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PREACHED IN SALEM, JULY 23, 1811, »*:• ^^0* \^ A DAY oir Fasting, humiliation and prayer in # MASSACHUSETTS, OCCASIONED BY TMB DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST GREAT' BRITAIN H*' By brown EMERSON, COLLEAOVB PASTOR OF THE THIRD CHU&CH IN SAbEKf^ % SALEM: tRlNTSD BY JOSHUA CVSHlNOt # ) ' ' . .^y,-- ■■ 5.- \ ■m / }. '.■ ■'>» SERMON. f .1' Jeremiah xviii. 7, 8, 9, 10. • y#/ what truant I Jhall /peak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck tip, and to full down, and to deftrx^y it ; if that nation againft wnom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the fvil that I thought to do unto them. And at what infant I Jhall fpeak concerning a nation, and concern' ing a kingdom, to build up and to plant it ; if it do evil in myjight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good ^/herewith If aid 1 would benefit them. . God is a mighty fovereign, doing his pleafure in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. He changeth the times and the feafons ; he re- moveth kings, andfetteth up kings, and none can deliver 6ut of his hand. Nations and individuals are equally dependent on him for every benefit. But both na- tions and individuals are apt to lofe fight of their depen^nce, and truil in their own wifdom and Jlrength. 4 The p;overnors of nations too generally conduct their affairs as if they believed there were no being above them, from whom they derive their authori- ty, and to whom they are accountable for the ufc they make of it. It feems to be thought, that juf* tice, mercy, and the fear of the JLord, are incum- bent only on individuals^, and that nations may dif- regard the law of Heaven, and commit the moft enormous crimes, with impunity. But they are in the hand of God as clay in the hand of the potter. Under this lignificant metaphor are nations repre- fented in the context. Jeremiah, by divine com- mand, went down to the potter's houfc, and behold he ivrought a work on the wheel. And the vejfel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter : fo he made another veffel as feemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to the pron phet^fayin^^ houfe of ifrael, cannot I do with you as this potter ? faith the Lord, Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, fo are ye in mine hand, houfe of JfraeL The language and fentiments of the text and con- text are equally adapted to any nation or kingdom under heaven. Notwithftanding the pride of haugh- ty kings, and the boafted ftrength and magnificence of mighty empires, they are completely fubjeft to the will of God. He can raife a powerful empire from the moft contemptible beginnings ; or fud- denly reduce it to utter ruin. " As the fmalleft mo- tion of the finger fuffices to efFedl any change upon the potter's clay ; fo the fecret volition of the Al- mighty operates with irrefiftiblc energy through the whole creation." The fovereignty of God over nations, and the ^wful quicknefs with which he can reduce and de- h-- I l" ftroy tlicm, are moft affeftingly exemplified in ma- ny inftances on facred record. The drowning of the world, the burning of four kingdoms in one morn- ing on the plains of Sodom, the overwhelming of Pharaoh and his hoft in the Red Sea, and the de- llroying of the vaft army of Sennacherib before the walls of Jerufalem, by an invifible fword, fhow how completely all nations are in the hand of God, how cafily he can dafli them to pieces like a potter's vef- fel, and how dangerous it is for them to refufe his warnings and refift his will. But in my text he proclaims his mercy toward penitent nations, as well as his juflice toward thofe that are wicked, and his fovereignty over all. When they humbly return to God, from whom they have revolted, he will turn from his wrath, and avert the judgments with which he had threa- tened to fcourge or deftroy them. But if they wax more corrupt, and multiply their provocations a- gainft him, he will withhold the benefits which he would otherwife have given, and difplay his truth and juftice in making them monuments of his ven- geance. Such, in its connexion, is the import of the paf- fage which is to guide our meditations on this fo- lemn occafion. It will be attempted to fhow — I. How God fpeaks to nations. II. When nations refufe to obey his voice ; and when they turn from their evil. And, III. That God deals with nations according to their condud: toward him. I. We will confider how God fpeaks to na- tions. The various media, through which he diCpLxfs Hmfelf, and conveys the knowledge of hit will to men, are, in fcripture, called his voice. They convey ideas to our minds, as certainly as words, which we hear with our ears. Hence, not only the written word of God is called his voice, but the various works of his hand and events of his providence. The Pfalmifb accordingly fays. The vsice cfthe Ltrd is upon the wafers ; the voice of the Lord is potver^ ful, and divideth the flames of fire ; the voice of the Lord jhaketh the wildernefs. By the prophet Ifiiah the judgments of God are exprefsly called his voice. The voice of the Lord rendereth recompence to bis enemies, Predidling the deftrudlion of Sennache- rib's army, t)ie fame prophet, in his eloquent ftyle, fays. The Lordfhall caufe his glorious voice to behe^rd^ 4tndjhall Jhow the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and through the voice of the Lordjhall the AJfyrian be beaten down. God fpeaks to nations by his word and providence. He fpeaks to them by his word. In ancient times, before any part of the facred volume was written, and while the canon of fcrip- ture was incomplete, he warned and inftru6ied na- tions by prophets, whom he commiflioned, in? fpired, and fent forth in his own name, as fpecial meflengers, to declare his will. But the period of immediate infpiration has long (ince dofed. No new revelation, or fpecial commiifion from God, is now to be expefted. And fince the facred canon is complete, no fuch communications are neceflary. The difpenfation under which we live is diftinguim- ed with greater privileges. God now fpeak^ to na- tions, as well as individuals, not by oral meflages. 7 U to nvcy I we tten ious nee. Lord % but by his written word. The BiUe is the voice of Jehovah, which neither a nation nor a perfon can rejed or difobey, but at infinite hazard. The moral law, as revealed in the Old Teftament, and more amply expounded and enforced in the New, is the Handing law of Jehovah's empire ; a law, which no man, or body of men, can violate, without incurring its tremendous penalty ; a penal- ty which none can efcape, without the protedion of that blood which faved the inhabitans of Goflien from the fword of the deftroying angel. In the fi9)le the path is plainly drawn for kings and ma- giftrates of every grade and defcription ; fo that he who reads may run. Their duties are defined by many general and particular precepts, and enforced by the moft IHufhious and excellent examples. Ma- giftrates and nations are bound to make the Bible their ilandard of principle and aftion ; and every principle they embrace, and every ad they do, which is repugnant to this infpired rule, provokes the Almighty, and expofes them to his wrath. This proportion is fully verified by his treatment of kings and nations, as well as by his wo^^d. It is a truth, indeed, which no one can doubt, who has juft conceptions of the charader, law and government of God, and of the relations that fubfift between him and his creatures. It is to be further remarked, in this connexion, that Crod fpeaks to nations by the faithful mini/ira' turn of his word. The gofpel miniftry is divinely inftitutcd J and gofpel minifters are as truly the mtficngers of the Lord to the people, as the ancient prophets and apoftles. The Bible is the oracle they are to cottfuh j and when they fpeak according to ' t I 'II this word, the people are bound to regard their in' firu£lions and warnings, as clothed with divine au" thority. They fpeak in the name of Jehovah ; and when they faithfully deliver the meflages of his word, they may enforce them on rulers and people by Thus faith the Lordy with as much propriety as Jeremiah did, v/ho /pake as he was moved by the Holy Ghojl, And when the rulers and people of a nation refufe and contemn the warnings and in{lru6tions of the minifters of Chrift, they rebel againft the Lord, and will as inevitably fall under his righteous judgments, as thofe ancient nations did, which re- jeded the warnings of his prophets. Again. God fpeaks to nations by his providence. When he gives them political and religious prof- perity, and faves them from his judgments, the fadt proves them to be objeds of his favor. The fear of the Lord and obedience to his commands do evi- dently exift, in a good degree, among fuch a people. But when he fends them tokens of his difpleafure ; when he fuffers the body politic to be rent limb from limb by the hatred and animoHty of a fadious party fpirit ; when he permits them to plunge into war, and commillions the fword to devour ; or viiits them with famine, peflilence, earthquake, or fire ; thefe judgments are ftrong indications of his anger, and prove that the people have abufed their profperity, and awakened his wrath by their crimes. Thefe conclufions are drawn from the character of God ; from his juftice, truth, goodnefs and mercy. For while his goodnefs and mercy forbid that he fhould fcourge and afflid a penitent and virtuous people, his juftice and truth require him to execute his thrcatcnings on incorrigible tranfgrcffors. ^ iir in- He not only Upe^ to nations by his^ providenco toward* thtm in particular, but by hii> dealings witlt eeh«r nations^ All the Judgments that haread of Ucentioufiiefs in principle and prance. Sins are (0 conne^^d, that one leads to another. Smaller crimes lead to greater ; till, at loigth, the greateft enormities are multiplied without alarm or contrl" tion. When iniquity abounds and triumphs, as at the prefent day, the voice of the Lord is difreg^d- cd, and his judgments will not linger. If, in thele ways, a people refufe to obey the voioe of the Lord, a turning from their evil is diredly the revcrfe. They reverence the precepts of God'9 word as the rules that bind them in aU imaginable cafes ; and they refpecb the appointed mininratioa of it, as a voice which declares his will. In their choice of rulers, they will have an undeviating re- gard to the caufe of religion, and the public good. When the rulers abufe their power, they will with- draw their fupport and confidence, and place others in th^'s ftead, who will be more faithful to their country and their God. And the people wiH break off their own fins by righteoufneis, and peni* tently return unto the Lord. Indeed, repentance and reformation in the body of the people, are the 14 ttnly pledge we can have of permanent peace an^ "profperity. If the parts which compofe the body are affed);* •ed with an inveterate difeafe, the whole body is difeafed, and, without a feafonable and fovereign remedy, wiU foon become a lifelefs, noifome mafs, which muft be removed from the face of the earth. The axe muft be laid at the root of the tree, in or- der to effeft a radical removal of the evil. The people muft turn from their evil ways, or there it no folid ground of hope. I proceed — III. To Ihow that God deals with nations ac<« ^cording to their condud toward him. In the government of the world he is pleaf^d to prefcribe rules for himfelf. Should ive adopt this Yule, and render evil for evil, we fliould ufurp the prerogative of Jehovah. Revenge is a daring inva. fiop of his dominion ; a prefumptuous aflault; upoii his very throne. But none can fuppofe, that the •conduo: of God, in rendering to his creatures ac- cording to their works, partakes in the leaft of this •malignant fpirit. To execute judgment on the guilty is his right, as the fovereign Ruler and Judge of the world. He is a God of adorable mercy ; but he is juft, as well as merciful. If men rebel againft him, and perfift in their rebellion, he regards them as his enemies, and fights againft them with his righteous judgments. If they repent of their fins, humble themfelves before him, and return to their duty, he gracioufly receives them, pardons their iniquity, averts the threatened judgments, and fills their cup with good. This fentiment is moft -plainly expreffed in the text, and is current through the fcripturcs. 15 AH God's promifes of good, as the reward o^ obedience, are pounded on the condition, that the obedience be nithfuUy rendered ; and there is al- ways a referve for the exercife of juftice, in cafe o£ rebellion. And on the other hand^ all his threa* tenings of evil, is the recompence of difobedience* are made on the condition of perfeverance in re- bellion ; and there is always a referve for the exer- cife of mercy, in cafe of repentance and reformation* This apparent conditionaUty does not, however, imply any uncertainty in the mind of God, in re- gard to future events ; for, declaring the end from the beginning, he is in one mind, and none can turn him* Neither does it imply any uncertainty in thofe pro- mifes of the covenant of grace, which are yea and amen in Chrift Jefus, and are confirmed to all who are united to him through faith and love, by the oath of the unchangeable God. TheCe remarks may afford fome aid in explaining what is to be underflood by God's repenting of promiied good and threatened evil. It cannot mean, that he is fubjed to any fuch regret and forrow as we feel, when we difcover the folly or finfulnefs of our condud ; nor that he ads contrary to what he has ordained in his fecret and immutable counfel* Either fuppofition is totally inconfiftent with the perfections of his nature, and with abundant decla- rations of his word. With God there is no varia- blenefs, neither Jhadow of turning* His counfel fhall Jland, and he will do all his pleafure. When repen- tance is a^'-nbed to him, it muft, therefore, iignify only a change in the outward adminiftrations of his providence, conforming them to the characters and actions of men. This is called repentance, becaufe .1 u !t is tndk in the view of many who fee» only the? cmtward appearance. That God deals with nations accorcfing to their eonduft toward him, is evident, not only from the text, but irom many deelarations $f bis wordy and from the bijiory of his providence. It is evident from many declarations of his word. With the merciful thou wiltfhow thyfelf mercifil^ witB the ufright thou wiltfhow thy fslf upright ^ with the pure thou wiltfhow thyfelf pure^ and with thefroward thou wiltfhow thyfelf ffoward. This is equivalent to the words oP Oirift in the feventh chapter of Matthew : With what judgment ye judge^ yefiall be judged ; and with what meafure ye mete, it fhall be meafured to ym again. When kin? A(a was returning in triumph to Jerufalem, after his fignal victory over the vaft Ethi- opian army, Azariah the prophet was fenc forth to meet him, and direAed by God not to falute him with fulfome adulation, but with this fblemn mei^ frge : Hear me, Afa, and all Judah and Benjamin ; the Lord is with you while ye be with him ; and ifyefeek him, he will he found of you ; hut if ye forfake him, he will forfake you. Admirable addrefs to a mighty conqueror when entering his capital in triumph 3 Would God that the palaces and triumphal arches of all the potentates of the earth might refound with this warning voice. Had kings and emperors been duly impre£d with this falutary admonition, many thrones, which are levelled with the dui^» would have flood to this day. Without multiplying quotations to prove a rsint which is taught throughout the facred pages, proceed to obferve, that the hijiory of Cod^s prm» ■as 17 "iience verifies the propofition, that he deals with na- tions according to their condud; toward him. This truth is fully cxempliiled in the hiftory of the Hebrew nation. God fent them bleffings or judgments according as they were obedient or dif- obedient to his word. When they rebelled againft him, he always viiited them with the fword, or fome other terrible calamity, which was not remov- ed till they humbled themfelves under his mighty hand, and turned from their evil ways. The fame rule of equity he obferved toward other nations of old. Why did he caufe the fword to devour the ancient inhabitants of Canaan, and exterminate from the earth thofe numerous war- like kingdoms, which once flouriihed in that quar- ter of the globe ? Why are not the thrones of the Pharaohs and the Csefars (landing at this day ? Why has the magnificence of Egypt, Tyre, Babylon and Rome been fo long buried in utter ruin ? Be- caufe they hearkened not to the warnings of the Lord's prophets, but obftinately perfifted in their own wicked devices. It uniformly appears, that divine judgments were fent upon them as the juft rccompence of their iniquities. ' * The fame procedure is yet vifible in the provi- dence of God. Nations now are profpered or punifhed, according as they pay allegiance to God, or rebel againft him. He may, indeed, grant a mer- ciful refpite, and endure with much long fuffering their impious provocations, wihle he gently cor- reds them and multiplies his warnings : but if they turn not from their evil, he will whet his glittering fword, and, taking hold on judgment, will render vengeance to his enemies. He is, at this day, tak- / 18 jng vengeande oh the nations of Europe, l^ongdi'd he reftrain his indignation ; but at length he has come out of his place, decked with terrible majcfty, trampling them in his fury, and vexing them in his fore difpleafure. He has raifed up a mighty conqueror to execute his wrath upon thofe wicked nations. Fear and difmay go before him ; mifery and defola- tion follow after him. He will ga on and profper, //■// the indignation be accomplifhed, when, for his enor- mous pride and wickednefs, he fhall come to his end^ and none fhall help him. The dire convulfions, which are ihaking the kingdoms, and demolifhing thofe thrones which have long been fupported by iniqui- ty and blood, teach us what a people have reafon to expeft from the hand of the Lord, when they caft off his fear an ' trample his laws under their feet. Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Switzer- land, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Pruffia,— ^-where are they ? Some of them, indeed, have a name to live ; but tliey are dead ; and in their dying pangs and ftruggles, they have left ta us and the world a moil affeding admonition, not to contend with the Almighty. Nations, as fuch, receive the recompence of their fins m temporal judgments ; becaufe, in the eternal world, there will be no national exiftence — no na» tions to punifii. There, every one muft give an ac- count of himfelf to God, and receive an eternal re- tribution from his hand. In this refped);, the fitua- tion of nations and individuals is widely different. When a nation is deftroyed for its corruption and crimes, it ceafes to exiil ; but all the individual iin- ners of that nation, whofe iniquities drew down de- ilru^ion upon the public body, unlefs brought to 19 repentance before their death, experience, as indi- viduals, the juft vengeance of the Almighty upon their fouls for ever. Againft this view of the divine providence,, it may be ol^jeded, that the moil wicked nations are often the moft powerful, and appear the moft prof- perous and happy. Such an impreflion arifes from a fuperficial view of the ftate of fuch nations. They, indeed, are powerful, and make a fplendid and dazzling appearance. But the appearance is delufive. Search for happinefs in fuch a kingdom or empire, and you fearch in vain. It is furely a ftranger to the palace of the monarch, and to the field of battle. Among the people it is not to be found. ' They groan under the iron hand of a mer- cilefs defpot. Freedom, peace and fafety have fled from their borders. Every thing valuable in hu- man fociety is facrificed upon the bloody altar of lawlefs ambition. The treafures of the nation are exhaufted, its families are diftrefled and torn to pieces, its fons are dragged from their homes, and chained to the car of the tyrant, to fprcad mifery, blood and ruin wherever his power can reach. Be- fides, a nation of this character is permitted to reach a proud eminence in power and fplendor, that it may experience a more tremendous downfal. Profperity in wickednefs is a fure indication that God has forfaken a people, and that they are filling up the meafure of their iniquities, and ripening for deftrudion. When their meafure is full, God has the inftruments of his juftice prepared to, execute his threatenings upon them. Before the arrival of this dreadful hour, they muft repent; and reform, or fall into inevitable perdition, ..; :jvi t ,h?w ou fiO In improving the fubjcck of this difcourfe, ac* cording to the defign of our affcmbling to day, our attention will be confined to the two following in* ferences : that we have great occqfion^ and great en- couragement, for humiliation, failing and prayer. I, — If we review and apply the fubjeft, we find great occafion to engage in the duties for which we confccrate the day. As a nation, have we not done evil in the fight of the Lord, and provoked him to anger by refuung to obey his voice P He has long been fpeaking to us, not only in his word, and in his dealings with other nations ; but in his providence toward us as a people. By the unexampled profperity and long continued peace, which we have heretofore enjoy* cd, he fljowcd that he delighted in us to do us good- But how ungratefully have we abufed his blefftngs ! Hardened by profperity, we have perverted the richefft favors of his providence as occafions of fin. It has been fliown, that a free people refufe to obey the voice of God, when, in eledmg men to fill the of- fices of government, they pay no regard to the caufe of religion ; when they uphold rulers in the abufe of their power ; and when the principles and man- ners of the people are greatly corrupted. Now, in exerclfing the right of election, have we duly re- garded the honor of God, and the caufe of truth and righteoufnefs ? Have we not forgotten or con- teiiined fome of the plaiiieft precepts of God's tj^ord ? Inftead of tskiiig fpecial heed to ourfelves, that We chOofe good men, who fear God and hate G^yvfetoufifiefs, and who would be a terror to evil do^rs atid a praife and Encouragement to them that do well, have not the body of this people bcca ac- M tuated in their eIe£lions by prejudice and paifion f I only afk, and leave it with confcience to make the application and give the anfwer. In regard to upholding rulers in the abufe of their power, can we Hand in the prefence of God, and plead not guilty? Have not our ftate and federal governments, in this way, refufed to obey the voice of the Lord ? Have not unjuft and op- preflive laws been enacted, and fometimes executed m a cruel and arbitrary manner f Have not the public treafures been fquandered on objeAs that are ufelefs, or worfc than ufelefs, to the community ? Have none of our chiefs in power been patrons of evil doers, and perfecutors of them who do well ? Does it uniformly appear, that what was in their gift has been conferred to promote the public good^ rather than to eftablifh the intereft of a party? Can it be ihown, that the difaflrous war into which we are plunged is abfolutely neceiTary ? Is it a war of fimple fclf defence ? Has every other reafonable meafure been tried in vain, for the prefervation of liberty and peace ? In relation to the two great belligerent powers of Europe, has our Executive purfued a courfe of Arid neutrality f I only aik, and leave the queftions to be refolved by fads. I have always difcarded the idea of making the pulpit a place for mere political difcuilion. In regard to the corruption of principles and manners prevailing among the people, the profped before us is truly alarming. The flood of Keen* tioufnefs, which has deluged Europe, and brought down the judgments of Heaven upon thofe wicked nations, has fpread into our land, and makes a threatening progrefs. Impiety and crime of every I ,1 I •I '' I i 22 name and defcription inarch forth in defiance of Cod and man. Alas ! how have we degenerated from the purity of our fathers ! Will not a righ-^ te )us God viftt for thefe things, and will not his foul bs avenged on fuch a nation as this ? Yea, judgment has already begun. The fword is commiflioned to de- vour. The horrid found of war refounds in thefe long peaceful fliores. God is angry, and is viiiting us with the moil terrible of his judgments. Yes, of all thcjudgments of Heaven, war is the moft ter- rible. Th'e confuiion and mifery it occafions, in every grade and condition of fociety, no language can exprefs. No calamity is attended and followed by fuch ruinous and awful efieds. It impofes cxceflive burdens upon innocent people ; and the tendency it lias to demoralize fociety exceeds our conception. It turns men into ferocious beafts, that feek only to deftroy each other, and are moft in their clement amid rapine and carnage. It ex- tinguiflies the laft fpark of kindnefs and mercy from the human breaft, and prepares men for every aft of cruelty and oppreflion. It cuts off thoufands in a day ; and oftep hurries ten thouiand fouls, in all their unpardoned guilt, to the bar of God and the region of endlefs defpair. It turns that into an oc- caiion of joy and triumpli, which ought rather to cover us with fliame, and proflrate us in the duft of repentance and humiliation. O the fcourge of war ! It is Jehovah's ftrange work. All the nations which have been fwept from the earth, thofe only excepted that periflied in the waters of the deluge and the flames of Sodom, were deftroy ed by the fword. War is an enemy of every good thing* Other judgments may convince and reform a peo» 25 pie. Famine, peftilence, earthquakes and fires, may awaken and reclaim. But war invariably hardens and depraves. Religion flies before it. Defolation, mifery, and every evil, follow in its train. 'J he frogs of Egypt, and the deftruc^ion of all their firft born, were light calamities compared with all the horrid confequences of a long and bloody war. May God, in mercy, avert this judgment. Surely It is a fore calamity, and what will be the iflue of this conflid, who can divine ? But what muft be the infatuation of a people, that fhould reach out their hands and pull this vengeance down upon their own heads ! that fhould unflop the vials of divine wrath, and draw out upon themfelves their hottefl plagues ! But I forbear. Have we not reafon to fafl and pray, and humble ourfelves under the mighty hand of God ? It is verily a day of darknefs andofgloominefs^a day of clouds and of thick darknefs, 2. — If God deals with nations according to their conduct toward him, and repents of the evil he has threatened or begun to inflid, when they repent and turn from their evil, then we have great en- couragement devoutly to wait upon the Lord in the duties of this day. He is a God who is rich in mercy. He delights not in the mifery and deflruc- tion of finful men, but that they turn and live. Repentance and reformation are our only hope. If our fins have brought this and all our calamities upon us, thofe fins mufl be lamented and forfaken, or judgment will increafe. And how wonderful is the mercy of God in promifing to receive, pardon and blefs a returning people or individual, after all their rebellions againft him ! He wiU afiuredly be t ii w found of them that feek him. Let us not, then, defpair, but hope in the mercy and power of the Lord. Who knows but that, in anfwer to the humble prayers afcending to day, in this Common- wealth and two of our fifter States, God will take away the terrible judgment, wh'ch we fear and deprecate ? Let us wait upon the Lord, and place 9II our hope anyi expectation in him. 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