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04 - Scriptural Christianity - Sermons on Several Occasions · Sacred Texts Archive

• Scriptural Christianity. Whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet and taketh not warning, if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head Ezekiel, thirty three, verse four. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts four, verse thirty one. The same expression occurs in the second chapter, where we read when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all the apostles, with the women and the Mother of Jesus and his brethren, with one accord, in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind. And there appeared under them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. One immediate effect, whereof was they began to speak with other tongues, insomuch that both the Parthians, medes elm Mites, and the other strangers who came together when this was noised abroad, heard them speak in their several tongues the Wonderful Works of God, Acts two, verses one through six. In this chapter we read that when the apostles and brethren had been praying and praising God, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Not that we find any visible appearance here such as had been in the former instance. Nor are we informed that the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were then given to all or any of them, such as the gifts of healing, of working other miracles, of prophecy, of discerning spirits, the speaking with divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. One Corinthians twelve, verse nine and ten. Whether these gifts of the Holy Ghost were designed to remain in the church throughout all ages, and whether or no they will be restored at the nearer approach of the restitution of all things are questions which it is not needful to decide. But it is needful to observe this, that even in the infancy of the Church, God divided them with the sparing hand. Were all even then prophets, were all workers of miracles, had all the gifts of healing? Did all speak with tongues? No? In no wise, perhaps not one in a thousand, probably none but the teachers in the church, and only some of them. One Corinthians twelve, verses twenty eight through thirty. It was therefore for a more excellent purpose than this, that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. It was to give them what none can deny to be essential to all Christians in all ages, the mind which was in Christ, those holy fruits of the Spirit, which whosoever hath not is none of his, to fill them with love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness Galatians five twenty two through twenty four, to endue them with faith. Perhaps it might be rendered fidelity, with meekness and temperance, to enable them to crucify the flesh with its affections and luss its passions and desires, and in consequence of that inward change, to fulfill all outward righteousness, to walk as Christ also walked in the work of faith, in the patience of hope, the labor of love. First Thessalonians one, verse three. Without busying ourselves, then in curious, needless inquiries touching those extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, let us take a nearer view of these His ordinary fruits, which we are assured will remain throughout all ages, of that great work of God among the children of men, which we are used to express by one word Christianity, not as it applies a set of opinions a system of doctrines, but as it refers to men's hearts and lives. And this Christianity, it may be useful to consider under three distinct views, first as beginning to exist in individuals, second as spreading from one to another, and third as covering the earth. I designed to close these considerations with a plain, practical application. And first, let us consider Christianity in its rise, as beginning to exist in individuals. Suppose, then one of those who heard the apostle Peter preaching repentance and remission of sins, was pricked to the heart, was convinced of sin, repented, and then believed in Jesus. By this faith of the operation of God, which was the very substance or subsistence of things hoped for Hebrews eleven, verse one, the demonstrative evidence of invisible things, he instantly received the spirit of adoption, whereby he now cried Abbah Father Romans eight, verse fifteen. Now, first it was that he could call Jesus Lord by the Holy Ghost first Corinthians twelve, verse three, the spirit itself bearing witness with his spirit, that he was a child of God Romans eight, verse sixteen. Now it was that he could truly say, I live not but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh. I lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me Galatians two, verse twenty. This then was the very essence of his faith, a divine elgos, evidence or conviction of the love of God the Father, through the Son of His love to him. A sinner, now accepted in the beloved, and being justified by faith, he had peace with God Romans five, verse one. YEA, the peace of God ruling in his heart, a peace which, passing all understanding pantin now in all barely rational conception, kept his heart and mind from all doubt and fear. Through the knowledge of Him in whom he had believed. He could not therefore be afraid of any evil tidings, for his heart stood fast, believing in the Lord. He feared not what man could do unto him, knowing the very hairs of his head were all numbered. He feared not all the powers of darkness, whom God was daily bruising under his feet. Least of all he was afraid to die. Nay, he desired to depart and to be with Christ Philippians one, verse twenty three, who through death had destroyed him that had the power of death, even the devil, and delivered them who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime till then subject to bondage Hebrews two, verse fifteen. His soul therefore magnified the Lord, and his spirit rejoiced in God, his Savior. He rejoiced in him with joy unspeakable, who had reconciled him to God, even the Father, in whom he had redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. He rejoiced in that witness of God's Spirit, with his spirit, that he was a child of God, and more abundantly in hope of the glory of God, in hope of the glorious image of God, in full renewal of his soul, in righteousness and true holiness, and in hope of that crown of Glory, that inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled. In that fateth not away. The love of God was also shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, which was given unto him. Romans five verse five. Because he was a son, God had sent forth the spirit of his son into his heart, crying Abbah Father, Galatians four, verse six. And that flile love of God was continually increased by the witness he had in himself First John five, verse ten, of God's pardoning love to him by beholding what manner of love it was which the Father had bestowed upon him, that he should be called the child of God. First John three, verse one. So that God was the desire of his eyes and the joy of his heart, his portion in time and eternity. He that thus loved God could not but love his brother also, and not in word only, but in deed and in truth. If God said he so loved us, we ought also to love one another. First John four, verse eleven. Yea, every soul of man, as the mercy of God is over all his works Psalm one of forty five, verse nine. Agreeably. Here too, the affection of this lover of God embraced all mankind for his sake, not excepting those whom he had never seen in the flesh, or those of whom he knew nothing more than that they were the offspring of God, for whose souls his son had died, not accepting the evil and unthankful, and least of all his enemies, those who hated or persecuted, or despitefully used him. For his master's sake, these had a peculiar place both in his heart and in his prayers. He loved them even as Christ loved us. And love is not puffed up one Corinthians thirteen, verse four. It abases to the dust every soul wherein it dwells. Accordingly, he was lowly of heart, little, mean, and vile in his own eyes. He neither sought nor received the praise of men, but that which cometh of God only. He was meek and long suffering, gentle to all, and easy to be entreated. Faithfulness in truth never forsook him. They were bound about his neck and wrote on the table of his heart. By the same spirit he was enabled to be temperate in all things, refraining a soul, even as a weaned child. He was crucified to the world, and the world crucis to him, superior to the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life. By the same almighty love was he saved both from passion and pride from lust and vanity, from ambition and coveteousness, and from every temper which was not in Christ. It may be easily believed he who had this love in his heart would work no evil to his neighbor. It was impossible for him, knowingly and designedly, to do harm to any man. He was at the greatest distance from cruelty and wrong, from any unjust or unkind action. With the same care did he set a watch before his mouth and keep the door of his lips, lest he should offend in tongue, either against justice or against mercy or truth. He put away all lying, falsehood and fraud. Neither was guile found in his mouth. He spake evil of no man, nor did any unkind word ever come out of his lips. And as he was deeply sensible of the truth of that word, without me, ye can do nothing. And consequently of the need he had to be watered of God every moment. So he continued daily in all the ordinances of God, the stated channels of His grace to man, in the apostle's doctrine or teaching, receiving that food of the soul with all readiness of heart, in the breaking of bread, which he found to be the communion of the Body of Christ, and in the prayers and praise is offered up by the Great Congregation. And thus he daily grew in grace, increasing in strength in the knowledge and love of God. But it did not satisfy him barely to abstain from doing evil. His soul was athirst to do good. The language of his heart continually was, my Father worketh hitherto, and I work my Lord went about doing good, and shall not I tread in his tie as he had opportunity. Therefore, if he could do no good of a higher kind, he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, helped the fatherless or stranger, visited and assisted them that were sick or in prison. He gave all his goods to feed the poor. He rejoiced to labor or to suffer for them, and whereinsoever he might profit another there especially to deny himself. He counted nothing too dear to part with for them, as well as remembering the word of his Lord. Inasmuch as he had done it unto the one of the least of these my brethren, he have done it unto me. Matthew twenty five Verse forty. Such was Christianity in its rise, Such was a Christian in ancient days. Such was every one of those who, when they heard the threatenings of the chief priests and elders, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and were all filled with the Holy Ghost. The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. So did the love of Him in whom they had believed constrain them to love one another. Neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own. But they all had all things in common. So fully were they crucified to the world, and the world crucified to them. And they continued steadfastly with one accord in the apostles doctrine, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers Acts two, verse forty two. And great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked, For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet, And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts four verses thirty one through thirty five. Let us take a view in the second place of this Christianity as spreading from one to another, and so gradually making its way into the world. For such was the will of God concerning it. Who did not light a candle to put it under a bushel, but that it might give light to all that were in the house. And this our Lord had declared to his first disciples, Ye are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. At the same time that he gave that general command, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven Matthew five, Verses thirteen through sixteen. And indeed, supposing a few of these lovers of mankind to see the whole world lying in wickedness, can we believe they would be unconcerned at the sight at the misery of those for whom their lord died. Would not their bowels yearn over them and their hearts melt away for very trouble? Could they then stand idle all the day long, even were there no command from him whom they loved. Rather, would they not labor by all possible means to pluck some of these brands out of the burning. Undoubtedly they would. They would spare no pains to bring back whomsoever they could, of those poor sheep that had gone astray to the Great Shepherd and Bishop of their souls Verse Peter two, verse twenty five. So the Christians of old did. They labored, having opportunity to do good unto all men. Galatians six, verse ten, warning them to flee from the wrath, to come now now to escape the damnation of hell. They declared, the times of ignorance God winked at, but now He calleth all men every word to repent. Acts seventeen, verse thirty. They cried aloud, turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, so iniquity shall not be your ruin Physekul eighteen, verse thirty. They reasoned with them of temperance and righteousness, or justice of the virtues opposite to their reigning sins, and of judgment to come of the wrath of God, which would surely be executed on evil doers in that day when He should judge the world. Acts twenty four, verse twenty five. They endeavored herein to speak to every man severally, as he had need to the careless, To those who lay unconcerned in darkness and in the shadow of death, they thundered, Awake, thou that sleepest, arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. But to those who are already awakened out of sleep and groaning under a sense of the wrath of God, their language was, we have an advocate with the Father. He is the propitiation for our sins. Meantime, those who had believed, they provoked to love and to good works, to patient continuance in well doing, and to abound more and more in that holiness without which no man can see the Lord Hebrews twelve, verse fourteen. And their labor was not in vain. In the Lord, his word ran and was glorified. It grew mightily and prevailed. But so much the more did offenses prevail. Also the world in general were offended, because they testified of it that the works thereof were evil. John seven, verse seven. The men of pleasure were offended, not only because these men were made, as it were, to reprove their thoughts. He Professeth said they to have the knowledge of God. He calleth himself the child of the Lord. His life is not like other men's. His ways are of another fashion. He abstaineth from our ways, as from filthiness. He maketh his boast that God is his father wisdom two verses thirteen through sixteen. But much more because so many of their companions were taken away and would no more run with them to the same excess of riot Verse Peter four, verse four. The men of reputation were offended because as the Gospel spread, they declined in the esteem of the people, and because many no longer dared to give them flattering titles or to pay man the homage due to God. Only the men of trade called one another together and said, Sir, as ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. But ye see and hear that these men have persuaded and turned away much people, so that this our craft is in danger to be set at naught Acts nineteen, verses twenty five. In following above all, the men of religion, so called the men of outside religion, the saints of the world, were offended and ready at every opportunity to cry out, Men of Israel, help. We have found these men pestilent fellows movers of sedition. Throughout the world, Acts twenty four, verse five. These are the men that teach all men everywhere against the people and against this place. Acts twenty one, verse twenty eight. Thus it was that the heavens grew black with clouds, and the storm gathered a main for the more Christianity spread, the more hurt was done in the account of those who received it not, and the number increased of those who were more and more enraged at these men, who thus turned the world upside down. Acts seventeen, verse six. Insomuch that more and more cried out away with such fellows from the earth. It is not fit that they should live, yea, and sincerely believed that whosoever should kill them would do God's service. Meanwhile, they did not fail to cast out their names as evil Lukes six, verse twenty two, so that this sect was everywhere spoken against. Acts twenty seven, verse twenty two. Men said all manner of evil of them, even as had been done of the prophets that were before them Matthew five, verse twelve. And whatsoever any would affirm, others would believe. So that offenses grew as the stars of heaven for multitude, and hence arose at the the time for ordained of the Father, persecution in all its forms. Some for a season suffered only shame and reproach, some the spoiling of their goods. Some had trial of mocking and scourging, some of bonds and imprisonment, and others resisted unto blood Hebrews ten, verse thirty four and eleven, verse thirty six, and following. Now it was that the pillars of hell were shaken, and the kingdom of God spread. More and more sinners were everywhere turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. He gave his children such a mouth and such wisdom as all their adversaries could not resist. And their lives were of equal force with their words. But above all their suffering spake to all the world. They approved themselves the servants of God, in afflictions, in necessities and distresses, in stripes and imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in perils in the sea, imperils in the wilderness, in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness tewod Corinthians six, verse four and following. And when having fought the good fight, they were led as sheep to the slaughter and offered up on the sacrifice and service of their faith. Then the blood of each found a voice, and they heathen owned he, being dead, yet speaketh. Thus did Christianity spread itself in the earth. But how soon did the terrors appear with the wheat and the mystery of iniquity work as well as the mystery of godliness. How soon did Satan find deceit even in the temple of God, till the woman fled into the wilderness, and the faithful or again minished from the children of men. Here we tread a beaten path. The still unceasing corruptions of the succeeding generations have been largely described from time to time time by those witnesses. God raised up to show that he had built his church upon a rock, and the gates of hell should not wholly prevail against her Matthew sixteen, verse eighteen. But shall we not see greater things than these? Yea greater than have been yet from the beginning of the world. Can Satan cause the truth of God to fail or his promises to be of none effect? If not, the time will come when Christianity will prevail overall and cover the earth. Let us stand a little and survey the third thing which was proposed, this strange sight, a Christian world. Of this the prophets of old inquired and searched diligently one Peter one, verses ten and eleven. And following of this the spirit which was in them testified. It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exact alted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah two, verses one through four. In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people, to wit shall the gentiles seek, And his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again to recover the remnant of his people, and he shall set up an ensign for the nations. Shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth Isaiah eleven, verses ten through twelve. The wolf shall then dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf, and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. They shall not hurt nor destroy saith the Lord in all my holy mountain. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea Isaiah eleven, verses six through nine. To the same effect are the words of the Great Apostle, which it is evident, have never yet been fulfilled. Hath God cast away as people God forbid? But through their fall salvation is come to the gentiles. And if the diminishing of them be the riches of the gentiles, how much more their fullness. For I would not brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved. Romans eleven, verses one, eleven, twenty five, and twenty six. Suppose now the fullness of time to become, and the prophecies to be accomplished. What a prospect is this? All is peace, quietness, and assurance forever. Here is no din of arms, no confused noise, no garments rolled in blood. Destructions are come to a perpetual end. Wars are ceased from the earth. Neither are there any intestine jars remaining, No brother rising up against brother, no country or city divided against itself and tearing out its own bowels. Civil discord is at an end for evermore, and none is left either to destroy or hurt his neighbor. Here is no oppression to make even the wise man mad, no extortion to grind the face of the poor, no robbery or wrong, no rapine or injustice. For all are content with such things as they possess. Thus, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm eighty five, verse ten. They have taken root and filled the land, Righteousness flourishing out of the earth, and peace looking down from heaven. And with the righteousness of justice, mercy is also found. The earth is no longer full of cruel habitations. The Lord hath destroyed both the blood thirsty and malicious, the envious and revengeful man. Were there any provocation, there is none that now knoweth to return evil for evil. But indeed there is none that doeth evil, no not one, For all are harmless as doves, and being filled with peace and joy in believing, ununited in one body by one spirit. They all love is brethren. They are all of one heart and of one's soul. Neither saith any of them that aught, of the things which he possesseth is his own. There is none among them that lacketh. For every man loveth his neighbor as himself, and all walk by one rule. Whatever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them. It follows that no unkind word can ever be heard among them, no strife of tongues, no contention of any kind, no railing or evil speaking. But every one opens his mouth with wisdom, and in his tongue there is the law of kindness. Equally incapable are they of fraud or guile. Their love is without dissimulation. Their words are always the just expression of their thoughts, opening a window into their breast, that whosoever desires may look into their hearts and see that only love and God are there. Thus, where the Lord omnipotent taketh to himself his mighty power, and reigneth. Doth he subdue all things to himself, cause every heart to overflow with love, and fill every mouth with praise. Happy are the people that are in such a case. Yea blessed are the people who have the Lord for their god. Psalm one forty four, verse fifteen. A rise, shine, saith the Lord, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee. Thou hast known that I the Lord and thy Savior, in thy Redeemer, the Mighty God of Jacob, I have made thy officer's peace and thy exactor's righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in the land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders. But thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates praise. Thy people are all righteous. They shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. The sun shall be no more thy light by day, Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee. But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory Isaiah sixty verses one and sixteen through nineteen. Having thus briefly considered Christianity as beginning, as going on, and as covering the earth, it remains only that I should close the whole with a plain practical application. And first I would ask, where does as Christianity now exist, Where I pray, do the Christians live? Which is the country the inhabitants, whereof are all thus filled with the Holy Ghost, are all of one heart and of one soul. Cannot suffer one among them to lack anything, but continually give to every man as he hath need, who one and all have the love of God, filling their hearts, and constraining them to love thy neighbor as themselves, who have all put on bowels of mercy, humbleness of mind, gentleness, long suffering, who offend not in any kind, either by word or deed, against justice, mercy or truth, but in every point do unto all men as they would these should do unto them with What propriety can we term any a Christian country which does not answer this description? Why, then, let us confess we have never yet seen a Christian country upon earth. I beseech you, brother, by the mercies of God, if ye do account me a madman or a fool, yet as a fool, bear with me. It is utterly needful that some one should use great plainness of speech towards you. It is more especially needful at this time, for who knoweth, But it is the last who knoweth. How soon the righteous judge may say, I will no more be entreated for this people. Though Noah, Daniel and Job were in this land, they should but deliver their own souls. And who will use this plainness if I do not? Therefore I even I will speak, and I adjure you by the Living God that ye steal not your breasts against receiving a blessing at my hands. Do not say in your hearts non persuad debis etiamsi persuas suis. Your persuasions shall not prevail with us, even though they should really convince us. Or in other words, Lord, thou shalt not send by whom thou wilt send. Let me rather perish in my blood than be saved by this man. Brethren, I am persuaded better things of you, though I thus speak. Let me ask you, then, in tender love and in the spirit of meekness, is this city a Christian city is Christianity, scriptural Christianity. Found here are we considered as a community of men, so filled with the holy ghosts as to enjoy in our hearts and show forth in our lives the genuine fruits of that spirit. Are all the magistrates, all heads and governors of colleges and halls in their respective societies, not to speak of the inhabitants of the town. Of one heart and one soul is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts? Are our tempers the same that were in him? And are our lives agreeable? There too are we wholy as He who hath called us is holy. In all manner of conversation, I entreat you to observe that here are no peculiar notions. Now under consideration that the question moved is not concerning doubtful opinions of one kind or another, but concerning the undoubted fundamental branches, if there be any such of our common Christianity. And for the decision thereof, I appeal to your own conscience, guided by the word of God. He therefore, that is not condemned by his own heart, let him go free in the fear, then, and in the presence of the Great God, before whom both you and I shall shortly appear. I pray you that are in authority over us, whom I reverence for your office's sake to consider, and not after the manner of dissemblers with God? Are you filled with the Holy Ghost? Are you lively portraitures of Him whom ye are appointed to represent? Among men? I have said, ye are gods, ye magistrates and rulers. Ye are by office so nearly allied to the God of Heaven. In your several stations and degrees ye are to show forth unto us the Lord, our governor. Are all the thoughts of your hearts, all your tempers and desires suitable to your high calling? Are all your words like unto those which come out of the mouth of God? Is there in all your actions dignity and love a greatness which words cannot express, which can flow only from a heart full of God? And yet consistent with the character of man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a worm. Ye venerable men, who are more especially called to form the tender minds of youth to dispel, thence the shades of ignorance and error, and train them up to be wise into salvation. Are you filled with the Holy Ghost, with all those fruits of the spirit which your important office so indispensably requires. Is your heart whole with God, full of love and zeal to set up His kingdom on earth? Do you continually remind those under your care that the one rational end of all our studies is to know love and serve the only true God, in Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. Do you inculcate upon them day by day that love alone never faileth, whereas whether there be tongues they shall fail, or philosophical knowledge it shall vanish away. And that without love, all learning is but splendid ignorance, pompous folly, vexation of spirit. As all you teach an actual tendency to the love of God and of all mankind for His sake, have you an eye to this end in whatever you prescribe, touching the kind, the manner, and the measure of their study, desiring and laboring that wherever the lot of these young soldiers of Christ is cast, they may be so many burning and shining lights, adorning the Gospel of Christ in all things, and permit me to ask, do you put forth all your strength in the vast work you have undertaken? Do you labor herein with all your might, exerting every faculty of your soul, using every talent which God hath lent you, and that to the uttermost of your power. Let it not be said that I speak here as if all under your care were intended to be clergymen. Not so, I only speak as if they were all intended to be Christians. But what example is set them by us who enjoy the beneficence of our forefathers, by fellows, students, scholars, more especially those who are of some rank and eminence, Do ye, brethren, abound in the fruits of the spirit, in lowliness of mind, in self denial and mortification, in seriousness and composure of spirit, in patience, meekness, sobriety, temperance, and in unwearied restless endeavors to do good in every kind unto all men, to relieve their outward wants, and to bring their souls to the true knowledge and love of God. Is this the general character of fellows of colleges? I fear it is not. Rather, have not pride and haughtiness of spirit, impatience and peevishness, sloth and indolence, gluttony and sensuality, and even a proverbial uselessness been objected to us, perhaps not always by our enemies, nor holy without ground. Oh, that God would roll away this reproach from us, that the very memory of it might perish forever. Many of us are more immediately consecrated to God, called to minister in holy things? Are we then patterns to the rest, in word, in conversation, in charity, and spirit, in faith, in purity? One Timothy four, verse twelve. Is there written on our forehead, in our hearts holiness to the Lord? From What motives did we enter upon this office? Was it indeed with a single eye to serve God? Trusting that we were inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon us this ministration for the promoting of His glory and the edifying of His people. And have we clearly determined by God's grace to give ourselves holy to this office? Do we forsake and set aside, as much as in us lies all worldly cares and studies? Do we apply ourselves holy to this one thing? And draw all our cares and studies this way? Are we apt to teach? Are we taught of God? That we may be able to teach others? Also? Do we know God? Do we know Jesus Christ? Hath God revealed his son in us? And hath he made us able ministers of the New Covenant? Where then are the seals of our apostleship? Who that were dead and trust asses and sins have been quickened by our own word? Have we a burning zeal to save souls from death? So that for their sake we often forget even to eat our bread? Do we speak plain by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God? Second Corinthians four, verse two. Are we dead to the world and the things of the world? Laying up all our treasure in heaven? Do we lord over God's heritage? Or are we the least the servants of all? When we bear the reproach of Christ? Does it sit heavy upon us? Or do we rejoice therein? When we are smitten on the one cheek, do we resent it? Are we impatient of affronts? Or do we turn the other also? Not resisting the evil but overcoming evil with good? Have we a bitter zeal inciting us to strive sharply and passionately with them that are out of the way? Or is our zeal the flame of love, so as to direct all our words with sweetness, lowliness, and meekness of wisdom. Once more, what shall we say concerning the youth of this place? Have you either the form or the power of Christian godliness? Are you humble, teachable, advisable or stubborn? Self willed? Heady and high minded? Are you obedient to your superiors as to parents? Or do you despise those to whom you owe the tenderest reverence? Are you diligent in your easy business, pursuing your studies with all your strength? Do you redeem the time crowding as much work into every day as it can contain? Rather, are you not conscious to yourselves that you waste away day after day, either in reading what has no tendency to Christianity, or in gaming or in you know not what? Are you better managers of your fortune than of your time? Do you, out of principle, take care to owe no man anything? Do you remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, to spend it in the more immediate worship of God. When you are in His house? Do you consider that God is there? Do you behave as seeing Him that is invisible? Do you know how to possess your bodies in sanctification and honor? Are not drunkenness and uncleanness found among you? Yea? Are there not of you who glory in their shame? Do not many of you take the name of God in vain, perhaps habitually, without either remorse or fear? Yea, are there not a multitude of you that are forsworn? I fear a swiftly increasing multitude. Be not surprised, brethren, before God and this congregation. I own myself to have been of the number, solemnly swearing to observe all those customs which I then knew nothing of, and those statutes which I did not so much as read over, either then or for some years after. What is perjury if this is not? But if it be, oh, what a weight of sin? YEA sin of no common die lieth upon us, and doth not the most high regard it? May it not be one of the consequences of this that so many of you are a generation of triflers triflers with God, with one another, and with your own souls. For how few of you spend from one week to another a single hour in private prayer? How few have any thought of God in the general tenor of your conversation. Who of you is in any degree acquainted with the work of His Spirit, his supernatural work in the souls of men? Can you bear unless now and then in a church any talk of the Holy Ghost? Would you not take it for granted if one began such a conversation that it was either hypocrisy or enthusiasm. In the name of the Lord God Almighty, I ask what religion are you of? Even the talk of Christianity ye cannot will not bear. Oh, my brethren, what a Christian city this is. It is time for thee Lord to lay to thine hand, For indeed, what probability, what possibility? Rather speaking after the manner of men, is there that Christianity, scriptural Christianity should be again the religion of this place, that all orders of men among us should speak and live as men filled with the Holy Ghost? By whom should this Christianity be restored? By those of you that are in authority, Are you convinced then that this is scriptural Christianity. Are you desirous it should be restored? And do ye not count your fortune, liberty, life dear unto yourselves? So ye may be instrumental in the restoring of it. But suppose ye have this desire, who hath any power proportion to the effect. Perhaps some of you have made a few faint attempts, but with house small success. Shall Christianity then be restored by young, unknown, inconsiderable men. I know not whether ye yourselves could suffer it would not some of you cry out, young man, in so doing, thou reproachest us. But there is no danger of your being put to the proof. So hath iniquity overspread us like a flood? Whom then shall God send the famine, the pestilence, the last messengers of God to a guilty land, or the sword the armies of the Romish aliens to reform us into our first love. Nay, rather, let us fall into Thy hand, o Lord, And let us not fall into the hand of man. Lord save or we perish, take us out of the mire that we sink. Not, Oh, help us against these enemies, for vain is the help of man unto THEE, all things are possible according to the greatness of thy power. Press Deserve thou those that are appointed to die, and preserve us in the manner that seemeth to THEE good. Not as we will, but as thou wilt. End of Section four.