.

drives the finner

abfolute-

as

and, inftead of

influence in bringing us to obe-

leaft

dience, confirms the guilty in his rebellious oppo-

Maker.

to his

fition

every hearer.

This muft be manifeft

There can be no

religion

at

to
all>

either in inclination or performance, if there be

forgivenefs with

what they believe

as attempt

labour

to,

afraid

to

no

much

be an unprofitable

to

which none will deny,

this is a truth
it

either in

greatly

by

Ihould any fo

Though

am

How

God.

a truth not fufiiciently

is

certainty or influence.

its

the riches

It

whole plan of

illuftrate the

of divine

grace,

or the

attended

tends

falvation,
free,

un-

God. How much

does it add to the beauty and meaning of feveral
as, i John, iv. 10. " Herepaflages of fcripture
merited,

love of

unfolicited,

in

is

love,

we

not that

loved God, but that he

loved us, and fent his Son to be the propitiation for

our fins."

Rom.

v.

" But God commendeth

8.

we were yet fin-^

And the loth verfe of
the fame chapter, " If when we wtrt enemies, we
were reconciled to God by the death of his Son
much more, being reconciled, we fhall be faved by
his love towards us,- in that while

ners, Chrift died for us."

his life."

Guilt

even obferved

in

is

of a fufpicious nature.

offences

againft another, that he

is

always hardeft

to

committed by one

who

It is

man

hath done the injury

be reconciled.

The fame

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

Ser. 3.

59

thing appears very plainly in the difpolition of fin-

A gloomy fear,

God.

ners towards

a defpondent

him

terror, greatly hinders their return to

they ever take one ftep towards him,

nor can

till,

by

the

difplay of his mercy, this infuperable obflruftion

is

removed.

As

2.

a difcovery of the

perhaps of

mercy of God

our ferving

lutely neceilary to

him

it is

others the moll powerful motive to

all

induce us to ferve

him

Nothing what-

in fincerity.

ever more illullrates the divine glory.

him

abfo-

is

at all, fo

It

prefents

as the proper objcifl of worfliip, of confidence,

When

and of love.

a linner

once burdened with

is

a fenfe of guilt, fees the demerit of his tranfgref-

and

lions,

feels the juftice of

what an inconceivable

mercy

the divine

God

this

may

and

how

his

mull

relief

it

own fentence,
him to fee

give

amiable mull

infinitely

of mercy appear in his eyes

reafon at their eafe

upon the

Others

fubje6l, he is

tranfported with unfpeakable joy on the profpeft.

His heart
its

to

is

immediately taken captive

he

feels

conllraining power, and yields himfulf willingly

every demand of duty and gratitude.

See, to this

purpofe, the expreffions of the prophet Hofea, ch. xi.

"

drew them with cords of a man, with bands

and I was to them as they that take oiF
the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them."
4.

of love

The fame

thing

ment reprefented
of obedience,

is

every where in the

as the great

Cor. v.

New

commanding

14.

Tefla-

principle

" For the love of

Chrift conftraineth us, becaufe \vc thus judge, that

if

one died for

iv, 16.

"

all,

And we

then were

have

all

dead."

known and
2

John,

believed the

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

60

God

love that

love
and ht
God, and God
of the fame chapter,

hath to us.

is

dwelleth in love, dwelleth in

that

And

in him.'*
*=

God

Ser. 3.

We
But

verfe

19.

love him, becaufe he

further,

firil

loved us."

even taking fear in a more limited

fenfe, as lignifjing a

holj reverence and dread of

power and majeftj of God, there being

givenefs with him, is fo far from weakening,
and that on the two
it ftrengthens this fear

the

for-

that
fol-

lowing accounts.
I.

The

obligations

iniinitc

vine mercj, muft ferve to

evil of fm, as

we

lie

under

improve our

ccmmiited againll

fo

to di-

fenie of the

good and

fo

gracious a God, aiKl to increafe our abhorrence of

The mcrcT

it.

time that

of

God

to the guilty, at the

fame

brings unfpeakable confolation, as de-

it

livering them from the wrath to come, ferves to

humble them, by a view of their own unworthy and
When an awakened convinced
undutiful conduil.
foul,

under the apprehenfion of eternity approach-

ing, begins to contemplate the mercy of

God as

the

f'Tound of forgivenefs, he immediately thinks upon

I

his

mercy, as having

all

midft of his provocations.

cy

is it,'

him

along fpared
*

What a wonder

does he fay to himfelf,

that I

imihediately cut oiF in

my

time, or at fuch a time,'

which now return

on his memory

membrance of

He
paft

wickednefs,

and Hand
tion

more

was not

at

fuch a

full

up-

cannot eafily feparate the re-

crimes from the

with-held immediate vengeance.

thing will ferve

in the

of mer

to

mercy

And

that

furely no-

make the finner trem.ble

own guilt, than reflec-

ailoniftied at his

on that

forbearaijice

of a patient Cod^ which

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

Ser. 3.

doom him to
him

did not

inftant

but fpared

tion,

61

and deferved dellruc-

hear the glad tidings of

to

peace.

Thus

the unfpeakable grace of

God

in the go^

and

fpel opens the fprings of penitential forrow,

makes them flow more fweetly indeed, but more

freely, and more copioufly, than before.
You may
obferve the llrong

pi;:l:ure

of penitence and love,

drawn wuth inimitable beauty by the evangelifl Luke, ch. \'ii. 37. 38. " And behold, a woman in the city, which was a iinner, when fhe
which

knew

is

that Jefus fat at

meat

in the Pharifee's houfe,

brought an alaballer-box of ointment,

behind him, weeping,

at his feet

walli his feet with tears,

and flood

and began

to

and did wipe them with

the hairs of her head, and kifled his feet, and a-

them with the ointment,"

nointed

Was

it

not in

grace and mercy that the.fuftering Saviour looked

upon

Peter,

Luke,

xxii.

which immediately confounded him ?

61. 62. " And the Lord turned, and

looked upon

word of
fore the

Peter

the Lord,

and Peter remembered the

how

he had faid unto him. Be-

cock crow, thou

Peter went

out and

flialt

wept

deny

me

bitterly."

thrice.

What

And
is

it

by the prophet, as having

fo llrong an eiiedl upon tlie believer in producing
penitential forrow, but the love of our Redeemer ?
Zech. xii. 10. " And I will pour upon the houfe
of David, and upon the inliabitants of Jerufalem,.
elfe that is reprefented

the fpirit of grace of fupplications, and they fhall

look upon
ihall

me whom

mouru

for

they have pierced, and they

him, as one mourneth for his only

62

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

fon,
is

and

fliall

Sci". 3.

be in bitternefs for him, as one that

in bitternefs for his iirft-bcm."

2. Forgivenefs

fear and

God

with

tends to increafe our

reverence of him, from the

which, and the condition on which,

Every circumllance of
mercy is calculated to

him nothing whereof

givenefs

grace

is

25.

abafe the linner, and leave

to glory before

^'

I,

remember thy

to

even

God.

For-

be an a6l of fovereign
I,

am

he that blotteth

mine own fake, and will

out thy tranfgreflions for

not

We

fins."

are

many

times

cautioned againft imputing to ourfelves, or our

what

merit,

is

merely

If the fcripture

many

fen^ed

is

in

bellowed.

difpenfation of divine

-this

always declared

If. xliii.

manner

it is

tlie

efre6l

own

of divine mercy.

read with care, there will be ob-

paffages

which carry

this inllru6tion

in them, to beware of taking merit to ourfelves

from the di%dne goodnefs, or any effeft or exprefon of it Dent. ix. 4. 5. " Speak not thou in thine
heart, after that the Lord thy God hath caft them
:

cut from before thee, faying. For

nefs the

land

Lord hath brought

me

my

righteouf-

in to poftefs this

but for the wickednefs of thefe nations the

Lord doth drive them out from before

thee.

Net

for thy righteoufnefs, or for the uprightnefs of thine

heart, doll thou

go to

pcffefs

their land

the wickednefs of thefe nations the

but for

Lord thy God

doth drive them out from before thee, and that he

may

perform the w^ord which the Lord fware unto

thy fathers, Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob."

:-Xxvi. 31. 22.

" But

Ezek.

had pity for mine holy

had profanfed

nair.c,

which the houfe of

amcrg

the heathen, whithei; they went.

Ifrael

There*

HOPE OF forgivi:ness with cod.

Ser. 3.

Thus

fore faj unto the houfe of Ifrael,

Lord God,

do not

your fakes,

this for

6^

faith the

houfe of

but for niine holy name's fake, which ye

Ifrael,

among

have profaned

the

whither ye

heathen,

went."
probably alfo with this view,

It is

fume

to offer an opinion

we may pre-

if

on fo deep a fubjel, that

mercy are fometimcs chofen

from among the moft criminal, even the chief of
the obje^S of fpecial

Does

dinners.

if

by

ly

lefs

his

not this forbid,

man

terms, every

own

llrongell

thought, as

leall

righteoufnefs, or being comparative-

wicked than

the divine favour?

faith to

the

in

harbour the

to

Mofes,

have mercy, and

others,

Rom.

will have

he had been entitled to

ix. 15.

" For he

18.

mercy on

whom I will
whom

have compaffion on

I will

So then

not of

him

that willeth,

nor of him that runneth, but of

God

that Iheweth

mercy.

unto

will have compaffion.

it

is

For the fcripture

faith

Pharaoh, Even for this fame purpofe have

thee up, that
that

fliew

my

power

have mercy, and

whom

he

and

in thee,

might be declared throughout

Therefore hath he mercy

earth.

will

might

my name

I raifed

on

all

the

whom

he

will

he

har-

deneth."

But the circumftance on which we are called

chiefly to fix our

attention,

is,

that forgivenefs

beiiowed only through the blood of Chrift.

ii>

It is

freely and gracioully bellowed

upon the linner, but

was dearly and hardly purchafed by the Surety.
This
tion.

is

no new or unufual iubje^l

But

my

in this congrc^'a-

brethren, that

fome meafure apprehend

its

we

infinite

could

in

importance.

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

64
Think,

of God,
Chrifl

befeech you, on the holinefs and juftice

as

they fhine in the fufferings and crofs of

that a

faftion for fin

righteous

him

bruife him, and to put

required full

to grief."

God

majefty and purity of

in the

God

fet

tice

and

is

Is the

he not

May we

Lord

alio to

be done

in the

dry ?"

for they

are

be praifed for his

to

be feared for his juf-

mull we not fay,

not, or rather

" If fuch things were done

fball

not the

moil clear and legible, nay in the

written in blood.
?

Are

forth in this tranf-

moll awful and terrible charaders

mercy

fatis-

"the Lord laid on him the

that " it pleafed the Lord to

that

iniquities of us all j"

aclion,

Ser, 3.

in the green tree,

If

God faw

what

necef-

it

upon the Holy

finners, what

fary to lay fuch a load of wTath

One, when Handing in the room of

fiiall

be the condition of the impenitent tranfgrefibrs,

who

ftiall

lie

under

for ever

it

We

may

well

adopt the words of Mofes to the children of Ifrael,

Deut. xxviii. 58. 59.

do all the words of

to

this

"If
this

thou wilt not obferve

law

that are written in

book, that thou mayell fear this glorious and

fearful

name,

the Lord will

THE LORD THY GOD

make

then

thy plagues wonderful, and the

plagues of thy feed, even great plagues, and of

long continuance^ and fore ficknelTes, and of long

continuance."

Do
priety,

you not now,

as

my

brethren, fee

well as inftru6lion,

much

pro-

in this language,

But there is forgivenefs with thee, that thou

mayefl be feared ?" The expreffion indeed is not
**

fmgular in the holy fcripture, even in the fenfe

illuilrated.

It is certainly

now

on the fame fubjed the

^l\

pfalmift
'*

OF FORGIVENEES WITH COB.

HOFir

3.

And

God

praife unto our

wnd

when he

fpeakiiig,

IS

he hath put a new fong

ihall truil in the

Hofea, ch.

iii.

many

Pfal. xl. 3.

my

mouth, evea

As

" Afterwards

^.

fays,

in

fhall fee

Lord."

6^

it,

and fear,

alfo the.prophet-

the children

fliall

of Ifrael return, and feek the Lord their God, and

David

and

their king,

fliall

Lord and

fear the

his

goodnefs in the latter days.*'

in.

now

I PR0CTEF.D

to

make fome

provement of what hath been

I

that

From what

faid.

hath been faid,

praftical im^.

And,
you may

learn^

none can underftand, embrace, or efteem the

mercy of God> but thofe who are convinced of their

fm and mifery. Mercy can be of benefit only to
mercy c4n be bellowed only on the
the guilty
;

guilty

and therefore

ftration of the divine

all

that can be faid in illu-

mercy,

all that can be faid in

Commendation of the divine mercy, will be efteemed as idle talcs by thofe who do not know themHence the negligence and unfelves to be guilty.
Veryconcern w^ith which the gofpel is received.

many

of thofe to

whom it is addrelled

ingrofs

their

time

fuppofed

at

the world

the enjoyments of the world

affections

pofTefs their
ftate is

are iiifenfible

The employments of

of their danger.

an

eternal

unchangeable

too great a diftance to require

their attention. I befeech you,

time of your

my brethren,

to

con-

wafting apace.
Let the commencement of another feafon * put you

fider, that the

in

mind of

its

trial is

fpeedy paffage, and perfuade you to

look forward to the day of death or judgement^

* Preached

at the

beginning of the year.

HOP OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

66

when

all offers

Ser. g.

of mercy, and exhortations to re-

pentance, fhall ceafe, and when, though there

God

be forgivenefs with
it

in his extenlive

may

to all the proper objects of

dominion, yet there

fhall

be no

forgivenefs for you.

From what

2.

hath been

you may

faid,

that the publication of divine

obferv^e,

mercy, that the

illu-

ilration of the riches of divine grace in the gofpelj

hath not the

leafl

tendency to leflen our fenfe of

the evil of

fin,

obedience

on the contrary,

or the obligation

we

under

lie

to

greatly to

ferves

it

When we

improve both the one and the other.

endeavour to bring confolation to the broken in

heart

when we

before

fet

them

the tender mercies

of our God, and the infinite compaflion of the Saviour

when we

prefs

tations of the gofpel

reft their

falvation

them

upon

this

only

fin,

and perfuade them

them

to-

fei-ves

to

hearken

to the invi-

when we encourage them

it,

to be

and

to

peace

at

to excite their indignation againft

to fly

from

it,

to bring

the obedience of children, and fhed abroad

God in their hearts.

From what hath been faid, you may

the love of
3.

difference

between a

real

fee the

and fcriptural difcovery

of forgivenefs with God, and that carelefs fecurity

which

arifes

frpm a prefumptuous reliance on his

general mercy.
other produces

The one prevents convitlion, the

The general and common plea

it.

of God's mercy, keeps the finner

at eafe as

he

is

but a real and fcriptural difcovery of forgivenefs

with God, heals the broken in heart, and at the

fame time

increafes their fenfe of the evil of fin,

and their abhorrence of every approach

to

it.

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

Ser. 3.

^7

Prefumption, and fuch views of God*s mercy as

by

are taken

the fecure,

extenuation of

Surely this

is,

mercy

is

arife

entirely

The language

iin.

from the

of their hearts

God's

not fo great a matter, but

will forgive

If

it.'

you

will either feriouf-

ly examine yourfelves, or obferve, with fome attention, the difcourfe of carelefs

They com-

will perceive this very clearly.

vou

with the thoughts of their little com-

fort themfelves

parative

rather

guilt,

one of them,
but

I inay, perhaps,' fays

have been guilty of fuch or fuch

am

fure I never did fo or fo,'

who

haps as fome others

minds

and

than of the certainty

greatnefs of divine mercy.

lins

worldly perfons,

or per-

immediately occur

as greater linners than themfelves.

to their
I

cannot

help mentioning to you the faying of a prince of

our

own country, towards

the clofe of

life,

who had

been a remarkable libertine in his younger years

*

cannot think,' fays he

hard as

damn a man for

common road.'

In oppofition to

this, the

that

God

taking a

to

out of the

than

*,

little

pleafure

true penitent fees

ever his inexcufeable guilt

will be fo

more

as a finner,

but

hopes for forgivenefs from God, as the effed of his

own

infinite grace,

and the accomplifliment of his

promife in the gofpel.

of

it

to

him

luflre of his tranfcendent

tenuating the offence.

ealily

fatisfied,

He

gives the whole glory

and never thinks of diminifliing the

mercy, by covering or ex*
Hence fecure perfons are

while true penitents

cation with ftrong

make fuppliThey arc

crying and tears.

often reconfidering the promife, and frequently queftioning the

ground on which

* K. Charles

II. to

their

Biihop Burnet.

dependence has

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

6Jr

IJence alfo fecure perfons feek eafe

been placed.

from the remonflrances of confcience,

to themfelves

hy

flifling

Ser. 3,

and offering excufes

conviction,

true penitents,

by giving

To

and pleading the benefit of the rcmillion.

all in a

but

full force to the accufation,

fay

word, the one ftruggles hard to be found

innocent, the other to obtain mercy.

4. From what hath been faid, you may fee of
how much moment it is to the Chriftian to keep

clear views of the

own

interefl in

mercy of God,

it.

as well as of his

The moment he

fortable fenfe of peace with

God,

are troubled, and he drives heavily.

duty burdenfome,

And no wonder,

?.nd.

fmce he

his
is

lofes the

makes

It

not fo far left of

and

fpring fhut up, and a fountain fealed."

God

why

your hands

repeated in your ears

you

God as

the

at

time the fource of his inward confolation

end are the promifes of

his

infupportable.

trials

to return to the fecurity of finners

are they put into

com-

his chariot- wheels

is

fame
"a

like

For what

contained infcripture

Why,

why

are they

but for preferving

which the world cannot give,

and which, blelTed be God, it cannot take away ?
Hear v/hat your Saviour fays, John, xvi. ^^. " Thefe
in that peace

things have I fpoken to you, that in

have peace.

In the world ye

Ihall

me

ye might

have tribulation

but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

5

In the

been

place, you may fee from what hath

what way you may mofl effedually,

laft

faid, in

arid

moll certainly, prefervc your peace with God,

viz.

by

fefiion.

the frequent exercife of penitence and con-

This will iliew you the

givenefs from

God.

neceflity of for-

This will conftrain you daily

'

HOPE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD.

Ser. 3.

to ieek for forgivcnefs

from God.

ing or preiervirig- peace

by

hy

ilifling

ilotli

Beware of fcek-

the extenuation of fin, or

This

convirtion.

hi)

may

well lead you to

and fecurity for a feafon, whicli lays the foun-

dation of the bittereil repentance of

all

but will

never give you the comfort of God's children.

that fliutteth his eyes

upon

his

own

mercy.

fee the glory of divine

fins, fhall

He

never

Serious, voluntary^

deliberate humiliation, is the true

way

of promoting

both that fleadinefs in duty, and that peace with

God, which ought to be the Chriftian'3 fupreme

Whatever dcflroys felf-fufficiency promoter
the growth of xr\iQ, piety.
The gofpel is particudefire.

larly diredled to thofe that fee their ixeceffity .

^

It

brings comfort to the mourner, help to the miferable^

and mercy

to the guilty.

It is

a great millake to

think, that the contrition and penitence of the chil-

God

dren of

is

hurtful to their comfort, for

very foundation of

it

promifc, with whith I

it is

the

according to that refrefiilag

fliall

conclude,

If. Ixi. i.''2.3.

God is upon me, becaufe

the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath fent me to bind up the broken
'^

The

Spirit

hearted

to

of the Lord

proclaim liberty to the captives, and

the opening of the pcifon to

to proc'laim the acceptable

day of vengeance of our

mourn

to give

them

God

unto rhem beauty for

of heavinefs

Vol.

il.

mourn

afl.es,

that they

in Zion,

the oil of joy

garment of pralfe for the

might be called

righteoufnds, the planting of the

might be glorified

bound

to comfort all tliat

to appoint unto tliem that

for mourning, the

that are

year of the Lord, and the

. '

Lord,

fpirit

trees

that

of

he

SERMON

IV.

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

John,

Atid

commandment ^ That we Jhould

this is his

on the

23.

iii.

name of his Son Jejus

believe

Chriji,

ACTION SERMON.

WE

propofe, in a

little,

to

draw near

to

God

in the moil folemn at of Chriftian worfhip.

With what humble

we are

whether
or

may hope
moll

It is the

lion

we

can,

folicitude

er's

we

to inquire,

for acceptance in this important duty.

explicit,

and the mofl public profef-

make of faith

in the

and therefore none can do

but thofe

ought

truly entitled to this great privilege,

who have indeed

it

Redeemer's blood j

manner
Redeemthe

in g proper

believed in

name.

Faith in Chrift

peace with God.

fandification.

is

It

It is

the great foundation of our

is

the great principle of our

the great diflinftion between

the heirs of glory and the heirs of hell

that believeth, and is baptized,

fliall

" For

be fave4 i

he.

twit

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.

he that believeth not,

7!

And

be damned."

fhall

more importance in
general, or more fuited to our prefent employment,
than what is prefented to us in the words of the
text, " This is his commandment. That we fhould
believe on the name of his Son Jefus Chrifl."
therefore no iubjel: can be of

In the

context, the apoflle

is

fpeaking of the

Chriftian's confidence or perfuafion of his relation

God,

to

condemn
knoweth

demn

22.

21.

20.

ver.
us,

God

all

things.

is

" For

our

if

heart

greater than our heart, and

Beloved,

our heart con-

if

we confidence towards God.

And whatfoever we alk, we receive of him becaufe we keep his commandments, and do tliofe
us not, then have

things that are pleafing in his fight.'*

Having thus mentioned the commandments, he

points out, in the words now read, the great commandments of the gofpel, in their order
And
this is his commandment, That we fliotlld believe
on the napa^'^.ol', his "Son Jefus Chrill:^ and love one
:

he gave us .commandment."

aiiother> as

pofe at this time

of thefe
.tical

the

is,

to confine

manner

as I

am

able, v*?hat

of

pur-

tliC

fixil

it is to bei'mve

6h

the Sen of

Chrijiy

particularly

by

prelung: e:Very hearer,

in the moll earnell manner, to

I.

Mj

God i and ha\dngmake fome pradical improvement of

donefo,, to
the fubjefl

it is

to

and open, in as comprehenfive and prac-

name of Jefus

merit

mjfelf

obey

this

command'

of God,

In

the_;?rj/ place, then,

to believe

God.

am

to explain

what

on the name of Jefus Chrill, the Son

Many

have been the controverfies raifed

G2

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

*]2

on

aiid agitated

Ser. 4.

moft of them unpro-

this fubje6t,

and feme of them very hurtful, as tending

fitable,

to difquiet

and perplex the minds of ferious perfons,

and fometimes even

an objeftion to

to faraifh

enemies of the gofpel.

fhall, therefore,

tlie

avoid

every thing of this kind, as in general undelirable,

iind at

highly unfeafonable, and endea-

this time

vour to lay

it

down

fuch a manner as I hope

in

nay be underllood by the ineaneft

and

may

hope

this jDurpofe, I

<jbferve, that faith

and

its obje^B:,

its

may

actings

or

what

laving of the foul.

As

-thus exprefled in

we

ment. That

" This

This, in

that

with refpe6l

may,

part of this will has a

jeference to him.
iind

Omega,

the

firft

But

duftory

anc^

quent upon

him

as

is

Tht
it is

commandname of his

his

its full

his

to

indeed,

perfon, character,

be faid to

God

.Tefus

and the

laft,

God

include

becaufe every

more remote

Chrift

extent, in-

in the holy

revealed

is

the ending," of the will of

lalvation.

2dly,

of faith,

to the object
:

to believe thefe to the

whole revealed will of

the

to

be believed

faith
(yf

Chrif} Jefus^ the Sat}iour, then,

the obje6l of faith.

It

The ohjeB

fhould believe on the

cludes every thing

and work.

ift,

it is

our text

?>on .Tefus Chrift."

fcriptures,

will be fufficient to

it

be considered in two views

that is to fay, the truths to

aBings cf faith

is

inward con-

and peace with God.

iolation,

For

real Chriftian,

afford to every exercifed foul

or

is

immediate

" the Alpha

the beginning and

as.

revealed for our

as every thing elfe

was only

intro-

preparatory to his atonement, or confeit,

I fhall chiefly direct

your attention

a Sj^viour from guilt and pollution* This

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

ber. 4.

name

the

21: "

of Jefus" immediately imports

And

thou

Ihall fave his

I

73

call his

flialt

name

Matth.

Jefus

i.

for^he

people from their fms." In this view,

think the objeft of faith

maj

be fummed up in

the following particulars.

That we

I.

and

liable to his

a Saviour

by

are,

alienated in heart

of

in a ftate

nature,

iin,

from God, tranfgreflbrs of his law,

wrath.
If this were not" the cafe,

would not be necelTary

falvation

would

be a word "without force, and even without meaning.

till

It is

accordingly found in experience, that

there be a convi6lion of this truth

always treated

fcience, the tidings of a Saviour are

Nothing can be ftronger

neglect or difdain.

ivith

upon the con-

than the language of fcripture on this fubjedl in

paflages

Son of

particularly, Matth. xviii. 11.

Man

is

come

Luke, v. 31. 32.

to

them.

They

And

that are

to,

came not

repentance."

I fliall alfo

by

the end of Chrill's coming, given

Eph.

ened

ii. i

who were

in time pail

5.

**

And you

ftate,

now worketh

Among whom

of difobedience.

courfe of

flelb,

mind

fulfilling tlie
;

defires of the

power of

in the children

alfo

our converfation in times paft, in

whereiji

fins,

to the

this world, according to the prince of the

the air, the fpirit that

and

the apoftk;

hath he quick-

dead in trefpaffes and

ye walked according

to call the

read to you the account of our natural

Paul,

loil."

Jefus anfwering, faid un-

whole need not a phyfician

but they that are fick.

righteous, but linners

many

For the

was

v/hich

to fave that

**

we

all

tlie lufts

flefli,

had

of our

and of the

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

But God, who

:j

is

rich ia mercj*,

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

74

Scr. 4,

wherewith he loved

for his great love

when we were dead

hath

in fins,

even

us,

quickened us

together with Chrift, (by grace ye are faved."

forbear to mention the proof of this from the hifTory of the world, from the

marks of God's

dif-

pleafure againft fin in the courfe of providence, and

from the teftimony of confcience, as I have

them at confidcrable kno-th in other

illu-

itrated

courfes.

Let

Srft truth

which

it

prefent to fay, that the

at

fufficc
is

dif-

the objel of faith,

is

the guilt

and mifery of our nature.

The

2.

there

Ghrifl
:a

is
:

next part of the objeft of faith

any other

for there

heaven given among

faved."

If there

none other name under

is

men

we

wliereby

were any

otlier, it

would noi be

command of God that we fhould believe

name of his Son Jefus Chrift. After men
feme meafure

fenfible

There

confideration,
it is

is

in the

are in

that they are guilty,

them

often dillicult to convince

fomctliing fo

it

i^

that they are heip-

mortifying in this

and fo humbling

with great unwillingnefs

be

niuil

the

lefs.

that

is,

no way of recovery from this flate but by

Ads iv. 12. " Neither is there falvation

to our pride, that

we

yield to

it.

Nay,

we have feemed to confefs it, we are often

ready to retra^l it. The finner has always a proneafter

nefs to feek

fome refonrce

difpcrfition to

in liimfelf.

extenuate his guilt

and

li

Hence the
he cannot

comHence the difpofition to magas if, by the value of fome good

plead abfolute, to place fome dependence on

parative innocence.
nify

human merit,
we could balance

deeds,

i3ifobetlicnce.

or cancel ihe guilt of

Hence the

our

endlefs vaiiety of humatj

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.

inventions, of coftly

nance

Micali,

come before
high

God

and voluntary pe" Wherewith ihall h

facrifices,

6.

vi.

7.

bow

niyfelf before the

come before

liim with burnt-

the Lord, and

I

fliall

75

with calves of a year old

offerings,

Will the

Lord be pleafed with thoufands of rams, or with

ten thoufands of rivers of oil

flitill

my t;-anfgreflion, the fruit

of my foul?"
The truth

born for
the iin
is

my

give

my

of

ii;,

till

firfl-

body

for.

the finner

flripped of every plea, and found to be without

excufe, he will

refufc

flill

grace of his Redeemer.

God, Rev.

am

18.

17.

iii.

be indebted to the

to

But hear yc the

Spirit of

Becaufe thou fayeft,

**

and increafed with goods, and >have need

rich,

of nothing

and knowefl not that thou

art

wretch-

ed, and miferable, and poor, apxd blind, and naked*

I

counfel

that thou

buy of me gold

thee to

that tliou

fire,

mayefl be rich

in the

tried

and white raiment,

maycft be clothed, and that the fhame of

thy nakednefs do not appear

and anoint thine eyes

with eye-falve, that thou maycft fee."

3.

This leads

me

to the

j'/^/rJ

part of the obje6^

of faith, vix. That the pardon of

with an offended-God,
of fmners

tlirough

is

its

neceflity

The two preceding

Chrift.

truths are preparatory to

out

and peace

(in,

freely offered to the chief

and fene

tliis,

and moment.

This

is

to point

the gracious

meilage which was brought into the world by the

gofpel

and from which

porting glad tidings.

att'.nd to

here

ftituted in the

for the

is,

it

derives

What we

(i.) That Chrift

room of

finners,

unjuft, that he

its

name, im-

are particulaily to

and

.Tefus v.as

fub-

fuftered, the juft

might bring us

to

God.;

THE NATUx^E OF FAITH.

75

Sei'. 4,

and juftice of God required an exwhich was made by this immaculate

that the holinefs

piation of
.

vi6Hm

iin,

If. iiii.

6*

" But he was wounded for our

he was bruifed for our iniquities

tranfgreffions,

chaftifement of our peace

his ftripes

we

gone aftraj

Rom.

forth

we

have

like fheep

turned every one to his

way, and the Lord hath

of us all."

All

are healed.

we have

laid

"

25.

iii.

the

was upon him, and with

oh him

own

the iniquity

Whom God

hath

fet

be a propitiation, through faith in his

to

blood, to declare his righteoufnefs for the remiflion

of

are paft, through

fins that

the forbearance of

(2.) Another thing alfo to be obferved,

God.'*

is

was no
lefs than the eternal and only-begotten Son of God.
This is a circumftance of the utmoft moment, and
on which the greateft ftrefs is ihanifellly laid in
the conflitution of the fufferer's perfon.

fcripture.

It is

" This

his

lieve
alfo

faith

is

on the

included in the v^ords of the text;

commandment, That we fhould bename of his Son Jefus Chrift." It is

found in the early confelTions of

conftantly
:

John,

i.

49.

" Nathaniel anfwered and

unto him, Rabbi, thou

King of Ifrael."
Simon Peter anfwered and
the Son of the living God."

f^id.

And

fenlible of the

viii.

all

he anfwered and

lieve that Jefus Chrift is the

this is attended to,

Thou

A6ls,

Philip faid, If thou believell with

may eft.

we

ftiall

evil of fin,

faid

Son of God, thou

Matth. xvi. 16. " And
the

art

art the

thou

It

art Chrift,

37. "

And

thine heart,
faid,

Son of God."

be-

Unle^^s

neither be fufficiently

which required fuch an

God which provided

atonement, nor of the love of

it,

nor of the power of the Saviour to execute

it^j

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4,

we

nor can

liave

77

futh encouragement to put our

trull in it.

From

thcfe

two circumftances you may be

of faith, a^z.

ie6t

dying

The

God

only-begotten Son of

our room, and purchafmg our pardon.

in

new

Jeius, the mediator of the

work,

flniihed his
:finnerit

covenant, having

weary and heavy-laden

invites

come untd him and alTures them,

demands of the law are anfwered,

to

that

th^t

he higlieil

ibeir debt. is fully paid,

laid to

their

charge

fliall

lay any thing to

It is

God

vth

that juftilieth

It is

maketh

is

even

come

life

now

to

be

viii.

who

yea

the right

he that condemn-

is

rather, that is rlfen

hand of God, who

Rev. xxii. 17.

And

Come.

and whofoever

And

alfo

And

**

him
him that is alet him take the

and the bride fay, Come.

that heareth, fay,

thiril

at

is

33.34. " Who

the charge of God^s eled ?

interceffion for us."

Spirit

water of

and notliing

Rom.

Chrift that died,

again, Vvho

tlie

di-

contemplate the leading and principal ob-

?c^Ve(l to

let

let

will,

freely."

4. In the Jajt place. The objed of faith is the

power of Chrift to renew our natures, to deliver us
from the bondage of corruption, and to bring us
into the glorious liberty of

God's children.

We

mull never feparate the Redeemer's merit and his

power.

Conviftion

imperfe6l udefs

is

llavery, as well as mifery,

deliverance

from both.

we

fee our

and unfeignedly defire

Neither do

we

properly

apprehend the extent of Chrill's undertaking, mulefs

wc view him

exalted as a Prince and a Saviour to

give repentance to Ifracl, andremifTion of fins.

are

two things equally

eiTcntial. to

the gofpel

There

upon

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

7?

this particular.

or happinefs in

who hope
newed

The

(1.)

Salvation in lin

tiiied.

fin is

Ser. 4.

nedeflity of being fanc-

not proinifed

is

not poffible

all

muftbe

re-

for falvation through ChriH,

in the fpirit of their minds.

they muft not ferve

man be

he

in Chrift,

iin

new

is

Thenceforth
Cor. v. 17. " If any

creature

If the wrath of

men,

linefs of

difobedience.

That

God

(2.)

revealed againll

is

muft

it

The

of the believer

plain through the

is

ungod-

other thing to be obferved

the

is

work

purchafe of Chrift's blood, and the

This

all

abide on the children of

ftill

the fandlification

Spirit.

old things

become new."

are pafTed away, behold, all things are

is.

falvation

and therefore

of his

whole of the

Old Teltament and the New

Ezek. xxxvi. 25. 26. 27. " Then will I fprinkle
clean water upon you, and ye fhali be clean from
fcriptures both of the

all

your

and from

filtliinefs,

cleanfe you.

new

and -a newifpirit will

take

away
you an

idols,

and ye

put within you

heart of

As the
me.

am

much

nothing."

>

the vine,

fruit

this

in

me, and

fruit of itfelf,

wiH

and I

will put

my

and do

I in

you.

except

it

bfe
:

he

him, the fame bring-

for without

fubjed

his ilrength is

ye are the branches

I in

Nothing can

guage ufed on

'And

no more can ye, except ye abide

me, and

that abideth in

eth forth

flefli,

my judgments,

Abide

4. 5.

branch cannot bear

abide in the vine

for us

fiefh.

and

and caufe you to walk in

f^all keep,

them." John, xv.

will I

heart alfo will I give yoii,

Spirit within you,

ftatutes,

in

your

the ftony heart out of your

will give

my

all

me

ye can do

flronger than the lan-

" His grace

is

fuffkient

made perfed.in weaknefs."

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.
'

By

79

"

the grace of God,' fays the apoftle,

am

am." And again, ** Not I, but the grace

of Giod which was with me."* Nay, he is faid
** to work in us both to will and to
do of his good
what

All this ihews, that there

pleafure."

the finner to glory

by

the

fall,

is

no room for

but that the whole of his lofs

may

both his integrity and his happinefs,

be recovered, and can only be recovered, through

Chrift.
is

This

the

is

fum of

evangelical truth, this

the fource of evangelical holinefs

" Knowing

20.

by

the

.Tefus

man

that

works of the law,

Chrift

Chrift, that

even

by

works of the law

But

if

while

we

believed

by

juftified

ftiall

no

16.

ii.

not

juflified

faith

of

Jefus

in

the faith of

works of the law

the

the

Gal.

but by the

we have

we might be

Chrift, and not

is

be

flefti

for

by

juftified.

we

feek to be juftified by Chrift,

ourfelves alfo are found finners, is therefore Chrift

the minifter of fin

God

again the things which

a tranfgreflbr.

For

with Chrift

live in the

flefti,

God.

neverthelefs I

but Chrift liveth in

mc

I live

and the

by

if I

build

make myfelf

through the law

the law, that I might live unto

fied

For

forbid.

deftroyed, I

live
life

am dead to
am cruci-

I
;

yet not

which

I,

now

the faith of the Son of

God, who loved me, and gave himfelf for me."

I proceed now, in the fecond place, to confider the
aftings of faith, or what is implied in believing
thefe truths to the fnving of the foul.

not help obferviilg to you, that

ance with

common

fent ftate of things,

of the fubjcct,

it is

And

can-

but in compli-

cuftom, or at leaft with the prelliat I

am

fay

much upbn this part

it is of much mor

perfuaded

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

So

much more

confequenqc, and

to the object of faith in

plain

and

into,

proper, to direct

God's revealed
and

in all its extent,

it

evidence that attends

Set. 4,

to pre;fs

it

you

will, to ex-

with

all

the

than to examine curioufly

it,

upon the nature of

to diilinguifti nicely

find that

human mind. I do not

the fcripture fays much upon the a^ of be-

lieving

but

an al of the

faith, as it is

telling

manner wholly employed

in a

it is

in

us luhat we ought to believe, both with re-

gard to Our apoftacy and recovery.

We do indeed

read in fcripture of believing with

all

We

the heart.

read alio of a temporary faith in the flony-

ground hearers

But

faith.

and of the ftrength and weaknefs of

all this

leems, at leaft chiefly, to relate

tek

the lirmnefs or uncertainty of our perfuafionof, or affeiit

to the truths

to

which

The

name of God#

view of faith feems

be receiving " the record which God hath given

us of his Son."
Jaith in fcripture

thou of

Agreeably

to this, the reverfe of

doubting

Matth.xiv.3X. " O;

is

little faith,

Matth. xxi. 21.

**

wherefore didft thou doubt?"

.Tefus

them. Verily

doubt not, ye

{hall not

to

are addrelTed to us in the

fimplell

anfwered and faid unto

fay unto you. If ye have faith, and

only do

je

the fig-tree, but alfo if

thiis

which

Ihall

is

done

fay unto this

mountain. Be thou removed, and be thou

caft into

the fea, itfliallbe done."

But,
ftions

my

upon

brethren, fince there have been quethis fubjed:,

experience that there

heart,

is

and a fuppofed

and iince

certain

a deceitfulnefs in the

faith,

which yet

fruitlefs, I ihall obferve, tliat

may

it is

be refo^ved into the

i^

from

human

vain and

the aciings of faith

tliree

follo\vin^ panicu-

THE NATtJRE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.

'Si

lars,

or that the faith of God's eled will difcover

itfelf

by

the three following effefts.

A firm alTent of the undcrftanding

I.

revealed of Chrifh in

fummed up

fcripture

to the uttermoft

is

as

helplefs ftate of

youth given, and that you do

to

man

able to fave

your

the

and puri-

guilt

Perhaps you will think

eafy, and be ready to fay, that

credit

is

and that he hath made effedual

fying your hearts.

is

Chrift

provifion, both for expiating

there

what

in the preceding part of this difcourfe

That you believe the loft and

by nature and praftice That

entire

to

particularly

at this

whole.

more here than you

But,
are

moment

my

ary belief which was never

tried,

give,

brethren,

aware of

common and

a great difference between a

this ij

you have from your

there is

tradition-

and that inward

and perfonal convilion which dwells in the hearty

and therefore will govern the
lieve, that all the pofterity of

and mifery, one would think

guilt

that

life.

Adam

and yet

it

own danger

he muft perceive his

the whole

If any

am

man be-

are in a ftate of

perfuaded,

unavoidable
as a part of
is

it

a perfonal conviftion of guilt and danger

ufually

by the law

upon the ponfcience that firft opens the finner's eyes

upon the general truth and then his own intereft
makes it bulk in his apprehenfion, and raifes in
;

him an eameft

folicitude,

both to examine into the

caufe of the difeafe, and to afk after the

method of

cure.

There

is

another

way

of confidering the affent

The

of the undcrftanding to divine truth.

mony

of faith

is

Faith teUs us, that our only happlncfs

Vol.

II.

tcfti-

oppofed to the teftimony of fenfe*

is

in the fa-

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

8^

vour of God, and that

through Chrifl
that there

hand,

tells us,

to

be

coming on and
Senfe, on the other

loft.

that the world is good, that

lights are pleafant,

and that our comfort

forgetting to reprefent the fervice of

den and drudgery.

its

here

is

God

denot

as a bur-

In the mean time, the corrupt

principle within aflents to the delufion, and

mind

ia blinding the

4.*

can only be obtained

this

that eternity is

no time

is

ScT.

alTifts

may

adding, that whatever

be in religion, the danger

may

late repentance.

enough, then, to give a

It is not

be warded off by a

cold and general aflent to the truths of religion

when

they are not contradifted, but to believe the

teftimony of faith, in oppofition to the fuggeftions

of fenfe

in other words,

or,

and not by light." That

te%

this

"

to

may

walk by

be brought

faith,
to th'e

I obferve,

That

2.

faith implies the confent

and approba-

truth with regard

rion of the heart to every

to

Chrift's perfon and chara6ler, and falvation through

bis blood.
tion

by

To

every believer, the plan of redemp-

the Mediator of the

new

covenant, appears

not only true, but wife, reafonable, gracious, and ne-

my brethren, particularly diftinguifties

ceflary . This,

true

faltii,

not only from unbelief and fecurity, but

from an empty and barren

lefs

half Chriflian
ries in

vL

The

profeflion.

defpife the truth, the believer adores

14.

it

"

**
:

is

alhamed of

God

that

the

the believer glo-

Ihould glory fave in the crofs of

i Pet. ii. 7.

" Unto you

which

believe, he is precious

which be

difobedient^ the ftone

therefore

care;

forbid," fays the apbftle, Gal.

our Lord Jefus Chrift."

tliein

it,

it

but unto

which the

ScT. 4.

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

83

made

the head of

fam^

builders difallowed, the

is

the corner."
I

believe indeed

iifually a

it is

deep and heart-

the iinner of the truth, and

which
makes

penitent a willing believer.

But becaufe there

convi6lion

felt

of

danger,

firft

perfuades

the trembling

may

be fom.etimes a belief of that truth which we do not

elleem, nay, even a jealoiify and fufpicion of the

we inwardly

of what

truth

hate,

The whole

the heart.

have added,

and approbation of

that faith implies the confent

doctrine of redemption ap-

pears to the believer moft admirably calculated to

promote

tj^e

glory of God, and fecure the falvation

Even what

of fmners.
taking

away

upon man,

bears hardeil

the foundation of felf-righteoufnefs

and felf-dependence, appears to him perfectly rea fonable

and

he not only fubmits to

clofes

with

it.

He

fees the

but embraces

it,

law

confeiTes the threatening to be juft

to
;

be holy

and he

is

h'3

not

only content, but thankful, that his prefent deliverance and future fecurity depend, not on himfelf,

but on the Redeemer.

He

is

willing to be only and

mercy and fove-

eternally indebted to the unmerited

reign grace of

Thus you

God

in Chriil Jefus.

fee the do6lrine of falvation is

fented in fcripture under the

form of a

be received, as well as a truth

Iv. I. 2. 3.

ye

'*

Ho, every one

to the waters,

come

ye,

bread

to

repre-

bleffing to

be believed

that thirfteth,

If,

come

and he that hath no money

buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and

milk without money, and without price. Wherefore do ye fpend money for that which is not
and your labour for that which

H2

fatisfieth

*HE NATURE OF FAITH,

^4
not

Ser. 4*

hearken diligently unto me, ^nd eat ye that

which

good, and

is

your foul delight

let

Incline your

fatnefs.

itfelf in

me

and come unto

ear,

hear, and your foul Ihall live, and I will

make an

everlafting covenant wath you, even the fure

David."

cies of

Matt.

mer" Come unto me,

xi. 28.

ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will

you reft." And indeed the infpired writers
always fpeak of it in fuch terms as fhew themfelves

all

give

not only fatisfied of the truth, but deeply penetrated

with a fenfe of the greatnefs of the mercy

^*

17. 18. 19.

jii.

liearts

by

that

may be

in love,

what

faith

is

That Chrift may dwell

Eph.

in

your

ye being rooted and grounded

comprehend with

able to

all faints,

the breadth, and length, and depth, and

know

height; and to

which

the love of Chrift,

paffeth knov/ledge, that

ye might be

with

filled

the fulnefsofGod."

all

3. In the last place, Faith implies fuch a perfonal

application of the truths

of the gofpel as produceth

repofe of confcience, dependence and reliance on

This,

the Saviour.
in

my

brethren,

cannot help thinking, that

and

truft are

one another in the

2.

13.

glory,

**

New

That we

who

firft

firft

it is

Teftament
be

fliould

as in

Eph.

in

i.

to the praife of his

In

whom

ye heard the word of

the gofpel of your falvation

that

fo eifential to faith,

often put reciprocally for

trufted in Chrift.

alfo trufted, after that

rit

the point

\aew, and the termination of the whole; and I

that faith

is

whom

alfo,

ye

truth,

after

ye believed, ye were feaUd with that Holy Spi-

of pronufe,"

THE NATURE OF FAITH,

Ser. 4.
I

do not mean

to fay, that divine faith is a-belief

me

that Chrift died for

llrong objections

The

preffion.

which

in particular.
lie

objefl of faith

is,

the

that Chrift died

Adam.

hardly be fuppofed, that any give

till

know

form of ex-

againll that

for loft fmners, of the race of

this trutli

85

But

as

it

can

their alTent to

they are convinced that they them-

Xelves are finners

fo, if

they believe that there

no falvation in any other, and that he is able

is

to fave

it feems to follow of necellity, that

and rely " upon him alone for falva-

to the uttermoft,

they will

reft

tion as he

tainly the

view given us of the matter in the holy

Rom. v. i. " Therefore, being juftified.

fcripture

hy

faith,

Lord

cer-

Heb. vi. 18. " That by two

which it was impofllble for

Chrift."

immutable things,

is

peace with God, through our

wc have

Jefiis

This

offered in the gofpel,"

in

God to lie, we might have a ftrong confolation,

who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope
fet

before us."

Faith and defpair are inconiiftent.

Faith and hope are infeparable.

The

glory of the

Redeemer's perfon, the perfection of

ment, and his ability to fave, are
the gofpel

cannot
arifes

truft

and

we

if

all fet

his atone-

before us in

cannot rely upon him,

our falvation in his hands,

it

if

we

certainly

from fome doubt or difapprobation of 'thefe

If you doubt of the truth, it is

interefting truths.

no wonder that you

diftruft the

promife

j.

but

are truly and inwardly fatisfied of Chrift's

you
power
if

and mercy, you will clofe with him, as your Saviour, and fay unto him, in the words of Thomas,

when

his doubts

my God," Thus

were removed, "

I

have

H3

ftiortly

My

Lord, and

given you a view

85

THE

In

ATlJRE OF FAlTH,

of the aftings of faith

to

what

which may

have endeavoured

Ser. 4

all

to illuflrate

be reduced
the afl^nt

of the underftanding, the approbation of the heart,

and thefe jointly producing repofe of confcience and

peace with God.

II. I

fome

PROCEED now,

in the last place, to

make

improvement of what hath been fai(l

on this important fubjed. And, in the
1st place, Hence learn the abfolute neceflity of
praftical

felf-denial,

how much

and

temper of a Chriftian.

it

ought to prevail in the

In explaining to you the

obje6l of faith, I have endeavoured to lay before

you

the nature of the gofpel-meflage, and the fub-

ilance of the truth as

helplefs ftate of

it is

man by

in Jefus, vii. the loft and

nature, forgivenefs through

the blood of Chrift, and fandification as the

If this view

of his Spirit.

is jaft,

work

then religion

muft be begun, preferved, improved, and perfe6ted,

by union with

Chrift.

If this view

is juft,

felf-nghteoufnefs and felf- dependence

Chrift.
if the

may

And

indeed fuch

condud of

is

all

then

all

a denial of

the life of a believer,

the great apoftle of the Gentiles

be taken for an example

can do

is

**

Phil. iv. 13.

things through Chrift

which ftrength-

cneth me."
a.

Hence

alfo learn the neceiHty of a

ture, in order to a

deed in ruins,
without
ill laid,
.

it

anew

new life.

na-

is

in-

will be loft labour to begin to build

foundation.

And if the

foundation

is

however beautiful the fuperftrudure, the

fabric cannot be lafting.

is

new

If the old nature

vifibly the caufe of

The
many

not attending to this

mifcarriages.

Men

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.

8-7

upon fbme amendment of

often refolve

life,

from

prudence, conveniency, or even from imperfect con-

and fome apprehenfion of eternity

victions,

But though

thefe refolutions are

itfelf.

formed with feem-

ing fmcerity, inherent corruption foon becomes too

fuch

for

Itrong

feeble

and his

tree good,

and his

corrupt,

to live a life

good

fruit

fruit

Remember

oppofition.

" Either make the

therefore our Saviour's caution,

make

or

th tree

you

If

corrupt.*'

defire

of holinefs or virtue, apply to

God

through Chrift, for the pardon of your fms, and

Intreat of him alfo, in the

peace with him.

prevailing name, that

by

fame
would im-

his grace he

plant in you " a new heart, and a new fpirit, thai

you may walk in his ways, and obferve his judge-

ments
3.

to

do them.*'

Learn

alfo

how
by

trine of falvation

injurious they afe to the doc-

unfavourable to holinefs,
tual provilion for

of God,

is

it.

it

charge

makes

He

far

from
it.

his

whole law

as his choice,

to enable

him

to dif-

bear witnefs, and fo will

New

Teitament, that

to deftroy the law, but to fulfil

hath not only

left

it

only he experts to derive

Redeemer

I defire to

came not

flander

from being

the moft effec-

to the

embraced by every believer

every faithful minifter of the

Clirift

So

Obedience

and promifed as his duty

ftrength

who

faith in Chrift,

as unfriendly to holinefs of life.

in its full force

it

confcience,

but he hath

The awful

fanftipn of the

every impenitent finner.

the flying roU, in the

added to

law

its

it.

upon the

obligation.

take place upon

well reprefented by

fhall

It is

prophecies of Zechariah,

chap. V. 3. 4. T]aej\ fai4 he wito me, Thi&is the

THE NATURE OF If AITH.

8S

Ser. 4.

curfe that goeth forth over the face of the

earth

as on this fide, according to

it

and every one that

fweareth fhall be cut off as on that

according to

fide,

Lord of hofts, and

the houfe of the thief, and into the

I will bring it forth, faith the

it.

it

whole

for every one that flealeth fhall be cut off

fhall enter into

houfe of

and

it

iiiall

him

that fweareth falfely

remain

fhall

confume

it,

by

my

name

in the midft of his houfe,

and

with the timber thereof, and the

See alfo the fuperadded fandion

ilones thereof."

of the gofpel, Heb. x. 28. 29. "

He

that defpifed

Mofes law died without mercy, under two or three

witneffes

of

how much

forer punifhment, fuppofe

who

ye, fhall he be thought worthy,

hath trodden

under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the

blood of the covenant, wherewith he w^as fan6tified,

an unholy thing, and hath done defpite unto the

Spirit of

for

Hear

grace?"

it,

my

your fouPs fake, any known

heart or converfation,

is

brethren, hear
fin

it

allowed in the

as inconfiflent

with falva-

tion under the covenant of grace as under the cove-

nant of works
as

many

or rather, to fpeak

as continue

more properly,

the pralice of fin are

in

condemned already," and remain under the power

To delight in
of that " miniftration of death."
the law of the Lord after the inward man, is the
<*

fruit

of

faith, the charafter

neceffary to
4, Suffer

fit

you

me

to fay a

and conviftion of thofe

of the gofpel.

of the

new

nature, and

for the divine prefence.

Alas

few words, for the reproof

who are living in contempt

how many are there who

turn a deaf ear to the mofl earnefl and prefling

vitations addrelTed to

them

in the

in,-

word of God, and

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.

by

enforced

providence

liis

of defpifers of the gofpel

who

gofpel,

to

whom

guilt

defpife

is their

If this

folly

truth in

is

the

or Dander

Too

it.

ft ate

tlie

Will

<*

foundation,

which

who

own

heavy

the threaten*

"

Zion," Matt. xxi. 44.

fall on this ftone, fhall be

lliall

(2.)

it

fhall f^ll,

They

who, profelling belief

continue

to

who
tried

laid in

him to pow^der."

the gofpel

and love maniis

words, againfl thofe

but on whomfoever

to

are found thus fight-

be a light thing to be

it

How

is

whofoever
:

Chrift,

commandment, That
of the Son of God,
divine word, " That there

precious comer-flone," and

^efpife the

And

aggravated their

that grace

all

the gofpel

ing, in our Saviour's

broken

how

name

of thofe

found defpifers of
feft:cd in

O how

is fooliihiiefs.

any other ;" miferable indeed

in

God.

ing againll

came

are

the divine

is

no falvation

grind

forts

who

the doftrine of the

it,

and

Ibould believe in the

muftbe

**

to

the crofs of Ghriii

and there
is

it,

two

there are -of this character in the prefent age,

deplorable

we

defert

are

(i.) Thofe

open and avowed enemies

many

There

S^

it

will

are defpifers of

in the doftrine of

live in unrighteoufnefs.

He

you from ail your tranfgrefiions, as

His
deliver you from condemnation.

turn

well as to

power is particularly illuftrated in bringing finners

from darknefs to light, and from the power of
The end of his coming is loll
Satan unto God."

*'

as to

called

thofe

all

by

his

who

form any hopes from

appointed
it

if

If they are

continue in fm.

name, they are a fcandal

to

it

if they"

his fufferings, they will be dif-

they advance any claim to his mercy,

will be rejeded

if

they plead relation to him.

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

he will openly renounce them

Ser. 4.

Matth.

vii.

21. 23.

Not every one that faith unto me, Lord, Lord,

fliall enter into the kingdom of heaven
but he that
**

23.

doth the will of my Father which

ny

will fay to

me

works

derful

never

name

Lord, have

and then will

knew you

I profefs

depart from

wc

and in thy name have

and in thy name done

in heaven. Ma>-

in that day, Lord,

not prophefied in thy

cafl out devils

is

many won-

unto them, I

me ye that work

ini-

quity."

In the

5.

last

manner,

fiefl

me, in the mofl ear-

place, Suffer

to befeech

bly, to believe in the

every llnner in this aflem-

name of the Son of God.

fay, every finner, becaufe thofe only

fible

who

are fen-

that they are finners will be obedient to the

Are you not therefore fenfible of your guilt

Are your underftandings fo blinded,
is natural confcience itfelf fo feared, that you do
not fee how m.uch you ft and in need of a Saviour ?
Remember, that if there be any truth in the whole
call.

and danger ?

compafs of natural and revealed religion that cannot

befpoken

againft,

it is this.

That God "

is

of purer

eyes than he can behold iniquity ;" and that, for this

" he

reafon,
to his

will render unto every

works."

fcience,

and

It is

ratified

by

the heathens difcovered

nefs

What

man

according

a truth engraven upon the con-

it

the courfe of providence

through the thickeft dark-

and the guilty confefs

it

by

their daily fears.

a harveft of converts would. I bring in, even

in this affembly, if I could but lead to the Saviour

every one that believes, in fome meafure, in

judgement
is

to

come

What an

brought into our nature by

a,

aftonifhing diforder

fin

What

a marvel-

THE NATURE OF FAITH.

Ser. 4.

lous delufion

tency

is

is

9I

upon the mind, and what

there in the conduft of linncrs

inconfif-

It is

is

moft amazing

backwardnefs to receive the

truth, or their

to

fay which of the two

lingnefs to

obey

it

unwil-

on

what they

d<

believe, on the other.

who

hard
their

their inattention to evidence,

the one hand, or their forgetfulnefs of

thefe walls

any perfon within

Is there

doubts that he

is to die

or

who

does not believe that he mufl be judged after death?

Are you then ready for the trial ? Have you ferved
?
Have you loved him above all ?
Have you lived to his glory ? Have you fought and
placed your happinefs in his favour ? Or are you
fenfible that iniquities have prevailed againfl you ?
Have they now taken hold upon you, fo that yoru

your Maker

cannot

lift

your eyes

you through

merits for your pardon

rit for

Behold,

your reformation

preach peace to

Believe in his

Jefus Chrift.

name and

rely on his grace and Spi-

and return

God

to

through

This is the
Luke,
xxiv.
gofpel
of
the
tenor
46, 47. " Thus
it is written, and thus it behoved Chrift to fuifer, and
him, as your unchangeable portion.
:

to rife

from the dead the

pentance and remilTion of

his

name, among

falem."

third

fins

day

and that re-

fhould be preached in

all nations,

beginning

at

Jeru-

SERMON

DEATH A PROPER ATONEMENT

CHRIST'S

FOR

And he

SIN.

John,

2,

ii,

the propitiation for our ftns

is

V.

onlyy but alfofor theftns

.and not for ^urs

of the ivhole world,

ACTION SERMON.

MY

To

brethren,

of eternity,

lief

fpeakable

moment

and obnoxious
then

it

have any be-

know, how they may have

God. This inquiry becomes,

more

ferious,

and corrupt

as in a lapfed

as

muft be a matter of un-

to

confidence towards
if poflible, ilill

many

as
it

to his

when we confider man

by nature, as guilty,

ftate

Maker's righteous judgement

becomes neceflary not only

to preferve the

favour, not only to avoid the difpleafure, but to feek

for

fome

This

fhelter or covering

is

from the wrath of God.

the account given us of our condition

in fcripture

importance^

which, as

\ymg

it is

a truth of the utmoil

at the foundation of

religion^

CHRIST'S DEATH, &C.

ISer. 5.

have often endeavoured both

And

force.

93

to explain

happy, happy they

and en-

who have

heard

with application ; happy they whofe eyes have been

opened on their danger as finners

and

the evil of

felt

fin, as

whd have

feen

a departure from and

re*,

bellion againfl a moft holy, righteous, and gracious

Happy they who,

God.

rejecting the vain rea-

fonings of the carnal niind, and the cobweb-defences

of the fliort-fighted creature, have been laid proas guilty

ftrate,

and

helplefs, before the fovereign

and almighty Creator.

All mankind, in the feve*

of the world, have in general difcovcred

ral ages

fuch a jealoufy of their condition,

felt

ajid

have

fo far

the reproof and condemnation of natural con-

been innumerable

But

and inventions have

that their attempts

fcience,

to appeafe the offended

name of God, we

bleffed be the

Deity.

are not left

any uncertainty as to this important quellion.

chearfuUy apply our minds to it, and re-
ceive unfpeakable confolation, " through the tender
to

We may

mercy of our God

whereby the day-fpring from

on high hath vifited

peace

the Son of

God.

This
is

We

enemies to

wicked works

made

to life

and

fully explained in the glorious gofpel of

is

finners,

The way

us.'*

are indeed,

God

in

but there

is

by

nature, guilty

our minds

and by

a gracious provifion

for our recovery in the mediation of Chrift.

is

the ftrong-hold and refuge of the finner

it

the foundation-fione and confidence of the be-

liever.

In the 8th and 9th verfes of the preceding^

chapter, the apoftle John fays,

have no

fin,

not in us.

Vol. IL

" If we fay

we deceive ourfelves, and the

If we confefB our fins, he is
I

that

we

truth is
faithful

CHRrST's

94
and

to

juft

from

DEATH

ceding the text, "

And

My little

in the verfe pre-

children, thefe things

And

write I unto you, that ye fin not.

man

we have

fin,

Chriilian to live
is

by

faith

He

then teaches the

in the Saviour's blood

illuftrate the

extent and ef-

ficacy of the great atonement, he adds,

and not

**

for ours only, but alfo for the fins of the

In further difcourfing on this

w^orld."

any

the propitiation for our fins ;" and

might further

that he

if

an advocate with the Father, Je-

fus Chrift the righteous.'*

" And he

StT. 5,

forgive us our fins, and to cleanfe us

unrighteoufnefs."

all

FROrER

whole

fubjedl:,

propofe, through the affiftance of divine grace,

To

I.

what

or

confider Chrift as the propitiation for fin,

To

II.

implied in his being fo called.

is

confider the extent of this propitiation, or

And,

being for the fins of the whole world.

its

To make fome pradical improvement

III.

of the

fubje^l.

First, then, Let us confider Chrift as the pro-

I.

pitiation for our fin, or

what

is

implied in his being

We find our Saviour defigned as a propi-

fo called.

tiation in feveral other paflages of fcripture

ihis epiftle, chap. iv.

that

his

we

Son

Rom.

10.

" Herein

is

iii.

be the propitiation for our fins ;" and

" Whom God hath fet forth to be a

25.

opinion of

many

learned men, that Chrift

It is the
is

called

a propitiation," or " the propitiation," in allu-

fion to the mercy-feat

as in

loved God, but that he loved us, and fent

to

propitiation through faith in his blood."

<*

love, not

at firft

above the ark, which was

fet

in the tabernacle, and afterwards in the

^P-'-

C.

iiple

tlic

ill

ATONEMENT FOR

SIN.

95

moll holy place.

To

confirm this,

which the

the fame

Hebrews
fame fubjed:, Heb. ix.

and which the apoille

fpeaking of the
over

it

But

when

ufes

the

to

And

"

5.

the cherubims of glory fliadowing the mercy-

we

of which

mercy-feat,

alv/ays ufe to denote the

Teftament

feat

word here ufed is

Greek, tranllators of the Old

obferved, that the original

it is

cannot

I appreltcnd there is

now fpeak

particularly.'*

fome inverfion of the or-

der of things in this remark

for Chrift

not call-

is

ed a propitiation in allufion to the mercy-feat,

which, independent of him, could
nomination
to

becaufe

it,

ill

bear that de-

but the mercy-feat hath this

it

was an eminent type of

berailifuUy, indeed^ reprefented the benefit

-we derive

God, by

from him

given

title

Chrift.

It

which
For as

as our propitiation.

the Shechinah, or fymbol of his prefence,

dwelt of old upon the mercy-feat,

between the

cherubims, and was from that place propitious to

his people

him
**

fo

now God

To

wit, that

God was

2 Cor. v.

19,

in Chrift, reconciling the

world unto himfelf, not imputing their

unto them

by

dwells in Chrift, and

reconciles fmners to himfelf

trefpalTes.

and hath committed unto us the word of

reconciliation."

In that ancient difpenfation, every

was to look toward the mercy-feat

was from thence that God accepted them,

worfliipper

and

it

j.

and gave intimations of their acceptance

fo

it

through Chrift, or in his name, that we have

accefs to

God

favour, and

and it is in him
maketh us accepted
;

is

now

that he fheweth us
:

Eph.

i.

6.

"

To

the praife of the glory of his grace, wherein he

hath made us accepted in the Beloved."

I

It

was

DEATH A FROPER

CHRIST'S

gS

from the mercy-feat

fpake to his peopk

God

that

Scr. 5,

the intervention of the high-prieft, and

by
and

Thummim
xvii.

Vrhoni I

am

hy

is

it

Son

his

This

*"'

5.

well pleafed

is

that

way

and fhews us the

i'peaks to us,
Ivlatth.

fo

my

by Urim

God now

of falvation

beloved Son^ in

hear ye him."

But the true and proper meaning of Chrift's being a propitiatioDj is to be taken from the facrifices
in general,

and particularly points

at his

undertaking

the office of m.ediator and peace-maker between

Cod

and man, and in that capacity fuffering the

wrath of

God

in the

room of iimiers. By this he

him propitious or gracious

appeafeth him, rendereth

to
**

us,

and purchafeth our pardon

Whom God

hath

Rom.

Remember how

^iiately it is connefSled \vith redemplich,

preilion wliich runs thrcugh the

is

forgivenefs of fms

25.

forth to be a propitiation,

fet

through faith in las blood."

Teflament, and

iii.

inti-

another ex-

whole of the

New

conlidered as equivalent to the

Eph.

i.

7.

" In

whom we have

redemption tlirough his blood, the forgivenefs of

ilns,

according to the riches of his grace."

redemption certainly

figiiiiies

Now^

purchafing or buying

with a price.

The

facrinces under the

Mofaic ceconomy did

of them imply a fubllitution in

that

had been

all

room of fomething

was due. It is obferved

knowledge of Jewifli antiqui-what was done when any particu*

forfeited, or

by one eminent
ties, that beiides

for

lar perfon prelented a iin-oifering, at the continual

burnt- offering there were certain

men

appoint?ed to

yeprefent the -vvhcle congregation of Ifraek

cfiice v/as, to

h-J

tlifir

Their

hands upon the head of the

ATONEMENT FOR

Ser. 5.

lamb, and thus as

were

it

the people to the vidlim.

SIN.

97

transfer the gu-ilt

from

this account they

were

On

called stationary men, becaufe they attended conti-

nually for this

And

eTid.

as the very purpofes of

law was, to typify the facrifice of Chrift, they are a Handing evidence of the
early and original reference to him, as the ground

the facrifices under the

of divine mercy.

more undeniably true, than that the

of facrifices was both early and univerfal

Nothing
offering

is

in every nation under

who

tain, that thofe

heaven

and

it is

no

lefs cer-

ufed them did conlider them as

expiatory, or propitiatory, to render the offended

This was

Deity placable, and obtain his mercy.

at

once a confefiion of guilt, and a declaration, that

they apprehended the necefTity and propriety of an

Neither

atonement.

to account for

poflible

is it

the univerfal prevalence of facrifices in

but by fuppofmg,
remains of what had been taught

rable manner,

diately after the

I

apprehend

fall,

by

in the ages

facrifice

of Chriil is

How many paf-

fages might be adduced to this purpofe?

in

this part of his

the following

manner;

" Surely he hath borne our

forrows
of

we

yet

God, and

tranfgrefRons, he

we

is fet fortli

^*6.

7. 8.

and carried our

griefs,

him

4.

In ^ an-

ftiickcii, fmitten

Bu: he was v/ounded for oiu*

was brulfed

chaftifement of our peace

his ilripes

work

ii. liil.

did efteem

affli^led.

imme-

undeniably evident, that

which the

reprefented in the holy fcriptures..

cient prophecy,

tole-

were the

divine appointment.

alfo

is

it

this is the light in

that they

any

are healed.

for our iniquities.: the

was upon
All

l3

we

Iiim, and.-witk

like Ihcep ha\ie.

A PROPER

CHBfl^t^S miAtti

90

Ser. 5.

gone aftrsj we have turned every one to his own

way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of
:

us

He was

all.

and

to the flaughter,

he

afflided, yet

was

opprelTed, and he

opened not his mouth

tie

bfbught as a lamb

is

as a fheep Before her ihearers

dumb, fo he opeaetli not his mouth. He was

and
taken from prifon and from judgement
is

who

declare his generation

fliall

off out of the land of the living

lion of
**

my

he Ivas cut

for

for the tranfgref-

Dan.

people was he llricken."

ix.

24.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people,

and upon thy holy

and

to

liation

city, to flnifli the tranfgreflion,

make an end

of

fins,

and to make reconci-

iniquity, and to

for

bring in everlalling

up the vilion and prophecy,

mofl Holy."

tighteoufnefs, and to feal

and

to anoint the

In the

New

Teftament, he

lay

down

am

the good fhepherd

tells us,

his life for his people

the

John, x. 11.

"I

good ihepherd giveth

The fame

Ids life for the fheep."

he w^as to

thing he plainly

fays in the inftitution of the facrament of the Lord's

"

fupper, Matth. xxvi. 26. 27. 28.

And

as

they

were eating, Jefus took bread, and blefTed it, and

brake it, and gave it to the difciples, and faid.

Take

eat

this is

my

body.

And

cup, and gave thanks, and gaye

Drink ye

ing,

the

new

teflament,

lemifTionof
ihcd for his
in>

all

made

him

it

which

it

to

for this is
is

fhed for

them, fay-

my

blood of

many

for rhe

That his body broken and blood

people^ was to be underilocd of his befias.^'

a fin-ofFering,

apofloiic writings:
xaa.de

of

he took the

to

be

is

plainly tefliiied in

iin for us,

the

" For he hath

who knew no fm that

2 Cor. v. 21.

ATONEMENT FOR

Ser. 5.

we might
him."

it is

99

be made the righteoufnefs of

Gal.

Curfed

written,

Heb.

on a tree."

God

in

13. " Chrift hath redeemed us from

iii.

the curfe of the law, being

for

SI^*

made a

curfe for us

every one that hangeth

is

26. 27. 28. " But

ix.

now

once in the end of the world, hath he appeared to

put away
is

by

fin

judgment

once to

was once

iii.

offered to bear the

" Chrift

18.

for fins, the juft for

might bring us
llefti,

to

It

John,

i.

is

unto

29.

is

to death in the
It is

him

evidently

Lamb

called the

" Behold the

fin

hath once fuf-

of

in that ca-

Lamb

of God,

of the world."

lamentable to think, that there fliould be

who

call

themfelves Chriftians, and yet refufe

acknowledge

may

he

are called to attend to

which taketh away the

any

alfo

God), being put

this account that

God, and we
pacity

fin,

the unjuft, (that he

but quickened by the Spirit."

on

it

and unto them that look for him,

Peter, i Pet.

fered

as

but after this the

See alfo the aflertion of the apoftle

falvation."

to

die,

he appear the fecond time, without

fhall

alfo

men

fo Chrift

many

of

lins

And

the facrifice of himfelf.

appointed unto

fo fpeak,

this truth,

which

is

woven,

if I

through the whole contexture, both

of the law and gofpel.

It

ftory of an ancient artift,

brings to my mind the

who, bting employed to

build a magnificent and elegant temple, had the in-

genuity to infcribe upon

incorporate

it

it

his

own name, and

fo to

both with the orr.'aments and body of

was impofiible afterwards to

efface the name, without at the fame time deftroying the fabric.
In the fame m?. c^-, Chrift d zing

the ftructure, that

for fin is

it

engraven in luch cuaiavtcxs

tiiiouj^ii

xhe

too

Christ's

whole revealed

death a proper
God,

will of

that

it

is

Ser. 5*

impoffible to

away without overturning the whole fyflem

For this end Chrill came into the world for this
end he bore the name of J^fuSy or the Saviour and
for this end he became the High-prieft of our profeilion, that he might, " by one offering, for ever
perfect them that are fanftiiied."
take

it

This, then,

is

the fcripture-view of Chrift as our

propitiation, that our guilt is taken

are reconciled to

God

through the

by

all that

that can be juftly oppofed to

juft.

And

God
fin,

elTential to the idea

fition to inflift
;

on the part of un-

more

fo there is nothing

God, than

of juflice in

more

a dilpo-

This the fcripture every ^vhere

it.

God

fliews

ratifies

mercy

diator, if one can

and

'*

be found

fit

to the finner, is

lay his hand

to

Hep

who

the truth.

abhorrent from reafon, that this fliould be

parties,

is alfo

infeparable

and the confcience of the guilty,

if

it

nothing

merciful, but he

dreads his Maker's prefence,

Now,

it

is

and an accufing confcience,

than merited punilhment

declares

is

as there is nothing

from the idea of

not-

has been thrown out againfl

the pride of felf-righteoufnefs, there

prejudiced reafon.

which

And

he hath offered without fpot or blemifh.

withftanding

we

away, and
facrifice

in

it

fo

by a me-

between the

upon them both ?"

Is

not this necefiary to manlfeft the righteoufnefs and

feverity of the law, as well as the tendernefs

compailion of the Judge

reafon afligned for

" To declare

it

and

Is not this precifely the

in fcripture?

Rom.

iii.

25.

his righteoufnefs for the remiflion of

fins that are paft,

through the forbearance of God.''

It is trifiing to fay, that there is nothing of the. paf-

Ser. 5.

ATONEMENT FOR

iion of anger

in

God

need

that lliould

Such expreflions are only

peafed.

lOl

SIN.

be ap-

to

but

figurative,

they convey their meaning very clearly.

It is

not

anger or revenge, as they appear in our difordered

Thefe fu-

frame, that accepts of an atonement,

rious paflions fly direftly at the offending perfon,

and

But jullice,

reject all interceffion.

calm and

in

regular government, requires fatisfaftion, that the

may be

malignity and demerit of the offence

ferved while

mercy

is

We ought to confider, that

one great and general end

of the difpenfations of providence

the glory of the true

This

bell

is

God

aU

in

tliis ?

is,

with unmerit*

iiifter

mercy

not

who have

why may

and therefore

furety be admitted to
truth

juflice

It is

be bellowed on thofe

fufferj

not a voluntary

The

fuch are the impreflions that are ufually

infinite

ho-

and purity, and the tremendous majefly of

linefs

God,

that nothing lefs

wUl

fatisfy

atonement, or a clear view

and yet the

But,

my

profefs, or

juflifier

of

brethren,

it

than a

apply

it.

from

jufl^

him

that believeth on Jefus."

it is

one thing to know, to

even to fupport the truth

It is

fuflicient

how he may be "

but of unfpeakably more moment, to

and another,
feel,

and to

one thing to have a rational convic-

critical inquiry,

the holy fcriptures

v.;ith

un^

at all,

deferved to

in their place

made on the awakened confcience, of the

tion,

to illuflrate

How can you hear the word mercy fo often

\vithout perceiving
lefs it

is,

his real perfections.

done by a purchafed pardon, by a wife

and awful mixture of impartial

ed mercy.

pre-

extended to the criminal.

eHeem and

that this is taught in

and another, to cleave

affeflion,

to

it;

as ihe gojpel of our JaU

death a prober

Christ's

loa

foundation of our hope and

as the great

nation,

Ser 5*

Therefore, in what remains of this branch

peace.

of the fubjel,

would

confider myfelf as fpeaking,

not to the wrangling difputer, but to the cojivinced

finner

broken

not to the felf-righteous boaller, but to the

The

in fpirit.

propitiation

chief circumflances in

which Chrift

liath

to

be taken

two

i.

Its abfo-

notice of in this view, are thefe

2. Its perfect fufficiencj.

lute neceffitj.

^, I. Confider the

ment.

There

is

ahfolute

of this atone-

necejfity

no other way by which the fmner

Nothing

can be reflored to the favour of God.

can be clearer from the holy fcriptures.

deed the

It is in-

may be drawn from

love and mercy of God

inference that

tacit

the whole.

the

made,

Why is this

celebrated in fuch exalted ftrains

much

writers, and felt with fo

by

the infpired

gratitude

by

the re-

deemed, but that they were under condemnation, and

muil have pcriihed, but

Rom.

**

viii. i.

There

for the help of this Saviour?

therefore nov/ no con-

is

demnation to them which are

walk

not after the

fiefti,

the fame chapter, ver. 33. "

Who

thing to the charge of God's eleft

John

juftifieth."

iii.

wha
And

in Chrift Jefus,

but after the Spirit."

16.

God

'*

Ihall
It is

lay any

God

that

loved the

fo

world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that

whofoever believeth in him, Ihould not perifli, but

have everlafting -life." As " without ihedding of
blood there
infallible

is

no remillion,"

teftimony,

Heb.

x.

fo
4.

poffible that the blood of bulls

take

away

put beyond

fins."

Nay,

all poflibility

we have
that

"

the
it

fame

is

not

and of goats fhould

that the thing

might be

of doubt, fee the declara-

ATONEMENT FOR

Ser. 5.

is

Ads,

of Peter and John,

tion

SIN.

" Neither

iv. 12.

there falvation in any other

other

IO3

for there is

none

name under heaven given among men where-

by we mull be faved.'* And what other fenfe can

be put upon thefe words of our Saviour himfelf ?
.Tohn, xiv.

" Jefus

6.

way, and the

truth,

faith

and the

unto him,
life

unto the Father but by me."

am

the

no man cometh

In vain, then, do

found our hopes upon any thing

elfe

The

we

holinefs

of the divine nature, the purity of the divine law,

and the greatnefs of divine power,

blafting every

confpire in

hope of the finner but what

is

cen-

tered in Chrill.

Confider the perfeEl

2.

ment.

It is fufficient.to

law and

juftice.

It

fufficiency

anfwer

all

of this atone-

demands of

the

fufficient to vindicate

is

honour of the divine government, and

the holinefs and juftice of

fm.

It is fufiicient to

God

in the forgivenefs of

purchafe a full and complete

remiilion to the greateft finner.

upon the
that

infinite

Whoever

wifdom of God, muft be

reflefts

fenfible

much is faid on
much pains is taken

not without reafon that fo

it is

this fubje6l in fcripture

to

the

to illuflrate

fet forth

the glory and greatnefs of the Saviour

The

of finners.

that fo

greatnefs of his perfon, and dig-

nity of his character, are fet before us in the moft

ftriking light.

gotten Son of

He
God

is
;

" the eternal and only-be-

the brightnefs of the Father's

glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon."

Phil.

thought
ix. 6.
is

it

"

" For unto us a child

given^

And

Who

being in the form of God,

not robbery to be equal with God."
If.

6.

ii.

is

and the government

born, unto us a fon

fhall

be upon his

DEATH A PROPER

CHRIST'S

to^
llioulder

and his name

The

ther,

fhall

be

The mighty God,

Counfellor,

called,

Ser. 5.

Wonderful,

the everlafting Fa-

Prince of peace.'*

enumerate the magni-

It is not eafy, indeed, to

ficent titles

with which he

adorned in fcripture

is

The Alpha and Omega, The Firft

The Prince of the kings of the earth,-The
King of kings, and Lord of lords, The King of
glory,-and The King of faints." What mighty
**

Lafl,

him

w^orks are afcribed to

dence

We

and the

"

are told,

in creation and provi-

He

Ihall reign

mies are brought under his feet."

of his

as the

facrifice

of his facrifice as the

in all things

Heb^ii. 17.

behoved him

it

his brethren;

that he

to

**

are taken

Wherefore

be made like unto

might be a merciful and

God,

faithful high-prieft, in things pertaining to

to

make

Heb.

ene-

propriety

Son of Man, and the purity

Holy One of God,

of in fcripture

.notice

all

till

The

reconciliation for the fins of the people."

" For

ix. 13. 15.

if the

blood of bulls, and

of goats, and the afhes of an heifer fprinkling the

unclean, fandifieth to the purifying of the

how much more

flefh

blood of Chrifl,

fhall the

who

through the eternal Spirit offered himfelf without

fpot

may

God, purge your confcience from dead

to

works

to ferve

the living

God?"

John,

i.

16.

**

And

of his fulnefs have

ceived, and grace for grace."

it

To

this

you

add the continued fulnefs that dwells in him

pleafed the Father, that in

dwell."

What

is

this,

my

Col.

i.

him fnould

all

to carry

re-

" For

all

fulnefs

brethren, but to en-

courage and embolden finners to put their

him, and

we

19.

home with power

trnfl in

this truths

ATONEMENT FOR

er. 5.

lo$

SIN.

which I fliall give you in the words of the Holy

Ghoft? Heb. vii. 25. ** Wherefore he is able alfo
to fave them to the uttermoft, that come unto God

by him,
for

feeing he ever liveth to

make

interceflion

them."

PROCEED now

II. I

which was,

founded on the

tion,

to the fecofid thing propofed,

to confider the extent of this propitialaft

claufe of the text

"

And

not for ours only, but alfo for the fins of the whole

was

epiflle

when we remember

In general,

world."

that this

written chiefly to the converts of the

circiuncifion,

it

may

convince us, that in

was intended

bability this expreffion

all

prothe

againft

great and national prejudice of the Jews, of which

we fee

very frequent notice taken in the

As

tament.

New

Tef-

God commit-

they had the oracles of

ted to them, as for the w^fe purpofes of his provi-

dence he had feparated them from other nations,

and the Mefliah was

ing

the

to

to defcend

bleffings of his reign

felves

were

tenllve,

be confmed

all

to

mercy was

far

the

them-

more cx-

and that Chrifl came with a view

that promife

to fullil

made to the father of the faithful.

" In thy feed (hall all the nations

xxii. 18.

of the earth be blefled

my

to

therefore they are often given to under-

iland, that the purpofe of

Gen.

from them accord-

they apprehended that

flefh,

voice.**

The

becaufe thou haft obeyed

exprefiion in the text, then, un-

doubtedly implies,

that redemption

through the

blood of Chrift was to be preached to finners of the

Gentiles
ages,

by

Vol.

that as he

had been the Sa\dour of

the efficacy of that facrifice

II.

all

which he was

106

CHRIST'S

DEATH A PROPER

to ofFer in the fulnefs of time, fo

it

was not

to

be confined

er. 5.

virtue of

the

the houfe of Ifrael,

to

but to belong to finners of every nation under heaven.

I

am

my

fenfible,

troverfies

have been

brethren, that very great con-

raifed, in another view, as to the

extent of Chrifl's death, and the import of this and

other fuch general expreffions in the holy fcrip-

In

tures.

this,

as in

have been carried a

of truth and piety requires

tereft

ufual, they

is

have

of the Mofl

tering, therefore, into thefe debates,

fuitable to our prefent

my

Without enwhich are un-

employment, or rather giv-

judgement, that they are for the moft part

or hurtful,

unneceffary, unprofitable,

down

is alfo

High with his revealed will, which

the invariable rule of our duty.

ing

and, as

from an improper and im-

arifen

mixture of what belongs to the fecret coun-

fkilfnl
fels

moft other debates, matters

far greater length than the in-

three propofitions

on

I fhall lay

this fubjeft,

which

think can hardly be called in queftion, and which

are a fufficient foundation for our faith and practice.

I.

The

obedience and death of Chrift

lue fufficient to expiate the guilt

of

all

every individual that ever lived or ever

on

earth.

their

redemption

human

fiiall

live

is

finite,

infinite.

the price paid for

He

fuffered in the

nature, but that nature intimately and per-

fonally united to the divine

diator, the gift of

ners,

of va-

This cannot be denied, fince the fub-

be redeemed are

jefts to

is

the fins of

is

God

often called his

fo that Chrift the

for the

redemption of

own and

his eternal

mefin-

Son

ATONEMENT FOR

Ser. 5.

Rom.

32. "

viii.

He

I07

SIN.

that fpared not his

but delivered him up for us

all,

how

own

Son,

he not

fhall

with him alio freely give us all things?" Such

was the union of the divine and human nature in
Chrift, that the blood which was the purchafe of
our redemption

is

exprefsly called the blood of

God, A:l:s, xx. 28. " To feed the church of God,

which he hath purchafed with his own blood.'*
This is the great myftery of godlinefs, God manifefted in the flefli, in which all our thoughts are:
loft

and fwallowed up.

Notwithftanding

2.

human

race

of his purchafe

but

every individual of the

many

This will

perilh for ever.

die in their fins,

and

as little admit of

any

Multitudes have died,

doubt.
the

this,

not in fad: partaker of the blefTmgs

is

name of

who

never heard ofv

Chrift, or falvation through

him

many

have lived and died blafpheming his perfon, and

defpifing his undertaking

belief and
paffions

impenitence,

and

many have

died in un-

ferving divers lufts and

if the fcripture is true,

he will

at laft

render unto them according to their works.

that if we admit, that the

works of God

are

him from

the beginning of the world,

never be true,

that, in his eternal counfels,

to

died to fave thofe who, after

all that

be miferable for ever.

" He

ftiall

work

is

ftrated
xi. 7.

is

can

Chrift

he haih done,,
is

a rock, his

but^ as the apoftle Paul expreffes

" The eleftion hath obtained

There

it

His defign never could be fru-

perfefl."

were blinded.'*
3.

So

known,

it,

it,

Rom.

and the

reft,

But,
in

the death of Chrift a

fufTicicn*;

foundation laid for preaching the gofpel indefinite

Ks

I08

CHRIST'S

}y to

all

DEATH A PROPER

without exception.

God that
** And he

faid

eiFe6t

of this

is,

and impenitent
and they

to

Mark,

ftiall lie

Ihall not

Gcd: Heb.

after that v/e

entirely at their

only die in their

own

The

x. 26. 27.

**

For

if

to

door

all fins,

hear the Son

we

fin

wilfully

have received the knowledge of the

no more

facrifice for

but a certain fearful looking for of judgement,

liery indignation,

which

affent to

All the obfcurity

be refolved

into, the

God

and

ariies

any

nor foolifhly

imagine an oppolition between one part of

another.

fins,

devour the adver-

fhall

Let us neither refufe our

of the revealed will of God,

\yAvt

but ihall

fins,

moft heinous of

for this

truth, there remaineth

saries."

of

15.

into all the world,

every creature."

remedv, and refuling

defoifing the

xvi.

that the mifery of the unhelieving

luffcr to eternity

of

Go ye

unto them,

and preach the gofpel

command

It is the

ihould he done

this

Scr. 5.

it

from, and

and

may

weaknefs of our underltandings j

man

That
men,
and even for thofe v/ho perifh, is plain from the
i Tim. iv. 10. " For
very words of fcripture
but

let

be true, and every

there is a fenfe

liar.

in v/hich Chrifl died for all

therefore w^e both labour

caufe

we

viour of
I

Cor.

all

viii.

fhall the

died ?"

fins

fuffer reproach,

God, who

is

be-

the Sa-

men, efpecially of thofe that believe,"

11. " And through thy knowledge

weak brother perifh, for whom Chrifl

Thus it appears, that both in a national

and perfonal view, Chrifl

our

and

truil in the living

is

**

the propitiation for

and not for ourS only, but

oi the whole world.'

alfo for the fins

Ser.

ATONJlMfN-T JOR ^Uf.

5-.

ni.

PROCEED now,

If)

in the lajl place, to

make

improvement of the fiibjeft for your

inflru6lion and direlion.
And,
I
From what hath been faid, let us be induced
fome

pra(ftical

to give praife to

God

him

to loft finners,

Let us particularly give

praife for Chrift Jefus, his unfpeakable gift

" Hereia
lie

mercy

for his

revealed in the gofpel.

is love,

we

not that

loved God, but that

loved us, and gave his Son to be the propitiation

for us.'*

While we remember,, with abafement of foul,

the holinefs and juftice of God, which required falisfaftion for fin, let us alfo remember his infinite
compaflion, who was plcafed hinifelf to provide
* a lamb
for the burnt-oftering."
Let us at the
fame time give praife

who gave

God.

ing favour" to
ihe

theme of

After

all

to the tender-hearted Saviour,

his life as an offering

'"

of a fwcet-fmell-

Redeeming grace

fiiail

be

eternal gratitude and praife in heaven."

our

trials

and dangers are over, we

fhall

honour
12. " Wor-

ihen, with unfpeakable delight, afcribe the

of our victory to him, faying, Rev. v.

thy

the

is

Lamb

that

was

flain, to receive

power,,

and riches, and wifdom, and ilrength, and honour,,

and glory, and bleflrng."
ulfo attempt to give

earth

for he,

entered into
profpefl,.

^Irength

that

us to himfelf

having

liis

that

him

Why

fhould

we

praife in his church

fiaithed his

not

on

own work, and

glory, hatli given us an affured

we

alfo

Ihall

overcome

he will come again, and

thr.t

where he

ftlfo."

1^3

is,

there

**

in

his-

receive

wc may be

ifo

ci!KiST-S DEATil

Yon

2.

Set, 5.

PROj'ER

m?.j fee from what hath been faid, that

fuch as arc yet unrelated to this Saviour are in a

ftate

Hear and

of fm, and liable to divine wrath.

receive this truth, hcw^ever unw^elcome to the fe-

however

cure,
it

carnal mind.

diftafleful to the

If

which God hath

v/ere not fo, this propitiation

would liave been altogether unneceffarj.

Let us be^ of him who hath afcended up
on high, to fend down, according to his promife,
forth

fet

world of

his Spirit to convince the

How many

lin.

we of
yet how

and llriking proofs have

affefting

in our charafcer

and Hate

make

us feniible of

world

at prefent,

it

and

What is to
we read

or v/hat do

both

this,

difficult to

be feen in the
in the hiftory

of pail ages, but one melancholy fcene of difcrder,

mifery,

and blooddied, fucceeding another

not this the elfet of

by mutual

Is

we

not,

once demonftrate our

own
God

human

injuries, at

guilt

And

do

corruption, and execute the juft judgement of

upon one another

May

not every perfon difcover

the latent fouree of thefe flagrant crimes, in the pollution of his

own heart,

his averfion to

and his pronenefs and inclination

And

yet, alas

the heart

God

humble

make

to

how

**

itfelf,

is

us fenfible, that

it is

execution

is

is evil ?

make

we

are tranfgrefTors

in this tranforef*

law

is

moft

juft,

every one that continueth not in

things written in the

and that

what

good,

and plead gnihj before

that the threatening of the

Curfed

is

difficult a m.atter is it to

from the womb, and inexcufeable

fion

to

what

book

of the infinite

all

law to do them ;"

mercy of Goci, that the

-of

the

fufpended, or any hope given us of

being able to avert

it

ATONEMENT FOR

Ser. 5.

Yet

this,

my

brethren, I will repeat

befeech you to Attend to

is

it,

one

who now
and

me

hears

liable

and

by
aflembly. Every

in a ftate of

is

everlalling

to

it,

certainly the cafe,

nature, with every perfon in this

tion,

Ill

SIN.

condemna-

mifery, excepting

happy number who have " fled for refuge to

All infenlay hold of the hope fet before them."
that

ble pcrfons, living in a carelefs fecure forgetfulnefs of

God

all

who

indulge themfelves habitual-

ly in the \vfis of the flefh

profane and lafcivious jefters,

drunkards, fwearers,
liars,

unjuft perfons,

lovers of the prefent world, are aliens

commonwealth of

Ifrael,

nant of promife.

awaken you

and ftrangers

that

to a fenfe of

it

were

from the

poflible for

yet a pofTibility of efcaping

to

you of the unknown time from

now

are

day of your

that

it

But

all

What

for the precious

now defpifing
In a little
know that you yourfelves will repent O
may not be when it is too late to reform

opportunity you are

I

referred in chains to the

judgement of the great day give

time

to

the importance

this

merciful vifitation to the day of your death

who

me

your danger, while there

is

tv'ould thofe

cove-

to the

words mull link under fuch a

piflure that I could

fubjedl.

No

draw of the defpairing horror

of a fmner oiT his deathbed, or the blafpheming

who

rage of thofe
poflibly give
it is
it

are tormented in hell-fire, could

any of you a jufl apprehenlion of what

to fall into the

hands of the living God, unlefs

pleafe himfelf to

wound

the confcience with the

arrows of conviction, that he

in the healing

may

balm of peace and

afterwards pour

confolation.

And

A PROFER

Christ's DEATii

112
that

it

Scr. 5.

might ftand with the will of God, that

none here prefent Ihould efcape

3. Learn from what has been faid, that there is

no facrifice for fin, but the one offering of our Redeemer on the crofs no hope of mercy for any
;

child of

Adam, but through

cal facrilices

dows, the fubftance

go about

The

his blood.

typi-

under the Old Teftament were but Shais

In vain will any

Chrift.

to eftablifh their

own

righteoufnefs, and

God. Think
by attempts of reformation^ by

refufe to fubmit to the righteoufnefs of

not,

my brethren,

any

faulty defeftive duties, to be able to cancel

part of that guilt to

How

day.

great

felf-righteoufnefs

is

which you

are adding every

the folly and prefumption of

What

a profane contempt of

the riches of divine grace

Hath God

feen

it

ne-

celTary to fet forth Chrift as a propitiation through

faith in his blood

neceflary,

much

and will you fay, that

and fpurn the offered mercy

ignorance

is

in felf-righteoufnefs

perfeft views muft they have of the

it is
?

un-

How

What im-

law of God,

how little knowledge of themfelves, and their

own hearts, who admire or truft in human virtue
Above all, what is the foundation and corner-

and

flone of fel -^-righteoufnefs

It is pride, that

fm of

all others mofl odious and abominable in the fight

of C>od.

Is

it

not a matter of daily experience,

who are evidently moft loofe and

own pra^ice, and who, one v.'ould

that thofe perfons

carelefs in their

think, fhould have leafl of that kind to rely upon,

are moft prone to a fclf-righteous plan, and moft

ready to defpife the doftrine of juftification through

the

imputed righteoufnefs of Chrift.

Are you

ATONEMENT

Scr. 5.

fometimes furprlfed

Chriftlans

at this,

They know
their own hearts.

eafily explained.

is

the

law of

God

or

II3

FOlC SIN.

The

little

They feldom

ftudy the one, or refled upon the other.

did, they

thing

either of

If they

would foon be afhamed of fuch a pretence.

Thofe who apply themfelves with the

greateft dili-

gence to the ftudy of holinefs in heart and

always moft fenfibly

feel,

life, do
and moft willingly con-

that all their righteoufneffes are as filthy rags

fefs,

"before

God.

In Chrift Jefus, and the blood of the everlafS?

4.

ing covenant, there

the pardon of

abundant provifion made for

is

our

all

lins,

and peace with an of-

" Behold the Lamb of God, which

taketh away the fin of the world I"
Behold the
Lamb which God himfelf hath ordained, and fet
fended God.

apart for this important work, and w^hich he will

certainly accept

" Deliver them,"

going down to the

pit

faith he,

" from

have found a ranfom."

Behold the immaculate and

fpotlefs victim in the

purity of his human, and the glory of his divine

nature
is

There is no fin fo atrocious but his blood

wafh away the guilt. Is there any

fufEcient to

finner in this afiembly

guilt,

by
"

by an

arrefted

the

Who

thunders

of the law, ready to

can ftand before this holy Lord

trembleth becaufe of thee

flefii

judgements ?"
Jaid

burdened with a fenfe of

accufing confcience, terrified

be what

am

My

afraid of thy

Let fuch an one know, that help

on him that

guilt

cry out,

God

it

is

" mighty to favc."

will,

who

is

Let your

can fo far derogate from

the Redeemer's glory, as to fufpe^l that his blood

cannot purge

it

away

Give no heed

to unbcliev-

CHRIst*S

114

DEATH A PROPER

ScT. 5.

ing thoughts, or difcouraging fuggeflions

" ftrong

in faith, giving glprv to

own words

tend to the Saviour's

meth unto me,

In the

5.

lafi

I will in

no wife

but be

God ;" and at" Him that Co-

caft out."

God,

place, Let all the children of

whofe hope hath

ftill

been in the divine mercy

through a crucified Saviour, embrace the opportunity

now

given them of profeffing,

and ftrengthening theif

ment.

Plead your relation

to

God

and encourage yourfelves in his

Look upon

merit.

exercifmg,

faith in the great

atone-

through Chrifl,

all-fufficiency

his fufferings for

and

humbling you

under a fenfe of the evil of fin, which made fuch an

Nothing ferves more

expiation necelfary.

and level human pride, than

upon him
ing

to fee

though perfonally united

crofs,

iin in

in his agony,

you.

our nature on the

to the divine.

for mortifying

There

is

to abafe

Look

and crucify-

a purifying virtue,

fandifying eiEcacy, in the blood of Chrift.

It

and
not

only fpeaks peace to the wounded confcience, but

purges the confcience from dead works to ferve the
living

God.

am

not againil the introduction of

every argument from fcripture or reafon againft

or in fupport of duty

but

let

fin,

them never fupplant

the great, the leading, the conftraining argument^

which
it,

is

draw^n from the crofs of Chrift,

iny brethren, nothing fo

much

Believe

reconciles the

heart to duty, nothing fo kindles a holy indignation

view of the Lamb of

which taketh away the fm of the world.

againft fin, as a believing

God,
This

gives the fpirit of adoption, a child-like fear,

and a child-like love.

This

fills

the Chriftian with

comfort, this infpires the Chriftian with zeal,

X*'

ATONEMENT FOR

Ser. 5.

SIN*

II5

feek our comfort in a feparate way, or in the

inftance

from our

duties, is to

make

feeble and variable as the duties are defe5live

to enliven
is to

firll

that comfort
;

our duties by the comforts of the gofpel,

follow the order of the covenant of grace,

which we

but

at CKice

by

promote the glory of God, and

moft

efFe dually fecure

This

is

own comfort and peace.

by the apoftle Paul, with

our

the fpirit breathed

whofe words. Gal. ii. 19. 20. I fliall conclude

" For I through the law am dead to the law, that I
might live unto God. I am crucified with Chrift
:

neverthelefs I live

me

live

and the

by

life

yet not

I,

but Chrill liveth in

which I now live in the flefh, I

Son of God, who loved me,

the faith of the

-and gave himfelf for me.'*

SERMON
THE LOVE OE CHRIST

Rev. l
IffJ to

htm

that loved us^

VI.

IN REDEMPTION.

5.

and wajhed us from our

ftrts

in his oivn hlocd.

ACTION SERMON.

THE

bare repetition of thefe words

to convince every hearer

how

is fufficient

well they are

Re-

fuited to the defign of our prefent meeting.

deeming love is certainly the moll delightful of all

themes to every real Chriftian. It is the immediate

and dired obje6l of om* contemplation in the

This ordinance was inllituted to

keep up the remembrance of the fufferings and
death of Chrift, Which was the great and finifhing
Lord's fupper.

proof of his love.

How then can

you

attend on

it

in

a more becoming and beautiful, a more defirable,

or a

more happy and

when your

ufeful frame of fpirit, than

hearts are filled with a fenfe of the love

of Chrifl, and you find yourfelves difpofed to

joici.

THE LOVE OF CHRIST,

Ser. 6.

117

Si:c.

with a mixture of joy and wonder, in the doxology

of the apoftle John, in the text, Unto him that loved
usy

and nvafied

The

us from our fins in his

author of this book

difciple

whom

is

Jefus loved.'*

of particular friendfliip,

nefs

find fo

much

blood I

Since, therefore,

pleafed his mafter to diftinguifh

we

own

fometimes flyled " the

him bj the
is

it

it

tendcr-

no wonder that

of the delightful affedion of love

In the beginning of this chapter^

in his writings.

he gives an account of the general fubjeft and de-

book of Revelation, the manner in which

it were made to him,
fidelity in teftifying them to others.
Then

fign of the

the difcGveries contained in

and his

follows the apoftolic falutation to the feven churches

in Afia,

of

all

be

which

is

a folemn benedi<ftion, in

the perfons of the adorable Trinity

to you,

name

" Grace

and peace, from him which

and
from
God the Father, the Ancient of Days, immutable
" and from the feven fpirits which
and eternal)

which was, and which

is to

come

;" (that

is,

is,

are before his throne

critical

;'*

you with a
means the Holy

(not to detain

account of this phrafe,

it

Gholl, fingle in his perfon, but multiplied in his

gifts

the variety, fullnefs, and perfeftion of which,

are denoted

from Jefus

by

this

Chrift,

form of expreflion)

who

is

<*

and

the faithful Witnefs, and

from the dead, and the Prince of

the

firft -begotten

th-

kings of the earth.'*

To him you

fee

he gives

three illuftrious charafters.

The faithful Witnefs, v/ho came from above,

and revealed the whole will of God for our falvaI.

tion

lutely

who

being the eternal truth, might be abfo*

depended on in the account he was by

Vol.

II.

the-

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

t[i8

Ser. 6.

apoftle to communicate, of the great events of pro-

vidence towards his church and people.

firjl begotten from the dead,

God

The

with power, by his glorious refurreftion and

triumph over the king of

nature, to

whom

fubjefl:,

and

And,

terrors.

Prince of the kings of the earth ; that

be

2.

declared to be the Son of

is,

the

The

3.

Lord of

every prince and potentate mull

whofe providence,

to the ends of

and the increafe of whofe kingdom,

of policy and conqueft

fliall at laft

all their

fchemes

be fubfervient.

He

with great propriety, having mentioned the

then,

name, and given a

Ihort

view of the character of

his blefled Lord, lays hold of the opportunity to ex-

prefs his

own and every

him, inthisfublime

other linner's obligation to

and wafhed us from our

us,

To

enter

Chrift in

and

upon the

its full

would

courfe.

fins in his

own

blood."

confideration of the love of

extent, in

its

fource,

its

expreffions,

even thofe that are fuggefted in the

its efre6bs,

text,

" Unto him that loved

afcription,

far

What

exceed the bounds of a fingle

I

in order to prepare

dif-

propofe, therefore, at this time,

your minds, and

my

own, for

the folemn a6lion before us, is only to colle^ into

one view fome of the great and general chara6lers

of the love of Chrift, which are moft proper to excite

our gratitude and praife; and then to

fome

practical

improvement of

it,

for

your

make

inilruc-

tlon and direftion.

I,

First, then, Let us endeavour to point out

jCome of the great general characters of the love of

Chrift.
to fuch

In this

I Ihall

take care to confine myfelf

views as are given of

it

in the holy fcrip^

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 6.

And

tures.

II^'

every character given of

it

there, we-

im-

are both entitled and obliged to attend to, and

prove.

" Yea,

This

God

of

took

It

counfeh of Heaven.
the love

You may

of all, then.

Firft

I.

an everla/ting love.

people,

Jer.

is

often nfed with a double view,

on the one hand,

its

and, on the other hand,

endlefs duration.

of the Lord
that

Pf.

him

fear

moment have

its

cies of
to

God

" But the mercy

to everlafling

In a

wrath

little
;

Having

faith the

Lord

jullify the application

to

man,

in our prefent fallen flate, are

to the love of Chrift, as their price,

fum. This
numerable paflages of fcripture

According

as

plain fxoni in-

is

Eph.

he hath chofen us

the foundation of the world, that

we

in

deftinated us unto
to

the

adoption

himfelf,

pleafure of his will."

iii,

n.

4. 5.

be holy,

having prechiidi-en

according to the

Eph.

L2

of

i.

him, before

lliould

and without blame before him in love

Chrill

my

obferving, that all the covenant-mer-

be referred

Jefus

hid

cited thefe paflages of

muil

but with everlafting

their fource, and their

*<

upon

and his righteoufiiefs unto

" For a fmall
If. liv. 7. 8.

moment

Old Tellament,

by

perpetual liability, and

have mercy on thee,

thy Redeemer."
of them,

to.

forfaken thee, but with great mer-

thee, for a

kindnefs will

the

3.

original fource,

its

ciii. 1*7.

cies will I gather thee.

from

early,

from everlafting

is

childrens' children. '^

face

xxxi.

drawn thee."

therefore with loving kindnefs have I

tliem

is

have loved thee with an everlafting love

This expreffion
fliew,

it

the eternal

a charader given of

is

his

to

obferve, that
rife in

its

<*

by

good

According

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

laO

Scr^ 6.

which he purpofed in Chrifl

For this reafon it is, amongft
Jefus our Lord."
others, that Chrift is called. Rev. xiii. 8. " the
Lamb flain from the foundation of the world."
to the eternal purpofe

I confefs,

my brethren, we

are but

ill

able to un-

derlland, or at leaft to meafure, the import of this

That the love of Chrift

truth.
in

him, was from eternity.

foon

loll,

to finners, or of

and fwallowed up, in what

But furely

boundlefs.

it

God

All our conceptions are

is infinite

and

matter for the

affords

deepeil and humbleft adoration, as well as for the

higheft gratitude and joy.

Does

it

not afford mat-

ter for

adoring wonder, that the plan for redeem-

ing

fmners, and reftoring

loft

them

to the obedience

und enjoyment of God, was the objel of the diIt appears to be a very
?

vine purpofe from eternity

confpicuous part, or rather perhaps

we

are warrant-

ed to fay, from the fcripture-revelation, that

chief part of our

Creator's will, to

other part of his providence

fervient.

is

it is

the

which every

fubordinate and fub-

Accordingly, in the very paffage where

Redeemer fays, ver. 8. " I axii

the beginning and the ending,
Omega,
Alpha and
faith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which
Does not this lead us
is to come, the Almighty.'*
to contemplate the glory of an infinite God, as it
Does it not alfo
fiiines in this everlafting love ?

my

text lies, the

afford

matter of gratitude to the believing foul,

while he conliders every veffel of mercy as concerned in this eternal purpofe

J

am

afeufe

we

feniible,

my

brethren, there

and perverfion of the dolrine of

think of

it

as independent of

may be an
eleftion, if

its fruits,

and ap-

IN REDEMPTION".

^er. 6.

ply

it

But

produce either fecurily or defpair.

lb as to

wifdom of

defpife the

would conceal
hath pleafed

I2r.

God diflindlly

who

thofe perfons

which

as dangerous,

this truth

to reveal.

It is

it

the root

which produceth the plant; but it is the plant

which difcovers the root. It is the fountain which
produceth the ftreams

the fountain.

not the {inner

INIuft

but the ilreams lead us to

who by

faith

has laid hold on a crucified Saviour, and given crc*

dit to tlie

word of God

in a preached gofpel^ con-

with admiration,

fider,

book of

life

of the world

What honour
time that

it

name

his

written in the

Lamb flain from the

What delight will it

of the

does

it

refleft

upon him,

foundation
give

him

fame

at the

deftroys the very foundation of arro-

gance and pride

This

the

is

and yet

firft,

it is

but one of

many

parts of the dodrine of falvation,

which

once

exalts

at

and abafes us

hopes, and forbids us to glory

finite

honour, and yet difcovers us to be

nothing

fo that

we may

our

raifes

clothes us with in-

lefs

than

with the^ apoille

fay

Paul, after a view of the fame fubjeiSI,

Rom.

xi."

33. " O the depth of the riches, both of the wifdom and knowledge of God .how unfearchable
!

are his judgements, and his

This leads
2.

love.

me

ways

That the love of Chrift

This

is

pafl finding out T'

to obferve,
is

free and unmerited.

a circumftance that

is

fcarcely ever

feparated from the account given of the love of

may

be founded even on the

Chrift in fcripture.

It

infinite difproportion

between uncreated excellence

and, created

we aknefs:

Pf. viii. 4*

that thou art mindful of

><

him ? and

L3

Wbat.is man^"

the fon of

man^

"

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Ill

him?"

that thou vifiteft

Pf."

Ser. 6.

cxliv.

" Lord,

3.

man, that thou takeft knowlege of him?

or the fon of man, that thou makeft account of him ?

what

is

Nay,

as if this

ment,

we have

were a truth of the utmoil moit

repeated a third time in almofi

the fame words: Job,

that

thou Ihouldfl magnify him?

fhouldfl
is

**

17.

vii.

not

fet

all,

tended to
ject thofe

What

and that thou

upon him?"
nor indeed the main thing
thine

But

heart

this

be

at-

its

ob-

to

for the love f Chrifl hath for

who were in actual

man,

is

God,

rebellion againll

tranfgrelTors of his

holy law, and liable to the flroke

of his jullice.

was not only

It

were low, or to fupply thofe

who

to exalt thofe

who

were needy, that

who were apGod fo loved the

Chrifl came, but to deliver thofe

pointed todeath

John,

iii.

16.

**

world, that he gave his only-begotten

whofoever believeth on him

have everlafling

mendeth

life."

Rom.

Son, that

fliould not perifh,

v. 8.

" But

his love towards us, in that while

yet linners,

Chrifl S.ed for us."

but

God comwe were

Eph.

ii,

4. 5.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love

wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in
**

tins,

hath quickened us together with Chrifl, (by

grace ye are faved) ."

The fame thing indeed is clear-

ly intimated in the words of the text. Unto him that

hved
It is

and wnfied us Jrom our fins

usy

on

cording to the gofpel,

grace, that

is to

own

bhod.

is

faid to

Rom.

be

and of

free,

fay, an al of unmerited and vo-

luntary kindncfs, which the

^mand

in his

this account, in particular, that falvation, ac-

iii.

finnejr

23. 24. I5.

had no title to
" For all have

Snned, and come ikort of the glory of

God

being

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 5.
juftified freely

his grace, through the redemption

by

that is in Jefus Chrift

to

12$

whom God

hath

fet forth

faith in his blood, to

be a propitiation through

declare his righteoufnefs for the remillion of fins

through the forbearance of God.**

that are paft,

Believe
of mercy

Chriftians, this

it,
;

and here the divine mercy

Without

reigns.

the proper exercifc

is

this,

it is

not obfcured only, but

But, oh

annihilated or deftroyed.

does this give us of the love of Chrift

make on

preflion will his love

truly convinced of their

This

is

make any

fufficient to

have learned

beeil taught

it

faith

it is

What an im
thofe who are

and wretchednefs

guilt

oppofition to

But, alas

it.

as a fcience,

it

making

as

all

what a view

upon which the whole docI hope you are not difpofed

the very hinge

trine of falvation turns.

to

and

ftiines

a part of the

not

it is

have

to

Chriliian

another matter to have a real and per-

fonal convidion of

it

upon the

Why

heart.

is

the

love of Chrift fo cold a fubjed to the generality of

the world, but becaufe they have no fenfe of
guilt

and mifery

am

even afraid, that

tlieu*

many of

the zealous advocates for this truth have but

experience of

its

the influence of
is

it

in their practice.

the perfon to be found,

who

under

Where

indeed

does full juftice to

the Saviour, and confiders his love as

merited and free

fions

do often

confift

righteous alledlions.

The moft

it,

wholly un-

evangelical exprefi*

with the moft legal and

Let

I leave this particular,

iland

me

if I

try,

can

felf-

however, before

make you

even though you ft^ould not feel

pofe any of

little

little

power, and live but

you were, upon the molt

it.

under-

Sup-

deliberate

and

THE LOVE OF CHRtST

124
compofcd

Scr. 6.

upon the moft particular and

you juftly deferved

reflection,

clofe examination, fenfible that

be banifhed from the divine prefence, and

to

into everlalling fire

call

and that your blefled Saviour,

when there was no other way to prevent it, did fave

you by the facrifice of himfelf
tell me, what
would you not owe to him ? what words would you
;

your love

find to exprefs

his love to

you

to him, or your fenfe of

There have been fome convinced

finners fo ri vetted,

may

if I

fpeak

cumftance, that they could find

fo, to this cir-

little

other

way

of

meafuring the love of Chrift, but by looking into

themfelves

and

to illuftrate the

to

whom indeed it
To

were not confumed.

3.

The

its rife,

love of Chrift

not from thofe

is unfolicited

love.

flood in need of
It

it.

was

This

no means

to omit, as

is

a circumftance

notice of in fcripture
love, not that

we
:

find

It

took

it,

but

not the eifecl

of our earneft importunity, but of his

mercy.

that they

this add,

who

from him who beftowed

has been enough

mercy

greatnefs of his

own

infinite

which we ought by

it

particularly taken

John, iv. 10. " Herein

we loved God, but

is

that he loved us,

and fent his Son

to be the propitiation for our fins j"

and in the fame chapter, verfe 19. " We love him,

becaufe hefirft loved us."

that thofe

who

It

is

natural to exped,.

are in mifery Ihould implore the af

who are able to relieve them, or

who have been in the offence ihould
humble themfelves before thofe who have it in

fiftance of thofe

that thofe

their

power

was

quite other wife

difcovered

to punifh, or to forgive

itfelf,

here.

The

when we were

them.

love
in

But

1%

of Chrift.

open rebellion

him

againfl

Rom.

I25

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 6.

V.

10. " While we were enemies, we were

reconciled to

This

words cf the apcflle Paul,

or, in the

God bj

the death of his Son."

aftbrds us at once an illuftration of the love

of Chrill, and a moving pifture of our

There

rable and guilty flate.

ly

more noble and generous

is

own

fomething

deploinfinite-

mercy

in extending

to

the miferable without waiting for their requeft, than

when it is hardly procured, or

by importunity or folicitation.

as

it

were extorted

And

docs

not

it

prefent us with a melancholy profpeft of our nathat

tural flate,

we

are not only unw^orthy to re-

mercy ? I deflre,
you may not confider this as
only relating to mankind in general, and the voluntary purpofe of grace and mcry from above, ill
their favour, but as what makes a part of the exceive, but unwilling to aik for

my

brethren, that

As

perience of every particular convert.

of

mercy

muft be
tion

be

made

is

fenfible

him

to

how

fo

he will and

cold and unthankful a recep-

He

he hath often given to the propofal.

fenfible

what

refiflance

the defign of the gofpel

taken
ficulty

am

freely,

at

the terms of

he was

at lafl

the offer

it

will

he hath often made to

what exception he
and with

hatli

how much

induced to comply with

it.

dif-

perfuaded there are few circumftances in the

love of Chrifl that are

than to remember his

and his backwardnefs

the Saviour.

more

own

affefting to a believer,

obflinacy,

to accept

when a

finner,

of the invitations of

After he hath refled his hope on the

divine mercy, after he hath been

a day of divine

made

willing in

power, and hath obtained fome

comfortable evidence of the divine favour,

how does

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Ii6
he tremble

how

at the

Ser. 6.

thoughts of his former refillance

does he wonder at the patience of God, and

adore that vi6lorious love, which ftormed his hearty

as well as paid the price of his

We find this

redemption

particularly the cafe with thofe

who

having been for a feafon remarkably profligate, are

They

faved as brands from the bui'ning.

cannot

help recollefting their former condition, their profane madnefs

and wondering, with a mixture of

gratitude and fear, that they

were not cut

Far from deliring a

vengeance.

off in

and made monuments of divine

their wickednefs,

iliare in

the love

of Ghrift, they were perhaps doing their utmoll

in contempt of his

Yet,

interell.

name, and in oppofition to his

x. 20. " was he found of

Rom.

him

and made manifeft to

them
them

that aiked not after

fully

though fweetly conilrained

that fought

not,

him

:" they

were power-

to return to

God

through him.
4.

The

love of Chriil

which muft
obligation

When

necelTarily

of

is

a distinguishing love,

and greatly inhance the

who

thofe

one perfon

is

the

are

pafTed

by,

objels

of iu

and another

is

chofen, either to be delivered from impending danger, or to be

made partaker of extraordinary

lings, the lofs or fuffering

off the fuperior happinefs of, or the favour

ed upon the other.

we

are

now

To

apply

upon, there

pointed out in fcripture

(i.)

is

this

fet

beftow-

to the fubjedt

a double diftinftion

one, of our nature, in op-

pofition to the fallen angels

t'icular

blef-

of the one feems to

and the other, of par-

perfons, as the veffels of mercy.

There

is

an evident dillin^lion between

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 6.

127

mir nature and that of the fallen angels

" For

i6.

of angels
2 Pet.

" God fpared not the angels

4.

down

but cafl them

limied,

them

he took on him the

ii.

Heb.

ii.

him the nature

feed of Abraham."

verily he took not on

to hell,

that

and delivered

chains of darknefs, to be referved unto

into

judgement."

am

upon

fenfible that

we may be fometimes

in

this fubje^l

danger of fpeaking with

impropriety, efpecially if w^e pretend to aflign the

reafons of God's procedure, any further than he has

been pleafed himfelf explicitly to

There can be no doubt

infinitely wife,

had the

that the

reveal them.

Lord of

all,

the moll noble and excellent purpofes in

every thing that he ordained

covered to us, and

attend to,
is

made

is

we

fingle point

our favour.

mercy

in

are called to

the diftinftion infinitely gracious

in

for us,

view

but they are not dif-

perhaps they are above our

The

comprehenfion.

God

beft reafons for his conduct:,

infinite

in

Saviour
itfelf,

whioh

provided

is

and the more

highly to be prized, that (Jude, ver. 6.) the angels, our fellow-creatures, " who kept not their
firft

eftate,

but

left their

own

habitation,

he hath

referved in everlafting chains, under darknefs, unto

the judgement of the great day."

If

we

iliould

attempt a comparifon between ourfelves and thefe

fpirits

of higher order,

preference in our

many things
but
trary way
find

own

tliat

we

could find no ground of

favour

perhaps

might feem

we

fhould

to operate a con-

it is fafeft in humility and gratiwith

the
tude to fay
pfalmilt, Pfai. cxv. 3. " Our
;

God

is

in the heavens,

pleafed."

he hath done whatfoever he

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

128

(2.) But this

not

is

all

there

Scr. 6.

is alfo

tion of

particular perfons as the vefTels

Since I

am introducing

a diftinc-

of mercy.

prevent mif-

this fubjeft, to

takes, I muft obferve, that every iinner of the race

Adam who fhall

of

moll jullly

and he
fel

of

fhall

God

perifti eternally , ihall alfoperifh

his blood Ihall lie at

his

own

At

againft hlmfelf.

fame time,

the

God

through Chrift,

confefs, that they

power,
I Pet.

to

language of the Holy Ghoft,

2. that they are

foreknowledge of

be obliged

were brought in by Almighty

in the

or,
i.

fhall

all

know-

w^ho are efFedually brought to the faving

ledge of

door,

be found guilty of rejecting thecoun-

God

"

cle6t according to the

the Father, through fane-

of the Spirit unto obedience, and fprink-

tification

iing of the blood of Jefus Chrift."

it

On this,
may be

as

on the former branch of

obferved, that

we muft

this head,

not prefume to

penetrate into the unfearchable depth of the divine

counfels

but

bered, that

at the

we

fame time

it

muft be remem-

are not permitted, and cannot pre-

tend, to find the reafons of preference in ourfelves

no

for

many

fleih

may

God

glory in his prefence.

pallages afferts his

own

fovereignty and per-

feft liberty in the diftribution of his grace

ix. 15. i6.

*^

For he

mercy on whom
compaffion on

faith to

whom

Mofes,

I will

have compaffion.

him

that willeth, nor of

runneth, but of

God

that fhev/eth

it is

again,

in the

mercy on
hie

Rom.

I will

not of

then

I will

have mercy, and

I will

in

him

have
have

So
that

mercy." And
" Therefore hath he
he will have mercy, and whom

i8th verfe,

whom

wiU he hardeneth."

Nothing can be harder, in-

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. G,

12^

mind

deed, than for the proud and carnal

before the fovereignty of

God

bow

to

jet nothing

is

more

evident, than that the deftination of the velTels of

mercy doth not proceed upon the ordinary grounds

human eflimation. Nay, there feems to be

of

an exprefs defign to
glory:

Cor.

llain the pride of all

For you

*'

26. 27.

i.

human
your

fee

how that not many wife men after the flefh, not many mighty, not many noble arc
called.
But God hath chofen the fooliih things of
the world, to confound the wife; and God hath
chofen the weak things of the world, to confound the
calling, brethren,

things which are mighty.'*

luft rates this

for while

Experience daily

we

to

an

and an obedient con-

we

formity to the will of God,

or of greater ability and

fome brought

fee

entire fubmiffion to thegofpel,

il-

many

fee

of equal

endowments of mind, and

favoured with equal or fupCrior advantages and op-

who yet continue to bear

The fame mercies dif-

portuniticfs of inllruflion,

the

marks of reprobation.

pofe one to thankfulnefs, and

The fame

pride.

harden another.

All

this

afid

God, Luke,

to

21. " In that liour Jefus rejoiced in

thank thee,

one heart,

our Redeemer makes the

fubjed of a folemn thankfgiving

another with

iiifpire

trials will foften

fpirit,

x.

andfaid,

Father, J^ord of heaven and earth,

from the wife and

them unto babes even

that thou haft hid thefc things

prudent, and haft revealed

fo,

Who

feemed good

in thy figlit."

that believes, in this alTembly,

will prefurac

Father,

for

fo

it

to take' the leaft part of the

honour of

it

to himfelf,

or will refufe to adore the diftingui filing love of

God

Vol.

And how
II.

often muft tliofe

who

bear the

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

IJO

Ser. 6.

meiTage of peace be obliged to feek the caufe of an

unfuccefsful gofpel in

High
it

is

counfels of the

the

" But

2 Cor. iv. 3.

hid to them that are

if

loll

Mofl

our gofpel be hid,

in

whom

the god

of this world hath blinded the minds of them that

believe not,
Chrift,

left

who

the light of the glorious gofpel of

image of God, fhould fhine

the

is

unto them."
5.

The

So

love of Chrift was an e>cpensive love.

would have called for the moft

humble and thankful acknowledgement, though it
great a deliverance

had been

as

lukhout price to the Saviour as to

But oh my brethren, how far was it

and what fhall we think or fay of

the linner.

otherwife

much

.^he love of Chrift,

him

to

when we

coft

we

confider the depth

mention
feldom

is

it is

troduced

made of
omitted,

but be fenfible

how

frequent

this in fcripture, or rather

when

It is the

at all.

when

and the greatnefs of his fuf-

You cannot

how much

of his humiliation, the va-

riety, the continuance,

ferings

confider

procure falvation for us

it

the love of Chrift

how
is

in-

circumftance particularly

pointed at in the text, Unto him that loved us, and

ivashed us from our fins in his

9wn

The fame

blood.

thing appears from the other doxologies, or a6ls of

worftiip to the Saviour,

book, as Rev. V. 9. "

faying,

open the

Thou

worthy

feals thereof

redeemed us
alfo

art

to

which

And
:

are contained in this

they fung a

to take the

new

fong,

book, and to

for thou waft flain, and haft

God by

thy blood."

It

from the frequent mention of the

appears
crofs

of

Chrift, on which his fufferings were completed.

J^ay, of fo

much moment was

this^ that

it

feems to

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 6.

I3I

have made the fam of the gofpel, as preached by

i Cor, ii. 2. " For I am determined not

the apoftles

know any

to

among you,

thing

fave Jcfus Chrift,

and him crucified."

The

fufFerings of Chrift, then,

prefent to the

mind of

and importance of

ought

this is plain

to

The

the believer.

be ever

neceffity

from both the

feals

The water in baptifni

reprefents the blood of Chrift
and we are told,
Rom. vi. 3. " Know ye not, that fo many of us as
of the covenant of grace.

were baptifed

were baptifed

into Jefus Chrift,

The

his death."

into

of the Lord's fupper

inftitution

had the remembrance of Chrift's fuiFerings as

and immediate intention
i Cor. xi. 24.
"
And
when
26.
he
had
given
thanks, li;
25.
brake it, and faid. Take, eat; this is my body
alfo

its

direct

which

is

of me.

broken for you

cup,

when he had

new

teftament in

ye drink
as

ye

this

do in remembrance

After the fame manner alfo he took the

it,

in

fupped, faying. This cup

my

the Lord's death

how

this

do ye,

remembrance of me.

eat this bread,

Chriftians,

blood

till

he

and drink

he come."

left

For

this cup,

is

the

as oft as
as often

ye do fliew

Remember,

then,

the throne of his glory, and

took upon him the form of a fervant.

Remember

him

of forrows,

defpifed and reje6ted of

and acquainted with

men,

man

His life indeed was one

grief.

continued fcene of forrow, from the cradle to the

grave.
I

hope the particulars of his fuiferings are not

your meditations may the Lord en-

ftrangers to

able

you

to

l^member

contemplate them with faith and love,

his

agony in the garden, when he

fuf-

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

I3_2

fered from his Father's hand

Scr. 6.

For "

it

pleafed the

Lord to bruife him, and to put him to grief."

Think,

fay

Now

"

27.
?

caufe
feized

Chriftian

what

when you hear him

world,

my

is

Father, fave

it

was

foul troubled

me

redeem a

to

loft

faying, as in John, xii.

fromi this

and what

hour

fhall I

but for this

came I unto this hour. Remember him

by the treachery of one of his own difciples ;

accufed and arraigned as a felon

tribunal of an unrighteous judge

dragged

to the

clothed with

purple robe, and crowned with thorns in derifion of

his kingly ofHce

feverely fcourged

buSeted, and fpit upon

blindfolded,

and the whole indeed fo

conducted by the righteous permiflion and unfeen

dire6lion of divine Providence,
expreflion,

omitted.

that

hardly any

of cmelty or contumely,

either

Ceafe to wonder,

my

was

dear friends, that

profane wretches deride the figns of his fnfferings,

whpn you remember,

tending the iniportant

that the
trial

blinded rabble at-

were permitted

" Prophecy unto

him, faying,

us,

to i^fult

thou Chrift,

who is he that fmote thee."

Remember him going forth without the camp,
Remember that fpotlefs vicl)earing his reproach.
tim the

Lamb

jiaiied to the

of

God,

flretched

upon a

crofs, arid

accurfed tree, while hefufFered allthsit

the extremity of bodily pain, and the moll unutter-

able anguilh of

fpirit,

could poflibly

inflict

upon an

No

wonder that the earth did

^hake, that the rocks were rent, apd the natural fun
refufed to give his light, when the Sun of Righinnocent creature.

teoufnefs

was under

fo great

an eclipfe.

Saviour then willingly fubmit to

all this

Did

the

pain aud

I33

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 6.

ignominy for our fakes

expenfive love

Was

we

and can

not

tliis

the moll

refufe to fay with the

multitude of the heavenly hoft, Rev. v. 12. "

thy

the

is

Lamb

that

was

to receive

flain,

Wor-

power,

and riches, and wifdom, and ftrength, and honour,

and glory, and bleffing ?"

The

6.

love of Chrifl

was the moll generous

The

and duinterested love.

fuppolition or fufpicion

of any interelled views in what one perfon does for

another, nay, even the poffibiiity of his ferving

own

any

fame time, greatly abates

the value of any favour, and leiTens the fenfe of
obligation.
But nothiiig of this kind can be fo
much as imagined here. It was giving to thofe
from whom he could receive nothing, and emptypurpofe of his

at the

ing himfelf of that

creation could not
is,

we ought

glory

to

make any

to conlider In the

which the whole

The

addition.

fame

truth

light every other

mercy of God, as well as the love of Chriil his Sen,

which was the fource of them all: Job, xxii. 2,
3.4. " Can a man be profitable unto God, as he
that is wife

any

may

be profitable unto himfelf

Is

it

pleafure to the Almighty, that thou art righor

teous

ways

perfel

is

it
?

gain to

him

that thou

Will he reprove thee

makeft thy
for fear of

thee? will he enter with thee into judgement?'/

And

to the fame purpofe, Job, xxxv. 5.6. 7.8*

" Look unto the heavens, and fee, and behold the
If thou finclouds, which a^-e higher than thou.
nefl,

what

dofl thou againft

grefTions be multiplied,

If thou be righteous,

him

Or

if

thy tranf*

what doll thou unto him ?

what givell thou him ? or

what receiveth he of thine hand

M3

Thy

wickedi-

i34

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

maj:

nefs

may

teoufnefs

liurt

man

Ser. 6.

and thy

as thou art,

profit the fon of

The

man,"

righ-
efien-*

glory and happinefs of the Deity, and confe-

tial

quently of the Eternal Wordy can receive no ad-

nor

dition,
flate

from the

fulFer the fmalleft diminution,

of any or of

He was

creatures.

all his

infi-

happy in himfelf from all eternity, before

there was man or anp-el to ferve him, and would
have continued fo though they had never been*

nitely

'

How infinitely then are we indebted to this

Saviour

we to celebrate
who gracioufly in-

with what gratitude ought

and

his pure

generous

love,

difint^relled

terpofed in our behalf, and delivered us from the

wrath of God, by bearing

7

In the

lajl place,

and

fruitfult aftivey

reap from

in our

They

eftimcible in value.

was

was

The

a moil

elfecls

of

which we

the blellings

are not only infinite in

it

room

beneficent love.

are unfpeakably great

it

it

the love of Cliriil

number, but

in-f

are indeed almoil as va-

was not to be
fuppofed, that fo great a perfon would be employed
upon a trivial work, or an infinite price paid fojr
an inconfiderable purehafe. But how, my brethren,
ihall w^e form any adequate conception of the beAll
nefits that flow from, our Redeemer's death ?
luable as their price

that
all

made
liis

is

ours

own

fhall
I

for us, all that

is necefijary

that

who

Rom.

viii.

of

32.

Son, but delivered

i.

30.

God

teoufnefs,

It

defirable to u,

is

truly precious in itfelf,

he not with him

Cor.

coftly.

and

**

is

"

He

him up

made uuto us

fau6lification,

effeftually

for us

alfo freely give

But of hin> are ye

is

that fpared uot

all,,

how

u& all things ^'*

in Cbrift .lef^s,

wifdcin,

a-d righ-

and redemptioii."

IN REDEMPTION.

Sev. 6.

We

(i.)

I35

are through Chrift delivered

from con*

" There

is therefore
Rom. viii. i.
now no condemnation to them which are in Chrill
Jefus, who walk not after the flefh, but after the
Do you know any thing of a fenfe of
Spirit."

demnation

Does your

guilt

ever

make you

Creator's

afraid

power and

approach of the king of terrors

man

every

at the

or of that day of

when God

righteous judgement,

greatnefs

Have you trembled

Ihall

according to his works

render to

Clirift

our Sa-

viour hath delivered us " from the wrath to come."

This

the

is

firll

tion in the text

from our fins

us

Who

eled

ihall lay

It is

demneth

God

Hear

any thing

Rom.

to the

that juflifieth

who

is

even

at

ascrip-

and wajhed

in his oiun blood.

alfo the

viii.

33. 34.
charge of God's

who

is

yea

It is Chrifl that died,

again,

is rifen

apoflle's
uSy

triumphant aiTurance,

apoflle's
**

ground of the

Unto him that loved

he that conrather, that

the right liand of

God, who alfo maketh intercellion for us."

(2.) Through Chrift the believer is affured,
he

ihall

him
is

receive every thing that

and

The
him into all

in his palTage through the world.

purchafed and bellowed to lead

to fan^tify

hinifelf

him wholly.

with cancelling our

Chrifl:

guilt,

Spirit
truth,

did not fatisfy

but made elFedual

provilion for the renovation oi our nature.

Spirit
is

is

alfo

given as a

ftyled the Comforter ^

ever.

Without enlarging

forts of the gofpel,

in the following
**

And

He

fhall abide ivith us

for

at this

time on the com-

they are fufficiently

words of the

the peace of

The

of confolation.

fpirit

who

that

neceflary for

is

apoflilc,

God, which

commended
Phil. iv. 7.

paffeth all under-

::

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

1^6
(landing,

fliall

Sen

6*

keep your hearts and minds through

To thefe add a fanftified proviAs many as are reconciled to God through

Chrift, may reft fatisfied that all things ftiall work
together for their good.
The moft oppolite events,
Chrift Jefus."

dence.

profperity and adverlity, health and ficknefs, ho-

nour and reproach, nay, every thing without exception,

iii.

ftiall

be fubfervient

" For

21. 22. 23.

all

to their intereft

Cor.

things are yours: whether

Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or

come

or death, or things prefent, or things to

yours

are

and ye are Chrift's

life,

all

and Chrift

is

God's."
3.

Through

Chrift

believer

the

is

entitled to

everlafting glory and happinefs in the enjoyment

of

God

to

This was among the

all eternity.

things he told his difciples before he

John, xiv. 2. 3.

manfions
I

go

if

it

"In my

were not

fo, I

prepare a place for you,

you unto myfelf,

would have

And

you.

that

will

laft

the world

Father's houfe are

to prepare a place for

receive

left

many
you

told

if I

go and

come

where

again, and
am, there ye

may be alfo." You are this day to commemorate

your Redeemer, who died once upon a crofs, but
who has now been many ages upon a throne Rev.
and
i. 18. " I am he that liveth, and was dead
:

behold, I

am

alive for evermore,

the keys of hell and of death."

his faithful difciples

He

is

and have

able to

make

more than conquerors over

their fpiritual enemies

paflage where the text

kings and

Amen

priefts to

all

or, as it is exprefled in the

lies,

God

he will

make them

and his Father."

the paflage immediately preceding the text, he

In
is

IN REDEMPTION.

Ser. 6.

called the firfl-begotten

we

vvhere
tion

they that are Chrill's

and

liiiifh

them

from the dead

illuflrate his

coming."

"

is

It fhalj

both

when he fliall raife

when he " fhall change

may

own glorious body,

be fafliioned like

according to the work-

able to fubdue all things unto

At prefent, how imperfecl are our difhow weak and feeble our conceptions
and languid our affedtions
Now we

himfelf."
coveries

elfe-

love,

that fleep in the duft

ing whereby he

how

and

and afterwards

fruits,

firft

at his

their vile bodies, that they

unto his

are told, that the order of the refurrec-

" Chrift the

is,

Ij^

cold

fee through a glafs darkly, but then face to face.*'

O how

joyful

from a

flate

to

every believer the deliverance

of fuffering, temptation, and

fin,

and

the pofTellion of perfect holinefs and unchangeable

happinefs

And O how great

future to the prefent flate

with the evils of

life

the oppofition of the

No

xious care for food and raiment

from ficknefs or pain

there

no

liars

of

How

fing their

him

in

his

prieils

no complaints

but the moft perfect fecurity

affec-

ranfomed of the Lord then

Redeemer's praife
Rev. i. 5. 6. " Unfhall the

that loved us, and

own
unto

wafhed us from our

fins

made us kings and

Father to him be glory

blood, and hath

God

and his

and dominion for ever and ever.

II. I

diftrefs

and the mofl unremitted vigour of

flate,

to

no more

no prifons nor opprefTors

nor ilanderers there

of an evil heart there

tion.

more llruggling

no more perplexity or an-

PROCEED now

to

Amen."

make fome

provem^nt of what ^ath been

faid.

praflical

And,

im

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

138
Let

I.

make

me

intreat

Ser. 6.

every perfon in this houfe to

the following obvious refleftion

If fo great

are the obligations of believers to the love of Chrill,

how

who

dreadful mufl be the condition of thofe

The one
other.
The

die in their lins

illullrates the
little,

of thefe explains and

owe but

believer can

if the deliverance is not great.

have been

lately fpeaking of the happinefs of the ele6l of

in being freed

but,
life

from the miferies of the prefent

unhappy they who

unreconciled to

God

fhall depart

"

the Son hath everlafling life

not

**

abideth on him."

from

this

that believeth

on

but he that believeth

life,

but the wrath of

When

the heii's of glory

the Son, fhall not fee

God

He

God,
ftate

down with Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, in

kingdom of their Father," the unbelieving land

fit

the

impenitent fhall be
the

fmoke of

and ever."

lake of

caft into the

fire,

up

their torment afcendeth

I defire to put

you

in

*^

where

for ever

mind of this, un-

der the imprefTion of this important truth. That

nothing but the fovereign grace of

the warning

him

to

effectual

accompany

of his Holy Spirit.

that if

you

felves,

your blood

Do

it

reject the counfel of

If
is

His purpofe

able than his promife

God

I afTure

you,

againil your-

is

it

depends upon elec-

necefTary, all our en-

Secret things belong

deavours will be in vain.'

you may

make

be upon your own heads.

fhall

and almighty grace

only to God.

can

with the powerful operation

At the fame time,

not pretend to fay,

tion,

God

and therefore befeeching

-,

is

not more unchange-

faithful.

not be able to fee

it,

nor

Nay, though
I to

explain

it,

they are perfedly coniiitent the one with the other.

He

REDEMPTION.

IN

Scr. 6i

"

will be

when he

when he

juft

jiidgeth ;"

Holy Ghofl,

Phil.

words, but in the words of

"

12. 13.

ii.

Work

out your

falvation with fear and trembling.

own

God
his

fpeaketh, and clear

and therefore give heed to the

my

exhortation, not in

the

I39

worketh

that

good

in you,

both

to will

For

and

it is

do of

to

pleafure.'*

Know,

befeech you, your

neceflity is urgent,

and the time

own mercy.
is

The
With

uncertain.

what propriety may the words of the

be

apoftle

addrefled to every perfon, in every lituation, and in

every age

"

2 Cor. vi. i. 2.

We then,

him, befeech you

ers together with

receive not the grace of

God

in vain

as

work-

alfo, that
:

he

for

ye

faith,

have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the

day of falvation have I fuccoured thee behold,
I

now

the accepted time

is

behold,

now

the

is

day

Happy they who ftill hear the joyHappy the fmner who is not yet gone

of falvation."
ful found

own

place
Flee, flee to your flrong hold,
Confider the aggravated
ye prifoners of hope.
guilt and feven-fold condemnation of defpifers of

to his

All that you have heard of the love of

Chrift ferves to fhew the danger of his enemies.

the gofpel.

Read

the words immediately following the afcrip-

tion of

which the

text is a part, (ver. 7.)

hold, he Cometh with clouds

fee

him

and they

alfo

kindreds of the earth

Read

alfo this

when

it

is

iind illand

the

rolled

which pierced him

ihall

" Be-

and every eye

:

Ihall

and

all

wail becaufe of him.'*

awful defcription

And

16. 17. "

Rev.

heaven departed

together

vi. 14. 15.

a fcroU

as

and every mountain

were moved out of their places

and the

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

14a

Ser. 6,

kings of the earth, and the great men, and the

men, and the chief captains, and the mighty

men, and every bond-man, and every free-man,
rich

hid themfelves in the dens, and in the rocks of the

mountains

and

the mountains and rocks,

to

faid

Fall on us, and hide us from the face of

fitteth

him

that

on the throne, and from the wrath of the

Lamb for the great day

and who fhall be able to
:

of his wrath

Mark

fland?"

come

is

this

ex-

traordinary expreflion, the wrath of the Lamh, that

meekefl and gentleft of

all

that his former meeknefs,

creatures

ing, fhall inflame and exafperate

Could

geance.

infernal prifon, I

Judas

crying out,

teaching us,
fuffer-

his future ven-

conduct you to the gates of the

am

and

Ifcariot,

and patience, and

perfuaded you would hear

all

other treacherous difciples,

that Ghrifl had never

come

in the

The thunders of Sinai would have been lefii

The frowns of Tefus of Nazareth are interrible.

flefk

fupportable.

mon wrath of a
The Lord fpeak

the dreadful, painful, and

uncom-

Saviour on the judgement-feat !'i.

confolation to his

own

people, and

pierce the hearts of his enemies, that they

may

be

brought to repentance.

You may

2.

learn

from what has been

faid^ that

the great and leading motive to obedience under th

gofpel,

the

is

New

duty

a deep and grateful fenfe of redeeming

This runs through the whole writings of

love.

it

Teftament.
animates

It binds'

him

the believer to his

to diligence

it

fills

him

with comfort: 2 Cor. v. 14. 15. " For the lovi

of Chrifl conftraineth us, becaufe
that if one died for

all,

then were

we
all

thus judge;

dead

and

Ser. 6.

IK REDEMPTION.

that he died for

all,

hcnccfortU

not

him which

to

Gal.

might

live unto

with Chrift

cified

but Chrift liveth in

me

God.

and the

by

live in the fleih, I live

am dead
I am cru-

through the law

neverthelefs I live

yet not I,

the faith of the

motive will have the

this

on

influence

the

human

takes a fafier hold of the

tude for favours received.

me."

powerful

condu6V,

believer's

Son of

for

mofl

both from reafon and experience.

now

w^hich I

life

God, who loved me, and gave himfelf

Tliat

un-

but

and rofe again."

" For

to the law, that I

fhould

live,

themfelves,

unto

died for them,

19. 20.

ii.

which

that they

live

I4'l

is

No

evident

principle

heart than grati-

If the mercies be cor-

and highly efleemed, which

is

certainly the cafe here, nothing can withftand

its

dially

accepted,

influence.

It

ficult duties

reconciles the heart to the moll dif-

nay,

it

even difpofes the believer to

court the opportunity of

fice,

and fervent, overcomes

deed,

making fome

in teftimony of his attachment.

it

all difEcultics;

fignal facri-

Love, lincere
or rather, in-

changes their nature, and makes laboiu" and

and

fuffering a fource of delight

Let

fatisfa^lion.

but the Saviour's interell or honour feem to be

who

concerned, and the believer,

he

is

call,

feels

how much

indebted to him, will chearfully embrace the

and

fet

no bounds

fhows how much

to his

compliance.

beauty and force there

This

is in

our

Lord's manner of recommending love and compafiion to our fellow-creatures,

the
I

King

fiiall

fay unto you. In as

unto one of the

Vol. IL

Matth.xxv. 40. "

And

anfwer, and fay unto them, Verily,

leafl

much

of thefe

as

my

ye have done

it

brethren, ye have

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

142
done

is

unto me."

it

upon

this fubjel

of the

moft powerful motive to every

is itfelf

was a

The

firft

and

exercife
the^

w^hich our nature

of every fm

which

elfe,

by

giving that

confills in

fomething

lin,

of and departure from

diftruft

and the malignity

to

the pofieffion

fubftance of evangelical holinefs, viz. the

love of God.

commit,

what purpofe do I dwell'

of redeeming love

duty of the moral law, as well as

firft

fum and

to

for a fenfe

only the

not

other duty, but

fell,

But

Scr. 6.

is

we

room

due only

God

continue to
in the heart

God.

to

redeeming love, therefore, expels the enemy, and makes up the breach, as thereby " the
fenfe of

God is Ihed abroad in our hearts.'*

You may fee, from what has been faid,

love of
3.

the

neceffity of a particular application of the truths of

the gofpel to ourfelves, and the reliance of every

upon them

believer

hope.
to

have fometimes had occafion

you, that

fon can fo

it

is

much

in them,

Certain

it is,

own

to obferve

very doubtful, whether any per-

approve in his judgement the

as

truths of the gofpel,

tereft

as the foundation of his

till

he perceive his own in

and their necefiity

to

his peace.

the world that lieth in wickednefs ge-r

nerally defpifes them.

thing pofTible, that a

However,
bad

I fliall

man may,

admit as a

either

by imi-

tation, or the power of outward evidence, embrace

But furely the
the gofpel as a fyftem of truth.

love of Chrift can neither be a fource of comfort,

nor a principle of obedience, unlefs he conlider

as terminating

whole

when

is

upon

general,

himfelf.

cold,

Without

this,

and uninterefting.

it

the

But

he conUdcrs, not only the certainty of the

.

IN REDEMPTION".

Ser. 6.

143

and can fay,

truth, but the extent of the invitation,

My

with Thomas, "

indeed the

Lord, and

ties are laid

upon

liim

my God,"

then

then indeed he

begins to feel their conftraining power

then he

God

not only contemplates the glory of

the

in

grace of redemption, but chearfully and unfeign-

Re-

edly confecrates himfelf to the fervice of his

This leads me, in the

deemer.

and

4^/6

last

place, to invite every finner in this

affembly to accept of Chrifl as his Saviour, and to

rely

upon him

he

as

But

fpeak.
fliould

if

you

To

offered in the gofpel.

is

know
your own

the fecure and infenfible, I

fee

is

it

in vain to

what

danger,

hinder your belief and reliance on the Sa-

If you either need or defire deliverance,

what with-holds your acceptance of it, v/hen it is not

viour

only freely offered to you, but earneftly urged upon

you

Can you doubt

men, the

faithful

the teffimony of " the

and true Witnefs ?"

A-

The bleffmgs

of his purchafe belong not to one people or family,

but to " every nation under heaven."
The commiflion of thofe

Mark,

xvi. 15.

who

bear his meffage

Go

"

ye

is

unlimited

into all the world,

preach the gofpel to every creature."

They

offered, not only to the virtuous, the decent,

regular, but to the chief of linners

**

This

is

ceptation.

a faithful faying, and

of

whom

am

Tim.

into the

chief."

wrongeth
folatlon

his

own

his Saviour's

foul, if

from them.

Be

i.

15.

all

ac-

world

Whoever

heareth thcfe glad tidings, he difhonoureth

he poureth contempt on

arc

and the

worthy of

That Chrifl Jefus came

to fave linners

and

God,

love, and

he

he does not receive con-

not hindered

by what you

LOVE OF CHRIST, &c.

'^^^

144

fee in yourfelves, unlefs

you

are in love with fin,

and afraid of being divorced from

is

preached to finners.

them, but

it

is

intended to

The

it.

does not

It

Ser. 6.

exped

make them,

gofpel
to find

holy.

deep and inward fenfe of your own unworthinefs,

unlefs

it is

prevented by the deceiver, fliould only

make you more

gofpel, and

highly efteem the grace of the

more willingly depend on your Re-

deemer's love.
I conclude with the invitation

which he himfelf

weary linner, Matth. xi. 28. 29. 30.

'* Come imto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy
Take my yoke
laden, and I will give you reft.
gives to the

upon you, and learn of me

lowly in heart and ye fhall
;

fc'jls.

light.'

For

my

yoke

is

for I

am meek and

find reft unto

eafy, and

my

your

burden is

SERMON

VIL

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF ADMIRATION

TO THE ANGELS.

Which

Peter,

i.

12. lafl claufe.

things the angels defire to look into,

ACTION SERMON.

MY

brethren,

ferious and attentive

mind,

on pcrufing the facred volume, can hardl}^

help being often flruck both with the fentiments

and language of the infpired writers on the fubje^l
\Vith what a deep veneration of

of redemption.
foul,

with what warmth of affeftion, with what

tranfports of adoring thankfulnefs, do they fpeak

of the plan laid bj divine wifdom, for the

of

loft linners,

by

the crofs of Chrift

poffeiled only of underftanding

mire thcfe

fallies

and

falvatior-

tafte,

perfoii

may

ad-*

of holy fervour, for Ihe elevation

of thought, and boldnefs of expreffion, which

man's being
jccl

in

good earneft on an

doth naturally

iiifpire.

and only happy, that foul

who

N3

11

interefting fub-

But happy,

happy,-.

fr qui an inward

ap-^,

REnjEMPTrON"_*rHE SUBJECT OF

14^

Ser. 7.

probation can receive, relifh, and apply thofe glorious things that are fooken of the name, character,

and undertaking of the Saviour of

You may

iinners.

two

obferve, that there are

different

fubjeds, in j?eneral, on which the writers of the

New

Teftament are apt

when they

are

to

as

it

appears in

whole.

it

grace,

The

fecond

which we have

is,

the luilre

and

commending the
God,

or

One

myftery of redemption.

wifdom,

break out, and enlarge,

conlidering

the glory of

of divine power,

which reigns through the

is,

the unfpeakable interell

from the danger efcaped on

the one hand, and the exalted hopes to which we
are raifed

ting

you

by

in

it,

in

it,

on the other,

cannot help put-

mind, that thefe two things are fo in-

feparably joined, that none can forget or be infeniible of

any one of them, without

fing both.

And

as a

in reality defpi-

view of the divine glory feems

moil immediately calculated

to

aflifl:

and continue

a proper worlhipping frame, I intend that

fliall

lead the

fion.

The

way

in our meditations

fit

this

this occa-

facrament of the Lord's fupper

the Euchart/Iy or facriiice of praife

very

on

is

called

and therefore

for adoring contemplation.

The words which

have read are the conclufion

of the apoille Peter's account of the gradual unfold-

ing of this great defign of Providence

contain a flriking

and

extraordinary

and they
fentiment,

That the angels themfelves

are filled with a holy

curiofity to fearch

myftery of redemp-

tion.

into the

Few commentators

that the

word here

iignifies, tojloop or

have

tranfiated

failed to obferve,

to look, inioy

properly

bend dQivn^ and examine ivifb

th

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

Ser. 7.

I47

striSIest .attention.
This, my brethren, gives us a
very exahed view of the fcheme of redemption, as a

leading defign in the government of God, that thefe

pure and exalted

fpirits,

not only adore

it

as a part

and

of their Creator's will, but that they are

loft

fwallowed up in the contemplation of

and fee

it,

fuch a feries of wonders, as they are not able to

comprehend.

If this

pone the following

is fo,

let

refleftion

us no longer

How much

poft.

more

are we, the interefted parties, called to adore

and

dwell on this myftery of love, on which our falvation from deferred wrath, and pofleffion of infinite felicity to all eternity, is

find a

more proper

the facred

and folemn fervice of

therefore I beg your

in

fufpended

attention,

fertion in the text,

this

while

dependence on divine grace, to

in the

cannot

fubjeft for an introduction to

day

and

endeavour,

illuftrate the af-

by mentioning fome

particulars

myftery of redemption, which are probably

the fubjed of adoring inquiry, and perhaps holy

aftoniftiment,

done

this,

thofe

to

I will

of the fubjed,

celeftial fpirits.

Having

conclude with fome improvement

for aflifting

you

in

your prefent

duty.

I.

First, then,

we

are to mention thofe circum-

ftances in the myftery of redemption

which

are pro-

bably the fubjeft of adoring inquiry, or perhaps

holy aftoniftiment,
angels,

to the angels of

plainly of limited capacity.

of which
'*

God.

The

though they are exalted creatures, are yet

they are

There

ignorant

are

many

things

Matth. xxiv. 36.

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no^

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

148

my

not the angels of heaven, but

And

Ser. 7.

Father only."

employment is to be mefTengers and

of God, with fome inferior agency, in

as their

miniflers

the condu6l of his providence

doubted that

fo

it is

much of their happinefs

not to be

confifts in the

contemplation of the nature and glory of God, as

They

difcovered in his works.

are reprefented in

the book of Job as joyful witnefles of the creation

and birth of

this

" Whereupon

who

or

lower world: Job, xxxviii, 6.

laid the

corner-ftone thereof?

when

morning-ftafrs fang together, and all the

God

7.

are the foundations thereof faftened

The

fhouted for joy."

wifdom: Eph.

10. "

iii.

fons

of

Hate of the church

difcovering to

alfo reprefented as

To

the

is

them the divine

the intent that

now

unto the principalities and powers in heavenly

might be known by the church the mani-

places,

wifdom of God."

fold

Let us therefore coniider what circumilances in

the myftery of redemption
llrike

may

be fuppofed to

them mofl with aftonifhment and wonder.

This we cannot do without finding ourfelves greatly

and called to the. deepell humility, and
fame time the highell exercife of gratitude

interefted,
at the

And,

and love.
-

I.

The

firft

thing I fhall mention

nation of the Son of

and

human

This

is

nature,

indeed the

God

by
firft

in order and in rank.

Well might the

is

the incar-

the union of the divine

Word's being made

fiefh.

thing to be confidered, both

wonderful union indeed

apoftle fay, 1

out controverfy, great

God was

the

is

manifeft in the

Tim.

iii.

16.

*'

With-

the myftery of godiinefs,.

ficib, juftified

in the Spi-

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

Ser. 7.
rit,

I49

preached unto the Gentiles,

feen of angels,

believed on in the world, received up into glory."

But what view mull the angels have of

thofe glorious and a6tive beings,
fcribed, Pfal,

civ.

fpirits, his miniflers

Who

**

4.

who

maketh

God,

his angels

Their know-

a flaming fire."

ledge of the nature of

this event ?

are thus de-

and imma-

as a pure

culate fpirit, as the eternal, uncreated, felf-exiftent

Father of

fpirits,

who "

Father,

and of the Son, as one with the

thought

no robbery

it

with God," muft deeply aftonilh them

humiliation

vellous

that he

fhould

to

be equal

marbecome one
at this

perfon with a creature, and that with a creature

lower than themfelves

" he was made a

How aftonifhing,

for

that

he

it is

exprefsly faid, that

lower than the angels."

little

who

is

the

Lord of angels,

and whofe diftance from, the higheft of

fpirits is

a man,

all

created

not great only, but infinite, fhould

become

by

taking to himfelf a true body and a rea-

fonable foul

more than probable from our text, efpecially

when compared with the context, and other pafIt is

fages of fcripture, that this difcovery

the angels only gradually, as

it

was

to

was made to
men. They

could not but have intimations of God's purpofe of

mercy, which was begun and carried on immediately after the fall

this

however was done

ner comparatively dark and obfcure.

been indeed fome

a

little

beyond

fed, that

God

who feem

their depth

in a

man-

There have

me to ha'\'^ gone
and who have fuppoto

difcovered to the angels, even before

the creation of man, the

fall,

which he forefaw,

and the method by which he propofed to recover z

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

150

Sci'. 7*

own

ehofen remnant, viz. the incarnation of his

Son

honour done

that the fuperior

up

creature, ftirred

and his

aflbciates

to

an inferior

the pride and envy of Lucifer,

and that in

this confifted their

guih and apoftafy, for which they were punifiied

with an immediate banifliment from the abodes of
blifs,

and are nov/ referved in chains under dark-

nefs to the

This

day of judgement.

at beft

is

but mere conjecture.

It

feems

fnuch more probable, that they learned the feveral

mercy

parts of this great delign of

accomplifhment.
that the angels

It

in their gradual

cannot indeed be doubted,

who were

concerned in the miniftry

known

of providence, mufl have

early of the in-

tended redemption, and the Redeemer.

they are

faid,

as in the text, to

preached in the gofpel,

that the incarnation

Yet when

look into the things

gives reafon to conclude,

it

and fufferings of Chrift was,

with regard to them as well as us, a myftery hid

Now, how could thofe

from ages and generations.

holy angels
filled
cils,

who

retained their integrity but be

with amazement

when they faw

at the

depth of divine coun-

themfelves obliged to worlhip

a man, to worfhip a feeble infant, born in a

and lying in a manger

liable,'

when they found them-

felves charged with publifhing the glad tidings

in

Luke,

faid unto

good
ple.

ii.

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. "

them, Fear not

tidings of great joy,

For unto you

is

this Ihall

wrapped

which

be

you

to all peo-

this day, in the city

Chrift the Lord.

is

be a fign unto you

fliall

Ye

as

the angel

for behold I bring

born

David, a Saviour, w^hich

And

fhall find the

in fwaddling-clothes, lying in a

of

And
babe

manger.

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

Scr. 7.

And

I5I

fuddenlj there was with the angel a multitude

of the heavenly

Glory

to

God

God, and faying.

hoft, praifing

in the higheft, and

on earth peace,

good-will towards men."

There

one circumflance in the incarnation

is

which ought not

felf,

to

be omitted, becaufe

mentioned in fcripture, and

ing as any, That he
fent

is

was not only made

Gotl as fm

to the nature of

is

certainly as allonifli-

the likenefs offmful JleJJj,

//;

it-,

it

but

flefh,

What fo oppofite
And what fo furpri-

fmg, as that the Son of God, though without

lin^

refpeds outwardly be like to

lin-

yet ftiould in
ncrs

he fhould be born of a finner, taken for

that

all

and

treated as a fmner,

a iinner,

at laft crucified

with the utmoft ignominy, as a more than ordinary

finner

doubt not but thofe angels

who looked

with wonder on him in the manger, looked with

greater wonder on him on the crofs
that the
whole hoft of them are confidering this with holy
flill

w^onder
nal

ftill

wonder

throne.
2.

and that

to the

This leads

That another

it fliall

be the theme of eter-

innumerable company about the

me

to obferve,

circuniftance

which muft

matter for adoring inquiry to the celeftial

is

afford
fpirits,

the fubftitution of an innocent perfon in the

room

of the guilty, and his fuffering from the hand of

God.

When

reckon we
it

man's apoftafy was

may

firft

known,

I'

affirm with fufficient certainty, that

could not enter into any created mind, that his

recovery was poffible.

Many

are even of opinion,

fome palTages of fcripture carry in them an intimation, that it had been propofed, and as it were

tliat

a trial

made, in the councils of heaven^ among

afr-

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

152

whether any remedy could he

fembled angels,

man

found for the guilt and apoftafy of

none was found

his

room

fore

hafi;

Hebrews, chap.

when he cometh

he

into the world,

me

thou prepared

faith,

not, but a

Sa-

body

In burnt -offerings and fa-

Then faid
come (in the volume of thy book it is writof me) to do thy will, O God."
And in the

Lo,

ten

Hand in
by the
Where-

**

x. 5. 6. 7.

and offering thou wouldfl

thou haft had no pleafure

crifices for (in,

I,

and that

able or willing to

either

as in that of the pfalmifi:, cited

apoftle to the

crifice

Ser. 7,

prophecies of Ifaiah, chap.

lix. 16.

"

And

he faw

was no man, and wondered that there

was no interceffor therefore his arm brought fal-

that there

vation unto

him."

him

and his righteoufnefs,

I will not

me

take upon

terpretation of thefe pafTages

which is applied by the

fuftained

it

to affirm this in-

but the

firft

of them,

apoftle to Chiift, certainly

implies, that he undertook the redemption of finners

^when

other facrifices were found ineffedual.

Now, my

brethren, let us profecute the reflec-

tion pointed out

ways

by

the text.

The

angels had al-

hitherto feen innocence and holinefs attended

with peace and

felicity,

and they had feen the a-

poftate fpirits laid under an irreverfible fentence of

dondemnation.

It is

probable they looked upoa

It as manifeftly founded on the nature of

God,

that

he could not puniih the innocent, and that he could

not but puniili the guilty.
then, muft

it

What

aftonifhment,

have given them, what new views of

wifdom
High
it
muft
have opened to them,
of the Moft
*wheii they heard him faying, " Deliver him from
the boundlefs fovereignty and unfearchable

Ser.

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

;.

going down into the

How

pit,

I53
!''

have found a ranfom

muft thej with wonder

dwell on this part of

the providence of a wife, holy, juft, and gracious

God,

that the pure

and innocent

of the Father, fhould

make

Jefus, the

beloved

his appearance in this

lower world, the abode of guiltj creatures, under

manifeft tokens of their Creator's d^fpleafure

that

he ihould not only enter on the fcene in the weaknefs of infancy,

but with every

meannefs and bafenefs

been put

to a ftand,

circumllance of

How often mull

what

to

they have

think of the feverity

and perfecution, the contempt and oppoiition which

he met with from thofe very finners

to fave

But above
lofs to

whom

he came

how mull

all,

comprehend

they have been

put

it

him

prife

his being expofed, not only to

the contempt of man, but to the wrath of

For "

at

God

pleafed the Lord to bruife him, he hath

What mufl have

to grief."

of that miniller of Providence,

" from heaven

him under an

to flrengthen"

inexprelllble

been the fur-

who was

fent

him, when he found

agony of

fuiFering,

ma-

king fupplication with ftrong crying and tears, faying, " Father, if it be pollible, let this cup pafs

from

me

And what

I"

created fpirit

is

able to

unfathomable meaning of his complaint

upon the crofs, " My God, my God, why haft

reacli the

thou forfaken

me

cent perfon in the

?'*

In the fufferings of

room of

ings of the well-beloved Son of

ther's hand, there

no

finite

firft

is

it

Vol. IL

inno-

God from

his

Fa-

fuch an unfearchable depth, a>

able to comprehend.

At

feenas to contradi6l the reditude

and

underllanding

view,

?4i

the guilty, in the fuffer-

is

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

154

holinefs of

dom,
fire

divine nature

tlie

fpedion, there

Ser. 7.

but on a nearer in-

fuch a flriking difcovery of wif-

is

holinefs, juftice,

and mercj, that angels de-

with a holj curiofitj to contemplate and adore

it.

3.

As

immediately founded upon the former^

another circumftance in the plan of redemption

through Chrift, which will afford matter bf wonder

to the
finners,

celeftial

fpirits,

the free julliiication of

is

and their acceptance with God, through

the imputed

righteoufnefs of

If

Chrill.

who

pears aftonifhing, that God,

and puniihment with the moil perfed equity,

punifli the innocent,
fiiould

it

fnew favour

forgive their

them with

iins,

appears equally

to the guilty

faid), is

and

all

he ihould

of purer eyes than to behold iniquity

vifit

thisibr the

What

he not unchangeably holy

(may

Is

it

he not

Are we

he

that

fo,

that

fliould

accept their perfons, and

his loving-kindnefs,

merit and obedience of another.

be

ap-

it

diflributes favour

not

affured that evil cannot dwell with him, nor fmners

iland in his prefence

liis

How

he receive into

Ihall

favour thefe offending rebels

how

lake into his bofom fuch polluted wretches

fhall
?

he

And

Can per?
Can he commit fo
view them with complacency

what can be the meaning of imputation

fonal worth be transferred

great an error, as to

for the merit of another

Muft

not this

new and extraordinary

who, by perfonal and perfe6l

appear a

plan to the angels,

obedience, retain the favour of their Creator, and

who had been

hitherto flraagers to the influence and

iatercefTion of a mediator

who had

feen

no fuch

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

Ser. 7.

thing take place

when

their brethren finned

of angels, but he took on

The holy

him the

that grace

may abound,"

ftep afide,

and fee

more pre-

fee, that there is

Let us continue in

**

will rather fay,

They

this great fight."

no way more proper

the only

way by which

and confefs, that there

more

heart, and bring

is

to level

him

-y.

no circumftance whatever

to univerfal

fubmilUon, and

perfuaded, indeed, that even angels

finned have

nay, that

the pride of the finner's

abfolute fubje6llon to the fovereignty of

more of fubmillion

God.

who

never

to the divine fove-

and dependence on the

reignty,

will then

who have bec:i

They will fee

thofe

finners can be received into favour.

that tends

fin,

" Let us

for maintain-

ing the dignity of the divine government

am

Heb.

feed of Abraham.'^

angels, not inclined to fay, as

fumptuous men too often do,

it is

55

" For verily he took not on him the nature

16.

ii.

abfolute

grace

of their Creator, than

many

yet furely our world

the great theatre of divine?

The fame

grace.
itfelf in

heaven

on earth,

mercy

to the

beaignity Vv'hich llicws

infinite

in favour to the

worthy,

is

ailoniihment of heaven

difplayetl
itfelf,

in

to the guilty.

me,

Suffer

my

brethren, to embrace this oppor-

tunity of obferving,
lefs

is

are apt to imagine

that nothing

than the accufation of

men

is

more ground-

of corrupt minds,

againft the do<5lrine of div-ine grace, as encouraging

to fin.

thefe

It

hath the very contrary

efiecl,

and that on

two accounts.

(i.) It

power of

is

fo mortifying to

human

fin

muft be broken

at leafi, before

be truly and cordially received.

z

pride, that the

Tliere

is

it

can

not fo

156

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

difficult a

duty in the whole compafs of the moral

law, as an unfeigned denial of our

nefs and ilrength,

things but lofs

to thofe

righteouf-

the excellency of the

for

To

receive

who had

any complaint,

own

and being willing to count

ledge of Chrill.

mercy

Ser, 7.

either

perifli,

the

againft

eafy as

many feem

to imagine,

mere

without

ftridnefs

the law, or the feverity of the fandion,

is

know-

forgivenefs as

deferved to

all

of

not fo

is

man

and what no

brought to but by the Holy Ghoft.

As

(2.)

the linner muft be really fubje6ted to

the Creator, before he

God

can lay hold of his mer-

cy through Chrift the Redeemer

fo

it

plain,

is

that the moft effectual meafures are taken to con-

tinue

and perpetuate

that the infinite

is

this

fubjedion.

unmerited love of

God

It is plain,

to his foul,

the moft powerful and operative principle of

obedience that can dwell in the

human

heart

2 Cor. V. 14. 15. " For the love of Chrift conftraineth us

died for
for

all,

all,

becaufe

we

then were

that they

all

which

thus judge, that if one

dead

and that he died

live fhould not henceforth

him which died for

Such confidence has the
the ftrength of this principle, he
but unto

live unto themfelves,

ihem, and rofe again."

fame apoftle

in

bids defiance to all trials and oppofition: Rom.viii.

Who

33. "
Chrift

fhall

feparate us

from the love pf

Shall tribulation, or diftrefs, or perfecution,

or famine, or nakednefs, or peril, or fword ?"

again, ver. 38. 39.

ther death, nor

life,

**

For

am

And

perfuaded that nei-

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor powers, nor things prefent, nor things to come,

uor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, fhail

ADMTRATIO:^ TO THE ANGELS.

Ser. 7.

T57

be able to feparate us from the love of God, which

is in

Thefe great princi-

Chrili Jefus our Lord."

ples of fandiiication are

new

When

to the angels.

therefore they fee the holinefs of

God

fhining in the

free juftification of finners through Chrift,

add new force and new meaning

praife
iv. 8.

to that

will

it

fong of

which they are reprefented as finging, Rev.

" And they reft not day and night, faying.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was,

and

is,

and

is to

4. In the

loft

come."
Another circumftance

tnyftery of the gofpel which

der to the angels,

or the
**

is

will be matter of

from darknefs

won-

the application of redemptior,

mariner and means of

of Satan unto

in the

place.

to light,"

God."

tranflating

finners"

and " from the power

Before the plan of divine

grace with regard to fallen

man was opened

to

them, they had feen no examples of finners but

the fallen angels.

From

their irreverfible fentence,

and blafpheming rage in their torment, thofe

wha

remained in their happy

con-

ftate,

would be apt

to

elude, that there could be no recovery for a creature

all.

who had once departed from his integrity ut

But when they learned fomething of the di-

vine purpofe for the falvation of fallen man, efpecially the

amazing and unfpeakable grace

that ap-

peared in the appointment of the Mediator, and the

univerfal unlimited offer of falvation in his name,

what would be the

I dare fay, they would

would be received with
of joy, by all thofe unhappy

effect

certainly conclude, that

the higheft tranfports

criminals

who were

broken law.

it

lying under the

Accordingly the angel,

03

curfe

in his

of a

mefiage

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

158

to the fliepherds, calls

it '*

good

Ser. 7.

tidings of great joy

to all people."

What

then muft have been their additional fur-

when they heard

prife,

Who

I.

"

is

the

arm of

that this

the prophet faying,

hath believed our report

and

If. liii.

whom

to

Lord revealed ?" when they faw

gracious Saviour was " defpifed and rethe

men?" when

jected of

many

they obferved fo

turn a deaf ear to the moll importunate calls of

the gofpel

when they found them cavilling them-

and advancing their

felves out of eternal happinefs,

own

blinded and bewildered reafon, in contempt

of the infinite wifdom of

who

holy angels,

are

God

What mufl

creating goodnefs, think of thofe heirs of hell,

pour contempt upon redeeming love

touch upon every thing that
but

am

as

fpirits,

every

rifes

who

cannot

here to our view,

perfuaded that the adminillration of the

myftery

to the cele-

any part of the plan.

Inftead of

covenant of grace
ilial

thofe

with gratitude for

filled

is

as full of

humbly imploring

lliiner

reconciliation with

an offended God, our Redeemer, as a Sovereign

Lord, as the Prince of Peace,
as enemies,

He

is

firfl

conquers thofe

whom he afterwards cherifhes as friends.

endued with

all

power

for this great

work

and the pfalmiil gives a beautiful defcription of its

" Gird thy
influence and elTed, Pfal. xlv. 3. 4. 5.

fword upon thy thigh,

glory and thy majelly

O
:

moil mighty

with thy

and in thy majeily ride

profperoufly, becaufe of truth, and meeknefs, and

righteoufnefs
terrible

things.

and thy right liand

Thine

fliall

teach thee

arrows are fharp in the

heart, of the king's enemies,

whereby the peopl

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

Ser. 7.

He

under thee."

fall

unto God.

59

hath fent forth his Holy

almighty agent, to reconcile finners

as an

Spirit

Is there not alfo a

depth of divine fove-

reignty to

be feen in the choice of the veflels of

mercy?

The

Paul in the midft of the

apollle

Mary Magdalen from

fury of perfecuting zeal,

the midfl of the flames of unclean

lult, Zaccheus
from the heart-hardening crimes of covetoufnefs
and oppreflion, and many others of the chief of
iinners, have been made the trophies of divine

grace, and

may

ample the

apollle Paul, i

faithful faying,

fay in the words of their great ex-

and worthy of

Chriil Jefus

came

whom

chief."

It

8.

the

" This

is

acceptation, that

to fave finners, of

to be the operation and the gift of God Eph.

" For by grace are ye faved, through faith ;
:

and that not of yourfelves

And

all

world

into the

15.

i.

deferves alfo particular notice, that faith itfelf

is faid
ii.

am

Tim.

is

it

the gift of God.'^

indeed the change in general which conflitutes

new

nature,

from above

is

conlidered as a birth or creation

John,

i.

13.

" Which were born,

not of blood, nor of the will of the

the will of

man, but of God."

It

flefh,

nor of

appears plainly,

from many exprefs

declai-ations of fcripture, from

power neceflary to overcome their obftinacy,
and from the feat of the difeafe itfelf, which lies in

the

the will, that finners, while they continue fo, inllead

of defiring,

refill

their recovery.

of contemplation prefents

itfelf to

What

is

an

nite evil

unknown view
and malignity of

fenfe of created

weaknefs

a fubjedl

given them of the

fin
I

What

the angels here

infi-

What a humbling
What a leflbn of can!

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

l6o

tlon for their after condul

hath been conjec-

It

tured, not without apparent reafon, and

from

tenance

fcripture,

that

SCV, ;.

the

fome conn*

great

purpofe

which the human fyftem is intended to ferve in the

imiverfal kingdom of God, is to be an everlafting

monument, that a rational creature, who has once

departed from its innocence, and obedience to its
Creator, never can again return to the fame ftate,
but by his own almighty power and fovereign
Upon the whole, from this faint view of
grace.
open

as lying

the plan of redemption,

tention of principalities and powers,

to the at-

we may

fay

33. " O the depth

of the riches both of the wifdom and knowledge of

Rom.

with the apollle Paul,

God

how

unfearchable are his judgements, and

ways pad

his

finding out

PROCEED now

practical

ii.

I'^

to conclude the fubjeV,

by fome

what has been

improvement of

faid.

And,
I

by

What you have heard

will contribute, I hope,

the divine blefling, to fhew the guilt of thofe

who

defpife the gofpel,

fence of the crofs.

It

and ferve

remove the

to

of-

required no fmall meafure of

fortitude in the apoflle Paul,

to declare that

he was

not " alhamed of the crofs of Chrift," which at

its firft

publication

was "

to the

Jews a ftumbling-

block, and to the Greeks foolifhnefs."

trine of the crofs in its fimplicity

The

doc-

and purity, has

been matter of offence in every fucceeding age, to

men

of proud and worldly minds.

there are not wanting

many

at this

God knows,
who treat

time,

the doctrine of the crofs, and falvation

by

grace,

Sen

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

7.

161

with as much contempt and infolence as they dare.

Nor is it at all impoflible, that there may be iome
among you who are infected with thefe poifonous

Be perfuaded, O de" the weaknefs of God is ftronger

than man,'* and " that the wifdom of man is
This glorious and gracious
fooliilmefs with God."
and dellrulive principles.

luded foul

that

plan hath the approbation and admiration of angels,

though

it

hath the contempt of finners.

You

Ihould afloniih us.

will perhaps fay,

indeed afloniihing above meafure

believe an incarnate Gody
nocent punijhed,

with fo

help faying,

teaches

it

How

It is

me

to

It is

attended

circumltantes, that I cannot

can thefe things be

out of the ftrong

came

as Sampcame forth

But

fon faid in his riddle, " out of the eater

meat,

it

Saviour, the /-

"s^fdiffering

and the guilty forgiven.

many furpriling

afto-

It

wonder though

nifhed the angels, therefore no

forth fweetnefs ;" fo

out of the fuggeflions of your corrupt minds, I

would derive fome evidence of the truth.

cunningly devifed fable would be drefled by the deceiver in a manner fuited to the human talle
but
;

hath not upon

any of the marks of

human wifdom. I do not think, if it had not been
revealed, that it could have entered into any human
mind and therefore we may jultly fay, " Salvathis doftrine

it

tion

belongeth unto God."

It

is

becaufe he

is

God, and not man, that we, the children of men,

" are not confumed."
2.

You may

learn from

encouragement that

God

is

through Chrift.

arc molt allonilliing

what has been

faid, the

given to finners to return to

The very

circumflances that

and admiiable

in this great dif-

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

l6l

Ser. 7.

penfation, are the undeferved love and unexpefted

condefcenfion of
ners.

know

God

to guilty

that the

and miferable

inward and

can only be given by the Holy Ghoft

alfo, that

by

**

faith

fin-

efFedtual call

but

know

cometh by hearing, and hearing

word of God." Therefore, in expeftation

him who " hath the hearts of all
his hand, and turneth them howfoever he

the

of the bleiling of

men

in

will," I proclaim in the hearing of every finner

within thefe walls, " that God. fo loved the world,

whofoever

that he gave his only-begotten Son, that

believeth in

him might

everlafting life."
**

him

that

cometh

Are

there not

out."

power of fin, and

who

is

tant

words,

not perifh, but might have

repeat the univerfal call, that

him, he will in no wife cafl

to

many

in this houfe

under the

the curfe of a broken law?

Nay,

condemned by thefe imporwhich you w^ill find Gal. iii. 10.

there that

is

not

" Curfed is every one that continueth not in all

things which are written tn the book of the law to
do them." This fentence fiands uncancelled againfl

who

all

Jefus.

are not reconciled to

drunkards,

fin,

jellers,

God by

Is the application difficult

fwearers,

faith in Chrifi:

Ye

flaves of

profane and lafcivious

envious and malicious flanderers, retainers

of unjuft gain, and

all

without exception

who

are

more than lovers of God, ye fiiall

" as a bowing wall fhall ye be,
of you

lovers of pleafure

be

{lain all

and

as a tottering fence."

of thofe

who

fearful thing to fall

God.
csai

Who

Remember

die in an unconverted ftate

into the

the mifery
:

"

It is a

hands of the living

can abide with devouring

dwellwith everlafting burnings ?"

fire

Who

Admire

thie

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGLS.

Ser. 7.

grace of

infinite

through our Lord Jefus Chrift,

wifdom of God that hath

you upon one who is ** mighty to

and admire the

laid help for

May

fave,"

God

infinite

not fay, that, on this folemn occa-

your Saviour fpeaks

fion,

word, but from his crofs

crofs of

in the

of

See

fin.

the crofs of

See the juftice of

of Chrift,

God

and thence learn the evil

Chrift,

the

not only in his

to you,

power and wrath of God in

Chrift,

and

at

your own

God

in the crofs

tremble

See the mat chiefs love of

ftate.

163

and be perfuaded

to return to

him with

weeping, with fupplication, and with mourning

Let the eye of faith be pointed at the dying Saviour, and fay unto him, " O Almighty Sufferer,
look down, look

down from thy triumphant

infa-

my,

pity and pierce this hard heart with a fenfe of

guilt

and mifery.

ftiouldft

draw

be

men

all

filled to

lifted

my

ler thee.

Thou

haft faid, that

up from

unto thee

experience.

let this

promife be ful-

Draw me,

Lord, take av^Tiy

Lord, renew and pacify

when thou

the earth, thou wouldft

my

my

ive luill

run af

complicated guilt

unfanftified affections

form me for tliyfelf, that I may ferve thee here,

and afterwards fee thee as thou art I**
3. From what hath been faid upon this fubjeCl,

you may examine your

title to

partake of the holy

ordinance of the Lord*s fupper ; or, in other words,

your right

No
at a

to the favour of

difpofition

more

God, and

fui table,

communion-table,

tlian

to eternal life.

none more neceffary

a grateful and admir-

Not only

the pro-

fane blafphemer, or the fcornful defpifer,

is unfit to

ing fenfe of redeeming love.

fit

down

at this feaft,

but the felf-righteous formal-

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT OF

l54
ift

who

knew himfelf undone.

when angels themfelves

are

put to a

our thoughts mufl foon be

loft

and fwal-

never

deed, that

Hand,

all

Ser. 7.

lowed up.
look into

my

But,
it ?

brethren,

do you

delight in this facred

It is true in-

do yoii

defire to

feel a fenfible pleafure

employment

and

do you, in fome

meafure, fee the glory of divine grace, though you

are not able to meafure

no fubjedl

who

fo obfcure

dimenfions

its

There

and unintelligible

are ftrangers to the

power of religion,

myftery of redeeming love

no fubje6l

is

to thofe

as the

fo odious

diftafteful to thofe whofe minds are formed

upon the maxims of the world, as the do6^rine of
Chrift upon a crofs, Chrift
falvation by grace.
upon a throne, Chrift the believer's rock and re-

and

fuge, the fource of his ftrength, and the fource of

his comfort, they are neither able to

warm

All the

prehend.

relifti

nor com-

expreftions of gratitude

and attachment, which are unfpeakably fweet and

a ferious foul,

ravifliing to

light of enthufiafm

many

as

it

appear to them in the

and 'nrifionary

hath pleafed

God

folly.

to blefs

ward and perfonal conviction of

But

as

with an in-

their loft ftate

by

nature, will fee the greateft beauty in this plan of

falvation,

and will rather rejoice than

iharing with their

of the world.

Gal.

vi. 14.

"

Redeemer himfelf

flirink, at

the contempt

They

will fay, with the apoftle Paul,

God

forbid that I ftiould glory, fave

in the crofs of our

Lord Jefus Chrift."

There

is

a beautiful oppofition ftated by the fame apoftle,

between a

believer's

underftanding the love of

Chrift, and yet being unable to fearch

tom, in the following paflage, Eph,

it

iii,

to the bot-

17. 18. 19.

ADMIRATION TO THE ANGELS.

Ser, 7.
*'

That Chrin: may dwell

jour hearts by

in

ye being rooted and grounded

that

be able

to

165

comprehend with

faints,

all

what

breadth, and length, and depth, and height

know

is

the

and

may
to

the love of Chrift, which pafTeth knowledge,

ye might be

that

faith

in love,

with

all

the fulnefs of

From what

has been faid,

filled

God.''
In the

4.

what

learn

last place.

is

your moft proper employment

at the

Adore and contemplate the riclies of

redeeming grace, that great themie which " the an-

Lord's table.

Think, wdth humble

gels delire to look into."

amazement, on the boundlefs mercy of God, which

reached even to you, and with the highefl: thankfulnefs on the

honour

to

which you

arc admitted,

of receiving the feniible pledges of his love.

on

with us
this

Dwell

impenetrable myftery of " Immanuel

this

God manifefled

God

Think on

in the flefli."

awful proof of divine juflice aud holinefs, the

wrath of

God

poured out upon his own Son.

Think on the perfedion of that atonement wliich

is

made

for the fins of the world.

who

fulnefs of that Saviour

is

the church ;" and draw,

over

all tilings to

from

his fulnefs, every neceffary

felves

Rejoice in the

now made " head

now

and as you are

to

be

" day of falvation," when

faith,

commemorate

death, with a view to his fecond coming,

that

by

fupply to ycurhis

thnik on

come " to
and admired in all them
when you iliall enter in triumph
]ie fliall

glorified in his faints,

that believe ;"

into the holiell of all,

where no doubt the myftery

of redemption ihali be more fully difcovered;

when

new

fong,

faints

and angels

Vol.

II.

fliall

jointly fing that

REDEMPTION THE SUBJECT,

l66

Rev.
to

" Worthy

V. 12.

receive

ftrength,

when

is

the

Lamb

Scc.

that

Ser. 7,

was

flain,

power, and riches, and wifdom, and

and honour, and glory, and bleffing j"

the whole plan of divine grace fhall be

com-

pleted and clofed,

and the mediatorial kingdom

itfelf

brought

end^

when he

" then cometh the

have delivered up the kingdom

to a period
fliall

for

God, even the Father ;" when confimied angels and redeemed iinners, when the whole hofl of

to

heaven, Ihall unite in one acclamation, "Hallelujah;

for the Lord

God

omnipotent reigneth."

SERMON
GLORYING

THE CROSS,

IN

Galatians
But God firh'ul

VIII.

vi. 14.

that I should glory save

i/i

the cross

of

our Lord Jesus Chrht*

ACTION SERMON.

MY

we are this day met to keep up

remembrance of our Redeemer's fufFerings and death in our room.
We are to commemorate an event the mofl important, the moil intebrethren,

the

refling,

beheld.

and the mofl afloniihing, that creation ever

We

are to contemplate a fubjedl the mofl

wonderful and myflerious that ever was offered to

the

mind of man

the

incarnation

of

the

So/i

of

Gody the King of kings found in the form of a ser*

vanty and the Prince of
tree.

What

is this

life

expiring on an accursed

but the union of things the mofl

oppofite and feemingly inconfiftent that can pofTibly

be conceived

the union of the mofl diflant ex-

tremes of flrength and weaknefs, glory and bafeuefs,

honour and fhame

P2

GLORYING IN THE CROSS,

l68
In a

fort

Ser. 8.

of correfpondence and analogy to this

greal fubjed

nothing can be more oppofite

itfelf,

than the fentiments formed by believers and unbelievers with regard to

To

it.

the one,

other,

it

a meannefs and

hath

The

fhameful and contemptible.

takes

notice

to

his

Saviour,

apoftle Paul often

own

inviolable attach-

by an open

.profefTion

eileem for thofe circuniilances in his chara6ler

appearance

v/iiich

and fcorn.

larly the cafe in the text,

This

is

particu-

But God forbid that 1 should

glory save in the cross of our

we

of

and

a blinded world were moft apt

to treat v/ith derifion

By

the

bafenefs that is

it

and he often difcovers his

ment

to

was " to the Jews a

the Greeks foolillinefs ;"

of this, that

llumbling-block, and to

hath a

it

dignity and majefty unfpeakably amiable

Lord Jesus

the crofs of 'Chriil, in the

Christ,

New

Tellament,

are fometimes to underftand the fufferings of

believers for Chrift's fake

and

think

but more commonly,

evidently in this place,

it

flgnifies

his humiliation in general, and particularly his cru-

which circumflance our attention is diit was the mofl bafe and ignomiIn this the apoftle fays he
nious of the whole.
cifixion, to

rected, becaufe

Avould glory

nay, he exprcfles his

abhorrence at

the thought of glorying in an}^ thing elfe

bid that

I should

Nothing can be more

Jesus Christ.

employment of
to

diftinguilli

God form

this day,

Lord

fuited to the

and nothing more proper

between the friends and the enemies

of Chrift, than
for the

glory save in the cross of our

this,

when

carefully attended to

one will undoubtedly

glory,

and the

will as certamly he ashamed o^ the crofs.

othei:

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

l6c)

In diicouiTing further on this fubjeft, what

pofe, through divine alTiftance,

To

I.

pro-

is,

explain the import of the apoflle's glory-

ing only in the Saviour's crofs.

To fhow what good

II.

ftian

hath to glory in

To make fome

III.

reafon every real Chri-

And,

it.

pradical application of the

fubjed.

I.

In

i\\G first

place, then, let us explain the

im-

port of the apoxlle's glorying only in the Saviour's

What

crofs.

in

condemned

apoftle

indeed.

Son of Mary, was

of forrow, reproach, and con-

life

that towards the clofe of

accufed,

which the

Very wonderful

Jefus of Nazareth, the

It is, that

fubjeded to a long

tempt

objed

this

is

would glory

fays he

as a

it,

he was arrelled,

malefador

numerable and unfpeakable

and

after in-

was

indignities,

at laft

nailed to a crofs, an engine of torture of the mofl

cruel and painful kind, and fo lliameful, that

manner of punilliment appropriated to

tefted criminals of the bafeil rank.

here to glory in

by

this expreflion
I.

it

was

the moil de-

What

is

there

and what does the apoftle mean

It

means,

That he had a high efteem of

it,

as an event,

of the greateft moment, and an objed worthy of

We

the higheft regard-

do not glory in

common

things, but in things of peculiar dignity and worth.

It

was not then

He

in his

did not tjonlider

it,

view merely what

feemed.

but faid, with the centurion on Mount

" Truly, this was a rigliteous man j"
this was " the Son of God,"
He conlidcr-

criminal

Calvary,
trpJv,

it

furely, as the execution of a

P3

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

170
ed

it

as the elTect 01 the infinite love of

Son

fent his only-begotten

confidered

from

as an infinite price paid for the

it

While

way

how does

others are difpofed to

pitying their niadnefs, he

fcorn,

Think of

\vorfhip and adore.

pardon

of deliverance

In this view,

confcience.

in his elleem

He

and certain pledge of peace

as the fure

guilt,

awakened

it rife

God, who

to die for our fins.

of our offences, as the only

to an

Ser. 8,

conflrained to

is

it,

how

Chriflians,

different w^ere the fentiments of his infulting ene-

mies and his mourning

upon

the crofs

The

when he hung
him as a guilty
The hearts
Saviour.

difciples,

one confider

fufferer, the other as a loving

of the one were boiling with hatred, or

contempt
tip in

2.

the hearts of the other

w4th

filled

fv/ allowed

admiration, or melted with love.

The

having a

apoftle's glorying in the crofs, implied his

fi:rong

though humble confidence of his

ov/n relation to and

interefl: in it.

pofiible to feparate" this

file's

were

We

meaning.

thing in which
great genius, or

think

it is

im-

from our idea of the apo-

do not glory or boall of any

we have no concern. A man of

uncommon worth, I may admire

and honour, merely for the eminent qualities of

which he is pofTelTed, and I may do him all juftice

by commendation but I am never difpofed to glory in him, nor have I any title to do it, unlefs he is
j

fomehow

related to

child, or he

is

my

me

but

if I add, that

brother, I

may

he

is

my

be truly faid to

glory in him, or to boafl of him, becaufe the ho-

nour that
flefted

is

given to

upon myfelf.

him

is

Ai-ain,

riches and magnificence of

in

fome meafure re-

may

fpeak of the

fome great

city

but

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.
I

am

then only faid to glory in

cumllance of relation

or the place of

nativity,

where

as that

my

it,

add any

if I

it is

I7I

have property and intereft. When,

" God forbid that I

tfiere-

intereft in

humble

perfualion of his

from a

arifes

real

and

None

tual difcovery of its proper glory.

the tranfcendent beauty of this objeft,

own

have {ten their

And

God.

all,

as

glorying,
;

it

its

and

their fecurity,

perfed fiifEciency
than they

offer to all,

on

reft

as the

it

The word

here tranflated

fignifies at the

fame time

exulting,

and therefore to glory in the

fame thing
is,

they

their hope.

ground of
joking

can fee

till

no fooner do they difcover the

and the unreftrained

fly to it

it.

fpiri-

and mifery in the light of

guilt

excellence of this atonement,

for

own

and his happinefs to flow from

it,

This indeed naturally

a holy

lliould

Lord Jefus Chrift,"

glory, fave in the crofs of our

certainly implies a

my

relidence, or the place

fore, the apoflle fays,

it

cir-

the place of

or re*

crofs, is the

The

as to rejoice in the Saviour.

truth

but feldom that this apoftle mentions the

is

death of Chrift w^ithout fome appropriating expreflion:

all

Phil.

things

8.

iii.

but

" Yea,

lofs,

the

knowledge of Chrift Jefus

have fuffered the

lofs

them but dung,

that I

ii.

"

20.

thelefs I live

and the

life

am

I
;

the faith of the

my

Lord

all things,

may

I,

now

excellency
:

count
of the

whom

for

Chrift

Gal,
never-

but Chrift liveth in

live in the

and do coimt

win Chrift."

crucified with

yet not

which

of

and

doubtlefs,

for

fiefli,

me

I live

by

Son of God, who loved me, and

gave himfelf for me.'*

3.

To

complete the idea of the apoftle's glorying

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

172
in the crofs,
tive worth,

it

as

Ser. ^

implies fucli a fenfe of

prompts him

compara-

its

and open

to a public

profeflion of eileem, with a fovereign contempt of

judgement or condud of others who

'the

felves in oppofition to
iies
ill

by

illuftrated

in writing to the

mind

to others

Romans, chap.

power of God unto

lieve th, to the Jew

i.

figniis

not

For

for

it is

am
the

falvation, to every one that be-

and

firft,

Greek.'*

alfo to the

oppoiition between the fentiments of others

For the preaching of the

rifh, fooolilhnefs
is

**

16.

and his own, he often mentions; as

**

and

that expreffion of the apoftle Paul,

not alhamed of the gofpel of Chrifl

The

them-

Glorying always

it.

the declaration of our

fet

preach Ghrill

Cor.

them

i.

18.

that pe-

but unto us which are faved,

And

power of God."

the

crofs is to

crucified,

it

" But we

ver. 23.

unto the Jews a flumbling-

block, and unto the Greeks foolilhnefs

but unto

them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,

Chrift the power of God, and the wifdom of God."

When

he glories in the

an open and
caufe.

word

refolute

This meaning

cross.

It

crofs, therefore,

implies

is

particularly carried in the

had been lefs wonder

he gloried in our Saviour's

fore his crucifixion,

he gloried in his

cross,

vile

di\'ine

if he had faid,
power exerted be-

or that he gloried in his tri-

umphant refmTeftion, and

hand of God after it but,
what was moil

it

adherence to this defpifed

exaltation to the right

inllead of this, he fays

in his

very abafement, in

and contemptible.

A late very eminent writer and champion for the

crofs, in a

fermon on the fame

fubjeft,

makes a

re-

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

mark

to the following piirpofe

many

the veneration of

I73

That through

ages, and the difufe of that

punifhment among us in the execution of malefactors, the

word

our minds

does not carry fo bafe an idea to

but that in the ear of a Galatian,

founded as

cross

had

if the apoflle

faid,

And in a note upon

gallows, a gibbet, or a halter.'

this pafTage of the

whom I

were difgufled

loivSy gibbet y

when publiflied, he exSome perfons, I am in-

fermon,

himfelf thus

prelles

formed,

words,

at thefe

would reply. That the

much more.

all this

gaU

halter.^

they are fo horribly contemptible

nominy, implied

it

he gloried in a

crofs, in point

to

of ig-

and in point of torture,

Unlefs the Englifli reader forms to

himfelf fome fuch image as

this,

he will never be

able to apprehend the fcandalous nature and fliock-

ing circumflances of

The

words,

mull

his

divine Mafler's death.

confefs, w^ere diverlified,

and

the fentiment reiterated, on purpofe to affe6t the

mind

w^ith this aftonifhing

prevail with myfelf to

lefs I

Neither can I

truth.

expunge the

expreffions, un-

could fubftitute others of a more ignominious

and execrable import in their room.

beg the
lowing

ferious reader to fpend a

reflection

Is

it

fo, that

ear can hardly endure fo

words

How amazing

how charming and

illuflrious Son, to

Mr

Harvey.

would

in the fol-

a polite and delicate

much

as the found of the

then was the condefcenfion,

adorable the goodnefs of God's

bear

all that

intolerably vile tcnTis, bear

chearfully, for us

Only

moment

is
it

figriified

willingly,

men, and our falvation

1'

by

thefe

bear

it

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

174

Before concluding this head,

obferve, in

There

what

was the

it

it

Scr. 8.

will be proper to

apollle did not glory.

plainly a tacit oppofition in the form of

is

fome things

which others were

apt to glory, and he as heartily defpifed
God
forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord
his exprellion, to

in

Jesus Christ
**

He

fays in

But what things were gain

We

lofs for Chrifl."

renounced as any

his zeal

lar.

iii.

Jew

and aftivity as aminifter of Chriil.

itfelf.

Gamaliel, andleems to have been well ac-

Yet he

complifliedin every branch of huniaii fcience.

fpeaks of

with great neglecl, or rather with a

it

when compared

noble difdain,
of the crofs

Cor.

i.

v\^ith

of words,

made of none
For

it is

leil

the do6lrine

17. " For Chriil

to baptife, but to preach the goipel

**

His

i.

as a

He would not glory in his learning as a fchoThe apollle Paul had ht^n brought up at the

feet of

dom

7.

counted

of boafling.

His privileges

Let us confider each of thefe hj

I

Phil.

me, thofe

find elfe where, in his wri-

fubje^l

learning as a fcholar

Even

to

mention of thofe particulars which he

tings, exprefs

3.

general,

fent

me not

not with wif-

the crofs of Chrifl fliould be

eifed."

And

again, ver.

written, I will deftroy the

20,

19.

wifdom of

the

wife, and will bring to nothing the underilanding of

the prudent.
fcribe

where

Where
is

is

the wife

where

the difputer of this world

is
?

the

hath

God made fooliih the wifdom of this world ?"

may perhaps be aiked. What is the meaning of

not
It

this renunciation of

Is there

any

the crofs?

human

learning and

real oppofition

Would

wifdom

between learning and

not the legitimate ufe of

humaa

Ser.

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

I75

wifdom lead us to embrace it ? To this

that it feems to imply thefe three things.

An

(i.)

any of the marks of human

it

in confequence of

wife

to defpife

This great

and

it,

crofs,

own

in their

a ftedfaft adhe-

this,

rence to the dodtrine of the

who were
tempted

anfwer,

admiration of the divine glory in that

which had not on

"wifdom

though thofe

might

conceit

to defpife

him

for

was not unwilling

fcholar, then,

its

be

fake.

to fufFer

the derifion and contempt of other fcholars for his

glorying in the crofs.

(2.)

It

implied fuch a fuperlative admiration of

this glorious

and interefling objedl,

knowledge he

pofTelTed,

otherwife acquire,

gard

affections

the

all

and the honour he could

feemed

his attention

that

to

him unworthy

was wholly

of re-

fixed upon, and his

wholly engrofled by,

Redeemer's

his

crofs.

(3.) It implied, that though he certainly ought,

and certainly did ufe the noble parts and accompliihments of which he was polTefTed, with zeal in his
Mailer's caufcj yet he did it with that humility and

with the noble contempt of vain embelwhich

fliowed he was not building a molifhments,
nument to himfelf, but fecking the honour of his
felf-denial,

Saviour.

The

do6trine of the crofs ihouid be treat-

ed in a manner fomehow correfpondent to

it

not

with a learned and oflentatious felf-fulKciency, but

with a meek and truly evangelical felf-denial.

Millake

me

not,

my

ing againft learning in

brethren
itfelf

it is

am

God, and njay be happily improved

of the gofpel

but

I will

not fpeak-

a precious gift of
in the fervice

venture to fay, in the fpi-

GLORYING IN THE CROSS,

Jj6
rit

of the apoftle Paul's writings in general, and of

this paflage

Accurfed be

in particular,

learning which fets

!

is

curfed be

all that

all

curfed be

all that

fervient to the

Chrift

crofs of Chrift

which

learning

that

which

that learning

afhamed of the

due to the crofs of Chrift

all

oppofition to the crofs

itfelf in

Accurfed be

of Chrift
guifes or

is

Ser. 8.

fills

the

room

dif-

Acthat

and once more, Ac-

learning which

not

is

made fub-

honour and glory of the

crofs of

Well, then, the learned and eloquent apoftle re-

nounced the wifdom of words

By

ply this in general?

of

natural advantages

all

how do we

and

ap-

a fmall comparative eftecm

;

and by thinking

it,

in

the heart, a greater honour and a higher privilege

to

lit

down

at Chrift's table,

and

to find acceptance

with him, than to poffefs beauty, wifdom, learning, riches, and honours, in the higheft poflible per-

feftion

alTembly

and may

may

God

be able

grant, that every one in this

to fay, in fincerity, that

what things he thinks he excels,

to " count lofs for Chrift !"

The

2.

apoftle

would not glory

This we

as a Jew.

places of his writings

might
other

alfo

man

him

find
:

Phil.

in

thefe he is willing

in his privileges

many

affirming in
iii.

4.

have confidence in the

" Though

flefti.

If any

think that he hath whereof he might

more

Circumcifed the eighth

truft

in the

day,

of the ftock of Ifrael, of the tribe of Benja-

flefli,

min, an Hebrew of the Hebrews

law, a Pharifee

church

as touching the

concerning zeal, perfecuting the

touching the righteoufnefs which

law, blamelefs."

Towards

is

in the

the latter end of the

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

I77

common-wealth, there was a vtry prevailing and grofs miftake among them, to look upon

Jfewiili

them

their external privileges as entitling

to the fa-

vour of God, and making a difference be'tween

them and

We

others.

have reafon

be

to

fep.lible,

much of the fame difpofition is ready to

men in every age. But one great defigji

that
to

gofpel

to level the pride

is,

power of the Redeemer

iliew that the

cefiary to, and equally fufficient

them

all

Rom.

dilFerence."

fame Lord over

him."

for,

without

Col.

iii.

11.

and in

no

is

Greek

the

no

for there is

dif-

for ^thc

rich unto all that call upofi

", Where there

is

neither

circumcifion nor uncircumcifion.

Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free

but Chnil

is

all."

The

3.

to

equally aeall

" For there

Jew and

all, is

Greek nor Jew,

that believe

x. 12.

ference between the

nil

God, and

is

and u^Don

all,

down

Rom. iii. 22. " Even the righteoufGod which is by faith of Jefus Chrift unto

exception
nefs of

of the

of man, to throw

diftindion in point of merit before

all

adhere

apollle did not glory in his pcrfonal cha-

rader, nor even in his zjal and aftivity as a miuifter

This appears through

of Chrift.

his writings,

where he

is at

tiie

whole of

particular pains to de-

llroy every f^uiidation of boafting or glorying in

ourfelvcs
freely

by

Rom.

iii.

his grace,

in Jefus Chriit

propitiation,

" Being

28.

24

whom God

through faith in his blood,

through the forbearance of

God

fay, at this time his righteoufneis

Vol.

II.

is

hath fet forth to be a

to declare

his righteouf lefs for the remifTion of fins

paft,

jultitied

through the redemption that

il

t^iat

are

to declare, I

that he

might be

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

lyS

and the

juft,

By

Vv'hat

boafling then

is

law ? of works

we

Therefore

of faith.
juftiiied

by

Nay, we

of him which believeth in

juftifier

Where

Jefus.

Ser. 8.

excluded.

It is

Nay

but by the law

conclude, that a

man

he confi-

find that all his public fervices

ders as quite unfit fubjefts for boafling, even

he

obliged to mention them for his

is

tion

Cor. XV. 9. 10. " For I

apoflles, that

am

am

own

when

vindica-

the leaft of the

not meet to be called an apoille,

But by

becaufe I perfecuted the church of God.

the grace of

is

without the deeds of the law.'*

faith,

God

am what

am

and his grace

which was beftowed upon me, was not in vain but

yet not
I laboured more abundantly than they all
which
of
God
was
with
grace
me.'*
I, but the
I am perfuaded that thofe who, from really Chri;

ftian principles, ferve

the greatefl zeal,

all

v/ill

God

in their generation with

be mofl ready to renounce

plea to merit upon that account.

have read

with pleafure the following account of the temper

exprefled by John Knox, that eminent inflrument

when he was drawing near to

Some perfon prefent mentioned to
him, what comfort he might now have in his extra-

in the reformation,
his diflblution.

ordinary labour and great ufefulnefs in the church

to

whom

he anfwered,

**

Forbear to puff up the

which it is of itfelf fufficiently

The port I would be in at, is that of the
prone.
free grace of God, through the merits of my blefied
flefti

with vanity,

Saviour."

which

fliall

The

to

truth

is,

thefearebut the fentiments

not only go with us to death, but con-

tinue with us to eternity.

A deep fenfe of redeem-

ing love, and grateful celebration of the

Redeemer's

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

glory,

I79

not only the language of the church on

is

church triumphant in heaven: Rev. v. 11. 12. 13. " And

earth, but the delightful worihip of the

beheld, and

heard the voice of

round about the throne, and the

many

angels

and the

bealls,

el-

and the number of them was ten thoufand

ders,

times ten thoufand, and thoufands of thoufands

Worthy

faying with a loud voice.

was

is

the

Lamb

and ftrength, and honour, and glory, and

And

every creature which

earth,

all

are

that

BlelTmg, and honour,

him that

fitteth

for ever

and

IL

is

blefling.

in heaven, and

on the

and under the earth, and fuch as are

and

fca,

We

that

receive power, and riches, and wifdom,

flain, to

in

?.nd

them, heard

in the

faying^

glory, and power, be unta

upon the throne, and unto

tlie

Lamb

ever.'*

now

proceed

To

of difcourfe, viz.

to the fecond general

confider

head

what reafon every

This in-

real Chriilian hath to glory in the crofs.

deed opens to us a fubje6l of the moll amazing compafs and extent.

but v/hat

is

\ile

worldly mind

Though

there

by

the eye of faith, every thing-

that is wonderful, amiable,

and valuable,

covcred in the higheft perfe6lion.

is

dif-

cannot par-

enumerate every fubje6l of glorying in

ticularly

the crofs

nothing here

is

and contemptible to an unbelieving

and therefore

fhall juil point out to

you

the three following fubjefts of meditation, which,

though they often run into one another,

confidered in diflinfl and feparate lights,

glory of divine perfection

aaajmer.

2.

The

fliines in it in

may be
i. The

the brighteil

riches of divine grace are maiji-

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

l8o
fefted

to the mofl: aftoniihing degree.

ill it

,fan<5lifvirig efficacy

of

it

The

as

infinite

fiows

it

have

to

wifdom.

glory of divine perfeftion fhines in

Would we

the brighteft manner.

plate the glory of the invifibie

his

The

3.

fo traT^fcendently fupe-

is

any other mean,

rior to that of

been the appointment of

I

Ser. 8.

works and ways

let

diredlly

Gcd,

as

it

it

in

contemfliines in

us look upon the crofs.

hath been f jraetimes, and very juftly, faid of

It

the

works of God, that they have ufually in them

much more wonderful and excellent than

(bmething
appears

view.

at firft

I'erved, that, in

It

hath alfo been further obthere

this refped',

is

Creator and thefe of the creature.

from God, the more

that flows
it,

and the more perfeftly we

{hall atdmire

the

more

it

ftriftly

know

perfe6bly

it

is

known, the more

its

with the

eire<5ls

when

of

human
by

field

Naturalills obferve,

art.

and moll admirable

feen, as

in-

This difcovers

even in comparing the produce of the

that the finefc

rures,

it,

Every thing
we examine
the more we

but every v>'ork of the creature,

herent wenknefs always appears.

itfeli

a complete

and oppoliLlon between the works of the

contrail

human manufac-

a finer fenfe, v/ith the af-

fnlance of a microfcopc, appears quite coarfe and

irregular

biit that if

you look

at

a pile of grafs, or

knj thing natural, with the fame alliftance, you

will fee ftill more exquifite and delicate llrokes of
the almighty operator.

If this

is

the cafe even in

tions of natural power, liow

the material produc-

much more mull

fo in tlie unfearchable mj-ileries of

kinrrdom

In none will

it

it

be

God's fpiritual

hold more than in this

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. S,

works of God,

chief of the

God

though

this glorious

Here indeed

defpifed objeft, the crofs of Chrift.

the glory of

l8l-

appears in

It

all its lullre.

ap-

pears in fo llrong and fo various lights, that the

highefl angels are employed, delighted, and loft in
the contemplation of

it

Pet.

" Which

12.

i.

Eph.

things the angels delire to look into."

"

10.

To

now

the intent that

and powers in heavenly places, might be

by

the cliurch the manifold

tant

of a
fant

What

infinitely dif-

become

the Self-exiftent

all

condemned

giving up the ghoft

What

to fuffer

the

way by which
extended

defire to

the
of.

unfearchable wifdom appears in finding a

fin

might be

pardoned, juftice fully

is

Author

\-idim able to bear almighty vengeance

a

a feeble in-

the Lord of glory covered with fliame

Judge of
life

which were

Creator of the ends of the earth born

God and

an almighty arm was required to

thefe things meet,

The
woman

known

wifdom of God."

what a difplay of power in the union of

man
make

iii.

unto the principalities

Little

at

in finding

once punilTied and

even where mercy

fatisfied,

wonder indeed

look into this myftery.

that the angels

They had

tafted

the fruits of divine benignity in the happinefs of

innocent creatures

they had feen the glory of di-

vine juftice in the perdition of the rebel-angels

but the crofs of Chrift was the

firft

thing that dif-

covered to them the glory of divine mercy, in par-

doning the chief of finners, without in the

leaft

ob-

fcuring the brightnefs either of juftice or holinefs,

nay, to the illuftration of both. In the crofs of Chrift,

there

is

a more awful and peneti'ating view of the

R.3

GLORYrNG IN THE CROSS.

iSt,

Sei\

S^.

and holinefs cf God, than could have been

juftice

given by the irreparable defcru6lion of the whole

race of

Adam. And at the fame time, his not

own Son, but " delivering* him up

fparing his

**

for us all,"

is

more

ailoniiliing effefl of love,

than pardon without fatisfaf^ion could have been,

had

that

been a thing

no end or meafure
I

to our views of

hope many of you will now

Paul, what

There

in itfelf pofhble.

this fubjeft

is

but

fay, wdth the apoftle

dare fay he has not yet done repeat-

ing in heaven,

Rom.

xi. 33.

"

the depth of the

wifdom and knowledge of God

how unfearchable are his judgements, and his ways
riches both of the

pafl finding out !"

The

2.

are manifefted in

riches of divine grace

the crofs of Chriil to the moil aftonifliing degree.

It is
all

not merely a wonderful

creatures

his intelligent

miration

but

it is

fions,

^*

may

of God, which

behold with ad-

a delign in w4iich

have an immediate and an

If. liii. 5.

work

infinite

He was wounded

we

ourfelves

concern

For,

for our tranfgref-

he was bruifed for our iniquities

the chaf-

was upon him, and with his

ilripes we are healed."
O what an amazing difof
unmerited
love
Every divine perfection,
play
tifement of our peace

indeed appears in

it

very clearly, but chiefly love.

mercy cf our God predominates, alu-

The

tender

ates,

and reigns through the whole.

Chrifl's under-

the fruit and evidence of the

taking, in general,

is

everlafting love of

God

fo loved the world, that

John,

iii.

16. " For

God

he gave his only-begotten

Son, that whofcever believetli in him, iQiould not

periih, but

have everlufling

life."

Salvation, in

DCT. 8.

GLORYING

the whole of

its

IN

THE CROSS.

iSj

purchafe and effeds, was the fruit

and expreilion of the infinite love of Chriil

"Unto him

5.6.

i.

from our

his

fins in

Rev.

tliat

loved us, and waflied us

own

blood, and hath

kings and priefts unto God, and his Father

made us
to him

Amen."
The believing foul is never more at a lofs than
when attempting to confefs its obligations to redeeming love. The human mind never feels its
weaknefs more than when it attempts to conceive,
be glory and dominion forever and ever.

or to illuftrate, this truly incomprehenfible fubjedl.

The

grace of redemption

illuilrated in a great variety

from

greatnefs of the mifery

ed

confidered and

of lights
Vv'hich

wc

From

the

are deliver-

" we are laved from wrath through him :"

for

From

may be

the greatnefs of the happmefs to

which we

made " heirs of God, and

joint-heirs with Chrilf f" From the guilt and unworthinefs of the obje6ls of this love
for it was
are entitled

we

for

are

*'

wlien

we

ciled to

v/ere

God by

enemies" that "

we were

the death of his Son."

fides thefe conliderations, there is

recon-

But be-

more than enough

of divine mercy to excite our wonder in the crofs

of Chrift, the price paid for our redemption.

Great fufferings ufually melt the heart

to

fym-

pathy and tendernefs, though w^e have no immediate

concern in them

at all

but

how much more

every fource of tendernefs be opened,

muft

when we

confider the fufFerer as an innocent perlbvi, ruid as

fulFering in our

member
member
of

God,

room

the nature,

Remember

remember

the end, of his fuflering

the great

the perfon, re-

the greatnefs, re-

the etenial Son

Immanuel, covered with ihame.
;

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

1^4
dragged

Ser. 8,

an unrighteous tribunal, not to abide

to

the decrees of juftice, but to bear the

blinded rage

See him,

and

folded, buffeted,

fpit

ful,

death

him

See

Is

O moH

would even

that happily

call

it

carries

all this

it

and

infinite

condefcenfion

upon

this great truth,

it

That

ways, nor his thoughts

as our

therefore,

it

finner

all this fiiame,

Was

magnifies the love of God.

abafement,

me ?

this

Apply

as our thoughts.

how

fliame-

manner of

incredible condefcenfion, but

it

God's ways are not

and fee

accurfed

pofTible to conceive the grace of this

it

amazing humiliation,
I

blind-

in purple, adored in

nailed to the crofs

tormenting,

upon, feverely fcourged,

crowned with thorns, arrayed

derifion

of

effecls

Ihocking fight

all this fufiering,

glory in the crofs

Shall

I even glory in any thing but the crofs

As

for

fhall I not

magnifies the divine power, as

vine mercy, fo
lefs

to our

it

magnifies the finner.

honour than

to his fliame

never appear fo valuable as

it

magnifies the di-

it

when

Is

any

it

We

can

our falvation

is

purchafed by our Saviour's dying groans.

In the

5.

The

last place.

real Chrifi:ian has rea-

fon to glory in the crofs, for

This

ciple of fandification.

its

efficacy as a prin-

is

plainly implied in

the claufe immediately following the text

it

the world

is

crucified unto

me, and

for

" by

unto the

world."

apofl:le

view,

The
when he

celebrates the dodlrine of the crofs

as the

wifdom and

And

the

certainly has this

power of God unto

alfo.in

falvation.

indeed, to every believer, the crofs, confidered

only as the truth, and as operating by faith on the

mnderllanding and heart,

is

fuch an argument to

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

dutj, as tliere

is

185

not another in the whole compafs

may

once be (.oii'naicd

Does any thing fct in fo

obligation of God's moft holy

flrong a light the

human knowledge

of
to

that

it.

thing

lav/

Does any

flrong a light the infinite evil of

fet in fo

the infinite holinefs of

God

fiii ?

the infinite danger of

Mufl not the refle<Slioii of every believer be,

can Hand before this holy Lord God
If
fuch things be done in the green tree, what fliall be
fin
**

Who

done in the dry ?"

But what

is

the great fource, evidence, fum, and

perfection of fan6Lification

God

iball

it

And how

Is

this

lliall

not the love of

it

be

hov/

produced,

be preferved and improved, in fo efFeftual

manner, as by believing views of the crofs of

C brill:,

the niofl tender and coflly exprefHon of his

love to us
caufe he

John,

iiril

iv. 19.

Chriflian with indignation

as

frefh I" &.C.

How

commands

does

how

love him, be-

does this

againfl fin,

" crucifying him

mufl confider
viour's

We

"

How

loved us."

to

fill

the

which he
himfelf a-

him his Sainfpire him with

endear to

it

does

it

zeal in doing his will, and fortitude in fufFering for

his caufe

Will any thing

fo effeiflually

determine

us to love our fellow-creatures, as his

command

and example

Will any thing

fo effedlually per-

fuade us to difcharge the mofl important duties to

others, I

mean, feeking their eternal welfare,

the value of a precious foul eflimated

Will any thing

duties

difficult

tience,
to

us

by

fo efle6lually difpofe us to the

to others, I

as

the crofs

moll

mean, meeknefs, pa-

and forgivencfs, as the great debt cancelled

by

his fufferings

on the

crofs

Is

it

pofliblc

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

l86

Ser. 8.

own words, in that awful feafon, can ever

be forgotten, " Father, forgive them ^ for they

that his

know

not what they

do?"

large further on thefe views

apoftle,

may

and well

cannot at prefent en-

but well might the

every Chriftian, glory in

he
"
him
are
of
30.

his Mafter's crofs, for the unfpeakable benefit

receives

from

ye in Chrift

it

For,

Jefus,

who

Cor.
of

i.

God

wifdom, and righteoufnefs, and

is

made unto us

fanclification,

and

redemption."

PROCEED now

to

make fome

From what

I.

what
the

is

pratical applica-

And,

tion of what hath been faid.

hath been

you may learn

faid,

the great and leading dolrine of the gofpel,

fum and

fubftance of the truth as

it is

in Jefus,

viz. the do6lrine of the crofs, or Chrift fuiFering the

wrath of God,

to

redeem us from

This v/as

hell.

the great deiign formed in the councils of peace,

early intimated in the

iirll

promife, gradually un-

folded in after ages, and completely manifelled in

The

the fulnefs of time.

Saviour was the fubje6t

of the promifes, the hope of the ancient patriarchs,

the fubftance of the

New-Teflament

difpenfation,

and the burden of the everlafting gofpel. He faith

of himfelf, Rev. i. 8. " I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, faith the Lord,

which
the

is,

and which was, and which

Almighty."

On

is

come,,

to

his glorious character,

and

precious blood, the infpired apoftles delighted to

dwell.

Did they then miflake

they miflead their hearers

No

their melTage
it

was, and

did.

it ftiall

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

187

ever remain, an unchangeable truth, what the apoftle

declares,

Cor.

man

can no

iii.

11.

lay, than that

" For other foundation

is laid, which is Jefus

Chrift."

On

this foundation,

to the will of

God,

Every other

built.

part of the

and beauty from the crofs

light

word of God

the

every thing that

is

agreeable

in dotrine or pradice,

muft be

word of God
;

derives

every other part of

derives force and

meaning from

the crofs ; every other part of the word of God derives

and

life

from the

efficacy

remember
view of
of thofe

Let us defpife the ignorant reproaches

it.

who

virtue.

Let us therefore

crofs.

influence and value, and never lofe

its

flander

it

as unfavourable to

dare not fay, indeed, that

vourable to an oflentatious parade of

but

am

fure

the only

it is

way

is

it

moral

very fa-

human

merit

of producing

felf-

denied obedience to the will of God.

From what

2.

guilt

hath been faid, you

may

and danger of the enemies of the

may

fee the

crofs,

and

who they are who decharader.

this
They
ferve
may be divided into
two diftinft clafles (i .) Thofe who are enemies in
principle to the crofs, who have no fenfe of their
own unworthinefs, of the evil of fin, or the neceffity
of an atonement.
Such may fometimes retain the
at the

fame time

learn

name

of Chriftians, and contend that they ought

to retain

it,

while they oppofe, with the utmofl:

its moft important and funda-

virulence and malice,

mental truth.
the guilt

cannot think, without horror, on

all fuch perfons, a id the

and ingratitude of

fearful punifliment
laft,

when this

which they

defpifed Saviour

meet wn! at
" ^all come in the

fhall

GLORYING IN

l88

clouds, and every eye

TPIE CROSS.

fliall

fee

him."

who

are alfo enemies to this truth,

Ser. 8.

(2.)

They

are governed in

temper and practice by a fpirit direftly oppofite to

The fhame and reproach which

that of the crofs.

the crofs implied are not fufficiently attended to,

nor the humility and felf-denial neceffary to

thofe

who would be

Mafter

Are

religion but
itfelf to

the

the followers of a crucified

many who

will have no

will be pliable, and

accommodate

not

the'e

what

all

maxims of

the world

Loaded with

prudence, they are unwilling to break meafures,

either with the

human pomp,

Dazzled with

good or the bad.

they defpife every thing in religion,

but what, either in fubftance or circumilances,

grateful

to

human

rage to oppofe.
fider the ancient

It

Falhionable praftices,

pride.

however dangerous or

and

were well,

they would con-

if

form of confefTion

vanities

its

merely heathenifli

have not cou-

vicious, they

you renounce the devil, and

Do you renounce the world,
fures,

idolatry,

is

all
its

at

And

do

Do

baptifm.

works ? I do.
pomp?, its plea-

his

this v/as not

and ceremonies of

falfe

worfhip, but that indulgence of vanity, and that

gratification of appetite, in

which v/orldly men,

in

every age, place their fuprem.e delight.

3.

What

hath been faid

may

ferve for the fup-

port and confolation of real believers, under the

trials 0

It is

which they are expofed

melancholy

hov/ eafily,

we

think,

to

are

unhinged by

difcontent and impatience

under fuffering.

in the prefent Hate.

how

Alas

we

my

are

frequently, and
diftrefs

what

apt to difcover

brethren, are

you not

afhamed of impatience; when you conlider the un-

GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

Ser. 8.

your Redeemel: in your

paralleled fufFerings of

room ? A
one would

believing view of the Saviour's crofs,

might flop every mouth, and

think,

compofe every murmuring thought.

much

fered fo

for us

from him, and

make

iS^

for

and

him

we

fliall

Has he

His fulferings

fuf-

refufe to fuffer
ftiould

us patient, as they fhew us the evil of fm,

and what we have deferved.

ferve avenging wrath

and

plain of fatherly correlion

patience,

who

did no

fm

Did we

we

really de-

comDid he fuffer with

and fliall we complain,
fhall

dare to

who

are puniflied lefs than our iniquities deferve

His

fufFerings fhould teach us

becaufe

patience,

they take away the bihernefs and malignity of our

fufferings,

cine

and turn them from a poifon

he hath exhaufted,

whole wrath of God, and

left

what

And

is

highly falutary.

the nature of

may

if I

medi-

fo,

the

nothing for us but

as he hath

the fufFerings of

all

to a

fpeak

taken away the fling of death, which

is

changed
he hath

life,

the end of

That blood which fpeaks peace

to the wounded fpirit, fhould be a healing balm to
the wounded body.
But of all the different kinds of fufFering, if we
all

our fufFering.

we ought to be leafl
thrown upon us for adherence

pretend to glory in the crofs,

afraid of the reproach
to our duty.

To

glory in ihame.

glory in the crofs,

The form

is

regard to Peter and John, A6:s, v. 41.

markable.

They

indeed to

of exprcflion ufed with

is

very re-

departed from the prefence of

the council, rejoicing that they were counted wor-

thy to fufFer fhame for his name.

ly tend to fortify us againfl this

Vol.

II.

It

trifil,

would greatif

W6 wovdd

GLORYING IN THE CROSS

190

Ser. 8.

lay up in our heaiis what hath been fald on the

dodrine of the

we muft

it,

And
it

If

crofs.

needs

fit

is

it

impoffible to avoid

down compofedly under

it.

our attachment to our o

orreat Mailer is what
ought to be, we will chearfuUy follow him even
if

without the camp, bearing his reproach.

4. In the last place.

you may
table,

try your

title

By what
to

fit

hath been faid,

dawn

dinance

is

Lord's

at the

and learn your employment there.

This or-

a feniible memorial of our Redeemer's

crofs and paffion. It was on the crofs that his body

was broken, and his blood fhed, for you. Are
you then to commemorate it ? You cannot do fo,

manner, unlefs

either in an acceptable or profitable

you can join the apollle in glorying in it. Have

you feen any thing of the excellence and amiablenefs of this dcfpifed objedt

and

infipid to the

fo delightful

Have you
God,

and refrelhing

whom

for

broken

to -the

taftelefs
;

nothing

in heart.

Heb.

and can you fay

ii.

10. "

are all things, and

bringing

many

by

It

became

whom

are

fons unto glory, to

the Captain of their falvation perfeQ through

fufferings ?"

in

fo

feen any thing of the glory of the true

all things, in

make

Nothing

in the fufferings of Chrift

-with the apoftle Paul,

^im,

proud and felf-righteous

the

crofs

Do
?

you

fee the glory

of

infinite

mercy

and are your hearts drawn with

** the cords of love to him who loved you, and

gave himfelf for you ?" Have you experienced the

fanftifying influence of the crofs

ruptions
it ?

Is

finally

weakened and
it

mortified

your unfeigned

deftroyed by

it ?

are

your cor-

by looking upon

defire, that

they

may

be

GLORYING

Ser. 8.

To draw to

THE CROSS.

IN

a conclufion of the fubje6t

to this

in a

and comfort, than

to turn the three

form of

reafons for glorying in the crofs into the

exhortations.

befeech you,

contemplate the glory of

See him,

infinite in

in holinefs.

my

God in

wifdom,

You may

cannot

manner more fuited

or more proper for your

you
day's employment,

point out your duty to

after fecurity

19^1

beloved hearers^

the crofs of Chrifl.

power,

infinite

emblem

of his

infinite in

fee a faint

glory in the book of nature

;.

but you can only fee

book of God. And

commanded
the light to fhine
may
out of darknefs, fhine in your hearts, to give you
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in
his tranfcendent majefly in the
**

he who

at firfl

the face of Jefus Chriil !"

trembling finner,

ful,

hope upon

liis

it,

Adore

and apply the

Let the convinced, fear-

riches of divine grace.

atoning blood, refl

fly to this

and be fecure.

And

neglel not

to ufe the

crofs of Chrilt for mortifying

ruptions.

Let your views of

ftrong,

it

now be

your corlively

and carry the fame imprellion away,

and
to

be your great prefervative from daily temptation.

Make
let

the

One

no image of the

remembrance of

lively

view of

hold':

will

your houfes

but

be ever on your hearts.

this great obje6l will cool the

flames of unclean lull

great obje6l will

crofs in
it

one lively view of this

make

the unjufl

man

quit his

one lively view of this tremendous obje6t

make

the angry

man

drop his weapon

one look of mercy from a dying Saviour will

even the covetous

man open

his heart.

nay,

make

In one word,

believing views of the crofs of Chrifl will unite

R2

G.pRYiNG IN THE CROSS.

xgi

the Chrifiian
will

make

more and more

liis

to

a.

Ser. 8*

reconcikd

God

prefence comfortable, his worfhip

delightful,

and excite a humble longing for that

time when

we

fliall

fee

him no more through

help of thefe elements, but as he

alted

is

the

in himfelf^ ex-

on his throne, where his worfhip and fervice

are everlallijig.

SERMON

IX.

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY THE CROSS OF

CHRIST.

CiALATiANS,

By whom

vi. 1 4. laft claufe.

world

the

is

mc^ and

crucified to

unto the worlds

THE

chara8:cr of a fei-vant of God is fometimes

defcribed in fcripture

by

tions or inflances of obedience,

particular difpofi-

and fometimes by

a.

general view of the fpirit that runs through the

whole of

his

ways has

its

is

temper and carriage.

own advantage and

be found in

its

ufe.

Each of thefe.
Each of them

proper order in the holy fcriptures,

.and Hands there as a proof of their fulnefs and per*

The whole

fedion.

of this paflage, but particularly

upon which

the laft claufe,

am now

to infift,

is

of the general kind, and, in the apoftle's

own

ample, gives us a very coraprehenlive

view of

what ought

to

be the temper and difpofition of

every real Chriftian

crucified,

or,

uritQ the

By

ixihom,

" by which," that

crofs of Chriil,

ex-

that

is,

by

Chrifl:

is to

fay,

by the

thi luorld is crucified to

me^

ami I

world*

R3

THE W0RL6 CRUCIFIED BY

194

This defcription will

ferve, if carefully attended

a trial and touchftone of fincerity

to, as

Ser. ^.

and, in par-

ticular, will fer\^e to diftinguifli real religion

from

fome of its moft deceitful and plaufible counterfeits.

At the fame time, it will furnifh the fmcere Chriftian

with very important diredions for his prefer-

vation and improvement,

fatal

by

pointing out the moft.

and dangerous rocks of temptation, which it is

Having explained the words

his intereil to avoid.

my

in
I

difcourfe

now

them

in

upon the former

is,

" That the v/orld

and he

liever,

to the

crucified to the be-

is

world, by the crofs of Chrift."

This naturally refolves

I

part of the verfe,.

only^ obferve, that the propofition contained

two

itfelf into

parts, which.

propofe to confider diftinftly, viz.

I.

cified

What

is

the import of a believer's being cru-

to the world, and the world to him.

What influence the

II.

Having done

ducing this efFe6L

III.

I.

Make

crofs of Chrift hath in prothis, I will,

a pradical improvement of the fub.-

First,, then,,

we

are to confider the import of

a believer's being crucified to the world, and the

world

to

him.

attention, that

there

is

This feems

to deferve the greater

New

through the whole

Teftament

a dired oppofition ftated between

the

an oppofition of
world and the difciples of Chrift
character, an oppofition of intereft, and a continual
:

confli6t in
**

confequence of both

If the world hate you, ye

before

it

hated you.

world would love

John, xv. i8. 19.

know

that it hated

me

If ye were of the world, the

hh owa

but becaufe ye are not

THE CROSS of crrist.

Ser. 9.

of the world, but

195

have chofen you out of the

world, therefore the world hateth you."

In this

paflagc the world feems to be taken chiefly

the

men

of the world, or

inhabitants.

its

for.

It is,

however, taken in a more extenfive fenfc in the

two following:

i John,, ii.

If any
is

man

" Love not the

15.

things that are in the world.

world, neither the

love the world, the love of the Father

not in him.."

John, v. 4. " For whatfoever

born of God, overcometh the world: and

this is

overcometh the world, even our

the vidlory that

Here, no doubt,

faith."

is

it

iignines not only

men,

and our hopes and fears from them, but every thing

may

in the prefcnt life that

be the objedt of carnal

affection, of finful or undutiful attachment.

The
tome,

expreffion in the text.

is

The world

is

cnicified

figurative; but abundantly plain, and ex-

ceedingly ftrong..
tenfively,

It

might be confidered very ex-

may

probably

fufiice at prefent to

make two

and feveral things upon

afterwards occur. Let

obfervations.

it

it

This intimates the fincerity and hear-

tinefs of the believer's oppofition to the w^orld.

It

muft be remembered, that crucifixion w^as a death

the mofl painful and difgraceful that could poffibly

be

When

inflicted.

this

image, therefore,

is

bor-

rowed, and applied to the believer's feparation from

the world,

but

tlie

it

mod

implies not only an indiifercnce to

fovereign contempt

deepeft and ftrongeft convi6lion of

nity.

Nay,

as

its

it,

to the

as defpifed

by

it,

from the

abfolute va-

no perfons were crucified but

were hated as well

be crucified

of

who

their judges, to

world implies an unfeigned ab-

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

196

horrence of

by

flaved

pollution, and a dread of being eu-

its

it.

The fame

2.

Ser. 9.

thing intimates the perpetuity and

fixednefs of the Chrillian's oppofition to the world.

Thofe who were

tion,

were devoted

crucified

when they were

not only tormented

nailed to the tree

to deftruc-

they were

a feafon, but fixed there

-for

death concluded the fcene

fo I

intended to fignify, by this expreffion, his final

ftle

fcparation from

world, without the

th-e

defire of ever returning to

After taking

this Ihort

and fully

dillin^tly

hope or

leaft

it.

and general view of the

import of the expreffion,

will be ncceilary

it

to confider,

what

This ought

done with the greater care, that

it

and

difficult

world,

duty.

am

To

The punifhment

be.

of

to the

rarej and even

upon the whole,

fo in the degree

be

to

an important

be truly crucified

afraid is exceeding

thofe who, are fo in fincerity,

from being

is

more

implied in

is

being crucified to the world.

far

till

apprehend the apo-

are

that they ought

to.

crucifixion is a llrong

image, in one particular, of the believer's chara^er..

Though

it

ing

worldlinefs,

fo

was

certain death,
in

it

many

v/as flow

and linger-

perfons,

continues

long vigorous, and dies very flowly.

There

is

another reafon for treating this fubje^t

with care, that

men

are very apt to confider fuch.

expreffions as extravagant, and carrying matters au

vinreafonable length.

Miflaking the nature of the

duty, they are neither concerned to pradlife, nor

will they allow that any

body elfe does

I will therefore endeavour to

fo in reality..

ihew you,

What

THE cross of christ.

Ser. 9.
is

in

not implied in crucifying

it

world

tlie

immediately and properly

On

197^
;

2.

Where-

coniifts.

the Jirst of thefe, I bcgr your attention to the

following particulars.
i

Tlie world's being crucified to us, does not

imply

any

that there is

conlidcred in

and

itfelf,

evil in the natural world,

as the

work of God.

The

was produced and is

preferved by God, and the whole courfe of providence as conducted by him, are perfedly faultlefs.
whole frame of nature as

We may

it

even fay more, the creation carries on

fuch an image of

Maker,

its

In this view,

able to bear.

it

it

the materials are

as

is

our duty to look

upon the world with reverence, and adore the glory

of

God

in all

The

loweft.

its

our difpolition to

from the higheft

parts,

evil arifes
fin.

wholly from

When we

ticing, deceitful world,

it

is

It

does not imply that

but another

we

human

fliould

or be infenlible of prefent mercies.

God

is

good,

if

it

and

fay a corrupt, en-

fpeaking for the corruption of the

2.

to the

ourfelv^es,

way

of

heart.

undervalue

Every

gift

of

be received with thankfulnefs,

The more the world is

more we will difcern
God, even in common mercies.

and ufed with fobriety.

crucified as

it

ought

the goodncfs of
It is

to be, the

matter of daily experience, and well w^orthy

of obfervation, that thofe

who

idolize

the world

moil, as an objel of finful defire, do ufually defpife.

tlie

world moft, as the fubjeft or ground of thank-

fulnefs to

God.

vious perfon,

voluptuous, ambitious, or en-

who purfues

the world with eagernefs,

and never thinks he has enough,

contented and unthankful.

is

commonly

His eyes are

dif-

fo wifl-i


THE WORLD CRUCIFIED^ BY

198

fixed on

fiilly

what he wants,

members nor values what he

Scr. 9.

that he neither re-

contrary, the felf-denied and mortified

though defpifing the world

is

On

already has.

the

Chriftian,

as an objeft of purfuit,

yet deeply fenfible of the kindnefs of Providence,

in his daily prefervation, or liberal provifion.

mind formed upon

the principles of the gofpel,

look down with contempt

throne, and yet

know

upon the

crumb.

doth not imply that the woi^ld

It

luftre of

the value, and feel a fenfe of

gratitude in the pbfiefTion of a

.

may

is ufelefs

to

a believer, even with regard to his fpiritual benefit.

It is

will have,
flate

may have, but that he

improvement of every

not only certain that he

the

Rom.

work

things

God,

to

fan^bified

viii.

28.

"

And we know
them

together for good to

that all

that love

them who are the called according to his

The fame mercies which make a wic-

purpofe."

ked man infolent, make a good man thankful. They

alfo extend his power of doing good to others.
You may fee by our Saviour's advice, how the
world may be profitably employed
Luke, xvi. 9.
" And I fay unto you, Make to yourfelves friends
:

mammon

of the
fail,

they

tions,"

may

of unrighteoufnefs

receive

you

that

when ye

See alfo the account of his procedure

great day, Matth. xxy. 34.

King fay unto them on

bleffed

into everlafting habita-

of

my

^6. "

Then

at

the

fliall

the

Come, ye
kingdom pre-

his right hand.

Father, inherit

the

pared for you from the foundation of the world.

For

was an hungred, and ye gave me meat I was

and ye gave me drink
I was a flranger.

thirfty,

a:HE cross

Ser. 9,

and ye took

me

in

of christ.

199

naked, and ye clothed

me

was fick, and ye viiited me I was in prifon, and ye

came unto me."
4. it does not imply that we ought to retire from
the employment or bufinefs of the world altogether.
:

Though there
much involved

a manifefl

is

danger in being too

much

in bufinefs, as well as too

voted to pleafure

de-

an error, on the other hand,

it is

to place religion in voluntary poverty, in monkifli

aufterity, or

This

uncommanded maceration of

crucifying the world, but going out of

overcoming the world, but flying from

But, let us

what

and we

confider, directly

vincing,

it

at

will not be

to the

fliain,

it is

not

it is

not

it.

and

pofitively,

cinicified to us,

to

begin by faying,

be crucified to the world

which man,

at his firft apoflacy,

world from God. While

tinued in innocence^

without

that the after illuflra-

improper

we muft

in thofe refpe6ls in

away

it

once more intelligible and more con-

in general, that

fell

And

to the world.

may be

tions

now

implied in the world's being

is

the body.

not doing, but deferting our duty

is

man

con-

which in itfelf is
was never put to any but a facred
the world,

was then a theatre of divine glory, as indeed

it is ftill ; but not a fcene of human guilt, as it is
now. It was intended for a place of trial, however,
in which man was left to the freedom of his own

ufe.

will

It

and therefore

Thence came

world, from which

effeftually delivered
little

the

more

was capable of being abufed.

it is

I confefs

the

they

much

fo

But

at large, the

believer in

though

it

that facrilegious attachment to the

our intereft to be

to explain this matter a

world

mud

be crucified to

following refpedls;
all

come

which,

at laft to the

fame

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

200

thing, yet I think

it is

Set",

p,

proper and neceflary to men-

tion diftinftly.
I
,

As

it is

tation to sin.

the subject

and

occasion

of^orc^ temp"

very plain, that however fault-

It is

and excellent the whole works of nature and

lefs

providence are in themfelves, from the corruption

of our nature they become the food of carnal af-

The very

feftion, the fuel of concupifcence.

and rich provilion made for

rality of Providence,
tlie

fupply of our wants, and the gratification of our

becomes a temptation

appetites,

and criminal indulgence.

by

libe-

the apoftle John,

Epift.

to grofs fenfuality,

This
ii,

is

i6. "

well defcribed

For

all that is

in the world, the lull of the fieih, and the lull of the

eyes, and the pride of

of the world."

it

in the utmoll abhorrence.

done

By

not of the Father, but

life, is

In this view,

is

ferioudy confidering the

powerful infiuence

it

to dread their force,

we

to

is this

hold
to

be

unhappy and

hath in foliciting us to evil.

Inftead of being taken with

equal

we ought

But how

we ought

its

to

are to the conflidl, and

charms,

we ought
how un-

be feniible

how

unable, with-

out fuperior ftrength, to keep ourfelves from

its

pollution.

When we
are tempted

fee perfons in

to

envy

honour and power, and

their diftinguihed

rank

in life,

we ought to confider how naturally exaltation tendsto intoxicate the mind, how few are able to bear
honour or reputation with humility, and how little
reafon we have to confide in our own fleadinefs and
refolution.

and

When we

temptation

fee the fplendour of a rich

we ought
which commonly

affluent ftate,

to

confider the flrong

arifes

from

richeS; to

101

THE CROSS of chriSt.

Ser. 9.

contempt of God, oppreffion of others, fenfualitj of

temper, and forgetfulnefs of eternity.

on

this fubjeft, to

make every man

Suffer

me,

own

re-

liis

How few are there in a rich and affluent

whofe condudl in the application of riches yon
Are you not conflantly
can wholly approve
blaming them for covetoufnefs and opprefTion on
prover.

ftate,

the one hand, or prodigality on the other

is

you

then, that

it,

aiitertain fufpicions

yourfelves would be led aflray

by

How

you

that

means

the fame

Is not this a flrange infatuation, and blindnefs to di-

vine truth, even where every

God

is ratified

When we
ries

by

fee

word of

daily experience

and are tempted

who

of pleafurc, thofe

to

envy the votaand fare

live delicately

we ought

fumptuoufly every day,

the Spirit of

a dangerous enfnaring thing

to confider

appetite

what

how

is,

it

men infenfibly, and at lafl inflaves

how hard it is for the moH cautious to
fet prftper bounds to it, as well as how dreadful
and fatal the excellive indulgence of it. To crucify
them

Heals upon
^abfolutely

the world, then,

confider

its

connexion with
to

have

a temptation to

as

fin, is

their probable efFeds.

fuggefled

the

wife

This feems

and well-conceived

prayer of the prophet Agur, Prov. xxx.

*'

Two

them

things have

not before I die.

nity and lies

feed

me

give

me

be poor, and

Vol.

On
II.

ileal,

7. 8. 9.

required of thee, deny

me

me

va-

Remove

from

far

neither poverty nor riches,

with food convenient for

and deny thee, and fay.

vain."

not to

charms by themfelves, but always in

Who

is

me
the

lefl I

Lord

and take the name of my

the fame thing

is

be

full,

or left

God in

founded the advice of

202

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED EY

..

Ser. 9.

Solomon, with regard to the fin of fenfuality Prov.

xxiii. 31. " Look not thou upon the wine when it
:

when

is red,
it

moveth

would

it

This

is

when

aright."

The world muft be

2,

as

giveth his colour in the cup,

it

itfelf

crucified to the believer,

and chief good.

from the

he his supreme felicity

no otherwife

to be diftinguifhed

former confideration, than as the general courfe and

llream of our affections
of tranfgreffion.
attend to

it

differs

from particular

for there are

many under

who

the habitual

who do

government of a w^orldly mind,

themfelves, and

afls

very neceffarj, however, to

It is

not think

perhaps are not juftly charge-

able with grofs a6ls of irregularity and excefs.

how many

bleed inwardly to think,

profe (Tor 5

many
ful,

of

are there,

who,

here

are

religion

would be

faith-

muft confefs, that the favour of God, his wor-

ihip, his

preme

are not their fu-

Sabbaths, his people,

delight

Yet

or rather

leligion,

religion, I think

that this

is

the

we have

the holy fcriptures.

It

is

in heaven but thee

of the moral law,

the Lord thy
foul,

mind

God

and with

Luke
with
all

all

true

from the language

is

Whom

have

none upon earth

It is plain

x. 27.
all

of

repeated affurances in
plain

and there

that I defire befides thee."

real

is effential to

fubftance

of the pfalmift, Pfal. Ixxiii. 25. "

thy

How

included.

if confcience

of the ordinary

from the fum

" Thou

flialt

love

thy heart, and with

thy ftrength, and with

all

all

thy

and thy neighbour as thyfelf j" as alfo from

" Hethatloveth

that trying paffage, Matth. x. 37.

father or

me
me,

mother more than me,

and he
is

not

is

not worthy of

that loveth fon or daughter

worthy of me."

more than

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Scr. 9.

Take heed
it

my

brethren, to this important

might be efteemed, and

and
to

then,

If the world keep

truth.

proper end

to its

be what

it is

and

not,

dillance, fo to fpeak,

its

in

iifed,

but

20^-

if

its

proper place,

will needs pretend

it

promife what

to

it

cannot

we mult take it for a deceiver, and hold it in

deteftation.
Your Maker formed you for his own
give,

glory

He

fouls,

or.

muft be the

they

lliall

their happinefs, or they

But

and c6nfolation of your

reft

never have

world would feem

if the

reft

to

be your home,

promifeth you content and fatisfad:ion,

fion of

that

it is

the ultimate end at

you do not

further,

therefore

it

is

heartily,

ulurping

down with

he muft be

be miferable for ever.

ftiall

which you

and with

affedlion,

afpire, fo

look any

Creator's throne

its

if it

if the poffef-

the idol, and tread

it

and

ia the

duft.

Is not this the great queftion

all,

with regard

to us-

Vv'hether the objects of faith or of fenfe, thinc^s

prefeat or things to come,

the pofleiTion of our hearts

God
?

or the world, has

A believer who will

thankfully receive and ufe the bleflings of a prefent

world from their proper end, will notwithit, and all its poifeffions, in the higheft

ftandinghold

degree of contempt,

when compared with

the one
from the bottom of his
heart, in the prefence of an all-feeing God, * Lord,
let me never have my portion in this world only.

thing needful.

The

He

will fay,

glory of a throne, the moft inexhauftible mines

of gold and filver, without thy favour,

would not

only defpife, but abhor.'

Whence arifes this

From a convidion of

difpofition in the believer

the unfatisfying nature of all

S 2

THE WORLO CRUCIFIED BY

304

Ser. 9.

from an inward perfuafion of

"
the world, in its beft ftate, is althis truth, That
together vanity ;" from a fenfe of the infinite difproportion between the poffeffion of the creature,
earthly enjoyments

and the favour of the Creator ; but, above all,

from a deep and abiding convidlion of the precaand uncertainty of

rioufnefs

However undeniable

earthly

all

world palTeth away, few there are

the ftrong and

The

things.

that the fafliion of this

it is,

who

live

under
of

lively pralical impreffion

it.

deceived hearts of finners believe the contrary.

Hc^w well

are they defcribed

by

the pfalmift, Pfal.

" Their inward thought

xlix. II. 12. 13.

their houfes Ihall continue for ever,

ing-places to

generations

all

own names.

after their

in honour, abideth not

pofterity approve

think, nothing

he

is

fliould

being

yet their

One would

of their fayings !"

more

man

like the beafts that

their folly

is

that

they call their lands

Neverthelefs,

way

This their

perifh.

is,

and their dwell-

be neceflary to crucify

upon the many defcripword of God of its uncertain

the world, than to reileft

tions given us in the

duration: Pfal. xxxvii. ^^. 36. " I have feen the

wicked in great power

a green bay-tree.

was not

and

he
all

field.*'

the

If.

xl. 6.

faid,

What

fudden

And

pafTed away, and, lo, he

"

And

ftiall I

fliall

call

the voice

cry

the croodlinefs thereof

All

is

faid.

Cry.

flefh is grafs,

as the flower of the

only add our Lord's defcription of

of a worldly

judgement: Luke,
^*

and fpreading himfelf like

yea, I fought him, but he could not be

found."

And

Yet he

xii.

16.

17.

man

to death

and

18.

19. 20.

21.

he fpake a parable unto them, faying,

Th^

THE CROSS of CHRIST.

Ser. 9.

man brought

ground of a certain rich

And

tifully.

What
pull
I

m J fruits And he faid,

to

down my

my

barns, and build greater

years

But

merry.

thou haft

night thy foul

to

I will

and there will

my fruits and my goods. And I

all

foul. Soul,

many

room where

This will I do,

bellow

forth plen-

he thought within himfelf, faying.

do, becaufe I have no

fliall I

bellow

205

much goods

will fay

laid

up

for

take

thine eafe, eat, drink, and be

God

faid unto

fliall

him,

Thou

be required of thee

which thou

fool, this

then whofe

fhall

thofe things be

So

he that layeth up treafure for himfelf, and

is

God."
The world muft be

haft pfovided

is

not rich towards

3.

crucified, as

he n-jccssary to our felicity.

againft thofe
at

who

They feem

fupreme,

ftill

but

him

chofen

have chofen

to

fee, or

God

lo\'e

God

us their

does not appear that they have

it

much

The world
know no

portion.

in their eye, that they

happinefs or com.fort of which

They

pretends to

it

chiefly directed

pretend to

at leaft

as their fuflicient

bulks fo

is

love the world to excefs, though

the fame time they

more.

This

think they

it

makes

not a part.

fee, the infufficiency

of the

world, without the favour of God, as a refuge

the world

falls

God

tisfied in

Hble there are

I

am

can no more

when

reft

have no doubt, you will be fen-

many amongft

us in this condition

afraid there will be not a

They

that the

here

world

is

it

is

will fay,

'

Is

it

polTible

neceffary to us while

we

and

deny

to

continue

not fo to y-;u as well as to us

S3

few within

themfelves fecretly juftifying this character

condud:.

fa-

without the w^orld, than in the world

without God.

nay,

but they

and

the world crucified by

2q6

why

therefore

fhould

Ser. g

not be regarded in this

it

%ht?'

To

fuch I anfwer.

all

proportion,

portion

The

world,

indeed neceflary to us

is

not to be afcertained

is

by

in a certain

but this pro-

us.

the difpofal of infinite wifdom, without any

left to

When

conditions.

there, is a divorce or feparation

between the believer and the world,

it is

entire

He

complete, without referve or limitation.

up

mult be

It

all as

and

gives

may

the objel of carnal afFeftion, that he

receive again, for a nobler purpofe, that meafure'

which feems necefTary

He

to the fan6tified will of

which he

eharge, has furrendered his

merly his own, than

as

proprietor ihall think

fit.

more properly

much, and

the change

the hands of

is

ufually for the worfe

and the feeming

Think

come

an

advantage,,

infinite

is

carrying

what our Saviour exprefsly

would embrace his doctrine

And

after

he faid unto them

me,

let

him deny

all^ If

himfelf,

take up his crofs daily, and follow me."

it

fometimes

mufl be a martyr

world
apejit

is

not thoroughly

to every

faid, that

in refolution

any
and

It is.in

deed one of the hard fayings of the gofpel.

have heard

affairs

It is

requires of all that

ix. 23.

is

human

but in fpiritual

brethren, that this

matters to excefs.

will

the
that

an unfpeakable gain.

lofs

my

not,

as long, as

know no image

reprefents the condition of the be-

things, the renunciation

man

with this difference, that in

Luke,

unable to dif-

is

into

all

and has no further ufe of what was for-

another,

liever

man who, having

of a

juft in the fituation

is

contrafted obligations

God.

You.

every Chriftian

and doubtlefs the

ciiicifled, unlefs

our

attach-i

worldly enjoyment, without excep*

^,

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Ser. 9.

be

tion,

broken, that

fo

whenever God,

we

are ready to refign

in his providence, ihall fee

mand

it.

We

pofe,

in

the trial to

have an excellent

in the gofpel,

profeflion

Matth. xix. 21.22.

lefTon to this

and give

have

But

heaven

when
away

young man heard

forrowful;

To crucify

that thou

and come and follow me.

treafure in

the

fell

flialt

to the poor,
:

pur-

with a decent and regular

" Jefus faid unto

him, If thou wilt be perfeft, go and

haft,

it

to de-

fit

which our Saviour put the

young man
:

207

and thou

that faying,

had great

for he

the world, then,

is to

he went

poffellions."

count no worldly

enjoyment whatever neceflary, either to our prefent

comfort, or everlafting happinefs, but to put an ab-

and unfhaken confidence

folute

goodnefs of a reconciled God.

wifdom and

in the

This

is

exprefTedby the prophet Habakkuk, ch.

" Although the

fhall fruit
ftiall

fail,

flock

fliall

it is

ly. 18.

be in the vines, the labour of the olives

and the

fields ftiall yield

no meat, the

be cut off from the fold, and there fhall

I will

In the
as

iii.

fig-tree Ihall not bloflbm, neither

be no herd in the
Lord,

excellently

ftalls

joy in the

last place.

yet

I will rejoice in

a separate and independent good, without

relation to

God.

God

the

God of my falvation."
The world muft be crucified,
hi mfelf alone is

its

due

independent.

All other things ftand in an infeparable relation to

him, and fhould be ufed

in fubferviency to his

ho-

nour: " For of him, and through him, and to him,

Every rational creature, who conare all things."
tinues in, or returns to his duty, difcems this rela-

was the

tion,

and maintains

fir

idolatry and facrilege, to break the ties that

join the

Maker

this

to his

fubferviency.

It

works, and love the creature

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

28
for

its

world,
gift

Ser. 9*

own

fake.

v/ill

coniider every earthly enjoyment as

of God

bellowing

But he

cruciiled to the

tliat is

it,

and

obey the command of

w^ill

the ufe and application of

of a Chrillian,

is

the holy fcriptures

That

it.

of

ftrain

and particularly from

duty

this is the

from the general

plain

tlie

God in
God in

he will confefs the goodnefs of

prefs and politive declaration, i Cor. x. 31,

this ex-

"

Whe-

ther therefore ye eat or drink, or whatfoever ye do,

do

the glory of

all to

The
or as a

God."

w^orld, then, as a feparate

mere

crucified.

gratiiication

of carnal defire,

was not given us

It

independent good,
is to

low

for fo

be

a pur-

pofe as the indulgence of appetite, but for nobler

But perhaps

ends.

that fom.e of the

will be necelTary to obferve^

fubjed.

Some

affirined the unlawfulnefs of tailing

any of

riety of

have

it

myftic waiters have raifed a va-

improper queftions on
of created

this

enjoyments, more than

the

fweetnefs

was

barely neceffary for fubliftence.

-fee,

that

to fix the

it

It is

mull be very hard, in many fuch

cafes,

bounds between neceffity and convenience,

ufe and pleafure

hence the confcience

would obferve,

things, even
is fufficiently

that the

common

is

involved

Upon

in unfpeakable and endlefs perplexity.

I

eafy to

general reference of

this
all

adions, to the glory of God,

and clearly

upon the pafBut in order

manner, fome fub-

eflablifhed,

fage of fcripture above mentioned.

to

do

this in the

mofl profitable

ordinate.ends alfo mull be confidered

fore, not
fort

only what

is

mull be ufed with

ment of many of the

and there-

neceffary to health and

this

com-

view, but the enjoy-

creatures

may

be allowed as

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Ser. 9.

20f^

of divine bounty, and tending to infpire

tlie fruits

an habitual chearfulnefs and gratitude to God.

conclude with giving you thefe two ge-

I iliall

neral rules to be obferved in the enjoyment of out-

ward mercies.
1

That we have

greater reafon to guard againfl

of excefs and intemperance than of abilinence.

fins

The

firft

are unfpeakably

valent than the other

more common and pre-

they always have been

and are always likely to be

fo.

If

gone

into fuperitition,

tion,

thoufands have blen betrayed into

brought

J aft

by extraordinary

mortificafin,

by the charms of

to perdition,

fo,

fome few have

and

at

a fenfual

life.

If any arc in danger of erring on the oppofite

2.
fide,

the

way to

difcover

when we

are going wrong,

whether the mortification renders us

more fpirituaJ, and more aftive, or, by excefs of
is to

confider,

fcrupulofity,

we

are

glecting our duty.

fubtle

he

fills

upon every

makes

little

confuming our time, and ne-

The

deceits of Satan are

fome perfons with

fo

many

particular, that they are like

very

doubts

one

who

progrefs in his journey, from continual

uncertainty, and frequent flopping to inquire the

way.

It is certainly far better to

carry on the ge-

neral ends of God's glory, and point to this as our

ultimate purpofe, than every

now and

then to en-

tangle and embarrafs ourfelves with queftions of

little

moment.

Before proceeding to the second general head, I

this difcourfe by a few obfervations for
improvement of what hath been already faid.

ftiall finifti

the

And,

;:

THE WORLD CRUGIFIED BY

2IO

From what

I.

you may
that

hath been faid upon this fubjed,

learn the great i?nportance of the duty

the

is

it

Ser. 9.

character of a real

diftinguiftiing

Chriflian, to be crucified to the world,

world

to

him.

Alas

felves with a

name

how many deceive themHow many fatisfy them-

felves in this particular

when they

to live,

with a form of godlinefs,

power thereof

How

and the

dead

are

while they deny the

many, with a decent and

re-

gular outward profeflion, are yet wholly devoted to

the world

Their meditation dwells upon

affections center in
it

it

their *'eare

and their delights entirely flow from

be confidered, that there

\o true religion.

The

it is

God
is

for the heart.

given to

refufed to

God.

ii.

.particularly

-15. " Love not

Call to

i's

All
taken
is

mind

If any
is

dear brethren, there are

look with contempt

or-

man

love the

not in him."

many who would

who

indignation on thofe

guilty of particular fcandalous

ful fms; for

following

the world, neither the

world, the love of the Father

are

is

it

the

things that are in the w^orld.

My

it

the paffages of fcripture referred to in the

preceding difcourfe
John,

Let

it.

All, the fervice and obedience that

bellowed upon

their

nothing more contrary

is

the honour and efleem that

fome of

world, or created good,

the great competitor with

from God.

it

bellowed upon

is

and difgrace-

example, on a profane fwearer, drunk-

ard, or unclean perfon, while yet they themfelves

are

much

v/edded to the world, and have as

great an inward
arid the
all.

aver^on

power of the

Other

lins are

at

the practice of piety,

fpiritual life,

as

but the body or

any of them
tlie

mea:Lbers,

THE CROSS of CHRIST.

ber. 9.

worldlinefs

is

Other

the foul and fpirit of irreligion.

but the ad:s or expreffions, worldlinefs the

fins are

them

principle that gives

How

life.

important' a part this

liderations

which

of the Chriflian

is

from thefe two con-

character, will plainly appear

ciple

211

may be itfelf the prinmen from many other fins.

Worldlinefs

reflrains

A defire

of reputation, a delight in the eilcem of

others,

often the caufe of outward decency

it is

is

nay,

not feldom the caufe of apparent "zeal and emi-

nent hypocrify.

There

2.

be as great a de-

.ijnay

gree of worldlinefs with as without a profeflion of

Men may

piety.
to

retain a

form of godlinefs

fcience, that their

prefent enjoyments

the higher relilh.

Nay,

that

fcripture,

fion of

be

it.

Hence

fins

any

fin that

of

can be car-

it

plainly appears

.crucified to

avail nothing
crucified the

From what

Without

the world.

tlie llridteft

for the}^ that

flefli,

how impor-

character of a real Chriflian

foundeft principles, and

2.

one of the grofs

is

fuch a degree, without calling off the profef-

tant a part of the

to

have

as entirely fubverfive

religion, there is fcarcely

j-ied to

may

cannot help obferving,

though covetoufnefs

mentioned in

is

chiefly

themfelves free from the reproofs of con-

fet

with

its

are

hath been

profefilon, will

"

affedlions

Chrift's,

and

have

lufis."

you may

faid,

it

this the

fee, not

only the importance, but the great extent of the

duty.

The world

itfelf,

and

all that

is

therein,

in the fenfe formerly explained, mufi: be crucified.

That you may,

in

fome meafure, conceive the ex-

tent of this, coufider the

common

divifion of world-

ly cnjo^TnentS; viz, riches, honours, and pieafui'cs.

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

Aia

AH

without exception, and

thefe,

all thefe

You

mull be denied by the Chriftian.

fee,

man

the covetous

that

Ser. 9.

equally,

fhall often

will defpife and hate

the prodigal, and even exprefs

the "greatell

on the other hand, defpifes the mifer,

fenfualift,

as glued to the world,

did of

all

zeal

The

againfl riot, and extravagance of every kind.

human

and a flave

paffions.

And

moft for-

to the

the ambitious

man,

eager in the purfuit of honour and dignity, vainly

But they are

conceives himfelf fuperior to both.

all equally opposite to

If your fupreme delight, if

of the gofpel.

fpirit

and inconiiflent with the

your portion and happinefs

is

here,

confequence whether your hearts are

lull

of

of the

with the foul as with the body

is

many

there are

different difeafes

taking place in

and fnewing themfelves by

different parts,

little

upon " the

the lull of the eye, or the pride

llelh,

It

life.'*

of

it is

fet

fymptoms, but which will equally end

different

in death as

'their effed.

You may

3.

duty

hence learn the

be crucified

to

the world

poffefs the

to

be crucified

world

difficulty

to the Vv^orld,

to

and yet

to the world,

of the
live in

and yet

to

be crucified to the world, and

yet to have a great part of our thoughts and love

neceffarily
tation

is

employed about the world.

The temp-

ever prefent, and, through the corruption

and treachery of our own hearts,

Ought we not hence

to infer

fatally llrong.

the abfolute neceffity

of continual vigilance, and continual prayer

con-

tinual vigilance in our duty, and jealoufy of every

temptation that

from

it

may

be in danger of diverting us

continual prayer to the Father of lights,

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Set. 9.
in the

name

Every

exercifed Chriftian

tIJ

of Chrill, for fupernatural flrength

the danger of the world as an enemy, and

keep

to

it is

from an undue and

who

dangerous even to thofe

it,

and profecute
4.

as the

it

now

I fhall

enemy

by improving

to all of every rank, high

learned and unlearned,

name

of Chriftians

cified to the

backward

If

And

to

bring

hearers, I fpeak

profefs

to

or are

you

bear

you

are not,

the

not, cru-

world, and the w^orld to you

real believers are fo.

and low, rich and poor>

who

Are you,

defire

this fub-

felf-examination.

My beloved

trial.

how much
who love

objed of their chief

of

is

fatal to thofe

furely no ferious hearer will be

himfelf to the

fniful

maintain an habitual

as an

it

conclude,

purpofe

for the

jeft

and hold

be ruinous and

it

hard

The world

attachment to the things of time.

more muft

how

views of the things of eter-

fiich clear

nity, as to be preferved

jealoufy of

knows from experience

AH

your riches

or your poverty, your honour or your fhame, your

regular behaviour, or even your zeal for public
duties, will avail

appearance.

world

may

endeavour

to affift

in the

day of Chrifl^s

fenfible, that the decilion of the

arc, or

are not, crucified

often be attended with no

little

am

able,

I will therefore,

difficulty.

pofe, I

you nothing

am

Whether you

queflion.
to the

you

as far as

in the trial.

beg your attention

For which pur-

to the following obfer-

vations.
I

/You

are crucified to the world, if

you do not

habitually allow your thoughts to dwell upon

and your

defires to

run out after

it.

The

crofs

it,

was

an abhorred objed, which no body could look up

Vol.

II.

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

514
on with

Worldlinefs

delight,

by our

is

Scr. 9.

often

as

much

what we have not,

as by the ufe or employment of what we have.
There are many whofe great delight feems to arife
from the fond expectations they entertain of world-

difcovered

ly happinefs to

delires after

come

many who

nay, there are

are fo ilothful as not to purfue the

world, and yet

feed themfelves with the very imagination of

Their thoughts, and even

ly runs

upon

idle fancies,

it.

their language, conftant-

and romantic fuppolitions

of the happinefs they fhould enjoy, were they in

fuch or fuch a
crucified

is

reftraining

Now, my brethren, he that

v/ill make confcience of

flate.

world

to the

irregular defires

thefe

from a

and,

deep conviction of the vanity of the world, will

find

little

2.

pleafure in the contemplation of

Your being

crucified to

it.

the world will ap-

pear in the moderation of your delight and complacency in what you polTefs of
if I

may

fpeak

fo,

You

it.

will not,

give yourfelves up to

will always qualify the enjoyment of

by

it

it,

but

a reflec-

upon its vanity in itfelf, and its fhort duration

We are
to any connexion we lliall have with it.

tion
as

ready to pity the weaknefs of children, when

we

them apply themfelves with fo much eagernefs to

trifles, and fo greatly delighted with their amufements
parent, looking on them when
and enjoyments.
fee

hotly eng3.ged at play, will be at once pleafed to

fee

them happy, and

at the

tender commiferation of

fame time

theii'

Something of the fame view one

world has of
-jgrown

all

p erfon will

earthly
finile

filled

want of

cnicified to the

enjoyments.
at the

with a

refledtion.

Many

play of children,

THE CROSS of christ.

Ser. 9.

while he himfelf

215

perhaps as eagerly engaged in

is

the fchemes of ambition, in political flruggles, and

contefts for

power

which

are often as great

trifles

as the play-things of children, only that they are

the pi ay- things of men,

You

3.

that ftirs us

And

up

we

entertain high thoughts of

the world will aflbrd us in

are not crucified to
*

would break

jull fo,

:'

If

it

we

common

But there

We vainly

for hope, the heart

to think, that

but

is

always a decep-

comfort to give
depend-ence

little

4.

He

fubdued

is

it.

crucified to

that

it

hath

and therefore he will place

upon

crucified to the

all

of

fefiTion

removed,

think, that happinefs

from the creature but he that is

the world judges, by paft experience,
arifes

little

we

pro-

obtain fuch or fuch an advantage in view,

bottom.

at

is

difficulty or uneafinefs

we would be happy.
tion

were not

what

after-feafon,

exceeding ready

ai'e

were fuch or fuch a

could

hope

when our hopes from the

the heart of the old man is

world are defhroyed,

We

fome

There

it.

verbial fajang,

broken.

It is

it.

chiefly to action in all our purfuits.

long as

fo

you have

are crucified to the world if

low hopes and expedations from

it.

world

who

hath truly

invidious difpofitions towards the pof-

There are many who feem

to have-

own enjoyments but there

is reafon to fear, that it arifes, not fo much from
The world may
felf-denial, as from difcontent.

little

comfort from their

be faid

to

be crucified to them, but they are not

crucified to the world.

fiefs
life.

It is

by

this that worldli-

exprelTes itfelf chiefly in the lower ranks of

Thofe who

are obliged to

live

moderately

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED,

2l6

Scr. 9,

SiC.

und hardly,

from mere penury, often

their carriage

and language, that they have as

by
much

fliew,

who

indulge their

irregular deli res to the greatell excefs.

But he that

fenfuality in their hearts, as thqfe

is crucified to

the world, not only fees all

its

pomp

and fplendour in others without repining, but will

often bellow a thought of compallion
great, for the infnaring circumllances iu

are

placed with regard to their fouls.

ly they are of

all

mean

from being led

ample.

And

others moft to be pitied.

the Lord, in mercy, convince

and, in the

upon the
which they

them of

their

time, preferve his

aftray

by

May

danger

own

their influence

fure-

people

and ex*

SERMON

X.

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY THE CROSS

OF"

CHRIST.

Galatians,

By

vi. 14. laft claufe.

whovi the world

is

crucified to me^

and

unto the world.

1N0W

proceed to the second thing propofed,

which was, To Ihow the

influence of the crofs

of Chiill in crucifying the world.

deferves your

thren,

pointing

you

to the great

and

my

This,

mofl ferious

bre-

attention,

as

vital principle of the

Chrillian's fanctification, the true and only fource

of fpiritual comfort and peace.

is

The

crofs of Chriil

always confidered in the apoitoiic writings as an

object of the higheft dignity and merit

believer

is

there taught to fpeak of

it

of the warmell attachment and regard.

the words of the text

"

God

itfelf,

and the

in expreflions

Witnefs

in the preceding claufe

forbid that I fhould glory fave in the crofs

of our Lord Jefus Chrifl."

eaiily induced, in a

We

may

perhaps be

time of external quietnefs and

peace, to adopt this fentiment as an opiaion, or to

T3

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

2l8
ufe
in

it

as a

whom

form
it

Ser. IC,

but happy, and only happy, thofe

dwells as an ever-prefent truth, and

operates as a daily governing principle

Taking

the fubjel in great latitude,

might

cbferve, that the crcfs of Chrift being the price

paid for the bleflings of fiilvation in general, every

illuminating difcovery in the mind, and every gra*

which

cious aifeftion in the heart,

the divine Spirit,

may

are the

be juftly afcribed to

I propofe, at this time, to confider

object of faith, and to fhew

how

and frequent recoUeftion cf

to

work of
But

it.

fingly as an

it

the firm perfuafion

this great

truth tends

crucify the world to us, and us to the world

the rather, that

we

find elfewhere our victory

over

the world afcribed to faith, and this faith particularly terminating

4.5.

**

on the Son of

For whofoever

the world

and

is

God

this is the victory that

the world, even our

faith.

John, v.

born of God, overcometh

M^ho

is

overcometh

he that over-

cometh the world, but he that believeth that Jefus

For the further illulb'atioa
is the Son of God?"
of this fubjed:, then,
I

as

it

That the

let

us obferv^e,

crofs of Chrift crucifies the world,

gives us an immediate and flriking view of

the mortality of our nature, as well as the original

The

this mortality.

of created things

nothing more manifeft, than

is in

in their precarious nature, particularly our

.

vanity

and general caufe of

own .ten-

dency to the dull, by which all earthly relations ihaJl

be fpeedily and entirely dififolved. In this view,
indeed, you may fay, that the death of any other
perfon, ficknefs,

and

or a funeral, with

its

all

its

attending fymptoms,

mournful folenmities, tend^

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Ser. 10.

and moft certainly they do.

to crucify the

world

But there

foraething

is

There we

jChrift.

fee,

more

(till

There we

Son of
back

carried

are

in the crofs

of

not only the death of our

nature, but the death of the

room.

21^

God

to a

in our

view of

the great caufe of the univerfal reign of the king of

Sin, fin

terrors.

and

made

this

brought death into the world

firft

neceflary that Chrift

it

of death for every man," that

" fhould

we might be

Mortality, therefore,

to fpiritual life.

tafte

reftored

is

written

in the moft legible characters on the crofs of Chrift.

Nay,

the curfe of creation itfelf

We

the crofs of Chrift.

is

aftefted with the

undergo

ftill

to

thou

ftialt

doom which we
" Duft thou

return."

It is

ing that

we muft

moment

of this truth,

Thofe only have

die

power of

to

dull

know-

but thofe only difcover the

fee its procuring caufe.

and abiding imprefHons of the

juft

own

who

are filled

deliverance from the

the fecond death.

The

of Chrift crucifies the world to a

crofs

believer, as

the hand of

him

and

impolTible to avoid

who

with concern for their

it

fliews

God.

him how

little

he deferves at

Believers on the crofs of Chrift

ftanding in their room, and bearing the

wrath of an offended God, which was

When

upon

there-

ourfelves have

art,

fpeedy approach of natural death,

fee

it,

a ferious manner, without being deeply

fore, in

2.

written

cannot look upon

this is not

received into the heart,

of the ,evil of

their due.

only profeiTed with the mouth, but

fin,

it

gives a deep convilion

and lays the fimier proftrate in

humility and felf-abalemei.t.

Jy wejvken and moitify

all

iMuft lOt this gieat-

wondly

aliection^

which

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

i26
fakes

from pride and

its rife

if I

is,

may

fpeak

upon Providence,
Worldly perfons,
tlie

ward

as if fomething

difpofition

It

demand

were due

to us.

in profperity, not only cleave to

may be faid to aflert

The fame in-

as their property.

it

in the oppofite

felf-fufficlency

a fort of claim and

fo,

world as their portion, but

their title to

Ser. 10.

may

be difcovered by their carriage

When

ft ate.

their

fchemes are bro-

ken, and their hopes blafted, by repeated difappointments, or

when

their

from them by unexpefted

pofleffions

are

taken

and

ftrokes, they refift

rebel with impatience and indignation, as if fomc

perfon had done them w^ong.

But w^hen men are fenlible that they deferv^e

at the hand of God, this mortifies their

nothing

earthly defires, and puts their complaints to filence.

"See

how

Job exprefTes himfelf after

mities, as fenlible that

he had

loft

all

his cala*

nothing of his

" Naked came I out of my

mother's womb, and naked fhall I return thither
the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
own, chap.

i.

21.

away

me

blefled

fpeak of

be the name of the Lord."

this,

my

which, alas

pofition,

Let

brethren, as a gracious difis

too often but weak, yet

furely hath place in the heart of every child of

God. Let me fuppofe him convinced, that he is

unworthy of the leaft of all God's mercies ; will he
not keep his pofteflions the more loofely, and will
he not quit his hold the more eafily ? But where
fliall we learn real felf-abafement fo well as from
the crofs

ferve that

fhews

where
is

ftiall

we

learn

how

little

we

de-

good, fo well as in that place which

we have

indeed deferved every thing that

is

THE cross of cmiisT.

Ser. 10.
evil

where

mands of

fliall

we

by our

make moderate de*

where we fee that

learn to

created mercies, but

not only the creature, but

guilt

Let

me

life

itfelf,

was

forfeited

fuppofe a condemned cri-

many

with

minal carried,

22t

others,

a fcafFold,

to

and witneffing, in the

there receiving a pardon,

execution of others, what was the fentence of the

law upon himfclf; will he,

you, be impatient, or thankful

Will he be jea-

lous of the honour or refpe6t paid to

him

him

will he

or convenience of the

quarrel about the dignity

place afligned to

think

this inil ant,

at

No,

Loft in the

furely.

confideration of the fate he has efcaped, and the

favour he has received, he will pay

to matters of fmall

regard

little

comparative importance.

fo the Ghriftian, placed

by

Jufl

faith at the foot of the

deeply moved by a difcovery of the wrath

crofs,

of God, which he had deferved to fuffer to eternity,

^nd taking an immediate view of what his Re-

deemer

fuffered to

him from

deliver

it,

thoughtful of the world, or any of

little

will bp

its

enjoy-

ments.

The

3.

reverfing

crofs of Chrift crucifies the

all

world,

worldly maxims, and fliewing of

by

how

light eftimation worldly greatnefs is in the light of

God.

So long

worldly greatnefs
Chrift

is

as worldly
is

in high

maxims

prevail,

and

efteem, the crofs of

But

a defpifed object.

fo foon

as this

objeft acquires bulk and value in the believer's

by being taken

eye,
is

difgraced in

finite

his

its

for

turn.

what
It

it

is,

the world

God,

in his in-

really

pleafed

wifdom, for the falvation of fmners,

own Son

into

the world,

in

human

to fend

nature;

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

112

was

and as

it

for the

Son of God

even in

fo,

in

a deep ftep of humiliation,

itfelf

this

to

Scr. 10,

be found in falhion as a

man

aflumed nature, he was attended

with every circumftance of meannefs and bafenefs.

No

retinue of illuftrious minifters to ferve

no fplendid or elegant apartment

to receive

him
him

but born of a mean woman, brought forth in a

and laid in a manger.

ilable,

llru6tive hiftory indeed

where the gofpel

gotten,

Memorable and

which

is

fliall

in-

never be for-

preached, to the end of

time.

mj

Remember,

beloved hearers, though divine

fweetnefs and benignity adorned his carriage, though

divine

power and energy attended

his miniflrations

yet poverty, {lander, and contempt were his continual portion

fo that

he could fay

in the

of the prophet, " Reproach hath broken

and again, "

The

have

of the

air

where

to lay his

language

my heart

:'*

foxes have holes, and the birds

nells

but the Son of

head."

Some of

man hath

not

the ancients have

reprefented the Saviour as of extraordinary beauty

of countenance and comelinefs of form, founded per-

haps on a

literal interpretation

of the pfalmift,

Pfal. xlv. 2.

men
God hath

than the children of

lips

therefore

Without being

grace

much with

ftances of his incarnation.

is

fairer

art

poured into thy

blefled thee for ever."

politive, I fhall

^oes not correfpond

of that expreffion

" Thou

only fay, that this

the other circum-

And, indeed, fome have

fuppofed diredlly the contrary, founding their opi-

nion upon the language of the prophet Ifaiah, chap,

Jii.

14.

vifage

" As many were

was

fo

afloniflied at thee

(his

marred more than any man, and

bis.

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Ser. 10.

223

form more than the fons of men) j" as alfo, chap,

liii. 2. ** For he fliall grow up before him as a
tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground

hath no form nor comelinefs

fee him, there

in this,

it is

iHon, that the whole courfe of his

larly the

we

no beauty that we fhould

is

Whatever be

him."

and when

beyond

life,

remarkable conclufion of

he

fhall

defire

all

que-

and particu-

was one con-

it,

tinued trad of fuffering and mortification.

Does
glory

Does

of God, and

it

llain the pride of all

not ihow

how

little

how

What

have upon the believer

How

little it is

efleemed

an evidence of his ac-

is

it

ceptation or approbation
this

upoa
human,

not this, Chriftians, bring a reproach

worldly greatnefs, and

an influence mufl

to crucify the

world

endear to him a

mean and defpifed,

and reconcile him to a fuftering ftate
With what
propriety does the Chriftian, when he is baptifed
in the name of Chrill, renounce the world, its
Does not a fingle repomps, and its pleafures
muft

it

fleftion

on the defpifed

the days of his

flefti,

ftate

of our Redeemer, in

make you

patient under con-

?
Have
you any remaining uneafmefs at feeing others getting before you in the career of ambition, overtopping you with titles, eclipfmg you with fplendour ?
Do you not now fee the propriety of the account

tempt, and extinguifh the

defire of applaufe

given of the carriage of the

world and they were

at

" And they departed from

council, rejoicing that they
to fuiFer ftiame

now envy

for

his

when
Ads, v.

apoPLles,

variance?
the

prefence

the

41.

of the

were counted worthy

name."

Whether do you

the conqueror or the fufferer, the prince

or the martyr

Wherever

there

is

a real Chriftian

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

12^

raifed to opulence

ed

the will of

God, or furround-

of dignity and honour, will not

-with enfigns

tHis confideration

felf-denial,

by
fill

him with deep humility and

and a holy jealoufy,

left

he Ihould abufc

his influence, or mifapply his talents

honour of

The

is

felf-abafement.

how

Ihews, in the cleareft manner,

this

higheft

real ability is ufefulnefs, the brighteft

ornament of worldly greatnefs

All

Ser. 10.

the

by reverling
every worldly maxim, and giving a new turn to
of Chrift crucifies the world,

crofs

This leads

the principles of honour and of fhame.

me

to obferve,

4. In the last place,

crucifies the world,

jeft of defire

by

That the

and affedion in

powers can attend but

of Chrift

crofs

putting a quite different ob-

therefore,

when any one

affeftions,

it

its

Our

room.

few things

to

limited

once

at

and

acquires an intereft in our

muft comparatively weaken or deftroy

the intereft of others, efpecially thofe of an oppofite

:or

Make

independent kind.

and turn

its

new bed

ftream in that direction, and

mediately dry up

to a river,

former channel.

its

will

im-

Now,

the

it

crofs of Chrift prefents to us an objeft of infi.nite

importance, peace and reconciliation with

and everlafting happinefs

Can any worldly

thefe

What

object be laid in the balance with

efteem or attention can

comparifon with thefe

Whether we

God here,

in his prefence hereafter.

it

merit in

confider the end or the

means of

falvation, the crofs of Chrift tends to fupplant the

world, by improving our views of and increafing our

affection to both.

cf eternity and

It ftiews
its

the infinite importance

confequences

and what more

THE cross of christ.

Ser. 10.

215

proper to deliver us from an undue attachment to

the things of time.

makes time
hilates

thofe

all

which worldly
doth

it

by

its

greatnefs,

into a point,

and aiai-

Eternity,
flirink

itfelf

temporary

little

diliinftions

Signify to

him

on

What

affection entirely depends.

views eternity aright,

that

whether he be for a few years in health or ficknefs,

riches or poverty, on a throne

How

immenfe, according

or in a cottage

hnman

to

meafure, ap-

pears the difference between the poffeflions of fome

perfons in the world and others

generations before us,

how

equal

is

But of

who have now

the condition in this refpcft

monarch and (lave, when

nearly the fame fpace.

laid

means of

If w^e conlider the

in

the

all

fallen aileep,

the

The

dull,

fill

religion, the crofs

of Chrift, applied by a convinced finner, opens to

him fuch

a profpecl of the infinite unmerited loVe

of God, and of this ailonifhing expreffion of

death of his Son, as

and, if I

may

there, as

leaves

How

foon did

fpeak

it

but

my

goods

roo.n

any other objeft.

for

of covetoufnefs and

fpirit

8.

faid unto the Lord,

and

the

open the heart of the publican

Luke, xix.

much

occupies fo

fo,

little

Zaccheus, and expel the

extortion

it,

once captivates the heart,

at

"

And Zaccheus

Hood,

Behold, Lord, the half of

give to the poor

and

if 1

have taken

man by falfe accufation, 1 rehim fourfold." Li how Hrong a manner does

any thing from any

fiore

the apollle Paul exprefs his comparative elfeem of

the crofs

of ChriH

Phil.

iii.

things were gain to me, thofe

Yea
Vol. n.

Chrift.

doubtlcfs^

and

7. 8.
I

" But what

counted

lofs for

count all things but

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

2.26
lofs,

for

.Tefus

my

of

llie

excellency of the knowledge of Chrift

Lord

things,

all

may win

whom

for

have fuffered the

lofs

and do count them but dung, that

This

Chriil."

tion wdth that

it

Scr. IC,

is

fame

the very

which he exprefies

difpofi-

in the text

and

no otherwife from that of every Chriftiany

differs

than that

it is

probable he had a particular view to

his calling as a minjfter and an apoftle.

Captiva-

ted with a fenfe of his Pvedeemer's love, filled with

a view of the glory of his crofs, and devoted to his

fervice in the miniftry of the gofpel, he renounces

worldly profpedls, and

all

thing that might

his care

"

the w^orid

in.

is

as,

fidelity,

every

defiance

whom

by

unto the world.'*

make

in the last place, to

improvement of what hath been

upon

neceffary that I

and

me, and

PROCEED now,

And

faid.

at

Lord Jefus Chrift

crucified to

practical

fets

his attention, or divide

forbid that I fiiould glory, fave

crofs of our

in the

fome

God

difira61;

fubje6l,

this interefting

Ihould fpeak with

as well as at

earneftly befeech you, as

it is

all ferioufnefs

fome length, fo
you regard your

muft

prefent

peace, your comfort in the hour of death, and the

everlafting happinefs of
attention
I.

fouls, to

muft take the opportunity

and fliew the danger, of thofe

fin,

to

your

hear

it

with

and application.

the vrorld.

to reprove the

who

are

wedded

would willingly interrupt

that

comfort, and break that peace, which will end in

perdition.

the reproof
rect

it

For

this purpofe,

more

and

in order to

diftind and effectual, I

make

fliall

di-

feparately to the three following characters.

v;

THE cross of

Ser. 10.

(i.)

To thoie wliofe

227

ciirist.

love of the world

is fo

great,

that they fcruple not to ufe, occafionally at leafr,

if

ing pofleliion of

it.

extcnfive field

it

This indeed opens

to us a

very

leads us to confider all the par-

which an inordinate love of the world

ticular fins

may

getting or keep-

means of

not habituallj, finful

produce, or increafe.

brethren, to think

It

my

melancholy,

is

what contention and variance,

nay, what hatred and violence, even amongll the

neareil relations, the divilion of worldly property

What envy and

occaiions.

grudging, what (lander

and evil-fpeaking, between perfon and perfon, between family and family

And

e\'en in the ordi-

way of traffic, what art and di Cumulation,

what falfehood and equivocation, are to be found
But what I have chief!
between man and man
in view is, to fpeak a few words to tliofe who, in
nary

order to promote their worldly ends,

guilty

of dire^l dithonefty, and

How many
would be

now

arc there

faithful,

in poiTerilon

O the

have been

known

injuflice.

whofe confciences,

mull

tell

if

they

them, that they are

of the fruits of unlawful gain

bliudnefs of thofe deluded

unhappy

fouls

If

an inordinate love of the world, however honeflly

acquired,

is

not only fmful, but deftrudive ofyoui*

eternal interett

what

Ihall

become of

man,

in order to obtain

it ?

who
God and

thofc

have trodden under foot the laws both of

If an excelTive love

of the moft lawful enjoyments, father and mother,

wife and children,

is

inconfillent

with falvation

what mull become of thofe who' have loved and

followed

tlie

become of

gain of unrighteoufnei^

thofe

who,

to

what mufl

clothe their backs,

or

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

^28

Ser. 10.

feed their bellies, or gratify their pride, have not

fcmpled

to

be guilty of breach of

or breach

truft,

of promife, of open oppreffion, or fecret fraud

If every poor worldling muft ftand trembling

when he

the brink of eternity,

fees all his painted

fliadows ready to fink into everlafting darknefs

what horror muft

who

juft

is

upon the dying

feize

about to furrender

fions to another,

leave behind him.

at

my

and

it

bitter

your enjoyments

it

he cannot

will be a

it

It will

it.

moth

your confciences on

a hell to your fouls, after the earth

that is therein,

loaded with

loathe

Ihake your hands clear of

fubftance, a fire in

is

this

dear brethren, tremble

the thoughts of dillioneft gain

turn

in

earth,

itfelf,

more decent and

whom

and
all

regular,

who

whom

or a defire of the approbation of

their fellow- creatures, preferves

or

emyour

and

(2.) I would addrefs this reproof to thofe

are apparently

re-

burnt up.

is

fenfe of honour,

finner,

his dear poffef-

all

while his confcience

the guilt of fraud or perjury

upon

from

grofier crimes,

perhaps natural confcience perfaades to

take up the outward and ordinary part of religion

as a form.
v/orld.

Many

there, their hopes

Bear with me,

and do

fuch perfons are wedded to the

Their thoughts are

my brethren,

not turn

there, their delights are

and expedations are only there.

in prefliing this alittl,e;

away, and refufe the charge.

V/orldlinefs is the reigning fin,

eternal

ruin of

many

perfons of better rank, to

whofe converfation a more

and a fenfe of decency,
appearance.

and will be the

liberal

may

way

of thinking,

give even an amiable

v/ould befeech the attention of fuch

perfons to what ihall

now be

faid

not from any

THE cross of

Ser. 10.
difrefpel

their

to

God knoweth

ciirist.

and

flate

129

fituation in civil life,

but from fidelity to their fouls.

Coniider, I praj you, the extreme danger of world-

of mind.

liiiefs

lin,

and

It

a great and aggravated

is itfelf

the parent of

is

many

others.

It

is

lin,

where it hath dominion, inconfillent with falvation.

Hear the words of the Lord Jefus " He that loveth
:

more than me,

me." There arc fome forts 01
finners on whom you would look with contempt or
abhorrence but you may poiTibly deceive yourfather or motlier, fon or daughter,

not worthy of

is

Tho

felves.

and regular, but covetous Pha-

ftrict

thought that the publicans and fnmers

rifees, little

were nearer the kingdom of heaven than themfelves*

I

do not fay

yen

'guard
deceit.

make

can

this to extenuate lin of

power of

agaiaft the

knew

to

none but the fearcher of hearts

that

a certain

any kind, but

delulion and felf-

judgement of the degree of de-

pravity in dilTerent characters

not fo

much urge

;
and therefore I do
comparifon for your condem-

tl.e

nation, as caution yoii

your

againll relying

The

jullification.

unalterable

both from the law and the gofpel,

of the

your
ne;:t

man,
is

tvv^o

has the fupreme

affections,

or the world
it,

He

him

is

God

oppofite

and
to

all

for

taken

Which

intcreil in

As

the mofl

is

that

him

greater creature-ii'tereil, the

Though you be

is

an emi^

wicked

not fubordinate

fay

intcrcit of the

lin

may

agaiii,

extortioners,

be as deep rooted, and

world as prcdomniant, or more

U3

the

more linfurthe Hate.

neither thieves, nor

nor adulterers, your

ilie

is this

commanding

it

that hath in his heart the flrong^fl interell tiiat

oppofite to

to

G od,

author expreires

upon
rule,

f^,

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

230

fomc of

in you, than in

from fome of

ftaining

Alas

tlietn.

mendable,

not enough.

is

fin

Sirs, the

is

it

fo far

Your

it,

fuch abflinence will

lands and yourhoufes, and hope-

m.ay have more of your hearts, than the

fleih,

world hath of the heart of a poor wretch

had

much

fo

eternal

and other proviiion you have made for

ful poflerity,

the

com-

and mifery, and hinder your

Ihame and repentance, but not prevent your

damnation.

ab-

If the^vorld be not cru-

you, and you to

cified to

but hide your

and living like

thefe fins,

and orderly perfons, though

civil

Ser. 10.'

brethren, let

Upon

to idolize.'

me

who never

the whole,

my

only put you in mind, this exhor-

tation is not lefs necefTary to

you than the

like cau-

tions v/ere to the hearers of Chrifl in the days of his

fleih,

whom

fluent flate

among

he v/arns againfl the dangers of an afLuke, yiii. 14. " And that which fell

thorns are they, which,

when they have

heard, go forth, and are choaked with cares, and

riches,

and pleafures of

to perfeftion.''

this life,

and bring no

Matth. xix. 23. 24.

fruit

" Then

faid

Jefus unto his difciples, Verily I fay unto you, that

a rich

man

for a

camel

for a rich

fhall

And

of heaven.

to

man

hardly enter into the kingdom

again

fay unto you. It

is eaiier

go through the eye of a needle, than

to enter into the

kingdom of God."

ought to giye you great confolation, that he adds,

v."26. " With men this is impoflible, but with
It

God

things are pofi:ble.'*

all

(3.)

Vvouid

addrefs

this

exhortation to

the

God, in whom I know the world is

upon the whole
yet, alas
it flill retains

children of
crucified

fuch a degree of interelt as

is

provoking

to

Gcd,

Sen

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

10.

ofFenlive to others,

In what

glafs can

2^t

own

peace.

clearly the

weak-

and hurtful to their

you

more

fee

nefs of faith, and every other gracious difpoiition,

than in their

influence

little

tions of carnal afFeftion

and hope that place

faith

in reftraining the

Had

in

mo-

the great objefts of

our hearts, and that en-

dominion in our alFedions, which they ought

have would there be fo much conformity to

tire

to

worldly maxims and practices, as

feen

would there be

much

fo

is

daily to be

emulation in

outward expreflions of pride and gaiety,

would there be

all

the

in drefs,

much

furniture, and equipage

delire of

of wealth and greatnefs

would

the

increafe

much envy

there be fo

cefsful,

and go beyond us

markably

who

profper re-

If they are
;

for here

influence put into fuch

employ them

doing good.

in

are fuc-

you how a

tell

who

he fhould rejoice with them

much wealth and

will

as

thofe

in their worldly affairs

truly pious,
is fo

Shall I

upon

Chriifian ihould look

of thofe

fo

hands

On

the

other hand, if they are wicked, he fhould fincerely

pity

them, as immerfed in the moil dangerous

temptatious.

If

we were thoroughly dead

to the

world, and the world to us, would the lofs of wealth

or reputation

do

wound

us fo deeply as they generally

would the malice

fenlible an

their lin

danger.

imprelhon
but

Try

it

or flanders of others
?

may

this

It

eahly be defpifed, as it

and

fpiritual things.

the lofs of

he Uath

any

is

it

fo
is

our

by the condition and conduct of

wicked man is dead to

the oppolite charadter.

God

make

Ihould be pitied, as

thii,g

\V hat then does he value

of that nature

loft xucii or xucix

Tell him

an op^oxiUiaty of

tiiat

comma-

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

1^1

nion with God,

family

that

Ser. IG.

his worfhip in public,

i:i

he hath

or in

an opportunity of excel-

lofl

a fermon or difcourfe
with
what manifeft contempt will he receive the information, and fmile at your weaknefs and credulity in
Were we
fliewing any attachment to fuch things

lent initru6lion, in

world

crucified to the

much

fo

of any kind

The

in po-

member

lopping off a limb or

or

little

no uneafmefs

the

it is

that remains which occalions the pain of fepa-

life

would

fcarcely be felt

the very heart

hath

in this to confefs
to

2.

your

pray that you

delivered from

removal

we muft needs

fuffer at

thing

me

is

withdrawn

that

therefore befeech you,

fin, to

be humbled for

it,

may

be daily more and more

this

fubjed for pointing out

it.

improve

I fliall

but

Let

hold there.

its

when any

upon

us, its

If the world fat loofe

ration.

and

God

the lofs of relations, or calamities

dead, gives

is

ought, would there be

impatience under the hand of

verty, ficknefs,

that

we

as

the ufe of afHidion, and the ground of your confo-

under

lation

it.

This world

and we then reap moft comfort from

of forrow

when we

are fenfible that

pofe of aiHidion

is,

it is

fo.

when
of

nity,

and uncer-

It is

much more

fmiling than a frowning world.

eafy to hate

it

in

its

lovelieft

form,

or, if

ufe fuch an expreffion, to fpeak harfnly to

it is

fpeaking kindly to us

affliction,
is. it

it

pur-

and deliver us from

an exceiTive attachment to them.

difficult to crucify a

may

The very

to fliew us the vanity

tainty of all created comforts,

It is not

but a fcene

at beft is

when we

But

it

in the time

are obliged to confefs

its

va-

not reafonable to expect that our affe6liou

THE CROSS of CHRIST.

Ser. ic.

for

it

will be abated

have

the natural efFe6l of fuiTering

fon evidently carried in

it.

prophet Ifaiah fays, chap.

233

faid, that this

becaufe

And

feems

the lef-

it is

accordingly the

" For when

xxvi. 9.

thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of

the world will learn righteoufnefs."

however, that the reception which

with, and the efteds which
diiTerent in different perfons.

man

it

God

the child of

am

fenfible,

meets

produces, are very

makes

It

the worldly

of defpair

curfe his idol in the rage

makes

afflidlion

abhor

tlie

and

it

and

idolatry,

dwell with complacency on his unchangeable portion.

Confider

you
and

this,

befeech you,

my

brethren

are all liable to the llroke of afflidion,

old, rich

and poor, holy and unholy.

for

young

It is in-

deed lamentable to fee the fretful impatience of

thofe to

whom

the world

is

lation in themfelves

be fpoken

to tliem

Hill

fource of confo-

and nothing comfortable can

by

others in a

manner

To deal faithfully

with truth and duty.

we muft do

all its ilrength.

They have no

fubfifling within.

from without,

blafled

but the love of the world, in

confiflent

with them,

our utmoft to add the bitternefs of re-

pentance to their other fufferings

and

this the

cruel kindnefs of furrounding relations will feldom

permit to be done.
in

particular,

In the cafe of dying perfons,

with what concern have

heard

friends and phyficians telling the grofiell falfehoods,

in order to

keep

off for a

henfion of what they

few moments the appre-

knew muft immediately and

certainly take place, and be the

the furprife.

more

terrible for

,
.

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED SY

234

On

the other hand,

comfortable to

is

it

Ser. 10.

that the fan6tifying influence of alHiitions

language

the

Many
to

of

experience than

of

have borne their teflimonj, and

pride

others, that they

reproach

have even

felt

lefs

fcripture.

fet their feal

Some have been fo eflfeftually

and vanity, by the injuries or the

it.

reile^l,

no

is

mortified to
(landers of

confolation in the

But, in a particular manner,

itfelf.

have been often pleafed with young perfons

whom

and

the world,

all their

have been crucified by early

iT,

to

expeftations from

aiHiilion, exprelTnig

themfelves, not merely with fubmilTion, but with

Bear with

ferenity and thankfalnefs.

tioning "a real inilance,

known

man, who had been long

member, and had

prefent,

cor-iiined -^vith a difeafed

deiire of fome perfon

was uncovered, he ex-

at the

his loathfome fore

my

prelled himfelf, to the beii cf

thefe

very words:

treafure

it

hope
to

has been to

my

and

it

think

it

has

Father's houfe.'

confolation

it.

me

It

m.ade

remem.brance, in

is;

it

and a precious

faved from the folly

me

cleave to

only portion, and eternal glory, as

interefl

to

There

and vanity of youth

my

is,

is

here

God

my

as

only

now brought me very near

Now, what a fprino- of

Our

duty, our bufmefs, our

to crucify the world,

May we

menyoung

in

a near and certain profpeQ: of his

When,

diilolution.

me

to myfelf, of a

not, then,

and to be crucified

with the utmod gratitude,

as well as patience, receive the appointments of that

God who has promifed, not only to deliver us from all

our fulTerings in due time, not only to

make up and re-

compenfe our loffes with fomething better, of a diiFerent kind, but has affured us, that thefe very fufFering^

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Scr. 10.

and

lofles,

fill,

and further our meetnefs for his

Iiorting

you

to

ftate

apodle, in the text, "

to

me, and

this

endeavour

temper and

the

immediate

their

mc improve

Let

3.

as

to acquire

Do

biit in

cfleem them too highly

do

not

is

the holy
crucified

my

Be perfuaded,

all

created things with

their relation to

God.

and they muft not

fubordination to his glory.

not place your chief happinefs in

derately

by

By whom the world

Remember

be loved or ferved

prefence

more and more of

of mind exprefTed

maker and yours

their

is

own

fubjed by earneftly ex-

beloved hearers, to look upon

He

fhall crucify

effect,

unto the world."

the eye of faith.

235

them

profecute

them

do not

do not love them

immo-

too violently.

Place your chief happinefs in the favour of God, in

communion

v/ith

him on

earth,

and the well-ground-

ed hope of the perpetual enjoyment of him in hea-

ven

and

let

your regard

other, nor greater, than

I

may

is

to earthly things

fuited to this end.

prefs this refolution

upon you,

allov/

be no

That

me

to

propofe the three following confiderations.

(i.)

Conlider the unfatisfying

earthly enjoyments.

They do

fuppofe.

of

all

not at all carry in

tliem that fweetnefs and excellence

men

nature

which worldly

Sin has drawn a mifl of delufion

over the minds of men.

The

inllamed and difor-

dered appetites of our corrupted nature alv/ays pro-

mife themfelves, in worldly poirefiions,

a fatisfac-

tlon infinitely greater than they are able to afibrd.

We

liave

have made
vantage.

this

from the confeflion of many who

the experiment with Qvery poiTible ad-

The book

of Ecclefiaftes

is

an admirable

and animated defcription of the vanity of

human

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

2^6

Solomon feems

enjoyments.

up

in providence,

have been raifed

to

among

for this

Ser. 10.

otl\er ends, that

he might leave behind him an account of the va-

And

nity of earthly greatnefs.

he hath

written upon

left

give: Ecclef.

this is the title that

preacher, vanity of vanities,

world can

that the

" Vanity of

2.

i.

all

vanities, faith the

vanity."

all is

Power

and wealth, dignity and fame, variety of pleafures,

nay, knowledge
fort,

as a fource of prefent

itfelf,

he affirms the vanity of them

**

II.

Then

looked on

all

all

works

the

com-

Ecclef.

that

ii.

my

I had
was vanity, and

hands had wrought, and on the labour that

laboured to do
vexation of

and behold,

and there was no

fpirit,

the fun."

And

chap.

la. he fays,

fon,
is

xii.

all

profit

under

towards the clofe of the fame book,

be admonilhed

"And further, by

no end, and much ftudy

is

thefe,

many books

of making

my

there

weaknefs of the

flefti."

Have

there not been innumerable examples of the

fame teftimony

in

every age and country

what fays your own experience

vation of others?

and fatisfadion,
or opulence

or

And

your obfer-

indeed- rife in comfort

in proportion as

On

Do men

they

rife in ftation

the contrary, do they not rather

commonly increafe in anxiety and difcontent ? Do

you indeed think, that thofe who appear in gilded
equipages have always on that account the moft
joyful hearts

miftake.

Alas

Could you

there cannot be a greater

fee

what

would appear ungoverned

lires,

paflions, ungratified de-

and difappointed hopes

their houfes,

you would

paiTes within, there

and could you enter

find wearinefs

and impa-

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Scr. 10.

237

tience, famlly-dlflrefres, family-diforders,

ly-quarrels.

has been an old, and

It

juft obfervation,

the defire

flill

upon

particularly

grows with the

it

much

man climb

he fees

envy

ftill

as

pofleflion.

mod

That

It is

the

Indulgence

Let

inflames them.

it

ever fo high on the ladder of ambition,

others before

him

and emulation and

are as ftrong, or ftronger,

{land on the adjoining fteps at

bottom. There

is

between

tliofe

who

the top as at the

one particular remark, and ferves

once to Ihow the vanity of the world, and the fin-

at

fulnefs of

human

nature

The

worldly comforts any perfon

more, but the

greater variety of

poflelTes,

he

more impatient of the

more abundant and

by

is

neglet or contempt
all

his

flattery,

leafl contradi6lion.

he

The

univerfal refpecl that has been

paid to any perfon, he

ing

not the

the longer any perfon hath

been accuftomed in obfequioufnefs or

the

is

under the want of any

lefs content,

The more and

one.

is

is

avarice,

fame with every other finful paffion.

does not gratify fo

and fami-

greatnefs,

the
as

was

more deeply wounded

Haman, notwithftand-

quite unfatisiied while

man in the king's gate w^ho

would not do him reverence. Take but one example more. If a man hath great and extensive
there remained one poor

poflTeffions,

and

is

without children, he

diflrefled to think, that fo

ly (hould be without an heir,

the families of the poor, as

that he

is

the

more

noble an cftate and fami-

and will often envy

if it

were hard meafure,

who had fo many teniporal mercies fliould

Upon the whole, you may fee, that
all.

not have
there

is

VOL.

a double vanity in the prefent flatc.

II.

Crea-

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

238

Ser. 10.

ted comforts are unfatisfying on the one hand, and

human delires

are infatiable on the other.

(2.) Conflder the uncertainty of

No

joyments.

all

earthly en-

circumftance whatever fhould more,

abate our attachment to the world than

What

lity.

happinefs can

we

inftabi-

its

from,

receive

or

what value iliould we put upon thofe poffeflions,

which may be taken from us the next moment ?

The

fpeedy, unexpeled, and melancholy change,

w^hich often takes place from health

from wealth

from honour

to poverty,

to ficknefs,

to contempt,.!

leave every hearer to meditate upon, from his

own

knowledge and obfervation of human life only I

cannot help mentioning to you the ftrong language
of the holy fcriptures, Prov. xxiii. 5. " Wilt thou fet
;

thine eyes upon that

make

which is not ?

themfelves wings, they

fly

for riches certaiiily

away

as an eagle

towards heaven."

But the circumflances upon

fubjet to Vv-hich I

would

point your attention,

joyments of

eveiry

is,

particularly

and

chiefly

that our poflefiions and en-

kind are under the immediate

and conflant direction of Divine Providence.

lieve

it,

dence of

Chriilians,

God

this

and remember

it,

Be-

the provi-

reaches to every event that befals

you, however inconfiderable

it

may

feem.

It is

" giveth you power to get wealth."

God
It is he by whom you are " diminifhed and brought
low," It is he " that raifeth up one, and putteth
that

down

another.

joy and health"

that

"

chaftifes

he that makes the " voice of

It is

to

be heard in your dwellings, or

you with

pain, and the multitude of

your bones with ftrong pain."

what reafon have you

to

If this

is

the cafe,

be afraid of giving that

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

10.

,Ser,

239

Jove and fcrvicc to any worldly enjojmient that

is

Will you " provoke him to jealoufy ?

are you flronger than he ?*' If you fet your affections immoderately on any temporal pofieflion, he
can immediately remove it, or turn it into gall and

due

to

God

wormwood.
Inflead of enumerating the feveral kinds of pre*
font enjoyments, I
fire

of which

or

pofterity.

righteous

is

only mention one, the de-

Now, how

God

with a flroke

For

God,

equal

to

trial

than their death

do not

that

know any

to

it-

have

this fubjed, as I

your hearing, that

can a holy and

away the defire of your eyes

Nay, in how many inftances is the

mull fay upon

faid often in

fears

ftrong, viz. children

eafily

take

of children a heavier

life

felf

ihall

commonly very

one that truly

temporal calamity

having profane or profligate

of

children.

But perhaps fome

and fay,

little,

attentive hearer will hefitate

have not obferved

Even

true in experience.

to

this

hold

pious perfons feem ge-

nerally to bear the irregularities of their children^

though fome of them very fcandalous, much better

than their deaths.

Neither

is

it

unfrequent to fee

them excufing or palliating the worfl

from the paitiality of natural affedlion.'
tlien, I
it is

mufl

Perhaps,

retraft, or alter the alTertion,

either the heavieft trial, or the

temptation.

But, after

all,

of tears are fhed in fecret

may

praftices,

be often obliged

with ^erifion.

who can tell what

en

this fubjeft

to conceal their

the world, becaufe they

and fay^

moft dangerous

know

it

floods

Parents

forrow from

would be

treated

the rather incline to this fuppo*

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED SY

Z^O

many cafes

lition in

tiality to the fins

for

where

of children

Ser. 10.

indifference or par-

is fo

plain that

it

cannot

be denied, I fhould greatly fufpedl the piety of fuch

perfons, let the appearance or profejGSon be as flam-

ing as

will.

it

All your mercies, then, are in the hand of God,

<who can give or with-hold, continue or withdraw

them

at his pleafure.

iliil

your

But there

life itfelf is in his

ward things were ever

fomething more

is

what a day or a night may bring

time our fouls

fliall

tainly will,
a prefent

We

be required

from

by

it

But

*'

at

know

forth, or at

not

what
This

our hands.

be ferioufly attended to cer-

it

weaken our attachment

world

out-

they

fo ftable in themfelves,

are altogether precarious as to us.

furely ought, and if

Though

hand.

to the things of

according to the inference drawn

the apoltle Paul, i Cor.

vii.

the time

this I fay, brethren,

29. 30. 31.

fhort.

is

It

remaineth that both they that have wives, be as

though they had none

and they that weep, as

though they wept not

and they that rejoice, as

though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as

though they poflefTed not
world, as not abuling

it

and they that ufe this

for the falhion of this

world pafleth away."

(3.) Coniider that there
fatisfalion to

really

much more

but

This
it is

to

many

will appear a con-

a great and certain truth.

impoflible for any perfon to pafs ever fo

own

after

prejudice. This I do not

mean

It is

little

limits of duty in the ufe of the creatures, but

his

real

be found in a crucified than in an

idolized world.
tradiction

is

the

it is

only of

to
its

confequences, but even in point of prefent

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Ser. 10.

There

comfort.

is

24!

more genuine fweetnefs

[in

thofe things that are ufed with moderation andfelfdenial, as the gofpel requires,

But

gratiiicati3n.

the fimple enjoyment,

when we
that,

can

rife to a grateful

from

good

all

much more

llrongly

confider the benefit of a fanftified world.

He
of

holds

it

than in any fmful

holds even with regard to

if this

he

humble

who

him

zeal to ferve

fenfe of the divine mercies,

acknowledgement of the giver

is

thereby infpired with a holy

and values no

in his generation,

temporal blefling, but fo far as

it

may be

ufeful in

promoting the glory of God, and the good of

others,,

has a delight from tliem, infinitely fuperior to what

arifes

from the licence of criminal indulgence.

enjoys

He

mercies without fting, he poflelTes them

liis

without the fear of lofing them

nay, he can even

rejoice in the furrendcr itfelf, as a part of the will

of God.

vagant

Is this fabulous,
I

hope

not.

my

brethren, or extra-

believe and truft

ter of real experience to the children of

the pfalmift

he was

David

affli(flcd

fay,

it

was good

were counted w^orthy

name

did they re-

to fuffer

ftance in feeding the

lumgry and clothing the naked,,

aud other ufeful purpofes.

pious and liberal

mind

light in relieving a
eoflly

God. Did
him that

for

Ihame
hope that many others will rethat they have been enabled to ufe tloeir fub-

for his
joice,

mat-

did the apofllcs of Chrift take

joyfully the fpoiling of their goods

joice that tliey

it is

am

tafles a

perfuaded, that a

more

exquifite de-

poor family, than in the moft

and fumptuous entertainment

and that

he-

whovjilues his reputation only for his ufefulaefs^

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

24^

will give thanks to

maj

be held

God

Ser. 10.

for the efteem in

dutj, will have a pleafure in fubmitting to

complaint, greater than the proud and

poflibly receive

which he

and when reproached for doing his

from the daily incenfe of

it

without

felfilh

can

flattery

and

praife.

In the

4.

last place.

As this fubjed has the

power of

intimate connexion with the

ihall

moft

religion, I

conclude with offering to ferious perfons a few

particular direftions for their daily practice .

Remember

that

thing needful.

ven
to

is

Salvation

is

you can keep

to

(i .)

be the one

your great work, hea-

your home, the world

If

it.

your great care ought

this

but your paflage

is

conilantly

upon your

minds, you will immediately perceive the danger

of the world, as a temptation to

lin.

You will not

be able to forget, becaufe you will daily

influence

your journey heavenwards

his thoughts
tion,

and

is

feel every

ftill

traveller

who hath

fixed on the place of his deftina-

anxious to get forward,, will feniibly

incumbrance from

way, by which his progrefs

miifreprefentation that the

is

tlie v/eather,,

retarded.

keep our affeftions in

tlieir

or the

It

is

by

world leads us aflray

true and jull apprehenlions of our

to

what

feel,

hath in helping or hindering you in

it

own

Hate,

would

juH meafure wiih regard

it.

(2.)

Be

particularly

upon your guard

the unfandified ufe of lawful comforts..

who
filled

againfl

pcrfon

hath any principle of confcience, would be

with horror

at

fuch as uncleannefsp

the thoughts of grofs

injuflice,.

or fenfuality

fin,,

yet

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Scr. 10.

may

fuch

be in great danger of placing

upon the world, and

Their houfcs and
portion.
and

name and

reputation,

God

learn to give

may

tlieir af~

as their

incroach upon them,

Be

improve thefe

him thanks

bleflings of his providence,

it

lands, their children,

dominion in their hearts.

uiiirp

therefore, habitually to

cf

on

reiling

fe6iioiis

their

2j|3

and

careful,

to the glory

for them, as the

ferve

to

him by

them, as they are talents or opportunities of ufefuU

which you mufl render an account

nefs, for

in the

day of judgement.

Be

(3.)

attentive to the courie of providence^

and improve'the characters and condudl^of others to

your

and

own

profit.

felf-fufficient as

forgetful of

God

man grow proud

If you fee one

he grows

rich, if

you fee

hiiii

while he continues in profperity,

tyrannical to others becaufe they are in his power,

then fear

you

left

alfo

be tempted.

If-

you fee

wealth fuddenly poured in upon any perfons

make

them anxious, quarrelfomc, and impatient, then mo-.

derate your delires of profperity, and " be content

with fuch things as you have."

mon

to

that

we may

rifon

It is

enumerate and cenfure the

but

nouriih our

it

is

own

infinitely

Were

What
I

the

the ordinary flyle in converfation

fuch a pcrfon, had

ilons, I fliould

poor

is

by

beneficial, to

prove the weaknefs of others for

liation:

compaimcur own humi-

pride

more

very com-

faults of ctliers,

his eftate

not grudge to be

would do fomething

more

and poITef-

liberal to the

for the public

would do every thing for my friends.' Traly you

do. not liJiow what you would do. Were you rt,iiecl

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED BY

244

the fame fituation, perhaps

to

Set. IC.

you would be

times more proud and covetous than the

And

blame.

as

ten

man you

you would obferve the fins of

ways of God towards them.

others, fo obferve the

If an oppreiTor
nefs, if

he

is

at

held as a wild bull in a net, and, inftead

is

of humility,

produceth nothing but the rage of

it

impatience and defpair

ment of God, and be

nor

overtaken in his wicked-

lail

adore the righteous judge-

fenlible that neither mercies

change the heart, unlefs they are ac-

trials will

companied with the power of divine grace.

God

pleafeth

from honour

verty, or

he

to bring

vilits his

down any from

remember

dlfgrace,

to

If

it

riches to pothat

people in mercy for their corre6lion,

and his enemies in vengeance for

their

punilhment

whether you are the one or the other, you

fo that,

have no charter of fecurity from the fame calamities.

(4.)

Think much of

mortality, and the innu-

merable fufferings which are every where to be

feen

among our

tells us,

Ecclef. vii. 2. 3. *'It

lioufe of

ing

laughter

to

go

end of

all

mourniug, than

for that is the

will lay

it

his heart.

is

heart,

therefore,

fecurity

man

to the houfe of feafl-

men

and the living

is

better than

the countenance
are

feme v/ho,

and a flrong attach-

to fenfual delight, are not able to

fcenes of mifery and diitrefs.

wife

better to go to the

by the fadnefs of
made better." There

from mere tendernefs of

ment

is

Sorrow

for

the heart

to

The

fellow-creatures.

They

fly

look upon

from them,

and deceive themfelves into a dream of

by

intoxicating pleafures.

But;

my

bre^

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Ser. 10.

thren,

better to fortify yourfelves

infinitely

is

it

^45

by

againfl the fear of death,

faith in

him who

is

and then the frequent

will have the noafflidion,
in
others
ohfervation of
in mortifying
influence
and mod falutary

the refurreaion and the

life

bleft

You may^

worldly affeaions.

alfo

fometimes fee

of bethe triumph of faith in the joyf'ul departure

comand
lievers, which is one of the mofl edifying
fortable fights that

(5.) In the

last

any Chriflian can behold.

would recall to your

recommend to your medita-

place, I

minds, and earneftly

what made a principal branch of the do6lrmal

By
part of this fubjeft, " the crofs of Chrifl."

tion,

this

believer

the

will indeed crucify the world.

Reafon and experience

to

fpcak

heart.

may wound

the world,

but the crofs of Chrifl pierces

we murmur

Shall

Redeemer bore

Are

it ?

the crofs,

at

it

fo

to the

when our

not the thoughts of what

he fuffered, and what we deferved, fufficient to eradicate from our minds every the leall inclination to

what is provoking to him ? Are not the thoughts

of what he purchafed fufficient to deftroy in our
hearts the lead difpofition to place our happinefs

here

thoughts of the crofs of Chrift are

The

ftrenplhening as well as inftruftive.

as

it

his example, and animated

when he

the Chriftian,
this

We are drawn

were by the power of fympathy, emboldened by

great objeft,

faying,

by

his conqueft.

fhall I

infulted thee

who, by the

crofs,

fhall

Isnoi

in full contemplation of
*

any more idolize

viour, Ihall I
crucified thee

is

moll merciliil Sathat

world which

be afraid of their fcorn

refufe

any part of

has glorified thee.*

who

his will,

THE WORLD CRUCIFIED,

2^6

Scc.

Scr. 10.

Let us conclude by attempting to fay, in faith,

what God grant every one of us may be able to
" O
fay in the awful hour of the lafl conflid
:

deatli

vidiory

of fin
giveth

where

is

The

is

the

thy fling

grave

fling of death is fin,

law

where

is

thy

and the flrength

but thanks be to God, which

us the viclory

Chria.**

through our

Lord Jefus

SERMON

XI.

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY IN PRAYER.

Genesis, xxxii. 26,

And

he said,

will not

let thee

bless

MY

brethren, real

bleffing

go, except thou

771 e.

communion with God

is

of fuch ineftimable value, that

a
it

cannot be fought with too great earneflnefs, or maintained with too

God

much

care.

If

it

is

no fable, that

vouchfafes to his people, on fome occalions, a

fenfe of his gracious prefence, and, as

them

in love

with what fervour

it

fliould

were,

they

vifits

defire,

with what diligence fliould they improve, fo great

a

mercy

man

In a particular manner,

when

hath in view, either an important and

duty, or a dangerous

trial,

it is

good

difficult

his interefl to

plore, with the greatefl importunity,

im-

the prefence

and countenance of God, which only can effedlually

dired him in the one, and fupport him in the other.

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

248

my brethren,

This,

fent, as

God,

to

we have

ought to be our concern

in

pre-

at

view a very folemn approach

viz. laying hold of one of the feals of the

covenant

what

trials

The words

may be

before us, or near us,

know.

impoilible to

it is

Ser. II,

have read

relate to a

pafTage of the patriarch Jacob's

life.

remarkable

He w^asnow

returning from Pa.dan-aram with a numerous fa-

mily, and great fubftance, and had received infor-

mation that his brother Efau was coming

him with

four hundred men.

V/e

meet

to

are told, ver. 7.

of the chapter, that he was " greatly afraid and

diftrefled," being, in all probability, quite uncer-

whether his brother was coming with a friendly

tain

or a hoftile intention

fon to fufpect the

we

or rather, having great rea-

latter to

be the

He

roi!e

brook Jabbock

children, and cattle, over the

as

cafe.

up,

are told, long before day, and fent his wives, his

it

alone

follows, in the
:

and,

24th verfe, " Jacob was

left

man with him, until

And when he faw that

and there wrellled a

the breaking of the day.

he prevailed not againll him, he touched the hol-

low of
V7as,

he

his thigh

and the hollow of Jacob's thigh

And

out of joint, as he v/reftled with him.

faid.

Let

me

go, for the

faid, I will not let thee go,

Some

day breaketh

and he

except thou blefs

me."

of the fathers, and alfo fome of the Jewifh

was done in prophetic vifion, to reprefent to him the difficulties that

were yet before him, which, by faith and patience,
he was to overcome. But it is more reafonable to
think, that this was in truth the appearance of an
2.nel to him
and indeed moft probably of the
writers, fuppofe, that all this

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II.

Angel of the covenant

we

Tlie fame thing

Hofea, chap.

xii.

are aflured of

3.4. "

power with God

yea,

angc], and prevailed

him

tion unto

lie

he had

his ftrcngth

had power over the

lie

he wept and made fupplica-

From

this

we

paflage alfo

him

witli

at

think, with a good deal of pro-

bability, that this

attack

was made upon him by

of puniihment for the weaknefs of his faith

though he had received the promife, he

yet be under fo great a terror

In

brother.

this,

what happens

to believers in

therefore the fame

promifed

to

at

indeed, he

cies are forgotten at the

the approach of his

every age,

be with him,

mer-

Paft

approach of future

God who

fliould

was an example of
trials

now meets him

:

and

villted at Beth-el,

pleafure, and threatens to deflroy him

**

God."

the prophet

took his brother by

was the fame who met

it

Some

Beth-el.

by

found him in Beth-el, and there

he fpake with us."

learn, that

He

womb, and by

the heel in the

that

becaufe, from the paflage

appears that he had " prevailed with

itfelf, it

way

149

in dif-

but by

weeping and fupplication" he not only obtained

his prcfervation, bat a furtlier bleffing.

the opinion of

was

literal

it

to

be one of Efau's attendants

to furprife

him

in the night

lad he perceived his miitake,

when

had pleafed, he might

Then,

as

tliat, if

iiis

II.

which he

he

fuppofed ad-

he now continues the ftrucgle, by

;

by

have deftroyed him.

he had contended with

ing upon a blelling

Vol.

ealily

who

but that at

the angel,

a flight touch of his thigh, lliewed him,

verfaries,

It is alfo

that the wreftling or conflict

and real for fome time, and that Jacob

perhaps took

had come

many,

inlifl-

obtuius^ in fuch

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

2^0

Ser. II,

terms as carry in them a commendation both of his

conftancy and importmiity

Thy name
Ifrael

ver. 28.

"

And he

for as a prince haft thou

power with God,

and with men, and haft prevailed." The

this verfe is fuppofed, indeed, to

and that

it

fliould be,

power with God, and

thou prevail over

faid.

be called no more Jacob, but

fhall

"

part of

much more

had

as a prince thou haft

therefore

men

laft

be wrong tranflated

flialt

which was a promife not

;"

only of prefent fecurity, but of future profperity

and conqueft.

But though

this

remarkable event had a particu-

and immediate relation to Jacob, there

lar

God,

doubt, that the Spirit of

in putting

it

no

is

on re-

had a purpofe'of further and more extenftvc

cord,

ufefulnefs.
ty, and, as

It is plainly
it

an example of importuni-

were, holy violence in prayer.^

uniform and general has

So

this fenfe of the paflage

been, that fervency and importunity in prayer has

been generally called

ivrestli?ig ivith

God.

This

is

a fubjeft v/hich well deferves our moft ferious attention

tice

the rather that, I

has fallen into

am forry

much

to fay, the prac-

difrepute

and

am

fome danger of be-

afraid the expreftion itfelf

is in

ing treated with

In difcourfmg further on

this fubjea,
I.

deriiion.-^

I ftiall,

Explain and

illuftrate a little the nature

and

fubje6l of this holy wreftling and importunity in

pra^'-er.

The duty and reafonablenefs of it.

The great benefit ariling from it. And,
IV. In the last place^ I lliall make fome improveII.

III.

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II.

ment of

2^t

the fubject, for your inflru6lion and di-

reclion.

First,

I.

am

tlien,

explain and

to

illiiflrate

the nature and fubje^l of this holy wreftling

little

and importunity in prayer.

Wreftling necelTarily

fuppofes fome reiiftance or oppofition to be over-

come.

Prayer indeed, of

may

cafes,

be faid

and in the limplell

itfelf,

to carry this idea in

it

becaufe

he that prays Hands in need of fomething which he

can only obtain by prevailing with, or bending the
will of another to bellow:

and

it iliall

be given you

knock, and

many

there are

" AHi,

vii. 7.

feek, and ye ihall find

be opened unto you.'*

fliall

it

Matth.

But as

gracious afiurances of God's readi-

nefs to hear our prayers, the fubjett

upon leads us particularly

the obflru6lions or difficulties that

either of our praying as

we

we

now

are

the confideration of

to

lie

in the

way,

ought, or praying with

Thefe two things muft be joined together,

fuccefs.

becaufe they are in their nature infeparably con-

ncfled

James,

iv. 3.

"

Ye

becaufe ye alk amifs, that ye

your

James,

lulls.'*

lack wifdom,

men

let

liberally,

vering

may confume

5. 6. 7.

let

for he that

him

and

wavereth

is

like a

that

man

think that he

it

fhall

all

be

alk in faith, nothing wa.-

driven with the wind and tofled.

and praftice,

upon

liimalk of God, that giveth to

fea,

the Lord."

it

" If any of 3-ou

and upbraideth not

But

given him.

i.

and receive not,

aik,

fliall

wave of
For

let

the

not

receive any thing of

Now, for the illuflration of this duty

in a way fuited to the condition and

daily experience of the children of

God,

I fhall

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

Ser. IT.

jnention fome of the chief obflruiibns or

difficulties

25^

we have

to wreflle

with in our accefs to God, and

which muft be overcome by the importunity and

holy violence of prayer.
I

guilt

The

mention

of thefe I

fliall

overwhelming the

foul.

firfl

Urongeil of
is often

all

when

any perfon

to hinder the

is

it is

apt to

fill

him with

fort a defpair of obtaining his

been often feen in great

all

their aggrava-

a jealoufy of

mercy.

profligates,

When

proaches of confcience.

'

God,

and in fome

This hath

overtaken

a viiitation of providence, and flung

fvv'ered,

perform-

arrefled of confcience,

a dread of entering into his prefence,

ui-ged to

the

tranfgreffions appear before

his multiplied

liim in all their variety, and

tions,

is

arguments for the neceffity of prayer,

found in experience

When

ance.

a fenfe of

is

This, which

by

they have been

apply for di^dne mercy, they have anI

cannot pray

;'

or,

'

How

can I pray

who have been fo monftrous a finner ?* Nay,

may be frequently obferved, that men who live
fecurity, without

any

fiate, will mainta.in

will even

by

the re-

it

in

juft conviftion of their finful

fome

go through

fort

their

of form of religion,

form

v/ith

fome plea-

But
fure, and place fome dependence upon it.
them,
rife
little
upon
a
when confcience begins to
and they
though

it

fee

the enormities they

cannot

makes them

make them

are

guilty of,

forfake their

fins,

fpeedily fcrfake all their religion.

taken notice of by
Gardiner, that

Dr

Doddridge, in his

life

it

It is

of Col.

when he was indulging himfelf

in

manner of wickednefs, he began, from a natural fenfe of duty, to pay fome acknowledgements
all

IN PRAYER.

Scr. II*

God

to

He

ror.
*

but as he was not refolved to forfake his

the daring profanity of

fins,

ftruck

it

him with hor-

therefore determined, fays the

make no more

to

^53

attempts of this fort

perhaps one of the

author,

and was

that deliberately laid afide

firfl

prayer from fome fenfe of God's omnifcience, and

fome natural principle of honour and confcience.'

In this laft refledlion, the worthy author is undoubtedly miftaken

he be the

ivill

for

prayer by a fenfe of

he was not the

who

laft,

has been driven from

Ma-

and a horror of his

fin,

nor

firft,

ker's prefence.

have defcribed

form,

if

may

this difficult}^ in its

fpeak

as

fo,

moft hideous

way

flands in the

it

of

wicked mento

But there is' often too much of it

be found even in good men themfelves.
deep

them with a flavifh fear, mars

tlieir confidence before God, and tempts them to
keep at a dillance from him Pf. xl. 12. " For in-

fenfe of fin often

fills

numerable

evils

have compaffed me. about, mine

ini-

am

not

have taken hold upon me,

quities

able to look

up

fo that I

they arc more than the hairs of

mine head, therefore

my

heart faileth

me."

He

that wreflles in prayer, refufes to yield to this dif-

couragement.

He

ftill

ventures, though at a dif-

tance, to look to his offended

is filled

up

with tribulation and

his plea.

7. 8. 9.

will

*<

He

Uc

in

call

off for

he be favourable no more

he will not give

fear,

fays, with the pfalmiff-, Pf. Ixxvii-

Will the Lord

clean gone for ever

more

Though he

God.

doth his promife

Hath God forgotten

ever? and

fail for

to be gracious

anger flmt up his tender mercies

mercy-

Is his

ever-

hath

SelahJ^

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

2 54"

He

Ser. II.

endeavours to take inch views of the glory and

mercy

extent of divine

He maketh

of hope.

ing and tears.

as will give

him fome ground

fupplication with ftrong cry-

Againft hope he believeth in hope

or refolves, that if he perilh, he fhall periih at the

him

And

mercy.

footilool of

bring

it is

fo

proper to
is fuf-

offered in the gofpel of Chriit,

confidence

all

is

nothing

but the freenefs of falva-

ficient for that purpofe,

tion, as

nothing

to this refolution, nay,

is

derived, not

where

from the goodnefs of

the finner, but from the power and grace of the Sa^-iour.

Another

2.
is,

difficulty

to

be overcom^e in prayer

frowning providence difcouraging the mind.

a-

When this is

added

ly go together,

it

When

to the diftrefs.

upon the

of

Providence

commonand adds

great calamities are brought

when one
when

believer,

the bcick

they

difficulty,

to the former, as

augments the

another,

puniflies him,,

he

upon

ftroke follows

is

and

challenges,

fin

then in danger of

giving up his condition as defperate, and without

remedy.

See the reile6lions of Job in this

notwithftanding he

is

commended

ftrain,

to us as a pat-

tern of patience. Job, xix. 8. 9. 10. "

He

hath

my way that I cannot pafs, and he hath

darknefs in my paths.
He hath ftript me of

fenced up
fet

my

glory, and taken the

He

hath deftroyed

gone

me

crown from miy head.

on every

fide,

and

and mine hope hath he removed like a

When

the

rod of correction

Chriftian finds

it

very

difiicult

falls

under

it

am

tree.'*

heavy,

the

to believe that

eoines from the love of a father^ and

fercmble

is

it

rather apt to

as the fe verity of a judge.

So did

Ser. II.

IN PRAYER.

Jacob himfelf, after

all his

of

life,

Gen.

Me

faid unto them.

dren

Jofeph

againll

experience, in the clofe

And

and Simeon

is not,

me."

Jacob their father

my

have ye bereaved of

Benjamin away

take

will

^6. "

xlii.

i55

all

chil-

and ye

not,

is

things are

thefe

Sometimes the courfe of providence,

The

in general, has

the fame effe6l.

and infolence of

finners, the opprefl'ed ilate of the

God, the difappointed endeavours of

make them often call in queftion his

children of
his fervants,
jjrefence,

profperity

his faithfulnefs, or his

This

power.

the fubjel of the whole 73d pfalm, and

up

in the lotli

and

nth

verfes

people return hither

wrung

And

know
He

out to them.
?

and

there

" Therefore his

and waters of a

full

How

they fay.

knowledge

that wreftles in

depth

the

is

is

fummed

in the

cup are

doth

God

Moil High ?"

prayer, therefore, confiders

of divine providence

with reverence.

He dwells upon the wifdom and power of God,

who alone caa bring light out of darknefs, and order out of confulion.
He taketh hold of his covemercy

nant, and the fnre and everlafting

contained in
for uiiiverfal
will.

This,

that is

and humbly and earneflly prays

it,

and abfolute refignation to the divine

my

brethren,

one of the greateft

is

and moft important objects of prayer, and what

believers fliould wreftle for with the greateft fer-

vour and importunity.

to

They

ihould cry mightily

God, and expoflulate eameftly with

hearts, as the pfalmift, Pfal. xlii.

will
for-.-

fay unto
otten

me

God my
why go

the oppreliion of the

rock.
I

their

9. 10. 11.

Why

haft

own
"

thou

mourning becaufe of

enemy

As

with a fword

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

256
in

my

me while
God Why
why art thou

bones, mine enemies reproach

they fay daily unto me,

art

Set. II,

thou

call

Where

O my

down,

foul

thy

is
!

and

tenance,

me hope thou in God,

praife him, who is the health of my
I am not here
and my God."

through

all

difquieted within
ihall yet

the grounds of encouragement on

the fufFcring and pleading believer

may

for I

counto go
which

plac6 his

dependence, drawn from the perfedtions of an un-

changeable God, from the power of a Saviour upon"a throne, from the precife and exprefs promife*

and the daily

in fcripture of fupport or deliverance,

experience of the faithful.

have pointed out

to

you

It is fufficient that I

the ftate and pra6lice of

afflifted Chriflian

wreftling with

difficulty often arifes

from unbeliev-

a diftrelTed and

God.
Another

3.

ing thoughts, and inward temptations diftreffing the

Prayer takes

fpirit.

by

its rife

Prayer, indeed^

faith.

from and
is

little

carried on

is

elfe

than the

immediate and lively exercife of faith Heb. xi.

6. " FoV he that cometh to God, mufl believe
:

that

he

is,

and that he

diligently feek

him."

acceptable prayer

is

is

a rewarder of

On this
called

them

that

account, dutiful and

the prayer of faith

Who

would apply, or who can apply, to God, for

any mercy, but from a perfualion, that he is prefent to hear, and that he is able and willing to beflow

from

Now, when
its

this faith begins to fail, either

natural weaknefs,

from our fmful negli-

gence, from the fubtle infinuations, or the more

violent affaults of the adverfary of our falvation^

IN prayI:r.

Ser. II.

257

mufl be a great hindrance to the exercife of pray-

it

er.

Many

are the difficulties of this

Chriftian,

from time

Sometimes he

hath to ftruggle with.

to time,

made

is

to

kind which the

doubt of the certainty,

and fometimes of the meaning, of the promifes.

We fee fome diftrefled perfons fo embarraffed with
fcruples, or fo mifled
xelilh

and

by

controverfy, as to lofe the

comfort of the word of God,

fpiritual

while they are contending about

own

they are made to doubt their

Sometimes

it.

apply the

title to

promifes, which appear like a rich and fumptuous

table,

encompafTed with a flaming fword, forbid-

Thus they are led away from

made to feek in vain

ding their approach.

the confolation of Ifrael, and

How

for a foundation of comfort in themfelves.

often do

we

fee, that the

very fenfe of

and fear

fin,

of danger, the very mifery and neceffity which particularly difcover the fitnefs

and excellence of the

truths of the everlafting gofpel, are

difcourage us from embracing

Sometimes the
or

fet in

them

made
!

truths themfelves are perverted,

oppolition one to another, and mutually

deftroy each other's influence.

Thus, while the

conftant and over-ruling providence of

be the great foundation both of our

er,

it

is

fometimes

fet in

pray for deliverance from

God

faith

fliould

and pray-

The

oppolition to both.

fahe reafoner will fay to himfelf,

ufe of to

Why

this diflirefs

fliould I

why

fliould

pray or hope for the poflefllon of fuch a mercy

The whole
unalterable.

happen^

order and courfe of events

If

it is

whether

is

fixed

appointed to happen,

fpeak or be

filent

and

it fiiall

if

it

i*

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

258

determined,

otherwife

the prayers of the whole

creation will not be able to obtain

men

happily do

own

peace

Ser. II.

How

it.'

un-

thus reafon themfelves out of their

not coniidering the unfpeakable abfur-

making our weak and imperfedl conceptions of the nature and government of God to Hand
in oppolition to his own exprefs command!
The

dity of

of fecond caufes, moral as well as na-

influence
is

a matter of undeniable experience.

acknowledge
the other
eafe

is

in the one, lliould

it

Is not

If

you fnould

you deny

it

in

intemperance the caufe of di-

way

not flothfulnefs the

poverty

to

is

not negledled tillage the caufe of a barren field

and

way

not reftraining prayer alfo the

is

rennefs of fpirit

vent prayer

is

Believe

my

it,

for,

brethren, fer-

and effeclual a mean of

as fure

obtaining thofe mercies which

prayed

to bar-

as ploughing

may

be lawfully

and fowing

is

of obtain-

ing the fruits of the ground.

Again, fometimes by the cunning of Satan, the

driven to the brink of the precipice, and

believer

is

made

doubt of the very being of God, and the

to

reality of all religion.

It is

muft wholly take away the

prayer.

But even v/hen

it is

eafy to fee, that this

neceffity

and ufe of

not fo powerful as to

prevent the pralice, yet doth

it

in a great

mea-

fure cool the fervour and deflroy the comfort of

prayer.

He

that wreftles with

God

has often thefs

difficulties, in a grpter or lefs degree, to Itruggle

with.

Some

of

them

it

is

his duty to oppofe

by

reafon, and

fome of them direftly and immediate-

ly to

and banilh as temptations

refill

and

think

an exercifed Chrifliaa will ufually make the mattev

n.

Ser.

of

liis

IN PRAYER.

complaint the

259

pons

and meat out of the

thrown

own wea-

bringing fweetnefs out of the ftrong,

it is

This

of his prayer.

fiibjeft

indeed defeating the tempter with his

is

way

in the

eater,

when

the difficuUies

of our prayers ferve to excite

us to greater ardour, importunity, and frequency

and profitable exercife.

in that neceflary

Another

coldnefs and flothfulnefs of his

to ftrugglc, is the

own
as

of

with which the believer hath

difficulty

This

heart.

as great a hindrance of

is

any that hath been named

all

mod common

others the

the fame time

and

it is

At

and prevalent.

view of

affords a very mortifying

it

prayer

believe

own charafler and ft ate. Strange indeed 'that

%vhen we coniider the great and eternal God with
whom we have to do, we fhould find fo much difour

maintaining a ferious and attentive frame

ficulty in

of

fpirit

when we

that

lie

under

and un-

fo great

fpeakable obligations to his mercy, our feufe of

gratitude

value, |we

much

be

fiiould

when we have

weak and

And, what

many who have

tafted, in

in

am
this

ftill,

are

fome degree,

communion with

are ready to return to a ftate of cold-

nefs and negligence

I

that

with fo

it

ftranger

is

the fweetnefs and confolation of

God, and yet

languid

of fo ineftimable

notwithftanding do

fiiould

indifference

there not

fo

bleflings to afk

perfuaded

need not

tell

any ferious perfon

aifembly the danger or frequency of the

Chriftian's being feized with a flothfulnefs, coldnefs, or

fecurity

are at this

of

fpirit.

It

moment inwardly

barely put in

mind of

it.

is

probable

many

afliamcd on being thus

How

often

is

it

tlic

re-

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

26o
proach

of

arid ftain

affeftion

whom

form

how

how

kept alive

our worftiip, in public, in

all

in family, and in fecret

nerate- into a

confcience has fo

do

ealllj

hardly

we

dege-

the fpirit and

is

How many

Ser. II.

are there over

much power,

that they

from public ordi-

neither dare abfent themfelves

nances, nor difcontinue the form of fecret duty

and yet they

lefs,

may

and unprofitable attendance upon both

of deep conviction, of heavy

more

temptation, are

diftreffing

if I

may

fpeak

fo,

Times

but they are not

The

a feafon of quiet and ferenity.

or haraffiiig

ailliiflion,

fo enfnaring, as this leprofy that creeps

ties,

upon us in

other difficul-

force us to wreftie with

them, becaufe they leave us no peace; but

tempts us to

fit

continue long in a heartlefs, life-

ftill

under

becaufe

it,

it

this'

gives us

no difturbance.

He

that wreilles with

maintain a
fpirit,

confiidl:

God

muft

in prayer, then,

with the flothfulnefs of his

own

and endeavour to preferve that vigour and

fervency of afie6lion fo necelTary to the right per-

formance of the duty.

what propriety
it is

is this

You will fay,

perhaps,

rather wTelllins: v/ith himfelf.

confider, that every gracious difpofition

down from

muil come

above, from the Father of lights, and

author of every good and perfect gift

ticular, that the fpirit

of prayer

precious and excellent gifts

priety of this language

The

With

God ?
But when we

called wreflling with

will

is

and, in par-

one of his moft

the juftnefs and pro-

manifellly

appear.

coldnefs of our hearts, and deadiiefs of our

aiFe<5lions in worfiiip,

be imputed

ought, on the one hand, to

to ourfelves as the

immediate and

finful

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II,

may

caufe, and, on the other,

pArt of

26t
be confidered as

draws his

Thus

judgement.

Spirit in righteous

pfalmift very beautifully fays, Pf. Ixv. 4.

is

man whom

the

may dwell

thus the fpirit of fupplication

gofpel-promife

the

" Blefled

thou chufeft, and caufefl to ap-

proach unto thee, that he

And

a.

God's moll holy providence, who with-

Zech.

a remarkable

" And

10.

xii.

in thy courts.'^

is

pour

I will

upon the houfe of David, and upon the inhabitants

of Jerufalem, the

and they

tions,

fpirit

have pierced, and they

mourneth

is

me whom

mourn

fhall

and

for his only fon,

for him, as one that

My

of grace and of fupplica-

look upon

fliall

iliall

they

him, as one

for

be in bitternefs

in bitternefs for his firfl-born,"

brethren, there

the

is

reafon for

greateft

every Chriftian, not only to wreftle againft a

floth-

ful difpoiition as a fin, but to fear its influence as a

judgement

among fpiritual judgements it

when God giveth " the fpirit

for if

holds a chief place,

of llumber

eyes that they fliould not fee, and ears

that they fhould not hear

it

ought

to

be treated in

the fame

manner with

is to fay,

encountered by vigorous refiftance.

all

other enemies,

like all other fms,

And

yet, alas

made

it

acquires courage

it is

how

other obflniftions, that

all

ftrengthened

often

is

this

by

Like

fuccefs

very circumftance

ufe of as an excufe for the omiflion of prayer

When

by indulgence.

the Chriftian finds himfelf lifelefs and indif-

pofed to prayer,

it

makes him

either negie(fl

it

al-

together, or flur over the performance in a carelefs

and

now

trifling

in a

fit

manner, faying

temper for

it.'

to himfelf,

am

Nay, fometimes he

not
rea-

fons himfelf even religioufly out of his duty, faying,

Vol.

II.

FERVENCY AVD

^t?/62

^ I ihall but dillionour

fice

and therefore

a frame that

is

ir.IPOIlTUNITY

God by

fuch a

lieartlefs facri*.

had better delay

fitter

for it/

But

of

is,

better

and

to WTeftle, as Jacob in the text,

the biefling

which cannot be more

be in

time and

own

in-

the mofl fooliih

How much

and criminal excufe.

be

all others,

it till

if the

other circumftances call for the duty, our

difpofition of heart

II,

Si;r.

would

infift

it

upoa

fenfibly illu-

flrated with refpel to this particular branch, than

by mentioning

to

you

which an emi-

a refolution

own

nent Chrillian entered into for his

pra6lice

That he would not be baffled by a treacherous fpirit

for he would never give over the work of praife,
till his aifecixions were ftirred, and he was brought
to a fenfe of gratitude for divine goodnefs

he

Vv^ould

ing his

and that

never give over enumerating and confeiT-

fins,

till

his heart

and penitential forrow

was melted

in contrition

I may miention one other difficulty with w^hich

5
we have to ftruggle in prayer, viz. when it pleafes
God to poftpone, for a feafon, his compliaHce with
.

Though

our requefls.
a. manner as if

Though
on a

his ears are

always open

to

he fome times carries in fuch

the. cry of his people,

they were

their petitions

faft clofed againfl

be offered up in

fubjeft agreeable to the v/ill of

them.

faith,

and

God, they may

not always be granted in the m.anner, in the m.eafure, or in the feafon,

that they themfelves defire,

may

or even in their imperfect judge.' i:ent

moil proper.

Many

this.

A minifler praying for the

bours,

may be heard in mercy, though

pen

fo foon,

think

examples might be given of

fuccefs of his lait

and though he cannot fee

do not hap-

it

fo clearly.

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II.
as

natural for

it is

many

him

26^

He may have

dcfire.

to

fcals of his miniilrj,

although he meet with

difappointmeiit in ibme of thofe on

whom

he look-

A parent may

ed with the moll favourable eye.

pray for the falvation of his children, and his defires

may have gone up with

acceptance before the throne,,

although the accomplilliment be yet far diftant,

and they feem, for the time, to increafc unto more-

An alliidted perfon may

ungodlinefs.

have adually

obtained the fandified improvement of his

affliction,

although he cannot yet perceive the ends of divine

providence in

it,

the comfortable difcovery of

which

him at fome future fea-

mercy may be granted with

m.iy be a fcaft referved for

fon

in general, a

or,

advraitage and increafe, though

it

be fufpendcd for

a time.

In this interval, however, the Chrillian's eyes

may

be ready

with looking long

to fail

be in danger of ceaiing his

his ferv^our, through defpair of fuccefs.

we have many

he

may

appllcatior., or abating,

Therefore

exhortations in fcripture to perfe-

verance and importunity in prayer.

We

are ex-

horted to pray without ceafmg, and to continue inflant

in prayer.

Our

Saviour, Luke, xviii. i. fpoke a

parable on purpofe to teach men, that they ought,

always
**

and not

to pray,

to faint

For ye have need of patience

done the

Vv'ill

of

Heb.

x. 36. 37.

ye have

that after

God, ye might receive the pro-

For yet a

mife.

little

while, and he that (hall

come, will come, and will not tarry." Habakkuk,

ii. 3. " For the vifion is yet for an appointed time,
but
it

at

the end

tarry,

it

wait for

iliall
it,

fpeak, and not

bccaufe

it

lie

though

will furclv come^

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

264
it

To which

will not tarry,"

add, Lamentations, chap.

is

iii.

paflage I

It is

good

fliall

only

" The Lord

25. 26.

good unto them that wait for him,

that feeketh him.

Ser. II.

that a

to the foul

man

fliould

both hope, and quietly wait for the falvation of the

Lord."
I fliall

conclude this head by obferving, that

all

thefe obilrudions are at the direftion and difpofal

of Providence, for the

tience of believers

trial

of the faith and pa-

and therefore their perfeve-

rance under, and conllancy in oppolition to them,

is,

with great propriety, conddered as an imitation

of the patriarch Jacob in his wreltling with God.

Before

proceeding to the remaining part of this

fubje^, fuifer lue to

make

a practical improvement

of what hath been already faid.

I.

Let us hence learn the

defceniion of
to

to the

fpeak

fo,

grace and con-

God, who not only admits

communion with him, but

them
to

And,

infinite

his people

and encourages

invites

moll prefling importunity, and even,

to offer a

holy violence to him.

The

more fully opened in the

mean
time, let us make it
In
the
difcourfe.
next
Well may we
praife.
the fubjed of wonder and
"
What is man,
fay with iob, chap. vii. 17. 18.
that thou Ihouldft magnify him ? and that thou
fliouldft fet thine heart upon him ? and that thou
reafons of this will be

him every morning, and try him

moment " This is the dignity of human

ihouldft vifit

every

nature indeed, not from what he

what he
Chrift

may

is

in himfelf, but

be by union with

for through

him we have aU

God
accefs

through

by oue

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II.

2^5

And if
who would

Spirit unto the Father.

nearnefs to

fo great a privilege,

not covet

would not

cultivate

Surely

it ?

all

God is
who

it ?

but thofe who,

condemnation, difbelieve and defpife

to their final
ik.

2.

Let us learn from what hath been

de-

faid, to

fend the exercifes of piety, and particularly this

honourable privilege of the

faints,

and reproach of the enemies of

am

abundantly fenlible, that there are fome, and

fome amongft
contempt and

ourfelves,
difdain,

wreftling with

God

who

with

treat this fubjeft

and look upon a believer's

his being

fometimes

frame for his

fervice, as

in prayer,

and fometimes not

in,

from the fcora

vital religion.

in a

the raving and incoherent effufions of weaknefs and

This

enthufiafm.

is

not only an evidence of

theii-

being themfelves ftrangers to true religion, but

is

indeed directly contrary to found judgement and

reafon.

have laid down

you

to

the

meaning and

fubjed: of this wrelUing and importunity in prayer;

and

is

there any thing

lievers

might

illaftrate

If

it

you had

f^nfible that

more

Hear, ye unbe-

every particular, and

I not transfer-

intercourfe of

in the

a favour to

afli

would

it

you had done him a

would

not

it

make

afraid to look

him

not keep

this
at

fill

common

man

itances, to fct himfelf in oppolition to

you even more than

and

you with
diilance

faying

is,

If he had carried

himfelf as your enemy, and feemed,

x^t this give

with

great, recent,

you

you, as the
in the face

man

of another, and were

unprovoked injury, would not

jealoufy

upon

clearly founded

and experience

truth, nature,,

iii

many

you

in-

would'

fufpicion and uii--

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

266

your application

certainty as to the ilTue of

by

Ser. II,
If,

you were made

to believe him refentful and implacable
would
not this extinguilh your hope, and break up all corthe fuggeftion of his enemies,

refpondence

own

If your

heart were naturally

too proi;id to intreat, or too carelefs to give atten-

would not the fuit be negleded?

Or if
you had prefented your petition, and for a long
trad of time no anfwer was returned would you
not give up all hopes of it as forgotten or rejected ?
Is not this an image of the ftate of the Chriilian in
dance,

many

inftances

And

therefore, if prayer is a

part of natural religion, if

necellity at
ficulties to

all,

it

it is

a matter of duty or

muft often have the above

iy coniidered as a fpecies of wreftling with

And why
?

God.

fhould the Chriftian's being in or out of

frame for his duty

derifion

dif-

overcome, and, on that account, be juft-

God, be made the

to

fubjedl of

Is there not fomething fimilar to

not fome feafons

when you

fay,

it,

as

Are there
your mind lies to

to every obje<5l of itudy or application

your book, your work, or even your play, and

Are there
then it goes on fweetly and pleafantly ?
not others,

when

it

is

againfl the grain, and then

a difficulty, and even the air

every

trifle is

den.

If you confider thefe things,

fenlible, that all to

whom

is

a bur-

you muft be

eternity is the higheft

concern, and therefore religion their chief care,

jnuft

God.

be

attentive to the ftate of their hearts

And

if this is

towards

the cafe, every thing,

whe-

ther inward or outward, that promotes or hinders

their acquaintance

of the utmofl

with him, will appear

moment,

The

truth

is^

to

them

whoever

>Ser.

IN PRAYER.

II.

267

take the liberty to defpife and ridicule the concern

of ferious perfons about

communion with God, muft

my

deliberate

judgement, either that they are enemies

to religion

excufe

me

lor faying, becaufe

it

in their hearts, or that they are

is

wholly ignorant of

the important fubjedl.

3.

As we would

ed from the

defend the duty above explainof

feoffs

from abufe, and

that

may

it.

Particularly, let us

pretend, or

familiarity,

my

from

may

let

us alfo guard

it

from any corruption

it

be thought to refemble

beware of allowing

in our-

approving in others, any grofs indecent

felves, or

fee,

infidels,

dillinguiih

either of fpeech

or

You

carriage.

brethren, that wreflling with

God

arifes

a deep impreflion of the infinite and unfpeak-

able importance of the bleflings in profpeft, and

This will

their abfolute neceflity to the petitioner.

make him

Hill infift,

were, refufe to

it

let

and urge his requeft, and, as

go his hold.

But

it is

nature, and the greatnefs of his

fet

home upon

the

wounded

con-

alfo

ftantly attended with a fenfe of the holinefs of

God's

power which, when

;

confcience,

is

often

the principal caufe of the diftrefs. Is there not, then,

the jnfteft reafon for earneftnefs and concern
it

But

is

not alfo plain, that this mufl preferve the believer

from impropriety

and that

it

foolilh or indecent familiarity,

taken for

What

it,

cannot lead to any

which

and often reproached in

hath been faid upon the

is

its

often mif-

room ?

fubje^i:,

hope,

you the jull middle between every

extreme.
Such real concern, fuch fervour

will point out to

vicious

of

fpirit,

will not indeed lead

any

to fludy in their

prayers a nice^ vain^ or ornamented ftyle.

This

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

268
is

the language of a

value

at

any

rate

mind
but

unfuitable in prayer to

at eafe.

It is

Ser. II

but of

O how

mifplaced

God

This

little

O how

carried

is bell

on by plain and ardent expreffions of the very temper of the foul,

when

the fulnefs of the heart gives

But neither will

which the wreftling believer hath of the

a ready utterance to the tongue.

the views

glory and majefty of God, of the llri6lnefs of his

him

to give

flovenly, or ridiculous

manner

law, and the terror of his wrath, fuifer

way

to

any

trifling,

of addrelTing himfelf to the throne of grace.

It

muil be obferved, indeed, that there will be a

dif-

ference, according to the different circumllances,

ftation,

and capacity of the

There may be many

T^hat

it is

to

perfons concerned.

a ferious Chriftian,

fpread his fins and forrows at his feet,

not be

fit

as a prince, hath

The

vails.

who

would-

for leading the devotion of a public or

promifcuous aflembly

who,

who knows

pour out his heart before God, and

yet he

may be

the perfon

power with God, and pre-

prayers of fuch a wreiller, with

all the

blemiihes that attend them, are probably far moreeffectual,

than thofe of fuch over-nice perfons, as

defpife the weaknefs of his underilanding, or

make>

themfelves merry Vvdth the homelinefs of his ftyle

nay,

mull fay further, that we fometimes meet-

with perfons whofe language in prayer

fpeakably fuperior to their

abilities or

is

fo

un-

performance*

of other kinds, as to fiiow that they have an unction

from the Holy One

and that they are ex-

amples of the accomplilliment of that promife, Pfal..

sxv. 14. " Th3 fecret of the Lord is with them-

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II.

him

that fear

269

and he will fliew them his cove-

nant."
4. I

conclude the fubjecl

1X111(1

earneltly exhorting

And

of this duty.
tlnd;

and

you

eftedtual,

time, with

may

be the more

dif-

Ihall briefly point out to

you

that

at this

to the diligent exercife

all
it

the following objects of prayer.

1.

Be

fervent in prayer for the

the fpiritual life in your

own

improvement of

fouls.

Prayer

is

at

once the fecurity and the comfort of a Chrillian*

much

Hate, fear, prevent as

may

thing that

obilruiSt

as in

you

lieth,

every

your regularity and ear-

ncftnefs in this duty.

2.

Be

earnefl in

your fupplication, and impor-

tunate in your pleading for the church of Chrift,

and the glory of his kingdom, efpecially in your

The

native country.

charadter of real Ghriflians,

by the prophet
watchmen upon thy walls,

in this refped, Is well defcribed

If. Ixii.

67.

*'

have

fet

Jerufalem, which fhall never hold their peace

day nor night

keep not

and

bliib,

till

The

earth."

ye

filence

he

that

make mention

and give him no

make

he

languiftiing ftate

us to this duty

of religion in

and furely, in propor-

and prevalent, we muft behold

and be ready

refrefhing
3.

Be

at this

to

real

is

ti-anfgreftions

with

intercede for a " time of

from the prefence of the Lord."

power of

earneft for a feafon of the

approaching communion.

fuiTicient

this-

afped of providence,

tion as our belief of the truths of the gofpel

grief,

efta-

Jerufalem a praife in the

nation, and- the threatening

fliould prefs

of the Lord,

reft, till

We ferve

an

God
all-

and unchangeable God, the fame ycfler-

:
:

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

2'JO

Ser. IT.

day, tc-day, and for ever, who is able to pour

down his Spirit in a large and plentiful meaiure,
and make it a happy time 'for the efpoufal of many
finners to Chriil,

they

may go on

and for edifying his

their

way

faints, that

rejoicing, and eat their

bread with gladnefs and iinglenefs of heart.

own

us plead his

will pour water

upon

promife.

upon him

the dry ground

my

thy feed, and

and they

that is

I will

up

pour

my

Spirit

upon thine

blefling

fpring

lliall

Let

3.4. " For I

thirfly, and fioods

If. xliv.

as

among

upon

offspring

the grafs, as

willows by the water-courfes."

Fray

4.

apoitles often aO^ this afliftance

Col. iv.

God

The

for the miniilers of the gofpel.

" Withal,

3.

of the faithful

praying alfo for us, that

v/ould open unto us a door of utterance, to

fpeak the myllery of Chrlft, for which

in bonds."

If

you mull be

you believe the

am

yonr diligence

fenfible that

alfo

efficacy of prayer,
in this

you for
to point the eye of faith beyond the
Mailer of the feail and you will

refpect will prepare minillers for you, and

This

them.

is

fervants to the

probably both look for and receive your anfwer

from himfelf.
,

5. In the /ast place, I

mend

to

you

wxuld

earnpilly

recom-

the exercife of joint and focial con-

ference and prayer.

There

is

great danger of ex-

tinguiihing the heavenly fiame, if while

you

are

necelTarily furrounded with a flood of

ungodly men,

you do not

excellent ones

often aflbciate with the

of the earth, and place your delight there

lachi,

iii.

16.

INIa-

" Then they that feared the Lord^

fpake often one to another, and the Lord hearken-*

IN PRAYER.

Ser. II.

and heard

ed,

written before

271

and a book of remembrance was

it,

him

them

for

that feared the Lord,

and that thought upon his name."

great advantage in fociety

we know
and

There

is

for every purpofe.

If

the benefit of united bodies for bulinefs

trade,

if

we

of

find the pleafure

joiuiiig toge-

ther for mutual entertainment and focial converfe,

muft not
union

as great a benefit refult

dire6l each other

other

by

by

There

aiTociating together,

and

is alfo

efficacy to focial pra^^er

fay unto you, that if

embolden each

affift

each other by

a particular promife of

Matth.xviii. 19. 20. "

of you

tvv^o

my

be done for them of

ihall aik,

Father which

my

am

name, there

to-

midll of

in the

it

in

is

For wliere two or three are gathered

gether in

agree on

fliall

any thing that they

earth, as touching

heaven.

from a more facred

their counfels,

their examples,

their prayers.

fhall

by

Serious perfons,

them."

Now, may

Lord himfelf

the

gracious prefence, and

at

Bethel,

Gen.

Surely the Lord

not.
is

And

Ood^ and

xxviii.
is

he was

this place

this

this is

make you

in

afraid,
is

16.

tliis

vifit

"

17.

place

and

you with

to fay

And
and

faid.

his

with Jacob

How

he

faid.

knew

it

dreadful

no.ie ether but the houfe of

the gate of heaven."

SERMON

XII.

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY IN PRAYER.

Genesis, xxxii. 26.

And he

said,

zvill not let thee

go, eiccept thou

bless ?ne.

SECOND SERMON ON THE TEXT.

IL

'^"IJT''^ proceed now to the second "Ca^xig propofed in the diftribution of the fubjeft ;

which was, To Ihow you the duty and reafonablenefs of wreilling and importunity in prayer. Here
1 am fenlible, that a corrupt and impatient mind

may

be able

There

is

all the

to

muller up objeftions againft

it.

fomething wonderful and unfearchable in

works of God, and

in

none more,

as

it is

reafonable to fuppofe, than in the methods of his

grace.

In particular,

it

may

appear furpriling, that

he fhould exercife his people with fuch conflids and

trials, that it fhould be neceflary to overcome him,
as

it

w^ere,

by importunity, before we can obtain

which himfelf hath commanded U3

thofe bleffings

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY,

Scr.*I2.

Why,'

of

will

be

it

faid,

fulnefs,

inlinite

does a

'

whom

to

God

273

to beflow.

and which he hath promifed

alk,

to

&:c.

of mercy, and

and

our wants

all

known, wait for our

prayers, before he will part with what is fo much
Why doth he, who knoweth our
needed by us ?
frame, and remembers that wc are dull, unneceffaril}' throw obllru6lions in our way, and wrap
weaknelTes

hinifelf

perfectly

are

up

approach

in darknefs, to difcourage our

?'

But how does this furprife increafc, when we conhow unequal we are for the conflid:, if no

der

own

ftrength but our

oppofed

is

to the

from himfeif

fo that

It is

by prayer

that

we mufl

greateil

and moft necelTary of thefe bleilings

lights

and one of the

My brethren,

itfelf.

he

obtain every

from the Father of

of prayer

he difcourages, and he

blelling

fpirit

only

he wounds, and he heals

opprefTes, and he fuftains

invites.

Almighty

mud come

nay, that our flrength for reiiftance

is

when

the

either

unbelief or profanity moves any fuch di ^lenities as

thefe, I think
firft

it

my

duty to

call

upon you,

There

of God.

an unfearchable impenetrable

is

depth in the divine wifdom, whether

the

in the

place, to bo\v yourfelves before the fovereignty

works of

nature,

or of grace.

we
As

look upon
creator of

moment, with
the whole fabric

the world, he could, no doubt, in a

one word of his power, have raifed

in perfeftion

yet

it

pleafed hiiu in a gradual

man-

ner to nnilh every part by the addition of another,

for the fpace of fix

promife

to

Adam,

or

ther of the faithful,

the

day i.

When

lie

it

tlie firft

to the fa-

could, no doubt, have fent

Saviour into the world, to

VoL.IL

he gave

when he renewed

Aa

finiih tranfgreiilon,

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

^74

and make an end of fm

yet he faw

Ser. 12.

proper to

it

give only diftant intimations of this bleffed period,

and

to defer the

long-expedled appearance

were

nefs of time, while the nations

many

for

till the

ful-

fufFered to

fit

ages in darknefs, and in the region and

In the fame manner he often

iliadow of death.

takes a variety of Heps with his people before they

are

made

partakers of his promifes.

But notwithllanding

that fomething

mull

re-

ftill

main myllerious, and beyond the comprehenfion of

a finite creature, in the management of God, who
** giveth not account of any of his matters,"
we

may

fee

much

propriety and beauty in this part of

And

his procedure.

We may

it ?

is it

not our duty to attend to

fee the reafonablenefs, nay,

we may

perceive the wdfdom, of his requiring a holy fervency, wrefl:ling, and importunity

in

prayer

for

it

upon our hearts, and even to work

into our afFeclions, fome of the mofl: important
ferves to engrave

truths of religion, and fuch as w411 have the moil

powerful and extenfive influence upon our temper

This w411 plainly appear from the

and pra6lice.

three following confiderations.

I

Fervency of

is fuitable

fpirit,

and importunity in prayer,

and neceflary, becaufe of the greatnefs

the fenfe of this

it

whom we

hold

commu-

ferves to ftrengthen and

improve

God

and glory of that

nion, as well as

with

The

upon our minds.

infinite

ma-

jelly of God, and the unmeafurable difi;ance

which he is removed from all created weaknefs,

at
is

often fpoken of in fcripture with admiration of his

condefcenfion

Pfal. viii. 3.4.

thy heavens, the work of thy

"

When

fingers,

confider

the

moon

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12.

and the

ftars

275

which thou haft ordained

him

that thou art mindful of

him ?"

that thou vifiteft

what

is

and the fon of

man
man

Under a deep impreflion

of the fame great truth, Solomon fays, 2

Chron,
" But will God in very deed dwell with men

vi. 18.

on the earth

behold, heaven, and the heaven of

heavens cannot contain thee

houfe that

have built?"

vour of affedion -due

that

God whom we

how much

Is not, then,

Our

fome

fer-

and glory of

to the greatnefs

worlhip

lefs this

affedions ftiould

always, in their ftrength and exertion, be in proportion to their object,

dignity and worth.

its

In-

and carelefsnefs in an inferior towards

is always counted a mark of difdain.
fuperior
a

difference

We

naturally fup})ofe that thofe in great and higli

ftationjs

ought

be approached with reverence, and

humbleft manner, by their inferiors,

to

folicited in the

who hope

bounty

to Ihare in their

and the more

more fubmiilive

exalted the perfon, the

the pofture,

and the more earneft the fupplication. Much more

ought this to take place between God and us. On
this account

it is,

probably,

on this amongfl
and coldnefs in religion is

athers, that indifference

at leaft

reprefented as peculiarly the objed of divine deteftation

thou

Rev.

iii.

cold or hot.

"

15. 16.

ait neither cold

know

So then,

thy works, that

would thou wert

becaufe thou art lukewarm^

nor hot

and neither cold nor hot,

I will

fpue thee out of my

mouth."
2.

Our own

great unworthinefs,

jedls of divine love,

and admitted

tercourfe, fhould powerfully excite

ill

pleading.

This

is

who

are the ob-

to this facred in-

us to fervency

precifely a counterpart to the

Aa3

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

Z']6

Ser. JI.

former confideration, and greatly ftrengthens the

Even

cor.clufion.

the higheft of the fpirits above,

moft eminent in knowledge

and fan<^itj,

iland neareft to the throne of

God, we

cover their faces with their wings, as

and wonder, when they look

to

whofe foundation

duft,

who

are told,

loft in refpel

him who dw^ells in

fnacceflible light.
How much more " man, who
IS a worm, and the fon of man, who is a worm,
is

houfes of clay, and

in the
is

who

Accordingly, in fome of the examples

the m^oft importunate

prayer, this

is

dwells in

moth

I"

we have

of

crufhed before the

and wreftling in

pleading

the very difficulty

which feems

to

iland in the way, and requires the greateft efforts of

holy boldnefs to overcome

have of Abraham's
Gen. xviii. 27. "

Behold nov/,

fr.id.

unto the Lord,

And Abraham

Sodom,

anfwered and

have taken upon

who am

but duft and

"

again, in the 3 2d verfe,

we

as in the account

interceffion for devoted

And

he

me

to

And

afties."

faid,

fpeak

let

not

the Lord be angry, and I will fpeak yet but this

once

he

Per adventure ten

But,
is

ftiall

faid, I will not deftroy

my

it

be found there.

And

for ten's fake."

brethren, I befeech

you remember,

it

not our frail nature, and limited powers only,

that point cut our unv/orthinefs

but our guilt and

impurity, fo oppofite and fo odious to the divine

This,

nature.

have ftiewn you in the preceding

dlfcourfe, is one of the

aceefs to

How

God

fuitable,

keep us

ftill

in

how

greateft hir^drances of

prayer.
neceflary

deeply humble,

And may we
is it, that,

God

fliould

our

not fay.

in order to

fometimes

cQve^ himfelf with a c^oud, and exercife the liuner

Ser. 12.

PRATER.

12^

with ftrong crying and

tears, before

fafe the intimations of his love

be

and that the moft

felt,

277
he will vouch-

This reafon will

fenfibly,

by

the beil and

as their fan6titication

moil dutiful of his children,

continues imperfecl fo long as they are here below.

How

fhould a fenfe of guilt and mifery at once in-

creafe our felf-abafement, and add to the earneftnefs

of our defires

There cannot be a

jufter defcription,

both of our Hate aud duty, where mifery and weaknefs confpire in lliewing the neceffity and difficulty

of wreftling with God, than the apoftle hath given

Rom.

us,

eth

viii.

26. " Like wife the Spirit alfo helpfor we know not what we
we ought but the Spirit itfelf

our infirmities:

ihould pray for a

maketh

with groaniiigs which

for us

intcrceflion

cannot be uttered."
3.

The duty and

reafonablenefs of wreftling and

importunity in prayer, appears from the ineftimable

value of the mercies to be obtained.

Should there

not be a proportionable ftrength of defire to tlm

worth of the bleftings in profpecl: ? Now, w^ho can

compute the value of the divine favour, and all its

happy

elTefts

aiking

it ?

who

and therefore

guilt of indiiference,

The

can compute the

and the neceffity of fervour

in

bleffings of falvation in general arc

in their nature and fource unfpeakable, and in their

duration without end.

ance from

On

the one hand, deliver-

everlafting mifery,

almighty and incenfed God.

who

are

but yet in the

from the wrath of an

True it is, that thole

way muft be very unBut we may

able to form juft conceptions of this.

in general conclude,

from the glory of creating

powr, which

many

is in

fo

Aa

iuftanccs difplaj-ed be-

AND IMPORTUNITY

TTKirtJJCr

!7^

fore our eyes,

how

fearful a thing

monuments of

the

He who

mighty

is

make and

to

is

when humbled by

ner,

\vard conflicl there

ilrefs, as it arifes

On

mufl be

to

fave, is alfo

by

particularly felt

conviction

the fin-

and in every in-

a repetition of the fame di-

is

from the fame caufe.

the other hand,

what muft be the value of

everlalling happinefs in the prefence and the

joyment of

God

be

God.
migh*

the vengeance of fuch a

This

ty to dellray.

it

Ser. 12.

How

blefTed,

beyond

en-

exprelTiori,

muft the believer be^ when the fulneis of the

wc have now

vine benignity, of which

di-

accefs to

tafte

only fome fmaller and more diftant ftreams,

fliall

be the portion of the foul

we

fliould

portunity

me

add,

not

make, when

What

fupplications

And let
may obtain fo rich a treafure
how valuable prefent fellowlliip and com!

munion with God, which

tafte of

v/e are aiTured, that im^-

is

the earn eft and fore-

complete deliverance from the one, and the

eternal unchangeable polleflion of the Qther

my

noWy

brethren,

is

it

Say

not juft and reafonable,,

that thefe bleflings ftiouldbe defired with ardour,

fought with importunity

have

we from the

Pfal. xlir. I. 2.

ihall I

1.2.

What

and

fervent language

fcripture-faints upon this fubjedl

" As the hart panteth after the

water-brooks, fo panteth

My foul thirfteth

for

my foul after thee, O God.

God,

the living

God

when

come and appear before God ?" Pfal. Ixiii.

" O God, thou art my God, early will I

feek thee

my

foul

thirfteth

for thee,

my

flefti

longeth for thee in a dry and thirfty land, where no

water

is

to fee

thy power and thy glory, fo as I

have feen thee in the fancluary."

Is

it

any won-

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12.

der that there Ihould be often

the

way

a flate

What

elleemed of

is

is

worth.

be expelled,

Is

fhould proftitute the bleflings of

petitions, to

and indifferent petitioners

not, alas

many who "

too

demands, do

We

III.

their feeble

and

may

ufe

if

a refufal

folicit

luke-

are there

and have not, be-

juftify, and,

fuch an expreflion, even

proceed to the third thing propofed

method

in the

allc

And

who, by

caufe they afk amifs,"

heartlefs

to

it

his love to cold and difdainful

warm

commonly

cheaply obtained

little

God

then, that

and confiids in

trials

honourable a relation, and fo happy

to fo

279

which was.

To point

out the gx-eat

advantages which flow from wreftling -with God.

Thefe, in confequence of what hath been already

faid,

may

be confidered as

all

centering in one point,

power and efficacy in procuring the bleffNothing can be faid ftronger on the benefit
ings.
of wreftling with God, than that we fliall afluredly
viz. its

The

prevail.

fuccefs of Jacob's wreftling

re-

is

corded in the paflage immediately following the

" And he

text, ver. 27. 28. 29.

is

name

thy

Thy
Ifrael

namie
:

And

ftiall

he

faid,

faid unto

Jacob.

for as a prince haft thou

he

faid.

name

faid.

What

he

faid.

be called no more Jacob, but

power with God

and with men, and haft prevailed.

him, and

him.

And

Tell me,

Wherefore

is it

And

Jacob aiked

And

pray thee, thy name.

that thou doft afk after

and he bieffed him there,"

iiluftrate this a little in a practical

But that

my

may

manner, oblerve,

that the efhcacy of wreftling with

God

in prayer

appears from the three following confideratioDS.

FERVENCY AND IMFORTUNITT

a8o

Ser. l^r

God

prepares and difpofes the people of

I. It

fome

for receiving his mercies, and in

cafes is if-

Every part of
condud towards his faints is full of wifdom, and full of grace. One reafon why he who
knows our wants, requires us to pray, is, that we
actual pofleflion of them.

felf the

the divine

may be
iition

We may

prepared for a profitable fupply.

alfo reft affured, that

he will not delay his interpo-

moment beyond

one

the

fitteft

Now,

feafon.

that ardent prayer, '-vreftling, and importunity with

God,

is

the beft preparation for receiving his mer-

cies, is plain,

city.

any

It

fitnefs

cies,

both in refpeft of worth and capa-

may feem

indeed improper to fpeak of

as to worth for receiving the divine mer-

which

are all free

and unmerited on our

part,

liow^ver dearly purchafed on the part of our Surety.

But,

my

we may

brethren, with due caution,

take in this conlideration, the rather that it

exercife of prayer that this fitnefs

plainly fhews, that

his

own gift, and

the

fitter

it

his

is

obtained

cometh from God,

own work.

for deliverance

from

is
;

which

that

it

la

Is not that perfon

diftrefs

of any kind/

who

and for the communications of divine favour,

is

alfo

in the

wholly emptied of himfelf, truly and deeply

humbled, brought proftrate before the Divine

jefty,

convinced and

fatisfied

created enjoyments, and breathing after

fole refuge

God,

all

as his

and confolation, which he will not, and

cannot forego

May we

Ma-

of the vanity of

not alfo fay, that he

than one, on the other hand,

is

who

much more fit

flies from God

with impatient complaints, or fullen difdain

or

who, without aiking help from above, whea one

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12.

281

earthly comfort falls him, cleaves the clofer to another

The

correction,

us feel

end of divine

great, if not the only

to

is,

weaken

power of

the

lin, to

the vanity of the creature, and

to

make
break

every attachment to the world that is inordinate and

When

excelTive.

end

this

is

obtained, therefore,

muft not the rod be withdrawn

and will not this

promife be certainly accompliflied

Lord

that the

" will appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to

give unto them beauty for afhes, the oil of joy for

mourning, the garment of praife for the

fpirit

of

heavinefs, that they might be called trees of righ-

Lord, that he might

tcoufnefs, the planting of the

be glorified,"

If

If. Ixi 3.

we look

ture-qualifications for receiving the

of divine love,

we

fliail

the earneftnefs of our

into the fcrip-

communications

find the chief of

own

defires

them

If. Iv. i.

to be,,

" Ho,

every one that thirfteth, come ye to the waters, and

he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea,

come, buy wine and milk without money, and

v/ith-

out price.'*

and importunity in prayer

wTcflling

Further,

gives a capacity of relifhing the mercies of

They

are then, and not

truly mercies,
It is a

it.

There

Ulan
of

its

earneftly

common

of any mercy

life,

is

defired, infinitely prized.

never known

its

we

are deprived of

beginning, but in ever

O how refrefiiing

convinced finner,

through fear of wrath

ravilhing

is

is

Hep

the intimation of

who hath long trembled

who

or to the believer,

hath long groaned under a

how

till

great accefs to cbfervethis in the Chri-

not only in

to a

God.

then in the fame degree,

and beaten remark. That the worth

is

progrefs.

pardon

till

fpirit

of bondage

a fenfe of divine love to that cliild

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

a82
of

God whQ

Ser. 12.

hath long complained of the hiding of

his Father's face

When,

he hath been

after

loft

on a fea of temptations, one wave or billow following clofe upon the back of another, he
ceived into a peaceful haven

is at laft re-

the everlastifig arms

are ftretched round about him, Xh^ faithfulness of

God is

his Ihield and buckler, and the ftrength of

the AljJiighty his impregnable fecurity

There

no fuch ftayednefs or compofure of mind

The

variety of trials.

exercifed Chriftian has tried

and thrown away every broken reed, one

after an-

he hath found the vanity of every refuge of

other

lies

and hath

is

as after a

fettled

his

Rock

foundation of the

hope on the immoveable

of ages, which

iliall

never

fail.

I added, in entering

on this particular, that wreft-

ling and importunity in prayer

itfelf

is

in

many cafes
we deiire.
,

the pofTeffion of the vejry mercies

It is the exercife

To

tion.

of almoft every gracious difpoli-

increafe

in fanflification,

to

have his

graces ftrengthened, and his corruptions fubdued,

is

the habitual and prevailing defire of every real believer.

But how can

by

tained than

be more eiFeftually ob-

this

fervent prayer

How, and where,

?.

can any gracious difpofition be either more im-

proved and ftrengthened, or more clearly difcerned,

when

than
tial

it is

forrow%

in exercife

truft,

Faith, love, peniten-

and refignation, are the very

pofitions eifential to a wreftling believer.

feme

will fay.

True indeed

Perhaps

but they are only

attempting to ftiew themfelves,

often difcovering

their weaknefs, fometimes yielding to their

fites.

Alas

I'

dif-

fays the Chriftian,

my faith is

oppooften

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12.

283

my

over-matched with unbelief, and

love contra-

dided by impatient complaints; what

trull

and refignation
time

little

tremble
thren,

is

my

peni-

forrow but weeping over a hard heart

tential

my

courage

at the falling

is

my

but a fhort-lived promife

is

and

fails,

But,

of a leaf.'

in

am

ready to

my

dear bre-

not the importunate wreiller maintaining

the conlli6l, inftead of yielding to the ftream

and

liow infinitely preferable are his hours of deepell

anguifli to that flothful

many

obferved in

It is alf(3 certain,

unlookcd

that

As

for.

was mufmg the

many times

burned

fo

it,

it

he

even

with the joy of his

vation, and caufeth the bones

frequently hap-

God vifits diftrcffed fouls,

expert

leaft

Chriftians

deliverance comes

the pfalmift fays, that whilft

fire

pens, that a gracious

when they

and unequal condu6l to be

fecure and formal

fal-

which he hath broken

to rejoice.
2.

The

prayer appears

efficacy of importunate

from the promifes of fuccefs which are annexed

it

in fcripture.

that there are

to pray, to

many commands

contains in

Now,

it

every

upon a
lie

to

God

continue
to

in-

pray

It

neceflarily

implies

a pledge and fecurity for

is

it.
it.

not deceive us with vain hopes, or put us

fruitlefs

Ihould

tion,

of

to

command

a promife of a gracious anfwer from

the Hearer of prayer.

The truth
He would

in

pray without ceafing,

ilant in prayer.

to

by obferving,
the word of God

muft here begin

lie.

there are

attempt

for

But bcl^dcs

many

he

is

not a man, that

this general confidera-

exprefs promifes, particularly,

the eameflnefs and importunity of the defire

Prov.

ii.

3. 4. 5.

**

Yea,

if

thou

crieft after

know-

: :

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

a84

ledge, and
if

lifteft

up thy voice

thdu feekeft her .as

as for hid treafures

for underftanding

and fearcheil for her

lilver,

then fhalt thou underftand the

fear of the Lord, and find the

See

alfo the parable of the

knowledge of God."

importunate widow, and

which concludes

the unjuft judge, Luke, xviii. i.

"

thus, ver. 7.

Ser. 12.

And

God

fhail not

own

avenge his

which crj day and night unto him, though he

bear long with them ?"
elel,

me beg your

Let

attention to another paiTage re-

corded in the 17th chapter of Matthew,

there

was brought

whom his
^'

where

our Saviour a poiTefTed perfon,

difciples could not cure

Then came

Why

to

ver. 19. 20. 21

the difciples to Jefus apart, and faid.

could not

we

him

caft

out

And

unto them, Becaufe of your unbelief

Jefus faid

for verily I

fay unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of muftard-

ye

feed,

hence

nothing
this

fhall

it

fliall

Remove

remove

be impoITible unto you.

and

Howbeit,

out, but by prayer and falling."

fomewhat remarkable, and entirely

kind goeth not

This paffage

is

to our prefent purpofe.

nomy of divine grace,

may be obtained by
more

It fliews,

there are
lefs,

it

fome mercies

" Confefs your

pray one for another,

This fpecies of

See only further, James,

faults

that

one to another, and

ye

may

be healed

efFedual fervent prayer of a righteous

availeth

that

feems, would not yield to the fame in-

fluence that others did.

v. 16.

that in the ceco-

and fome that require

earneft and fervent prayer.

devils,

The

mountain.

fay unto this

fhall

yonder place, and

to

much."

man

Scr. 12.

PRAYER.

285

The fame

thing appears from

IN

3. In the last place,

God, and

the daily experience of the people of

many memorable examples

of the efficacy of pray-

I might cite a great number of thefe to you

er.
from the holy fcriptures, which are not only a fa-

cred repofitory of divine truth, but a hillory of

divine providence.

Abraham's

ing inftances.

Sodom,

which

in

the glorious

Vv^ith

lowed

You may

take the few follow-

interceflbry prayer for

title

of the friend of Gody was al-

with liim, to repeat and urge his

to plead

requeft, as well as to ftrengthen

It is true,

tion

ing to
teous,

it

it

Nay, even

tenor.

it

with arguments.

heard in every part of

which was

found in

it

faved not the whole city from deftruc-

yet was
its

honoured

that ancient patriarch,

it,

accord-

ttiough the ten righ-

his loweil fuppoiition,

were not

yet the few righteous that were there,

were not involved in the general calamity, but

Take

fered to efcape.
s cited

by

alfo the

the apoftle James, chap. v. 17.

" Elias was a man fubjeft

and he prayed earneflly that

and

it

years and fix months.

And

18.

to like paffions as w^c

are,

rained not on the earth

fuf-

example of Elias,

by

it

might not rain

the fpace of three

he prayed again, and

the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth

her

fruit.'*

See the cafe of Daniel, recorded in

the 2d chapter of that book, particularly the 17th,

1 8th,

19th verfcs of that chapter, where you will

learn, that,

by

the united prayer of Daniel and his

companions, the fecret of the king's dream was

communicated
I

to

them

in a revelation

from heaven.

only add the inft^nce recorded Matlh. xv. 21.

woman
B b

end downwards, where the

Vol. IL

of Canaan fo

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

1^6

Ser. 12.

importunately prelTes her requeft, and at

ceives this aniwer

ver. 28.

ed and faid unto her,

be

O woman

great

is

thy faith

And her dau2:h-

unto thee even as thou wilt.

it

laft re-

" Then Jefus anfwer-

was made whole from that very hour."

I might eafily mention many more recent examples of the efficacy of prayer but thofe which
ter

have been already produced are abundantly

ficient.

The

truth

is,

am

examples of

ferious Chriflian is able to recolle6l

from
all

own

his

experience

others moll inexcufeable,

God,
which flows from

fore

after

they have

beneiit

fuf-

perfuaded that every

it

and furely they are of

who reftrain prayer beknown the unfpeakable

it.

IV. Let us now make fome pradical improvement of what hath been faid on this fubjeft. And,
I. Suffer me to improve what hath been faid,

who

for the conviclion and reproof of thofe

are ha-

bitually unmindful of this important duty.

my

brethren,

what reafon have we

to

Alas

complain of

the Pegle6l of wreftling, and want of importunity

in prayer

Is not the language itfelf

faihionable, and liable to fcorn

eminent

now

in ilation as

iii

piety once faid,

devifed a fmooth and eafy

become un-

As
way

a perfon as
*

Men

have

to heaven,

quite coidiiient with the fpirit of the Vv^orld,

which temptations and

ward

trials,

are unknov/n.'

ever changeable
tion, the

very

fpiritual

Vv'e

confii^ls,

But be

in

and in-

affiired,

how-

are in our faucy and inclina-

word of God abideih for ever. There is

i to fear, nay there is good ground

grtfat reafc

to affirm, tliat thole

who

are Itrangers to wreftling

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12.

God

with

you
and

much

is fo

You will

iin.

and undiflurbed.

live at eafe,
it

ileeping in fecurity, and

in prayer, are

under the dominion cf

2^7

the worfe

fay perhaps,

It

may

be

fo,

for the prince of this

world will always confult the peace and quietuefs

of his
I

own

fubje6ls.

would

earneflly entreat every hearer of the go-

fpcl to fulTer this reproof to enter into his mind, as

it is

what can be

your own

known

certainly

Though

fouls.

there

God and

only to

out-

fufficient

is

ward evidence of

the general negleft of this -duty,

how any

particularly guilty, muft be left

perfon

is

own

to the determination of his

confcience, and the

judgement of him who feeth and fearcheth the

heart.

If there

any among you who habitually

is

makes every

defpifeth prayer, wlio

every

little

cufe for negledling or poitponing

any who

mind, an cx-

it

if there

who call in queftion the reality

communion v/ith God in others, becaufe they

are llrangers to

it

themfelves

they have great caufe to

gall of bitternefs,

jne,

what

is

and

without

fear, that

in the

bond of

all

doubt

they are in the

Tell

iniquity.

the reafon of your backwardnefs to

drawing near
afraid

God

to

of coming

Is

not,

it

into his prefence

you

that

Is

it

arc
not,

you cannot bear the opening of your hearts

not from fome dark jealoufy and fufpiit

that
Is

are

themfelves with a dead curfory

fatisfy

formality in duty

of

bufincfs,

little

indifpolition or lazinefs of

cion that

all

is

not right with you, though

had rather cover than

prayer to

God

is,

confefs

that tliough

Bb

it.

My

you keep

at

you

earnefl

a dif-

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY

288

tance from him, he

you

thai;

not keep at a diftan.ce from

he maj, by his

your danger,

from

maj

and,

in

Yqu may

mercy, deliver you

from what has been

learn,

one great caufe of the low

ftate

the negled of prayer,

may

faid,

of religion, and the

among

barrennefs of ordinances

they

convince you of

Spirit,

great

this miferable flate.

r2.

is

Ser. 12.

us at prefent.

It

and that many, though

condefcend to aik, yet do not think

worth their while

it

The

to wreflle for the bleffing.

profane are not the only perfons juftly chargeable

Many

with a failure in this part of their duty.

real Chriftians are apt to flacken their diligence in

this

many

important exercife, and

iin in their

ful,

my

that the

punifhment.

But

brethren, that thofe

Lord

is

gracious,

is it

often read their

not very wonder-

who have once tafted

who have known the

communion with God, fhould ever

it by their own indifference and backwardnefs
maintain it ?
Yet here we mull, of necellity,

fweetnefs of
lofe

to

We

lay the blame.

of his procedure.

hand

is

mufl

not fhortened, that

his ear heavy, that

it

fay,

ftill

If. lix. i. 2.
it

in juftification

" Behold, the Lord's

cannot fave

cannot hear.

neither

But your

ini-

have feparatcd between you and your God,

and your fins have hi4 his face from you, that he

quities

will not hear."

It

feems

to

perience of Chriftians, that

appear from the ex-

God

is

jealous of their

treatment of his love, and deeply refents the alienation of their affedlions
feniible joy in

the

him, and

Holy GhoU, which

to
is

and therefore,

walk

to

have

in the comfort of

fo great a privilege, can-

28^

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12,

not be preferved, without the greateft watchfulnefs-

on

their part,

and the greatell conftancy in prayer.

me now,

3. Suffer

to exhort

a few' words,

in

every perfon in this affembly,

and in particular

who have fo lately renewed their engagement

God, over the fymbols of the broken body and

thofe
to

filed

blood of Chrift, to give themfelves unto pray-

er.

Of what ufe

cred table, if

your being admitted

is

do not incline you

it

to

God

is

the very privilege

in the habitual tenor of

of Chrift, that

your

life

we have
we

we have

This

a great high-prieft, that

the

Son of God,

is

let

pafled

us hold

Let us therefore come boldly

our profeiTion.

we may

obtain mer-

cy, and find grace to help in time of need.'*

have you not devoted your

?

is

by his continual interHeb. iv. 14. 16. " Seeing,

imto the throne of grace, that

God

and

accefs with boldnefs

into the heavens, Jefus the

faft

This

obtain

ceflion before the throne,

then, that

nearer

which we obtain by the blood

confidence through the faith of him.

very advantage that

to this fa-

to live

Again,

lives to the fervice of

have you not promifed to keep his com-

mandments
promife

How do you expedl to fulfil your

?
Are you not ready to fay, ' Not u: lefs

he be pleafed himfclf

to

me

preferve and keep

not unlefs he put his Spirit within me, and write

his laws in

my

that he hath faid,

heart?'

" Yet

And

do you not know,

for all thefe things will I

be inquired of by the houfe of

Ifrael to

do

it

for

them ?" I will aik you one queftion more. Do

you not know that you are yet in an evil world ?
Do you not know what variety of temptations and
fulicrings

you may

j et

be expofed

Bb3

to

How

fhall

FERVENCY ANB IMPORTUNITY

^^O

you bear up under

God

in the

day of

trial?,

from him

at a diflance

how

iliall

viiitation," if
?

you

Ser. 12.

you "

glorify

live habitually

Chriilians,

it is

him

to

you mufl look when trouble cometh upon you.

All other refuge will

ijpon fail,

and vanity, vanity,

But with what

up your eyes t6 him,

be feen written upon the creature.

you then

confufion mufl

you

if

me

him

forget

lift

profperity

in

Therefore

let

befeech you, in the moil earneft manner, to

renew your diligence

in the exercife of prayer.

a particular manner,

young

to

cife

muft recommend

You,

perfons.

my

In

this exer-

dear brethren,

are expofed to m.any dangers, your flrength fmall,

your experience
Live a

little,

yciir

kno^dedge imperfe6V.

of prayer, and dependence upon God.

life

Daniel and his companions were young* perfons,

yet

mighty

tife

it

in prayer

conftantly.

therefore learn
it

it

early, prac-

habitually and

Hear what the prophet

mendation of

power

and wait upon

diligently,

fays in com.-

29. 36. 31. " He giveth

and to them that have no might,

If. xl.

it,

to the faint

he increafeth ftrength.

Even

and be weary, and the young

the youths ihall faint

men

upon the Lord

fhall utterly fall.

renew

But they

that wait

llrength

they Ihall mount up with wings as eagles,

they

lliall

ihall

run and not be weary, and they

ihall

their

walk

and not faint."

4. I Ihall

conclude the fubje^l, ty giving you

two
provement of the

or three dire<^ions for the prefervaticn and

fpiritual life

im-

and particularly for

enabling you to perfevere with urdformity and coiniort in the exercife of prayer.

IN PRAYER.

Ser. 12.
1.

29X

Be watchful and circumfpe^

Let

your convcrfation.

it

keep confciences void of

whole of

in the

be your great aim, to

offenct:

God

towards

and

Prayer and watchfulnefs have a i^-

towards man.

upon one another.

ciprocal influence

Neglel of

make you yield to temptation, and the

of fin will make you afraid to pray. But

prayer will
indulgence

habitual watchfulnefs will carry you with comfort

to

God,

at the

hour of prayer, both in thankfulnefs

for pall mercies, and reliance

on him for future

ftrength.
2.

Obferve with attention the courfe of his pro-

Enumerate

vidence towards you.

you

Let

\^er{ity.

this

be the work, not only of parti-

This will

cular feafons, but of every day.

ihew you the

neceffity,

to prayer-

once

you

will

without any clear and determinate

views of what you are to pray

no wonder

at

and abundantly fupply the

If you do otherwife,

matter of prayer.

go

his mercies to

profperity, adore his righteous will in ad-*

ill

that

it

for,

and then

degenerate into a

lifelefs

it

is

form.

Once more,
3.

Be much employed

This

noble

in interceflion for others^.

teftimony of Chriflian love has the

moft powerful influence in warming the heart, and

enlivening the aflTe^lions in prayer.
frequently, that thofe
fay for themfelves,

heavy and languid

int.ereft,

who have

It

and whofe defires

as to

no fooner come

happens

hardly a word to

what regards

are quite
their

own

to fupplicate for others,

than they are enabled to pour out their wl ole fouls

before

God

with the greatef^ fulnefs of expreflion,

and enlargement of affediou

as if

it

were the pur-

t^2

FERVENCY AND IMPORTUNITY,

pofe of

nouring

God
it

Ser. 12.

Scc.

invite us to this exercife

to

with a particular

and approbation.

that

mark
it

by ho-

of his acceptance

would

pleafe

God

to

among profeffing Chriftians a fpirit of praythat when they cannot unite in fentiment, they
er
may unite in prayer that when impiety and immiorality are bold and infolent, they may oppofe
them by prayer and that when they are flandered,

revive
;

infulted, or

abufed by their enemies, they

may

find unfpeakable comfort in imitating their dying

Saviour, loving them that hate them, blefling

that curfe them, and praying for
fully ufe

them who

them and perfecute them.

them

defpite-

conclude

with the words of the apoftle Jude, ver. 24. 25.

**

Now

falling,

unto him that

is

and to prefent you

able to keep you from

faultlefs before the pre-

fence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the onl^

wife God, our Saviour, be glory and majelly, do-

minion and power^ both now and ever,

Amen."^

SERMON

XIII.

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE COMPARED.

Hath

the

Lord

Samuel, xv.

as great delight

22.

hurnt-offerings

sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the

holdy to ohey

better than sacrifice

is

and

and

Lord ^ B^
to

hearken,

than the fat of rams,

THAT

obedience

is

due

to

God from

telligent creatures, I fuppofe

fent Tvill

law of

creation,

none here pre-

It is .the original

deny.

which every

all his in-

unchangeable

after difcovery ferved

not to undermine, but to fupport and confirm.

was

man in his

the religion of

nocence

when we

and

it

Ihall fee

ihall

be the religion of heaven,

our Maker

as he

excellence of truth itfelf lies in

iinefs,

tution

its

is.

The very

influence on ho-

and the very purpofe of every facred

is to

It

primitive ftate of in-

form our minds

infti-

to a habit of obedience,

and fubjedion to the will of God.

In the mean time, it is of the utmoft moment,
that

and

we have clear and

juft

conceptions of the nature

principles of obedience,

and that we guard

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

1294

Ser.

againft the errors that are often committed

Some, from a

fuhjeJ:.

ment

this

partial or exceflive attach-

and fome are apt

to

m ake

a merit of their

zeal or diligence in one duty, as if

them

cure indulgence for

From

another.

which

remarkable

have chofen for

mj

outward wor-

plain, that facriilces, or the

it is

would pro-

it

in the wilful negle6l of

the language in the

palTage of fcripture
text,

on

3,

one branch of duty, are apt to difparage an-

to

other

of God, are fometimes made a cover for the

negled of obedience. Nor are there wanting other

fliip

pafTages

where complaints

On

fame millake.

where the
it

text lies,

in the gofpel,

criiice,"

^*

are brought againft the

the other hand,

this

paflage

and another exprefiion akin to

I will

have mercy, and not

have been often grofsly mifapplied,

bring contempt upon

every pofitive inftitution,

even upon the whole exercifes of piety

fuch perfons as do very

and that by

honour, either to them-

by

the perfedion of their

have chofen thefe w^ords, with a view

to the inform.ation
forts of perfons,

tion of thofe

to

and

little

felves or their opinions,

obedience.

fa-

and conviftion of both thefe

and for the mftru6tion and

who

edifica-

defire to w^alk in the ftraight

path

of duty, without turning to the right hand or to

the

left.

In difcourling further upon them,

pro-

pofe,
I. To open a little, and make a few remarks
on the hiftory which gave occalion to the words of

the prophet.
II.
is

To

fhew

in

what

oppofed and preferred

Ifetter,

as in the

refpefts

it is

that obedience

to facrifice, or juftly called

words of the

t^xt.

COMPARED.

Ser. 13.

III. In the lafl place,

295

To make fome

applicatioji

of the fubje(5l.

I,

First, then,

am

open a

to

little,

and make

a few remarks upon the hiftory which gave occafion to the

words of the prophet.

more proper,

This will be the

that the fetting this part of the facred

Itorj in a clear light, will both afford us

and

cellent inftrulions,

The

unreafonable men.

were derived and had

fome ex-

obviate the cavils of

alfo

people called Amalekites

their

name from one Avialeky

by a concuThe firil mention we

the fon of Efau's eldeft fon, Eliphaz,

(Gen. xxxvi. 12.).

bine,

have made of them

was

as a people,

their being en-

gaged in a very unjuft war with the children of

Ifrael,

(Ex.

xvii. 8.).

God

This provoked

to de-

termine, or at leafl upon this occafion he was pleafed

to intimate, their being devoted to utter deftrudion

as

Exod.

ftnto

xvii. 14. 15. 16.

Mofes, Write

and rehearfe

it

And

name

the

for I will ut-

remembrance of Amalek from

And Mofes

under heaven.

Lord faid
a memorial in a book,

in the ears of Joflma

terly put out the

called the

this for

"

of

it

built

.Tehovah-niffi.

altar,

and

For he

faid,

an

Becaufe the Lord hath fworn, that the Lord will

have war with Amalek from generation

to

gene-

ration."

The

injuflice

and impiety of

this

alion of the

Amalekites, which provoked God, not only to

threaten,

but to fwcar their deftrudlion,

may be

learned from the account of this matter given us in

Deut. XXV. 17. 18. 19. " Remember what Ama-

by the way, when ye were come

Egypt \ \\qw he met thee by the way,

lek did unto thee

forth out of

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

29^

Ser. I3,

and fmote the hindmofl of thee, even all that

were feeble behind thee, when thou waft faint
and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore-

when

be,

fliall

it

given thee

about, in the land

Lord

the

from

reft

all

blot out the

gi-

that thou

it,

remembrance of Amalek from

under heaven; thouflialt not forget

it

hath

round

which the Lord thy God

veth thee for an inheritance to poflefs

ftialt

God

thj

thine enemies

From

it.'*

this

appears, that the Amalekites attacked the Ifrael-

ites

unprovoked, and without any caufe

Ifraelites neither intended to poflefs

their country, nor

were th^y

fo

much

for the

themfelves of
as pafling

by

their borders, which might have given them fome

Without any tiling of this fort,
caufe of fufpicion.

thy came out of their

own

country, to attack the

Ifraelites in the wildernefs, either in

confequence of

the old grudge between Efau and Jacob, or from a

principle of covetoufnefs, to feize

which they heard the children of

upon the

Ifrael

riches

had brought

out of Egypt.
It is further obferved, that

were

faint

they cut off thofe that

and weary, when the

diftrefled condition

of that people feemed rather to call for compafTion

and help.

This was unjuft and cruel

and

dif-

covers them to have been a favage and profligate

people

efpecially if one circumftance

taken notice

of,

that they did all this in

ance and contempt of God.

more be
open

They had no

defi-

dotibt

heard, that he interefted himfelf in a particular

manner

in

was, in a
therefore
(

t'

prefervation of the Ifraelites, and

literal fenfe, their

it is

king and governor

and

faid particularly, ver. 18. of the laft-

ited paffage, that the

Amalekites feared not God*"

toMPARED.

Ser. 13.
Is there

297

any thing abfurd or unfuitable

King of kings,

jeftj of the

have war with

to the

in his .declaring

ma-

he would

a people from generation to

ftich

generation, and at lad deflroy them, as he certainly

foreknew

they v/ould not grow better, but

that

worfe and worfe

Let us not omit

patience of

God.

to obferve the long^-fufferinor

was not

It

and

fome hundreds of

till

years afterwards, that orders were ilTued out to put

the fentence in execution againll that people,

they had

filled

and were ripe

when

up the meafare of their iniquities,

Thii appears evifor judgement.

dently from the hints of their chara6ler given in the

chapter where the text

They

lies.

are called, ver.

18. " the fmners the Amalekites,"

by way of emthey were eminently wicked

phafis, to (hew, that

above
their

all

other people.

It is

no

man, from the words of Samuel

**

As

fliall

evident, that

be

this prince

childlefs, fo

among women."

childlefs

rriake

him, verfe ^^,

to

women

thy fvvord hath made

thy mother

Thefe circumftances
ed

lefs

king that ruled over them was a bloody cruel

highly probable, that

it

and his people were commonly employ-

in the trade of war, in plundering and

murder-

ing fuch of their neighbours as they were able to

fubdue.

Now, how

groundlefs are

all

the tragical

outcries of unbelievers againft this part of the hi-

ilory of the Bible

God

Is not

pofer of every event

Is

the fupreme dif-

not the fate of nations

decided by his righteous will

Is

he not

the exercife of this his holy prerogative,

ance

is

mine

I will

repay ?"

from many undoubted fads

VOL.

II.

known by
" Venge-

It is inconteftable,

in the hiilory of provi-

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

29S

dence, that

earth."

in the

time

verily there

*^

is

God

Ser. 13.
that judgeth

were conlidered in
bold enough to impeach the

that

by many w ho are
Maker

ondu6l of their

this

to

whom

one part of the

charaber of the Amalekites feem very applicable,

" They

fear not

God."

perhaps be expefted that

It will

particular notice of that part of the

to Saul,

to

fhould take

command

given

deftroy the " infants and fucklings,"

together with thofe

you may

who were come

On

age.

to

was no more than the

exercife of that abfolute right which God hath to
the lives of all his creatures.
He gave them at his
pleafure, and he may recall them whenever he will.
Thofe who offer this objection againft the fcripturebiftory, do not feem to coniider, that it militates
this

obferve,- that

it

equally againft the daily and vifible courfe of pro-

How many

vidence.
ried off

by

infants do

we

fee daily car-

the difeafes incident to that ftate

Do

mankind die before they grow up to

years of reafon ?
Does this happen without the

not the half of

the

foreknowledge and

providence of
any charge him with being unjuft

his will

If

we

God

or dare

in this part of

dare not prefume to go fo

far,

commanding the children to be cut off

hand of man, is a mere circumftance, that

then the

by

the

The

cannot alter the nature of the decree.

reignty of

God

the whole of his written word, and from

pens every day before om* eyes.

fore, of raifing

more

what hap-

Inftead, there-

prefumptuous objeftions againft fuch

inftances as this referred to in the text,

far

fove-

appears in the cleareft manner from

juft^ as

it

would be

well as dutiful, to infer from them,

COMPARED^

Ser. 13.
that

we

are

*'

conceived in

iniquity ;" that

of
it

upon us
I

andbrougbt forth

at

in

under an univerfal forfeiture

lie

and therefore a righteous

life,

ner,

we

fin,

299

God may

execute

whatever time, and in whatever man-

feems good unto himfelf.

it

mi gilt

alfo obferve, that if

we

confider the cir-

cumfhances in which thefe Amalekite children were,

from the character of

their parents,

we

fhall fee, in

condud of God towards them, a mixture of

mercy with judgement. I have already obfervedp
from the facred hiftory, what wicked perfons the
the

Noxv, fuppoling their children

Amalekites were.
left to

tion

be trained up by their parents, the prefumpthat they

is,

would have been formed by

their

pernicious example, to murder and rapine, and all

of wickednefs

forts

of the people and

and, in particular, to a hatred

God

of Ifrael.

This would have

rendered their condition infinitely more miferable

we

than

can poflibly fuppofe

by

their being cut off

commllTion of aclual

in infancy, before the

Have we

it

guilt.

not every day before our eyes examples

of perfons living and dying in fin, to whom it

would have been a great mercy if their eyes, as
foon as ever they faw the light, had been clofedup
in everlafling darknefs

Upon the whole, we have

rcafan to be fully fatisfied on every fuch quellion

as this,

but

by refolving

it

into the fovcreignty of

have fhortly mentioned

this

God;

particular,

to

fnew how incapable we are of forming a proper

judgement of the procedure of Divine Providrn^e
and that the order to dcllroy " both man and v/o-

jnan,

infant

and fuckling,"

when given by

tliQ

GBBIEXC AND SACRIFICE

3Ca

Lord of nature^ hath nothing

iii it

Scr. I3.

either unjuft or

unmerciful.

This awful command was

of Ifrael

coming

which

give,n to Saul

the king

he, being fully fatisfied

of

its

God, prepared himfelf to execute.

But he and the people, from a principle of covetoufnefs, referved what was moil valuable of the eiFefts
of the Amalekites for their ownufe, ia dire^l coni.radi6lion to the command of God, who had ordered
from.

the cattle and fubilance of that people alfo to be de-

This was prtbably done

ilroyed.

was an

their punifliment

to

hew,

out any intention to enrich his inheritance

When

the prophet

tliat

pure juftice, with-

act of

Samuel challenged Saul

by

difobedience, he endeavours to cover his condudl

"

a pretext of religion, ver. 15.

The people fpared the

And

beft of the flieep,

is

we have

utterly dellroyed."

the anfwer, made

Lord

*"'
:

by

Saul faid,

and of the

God and the

To this my text

oxen, to facriiice unto the Lord thy

rell:

it..

for his

hy Samuel in the name of the

faid. Hath the Lord as great
;^

And Samuel

delight in burnt-offerings and facritices, as in obey-

ing the voice cf the Lord

ter than facrifice

and

to

Behold, to obey

hearken, than the

is

bet-

fat

of

rams."
Before I proceed to the seccnd general head, I
w^ill

make

ftory, for

How

I.

die'nce

by

tions

how

few obfervations on

this piece of

lii-

your inUruclion.
eaiily

are people

milled into, difobe-

their prefcnt. intereft, or carnal inclina-

ready are thefe to mix themfelves in

all

our alliens, and to turn what was intended as an

inflance of obedience^ into an

ad

of impiety and

coMrARED.

Ser. 13.
tranfgreflion

301

The children of Ifrael would

not de-

ftroj the goodly fubftance of the Amalekites, ac-

cording to the exprel's

might have

it

command

to thetnfclves

of God, that they

though

it

is

remark-

able, that they do not appear from the hiilory to have

made any
the

difficulty in

hardell part of the

executing what was by

command,

fa^r

viz. the flaying

man and woman, infant and fuckling, that fell

Agag indeed, and him only, they
into their hands.

of

excepted, perhaps to grace their triumph, or from

fome other

motive.

felfifh

feems to have

Intereft

prevailed here; but tliere are other paflions alfo

which too often mix themfelves with our

religion.

Malice and anger, for example, and a defire of revcn<^e, are often feen to intermingle themfelves
with our zeal for the glory of God, and convert one
of the moft amiable virtues into a deteftable crime.
2.

You may obfervehow

when
of

it

natural

it is

for people,

challenged for any fault, to lay the blame

upon

others,

of hiding their

even when there

own

is little

profpe6t

" But the people,"

guilt.

fars Saul, ver. 2i. " took of the fpoil, Iheep and

oxen, the chief of the things, which ihould have

Whereas,

been utterly deflroyed,"

doubt they were

alfo

in the fault,

though

no

he was mucli

more guiUy than they. He had received the parular command from God he was king and leader

tic

of the people, and ought to have reftrained

them
to
the
divine
contrary
purpofe.
ading
'This,
from
however, he was fo far from fo much as attempting, that he

is

fpoken of

as confenting to,

and a

chief a6ior in the offence, ver. 9. " But Saul and

the people fpaied

Agag, and

the bell of the iheep,

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

502f

and of the oxen."

Im

old as

itfelf

This

feems

difpolitlon

for avc fee

Scr. I3.

be as

to

Adam,

in the cafe of

it

forbidden fruit
Gen. iii. 11. 12.
" Haft thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded

after eating the

thee that thou lliouldfl not eat

The woman whom

gave

me

And the man faid.

thou gavefl to be with me,

We

of the tree, and I did eat."

be humbled for

fin,,

ought to

as a part of the coiTuption of

it,

OUT nature,, which

miffion of

ftie

is

com-

not only prone to the

but backward to repcntanire or con-

feffion.
3.

to

We

may

fee

it

is

no unufual thing for

imagine they have been obedient

to

God

men

even in

by which they have in a remarkmanner fliewn their difobedience. This was

that very action,

able

plainly the cafe with

taining and infifting
**

And

Saul,

upon

whom we

Saul faid unto Samuel, Yea,

the voice of the Lord,

find

main-

his innocence, ver. 20.

I

have obeyed

and have gone the

way

which the Lord fent me, and have brought Agag

the king of Amalek, and have utterly deflroyed
Wherever any duty, in its fubthe Amalekites."
llance, in

varies

its

circumflances, or even in

from the

of God,

it

rules laid

is eflentially

fault i^ capital,

it

down

defedive

becometh a

fin.

for

it

This,

from human performiances.

dience

alway humble, and

were

for

fight of

it.

is

is

True obe-

fenfible of the

imper-

Oltentatious obedience, if

no other reafon,

God..

I believe,

where merit

pleaded
is

principle,

in the word.,

and where the

will be always found to be the cafe

fe<^ions attending

its

it

an abomination in the

COMPARED.

Ser. 13.
4.

How ouen

does

it

happen, that the excufcs for

are the aggravations of

iiti

had fully juiliiied

that he

it

If there

then

nniiiion,

to

add

did

it

to

it

it

criiices

by

to

faying, that

unto

facrifice

in

liis

or

was a fearful aggravation of

want impiety,

tlie

com-

departed from their

his fip,

the guilt of falfehoodandhypocrify

feera to

race.

fpoil,

was no fuch thing

when they

people's mind,

feenied to Saul,

It

I^

his condiid

he fpared of the beft of the

the Lord,

^oy

ncr

pretend to offer fa-

to

from the accurfed fubilance of that devoted

on the other hand, they really from tlie

If,

beginning intended to prefent a pait of the fpoil as

God,

a facrifice to
fin,

it

ihows the great deceitfulnefs of

wliich fuggelled this unholy compoiltion, and

made them think that their difobedience might be

atoned for by a gift at the altar.
Many like inflances

might be given,

in

which the excufes for fin are

There are not wanting

an addition to the guilt.

fome who,

either in a doubtful or explicit manner,

would lay the blame of

and impute

their fins

belongs to the freedom of their

fame

time,

choly to

upon

to the influence of his

is

it

reflect

their

Maker,

providence what

own

wills.

At

the

very remarkable, though melan-.

upon,, that thofe excufes for fim which

carry in them the mofl: daring profanity, are com-

monly

ftupifying to the confcience.

mofi;

the flate of

all

evil pra6lice,

having

firfl

thofe

who

U-uth.

is

an

by embracing loofe principles, who,

way to unbridled inclination in

given

the breach of God's laws,

conviclion

Such

fortify themfelves in

fi:eel

themfelves agaiafb

and repentance, by a

denial

of his

OEEDIENCE ANJ) SACRIFICE

104

How

5.

great

men who hope

the folly of

is

Scr. I3.
to

by any compenfation,

alone for their difobedience

but particularly by religions

rites

Saul and his

people, whatever were their views at firfl, feem to

hav^e hoped that they might efcape the punilhment

by

of difobedience
to

have hctn

General, in after times

and

and

how

grofs

the millaken

it is

is tlie

deluiion

ads of worlhip, derive

all

hope

But how manifeft

cf hvpocrites in every age.

the error

There feems

oilering facritices.

tendency to this among the Jews, in

is

Sacrifices,

very beauty

their

and excellence from the difpofition of the worfhip-

Solomon

per.
fice

Prov. xv, 8. "

tells us,

of the wicked

is

but the prayer of the upright

abiurd and contradictory,

God,

is

it

The

facri-

an abomination to the Lord

ip

how

How

his delight."

dlfhonourable to

fame perfon to be a zealous

wicked liver, a man fervent in

for the

worfhipper and a

prayer and deceitful in dealing, heavenly in his

language and fenfual

his

in

heart

One

v/onld

think the dreadful inconfiflency of fuch a condul

would alarm
in

the mofl drowfy confcience

flumber, that they

may

their portion

"

vvith

PROCEED

to the

which was, To ihow

dience

is

in

but God,

a fpirit of

who

fhall

be appoints

hypocrites and unbelievers,

in the lake that burns with

II. I

to

be the ilandard of punifh-

nient for the greatefl ilnners,

ed

up

righteous judgement, gives

lire

and brimftone for

second thing

what

refpedls

oppofed and preferred

propofed

it is

that obe-

to facrilice,

or juft-

Iv called bater^ a in the words of the text,

It is

COMPARED.

Scr. 13.

not

uncommon

305

hear this paflage produced in or-

to

der to prove the value of moral above poiitive pre-

Moral precepts,

cepts.

you know,

fuppofe

are

precepts of perpetual and unchangeable obligation

and

pofitive, fuch as

feem

to

intrinlic excellence

inftitution

Now, though no

God.

of

done with proper

is

mate

may be

principles, a diftin<^ion

cannot be the

fpirit

yet

doubt,

upon

and

care,

thefe different kinds of duties

this

them-

in

but depend upon the immediate and exprefs*

felves,

it

any

have,

have not, cr do not

either

ftated

it is

if

legiti-

between

plain, that

of the pafTage before us.

There needs no more to fatisfy us of this, than to

reflect upon the hiftory illuflrated above, which
gave occalion to the words of the prophet. That

command
was

of God, for difobedience to which Saul

fo feverely reproved,

and afterwards fo lignally

punilhed, was fo far from being in

merely a
duty

a moral

itfelf

duty antecedent to the command, that

was not

it

but an occafional and temporary

pofitive,

nay, without the exprefs appointment and

authority of

God,

it

would have been an atrocious

crime, viz. " Utterly dellroying the Amalekites,

man and woman,

infant and fuckling."

ample

to

make

by

ported

fiituted

light

may it

by him

?"

For

time guarding
intreat

be

and

in this paflage, that

criiice

of any command that

the inflltution and authority

Well, then,'

**

faid,

how

were not

have

this
is

of

ex-

fup-

God,

facrificcs in-

does the prophet affirm

obedience

illuftrating
it

We

encouragement from

not, fherefore, the leail

thi?,

is

better than fa-

and

at

the

fame

againfl pervei-fion and abiifc, I

your attention

to the following obfervationi;.

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

306

Obedience

I.

Ser. I3.

preferred to facrifices, as they

is

were uncommanded,

free,

and voluntary.

we
we

attend to the facrifices under the law,

we

If

find

fliall

them of different kinds particularly,

ftiall find
them diftinguifhed in this refpet, that fome of them
;

were exprefsly and

were

left to

of the offerer.

whole of

pofitively ordained,

and others

the good-will or fpontaneous inclination

The

firll

were binding upon the

manner, and

that people in the flrongell

could not be diipenfed with

the other were left

to themfelves, as the occafion fliould point out the

propriety, and the piety or gratitude of -their hearts

fhould difpofe to the performance.

would be a

It

great miftake to fuppofe, that the appointed fer-

by

vice of the fanctuary might be omitted or altered

any human prudence, or difpenfed with, even under pretence of obedieuce to the moral law.

The?

obfervation of the Sabbath, of circumcifion, of the

paffover, the
crifice

daily burnt- offering, the annual fa-

on the great day

pafs-pffering,

and

many

of expiation,
others,

were

the tref-

fo indifpenf-

ably neceffary, that no oppofition was to be prefumed or imagined between them and the moral
law. Nay, the whole circumflances of tbefe rites were
precifely fpecified, and thofe

in the

manner of

off

from

19.

varied any thing

their obfervation

their people.

xxxi. 14. and

who

For

many

this fee

were

to

be cut

Exodus,

other paffages.

xii.

mud

further obferve, that even with refpcft to voluntary

or free-will offerings, though they were left at

berty whether they would offer fuch at

yet if they did offer, the

hoved

to

manner

in

all

li-

or not

which

it

be-

be conduced, was appointed precifely,

COMPARED.

Ser. 13.

and they were forbidden

down

from

to depart

You may

the fame awful fandion.

laid

SO']
it,

under

the rules

fee

3d

peace-offerings in the 2d and

for

chapters of Leviticus

and for the danger of any

error in attending on them, fee Lev. vii. 20. 21.

Lev. xvii.

Now,

8. 9.

nothing can be more plain,

than that the faorifices which Saul and his people

had

in

view

pretended to have

to offer,- or at leafl

were voluntary or free-w411 offerings

they were no part of the regular, flated, unalter-

had

in view,

able fervice of the fanluary

but might be offered

or not as they themfelves thought proj)er.

remember

this,

my

you

brethren,

When you

will fee with

great juftice and force the prophet oppofes

how

fticrifices

of this kind to obeying the voice of the Lord

**

Hath

as in

had

the

Lord

As if
God will be
your own deviling,

obeying the voice of the Lord ?"

faid,

as great delight in burnt-offerings,

Can you imagine

well pleafed with gifts of

that

he
as

as

with a ftrid and pund:ual execution of the orders

which himfelf had given

facrifices you would offer
the breacli of his

The words

own

efpecially
to

when

the very

him, are purchafed by

exprefs

command

?'

of the text having been fpoken

Old-Teflament prophet, and

in

by an

language directly

fuited to the circumftances of that difpenfation, I

liave

kept the laws of the Mofaic oeconomy clofely

in view.

The

truth refulting

however of the whole, and the

fpirit

from

fibly to us as to the

fume

to

make

belongs as clearly and fen-

it,

light

fathers.

We

are not to pre-

of any inftitution of God,

though, either in whole or in part, of a pofitive nature.

But confidering

facrilices

as including

all

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

5o8

Ser. I3.

nay all ads of religion or fervice

God, of whatever kind, fo far as they are vo-

a6ts of woriliip,
to

luntary in their circumftances, let us not think to

put them in the room of obedience to his law.

any man, from

this paiTage of fcripture, fhall

If

take

Jiberty to defpife the Sabbath, to forbear prayer in

and in family,

fecret

inftituted worfliip of

the fcriptures, to his

hand,

to neglect the facraments or

God, he perverteth

own

and, wrefteth

On

deflrudion.

the other

any perfon, under pretence of extraordinary

if

prayer,

fliall

negied his calling, if he Ihall put volun-

tary fails and bodily mortification in the

repentance, if he ihall

make

room

of

donations to the poor,

or to facred ufes, inftead of paying his jull debts,

to the prejudice of others,

priety,
<*

be

him

faid to

Hath the Lord

it

may, with

as great delight in burnt-offerings,

as in obeying the voice of the

obey

is

great pro-

the words of Samuel,

in

better than facriiice

Lord

Behold, to

and to hearken, than

the fat of rams."

2.

Obedience

is

oppofed to

falfe and hypocritical.

facrifices, as

Even

in

thofe

they are
facrifices

that

were moil exprefsly appointed, and of the

inoil

indifpenfable obligation, there might be an

effential defeft,

from the inward

difpofition not cor-

refponding to the outward a6lion.

Reafon, as well

as fcripture, teacheth us, that in all a6ls of

fliip

the lincerity of the heart

gredient.

It

is

makes

wor-

the chief in-

the prerogative and the glory of

God, that he fearcheth

the hearts and trieth the

reins of the children of men.'

Therefore, in every

part of his fervice, he requires integrity and uprightnefs of heart;

" He

defireth truth in the in-

COMPARED.

Ser. 13.

ward

That

parts."

may

309

ferve, that our facrilices or worftiip

by

Thefe

a twofold hypocrify.

bypocrify towards God,

man

or, in other

part of the

treat this

fubjeft with the greater diftincltiefs,

and

you may ob-

may be polluted
may be called,

hypocrify towards

words, inconfillency or unfound.

nefs in the character, and difguife or iniincerity ia

the

of worlbip.

al:

Our

(i.)

facrifices

ency or unfoundnefs
cafe

may

be polluted by

where men are careful

in attending

do not

inftitutions of religion, but

of keeping the commandments of

dinary converfation

when they

inconflft-

This

in the charader.

make

God

is

the

upon the

confcience

in their or-

are punctual

ia

the outward performance of the duties of the law,

but are under no reftraint as to

cond

but,

in a particular

fins againft

the fe-

manner, when they are

under the unhappy delufion of imagining, that the

one will
it

make atonement

will be found, that this

paflages of fcripture,

with difregard.

for the other.

the

is

where

facrifices are

The word

of

I believe

meaning of many

God

fpokcn of

could never

be fo inconfiftent with itfelf, as to condemn them

Umply, while the law concerning them (lood in
force but when they were offered by wicked men,
when they were relied on as the whole of religion,
;

or

made

ties,

to

compenfate for the negleft of moral du-

then they

fpoken of with abhorrence

are

" For I defired mercy, and not faHofca,

crifice
and the knowledge of God, more than
burnt-offerings.
But they like men have tranfvi. 6.

greffed the covenant

croufly againfl

Vol,

II,

me,"

there have they dealt treacliIf.

i,

10.-17.

^*

Hear the

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

^lO

Sen

Sodom

^vord of the Lord, ye rulers of

I3.

give ear

unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

To what purpofe is the multitude of your facrifices

I am full of the burntunto me ? faith the Ldrd
^

and the

offerings of rams,

fat

of fed beafts

and I

-,

delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs,

When

or of he-goats.

me, who hath required

my

courts

cenfe

is

ye come
this at

appear before

to

your hand,

to tread

Bring no more vain oblations

an abomination unto

me

in-

new-moons

the

"and fabbaths, the calling of aflemblies, I cannot

away with it is iniquity, even the folemn meeting.

Your new-moons and your appointed fealts my
:

they are a trouble unto me I am

weary to bear them. And when ye fpread forth
your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you ; yea,
when ye make many prayers, I will not hear
foul hateth

your hands

are full of blood.

you

put

clean

away

mine eyes

before

well

Unto the wicked

do

to declare

my

God

faith.

I defpife

me

fliouldft

Amos,

aflemblies.

them

24.

will not
of-

neither will I regard the

Take thou

away from me

the noife of thy fongs

mekdy

take

v. 21

Though ye

of your fat beafts.

hear the

16.

and your meat-offerings,

peace-ofierings

ii)t

judge
1.

haft thou to

your feaft-days, and

burnt- offerings,

I will not accept

thou

Pfal.

What

ftatutes, or that

fmelHn your folemn

fer

learn to do

reli&ve the opprelled

covenant in thy mouth?'*

I hate,

make

ye,

plead for the widow,"

^*

my

^eafe to do evil

feek judgement

t)is fatherlefs

Walh

the evil of your doings from

of thy vicis.

But

for
let

will

judge-

COMPARED.

Scr. 13.

5^it

ment run down as waters, and

mighty fire am."

my

Indeed,

bretliren,

right eoufuefs as

iv

what can be more ahomi--

nable, than the worlliip of fuch pcrfons as live iu

the habitual indulgence of fin

voking
finner

to

what more pro-

God ? what more prefumptuous

And who can fufiiciently wonder

blindnefs of all of this charadler

accefs to

God, which

rence of

fin,

in you, think you, than

He

able,

your

the

at

tho

their very

fliould increafe their

flionld, notwithflanding,

cafe in the commifiion of

lefs.

That

in

abhor-

them at

fet

Will he bear more

it ?

in others

He

will bear

you fooncr in his providence,

and he will punifli you heavier to all eternity.
Things are quite oppofite to what you fuppofe.
Inflcad of your duties rendering your fins pardonwill vifit

fins

The

(2.)

render your duties infupportable,

other kind of liypocrify

when men-

is,

put on religion as a cloak and covering on their

wickednefs,
fenfe of

men. This

without any inward regard ojGod, aim only at the praife of

pofilble, more daring and prefump-.

and,

duty

to

is, if

tuous than the other, or rather

ftage

of the fame cliarater.

is

more advanced
was for this that

It

our Saviour fo fevercly reprehended the PharJfces

Mattii. vi. I. 2.

" Take heed

alms before men,

to

that

be feen of them

ye have no reward of your Father which

ven.

Therefore,

when thou

ye do not your

dofl thine

otherwife,
is

in hea-

alms, do.

not found a trumpet before thee, as the liypocrit^s

do in the fj-nagogucs and in the

may

have glory of men.

They have

their

ftreets,

Verily

reward."

Dd2

And

that tliey

I fay

unto you,.

ver.

5.

*'

.And

312

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

when thou

prayeft, thou Ihalt not be as hypocrites

are

3.

for they love to pray ftanding in the fyna-

gogues, and in the corners of the

may

Ser.

be feen of men. Verily

this

from

They

not

is

all.

them-

are not fatisfied with doing things in

felves praife-worthy

they

ftreets, that

fay unto you,

But truly

have their reward."

Some

oftentation, or the

hope

cf applaufe from men, but they endeavour, by their

fliining

and burning zeal in fuch things,

to blind

them from

difcover-

the eyes of others, and hinder

iug and punifliing their fecret wickednefs

Wo unto

*^

xxiii. 14.

hypocrites

ye devour widows houfes, and for

for

make

a pretence

long prayers

receive the greater damnation/*

the cafe,

it is

Whenever

fhall

this is

no wonder that obedience Ihould be

You

it.

ye

therefore

preferred before facrifice, and indeed

tion to

Matth.

you, Scribes and Pharifees,

fee,

however, that

fet in

this is

oppofi-

no more

than what our Saviour fays of almfgiving, which

is

fo

eminent a moral 'duty, but which can never

find acceptance

with God, when done merely from

a principle of oftentation.

It is

impoflible,

upon

the whole, to fet this matter in a jufter light than

our Saviour has done, in fpeaking of the fame

Pharifees, Matth. xxiii. 23.

and Pharifees, hypocrites

and

and cummin,

anife,

'*

Wo unto you, Scribes

for

ye pay

tithe

of mint,

and have omitted the

'weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy,

and

faith

ye

thefe ought

to

have done, and not

to leave the other undone."

3.

dead
all

Obedience
2lxA formal,

the ends

is

oppofed to
I

am

which an

facrifices, as

they are

not at this time to mention

infinitely wife

God

intended

COMPARED.

Ser. 13.
to fervc

hj

3.13

the appointment of facrifices

one mull be

but evciy

they could be of no

fenfible, that

avail,

without taking in the principle from which they

the ofTerer.

difpofition o

temper and

u'cre brought, and the

There was no doubt very much o

outward form in the Mofaic ceconomy

way

bulk

practices bore fo great

ritual

in

and the

tha^^,

it,

by

of comparifon with the fpirituality of the go-

fpcl,

But

called the law of a carnal commandment.

would be miflaking it very much to fup-

it is
it

God was

pofe, that

fully f^tisfled with, or delired

that his people fliculd reft in the

This

plain

is

outward form.

from many paffages of

fcripture.

What an example of fervour and elevation of fplrit

liave we in the exerclfe and language of thepfalmiff.
David, through the whole of his writings

may

Pf. v. 7.

fee,

" But

me,

for

as

into thy iioufe in the multitude of thy

thy fear will

in

"

cy

I con:ipafs thine altar,

this

fo will

I will

mercy

wafh mine hands

you may add what he

" For thou

it

of

in innocen-

fays, Pfal.

defirefl not facrifice,

God

contrite heart,

and

elfe

are a

broken

O God,

In oppofition to

fpirit

To

Lord."

16. 17,

li.

would

thou delighteil not in burnt-ofTerlng.

crifices

come

worfhip toward thy holy temple.*'

Pf. xxvi. 6.
:

Yoti

will

give

The

fa-

a broken and a

thou wilt not defpife.-'

however

this,

both of reuion and fcripture,

it

clear

a di^Slate

fcems to have been

the difeafe of ancient, times, to imagine that the

facrifices

Maker

were fome

in

how

themfclvcs

necelTary orufeful to their

and that he was pleafed

independent of the

with the poffeflion of the

gift,

difpofition of the giver.

This led both Jews

D-d

ni:!

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

3I"4

Ser. I3.

Gentiles to fuppofe, that the more numerous and

the victims,

coftly

come before
high

God

offerings,

would be their
" Wherewith fliall I

greater

the

Micah,

influence:

6.

vi.

bow

the Lord, and

myfelf before the

come before him with burnt-

Shall I

with calves of a year old

Will the

Lord be pleafed with thoufands of rams, or with

Shall I give my firftmy tranfgreffion, the fruit of my body for
of my foul ?"
To fuch an exceffive height

ten thoufands of rivers of oil

born for
the fin

did this error proceed, that 6n extraordinary occa-

many

(ions the heathens

of

human

and endeavoured, by

facrifices,

different nations offered

to increafe their value in the fight of

God

pofition to this grofs delufion,

ly in that admirable pafiage, Pf.

1.

people, and I will fpeak

1 will tellify againfl thee

God.

I will

num-

God.

In op-

often alferts hi&

all-fufFiciency, as well as fovereignty

my

their

rank of their parents,

ber, their youth, or the high

as particu-

7..14. "

Ifrael,

am God,

Hear,

and I

even thy

not reprove thee for thy facrifices, or

thy burnt- offerings, to have been continually before

mie.

no bullock out of thy houfe, nor

I will take

For every beaft of the

he-goats out of thy folds.

forefl is

know

mine, and the

all

cattle

upon

a thoufand hills*

the fowls of the mountains

wild beails of the

gry, I would not

field are

tell

thee

and the fulnefs thereof.

bulls, or drink

mine.

If I

for the

Will

and the

were hun-

world

is

mine,

eat the flelh of

the blood of goats

Offer unto

God thankfgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Mofl

High." And even with regard to their ordinary
attendance on inftrudionj he fays^ Ezekiel^ xxxiii.

COMPARED.

Scr. 13.

31. "

And

they come unto

Cometh, and they

315
the

as

tliee

my

before thee as

fit

people

people, and

they hear thy words, but they will not do them

for with

mouth they ihew much

their

love, but

their heart goeth after their covetoufnefs.'^

This condu6l,

God, and

dirtionourable to

fo

fo

inconfiftent with the holinefs and purity of his na-

had

ture,

among

But furcly

The

Chriflians.

it

gofpel, as a difpenfation

And,

the Spirit,

John, iv. 23.

is,

when

is

called the

our Saviour fays,

" But the hour cometh, and

24.

the true worfhippers Ihall worfhip

the Father in fpirit and in truth

God

feeketh fuch to worfhip him.

for the Father

a fpirit

is

they that worfhip him, muft worfhip him in

and

fpe6l

be juftly charged with guilt in

or rather,

who

is

does not in fome degree

Are

who

form of worof

fpirit

Are

it ?

value and truft in their forms,

while they are regardlefs of the

there not fome^

this re-

under the reproof?

refl in the

and are flrangers to the

there not fome

fpirit

there amongfl us that

fall

fome who

there not

fhip,

and

But are there not fome amongft us

in truth."

who may

7?ii^

in opposition to all

of
ceremonial and local worfhip,

oow

more criminal

is Hill

of clearer light, and greater purity,

nistration

among Jews

excufe cither

no* fufficient

or Heathens.

who

not only

fpirit

Nay,

fubmit

are

but are

to,

pleafed vrith the form, and yet havf no relifh for

that nearnefs to

which

God, and

conflitutes

the

may

many
God

finfal

is that

a real facriiicQ to

If

motives

you come

to

fenfe

of his prefence,

of worfhip

fpirit

How

bring us to the houfe of

avoid the reproach of men,

God

If

you come

ftoic

OEEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

3i6

oflentatlon, to

fancy,

be

of meiiy

Jfeea

God

acceptable to

by hearing

is

that

you come

If

Scr. I3,

an ofTering

to gratify

the performance of

your

man, you

are oiTering the incenfe to the creature that is

only

God.

to

Conlider further,

how

often

due

we

may

be finfully employed in the houfe of God.

Are

carelefs inattentive perfons OiFering acceptable

facriiiccs to

God

Arc

thofe

who

indulge vain,

proud, fcnfual, covetous thoughts in worfhip, of-

God

fering facrilice to

Are

thofe

who come

to

eenfure or admire the fpeaker offering facrifice to

God

In all fuch cafes, without any difparage-

ment to the holieii

from a juft concern

we may

tion,

hold,

to

fay, in the

obey

In the

4.

criiices, as

better

is

hearken, than the

of God,, or rather

inftitutions

them from profanawords of the text, " Be-

to defend

than facrifice

and

to

of rams."

fat

last place,

obedicHce

is

oppofed to far

they are mifplaced- and unfeafonable.

La

the ancient difpenfation, time and place were as

much

afcertained as

any circumftance that

to the temple-fervice

b.-^longed

and nothing could be more

contrary to the fpirit of that ceconomy, than taking

any liberty with the order which God himfelf had

There are feveral inflances of heavy

eilabliihed.

judgements denounced againft princes, whofe chief

fault

feems

orifices in

to ha-ve

been, oiiering the appointed far

forbidden places, or at impropea: feafons.

If, therefore,

he would not

fufFer

any variation

in circumflances which he had prefcribed,

how

could Saul fuppofe, that he would, accept of a fa*

criiice in the

aipjded?

place of a duty

It i^ alfo.to

which he had com-

bs objirved^ that the. duties

COMPARED.

Ser. 13.
the moral

of

therefore,

them

317

law are perpetually binding

and
in providence any example of
;

when

urgent call of

occurs, llrengthened with the

mercy, they become exceptions

necelTity and

to

an

Thus our Saviour

ordinance of a pofitive nature.

does not contradict the law of Mofes in what he

teaches concerning the Sabbath

manner

command

that

was,

but Ihews in what

ought always to

or

have been underftood by the Jews themfelves.

See

"

And

an inflance of this,
the ruler of the

Luke,

xiii.

14. 15. 16.

fynagogue anfwered with indig-

nation, becaufe that Jefus

had healed on the Sab-

bath-day, and faid unto the people. There are fix

men ought to work in them, therecome and be healed, and not on the Sabbathday.
The Lord then anfwered him, and faid.
Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the
days in which

fore,

Sabbath-day loofe his ox, or his

and

ftall,

ought not

ham,

this

whom

Satan hath bound,

years, be loofed

day

?'*

afs,

from the

him away tO' watering ?

And
woman, being a daughter of Abra-

lead

from

this

lo,

thefe eighteen

bond on the Sabbath-

See alfo two other examples of the fame

thing, in the 12th chapter of the gofpel according

to

IMatthew

palTage

in fupport of

from

tlie

which our Lord

Old Teflament,

ye had known what

this

cy, and not facrifice, ye

ver. 7.

meaneth,

**

cites

But

will have

a
if

mer-

would not have condemned

the guiltlefs."

The fame
times.

We

general rule

mufl attend

is

to

be obferved

at

all

to the intimations of pro-

vidence, and, as far as they can be clearly difcerncd,

difcharge thofe duties to whi.h

we

are immediately

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

3l8

Every thing

called.

and

feafon,

Ser. IJ.

place and

is beauciftsl in its

then not only moft acceptable to

is

God, but mofl ufeful to men. It is fo far from

any difparagement of facrifices, that it is

feeing

their very excellence,

And

and place.

the

with equal propriety

The mofl

law.

True

plied.

the Father,

and yet,

in the text will apply

every duty of the moral

to

excellent of

them may be mifap-

and undefiled before

religion

is,

be confined to their time

to

maxim

if the

in

be ufeful,

is

it

by

it

Judge

much

is

the

charafler

meet with the approbation of our

if

any

time

Feeding the

a rejefted facrifice.

and yet,

whofe prefence cannot

thofe

hungry, and clothing the naked,

that Ihall

and

time of divine worfhip be unnecef-

farily ehofen for that purpofe, or if too

be confumed

God

and the widow

to vifit the fatherlefs

final

out of oftentation,

fliall,

feed the poor abroad, and llarve their families at

home,
other

oj:

perform

this

duty

at the

expence of any

more immediately binding, he

falls

condemnation of the prophet in the text

to

obey

is

better than facrifice

of rams."

To

and

under the
^'

Behold,

to hearken,

conclude this head,

than the

fat

we

greatly mifinterpret this palTage of fcrip-

fhall

ture, if

we

pretend to honour one part of religion

to the prejudice

demned by

of another.

pofitive duties, as

worlhip,

The

facrifices

as

oppofed

oppofed

to

to moral,

nor of acls of

the duties of the fecond

table; but of every a6t of religron,

however excel-

lent in itfelf, or neceflary in its place, if

from an
fiaful

ill

con-

the prophet arc not to be underftood of

principle,

it is

done

with a fmful purpofe, in a

manner, or fubflituted in the room of that

COMTARED.

Ser. 13.

which God

315

in his providence doth immediately re-

quire.

PROCEED now

III. I

to

make fome

provement of what hath been

im-

praftical

And,

faid.

I. From what hath been faid, you may learn

what are the great charafters of acceptable obe-

dience

and,

dience.

It

may

think, they

be reduced

to the

(i.) It muil be an implicit obe-

three following,

muil be founded immediately and

redly on the authority of God.

We

di-

muft not take

upon us to judge of the moment and importance of

any part of his will, further than he hath made it

known himfelf. It is a very, dangerous thing

us to make comparifons between one duty and
other, efpecially with

any of them, or

a view of difpenfing with

ting one in another's place.

partial, that

is,

that

(2.)

mon,
je^l,

It

was the

own

interefl

that

it

God

which was vile

It is too com-

both points out the ob-

meafure of our obedience

afTigns tlie

in that cafe,

dience to

befl of the fpoil tliat

;

they utterly deflroyed.

that our

and

be felf-denied and im-

it

Saul and the people faved

refufe,

A fecond charader

be not direbed or qualified by our

it

prefent interefl.

and

and fubflitu-

altering their order,

of true obedience

for

an-

name

does not deferve the

at

all.

devoted to God, ready

and

of obe-

But when the Chriftian

at his call,

and equally

is

dif-

pofed to any employment afligned him in providence, he then

may

be faid indeed

(3.) A thiid character of obedience

verfal,

without any exception.

dren of

Ifrael,

had complied fo

to

is,

do his will.

that

it

be uni-

SaiJ, and the chilfar

with the order

OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

320

Ser. I3,

given them, that the greateft part both of the people

and fubftance of Amalek was deftroyed

but he
fliort, and knowingly left unfinilhed what
;

flopped

had been enjoined him by the fame authority.

2. From what hath been faid on this fubjeft, you

may fee,

with the notion of merit, as

fiftent

our

that the true notion of obedience is incon-

Maker under fome

we may

very common.
all,

we

could lay

This

is

merit at the hand of God, and yet

Nay,

with great

this life

if

of obligation.

and dangerous an error as any whatever, to

as fatal

think

fort

it

feems

and

" Yea, but

faid,

the voice of the Lord."

God, there was no

to us

and never in

You fee how Saul jufti-

wholly overcome.

iied himfelf,

be natural

to

difficulty retrained,

have obeyed

But, in the judgement of

confideration

had of what had

been done, but a fevere fentence of condemnation

upon him
is

due

God,

to

what he had negle^led.

for

dience

True obe-

alv/ays confidered, in this light, as a debt

for the performance of w^hich nothing

c^n be claimed, but for the neglel of which a

penalty

is

attended

to.

incurred.

The

wilh this were properly

guilt of tranfgreffion is plainly

inconfiftent with the merit of obedience.

If

we

are

liable to punifliraent for not obeying, the right of

our
is

Maker

no room

to

our fervice muft be complete, there

to

plead any merit in compliance,

and the reward muft be of grace, and not of debt.

Thus,
the
lefs

think,

more

it is

always

felt

by good men and

God, they are the
;

that they are devoted to

difpofed to avail themfelves of any thing they

have done, and the more inclined

to alk forgive-

coMPARfeD.

Ser. 13.

what hath been

ncfs for

32t

omitted

either

or

ill

done.

From what

3.

hath been

you may

faid,

learn the

we

If

great defe^ls of our obedience in general.

coniider the charafters of true obedience, implicit,

be fenfible what

we mull

impartial, and univerfal,

great blemillies attend every adl of duty to

which we perform.

We

thing amifs, either in

its

What

end.

fliall

extent,

always find fomeprinciple, or its

its

reafon this for humiliation

powerful argument

God

w^hat a

every Chriftian to live a

to

life

of continual dependence on divine llrength to enable

him

obey, and divine mercy to accept of his

to

imperfect obedience

Nothing but great igno-

rance of themfelves, or great inattention to what

own

palTes in their

hearts, can

embolden them

And

put confidence in themfelves.

doing fo

commonly

is

attended with very mortify-

When God

ing effects.

difpleafure, to

leaves them, in fatherly

prove and try them^

leaves linners to themfelves, to

of their iniquities,

it

To

that wliich

is

In the

4.

hort

will

you

to

may

it

when he

the meafure

dwelleth no good

llefli,

us, but to

do

find not.

place, Suffer

make

or

up

be prefent with

good we

last

fill

foon affords a fatisfying proof,

that in us, that is in our

thing.

to

indeed their

me

earneftly to ex-

your daily ftudy, not only to

keep the commandments of God, but to take particular notice from what principle your obedience
flows.

See

how much

denial, of devotcdnefs to

providence.

One

a6l

there

of

filent

in

is

God, of

it

of

f^^lf-

fubjeclion to his

fubmiffion,

or

quiet application to thofe duties that arc immediate-

VoL.

II.

OBEDIENCE ANtD SACRIFICE,

522

Scr. I3.

cc.

iy necelTarj^, though neither eafy nor honourable,

is

much more

of

value than a long trad of activity

and zeal in a public and

vifible

fphere of adion,

fweetened by reputation and applaufe.

miffive Chriftian lives

dependent of the creature

ferves his

God

As

upon the Creator

the fub-

alone, in-

fo the obedient Chrillian

and Redeemer alone, without pay-

ing any regard to the efleem or approbation of his

fellow-linners.

way only is your obedience

way only will you find it

In this

given to God, and in this

pleafant or profitable to yourfelves.

clearly and clofely to the

much as any
know what it

not fo

than to

miilaken.
to

But

have place,

what
and

you keep

other defire, or inclination,

you

is,

will hardly ever

be

you allow any other motives

you take upon you to judge of

if

if

moft proper or expedient, or even pra6li-

is

cable,

If

command of God, and have

you

find

will pollute every part of your duty,

yourfelves often involved in impenetra-

ble darknefs.

If

what

is

intereft fet afide, if duty

tention,

and events

duty be the inquiry, and

be the objeft of your

left to

fpeakable confolation from

God, you
it

in the

at-

will find un-

mean

time, as

well as the fuccefs more effeftually fecured than

it

could poflibly have been by any anxiety or foreiight

of your

own.

Let God,

unadulterated obedience of
let

us aik of him, according to

work

in us to will

and

to

then,

have

the

and
his promife, " to

all his

creatures

do of his good pleafure."

SERMON

XIV.

THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF

VISIBLE

RELIGION.

Matthew,
Let your

v. i6.

hefore men, that th^y

light so shine

may

your good works, and glorify your Father

which is in heaven,

see

THERE

are

two

difFerent divifions frequent!

made of practical religion.

duty to God, and our duty to man.
every part of our
referred to

dut)^

God, and

to

his authority enjoining

were not

One, into our

Not
to

as tliougli

be ultimate^v-

be done from a regard to

it

but becaufe there are

fome duties, of the performance of which the Lord

our Maker, and fome of which our neighbour,

Another common

the immediate objed.

is

into the hidden and the apparent part

is

divilioii

the in-

ward frame and temper of the mind, and the outward life and convcrfation. Thefe two divifions,
though they arc near akin

by

to

one another, and often

indiftincl fpeakers in a great

meafurc confound-

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

324
ed, yet are

when

the fame

and

the diirerence is not fufficiently attended to,

many bad

followed by

is

it

by no means one and

Scr. I4.

undeniable, that

God

in the inward parts

we owe

confequences.

chiefly delighted

is

many

yet there' are

God, which ought

an outward expreffion, which without it
duties

It is

with truth

to

of the

to

have

will not

be acceptable to him, but which are greatly negledled

by

thofe

who imagine

Gonverfation implies no

that a

more than

good

life

and

the performance

of a few of the moll obvious and neceilary focial

The

virtues.

feem

truth

lefs

is,

there .are

few things that

underltood than the nature,

ex-

Some

lean

and obligation of viiible religion.

tent,

to

be

to

one extreme, and fome to another.

Reproaches

are mutually thrown upon one another.

Some are
blamed for too much profefHon and they are ready
;

to retort the charge,

equal jullice, for too

leaft

at

mean

In the

and blame their accufers, with

who have

or none at

all.

few of any

fort

little,

time, there are too

fuch a conduft and char after as really

adorns the dolrine of their Saviour, and ferves for

the inilruftion of finners, or

comfort of thofe

have chofen

who

the edification and

God. For this reafon I

little upon thefe words of our

fear

to inliil a

Saviour to his diiciples, in his excellent fermon on

the mount,
that they

your Father
I

am

*^

may

Let your light fo

fee

v*^hich is in

fenfible

fliine

before men,

your good works, and glorify

heaven."

that fome,

and particularly one

commentator of great eminence, underftand thefe

words

as addreiTed only, or chiefly, to the twelve

apoflies

^nd that by

light is to

be underftood their

OF VISIBLE religiok.

Ser. 14.

dodrine, which they were to

fliine

to

freely

received

let

communicate,

This they prefume

it.

325
to

or to fuffcr

as they
to

had freely

have been in-

tended, in oppofuion to the heathen philofophers

and the Jewiih teachers, who confined their inftructions to their fchools, and imparted what they
efteemed their valuable difcoveries only to a few
To fupport this interpretation, it is
felel difciples.

metaphor of light is conf^antly

and that of
ufed in fcripture to fignify knowledge
the pribe
this
But though
darknefs, ignorance.
mary intention of the metaphor, it is furely fomealledged, that the

times carried on to exprefs the ciTecls of knowand not only vvalking in the light, (as
;

ledge

John,

(a^
7.), but fliinlng as lights intlie world,

i.

in Phil.

ii.

15.), anexpreiTion almoft the

fame witU

that in our text, is uled to fignify holinefs of life.

Befides,

do not think the above interpretation,

can be made, without fome conftraint, to agree wid

the expreffion in the lalt part of the verfe, " that
-

they

may

fee

your good works."

underftand

the words, therefore, as originally addreiled to all

who
all
<*

then heard our Lord's difcourfe, and

profeflmg

Chriftians

now

ta

and by the expreffion,

Let your light fo fhine before men, that they

may

fee

yom* good works

j" that the holinefs

and

purity of their converfation fliould be vifible and

eminent

tl'iat

men by

obferving

it

might be con-

ft rained to acknowledge the truth and power of

the principles v/hich produced it, and perfuaded to

to yield themfelves alio to their

government.

In difcourfing upon this fubjecl, wh?.t

through

divi

^^-

';fri!ht..ce,

is,

lies

propcfr-^

326

NATURE AND EXTENT

tfl!

To illuftrate the meaning

I.

hortation. Let

may

your

see

To

II.

your

Ser. 1 4,

and extent of the ex-

light so shine before

7Tien,

that they

goiyd works,
illuftrate the

motives with which

it

enforced, as they are contained in the text,

glory of God, and the good of others

the last place, to

may

of what

be

in

make fome practical improvement

faid,

In ihajirst place, then,

I.

And,

is

the

let

us confider the

extent and the meaning of the exhortation, " Let

your light
fee

fo

before men,

fhine

your good worksr"

that they

may

This, in general, includes

the whole of vifible religion

every part of the

duty of a Chriilian to which his neighbours are

or

may

to obferve, that

mind

is

human
there

And

be witneffes.

not in

much

it is

of importance

though the inward temper of the

itfelf

obfervation

is,;

here

and immediately the objeft of

and though there

may be, and

hypocrify in the world

difpofition of the heart hath a natural

yet every

and genuine

-may be more clearly or more obdifcerned by fome outward fymptoms.

expreflion, -and

fcurely

There

are, therefore,

fuppofcy

few

grofler miflakes than to

either that no conclufions will,

none ought,

to

or that

be drawn by the world about us,

concerning our inward difpofitions, from our out-

ward

carriage.

So eflabliihed

is

the connexion

between them, that hypocrites are ufually

much

miore fuccefsful in deceiving themfelves than the

world.

On the

other hand, thofe who, from a real.

or pretended fear of the imputation of hypocrify;^

put oif

all

outward appearances- of devotion, and

OF VISIBLE RELIGION.

Ser. 14.

from

abftain

all

3^^

expreflions of the inward exercife

of their fouls, will hardly perfuade any impartial

perfon, that the hidden fource
ful,

when

is

flrong and plenti-

the llreams which Ihould ilTue from

of the mind, as forrow, anger, and joy, do

imme-

diately difcover themfelves in the countenance

carriage

it

Other natural afFeftions

are fo eafilj concealed.

and though they

may

and

be reftrained and

moderated, can fcarcely be wholly or long concealed. Why then fliould it be otherwife with religious alFedions,

nature, and

am

afraid

which

arc at leaft as juft in their

much more noble in

we may fay, with

their obje6l

too

much

that there is but little real religion in the

prefent

and yet even that

little is

truth,

world

often, in a

at

moft

fhameful and cowardly manner, dilTembled or denied.

But becaufe the impreffion of general truths

but feldom llrong or lafting,
ticular obfervations, for

I Ihall

is

add a few par-

opening the meaning and

extent of this exhortation. Let your light shine he^

fore

And,

??ien

make your

in Xhtjirst place, If

you would

light to fhine before the world,

you

mud

be careful of the pradice of fuch duties as are

moft rare and uncommon ; and that whether their
being fo

arifes

from the

difficulty

of the duties

themfelves, or from the peculiar degeneracy and

contrary practice of any particular age or place.

The metaphor
can be faid

itfelf will

to fliine,

teach

you

this.

Nothing

but that which throws out a

diftinguilhed luftre, in comparifon of other objedls.

Thofe who are but

as other

men, and do no-way

excel the world about them, cannot poflibly bring


THE NATURE AND EXTENT

328
any honour
to

make

to their profeffion,

their light to

Scr. I4.

or be properly faid

Thus our Saviour

fliine.

recommending a very

rare and eminent

Matth. v. 44. 46. 47. " But I fay unto
you, Love your enemies, blefs them that curfe you,

argues, in

virtue,

do good to them that hate you, and pray for them

which defpitefully ufe you, and perfecute you.
For if ye love them that love you, what re^vard

have ye
if

do not even the publicans the fame

And

ye falme your brethren only, what do ye more

than others ?"

1 obferved, in entering

either

upon

from the

this particular, that

may

of fome duties

the pradice

be uncommon,

themfelves,

diiHculty of the duties

or the peculiar degeneracy of any particular age

The

or place.
cafes in

fpirituality,
b-ent

of thefe happens in

firfl

which the law of God, from

is

" the carnal mind

it is not fubje6l to

can be j" yet

this

the

which Ihone

he dwelt among

which he

fo

is

For though
us,.

it

is

Some
in the

God

much

be true in

(Rom.

enmity againfl

law of

enmity

cafes than in others.

pofitions

thofe

all

purity and

^loft immediately contrary to the

of carnal aiFedicn.

general, as the apoftle Paul tells

that

its

-^

viii.

God

7.)
for

neither indeed

fome

ftronger in

of thofe gracious dif-

man

Chriil Jefus

us, full of grace

and

when

truth,

ardently recommends, fuch

as,

and
con-

tempt of the world,, and heavenlinefs of mind,

meeknefs,

humility,

the forgivenefe

of injuries,

and the love of our enemies, are much more oppo.fite to

the tendency of corrupt nature, than fome

other parts of the moral law.

properly,

it is

Or, to fpeak nore

only by an obedience to the

v/ill of.

OF VISIBLE religion.

Ser. 14.

God,

329

carried to this degree, and manifeftly flow-

ing from fuch principles, and fuch an inward temper, that

we

make our

can

in the

light to fhine

view of an obferving world.

I

took notice

by

into contempt,

is

it

diffi-

neglected, or brought

the peculiar degeneracy of

who would make

age or place, he
before men,

whether any duty be

alfo, that

cult or eafy in itfelf, if

any

his light to fliine

with boldnefs and refolution,

muft,

with fledfaflnefs and conflancy, adhere to the practice

of

any place, or

If in

it.

in

any age, the very

outward attendance upon the ordinances of Chrift's

made

inflitution is

of every rank

by many

light of, or defpiied,

if tlie

name

of

God

abufed by unholy converfatioo

is

profaned and
then the duty

it is

of every real fervant of God, publicly to manifeft

his efleem

and love for divine ordinances, and to

maintain the higheft reverence for the holy

God

name

And, if I
am not miftaken, the very meaning of making our
light to fliine before men, is, to be doubly watchful
of

in his difcourfe and language.

in all fuch cafes, not only

on our own account, but

upon account of others

or,

prefled

For

it,

that they

may

as our

fee

our

Saviour ex-

works

good

only to efleem the inflitutions

inflance, not

of Chrifl in the gofpel, for their tendency to pro-

mote our
thefe

ed

in

attend

is

and comfort, but even

at

another way, at
carefully

we may
that

fanftification

purpoies might be

upon

leafl

particular times

public

due

to

them

or,

yet to

ordinances,

contribute our part to preferve the

when profane

when

as well obtain-

that

refpedt

in the other cafe fuppofed,

fwearing is

common and

prevalent^

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

33^

Scr. I4.

to difcover the deeper reverence for the holy

name

of God, and ufe the utmoil caution in the whole

of our converfation,
fion, or

to avoid every doubtful expref-

that may Ilave a tendency to infnare

any thing

the unwary, or confirm the wicked in an evil courfe.

You

thefe fins prevail

age

my

probably conclude, that

will

thefe two- inftances

mentioning

from a perfuafion

arifes

that

remarkably among us in the prefent

and your conclufion

I ihall

is juft.

more to them, viz. voluptuoufnefs

add one

either exceifive

fenfuality and intemperance, or at leaft a pleafing of

the

fielli,

with a

total neglet

And

felf-denial.

particularly called upon,

text,

in thefe

of mortification and

my

be alTured,

by

brethren,

it,

are

and every ether inftance of the like

kind, not to lofe your horror of fin

of

you

the exhortation in the

by

the frequency

but, according to the pxhortation of the apoftle

Paul, Phil.

ii.

the fons of

15.

to

be " blamelefs and harmlefs,

in the midH of
among whom ye

God, without rebuke,

a crooked and perverfe nation,

ihine as lights in the world."'

In the secoud place, In order to

ihine before men,

you muft

aft

make your

light

an unexceptionable

part in all fuch cafes as your conduct falls moll zmmediately, and moil folly , under the ohsei^oation of

others.
in

its full

ligion.

duct

is

have
extent

faid above,

that the

exhortation

includes the W'hole of vifible re-

But there are fome

cafes in

which our con-

comparatively more vifible than in others,

and more immediately fubjefted to the examinatloa

As there are fome places more con^

of the world.

fpicious and expofed to public viev/ than others, fo

are there alfo

fome perfons

in the

whole of

their ClGt

portment, and fome adions of the fame perfons.

It

OF VISIBLE religion.

Ser. 14.
is

331

my

the laft of thcfe that chiefly relates to

prefent

Are you not fenfiblc, then,- that in thofe

which fall more immediately mider the ob-

fubje6l.

actions

fervation of others, the greateft caution and circum-

fpe6lion

is

necelTary

ment of men
fl:ians,

is

It is

from thefe

that the judge-

formed of profcfling Chri-

chiefly

and the character fixed which they mull bear

With refped

in the world.

men.

to other ad:ions,

proceed more upon conjetlure, and therefore will

even themfelves, lay

not,

obfervations
to

their

much

fo

ftrcfs

view,

their

conclufions

What

aflc,

are

their

they

anfvver,

that

Moft

the cbje6t

is

and

ticularly all relative diifies,

peremp-

obfervation of

many.

are

thofe of which our neighbour

are

thofe adions

moft immediately under the

others

upon

but in inch as are wholly fubjedted

If you

tory.
fall

alfo

of
par-

the govern-

ment of the tongue. Although thofe who are converfant with you may make llirewd guefles, by
what they fee in your outward deportment, whether
you are conftant in fecret devotion, or ferious and
fervent in public, they muft
uncertainty.
tainly

But

ftill

labour under much

a neighbour will quickly and cer-

know whether you

froward or peaceable

are friendly

or

felfifh,

know, whether

a wife muft

ftie hath an affectionate huflDand,

and a hufhand
whether he hath a dutiful wife a ferva^it muft know,
;

whether he is under a reafonable and gentle, or a

capricious and cniel mafter
and a mafter, whether
;

he

liath

llothful

a fubmifllve and diligent,

fervant.

The fame

fpcd: to every other relation.

ment of the tongue,

your converfation

or an idle and

tiling

And

the world muft

is

holds with rc-

as to the

govern-

know whether

pure and inoffenfive

at

all

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

332

Ser. I4.

times, and profitable as opportunities prefent themfelves

or if it

frothy, unprofitable, and vain,

is

peevifh, paffionate, uncliaile,

or

ralli,

As,

cenforious.

therefore, in the language of our Saviour, a city that

is fet

on

cannot be hid

a, hill

thefe cafes,

fo a Chrillian,

And

cannot be concealed.

may be allowed to

in

hope

fay, without being thought to put

the fliadow of religion for the fubftance, or prefer-

ring the form to the

he ought, in

all

fuch

cafes, to be particularly watchful that nothing

may

efcape

fpirit, that

him which may, in its confequences, tend

God, or the ruin of the fouls

the diftionour of

to

ot

men.
In the third place. In order
to fhine before

to

make your

men, you mull be careful

light

in the dif-

charge of fuch duties as are moft acceptable to others.

It is felf-evident, that if
ties

which we owe

them than

able to

mence

to

are

tli!:re

fome of the du-

our neighbours more accept-

more recom-

others, nothing wdll

religion to their efteem,

which

is

the defign

of a fhining converfation, than the faithful difcharge

of fuch duties.

Now,

more acceptable

to

evident

and none will

call

it

fome

others,

in queftion,

duties

is

very

who

re-

upon the different reception given to thofe duwhich promote men's temporal intereft, and

flect

ties

thofe

one

which
clafs

lleem of

bad

that there are

mankind than

reflrain or punifli their crimes.

of
all

tlicfe

procures

the

love

The

and e-

without exception, v/hether good or

the other often provokes the refentment and

inflames the paflions of the vicious,

great a part of the world.

who make

Reflect alfo

what a

fo

dif-

ferent reception is ufually given to a covetous hard-

hearted oppreflbr, qi to a fraudulent unjuft man^ on

::

OF VISIBLE RELIGION.

Ser. 14'the

one hand

and

^^3

to a profane fwearer, a

hated and

fled

from by

all

the laft

is

drunkard,

The

or deipifer of religion, on the other.

firft is

freely careffed

by many, and indeed often by thofe from whofe

more equal and impartial deteftation

profeffion a

of vice and wickednefs might have been expected.

This

be accounted

eafily to

is

that worldly intereft

part of

men, and

is

for, if

by

the idol of

that there

we

confider,

far the greateft

too ftrong a bias to

is

it

in the very beft.

From

this

who would make

he

plain, that

it is

his light to ihine before others,

muft be extremely

mod

acceptable to them,

careful of fuch duties as are

particularly juftice and integrity in all his dealings

and fuch

may be beyond

juftice as, if poflible,

pute, and to the conviftion of

dif-

There was a

all.

very great beauty and 4ignity in the language of

Samuel

to the children of Ifrael,

when he was

among them

of his conduft
I

Sam.

me
or

whom

prefled

taken
I

am

my

unto you.

ftation

w^tnefs againfl

or whofe afs have I taken

defrauded

whom

or of whofe hand have

bribe to blind
iliore it

have

and before his anbinted

Lord,

before the

whofe ox have

a public

in

Behold, here

**

xii, 3.

able

unblameablenefs

to appeal to themfelves, as to the

eyes therewith

And they

faid.

frauded us, nor opprefled us,

have

op-

I received

any

and

will re-

Thou haft

not de-

neither haft

taken aught of any man's hand."

thou

Mercy and cha-

rity alfo to thofe in diftrefs isuniverfally acceptable

this is

ftill

more acceptable

than juftice alone.

have a claim

Vol.

II.

The

to

mankind

reafon

to juftice, and, in

is,

in general

they think they

many cafes,

can ob*

THE KATURE AND EXTENT

334
tain

it

them

by compuliion, when
befides,

it is

be conceived the principle of

fear of a difcovery, and
rity

and companion

not willingly given

worldly wifdom

that

its

Ser. I4.

may

jufl dealings,

confequences

eaiily

through
but cha-

to the neceffities of others, is

looked upon as the free unconftrained exertion of good

The

difpofitions.

apoftle Paul fuppofes a diiference

in the eltimation of the world, between a merely

righteous or jull naan, and a good or merciful man,

when he
righteous

fays,

man

Rom.

" For fcarcely

v. 7.

will one die

for

yet peradventure for a

man fome w^ould even dare to die."

The fame lelfilli bias in men to their \Vorldly

ffood

tereft, will

to

make them

expelations.
that thofe

in-

indeed fometimes carry them fo far as

who

exceflive and unreafonable in

The world feems not only

God

profefs to fear

their

to expeft,

ihould be jull

and upright in their dealings, merciful and charitable to proper objefts

all

but that they lliould be at

times ready to yield up their

own

rights to the

extravagant demands of worldly men, and give fuch

as are neither conliftent

evidences of felf-denial,

Thefe exceflive ex-

with wifdom nar with piety.

pebations of the w^orld,

which

rience impoflible to gratify,

it is

found by expe-

are too apt

to

make

fome, in peeviftmefs and difpleafure, throw up

hopes

of,

or

endeavours

proaches.

This

impoflible

perfectly to

is

after,

to difobey

pleafe

avoiding

its

all

re-

God, becaufe it is
men. The more

i^ady they are to take offence without reafon, the

more watchful ought

be, that he

may

the confcientious Chrifl;ian to

give no

jufl:

ground' for

it.

And

undoubtedly the private example, or the public en-

OF VISIBLE religion.

Ser. 14.

335

deavours of any perfon for reformation, bid niucU

fairer for fuccefs,

when

his condudl is fuch in the

particulars above mentioned, as the world in gene-

be amiable and excellent.

ral miift confcfs to

I fhall

only add one confideratlon more, to llicw

the jiecciTity or propriety of fliining in fuch duties

ufually

It is, that

as are mofl acceptable to others.

the loofe or profane part of the world, in order to

prevent, or wipe off in fome meafure, the reproach

which

their conduft, in other inftances, brings

them, pretend

ings, their generofity

and charity

,not without infmuations, that tliofe

and

be

to

to

moral ho-

therefore incumbent on every fervani;

It is

God

of

this often

who appear

religious, arc not fo Uriel in point of

nefty.

upon

to glory in the juftnefs of their deal-

make

his praftice a continual

refutation of tlus

calunmy

and

and

vifible

to fliew, that

none

an, to fuch perfedion, difcharge any m^oral duty

whatever, as thofe
their

minds,

who

are

renewed

in the fpirit of

and having the love of

God

fned

muft of confequence love

abrop.d in their hearts,

their brethren alfo.

In the fourth and

last place, If

you would make

your light fhine before men, you muft be diligent in

tlie pratSlice

others.

of fuch duties as are moft profitable to

It will

not be difticult to determine what arc

the duties pioft profitable to others, if we only consider

what has the moil immediate tendency

their fpiritual

are

and eternal intereft.

many incumbent on
is little

thought

promote

pcrfons of every ftation, and

in every lituation of life

them

to

Of this kind, there

of,

though the. obligation of

for the moft part,

pradice generally ncglcdled; fuch

Ff

aS;

and the

private and per-

33^

STATURE

'J'HE

AND EXTENT

Ser. I4.

fonal inftruftloi!, tender and affedlionate counfel, faitli-

and reproof. Every one of us knows

ful admonition

the perfons to

whom

his inHuence extends,

nny fcheme for his worldly

interell

when

and advance-

ment, or that of his friends, or the power and credit

but few think of ufing the

of his party,

is at

fame interefl

for the glory of

ilake

God, and the

falvatioa

of deluded iinners.

Of this kind
inferiors

are all the duties of fuperiors to their

as parents

and heads of families, teachers

of youth, minifters of the gofpel, magiftrates and

Thefe, every one, in their feveral capacities,

rulers.

are obliged, either

more

directly or

by eonfequence,

ip pronoLote the everlafting intereft of thofe

under them

more
and

who

are

and nothing will naake their light

to fhine, nothing will contribute

more

illuilrate their Chriilian character,

to

adorn

than a faith-

and diligent difcharge of the duties o

lul, zealous,

rhefe ilations'.

Perhaps

it

may

be thought, that the reafoning on

the former particular

is

contrary to

this.;

ar.d that

if thefe duties, w^hich are acceptable to others,

make

a Chriilian' 3 converfation to fhine, the pralice

men

iuch as

are

have an oppofite
the cafe

for

^ns, religion
ipart

of

it,

averfe

effedl:.

from fubmitting
But

though fome
is

confiftent

to

from being

this is far

contrary to

fins are

throughout

of

mull

oth^

and every

inflead of obfcuring, throws

a luilre

upon another. This will ealily appear, if you confider, that however unwilling men are to be initruded in their duty, or reflrained and limited

from

their irregular indulg^ence

fo foon as the en-

deavours ufed for that purpofe are fuccefsful, they

will,

with the higheil thankfulnefs, acknowledge

Sen

OF VISIBLE RELIGION.

14.

bcHowed upon them.

care

tlie

in a J, at

ftrli:,

Though

a child

and for fome time, be impatient

faihei's authority

if

it is

blellings of his life

it

and the

o'f

one of the greatefl

memory

of fuch a pa-

be inlinitely more dear, than of one

v/ill

the

attended with fuccefs, he

will ever afterwards reckon

rent

337

who

has flicwn the moll partial and indulgent fondnefs.

may

Further, fuch duties, ihough they

and unpleafant
jects of

them

and ufcful

to thofc

who

be harfh

are the immediate ob-

yet as they are unqueftionably good

in themfelves, they

mufl command the

efteem and approbation of every impartial obferver.

It is

indeed by- this means alone, or chiefly, that the

public honour and credit of religion

amongft

fo great a

majority

What

in their hearts.

who

they would

own

or perhaps revile, in th^ir

only

fo,

its

when

them

others

to bear

Nay,

favour.

it

refift,

not

but the moll wicked and profligate, though

they hate religion and righteoufnefs in

are they fiifticiently fenfible of the

tween a religious profeiRon and

and

and

liate

cafe,

are concerned, confcience conllrains

clear and ilrong'tellimony in

preferved,

is

are enemies to

fuflicientl}^

its

proper

apt to reproach thofe in

obferve the deficiency

the performance

itfelf

yet

conne6lion befruits,

whom' they

and that in fuch cafes as

would be

painful, and not accep-

Thus

a child of a flothful pa-

table to themfelves.

rent, a fubje6l of an unfaithful magiilrate, if their

profeirion
fliall

fo

fuch as to

is

them

defpifc

far

where
to that

as to
their

make

the negleft fcandalouSj^

in their hearts, and

fometimes go

reproach them by their words, even

own

eafe

and fecurity

very criminal indulgence.

Ff3

is

wholly

From

all

o\N'ing

which

THE NATURE ANB EXTENT

33^
it

Sev.

4.

evidently appears, that a confcieiitious difcharge

of fuch duties as are

others,

our light

to fliine;

men.

before
I

make

highly proper to

is

and profitable to

ufefiil

iiioli

am

fenfible,

"'A'liich I

my

brethren, that thefe claffes into

have divided our public and vHlble

viz. fuch as are

duties,

moil rare and uncommon, fuch ss

are moft fubjeft to the obfervation of others, fuch

moll acceptable, and fuch

as are

ss are

moll

one from

able to them, are no$fo entirely diHinft

"another, but that there are

which

a Chriftiaii,

them

all

fall

yet

parts of the duty of

under more than one of thefe

and forne that

divifions,

many

proiit-

may

perhaps

have mentioned them

under

fall

feparatel}^,

becaufp each of them hath fome duties which do

peculiarly, or at kail eminently, belong to itfelf

and

as every

one of them contributes to fhew us

upon the whole,

the extent of our duty

fo the^^, at

the fame time, ferve to fet the obligations to

in a

it

ftriking light.

II. I

pofed,
tives

PROCEED now

which was,

added in the text

and thefe

are,

the second

to

thing

briefly to illullrate the

pro-

two mo-

to enforce the exhortation

God, and the good of

the glory of

others.

The

I.

glory of God.

The

glory of God

fupreme and higheft aim of every

which every other delign

is

is

the

real Chriftian, to

fubordinate and iubfer-

I am not ignorant that profane and worldly

men are apt to deride this language, of the glory
It is.
of God being the higheft aim of a Chriftian.

vient.

net,

however, the

lefs

agreeable to truth, that

it

is

THE NATURE A-VD EXTENT

Ser. 14.

contrary to the Ipirit of the v/orid

**

For the natural inan

God;

Spirit of

neither can he

It miglit

be

to fay,

is

agreeable to

it is

much

dom.

But

fure,

though

fnrcr teft of

for iilencirig gainfayers in

ibme rceachange of

their convidliou (without a

heart) cannot be hoped for,

would obferve,

God

the character of a Chriilian to Icve

that

above

net a natural confequence of fupreme

is it

love, to be jealous of the honour, and zealous in the

intereil

and caufe, of the objecl of cur elleem

Real love cannot, even

from

if this is

and expreflion.

once admitted, there

which we can

fo well, or rather there

which we can

at all

way

no

is
is

in

no way in

promote the glory of God but

As

by a holy and unblameable converfation.

works

be feparated.

in imagination,

this its natural effel

Now,

the

of creation are faid to lliew forth his glory,

becaufe they point out his natural perfections exerted in their formation
glorify him,

when

fo

liis

reafonable creatures

his image, or

fome

refenr;blance

of his moral excellence, and this as his ovvn

manfhip,
It is,

ceive

is

difcerned

no doubt,

how

in

it

is

it

by every one of

difficult for

God, who

at all

work-

their hearts.

one view,

the light in

to us himfelf, fo

ner

upon

the glory of

changeable, fliould
yet as this

fuppoit

fufllcient to

any maxims eflablithed by human wi{-

truth, than

and

thenn, becaufe they are fpiri-

manner of fpeaking,
the word of God, which

14.

him

for they are foolilhnefs luito

this

all

ii.

rcceivctli not tlie things of the

know

tually difccrned."

it is

Cor.

7,^(^

us to con-

is perfe<5t

and un-

depend upon our conduct

which he hath reprcfcntcd

isneceffarily felt in this

his ferviiiits.

Indeed

man-

we

fee,

01 VISIBLE RLLiGioN.

40

unguarded conduct of

that the unholineis or the

who

thofc

God, and

profcfs to fen^e

Ser. 14.

ft

and in an ap-

parent relation to him, has the greateil tendency to

dilhonour him, as far as that cxpreflion hath any

meaning

may

or propriety in

TJic .Hate of the world

ir.

eafily convince us of

tliis

no argument

for as

has been oftcner ufed agaiidt the gofpel, fo none

ever gave

of

deeper w^oiind, tliun the v.'icked lives

it

As many,

profeilors.

its

any

therefore, as have

regard to the glory of God, or the honour of the

muil carefully endeavour

Redeemer's name,

make

theu- light fhine before

fee their
is in

men,

good works, and glorify

**

that

they

their Father

to

may

which

heaven."

The

2.

other obligation contained in the text, to

an ufeful or

lliining

As fome

others.

converfation,

turally implanted in every heart,

others

is

the fecond

commandment

a neceffary effed of the love of

lible but this love, if

it

be

real,

liever, evidence itfelf in a

endeavour

confcientious

the good of

is

degree of love to mankind

and

to

of the law, and

God

fo

it is

impof-

muft, in every be-

deep concern

after,

na^

is

as love

the

for,

falvation

and
of

Whomfoever w^e love, we naturally ex-.

this love, by endeavouring to avert from them

others.
prefs

w^iich

thofe

ills

them

thofe

we moft

fear^

and to procure for

advantages which to ourfelves appear

moft valuable

and therefore, the looking upon

iin-

ners with indiiierence, and not uiing the means in

our power for their recovery and iaU^ation,

is

the

moft unqueftionable evidence, either of our not believing the important truths of religion, or being altogetlier void of good-will to our fellow-creatures ^

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

Ser. 14.

or

rather

of

becaufe

both,

they

branches of the fame character.

fliould profefs,

34T

are

effential

who

parent

from his own experience,

have

to

the greatefl apprehenfions of the danger of a cer-

and yet

tain praftice,

encou-

fliould freely fuffer or

rage his children in the fame pradice, would give

good ground
wholly

to judge,

either that his fears

were

he was altogether

defti^

affedled, or that

tute of love to his children, or concern for

their

welfai*e.

Now, how
mote the

man more

can any

about him, than

by

^s becometh the gofpel,

A blamelefs life,

more

is

of religion,

fuch

eiTeftual repri-

and a more inviting argum.ent

to vice,

practice

example of piety and

a fliining

ufefulnefs of converfation

mand

efre6hially pro-

real, that is, the everlafling interefl of others

to the

than the befl of reafoning.

Reafon and argument, for pattern and example,

moll; part of
fenfes,

mankind

bed inftraded by

are

and are both unwilling

to attend to,

is

The

but as an uninformed pi^lure to a living man.

their

and in-

cap.ible of perceiving, the force of fpeculacive rea-

foning

own

but a good

life,

anfwering to what their

confciences declare to be right,

is

a fcnfible re-

both on the

make an impveflio!-',
memory and heart. As the imprcPiioii

on the wax

is

on

though

prefentatiop, that never fails to

more

difcernible than the engra\ing'

this

lall

whereas many accidents

may

tlie feal,

image faulty and defective

be

juft

and perfe6>,

render the imprefled

fo,

though a

complete view of the doftrinc of Chrift

be had from the fcripturcs of

truili,

integrity and uprightnefs of a

is

juft

and

only to

yet the general

good man

is

moro

OF VISIBLE RELIGION.

34^

bulk of mankind and being the cha-

legible to the

man

racler of a

ber. 14.

of like paffions with

originally

themfelves, engages them

to imitate

of our neighbour,

From

it.

concur in laying the

jointly

upon every Chriflian

before men,

flrongeft obligation
his light fliine

III. I

fome

PROCEED now,

all

God, and the love

this I conclude, that thr love of

in the last place,

pratical impro\'ement of

to

make

to

make

what has been

faid.

And,
I

what

From what has been

refpecl alone

probation of

ought

to

We

ward converfation,

you may

in

fee

ap-

at the

and from what principle

others,-

Sow,

faid,

our duty to aim

it is

are

bound

as that

fo to order

it

our out-

may, on the one hand,

it

contribute nothing to the corruption of others, but

rather that they

may

be invited

and

to the pra6tice,

perfuaded of the excellence and amiablenefs of true

religion.

There

is

no

chara<R;er againft

which our

Saviour pronounces a feverer doom, than that of

being religious that v/e

is to fay,

when

applaufe to our

is

be feen of

the defign

that

things

is,

to

'

that

vifeful

But

their reward.

watch that the name of

God may

more

ovrn chara6ler as a gratification

be not blafphemed on our account,

fruit

men

only to procure their

Such perfons have

of vanity.

when

may

the view

be

glorified, there

and important.

the friends of religion

to bear

For

owe no thanks

God

mucli^

are

few

this reafon

to thofe

who

glory in a contempt of what others think or fay of

them,

who

are at

no pains

to a\'oid the

appearance

of evil, but freely indulge themfelves in whatever

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

Ser. 14.

they can, with any plauiibillty, alledge

They may

initfelf.

againll the

the world

cry out, as

much

343

to

be lawful

as

they will,

uncharitablenefs and cenforioufnefS of

but they themfelves are afting in down-

right contradiction to the exhortation in our text, and

neither fliew regard to the will of

panion

to the fouls of

the Chrifllan

men.

God, nor com-

In oppofition to

who would make

this,

his light to fliine, in

obedience to his Mailer's command, mull ufe the

utmoll tendernefs and circumfpeClion, not

own

reputation Ihould be wounded, but

left

left

Such

through his unguarded condudl.

ftiould fuffer

his

religion

an one hath this advantage, that though perfeftly

t-o

pleafe a capricious world

is

may

impoflible, he

mercy of God to be faithful and though

woe to the world becaufe of offences, he
may efcape the woe of that man by whom the offence

yet obtain
there

is

cometh.
In the second place,

What

hath been faid upon

this fubje6l ferves to reprove the fin,

danger, of

all thofe

who

the pradlice of the duty

and ihew the

are notorioully deficient in

recommended

in the text.

Indeed you m-ay fee from the extent of

affords

OEption

ground of humiliation for

;

all

it,

that

it

without ex-

and, like every other precept of the pure

and holy law of God, Ihews plainly, that a perfect

righteoufnefs
that, for

our

to the free

is

not to be found in ourfelves

final

acceptance,

and

But, in a particular manner,

this reproof is directed to

others,

indebted

grace of God, through the redemption

that is in Chrift Jefus.

First,

we muft be

two

forts of perfons-

Thofe who are wholly unprofitable

to

and altogether infenfible of their obligation

<^^

344

Ser. I^.

in the

this pretence, that

that, if they

do

evil,

they do no harm to others

plunged in fenfuality.
of the

negledt

the text
ferve

them

let

God, and
Let

liim.

me

none fuffer but themfelves. This

who

the ufual pretence of diflblute livers,

tire

world

openly juftify themfelves, and extenuate their

fms by

is

There are not a few

to profit them.

who

VISIBLE RELIGION.

are

Let fuch confider their en-

command

of our Saviour in

confider their

obligations

to

the account they muft render to

fuppofe any of you had a fervant

\vho Ihould altogether neglei; your bufinefs, and, upon

your reproving him, ihould make

have done no harm,

this

excufe,

havt put nothing out of

order, I have not hindered the other fervants in their

how would you be fatisfied ? or rather, with

what indignation would you receive the ihamelefs
pretence ? Let this, then, convince you of the juftice

work

of the fentence that ihall

at

our Supreme Mailer upon

**

lad be pronounced

all

fuch

by

Matth. xxv. 30.

Call ye the unprofitable fervant into outer dark-

nefs

there ihall be weeping,

gnafhing of teeth."
excufe,

weak

as

and waiting, and

But the Worft of

it is, is

not true

it

are not profitable, muft be hurtful to others.

ards, fwearers, profane

and lafcivious

who

is,

this

who
Drunk

for all thofe

jefters,

and

harm
to none but themfelves, pollute and corrupt, by
their example and influence, all that come within
the whole tribe of thofe

their reach

fo

that,

pretend to do

for the hazard of infeftion,

thieves and robbers are lefs dangerous companions.

But, secondly, This reproof ought to be direfted

to fuch as are further

guilt of reducing others,

chargeable with the actual

Hovv^

many are

there

who.

Ser. 14.

by

I45

OF VISIBLE RELIGIOK.

the contrary methods, of flattering infinuations,

or derilion and infuh, as they expert, from the dif-

be

pofitions of the perfons, the one or the other will

moft

endeavour

fuccefsful,

of reli-

to banifli a fenfe

gion from the minds of others, and gradually to

involve

them

fm and

in

guilt

This

is

the

imme-

diate tendency of all that converfation, which, with

upon

a malicious pleafure, enlarges

pofed mifcarriages

the real or fup-

people of God,

of the

and

charges every profeilion of religion with hypocrify.

How

aggravated

is

the guilt of

all

nent and faithful agents for the

how

fuch, and

They are emidevil.

The works

dreadful will be the punifhment

of their father they do, and his reward they

As

Ihare.

in

fliall

the union and mutual love of the faints

heaven will increafe the happinefs of every parfo

we muft

fuppofe, that the mutual reproaches of the

damned

member

ticular

and miferable

of that blefled fociety

fpirits in hell,

accufing each other as

the authors of their deftru6tion, will greatly fharpen

their

The

anguilli.

fear

of this feems to have

alarmed the rich man, even in torments,

left

his

What

brethren fhould

come

muft a

example, ruined by the negleft of

child, for

reftraint, or pernicious

to the

fame place.

example of

a parent, think

of or fay to the author of his mifery

ciful monfter,

<

corredling, fported with or encouraged the

ftances of impiety
to profane

my

unmer-

and not a parent, who, inftead of

who

taught me,

firft

in-

by example,

Creator's name, and to negle^l his

who, though ambitious of making me

rich and great for a few days in a tranfttory world,

fervice; and

liath contributed to

Vol.

II.

"

bring

me

to,

Gg

and

fix

me

for ever

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

34^

in this place of torment

befeech you,

Ser. I4.

Take warning

then, I

of every rank, and increafe not

all

your own condemnation by the

guilt of feducing

others.

In the /^zVJ place,

fubjedt will enable

What hath been faid upon

you

An

of your outward converfation.

is

inquiry here

we

of the more confequence, that

this

and fincerity

to try the purity

are in great

danger of deceiving ourfelves, becaufe both a truly

ferious

may

and a worldly motive

For

the fame outward alliens.

me

lead to

many

of

this purpofe, let

Whether it is the glory of God, and the

good of others, that makes you. watchful of your
afk you,

condud, or a tendernefs of your own reputation?

This may be, in a good meafure, difcerned by thfi
faithful fearch and trial of your .ow^n hearts ; and
particularly

by

obferving, whether the injuries and

reproaches of wicked

men

excite in

you a

greater

refentment of the offence, or compaffion for their

folly.

Again,

would aik you. Whether you are

equally confcientious in fuch duties as

painful. and troublefome, and

the

may

may

be

expofe you to

reproaches and infults of the ungodly, as in

thofe that immediately tend -to your outward honour

and

credit

fary to

as the laft.
partial

have fhewn above, that

make your
Is,

to fulfil

light to fhine,

by the

it

is

firfl

necefas well

then, your concern equal and

im-

the duties of your ftation, whatever

they are, whether agreeable or mortifying to the

flefh ?

or are

you moll

careful

the greateft prefent reward

thefe particulars,
fiiQ

when you

By

you may be enabled

purity of your intentions.

will reap

examining into
to

judge of

Ser. 14.

OF VISIBLE religion".

'

In the

last place,

je6l:,

bj an

me,

to

improve

to

make your

may

that they

more

is

in

and

diftinft

light fliine before

your good works, and glorify

fee

your Father who

fub-

recommended in
men,

the praftice of the duty

**

this

who now hear

earneft exhortation to all

the text, to

the

me

Suffer

14/

That

heaven."
effetStual,

tliis

may be

I fhall addrefs

it

to

three diiFerent clafles.

Firsty

To

who

thofe

are the profeflcd advocates*

Every one who hath any expe

commerce with the world, mufl know,

of good works.
jicnce of, or

there

tliat

is

of

fet

men who

eilecm thofe difeourfes

mend good works

tlndbion,

profefs to love and'

and recom-

oiily that teach

and that, in order to

where there ought

to

flate

a dif-

be none, between

the truths of the glorious gofpel, and the doftrines

f morality.

been

l*ath

and

it

will

have a greater tendency

and excite you

as the

you

I intreat all of

to conflder

what

faid of the great extent of viiible religion^

feek the

to

to liumble

you>

grace of

God

fa!i<5lifying

fource of true hoiinefs, than to glory in the

excellence or perfedion of your moral charafler.

Take heed

alfo,

that

iiiconfiftency, too

you

not into the fliameful

fall

common

in the world, of being

the flrongefl: pleaders for moral preaching, and the

leafl

tender of moral practice

f4jandal is

who

it,

and

how

What

pitiful in the

a fhame and

eyes of thofe

underfland what true and undcfiled religion

who is unwilling, unable,

God in his own family, who

is,

to hear one

or

afhamed

to woriliip

is

but rare-

ly to be feen in the public affemblies of God's people,

who

hardly ever gave child or fervant a fe-

iious advice, but

whom

they have often feen guilty

0^2

THE NATURE AND EXTENT

348

of drunkennefs and excefs

an one

rife

up

him crying

;,

Scr. I4,
fay, fuch

to hear, I

as an advocate for morality

to hear

whole of religion

out, morality is the

and therefore that he cannot endui'e fuch

fluff as

convilion and humiliation, converiion or regeneflying

ration,

Saviour

to,

embracing, or relying upon a

among

phrafes which,

going into defuetude

nov/

their important

meaning,

many,

too

are

whether they retain

leave to the judge-^

I fhall

am

we might

ment of another day.

Nay,

produce

than one, capable of faying,

liiore inflances

upon hearing

a difcourfe of the love of

would

plain morality

;'

God,

Such

it

were pity but

Tatisfy themfelves

with preaching

things are not 'to be underftood

minifters

afraid

as if the love of

God, which

is

the funi and fubftance of the moral law, were no

part of

Rom.

it

ii.

To fuch may it not juHly be faid^

" Thou that makeil thy boaft of the

at all.

23.

law, through breaking the law diihonoureil thou

God

?"

Let

ed to al up

all

fuch of you, therefore, be exhort-

to their

charader

" If thou wilt en-

keep the commandments." But be

you underftand what thefe commandments are
and then, if you maintain before God, who is
greater than your hearts, that you have kept thefe
ter into life,

fure

you may

perfeftly, in thought, word, and deed,

reit

your falvation upon

it

for

it

not only was,

'"'

but continues to be a certain truth, that

who

doth them

llialllive in

ly to be feared, that this

is

them." But
a fource of

too deep for any of the children of

it

put,

the

life,

Adam

man

great-

it is

by

to

far

draw

OF VISIBLE religion.

Ser. 14.

In the second place,

tion to

all

who

would addrefs

34^
this exhorta-

have, or profefs to have, a high

cfleem of the dolrine of Chrift, and of him cruci-

Extremes commonly beget one another ; and

which defpifers of the gofpel

fied.

fo the ill-founded zeal

fometimes pretend for good works, makes others

Hate themfelves in oppoiition to them, and makes
the

word

my

brethren, beware of being thus overcome of

have an unacceptable found. But,

Remember

evil.

your

itfelf to

the words of our Saviour, " Let

men, that they may fee

Hear alfo the apollle Paul,

light fo fhine before

your good works."

Titus, iii. 8. " This
things

I will that

is

a faithful faying, and thefe

thou affirm conftantly, that they

which have believed in God, might be careful to

maintain good works."
You cannot more effectually bring a reproach

on that holy name by which

you

which you glory, than by

are called, and in

being enemies in word or in deed to holinefs and

purity of converfation, or

by

parently and vilibly holy.

For though you mufl

not being even ap-

lay your account with the reproach of men, and

many cafes, woe is pronounyou do not " love them that

them that perfecute you." Let

hatred of the world in

ced againft you,

if

hate you, and blefs

therefore

your

converfation

be without ofFence.

Neglect not any part of your duty in the

the world, and be the

more watchful,

fight

that,

of

on ac-

count of your profefTion, they will be the more diligent in obferving,

and the more fevere in cenfur-

ing your condud.

Whilfl, tlierefore, you

]?er that faith in

Chriit

is

rememnew

the only fource of

350

THE NATURE- AND- EXTENT

obedience,

remember

is

alfo, that faith

Ser. I4.

without works

dead, being alone.

In the

last place,

would addrefs

tion to all fuch in this audience as,

this exhorta-

bj

their office

or ftation, or wealth or charafter, are raifed above

You

others.

will fiireij be fenlible of the proprie*

tj of this exhortation,

before men, that they

You

may

light fo fnine

your good works.*'

fee

are placed in a confpicuous lituadon, expofed

to public view,

whether
to

" Let youi^

it

and your influence will be greatj

You

be profitable or hurtful.

count your higher ftation in

life a

ought not

favour blindly

beftowed on you for your pleafure only, but a

committed

to

you

for

How

impartial account.

fliouid this

rary diiferences between

^le

tempo-

man and man, and

improvement of your

excite

talents againft.

coming of your Lord, v/hen the higheft

be upon a level with the loweft.

and

reprefs

rellrain all vain-glorious oftentation of the

to a diligent

trufl

which you muft render an

hope

fhall

it

will

contribute to enforce the exhortation, that,, in this

age, the declining ilate of religion loudly calls

for-

the ailiftance of all to its revival, but particularly

for eminent

when

that

cates in writing
fo

How hard is

and ihining examples.

vice and infidelity have fo

and converfation,

few exerting themfelves

in

many

tliere

their

promoting of truth and rigliteoufnefs

none excufe themfelves for their own

duty,

by throwing

the

blame upon

Inould be
for

ftation
!

it,

advo-

And

let

neolecl:
o

others,

of

and

holding up to light the floth or wickedncfs of thofs

who
*

are moft- eminently guilty.

AlaS;

my fphere

of ufefuLiefs

is

Let none fay,

vry narrow,

my

OF VISIBLE religiox.

Ser. 14.

influence

very fmall

is

but

351

who

if thofe

are in

more eminent flationSj and whofeftations give

them greater weighty would but exert themfelves,
the efFeft would be fenfible.
Remember your
ftations are juft what God hath afligned you
and
;

for thefe, and thefe alone,

The

an account.
ties are the

more

one refped

at leaft,

lefs

you

are to be called to

important you are, the du-

eafily fulfilled,

and the negle6l, in

(though

cannot fay in all),

more criminal and inexcufeable.

To

conclude. Let

the wife and powerful magiftrates, miniflers, parents,

and heads of families, be diligent in

dif-

charging the duties incumbent upon them, and join

earneft prayer to

God,

fedually plead his

own

that

he would

caufe.

END OF VOLUME

-J.

PILLANS

&

>R.1NTERS

SONS,

7
3

arife

Amen.

It

and ef-

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