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I / iL& IMIM I 'C"^- -JC.^ THE /44 NECESSITV, THE CERTAINTY, AND THE SUFFICIENCY OP, REVEALED RELIGION, PROVED IN TWO SERMONS, DELIVERED BY THE AUTHOR TO HIS CONGREGATION AT SAINT ANDREV^'S, JUNE 7th, 180I, AND NOW PUBLISHED, Principally for the Benefit of the Candid, but yetlnquifitive, who however wantLeifure to examine more voluminous, although more perfect Treatifes upon th^ !.ubjecl. t^u ijama&l K^7id: erv-d, t^^. k^^, lledor of Saint Andrew's Church, in the Parifli of Saint Andrews, and Miflionary from the Society, 6cc. ** IVhofoevcr JJ:all deny me before Mefi, him will I alfo deny be* fore my Father which is in Heaven," Jesus Christ. Mr ,.»..»..»..»..»,.»..>,.»..>..»..»..»..»..»..»..»..»,.»..>..»..».■»<•»'•» ••»4Q»4"<-«.>«->4'> <••«••<••«•■ ST. JOHN, NE W-B R U N S V/ I C K : PAINTRO BY JOHN RYAN, PRINTER TO THK KINC's MOST RXC£LLEMT MAJESTY, AT HIS OFFICE, NO. 58, PSHHCS'V.'il-tiAM ;ir»££T« MOCCCI, ^mm^^^^^''immmmmm^m'i^i^^:mK '/'^i )^J^r?^9ij^f!% CHARLES, BISHOP OF NOVA-SCOTIA, ^c. (^c, &c. SIR, /Considering not only the high Rank in the Church of God, to which His Providence has raifed you, but alfo your Hterary Merit, and efpecially the Piety of your Perfonal Chara6ler : The Subfcriber feels a real Pleafure while he performs his Duty, in humbly alking your Pa- tronage of the two following Difcourfes ; firft compofed, and now pubUflied with a Wifli to ferve the Caufe of our Common Chriftianity, over the facred Concerns of which, you worthily Prefide in thefe Provinces. ^ That God may long continue you an Ornament to His Church, and a Blefling to her Friends is. Right Reverend Sir, The afFe6lionate Prayer of Your ever dutiful Son, and Obedient humble Servant, Ly/ic t^utn 2 or. ^i^j^VJ^ii(r\^ij^^u, but if your leafure ur Pa- ipofed, of our which, lent to or. Habakkuk, 2d, 14th. For the Earth fiall be filled with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea, WE are afliired in the words above read, that in his own good time God would give a full and clear revelation of himfelf to Men, together with the knowledge of our duty to Him j and what in our prefent ftate we might reafonably expect from Him. By a little reflection we muft be convinced that Man ftands in the moft pref- fmg need of fuch a revelation from his Maker j for, it is clearly legible in the book of Reafon, that, at prefent, he does not polTefs that purity and innocence in which he was at firft made, but has forfeited his Maker's favor by Sin i that he is depraved in the powers of his mind and the difpofition of his foul, is therefore under the Divine dif- pleafure and degraded from his primitive dignity and ho- nor. But that we can yet however, difcover the matchlefs power, juftice, wifdom and goodnefs of the Creator, " /or the invtfible things of God (or His eternal power and God- head) are clearly feen by the things He has fnade^" nor is the powerful language thefe mighty works convey confined to any region of the Earth, but is equally apparent through the valt range oi Creation. At the fame time, the match- lefs contrivance, mcchanifm, and order of the vaft whole, together with the beauty and beneficial tendency of each diltinct part, proclaim the infinite wifdom and goodnefs of their great Author. ;flct^^ ismmm ^f ^.: fmmm^^mr^:M-^,^;"9mm Serm. I. ■'m%mi&m So, as we are a part of the Creation of God, we are His property, and mull be accountable to Him for the powers he has given us : Nor is there a demonftration in Euclids Elements which ftrikes the mind with fuller conviclion, than, that the Maker of the World fliould be the Gover- nor of it ; or, that the Father of Men muft be their natu- ral Lord and King, and have an inalienable right to their fervices. Nor indeed does the following idea ftrike the mind with lefs conviction, viz. that the laws of a juftand good being mufl be juil and good, and the law-giver con- cerned to enforce them with the moll: powerful fan<5i:ions to fecure obedience. We find that the Heathen therefore without a Revelation, have generally expe<5led a jnft retri- bution in God's good time. — The light of Reafon proves indeed that we have offended our Maker, and that we muft however be accountable to Him : Reafon however without a Revelation cannot inftrucl us how we may regain the Divine favor. Were we now in our original ftate of Nature, it will be granted, that the light of Reafon might be a compe- tent guide : for to fay that the light of Nature is infuffi- cient to the ftate of Nature, feems to attribute imperfec- tion to the author of Nature ; but a change of condition requires a change of inftru6lion, and if we examine our own hearts, or look into the World and obferve the in- juftice and violence under which it groans, we can never believe that a wife and perfect Being, at firft formed fuch a fink of pollution in the mind of Man, as we now fee it contains. The law of Nature is that likclhall beget like, hper- feB God is our Maker, the fountain therefore is pure, can the ftreams ifluing from it be impure ? does not the voice of Revelation comport far better with the dictates of Reafon, viz. — that <* " God made Man upright^ but they iC ha'-i it :rm. I. are His " powers . Euclids iviclion, ; Gover- ir natu- to their :rike the j lift and ^er con- an^lions herefore ifl: retri- 1 proves we mvift without ;ain the , it will compe- infuffi- nperfec- )ndition ine our : the in- m never led fuch )w fee it A per- is pure, not the dictates but they have Serm. I. 5 " have fought out many inventions ?" This is no new theo- ry J the wife and diipaffionate in every age, have feen and lamented the ftrange depravity of Man, but could not inveftigate tlie caufe. ^ome adopted the fuppofition of two fovereign principles, the one good, the other bad ; while others framed different fchemes, but equally childifti and abfurd, which however, the labouring bewildered mind embraced for want of better information. Ourdif- eafe is clearly feen by the light of Reafon, the great ques- tion is, how to find a remedy, a qucftion indeed, which fimple Reafon can never refolve. Had we never tranfgreffed, in order to continue in the favor of God, Reafon would dire6l us never in future to tra?2fgrefs : but when we have finned, Reafon knows of no fure means of recovery, and no wonder, for Reafon was originally given to regulate the guiltlefs^ and not to guide the guilty, nor can it proclaim pardon to the Sinner, or " open the prifon doors to them that are bound," for it ne- ver can fatisfy the anxious mind of the guilty how God can hQJuJl and yet juftify the ungodly. The only remedy Reafon can devife in this cafe is Repentance. But will forrow that we have contra6led a debt, fatisfy the juft de- mand of the Creditor ? Since we have juftly merited pu- nifhment from a juft Being, Reafon never can find, how He can remit the puniftiment confiftently with His cha- rader ; or, could this be juftly done, who in future would be afraid to tranfgrefs ? — But, admitting that Repentance could wafti away the ftaln of Sin, it muft, doubtlefs, be fuch Repentance as would infu?r obedience in future, or the Law miglit as well be totally repealed. But is there a Son of Adam who lives and fins not ? Is there a Man upon Earth who fo repents as never again to tranfgrefs j nay, either in thought, in word, or in deed, to tranl'grefs again and again, feven times in a day, and feven times in a day ? Allowing then that God might confiftently pardon the penitent Sinner who would never in future tranfgrefs, can R P3 fnn 'mmmm Serm. I. Reafon ilitisfy the mind however, that He will pardon the Iranfgrelior forever, who relapfes, and continues to re- iapfe into Sin every day of his life ? As we have all tinned, we all Hand condemned by the oZ fi f°'li ='"''.J^''^'« 'squi'-es punilliment; if mercy fliall then hnally rejoice againft judgment, it muft be up- on foot of fome new grant not founded in nature, and therefore not diftoverable by the light of nature, but made known by fome new Revelation of the Creator; clear it lif "' 'l""^ '° a °" '^ ^''" ^^'^ °'f«"''«d, he muft have flood in the moft preffing need of a divine Revelation to affure him there 1 ill was help for him in his God, and otherwife he muft have defpaired of mercy. But as the condition of the Creature pleaded for fuch a Revelation, fo the perfections of the Creator, as well as nJinf f" T, '■''"?" '° '""^ ='''= ''• 'eafonable encourage- ment for them to hope, He would indulge them with Fhe needed Revelation in His own good thrie : "or bdeed otherwife, is there any apparent reafon why the race was continued after the offence was given. Althou<.h Ma. has rebelled, God ftill nourifties his body-why Luld He ngea his niind ? The body allies us^'o the a^iilna -th mindtothefpiritualvyorldi can we believe that a wife and good Parent would make fuch ample provifion for t e f^rf"g-znd none for the immortal principle in Man ' buch a luppofition would hurt the feelings as well as the reafon of the Creature; nor could it letled hon^- upon the perfedions of the Creator. ^ 4 But perhaps it will be objeaed, that, were we now in- nocent, the argument would conclude : but fince wl are guilty God may juftly leave us in ignorance of our futu e condition, as a punilhment of part tranfgreffion. We ! deed all he under Sm, the firft of our hkc forfeited rfc and God mightjuftly have taken the foriciu;,; btt Ije has •^«w RM. I. 'don the i to re« by the f mercy- be up- re, and It made dear it ft have tion to >d, and 3r fuch well as )urage- ith the indeed ce was 1 Man Lild He l1— the a wife for the Man? as the upon )w in- ve are future Ve in- i Hfe ; .It He has Serm. I. 7 has not done it — Man ftill lives — the race is continued. But why was not the forfeiture immediately taken ? Surely a wife and good God would not fpare two guilty Parents, with defign to punifh millions of their lefs guilty Oft'spring, and to give them life under fuch circumftances as mufl render the life given an extreme misfortune, indeed, an incurable evil. Such a condu6l cannot be attributed to our all-wife and all-merciful Parent without blafpheming all His perfe6lions : but as He has fpared the guihy Father, it muft be in kindnefs to the lefs guilty Ghildren. God's continuing our race after tranfgrefiion, muft convince every candid mind, that it was with the benevolent pur- pofe of giving them the knowledge of His will, that He might rcinftate them in His friendfhip ; and fince the light of reafon — the regulator of imioccnce was not de/igned, and therefore not calculated to inftru6l the guilty -y that He would give them fuch other inftruction as their prefent degraded ftate required. It is clear upon natural principles, as has been proved, that Man has forfeited the divine favour j and without fupernatural teaching cannot find how to regain it. In later times the Heathen loft indeed that degree of light, which at firft their reafon was able to give them ^ — " they " became vain in their imaginations ^ and their foolijh heart was ''darkened." But had they not weakened their reafon by acquired follies, it in truth never was -able to teach a Sin- ner how to regain his Maker's favour. So foon therefore as Man nad tranfgreffed, a Revelation from God became ne- ceflary, to infpire him with hopes of mercy, and make him capable of religious exertions. Agreeably, in the Books of Mofes we find, that the needed Revelation from God foon followed the firft fm of Man : and indeed, after this fhameful period, there could have been no true Religion in the World, without a Revelation from God, declaring His purpofe of mercy to His depraved offspring. From tliic ^ a i s -^ :'^*''Mi**^^ Ill II iriiliii M. ''^mmm 8 Serm. 1. this oera therefore, God began to proclaim His defigns of mercy to Men in the Woman s feed-, and this Revelation gradually opened, from darker hints to fuller difcoveries, as the needs of Men required, and the fullnefs of time ap- proached; till in this laft age of the world, agreeably to our Prophet's predi6lion in the Text, " The Knowledge oj *' the Lord, has filled the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea." Many indeed, and important are the declarations of the Prophets, predefcribing the full and extenfive illumination and regeneration of the world under the Seed of the Woman, promifed to the firft tranfgreflbrs before they were driven out of the garden of God ; and it appears from the wri- tings we call facred, that this promifed Seed of the Woman is the Shilo of Jacob — the Mefiah of "the Jew, and the Blefjed Jefusoi the Chriftian. It is faid in the Prophets, that the Gentiles fliould come to his light, and Kings to the bright- nefs of his rifing; and that in his days, <" '' they Jhould not ' " teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother fay- " ing, know the Lord, for they Jh all all know me, from the leaf ' " of them to the greateft of them, faith the Lord,"— Our blet fed Lord applies thefe predictions to himfelf and fays— ^ *' it is written in the Prophets, and they f>all all be taught " of God. — Every man therefore that hath heard and learned " of the Father, cometh unto me." Let us then inquire whether the Prophecies the bleffed Jesus here applies to himfelf, were indeed fulfilled in Him ? and whether there has at all been a Revelation profeffing to come from God, which, if true, will anfwer all the wanti of Men in their prefent condition ? What force of evi- dence we have to eftablifh the veracity of the Scriptures in both Teftaments, will be confidered in its })lace. But in the mean time let me obferve, that two Religions have appeared in the world, befides the JewiQi and the Chriftian, and have claimed the authority of a divine origin.— They are c— Jeremiah 31/, 31M, «/— St, John 6rA, 45?/*, iMtt •-■'.I'-i! ^RM. I. ^figns of Jvelation coveries, time ap- sably to wledge of he Sea." IS of the [lination Womany c driven he wii- ^^oman is e BleJ/ed that the bright- hould not ' therjay- the leajl ur blef- fays— - 'e taught learned I bleffed n Him ? ofeffing e wants of evi- iptures ^ But us have triftian, -They are Serm. I. g are the Gentile and the Mahometan : And as the true Reli- gion is built upon divine Revelation, {o Paganifm, in imi- tation of the true theology, profeifes to have received its principles from vifions, oracles and voices from Heaven. But, "when it is confidered that thefe Oracles inHiita- ted different Religions, and, in different Ages and Coun- tries required different Gods to be vvorfliipped, and even fan6lioned the adoration of four-footed Beads and creep- ing things i" nay, and that the very frame of the Gentile religion was not only childlefs and abfurd, but a prejudice to fociety and a fcandal to its votaries, furely its claim muil be rejedled by every candid inquirer. So, if we examine Mahometifm, we fhall find her claim, either to infpiration, or, to truth and probability equally falfc. We know it was framed by a Traitor and Ufurper, and we know it was propagated by violence and conquell ; and, if this is not enough to difcredit it with the wife and difpafllonate j doubtlefs the Blafphemy its do6lrines con- tain, announcing God to be a partial and arbitrary Being with bodily parts and pafTions, while it declares the future fl:a):e of Men to be a Paradife of fenfual pleafure, muff give it a finifhing taint, and forever blaft its credibility with the candid and wife. « We acknowledge the Jewiili religion to be from God, and that, in its true fpirit and meaning it contained fuller difcoveries of his gracious purpofes of mercy to Men, than had before been revealed to them : However, it ihonc on- ly as a Star in a dark place — and its light was to continue only till the day-fpring which it was deiigned to introduce, when the bleffed Sun of Righteoufnefs fhould rife himfelf, and illuminate the moral world with his glorious beams of faving knowledge. The Jewifh religion was calculated only for a limited fpread, and to continue only for a limi- ted period, and you hence find its mofl facred Rites mud ^ ^__ ^ be^ e~~Sec Barrow, vmfzd, from pa^e iq8. "*'*@5^ 10 Serm. I. be peifoimcd only In one City, while its doclrines and in- iiitutions were to give place to a Teacher fubfequent to Moles, and to whom Moles commanded the people to hearken — " iind as the Jcwilh religion was to be neither durable nor univerfal, ih, its initrudions were both limi- ted and partial" — agreeably our Prophet, who lived under the JewiHi osconomy, foretells a more perfect and glorious Revelation, when the world ficuU be fiUedivith the kfioivledge of God as the 'waters cover the fca. A cloud overfpread the law of Mofes, and darkened its inltructions 3 its inllitu- tions were merely typical, it indeed was only a School- malter to bring us to Chrill, and point to this clear light foretold by our Prophet, but in itlclf,/'* 'The law made no- thing, pcrjctr — and therefore is charged with comparative v/eaknefs by the Apoftle. v LcT us then inquire, whether the Gofpel fully anfwers to the chara6ler given it in the Text ; and whether, if true, it is calculated to anfwer all the wants, and fatisfy all the icafonable willies of Men in their prefent condition : and whether it is alfo worthy of an infinitely wife and good Parent to offer his deluded offspring. It is firft obferva- ble, that the Gofpel reprefents God as a Being infinite in all perfedions, fuch, as He has exhibited himfclf to the reafon of Men in His works of Creation and Providence. It declares him to be the Creator and prcferver, the abfo- lute Lord and proprietor of all things in all worlds, whe- ther vilible or inviilble > and, that the things we fee a- round ourfelves were made principally for the benefit of Man. And although the Gofpel reprefents God as a Be- ing exact in His jullice, and infinite in His puiity, who will punifli obftinate offenders; yet, that He is however full of companion to returning Sinners, prompt to en- lighten their minds with the knowledge of their duty, and ihengthcn their hands to the performance.of it — in a word it dei'cribcs God to be infinitely amiable in himfclf, an(\ infinitely % J /—Heiirewi -yrA, 19/A, mmmmmm^ IM^JJ RM. I. and in- nent to ople to neither :h limi- d under glorious noivledge read the inllitu- School- ar light nade no- parative anfwers if true, all the n : and d good ihferva- finite in ■ to the vidence. le abfo- Is, whe- j fee a- nefit of IS a Be- y, who lowever to en- ity, and a v, ord :lf, and inirely Serm. I. II us infinitely kind to us. But the Gofpel, not only givc_ worthy notions of the divine perfections, but alfo teache. us our own birth and true condition, both with rcfpe^^l to our Maker and ourfelves. It informs us, that although we are indeed the offspring of God, and He made us in- nocent and free from Sin ; yet, throug b the malice of Satan and our own prefumption, we tranigrefied His law and fubjeaed ourfelves to His eveilafting difplcalurc, and lofi both our difpofition and capacity to do His will ; nor in- deed, in our native (late are we yet emerged from this forloin and helplefs condition. But although Man had tranfgrefied, God however, in infinite compaiiion to our wants, had laid help on One, even His own Eternal Son, loho was able to save, and who, in human flcih, had died for our offences, and was rifen again for our jurtincarion. Thus, God, according to thefe writings, by the milfion of His Son to emancipate us from guilt; arid of His fpirit to fancfify our. hearts and rencw'our wills and afFcftions, has again made us (under the conducl of Divine o race) hopeful Candidates for a bleifed Eternity. Thele, arc doubtlefs articles of the mofl: intereiiing concern to ?vlen ; and yet the experience of ages had proved the light of rea- ion infufficient to give the mind fatisfadlion in them. But the Gofpel has made another difcovery highly con- folatory, and of infinite importance to good Men, by aiiii- ring them, that a future exilfcnce, and an eternity of con- fummate enjoyments docs now remain to all fuch pcrlbns as llrive to deferve them. Through fear of death, the an- cients were fubjccl to bondage, and we muft ftill cxj^eri- ence the fame bondage, had we no icafonablc ho})e of a deliverance from death. 77vv indeed fought in vai?! for fome convincing proof of i'.ich a deliverance, " both as a remedy for the mileries of life, and the fears of death." Both the civil and favage Inhabitants of the Earth how- ever, carried forward their ai'piring hopes to fuch profpccts ; every arirument which could cn- igerly graipcd coura S« wiitmnMl^HBMMMWHfcMhiiWiMi ■■Muh JiaiiiiiilMi^^ ■wmmm 12 Serm. I. w courage tliem to look for a continuation of confcioufnefs in an happier country. In the great concluding fcene of life, the rnoll: cultivated and refolved mind of the ancients liovvevcr, in painful fufpence ftartcdback from the conflict. But the gofpel of Chriit has put a period to thefe doubts, removed thefe fhades of futurity, and opened to the jufl:, fccnes of future joy in the world of Spirits, nay, manfions of endlefs reil in the everlailing kingdom of God. ^ The Gofpel has moreover given us a clear rule to regu- late our life, as a means to attain this future inheritance — a rule indeed, both worthy of the Creator, and of infinite benefit to the creature j and yet a rule that the light of nature had been found unable to dilcovcr. By obedience to this rule however, we both approve ourfelves to the plaudit of our own minds, and become a ftability to the Itatej v/hile we fecure the patronage and bcncdidion of the Almighty. Can any tiling be more rational, than that we, the creatures of Gal, Ihould love, adore, fear and fcrve Him — or, that we, the redectned of the Lord, lliould rejoice in His government, and follow His direclions ? In which documents we are every ivhcre and in all things inflrucled, and taught how to abound and to fuiler want: And iii- i\^Q<\ hovN' to behave in all ciicumRances of life, and to all defcriptions of people, fo that Chuicli and State fliall be benefited, the happmcfs of individuals augmented, and our own future profpecfs fecured. It retiuires us to aliert the prerogative of reafon in the Soul, to be endued with hu- mility, and to keep our minds in a calm and chearful (late m evil report and govd report; Aiui in every If age of our cxidcnce to put our confidence, and call our care upon the Lord Vv'ho made us, who tenderly regards Hi.s olfspring, and will do what is proper for them. Is it then polfible for the human mind to ellin).ite the goodly fruits which muff fpring from a regular ohulience to fucii Laws as thefe ? Laws, which require every thing 7/^^, /civ/v, and of pood ii g — Barrow, ifj^aj, pajftm. m ^j^^m^ ii ERM. I. fcioufnefs J fcene of ; ancients 2 conflict, e doubts, the juft, manlions o.s I to regu- ritance — )f infinite light of abediencc ss to the :y to the lidion of than that ind fcrve Id rejoice In which And ir.- and to all fliali be I, and our aiiert the with hu- irful ftate ;e of our are upon jllspring, I pofTible Is which Laws as i7v, and of (rood Serm. I. ij I good report, every thing which does honor to Cod, and will benefit our generation and ourfelves. But, as the plaineft Laws, through ignorance or prejudice, may be mifunder- ftood ; fo it is a fingular advantage of the Gofpel, that it gives a fair copy to tranfcribe, the blefTed Jesus having condefcended by His own perfe6l example, fo to explain every article of our duty, that by following our copy we are fure not to tranfgrefs. But, as the example of Chrift is our infallible guide in the whole extent of our duty to God and Men, fo. His infinite benefits to us, together with His authority over us, and the blood He has fhed to pur- chafe our peace, muft render us not only ungrateful, but inexcufable, if we negle6l to obey his voice. But another infinite advantage of the Cofpel is, that fuppofuig it true, " it can, not only wafh away the flain, but pull out the fting and eafe the terror of a wounded fpirit." In many things we all offend, and muft acknow- ledge ourfelves guilty before God, nor can the reafon or the experience of Man find a remedy in nature for the dif- eafe. We all acknowledge the Law of God is broken, but we can make Him no atonement for the breach ; how then is divine juftice to be fatistied without the excifion of the criminal ? But can the mind of Man reft eafy in fuch a condition ? Will not fear fill it with fuch rcfllefs anxiety and gloomy apprehenfions as muft make it a real torment to itfelf ? But, the Gofpel has provided a remedy of fuffi- cicnt efficacy, in the miffion of^the blefled Jesus to deliver us out of this dilemma : For, through His merits and me- diation, GoD offers to receive us again into favour, will we only return to our allegiance : And upon this condi- tion, tenders us a full and final difcharge from all forfei- tures, and every degree of guilt, however contraciled. "This blefTed covenant receives us into favour, unlefs we ohftinately perfift in our provocations." Will we on- Iv believe the record God has given of his Son and repent of -■ ^m^^S^m^iA^i^- -■ . . ■* ■ H Serm. I, of our Sins, it declares that God will not be extreme to mark what we have done ami is, and that, even v^^hen we do fm, we have an advocate with the Father, nor (hall ini- quity prove our ruin unlefs we refufe to be reclaimed ; Nay, that through the merits of the Redeemer, a good difpofition only (hall be accepted, where opportunity or ftrength is wanting. And this blelTed charter of life is ratified in the paflion and refurreclion of the promifed MelTiah, and confirmed by the oath of Gody who cannot lie, that we may have a flrong confolation, by fleeing to this bleffed hope fet before us in the Gofpel. But finally, confidering the v^reaknefs of human ftrength, lead we (hould defpair of a fufHcient power to re6lify the fmful taint of the will and afFe6tions, and obtain the above ])revairmg good difpofition, divine ftrength is promifed to help our infirmities — an armour faperior to every pofTible temptation, and able to conquer the reludance of the will and all the power of the enemy. It promifcs us the all-con- quering aids of God's fpirit to fliicld us from harm, and to be a prefent help in trouble, and alfures us, that our hands being made ftrong by the arms of Omnipotence, no power fliall be able to feparate us from the divine love and protection. If this Revelation is then the truth of God, has not the Knowledge of the Lord indeed filled the Earthy as the Waters ^over the Sea, and the prediilion in the Text been literally fulfilled ? And is not this Revelation, fuch an one as the prefent condition of Man requires, and in- deed fuch an one as his realbn would encourage him to hope for, from an Almighty and infinitely compaiTionate Parent ?— Could injured juftice have fuller fatisfadion, than in the method the Gofpel has defcribed ?— Could a more fufHcient atonement be made for Sin ? Or, could the Sinner have as powerful an interceflbr, as the ever bleflcd and eternal Son of the Father ? This Revelation fully lightens our darknefs by opening the pcrfcaions of Gon anu oy tcacning us not only huw we have offended Him, i v> K*\) ERM. I. reme to /hen we hall ini- :laimed : a good jnity or f life is )romifed nmt lie^ to this h'cngth, Slify the le above mi fed to pofTible the will all-con- m, and hat our mcc, no ne love ruth of e Earthy he Text n, fuch and in- him to fTionate fad ion, ^ould a >uld the • blcflbd n fully 3f God iffcndcd Ilini, Serm. I. 15 Him, but alfo how we have again been reconciled to His favour. So, by offering us the aids of God's omnipotent fpirit, it has provided a fufficient remedy for our weaknefs j and it has crowned all our wiihes, by promifmg an ex=- ceeding eternal weight of glory to recompence our fidelity. And now, when the authenticity of this Revelation fhall be proved, can an Infidel deny it to be the moft welcome and blefled New?— adding dignity to the nature, and eter- nity to the happinefs of Man ?— Or, can he deny it to be an obje6l vvorthy of the univerfal Parent, to refcue his deluded Children from the wiles of Satan — from the wages of Sin — from the power of Death — and to crown them finally with Glory and Honor ? We learn in the Gofpel, that the means by which thefe great things are to be accomplifhed, is the miflion of the bleffed Jesus— Z^^' Mejjiah of the Jew, and the Chriji of the Chriftian. His chara6ler will hereafter be examined ; and the authority of the Records which eftabhfh his miflion, will be afcertained. SERMON •^^1^^^^^ •'^'^^^^wHw^pi^PHmHWwdiiHf immitiimimmmmimmiimvm^mmtmH^ Mn;*t*.*i.t •.»»►„>«» «»«4 •*••»..> ~»i.»»i,4..» •.»"»..»"►..» ..><^«.n"«'i«..«-i..««<«^.i«„««^.,«»«,.«M<.,j.,'«<,4„«„« SERMON 11. «»«»>f»i>^~» ••»••»>•»»» ..»»».i^ ••»»»«»••»••»••»>.».■»..»•.»..».•»•.»•>» A<»«ti4M«««n4»4«4i<4u^i«H(M4M4u< 4«4»4~««4| ^■^^^^^W '•'^^^^^^■WPMIiillKlSittffe. ibtfii SERMON il. Acts, i8th, 28th. ^ t^or tie mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly ^ Jheii)^ tng by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. APOLLOS is the Man of whom the above things are fpoken.— He was a Jew— an eloquent Speaker, and thoroughly verfed in the Hebrew fcriptures : And from them It was that he convinced his countrymen, that Jesus was the G6r//?— -the Mejjiah, or the Prophet who was to arife after Mofes and publifli the will of God, and to whom the People were to hearken. It appears from what has been laid m a former difcourfe, that Man now is in a degraded and fmful ftate j and cannot learn from natural principles how to recover himfelf, and hence ftands in need of a Re- velation from his Maker, to inftrua him whether there yet remains any hope for him, and how he may fecure the objeds of it. The Gofpel profefles to be a Revelation from God, and, from what has been already faid, it appears to be jufl fuch a Revelation as our condition requires, furnifhing us with the knowledge of our duty— ^lengthening us to the per- formance of it, and afluring us that God has laid help on One who ts able to save-, and that this One, is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, who alfo is become the Son of Man— //j^ Meffiah of the Old Teftament, and the Chriji of the New— for thefe two words have the fame fignification -^^m^h m Hebrew and Chrift in Greek, do both fignify tiiC anGitited in Engiifn.. Let I "wmmam mmwmmsimm MtKKtt^^ -ilHIHi sSi:.s^i'\*^^^;>-'--"^-.'i 'i- '■•'^* ■■' HViiilll ii- ri 'clyyjheii)^ bings are aker, and nd from at Jesus ► was to ito whom has been degraded rinciples of a Re- er there ;cure the OD, and, ufl fuch us with the per- help on ESUS of ; Son of ':hrifl of fication fignify Let Serm. IL ^ Let us then compare the prophetic defcriptiorls of the Mejjiah in the Old, with the hiftorical fa6ls recorded of Jesus Christ in the New Teftament ; and without doubt, we Ihall be fatisfied (if thefe Scriptures fhall be found to be the Truth of God) that "Jefm of Nazareth is tjic 'very Chriji — the Mejjiah^ the Anointed^ the Saviour and the Wo- maris Seedy from the beginning promifed to mankind. From the Old Teftament it appears, that Mejjiah was to be the Son of God, hence David, from the mouth of God, teftifies « — " T^hou art my Son :" And in the New Tefta- ment, this Scripture is declared to be fulfilled in Jefus — for at the Baptifm of Jefus, God declares, faying — * " This is my Moved Son." So, from the whole chain of prophecy it is clear, that MeJ/iah was alfo to be the Son of Man^ as well as the Son of God. He was to be of the Woman's feed, and to fpring out of the family of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah and pofterity of David, and he alfo was to be born of a pure Virgin. All Men will acknowledge that the Evangelifts affirm all thefe particulars to be ful- filled in the Birth of Jefus of Nazareth. Here again, the hiftory oi Jefus correfponds to a tittle with the prophetic defcriptions of Mejjiah, and proves him to be the Chri/ly the anointed of God. According to the Prophets, Mejpah was to be alfo a Prophet like unto Mofes — The hiftory of Jefus afl[irms him to be fuch a Prophet, ere6ling him a Church, and foretelling things to come. — Mejjiah was to be a Friejiy and to be cut off for the tranfgreffion of His people, and yet he was to remain a Frtejl forever. — Jefus fufFered Death upon the Crofs for our Sins, but he ftill remains a Priejiy " making continual interceJIion for us." — MeJIiah was to be King upon God's holy hill of Zion. — Our Jefus was a King, and although His kingdom was not of this' world, yet the whole Gofpel law, as it is an exertion^ fo it is 2i proof oi His royal authority. — Mejjiah was to die, but fee no Corruption. — Jejiis died, but role again on the Third day, and his Flelh faw no Corruption.-^SiOy Mejjiah was a — PlALM, 2^, 7^'«mmmMm^^immmmm^^MtttM §hMii ik'L. RM. ir L polity, determi- ; hiftory vas roii-r 4ejiah — nd thus ade of a vho i/uere that in haraiter rift. )atience, Tefpond h-^ as do circum- th a vaft a doubt, Indeed lOt, and of Na^ on after )yed, in forever sdiftion ^e Chrijl, lie only )fe wri- id thofe -ejus. If 3ut ma- le Chriji ot only snds of Serm. II. 5 Let us then impartially examine, whether the writings of the Old and New Teftaments are a Revelatioil from the God of Truth ? If they indeed are, then we have the tefti- mony of God himfelf, that 'Jefm is indeed the Chriji, and that God has vifited His people with His falvation. — And in the courfe of this examination, it will appear, both from the accomplifhment of Prophecy ; and from the pow- er of miracles that both Teftaments are from God. Who indeed can foretell what will be in future but only that Being who is prefent to futurity ? Or who can reverfe the Laws of Nature, but only the Author of Nature, or one authorized by Him ? Such powers therefore prove the fin- ger of God beyond a reafonable doubt. God indeed claims Prophecy as His exclufive prerogative. — Thus — ^ "lam God and there is none like me, declaring the End from the be^ ginning^ The firft promife to Man after the lapfe of Adam was prophetic, and declared the reftoration of our nature in the Woman's feed : And you have heard from the Evangelift, that this promife was fulfilled in its appoin- ted feafon, before the Sceptre departed from Judah. Soon after the deluge, God promifed Noah, faying — e " While the Earth remaineth. Seed time and Harveji, Cold and Heat, Summer and Winter, and "Day and Night, fiall not ceafe." In the rifing and fetting Sun, and the revolving Seafons in their appointed and predi6led order, you then have an ocular demonflration, both of the Omnipotence of the Agent j and of the facred truth of the Revelation foretelling thefe events, which have been fulfilled accord- ing to promife, every day, year and age, fince the Flood. The rifing and fetting Sun is ftill God's faithful witnefs in Heaven j and the returns of Day and Night, and the Seafons, which to this day continue to revolve according to God's revealed Ordinance, are a manifeft proof, that there is Divine authority in the Ordinance, and Divine truth in the Revelation of it. And this indeed is Nature's d<— Isaiah, 46rA, xoth. e — Genesis, Bth, 2 2rf, ipHHtt -^i ^^i i^ iliimmm^ 1 ' Serm. II. voice, and confirms the Divine truth of the Revelation wherever it is publifhed. «-eveiation We are again told that God will no more deftroy the Earth by the waters of a Flood-^«, ^^i/lfit Ms BowVZ Cloud, will look upon it, and remember His covenant not TZ'n'°r *'/';*• ^' ^° *■' d^y fee the" Vow m the Cloud, «. aftandms token of this Cmmant, and there- fore we now have ; as all former ages have had a daUv demonftration before our eyes, proclSming the word whS has recorded this Covenant to be the truth of God '^S then upon the Ram. boy,," and with the fon ofSirach. " prM H,m that made ,1; tt comfajfeth the Heaven -with a gLious arc/e the_ hands of the Mofl High have bended it." And Ts tcZ^f ■I'uf^'^-'''';^ ^° '^' 2°™ '" *e Cloud fta'nds of tW J^^^ witnefs to announce the infallible truth of that wttMtMMiM^M^HMi V'^iM^wiikr ■iM Mi liiMii m SRM. II. revelation ftroy the hw in the nant not the Bow nd there- , a daily rd which . "Look , " praife t glorious And, as d ftands 3le truth token of ^ftament proved ing wit- naelites, nft every J (hould ftory of anfwer- age for id them on this i^ritings I'e, for, in th !, could houfe of "vey yet fhalt Serm. II j Jhall not the leaft grain fall upon the Earth*' Again fpeaking of the fame people, God fays — g "Although I make a full end of all the Nations whither I have driven tbee^ I will not make a full end of thee,'* We now fee the truth of thefe predi6lions exemplified to admiration, in the prefent ftate of the Jews. God has indeed fifted them, among all Nations and kingdoms of the Earth, like as Corn is fifted in a feve. They never have been incorporated with the Nations where they were dri- ven, but reniaia a diftindl people, and fo they have re- mained for movt than Seventeen Hundred years : And though Cod has made a full end of the vaft empires where they fojourned, he has not made a full end of them j but this little defpifed and hunted people remain ftill, and {o they fhall remain,- " till God fay the word Return^ and then it will be inftantly obeyed." — We know no power fhort of Omnipotence, could have brought fo ftrange an event into effedt — We know no wifdom (hort of Omni- fcience, could have foretold it. When therefore we fee the predi6tion fulfilled, as we now do in the prefent ftate of the Jews, we have ocular demonftration to prove the Divine authority of thofe writings, that contain predic- tions which no knowledge but God's could reach, and no power but God's could efFed:. But the mighty works recorded in thtjirjl Tejlament, as well as the exa^l accompliftiment of the predictions it con- tains, confrm the Divine authority of it. The deftruf the 'MI World was an exertion of the fame power with the creation of it. No Being but he who hoWs the waters in his hand could have broken up the Fountains of the great Deep, or have deluged the Earth from the Clouds : And, if this was not a fa6t, furely no Hiftorian would have blafted his character forever, by recording the de- ilrudtion of our World, which, if falfe, might eaiily in that early g — Jeremiah, 30^^, ixth. wm mm iiHilfi rfjfefj 8 Serm. II. early period, and would certainly have been dete6led. But if the deftru^licn of the Earth was a fa6l, the record of it muft be true— and if the World was thus drowned, it Inuft be the work of God, and the record of it muji be ftamped with His authority ; and indeed, we have to this day incontcilible monuments of the deluge in many parts of the Globe. — If the Cities of the Plain were not confu- med by a ftorm of Brimftone, would not the falfliood have been dete6led? — If the ten Plagues, faid to have been wrought in Egypt, were not wrought, all Ifrael and all Egypt muft have known, and would have proclaimed the falfliood. — If the Red-fea was not divided for Ifrael to pafs — If the Law was not given upon Mount Sinai, with the pomp related — If the Jews were not fed with Manna during their ftay in the wildernefs — If Korah and his alfo- ciates were not fwallowed up in the gaping Earth : And other public and aftoniftiing miracles, more than I am a- ble to name, were not wrought ; there were Thoufands and ten Thoufands of people to prove the deceit, and whofe intereft and duty would have urged them to do it. But if they were fa6ls, they are an inconteftible proof of an Almighty power manifefted in God's dealings with this people; and the writings which record thefe mighty works, have God's authority, and convey His truth to pofterity. In the bufmefs of Korah, Mofes appeals to the miracle as a proof of his own million from God — ^ " If thefe Men die the common death of all Men" then, ^'the Lord hath not sent me." The memorable deftru6lion of thefe Rebels proves the Divine mij/ion of Mofes, and the Divine autho- rity of his writings. You muft therefore deny that Korah and his company were deftroyed as is above related, and aiiert, that Mofes and the whole Congregation of Ifrael united to deceive pofterity, and indeed, that God himfelf wrought as notable a miracle to give credit to the falftiood, as He muft have done, to deftroy His rebellious fubje61:s in the way above related. — I repeat it, you muft believe thefe abiurditics k — Ml'MBERS, I4M, 29M, ■ \»k^llt^tltt ■.. liiiiimiiiii'mliiiii iwiii n^ Mi^MaiaMiifeMa ;rm. IL ed. But ord of it )vvned, it muji be e to this iny parts it confu- ood have ave been and all imed the Ifrael to lai, with Manna his alFo- :h: And I am a« loufands eit, and to do it. proof of vith this y works, lofterity. iracle as hefe Men hath not Rebels le autho- X Korah ed, and )f Ifrael himfelf alfhood, 3Je(!:l:s in :ve thefe irditics Serm. II. S?. ^i abfurdities and Blafphemics, or acknowledge the writings of Mofes to be q{ Divine authority. Take your alternative. You have heard feveral prophetic defcriptions of the promifed Meffiah in the Old Teftament ; let us fee how th^jy were fulfilled in Jefits of Nazarctby as related in the New. From the Evangelifts it is clear that our Jefus appeared at that very point of time fixed by Daniel for the advent of Mejjiah. That He did many miracles, and that he appeals to them in proof of His being the promifed Meiriah, or that Prophet who was to come into the world. They tell us that He caufed the Blind to fee — the Deaf to hear— - the Lame to walk — the Lepers to be clean fed — mifcrable Demoniacs to be difpoirelied, and the Dead to arife from their graves. That His miracles were indeed fb many and fo public, that the Jews tliemfelves inquire, whether, when Chriji came. He would do more miracles than Jcfus had done. After He had raifed Lazarus from the Grave, His bittereft enemies complain, that if He was let alone, all Men would believe on Him : And His miracles were fo fm- gular too, that the Jews declare, it ivas never fo Jim in Ifrael. It appears then, that they who faw tlie miracles of Je/us, and the Jewifli rulers who hated Him being Judges, Jesus had done among them the works that no other Man did, and therefore by the reafonable credentials of His own Jiaming, He had proved himfelf to be the promifed Mefiiah. In a woid it appears, that His miracles were fo numerous that they could not be denied, and fo matchlefs that they prove the Divinity of His milfion, and of courfe the Di- vine truth of the Books which record it. We will then inquire how this Trulii is confirmed by Pl-ophccy ? The blelled Jesus foretels the deftrudion of t'he holy City and Temple, with the fingular attending tircumliances j and that all fhould be accomplifiied with- in the term of that generation. K:a, v/iM miifjiyy >\w iiiiU lili.il liiv wv v.iit iiao f« 1 vvcrcCi tiic prLxiid^tion m^pmv9mitmmmm m - mm ^ mmmm mmmm*^ - Id Serm. II. prediction with ailonllliing exaSlnefs, in every circum- llance of it. Again Jesus foretels, at the deftru£lion of this great City, its Inhabitants fhould be led captive into all countries, and Jeriifalem trodden down of the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles was fulfilled. How won- derfully has this Prophecy been accompliflied ? In lefs than half a century after this predidion, the Jews were capti- vated and fcattered through the Earth — they now remain in their difperfions. Jerufalem has been trodden down of the Gentiles for a revolution of ages, and at this day con- tinues in the fame ilate of humihation. Jesus again addrefics Peter in thefe words—" Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates cfHelljhall Jiot prevail againjl it," The Church of Christ has. ever had very many, very potent and very fubtil ene- mies to encounter, but it has as yet baffled all their craft and power, and now, after a lapfe of Seventeen Hundred years continues to defy the mahce, and blunt the fliafts of all its oppofers — nor has the late formidable combination of Jacobins and lUuminati been able to undermine its foundation ; and if, in any countries they have fliaken the fuperllruaure, yet, fupported by Omnipotence, it IHII Hands as an impregnable mountain, and fo it will Hand, till the kingdoms of this ivorld fiall become the kingdoms ofGod, and of his Chri/L — We have the fullell hillorical evidence, that the miracles recorded to be performed by Jesus of Nazareth, were fo performed j and we know no power Ih'ort of Omnipotence, could have performed them. We ice in the prefent difperfion of the Jews, as well as in the 1 iiins of tlicir holy City and Temple, the predidions of Jifus fulfilled and Hill fulfilling. Both the mighty works therefore which He has done ; and His predictions now fulfilling, and which have been fulfilling to a Thcufand gemrationsy arc a matchlefs proof, both of the Divine au- thority of His million, and of the Divine truth of thofe wiiiinii^s which record it, Mofcs and the Prophets arc the MMMilMilMilHiil circum- 5lion of ive into jentiles, w won- lefs than e capti- r remain down of iay con- T/jou art the gates Christ btil ene- leir craft hundred Qiafts of bination mine its aken the , it IHII 11 Hand, 'IS ofGod^ evidence, Jesus of o power m. We ;is in the Jlions of ty works 3ns now 'Thcufand vine au- of thofe )hcts arc the Serm. II. II I the acknowledged writers of the Old — as the Evangelifts and Apoflles are of the New Tertament : And I have Ihew- ed you, that both Teftaments have the mod ample and commanding proof of a Divine original. It is the great bufmefs of the Old Teftament to promife a blefled Re- deemer to mankind, and fo to defcribe His perfon and character, His innocence, fufferings, and final triumph, that when He fhould appear, He might be known and acknowledged. It is the great bufmefs of the New Teftament, to af- certain the accompUfhment of thefe predi6lions in the perfon of Jesus of Nazareth, and prove himj without a doubt, to be the Mejjiahy the Chrifl^ or the Saviour defcri- bed and promifed in the Old Teftament : And I appeal to every unprejudiced mind, whether the exact and wonder- ful correfpondence of the facts recorded of "Jefus in the New Teftament, with the predi6lions oiMeJjiah in the Old, (io not prove Jesus without peradventure to be the Saviour promifed. The exa6l correfpondence of events with pre- dictions is a proof that both are the work of God i nor has God left himfelf without witnefs — or us to the tefti- mony of Men only, to fupport this truth, but has added His own teftimony in a chain of miiacles performed, and predictions accompliflied, through a period of fome Thou- fand yeai's. — Foreknoivledge is as certainly the cff'edJ of Omni" fcience as Creation is of Omnipotence. When therefore you fee Prophecies of many ages ftanding, and publiibing e- vents buried from human forefight by impenetrable Ihades of futurity ; and yet thefe* predictions fulfilled and ftill fulfilling. — You have as fenld^lc and irrefiftable a proof of the Divifie ivijUom of the Predictor, and the Divine autho- rity of the /^<>/v/ recording the prediction, as you have of the Divine Poiver of Him who made the world. In the j)i*cfcnt ftatc of the fcics and the Arabians^ you fee feveral fuch Prophecies — fome of them aie of more than Four Thouiaiid ycms fturiding, and yet you daily icu thcrri lul- tilhng : f!«r.r.»*M«»i».*W?««*-»««»«S4jll«> '•>^m»wrm-0ff/im- 12 Serm. II, filling : You then have the fame fenfible demonftration, that the Revelation piiblifiing thefe prediaiom proceeds from the wiJJom oj God-, as, that the works of Nature you fee a- romvAyjoM, proceed from the poiver of God.— Yqv\ as clearly iee the Bow in the Cloud, as vou do the Sun in the Fir- inament ; and, as the one is God's faithful, as well as, vifible witnefs in Heaven, to proclaim his infinite power, lo the other is. His no lefs vifible and faithful witnefs in the Cloud, to proclaim the infinite Truth of His covenant M^ith Man, ?jot again to 4eJlroy the Earth by the waters of a Flood. -^ The Scriptures of the Old and New Teftaments con- tain the above demonftrations of their high original : And you have the fame vifible proof that they are the producl oJ Divine truth and wifdom, as, that the Uni'-oerfe is the/r; i M t)fe.«Mj^.ya«»»,ui!..i|^i>a^ ^mmimmmfilBllgSII^ IM. II, ftration, eds from Li fee a- ; clearly :he Fir- well as, power, tnefs in oven ant ers of a ts con- 1: And product the pr(^'- jr very ^efus of vtour of in hap- Jcjus is jm the i given ' Grace OD en- d good hirit of [id tbefe has all x\g ful- able to fcry. ^cmcnt to ••-'•t-xiMMHaaittaHM Serm. ii. 13 to be made of the above confiderations t It doubtlefs is the fame, that the Author of Reafon and of Nature has alfo required in His word. That we, having fuch command- ing proofs of revealed Truths, fliould believe the Record God has given of His Son : And believing adore the Fa- ther, for His unfpeakable gift — The Son, for His infinite love to a rebellious and ruined world — and the Spirit, for liis fanclifying and animating grace, through which agen- cy, if it be not our own fault, we (hall be preferved from falling, and finally ipi'dented faultkfs and blamelefs before His pre fence with exceeding joy . Life is fweet, and we all wifli for a continuation of confcioufnefs. Death is the deftruc- tion, it therefore muft be the dread of nature — nor can any thing reconcile us to the thought of being ftruck out of exiftence, but the fear of fuch incurable and endlefs mifchiefs, as would render ftrangling and death a lefs, and therefore a mifchief to be preferred. Whatever fome Men may talk, the hope of annihilation is not the voice of Na- ture, but of guilt — the confequence of Sin — and the ofF- fpring of an accufing confcience which had rather give up the firft natural wifh of Man, than to feel forever the in- fupi^ortable lafher of a wounded l^irit. — When all is faid that ever can be faid, it will ftill remain a certain truth, that Life is the wifJ:> of Nature^ I feel it in myfelf, and know it to be the common wifli of all, as it arifes from that common Nature in which we all partake. The Gofpel de- clares this firft wiih of Nature fliall be gratified — it has " brought Life and Immortality to light" The Gofpel has told us, that agreeably to our firft and moft natural wifh, our exiftence fhall indeed be boundlefs and compleatly eternal : And that it fhall be our own fault too, if it is not as happy as it is durable, for, if we will believe and obey the Gofpel, the grace of which fhall be co-extended with our wants, we never (ball come into condemnation, but pafs from death to life. The voice of Reafon, and the voice of Nature thus gta- tihcd ("■■wr*' •m"9-^'1i*ir, v;-?^v .; H Sbrm. II. tified with immortality, as well as the voice of the Creator muft then urge us to adore God for this infinite gift ; and in a full affurance of faith in that Redeemer who has be gotten us to this lively hope, chearfully do whafe • hI has commanded, that by our own folly we lofe not this r."S'/^.""'''^' ''"' '" ^°"'^ appointed way ily tu choke" wi!fnn?M ^''* "■' fr P'"°P°'"^'l to our own Choice, will not Nature, ever defirous of life, reproach us bitterly .f we chufe death ? Will not Reafon condemn i^s ■ lnf1-'"''^T''"y.^ Will not ConfciencebeTmed with the ftings of Scorpions, and God, with avendne juftice agamft us ? Such complicated mifery, may iS conftrain Nature to prefer total deftruftion-AfeW X surely can do >t-It muft then be our wifdom (as by Go^I grace we fuiely may) to fhun the danger. ^ ^ It is clear from the obfervations above, that by the Revelation of ye/us, we have found the peml NaZet Fnlr'^'y 1"'^ ^° long fought in vain to find. We haS llc^lTue T ^""''y.^f God to give, andof Men to m ! ri' ^'7'^"°" t^f "Vng "s every thing necelTary for us to know of God and of ourfelves, and at°tefted by am- ple Divme authority. This Revelation informs us th^t when Man had ruined hirafclf by Sin, God in 4eat'com paflion h,d W Mf on One n.ho L able to fave fJnjJa't J CliMN^'rl ^'>fiP'-''' Mellah of fhToJ, Vftf Lbrijtof the New reftamcnt. That God accordiny God's by the ature fo Ve have Men to fary for by am- is, that It com- nd, that i write y he Old, ling to IS Son, lo was iption, yed as jh the )pencd >nduct lion ; Serm. II. ij: fion : And mdeed, that nothing fliort of obftinate blind- nets and obftinate bafenefs, can prevent our final and eternal enjoyment there.— O, the riches both of the wifdom and goodnefs of God ! Shall we not then adore God for the Gofpel of His Son, which has brought us thefe glad tidings of joy ? Shall we not confider it as the blefled charter of our hope, and pay an unreferved obedience to the Laws of it ; and apply fo It upon all occafions, as our infallible Inftruder to the glories and fplendois of immortality ! — Had we any proper fenfe of the infinite importance of this Revelation, ftiould we let it lie negleded, forgotten, and buried in duft and rubbifti ? What book of fcience, or mdeed of amufement, can you find fo negleded ?— Had you a credible hiftory of Japan which brought you an af- furance that, on condition you would fail to thofe Iflands, you Ihould enter into pofTefTion of fuch vaft riches, that the annual intereft fhould both defray your expences and increafe your capital— that two of the owners of the vaft property were prefent— that one of them had paid the debts you had contradted here, and was gone forward to prepare in the beft manner for your reception j but had left fuch accurate inftru^iions how you muft fteer your courfe, that you could not otherwife mifs your way, than by going voluntarily contrary to your inftru6lions— Nay, and to prevent every difafter, had left the other owner, who would fo encourage your heart and ftrengthen your hands, as to carry you through every ftorm, and make you fuperior to every enemy who could oppofe your progrefs —in a word, would condu6l you in fafety to your defired port, and put you in full pofleffion of the promifed trea- fure. Had you only the beft human teftimony for all this j would you fufter the inftru6lions to remain unregarded and forgotten ? Would you not rather read them^'again and aeain, and confult thrm nnnn ^n ^,nn'^f,r^^., »,«,r would you not embark too, in qucft of fuch a prize ? Old as Knmw^mmii^m^mni^m'-mi.s- , »«r'-'»5*4it«fir!» *^ Serm. IL as I am, 1 (hould do it, I am mifhken if there is one in a Thoufand who would not.— But, in the Chriflian courfe, we have the advantage of this fuppofed cafe, much every way. We depend not upon the witnefs of Men, we have the witnefs of God which is greater, penned in the Gofpel by His command, and attefted by His authority. Our pur- chafer is His own eternal Son, and our conductor is His omnipotent Spirit} while the treafure promifed is eternal, and not temporal riches. " But are not Crowns never fading— Riches ever increafmg," and Joys ever new and everlafting, a treafure which it muft be our wifdom to fell all and purchafe, efpecially fmce they are a good which can, and which only can gratify and fill the defires of Man ? Can you then negle^ to conlult Regifters which contain fuch promifes, and prefcribe a fure method to obtain fuch treafures ? Can you lay them up unregarded, while you read with avidity every trifling author, which can only fill your minds with imaginary pidures ? The Divine records rather than any other, Ihould be in our hearts, and we fhould teach them diligently to our Children, and talk of them upon all occafions, for no gift can ftand in competition with thefe \yritings and the good things they tender to Men. This life indeed, and all its comforts are the gift of God, and fhould be gratefully received and improved to the ho- nor of the donor : But God has told us, and we have found them uncertain and flippery, and therefore fliould defire them only as perifliing treafures. While the re- wards of eternity which the Son of God has purchafed, and his Gofpel opens an infallible method for us to ob- tain, are indeed the riches of immortality, they are Crowns and Franchifes of the univerfal Father and Lord of all. But how fliall I defcribe them ? For words fall infinitely fliort of their value, nor can imagination in her utmoft exertions reach the ftupendous greatnefs of her objea. These are the unfpeakable enjoyments which, though larger than I can defcribe. or you conceive;, will lio waver crowu mmmmmMii / m t mmmmmmmm mS^ v^Mmmm.*i !i«^'«w«(*i«9{«(a ERM. IL 3 one in a m courfe, mch e^ery , we have 3ofpel by Our pur- 3r is His s eternal, ns never new and 3m to fell )d which of Man ? I contain tain fuch hile you I only fill le records ve fhould -m upon ion with to Men. of God, ) the ho- we have e fliould the re- irchafed, ! to ob- Crowns 1 of all. nfinitely utmoft :)jecl. though !lOWC?VC"i* crown Serm. IL 17 crown the good Man's hopes, and confummate his joys in the habitations of the bleffed. J J' " I have proved that God has provided fuch powerful means of grace in the Redeemer, as will, if faithfully ap- plied bring us all to this bleffed end. I have proved that this Revelation is without peradventure from Goi5 : And indeed, if the works of Nature, which you fee on every lide, prove God to be the Maker of the World 3 the accom- flt/hment of Prophecy which you alfo daily fee, is as fenfi- ble a demonftration that God is the author and publifher ot the predictions. . Let me then entreat you, upon the moft clear and com- manding evidence, to believe the record God has give?i of Ms -n r'^L '^^^^^''^ ""^ Salvation opened by Him, for k 'Will lighten your eyes and turn you from darknefs to Ihht, and from the power of Satan unto God, and you>// receive the prgivenefsofSins, and an Inheritance among all them which are fanSlifed. Clear it is from thefe Scriptures that the Son of God has redeemed us from Death and offered us Life— Be it our ll^^}^^ ff^ ^^^ direaions and fulfill the conditions of this blefled grant. If we renounce all confidence in our- ielves and follow the ftandard of our Divine commander— His word fliall be our guide, and His grace our guard, till we reach the promifed pofTeflion. Let us then put on Relolution and contend for the prize with courage and hope for under the condud of the Divine fpirit no power can harm us, nor any enemy feparate us from the love of God which IS in Chrijl Jefus our Lord. May fuch bleffed prolpefts animate us to the moft vigorous exertions in the caufe of God— May His grace enable us fo to run as to ?i i"T; ^"J ^?^^ ^' ^"^ conquer, and finally to come off the^Field^with the plaudit of our bleffed Mafter, mil done guuu unajaiifjjul 'Servant, enter thou into the toy of thy Lord. AMEN.