their report, and are esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake, 1 Thess. v. 13. We may observe, 1. The message of the gospel is glad tidings of peace and good things. II. The messengers, or preachers, find ample reward in their success and ance. I. According to the Hebrew idiom (which frequently obtains in the New Testament,) all good things are comprised in the term prace. They are eminently comprised in the peace of the gospel; for it is the peace of God which passeth understanding. It brings a blessed assurance, that Messiah has made peace by the blood of his cross. They who believe this good report, derive from it peace of conscience; and are enabled to say, Though thou wert justly angry, thine anger is turned away, Isa. xii. 1. It dispels their fears and forebodings, and inspires them with liberty to come to God as children; consequently, on their parts, alienation and eninity cease. They no longer conceive of him as an avenging judge or a hard master. They no longer dispute his authority, nor repine at his appointments. They become a willing people. They yield themselves to him. They cultivate peace in all their connections. The forgiveness and bounty they have received, teaches them likewise to forgive, and be kind as they have opportunity. They possess such good things as the world can neither give nor take away: communion with God; grace, wisdom, and power. They serve him with their all, and are supported by his good Spirit in every trying circumstance; and they have a good hope, which enables them to rejoice in tribulation, and to smile in death. death? Or can it inspire the soul with cofidence and joy, in the contemplation of that approaching day, when we must all appear before the tribunal of the supreme Judge! That the world, if we possessed the whole of it, cannot do these things for us, is acknowaccept-ledged by many, and felt by all. The gos pel proposes a cordial for every care, a balm for every wound; and none who make the experiment of its efficacy are disappointed. In other cases, they who have received great obligations may speak highly of their benefactor; and they who, beyond hope, have been recovered from a dangerous malady, may commend the skill and care of their physician, to those who are labouring under the same disease, without giving offence. But if they who have obtained life and peace by believing in Jesus, proclaim his goodness, and point him out to their fellow-sinners as the only Physician and Saviour of souls, their testimony is charged with folly, and their endeavours rejected with scorn, as officious and impertinent. Men, while left to themselves, will not come to him that they may have life. The god of this world so works upon their prejudices, pride, and passions, that though the light of truth shines around them like the light of the sun, the eyes of their mind are blinded, and they are pleased with their darkness, and unwilling to see, 2 Cor. iv. 4. Hence, of the few, comparatively, who are favoured with a clear and faithful dispensation of the gospel, the greater part, it is to be feared, reject the counsel of God against themselves; and his ministers in all ages, have had cause to adopt the prophet's complaint, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" Is. liii. 1. It would be thus universally, if the Lord, who gave the word, and If the wickedness and obstinacy of man- who sends forth the preachers, had not enkind were not so strongly described and ex-gaged his promise, that they shall not labour emplified in the Bible, and if we could forget that this obstinate perverseness was once our own character, we should find it difficult to conceive, after we understand the nature and design of the gospel, upon what grounds a scheme so wisely and completely adapted to relieve men from misery, to promote their present comfort, and to secure their future happiness, should, instead of being received with thankfulness, generally excite contempt and opposition. Can the world afford a peace which shall abide and cheer the heart under all the changing circumstances incident to us in this mortal state? Can it propose any good, any honours, profit, or pleasures, worthy of being compared with the honour which cometh from God only, the light of his countenance, and the riches of glory? Can the influence of the world preserve us from trouble, or support us under it, or deliver us out of it? Has it any charms capable of soothing the anguish of a wounded conscience? Can it obviate the stroke, or overcome the fear of wholly in vain, nor spend their strength for nought. He prepares a people to serve him, and to show forth his praise. And while some mock, others refuse to hear, (Acts xvii. 32,) and others, with an indolent indifference, are content to hear again and again; there are others whose hearts are opened to receive the truth in the love of it. They hear and believe to everlasting life. II. The instruments of this happy change find their reward in their work. It being owned to the salvation of a few, they are compensated for all the opposition they meet with from the many; and this on a twofold account: First, and principally, for the love they bear to their Lord, and to souls for his sake. To see his name made precious to the hearts of sinners; to see those who were blind admiring his excellency; to see those who were so far off from God brought so nigh; to see those who were wretched rejoicing in his goodness; to hear those whose lips were filled with folly, falsehood, or blasphemy, | life, and in their own houses. Some are proclaiming his praise; such salutary effects pinched by penury, and some who live in of their ministry fill them likewise with opulence, yet dwell, as the psalmist expresses praise and joy and when their hearers ex-it, (Psalm lvii. 4,) in the fire and among lions. press the power and spirit of the gospel in They suffer not less than the others, though their tempers and conduct, they can say, in a different way, from the unkindness and "Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord," opposition of their nearest connections. But 1 Thess. iii. 8. in the house of God, they are satisfied and comforted. And, according to the words of the prophet, though the Lord is pleased to give them the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, (Is. xxx. 20,) yet since their teachers are not moved into corners, but they have free access to the preaching of his word, and can attend upon a minister who careth for their souls, and meets them, when they are weary, with a word in season, they bear their appointed cross with cheerfulness. Though they have much bitterness of heart at home, known only to themselves, they have a pleasure which a stranger intermeddleth not with, when they go up to the house of the Lord. But if the instrument who is the messenger of God to them for good, be removed, and they are deprived of these opportunities, the regard they bore him is manifested by their sorrow for losing him; which often affects them more sensibly than all their other griefs. A secondary satisfaction, which of itself is sufficient to make them full amends for all the scorn of an unkind world, is the share they have in the affections of the people who are thus benefited by their ministry. This is the popularity which alone is desirable. It would be a small thing to be able merely to hold a multitude by the ears: but to be approved and loved by those to whom the Lord has made them useful, is a high honour, and a source of sublime pleasure. When Peter and John (Acts iii. 11) had healed the lame man, I doubt not but they were more affected by the simple honest testimony of his gratitude, than by the unmeaning wonder of all the surrounding multitude. If a true servant of the Lord, by any advantage of abilities or elocution, should attach a large congregation to a personal regard for himself, should be admired and beloved by them, and yet discover no attachment in them to the Saviour whom he preaches, their partiality to him would give him but little pleasure. He would be more ready to weep over them, than to rejoice in the preference they gave him. For he seeks not their applause, but their edification; and he aims not to promote his own glory, but the glory of him who sent him, John vi. 18. He is, indeed, glad to see them attending upon the means which God has promised to bless. But the faithfulness and closeness of his addresses to their consciences, by which many are sooner or later disgusted and driven away, is a proof that he does not want them merely to make up a number about him. They who make the office of a preacher an occasion whereby to promote their own interest or reputation, may, perhaps, obtain the reward they seek; but it is such a reward as can only satisfy a weak and mercenary mind; and from him, whose name they prostitute, they can only expect the reward assigned to hypocrites and unbelievers. But true christians will, and do, set a high value upon the ministers who, with simplicity and godly sincerity, preach the gospel of peace, in such a manner as to evidence that they are influenced by a regard to the glory of God, and to the good of souls; and they give proof of their affection in more ways than by speaking well of them. 1. By the satisfaction with which they accept a faithful ministry, as a balance to the trials they meet with in common life. There are many poor and many afflicted people, who have little comfort in the things of this 2. By taking kindly and in good part his most searching discourses in public, or even his reproofs and admonitions in private, if needful. For they know that he watches over their souls, as one who must give an account, Heb. xiii. 17. And because they love him, they do all in their power to make the service a pleasure and not a grief to him. They do not wish him to speak smooth things to them, or to entertain them with the discussion of points in which they have little concern, but to hear that which is suitable to their own case and circumstances. And if the preacher discovers to them, that through inadvertence, they have allowed themselves in any wrong practice, or have lived in the omission of any duty, instead of being offended with his plain dealing, they love him the better for it. 3. By their tenderness and sympathy with him in all his exercises; and by their care, according to their ability, to make his situation comfortable, and to avoid every thing that might give him just occasion for complaint or grief. The trials of a faithful minister are neither few nor small. His work is great; he is sure to meet with enemies and discouragements. He travails in birth for souls; (Gal. iv. 19;) he is pained by the opposition of the wicked, the inconstancy of the wavering, and the inconsistency of many who make profession of the truth. He feels many anxieties for those who are inquiring the way to the kingdom, lest they should be turned aside and hindered; and too often the hopes he had indulged, of some who disco SERMON XXXII. vered a concern for religion, are disappoint- | if you finally reject the counsel of God against ed. His inward conflicts are many. He often yourselves! walks in much weakness, fear, and trembling, 1 Cor. ii. 3. When he considers what he is, what he ought to be, and what he has to do, he is often distressed, afraid, and ashamed, and unable to speak. His path is spread with snares, his heart wounded with temptations. But his judicious hearers have some knowledge of what he endures for their sakes and in their service; they love him, pity him, and pray for him, and their kind attention comforts him under all his tribulations. Sometimes their regard is rather improperly expressed; as when they not only value his ministry, but hold him so highly a favourite, that they can hardly hear another. A preference is certainly due to the person who is made especially useful; but no faithful preacher should be slighted. Though gifts and abilities are not equal in all, yet they are all the Lord's messengers, and entitled to regard. Again, it is an improper regard, if they yield themselves implicitly to him, to be governed by his will. So far as we speak agreeably to the scripture, which is the rule and standard of faith and practice both to you and to us, we are authorised to require your attention and obedience; but you are not bound to receive what we propose, merely upon our own authority. There are those who account ignorance the mother of devotion, and expect an implicit compliance with their injunctions, by virtue of their office and personal influence. But a true minister will account it his honour and pleasure to preach to an enlightened people who love and study the Bible, and, like the Bereans, search the scriptures, (Acts xvii. 11,) to see if things are so as represented. We have no dominion over your faith, but wish to be helpers of your joy, 2 Cor. i. 24. Nor do we pretend to dominion over your purses, though we are to remind you of the apostle's charge, "To do good, and to communicate, forget not," Hebrews xiii. 15. How much are they to be pitied, who account that word of grace a burden, which to those who receive it with thankfulness, proves the balm and cordial of life! Take heed how you hear. If the gospel is not made to you a savour of life, it will be a savour of death. It will aggravate your guilt and condemnation, and leave you utterly hopeless and inexcusable. If you continue impenitent and obstinate, the hour is coming when you will wish you had never heard of the name of Jesus. It had been better for you never to have been born, or to have lived and died among the savage Indians, or to have been an idiot or a lunatic to the end of your days, than to have lived where the doctrine of salvation was published in your hearing, VOL. II. 2 S THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL. -Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Romans, x. 18. THE heavens declare the glory of God, Psalm xix. 1. The grandeur of the arch over our heads, the number and lustre of the stars, the beauty of the light, the splendour of the sun, the regular succession of day and night, and of the seasons of the year, are such proofs of infinite wisdom and power, that the scripture attributes to them a voice, a universal language, intelligible to all mankind, accommodated to every capacity. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. The combined effect of the visible works of the great Architect, presses a declaration upon the ear of reason-"The hand that made us is divine." We must, however, understand it of the ear of right reason. The loudest voice is unnoticed by the deaf. Thus it ought to be, and thus it would be, if man were indeed a rational creature, as he proudly boasts himself. That the fact in general is otherwise; that the bulk of mankind are no more affected by the works of God than the beasts of the field; that the philosophers who profess to study them, so faintly discern, so frequently deny the great First Cause of all, is a proof that sin has darkened and depraved the noblest powers of the soul, and degraded man into the state of an inattentive idiot. However, the evidence, if it does not excite his admiration and praise, is abundantly sufficient to convict him of stupidity and ingratitude, and to leave him without excuse, Rom. i. 20. This passage, taken from that sublime ode of David, the nineteenth psalm, is applied by the apostle to illustrate the character and the progress of the still more wonderful display of the divine perfections, which God has made known by the glorious gospel. A variety of truths shine (like stars in the firmament) in the system of revelation. But principally Jesus, the Sun of truth and righteousness, the source of spiritual light and life, answers to the description there given of the material sun. "His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from his heat," Psalm xix. 6. But the fulfilment of the promises respecting Messiah's kingdom is progressive. So far as this prophecy has been accomplished, the arm of the Lord has been revealed. It is his doing and may justly be marvellous in our eyes. The truth of the prophecy will be proved by its final completion, which, though not likely to take place in our time, we may be assured that it cannot fail, for the Lord hath spoken it. And besides, we have a sufficient pledge and security for the whole, in what he has already done. It was not necessary for the fulfilling of this prophecy, nor consistent with the tenor of many other prophecies, that the spread of the gospel should be instantaneous and universal on its first publication. Messiah is to rule in the midst of his enemies till the appointed season, when all enemies shall be subdued under his feet. The gospel, the rod of his power, is so admirably adapted to the necessities of mankind, that the obstructions it has met with must be ascribed to their wickedness and obstinacy. Not that they could resist the will of God. Had he intended to give it universal success from the beginning, the event would have been answerable. But it was his pleasure to conduct the dispensation of it, so as, on the one hand, to display his sovereignty, wisdom, and power, and on the other, to afford a full proof of the depravity and alienation of the heart of man. This point is so much misunderstood and misrepresented, that though it is attended with great difficulties, especially if we give way to vain reasonings upon it, I shall venture, in the present discourse, to of fer a few thoughts towards clearing the subject, and vindicating (if the very attempt be not presumptuous) the ways of God to man. When the Sun of righteousness, after a long night of darkness, arose upon the world, there appeared a strong probability that the prophecies concerning the extent of his vital influence, from east to west, from pole to pole, would soon be completely realized. In a very short space he was known and adored by multitudes, through the greatest part of the Roman empire, and beyond its limits. But, perhaps, for about seventeen hundred years since that period, the boundaries of his kingdom, though they have been altered, have not been much enlarged. If he has since in some measure enlighted the more western parts of the globe, the eastern regions, which once rejoiced in his light, are now overwhelmed with gross Mahommedan darkness. And if we were capable of investigating the state of the world at this day, we should probably find, that five out of six of the human race now living, never so much as heard of the name of Jesus as a Saviour. There is reason to fear likewise, that in the nations who professedly call him Lord, and are not unwilling to be themselves called Christians, a greater proportion than five out of six, are no less strangers to his power and grace, than the Mahommedans who reject him, or the Heathens who never heard of him. There is not, perhaps, a darker chapter in The the book of divine providence, nor a meditation which calls for a more absolute subjection and submission to the holy will and unsearchable wisdom of God, than this. first spread of the gospel proved it to be a divine expedient, fully capable of producing all the great purposes which the prophets had foretold, and which the state of the world required. It reconciled men to God, to themselves, and to each other. It subdued their passions, regulated their affections, freed them from the guilt and bondage of sin, from the love of the world, and from the fear of death. Wherever the doctrine of the cross was preached, it produced that salutary change of conduct which philosophy had long attempted in vain; and raised men to that life of communion with God, of which philosophers had no conception. Such was the bright morning of the gospel-day. But in time, yea, in a little time, dark clouds ob scured its light; its progress was impeded, and in a manner stopped. On one hand, the profession and name of the gospel gave occasion to mischiefs and abominations which had been unknown among the Heathens; so that the part of the world which received the name of Christendom, was little distinguished from the rest, in a religious view, but by a fierce and rancorous superstition, which tyrannized over the consciences, liberties, and the lives of men. On the other hand, as I have observed, the very name of Christianity was restrained to a small portion of the earth; many nations have not heard of it to this day; and many who once professed it, have renounced it long ago. Thus the fact stands. We cannot deny it. But how shall we account for it? Infidels and petty reasoners think they here find an invincible objection against the truth. They say, "If the gospel you speak of be so salutary and necessary, if it be indeed the greatest effect of the divine goodness, why has not God, who is the common Father of mankind, afforded it to all the nations of the earth? and why is it restrained to so few?" But I think we may retort the question, and let them who propose it give such an answer (if they can) as shall not amount to a confession of the obstinacy and ungrateful folly of mankind. When the world saw the happy tendency and effects of this gospel in the age of the apostles, why did they not universally receive it! We know that when the use of the mariner's compass, the art of printing, and many other inventions that might be named, were discovered in one country, they were presently adopted by the surrounding civilized nations. Even the recent attempts to venture through the air with a balloon, hazardous as they certainly are, and insig nificant with respect to real usefulness, are likely in a little time not only to engage the notice, but to excite the imitation of Europe. 66 Why then was the gospel, the most beneficial and important discovery the world has been favoured with, the only one that has been treated with general contempt? Certainly our Lord has assigned the true reason, Light is come into the world, but men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil," John iii. 19. They hate the light, they will not come to it, nor will they permit it to come to them if they can possibly prevent it. This glorious gospel of the blessed God has been and still is shunned and dreaded, and every human precaution and exertion has been employed to withstand and suppress it, as though, like the pestilence, it was baneful to the welfare of society. May we not say, speaking after the manner of men, that the Lord has done enough to confirm his own express and solemn declaration, that he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked may turn from his way and live? Ezek. xxxiii. 11. He has raised up a succession of faithful servants, from age to age, to publish these glad tidings. The reception they have met with, not only from the Heathens, but from nominal christians, is well known to those who are acquainted with ecclesiastical history, which contains little more than a detail of the arts and cruelties by which the civil and ecclesiastical powers of almost every kingdom, where the gospel has been known, have endeavoured to suppress it. The nation of Great Britain, in particular, has but little right to ask, Why the gospel of Christ has been spread no farther among the Heathen? The providence of God has favoured us with peculiar advantages for this service. Our arins and commerce have opened us a way to the most distant parts of the globe; and of late years, the enterprising spirit of our navigators has added almost a new world to the discoveries of former times. How far have our plans been formed with a subserviency to the great design of evangelizing the Heathen? How much have we done to promote it in Asia, where our influence and opportunities have been the greatest? What impression of the name and spirit of christianity has our conduct given to the inhabitants of India? But I forbearFacts are too well known to need recital; too glaring to need a comment. It is true, we have an incorporated society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, and we hear of missionaries; but of the good effects of their missions, as at present conducted, we neither hear, nor expect to hear. While America was ours, the efforts of a few individuals from the northern provinces in the last and present century, were not without success. But I fear this is all the honour we can claim. Some good has been done by the Danish mission to Tranquebar; but I believe our influence in it has been rather nominal than effective. The extent and effects of the labours of the Uni tas Fratrum,* compared with their circumstances and resources, must not be omitted on this occasion. They doubtless excite admiration, and thankfulness to God, in every serious mind acquainted with the subject. But excepting in these instances, I believe the Heathens have derived but little knowledge of the Gospel from their connexions with Christendom for some ages past. And I think none of the commercial nations in Europe have had the propagation of Christianity less at heart than the English. What obligations the natives of Africa are under to us, for instruction or example, may be estimated, in part, by a cursory survey of the state of our West-India Islands! That the gospel is so little known in the world, and so little received where it is known, cannot be so properly ascribed to the will of God, as to the wickedness and wilfulness of men. Undoubtedly, he to whom all things are possible, who has absolute power over the hearts of his creatures, could make a way for the universal reception of it. And we trust that in his own time he will do so. But power is not his only attribute. It would be rash and absurd to suppose that the great God will do every thing that he can do. We are sure that he will do what is worthy of himself; but of this his own infinite wisdom is the only competent judge. What is becoming of his perfections and holy government, we can know no farther than he is pleased to inform us. But it certainly becomes us to lay our hands upon our mouths, and our mouths in the dust, when we contemplate his conduct; or, if we do speak, to adopt the apostle's language, "Oh the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judg ments, and his ways past finding out! For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To whom be glory for ever," Rom. ix. 36. However, my text is fulfilling, and shall be fulfilled. This joyful sound has already been spread far abroad, in defiance of all attempts to restrain it. Multitudes from age to age have heard it, and found it to be the power of God unto salvation. And it would be easy to prove, if it belonged to my subject, that the superior advantages of civilization which Christendom enjoys, are remotely owing to the knowledge of revelation. To this must be chiefly ascribed the different state of this island from what it was when visited by Julius Cæsar. Yea, our modern philosophers would make but a poor figure, were they despoiled of all the plumes they have borrowed form the book they affect to despise. Farther, the purpose of God to save sinners by faith in his beloved Son, is the primary ground of that patience and long-suffering which he still ex * More generally known amongst us by the name of the Brethren, or Moravians. |