A'l^, ,». IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // % .% ■1 ■ •' ■ ' ' 't # I.Q I.I ■^ ^ 12.2 iM 12.0 us IL25 III 1.4 M ■ 1.6 6" r' Sderices CorpoKrtioit 24WBTMAINSTMIT WIBSTIR,N.Yi 14580 (7U)t7a-4S03 18r u»f!^i&adi'!jA'f tuij i^L-t ^ •"riJ£t?^j!*^>lft*i.t^ fea^iAi^4i^"»J5 \-. ' jr. \ ■^x CIHM Microfiche Series (ii/lonograph^) ICMH Collection de microfiches (monograptiies) A' ) ■■• J • .Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductiorts / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiquas ■,i:il3i^init^- •*-■ ii..-* The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. 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Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouttes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte. mais, Jorsque cela itait possible, ces pages n'ont pas M f ilmtes. Additional comments: / Commentaires suppliAientaires: This item is filmed at ttie reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est f ilmi au taux de rMuctibn indiqui ci-de■*»», oiscopise: '.1 Fi^,<^' ' [ ■■ m ";" I '^" "v ^'V VJ ftl>? "■Ju-ly ^>: •f*. ^ . ^i. fw,' ?' ^-f^ :«s.r.> N- > ; lirf < > -T-V-ll ,t tiT J n ft' 1 .A "» >'i;. ^ .^ %:¥£ '#*Ji^i' f « ■ t THE DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL. A DISCOURSE DCLIVERElf IN THE REFORMED DVTCa CHURCH, NEia^ BiturswicK, \ 1 / DECEM^^R I6i 1841, 1- V. IN THE IlfAUODKATIOIV OP * / S. A.A AN VRANKE^, D. p. AS PROFESSOR^r DIDACTIC THEOLOGY IN THE THEOLOGICAL SElONAlir AT NEW BRUNSWICK. i i / Bir T. E. VERMILYE. NEW YORK: , WILU^lf E. DEAN, PRINTER, 2 ANN STREET. 1842. J \ »-• " Hf^^Vf -; " i¥t "^^^r ( t ,TT? snmry-f^' ■^•^^. '^ '-' f.mi(^'v:'~ If / / V ^^ \r **n«r-«r,L„fc», -rr p^"* / \ > ^^« TTvjjrj- f^- .TS:? V '-I' SERMON, « / a»i 56/ for the defence of the Gospel,^ — Philip- pians, 1. 17. ^ ' ^: \i- ' T^iE human mind never appears in an attitude more grand and imposing, and never employs its energies with more decisive effect, than when it is intent on one greaf thought, or sets itself to achieve one lofty purpose. It is comnion^|jpeak of such persojis slightingly, and in a w^'that would imply narrowness of intellect, as men of one idea. Yet is there no narrowness, but the highest wisdom, if the subject with which they are oceiiv pied be but elevated and worthy. We are so c6n- kituted, that when we allow our faculties to diffuse themselves over a multiplicity of objects, they are necessarily divided in their action: the mental vision becomes distracted, our conceptions are feeble and indistinct, the fervor of feeling subsides, impulse is withdrawn, and our moral power is im- paired or broken. But by the bontrary method, 4r- — • * the inner forces are marsLalled and concen.ra.cd «t a s-nglo point, and advance in their course wU a«us.u,ned intensity of effort , and tl,cir ' cc sensl-s^oftlic less aspiring „r 108, resolute. « '""7'»^'"'- ^ sleepless passion cpnsun,od .ho sou. of .„e Man oHle^y. «,.„ ,„ .^ ^^^^^ ^ rope and astonished ,i;:^W. „„aslLan,- Mona,n.,«g,o ,u.ch the sceptre of a suhni 8 vc continent, and reign absolute over half the g'obo. It was selfish indebd, un.nitigated hy a rob 01 tenderness for prostrate royalty or L! .I..ng.yr„.ds, deaf to .lie cries ofi,eedi„„ "Z^ n.an,ty, and relentless a4 .he grave. Buti.s°cal -s undiverted, its efforis wL untying, aTa ' tength, .. .vas,boyond in.agination, succeLl-o^, to vary the n.s.ance and seek in „no.l,er direction a more agreeable illush^fion, i, was one great .^ough, revolved in the teen,ing mind of A^lton „d '.r "T ^™ ""' """^'^ "^ English song = Ce Z7' """ *" """"" '^'' «enerous de- would not be wdling to forget." Bu^ij; to Hha. may be regarded as the nwuraf energy of .he mind in such circums.,^ces, be ad- ded a sense pf religious obligation; if the indi- vdual believes himself the subject of a divine vo- : cauon. and Ms field of labor the especial appoint- L. i "'. ••■' aw 'fi-' 5 mcnt of hcnvcn, it is then that we behold the spec- tacle of true moral sublimity. The pne thought absorbs, the one authority controls. All that is imperative in duty, or sacred in consecration, that "fs holy in resolve or high in aim, rises before us. The iinj)ulse, whatever maybe its object, is re- strained by no ordinary impediments, and the suc- cess is linuted only by the boundaries of the allot- ted sj)here of action, or the necessary infirmity of human nature. What the human will can com- mand, or zeal attain^ 6r fortitude endur-e', will surely be exemplified. When at the Diet of Worms, belore a splendid assemblage, and within thegraSp of his enemies, Luther, as the only response to his. arguments, was peremptorily required to re^ cant, you recollect his intrepid reply. "Unless I. am convinced by tioly Writ or by clear reasons, I neither caii ,,nor will retract any thing :, for it is neitlicr safe i^Hanno'ccnt to go against a man's conscience. ^Ewrf help pic: I can do no otherwise : Here I Stani?." Indeed it may be safely afffrm- ed, that this Singleness of object and decision of pursuit, is in some measure requisite to every at- tainment of goodness or greatness. The very highest example is that of the Re- deemer himself j who came, "not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him," Vho was in- tent, even in the agony of the cross, to finish the work his Father had given him to do. But next \; gSiWSS'PWW** ,« • 'o '"» divine tt,„a,„ -j -^ ^ by. of W, g,o,i^, ■^^^^>'"'^ u.^er God, .he , l"""^ «*«', appointed con /^'""S"**! I'im- }bo thought sufiicientiv In h! ' ^ "■"" '' «"' •iXion, fo regard it in ,1 '"'"""'''« ■»«<«- ^'^ "M 4„i„ * '"" «^"^«'' t-"^ of view. "fmd '■, < '■' ^O BE DEFESDED. *»■> '«,r»lr '■"°'""' "'=•'=''<=•= '•«I=-SrP..OSES , '■t''^-,^;a.:S:frri:r"^-^- " ^'^"stor the teach- \' r:^. 1. < / . f lyj^ftsi^ip'' \ 'ps more atii, than 'JouJdiiig ng^love » he (Ic- s a rain- > of the 3c]/'.(Je- ^elation ; the very utterance of Deity; the . disclosure of his mind and will; his voice eminating from the :.^- '•'.-"'»* throne, „^g ,h„,„gh «,e universe, and prolong, ed through succeNve ages of ,i™e. Thus wTife ' «"" necessarily given i„ the language of men -d adapted t, hu^an con.prehens.on,;e.h ve a ,' the ^ters been instrueted, and inspired by one a»d .he same Spirit. The same BeL spie Tv Moses m^fhe Wilderness; by David tit 'a„de^ ;i^; ''P^-'';»d.heroya,mi„.,>ei, bythego:: .ng Isaiah and the plaintive Jeremiah, t Ezekiel and Darnel, and Hosea and Amos, and S Wa >|en„gpof the aneient scriptures. And thS^ ^nes we a..o hear in the Evangelists of C • J^t'""*'"' » l'""! ind James, and Peter ani' Joh„,andJudeandtheAp„eaIypticvisions."God who ar sundry times and in divers portions spT .n|nes pas. unto the Fathers b/the. P^S h«h spoken unto us" by his Apostles and eventy h« Son. And thus it is both God's own and his only message of .ruth and grace to the tribes and generations of men. So wonderful is- itstwjn 30 aug^tuscharacer, so imperative its a«t^^ Now it would seem but natural «,at such a vol- urn should engage a..e„.ive and solemn .hough, : object of .he deepes. in.eres.; and migh. claim :«.m..passing no.ice, as a matter of curious en quuyM Ui« Ie.a..-sve„ from Uiose who pretend to ^:~/ -^^j^^^^-T^ -j*^iE!^^rt-uii§. \ rolong- 3, while lication f men, lave alJ ^y one ike by ahder- glow- zekjel JVQral sanie^"~\-. New and God^ pake nhy I his and gin, lor- oU It ; I a im in- to ■1 I ^'t- be enlightened and philosophic: unless, indeed, that character be more easily purchased by a cavil or a sneer. But with such pretensions it deserves and it courts investigation. , Its evidences are at hand and demand only to be candidly examined. And what are they ? They range througlf almost all possible modes that ipay be required to give demonstration to trutf^r conviction to doubti s They are partly historical; showing the neces- sity of a reiQation distinct from' the teaching of natural reason, the genuineness, authenticity and correct preservation of those minor productions which make up the sacred volume. They claim the seal and attestation of heaven to the doctrine, firstly supernatural intervention, " when to his mir^ ac/es of might, nature lissentin^^wned her Lord :" and again by the foreshadd^ngs of ^aropAccy, Which, alj-eady partly fulfilled iifthe history of in- dividuals and" nations, and cities and empires, stand forth as so manj monuments which time has been silently rearing to the truth of God, and the divinity of his word. They are also partly exper- imental and rational ; bringing out to view, the in- ternal structure,- the direct precepts, the spirit of the Gospel, the harmony of its several parts, its evident scope and tendency, and its observed influ- ences ; and demanding in a tone and with the bear- ing of conscious integrity, if these are the marks of imposture and deceit ? If that volume which V ,J»f 1 . :+ t lit it > st^^mij AMxI&Mi ■f -^ n-»-'«*far '. 10 •■'-ev.enS/lr^P--'' elevated. Md yet ao clearly fust ^T ""'''* •"■ ■»«»' . *«<>» and warns of „rl """*'• '<""■ «" so different hi J '"^^^"' *^"^y. ^ ^ suspected, Tnd yTST'"' '"'"*'"""''• »° "»^ o-^M.eed::s;-^---" ft is opposed to XI ""' ■"""^ ■"'"g^-ists. .™e God, and undeTtL T '^"""""^ •"" **« -i^ion, ..e oS-rr :rir-".e some Deitv t/> k. «""«, mat there is "eity to be propitiated or anneawH «r .l mass of idolatry wR,.!. j '^"PPeased. Of the ■ »ge to age, httr! . ""f '"'"^ '■°™». fro™ "an ™i„f ,~ ''■'f "«'' *■•<> "eluded the hu. "■ou.hitirXeS^::*"'''^- •--dera.,i.saspects,'sen:rL eo^'""^'" •emper, and debasing in i,, ;„« "" '" '" 3i^d d^sr '---:. af:; forms with „J:r;- *« f ;«-- and m.„a,„ral ea«h.theira,ta;'a:dtir'j!:r^l7-P'-''e "^'"''^"'•'"^'•''--bdSSrbar,! ■-ip ,'^- ■"•"-l kL.. .1 .1/' »• 11 ways vanished, like morning mists, before the bright shining of the sun of righteousness. But another antagonist, the contrast of super- stition, is tnet in infidehty. And yet, we may fear- lessly affirm, that the result of the Dcistical con- troversy, on every field, has hitherto been the sig- nal triumphrof the Bible, with possibly a single ex- ception. I refer„ to the geological argument : which however, they, who in their retreat would here glean Parthian arrowy against the scriptures, must themselves admit to be far from complete and decisive. As a science, it is yet too recent, evidently too limited in its discoveries when we contemplate the wide fields it is its province faith- fully to explore, too partial in its deduction of facts, and, as appears from the diversity of sentiment still existing among its own disciples, too unsettled in its principles, to warrant the exultation of vic- tory. All past experience, derived from a careful inspection of tlie monuments of antiquity, an at- tentive regard to the voice of history, an exact comparison of prediction with existing evidence of its fulfilment, from the gradual developments of natural science, and in particular, from the more recent and striking discoveries of astronomy ; all experience admonishes the unbeliever on the dae hand, to beware of a premature boast, and the Christian on the other, to forego his needless and unbecoming fears. We freely adopt the sentiments t 4 ^' I- \. :' "'■**"'«' on Ai, 3„b - P"«ue bis researches i„T„ ^' "'"' G^o'ogis. *« science. We woSfn '""'"^•"»'"'' -P .'••"forbearan,,, ^j;^°";<»^« cause by craving , "^pounded will befounrfV? *"^' '"'"'"' '""^ ™«' '-'-pages »e find ^ "" ' '"''■ ^» "« P- "«« S7».en,. and in.pi:": .f " fading L "y-me^yand grandeT^f, '"*«'"'<>'« fabric iu, """ought into its ven, 'Jl Z"'"^" '*«»'<' "'^"^ and be4. In 2' ' '' "°' '"^ »«™ '^-X^ Corf, the (La.„ tr":"' ""o". « «pr.. 7-eign, »<,„asa™;^^.?''^'"''"'' "gh'eous of-'oralgo.ernn.ent.!!^^'"'* "»" "^o '"bject " '^' •'« >ie pe«o„ of h;!^""°"'"=''« <"''»««, S'^'^'-g. And under thae^'*"""""''"''™'^ ^'"^f^mghad seenfittr "^ "'"'='"'■«*- «»teW.sh for the racelZ k" '"'^'"' *'«'<»» '» "«•--. became g„ ,;""' "^ "" "" "' ""» «'« opposed to the pe„1u s^' '"^ '" f ^.f gen^ahons ;f -Wch weref..,^;"^- "^'"oW, the^er^s --'■'- --^i^'t^tS ' ':V . ^ •^ -V:' -w^'|y<«''^^n Geologist' "ephiiosQ. ^ and mod- buiid tip n his toiJ: •y craving «.- gs,butas * 'ce truly .^ ^ accord I R£9[£. wepe- ing the brie its thread with- entire eprd^ teous hject IWS; ans- di. to Irst >ns ns is '^ 1- .\ *. ■•■ • : 13 , . ^ veys to the mind the sentence of complicated woe. We behove it includes, in intention and effect, the , loss of divine favor, exposure to the various ills of the present hfe and to death itself, exclusion ^om heaven, condemnation to hell. Whatever man actually suffers in the present world, or may be ^ « exposed to suffer hereafter, comes upon him, not — ^ certainly as an innocent being, under the admin-* 4 -r istration of a righteous moral governor j hut as a consequence of sin. And in this viewr it may be regarded as included in tlie original penalty, if not specifically yet by necessary implication. More^ , ] 4 over this evil is of universal extent : « the whole world has become guilty iliefore God.** Each of -r the posterity of Adam, by Reason of his connection with that federal head, is Ijiable, according to the original constitution, to endure the full penalty, , unless "one greater man restoi^ us, fmd regain the blissful seat." ^ j Here then is the obvious starting point. It is this great fact, that at oiice creates a necessity for divine interposition, anjd shows its propriety, if any of the fallen race is ti be saved : that mercy and truth, compassion most ijender, and justice unsul- lied, inflexible, may be harnponized and illustrated in such an act: that God! may get glory to his holy name in the salvatioii of rebels. And that religious creed or personal experience that does not commence with a clear recognition of. our ^^■JSA^^ <• . -V; , '* ' > "IT*-* .,'e ' ■ (■ ! ; iW i^ <■'<* r •"•oad basis of redemptioTl '''"'' '' «' 'he «»<«<» judgment, fi^r^ ."7" "'•'"'•^' " <»" ;<"'«'"alioD, and froJ d' '^'^""<^ ^y all ;^^-J.^^hisb,ood,a„:; ^'''f ^-- ChWs. : ;'^^ to pWh for «,e f,'^ " f ■«« -o«sh . ^7 "■« Gospel distinerL" •'°":" '">»>-- : "^als the re„,d I. iKr'""'^ '■'"'« and re- ! P'-vided b^ ,fc« coft.pa^i'" ": ""^-f «iegn,ty. , ' f«'ga, yet himself volZ?, ""^ -"f^-xied sov- *- 'Mwondei:nt^;"''^'*''''»^«i.eof. «d.obec„m;e race of man.' We. ■ • '^ ** ">« ancient dispensation . ir'rf™'' "'"''' °'' '■ar mstitationa which thin '' *'" "■« P<":«- i-^J-^estandbieX ,/m"f''^^ U™ and Th„n,™i„7hrn " '" ""^ "'« "•« '*-Ne»Tesuin,er'ald J"?'""'*'''' "^"''"S "^ •he »eheme„f divine ,wr ''*^"'* '*«"'g'«"'t V ^-'"''P*'' it to . he Cld "■'•"'«- '"'^•ie- ' *'"*'•«'« e«cnded 'territorv v««aries. Indeed wh™ ^^'"'"'"'""'yad- * "^ '-fi.'eli.y. aJn,03rS,7::'?''°'""«™"'«' ■»««'. Stand more or less d7«- , "' """^ »« »"« or other of* ,he pZl^^'' ""'"'«^'' """ have now .j,,- ^ P^™»«« Po.nts ^o which we «'-p«.po«ndinga„,^<^;"'^^God. fe.,^ •»«« iimself into p„ri^ "f "'"«'"'« may vindi- <" ^durance ma/^^L . V""^ '"«« "^ daring '«a«,erepensio„'^,'^rsovi ''"•'■' '^''''''''''■™ "•"y^",'. Purpose tlZTr'^T- "''-- 7».- "d Stain all the Sir ?''"■""'*»'• Aga-nst such a determination th """ ^'^-y- versaily rebels. And if !h r . "'""^ ''««" ""i- "« <»% -P-diafed h'c^S-f - -y not " violating their fair ^ndZf^ '""« "^""'"e i„ •"onsmaybeuigedl^w "'^P""'"''''- Objec '-n" «»«' ingenuity r;'~'"^«"'-». «"<- "'^'««-<'«".ejiZ:jt'":'r"''<"'«'e /«es, aswe are con- I - ., ;»!>»' 3# me work of ^ the pecu- litheoffer- ^^ eye the writing of 'iroughout s have de- manj ad- « grouncJ rrors we »ted with 'hich We Jnted, is ^t leaves Instead r vindi- daring: its him esees es8 of ?Ioiy. ^ uni- y not se in bjee- crit- the !on- \ 17 strained tq believe, in the grand principles them- selves, most repugnant as they are to the unhum- bled mind. The substitute therefore, will surely be so moulded as to spare the dignity of man, and to constitute him in whole or in part the author of his own salvation. Either it will command asce- tic observances, really though not avowedly in the room of Christ and him crucified, as Popery : or it will be presented in the form of self-righte- ous morality ; or the same spirit will be embodied in a creed, as in Socenianism and modern Unitari- anism ; or it will assail the holiness and justice of th,e Most High, and lightly represent the evil of sin, as Universalism : or finally, it will annul the sanctity of law, under the AntJnomian plea of exalting free grace. These, broadly professed or variously modified and blended, are in turn presented to view. But our umpire is the simple revelation ;5 "To the law and to the testimony." "What' s.aith the word of the Lord," in its plaip and un- distorted reading, is the touchstpne, and we may add, the refutation. 3. We remark again, that the Gospel is cha- racterized as A PURIFYING ELEMENT J SUch is itS tendency and design. In inseparable connection T^ith exposui^e to the infliction of wrath, and as the reason,' is our depravity; the universal and entire corruption of each of the race. To every child of Adam it attaches ^an original taint ; nnd ever. V, r I , -?5g"l"lFSy*npJP'' w»*g^g«m^^j 18 in all fbm,s of social or civil c.is,o„co, m,de, all Mould a^d„fi!"'j '"''•"T '" ^'■""«--- V, "' ^'"^ *'"' restrain bv ihp ' presence ^,au.hori., or the proprieties of co'v „ ™..as.cende,a„,.d.;:Ltj':s:;::: i Tr'"' "'W;^--- Pver the nlJer! uisteadof the predominance of reSognized obli ga.onand,„pre„,el„veLGod,selfis1. s/a^t , ens the understanding, inflames the passions, vt- ates the senfraents, and pollutes the soul. A„d if « may not disclose its extreme deformity i„ all re fe^nsor^may he often guilded^ith a^airtr- "Or, yet the perversion has taken nl»n» .1, exists and is radical **«» Ptecc, the ev,l can 1. ^ """""' '"'"^l"*'*'' ••<« "'at which can produce an entire moral renovation Th thowereilluminationofthemindr. .■ ' of taste o, h„,,, philosophy SlT''™'"" cinnot m. But this th.. rl T ?'^' *"'' -".ousandrecidt^rfr:::::''* --ce^ponT^^rirsiS::; ' under all ™ the first >d unsub- nrulencc. in by the ' r conven- nd adorn It which r econo- powers nobler : 3d obli- 3s dark- ns, viti- And if I all re- r exte- • le evil >priate which This, k^ation h and id in age, the arid , win 19 Christ Jesus." In this process, he forms no new powers or^ faculties, nor yet does he act by mere moral suasion. Hut he enlightens, elevates, puri- fies and directs the soul '^ ho implants a new and holy affection, which in its growth and expansion will- subvert every other, and lead the heart to de- light itself in God, and to render an unconstrained and cordial service : and then " that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit." But farther j whatever^ "may be affirmed of the first step in this process, of the first holy volition and exercise, the work in all subsequent stages, is certainly acconiplishedi by means : means still rendered effectual by the m- working of the same divine agent, and the Gospel becomes the instrument. It were indeed an inter- esting, and far from being an unprofitable or un- promising speculation, to trace out the connection subsisting between the instrumentality employed,' "and the results produced : to develope the influ- ' ^ ence which, in accordiance with the laws of our minds, the Gospel by its peculiar doctrines, its holy precepts, its reviving promises, and its wide reaching hopes, is adapted to exert ovei a renewed and prepared heart. In the light of a sanctified philosophy, we should observe a beautiful coinci- dence between the influence and effect: it might I be seen, how the fact we often witness transpires/ and th^ soul that is submitted to these divine lead- ^ ings becomes "changed into the image of Christ, ' ' h j-<' iwj.f ^ i- V 'I- 4 rvf I J- 20 ■ ^%iii :if'- ^ «.,r„* frcnn gl6ry to fflorv •"—«/.. *l ^ P ea ail that ,s pu^ s„ ^ ^^^ "" '" "yw^"*' of light and love shailllP^ ^ ner saved by crace W ;i T'- ^f ^'™**'*' » ■ Bible and the s2v ' '""''. f P''"'«»P''f l-e '4w.h:eo™'::X'rt"'"^''''- .^««al from iia tntelje rhis JT"" """"'''- in life,J4|enova.P,i k relations and duties^ effectCTn ° 2 ,"""«• ^"•' ««'='' change thus »"™„ndi„g gfe„„, ,„ agent of !l . ^"^ '™''^' • '» the sphere he occupief tI r"''"'™^ ?nd institwions of the Go's J- ^"^ """"P'^' \ varioiiD w«n. . jHrMl Sy^We over the i various ^arlments, of t he!aM6Ml.i ,:..:„;!!^" > » shamingm vices andresJHRI^ *^ ' ^ '^corruptase anrf !,.» • •■™«lt » manners of a ■« the gr^d sT^- ''^"'«"''^«»; '' '«veals itself 1 ■V m M m V / •, > ■(■*! ^ advances in ' the polJu- this eart 5hal] be ^e umvi •sophy the ..does the 'g power the indi- nd duties ' nge thus the gen- has im- ? amidst p active Jnciples ^ I sileiit, \ J ^^e'ltJie, i iFsofa a God Bowed 5 itself rerof h at T-- V 21 -1 times, on the score of its moral influence and ef- fects. . Yet only because of the ignorance ofmind and alienation of heart, the sins and follies it re- proves, but which men will not forsake. Against every sudi charge, however, we may promllypoint, as did the Christian apologists of the primitive church, to its observed effects and blissful fruits. The defeat of es^ejT enemy an^/€vcry^rival is sure, by simply conj()Uring^or-niliier contrasting ils tro- phies, with the moral results of every other system the world has beheW. Or, in better conformity with its spirit, we only ask the Hieins and opportu- nity to pour forth its light and spread abroad its energies, until its converts shall be scaled' in every land, and all people shall walk in the law of the Lord. The world shall then confess its beneficent sway. -^ '■ \ ■ -• . ''^ - %,^ I feel that I have occupied by much too large a space, with what must of necessity be but a very concise and imperfect sketch. These, however, . we conceive to be the great features of the Gospel : these peculiar doctrines lie at the foundation of divin« revelation, and with their connected and de- pendant truths form one perfect system, distinct from all that man had ever devised, r,efulgent with ^ the beauty of hohnesS, adapted both to maintain the honor of God the sovereign^ and to secure par- don, peace, life, and hope to the rebellious. And. n -ar W^ . /A \ ■ \ - \ ■\ »■ :,. ■ \ • ^ f 1 v.- - 1 . t "♦ ■w ■■ -::::: — ~> — ': ¥ .* ■ , '» ;: ■•.■ ■■ • -■,-r,- ■--'"., ' 1 .»■" '■., • ■■ * ■ .'. \ y • 4U-- n: ■■■.•.' :. \ V: ■■•■ t ' . •■1 tfttjiniit-f-O-^^ i...-. ■ T ^ .jM .■:U ■w. ,^'-- ■' 'v/ « .':;' ■ 22 V;^ herein, the righteousness of CnA • • .^^ith..Iproclthere^'''°'^^'^^-^«'^^o ^J- To ENQUIRE WHAT QUALIF,^.^; PKOPER BEFEXCE OP THE GO.PP ' """^ -«.a.,«Es. idon^iir;;:::'^---- ra powero nrfk * . , ^® '® ^'^ose supernatu- - «"yec, which Lerir ;"'"''■' '"""' ■ 'n 'he earty period, orrch^r "^ ''^''''•"«<' <■» the world BuTi^T" """s'™ " <=>™ncy '-^^^'^^''^<,^::!^^'-'^ miraculous claims, ih^ cause 1 7"* "'" "" -en,s now ,o demand Che ™°r; "* T """' e« of divine truth. Of these i 7 '*"*' order, ' ** ^ *'« mention in has decided with e.den.tl: Jrr""^ ' functions should otiW h . ^ ®^^'«<^ - educated i"^ he entrusted to the hands of ^%hr:£r:xrffS "" ted, which was thL fi * * Goderec- -h n thrsrictt """ "^"""-out fathers, sWctly correct kstT ^'"'' ^ «•'»'' I am of cerlinH l'*"^' "■"' '» ""« ^'ahlishmem '"ly all the older colleges, this was ex. P lfS™"""^i^^^V^'ff'°'n'^ iJW>. i/«a^.4i«i. At/ I- r"*^ 5vealed to ONS THE SUPPOSES ipernatu- •mpanied 1 to the ixhibited to attest . urrency mental e of aJi men, teach- lion in MIHTD, Ltions, acred ids of ! uni- Barn- had rec- lers, jhtst; am ent ex- .23 ; ■ .» pressly mentioned as one of the most prominent objects ; to raise up a learned and able ministry for the churches. The same spirit has prompted the erection of theological seminaries in addition to our colleges, that so, the facilities for thorough systematic instruction might be increased, and the end more perfectly secured. In this respect they have acted in entire accordance with the spirit and injunctions of scripture, and with the obvious ne- cessities of the case also, if ministers are required to interpret, or even to understand, the language and intent of the sacred writings. It were pre- p|iterous to imagine one qualified to expound an instrument, he' is not even capable of reading. He must, therefore, at the very least, possess lite- rature sufficient for this purpose ; and he must have mental discipline sufficient, to enable him to com- prehend the import and relations of the doctrine he there discovers, and to appreciate and arrange the arguments by which it is illustrated and sus- tained. — But, speaking still of what is immediate- ly connected with his profession, he must be able to do something more ; or he will be but poorly qualified « rightly to divid^ the word of truth," " bringing forth things new and old," and will dis- play very little skill and fitness for the high func- tions with which he is clothed* For, as may be perceived from the rapid glance wa. have already taken, the grand theme is intimately related to -:*', :,M . -::' ■■■; 24 ■ "">re or ,ess i^pona^t The erut'""' "^''''' """n^jec. VVi,hu.e,ehe„Jr "' '^' ^"'0 familiar, or he ,.,« „«, b. '" """' "'™- own domain , di.„ifiprf ! " '^"^Set in his •'-P'endors; il! ;'"""*• ''"'"■vested of 'ogativea, hu, «.torl/„„ableT T'-"' ''" ^'^ resources by which *h ""l^y 'hose ri«h£i P'-ive. lfia^:lf!: S'-'leur becomes Jf thattheoiogyisa: nfrT"''''!"^^^' --«»iM,„a,i,ca j;rd:s;S'''°''- inereisnotone of the ' , ^ *"«""neiit. 'i'ely claims the faculties of *'"'''" '"P"'''- «a"ding; and more V„,,; J, 7>^«"«''« "»<<-- '"i-giike justice. ItaffSlt'*"''''''-' most acute penetratinn ,.™^ **"?'« «<:ope for the "•o^t briiham 1™;^ t"''™''"*J"''S»»Mhe »'»" that can thinic. I eartlT' """"'"" ="- »-« and p„,^,v„4 bete 1 7 '^°" '"^'^ P-'^'hesadmisconVrofth "• ^""^ 'hose, who can ,„„ frC^ !"'« "'ogance of <<- ''-notion that ittl7;»'^*^''-.«n. scribed for their exalted °T ''"°'"=''<='«»- »-p-king,,a::it;o;or'7'"'"- ^» mine office." *'" "°? "«'<''''y " magnify ^ B"' I stop not here —It .ii -^' '"0 pulpit, a, .W day irr."""'''"''^ ''--g which classical irelirit""''''''^ ^ *uiu elegant literature and A I*' t*4t«.'<^-.S* ij r(VA.» •f ,«r— f e,earch,.« high .„,.. ° so'enii. in their issues • ,h»f 1 "" '••"« "d volve are profound . ™ «*•: Pri-ciples they i„. ; "">-'»«<>- .he/sustotr"'" '" '""•' '««•>. «»« inculcations of gte^al! """ '"""'T' "M-J 'o ^ -;. ««ed,and, tha, the/Cl T- '''■'^'' 'ompli- VPatient unfolding and dSi„'?. """«"'«<"'. den,a„d " '«» require i„^ega?totV''~«i'io». No^js l*o».men, doctrines ^1'°*" T"'' '»<' «■« "« emer the departmemo?"' """'^ "^ ™<=When . morements of the intelle<=7 * *''*'"*^'' ««« ' >«-«.theope„tion^^^"^':^!''«-7'>-of.he - --view; ^,. i; ;ni--*-g*t Chnshan charactered a„»- '**™"«>». or «=en.edo„Iyby,,^^7 •"'•'•"'ent, can be dis. *- «ord of (L. Yet : '^T" °' *«^ «'«• .*«-"iti».o sJ^^^'-^-'^tl^ko. •^ «« analyze and describeTt !■?"•" '""*• »<> ="",freq«ent(y, to distT^!^ '""' *°» ve,y diffi. «°- from oth^,,. „;f,^2 -*'='''" »'■-'»<'- «*«'> «oral ch^^^'':^''^^ ''i'Wy diverse in ' .»aywearitssemblance"A„7i!'*"''''"'^"'"»n ' "««« <»f caution a« t; dt''.'"''"'"^^'"^ •"<•«.« »■«' « to be forTd °L 'T""^* """^ a j„dg. therVstate. when 2 !!^ ^ ""' °'^'' ""' of anl A.!, Or S'.TSW* ■ i y 'V_"- ,H „ . ^-N 29 cious from the vile." — Moreoveir, we are compelled to regard oiir vocation, as for a large part polemic*, . ks well as didactic : we are not only to teach but to defend the truth, if we would make full proof of fiur ministry. This necessity arises from several causes, and in relation to Various classes of dispu- r^V tants; the learned and the* unlearned, the profes- sed disciple and the open rejector of revelation ; him whp boldly assaults, and him who undermines the citadel of our hopes. While modesty and candor|projnpt the admission, that the doubt is in some instances honest and claims respect, jthe~idi- versity of sentiment conscientious, presenting oc- casion for the exercise -of Christian forbearance, yet even that charity which "hopeth all things,'' will not allow us to refer the larger part of the evil to a source so innocent. The pride and rebellion of the heart, and a philosophy the offspring and the flatterer of that pride, ofiended by the repro- ving majesty of holy truth, have ever been forward to sully its purity and change its glory into that which cannot profit. The Christian student is pain- "... . ' ■'■*(' ed to observe, that almost every system-of mental or ethical Philosophy hitherto given to the world has been of this description, at least by refusing to treat of man as a sinful and depraved being. — Hence then, the' strange dognias, the inconsistent, clashing systems, tile endless " perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds,'^ with which the Chris-, ^'•lMib.iMi> ■ R>f ,-"*3'. and a liberal ,nf„2„ / "'"'"''4 'y «o called,-. i„(o ,1" °^ " Phi'osophl ^P'-conceived no«„™et '=°'™'"'°''».|" tb - H-njan „aso„ ia «., ^^* "';«■' «Pecula«„„,.V ""^ fanguage. a„d ,ha, °™ /^i' '='" «Peat bu. '^•^ 'he BibleSt f, ,. "'"'^"""e truth. But a, •^-^ manifest. I, ^' "'-'"'ces.ity i„„p ™' -•^ ''•« common piaer;:;,'^"^^*'- -e" stored ««=»ya,*„. He must comL! '''='"'*'« *« a centum ^ X" """^"-on. or H "^^ connections, and^K;^^ *"''"' *' '« ™es in . , . ^^-''*«P«seit^r^:«^--'r-.ee.s.he '^' Wse, he w^e.about js \ V ., /. u^pion^ scom- false- g m t}\e 's, or tb §4 and 3 ti the - it Jlito\ ations. ak but Sutas >f aJi It as- land, >ses, oio- >red lac- er- ust to ' ot y t 1 *.-■■>■■-■ :3i. ,'■"■■ ' ■■"..-■.■' "■ * ' ■ . ■ ■ wise and his employment about as useful, as if the mental philosopher should expend all his energy, in laboriously overthrowing the thrice refuted doctrine of innate ideas, because Locke found it imperative when he wrote: — or, with Reid, in ex- ploding the theory of filmy images thrown oflf from outward objects and lodged in the sensonium ; and should then exult over his work, as a compliete and finished scheme of intelleetuar science. I imagine, I cannot be so far misapprehended, as to be thought to maintain the propriety of in- troducing such discussions«largely into the pulpit ; and of substituting refined and intricate- specula- tions, even in refutation of error, in place of « the sincere milk of the wo^d," in which 'the soul finds its aliment. Such ^ course would be but little for edification. And where it has so far prevailed, as to have become a marked feature in the ministra- tions 6( an individual or class of preachers, its ef- fects upon the hearersji I apprehend, have been far from desirable. It is apt to produce a hard and unlovely religious |^ character : piety in which, thotigh the principle^inay be sou^d, the affections are not called forth in their full activity : which is in undue proportion of the headland often dispu- tatious, rattier than of a heart melting and breath- ing with tenderness. But the theological teacher finds place for them in his lecture room, and the -gtndent^n this rcgpectrafhrnuch as in oth o rs^ must - ,t -ft X y / • ,A be instructedami TtmigiieH a j • the man of a distinlJnT^ :^"— -* " precisely such topics by reflerfinn fh .1 """^ ''^ *« particular, whowithout .he paL^k ° . J„ ."g or ™„eh ^CapVies, wi,, be'^i""" mystify and refine and specll^ u^ ^ *" PO- prepay, than ,;r, 5;'-°^^-^ existed before, to create dM^ !?""* .tl,e skill ,0 resolve. "*f *9^,¥» h* ha^^ot 3. But I pass onto remarlr .i.,. '•- -»*»o. of „i„d is anoIeTltlTth -r '^ perception and defence of therur , T' ^ sed to believe that this is » ™ "" *'P°- '^ ««ycomn,endedtha^e,ribitr "r"*"""*"- found or even inJ "^ ' "'""'"»<"e 'arely ■M-oLZ^£r"'P'^'^'^-'' than man/ or iittv "/''*"'"' T' <»"• pretentions by fine r- The «q«isitionsare by nole^ ZbT^' by Mceremonioqsly tumin« our hTr ^' %hts which the wise aTd I «L:; """• ""* -ions have enkindled atHur „ Ta^'/r '-"■■■^■g.owalkbyourol„,:;^74f A - , f \ A - K 33 tions: any (aiore than by refusing to consult, the latter, and becoming ^lere imitators; repetitious parrots of other men's words, the mere echoes of the former. A just, but not a servile deference is therefore to be paid to what may have become venerable by time, or sacred from association. It is no conclusive argument indeed, that a given sen- timent or practice is correct, and no imperative reason why I shouyradhere to it, that it has been long prcvalen|,-^may have be^n supported by great names. Yet it is a reason,, why I should ap- proacli it respectfillly, and weigh it candidly. Nor am I blameljpss in rejecting it, until, on patient in- vestigation, its fallacy has become apparent. The disposition rudely to assail and scornfully to de- molish what time may have reared and sanctioned, and that because it is old, though it may have been the actuating spirit of many recent movements, is not therefore to be applauded. Surelyit is as im- portant and as wise to profit by the stores which other ages have accumulated, as it is to embrace each guilded novelty, or s^ek in untrodden paths for new mines of thought. Otherwise the race must perform an endless novitiate. Instead of ad- vancing from the goal wh'ich has been already at- tained, all knowledge and improvement, beyond what the experience and labors of a single life might achieve, were visionary. In this view, I think we cannot but regard the dog ma of D p H c n rt c g, to b o 4 gin by doubting every thing, -as a mere prejudice: impracticable ih fact, 'utterly inadmissible as a principle q||;pligioife guidance, and ^vhen applied, to either physical or mental science, as much lack- ing in true independence, as it is unphilosophicai. There is, however, a ver^ discernible limit to the claims 0/ human authority. Neither opinion nor practice ought to- exact submission, simply be- cause it exists, or can plead the suffrage of a high antiquity. It is beyond a doubt right, that what IS presumed to liave been adopted with reason, should be brought to the test of reason, that we . may be assured of itsconforrt^ity with truth. But, on the other hand, it i^ equally important to preserve a jeaJous vigilance h^ver the sugges- tions of our own understanding^. The fine theo- ry, Ihe brillijint invention, the suppoM improve- ment, the rare thought that has eluded o^er minds, possesses a §|trong- fascination against w^ich: the most richly gifted ate seldom proofs Pride of dis- covery, ambition to become the leader of a p^ity, may easily tempt and betray ; and a man is just> liable to wed himself to some creation of fancy^^ and to become the dupe of his own weakness, of his prejudices, of .|i8 speculations, as. to sink into the blind, submissive slave, the credulous followQr of a master. Meanwhile the effect upon the in- terests of truth, and piety may IJe widely ipr^d ^ and disastro4s in the extreme. Is it uncharitable ^ '^ms^^^i. ■\ .^F 35 to suggest the opinion, that iqr such a source may be traced a very largo part of the divisions and heresies, which Jiave infested the church of Christ ? Men of ardent, l|onest, but incautious minds, bold in tliought, impatient of restraint, and in- fluenced, perhaps more powerfully tlian they were ^ aware, by a desire to signalize themselves, have conie sincerely to believe they were making^valu- able contributions to truth, while they have only distracted the church -by premature arid undigested theories.— -The result then is,' that true inded^t!|lflcnce is removed-fjom each extrena^* ^P are to exercise our oiyn minds, fr^e as welt from arrogant self-corr- " fidence as from the trammels of mere auth d^ ,j..,ijj- \..-:-^ iV^ ■\- .^ Si' ■■■ 36 & what is it we hear ? " What movement is this we behold ? The earth quakes with the rumblings of distant thunders. « Thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, and the alarm of war,^ And Protestantism is again urged to the field, in de- fifence of the pure elements of the Gospel of the grace of God : in support of first principles, drag- ged forth by the strong arm of Luther, from be- neath the rubbish with which ages and centuries of superstition had overlaid and buried them. Whence 4his clamor for the fathers, the fathers: as if they were the inspired source of our holy religion: or had been iponstituted Lords in God's heritage Were the fathers crucified for ug? or were we baptized in the name of the fathers ? And whence this unseemly, unmanly revulsion from a cause with the impulses of which the world has started into new lifo ; with which, the religious activi^r,^ the intellectual light, the social enterprize, aye, ajd even the civil liberty of the age is identified ? wiiy this kurried march, into the irery camp of the ene- my ? And this too, on the part of men whose re- ^ forming ancestors met frfeely the stake and the flames, rather than consent to the abominations of ^ that Rome to which they are now hasting. «0 shame, where is thy blush." ; 4. 1 add as the last point, though to be esteemed the very first in importance, the quality that must direct and control all the rest, a spirit of fervent r^ "V- ■ ■ ■ _ ' g^ •/'.it'" ^^WawWHBIB 37 PRAYERFUL, ACTIVE PIETY. We haye tlius far spoken of the call for intellectual endowments and acquisitions, to the efficient discharge of the min- istry, on which we can hardly insist with undue earnestness. But indispensable as they may be at the present day, they are far from comprisiiig the whole panoply, or constituting the chief orna- ment of th6man of God iii the pulpit^jo/the teacher in .the theological chair. If t|iecorrect u^er- standing of the doctrines comained in the scrip- tures, and the ability tc^^cidate and enforce them .be justly desired, surely the disposition of the heart in regard to them is not less momentous. Is it not true, and in agreement with alT^-the known operations of our minds, that our moral and spir- itual state, the attitude of our hearts towards a given subject, exerts a commanding influence over our mental perceptions and the decisions of the will? And if. this be admitted in ordinary cases, need it be asked, if in reference to such a subject as the Gospel, so peculiar in its discoveries, so pure in its principles, so personal in its application and so spiritual in its whole texture, the condition of our spirits, our affections, have nothing to do ? It would not be difficult, I imagine, to show that such preparation is of the very last moment, even to the critic of the sacred text. And quite as es- sential is the reverence, the sobriety, the just sub- mission of finite reason to the infinite mind, ardent Km .** '•'^^KSgi- - ^^-r >• ■»if^s7iin'-!«'«f" love of God and his tFUth, which personal piety engenders, to guide and enlighten him, whose of- fice it is to guide others. Are we not apt to think too little of this :— to forget, that he whodoes not himself glow with fire from off the altar, will vain- % strive to awaken feeling in others, or to impart mental impressions or spiritual impulses? In addition, it becomes us to consider our abso- lute dependance on the great source' of light and power, in our studies as much as in our public ministrations : to know that it is his spirit alone that reveals the things of Christ unto us and is able to lead us into ail the truth ; and whose influ- ences are dispensed only to such as earnestly im- plore and wait for them. This divine instructor must store the mind with knowledge, kindle the soul in sympathy, and touch'the tongue with burn- mg eloquence. He alone can prosper our labors remove doubts, unfold mysteries, and, not less im' portant, subdue boldriess and restrain us from\ « rushing in, where angels fear to tread." This spirit giving power with God, will give power over ourselves and others. The remark is worthy of P emphasis,.prayer and temptation make the Chris- tian eminent in holiness, the teacher wise to in-* struct, the preacher skillful to win Souls. The greatest proficients in spiritual lore, have ever been men of the warmest piety, who have studied the Bible, as it were, on their knees. And without ■JL. ^ 'm this inward preparation, tlie sparkling wit, the pro- " found judgment, the elegant fancy, abundant learn- ing, all, all, will be vain. The teacher, then, has omitted his first duty, the preacher^has neglected his best armour, when he has not sought to illumi- nate his mind and warm his soul,.by light and love from on high. And in a theological seminary, he who is called to impart instruction, and the youth who receive it and who are aspiring to the sacred functions, will find that no other endowments will compensate for the absence of this. Nor is any evil to be more depricated by the church, than that her youth, unfurnished in this particular, should advance to the ministry as a mere profession, ^n easy mode of obtaining a respectable livelihood. The subject scarcely calls for a formal applica- tion, and th|^special addresses the occasion re- quires, fall -to the province of another. I will --therefore only add, that the purpose of this day's services deeply impresses and aflfects us. In the place of the father faithful and beloved, who has re- tired from his laborious duties in this seminary, we come to induct a new professor into office. The event is momentous to the esteemed brother about toassumeuntried responsibilities, to the Institu- tion around which tender sympathies clustre, and for which many prayers of the living and the dead have gone up to the throile of heavenly grace : it will be so in its consequences to the youth who w •imr lyj tl 40 :l ^\ !■■ frotn year to year may .Collect withiaits walls, and to the church of our ^ections far generations yet to come. In an eminent sense may he, who is to train and direct the ministerial mind, to mould its sentiments and foster. its spirit, be said to be "set for the defence of the Gospel." « The things he has heard," the truth.as it is in Jesus, « he is to commit to faithful men, who may be able to teach others afeo." It is not secular, but'heavenly sci- ence : not the opinions of any man or set of men, however wise they may have"been, that he is com- missioned to inculcate, but the « mind of the spir- it." It is not any worldly, or sectarian views merely, but the glory of the master, the salvation of souls, the extended interests of the whole fam-. ily of Christ, that are here the high concernment. While we love our own church, cherish her doc- trine and order, and would hold « her stojies pre-/ cious in our sight and favor the dust thereof," we cannot forget that we are but a portion of the army of the living God. We should stand in our lot, and aim to perform our part, in extending the kingdom of our Immanuel. May sound learning,, just sentiment, holy consecration und diligence in service adorn this place; may true piety ^ed its hallowing influence through every heart and over eveiy avocation ; that from thisfountain may issiie "streams that shall, make glad, the city of our " God." Amen. v - ♦ •' -1 I ~^s % ;•--!■ .' •" t T ■/ •■ A o e.- .» -■■ ■ ■- i" ■ ■ '■ ■ ' " > Iff-'. •t-' /?