Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

ing of which we speak would deliver Christians from such contracted and selfish passions; and they would be ready, without hesitation, cordially to forgive all who had offended them,-to make concessions and amends to those whom they had injured, and to seek reconciliation with every one who had been in any respect alienated from them. An increase of divine illumination and brotherly love would terminate or moderate our differences of opinion; men would less regard the trivial disparity of outward rank, except as it reminded them of their several duties; they would readily unite in social worship and profitable conversation; and in proportion as these sacred influences rested on their souls, they would abound in self-denying beneficence, and in active endeavours to supply the wants of the indigent,— to soothe the anguish of the afflicted, and to alleviate the miseries of mankind. An attentive meditation on the apostolical exhortations, and the conduct of the primitive Christians, may suffice to convince us, that these must be the effects of the pouring out of the Spirit upon any congregation, city, or country; for indeed, "the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance."

Should we advert to the state of religion more at large, we should find, that the remnant, which professes the leading truths of Christianity, and appears to be influenced by them, is lamentably divided into parties, about subordinate points of doctrine, or matters of discipline and government. So that, if we could collect together the whole company of real believers, we should find them very discordant in their sentiments, and disposed to magnify the importance of their several particularities; and it would be extremely difficult, if not wholly impossible, to unite them in religious services, or in the same plan for promoting the common cause. On the contrary, it would hardly be practicable to exclude subjects of doubtful disputation, or to prevent such contests and mutual censures as only serve to furnish the enemies of the gospel with plausible objections! Alas, this is an evident proof, that, as the apostle expresses it, we are yet carnal, (1 Cor. iii. 3, 4,) however orthodox our creed may be, or how zealously soever we contend for it. "Hereby," says our Lord, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another."

But when "the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high," all "who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity," will "love one another with a pure heart fervently." The pride and selfish passions, which occasion disputes, will be mortified; the minds of Christians will be more fully illuminated; the harmony of Scripture will be better understood; the comparative value of every part of religion will be more clearly ascertained; and men will be rendered more humbly sensible of their fallibility, and more eminent in candour and patience. Thus, while a most desirable progress will be made, in regulating every thing according to the standard of truth; Christians will be cured, in great measure, of their propensity to judge or despise their brethren; and will learn to receive one another, even as Christ receiveth them to the glory of God." The pouring out of the Spirit will effect, what acts of uniformity, conciliatory schemes, or philosophical candour can never accomplish; for it will bring Christians, through whole countries, "with one mind, and one mouth, to glorify God:" to form one church, professing the same fundamental doctrines; harmoniously joining in the same worship, and the celebration of the same ordinances; and zealously concurring to promote the conversion of Mahometans, Jews, and Pagans, to Scriptural Christianity.

These happy effects are predicted by the prophets, under various significant representations; of which it may suffice at present to produce a single specimen. "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den. They shall not hurt nor destroy

in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah xi. 6-9. xli. 18-20. xliv. 3-5.

These are some of the effects which will proportionably follow, whenever the Spirit is poured out upon the church. Many others might be mentioned, did brevity permit; and some of them will come in our way, in the subsequent part of the subject.

III. Then we proceed to make some remarks on the emphatical word, "Until."

A variety of plans are continually proposed and adopted, to meliorate the condition of mankind, and to guard at the same time against tyranny in the rulers, and the turbulency of the multitude. No doubt something may be done in this way to render the state of the world more tolerable, than it would otherwise be: for, while civil government in general is God's ordinance, the peculiar arrangement of it is left in great measure to human prudence; and it may therefore be also called the ordinance of man. Rom. xiii. 2. 1 Peter ii. 13. But too sanguine expectations are formed, when changes take place, or when supposed improvements are made; and speedy disappointment is the consequence. The world after all remains full of oppression or sedition: the rulers and the people generally continue the same in disposition, whatever external changes take place and selfishness produces its effects, after all the efforts which are made to counteract it; even as poison retains its destructive efficacy, in whatever form it is administered. This will in great measure continue to be the case, "until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, to renew men's hearts to the divine image of love and then, they will delight in equity, goodness, mercy, and peace, after the example of our Holy God! which will render human society as happy, as it is now too often miserable.

Again, the earth hath in every age been a field of blood; and the vast proportion of our race, which has perished by the sword, almost exceeds credibility or calculation: nor can the compassionate mind reflect on the subject without horror and amazement. The causes of this deplorable fact have been sought for, in the different forms of government; and the ambition of men distinguished by certain titles, or invested with authority in some peculiar manner. Yet the disposition to delight in war seems to have been common to governors of all descriptions: and the sacred writers, characterizing the ungodly, say, "their feet are swift to shed blood." Universal history is the best comment on this text; all the genius of mankind, however diversified, has combined to celebrate successful warriors. The original murderer has appeared in this respect especially to be the god of this world: Mars, Bellona, and even Minerva, (the poet's emblem of prudence in war,) were the names under which polite nations have worshipped him; and unnumbered millions of human victims have been immolated at his shrine by his renowned priests, who have emulated his ambition and malignity, and shared the adoration which he received. Thus it will be in great measure, " until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high." Ambition, resentment, rapacity, and interfering interests will continue to excite mankind to war: and both the mighty and the mean, will in general, deem this one of the most honourable and desirable of employments; till those happy times arrive, which are predicted in the Scriptures, when "the nations shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning-hooks: and they shall learn war no more." But every degree of that sacred influence will in the mean while, produce proportionably the same happy consequences.

It is likewise grievous to reflect on the severities which are necessary to maintain peace and order in the community;-On the numbers deprived of life, immured in dungeons, and banished to remote and desolate regions, that others may live in security. While the silent ravages of licentiousness appear even still more dreadful, to those who have the opportunity, or are under the painful necessity of investigating them! The wisdom and assiduity of

K k

men are well employed, in attempting to abate these dire mischiefs: but no effectual remedy will be applied, " until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high." Then the divine law will be written in men's hearts; and justice, benevolence, and universal temperance, implanted in the soul, will infallibly rectify these disorders, which are incurable by all other means.

We cannot reflect on the condition in which the nations remain to this day, without lamenting, that so large a proportion of the earth is still covered with Pagan darkness, Mahometan delusion, or Jewish incredulity. The ignorance, superstition, and wickedness, of nominal Christians; the prevalence of anti-scriptural tenets even in the Protestant churches; and the rapid progress of impiety, infidelity, and atheism, present a very gloomy prospect to the mind of a true believer. And when we consider the immense difficulties of remedying these evils, and the inadequate effects of the most laudable efforts, we are ready to sit down in despair. We should however remember, that every degree of success far more than counterbalances the expence or labour of our exertions: and that we must not expect to make very rapid progress, "until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high."-But then mountains will flow down at the presence of the Lord; nations will be born in a day; a new creation will prepare men's hearts to welcome the gospel: all other difficulties will vanish or be surmounted: and "the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

The various abuses, divisions, scandals, and false doctrines, which prevail among such as shew more regard to Scriptural Christianity, will not be counteracted; nor will that revival of the power of godliness in our congregations, which every friend of evangelical truth must ardently desire, be effectually introduced," till the Spirit be poured upon us from on high." So that this is the grand desideratum; the only adequate remedy for all the evils we witness or hear of, in the church and in the world. Till our prayers in this respect be answered, we shall see on every side most lamentable disorders, which we cannot rectify; and few in comparison will be found, who have ability or zeal for making such arduous attempts: but this expected event will raise up and qualify instruments for every kind of service; dispose the minds of multitudes cordially to unite in vigorous exertions; and render their endeavours rapidly and extensively successful.

IV. Then I proceed to point out some instructions, more immediately arising from the subject.

How ignorant must they be, as to the very first principles of Christianity, who treat our professed dependence on the Holy Spirit, and experience of his sacred influences, with supercilious contempt! A Jew of old, would not have been more profanely absurd, in ridiculing the expectation of a Messiah as fanaticism! Even if uninspired men could, by their superior talents, improve upon the oracles of God, (as some of them seem arrogantly disposed to think,) this would no more supercede the necessity of divine influences, than modern improvements in agriculture render the fertilizing showers and the genial warmth of the sun unnecessary. Even the preaching of Him, "who spake as never man spake," was rendered effectual by the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit; without which, Paul would have planted, and Apollos watered in vain. No wonder then, than such teachers as deny, deride, explain away, or even keep out of sight, the promised influences of the Holy Spirit, harrangue the people in weekly lectures, from year to year, without witnessing or even expecting any great effect. While men depend on their own rationality, ingenuity, or eloquence, and dishonour the divine Spirit, we may be sure that the Lord will frown upon the presumptuous attempt, and blast all their vain endeavours. Indeed no man is warranted to expect success, even in preaching the pure gospel of Christ, except as he simply relies on the Holy Spirit to assist and prosper his labours, uses the proper means of obtaining his powerful co-operation, and explicitly gives him all the glory. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his." Unless,

therefore, we possess some evidence in our own hearts, that we are the temples of the Holy Ghost, we cannot, without manifest presumption, expect that the Judge of the world will, at the last day, own us as his true disciples: but this cannot be known to us, except by the effects produced on our views, dispositions, affections, and conduct. Humiliation for sin, faith, love of Christ and his people, compassion for sinners, a spiritual mind, and an habitual aim to glorify God and do good to men, are the genuine effects produced by the Spirit of God dwelling in us. Can it be rational to overlook those Scriptures which speak on these subjects? or to expect the eternal felicity promised to Christians, while destitute of those things which are declared essential to Christianity?

Again, would we prosper in our own souls, or succeed in endeavouring to do good in our families, connections, and situations, we must adhere to the doctrines and precepts of Scripture; pray with fervent importunity for the influences of the Spirit, and be very careful not to grieve him, or to quench that sacred fire which he kindles in the believing heart. If we have hitherto been remarkably unsuccessful, we should seriously inquire, on what account the Lord contends with us? And especially we should examine, whether we have not depended on our own supposed abilities, or sought our own honour, instead of relying simply on the Holy Spirit, with a readiness of mind to ascribe to him all the glory of every successful attempt.

They, who would enjoy the benefit of an able and faithful ministry, should be instant in prayer for their pastors. If this were more attended to, we should doubtless be enabled to set forth the true and lively word of God, both by our preaching and living,' with far greater effect; and should be in all respects much more useful. But our fervent supplications should not be confined to those with whom we are more immediately connected; for we ought to pray continually for the " pouring out of the Spirit from on high," upon every part of the visible church, and upon all orders and descriptions of men throughout the world. This should constitute a prominent part of our daily prayers, in our closets and families; and enter particularly into the various circumstances in which mankind are placed. We ought to entreat the Lord to render all his ministers faithful, holy, and successful; to send forth labourers into his harvest; to unite all Christians in the bonds of brotherly love; to prosper all means used for the conversion of Jews, Mahometans, Pagans, or infidels; and to "fill the earth with truth and righteousness."

We shall not probably live to witness this glorious scene: yet the Lord may bless some means which we use, in making way for that grand triumph of his cause. Thus David zealously prepared materials for the temple, though assured it would not be builded in his days. If we have little else in our power, either to serve our generation, or to sow seed for the good of posterity; we may perform an important service by our persevering prayers; and whenever the Lord shall " pour out his Spirit from on high," to make his gospel victorious over all opposition; his people will certainly go forth to meet him with their united fervent supplications.

SERMON XXI.

ON A CONVERSATION BECOMING THE GOSPEL

PHILIPPIANS, 1. 27.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ.

ST Paul wrote this epistle, as well as some others, from his prison at Rome. and it is manifest that the Lord was with him, as he had been with Joseph in similar circumstances; which rendered his confinement unspeakably more pleasant, than a splendid palace with a guilty conscience and ungovernable passions. Instead of dejection, murmurs, or resentment, we find the apostle uniformly employing the language of cheerfulness, confidence, and exultation. He declares, that "to him to live was Christ, and to die gain." All his credit, interest, business, and pleasure in life, consisted in communion with Christ, and earnest endeavours to glorify him and promote his cause; and he was sure that death, in whatever form it should arrest him, would prove his richest advantage! What a blessed religion is this, which can turn the king of terrors into a kind friend, and the loss of all terrestrial things into the most valuable of acquisitions? What, my brethren, can wealth, reputation, authority, genius, or philosophy propose, which is comparable to this? Why then should you hesitate to sell all, and purchase the pearl of great price? But though the apostle had a longing "desire to depart and be with Christ, as far better yet he was willing to continue on earth," for the furtherance and joy of faith" of his beloved people.-As if a pardoned rebel should voluntarily submit to the inconveniencies and sufferings of a dungeon, in order to recommend the clemency of his prince to other criminals; or be helpful to those, who having likewise received mercy, were for some reason retained a while longer in confinement.

Hence he took occasion to exhort the Philippians in the following words, "Only let your conversation be, as it becometh the gospel of Christ; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified by your adversaries." From the part of this exhortation contained in our text, I shall endeavour,

I. To give a compendious view of the gospel of Christ.

II. To shew that this gospel, when rightly understood, and truly believed, will produce a correspondent conduct and conversation.

III. To mention some leading particulars in which "a conversation becoming the gospel" more especially consists.

IV. To make some remarks on the emphatical word "Only."

I. I would attempt to give a compendious view of the gospel of Christ. We know that the word rendered gospel signifies glad tidings; and a preacher of the gospel is a messenger or herald, bringing and publishing good news. "How beautiful upon the mountains, are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things?" Isaiah lii. 7. Rom.

x. 15.

The Ephesians, when they had formed the design of building the celebrated temple of Diana, were at a loss where to procure a sufficient quantity of the finest marble, to accomplish the plan; and it is recorded, that a certain per

« AnteriorContinuar »