you are truly willing to enter, none shall be able to shut it. But may I not fear, that I am still speaking to others, who, to this hour, have no cordial admiring thoughts of the great Saviour? Alas! should you die in your present frame the character of this age of dissipation. Though the subject be serious and solemn in the highest sense, yea, for that very reason, and though the music is, in a striking manner, adapted to the subject, yet, if the far greater part of the people who frequent the Oratorio, are evidently unaffected by the Redeemer's of mind! let me, once more, entreat you to love, and uninfluenced by his commands, I am afraid it is no better than a profanation of the name and truths of God, a crucifying the Son of God afresh. You must judge for yourselves. If you think differently from me, you will act accordingly.-Yet permit me to hope and to pray, that the next time you hear the Messiah, God may bring something that you have heard in the course of these sermons, nearly connected with the peace and welfare of your souls, effectually to your remembrance. I would humbly hope, that some persons, who were strangers to the power and grace of Messiah, when I entered upon this service, are now desirous of seeking him with their whole hearts. Yes, I trust I have not laboured wholly in vain. The gospel is the rod of his strength, (Psal. cx. 2,) which, when accompanied by the power of his Spirit, produces greater effects than the wonder-working rod of Moses. It causes the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dead to live. A faithful minister will account a single instance of success a rich recompense for the labour of a life. May this joy be mine! May the Lord encourage you to go on seeking him! Then he will surely be found of you. An open door is set before you, (Rev. iii. 8,) and if consider what your situation and employment will be, when all his redeemed people, and all his holy angels, shall join in worshipping and praising him, in the great day of his appearance. Unless you repent, lay down your arms, and submit to his golden sceptre, your doom is already pronounced. Awful are the words of the Lord, by the prophet, and very applicable to your case, if (which may his mercy prevent!) you should die in your sins. "Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, behold my servants shall cat, but ye shall be hungry: behold my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit," Isa. lxv. 13, 14. If the scribes and Pharisees were filled with envy and grief when the children in the temple sung Hosanna to the Son of David, (Matt. xxi. 15,) what must be their anguish and remorse, their rage and despair, when the whole creation shall join in his praise? If your thoughts of him now are like theirs, tremble at your danger; for unless you repent, your lot must be with them hereafter. OCCASIONAL SERMONS. THE SUBJECT AND TEMPER OF THE GOSPEL-MINISTRY : A SERMON PREACHED IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH, ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER, 19, 1779. WHEN THE AUTHOR ENTERED ON HIS FIRST PUBLIC SERVICE IN THAT CHURCH. -Speaking the truth in love.-Ephesians, iv. 15. THE words in the original have a more | Bible is the grand repository of the truths comprehensive sense than in our version, AXNOCUOUTES SV Nya. They extend no less to conduct than to speech, and comprise, in one short sentence, that combination of integrity and benevolence, which constitute the character of a true christian. But, as our morning service has been already much prolonged, I mean not to enlarge at present upon this important subject. I propose my text rather as a kind of motto, to introduce a brief account of the feelings, desires, and purposes of my heart, on this my first appearance before you. The inhabitants of these parishes, to whom I more immediately address myself, have a right to be informed, now the providence of God has placed me in this city, and in this church, of the views with which I have undertaken the important trust lately committed to me, and of the manner and spirit in which it is my desire to discharge it. If these inquiries be upon any of your minds, accept my answer in the words I have read: I came, and, by the grace of God, I hope to abide amongst you, 46 speaking the truth in love.' I should be utterly unworthy your attention, I should deserve your contempt and detestation, if, under the solemn character of a minister of Jesus Christ, and with a professed regard for his service and the good of souls, I should presume to speak any thing amongst you, but what I verily believe in my conscience to be the truth. The apostles were ambassadors for Christ, (2 Cor. v. 24,) and we, however inferior in other respects, are so far concerned in this part of their character, as to be equally bound to conform to the instructions of our Lord and Master. The which it will be the business and the pleasure of my life to set before you. It is the complete system of divine truth, to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing can be taken, (Rev. xxii. 18, 19,) with impunity. Every attempt to disguise, or soften any branch of this truth, in order to accommodate it to the prevailing taste around us, either to avoid the displeasure, or to court the favour of our fellow-mortals, must be an affront to the majesty of God, and an act of treachery to men. My conscience bears me witness, that I mean to speak the truth among you. May the grace of God enable me always to do it. The principal branches of the truth as it is in Jesus, according to St. Paul's expression, are summarily contained in the Articles, which I have just now read and given my solemn assent to in your hearing. These I acknowledge and adopt as a standard of sound doctrine, not merely because they are the Articles of our Church, but because, upon mature and repeated examination, I am persuaded they are agreeable to the scriptures. I am to enlarge on the declaration of the scripture and of the Articles concerning the depravity of fallen man, the evil of sin, the method of salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I am to bear testimony to the dignity and excellency of the Redeemer's person and characters, the suitableness of his offices, the efficacy of his blood, and obedience to death on the behalf of sinners, and his glory as Head of the Church, and Lord of heaven and earth. I am to set before you the characters, obligations, and privileges of those who believe in his we are willing to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but our own souls also (were it possible,) because ye were dear unto us," 1 Thess. ii. 8. name; and to prove that the doctrines of the | could not with sincerity at least, if not with grace of God are doctrines according to god-equal warmth, adopt the apostle's words, and liness, which, though they may be abused by say, "Being affectionately desirous of you, men of corrupt minds, have in themselves, when rightly understood, a direct and powerful tendency to enforce universal obedience to the commands of God, and to promote the peace and welfare of civil society. I am likewise to warn all who hear me, of the sin and danger of rejecting the great salvation revealed by the gospel. These will be the subjects of my ministry; and if what I shall offer upon these heads be agreeable, not only to the Articles which I have subscribed, but to the scriptures, which we all profess to believe, it must of course be admitted that I shall speak the truth. But the cause of truth itself may be discredited by improper management; and therefore the scripture, which furnishes us with subject-matter of our ministry, and teaches us what we are to say, is equally explicit as to the temper and spirit in which we are to speak. Though I had the knowledge of all mysteries, (1 Cor. xiii. 1,) and the tongue of an angel to declare them, I could hope for little acceptance or usefulness, unless I was to speak in love. The gospel is a declaration of the astonishing love of God to mankind; it exhibits the perfect exemplar of love in the character of him, who, when upon earth in the form of a servant, went about doing good, (Acts x. 38,) and exerted the most unbounded benevolence to all around him. The servant of the Lord, of that meek and merciful Saviour, who wept over his avowed enemies, and prayed for his actual murderers while nailing him to the cross, learns at his Saviour's feet to bear a cordial love to all mankind. Man, considered as the creature of God, is the noblest and most important of his works in the visible creation, formed by him who originally made him for himself, with such a vastness of desire, such a capacity for happiness, as nothing less than an infinite good can satisfy; formed to exist in an eternal unchangeable state. And even fallen man, though depraved and perverted, guilty, and, in his present state, obnoxious to eternal misery, is yet capable of being restored to the favour of God, and renewed into his image, of serving him here, and being happy with him for ever. Whoever therefore has tasted of the love of Christ, and has known by his own experience the need and the worth of redemption, is enabled, yea, he is constrained to love his fellow-creatures. He loves them at first sight: and, if the providence of God commits a dispensation of the gospel and a care of souls to him, he will feel the warmest e notions of friendship and tenderness, while he beseeches them by the tender mercies of God, (Rom. xii. 1,) and even while he warns then by his terrors, 2 Cor. v. 11. Surely I durst not address you from this place, if This love which my heart bears, I offer as a plea for that earnestness and importunity which I must use. I came not to amuse you with subjects of opinion or uncertainty, or even with truths of a cold, speculative, uninteresting nature, which you might receive without benefit, or reject without detriment; but to speak the truths of God, truths of the utmost importance to the welfare of your souls in time and in eternity. If I love you, therefore, I cannot be content with delivering my message; my spirit must, and will be deeply engaged for its success. I cannot be content with the emoluments annexed to my office-I seek not yours, but you, (2 Cor. xii. 14;) that you may know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, (Ephes. iii. 19;) that you may be delivered from the power of this evil world, (Gal. i. 4,) and that I and you may at length stand accepted before the throne of God; in a word, that by a blessing from on high, accompanying my poor labours, I may both save myself, and them that hear me, 1 Tim. iv. 16. These are the aims and ends which I hope always to have in view, and therefore love will prompt me to be faithful and earnest. Too often the due reception of the truth is greatly impeded by the cares, the business, or the amusements of the world. We find many of our hearers, alas! too happy, or too much engrossed, to afford us that attention we have a right to claim, considering the weight of our message, and the authority under which we speak. But God, in mercy to the souls of men, frequently suits the appointments of his providence, in subserviency to the purposes of his grace. He prepares for them what they do not desire for themselves, seasons for leisure, retirement, and reflection. This is one gracious design of the various afflictions of human life. When he visits with sickness or pain, crosses and disappointments-when our cisterns are broken, and our gourds wither-when the desire of our eyes is taken away with a stroke, (Ezek. xxiv. 16,) or we meet with a thorn or sting, where our fond hearts were expecting only pleasure-then perhaps the truths which were heard with too much indifference in the hour of prosperity, may be more regarded. My love will prompt me to be always near you, waiting for such seasons, and ready upon the first intimation (for I mean not to intrude myself,) to offer my sympathy, my prayers, my best advice. Though I shall have but little time for visits of mere ceremony; to visit you as a minister, and to assist you to the Let me close with one observation. The transactions of this day, and the consequence of it will not be soon forgotten. They will be registered in the annals of eternity. As surely as we are now met together, so surely we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, 2 Cor. x. 10. Then I must give an account of my ministry, and you of the manner in which you received it. If I speak the truth-it is at the peril of my hearers to treat it with contempt, or even with neglect. But I would hope better things, even that the Lord, the Holy Spirit, will prepare our hearts to receive with meekness that engrafted word, which is able to save our souls, James i. 11. utmost of my power in making a right im- from my own case, to hope that the strongest provement of the providences of God, is a prejudices may be softened by the power of service which I shall always owe you from his grace. a principle of duty, and which I hope always to be glad to render from a principle of love. If the grace of God, without which I can do nothing, should thus enable me to speak the truth in love, may I not hope for your favourable attention? Would it not imply an unjust reflection upon your candour, to suppose that any of you will be angry with one who only wishes to speak the truth in love? Certainly I can as yet have no particular reason to expect an unkind return from any individual among you, because I am a stranger to you all. But the scripture teaches, what experience and observation abundantly confirm, that the doctrines of divine truth are so mysterious in themselves, and so opposite and mortifying to the opinion mortals are prone to entertain of their own wisdom and goodness, that persons of very amiable characters in common life, are too often amongst the warmest opposers of the ministers who dare faithfully and plainly persevere in speaking the truth. Should I have this trial to meet with from any of you, still I hope to speak the truth in love, and to remember that I am a follower of him who only returned kindness for hard usage. I hope to consider, that if any oppose, it is because they know not what they do; and to bear in mind, that I myself was once a scorner and despiser of the gospel which I now preach; that I stand here as a pattern of the long suffering of God; and that having obtained mercy myself, I have encouragement, I only add my earnest request for a frequent and fervent remembrance in your prayers, that the Father of mercies, the God of all wisdom, may so influence my spirit, that no part of my conduct may be unsuitable to what I have at this time professed. That speaking the truth in love, and commending it by a conversation becoming the gospel, (Phil. i. 17,) my labours and my life may be acceptable and serviceable among you. I trust that I, on my part, shall not cease to pray, that his blessing may rest upon you, upon your persons, your families, and upon all your concerns; and more especially for the welfare and comfort of your souls-that he may guide you by his counsel through this life, and afterwards receive you to his glory, Psalm lxxiii. 24. THE GUILT AND DANGER OF SUCH A NATION AS THIS, A SERMON PREACHED IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1781. THE DAY APPOINTED FOR A GENERAL FAST. Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? And shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?-Jeremiah v. 29. THREE times (Jer. v. 9; ix. 9,) the Lord God | Hezekiah and Josiah produced a temporary repeats by his prophet this alarming question. Their ingratitude and obstinacy were so notorious, their sins so enormous and aggravated, the sentence denounced against them, however severe, was so undeniably just, that partial as they were to themselves, God is pleased to appeal to their own consciences, and to make them judges in their own cause; inviting or rather challenging them to offer any plea, why his forbearance and patience, which they had so long despised, should be still afforded them. But the form of the question will not permit us to confine the application to Israel or Judah. The words are not, “On this nation" particularly, but "On such a nation as this." The Lord, the Governor of the earth, has provided in the history of one nation, a lesson of instruction and warning to every nation under the sun; and the nearer the state and spirit of any people resemble the state and character of Judah, when Jeremiah prophesied among them, the more reason they have to tremble under the apprehension of the same or similar judgments. reformation, and procured a temporary respite, they went on, upon the whole, from bad to worse, till the measure of their iniquity being filled up, and the season of God's long suffering at an end, he directed the march of Nebuchadnezzar against them, who, because he was the appointed instrument of divine vengeance, could not fail of success. The temple and city of Jerusalem were burnt, the land desolated, the greater part of the inhabitants destroyed, and the survivors led captives into a far distant land. We likewise are a highly favoured people, and have long enjoyed privileges which excite the admiration and envy of surrounding nations; and we are a sinful, ungrateful people; so that when we compare the blessings and mercies we have received from the Lord, with our conduct towards him, it is to be feared we are no less concerned with the question in my text than Israel was of old. This is the point I propose to illustrate, as suitable to the design for which we are at this time professedly assembled. Though the occasion will require me to God brought Israel out of Egypt with an take some notice of our public affairs, I mean outstretched arm, divided the Red Sea before not to amuse you with what is usually called them, led them into the wilderness by a a political discourse. The Bible is my syscloud and pillar of fire, fed them with man- tem of politics. There I read, that the Lord na, and gave them water from the rock. reigns; (Psal. xcvii. 1;) that he doeth what he He planted them in a good land, and though pleaseth in the armies of heaven, and among they often sinned and were often punished, the inhabitants of the earth; (Dan. iv. 35;) they were distinguished by many tokens of that no wisdom, understanding, counsel, or his presence and effects of his goodness, power, can prevail without his blessing; above any other nation. In the time of Solo- (Prov. xi. 30 ;) that as righteousness exalteth mon they possessed the height of human a nation, so sin is the reproach, and will even prosperity, but they soon rebelled and in- totally be the ruin of any people, Prov. xiv. wolved themselves in increasing troubles. 34. From these and other maxims of a like And, though the efforts and examples of import, I am learning to be still, and to know VOL II. 3D 393 |