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THE 
 
 
 True Plan and Means 
 
 FOB ODTAININO 
 
 RELIGIOUS REflVALS. 
 
 Bt 
 
 JOHN G. MARSHALL. 
 
 " What i& the Chaff to the Wheat, Saith th& Lm-df U not my Woi-d like 
 
 ae a fire ? saith the Lord; and like a hammei- that breaketh the rock 
 
 in pieces,^'— Jet: xxiii, 28^ 29. 
 
 HALIFAX N- S. 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM MACNAB, PRINCE STREET, 
 
 1676, 
 
ii. 
 Ps 
 
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 or 
 
 UK 
 
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THE TRUE PLAN AND MEANS, ETC. 
 
 "Work out your owu Salvation with fea:- and treml»liiig, for it is God 
 which worketh in you both to w 11 auJ to do of His good pleasure." --rhil. 
 ii, 12, l.'j. 
 
 " Wilt thou not revive us again, tb.at Thy people may rejoice in Thee '^ "— 
 Ps. Ixx.vv. (}. 
 
 " Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts."— 
 Mat. ill. 7. 
 
 The first of the above passages of Holy Scripture, like l^evoral 
 others, may bo said to comprehend nearly the whole of experimental 
 or Spiritual religion, as distinguished from that which is merely cere- 
 monial or formal and heartless. It also shows the absolute necessity 
 for the operation of two distinct powers for securing man's regene- 
 ration and eternal salvation and happiness ; the one power being 
 divine, the other human fxwA pergonal. Both, in regular order, will 
 be here exhibited and explaiued, in the light of the inspired Scrip- 
 tures. These infallible oracles most positively and repeatedly assert 
 that, every human being is, by nature, in a state of alienation from 
 God, and ut enmity with His will and law The Lord God has de- 
 clared, as we see in Gen. viii. 21. — " The imagination of man's heart 
 is evil from his youth." Again, in Jer. xvii. — "The heart is deceit- 
 ful above all things and desperatel} wicked." " Behold," Says the 
 inspired Psalmist — "I was born in sin and shapen in iniquity^ " and 
 the spiritually instructed Paul declares " We, all " — including Jew and 
 Gentile Christians — " were, by nature, the children of wrath, even as 
 others." As God is a perfectly holy and just being, lie cannot look 
 on sin but with extreme aversion and displeasure ; and He has sol- 
 emnly and repeatedly declared in His Word, that none can possess 
 his favor here, or enter into his Kingdom of glory and happiness here- 
 after, but those who are righteous and holy. Hence arises the ne- 
 cessity for such a thorough charge in the nature and character of 
 every human being, that it is described by our Lord as being •' born 
 
 3S ^2- ^ 
 
again,"' and he lias declared, in tho most ini])ressivt manner, that 
 *' uiiU'ss a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cuniot enter 
 into the Kingdom of God.'' — (John iii). In several pajsagen of 
 Scripture the chi.ngo is being described as being made " new crea- 
 tures,'' by the Holy Spirit, through i'aith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Tho word "Salvation," in the text, of itself implies thai there is au 
 impending evil, from which escape and a state of safety must be so. 
 cured. It is the immortal spirit of man, naturally alienated from 
 God, and invohed in guill, which is thereby exposed to tho awful 
 danger of falling under the final condemnation and eternal punish- 
 mcTit of its holy and righteous .Judge. 
 
 Tho language of tho text, and of many other parts of Scripture, 
 disclose the only way and means by which those dreadful conse- 
 quences may be avoided : and the divine favour and eternal salvation 
 securgjfl. In proceeding to treat of those means, consideration may 
 first be given to those words of the text : — " For it is God which work- 
 eth in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Although 
 these divine operations are iftentioned in the latter clause of the text, 
 yet they are, in due order, and of necessity, the first in actual em- 
 ployment, for the Scriptures emphatically and repeatedly declare 
 that, " Salvation belongeth unto tho Lord," — that they who arc spiri- 
 tually born again, and thereby become " the children of God,'' are 
 " born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of 
 man, but of God," and that it is the Lord who " quickens " those who 
 are "dead in trespasses and sins." (See Ps. ii ; John i; Eph. ii). 
 In several other passages the change is described as being made 
 " now creatures" through faith in the Lord .Tesus Christ. But from 
 these truths on the subject there is no ground or reason for conclud- 
 ing, as some have presumptuously said, that we must silenthj and 
 quietli/ wait until the Lord, in some powerful and irresistible man- 
 ner, operates in or iqion us, and brings us into the requisite state of 
 conversion, faith and salvation. There is not a word or intimation 
 in the Scriptures to give the least countenance to such a thought or 
 opinion, but it is as contrary to their whole tenor and expressions, as 
 it is irrational and absurd. There are various means and dispensa- 
 tions by which our gracious God, (who wills the salvation of all,) — 
 incites or allures sinners to abandon their evil ways and seek His 
 mercy and forgiveness. Tho text says : He works in them " to will 
 
hj aud 
 man- 
 tate of 
 nation 
 iffht or 
 
 aivl to do," He docs it -.vitli all in the rc<iiiisito dogrco by that light 
 of fonscionco and of reason which, as Scripture declares, " lightcth 
 every man that coineth into the world." Also with all w ho possess 
 the Scrii'tures, or sit under the ministry of the Word, who arc 
 thereby warned, invited, and urged to seek that salvation, and in- 
 structed as tt) the way atid means of obtaining it. Jlc also fre- 
 quently works ill them by His spirit, for our liord has said of that 
 spirit — '• He will reprove (or convince) the world of sin, of righteous- 
 ness and of judgment." That gracious spirit often applies II is 
 written Wi .1, with ([uickening and alarming power, to the conscience 
 and unilerstandintf, creating, alternately fears, desires, and hopes, re- 
 garding personal salvation. Providential dispensations, by se\ere 
 bodily complaints, — by dangers and deliverances, — deaths of relatives 
 or friends, are also divir.ely made to produce the same designed 
 awakening and salutary effects. Merely looking on a dead body, or 
 attciulance at a funeral, will frequently give rise to feelings of alarm; 
 or, at least, of serious considerati n and reflection as to a personal in- 
 terest in a future state of (Jxistence and of eternal consequences. All 
 these are the workings and appliances of the wise and benevolent 
 author of our being, to save sinners of every class and degree of 
 guiltiness, from eternal misery, and restore them to Ilis favor and 
 image, and make them happy in time and eternity. He has made 
 rich and ample provision in the Gospel of His grace for every human 
 being to obtain those blessings, as the following and numerous other 
 portions of His Word clearly testify : " A^ I live, saith the Lord 
 God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the 
 wicked turn from his way and live." — "Turn ye, turn ye from your 
 evil ways, for why will ye die." " God sent not His Son into the 
 world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might 
 be saved ;" " Not willing that any should perish, but that all shoula 
 come to repentance." — (Ezek. xxxiii ; John iii ; 2 Pet iii). " He 
 (Christ) is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world," "Who 
 gave Himself a ransom for all " — that He, by the grace of God 
 should taste death for every man — (1 John, ii ; Heb. ii). But the 
 Lord will not compel sinners to accept his salvation, for Jle has cre- 
 ated mankind as free or voluntary beings ; and therefore responsible 
 to him as their lawgiver and Judge, as to obedience or disobedience to 
 His imparted inward light, or scripturally-revealed instructions and 
 
6 
 
 cointnaiidd. To employ the words addresHoil to liia people of Israel, 
 when about to enter Canaan, as seen in Deut. xxx, lie now, vir- 
 tually, says to all, under his present dispensation : — " See, 1 have 
 set before thee, this day, life and {^ood, death and evil, blessing and 
 cursing ; theref(jre choose life, that both thou and thy seed nuiy live." 
 
 lie graciously works, however, by various means and influences, to 
 incline men to depart from the evil, and choose the good, and obey it. 
 In pity and love, he excites fears and desires, as his wisdom sees to bo 
 needful ; enlightens the understanding, to see the way of life and 
 salvation, as revealed in the iScriptures ; breathes on the aflections of 
 the heart, and incites and stimulates to the duties and exercises of 
 pmyer, — to a confiding faith in (rod and the Lord Jesus Christ, a dili- 
 gent examination of the truths of revelation, and serious meditation 
 thereon; to earnest watchfulness, ajul endeavours for improvement* 
 in all that is gootl, and avoidance of all evil ; — and to the employment 
 of other requisite and available means, for obtaining forgiveness of all 
 past transgressions, and a spiritual evidence (»f divine acceptance ; 
 and for grace, wisdom, and strength, to persevere in the enjoined 
 course of faith and loving obedience. If the Christian convert, so 
 divinely stimulated and assisted, does indeed thus faithfully pursue 
 his religious course, his gracious (rod and Saviour, according to num- 
 erous Scripture promises, will never forsake him, but will continue to 
 grant him supplies of grace, fully sndicient for every season of tempt- 
 ation, trial, or suflcriug, to which he may be exposed, or work of 
 obedience to which he may be called. " If ye abide in me," — says 
 our Lord, — " and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, 
 and it shall be done unto you." — " If ye keep my commandments, ye 
 shall abide in my love." — " Be thou faithful unto death and I will give 
 thee a crown of life." (John xv ; Rev. ii.) The text declares that 
 God " worketh in them, both to will and to do of his good pleasure ; " 
 and the Scriptures fully show, that " good pleasure " to be, that they 
 should be saved from all sin, and its ruinous consequences, be made 
 holy, and finally admitted into his everlasting liiugdom of glory and 
 happiness. 
 
 Being, as described, divinely quickened, instructed, and assisted, 
 the text gives the command to every seeking and believing soul : 
 
 " Work out vour own Salvation." 
 
 \ 
 
•v and 
 
 Those words mean, of course, a oi-worhlatj with those divine in- 
 fluences and operations mentioned in the text, for us no man can 
 (/uich'n his own soul, so none can, merely of his own will and otlorts, 
 n)aintain that divinely imparted spiritual life. ]le needs constant 
 sup|)lies of the bread and water of life, aiul, on his own part, renewed 
 exercises of faith in the atoning sacrilice and propitiation of his 
 gracious Redeemer, and fervent and repeated supplications for the 
 iiilluence oi' his Spirit, to further i/nldrn aiul siistdin, and to enal)le 
 him successfully to "fight the good fight of faith," and constantly 
 press forward, as Scripturally commanded in all the exercises and duties 
 of the Christian life. The ILoly Sciptures form the oidy true ami safe 
 source and fouiulation of all reh'>/ioHs and truly moral truth, wmhrn, 
 aiul riijhteoHsness. To these infallible oracles, therefore, every seeker 
 of salvation and Christian believer must constantlv look, in everv 
 stage of their course, for instruction and guidance, as to the whole of 
 their religious f^vith and conduct, for they are declared to bo " given 
 by the inspiration of God ;" ami t(» be "profitable for doctrine, for 
 reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man 
 of (jod may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,"* 
 — (2 Tim. iii). The inspired and devoted Psalmist has said — "Oh 
 how love I Tliv law — it is mv meditation all the day.'' — " Thv Word 
 is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." — (Ps. cxix). The 
 Scriptures exhort and command every professor of our Holy religion 
 to " repent '' and " bring forth fruits meet for rei)entance ;" to "for- 
 sake the foolish, and go in the way of understanding ;'' " cease to do 
 evil and learn to do well ;*' — to " pray always, and not faint," resting 
 on the written promises, and exercising faith for their personal ful- 
 filment, as divinely seen to be needed ; for it is declared that, " with- 
 out faith it is impossible to please God ;" and " he thai comcth to 
 God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of all them 
 that diligently seek him.'' And further, "If any man lack wisdom, 
 let him ask of God, that givetli to all men liberally and upbraideth 
 not, and it shall be given him ; but let him ask in faith, nothing 
 wavering." — (See Heb. xi ; James i.) Every such professor must 
 also constantly, as scripturally exhorted and commanded, exercise 
 faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and, by frequent and fervent sup- 
 plication, seek to receive out of His fullness, every grace of the Holy 
 Spirit needed for direction, strength, and comfort, and for the ful- 
 
8 
 
 filmont of every practical duty : bearing in mind, also, and striving, 
 through grace, to advance in fervent and grateful obedience to the 
 further divine commands relating to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 — " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with 
 all thy soul and with all thy might." — " Offer unto God thanksgi\ing, 
 and ])ay thy vows unto the Most High." — "Trust in the Lord with 
 all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding ; in all 
 thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy steps.''— (Deut. 
 vi ; Ps. 1 ; Prov. iii.) " Putting on the breastplate of faith and love, 
 and for an helmet the hope of salvation." — " Take my yoke upon you 
 and learn of me," -.avs the Saviour. — " If ye love me keep ray com- 
 mandments." — "He became the author of eternal salvation to all 
 them that obey him." — (Thes. v ; Math, ii ; John xvi ; Heb. v.) 
 
 The Christian believer, in workinj^ uut his -alvation, as commanded 
 in the text, must also bear in mind, and exercise the following and dl 
 other scripturally enjoined gra -es ; and fulfil the duties regarding 
 others. " Thou shalt lox^ thy neighbour as thyself;" " That which is 
 altogether just thou shalt follow;" "Be ye, therefore, merciful as 
 your Pather also is merciful." — Math, xxii ; Deut. xvi ; Luke vi). 
 " Speak evil of no man ;" " Porgive and yo shall be forgiven ;" " Have 
 no fellowship v ii;h the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather re- 
 prove them." — (Tit. iii ; Luke vi ; Eph. v). " Let your conversation 
 be without covetousness :" " Be ye kind one to another ;" " i^s we 
 have, therefore, opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially 
 unto them who are of the household of faith ;" " If it be possible, as 
 much as lieth in/«'U, live peaceably with all men." — (Phil, i ; Eph. 
 vi ; Gal. vi ; Rom. xii). " Put on charity, which is the ^ ^nd of 
 perfectness ;" " All things whatsoever ye would that men should do 
 to you, do ye even so to them "; " Abstain from all appearance of 
 evil ;!'." Let your lig'' so shine before men, that they, seeing your 
 good works, may glorify your Father which is in Heaven." — (Col. 
 iii ; Math, vii ; 1 Thes. v ; Math, v.) 
 
 There are also, in the Scriptures, numerous instructions and com- 
 mands respecting the various relations of life : of husband and wife, 
 parents and children, masters and servants, rulers and subjects, min- 
 isters and people, and between Christian brethren and others, all of 
 >yhich are to be duly observed and obeyed. 
 
 Every such seeker and worker for salvation is also Scripturally 
 
 ■'i 
 
com- 
 wife, / 
 I, m in- 
 all of 
 
 lurally 
 
 n 
 
 9 
 
 exhorted and commanded, to seek and exorcise the following ..nd all 
 other personal graces and duties : — " Watch and pray that ye enter 
 not into temptation ;" " Search the Scriptures :'' '* Let the Word of 
 Christ dwell in you richly in all wis'''>m.'' — (Mat. xxvii ; John v; 
 Col. iii.) "Examine yourselves whe^ier ye be in the faith, prove 
 your own selves ;'' " Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make 
 not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof;" " Keep thy 
 tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile ;" "Not slothful 
 in business: fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" (2 Cor. xiii ; Vs. 
 xxxiv ; Kom. xiii.) " I'ut on therefore as the elect of God, holy and 
 beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, 
 long suffering ;'' " Let love be without dissimulation." — "Add to vour 
 faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ; and tj knowledge, temper- 
 ance ; and to temperanc.'e, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and 
 to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, charity." 
 (Col. iii ; Kom. xii ; 2 Heb. i.) 
 
 The Christian convert must not, for any time or cause, suspend or 
 relax the exercise and performance of any of the foregoing Scripturally 
 enjoined graces and duties, for the text says his salvation is to be — 
 
 Worhed out ; 
 
 evidently meaning, that he is to be constantly employed in most 
 earnest etforts, initil that salvation is, through divine grace and in- 
 fluence, fully secured. He must not be like the man, who as our 
 Lord in similitude has said, " Having put his hand to the plough, 
 and looking back, is not fit for the kingdom of God :" nor like him who 
 m'ithout counting the cost, begins to build, and "after lie shall have 
 laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all that behold him begin 
 to mock him, saying, this man began to build and was not able to 
 finish." — (Luke xvi.) In all ages of the Church there have been not 
 a few, but many such cowardly and unfaithful professors of Chris- 
 tianity, who, through fear of persecution or reproach, ridicule or 
 contempt, or through ambition, the love of gain, " the lust of the 
 flesh, the pride of life,'* or other worldly and corrupt desires and 
 motives, after having for a time, as Scripturally described, — " escaped 
 the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entawgled therein and overcome, 
 and the latter end is worse with them than the beginning, for it had 
 
10 
 
 been better ir>rit8i>em not to bave known the way of righteousness, than 
 after they ha^e kDu-wn it, to turn from the holy coinmandracnt de- 
 livered unco th^im.'' — (2 Pet, ii.) In order to avoid such a fearful end, 
 let every pnjt'tc->«>.>r <jf our holy Christianity, constantly bear in mind 
 and obey the^ in-pired warnings and injunctions : — " Let him that 
 thinketh he iit^m^eth, take heed lest he fall ;" " Abide in me, and I in 
 you ;»'*•- for without me ye can do nothing :'' " If a man 
 abide not in r; ->. Sae is cast forth as a branch and is withered :" '• l^et 
 us hold fiat ■; : rofession of our faith without wavering, for he is 
 faithful that pr-:>Tjji*.ed." — (1 Cor. x; John xv ; Ifeb. x.) " Give all 
 diligence to maSa- jour calling and election sure ;" " Be thou faithful 
 unco death, amd I will give thee a crown of life.*' — (2 Pet. i; Ker. ii.) 
 The tcAt siJI*> *«et« forth the urgent motives, and the de^ees of 
 earnestness, ein)«T2[y and activity, with whicii the believer is to prose- 
 cute the vitaJETj inuportant and comprehensive work. These are seen 
 in the word.'* : — 
 
 " With fear and trembling." 
 
 A learned divwie and commentator, in remarking- on these words. 
 has explained them and given counsel in the following terms: — "Con- 
 sidering the <'ti(0irmliii td" the vxtrh, and the dowjer of miscnrriafif^ if 
 you do not wailrdL. pray, and continually depend on God, your enemies 
 will surprise jmxa. and your light and life will be become extinct : and 
 then consider vsha^ an awful account you must give to Him whose 
 spirit ye hnre ^rieried, and of whose glory ye have come short.*' 
 
 The tran.slar&l words " fear and trembling," do not mean a fear 
 and tremor tLmt itliie gracious and faithful God, or the compassionate 
 and unchange-JiM* SaA-iour will, without constraining cause, withhold 
 the assistance ;f sraee. or other recjuisite means for the progress and 
 completion of c&.-«r •'.'iDiuanded and desired salvation; for the divine 
 will as expre^.i€il iaa Scripture is, — "that the world through Christ 
 might be saveJ ;" aund the loving Redeemer who invited, warned, and 
 counselled the 'i- • rjed sinners of Jerusalem, and wept over them, 
 because they t :to\ repent and believe on Ilira for salvation, has 
 
 still been bear . :li sinners, and calling and restoring prodigals, 
 and seeking acwl i;»ringing back to the fold the wanderers from His 
 flock. Neither if :• the words mean servile fears, and severe and dis- 
 tressing agitati/ji.*. proceeding from a spirit of bonda^e^ for thejr 
 
 wl 
 aij 
 Ml 
 feJ 
 
 an I 
 
 ani 
 
 tail 
 
11 
 
 who^e 
 
 a fear 
 ?i;nate 
 Sthhold 
 fss and 
 divine 
 Christ 
 \d, and 
 them, 
 ^n, has 
 ^digals. 
 His 
 Id dis- 
 thev 
 
 whom " the Son makes free,'' are " free indeed '' from such a degraded 
 and unhappy spirit. With reference to the great and glorious 
 Majesty of tlie Universe, those words mean a gracious and reverential 
 fear of oftending such an infinitely \vir:e, holy, and beneficent God 
 and Saviour. There are numerous passages of Scrii)ture, inculcating 
 and requiring such a reverential and becoming fear, by all the inhabi- 
 tants of the earth ; and it, is perfectly consistent with the equally 
 enjoined and appropriate emotions and duties towards him, of love, 
 faith and confidence, and every other principle and feeling of homage 
 and adoration, as well as of cheerful and um'eserved obedience. The 
 following are some of the Scripture exhortations and injunctions to 
 such a reverential fear: — "Thou slialt fear the Lord thy God and 
 serve him ;" '♦ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of tlie 
 saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him :'' 
 " Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and bodv in hell." This 
 was said by the Lord Jesus to His cbsciples. Further, — " Let us have 
 grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with ro\erence and 
 godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire." — (Deut. vi ; Luke xii ; 
 Heb. xii.) " Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." — 
 (2 Cor. v.) It might be with good effect if ministers of religion 
 would occasionally preach from some of those, or similar texts. It 
 might serve to alarm some bold and prcsumptuons sinners, and afibrd 
 a check and cantion to some sincere and weak persons, w ho, in prayer, 
 indulge in an unbecoming freedom of speech and manner, and too 
 frequently repeat the sabred name. As regards the believer's own 
 fears or apprehensions concerning his spiritual state and prospects* 
 there are also numerous Scriptural warnings and directions. He is 
 commanded to " Commune w'th his own heart ;" to " examine him- 
 self;" to " walk circumspectly ;" and is cautioned : — " Let him that 
 thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall,'' and to " fear lest having 
 a promise of entering into rest, he should come short of it." — (Ps. iv: 
 2 Cor. xiii ; 1 Cor. x ; Heb. iv.) All these commands, exhortations, 
 and directions, are as obligatory now, on every seeker of salvation* 
 as they vv«re in any previous age of our holy Christianity. It is, 
 therefore, at the peril of their failure of securing salvation, and of 
 enduring eternal misery, to neglect or disobey those divine warnings 
 and instructions. But it too plainly appears to be the melancholy 
 fact, that, in the preseut day, vast numbers of professed believers in 
 
12 
 
 Christianity, both witJiin as well as outside of church membership, are 
 practically disregarding them, by partially or entirely failing to employ 
 the commanded means and efforts towards working out, as divinely 
 enjoined, that needed salvation, although the requisite grace to assist 
 them, if sincerely and faithfully desired and sought, will be readily 
 and fully afforded. That neglect and disobedience are noiv, compara- 
 tively, more blameable and dangerous than in any previous age of 
 Christianity, inasmuch as there are far more means and facilities 
 afforded towards obtaining that salvation, by' the multiplication and 
 free use of the Scriptures, increased evangelical preaching of the 
 Word, the existence and operations of numerous religious associations 
 of various descriptions, Sabbath s' Sools, Bible classes, institutions 
 specially for the instruction and benefit of the youth of both se>:es, 
 and many other direct or auxiliary means for imparting Scripture 
 truth, and inculcating and promoting Christian morality. These 
 favorable means and appliances manifestly bring every professor of 
 Christianity under an additional weight of claim and obligation to 
 give his utmost diligence and efi'urts to secure his salvation, for as our 
 Lord has declared : — " Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall 
 be much required ;" " and unto every one that hath shall be given, 
 and he shall have abundance ; but from him that hath not, (meaning 
 hath not improved that which he had) shall be taken away even that 
 which he hath ;" and he added the awful doom : — " Cast ye the un- 
 profitable servant into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and 
 gnashing of teeth." — (Luke xii; Math, xxv.) 
 
 CHIEF HINDRANCES TO SALVATION. 
 
 It may here be well to mention some of the causes which prevent 
 those unfaithful professors from seeking and finally securing the 
 needed and offered salvation. The two principal causes of the pre- 
 sent low state of religious faith and conduct are manifestly these : — 
 The almost universal desire and ardent endeavors for acquiring 
 worldly gain, and a craving desire and pursuit of the various modes 
 and scenes of sensual gratifications and amusements. With the 
 adult male population the first of these causes — that of gain — greatly 
 predominates, producing in the higher and middle orders, especially 
 in political circles, various immoral and corrupt practices, and in so- 
 ciety generally many forms of fraud and demoralization. A yery 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
13 
 
 hip, are 
 employ 
 livinely 
 ;o assist 
 
 readily 
 )mj)ara' 
 
 age of 
 facilities 
 ion and 
 ; of the 
 )ciations 
 ;itutions 
 h sexes, 
 cripture 
 These 
 'essor of 
 ation to 
 )r as our 
 lim shall 
 |e given, 
 neaning 
 en that 
 
 le un- 
 ing and 
 
 prevent 
 
 ^ 
 
 ing the 
 
 f 
 
 the pre- 
 
 1 
 
 :hese : — 
 
 ':■ 
 
 cquiring 
 s modes 
 
 
 ith the 
 
 
 -greatly 
 ipecially 
 
 , 1 
 
 1 
 
 ;i in so- 
 
 J". 
 
 A rery 
 
 iS 
 
 large proportion of these lovers of gain are also votaries of sensual 
 indulgences in various ways, especially in the use of intoxicating 
 drinks, that certain preventive of pious emotions and truly religious 
 motives and conduct, and in every way the most prolific of evil, and 
 of present and eternal misery. They either will not search and 
 learn, or wilfully disregard the inspired Scripture injunctions: — 
 " Labour not to be rich ;" " Take heed, (said the Lord Jesus) and 
 beware of coveteousness." — (Prov. xxiii ; Luke xii.) " They that will 
 be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and 
 hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition ;" " In 
 tlio last days perilous times shall come ; for men shall be lovers of 
 their own selves, covetous * * * lovers of pleasures more than lovers 
 of God ;" " Serving divers lusts and pleasures.'' — (1 Tim. vi ; 2 Tim. 
 
 Very large proportions of adult female professors of Christianity — 
 heads of families — some of them in Church membership, if not affect- 
 ed with the like spirit for gain, are equally, or even more involved in 
 the desires and gratifications of scenes and modes of pleasure and 
 amuscuient ; and further, exhibit a weakness and worldliness in a 
 supcrabounding display of various costly and sumptuous mansion 
 furniture, and numerous decorations of glass, porcelain, expensive 
 pictures, and other baubles oivaaitij, making their apartments, under 
 a religious view " chamhrrs of imagenj,'^ somewhat similar to those of 
 idolatry, described by the prophet Ezekicl. These persons do not 
 I'cgard, as they ought to do, the express Divine injunctions — " Love 
 not the world ; neither the things that are in the world, * * * for all 
 that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye, and 
 the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." " Keep 
 yourselves from idols." — (1 John.) On this last text a learned and 
 celebrated divine and commentator has thus written : — " That is a 
 persou'vS idol, from which happiness is sought, whether it be pleasure, 
 wealth, fame, a fine house, superb furniture, splendid ecjuipage, 
 medals, curiosity, books, titles, human friendship, or any earthly or 
 heavenly thing, God the supreuie good only excepted." On the 
 words ** lust of the 03^0," he has further written ; — " Inordinate de- 
 sires after ^Hm/ of every kind, gaudy dress, superb furniture * * 
 trappings and decorations of all sorts." A further and most preva- 
 lent mode of vanity and folly and hindrance to conversion and salva- 
 
14 
 
 tion in the female sex, is ornamental and showy apparel, varieties of 
 jeivellenj a\u\Jfon>enj appcnclaf];es, somewhat like the wo^nen of Isra^^l, 
 whom the Lord, by His prophet Isaiah, so severely condemned for 
 their indulgence in that form of display of pride and vanity. Not 
 only does this hindrance to true spiritual conversion prevail univers- 
 ally among the youthful and unmarried portion of the sex, but it 
 seems to be almost equally predominant m the matronhj circles^ js 
 well H'l^/un as outside of Church membership. Now the Lord, by 
 His inspired .Apostle, has repeatedly commanded — "That women 
 adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and so- 
 briety ; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, or 
 putting on of apparel ; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in 
 that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet 
 spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price.'' — (1 Tim. ii ; \ 
 Pet. iii.) 
 
 These other forms of sin and folly, and hindrances to true 
 conversion, especially applying to the young, must also be men- 
 tioned : Attendance on vain, frivolous and sensual scenes and exhi- 
 bitions, reading works of romance and fiction, oftf containing pro- 
 fane expressions and irreligious sentiments ; also what is generally 
 called gosslpitif/, or idh and unedifijinrj talk, at times defamatory , all 
 which use of speech is Scripturally prohibited and condemned. If 
 such male and female professed seeliers of regeneration and salvation 
 think that they can find and retain these inestimable blessings, and 
 still continue in the indulgence of those divinely forbidden sins, and 
 worldly and sensual gratifications and vanities, or any of them, they 
 are under an awful delusion, which, if not dispelled by enlightening 
 and saving grace, will end in their eternal misery. The divine 
 tSariour and Eedeemer, as Scripturally declared, came, and suflE*ered, 
 and died, to save his people, not in but '■^from their sins ;" to " re- 
 deem them from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar peo- 
 ple," " denying and avoiding all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and 
 perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (See Mat. i ; Tit. ii ; Cor. 
 vii.) And he has plainly declared, " If any man will follow 
 me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow 
 me ;" " He that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, 
 is not worthy of me ;" "■ Make not provision for the flesh 
 to fulfil the lusts thereof;" " but, as strangers and pilgrims, 
 
15 
 
 ioties of 
 f Isra^^l, 
 lied for 
 y. Not 
 univcrs- 
 IX, but it 
 rcles^ js 
 iord, by 
 women 
 and so- 
 irray, or 
 heart, in 
 nd quiet 
 im. ii ; l 
 
 to true 
 be men- 
 nd exhi- 
 ing pro- 
 ^enerally 
 tonj, all 
 ned. If 
 Isalvation 
 gs, and 
 ms, and 
 xn, they 
 :;litening 
 e divine 
 uffored, 
 to " re- 
 iar peo- 
 ists, and 
 ii ; Cor. 
 1 follow 
 i follow 
 "ter me, 
 le flesh 
 jilgrim?, 
 
 abstain from fleshly lusts which war against tlie soul ;'' " The 
 lust oi the flesh, the lust of the eye^ and the pride of life, are not of 
 the Father, but are of the world ;" and " He that joweth to the 
 flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption." — (Luke ix & xiv ; 1 John 
 ii ; (Jal. vi.) These, and similar Scripture injunctions, are of the 
 same binding authority, ijr constant observance and obedience by all 
 candidates for salvation, as the very iirst doctrines and precepts of 
 our holy Christianity; and their disregard, ainl non-observance if 
 persisted in, will as certainly cause a failure of sanation as any other 
 forms of disobedience and sin. Siveh unfaithful seekers and profess- 
 ors may continue to attend all revival meetings and other religious 
 services, but tii'cir t-ransient desires and emotions will be as the 
 " morning cloud and the early dew ;" and after all their self-kindled 
 fire and sparks, they will, if not divinely rescued finally, as declared 
 in Scripture, "lie down in sorrow.'' The addresses of hundreds of 
 Moodys and Sankcys and ot-lier lievivaliMs will be lost upon them. 
 With vast numbers in all the religious denominations, judging by 
 their conduct, there seems to be, at present, a very wide and danger- 
 ous misco)icei)ti.o>i as to the nature of true spiritual Christianity, as 
 exhibited in the Scriptures, and of genuine conversion and holiness of 
 heart and life ; and also as to the requisite degrees of earnestness and 
 persevering diligence and eiforts to acquire and retain those essential 
 graces and blessings. It is partly owing to this misconception, that 
 the desires and efforts to obtain heavenly treasures, and for exhibit- 
 ing the conduct so requisite in forming the true Christian character, 
 are so very generally feeble and fluctuating. The misconception is, 
 doubtless, chiefly owing to the neglect of prayerfully and diligently 
 searching the >acred scriptures and meditating thereon. From these 
 inspired oracfes alone can any perfectly true and reliable knowledge bo 
 obtained, as to the real standard of our holy religion, both as to faith 
 and practice ; and as regards the persevering earnestness and activity 
 for procuring the graces and holiness which constitute the Kingdom 
 of God in the heart and soul, and are so essential for admission into 
 the future state of eternal glory and happiness. Unhappily, those 
 careless and self-deceived seekers and professors, aeglect to obey the 
 divine commands for the frequent and attentive perusal of those in 
 fallible oracles, and to regulate their desires, affections and conduct 
 by that perfect directory and guide. They seem to be content to de- 
 
 I 
 
16 
 
 rive their slight and superficial knowlodge of Scripture truth chiefly 
 or entirely at second hand, from the teaching'H of the pulpit and othci' 
 public religious iddresses and instructions. They ought to know, — 
 as the Scriptures clearly and repeatedly declare, — that they are 
 strictly required persona I ft/ and constant It/ to search those divine reve- 
 lations for all religious instruction and guidance ; and are solemidy 
 wiirned, that according to ubedience or dUohaUi'nce to their requisi- 
 tions and commands, they will finally be judged, and either acquitted 
 or condemned. It will, therefore, be their true wisdom, to con- 
 stantly regard and obey the following and numerous other divine 
 instructions and commands on the subject : — *' Wherewithal shall a 
 young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto according to 
 Thy Word." — A blessing is pronouncL'd on the godly and righteous 
 man, because " h'.s delight is in the law of the Lord, and in. His law 
 doth he meditate day and night ;" " Blessed is ihe man that heareth 
 me, (wisdom — the AVord) watching daily at my gates, waiting da?ly 
 at the posts of my doors;" "Search the Scriptures.'' — Ps. cix. ; Ps. 
 i ; Prov. viii ; John v.) "Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the 
 Word of God ." " From a child," says St, Paul to Timothy " thou 
 hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise 
 unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Scripture 
 declares of the Divine Ruler, — " He shall judge the world with righ- 
 teousness and the people with His truth;" "He that reject eth me, 
 saith the Lord .Tesus, and receiveth not my words, hath one that 
 judgeth him ; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge 
 him in the last day." — (Eph. vi ; 2 Tim. iii ; Ps. xlvi; John xii.) 
 
 In the Eevival meetings alluded to in a previous page, applications 
 are frequently made b}', or on behalf, of persons having some concern 
 or desire for conversion or attainment of spiritxial blessings. This, 
 certainly has Scriptural sanction, but unless such persons are endea- 
 voring to abandon all their sins , and vain and foolish thoughts and 
 ways, and are employing earnest and persevering private prayer, for 
 thorough spiritual conversion, and for obtaining Christian graces ; 
 and are endeavouring to observe a religiouB and righteous conduct, 
 they are, to say the least, — acting with great inconsistency, if not 
 hypocrisy, and have no good ground or reason to expect, that the 
 prayers of others, will certainly avail to procure them the desired 
 ppiritual blessings. 
 
17 
 
 h chiefly 
 ind other 
 know, — 
 they are 
 ine reve- 
 solemnly 
 
 requisi- 
 acquitted 
 
 to coll- 
 ar divine 
 al shall a 
 •rding to 
 righteous 
 \ His law 
 ; heareth 
 Ing da?ly 
 , ciy. ; ?fc. 
 ich is the 
 ly «« thou 
 ;hee wise 
 Scripture 
 with rigfl- 
 cteth me, 
 
 one that 
 
 all judge 
 
 xii.) 
 
 licutions 
 
 concern 
 
 . This, 
 
 endea- 
 
 ghts and 
 
 aver, for 
 graces ; 
 conduct, 
 
 y, if not 
 
 that tho 
 desired 
 
 •e 
 
 It may here he useful to offer some suggestions as to tho 
 
 HK8T MEANS FOH OUTAINI.NU A <1ENERAL REVIVAL OF TRUE 
 CHRISTIAN FAITH AND CONDUCT. 
 
 The |)rinci{)al httmnu nieatH to bo emphncd towa.ds obtaining such 
 'A revival, are those which the Scriptures (lescril)e and command, a-^ 
 to every individual wlio i> sincerely seeking salvation — namely : 
 repeiitancc, and ubaudoning all ways of uiigodliness and unrighteous- 
 ness, vanity and folly, and earnest and persevering private prayer, 
 with the confiding hope and faith of obtaining the desired spiritual 
 blessings, on the ground, and for the sake of the atoning sacrifice 
 and propitiation <d" the hi '\ Jesus Christ. Also persevering dili- 
 gence in searching and solemnly u'cditating on the Sacred Scriptures, 
 accompanied with prayer for spiritual eulightcinnent and instruction, 
 as to the true Christian faith, and the pious and pure conduct therein 
 described ami enjoined, and with earnest and constant endeavours to 
 act in all things and ways, as those divine oracles prescribe. Kegu- 
 lar attendance on the public faithful and Hvaugelica' Ministry of the 
 sacred W(»rd must also he observed. Other Scripturally enjoined or 
 sanctioned means might be named, but those just mentioned are the 
 most important, and are essentially requisite for obtaining the needed 
 Spiritual deliverance, and present and final salvation. If the people 
 generally, of any country or community, will faithfully regard and 
 obey those divine require: ""-tits, they will assuredly experience the in- 
 estimable blessing of a revival of truly Scriptural and spiritual reli. 
 gion, for lie is faithful who has thus promised. — "He that covereth 
 his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesscth and forsaketh them 
 sball have mercy ; " " Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and 
 I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts ;" — " Then shall we know 
 if we follow on to know the Lord ; his going forth is prepared as the 
 morning ; and he shall coi^ie unto us as the rain, as the latter and 
 former rain unto the earth ;" — (Prov. xxviii : Jer. iii ; Zech. i.) " Be- 
 hold I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my word, 
 unto you ; " — " Stand ya in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, 
 where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for 
 your souls ; ' '* A.11 things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, he- 
 aving, ye shall receive." — (Prov. i ; Jer. vi ; Math, xxi.) 
 
 Without a compliance with the conimands to repent and turn from 
 2 
 
IS 
 
 tlic ways of lraiHfj[i*e«*'«i(»ii. ainl vi«'Miiin(<!a'(lioiioc to tdc otdrr Scriji- 
 turul requUitiuiiM aixl iiijiuictioiis ubove nii'titinncMl tlii>recuii Im no uell 
 jfroiiniletl li()|)«.", of any wry ^i'\w ' and pciMuanont revival nt' true 
 spiritual rcli^^ioii, as the roHiilt ui lie meetin;;'. lieM tor ol/tainiiif; 
 
 rliat hlcMsin^. Sm-h meeting^i niay, .^ . j,'enerally do ;.rn«liu'0 partial 
 iiiul transient revivals of nn're <fc-<ii'r.-< and e^ntitf fnlini/s without 
 atiy real and endnrin<{ spiritnal iinpnivcnient iii heart and life. Onr 
 (}od and the Lord .lesiis Christ r/i iiti/>- mil. The abandonment of all 
 sin and vanity, ami fleshly lusts and Worldliness, are itnin as tlivinely 
 and i nperativcly commanded and jtfrs m'tl f,tit/i, i'i)//ilri)iiKiifss, anil 
 /ii)Uiifss, as .strii'tly re([iiired, a> in any [)revion.s age, hotli with re- 
 t'erenee to this lif(>, and the future state of glory and happinoss 
 
 The divine w.irnin^'s, instructions anU commands, are still in full 
 force: — Here aro some of them, which it uill be well for the mid- 
 titudos of lovers of pleasure and vanities and d.uible mimled and in- 
 consistent professorate) learn and obey: — " Except ye repent ye shall 
 all likeuise perisji ," "■ Remember therefore frinu whence thou art 
 fallen, and i-cpcnt and do tlie lirst works :" " Why cull ye me I^ord, 
 Lord, and do not the things whicb I. say," — (Luke xiii ; Jiev. ii ; 
 fiuko vi.) " Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanks- 
 giving;" " keceive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able 
 to save your souls ; but be ye doers of the Word and not hearers 
 only, deceiving your own souls;" " Abstain from fleshly lusts, which 
 war against the soul." — (Col. iv ; Jas. i : 1 J\'l. ii.) 
 
 The writer may fairly be excused, if not indeed fullv justiliod in 
 (•ffering some suggestions and remarks, respecting the general style 
 of the piddic religious exhortations and teachings in the present day, 
 addressed to the unconverted and careless. These ministrations, 
 nearly altogether, consist in exhortations to come to Christ, and 
 often, with the rather ambiguous or uncertain words, — "just as you 
 arc," without any warning or call to forsake the ways und t^cenes of 
 ^in and vanity. 'I'here is no Scriptural authority to sanction such a 
 style of limited address to the 1^0''/'//// and unconverted. All the in- 
 structions and exhortations by the inspired ami faithful teachers, 
 luider the preceding dispensation, as shown in the Scripture i.iclude 
 not only a turning unto God, but an immediate forsaking ( all tin- 
 ful principles, passions, and practices ; and Christianity demands the 
 same. These two duties must be concurrent. xSeither of them. 
 
 >dM^«UiiMjil«ia 
 
10 
 
 icd in 
 
 stvlo 
 
 iiL (lay, 
 
 'iitioris, 
 
 ■it, and 
 
 ;is y<»u 
 
 encs of 
 
 such H 
 
 the in- 
 
 jiiehcrs, 
 
 I. If] lido 
 
 ill tin- 
 
 tidn the 
 
 them J 
 
 I 
 
 Minilv n})«<ervod, will avail to ohtiiin th»' promi-^od l)lo-<«*ini;'<, iniTn- 
 jjjMMalih' t'lr a scriptural aiwl vdiind ('(tnvorsion. 'I'lio Baptist. \sh(» 
 was -iMit to prepare tlif way for tli(> Suvidiir, proclaiiiit'd tli(> new 
 di«pvri'ati<ui, liy oxhorlin^ the people : — " Keprrtt ye, for the Kiny- 
 iloni ot* Heaven is a1 hand, and hrini; tnrlh, therel'ire, tViiit meet for 
 repentance.'' The Sav ioiir also employed the words, — '• jiepent ye. 
 and he'ievc the <^osp('I." It is said of the twelve apostles, whom our 
 lior I sent forth, that, "they went out and in-eached, that men >hoMhl 
 repent." — (Mark vi.) The zealous and faithfid Paid declared, a- 
 •seen in .\<'ts xx. that he tcstilled hoth to the .lews and the (Jreeks,- - 
 " K'l'pontance towards Ood, and laith towards our liord .lesu- 
 l.^hrist ;'' and t<» '• do works meet fir repeutaiice." '!'hroui;h all age- 
 since, the same method has heen employed, hy all Christian teachers, 
 truly enlightened in the gospel plan of salvation, ajid faithful to tin- 
 Divine charge, to " rightlv divide the Word of truth," and "declare 
 the \\hnle counsel of (loil.'' The invitations and promises of scrip- 
 tiu'etothe unconverted, for seeking and obtaining salvation are i)d- 
 dressed to the " Weary and heavy laden"' with their sins; to those 
 who are '' thirst \ .'' to ''come to the waters;'' .and to those who 
 *' hiniger and thirst ;ifier rii,diteousness.'' They are not for those 
 who have not farmed, or mauit'cNted anv intention to forsake all irre- 
 iinious and unrighteous ways, and pr.aclise the .s"'.' Icniil, and ob- 
 serve the nii'ifi'ltif aud /nii'iti/ of cinduct Scri^>turally enjoineil. 
 That eminent Miidster of Christ, — Ii('\-. dohn AVesley, so deeplv 
 learned in divine truth, as revealed in the Scriptures, in rem.irking 
 on the conduct of those who Iw lid t'ortli ti) all, indixcriininati'li/, the 
 promises of the gospel, has thus written :— " They know and use bni 
 one meilicine, whatever be the cause of the distem|)er,*' They j)reach 
 tlie Oos|)el, as they eall it. — To give vomfnrt is the sluy/e point at 
 which they aim : in order to,w;hich, tliey ^iay many soft and ternler 
 things, concerning the loAc of Ciod to poor helj)lcss sitniers, and the 
 officaey of the blood of Christ. X; w, this is muiclii'if indeed, and 
 th.at of the worst st,rt. It is hard to speak of these 'daubers with 
 untempered murtir.' these /i.'nniist'-moiH/ri'n, as they deserve. Tliev 
 do. in effect. mil;c the lil ood (d' the covenant ;in unholy tiling. 
 * * * * The <irdin!ry method of (lod is, to convict sinners by the 
 fnic. and that onhj. The gospel is not the uieans which (rod hath or- 
 dained, or which our Lord himself used tor this end. We hiive no 
 
20 
 
 ■•tutlioritv in >'cpi|)tiirc for iHiii*^ it tl>ii"», ii<»r afiy uroiiiwl to tliiiik if 
 will prove cfrcM'tiiul. ' 'Plifv that are \\li»»l<'," as our lionl liimxolf 
 obscrvoM, " rjeod not a piiysirinn, hut tlicy that are sick.'' It i« al>- 
 iurd to offer Christ to tlu'in whose heart is whole, havint? tiever yet 
 been hr)ken. In addressing' such persons, the first etl'ort sljould b(! 
 to sliow thctn thrit tliev are reallv ifirt'iiii'f, and in nei'd ot' a mrf, 
 before proposintj, or applying the healing <»ospel remedy. Our 
 fiord's sermon on the Mount was, nearly throui;hout, of a lefjttl and 
 precpptivf character. 
 
 With roferetice to Special Meetint^s and services, to obtain lievi- 
 vals of Religion, to which allusion has previ(uisly been u»ade, it will 
 always bo needfid and proper, in conductinu; the exercises and de- 
 liveriiifj addresses, in such jn«'etin<»s. to apply suitable and awakejiing 
 passa<;es of the inspired Word, with faithful and pointed exhortati(»n.s 
 to the abandonment of all sinfid an<l vain and sensual wavs and 
 works, — all contaminatin*]; associations and scenes ; with entreaties 
 to freijuent private prayer. — searchinf^ the Scriptures, and the ob- 
 servance of other reliijfious tneajis. Such a course of procedure in 
 conducting; such special mcetinufs, as well as in all public reli<;ious 
 teachirif?, is in strict accordance with the Scri|)ture injunctions: — 
 •'Let the wi.ked forsake his way and the unrif^hteous man his 
 thoughts," &c. — " Repent and be converted, that your sins may be 
 blotted out ;'' " Cease to do evil ; learn to do well;" "Search the 
 Scriptures ;'' " Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation ;" 
 •' Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own 
 ioids ;" " TTow simll we escape if we neglect so great salvation ;'' 
 " If the righteous seareely be saved, (or with great etfort and diffi- 
 culty) where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear ;" " Unto them 
 that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteous- 
 ness, he will render indignation and wrath, tribulatioTi and anguish* 
 upon every soul of man that doeth evil ;" " Fear Him, which after He 
 hath killed, hath power to east into hell ; yea, T say unto you, fear 
 Him." By such Scriptural exhortations at»d instructions, fervently 
 employed, especially by such awakening and alarming passages as the 
 above, being fervently and pointedly applied, under the influence of 
 the Holy Spirit, the wise and faithful Wesley, with others in thfir 
 da;/ ; and other similar, zealous and able watchmen and leaders on 
 the walls of Zion, iu several previous ages, were honored and blessed, 
 
 i 
 
 U 
 
LM 
 
 tliiiik it 
 lii<ii«iolt" 
 It in mIh 
 evor yet 
 Ixuild ho 
 r )i nirf, 
 y. Our 
 efjnl iirul 
 
 ill lievi- 
 
 \ it will 
 
 and (le- 
 
 .•(ikening 
 
 )rtati()ii!4 
 
 /avs and 
 
 n treaties 
 
 the oh- 
 
 ihirc in 
 
 reliij^ioiis 
 
 tiniiH : — 
 
 nan hia 
 
 may be 
 
 irch the 
 
 )tatinii ;" 
 
 our own 
 
 vat ion ;'' 
 
 1(1 diffi. 
 
 to them 
 
 jhteous- 
 
 angiiish' 
 
 fter He 
 
 ou, fear 
 
 ervently 
 
 ;s as the 
 
 lence of 
 
 in their 
 
 ders on 
 
 blessed, 
 
 t. 
 
 
 in biMiisj made the itwtnimentM of ^rrat and true revival^ of Scriptu- 
 tiil uiiil Spiritual relij^imi. Similar rcvivali, and a permanent in- 
 i-reftMc of members, and of pii'ty and purity of condiut in the 
 Chiirchet, by the employment of the like means, woidd, nndoiibtedly, 
 often, if not always follow. 
 
 .Iiidj,'in^ by the <'onduct of many persons in Chiirch fellowship, and 
 that of the jjn'at body of those who are merely attendants on the 
 relitjious services, there seems to be a very general and erroneous 
 (pillion, that the strict retpiisitions and |)recepts of the Scripture?' 
 are not in these days o'* advanced civili/.ation and intellectual attain- 
 ments and knowled<;e, as (»bli^atory, and as precisely to be carried 
 out in practice as in the early aj;es of Christianity. This is an ut- 
 terly false — and if persisted in — a most ruinous idea. None of the 
 improvements just mentioned, nor any increase in scientific dis- 
 coveries — treiieral or particular — or advances in the means of conduct- 
 inj» ncuUir ajfnirx, rau be allowed to have any influence, or effect, in 
 weakening the authority or oblirrjitions of the Scripture standard of 
 our holy religion. It has always heen of the same inflexible nature, 
 as Scripturally described, as free of any chan<j;e, as to human opiniotif* 
 «)r affairs, as is the character (»f the immutable and holy and glorious 
 Vufhor of those Oracles, of wisdom, truth, and righteousness. 
 Those infallible mental and spiritual lights he has in mercy given, to 
 serve without change, for all people, and in all conditions of life, to 
 the end of time. Some, or many, in their impiety and presumption, 
 may talk of the ' advanced spirit of the present age ;'' and of different 
 rc(piirement» noir, as to religious views and faith and practice, but all 
 this is only one of the numerous proofs of a great and grievous defect 
 us to true Scriptural knowledge and Christian faith and morals. The 
 Scriptures give the most solemn warning and prohibition regarding 
 any such ungodly and presumptuous thoughts or actions, by declaring: 
 •' Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be 
 found a liar ;" " If they sj)eak not according to this word, it is because 
 there is no truth in them.*' The infinitely wise and eternally glorious 
 Majesty of heaven has declared, that He " changcth not ;" that "with 
 Him is no variableness, or shadow of turning ;'' and that " His word 
 abideth forever." The Canon of Scripture revelation, for man's faith 
 and duty, was finally closed more than eufhteeu hundred yearK panf, to 
 •erve to the end of time. No further written revelation has been 
 
 
22 
 
 proDiisefl, or wifl ever })e uiveii. Tin* saMie divine and thorotit,'!) 
 ';lmiiii;e in man's native xiuful state ; the name ohiiijations and (iiitie< 
 of faith. love, worship and nhodionce, towanls Odd, ;ind the Ti(»r(i 
 Jesus Christ ; the sanie love and other prices and (hitics towards om- 
 felhtw men ; the same j)re|)ar;iti(tii of /V»'/;*<>-.s" i'uv the future Kint^ihtm 
 of <j;h)rv and happiness, as set forth in the St-rijitiires, are now a-^ 
 absolutely re(,.:isite as in the first, or any (»ther !i<;e of Christianitv, 
 and will ho remain until the close of this world's history, Tiio f i1- 
 lowin*:; comprehensive commands, and all other divine injiniclions arnf 
 requireujcnts will ne\er be relaxed in f »rcn <tr oblij^ation : "Thou 
 shall love llu- liord thy <Jod with all thiric heart, and with all tin 
 sou], and will) all thy mifjht :" "Thou slialt w.irship the Tiurd tli\ 
 God, and Him oidy shalt thou serve:"' " Kepcnt and believe the (los- 
 pel ;'" '• t'ontinue in prayer, and watch in the same with lhanlNsgiving ;"' 
 •• Follow after rijL];hteousness, j^jodliness, faith, love, patience, meekness;" 
 ''Thou shalt love thy neif^hbor as thy-elf :"' '• All things whatsoevei* 
 ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them ;" •' Bi- 
 ve doers of the Word and not hearer- o)dy :*' •• Be ye holv for J am 
 holy." 
 
 The church of the faithfid and liually saved. — the bride of the 
 Lamb, — her Saviour and King, — will be presented unto him -'in 
 raiment of needle work." every grace and holy and htvely disposition 
 having been patiently and perseveringly fashioned and completed ac- 
 cordinir to the diviiie pattern, and her whole person, as Si-ripturilh 
 described, " without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thijig ;" the im- 
 mortal spirit having, thntugU heavenly influence, Ix en t,ioroughlv 
 created anew in that holy and hajipy image in which it wa> fir>t 
 formed, and iww united to a glorified body. There must of" neces- 
 sity be such a j)erfect renovation, t'or these redeemed and saved 
 spirits, with the innumerable company of the angelic orders, who ne\ cr 
 sinned, will forever dwell in the pre-<enee and umier the guidance 
 and favour of the in.'initely Holy One '• who sitteth on the throne,"' 
 and of the equally Holy Heileemer and Kinu: of Saints. 
 
 In that region of glory there will, undoidttedly, be increa^iiiLT 
 knowledtre and happiness, but there is nothing in Seriptiirc to sJkiw 
 that there will be any increase in fiofiness, for that M'ould imply ih.it 
 there had been a previous defect in that essential quality. 
 
 In drawing to a conchnion the v.riter may say. that very pro- 
 
23 
 
 tlioroiit,']! 
 Tid (liitie«; 
 
 the Tioni 
 \var(l>< our 
 ? luriiijdoiii 
 I'o T)i)\v a-i 
 ri'<tiaiiitv> 
 Tlio tu'l- 
 
 cliolis ;uii( 
 
 I : " Thou 
 ith nil thy 
 L((r(l thy 
 ' the (}()<- 
 <sgivinor;"' 
 jeckness;"' 
 hatsocvci' 
 in:" "Be 
 • tor J am 
 
 clc of the 
 
 hill) •' iit 
 
 i'^positiou 
 
 )lete(l ai- 
 
 riptiirilly 
 
 tho ii)i- 
 
 ()roii<];hlv 
 
 Ava-« f!r>t 
 
 11(1 savcil 
 
 ,\ho m'\«'i* 
 
 jiiiidaiici' 
 
 throne." 
 
 iictva^iiiLT 
 to -^how 
 njiiy ih:it 
 
 \*'r\ pfo- 
 
 l>aMv soiiio of the Indolent or 'fmih/f wimJnJ Aiwhi'm (iitd profntsor^ 
 previously ilescrihod, \Nill critii-.we and casil at this discoui^e, for 
 lieiii*!, in their opinion, overhauled with pa->sa^cs of Scripture. Tliese 
 perstMis \vt)uhl like to hear of a (»od and Hit reIij;ion nut so hol_\ and 
 pret'iselv demanding as the Scripture-; exhihit. though they would not 
 ^enturc plainly to say it. \Vii}i()nt considiiti": those inspired orach's. 
 they ha\e fanned in Uieir own uiinds sonie such ideas of tiie character 
 of the Deity as N\ill uceord with the sell-deviseil and coniplacent 
 standard of their own religious o|)inions and moral couduet ; and 
 what t'-.e rctpiirements of Ids religion are, or tiiight to lie, so as to he 
 ill harinonv \sitli tl;e >cientific knowleiiue and \arious discoveries and 
 improvements of the present age. Tliis 's the delusi()n of such per- 
 >ons, and, therefore, it is not likely they will care to hear much, hut 
 .•i> little as possible, of the threatenings of Scripture against all sin 
 niid vanity and folly ; aiul its strict and inflexible requirements of 
 entire dexotedness to (iod, and perfect ht)liii,.<.'< of /ndrt and lift. 
 Accordingly, they like best those discourses aiul addresse.s, — much 
 loo common in the present day, — which gi\e merely a scrap of 
 Scripture us a customary /<'v<f////7, and then, wilU Jlniri^/iuuf actinn, 
 the sensational sentiments of the man's own compi>sition, and his 
 ri«.v»iiig and soothing or otherwise jdeasing utterances. AH this they 
 will doubtless prefer to that style of religious teaching which, in a 
 considerable degree, was formerly observed, especially in the I'rcsby- 
 terian Ministry, of citing aiul explaining Scripture, in support of 
 every position and sentiment advanced, thus, as Scripturally required. 
 •• com|>arnig spiritual things with spirituals," that the people might 
 be fidly instructed and brought to understand and remember Scrip- 
 lure truth, ami have it established in their minds and hearts as the onhf 
 xldiuliinl oi' their fdith ai\d /trarticr. This style, however, would not 
 be .acceptable to vast numbers of religious professors and others in the 
 ])resent age. who, as Scripture describes, have " itching ears," and like 
 the Athenians of old. desire always "to hear some new thin^ 
 They much prefer the tvciting ami jilcasant addresies which are given 
 l>y such lien as the/rt>«o».s' Henry Ward Heecher, who so <f(li(/h(,s his 
 ti time roils and oppfimdiixj hearers of the renovrnd Plymouth Church. 
 •* r.o ! thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a 
 [jleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument.'' Tht»se m'lf-de- 
 ixivers will seldom be found at a customary or ordinary week-night 
 
24 
 
 prayer oifrtiittj, but wiH j^bdfy crowd to a I'ublic Hall Ldurr ,jn unv 
 Secular subject eith*^r '^^ ^imiMtr or Lai/nwu. The Si-ripture teach- 
 ing previously menti ■■■-■ driving a full exposition and application ot' 
 the word of the etemaJi Jii>d s:J<>ri(>us God, is in diret-t rontrast witli 
 all those delu:^ion^ an*l imiifuafiistencies, and perfectly accords witii the 
 following and numen.'ii* >rLfr ])(>rtions of those divine aiid authorita- 
 tive oracles of truth amd riirbtoousness : — * •* VVhat is the t-liatf ti> the 
 wheat, saith the I^ord ? L« not my word like as a tire? saith the 
 fiOrd ; and like a harmnuxw tiat breaketh the rock in pieces '.' * — " The 
 word of Go<i is qiiieSi airad powerful, sharper than any two-edjjed 
 ssvord, piercing even Hm ttltf dividing asinider of soul and '•pirit. and 
 of the joints and tnarr.'*. and i'^ a disecrner of the thoughts and in- 
 tents o\' the heart." — -Preach the word."' — "Teaching tlieni t<> 
 observe all things whaiB-.:ie\er 1 have commanded you.'' — The highlv 
 inspired and faithful PiwA affirmed. ^ — '* I have not shunjied to de«.-lar«' 
 unto you all the co»in««il -orf" God.** — The Lord has said. — -To thi- 
 jnan will [ look, even ttO) Biiuj that is poor and of a contrite spirit and 
 trembleth at my woffil-*" — "* Do wot my words d(» good ti> hint that 
 walkcth uprightly." — ifieiug born again, not of corruptible seed, but 
 of incorruptible: by Hfiu*" «f»rd itfCilod. which liveth and abideth for- 
 ever." 
 
 Vfer. 2,3. llel.. +-o Tim. 4-Mtitl). L'K-Aits 20-lstis (irt-ilic. -J-l I'.-t. I.