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 f 'f I ALUMNI LIBRARY, i 
 
 i THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ^ 
 
 ^ PRINieETON, X. J. 
 
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 SERMONS 
 
 PREACHED 
 
 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, 
 
 REV. WILLIAM GOODE, A.M. 
 
 RECTOR OF ST. ANDREW, WARDROBE, AND ST. ANN, BLACKFRIAESJ 
 LECTURER. OF ST. JOHN OF WAPPING, &C. 
 
 HottTJOn : 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 
 
 AND SOLD By L. B. SEELEY, NO. \QQ, FLEET STREET. 
 
GOOD E'S 
 FUNERAL SERMON 
 
 ON THE DEATH OP 
 
 The Rev. TV. RO MAINE, A. M. 
 
 [Price One Shilling.] 
 
 (tmeret! at ^tationer^' ^M. 
 
This Sermon Is puhli/hed at the particular requefl of the 
 family and friends of the deceafed. 
 

 PilllTeSTOIT 
 
 \ 
 
 
 SERMON, 8cc. 
 
 Heb. XI. 13. 
 
 THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH. 
 
 1 HAVE lately been called, my dear friends, to fome 
 of the mofl affliding and painful fervices that ever I 
 was engaged in j of which the prefent is by no means 
 the leaft. 
 
 To pay a lafl tribute of refpedl to a dear, departed, 
 venerable, fervant of God, to condole with you who 
 loved him, and hung upon his words with rapture 
 and delight, is indeed diftreffing to my feelings ; but 
 fuch a tribute I could by no means refufe to pay. 
 
 From my earlieft infancy I have entertained a 
 rifing veneration for the character we now lament, a 
 veneration which has ripened into reipecfl and afFec- 
 
 B tion 
 
( o 
 
 tlon by a clofe connexion of near ten years^ with 
 the mod uninterrupted cordiality and good under- 
 ftanding. And, though the necefTary diftance be- 
 tween youth and age, fuch great acquirements in 
 knowledge and in grace and fiich inferior attain- 
 ments in both, mull: have had an influence , yet as I 
 revered and loved him as a father, and ferved him as 
 a friend, 1 have lamented his lofs with the mod pain- 
 ful fenfibility as to myfelf, while 1 fympathize with 
 the general forrow that has imprefied thofe who lov- 
 ed his perfon, and the caufe in which he was fo fer- 
 vently engaged. 
 
 He is now no more below! we cannot but weep, 
 it is the language of nature, which grace does not 
 command us to rejedl but to regulate ; a language 
 fandioned by the example of the Redeemer, who 
 wept at the tomb of his friend. 
 
 A variety of motives led me to folicit the leave of 
 this church, with which I have been kindly indulged ; 
 efpecially as our dear minifter for above forty-fix 
 years fuftained in it the office of Ledurer, — The 
 fubjedt I have chofen, you well know, was the pecu- 
 liar and delightful theme of his converfation, his 
 preaching, and his writings 5 exemplified in the whole 
 of his life -, and, we can truly fay, he died in the faith 
 
 of 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 of Jefus, and is now enjoying the end of his faith, 
 even the falvation of his foul. While we thus fee it 
 exemplified, we know that he would, and we know 
 that we muft, afcribe all the glory to the power and 
 riches of divine grace. And may God make the 
 prefent confideration efFedual to kindle in our breads 
 a defire after the " faith of God's eledl i'* that we 
 all may be followers of them who through faith and 
 patience now inherit the promifes. 
 
 In this chapter the apoflle is fetting before us 
 the wonders that faith hath wrought; and, having 
 illuflrated it by the example of the antient patriarchs, 
 in the works they performed through the faith of 
 God, he follows them to their dying beds, and fees 
 them exercifing the fame faith there. Retiring from 
 the bufy fcenes in which they had been engaged 
 with quietnefs and fatisfadtion, they rejoiced in the 
 aflured perfuafion of the fulfilment of the promifes 
 to themfelves and their pofterity, and flood with joy- 
 ful expectation of glory upon the borders of the eter- 
 nal world. They lived in faith, and fo rofe above 
 the difficulties and diftrefles of their pilgrimage; they 
 now died in faith, rejoicing amidft their pains and 
 languifhings in the profped that was beyond. Oh 
 precious faith ! that produces fuch admirable efi^edls 
 
 B 2 in 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 in fuch a world as this j ftill it is the fame, flill has the 
 fame objedls, the fame fecurity, the fame profpe6ls, 
 and brings the lame confolations and fupports. Our 
 dear departed father in Chrift found the rich expe- 
 rience of this, and affords another flriking inftance> 
 to the many gone before, of the glory and fuitable- 
 nefs of the gofpel of Chrift, the fulnefs of the promife, 
 the all-fufficiency of the grace, the faithfulnefs of 
 God, and the confolatory application of the Lord the 
 Spirit. 
 
 But, as I fear I muft detain your attention rather 
 longer than ufual, we will immediately enter upon 
 the fubje(5l before us. And here v/e fliall, firft^ fpeak 
 a little of faith in general : then confider the peculiar 
 advantages of faith in the hour of death : illuftratc 
 the whole in the life and death of our departed mi- 
 nifter: and conclude with an addrefs to different 
 charadlers. — May the Spirit of Jefus, the author and 
 iinilher of the faith, feal the word with his divine in- 
 fluence, and make us all partakers of like precious 
 faith with him. — We are 
 
 First, To fpeak of faith in general. 
 
 This is one of thofe graces of which we find 
 the moft glorious and furprizing things faid in the 
 word of Godi and thofe that underftand its nature 
 
 and 
 
' ( 5 ) 
 
 and effedls can eafily perceive the reafons. It is the 
 channel of all fpiritual communication, it unites to 
 Jefus as the principle of the fpiritual life, all the afl- 
 ings of which are carried on, and the enjoyments 
 confummated, by the faith of the Son of God. 
 
 Faith fimply confidered is a giving credit to the 
 TRUTH OF God, and its obje6ls are whatever God hath 
 revealed. There are two things which it refpedls in 
 thefe; firft, the TRUTH itself upon the declaration of 
 God, and then, the importance and excellency of 
 that truth. The latter of thefe is equally a part of di- 
 vine revelation as the former. And the diftinftion of a 
 dead from a living faith, we apprehend, is this, that 
 it is a perfuafion of the trutb without a correfpond- 
 ent difcovery of its Juitahlenejs and glory. — A man 
 may reafon himfelf into a belief of the general fyftem 
 of the gofpel, while he feels but little of its efFedls 
 upon his heart s its external evidences, of miracles 
 and prophecies, are fo decifive as to demand affcnt 
 to its declarations ; but, while the heart of man is 
 averfe to fpiritual enjoyments, there can be no dif- 
 covery of its excellency, no relifti of its bleffings. 
 For this there muft be a " new heart and a right 
 fpirit created within us," Hence, fays the apoftle, 
 <^ The natural man receiveth not the things of the 
 
 B 3 Spirit 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 Spirit of God, for they ate foolifhnefs unto him ; 
 neither can he know them becaufe they are fpiritually 
 dlfcerned.** i Cor. il. 14. Faith is in this view alto- 
 gether " the gift of God s" the effecl of regenerat- 
 ing grace; the eye of the underflanding that be- 
 holds the glories of divine truth, and brings its con- 
 foiation and its energy into the heart. Oh what 
 views now open to the humbled and enlightened 
 mind, the contrite but believing heart, according to 
 the power of Faith ! views with which he was before 
 unacquainted s views which enliven the hopes, and 
 fandify the foul. 
 
 The whole word of God, as fuch, is the objed of 
 faith. But it cannot be fuppofed that all its doc- 
 trines are of equal importance. For, though all 
 have their influence in the Chriftian life and warfare, 
 and the more clearly and extenfivcly perceived, by 
 the ftrongeft faith, the more blefled the effeds, yet 
 there muft be an acknowledged diftindlion. Some 
 of them ^re abfolutely necefiary, others ufeful to the 
 believer, others for his more abounding confolation 
 and diredion. And as our faith apprehends variouOy, 
 and in different degrees, fo there is a great variety, 
 in Chriftian experience. 
 
 But faving faith muft undoubtedly embrace all 
 
 thofc 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 thofe truths that are revealed as neceflary for falva- 
 tion. Happy is it that thefe are but few. The ftate 
 of man as fallen, the way of reconciliation through 
 the atoning blood of an Almighty Saviour, and the 
 necefllty of its application by the Spirit of Jefus, in- 
 clude all that a finner needs to know for time or foj: 
 eternity. To know my felf as a (inner, to know Chrift 
 as the all-gracious and almighty Redeemer^ to have 
 the enjoyment of this by the Spirit's teaching in my 
 heart, this is the knowledge that faith communicates, 
 that fandtifies and that fayes the foul. A confefTion 
 of fin is indeed very common ; but that view of it 
 which humbles the finner, and lays him low at the foot- 
 flool of divine mercy, is no otherwife efFecfled than 
 by a believing application of the truth by the Spirit. 
 Then fin appears in all its guilt and defilement, its 
 demerit and condemnation, viewed in the light of 
 God's eternal law : and the finner cries, not with a 
 formal exclamation^ but from the bottom of his 
 heart, God be merciful to me a finner. Mercy is 
 his plea, mercy is his hope, fovereign mercy the only 
 remedy for human mifery. Oh bleffed Gofpel ! that 
 here opens the animating profpedl to the fainting fpint. 
 Blefled Jefus! who (lands fo prominently forth on 
 
 B 4 every 
 
( 8 ) 
 every facred page as the all-fufficlent Saviour of re- 
 turning fmners.— Here he flies and is at reft. 
 
 The divine perfon, the almighty power, the infi- 
 nite glory, the deep humiliation, the bleeding crofs, 
 the atoning blood, the perfe6t and everlafting righ- 
 teoufnefs, the glorious interceflion, of Jefus, the Lord 
 our Redeemer, are difcovered in the truth of God as 
 the firm fupport and unchanging fecurity of thofe thatf 
 truft therein. — Faith believes the record, acknow- 
 ledges the fuitablenefs, flies to the refuge, relies upon 
 the all-fufHciency, experiences theblefling; and adores 
 the fovereign grace of the Father that devifed, the 
 infinite love of the Son that executed, the almighty 
 power of the Spirit that enlightens and applies. — The 
 confcience at peace, the heart at reft, realize all the 
 glorious promifes of the Gofpel, while every power 
 is fweetly drawn with the cords of love, and confe- 
 crated to the fervice of a reconciled God in Chrift. — 
 The Spirit of Jefus, enlightening the mind, " fhines 
 alfo into the heart, to give the light of the knowledge 
 of the glory of God, in the face of Jefus Chrifti'' and, 
 implanting that faith which beholds hhuy nourifties it 
 from day to day by the means of his own appoint- 
 ment 5 and thus, in its daily exercife, glory is given 
 to the Redeemer, and bleflings received into the 
 
 foul. 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 foul, in proportion to the power of faith. Weak 
 faith brings weak confolation, llrong faith brings 
 ftrong confolation and effefts into the heart and life. 
 But that faith which leads to Jefus, and unites to 
 him, fecures the fame privileges, though not the 
 fame prefent enjoyments, to every true believer. 
 A God in Chrifl is a God of promiife, a God keeping 
 promife, and all the promifes of the Gofpel belong 
 to fuch. BlefTings, unnumbered bleffings, are dif- 
 covered in that rich ftorehoufe of all bleffings. 
 Through the. hope of thefe they overcome the world; 
 like Mofes " count the reproach of Chriil greater riches 
 than all the treafures of Egypt j" or, with the great 
 apoftle, " count all things but lofs for the excellency 
 of the knowledge of Chrifl: Jefus our Lord." 
 
 The men of this world fee through a falfe me- 
 dium even things that are prefent and vifible. Faith 
 difcovers all under the regulation of a God and Father 
 in Chrifl: Jefus, all diredted by his wifdom for the 
 advantage of his people : providences ordered, af- 
 flidions fanclified, croffes turned into bleffings, trials 
 into mercies, temptations driving nearer to Jefus, 
 and " all things working together for good to them 
 that love God, to them who are the called according 
 to his purpofe," 
 
 But 
 
( 10 y 
 
 But beyond faith renders invifiblc things vifiblc, 
 penetrates the vail, difcovers the King in his beauty, 
 realizes what we hope for as actually exiting, and 
 *' beholding the glory of the Lord changes into the 
 fame image from glory to glory, even by the Spirit 
 of the Lord.'* Thus all the promifes of the Gofpel 
 are received and trufted to, in Chrift, to his glory, 
 to our comfort, fan6lification, and falvation. 
 
 Every a6l of faith implies a humble dependence 
 upon God, a fenfe of our deficiency and emptinefs, 
 a looking to Gnd to fulfil his declaration, and a pa- 
 tient expedation of it from the hand of the Re- 
 deemer. Nor is the exercife of Faith without its 
 fupply 'y it does receive grace for grace, grace for 
 the time of need, and fuch a fupply of confolation 
 as the Lord, in his infinite wifdom, fees bell. Ifj 
 therefore, we could but truft the faithful promife of 
 God, (the ground and encouragement of Faith) 
 there is not a want but it difcovers a full fupply in 
 the exalted Redeemer, nor a fituation but there is 
 grace not only for patience, but for thankfulnefs and 
 joy. As the apoftle beautifully exprefles it, " My 
 God fhall fupply all your need, according to his 
 riches, in glory, by Chrift Jefus." Faith without 
 a promife is prefumption ; but, where I have the 
 
 promife 
 
( II ) 
 
 promife of God, my faith may go to the whole ex- 
 tent of that promife, without danger of being mif- 
 taken or deceived. I may rejoice in the certain ex- 
 pedation of its accomplilhment j and, though clouds 
 and darknefs furround his ways of providence or 
 grace, I truft a faithful God, affured that light {hall 
 fpring out of darknefs, and the prayers of Faith be 
 turned into the fongs of Praife. 
 
 Thefe are the peculiar views which you have fo 
 long heard — heard in fuch a fuperior manner — heard 
 with fuch energy and undion, fuch dignity of eleva- 
 tion, fuch earneftnefs of perfuafion, fuch fweetnefs of 
 love. Our dear, departed, venerable, Minifter had 
 experienced the riches of the grace himfelf^ and 
 therefore could commend it to others. And he fpakc 
 like one who felt what he delivered. He could fay, 
 and often did, with the apoflle, " that which we have 
 heard, which we have feen with our eyes, declare 
 we unto you." He knew much of the flate of hu- 
 man nature, and the evil of fin as in the heart, and 
 he learnt it, as he himfelf tells us *, " moft by his 
 own experience, and by many fore and daily conflidls 
 in his own foul." This had fo endeared to him the 
 
 * Funeral Sermon for Mr. Jones. 
 
 precious 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 precious Saviour offinnersj that, neareft to the fpu'it 
 of the great apoflle of the Gentiles, the very name of 
 Jefus feemed to kindle at once the ardour of divine 
 love : his foul was raptured at the found i every 
 thing elfe yielded to the irrefiftibie energy ; his tongue 
 dwelt upon the pleafing theme, often repeating, as 
 we have heard him from this place efpecially, 
 
 " Thou dear Redeemer, dying Lamb, 
 " We love to hear of thee. 
 
 Thefe delightful truths flowed delightfully from his 
 lips 5 " his dodlrine diftilled as the dew^" while this 
 place has refounded v/ith the eflential glories, the 
 deep humiliation, the all-fufHcient grace, the un- 
 changing love, of a dying Jefus -, themes ever dear- 
 eft to his heart, and therefore ever on his tongue. — 
 He had the moft exalted views of the Saviour of 
 guilty men, and therefore he " preached Chrift," — his 
 fole fubjed, — his all in all; knowing at the fame 
 time he could " warn every man" of his fin and dan- 
 ger, could " teach every man" in the way of peace, 
 truth, and righteoufnefs, without deviating from this 
 one fubje6l, which he did with that peculiar wifdom 
 with which God had favoured him. 
 
 But we mud hear his voice no more ! Oh that 
 4 the 
 
( 13 ) 
 the remembrance of it might found in our ears till 
 we enjoy the blelfings It expatiated on j till like him 
 we die in this faith of Jefus, and enter upon the 
 fulnefs of its glories, beyond even his burning heart 
 and fhining talents to exprefs. But to return. 
 
 Having fpoken of faith In general, as it comes 
 from God, realizes the truth of God, fan6lifies the 
 heart, brings its bleffings into enjoyment, and re- 
 turns to him the glory, we mud now confider, 
 
 Secondly, The peculiar advantages of Faith In 
 death. — "Thefe all died in Faith." Or, as our dear 
 departed friend would have rendered it, in the Faith, 
 the faith of Jefus. They had the fame grand objed 
 of faith as we, we have the fame objed of faith as 
 they, Jefus Chrift, in life and death the friend and 
 Saviour of his people. Thefe antlent believers died 
 (as he exprefTes it) In the aB of faith, ading faith on 
 Jefus and his faithful promifes : or, as the apoftle, 
 in the following part of this verfe, " not having re- 
 ceived the promifes, but having feen them afar off, 
 and were perfuaded of them, and embraced them ;" 
 perfuaded of their truth, embracing them as excel- 
 lent, as the objefls of their earnefh defire and love. 
 
 As Faith is the great mean of triumphing over 
 the world, of pafTing comfortably through life, fo is 
 
 \t 
 
( t4 ) 
 
 It the only fource of confolation in the awful hour of 
 death. 
 
 Eternity is a very ferious fubjedl, and, when ftand- 
 ing on the borders of it, it appears a ferious thing 
 to launch forth, a ferious thing to know what is my 
 ground of hope of an happy eternity. But faith fe- 
 cures upon the rock of ages ; gives a calmnefs and 
 quietnefs to the foul ; and, when in lively exercife, an 
 unfhaken confidence; opens the profpe6b beyond; 
 and perfumes a dying bed, and the mouldering dud, 
 with odours of the heavenly world. Thus it was 
 with our dying friend, who confirms our faith by his 
 dying teftimony ; thus it fhall be with that fleeping 
 dud we lately committed to the filent tomb, in furc 
 and certain expedtation of a refurre6i:ion to eternal 
 glory. 
 
 A dying believer, under the power of faith irj 
 death, 
 
 I. Refls in a firm reliance upon the promife and 
 truth of God. 
 
 Faith is not always in the fame lively exercife in 
 life ; nor is it always at its higheft in death. But, 
 when it leads the humble and fupplicating finner to 
 the Saviour of fmners, as the only hope of Ifrael, it 
 brings falvation if not the immediate comfort of it. 
 
 It 
 
C 15 ) 
 
 It may alfo be Co in death. It may be weak in its 
 
 cxercife, attended with fears and doubts, and yet be 
 
 the faith of God's ele(5l> the faith that bringeth falva- 
 
 tion in the end. This was the fendment of our late 
 
 beloved paftor when he preached his funeral fermon 
 
 for Mr. Jones. Where he obferves, " For wife 
 
 reafons God may not then fill his people with great 
 
 comforts, but cannot you trufl your comforts with 
 
 God, the God of all comfort ? will you not have 
 
 time enough to be comforted when you get to hea^ 
 
 ven ?" But flill, we may obferve, this is not God's 
 
 ufual method of dealing with his people. He has 
 
 promifed " when they pafs through the waters he 
 
 will be with them, and through the rivers they fhall 
 
 not overflow them, &c." His rod and his ftafFare 
 
 therefore their ftay and their fupport. There is a 
 
 faith that refts the foul on Chrift, that brings a quiet- 
 
 nefs and ferenity beyond all the glittering joys of 
 
 earth, though in the pains of death. The believer 
 
 tries his foundadon, and he finds it fecure. And the 
 
 more tried, the more precious is this corner flone 
 
 of his dependence. In the confidence of faith " he 
 
 will trufl in the Lord and flay upon his God.'' Je- 
 
 fus is all powerful and gracious, the promife is true, 
 
 his God is unchanging, and there he anchors through 
 
 the 
 
C 16 ) 
 
 the ftorm. Hence there is a pleafing tranquillity of 
 hope that holds him free from alarms, or perhaps he 
 is able to fay fdli farther, with the apoftle, " I know 
 whom I have believed, and I am perfuaded that he 
 is able to keep that which I have committed to him 
 againft that day." This, we know, is a hope that 
 maketh not afhamed ; for it brings peace into the 
 confcience, and love into the heart, and gives all the 
 glory to a covenant God in Chrift by trufting his 
 truth. But this is not all. Faith in more lively ex- 
 crcife brings not only a quiet hope, but 
 
 II. Divine fupports and confolations. 
 
 '^ As afflidlions abound confolations by Chrifl 
 abound alfo." While the believer views all things 
 as in the hand of his covenant God, all things under 
 the diredion of his covenant head in glory, he is af- 
 fured that all is well. The time, the meafure, the 
 ifTue, of his afHiclions, he knows, are " in that cove- 
 nant which is well ordered in all things and fure." 
 He is confident, therefore, they will be conducted for 
 the hjl. If he hath lived long in the Chriftian war- 
 fare, "the trial of his faith worketh patience, and pa- 
 tience experience, and experience hope j" and he refls 
 upon the promife, expedling prefent help and prefent 
 fupports, whatever his necefTities may be. Nor is 
 
 his 
 
( t7 ) 
 
 his faith vain; " His flrength is equal to his day^" 
 ^^ 1 he eternal God is his refuge, and underneath are 
 the everlafting arms." He has fecured his pardon 
 by an application to the blood of Chrift ; he hopes 
 to (land juflified before God in the rightcoufnefs of 
 his redeemer j he has known the power and virtue 
 of the Spirit when he was convinced of fin, enabled 
 to believe on Jefus, turned from the love of fin, and 
 taught to delight in God and his ways. And now 
 the fame faith fupports his hope, for, if when he was 
 an enemy he was reconciled to God by the death of 
 his Son, he trufts that, being reconciled, he Ihall be 
 faved by his life. Rom. v. lo. He cannot look 
 back on his good works as the ground of his encou- 
 ragement. If he has done any, it was the grace of 
 God that made him what he wasj the fin that was 
 his own debafed them all ; and, though as the work 
 of the Spirit of God he acknov* ledges the grace with 
 thankfulnefs, the one foundation of a finner's hope is 
 Hill his rock and refuge, and there only he finds it 
 fafe to trufi:. The full fufficiency of the Redeemer 
 is his fupport and confidence -, faith has embraced 
 and lived upon it through life, faith ftill adheres 
 clofely to it in death, and, if now in lively exercile, 
 happy is the dying bed of faith. A prefent fenfe of 
 
 C pardoa 
 
( i8 ) 
 
 pardon and favour, dire6lion and fupport, brings a 
 joy unfpeakable and full of glory, and renders the 
 dying moments of the believer the fweeteft moments 
 of earthly exiflence. — When, feparated from the 
 world and all its concerns, faith carries on the inter- 
 courfe with the world unfeen, happy is that converfc 
 which the foul enjoys with God. Many have borne 
 their teftimony to its delights, and now we add another 
 to their number. Satisfied with, and retired from, 
 the world, it is fuiHcient that God is there. His pre* 
 fence can folace pain, can fweeten afflidion, can turn 
 trouble into joy, and elevate the dying believer in the 
 ecfliafies of faith. 
 
 " Thefe all died in faith.'* When we read the 
 account of this circumftance in the Old Teftament, 
 each is nearly in the fame words. — '' He gave up 
 the ghoft, and died in a good old age, an old man, 
 and full of years, and was gathered to his people." 
 Gen. XXV. 8. I cannot but think our venerable fa- 
 ther in Chrifl was defcribing his own experience, 
 when treating on this pafiage, in his Triumph of 
 Faith, in the chapter on old age^ every part of 
 which is applicable to himfelf. Let us prefent you 
 with an abftrad. " His old age was good, in body and 
 foul. Whatever infirmides he had they were in- 
 tended 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 tended for good, and acftually did him good. He 
 was a very cheerful pleafant old man. The peace 
 of his mind had a fweet influence on his temper and 
 behaviour. It kept him from being fretful and pee- 
 vifh in his family, &c. He was alfo happy in his 
 laft years : for he fpent them in faith, and, when they 
 came to an end, he died in peaces w4th his laft 
 breath he committed his fpirit into the hands of him 
 who had redeemed it. ^^ Full of years." It is in 
 the original one word — he was fatisfied — He was fa- 
 tisfied with what he enjoyed of the favour and friend- 
 fhip of his God, who had been his fhield to defend 
 him from all fins and enemies, and alfo had promif- 
 cd to be his exceeding great reward. This he ob- 
 tained, when he was gathered to his people, to the 
 general aflembly and church of the firft bom, and to 
 the moft blifsful communion of the three in Jehovah. 
 All the children of Abraham, treading in the fteps 
 of his faith, have the fame God to deal with, who 
 keepeth promife for ever." 
 
 Thefe are the joys of faith. But another afl, 
 and it is the laft a6b of faith before it is changed into 
 fruition, is, 
 
 III. It enjoys the profpe£l of everlafting glory. 
 
 The apartments of death are no other than the 
 C 2 temple 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 temple of the Lord, and death itfelf the very gate of 
 heaven. The happy believer, dying in the faith, 
 and ripe for glory, with the triumphant views of faith 
 before him, with lively but patient expeflation av/aits 
 tlie fummons to enter into the joy of his Lord. Thus 
 there is " an abundant entrance miniftered into his 
 kingdom and glory." 
 
 The allufion is mod beautiful : it is that of a fhip, 
 with all its fails expanded, entering with a fair breeze 
 into the port for which it is deftined ; that its owners, 
 the ftorms and labours of the voyage being over, 
 may enjoy in quietnefs and fecurity the benefit of 
 their former toils. There is not a pafienger that 
 wilhes to return upon the ftormy ocean, but each 
 welcomes with Ihouts the approaching land. Such 
 is the view by which faith apprehends the land of 
 promife. No more toils — no more weaknefs — no 
 more afflidlions of body — wearinefs of mind — doubts 
 of unbelief — or horrors of temptation : thefeihallfoon 
 be laid down, buried in the depths of the feas, loft 
 in the waves of death, to be feen no more. The 
 dying believer goes down to the grave, having hold 
 of the hand of his redeemer. There he lay ; and as 
 he arofe fo all his followers mud. He falls afleep in 
 Jefus, as quietly as the weary traveller lies down to 
 ., 6 red. 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 red, waiting the morning of the refurreflion. His 
 fleeping dud Ihall fleep in peace, the care of a 
 covenant God, who was Abraham's God long after 
 he lay in duft. But that moment the imprifoned 
 (pirit breaks from its confinement, and enters the 
 city of God^. *^ abfent from the body, prefent with 
 the Lord." And foon fhali he change this vile bo- 
 dy, that it may be fafliioned like unto his glorious 
 body, according to the mighty working whereby 
 he is able to fubdue all things to himfelf. There is 
 not a more glorious fight on earth than this. " Pre- 
 cious in the fight of the Lord is the death of his 
 faints i'* precious their dying faith, precious their im*- 
 mortal fpirits, precious their fleeping dud. But be- 
 yond " Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither 
 have entered into the heart of man, the things which 
 God hath prepared for them that love him.^' 
 
 To die with faith in exercife is to realize the 
 profpedt, to anticipate the joy, to pofTefs the earnefls 
 of immortality. There every faculty fhall be ex- 
 alted and enlarged, every holy difpofition com- 
 pleted, and all employed in the eternal contempla- 
 tion of the divine wifdom and glory, in his attributes, 
 works, and ways, and in the eternal enjoyment of his 
 prefence and unchanging love. Here is the end of 
 
 C J fai:h. 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 falthj when all its trials and its confli-ls are over. 
 Andj hov,ever feeble its prefent efforts, ic lliali foon 
 be conqueror, and introduce to "a far more ex- 
 ceeding AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY.'* 
 
 I have been led to thefe views from the well 
 known charader of the dear, departed, fervant of 
 God we now lament: and from the peculiar circum- 
 ftances, and progrefiive dealings of God towards him, 
 in his lafl afflidlion. Each of our obfervations will be 
 illuil rated and confirmed by his living character, and 
 dying confolations. He was on earth a difplay of the 
 power of grace; and is now, no doubt, in the im- 
 mediate prefence of him, whom with a peculiar ar- 
 dour, and jealoufy of ipirit, he loved and ferved 
 below. 
 
 To fpcak of his charafler is not an eafy thing, 
 efpecially to me : but I Ihall fpcak the fentiments of 
 my heart, and kave it with God. Not that I am 
 afraid of exaggeration, while, as I know he would, 
 I afcribe the glory to the grace of God. He was a 
 character that God had formed for his own glory; and 
 with regard to his failings, for no doubt he had fuch, 
 it is a fufficient apology to fay of them al], that, 
 though he w^as a great man — a wife man — a good 
 man — and a man of God — he was a man. 
 
 Perhaps 
 
, ( ij ) 
 
 Perhaps fome of you may think I detain your at- 
 tention too long, while others, I know, who loved 
 and valued him, will not think any thing beneath 
 their attention that refpeded him, nor any time too 
 long to recollect the benefits which they have re- 
 ceived by his mlniftry, I fhall, therefore, enter more 
 minutely into circumftances, not to extol the man, 
 though now beyond the reach of injury, but to il- 
 iuftrate the grace and power of God, which made 
 him what he was; to derive additional arguments for 
 your faith, additional motives to your love of that 
 divine Redeemer, whom he fo ardently loved j and 
 to perfuade others to love and ferve fo good a mafter, 
 who " giveth not as the world giveth," but is faithful 
 in life, faithful in death, and crowns all with his eter- 
 nal pre fence and glory. 
 
 The Reverend William Romaine was born Sep- 
 tember, 1714, at Hardepool, a fmall town in the 
 county of Durham, that will from hence be more 
 remarkable as the birth place of fucn a chararler than 
 any circumflance befides. — He was educated firft at 
 Hertford College, and afterwards at Chrift Church 
 College, Oxford j where his early genius and his 
 attention to literature eminendydifcovered themfelves. 
 
 C 4 Of 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 Of this I have been favoured with a remarkable 
 anecdote. 
 
 Drefs was never his foible, his mind was fuperior 
 to fu h borrowed ornaments ; and, immcrfed in nobler 
 purfuits of literarure, before confecrated to a dill 
 more exalted purpofe, he paid but litde attention to 
 outward decoranons. — Being obferved co pafs by ra- 
 ther negligently attired, a gentleman who was a vi- 
 fitor inquired of his friend, a mafter of one of the 
 colleges, *^ who is that flovenly perfon with his 
 ftockings down ?*' The mafter replied, " that flovenly 
 perfon as you call him is one of die grtateft genuifes 
 of the age. and is likely to be one of the greateft 
 men in this kingdom**" 
 
 At this time he became acquainted with fome, who 
 were afterwards the brighteft ornaments, and digni- 
 taries, of our Church ; who, though they could not 
 follow him in his increafing religious views, and 
 therefore in a courfe of time continued but little in- 
 timacy, always acknowledged him with refpedl, and, 
 we truflr, have now welcomed him to immortality. 
 We hiive a teftimony as to his eloquence from one 
 
 * This was told by the late Julius Bate|, author of the 
 Hebrew Lexicon, to a friend now living. 
 
 of 
 
( 25 ) 
 
 of thefe, whofe natural and acquired talents made 
 him no inferior judge of fuch attainments: in which 
 he compares his afte .t' ing and engaging elocution to 
 the flowing flyle of Cicero -, 
 
 " Nor Tally's eloquence forfake Roroalne.''' 
 
 But all thefe abilities were, by grace, laid at the foot 
 of the crof>, and made to bow, however humiliating, 
 to whatever might promote the glory of his mafter, 
 and the good of men. Soon after he opened his 
 mouth to preach, the Lord enlightened his mind with 
 clearer views of his truth, and warmed his heart with 
 the love of Chrifl and the love of fouls. 
 
 He came to London, expeding here to find en- 
 gagements; but, waiting for fome time without fuc- 
 cefs, he had nearly left the p^ace ; and this city had 
 mod probably been deprived of his fo vakiable and 
 fucccfsful labours, but for a mod remarkable inter- 
 pofition of providence ; which, as I have heard him 
 relate it with pleafure to myfelf, and it ihews what 
 great events hinge upon the moil trivial, and to us 
 accidental, circumftancei, I will relate, not doubdng 
 but it will afford you equal pleafure in the hearing. — 
 He had actually fent his trunk on board a velTel, and 
 was himfelf walking down to the water fide to fecurc 
 
 his 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 his paiTage, when he accidentally, or rather provi- 
 dentially, met a gentleman, a total ftranger to him, 
 v/ho inquired if his name was not Romaine, as, be- 
 ing acquainted with his father many years ago, he 
 obferved fuch a likenefs as induced him to take the 
 liberty of inquiring: he replied, it was. He then 
 informed him that the Lecturefliip of that Parifh was 
 vacant *, and afked if he would accept it : he pro- 
 mifed to do fo if obtained without his canvafllng 
 (which he never would undertake) ; v/hen, being fuc- 
 cefbful, Ik altered his determination, and, from that 
 time, has continued his labours to the good of m.ul- 
 titudcs in body and foul in this city, 
 
 A little after he obtained the morning preaching 
 of St. George^s, Hanover Square. But, alas, the 
 dignities and riches of this world are not the bed 
 preparations for the reception of the Gofpel ! He 
 was driven from thence under the glorious imputa- 
 tion of crowding the Church with thofe who thirfted 
 for the falvation of the Lord. And it was well ob- 
 ferved by a nobleman to one who made that com- 
 plaint, that '' he wondered fuch complaints fhould 
 be made with refpedt to the Houfe of God, by thofe 
 
 •* St. George's, Botolph Lane. 
 
 who 
 
( 27 ) 
 who conld bear to be much more incommoded at 
 the playhoiife without complaint." An obfcrvation 
 equally applicable in the prefent day as fifty years 
 
 ago. 
 
 In the year 1749 he was chofen Leflurer of this 
 Church ; as he preached in this place forty-fix courfes 
 of Le ures. The oppofition which he here firft 
 endured, and the boldneis, firmnefs, and integrity, 
 with which he fuflained it, feme of you well remem- 
 ber : till by the voluntary interpofition of the lare 
 Biihop of London he was relievedi who had an early 
 intimacy with, and always continued to exprefs a high 
 relpedt for, Mr. Romaine. But upon this we will 
 not enlarge- Our venerable Minifter hath lived 
 long enough to live down oppofition ; and perfecu- 
 tion is not the charadler of the prefent day : though 
 we know that, even now, the diftortions of envy, 
 the bigotry of names, and the mifreprefentations of 
 ign'^rance, can overfpread the excellency of a cha- 
 rader that would otherwife be highly efteemed. In 
 this place he v/ent through the whole Bible by way 
 of expofition once^ and many parts twice-, and here 
 he clofed his labours in the fervice of his Lord and 
 Mader. 
 
 An equal interpofition of Providence introduced 
 
 him 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 him to his Living of Blackfriars : but the circum- 
 ftances 1 am not thoroughly acquainted with. 
 
 The leadings of providence muft in all thefe 
 appear flill more remarkable, when it is remembered 
 that he would never folicit a vote on any occafion s 
 perfuaded that it argued a want of faith and confidence 
 in God, whofe work he was engaged in, and who 
 would, no doubt, provide a place for his glory. He 
 confidered it indeed beneath the clerical character j 
 but, as he was never backward to acknowledge the 
 obligation when received, it was evidendy not pride 
 but principle. 
 
 To the lad of thefe he was chofen about Auguft 
 1764, but did not commence till March a, 1765. 
 "With what fear and trembling, with what fenfe of his 
 own infufficiency, with what dependence on the Lord, 
 he entered upon that cure, is evident from a mofl 
 interefting letter, written at the time upon that fub*. 
 
 ^ He 
 
 • The Letter begins thus. *' I have ever had fuch awful appre- 
 henfions of the cure of fouls, that I durft not, though often 
 folicited, undertake it. Ever fince I knew the plague of my 
 own heart, I have found myfelf plagued to death with watching 
 over it. What muft it be to watch over two or three thoufand ! 
 who is fufficient for this ? I feel myfelf as unfit for it, as to have 
 the government of the world upon my flioulders. But, being 
 
 appointed 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 He began his miniftry there with that glorious 
 declaration, "I determined not to know any thing 
 among you, fave Jefus Chrill, and him crucified," 
 And how truly he adhered to this determination you 
 all know. He continued to ferve his parifhes in the 
 faith and truth of the gofpel, till he grew old among 
 them j and then bore the richeft: fruits in his old age.' 
 In this he was peculiarly favoured, being afflided 
 with no fymptoms of bodily decay, till the laft ftroke 
 eame that took him from earth to a better fervice 
 above. It may truly be faid of him, as of one of old, 
 " his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated -, '* 
 and he has frequently fpoken of it with peculiar gra- 
 titude to God, 
 
 It is alfo remarkable that, after publifhing the Life 
 and Walk of faith, and realizing it in his converfation, 
 he had juft publifhed his Triumph of faith, when, 
 called by faith to triumph over afflidlions and death, 
 the laft enemy, he finifhed his work, and entered 
 into the joy of his Lord. — But, before I Ipeak of this, 
 
 appointed to this Church, not only without my feeking, but 
 againll my will, and having an undoubted call from Go^, 
 therefore, my fuiHciency for the work being of God, I dare 
 not (land our, I have been forced to fay, " Here I am, fend me." 
 
 Sec, SiQ, 
 
 - 1 muft 
 
( 30 ) 
 
 I mufb beg to be indulged with a few words as to his 
 general charadler. 
 
 As a MAN he was a firm, faithful, and inftru6live, 
 friend, a lively and edifying companion. He poiTefTed 
 a natural cheerfulnefs of difpofition, and firmnefs of 
 mind, which, fandlified by grace, Ihone forth in the 
 holy joy, and confidence, of faith. 
 
 He had a quicknefs of apprehenfion, and a readinefs 
 of determination. In his converfation, as well as in 
 his writings, he was lliort, and fententiousj which was 
 often mifunderflood for want of temper and irritation. 
 But in his domeftic chara6ler he fhone forth the 
 ornament of his profeflion, and an evidence of the 
 power of grace : the kindefl of hulbands, the moft 
 affedtionate of fathers, and the befl of matters. Of 
 this we have the moft convincing proof, fince all who 
 were about him loved him, and thofe who were the 
 neareil to him loved him the mofl. 
 
 As a SCHOLAR — his acquifitions were extenfive, and 
 his learning found. He had a juft and critical know- 
 ledge of the three learned languages, but efpecially 
 of the Hebrew tongue, which he much cultivated, 
 much delighted in, and prefled on others to acquire. 
 He had a comprehenfive acquaintance with nature, 
 and natural pliilofophys and if in this lafl he held 
 8 fome 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 fome peculiar views, diaerent from the prefent gene- 
 rally approved fyftem, he had well ftudied the points, 
 and flood, even in his peculiarities, in company with 
 fome of the brighteli geniufes, and deepeft fcholars, 
 of his time. But, what mud be mentioned with pe- 
 culiar pleafure, with all thefe natural and acquired abi- 
 lities, he knew when to conceal his acquirements as 
 well as how to ufe them j nor ever appeared oftenta- 
 tious to exhibit them. When led to the knowledge and 
 power of the truth his natural talents were confec rated 
 for Godi and in the pulpit, with a divine fimplicity, 
 he remembered nothing but his Mafier's work and 
 glory, and ftudied nothing but how bed to imprels 
 his excellency and falvation on the minds of men. 
 And, though he might have been reckoned amongft 
 the wife of this world, he was contented to be etteemed 
 a fool by fuch, that he might be " wife to win fouls :'* 
 for he had been taught, by grace, to account the re- 
 proach of Chrift greater honour than all the dignities 
 on earth. 
 
 As a CHRISTIAN — I have frequently admired the 
 cheerfulnefs, the confiftency, and fervour of his pie- 
 ty. He evidendy lived much with God i inflexibly 
 abflradled from the world j much in the enjoyment 
 of his redeemer's prefence, and in the realizing views 
 
 of 
 
C 32 ) 
 
 of eternity in its moft glorious and animating light. 
 His devotion was pure and fincere, glowing lively 
 from a heart filled with the love of Chrift: he was 
 always ready, therefore, to throw out a hint, in his 
 concife manner, for the glory of his name, and the 
 confoladon of his people i though he fludioufly 
 avoided every controverted point as unedifying and 
 dangerous. His whole condu6b was in unifon with 
 his profciTion ; and, to the honour of the grace of 
 God, a long life needs no apology. 
 
 As a DIVINE — he had a mod comprehenfive know- 
 ledge of the word of God, the great repoficory of 
 Ipiritual wifdom> which he always read regularly 
 through once in the year ; and he enjoyed an efpecial 
 clearnefs of perception in its grand and funda- 
 mental truths. 
 
 As he was a minifler of the church of England, 
 he was fuch from convi6lion of its apoftolic authori- 
 ty j he was, therefore, throughout life firmly attach- 
 ed to its difcipline, its liturgy, and its do6lrines. In 
 his earlier years he had refilled the ofi^er of much 
 temporal advantage, and endured much oppofition 
 in it, rather than depart from its communion ; well 
 convinced that he was in the line of duty, and God, 
 who had placed him there, would provide him his 
 
 workj 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 work, and fupply his neceffitlcs. His firmnefs has 
 fometlmes been interpreted into bigotry ; but, as I 
 conceive, through inattention or mifunderftanding. 
 If fuch a temper might arife in the fervency of 
 youth, maturer wifdom had meliorated his difpofi- 
 tion ; at leaft, I muft profefs, that the many years 
 I have been with him (though many opportunities 
 offered) I have never once heard him exprefs any 
 thing but the moft cordial love to all, " who loved 
 our Lord Jefus Chrifl in fincerity;" this was 
 his only teft — denominating all things elfe but the 
 fcafFolding of the building, that mufc be taken down 
 before the whole fhall appear in its glory. And I 
 am in polfefTion of a letter that difcovers the moft 
 unbounded liberality and candour of his mind. 
 
 As a PREACHER — he jfhone with peculiar advan- 
 tage. God had formed him for natural elocution and 
 fimple eloquence. His voice poffefTed an admirable 
 fweetnefsi his countenance a livelinefs of exprefllon ^ 
 his eyes fparkled with delight, and every feature ex- 
 prefTed the fenfibility of his heart while engaged in 
 his delightful work i his very countenance was a 
 fermon. Yet all was natural and unaffecfled > for 
 he took as much pains to fimplify his ftyle, as many 
 do to ornament and polifli. His energy, his pa- 
 
 P thosj 
 
C 34 ) 
 
 thos, his lively adion, arofe from the fervour of his 
 fpirit in love to Chrift. While, therefore, he was 
 fimple without meannefs, and plain without vulga- 
 rity, he was dignified without laboured elevation, 
 was underflood by the loweft, while the higheft were 
 edified and pleafed. — Early in life he was a Boanerges^ 
 and there is a peculiar fire, energy, and alarming 
 tendency, in his early compofitions : but this had 
 given way to a milder manner, and more delightful 
 fubjedls in general. Yet ftill, when fuch fubjedls 
 occurred, he touched them with uncommon force 
 and efFe(51:, fo as to aflonifh and alarm the foul. On 
 the fabbath he took the whole range of gofpel 
 truth, but, at thofe feafons when he fuppofed his 
 hearers to be more feledl, his favourite fubjedls w^erc 
 the glory of Chrift, and the great privileges of the 
 gofpel. Thefe he reprefented in the moft glowing 
 colours, and with the moft lively animation. His 
 was, no doubt, a difpenfation of remarkable light 
 and evidence in the great fundamental truths of the 
 gofpel, much beyond what moft attain. The clear- 
 nefs of his views, and the perfpicuity of his expref- 
 fion, exhibited the glories of truth to the under- 
 ftanding, and diffufed the force of truth upon the 
 heart. There was alfo a peculiar ftyle in his preaching, 
 
 which 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 V/Kich. to us feemed mofl calculated to enlighten 
 the underflanding, to warm the afFeflions, to ani- 
 mate the defires, and to fanclify the heart in the 
 love of God. Zealous for the glory of Chrifb, and 
 jealous in his fpirit of every thing that might detract 
 therefrom, he could not bear without fenfible indig- 
 nation any thing of a contrary tendency ; he would 
 fay boldly, with the apoflle, " if any man love not 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift he muft be Anathema Mara- 
 natha.** When fpeaking on fuch fubjeds as thefe, 
 v/e were ready to fuppofe that the flaming feraph, 
 flying from the altar, had touched his heart and 
 lips with the burning coal, that kindled there the 
 heavenly flame, and difFufed its influence all around. 
 He feemed, with one foot on the heavenly land, 
 taking a furvey of the glories which were there, at 
 the fame time fl:ooping down to earth that he might 
 . draw us after him. I confefs, when I have heard 
 him on thefe fubjedts, I have been ready to wifli to 
 refign back my commiflion ; had I not heard in my 
 ears that awful found " woe be to me if I preach not 
 the gofpel ;" if I had not recolleded that '' the ex- 
 cellency of the power is of God and not of us." — 
 Wherever he came he was ready to declare the Sa- 
 viour's grace. Of this fubje6t he never tired in 
 D 2 public 
 
( 36 ) 
 
 public or in private. He came immediately to the 
 point, with a peculiar art that God had given him ; 
 could fay much in litde; and what he uttered was 
 always frelh, dways new, as though the delightful 
 ftory of redeeming love had never been told, never 
 been heard before. And yet the humble views he 
 entertained of himfelf are thus beautifully exprefled 
 in one of his letters to a friend. 
 
 " I am- an old preacher, and have feen enough of 
 his glory to t^ aOiamed of myfelf : I reprobate all 
 my fervices, and, if I was to begin again, I would 
 try to (hoot higher, and I do. Bleflings on him> he 
 is above all blelTing and praife !'* 
 
 With fuch gifts of God, confecrated in fimplicity 
 to his glory, no wonder he was popular ; and, though 
 he bellowed more himfelf than mofl apprehend, that 
 he was the greatcft inftrument of charitable contri- 
 butions. But he was flill more ufeful, — how effec- 
 tually fo, by the great power of God attending his 
 miniftrations, let multitudes declare that are now 
 honoured to publilh the fame truths to guilty men, 
 or who enjoy its abundant bleflings, to the knowledge 
 of which they were brought by his inflrumentality. 
 He might fay of many, with the apoflle, " need wc 
 cpiftles of commendation to you, or letters of com- 
 
 mendauon 
 
t 37 ) 
 
 fnendation from you ? ye are our epifljes written in 
 our hearts^ known and read of all men.*' 
 
 But now that voice that charmed you, that charmed 
 fo wifely, fhall be heard no more ! God hath clofed 
 his mouth in death— that he may have all the glory, 
 and to difcover that the power was of him. And 
 yet we blefs God that he hath left his dying tefti- 
 mony, and confirmation, to the truths he preached. 
 Many of you have received them as your motives to 
 holinefs, and the ground of your confolation and fup- 
 port in time and eternity j and you are ready to afk, 
 after fo bold a maintenance of them through life, 
 what were their effeils in the time of trial ? — A pa- 
 tient reliance — a confolatory fupport in afflidion — < 
 and ti-iumph in the hour of death. He proved, and 
 experienced, his foundation ftable. And, to Ihew 
 what God did for him then, and to confirm your 
 faith and hope, we have colledled a few of his dying 
 views and expreffions. May God make them ufeful 
 for this purpofe. 
 
 Jt is plain he never faid any thing with a defign 
 to be again fpoken; for he evidently forgot all but 
 God, his own foul, and eternity, abforbed in the 
 prefent enjoyment of Chrift, and the glorious prof- 
 ped that was before him. 
 
 P 3 Soon 
 
C 3S ) 
 
 Soon after he was taken he exprefTed his firn> 
 perfuafion that he was not for this world but for ano- 
 ther, not for time but eternity. And, on that very 
 morning, he prayed earneftly in the family for divine 
 fupports, whatever troubles might come upon them^ 
 which might be manyj and afterwards exprefTed his 
 hopes of a joyful eternity. 
 
 In a few days afterwards, " you are taking," fays 
 he, *^ much pains to prop up this feeble body -, I 
 thank you for it, but it will not do now." 
 
 His only companion was his Hebrew Pfalter^ 
 which lay clofe by him, and out of which he fre- 
 quently read a verfe or two, not being able to attend 
 to more. The nature of his diforder was fuch that 
 he could fpeak but little ; and, being once afked if 
 he would fee fome company, he replied, he needed 
 no better company than he enjoyed. O happy thofe 
 who are thus fatisfied in God ! — But there was a 
 progrefs in his experience, much like what we have 
 before flated in the dying faith of the believer. As 
 foon as taken, though fenfible it was for death, there 
 was that fweet reliance upon the promife and truth of 
 God, which he fo often inculcated. Hence arofe 
 that remarkable patience, that not one fretful or 
 murmuring word ever efcaped his lips. The more 
 6 evidently 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 evidently the efFefb of grace, as through his long life 
 he had fcarcely known what bodily afflidion meant ; 
 and had never, till very lately, been interrupted by 
 Illnefs in the difcharge of his miniflerial duties. 
 
 Soon after he was feized, a friend called upon bu- 
 finefs. He took the opportunity of faying, he hoped 
 he was better, and happy in his views : " Yes," replied 
 he, " upon that point I have no doubt, for I have 
 much of the prefence of Jefus with me." And, upon 
 his taking leave, he, in his humiliation of fpirit, 
 begged to be remembered to me for my prayers, as 
 he was unable to converfe with me, and hoped his 
 friends and the whole congregation would remember 
 him at the throne of grace. This he frequently after* 
 wards repeated to myfelf. — x\t other times he faid, 
 he had been in the deep waters, but had enjoyed 
 much fupport. — That he waited to enter into the 
 courts of the Lord, that his foul was athirft for God, 
 yea, for the living God. 
 
 After he had been from home, upon his return, I 
 vifited him, and found him a litde revived. He faid 
 to me, he had lain long at firft in the arms of death, 
 and, if recovering, it was very (lowly ; " but this," 
 fays he, " is but a poor dying life at beft, however, 
 I am in his hands who will do the beft for me," and 
 E) 4 added| 
 
( 40 ) 
 
 added, with a peculiar energy which I fhall not foon 
 forget, " I am Jure of that. I have lived to experi- 
 ence all I have fpoken, and all I have written, and 
 I bldb God for it." He then uttered fomething as 
 to the importance of fuch views at fuch a feafon, but, 
 being exhaufted with thefe few words, he reclined 
 back in his chair, and I could not underftand them.— 
 After much the fame exprefTions he added to ano- 
 ther friend, " I have the peace of God in my con- 
 fcience, and the love of God in my heart, and that 
 you know is found expc^rience"; — and again, " I knew 
 before the doftiines I preached to be truths, but 
 now I experience them to be bleffings." Where is 
 the foundation that will bear fuch a trial as this ? 
 where is that oppofer of the eflfential glories, the aton- 
 ing blood, and abounding grace, of the Redeemer, 
 that can bear fuch a dying teftimony to the doctrines 
 he maintains ? — Speaking of the vifit of a friend, he 
 faid, he thanked him for it, he had come to fee a 
 
 faved finner. This he had often affirmed fbould be his 
 dying boaft, and tliat he defired to die with the lan- 
 guage of the publican on his lips, " God be merci- 
 ful to me a finner." 
 
 When he again left town his flrength rapidly de- 
 cayed. But now, " as his outward man perilhed, 
 
 his 
 
( 41 ) 
 
 his inward man was renewed day by day." Weakeft 
 inhimfelfhe was ftrongeft in the Lords nearer the 
 goal the furer the vi'loryj nearer the confines the 
 brighter the glory — To Ihew his acquiefcence in the 
 providence he faid, that it was now near fixty y^ars 
 fince God had firft opened his mouth to publiih the 
 everJailing fuffic'ency, and eternal glory, of the 
 falvation ot Jefus; and now he had lliut it, that he 
 might give hiiTi more experience in his heart of 
 what he had faid co*^cerning it in his life. He never 
 complained of any thing but Jin, but this he lament- 
 ed as the fource of all our miferies, elpeclally one 
 morning, when he was expounding, in family devo- 
 tion, the prayer of Hezekiah s faying, to thole 
 around him, he fhould have had none of thofe 
 weaknefles and languiihings if he had no fin. — At 
 another time he exclaimed, " Oh how good is God, 
 what a good night he has favoured me with, and 
 what a blefied profpeiSl I now fee before me !" — I none 
 of his lowed dates, being afked if God was with him, 
 he replied, " Yes he is indeed, and he is my God.*' 
 Such views as thefe he often expreiTed throughout his 
 illnefs. At another time he faid, he fhould foon be 
 upon the mount Zion that is above, there he fhould 
 
 dwell 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 dwell for ever, and there fliould be his everlafllng 
 reft. 
 
 The day before his death a friend addreffed him in 
 this manner, " I hope, my dear friend, you now find 
 the dear faviour Jefus precious to your heart. " Yes,'* 
 he replied, " yes, yes, more precious than rubies, and 
 all that can be defired on earth is not to be compared 
 to him.'* The friends who were with him have no 
 doubt but his iaft hour was the happieft hour of his 
 life. He was in the full polTefTion of his mental powers 
 to the Iaft moment ; and near his diftblution he cried 
 out '^ Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, glory be to 
 thee on high, for fuch peace on earth, and good will 
 unto men." After this he continued in prayer and 
 praiie, for his lips were feen to move, and his hands 
 were united in a praying pofture, dll his breath was 
 exhaufted, and without a ftruggle, groan, or figh, he 
 fell afleep in Jefus. Oh happy death that is in the 
 faith of Jefus 1 God grant us like mercy.. He vvas 
 quickened by faith, lived and walked by faith, tri- 
 umphed over oppofition, enemies, and trials, then he 
 died in the faith of Jefus -, that he might be a con* 
 firmadon to you his lamenting friends of the reaHty 
 of thofe glorious Truths, and the precioufnefs of that 
 
 exalted 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 exalted Saviour, that he had (o long preached, in 
 whom many of you have favingly believed. 
 
 I need not now, I am confident, apologize for fay- 
 ing too much ; but many I ftar will think I have faid 
 too little, and, if fo, I truft they will pardon my infuf- 
 ficlency. But, I muft yet add, it is a lofs on earth we 
 may reafonably lament.— 1 he King has loft a faithful 
 fubjedl, a zealous and confcientious advocate — his 
 Country a praying friend, and interceffor before God — 
 the Church of England one of its brighteft ornaments, 
 mod attached to its difcipUne, its liturgy, and its doc- 
 rines — the Church of God at large a moft faithful and 
 fuccefsful minifter, who exhibited the truths of the 
 gofpel, through a long and laborious life, with peculiar 
 luftre, and under a glorious undlion of the Spirit of 
 God. But if we turn the fcene we rejoice ; — we re- 
 joice in the complete triumphs of his faith, now that 
 he has been called to the kingdom of his Mafter, and 
 welcomed to the joy of his Lord. 
 
 If I may be indulged with a few minutes longer, 
 it fhall be employed in imprelTing, upon the minds of 
 the different chara(5lers here prefent, the ufe that God 
 may defign us to make of this folemn and affedling 
 providence. 
 
 And 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 And let us. If fuch be here, fpeak, 
 
 Firfty to the Infidels and mockers of the prefent day. 
 
 Draw nearj ye fons of diffipation, and confider the 
 death-bed of the believer. He dies in faith, and tri* 
 umphs in the profped. You alfo rauft die. Now 
 you may ridicule the faith and expecladon of the 
 believer J but we challenge the wit, the wifdom, of 
 infidelity to controvert the reality of fuch fupports, anc} 
 the heroifm of the infidel to difplay the like. I have 
 heard of the calmnefs and quietnefs of fuch, or rather 
 their infenfibility, in death -, but never of their rejoic- 
 ing in its pains. It is not the pleafure of fatisfadlion, 
 but the awful impulfe of necefTity : '^ this is a grief, 
 and I muft bear it." " Oh that ye were wife, that yc 
 underflood this, that ye would confider your latter 
 end." Hear the teftimony of one of your mod 
 boaflcd advocates in the view of death, compare it 
 with the peaceful, the joyful, end of faith \ and may 
 God feal die inftrudion for your foul's advantage. 
 It is that of no lefs a perfon than the great Lord 
 Chcfterfield. 
 
 " I have run," fays he, " the filly rounds of bufi-^ 
 nefs and of pleafure, and I have done with them all. 
 I have enjoyed all the pleafures of the world, and 
 confequently know thek* futility, and do not regret 
 their lofs. I appraife them at their real value, which is 
 
 in 
 
( 45 ) 
 
 in truth very loW; whereas thofe who have not experi- 
 enced always overrate them. They only fee their 
 gay outfide, and are dazzled with their glare. But I 
 have been behind the fcenes. I have feen all the courfe 
 pullies and dirty ropes which exhibit and move the 
 gaudy machine, &c. When I refled back upon what 
 I have feen, v/hati have heard, and what I have done, 
 I can hardly perfuade myfelf that all that frivolous 
 hurry and buftle and pleafure of the world had any re- 
 ality ^ but I look upon all that has pafled as one of thofe 
 romantic dreams which opium commonly occafions j 
 and I do by no means defire to repeat the naufeous 
 dofe, for the fake of the fugitive dream. Shall I tell 
 you that I bear this melancholy fituation with that 
 meritorious conflancy and refignation which mod 
 people boaft of? Noj for I really cannot help it. I 
 bear it — becaufe T muji bear it whether I will or no. 
 —And I think of nothing but killing time, now that 
 he is become mine enemy." &c. — I leave this to 
 your own refledions. 
 
 Let us Ipeak 
 
 Secondly y to thofe who have heard the gofpql from 
 Jiis mouth, but heard in vain. 
 
 My friends, what a difpenfation have you fufFered to 
 
 foe loft ! If you have not heard him to advantage I 
 
 g fliould 
 
C 46 3 
 
 fllould defpalr of perfuading, if I did not know tha^ 
 the work was of God ; and diat Paul might plants 
 and Apollos water, but God muft give the incrcafe. 
 Oh how affedionately has he befought you, that 
 " you would not receive this grace of God in vain." 
 The very laft fabbath evening that he flood in this 
 place he particularly urged it upon your hearts. He 
 prayed with peculiar fervency, he wreftled for you at 
 a throne of grace, that> if that were the laft time he 
 Ihould addrefs you, God would make it efFedual ; that 
 he might not rife up as a fwift witnefs againft you in the 
 great day of the Lord. Some of you perhaps have 
 had your pafTions moved by his affefling perfuafiod, 
 butyetyour hearts have remained unchanged by grace ; 
 you have given an afient to the dodlrines he preached, 
 but have not experienced their power. It is fuch as 
 you who have brought the ill-founded charge off 
 licentious tendency on fuch glorious truths. May 
 God difcover to you their nature, efficacy, and glory, 
 and make you to feel their influence, and then you 
 will foon live down the calumny.— If he hath pleaded in 
 vain on earth, oh hear him from the grave — hear his 
 dying teftimony. It is as though he had faid, " Believe, 
 my brethren, the truths that I have fpoken are the 
 truths of God. The power of them I have known^ 
 
 die 
 
C 47 > 
 
 the confolations I now experience. Jefus is indeeid 
 that precious precious Saviour to a dying finner that I 
 have fo long proclaimed him to be. Without an in- 
 tereft in his falvation you mufl perifh in your fins, but 
 in Chrift there is no condemnation. I have pleaded, 
 and ye have not received; oh flay, flay no longer; but 
 fly to the Tinner's refuge. Let me not finally accufe 
 you that I have laboured in vain and fpent my ftrength 
 for nought and in vain. Let the grace and compaflion 
 of a dying Saviour to me a faved Tinner incline you 
 earneftly to Teek after his falvation, and ye fliall find : 
 for he is abk to Tave to the uttermofl all that come 
 unto God by him." 
 
 You are ready to wifh tliat you might die the 
 death of the righteous ; oh then Teek after that al- 
 mighty Saviour that can make you righteous before 
 God ; and that gracious Spirit that can fandify the 
 heart, to bring forth the fruits of righteouTneTs to 
 his glory. 
 
 Let us Tpeak ^ 
 
 thirdly i To the weak In faith. 
 
 To thefe like his M after he payed In his diT- 
 courTes a peculiar attention, Confider what God 
 has done for his people, and let your faith be en- 
 couraged. Whatever you are in yourfelves, the 
 
 fame 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 fame Jefus, the fame Almighty helper, can produce 
 the fame glorious effe6ls in your hearts, and the 
 fame mighty confolations in the time of your afflic- 
 tions : for he hath *^ all power in heaven and in 
 earth.*' Now you look forward fearful and dif- 
 couraged. But many, " who through fear of death 
 have all their life-time been fubjeft to bondage/' 
 have been fupported like him in the deep waters : 
 and as the profpe6t drew near, fear vanifhed, hope 
 revived, and the nearer profpecSt of an eternal world 
 hath been attended with joy unfpeakable and full of 
 glory. Leave then all your concerns in his hands. 
 And, while trufting in Jefus, and living to his glory, 
 he will manage the bell for you, and grant all need- 
 ful fupply even to the end : He will be " your God 
 for ever and ever, and your guide even unto death." 
 We will conclude by fpeaking 
 Fourthly y A few words to thofe whom God hath 
 enlivened and comforted by his miniftry, and who, 
 therefore, loved his perfon, and lament his lofs. 
 
 It is true you mud hear his voice no more ! no 
 more his lips fhall found through this place the glo- 
 ries of the Redeemer, the power of his arm, the 
 compafTion of his heart, the riches of his grace, 
 whereby your minds have been enlightened, your 
 
 hearts 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 hearts warmed, and your afBidlions comforted. You 
 cannot forget the force and energy with which he 
 ipake, and the confolation you have often received 
 under his miniftry : and you ought not. *^ Remem- 
 ber thofe who have had the rule over you, who 
 have fpoken unto you the word of God, whofe faith 
 follow, confidering the end of their converfation." 
 His Mafter has feen good to call him to himfelf; 
 and as far as it relates to him it is all righty ahfolutely 
 right. He fays to you, "Be Hill, and know that I 
 am God," This afflifting providence fhould, there- 
 fore, quicken us who are left as labourers in his 
 vineyard to greater diligence and adivity ; fhould 
 quicken you to pray more earneflly for your Minif- 
 ters; for the effufions of his Spirit, and the almighty 
 efficacy of his grace, upon us and our miniftra- 
 tions. But it calls you not only to pray but to live : 
 to fhew the power of the truth \ to contradi(fl every 
 falfe afperfion \ and to evince, by the flrongeft proofj 
 that "the grace of God teachethto deny ungodlinefs 
 and worldly lufl, and to live righteoufly, foberly, 
 and godly, in this prefent world." 
 
 We are told that " the righteous is taken away 
 from the evil to come." If fuch a view as this 
 fhould imprefs the mind, let it incite more earnefl 
 
 E prayer 
 
( so ) 
 
 prayer to God for a guilty land. Often has our 
 venerable Paflor ftirred you up to this in the mod 
 animating manner; and requefted you, by the prayer 
 of faith, to commit all into the hand of the Lord, 
 undifturbed and undifmayed ; to continue in your 
 duty to your king and country, afllired that a peace- 
 ful praying fubjed is the bed fubjedl of a {late, and 
 mod likely to promote its welfare and his own. 
 
 May we all profit by thefe inflrudlions, that yet 
 our abundant privileges civil and religious may be 
 Ipared to us. " The Lord*s voice crieth unto the 
 city, and the man of wifdom (hall fee thy name : 
 hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it." Let the 
 prefent folemn intimation be heard and improved, 
 that the day may never come when our teachers 
 fhall be driven into corners ; nor when confufion 
 and anarchy fhall take place of order and of law. 
 May God hear the earned prayers of his departed 
 fervant, that true and vital godiinefs diffuled abroad 
 may corre6l the folly of the times, and promote 
 univerfal peace on earth, and good will amongft 
 men. 
 
 Some of you had hoped, that your beloved mi- 
 
 nifter would have been the inftrument of folacing 
 
 your bed of afflidlion, and pointing you forward to 
 
 y your 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 your eternal reft. - But he is gone before ! And, If 
 he could now addrefs you from the heavenly world, 
 he would encourage you to prefs the clofer to 
 God. 
 
 " If the ftreams are cut off, come then more im- 
 mediately to the fountain. If the inftrument be 
 gone, let Chrift be your all in all. Follow me as I 
 followed Chrift. See in me that he is an all-faith- 
 ful friend. He will prepare your way, comfort 
 you in death, and then bring you to the fame eter- 
 nal glory." 
 
 Oh that we may fo live by the faith of the Son 
 of God that, whenever we are called to die, we may 
 die in faith, trufting in the Lord, rejoicing in his 
 prefence, triumphing in the believing profpedt of 
 his glory. Then may we all meet our dear departed 
 minifter on high — our feet ftanding on the mount 
 Zion which is above, " when all the ranfomed of the 
 Lord ftiall return, and come to Zion with fongs and 
 cverlafting joy upon their heads ; when they fhall 
 obtain joy and gladnefs, and forrow and fighing fhall 
 flee away." God grant us this grace, and to him. 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, be the eternal 
 praife. Amen. 
 
 THE END, 
 
2^^ Gofpel Treafiire in Veffeh of Clay ; 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF 
 
 The Hon. and Rev. W. B. CADOGAN, A. M. 
 
 RECTOR OF ST. LUKe's, CHELSEA 5 AND VICAR OF ST. GILEs's, 
 READING. 
 
 PREACHED in 
 
 -Cfie liaarift Cgurclj of ^u ^ntrveto OTattivalie, 
 anti ^u ^nn, ^lat!vfviav0, ^lonDoii, 
 
 On Sunday, January 22, 1/97, 
 
 By WILLIAM GOODE, A. M. 
 
 rector of the said church, and lecturer of st. 
 John's, wapping. 
 
 Bkjffcd is that Servant ivJiom his Lord tvhcn he eometh JliaJl Jind 
 Jo doing. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR RIVINGTON, ST. PAUl's CHURCH YARD 
 
 MATHEWS, STRAND ; AND SMART AND COWSLADE, 
 
 READING. 
 
 1797. 
 
 l ^-a-- ■'- -\ ^i^m^^^^^ !^ 
 
tnmtn at ^tationevj^' ^all 
 
SERMON, Sec. 
 
 % COR. IV. 7. 
 JiUT V¥E HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS, 
 THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF 
 GOD, AND NOT OF U?. 
 
 Some of you, my brethren, are too well acquainted 
 with the circumftances which have led me this day 
 to the confideration of thefe words. My mind has 
 been ferioufly impreficd with that moftafFe6ling Pro- 
 vidence which has taken place in the courfe of the 
 laft week, and given a painful deftionftracion of their 
 truth. And I am perfuaded that all of you will 
 enter into my feelings, and join your fentiments of 
 forrow with mine, when I inform you, that the 
 Church of God has loft an able, a faithful, minifter 
 of the word of lifej that the great Head of his 
 church, the wife difpofer of all events, has taken to 
 himfelf one whom we have often heard with plea- 
 fure and with profit, by whofe occafional labours we 
 hoped yet more to be profited, who has been gready 
 iifeful in his ftadon, and promifed ftill greater u^q- 
 
 A 2 fulnefs 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 nilnefs for a length of time to come. I mean the 
 Rev. Mr. Cadogan. With regard to himfelf we 
 forrovv not, his work was finifhed, and his reward is 
 with the Lord. But, in whatever view we confider 
 this event to the church, it bears a folemn afpcft ; 
 we can only pronounce it right, as it is the aft of 
 him, " who doeth that which feemeth good in his 
 fight,'* and what feemeth good to him we know 
 mujl certainly be fo. Here we fubmit and fay, ** the 
 will of the Lord be done.'* 
 
 As the faithful minifter we lament was well known 
 and beloved amongft us, when thefe words engaged 
 my attention, I did not attempt to refill the impref- 
 fion which they made, convinced that the defign of 
 them would be more effectually anfwered while fo 
 unexpedted a providence folemnizes the mind. 
 With this view let us confider the go/pel as a trea^ 
 Jure — its minifters as earthen vejj'els — the excellency of 
 its power of God, And oh, may the Spirit of grace 
 and power pour upon us his peculiar undlion, that 
 we may be the witnelTes of its excellency to his own 
 glory. 
 
 First, We are to confider the gofpel as a trea- 
 fure. — What the apoftle alludes to will be clearly 
 evinced by a fhort view of the preceding verfes. 
 Here the apoftle is fpeaking of " the word of God" 
 — ■" the manifeftation of the truth" — " that Gof- 
 pel which is hid to them that are loft, but is in truth 
 the glorious gofpel of Chrift, who is the image of 
 God, whom he preached" — Yea, " the light of the 
 knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jefus 
 Chrift."— This is the treafure. And though con- 
 veyed to us in fuch mean, unworthy, and brittle, vef- 
 fels, the treafure is yet the fame, and hereby the 
 glory is referved for him to whom alone it is due. 
 
 The 
 
C 5 ) 
 
 The gofpel is then a glorious treafurc, and we fee 
 'what it is that conftitutes it fuch, it is Christ in the 
 Gofpel, exhibited there in the dignity of his perfon, 
 the all-fufficiency of his work, and the ineftimable 
 blelTings of his falvation. — He is the very efience of 
 the Gofpel, the very efience of all treafures. With- 
 out an intereft in him, vvere we poflefied of all the 
 riches of the univerfe, we fhould be miferably poor. 
 With him, though poor in this world, we are rich 
 indeed. " He is that treafure hid in a field, which 
 when a man hath found, (and knows its true value) he 
 hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and felleth all that 
 he hath and buyeth that field.'* Mat. xiii. 44. — This 
 is the treafure put into the minifters of Chrift (well is 
 it if it be put into their hearts), and which they are to 
 exhibit, to adrainifiier, to communicate, by difplaying 
 the glories of this divine Saviour — by difcovering the 
 all-fufficiency of his falvation — the freenefs of his 
 grace — and inviting poor miferable finners of the fons 
 of men, to come freely and partake of the whole. 
 
 " To whom God would make known (fays this 
 apoftle) what is the 7-iches of the glory of this myftery 
 among the Gentiles, which is Chrift in you the hope 
 of glory : whom we preach, warning every man, and 
 teaching every man, &c." Col. i. 27, 28. And why? 
 becaufe " in him are hid all the treafures of wif- 
 dom and knowledge." Col. ii. 3. Yea " in him 
 dwelleth all the fullnefs of the Godhead bodily 
 (really and fubftantially)." Col. Ii. 9, 10. Since 
 then there is fuch fullnefs of all bleffings, in him, 
 what ideas fhall we leledt, what views fhall we pre- 
 fent to you, from the infinite glories of this won- 
 derful perfon ? Here is a rich Saviour indeed, rich 
 in himfelf with all the glories of the Godhead, and 
 rich in bleftings to communicate to all his people.-— 
 In thefe views, ^' he is precious to you which be- 
 lieve." And, if he be fo now v/hen we fee his glories 
 
 A3 but 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 but as through a glafs darkly, what (hall he appear 
 .when we fee him as he is ! — What profpeds now 
 engage the mind of our late dear departed father in 
 Chrift, and of our friend, who fo lately has joined him 
 among tht fociety of the redeemed I 
 
 Their views were very fimilar on earth, and no 
 doubt now, united in the fame vifjon of hts glories, 
 they unite in the fame fong of praife, " to him who 
 loved usj and wafhed us from our fins in his own 
 blood, be the glory and dominion — to God and 
 the Lamb be equal praife/' 
 
 At prefent we can only behold his glories as in 
 his word ; and, bleffed be God, " unto mc v/ho am 
 lefs than the ieall of all faints is this grace grven to 
 preach among miferable fmners the uiTfearchabk 
 riches of Ckrift." — Here then kt us turn our at- 
 tention, and contemplate thefe ur.fearchabk riches 
 
 Exhibited I, In the rich and precious frutbs of that 
 facred repofitory — The great truths of the gofpel, 
 as connected with Chrid, are a treafure of ineiiimable 
 value, had we but eyes to'' ice their glory, and 
 hearts kt right, and fitted for the enjoyment. 
 
 They are exceedingly dclighrful to the contrite 
 finnerj full of comfort and confjiation to the be- 
 lieving mind. Tiie gofpei truly anfwcrs its name, 
 good news — glad tidii:igs — for it brings under our 
 ibfervation, " What eye hath not feen, nor ear 
 card, and bleffings that rt had not entered into the 
 eart of man to conceive." — It is a truth of this 
 , lorious gofpel of Chrill, that there is a covenant 
 •f grace and lalvation entered into by the eternal- 
 ^'hree, on behalf of guilty finners.— It is a truth of 
 his glorious gofpel, that Jefus Chrifl is die media- 
 tor and furety of this new and' better covenant; than 
 he hath fulfilled all its terms, purchafed all its blef- 
 fings, and fccured their enjoyment for all his people -, 
 
 that 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 that he hath wrought out and brought to us an ever-^ 
 lading righteoufnefs, fully anfwerable to every de- 
 ruand^of the holy and unchanging law of God; that 
 he hath offered up an atoning facrifice, infinite in its 
 value, eternal in its efHcacy, and fo adequate in every 
 refped to the great defign, that infinite juftice can- 
 not but reft fatisfied in the work, and glory in the 
 honour which it has received thereby.— Hear it, 
 thou afflided confcience, and be at reft— For it is 
 now alfo a certain truth of the glorious Gofpel of 
 Chrift, that God is a God of peace in him, well 
 pleafed for his righteoufnefs fake, reconciled to fin- 
 ners, and reconciling the world unto himfelf ; that 
 *« there is pardon for infinite offence, by means that 
 fpeak its value infinite,'* this atoning facrifice of 
 Jelus, through which a poor periihing prodigal may 
 return to his heavenly Father's houfe, and be wel- 
 comed to all its provifion, its protedion, and its 
 treafures. — It is a glorious truth of this precious gof- 
 pel, that Jefus our redeemer is " gone into heaven, 
 there to appear in the prefence of God for us:" 
 yea that he in our nature is feated upon the throne 
 of glory, " head over all things to his church"-— 
 It is a truth, that in him is all-fufEciency, infinite 
 fufEciency, to carry on his purpofes of grace, in the 
 world, in the church, and in the hearts of all his people, 
 in their prefent fanctification, and in their faithful 
 prefervation through all their trials, difficukies, and 
 temptations, to the world above.— It is a truth of this 
 gloriaus gofpel of Chrift, that life and immortality 
 are Brought to light thereby; an inheritance incor- 
 ruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.— It is a 
 truth, that cafts a bright beam of glory over the 
 whole, that all who die, or rather fleep, in Jefus 
 Ihall meet around his throne, (hall participate, of his 
 bleftednefs, and be enriched with the riches of his 
 
 A 4 g^^^y 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 glory throughout eternity — What truths are thefe I— 
 But thefe things will appear ftill more furprifing 
 when we confider them, 
 
 II. As conne6led with " the exceeding great and 
 precious pro-mifes'' of this gofpel of Chrifl:. — " All the 
 promifes of God, fays the apoftle, in him are yea and 
 in him amen, unto the glory of God, by us,'* 2 Cor. i. 
 20. This brings the invaluable treafures of thofe 
 divine truths near to our hearts, and diredls us in 
 the application, and into the fatisfying enjoyment of 
 their abundant blefTings. 
 
 This it is that conftitutes the great glory of the 
 gofpel, that it is intended for perifhing finners ; that 
 fuch are invited to, and fuch are made really par- 
 takers of, its grace. — As what Jefus did he did for 
 his people, fo what he is he is for themi, for their 
 benefit and falvation. And who are they ? Every 
 returning penitent is, no doubt, among their number, 
 yea all who are willing to come to him, to receive 
 him as their Redeemer and their Lord, to trult them- 
 felves in his hands, and to receive from him freely 
 all the blellings of falvation. What he intends to 
 do for fuch he has gracioiifly informed them, and 
 irrevocably infured to them, in the promifes of his 
 word. And, while faith is perfuaded of and embraces 
 thefe, it is impoflibie that a penitent finner fnoukl 
 be dejeded, or the humblefl: believer diftrcifed. Let 
 us cafl our eyes for a few moments on that facred 
 repofitory of divine engagements, and we fhall be 
 compelled to confefs, there is not a want we can 
 feel, nor a fituation into which we may be cafl-, but 
 a rich provifion is here made for our fupply and 
 confolation, purchafed with the blood, laid up in the 
 fullnefs, of the Lord our Redeemer, and prefented 
 for our acceptance in his word. And for whom .^ — 
 for finners of the fons of men, the hungry and the 
 
 thiifty. 
 
{ 9 ) 
 
 thirfty, the weary and the heavy laden with the guilt 
 and confequences of their fin. 
 
 Let us begin, where a convinced and penitent 
 Tinner will always begin his confeiTions and his 
 prayers, with his need of pardoning mercy. We ad- 
 drefs fuch in the language of the Old Teftament, 
 with words of encouragement like thefe, " Come 
 now and let us reafon together, faith the Lord; 
 though your fins be as fcarlet they fhall be as white 
 as fnow, though they be red like crimfon they iliall 
 be as wool." If. i. i8. In the language of the New 
 Teftament we bring the fame confolatory mefiage, 
 and inform him, that " we who were once afar oft 
 are made nigh by the blood of Chrift,*' for he is our 
 peace, and that — becaufe " in him we have redemp- 
 tion, through his blood, even the forgivenefs of our 
 fins, according to the riches of his grace." Eph. ii. 
 13, and i. 7. Hov/ precious to the wounded fpiric 
 and the contrite heart fuch difcoveries as thefe ! 
 Feeling himfelf to (land guilty before God, con- 
 demned by a holy law, fet home upon his confclencc 
 by the S[ irit of the Lord, he hears with wonder and 
 gradtude a mefTagc-fo reviving, abounding with fuch 
 undeferved grace ; he. hopes ihat ^/j iniquities fhall 
 be blotted out as a cloud, and bis tranfgreHions as a 
 thick cloud, when alTured that there is mercy with 
 God through Jefus Chrift, and in him plenteous re- 
 demption. 
 
 The next want that a guilty finner feels is that of 
 acceptance ds\^ jiijiification in the prefence of a holy 
 God.. He knows that without a perfect righteouf- 
 nefs no creature can Hand accepted before his great 
 Creator. The law makes its demand, a demand 
 which mud be anfwered, and, while he feels him- 
 felf a tranfgrefibr, he acknowledges the fentence juft. 
 In himfelf therefore he is deftitute of that righteouf- 
 
 nefs 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 nefs which alone can commend him in the fight of 
 God, without the ability to atone for pad tranfgref- 
 fions, or to perform the neceflary obedience for the 
 time to come, l^hat Gofpel which promiles falva- 
 tion to fuch finners, muft difcover " the gift of 
 righteoufneft," and this it does. 
 
 The prophet Ifaiah has reprefented this under 
 a mofl beautiful allufion to the fhowers of rain 
 defcending from heaven to revive the earth, and 
 caufing it to produce its frurt abundandy. " Drop 
 down, ye heavens, from above, and let the flcies 
 pour down righteoufnefs : let the earth open, and 
 iet them bring forth falvation, and let righteoiifnefs 
 fpring up together} 1 Jehovah have created jt." 
 If xlv. 8. *^ Hearken unto me (fays the Lord by 
 the fam.e prophet), ye frout hearted that are far from 
 righteoufnefs'' — " hearken unto me ye that follow 
 after righteoufnefs — for my righteoufnefs is near, 
 my falvation is gone forth." If li. i, 4. And the 
 apoflle, from the infiance of Abraham, informs us 
 hov/ this righteoufnels is to be received and enjoyed, 
 " For, as faith was imputed unto him for righteouf- 
 nefs, fo iliail it be imputed unto us, if Vv'e believe on 
 him who raifed up Jefus our Lord from the dead, 
 who was delivered for our offences, and was raifed 
 again for our jufbfication.'* Rom. iv. 24, 25. 
 
 Thus, Handing in his righteoufnefs, made over by a 
 divine gift, and received by faith, '' we are juftified 
 from all things."— Yea, " we are complete in him." 
 Col. ii. 10. This is a gift that wonderfully enriches a 
 poor finner. The happy iubjed of it may difmifs his 
 fears, raife himfelf from his miferable poverty, and join 
 the triumphant language of the prophet, *T will greatly 
 rejoice in the Lord, my foul fliall be joyful in my God; 
 for lie hath clothed me with the garments of falvation, 
 he hath covered me with the robe of riglneoufiiefs, 
 3 that 
 
( ^I ) 
 
 tliat f might (land In his fight as the bridegroom decked 
 "with his ornaiTients, and as a bride adorned with her 
 jevv'els." — If. hd. lo. Thanks be to God for this 
 iinfpeakable gift. 
 
 Does the contrite Tinner yet feel frefh wants arif- 
 ing, and that without a 7'enezved nature he can have 
 no enjoyment of a holy God ? " He is our fane- 
 tification," and the regeneranng influence of his en- 
 lightening and enlivening Spirit can, and does, create 
 the hearts of his people anew in Chrift Jefus, and 
 begin to re (lore in them that image of righteoufnefs 
 and true holinefs from which we are fallen. This is 
 the great gofpel promife. " Then will I fprinkle 
 clean water. upon you/' (the acknowledged emblem 
 of the Spirit in his fandtifying grace) and ye fhali be 
 clean ; from all your filthinefs, and from all your 
 idols, will 1 clcanfe you. A new heart alfo will I 
 give you, and a new fpirit will I put within you, and 
 I will take away the ilony heart out of your fielL, 
 and 1 will give you an heart of flefh. And I will 
 put my Spirit within you, and caufe you to walk in 
 my ftatutes, and ye fhali keep my judgments and do 
 them." Ez. xxxvi. 25 — 27. Compare Heb. viii. 10. 
 And this is realized in the experience of all who truly 
 belong to him. 
 
 But ROW, {t::t out in the Chriiiian rao?, with his 
 face towards Zion, he needs dire^lcn through the per- 
 plexities of the Vv'ildernefs, and that dire6lion is at 
 hand : fc;r ''^ thus fliith the Lord thy Redeemer, the 
 Holy One of Ifrael, 1 am the Lord thy God which 
 teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by x!]\^ 
 way which thou fliouldefl: go." If. xlviii. 17. 
 
 Yea, the rich provifions of his providence and 
 grace fiiali attend the needy traveller, like the hea- 
 venly manna, and refrefliing flream, through the 
 wildernefs of old j and equal miracles be wrought, 
 
 though 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 though not perhaps always fo evident, to fupply the 
 necelTities of his chofen flock. " When the poor 
 and needy feek water and there is none, I the Lord 
 will hear them, I the God of Ifrael will not forfak? 
 them. I will open rivers in the high places, and 
 fountains in the midft of the vallies, I will make the 
 wildernefs a pool of water, and the dry land fprings 
 of water." If. xli. 17, i3, &c. Fear not then, thou 
 afflifted and diftreffed believer ; dark and gloomy as 
 thy circumftances may be, encourage thyfelf in the 
 Lord thy God, the God of Ifrael -, who engages to 
 repeat even IfraeFs miracles for thy fupport and con- 
 folation. 
 
 But how flialt thou be kept fecure through all thy 
 trials and enemies to the end ? Senfible of thine own 
 infirmities and corruptions, the profped before thee 
 often makes thee to tremble ; but, kept by the power 
 of God, thou fhak be preferved unto falvation. " I 
 will make an everlafting covenant with them, that 
 I will not turn away from them to do them good -, 
 but I will put my fear into their hearts, that they 
 fhall not depart from me." Jer. xxxii. 40. Yea, 
 the Lord will give grace, and the Lord will give 
 glory^ and no good thing will he withhold from them 
 that walk in fmcerity before him. BlefTed then is 
 he that trufteth in the Lord. Pf. Ixxxiv. it, 12. 
 
 What news is here for dying finners, minifters as 
 well as people ; what an inexhauftible repofitory of 
 fpiritual treafures is the Gofpd of Ghrifl", exhibited 
 to Faith, and brought experimentally into the heart 
 of every true believer 1 Let us then view this Gofpel 
 
 III. In the riches which it aftually communicates 
 to all who receive its grace. — That mud be a trea- 
 fure indeed that ennobles as well as enriches thofc 
 who pofifefs it. And fo does the gofpel-— It raifes 
 wretched finners to the honour of the fons of God, 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 ** Ye are all the children of God by faith In Chrlft 
 Jefus." Gal. iii. 26. It gives a difpofitioh fuited to 
 fo exalted a dignity, and enables us to cry, ^* Abba, 
 Father." And it gives a title to an inheritance 
 worthy of fuch a relation, " for he is not afhamed to 
 be called our God fince he hath prepared for us a 
 city," Heb. xi. 16. Without the word of the Gof- 
 pel we had been poor indeed, in the knowledge of 
 God, of ourfelves, and of futurity. Without the 
 knowledge of that Jefus as ours, held forth in his 
 word, hov/ever v/e may fancy ourfelves rich and in- 
 creafed in goods and to have need of nothing, we are 
 fpiritually poor, and miferable, and blind, and naked. 
 We pofTcfs nothing that can recommend us to the 
 favour and love of a righteous God ; nothing but 
 what merits, through fin, his difpleafure and his 
 wrath. We are as poor as that miferable wretch, 
 who has forfeited all his pofleffions, by rebellion 
 againft his lawful fovereign, and is about to fuffer 
 rhe jufl punifhment of his crimes. 
 
 This, in a fpiritual view, is the real fituation of man. 
 But in Jefus the attainder is taken off— the forfeited 
 inheritance reftored — yea, innumerable privileges and 
 bleflings, purchafed by his blood, fecured to the be- 
 lieving finner. With Chrid we are rich indeed, we 
 have all thino-s and abound. Not all the riches of 
 both the Indies can make a man fo rich as the pof- 
 fefllon of Chrift as his. He who hath fecured his 
 portion here by faith, is rich in divine favour and 
 love ; rich in the prefent communications of fpiritual 
 bleflings, enjoyed often with a fweet tranquillity of 
 mind, when faith and hope, enlivening devotion, 
 bring the fragrance of heavenly joys into the cham- 
 bers of fecret retirement; rich in the pleafing expec- 
 tation that calls a beam of glory around the clouds of 
 )ife 5 rich in the graces of the Spirit^ wrought in the 
 
 heart. 
 
( H ) 
 
 heart, as the meetnefs for fuller enjoyment in the 
 v/orld to come. 
 
 PofTefied of thefe an apofiile, and many with the 
 apoflle, have rejoiced in tribulation, having peace 
 with God : yea, have joined the triumphant lan- 
 guage of an ancient believer, " Now, Lord, letted 
 thou thy fervant depart in peace, for mine eyes have 
 feen thy falvation." 
 
 The treafures of the Gofpel are not then like the 
 treafures of earth. Go, afl<: all around, and try what 
 elfe can bear the comparifon. — It is their diftin- 
 giiifhing excellency when all things elfe defert us, 
 to fupport and elevate the finking fpirit. Vv^hat 
 elfe like thefe can make us rich in forrow, rich in 
 trials and affli6lions, rich in poverty, rich in pain, 
 rich in dying agonies, yea, rich in death. Then 
 the Gofpel of Chrifi: opens to us. 
 
 IV, The riches of glcry. There we are told of 
 that reft which remaineth for the people of God. 
 A reft from all thofe troubles, forrows, temptations, 
 and fins, which interrupted our beft enjoyments, and 
 broke unv;elcom.e into our moft fpiritual devotions,— 
 There is that crown of righteoufnefs which fadeth 
 not away — The eternal weight of glory — The ri- 
 vers of pleafure that make glad the city of God — in 
 his prefence where there is fulnefs of joy, and at his ■ 
 right hand where there are pleafures for evermore. — 
 Therp no cloud fi:iail intercept the bright ftiining of 
 the fun of righteoufnefs j we (hall be perfe6lly like 
 
 him, for we ftiall fee him as he is. But here our 
 
 conceptions fail us.— Our dear departed fathers and 
 brethren in the Lord know thefe things beft. And, 
 eoukl they return to inftrud us now again, what 
 think ye would be the fubjed of their exhortation ? 
 No doubt the fame which fo engaged them while on 
 ^arth, only with ardour abundantly increafed from 
 
 views 
 
( '5 ) 
 
 views fo much more intimate and clear. " Secure 
 above all things, ye fons of men, an intered in 
 Chrift— that appointed, that precious, Saviour. He 
 is the treafure of earth, the treafure of heaven. He 
 alone can enrich you with eternal riches. Prefs on 
 then towards the mark, for there is indeed a gloriou^:; 
 prize of our high calling of God, in Chrift Jefus." 
 Thus the Gofpel is a treafure — Let us fccure an in- 
 tercft in it, and we cannot but be rich indeed, for 
 time, and for eternity. We are now to confider 
 
 Secondly, The minifters of this Gofpel, who 
 contain, and whofe office it is to difpenfe, this trea- 
 fure, under the reprefentation of earthen vefiTels, or 
 vcfTels of clay. — There is a peculiar beauty in the 
 contraft which the apoftle here makes of the inefti- 
 mable treafure of the Gofpel of Chrift, with the 
 mean and brittle veftels from which it is difpenfed. 
 Nothing can in a more ftriking manner evince to us 
 the wifdom and the goodnefs of God, and more 
 efpecially the excellency of his power, as that by 
 which alone his truth can become effedual. — It is, 
 no doubt, the great defign of God in fuch a difpen- 
 fation to magnify his own grace and power ; and 
 there are feveral ideas, which feem naturally to arife 
 from the ufe of fuch an allufion, which will tend 
 immediately to this point. We will endeavour to 
 point them out, dwelling moft on thofe which ap- 
 pear to us moft important, moft natural, or juft. It 
 has been obferved 
 
 That veftels muft be made by the hands of the 
 workman, and fo the minifters of the Gofpel muft 
 be the workmanft^jp of God. Though I do not 
 conceive that this particularly entered into the mind 
 of the apoftle, in the prefent inftance, yet the doc- 
 trine is certainly juft, — As men are not born Chrif- 
 
 tians. 
 
( '6 ) 
 
 tians, much lefs are they born minifters, but made fa 
 by the fame diftinguilliing grace of God. An Ifaiah 
 muft have his lips touched with a live coal from off 
 the altar, before he can be either willing or able to 
 declare the meflage of the Lord. A Paul muft be 
 a chofen vefiel, and /enl by him to bear witnefs to 
 his name and truth. Let us not fuppofe thefe to be 
 peculiar cafes 5 though evidently fo as to the cir- 
 cumftances that attended them, yet not as to the 
 grace beftowed. VxHien the apoftle is, therefore, 
 Ipeaking of thofe diverfities of gifts with which the 
 church was bleffed, he tells us, " all thefe," from 
 the higheft to the loweft, " worketh that one and 
 the felf fame fpirit, dividing unto every man feve- 
 rally as he will." i Cor. xii. 11. And, in another 
 place. He that afcended up on high, and gave gifts 
 unto men, when he gave Ibme apoftles, and fome 
 prophets, gave alio by the fame fpirit, evangelifts, 
 paftors, or teachers, for the perfeding of the faints, 
 for the work of the miniftry, &c. Eph. iv. 11, 12. 
 
 It is evident, therefore, that none can make a mi- 
 nifter of God but God himfelf. It is he that muft 
 incline the heart, and " inwardly move it by his holy 
 fpirit." It is he that muft put within the treafure of 
 gofpel knowledge, and gofpel grace. It is he that 
 muft give the ncceflary fpiritual gifts, and grant the 
 blefiing. But, to intrude into this facred office, 
 under the idea of this inward preparation, without 
 the fuitable outward defignation, arifes from very 
 contraded views of the ways and providence of God. 
 He, in whofe hands are the hearts of all men, can, 
 and no doubt Vv'ill, open *^ a door of entrance" ac- 
 cording to the regular ordinances of his church, for 
 all whom he commiftions ; diredl their way -, ap- 
 point their ftations ; fecure them in their work, and 
 grant his promifcd prcfence. — Under this confidera- 
 
 tioH;, 
 
( '7 ) 
 
 tion, indeed, we cannot but lament, when God takes 
 aWay inflTumehts he has peculiarly furnifhed, and 
 bled; yet it (liould alfo faiisfy us with the difpenla- 
 tioh as it \s his, who hath flill in his own hands the 
 r'efidue.of the Spirit'. Then alfo 
 
 Veflels receive in order to preferve and to com- 
 municate. And Hiould not the priefl's lips preferve 
 knowledge, and the law be fought at his mouth ? 
 No ailufion, indeed, will hf)ld good in every circum- 
 ftahvce; thus it is here. BleiTed be God, though we 
 are to communicate to others, we ourfelves are not 
 reftrained from rhe enjoyment. We alfo may par- 
 take of tlie precious treafures of gofpel grace, ,and 
 niiferable fliall we be, if while we difpenfe to others, 
 wc are deditute of its fruition in ourfelves. Mifer- 
 able indeed will it be, if when we have preached to 
 others we ourfelves are caftaways. Yea, then fnall 
 we difpenfe the word with peculiar delight and ad- 
 vantage, v/hen we can fay, " what our eyes have 
 ftchy what our hands have handled," what our 
 4iearts have felt, declare we unto you : it is our de- 
 fire " that your feliowfhip may be with us, and 
 tj-uly our fellow fliip is with the Father, and \with his 
 fon Jefus Chriil." Then will our talents, our time, 
 our graces, be employed as they ought for the edifi- 
 cation of the church, we (hall ftudy to approve our- 
 felves to God, &c. and, " by manifeftation of the 
 truth, commend ourfelves to every man's confcience 
 in the fight of God.* But this ailufion may juftly 
 fignify to us 
 
 Our total infufficiency to v'rommunicate thefe blef- 
 fings as of ourfelves. We are but empty vefTeis, 
 the treafure is altogether diftin61: from the vefTel, and 
 mud be derived from another fource. — It can neither 
 fill itfelt, nor communicate of its contents when 
 filled. No more can the minifter of the Gofpel ei- 
 
 B ther. 
 
C i8 ) 
 
 thcr know the truth aright, preach it in its fimplicity, 
 or convey the power and blefTings of it, but as en- 
 abled by the Spirit of the Lord. If an apoflle " la- 
 boured more abundantly than they all, it was not 
 he but the grace of God which was with him." If 
 *^ he preached Chrift, warning every man, and teach- 
 ing every man, with all wifdom, &c. it was accord- 
 ing to his working, which wrought in him mightily.*' 
 Col. i. 27, 28. — It would be well for you, my Chrif- 
 tian brethren, always to recoiled: this truth, you 
 would then pray more earneflly for your minifters, 
 bear with our infirmities, and look up to the right 
 fource for the blefTings you wifh to receive. When 
 you found yourfelves heavy and unfit for duties, or 
 your minillers afFe6led with the fame weaknefs of 
 human nature, your fupplications would be directed 
 for reviving influence to the God of all grace ; and, 
 when enjoying thofe happy frames, vvhich fometimes 
 animate our duties, and elevate our hearts, the glory 
 would be given to him. For minifters are not only 
 vefTels but earthen veiTels — implying 
 
 That they are in themfelves, poor and mean, and 
 unfuitabie to contain or difplay fuch infinite glo- 
 ries.^ — So indeed are the bed: of men, endowed with 
 the beft gifts of nature or of grace : though called 
 from amongft the wife, the mighty, or the noble, of 
 this world. " But God hath often chofen the fooliih 
 things of the world, to confound the wife ; and God 
 hath chofen the weak diings of the world to con- 
 found the things which are mighty, and bafe things 
 of the world, and things which are defpifed, hath 
 God chofen, yea, and things which are not, to 
 bring to nought things that are : that no flefh fhould 
 glory in his prefence/' i Cor. i. 28. 
 
 It is the great defign of God to humble the pride of 
 man. His inftruments therefore have ofcen been what 
 
 man 
 
f '9 ) 
 
 man would not have chofen : deftltute of thofe polite 
 accomplifhments, that learning and eloquence, which 
 the world fo much admire. And truly, if they pof- 
 fefs thefe, they muft learn to defpife them, in com- 
 parifon of the fimplicity of the faith; to determine 
 not to know any thing but Jefus Chrift, and him 
 crucified ; while their fpeech and their preaching is 
 not with the enticing words of man's wifdom, but 
 in the dcmonftration of the Spirit and of power : 
 that the faith of believers may not ftand in the wif- 
 dom of men, but in the power of God. i Cor. ii. 
 
 Often indeed in the fenfible experience of the 
 fame infirmities, forrows, weaknefles, and fears, with 
 others, they carry within themfelves an afi^edling 
 proof of their inability for fo great a work, and are 
 ready to exclaim, *' Who is fufficient for thefe 
 things ?'* Often they are tired in the work, though 
 not of it, and, while the fpirit is willing, the flcfh is 
 weak, — Often when they fee the infinite glories, and 
 vaft importance of the truth, in connexion with 
 their own infufficiency of body and of mind, they are 
 ready to wifh, vs^ith the prophet, " not to make 
 mention of him, nor to fpeak any more in his name : 
 till his word is in their hearts as a burning fire fhut 
 up in their bones, and they are weary of forbearing, 
 and cannot ftay." Jer. xx. 9. But this allufion im- 
 plies (till further — 
 
 That they are finners by nature and by pradlice, 
 to whom this treafure is committed, this difpenfation 
 of the Gofpel grace.— God hath chofen, and it is 
 an inftance of his great compalTion, to fpeak to us 
 by men in all refpedts like ourfelves, men of like 
 pafTions, and finfui infirmities. Even a bold Elijah 
 trembles and flies before the face of a woman, 
 when left to prove his llrength. Weak, and frail, 
 
 B 2 they 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 they often dilcover the blemifhes of human nature, 
 and have realon, like their fellow- finners, for hu- 
 miliation and continual watchfulnefs. Thus they can 
 feel for, and'addrefs themfelves to, the circumftances 
 of fuch imperfed creatures ; while themfelves are 
 compelled to lament over their indwelling corrup- 
 tions, and take up the cry of an apoflle, " who 
 Ihall deliver me from the body of this death." 
 
 Wonderful is it that fuch unlikely inftruments 
 fhould be the means of conveying fuch blef- 
 fmgs of grace and falvation to miferabie finners. 
 And it is a proof of the fovereign grace of God, 
 that fuch frail creatures, while they feel frequent 
 caufes of inward grief, fhould be upheld, by the- 
 great head of his church, as ftars in [his hand, and 
 fhould not be left to difhonour' the gofpel they pro- 
 claim. It is truCj we have fometimes lamentable 
 inftances of this kind, which fpeak with a loud and 
 warning voice, diredin^ us to the only preferver of 
 his faints, and admoni'hing us, " let him that 
 thinketh he ilandeth take heed left he fall." And 
 woe be to thcfe who can magnify the blemifhes of 
 fuch, or ufe them, with a fecret gratification, to in- 
 creafe their prejudices againft the gofpel of Chrift, 
 which yet remains the fame. — But what the apoflle 
 had here particularly in view was no doubt. 
 
 That this everiafting gofpel is committed in its 
 difpenlation to fmful mortals-, dying and pafllng 
 away ; ail under the fame fentence, " duft thou art, 
 and unto duft llialt thou return." " Our fathers, 
 where are they ? and the prophets, do they live for 
 everr" No excellency of charafter or of office 
 can change the veffel of clay, can exempt the perfon 
 who fuftains them from the ftroke of death. Even 
 in the difcharge of our office we are frequently 
 reminded, " that foon the earthly houfe of this taber- 
 nacle 
 
{ 2. ) 
 
 nacle fhall be diffolved." And quickly its Creator 
 dafhes it into pieces, and it moulders back to duft. 
 Strange that fuch changing inftruments (hould be 
 chofen to carry on fuch an unchanging defign, and 
 adminifler fuch unchanging blcfllngs. They fome- 
 times appear to us of great importance in the church, 
 but not fo to him. They have only to do their al- 
 lotted Vv'ork, then the veflel is broken, and appears 
 no more. Of this the prefent providence affords us 
 an afFc6ling proof. 
 
 And here I cannot decline to pay a tribute of re- 
 fpedb to the memory of a faithful fervant of the 
 Lord, and adore what God had made him. 
 
 Early called by grace to the knowledge of the 
 truth, he had attained peculiarly clear and evange- 
 lical views of its nature and its glories. Though, 
 from his family and conne6lions in life, he had rea- 
 fon to expedl an elevated fituation in the church, and 
 honour in the world, no fooner was his mind en- 
 lightened by the gofpel, and his heart influenced by 
 its power, than he facrificed all to win Chriit — to 
 preach Chrift — to bring his fellow Tinners to the 
 knov/ledge of Chrift crucified. His faith was not a 
 mere notion or profefiion, but " gold tried in the 
 fire, that Ihall be found unto praife and honour and 
 glory." Like Mofes, '^ he efteemed the reproach 
 of Chrift greater riches than the treafures in Egypt :" 
 or, like the apoftle, *^ he accounted all things but 
 as dung and drofs for tiie excellency of the know- 
 ledge of Chrift Jcfus our Lord." 
 
 His natural talents wcreftrong and penetrating. His 
 memory was remarkably tenacious, as by twice read- 
 ing he could make a fubjedl his own. His knowledge 
 of the Icriptures was very accurate and extenfive, par- 
 ticularly of the Old Teftament, the defign and evan- 
 gelical import- of which feemed famiUar to his mind. 
 
 B 3 Yea 
 
( " ) 
 
 Yea his general views of the gofpel were enriched 
 with a peculiar fpiritual cRergy, much like thofe of 
 our late venerable minifter, to whole rneinory he 
 paid the laft tribute of rcfped. His preaching was 
 plain and fimple, but powerful and convincing, at- 
 tended, at the fame time, with fuch a ferious and 
 commanding addrefs, as could not but obtain the 
 attention of the mod carelefs. Every one felt that 
 what was fpoken was believed — was uttered under a 
 deep convidion of its truth, and every one (at leaft 
 for the time) felt its importance enforced upon his 
 own heait. 
 
 A firm friend to the church of England, with the 
 utmoft candour and liberality towards thofe who 
 differed from him, it was his fincere defire to 
 promote its interefts and its welfare And hap- 
 py would he have been to have feen all the 
 friends of its evangelical doctrines uniting to main- 
 tain its difciplincv and the acknowledged friends 
 of its difcipline uniting to maintain the purity of its 
 articles of faith. His views of thefe were, it is con- 
 feffed, what are generally called Calviniftic. And 
 indeed it appears llrange to thofe who embrace the 
 fame fentiments with him (whatever may be the pre- 
 vailing opinions of the prefent day, or thepoffible con- 
 ftrudion of fome parts of their language) that any one 
 fliould fericufly deny it to have been their original 
 defign to fupport this fyftem of dodlrine, vvho com- 
 pares their mod literal and evident meaning with the 
 well known wriungs and fentiments of thofe vene- 
 rable characters who compiled them. But, what- 
 ever may be thought of thefe principles, in his cafe, 
 at leaft, they mutt be acknowledged to have been 
 produ6live of the 'abundant fruits of righteoufnefs, 
 and charities, which may long render his name dear 
 to the poor who fo liberally experienced them. 
 
 He 
 
( 23 J 
 
 He who is infinitely wife, and does nothing with- 
 out defign, had not called fuch an inftrument out 
 from the world, and fo fitted him for the work, but 
 for efTential fervice. He made him, therefore, very 
 ufeful in his fituation, gave him many feals to his 
 miniftry, who fhall be his joy and crown of rejoic- 
 ing in the great day of the Lord. To them he 
 no doubt was, as he ought to be, peculiarly dear, 
 while the amiable condefcenfion of his manners (al- 
 ways forgetting the dignity of his birth) made him 
 beloved by all. — God kept him faithful and con- 
 fiftent to the end. And, after holding forth the 
 word of life, on his Thurfday evening le6ture, he 
 was fuddenly feized with a diforder that quickly ter- 
 minated his work on earth. 
 
 But, though his affli61:ion was fudden, it met 
 him not unprepared. " When his apothecary en- 
 tered he faid, I am dying, but I blefs God all 
 my affairs are fettled for both worlds. I am dy- 
 ing, but I am going to live for ever. — I die 
 in the faith of the gofpel, and in love and cha- 
 rity vv'ith all men, efpecially with all my Chriftian 
 brethren,'' and then in prayer fweedy committed 
 his partner and his friends into the hands of the 
 
 Lord." " Lie died as he lived, ftrong in the 
 
 Lord and in the power of his might ; glorified God 
 in the fires; and, though with much weaknefs and 
 extreme pain of body, his mind was perfedtly com- 
 pofed, and his judgment unimpaired to the lad. 
 He took his leave of his difcrefTed partner and his 
 houfehold, and exhorted them to refignation and 
 confidence in God. *^ I am going (faid he), 1 am 
 dying, but I am quite happy, I die in the faith of 
 the Lord Jefus.— And the la(t words he was heard 
 to articulate were, '^ Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God 
 Almighty." — —Thus, dying in the full triumph of 
 
 B 4 faith, 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 filth, confident of his intereft in the falvation of the 
 Lord, and looking forward with holy joy to the 
 glory that is beyond, he fweetly realized thofc ani- 
 inating words, chofcn by him as the lad tribute of 
 refpeft to the memory of our late venerabl- paftor — 
 " This God is our God for ever and eveij he will 
 Idc our guide unto death."— Oh that we all might 
 be followers of them who through faith and patience 
 now inherit the promifes — By fuch a death we can- 
 not but feel more fenfibly the importance of fuch 
 a life. But his work was done, and the vefTel is 
 broken, that God may have all the glory. — This 
 leads us to inquire. 
 
 Thirdly, The defign of God in raifmg up, em- 
 ploying, and, we may add alfo, in carting sfide, fuch 
 inftruments as thefe — " That the excellency of the 
 power may be of God and not of us."— There is 
 then an excdlency of pov/er in the gofpel, though 
 adminiftered by fuch feeble means. And this, above 
 all befiJer, evinces it to be the gofpel of God, that 
 he acknowledges it as his, and attends it with his 
 bleffing. The earthen veflel, that brought fome of 
 you acquainted with its glories, has been removed, 
 but the efFedls remain. You yet experience thefe 
 effects of gofpel grace, the moft excellent that can 
 ever be produced on finners, and you are well con- 
 vinced that nothing but an almighty power could 
 ever have wrought them. 
 
 You were in darkrefs and ignorance through fin, 
 and you became enlightened by the truth. You have 
 been brought to fee the great evil of fin, the dread- 
 ful ftate an-i condition you were in by nature, while 
 all your once boaiteJ excellency vaniflied, and you 
 ftot.d in your own fight finners guilty and con- 
 demned. Whenever the Gofpel is truly preached, 
 8 this 
 
( ^5 ) 
 
 this influence is yet jexperienced ; yet not from the 
 niinillration itfelf, but from the power of God. 
 
 Yea;, you have been converted by the efficacy of 
 grace, not only brought out of darknefs into light, 
 but from the power of fin and Satan unto God. 
 While you have found and lamented the guilt and 
 power of fin, you have felt a deliverance from both, 
 in your confcience and in your heart. A change has 
 been wrought. You have been born again of the 
 Spirit by the word of truth. Your hearts have been 
 effe6lually turned, and you have loved thofe ways of 
 God which formerly you hated, and hated thofe ways 
 of fin that jult before you had delight in. You can- 
 not but feel and acknowledge the change. It was 
 wrought through the miniftry of men, but not of 
 themfelves, the excellency of the power was of God 
 and not of us. To him therefore you afcribe the 
 glory, and fay, " by the grace of God I am what I 
 am. 
 
 Under a deep fenfe of your fin and danger you 
 have been brought to Chrift, Convinced of your 
 need of his atoning facrifice, and juflifying righteouf- 
 nefs, you have fled by faith to this hope fet before 
 you. You have feen his glories fo as to believe and 
 truft in him, and are now "living the hfe which you 
 live in the flelh by the faith of the Son of God. 
 Your pride has been humbled, and now you re- 
 nounce all befides, to know and be found in him. 
 What a change is here from the felf exalting views 
 of nature ! The very work itfelf teaches you its au- 
 thor, and where to afcribe the glory, to the excel- 
 lency of that power which is of God. 
 
 Y'ei, you are fan^ified by this truth. You can- 
 not live in fin as heretofore, but have learned that im- 
 portant ieiToii how to crucify the flelh with its affec- 
 tions and lufts, by faith iii Chrid. 
 
 And by the fame Gofpel of truth you are conti- 
 nually 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 nually freferved and edified, ■ You fomctlmcs come 
 weak, and are ftrengthened; you come dark, and 
 are enlightened ; doubting, and are fatisfied ; fearful, 
 and are encouraged j tempted, and are fuccoured ; 
 backfliding in heart, and are reftored. " You wait 
 upon the Lord, and renew your ftrength; mount on 
 the wings of faith as on eagles wings, run and are 
 not weary, continue to go forward, and faint not/* 
 The gofpel comes in demonftration of the Spirit and 
 with power. When you look upon the inftrument 
 you are well convinced that what you experience was 
 beyond his power to perform, and you acknowledge 
 the hand of God. And if, when beholding as in a 
 glafs the glory of the Lord, you are changed into the 
 fame image, it is evidently by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 Thus he referves the honour to himfelf. 
 
 God might have fpoken to us by the mod 
 illufiricus inftruments; he might have commanded 
 his obedient angels to proclaim his grace to fm- 
 ners; it had been a mcllage worthy of their digni- 
 fied and exalted natures, and an additional honour 
 to thole favoured fpirits. — But then we might have 
 trufted in the melTenger, and forgot the work of God, 
 Now he is continually reminding us where to look, 
 and where to depend. Our gourds are continually 
 withering, that we may feek fnelter at laft only be- 
 neath the protedion of his ovv'n gracious care. And, 
 while we enjoy, and ufe, and blcfs him for, the 
 means, he daily calls us to remember, " the excel- 
 lency of the power is of God and not of us." 
 
 Two or three remarks, tending to apply this im- 
 portant fubjedl, (hall clofe our prefent addrefs to you. 
 
 Firfl. Our text teaches us a leflbn of truft and 
 confidence in God, under the darkeft difpenfation 
 towards his church. 
 
 His church is in his own hands j inftrumcnts are 
 
 all 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 all of his own raifing ; it is from him they are fur- 
 nifhed, from him they receive the blelTing. When 
 veflels are broken, the treafure is yet preferved the 
 fame, in the hand of him who made them all, and 
 who has yet the fame heart of compafTion, the fame 
 arm of power, and the fame fullnefs of the Spirit. 
 Yet, when we recolle6t, " the righteous is fome^- 
 times taken away from the evil to come," let us not 
 be of thofe who lay it not to heart. While we re- 
 colledl, they are fometimes removed in righteous 
 judgment, becaufe the gift has not been improved, 
 we ought to attend to fuch providences widi folemn 
 confideration, and be careful to derive feme benefit 
 from them, when they come within the fphere of 
 our own obfervation or connexions. Confident how- 
 ever that the great Head of his church has yet the 
 faithful care of it, we muft rubmic to his moll intri- 
 cate vifitations, and rely upon his wifdom and his 
 grace. 
 
 The words of our text in connexion with fuch a 
 providence as the prefent. 
 
 Secondly y Speak loudly in admonition to re- 
 rnaining minifters of the Gofpel. May I hear and 
 improve the warning voice ! Is it my office to dif- 
 penfe the ineftimabie treafure of the Gofpel of Chrift? 
 May I never mix Impurity or error with his un- 
 changing truth. May I not be as thofe which cor- 
 rupt the word of God j but as of fmcerity, but as of 
 God, in the fight of God, fpeak always in Chrifl. — 
 Am 1 only a vefTel of clay ? May I always remem- 
 ber where the treafure is to be obtained, and who 
 alone can enable me to difpenfe and communicate to 
 your hearts. — Pray therefore for me, my brethren, 
 for your own fakes, and for my fake, that I may be 
 kept thus humble and dependent, and that this grace 
 
 may 
 
( ^8 ) 
 
 may be given me, for the edification oftiie church. 
 And furely fvich confiderations as thefe Ihould urge 
 us all to a faithful cjifcharge of the duties of our im- 
 portant try-ft. How foon may thefe vcfTels be broken ! 
 How foon rmy we be unable to bear any more tef- 
 timony for our JLord and Mader, to call fmners to 
 partake his falvation, or encourage believers in the 
 good ways of tht Lord I How uncertain is the te- 
 nure of life 1 Your late venerable paftor, who feri- 
 pufly warned and fweedy encouraged, is now no more. 
 He, who fro^i) this place, payed the laft tribute of 
 refpe6t to his memorVj has unexpectedly followed him 
 through the gates of death j though, if ftrength of 
 conftitudon, or importance of fituation, had formed 
 any fecurity, he had yet furvived. And God, in 
 whofe hands are the fpirits of all flefh, only knows 
 how long I may be permitted to plead his caufe 
 among you. — Bear with us then, my brethren, in 
 our faithfulnefs. Bear with us when we watch for 
 your fouls, as they which mufl: give account, when 
 we warn you of the danger of fin — when by the ter- 
 rors of the Lord we pcrfuade men — when we urge 
 you by the value of your immortal fouls — when we 
 exhort and perfqade you, by the tender mercies and 
 rich grace of the Gofpel, to accept a free falvation^ 
 ^nd giv€ yourfelves to the Lord. Oh that God 
 would C-nable us to be more faithful, and more ear- 
 neflj and grant fjom the excellency of his power 
 abund.ant (uecefs.-r— Let us unite together, for this 
 purpofe> in the eaergcdc language of the prophet,, 
 " Awake, awake, put on ilrength, O arm of the 
 Lord, avvak.e as in th,e ancient days, in the genera- 
 tions of old." Or in the fimilar language of our 
 church, *' O God, we have heard with our ears, and 
 our fathers have declared unto us, the noble wdtks 
 that thou didil in tlicir days, and in the old time be- 
 fore 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 fore them. O Lord, arlfe, help us, arid deliver us for 
 thine horrour.*' 
 
 Thc^ words of our re5{r. In connedlon widi fu«Ii a 
 providence as the prefent. 
 
 Thirdly^ Speak Ihudly iri admonition to the- 
 hearers of the Gofpel.— The Gofpel is God^s ordi- 
 nance, attended with his excellent power to the en- 
 lightening, the fanclifying, andfaving, Tinners of man- 
 kind. Surely then we Ihould carefully examine what 
 cffed it hath produced upon us. 
 
 You have long heard this Gofpel of falvation, and 
 yet, perhaps, you are flili under the influence of your 
 fins, and led captive by the powers of darknefs. The 
 
 God of this world hath blinded your eyes that its glories 
 are not perceived. Though you have " line upon 
 line, line uponline, preceptupori precept, preceptupon 
 precept, here a little and there a litde,'' you are yet 
 infenfiblc either of the evil c^ fin, or the excellency of 
 fpiritual blefllngs : you are yet v/alking in the way^ 
 of fin, bold in your iniquities, or carelefsly indiffe- 
 rent. How awful will be your ficuation when you 
 meet your minifters, who have fpoken to you in the 
 name of the Lord, before his throne of judgment. 
 " We warned thofe finners, fhali they fay, we have 
 fpoken to them again and again, they have neither 
 been deftitute of admonition, reproof, encourage- 
 ments, or exhortations. We are clear from the blood 
 of them, and, if they peri lli, ic is becaufe they re- 
 ceived not the love of the truth, that they might be 
 faved.'*— « Awake then, thou Qeeptrr, and calf upon 
 thy God, if fo be thou perifh not.*' Yet the abun- 
 dant treafures of ir.ercy and grace are open to thee, 
 " Afk, and ye fl^all have ; feek, and ye (hall find • 
 knock, and it Ihall be opened unto you." But re- 
 member, the word of the Gofpel cannot be heard in 
 
 vain. 
 
( 30 ) 
 
 vain. There are but two effects which it can an- 
 fw€r, one of which it muft anfwer upon thee. It 
 mud either be " the Saviour of life unto life, or of 
 death unto death in all who hear it.'* 2 Cor. ii. 16. 
 
 Beware, my fellow finners, that you do not take of- 
 fence at the Gofpel, becaufe you perceive the imper- 
 fedlion of human nature in thofe who declare its 
 truths. — God hath chofen fuch earthen veflels, by 
 which to convey the blelTings of his Gofpel, that 
 the glory may be his. Intreat then the teaching 
 and divine influence of his fpirit ; for, whatever the 
 veflels may be, if you partake not of the treafure 
 they contain, you muft be poor indeed — poor for 
 eternity. 
 
 Perhaps you may have heard the Gofpel long, fo 
 as to diftinguifli its truths, and difcover fomething 
 of its glories : but has it reached your hearts in the 
 love and power of it ? Without this it will avail you 
 nothing. To have a form of godlinefs without the 
 power, is of all things the moft dangerous, as it is ge- 
 nerally moft deceitful. Remember, my dear friends, 
 how foon your minifler may die, how foon you may 
 die ; and then all your means of grace are over. If 
 they have not yet anfwere.d their defign, well confider 
 the ftate you are in, and how you fnall appear, when 
 negle6led means fhall only aggravate your guilt, and 
 increafe your condemnation. 
 
 Happy are you, my hearers, to whom the Gof- 
 pel has come in the excellency of its power, to en- 
 lighten, to quicken, to fan6lify, and to fave. You 
 will rightly efteem your minifters as ftewards of the 
 my^eries of Chrift; and, while ufing them as God's 
 appointed inftruments to promote his glory, but 
 looking beyond them for the blefling, you will by 
 their means be more and more enriched with grace, 
 edified in faith and love, comforted in your journey 
 6 through 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 through life, and fafely carried forward to the end. 
 They indeed fliall pafs away — thofc veiTels of clay 
 fliall be broken, — but " Jefus Chrift is the fame 
 yellerday, and to-day, and for ever." His love is 
 unchanging, his power ahnighty, his righteoufnefs 
 and falvation everlafting. " The moth fliall eat 
 them up like a garment, and the worm fliall eac 
 them like wool ; but my righteoufnefs fliall be for 
 ever, and my falvation from generation to genera- 
 tion. Yea lift up your eves to the heavens, and look 
 upon the earth beneath, for the heavens fliall vanifli 
 away like fmoak, and the earth fliall wax old like a 
 garment, and they that dwell therein fliall die in like 
 manner ; but my falvation fliall be for ever, and my 
 righteoufnefs fliall not be aboliflied.'* If h. 8, 6. 
 
 Happy they who are interefted in thefe un- 
 changing treafures — Oh, thou eternal Jehovah, one 
 God in three pcrfons, the God of grace and mercy, 
 grant us the enjoyment, and, with the excellency of 
 the power, the excellency of the glory fliail be thine. 
 Amen and Amen. 
 
 THE END. 
 
This plain Sermon, firft preached as a triburc of 
 riefpe^i: to the memory of a moft valuable charadler 
 in the church, is now pAiblifhed with the faaie vieW-.-— 
 It as nearly correfponds with what was delivered, as 
 r^colleflion would enable, or circumftances admit. — 
 Some fe\v alterations are made in the account of the 
 deceafed, from attaining further information. — Such 
 aS it hyk is Ribmltted to the perufal of thofc who read 
 rather for fpiritnal profit than for criticifft : — and 
 efpecially to thofe amongft whom the providebce 
 of God hath appointed me to labour: attended with 
 earnefb prayer for his blelTing upon it, to their edifi- 
 cation in the faith, hope, and obedience, of the 
 Gofpei, 
 
Mercies hi Judgment 
 
 S E R M O N: 
 
 PREACHED ONT THE DAY O-F 
 
 GENERAL THANKSGIVING, 
 
 DECEIvIBER IQ, 1797) 
 IK 
 
 i?v' ^7;^ Reverend WILLIAM GOODE, A, M. 
 
 .^tCTOR OF THE SAID CHURCH, A N'D LECTURER OF ST. ]OHN's WATPINC. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; 
 
 AND SOLD BY 
 
 l»IF.SSr.S. RIVIXGTON^ ST. PAUL's CHURCH TARD 
 AND MATHEWS, STRAND.. 
 
 1797 
 
-w 
 
 ^ntcrca at .5tiUiciKrr r^aff. 
 
S E JR M O N, &c, 
 
 PSALM CI, 1. 
 
 t Will sing of mercy and judgment, 
 
 UNTO THEE O LORD WILL I SING. 
 
 1 O fix our attention on the hand of God as 
 
 diredlhig all the mercies and judgments which 
 
 furround us is the appropriate' deiign of this 
 
 day— a defign, furelv;, which cannot be conii- 
 
 dered as unfuitable, when we are fo apt to be 
 
 forgetfuL Efpecially are we inclined to forget 
 
 our mercies^ — a fpirit of thankfidnefs to God 
 
 is too great a il ranger to the human heart. But, 
 
 above all, when thefe mercies are found in the 
 
 midll of judgments^ we dwell upon the iinpleaf- 
 A 2 ing 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 ing profpcdl, while we oveiiook the many in- 
 ftances of divine forbearance — the m^ny difplays 
 of protecting power — the various interpofitions 
 of providential care — and the liberal bounties of 
 God's gracious hand. 
 
 To raife ourfelves a little from thofe gloomy 
 views which fometimes opprefs the mind, to 
 diflinguifh amidft our fears the caufes of joy, 
 and the grounds of better expedlations, to mark 
 the evident interpofitions of Divine Power and 
 Goodnefs, will excite a frame of mind which 
 highly becomes us, and may difcover more rea- 
 fons for gratitude and humble confidence than 
 on a fuperficial review of things we may appre- 
 hend. And, while thus we are rendered thank- 
 ful for the evident anfwers to former prayers, 
 we may hope that the God of our Mercies 
 will become the God of our Salvatiox. 
 
 May the Lord make what fliall now he fpokerr^ 
 effedlual to excite this deiirable difpofitron. 
 
 It may not be amifs, in the first place, to re- 
 move an objedlion, which will tend much to 
 deprefs that fpirit of thankfulnefs, and of chear- 
 ful gratitude, which ought to lead the employ- 
 ments of this day. It is, I acknowledge, an 
 
 objection 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 dbjedlion which has been felt in my own mindy 
 and which I have heard from others ; but which 
 is not, I am convinced, founded in truth. 
 
 It has been faid, the prefent lituation of our 
 affairs rather requires a fail, and the fpirit of 
 deep humiliation, than the difpolitions implied 
 m the exercifes of this day. 
 
 It mull be acknowledged the times are criti- 
 cal — the afpedl of providences is gloomy — the 
 judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth 
 (would to God that the inhabitants might there- 
 by learn righteoufnefs !) — and, in the prefent 
 Uncertain revolutionary fpirit of the world, what 
 Vvill be the ifflie we know not. But furely we 
 ought to remember, " It is of the Lord's mer- 
 cies we are ?iof confumcd^ &c." And, if in judg- 
 ment tlie Lord remember mercy, then it is great- 
 ly incumbent upon us, in our prayers and hu- 
 miliation, not to forget the tribute of gratitude 
 and praife. 
 
 We have a remarkable inflance of this in tlie 
 Jewifli nation, juft returned from their captivity. 
 They were yet in great ilraits, fun'ounded with 
 enemies who were bent upon their deilru6i:ion. 
 \i\ the next chapter, therefore, we find them 
 
 obfervino; 
 
 r 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 obferving a folemn faft to the Lord. ^^ Now 
 in the twenty and fourth day of this month, the 
 children of If^*ael were alTembled with failing, 
 and with fackclothes^ and earth upon them. 
 And the feed of Ifrael feparated themfelves from 
 all itrangers, and ftood and confefTed their iins, 
 and the iniquities of their fathers." Neh. ix; 
 I^ 2. But, at the fame time, if mercies are 
 received mercies muft be acknowledged, and 
 therefore in the fame month we find them cele- 
 brating a day of chearful thankfgiving. '^ And 
 Nehemiah, which is the Tirfhatha, and Ezra the 
 prieft the fcribe, and the Levites that taught 
 the people, faid unto all the people, This day is 
 holy unto the Lord your God ; mourn not, nor 
 weep, for all the people wept when they heard 
 the words of the law. Then he faid unto them. 
 Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the fweet, 
 and fend portions unto them for whom nothing 
 is prepared ; for this day is holy unto our Lord : 
 neither be 3^e forry, for the joy of the Lord is 
 your ftrength. So the Levites ilillcd all the 
 people, faying, Hold your peace, for the day is 
 holy, neither be ye grieved. And all the people 
 went their way, to eat and to drink, and to fend 
 
 portions., 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 portions, and to make great mirth, becaufe they 
 had underftood the words that were declared 
 unto them." Neh. viii; 9, 10, 11, 12. This is 
 the temper of mind we are this day called to 
 imitate, a temper of grateful praife, and as op- 
 portunity offers of kindnefs and benevolence. 
 
 Thefe things being premifed, let us proceed 
 to take notice of the great mercies, which God 
 has mingled in the prefent difpenfation of his 
 righteous judgment. 
 
 War muft at all times be confidered as the 
 rod, as the fcourge of the Almighty. And fureiy 
 the prefent, in its rife, its rage, its principles, and 
 effedls, has been the moft violent and deftru<5live. 
 It is \he general fcourge of Europe, in the hand 
 of thci Lord our Redeemer, to vindicate the 
 glorie^ of his injured perfon, and the honor of 
 his c^ufe. 
 
 The events, which of late years liave been 
 pafling before our eyes, have furprized and afto- 
 niihed us. We have wondered at the fecret 
 fprings from which they could arife, at their 
 pov.'erful and general operation ; and thefe till of 
 late have remained concealed. But, if anv one 
 would know the caufes of the late revolutions in 
 
 Europe, 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 Europe, and the flate in which we ftand, I would 
 advife him to read a late publication^ entitled, 
 *' Proofs of a Confpiracy againft all the Religions 
 and Governments of Europe," by J. Robifon. 
 There he will find the whole ariUng from the 
 fecret but combined efforts of infidelity — di- 
 gelled into fcparate and regular confpiracies — 
 carried on with all tlie artifice, fubtilty, and 
 rancour, of Satan — laying down as principles of 
 adlion what mufl: tend to the fubverfion of fo- 
 ciety as well as of religion — and adling with de- 
 termined pcrfeverance, till they burfi forth in 
 all the horrors of revolution, where nothing was 
 tranfadled, amidfh all thofe cruelties and immo* 
 ralities which have furprized and confounded us, 
 beyond what their fecret principles juftilied to 
 themfelves. What we have confidered as the 
 fcum arifino; from the violent effervefcence of 
 revolution is here difcovered as originating from 
 fettled principles of a6lion, avowed in their fecret 
 affociations. Upon this view of things, whether, 
 had we been more defirous of it, we could long 
 have evaded the commencement of hoftilities, i^ 
 a queftion very diffxcult to determine. 
 
 I wilt 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 ' I will not fay the war was undertaken def- 
 lignedly for the fupport of religion, but this I 
 muft fay, whatever were the deiigns and moti^'e3: 
 of thofe who engaged in it, in the end it will be 
 found, that all religion is clofely connecled with 
 it, and all our civil and religious privileges de- 
 pend upon a happy ifTue. 
 
 In this view, every fuccefs which tends to our 
 fecurity is a bleffing for which we cannot be 
 too thankful, when we confider what has been, 
 and now is, the avowed temper of our enemies. 
 Every circumilance that has been inftrumental 
 to preferve us from fuch a contagion, either be- 
 fore or fince the war, is an inilance of God's 
 goodncfs towards this favored land : favored we yet 
 muft call it, lince, whaLever we may have hitherto 
 endured. through thefcourge of v/ar, our fuiferings 
 can bear no comparifon to the diftreiTes of almoft. 
 all the nations around us. 
 
 Amongft the latter of thefe, though firft in its 
 effedl:, is, what none here, I truft, will denyy 
 the religious character of our king. This, I 
 conceive, in the prefcnt cafe, may be mentioned 
 with peculiar propriety, fmce, the laft time vre 
 met here on a ftmilar occafton, it v>^as our cor- 
 
 B dial 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 dial employ to return thanks for his unexpedled 
 recovery from a moft aLarming afflidlion ; and I 
 hefitate not to afTert, that we have now equal 
 reafon to be thankful for the prolongation of his 
 important life, to the wiflies of his people. Had 
 we feen a king upon the throne of thefe king- 
 doms^ fuch as filled almoil all the thrones of 
 Europe, like them he would either have joined 
 the combination, or have been the dupe of the 
 fleligning artifice, of Infidelity. And, from 
 what we have feen, notwithflanding fuch ob-* 
 flru6lions to their progrefs, we may reafonably 
 conclude we fliould then have felt all the fame 
 miferable eftedle, and been plunged into the fame 
 awful fcene of horrors ; either in the natural 
 couife of events, or in the righteous judgment 
 of God. But we have to blefs God that ours is 
 the only king who ^as not more or lefs the co- 
 adjutor or dupe of tlieir fatanical defigns. 
 
 The black and ftormy cloud has long been 
 hanging over Europe, and burfting here and 
 there with the nicil dcfolating efi'edls ; while 
 VvT, though anxioufly alarmed, have only felt 
 comparatively a few drops falling as it were 
 from its ikirts. Sometimes the gathering ftorm 
 
 lias 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 lias feemed to be approaching nearer, but has 
 gracioufly and unexpedledly been removed ; 
 and, 1 truft it will yet be fo, while there is in 
 tliis kingdom a remnant of the Lord's people, a 
 praying remnant, who are found at a Throne of 
 Grace ; who like the faithful Ifraelites figh and 
 cry for the abominations of th^ land, and earn- 
 eftly fupplicate through the Redeemer the for- 
 givenefs of their own fins, and the tranfgreffions 
 of a guilty nation. In fuch general darknefs 
 and diilrefs we ought not indeed to expe^l great 
 things^ nor to hope for fplendid advantages ; if 
 preferved through all in the enjoyment of our 
 privileges, it muli excite our admiration, and 
 claim our gratitude and praife. — It is in this 
 a*efpe6l we are now called upon to mark the ia- 
 terpojitions of a gracious God, and, blelTed be 
 his name, many fuch now fuggeil themfelves to 
 our recolledlion. Let us fix our attention on a 
 few. 
 
 Some time ago it pleafed the Lord to threaten 
 us with a famine ; but in the time of extremity 
 he opened the fource of fupply — then he gave 
 us an abundant harvefh which diffipated our 
 fears ; and, in the meanwhile, ilirred up a fpirit 
 B 2 of 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 of liberality in the more opulent ; which pre- 
 vented the progrefs of difaffeftion in thofe who 
 might have been irritated by the keener feelings 
 of diftrefs. 
 
 A little while Unce the whole nation was 
 alarmed by the moll unufual, unexpedled, and 
 diftreffing, appearance. The natural bulwarks 
 of the nation were breaking themfelves down ; 
 the very charadler of the Britifh failor was 
 changed ; difafFedlion and mutiny were the only 
 remaining proofs of courage ; our own fword 
 had nearly been thruil into our own vitals — but 
 the fuppreilion was as fudden and unexpe6led as 
 its rife. 
 
 The interpofition of God^ when an invading 
 iiect flood upon the lliores of a lifler kingdom, 
 vv-as fo evident^ that Infidelity itfelf could fcarce- 
 ly but difcover it. While our fleets wandered 
 as though infatuated in the fearch, the Iiand of 
 God alone perplexed the purpofes of our ene- 
 mies ; defeated their defigns ; and drove them 
 back in the way by which they camo dlfappoint- 
 cd and afhamed. 
 
 But, on the prefent occafion, we are parti- 
 cularly Galled to recolledl the three illuftrious 
 
 and 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 and decifive vi6lories obtained in three defpe^ 
 rate engagements; with each of the three great 
 Powers with whom we are at war : and each of 
 thefe obtained in the very critical moment, to 
 difappoint the deligns of our enemies, and 
 fecure our threatened privileges and rights. 
 Here the antient wifdom and valour of the Bri- 
 tilh navy was again difplayed, and he, who can 
 make one to chafe a thonfand, or ten thoufand to 
 flee at the rebuke of one, ftill diredled us by the 
 fame Ikill, ftill fupported in our failors the fame 
 fpirit of courage and intrepidity, which has 
 exhaufted the naval efforts of our enemies : the 
 only way in which they could perfonally annoy 
 us. The laft of thefe, both in the time and 
 manner, appears moft providential ; and, the 
 more every circumHance is confidered, the more 
 evidently will the hand of God appear, while its 
 effedls are moft important and beneficial. 
 
 If we look at thofe countries which have been 
 iacked and plundered by the defolating brigands, 
 and then turn back our eyes and coniider our pre- 
 fent Situation, furely, amidft all our complaints, 
 w^e muft acknowledge our mercies are great ; and, 
 while lamenting the impending judgments, muft 
 
 feel 
 
( 1^ ) 
 
 fed our obiigation to join notw^thftanding in the 
 tong of mercy. 
 
 We have feen our enemies conquering the 
 mofl: powerful and veteran armies — rolling on 
 and accumulating a force which has prevailed to 
 carry all before them. — ^We have feen them ra- 
 vaging the Low Countries — penetrating over the 
 ice into Holland, fpread, as it v/ere, by the 
 hand of Providence to expedite their way (fuch 
 a phenomenon had not appeared for near a cen- 
 tury before). — We have obferved them running 
 over the Pyrenees into Spain, climbing over the 
 Alps into Italy, betraying the ftates of Venice, 
 reaching almofl to Rom.e, and then rufhing back 
 again to the very gates of Vienna. 
 
 And what have they done wherever they have 
 fixed their hoUile banners ? what — but fpread 
 the poifon of infidelity, and accomplifh (as far 
 as circumllances would permit,) their fcrmer 
 ;ivowed defign of extirpating Chriitianity, and 
 diffolving every focial bond — but in every at- 
 tempt againll us they have failed ! ! ! Their navy, 
 nearly equal wath ours at the firft, has dwindled 
 almofl to nothing ; while ours, by the good 
 h^d of God upon us, has rifen to an height uur 
 
 paralleled 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 paralleled before. The providence of God hsJ 
 by thefe interpolitions evidently faid unto them, 
 « Hitherto fhalt thou go, but no farther/' &c. 
 The Britifh kingdoms have been preferved, and, 
 in every effort againft us, they, who have thruiir 
 the world before them, " have become like com- 
 mon men.'^ Surely then ^' the hand of the 
 Lord is in all this," and we may iing of mercies 
 in the midfl of judgments. Surely we may con- 
 iider thefe favors as pledges of his yet continued 
 kindnefs, though to an ungrateful land ; that 
 yet he hears the prayers of his people ; and, 
 while thankful for his interpolitions, and fup- 
 plicating his aid, he will magnify himfelf as the 
 God of our falvation. 
 
 If inftead of thefe vidlories we had experienced 
 defeat, what muft have been the effedl ? Ere 
 now we had been deprived of all our privileges 
 and liberties, had been debarred or abridged in' 
 the exercife of our religion, this country had be- 
 come the feat of anarchy and rebellion, or de- 
 voted to decline in fubje<^ion to a foreign power. 
 And, if any circumftance can yet more diitin- 
 guifhingly mark the gracious providence of God, 
 and claim our greater gratitude,- it is this ; the in- 
 
 wajd 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 ward tranquillity in which this kingdom has been 
 yet prefer ved, the peaceful exercife of our reli- 
 gious privileges, which we now enjoy ; notwith- 
 Handing the many who, in profecuting the fame 
 diforganizing plans, have aimed the fame daring 
 efforts, or diredled the fame fubtle machina- 
 tions, againft all order and religion. It is 
 true we experience many eiFedls of the pre- 
 fent awful ftate of Europe ; but, when we conli- 
 der attentively thefe undeniable circumftances, 
 let us fay if we have not great reafon for grati-* 
 tude and thankfgiving. 
 
 We will now clofe the fubjedl by a few fliort 
 obfervations, which may direA us to its proper 
 improvement. 
 
 The FIRST ufe we may make 'of this view of 
 prefent circumftances is to incite within ourfelves 
 a fpirit of thankfulnefs. 
 
 We talk fo much of our judgments and 
 diftreffes, we dwell fo much on the gloomy fide 
 of the cloud, that we perceive not the beams of 
 mercy interfperfed. But, let us recolledl:, the 
 way to enjoy future bleilings is to be grateful for 
 thofe we pofTefs ; and, v/hile difcovering grati- 
 tude. 
 
( 17 ) 
 
 tude for the paft, we may prefer with greater 
 confidence our fupplications for the neceffitles 
 that yet remain. 
 
 Let this view of prefent circumflances alfo 
 encom'age in us a fphit of prayer and fupplication. 
 
 Though things are not jufh as we could wifli 
 them at home or abroad, our only helper is 
 the God of our mercies ; who turns the heart 
 even of rulers in the channel which he pleafcs. 
 Our murmurings and ingratitude are not likely 
 to change our affairs for the better. But, when 
 we are found at the Throne of Grace, we are 
 furely engaged in the befh way of its attainment, 
 and, through the goodnefs of God, we do not 
 pray without encouragement. Thefe circum- 
 flances of providence may juftly be confidered 
 as anfv/ers to former prayer, and diredlions to 
 future depcndance. God will indeed hear a 
 praying people, and, if they be but a remnant, 
 they ihall be as the fait of the land to prcferve it 
 from deflru6bion. But, remeifiher, '^ if the fait 
 have loft Its favour wherewith fhall it be fea- 
 foned." If God's people are declining from a 
 fpirit of prayer and fupplication what mufh be 
 the ilTue ? Whatever wife plans they may form 
 C for 
 
( >8 ) 
 
 for the amelioration of the Hate, whatever a6li- 
 vity they may difcover in their execution, judg- 
 ment is not far behind — *' henceforth it is good 
 for nothing but to be trodden under foot of 
 men." 
 
 Let this view alfo encourage us quietlv to 
 wait for God under the neceRary burdens that 
 may arife from fo unprecedented a lituation. 
 
 In thefe, as Chriftians, it becomes us to difcern 
 and acknowledge the hand of God, and the 
 effects of his righteous difpleafure. It is true 
 we feel. And w^e begin to feel where we might 
 have expected it long before, in a part the moil 
 keen to fenfibility in a commercial nation ; but 
 Hill let us again recolledl, how little in compa- 
 rifon of all around us ! AVhile then we look to 
 him who only can diredl and deliver, while we 
 commit ourfelves to his wifdcm and unerring 
 providence, the many interpofitions of his former 
 care may encourage our hopes, that yet, in the 
 time of our extremity, he w^ill appear, and the 
 dark cloud, which now hangs with threatening 
 afpedl, will breaks and be difhpated by the 
 beams of mercy. 
 
 But 
 
( 19 ) 
 But thefe views iliculd above ail inllru<5l us to 
 hEWARE OF Infidelity. 
 
 • Oh that I could fpeak it with a voice that 
 miglit pervade every corner of the land, beware 
 OF IxFiDELiTY.This lias been tlie caufe of all the 
 evils which have defolated Europe. Aixd, amidfi 
 all our alarms, the greateil danger tliat now 
 prefles upon us fprings from tiie rapid fpread of 
 luch principles amongft ourfelves, wjiich feem to 
 call upon the great God our Saviour to avenge his 
 honour and his caufe. — Infidelity generally makes 
 its firft advances under the plaulible pretext of 
 natural virtLie and morality ; conceals its true 
 nature for a time, till the mind led from evil to 
 evil is gradually prepared for the moft diabolical 
 plans. And, v.hen once the authority of the Lord 
 our Redeemer is fhaken oft, foon all authority 
 will be difregarded. and, v*hen the bonds of our 
 obligation to God are broken, every focial bond 
 will foon be loofened and derano:ed. We have 
 feen therefore thofe, who wete the chief fup- 
 porters of an iniidel combination, the firit to 
 fuffer its effects. — How far, in the prefent awful 
 crifiS of Di\ine Judgments, the providence of 
 God may permit tli^ contagion to fpread, we 
 C 2 prefuTne 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 pvefiunc not to conje6lure ; but^ fliould it difFufe 
 itfelf throughout this land, Ihould it extend 
 throughout the world, the world would be but 
 treafuring up wrath for itfelf, and defolation from 
 tlie vindicating hand of God. 
 
 Let us then, who are fo favored, learn from 
 thefe coniiderations to be thankful for, and to 
 diligently improve our religious privileges, while 
 continued in their enjoyment. Hitherto thefe 
 bleflings have been fpared to us, and, in this 
 reljiedl, we are privileged above all the nations. 
 We may ufe vsith peculiar propriety the language 
 of the Pfalmjft. '• He fheweth his word unto 
 Jacob, his ftatutcs, and his judgments unto Ifrael. 
 He Iiath not dealt fo with any nation : and as 
 for Ivis judgments, they liave not known them. 
 Praife ye the Lord." Pfalm cxlvii ; I9, 20. 
 We trufl tliat many of you know^ their value. 
 Oh then be careful to in:iprove them. '' Walk 
 ivliile ye have the light lell darknefs come upon 
 you. 
 
 And ye that know your blefTednefs therein 
 ufe a Tlircne of Grace for yourfelves and a 
 guilty nation, and wait in patient expectation 
 the end of the Lord. But, if accepted in the 
 
 beloved, 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 beloved, whatever may come upon the nation, 
 or the world, it fliall be well with us ; it Ihall be 
 well in time, through all the trials we are called 
 to endure ; it fhall be well in death : and, 
 bleffed be God, beyond is the kingdom of 
 unchanging reft and peace for ever. And, when 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift ihall come again, with 
 glory infinitely furpaffing, yea, difgraced by any 
 comparison with that which now excites the 
 gazing admiration of many of our fellow crea- 
 tures, he fhall come to welcome us to that 
 blifsful kmgdom, and exalt us in the glories of 
 his complete falvation. 
 
 May he by all his difpenfations on earth pre- 
 pare us for, then bring us there, to his own 
 eternal praife, with the Father and the Holy 
 Spirit. Am.en. 
 
 THE END. 
 
Lately puhlt/hed, hy the fame Author^ and fold hy 
 MeJJrs. RiviNGTON, "St. Paul's Church Yard-, and 
 Mathews^ Strand-, 
 
 FAITH TRIUMPHANT IN DEATH ; a Funeral 
 Sermon, occafioned by the Death of the Rev. 
 W. Ro MAINE, A. M. Re6lor of St. Andrew Ward- 
 robe, and St. Ann's, Black Friars ; and Lefturer 
 of St. Dunftan's in the Weft. Preached in the 
 Parifh Church of St. Dunftan, Sunday Evening, 
 Auguft 9, 1795. 
 
 THE GOSPEL TREASURE IN VESSELS OF 
 CLAY ; a Sermon, occafioned by the Death of the 
 Hon. and Rev. B. W. Cadogan, Reftor of St. 
 Luke's, Chelfea ; and Vicar of St. Giles's, Reading. 
 Preached in the Pariih Church of St. Andrew 
 Wardrobe, and St. Ann, Black Friars, London, o.n 
 Sunday, January 2?, 1797. 
 
True Patriotifm, 
 
 S E R M O 
 
 PREACHED 
 
 IN AID OF THE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS 
 FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY, 
 
 On Sunday March ii, 1798, 
 
 IN 
 
 C8e ^arilft Cfiuvcfi of ^u anUreto aSartirofie, 
 antr ^u 3nn, Blatfefiiars, =llontiom 
 
 By the Rev. WILLIAM GO ODE, AM. 
 
 RECTOR OF THE SAID CHURCH, AND LECTURER OF 
 
 ST. John's wapping. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; 
 
 AND SOLD BY MESSRS. RIVINGTONS, ST. PAUL's CHURCH-TARD; 
 
 and MATHEWS, STRAND. 
 
 1798. 
 
(txittm at ^tatianet^' ^alU 
 
TO 
 
 THE CONGREGATION 
 
 WHO SO LIBERALLY CONTRIBUTED; 
 AND ESPECIALLY TO THAT PART OF IT, 
 AND THE 
 
 PARISH COMMITTEE 
 
 FOR RECEIVING VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 
 THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY, 
 
 AT WHOSE REQUEST THIS SERMON IS PUBLISHED ; 
 
 DESIROUS THAT IT MAY PRODUCE THOSE SALUTARY 
 EFFECTS OF WHICH THEIR FRIENDLY PARTIALITY 
 HAS LED THEM TO INDULGE THE HOPE ; 
 
 IT IS NOW INSCRIBED, 
 WITH ALL RESPECT, BY THEIR 
 
 HUMBLE SERVANT, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
SERMON, &c 
 
 2» SAM. X. i:^. 
 BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND LET US PLAY THE MEN, 
 FOR OUR PEOPLE, AND FOR THE CITIES OF OUR 
 GOD ; AND THE LORD DO THAT WHICH SEEMETH 
 HIM GOOD. 
 
 It is my defign this day to rail your attention, 
 and to excite your cheerful and voluntary contri- 
 butions — and for what ? Is it to heighten the ani- 
 mofity of one nation againil another I — ^Is it to 
 become the advocate of any party, or the vindica- 
 tor of any political intereft ?— Is it to prolong tli^ 
 moft bloody and deftruftive war that ever engaged 
 the nations of Europe ? 
 
 I am well aware that, while we are {landing 
 forth, in the prefent alarming crifis, to unite our 
 fellow fubjedts in a difplay of courage, and the ex- 
 
 B erclfe 
 
( 2 ) 
 
 crcife pf human prudence, thefe views are attri- 
 buted to us ; but, inconfcious of the fa6l, and unable 
 to perceive one reafon for the accufation, I firmly 
 anfvver— NO. It little becomes the minifter, or even 
 the profefTor, of the gofpel of peace to promote 
 the miferies of war -, and mod certainly I had not 
 appeared in this folemn place as an advocate for 
 any party, much lefs for bloodlLed and defolation. 
 But, I apprehend, the queflion which is now agitated 
 amongft us is not, or rather ought not to be, a quef- 
 tion of any party. The conteft feems to me to 
 be brought to a mod important point. We are 
 called, by the voice of Providence, to preferve our 
 country from confufion, and maintain its tranquilli- 
 ty and peace — to prevent the efFufion of blood on 
 Britilh ground, of which for fo many ages we 
 have happily been ignorant— to ft op, by difcover- 
 ing our unanimity and. zeal, the entrance of an 
 implacable foe, which has fworn to plunder and 
 deftroy — to preferve our dearefl privileges civil and 
 religious, which as yet have conditutcd Britain the 
 happieft nation upon earth— in a word, to preferve 
 our political exiftence among the European king- 
 doms. With views like thefe how fhall not every 
 
 true Briton feel the necefiity of his utmoil exertions ^ 
 how could I refufe the opportunity, or rather the 
 duty, of difcovering my own attachment to our happy 
 conftitution, and of exciting yours ? The v/ords of 
 my text haye fuggefled themfelves as eafily accom- 
 modated to this defign, and as fuch fhall now en- 
 gage our attention. 
 
 8 The 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 The circumftances in which they were fpoken are 
 thefe. The Ammonites having greatly offended the 
 king of Tfraelj and apprehenfive he would avenge the 
 infult offered him, were determined to be before- 
 hand in the attack. The firft in the offence, they 
 firft declare war, levy an army, join their neigh- 
 bours in alliance, and invade the land of Ifrael. 
 The battle is now fet in array, army againfl army. 
 The Ammonites and the various parties of Syrians 
 on the one Iide, and the Ifraelites on the other. — 
 Through the vaft numbers of the enemy the If- 
 raelites are apprehenfive of danger ; but, like va- 
 liant men, danger only unites them together, calls 
 forth the exercifes of wifdom, the difplay of cou- 
 rage, and the united energy of exertion. — Encou- 
 raging each other in the love of their country and 
 the love of God, recoiledting their civil and reli- 
 gious advantages, while like faithful and courageous 
 foldiers they prepare for the attack, like faithful 
 believers they leave its event to God. ** Be of good 
 courage, &:c." A fuitable example for us to follow; 
 and the confideraticn of its different parts will dif- 
 covcr how applicable to- exifting circumffances, 
 and will, I trufl:, juftify our condud, and give force 
 to the prefent application. 
 
 Our attention fhall be dire6led in the following 
 
 * order. Firfi, we will take notice of the reafons why 
 
 the welfare of our country fnould lie near our 
 
 hearts : " There is our people and the cities of our 
 
 B 2 God." 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 God." — We {hall then fet before you the duties of 
 faithful fubjeds in the time of alarm and danger : 
 To exert every power, and to unite in thofe ex- 
 ertions, acknowledging that falvation is of God, 
 and leaving the event in his righteous hand. — This 
 will lead us with a peculiar advantage to the defign 
 of our prefent addrefs. 
 
 I. The language of our text marks out, in a 
 mofl interefting manner, the reafons why the wel- 
 fare of our country fhould lie near our hearts. 
 
 What were the views which now engaged the at^ 
 tention of thefe faithful Ifraelites ? " There is our 
 people j" in this is true patriotism. — There are 
 "the cities of our God j" in this is true religion. — 
 The firfl marks their love to man, and the interefts 
 of their country 5 the latter their love to God, and 
 zeal for his honour and his caufe. J cannot direft 
 your attention to any fubjeds more true, more fuit- 
 able, more interefting, than thefe. 
 
 Firft. Our people are in danger, it is for them 
 we are concerned. ^' For our brethren, our fons 
 and our daughters, our wives and our houfes," Neh. 
 iv. 14. Every thing dear to us as a people depends 
 upon the iflue of the prefent conteft, and the na- 
 ture of that peace which we obtain: whether it be 
 didated by a conquering army, or confirmed be-: 
 
 tween 
 
( s ) 
 
 tween two independent nations, on juft and honour- 
 able propofals. 
 
 But the term " a people" implies fomething more. 
 A people, properly fpeaking, is not a number of 
 men unconnetled with each other, without any 
 centre of union, unregulated by common laws or 
 acknowledged cuftoms, this we generally call a rab- 
 ble or a mob. — But a people is a body of men con- 
 ftituting a nation, united in their civil polity, go- 
 verned by the fame magiftracy, fubjed to the fame 
 laws, interefted in the fame privileges, enjoying the 
 fame liberties, except as, in fome inftances, regu- 
 lated or reftrained for the benefit of the whole. 
 Thus it is that God, in the language of fcripture, 
 denominates thofe who fear, love, and ferve him, 
 " his people i" and, when calling Gentile finners to 
 himfelf by the influence of his grace, we are direded 
 to confider this event under the fame allufion, " I 
 will call them my people which were not my peo- 
 ple;" (compare Hof ii. 23. Rom. ix. 25.) "which 
 in time pad were not a people, but are now the 
 people of God," i Pet. ii. 10. Sin is a principle 
 of difunion, and finners under its dominion can 
 never properly unite together, while it is the more 
 awful effedb of a finful ftate to feparate us from 
 God — from his favour now, and his kingdom eter- 
 nally. — But happy thofe who are called by his grace, 
 and devoted to his love; united again under his 
 government, it is their peculiar and unfailing fecurity 
 to live in the kingdom of his dear Son, " to have 
 B 2 ^^^^r 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 their citizenfhip in heaven/' and to be interefled 
 in all the privileges and immunities of his kingdom 
 of grace and glory. 
 
 Let us lee if we have not here fomethino; to be 
 jealous for, — fomething to watch over, — fomething 
 that we ought Itudioufly, yea at any expence, to pre- 
 fervci if we have not reafon to fay, " Be of good 
 courage, and let us play the men for our people" 
 
 In this refpeft may we not then affirm, even yety 
 notwithftanding the novel inventions of a falfe philo- 
 fophy, that Britain (lands firil among the nations in 
 its natural or civil privileges and enjoyments. Sure- 
 ly no one, unlefs the eyes of his underilanding are 
 diftorted by the influence of inveterate prejudices, 
 can look around him on the prefent ftate of Eu- 
 rope, and not congratulate himfelf that he was 
 born a Briton. The ill fuccefs, or rather abfo- 
 lute failure, of every recent attempt to amelio- 
 rate the ftate of fociety, plainly Ihews the fallacy 
 of thofe principles from which thofe attempts have 
 originated, and the danger of trufting to the moft 
 refined and plaufible fpeculation, in matters of prac- 
 tical concern. 
 
 If we take a furvey of the hiftory of mankind 
 we muft obferve, that a Republican government 
 has ever been moft turbulent and unftable ; and 
 furely philoibphical fpeculators muft have wrought 
 up their minds to a gieat degree of delufion to 
 fuppofe that, while human nature remains the fame, 
 the fame caufes will not produce fimilar efFecls. It 
 muft alfo be acknowledged that more has been done 
 
 by 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 by the fyftem of onr government, to promote the 
 general good of thofe who are under its influence, 
 than by any that either has or does exift in Eu- 
 rope, may I not fay, upon the face of the 
 whole earth. And, if any of its privileges have 
 lately been abridged, let it be remembered, that 
 fuch reftraints have been impofed with the alone 
 view of fecuring it from the infamous attempts of 
 murmurers, defirous to deftroy the whole. 
 
 Happy Britain, if we knew our privileges as 
 a people ! Do we not fit under our own vine, and 
 under our own fig-tree, none daring to make us 
 afraid ? — Do we not exercife our feveral trades and 
 profeflions in peace and fecurity? — Do we not en- 
 joy the produce of our labours and the gains of 
 our induftry undifturbed by any apprehenfion ofre- 
 ftraint ? — Is not the equal diftribution of juftice 
 amongft ail ranks and orders of fociety the glory of 
 our courts of judicature ? — May we not do any thing, 
 that fhall promote the good of ourfelves or of our 
 families ? — Yea, may we not do every thing but 
 what tends to injure the community and deftroy the 
 happy fabric of our government ? — In a word, do 
 we not enjoy, in the fulleft fenfe, that perfonal li- 
 berty, perfonal fecurity, and fecurity of property or 
 character, which have always been confidered, by the 
 beft writers on the fubjedl, as the three grand con- 
 ftituent parts of civil liberty ?-"And what more 
 can be done in any fociety, or by any government, 
 under heaven ? 
 
 Yet thefe privileges are not only enjoyed 
 B 4 fqr 
 
( 8 ) 
 for the prefent, but fecured to us by a confll- 
 tution, that remained the wonder and envy ot 
 all Europe, till a philofophical frenzy feized the 
 minds of men, and raifed an hypothecs which ap- 
 peared beautiful to the framers, but originating 
 in principles which contradid the very (late of 
 human nature, was found too refined for human 
 pradice even among thofe who firft produced it. 
 And fhali we then undervalue our bleflings, and be 
 ungrateful to that God who in his providence has 
 placed us in their enjoyment, becaufe they are not 
 extended to the utmoft that our imagination may 
 conceive poffible ? Shall we forfake our adlual fe- 
 curity for a philofophical chimera, an ideal hap- 
 pinefs, that is not for the prefentflate of rnan ? Shall 
 we pull down the beautiful ftrudure of our govern- 
 ment, becaufe it may not be adminiilered exadlly 
 to our wifli ? or fhall we furrender it quietly to the 
 rude hands and defolating rage of an enemy impla- 
 cable and unprincipled ? Rather Ihall we not unite 
 every exertion, and fhew our cheerful alacrity, in 
 its defence ? Shall we not be courageous and ^' play 
 the men for our people ?'* 
 
 But our government, however excellent its form, 
 has many imperfedlions — no doubt it has. — But 
 there are many abufes which have infenfibly crept 
 in — no doubt there are. — Yea many things require 
 to be amended and reformed — no doubt they do. — 
 And whence does all this arife ? whence but from 
 the ftate of man, who never has been, nor ever 
 
 will 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 will be, able to form any thing perfect; and the 
 nearer any fyftem approximates to this fummit of 
 excellence, the more quickly, through the depravity 
 of human nature, is it fubjed to deterioration and 
 decay. But mod certainly this cannot arife from 
 our conftitution itfelf, a conftitution formed, not by 
 the hafty efFufions of a difaffedled party, deceived 
 by abftrad {peculations, and heated with contend- 
 ing pafiions, and therefore in continual revolution ; 
 but by the united wifdom of the beft of men, in dif- 
 ferent ages, following the footfteps of their prede- 
 cefTors with cautious attention, not jealous of their 
 excellencies, but redifying their miflakes. Hence 
 has been laid a liable ground of good government, 
 never to be amended in its principles, and requiring 
 only care, watchfulnefs, and integrity, to prefervc 
 its original energies. 
 
 However, then, we may not altogether agree 
 amongfl: ourfelves on trivial queftions of party poli- 
 tics, furely there is nothing, as yet, that ought to 
 wean the heart of a wife and good man from his na- 
 tive land. Every motive concurs and induces us to 
 unite againft an external foe, that threatens the de- 
 llrudion of the whole -, and to employ our united 
 exertions in maintaining and fecuring our privileges 
 and enjoyments as a highly favoured people : or, in 
 the language of our text, " to be of good courage, 
 and play the men for our people/* 
 
 But we fee here another motive for their exertions, 
 which I conceive will be found equally applicable to 
 
 I USk 
 
/ 
 
 ( lo ) 
 
 as. Not only do we difcern their patriotism, but 
 their religion ; not only the love of their coun- 
 try, but their love of God. In the ilTue of this con- 
 teft was involved. 
 
 Secondly y The cities of their God. There is 
 fomething peculiar in the term, let us pay a litde 
 attention to its import. Ifrael was then the pecu- 
 liar people of God 5 in their cities alone his name 
 was known and magnified, his worlhip cultivated 
 and preferved : there the glorious falvation of Mef- 
 fiah was alone recorded, exhibited in types and figures 
 of divine appointment, while the expeftation of his 
 perfonal appearance enlivened their profpeds, and 
 the believing exercife of their religious rites brought 
 the happy enjoyment of his falvation to their hearts* 
 The excluuve privilege of being the people of God 
 we claim not, and God forbid we Ihould ever wifh 
 to claim it. O that the gofpel of his falvation was 
 known from fiiore to Iliore, from one end of the 
 earth unto another ! Soon fliould we fee an end of 
 all thofe private broils, or public commotions, thofe 
 wars and tumults, that difturb the order of the world. 
 Soon would its happy elFeds proclaim its divine ori- 
 ginal and fpiritual eiiicacy, and peace in every heart, 
 difFufing itfelf through every fociety, would thence ex- 
 tend itfelf throughout all the earth, till the happy 
 times arrived, when " they ft-) all beat their fwords into 
 plough (hares, and their fpears into pruning hooks; na- 
 tion (hall no more rife up againft nation, and men learn 
 
 war 
 
( " ) 
 
 war no more/* Such expe6lations we are taught to 
 form of times laid up in the purpofes of God, the 
 profpedt cheers the drooping fpirits, and faith ex- 
 claims, " The Lord haften it in his time." But, if 
 we claim not the exclufive privilege, the privilege 
 itfelf is the glory and happinefs of this long favoured 
 land. And to believe the truth of God, to know, 
 enjoy, and be thankful for, fuch ineftimable blef- 
 fmgs, will conftitute our ftrongeft fccurity. When 
 the Pfalmift is enumerating the mercies of God to 
 his ancient people, by a beautiful gradation he rifes 
 from the blefTings of providence to the blcffings of 
 grace ; and, tracing the various fteps of divine bene- 
 ficence, afcends the faered fummit, to lay the 
 top-done of this temple of praife in adoration for the 
 difcoveries of his faered truth. " He fheweth his 
 word unto Jacob, his ftatutes and his judgments unto 
 Ifrael. He hath not deak fo with any nation: and 
 as for his judgments, they have not known them. 
 Praife ye the Lord." Pf. cxlvii. 19, 20, 
 
 Here permit me to rejoice, yea I am confident 
 that you will rejoice with me, in the privileges we 
 pofiefs, and the fapport and confirmation we derive 
 to the fundamental truths of the glorious gofpel, 
 from the concurrence of our happy eftablifhment. 
 To me it appears a caufe of the greatefl gratitude 
 and thankfulnefs, that the interefl of true religion, 
 and the defence of the purcft fyftem of gofpel truth, 
 is under the care and patronage of the government 
 of thefe lands. And, allow me to fay, if all its mi- 
 
 niflers 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 niflers firmly believed the do6lrines they profefs, ex- 
 perienced their vital influence, and faithfully declared 
 their truth, not a fecret corner of this ifland butmuft 
 be enlightened with its rays, and (we might then 
 reafonably expe6l) be influenced by its power. But, 
 if we are compelled to lament, that too too many do 
 neither, I know no remedy, my chriftian brethren, 
 but earnefl:ly to fupplicate the great Head of the 
 church to pour out more abundantly of his Spirit 
 upon us, and to make us conrifl:ent with ourfelves. 
 
 Yea, I cannot but rejoice, in the principles of 
 unvverjal toleration^ which are fo happily confirmed 
 amongft us. Such are the peculiar privileges of 
 this people, that, whatever views a man may enter- 
 tain, and however he may diff^er from us, he knows 
 no reftraint upon his liberties, but, according to the 
 dictates of his confcience, and his own views of truth, 
 he worfhips the Lord his God. And abundant rea- 
 fons have fuch to congratulate themfelves on a fitua- 
 tion, where, if they have not the arm of authority 
 on their fide, they have the arm of prote6lion for 
 their defence ; if they have not the honour of an 
 eflablilhment, they have the fuilefl cxercife of their 
 religious liberties. 
 
 While, then, the truth of God obtains in thefe 
 kingdoms the advantage of an eftablifhment, (an 
 advantage, the eff'eds of which are even felt by 
 thofe of evangelical fentiments without its pale) and 
 it muft be either through the deviating principles, 
 or remiflhefs, of its minifl:ers, if they are not ho- 
 noured as almoft the only meflfengers of its mercy 
 
 and 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 and its grace, I cannot but go a flep further, and 
 rejoice that, in fome way or other, in the various 
 modes, and different denominations of profefling 
 chriftians, its important meflage is founded through 
 the land, and becomes " the power of God unto 
 falvation to all them that believe." " Thereby 
 Chrift is preached, and therein (after one of the befl 
 examples) I do rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice." 
 PhiLi. 1 8. 
 
 If, then, " the cides of our God" are the places 
 where his name is known, his worfhip maintained, 
 and his falvation experienced, have we not the fame 
 incitement, whatever denomination of profeffin» 
 chriftians we may have chofen to unite with, to cx- 
 ercife the moft perfe6t unanimity, the moft ardent 
 zeal, and unabating courage, in our patriodc exer- 
 tions for the falvation of our country ? 
 
 But here fufFer me, my brethren, when I affirm, that 
 to know the value of the gofpel we muft underftand 
 it J to know the ineftimable excellency of its blef- 
 fmgs, we muft have the vital experience of them In 
 the heart. And in this I fhall addrefs myfelf with 
 peculiar advantage to thofe who are the happy fub- 
 jefts of its grace. You know, by experience, that 
 nothing can bear a comparifon with its importance, 
 either for individual confolation, or national benefit. 
 And let it not then be thought a digrelTion from my 
 prefent purpofe if, for the diredllon and incitement 
 of fome to feck after it, and to promote the grati- 
 tude 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 tudc and zeal of thofe acquainted with its blefllngs, 
 1 dwell a little on its nature and defign. 
 
 Wherever we look all around us, and view the 
 world as it is, we meet with undeniable proofs 
 that the ftate of man is a ilate of fin and mifery. 
 Man knows and feels within himfclf, whatever 
 earthly advantages he may pofTefs, under whatever 
 happy ftate of fociety or civil government he may be 
 caft, there is a fatal fomething that imprefles on his 
 mind the ideas of guilt and of want. Hence that 
 diffatisfadion and reftleflhefs offpirit in the purfuits 
 of bufinefs and of pleafure; and from the fame 
 fource, though more pernicioufly dire(5led, that dif- 
 fatisfadion with the eftablifhed forms of government, 
 and reftlefs defire of novelty and innovation. A 
 temper which nothing can fo allay, in any of its ex- 
 ercifes, as the experimental knowledge of the gofpel 
 truth, and the realizing views of thofe fpiritual blef- 
 fings and eternal glories which fill and enlarge the 
 minds of true believers. Under this view of exiiling 
 circumftances the wc^d of God propofes itfelf as a 
 remedy for the finful and miferable flate of m,an. 
 And, while difcovering our true condition, and expof- 
 ing to our view the alarming fituation in which fin 
 has involved us all, it ilaews us a way of return to 
 God, lays a fure foundation for reconciliation, ac- 
 ceptance, and favour, and thus not only encourages 
 our hopes, but eftablifhes a believing confidence, 
 grounded upon divine teftimony and promifes, of 
 fpiritual and eternal bleflings. 
 
 Surely 
 
( '5 ) 
 
 Surely it cannot but be a qucftion of very ferious af- 
 pe6t to a guilty (inner, *^' wherewith Qiall I come before 
 the Lord ?'* No queilion of a political nature, how« 
 ever intimately the welfare of individuals or offociety 
 may be involved in its folution, can at all compare with 
 its importance. Though men, occupied moil zea- 
 loufly in the affairs of this life, may, and do, alas 
 too often, trifle widi their fouls and eternity, yet, as 
 the concern itfelf is mod interefting, fuch it begins 
 to appear when the mind is firft enlightened by the 
 Spirit of grace. No happinefs can then be enter- 
 tained in the foul that knows not a fure and faithful 
 anfwer to this important inquiry, and no where can 
 an anfwer be obtained but in the gofpel of our Lord 
 Jefus Chrift. Here we have the anfwer of God ; a 
 ftable ground of dependences a -certain confidence, 
 when we come for the pardon of our fins, the juftifi- 
 cation of our perfons, the acceptance of our fervices, 
 the enjoyments of grace and favour, the communica- 
 tion of fpiritual ftrength, and every promifed blep 
 fing. '^ We come to a throne of grace affured of 
 obtaining mercy to pardon, and grace to help in 
 every tim.e of need." 
 
 The church of God is to be the faithful depofi- 
 tary, the conflant witnefs, or, as the apoflle ex- 
 prelTes it, " the pillar and the ground, of truth." It 
 is the defign of God, in conftituting a (landing mi- 
 niftry, that his fervants ihould found the trumpet of 
 the evcrlafting gofpel, that they who are ready t;o 
 perifh may come, believe, embrace, and be faved. 
 
 While, 
 
( i6 ) 
 
 While, therefore, we teftify of the danger of man 
 through fin, we proclaim a way of falvation, glorious 
 to all the harmonizing perfections of the infinite and 
 eternal Jehovah, fuited to the helplefs ftate of fin- 
 ners, and thus fatisfaflory to the guilty and diftrefled 
 confcience. We affirm, in concurrence with divine 
 teftimony, that " God hath laid in Zion for a foun- 
 dation a Hone, a tried ftone, a precious corner Hone, 
 a fure foundation, he that believeth fhall not be con- 
 founded." If. xxviii. 1 6. I Pet. ii. 6. We fay 
 to the contrite fpirit that " the blood of Jefus Chrift 
 cleanfeth from all fm," and direct him to that 
 *^ Lamb of God that taketh away the fm of the 
 world." We point him out as " the end of the law 
 for righteoufnefs to every one that believeth," fo 
 that " they who believe are juftified from all things, 
 from which they could not be juftified by the law of 
 Mofes:" now then, being "juftified by faith, we 
 have peace with God through our Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 have accefs into his grace, and ftand therein, while 
 we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. v. i. 
 And this fupports and eftablifties the afiurance of 
 our faith, that " Jefus Chrift is able (as he is willing) 
 to fave to the uttermoft all who come unto God by 
 him, feeing he ever liveth to make interceffion for 
 them." Heb. vii. 25. What happy men, what a 
 happy nation, what a happy world, Ihould v/e be- 
 hold, if every individual amongft us was a chriftian 
 indeed ; living in the enjoyment of gofpel bleffings, 
 feeling the influence of its truths, manifefting the 
 
 power 
 
( '7 ) 
 
 power of its grace, and praclifing its facred didtates* 
 Here only is the foundation of true peace in time and 
 eternity, unfhaken by all the convulfions of a changing 
 world. And where the reafoning of the philofopher 
 fails, and the argument of the moralift is in vain, the 
 fimple declaration of gofpel truth imprefled upon the 
 heart by the Spirit of grace, while it brings the 
 kindeft confolation to the fearful and trembling 
 mind, changes the corrupted nature, and produces a 
 certain conformity to its defign, the genuine obe- 
 dience of faith and love, the pradice of every 
 chriftian grace and virtue to the glory of God our 
 Saviour. 
 
 It muft, then, be evident to a refleding mind, 
 that even the external knowledge and bare profefTion 
 of chriftian truth cannot but be attended with many 
 important advantages to fociety. But ye who have 
 experienced its power, and tailed its bleffednefs, dif- 
 cern more clearly the iileftimable value of fuch a 
 privilege. Without this, you had yet been in the 
 darknefs of fin, walking in the v/ays of death, " vef- 
 fels of wrath fitted for deitru6lion :'* but now, en- 
 lightened by its truth, and quickened by its fpirit, 
 ye are become the vefTels of mercy, " waiting for 
 the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revela- 
 tion of Jefus Chrift." 
 
 Here a door of hope and confolation opens to the 
 anxious mind, with whatever trials, domeftic or pub- 
 lic, it may be encircled. The rays of this divine 
 truth diflipate the clouds of darknefs and doubtful 
 
 C folicitude. 
 
( J8 ) 
 
 folicitude, while beyond opens the profpefb of life 
 and immortality. 
 
 Hence it arifes that a true believer fo values his 
 chriftian privileges above all befides ; and, fenfible 
 of his ftate of guilt, darknefs, and danger, when 
 deftitute of gofpel light and grace, like the infpired 
 apoftle, he will as fincerely " account all things but 
 lofs for the excellency of the knowledge of Chrift 
 Jefus his Lordj eftimating them but as the vileft re- 
 fufe fo that he may vnn Chrift, and be found in him, 
 not having on his own righteoufnefs, which is of the 
 law, but that which is through the faith of Chrift, 
 the righteoufnefs which is of God by faith/' Phil. 
 iii. 8. A chriftian, therefore, cannot value his coun- 
 try, with all its endearments, if the religion of his 
 country, the intereft of gofpel truth, be difcounte- 
 nanced or deftroyed. And this lefTon he has learnt 
 from the precepts of his divine mafter, who has 
 taught him that ferious truth, " that if any man love 
 father or mother, wife or children, houfes or lands, 
 more than him, he is not worthy to be called his 
 difciple." Compare Matt. x. 37. and xix. 29. When, 
 therefore, the God of 1 frael was about to pronounce 
 the moft awful denunciadon upon his once favour- 
 ed people, it is the withdrawment, not fo much of 
 their temporal advantages, as of their religious privi- 
 leges. " Behold the days come, faith the Lord 
 God, that I will fend a famine in the land, not a fa- 
 mine of bread, nor a thirft for water, but of hearing 
 the words of the Lord. And they ftiall wander from 
 
 fea 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 fea to fea, and from the north even to the eafl: : 
 they fhall run to and fro to feek the word of the 
 Lord, and fhall not find it." Amos viii. ii, I2. 
 What a piercing refle6lion to a pious mind ! Rea- 
 lize for a moment with ferious confideration the af- 
 fedling ftate. The houfes of your God jQiut up ; — the 
 hoflile bands guarding their once delightful doors j— 
 your returning fabbaths changed for the decads of 
 infidelity , — their confecrated feafons profaned by au- 
 thority; — their folemn duties difcountenanced, if not 
 profcribed ; — your minifters prohibited their facred 
 fundlions, or their exprefTions watched with malig- 
 nant care ; — and all your holyexercifes, oncefo pleaf- 
 ing in their profpefl, fo reviving in their enjoy- 
 ment, embittered by folicitude, or totally deftroyed. 
 
 But, it may anxioufly be aflced, are we expofed 
 to fcenes like thefe ? are we in danger of fuch enor- 
 mities ? It is this view, I muft confefs, which par* 
 ticularly engages my attention, induces my prefent 
 exertions, and juflifies them, I trull, from this place. 
 And, if only the pofiibility exifl of fuch deftruc- 
 tive inroads, it ought to lead thofe to a litde more 
 ferious reflection, who profefs, under any denomina- 
 tion, to value their chriftian privileges, but are un- 
 concerned and uninfluenced with the thought of our 
 furrounding dangers. 
 
 Let any one lock upon the avowed principles and 
 acknowledged charader of our enemies, and fay, 
 what we may jufl;ly expect if overrun by the threat- 
 ening foe. Let us here learn to profit by the ex- 
 
 C 2 ample 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 ample of others, once deluded by their deceitful 
 friendfhip, and now influenced and guarded by their 
 powerful arms. Vices almoft unknown, orfuppreft 
 before, the effe6ls of unprincipled infidelity, are now 
 {talking unabafhed, and unreftrained. Religion, if 
 not deftroyed, is publicly difcountenanced, and (if I 
 am rightly informed) the number of its profefTors 
 are miferably decreafed, while the fafhion of infide- 
 lity has precipitated into its vortex all who pofTelTed 
 not fomething more than a popular profefTion. 
 Would it not operate the fame with us ? If the 
 ftrong hand of power were not exerted to fupprefs 
 the exercifes of our religion, would there not be all 
 the difcouragement of authority, all the influence of 
 prevailing cullom, united with the fecret and fubtle 
 efforts of infidelity ? How long think ye that in 
 fuch clrcumftances, without the niiraculous interpo- 
 fition of Almighty power, our religious ordinances, 
 in any denomination of profefiing chrifl:ians, could 
 Hand uninjured ? How long think ye that the 
 church of God could remain undifturbed by per- 
 fecution ? At bed we mud run a mofl alarming 
 hazard. And if any one can think that our reli- 
 gious concerns can be fafe in the hands, and under 
 the control, of avowed infidels, I confefs he has a 
 faith of a nature very different from mine. God, I 
 know, will have a church in the world to the end of 
 time, and firmly I believe his own declaration, that 
 the *' gates of hell fhall not prevail againfl: it." But, 
 let it be remembered, it is by no means neceflTary 
 
 that 
 
C 21 ) 
 
 that his church fhould be dignified with honours, en- 
 circled with profperity, or even poflefs the favourable 
 opinion of mankind. That church may be low and 
 mean -, it may be called to aflimilate itfelf to the 
 humble chara6tcr of its Saviour and its Lord; like 
 him " to endure the contradidlion of Tinners j" to be 
 " perfecuted, if not deftroyed." Yet, in the mean- 
 while, we cannot but prefer the anxious prayer, the 
 Lord keep Britain from this " hour of temptation," 
 and guard his churches from fo " fiery a trial", left 
 our faith be found too weak for its aflault. And, 
 though our hopes may ftand firm in the expeflation 
 of his promifed grace, viewing only the pofllbility 
 of fuch an occurrence, we have every reafon, yea, it 
 is our indifpenfible duty, to exercife in ourfelves, and 
 to excite in others, the fentiments of our text. " Be 
 of good courage, and let us play the men for our 
 people, and for the cities of our God : — and the Lord 
 do that which feemeth him good.'* This leads us 
 to confider. 
 
 II. The duties of a faithful people in the time of 
 alarm and danger. 
 
 In this our text affords us diredlion fuitable to the 
 prcfent occafion. To exert every power, and unite 
 in thofe exertions, acknowledging that falvation 
 is of God, and leaving the event in his righteous 
 hand. 
 
 In the character before us we difcover the genuine 
 C 3 fpiric 
 
( " ) 
 
 fpirit of chrlfllan herolfm ; a determined magnani- 
 mity, and yet fettled refignation — we obferve the 
 difplay of true courage i not fearful of the event, but 
 earneft in the means to fecure a profperous ifTue. In 
 a former part of the facred hiilory, we find the 
 Ifraelites in a fimilar lituation, from the fame invad- 
 ing enemy, and exercifing the fame difpofuion of 
 fortitude and fubmilTion. " And the children of 
 Tfrael faid unto the Lord, we have finned, do thou 
 unto us v/hatfoever feemeth good unto thee, deliver 
 us only, we pray thee, this day." Judges x. 15, &c. 
 What is this but to acknowledge the juftice of his 
 judgments while hoping in his mercy j in the fpirit 
 of the royal Pfalmift, when perplexed to choofe in 
 the diftrefling propofal of divine corrections, " Let 
 us fall now into the hands of the Lord < for his mer- 
 cies are great), and let me not fall into the hands of 
 men." 2 Sam. xxiv. 14. A language, I conceive, 
 in which each of us are ready to join, in difficulties of 
 a fimilar concern. 
 
 To refign ourfelves into the hand of God is a duty 
 which, in all fituations, we owe to him, when con- 
 fidering him as the fovereign creator, and the wife 
 and righteous difpofer of all events. But, when we 
 review the fins of a guilty nation, the many pro- 
 vocations which a righteous God has long endured 
 with patient forbearance ; the various vices of every 
 order in fociety i the pride, the luxury, the intem- 
 perance, the falfe and profane fwearing, and efpe- 
 cially the fcenes of gaming, and adultery, that, not- 
 
 withftandlng 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 withftanding the rigid hand of juftice exerted to 
 check their growing influence, have lately fo in- 
 creafed among us -.--when, moreover, we refledt 
 upon the contempt of our chriftian privileges ; that 
 negled of the word of God, that rejeftion of its 
 truths by the reafoning pride of human wifdom, that 
 confequent inattention to the chriftian fabbath, de- 
 voted by too many to bufinefs, to pleafure, or to dif- 
 fipation i fo common in a chriftian land ; furely it 
 becomes us, in the fpirit of unfeigned humiliation, to 
 juftify the righteous judgments of the Lord. We 
 have every reafon to join the language of a pious 
 prophet, " O Lord, righteoufnefs belongeth unto 
 thee, but unto us confufion of faces, &c. to our 
 kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, becaufe we 
 have finned againft thee ; to the Lord our God be- 
 long mercies and forgiveneffes, though we have re- 
 belled againft him, neither have we obeyed the 
 voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws 
 which he fet before us, &c." Dan. ix. 7 — lo. Im- 
 preft with fuch views as thefe, it becomes us to lie 
 fubmiffive in the hands of God, with the language 
 of the text upon our lips, " the Lord do that which 
 feemeth him good." But, while acknowledging our 
 deferts, yet preferring our earneft fupplications, and 
 hoping in his mercy, herein confifts the exertion of true 
 courage, and genuine patriodfm, to unite in every 
 defirable mean of protection and defence, to fecure 
 3. happy iffue of a perplexing and unhappy conteft, 
 
 C4 To 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 To this objedt we are now ultimately to recall your 
 attention. 
 
 We are now, confefledly on all fides, as a nation, 
 in a mofi: important and critical fituadon ; a fitua- 
 tion unparalleled in the annals of Britifh hiftory. 
 Whatever jarring opinions we may form upon dif- 
 ferent queftions of poiidcal influence, whatever views 
 we may have entertained of the war, as to the juflice 
 of its origin — the varied defigns of contending par- 
 ties — the propriety or necefTity of its continuance — 
 or the opportunities that have offered themfelves for 
 its termination — the time for agitadng thefe quef- 
 tions is now pafl. All thefe are now lofl in one 
 great quefllon, whether we fhall continue to exifl as 
 an independent nadon — whether, therefore, we (hall 
 maintain our religion, defend our commerce, and en- 
 joy our property, or fubmit to an enraged foe, pro- 
 claiming in the face of the whole world, that our 
 political exiftence is incompatible with theirs. 
 
 It never has been my wiih to introduce any quef- 
 tion of polidcs, or party interefl, into this facred 
 place. But the prefent poflure of affairs cannot but 
 excite the attention of everyone; the prefent dmes 
 muft call forth every friend to true religion, and the 
 order of civil government, to declare his principles 
 and decide upon his line of conducl. And furely it 
 cannot have become a quefllon of party whether we 
 fhall yet value our neareft relatives, defend our mofl 
 important interefls, or maintain to ourfeives the pof- 
 
 fefHon 
 
( 25 ) 
 feffion of our liberties and our rights ? Yet convinced 
 I am that all of thefe depend upon the iffue of the pre- 
 fent conteft. All our rights, all our liberties, are at 
 flake, and who then fhaJl not be folicitous for the event ? 
 And here I cannot avoid calling your peculiar 
 attention to one circumftance, as it impreffes my 
 mind in the mod interefting manner, and will at 
 the fame time, I truft, convince fome, how falla- 
 cious the idea, that the poor might poffibly be bet- 
 tered by any change, or at moft can have litde to 
 concern themfelves with as to the event. If it 
 ihould be fo, that, in the providence of God, 
 our enemies are permitted to prevail againft us in 
 their threatened attack, what mud become of all 
 thofe 'puUk charities the glory and the boaft of the 
 Britifh nation, fo peculiarly its own, and the happy 
 afylums of the various objedis of mifery and dif- 
 trefs? Is it to be fuppofed that the ferocious 
 hand of conqueft, intent on plunder, will fpare 
 their facred funds, that every where befides has 
 treated nothing as facred ? Or, when the hoflile 
 arms of an invading foe have realized amongft us the 
 once delightful though deceitful dreams oi liberty 
 and equality, who then will be found by liberal fub- 
 fcription to fupport thofe munificent inftitutions, 
 when all are equally poor, all are equally miferable ? 
 If this be, as it appears to my mind, the natural 
 confequence of fuch fuccefs, and not the illufion of 
 an imaginary danger, it proves that all, from the 
 
 higheft 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 hlghed to the lowed, are mod intimately concerned 
 in prefent affairs, and called to every fuitable exer- 
 tion to promote the fafety of the whole. Yea, let 
 it be remembered that, when every prefent bond 
 of fociety is broken, what may next be introduced 
 is beyond the forefight of the wifeft fpeculatift to 
 conjedure. — In the prefent temper of our enemies 
 we may reft confident of the firft, and therefore 
 muft either be prepared for defence, or to furrender 
 our deareft fecurities, in anxious fufpenfe of what 
 may be the refult. We have every reafon to ap- 
 prehend the word, to fear the lofs of every enjoy- 
 ment, at lead of their fecurity, and above all of 
 our religious privileges and rights. And hence I 
 cannot but conceive, that upon the iffue of this con- 
 troverfy depends the exercife of the Chriftian mi- 
 nidry, with all its important effedls ; and therefore 
 my miniderial exidence amongd you, if not my ex- 
 idence at all. 
 
 Peace I widi with all my heart, and I doubt not 
 it is the anxious widi of every one here prefent. — 
 But furely he cannot be confidered as an enemy to 
 peace, who determines to defend his habitation 
 from the band of midnight robbers, proclaiming 
 beforehand their refolution not only to plun- 
 der but dedroy ? Such I conceive to be the ex- 
 iding fituation of this country. If any oppor- 
 tunities have offered to conclude a dable peace, 
 certainly it is not fo now: or, could I have en- 
 7 tertained 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 tertained fuch an idea, mod furely I had not 
 appeared in this place, on an occafion Hke the pre* 
 fent. 
 
 If we are to believe the declarations of our ene- 
 mies, the moil alarming purpofes are in agitation ; 
 and, whether thofe declarations be true or falfe, it is 
 our only fafety, and therefore our truefl wifdom, 
 to be guarded againft the execution of defigns fo 
 inveterate and malignant. 
 
 Divide and govern has been the fixed maxim, 
 and the fubtle policy, of thofe with whom we contend. 
 By this, rather than by open force, they have 
 generally prevailed, and by this only, humanly fpeak- 
 ing, they can ever hope to prevail againft us. 
 Unanimity, therefore, in the view of all parties, 
 is moft neceiTary for our prefervation : and by 
 no means can this unanimity be more clearly dif- 
 covered, than by the prefent method of voluntary 
 contribution towards the defence of our country. 
 What then fhould be our language, each one to 
 another, but the language of our text, " Be of 
 good courage, and let us play the men." Let 
 us exercife the wifdom of men 3 let us employ all 
 the means of human prudence ; let us unite in the 
 undertaking as fellow men, a people united in the 
 fame privileges and laws ; let us afford that mutual 
 afTiftance which is required, according to our feve- 
 ral abilities and fituations, as thofe related by the 
 nearefl fecial bonds -, let us ad with the zeal and 
 
 courage 
 
( 28 ) 
 courage of men, — '^ and the Lord do that which 
 feemeth him good." 
 
 Without this, with what reflections fhould we 
 meet any difaflrous event, fuppofmg, in the pro- 
 vidence of God, fuch event fiiould take place ? 
 How fl:iould we then accufe our fupinenefs and in- 
 credulity as the great means of plunging us therein ? 
 But, while we are found employed in the utmoft 
 exertion of thofe abilities which have been liberally 
 imparted for our defence, cheerfully may we con- 
 fide in the God of our salvation, and meet his 
 providences with a fuitable fpirit, whether he call us 
 to patient refignation, or to the exercifes of grati- 
 tude and praife. 
 
 If then our political existence be menaced, 
 and all our Christian privileges be dependent on 
 the event, furely it is time to arife, to confider, to a6V, 
 The unufual alarm fhould excite unufual exertions, 
 and, whatever little differences may aforetime have 
 divided us, the time of common danger is the time 
 for union againft a common foe. Every man at 
 fuch a feafon has his peculiar duties. But let us not 
 forget, if wc a6l as men, our firft duty is to exprefs 
 our dependance upon Gody by prayer and fupplication. 
 And, if a fpirit of prayer was more abundantly 
 poured out upon thofe profefTing godlinefs, the prof- 
 pc6t would appear more bright, and our hopes find 
 a more fecure reliance. Exercifes of this nature wc 
 have lately been engaged in, and, I truft, that many have 
 
 been 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 been (landing In the gap to turn av/ay the indigna- 
 tion of a righteous God from an offending people* 
 " The Lord hear the prayer of the remnant that are 
 left.*' And^ though we would neither undervalue nor 
 negled the means, ftill we mull: ever recoiled that 
 in his favour and protedion we fnall find fecurlty, 
 more than in the courage of our fleets, or the va- 
 lour of our arms. And, while juftifying his righte- 
 ous judgments, v/e may trufl in his grace fpeedily tO 
 remove them. 
 
 Happy am I here to think that fome of the brave 
 defenders of our country know how to pray as well 
 as to fight. Amongft which we cheerfully record the 
 name of that brave officer whofe vidory we laft 
 celebrated with fuch deferved honours. When en- 
 tering into the adion from v/hich he gathered fuch 
 laurels for himfelf, and his country fuch fecurity; 
 in the awful moments of fafpenfive preparation, 
 when cowards tremble, and even the wife and brave 
 are ferious, if I am righdy informed, calling his 
 officers around him on the deck, he proflrated him- 
 felf in their prefence before the God of hoils, in 
 language appropriate to fo folem.n an occafion, com- 
 mitting himfelf and them with the caufe they main- 
 tained to his fovereign protedion, his family to his 
 care, his foul and body to the difpofal of his provi- 
 dence, and then, rifmg from his knees, gave the word 
 for the attack. What was this but to exemplify 
 the fpiric of our text, " Be of good courage, and let 
 8 us 
 
( 30 ) 
 
 US play the men for our people, and for the cities of 
 our God: and the Lord do that which feemeth him 
 good." 
 
 Having lately thus exprefled our entire depend- 
 ance on the Lord, now is the feafon for the exer- 
 cife of human wifdom, the difplay of union, and the 
 energy of preparation. 
 
 We may perhaps fufped whether our enemies de- 
 fign to realize their threats of an invafion ; but, 
 fhould they not, our zeal v/ill not the lefs be ho- 
 nourable; and fuppofing they fhould, with all that 
 immenfity and vigour of preparation, I again repeat 
 it, our only fafety under God, and therefore our trueft 
 wifdom, is to ftand prepared for the event. Yea, 
 it is a duty which we owe to God, in gratitude for 
 our abounding privileges ; a duty we owe to that 
 government under which we live in the peace- 
 ful enjoyment; to fhow ourfelves fenfible of 
 their value, and zealous to maintain and preferve 
 them. 
 
 It may be, the modefcy of fome may render 
 them unwilling to be the objedts of public notice, 
 and here then the opportunity offers itfelf to fuch 
 of performing their good works in fecret. The 
 fmall trifle that the ability of others may permit 
 them to offer may appear to them unworthy of in- 
 dividual notice, and here then fuch may communi- 
 cate, and gratify their loyalty while they confult 
 the limit of their circumflances. Under this im- 
 
 prefTion, 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 prefHon, I trufl, not one amongfl us will be found, who 
 is not ready to difcover his approbation of fo impor- 
 tant a defign. In the ifllie of this conteft we are all 
 intimately concerned. If profefllng godlinefs, though 
 of earthly treafures we may have none to lofe, we 
 have at ftake interefts infinitely more dear and va- 
 luable, and which alone can raife the mind in the 
 troubles of life ; and privileges which have often 
 turned our forrows into joy, and made us forget 
 our miferies in the profpe6ls of the world of glory, 
 — Let fuch then recoiled that the fmalleft dona- 
 tions, while they exhibit an equal attachment to 
 fo patriotic a defign, by their numbers may become 
 of eflential value. But from thofe, whofe abilities 
 are more equal to their v/ifhes, we truft to receive 
 a correfpondent proof of gratitude to God, and zeal 
 for their country's welfare. 
 
 Here then I leave my fubjedl, to the ferious 
 confideration and convi6lion of your minds : having 
 difcharged my own confcience of that important 
 truft which I felt incumbent upon it. If I have 
 in a meafure deviated from my ufual practice in 
 this place, of fimply declaring the important mefTage 
 of the gofpel of Chrift, I truft I have been engaged 
 in exciting you to thofe exertions, on which, under 
 God, my preaching and your continuing to hear 
 and enjoy this gofpel meftage depends. In this 
 view I have been ferioudy perfuaded of its import- 
 ance J this view I have been principally labouring to 
 
 imprefs 
 
, ( 3^ ) 
 
 imprefs upon your minds ; and, under its powerful 
 influence, the language of our text feems to demand 
 our ferious attention, and returns with redoubled 
 energy : " Be of good courage, and let us play the 
 men for our people, and for the cities of our 
 
 God j and the Lord do that which feemeth him 
 
 good." Amen, 
 
 THE EVD* 
 
THE GOD OF SALVATION. 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 PREACHED ON THE DAY OF 
 
 GEJVER^L TM^JVKSGiriJVG, 
 
 DEC EMBER 5, 1805, 
 
 AND IN AID OF THE 
 
 PATRIOTIC FUND, &c. 
 
 IN THE 
 
 "^axm Cfiurtfi of &t. aum*e\D HUartiroie, anU 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Rev, WILLIAM GOODE, A,M. 
 
 RECTOR OF THE SAID CHURCH, AND LECTURER OF 
 ST. JOHN'S WAPPING, &c. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 
 
 By JV. JVihon, Si. Peter's Hilly Doctors'' Commons-^ 
 AND SOLD BY MESSRS. RIVINGTONS, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH- 
 YARD, AND HATCHARD, PICCADILLY, 
 
 1805. 
 
' A 
 
 8 E R M O N, &c. 
 
 PSALM iii. 8. 
 
 SALVATION BELONGETH UNTO THE LORD, THY 
 BLESSING IS UPON THY PEOPLE. 
 
 Ti 
 
 HE Pfalm, of which our text is the concluding 
 part, was compofed by David in a feafon of pecuhar 
 danger; and on an occafion moft trying to his faith. 
 It is entitled " a Pfalm of David, when he ^ed 
 from his fon Abfalom.'^ He felt his fituation, but 
 he knew where to truft* His enemies were many^ 
 " How are they increafed (fays he) which trouble 
 me? many are they which rife up againft me/^ — 
 They were malicious^ defirous of deftroying his 
 hopes, and of difcouraging his mind, " Many there 
 are which fay of my foul there is no help for him in 
 his God/^ — They were powerful and neai\ they had 
 ^'' let themfelves againft him round about. ^^' — In the 
 
 B hiftory 
 
( 2 ) 
 
 hiftory of this event we are informed, that feeing his Ji?l 
 in \{\spimijluncnt^ and convinced of tlie criminal caufe 
 of his fuffering, he was afFe61ed with deep humihation, 
 and excited to patient refignation. Compare 2 Sam. 
 XV. 14 to end, and xvi. 5, to end, with xii. 1 to 12. 
 Here, however, we have a proof that though dif- 
 trejfed he did not defpond, — The prayer of faith 
 had before brought deliverance, in tlie midft of 
 trouble, therefore, he pofTefTes that tranquillity which 
 is peculiar to faith, " I laid me down and flept, 
 &c." and faith thus encouraged prefents again its 
 confident fupplication. (See ver. 3 to 7.) 
 
 The ground of his faith and hope was the fenti- 
 ment of the text. — " An acknowledgment which 
 ought ahmys to fill the heart, and upon every 
 proper occafion to flow from the mouth of the Chrif- 
 tian, viz. that falvation is not to be had from man^ 
 from the kings of the earth, or the gods of the hea- 
 then, from faints or angels, but from Jehovah alone, 
 to whom alone therefore the glory fhould be afcribed. 
 If He xoill fave none can deUroy, if He xviil deftroy 
 none can fave.'^ (^'^fl^op Home on the pojjage,) 
 
 What occafion can be more proper than the pre- 
 fent 1 Our fituation, hke that of the Pfalmift, is both 
 dangerous and trying. Our enemies, like his, are 
 many and maUcious, defirous of finking us into de- 
 fpondency, with the infinuations of invincible power. 
 Our fins atford caufe for deep humiliation, and great 
 fear. 
 
 Many a time has the Scourge of Europe flood 
 
 upoa 
 
( 3 ) 
 upon the oppofite fliores, darting his envious and 
 niahgnant eyes upon this happy land ; longing for, 
 and threatening its deftru(^ion. — Many a time we 
 have been ready to apprehend that his attempts to 
 accomplifh thefe dcfigns would have flained the in- 
 tervening fea, or our own (hores, with the blood of 
 Britons : fhould it even pleafe the Almighty, whofe 
 is the power and the vi6lory, ultimately to difappoint 
 his views. — God however has heard our prayer, 
 He has been " a jMeldfov us, our gloiy and the lifter 
 up of our head. We cried unto the Lord with our 
 voice, and he heard us out of his holy hill. We laid 
 us down and flept, we waked for the Lord fuftained 
 us.^' — (ver. 3, 4, 5.) Still He hath prolonged to us 
 our profperity and internal peace, — (till we retain the 
 quiet pofleffion of all our civil and religious advan- 
 tages. A merciful God has appeared lor us by fuch 
 interpofitions as are evidently beyond the common 
 courfe of events. — In circumflances, the principal 
 bearing of which has been for our own prote6lion and 
 fecurity, rather than for aggreflion upon the enemy, 
 his help has always been feafonable and etfe6\ual. 
 
 We are now met to adore and worfhip Him, for 
 a fimilar interpofition in fimilar circumftances. A 
 vi6\ory has been obtained which exceeds in its 
 o-lory all the great atchievements which have lately 
 attra6\ed our attention in the five preceding naval 
 engagements of the lall war; (See Appendix No. 1.) 
 and which in its extent and effe6ls ftands unparaU 
 hied in the annals of the zvorkL We admire, and 
 
 B 2 juftly 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 juflly may, the (kill and intrepidity of our officers 
 and ieamen ; hut, in the prefent event, as it will ap- 
 pear by a confideration of fa6ls, the hand of God has 
 been moft Angularly difplayed, arranging every cir- 
 cumftance, to give that (kill and intrepidity their 
 full etFe6l. — We afcribe then the fupreme glory to 
 God ; we confider the event as an anfwer to the 
 prayers of his people, and as an encouragement to 
 continue therein with perfeverance : — we humbly and 
 thankfully receive it as a token for good, and adopt 
 the language of faith and fupplication, *' We will 
 not be afraid for ten thoufands of people who have 
 fet themfelves againlt us round about. Arife, O 
 Lord ; fave us, O our God : for thou haft fmitten all 
 our enemies upon the cheek-bone ; thou haft broken 
 the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto 
 the Lord, thy blefling is upon thy people,'^ (ver. 
 6. to 8.) 
 
 It is no doubt the principal defign of this day to 
 adore the God of Providence-, let us however in this 
 place never forget the God oj Grace, We muft not 
 therefore omit to obferve, that our text has a much 
 more exalted fignification than that to which we are 
 now about to apply it. — There is a flilvation of much 
 more confequence than the temporal falvation of a 
 nation, than the temporal falvation of all the nations 
 of Europe, or the world itfelf. Yea one immortal 
 foul is of more value than the temporal intereft of 
 ten t^oufand worlds. Conne6led with eternity, 
 everlufting joy, or eudlefs forrovv awaits it, when 
 
 ten 
 
( ^ ) 
 
 ten thoufand worlds fhall have finifhed their conrfe, 
 and be no more. Put together in one grand aggre- 
 gate the fpace of exiftence of every individual who 
 once inhabited them, a point will come in eternity 
 when the duration of an immortal foul fhall have ex- 
 ceeded the whole, and yet in comparifon of the fu- 
 ture it (hail but jull have begun to live. — Affuming 
 the wonderful hypothefis that every fixed ftar in the 
 firmament is but the centre of fome other fyftem, and 
 that we are furrounded with thefe beyond number, 
 ftill we might juftly fay with the poet, 
 
 ** Survey this midnight glory, worlds on worlds, 
 
 *' Amazing pomp ! redouble that amaze, 
 
 *' Ten thoufand add, add twice ten thoufand more, 
 
 *' Then weigh the whole— one foul outweighs them all, 
 
 *' And calls the aftonilhing magnificence 
 
 '* Of unintelligent creation poor 1 !" - 
 
 (Yqung.) 
 
 Well might He fay, who knew in its fiill extent 
 the value of a foul, " What will it profit a man if 
 he (hould gain the whole world and lofe his own 
 foul, &c.r 
 
 The ftate of this foul in man as a fmner is repre- 
 fented in the word of God as loft and peri filing. 
 This however, as it cannot imply annihilation, or the 
 deprivation of its being, muft refer to fbmething ftiU 
 more awful and alarming ; the curfe of the law — the 
 difpleafure of the holy lawgiver — the righteous in- 
 dignation and wrath of God revealed in his word 
 againft all unrighteoufnefs and ungodlinefs of men : 
 
 B 3 Rom. i* 
 
{ 6 ) 
 
 Rom. i. 18. — and ultimately '' the worm that 
 dieth not and the fire which fhall not be quenched. ^^ 
 But here " Salvation is of the Lord." The re- 
 demption of the foul is precious and it ceafeth for 
 ever from man or angels. In the counfels of eter- 
 nity '' He laid help upon One that is mighty." 
 The plan originated in the fovereign grace of God. 
 It was the act, the injinite ivifdom of the Eternal 
 Jehovah, Eph. i. 8. The great God our Sa- 
 y yiouR executed the amazing defign and fulfilled the 
 \great myfiery of godlinels in his conckfccnfiou^ fuf^ 
 Jeri/fgs, and victory. Here we behold love moll 
 free, mollundeferved, and moll difinterefted, beyond 
 that of earthly patriots or conquerors. — Salvation 
 coil him dear, tliat it might flow in all its bleffings 
 freely and fully to us, even the blood of his crofs ; 
 when he gave himfelf not for his friends, not for 
 his country, but for his enemies. God the Holy 
 Ghost, difpofes the heart, and brings it into the en- 
 joyment of falvation. — •" Not by works of righteouf- 
 nefs which we have done, but by his own mercy 
 he faved us ; by the wafhing of regeneration and the 
 renew'ing of the Holy Ghoil, which he fhed on us 
 abundantly, through Jefus Chrill our Saviour, &c." 
 Tit. iii. 4 to 7. Such a view of the Hate of a iofl 
 and perifhing foul, and the method of its falvation, 
 renders both mofl interefling; efpecially when we 
 recolle61:, that " there is falvation in no other, 
 neither any other name under heaven whereby we 
 inuft be laved:" A6ls iv. 10. to 12. when, if 
 
 this. 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 this Saviour be reje<?i:ed " there remaineth no other 
 facrifice for fins but a certain fearful lookincr for of 
 judgment, and of fiery indignation which (hall de- 
 vour the adverfary/^ Heb. x. 26, 27. Never 
 would we appear in this place without reminding 
 you of thefe things — without urging the fmner to 
 flee from the wrath to come, " and, for refuge, to 
 lay hold of the hope of the Gofpel/' Heb. vi. 18. 
 As repentant fmners fecure by faith an intereft in the 
 falvation of the Lord Jefus, then you may boldly 
 and calmly meet all the revolutionary commotions 
 of the world ; then all the changes of earth fliall 
 ultimately efFe6l your good, and " work out for 
 you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
 glory. ^^ — Bat, deftitute of this, all earthly advantages^ 
 whether perfonal or political, can only iffue in 
 " eternal deflru6\ion from the prefence of the Lord,^^ 
 at that moil awful feafon, the final revolution of all 
 things — when " men fhail call their idols of filver 
 and gold, which they made each one for himfelf to 
 worlhip to the moles and to the bats ; to go into the 
 clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged 
 rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his 
 Majefty when He arifeth to fhake terribly the earth/' 
 Is. ii. 20, 21. 
 
 Upon an occafion like the prefent, thefe curfory 
 hints, though upon a fubje6tfo momentous, muft fuf- 
 fice. Let it however be obferved, that it is princi- 
 pally in reference to thefe things that the Chriftian 
 values his national advantages. — Our civil privileges 
 
 B 4 are 
 
{ 8 ) 
 are indeed great, fuperior to thofe of all furroimding 
 lations, worthy of our veneration, our gratitude, our 
 caloufy, and our defence. But it is the glory of 
 Britain that to it in a peculiar lenfe belong the 
 )racles of God, the ordinances and inftitutions of 
 lis worfhip, and the light of his falvation. — Connec- 
 ted with the enjoyment and the prefervation of thefe, 
 the Chrillian chiefly views the ialvation of the na- 
 tion. — Thefe efpecially call forth his gratitude in re- 
 colle6ling tlie various interpofitions of our God in 
 national deliverances, from that memorable difplay 
 of power and goodnefs, in defence of the reformation, 
 the difperfion and deftru61ion of the Spanijh Armada^ 
 impioufly called Invincible^ to that which bears the 
 greateft analogy to it in all the events of our hiftory, 
 and which now excites our gratitude, the late Victori/ 
 of Trafalgar, 
 
 Here then let us fix our attention upon the par- 
 ticular circumftances, which have called us together 
 into the houfe of God, to prefent the thankful fer- 
 vices of this day. 
 
 It is the great peculiarity of Scripture, that it 
 teaches us to view all things as in the hand of God. 
 The oppreffor and the opprefled are His, He giveth 
 victorx) to kings — and " He hath created the zvajier 
 todeflroy.^^ If liv. 16. Let this fcntiment imprefs 
 our minds, while we purfue the fubje6l in a few 
 refle61ions, arifmg from the interefting fiate in which 
 the providence of God has at prefent placed us, to- 
 gether with the furrounding nation^. 
 
 Whatever 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 Whatever differences of opinion may have exifted 
 as to the ground and neceflity of the former war, 
 there can be none I apprehend as to this — It is on 
 all hands acknowledged that IVe are at xvar becaufe 
 xve cannot he at peace — A boundlefs ambition, de- 
 termined, if poffible, to fway the fceptre of the 
 world, which knows 710 km but the laxv of poxver^ 
 no rejlraint but the xcant of poxver\ was watching 
 our profperity and endeavouring to aim a deeper blow 
 in peace, than could reafonably be expelled in the 
 event of warfare. — The avowed defign of the enemy 
 has been, not our reftraint within certain limits, under 
 the pretence that we had unjufdy paffed them, but, 
 our deftriiBion : while on the other hand the pro- 
 fefled, and I truft, the real obje6^ of our exertions 
 lias been not aggreffion but prefervatlon. 
 
 The furrounding nations awoke from their torpor, 
 have prepared to refbain the inordinate grafp of am- 
 bition ; convinced that no fecurity could be enjoyed 
 by any, while predominant power was alone in the 
 hands of one : — of one, who uniting country to 
 country was flill extending his proje6ls and his 
 efforts, as his former acquifitions appeared to be fe- 
 cured. What may be the counfel of the Lord, in 
 thefe uncommon times, we know not. — Whether He 
 may grant fuccefs againft the common enemy, and 
 turn (as he can in a moment when it pleafes him) 
 the tide of vi6lory ; or whether he defigns to ufe his 
 exorbitant power and ambition as the fcourge of 
 offending nations, are in his own hands. One obfer- 
 
 vation, 
 
( 10 ) 
 vation, however, we would here make, without fur- 
 ther comment, that, in concurrence with what has 
 been apprehended by many ferious obfervers, com- 
 panng the events of Providence with the pro- 
 phetic Scriptures, to be the leading defign of God 
 in the prefent judgments — all the Catholic Powers 
 upon the continent, and thefe almojl exclufively, 
 are now in the hands of the deftroyer. 
 
 We have been watching, with folemn awe, the 
 fuccefTion of victories, which with remarkable ra- 
 pidity have outftript all calculation — which have 
 excited the fufpicion of treachery or infatuation, of 
 want of intereft in the common caufe, if not of un- 
 ikilfulnefs and cowardice in its defence. And, while 
 we lament the miferies of thofe countries, which the 
 tlefblating armies are permitted to traverfe, with al- 
 mofl: equally calamitous circumflances whether as 
 friends or foes, furely in thefe we mufl difcern frefh 
 motives for our gratitude. The grounds of our 
 thankfulnefs are thereby increafed, for every provi- 
 dential interpofition in our favour, and efpecially 
 the laft ; which fo tends to reftrain and limit the 
 power of the enemy, and to cut off the facilities of 
 turning that power againft ourfelves. 
 
 Thefe views, combining with the hngular circum- 
 flances of the late naval vi6lory, fliew us that it is 
 no common occafwn which now claims our atten- 
 tion, and demands our praife. It is indeed the pe- 
 culiar excellence of Chriftianity that it teaches us the 
 milder virtues of patience and forbearance, while it 
 condemns the heroic pride and brutal courage, which, 
 
 though 
 
( H ) 
 
 though (hining in the page of hiftory, have been and 
 dill are thefources of numberlefs miferies to mankind, 
 *' I fay unto you, (fays the great Teacher of chris-» 
 tian morals) refill not evil" — " To him who fmiteth 
 thee on the one cheek turn the other alfo." — «' Do 
 good to them that hate you," &c. Thefe however 
 are evidently perfonal precepts inforcing " perfonal 
 duties from perfonal motives." While exercifmg thefe 
 Chriftian tempers in their individual concerns, the 
 foldier may draw his fword, or the failor may point 
 his deftru6live battery againft the enemies of his 
 country, in his country^s caufe, and be guiltleis 
 — yea commendable. We alio may yet admire their 
 intrepidity and courage. — That bravery and mer- 
 cy, fortitude and compalTion are not incompatible, 
 the conducl of a Britifh admiral has recently proved. 
 The ftriking contrail to that ferocious fpirit which 
 in too many inftances has actuated our enemies. 
 (See Appendix, No. 2.) 
 
 In the prefent inftance, we moft evidently difcem 
 tlie providence of God inciting the (kill and valour of 
 man, and interpofmg at every needful jun6lure to 
 render them effe6\ual. — The detail of a few of the 
 leading circumftances will prove the truth of this 
 interelling obfervation. Whether from beins prefled 
 for neceffary fupplies as has been conjectured ; or 
 from the wife difpofal of the blockading fquadron, 
 which concealed its force ; or from fome other un- 
 known caufe — the enemy at laft were emboldened to 
 put to fea. — And yet there appear . . o have been, from 
 many circumllances, an unwillingnefs to venture 
 
 from 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 from a friendly port, till our force was too much 
 weakened, as they fuppofed, by a detachment fenfe 
 ofl fome other (ervice, to make an attack. — In the in- 
 terv^al however, contrary to their expectations, by tiie 
 vigilance of our naval department at home, in fend- 
 ing out every fliip as quickly as it could be prepared 
 for fervice, four out of the leven thus difpofed of had 
 been replaced. (See Appendix, No. 3.) 
 
 The method of attack was altogether new, and 
 unexpe6led. Such plans, though apparently hmple 
 when made known, are the effefts of peculiar genius. 
 In the prefent infiance, the defign could only have 
 been conceived by one whom God had endued with 
 extraordinary talent in his profeflion. When firlV 
 difclofed to the captains of the fleet, it appeared to 
 them, other things concurring, and under the blef- 
 fmg of the Almighty, to infure fuccefs. 
 
 It muft ftill more excite our admiration and our 
 gratitude, ifweconfider the inequality oi number 
 and o^ force. The enemy poffeffed fix fliips of the 
 line, with nearly 500 guns, and upwards of 8000 
 men more than thofe to whom they were oppofed, 
 and yet the refult has been, fuch as Hiftory never 
 yet recorded — nineteen of their fhips were taken 
 and deftroyed I And, to complete the triumph, four 
 which had efcaped by flight were afterwards cap- 
 tured by an equal number of Britifh fliips, a cir- 
 cumftance equally unprecedented ! — Moft of the re- 
 maining veflels, three only excepted, have been ren- 
 dered unferviceable, either by the eff'e6\ of the en- 
 gagement, or the violence of the fubfequent llorm ; 
 
 while 
 
{ 13 ) 
 
 wliile not one of ours, has been by them either taken 
 or dcdroyed ! 
 
 The tininig of the ftorm alfo was mod peciiHarly 
 and decidedly providential. During the engagement 
 fuch a calm prevailed, as rendered every plan, which 
 wifdom had laid, and every effort of (kill and courage, 
 effe6hial. But fcarcely was the vi6lory obtained, 
 when He, whom the ftormy winds and raging feas 
 obey, gave them his commiflion, and excited them 
 into a tempeft, which continued in tremendous gales 
 for feveral days. This circumftance has occafioned 
 the deftru^lion of all, except four, of the captured 
 fhips, and put the courage and fkill of our failors to 
 an unexpe61ed and laborious exertion. But amidll 
 fuch dangers alfo not one of our fhips has been 
 loll !!! — Can we then, with the credulity of infi- 
 delity, fuppofe that the hand of the Lord w^as not 
 in all this ? Had the ftorm been fent forth but a few 
 hours (boner, it had prevented the engagement, and 
 left the power of the enemy intire. In fuch cir- 
 cumllances, or had an equal number of our fhips 
 been captured, in the prefent ftate of Europe, what 
 mifjlit not have been our fears ? Such a fleet mis:ht 
 have been referved to cover an invading army, to 
 adminilkr to us that cup of miferies, of which others 
 are made to drink fo deeply. 
 
 The fecurity which a gracious God by the(e 
 means has added, notwithOanding the continental 
 fucceffes, to our internal peace, is incalculably 
 great. Upon the whole, twenty-five fhips of the 
 
 hne. 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 line, with about 20,000 feamen, have been loft to 
 the enemy, and ten (hips added to our navy ; and 
 an equal number, otherwife to have been employed 
 in blockading fome hoftile port, is fet at liberty 
 to furround and guard our own coafts. 
 
 It cannot alfo but arreft our attention, that on 
 the very fame day, if not at the fame time, when 
 the infulting conqueror was boafting his determina- 
 tion to root out our profperity, and to extend his 
 own 7iaval powers^ his colonies and commerce, by 
 the deftru6lion of ours, he was lofmg the very means 
 of effe61ing his purpofes. Here then let us (land 
 and admire the hand of God, *' all whofe works 
 are truth, and his ways judgment, and thofe who 
 walk in pride he is able to abafe/^ Dan. iv. 37. 
 
 The public joy has however fuffered a fenfible 
 abatement by the lofs of one, w^hofe name mull ever 
 be dear to his country, as it has been a terror to its 
 enemies ; and who deferves all that a grateful people 
 can render, to unrivalled merit in his profelTion, 
 and integrity and difmtereftednefs in the condu<^ of 
 profeiTional duties. The tears of his country, with- 
 out one exception of rank or condition, have anti- 
 cipated thofe Ijonors, while they checked the ufual 
 exhibitions of joy on fuch an occafion : a cullom 
 juhly accounted in the prefent inftance, *' more ho- 
 nored in the breach than in the obfervance.'^ 
 
 The talent, however, and the fuccefs of fuch men 
 are from God. " If Naaman, the captain of the 
 hod of the King of Syria, be a great man with his 
 
 mailer 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 mafler and honorable, it is becaufe by him the Lord 
 hath given deliverance unto Syria." 2 Kings v. i. 
 But in this view they arc a blefiing from Him to a 
 nation while they live, and a public iofs when tliey 
 die. They claim indeed our regret, but the Lord 
 ftill more forcibly claims our fubmiflion. Had it 
 been othcrwiie, in the tendency of human nature t« 
 earthly dependances, we might, perhaps, have 
 turned our eyes from God to man ; — we might have 
 forgotten Him in the Infirument \ — we might have 
 refted our future confidence on an arm of flefh and 
 not on the Lord ; — we might have been guilty of 
 fuch pride as is mod ofFenfive to that God, to whom 
 alone belongeth, and who alone will have the honor 
 of, Salvation. The fa6l itfelf becomes ftill more 
 ftriki ng, and the language of fuch a difpenfation 
 IVill more remarkable, by confidering, that the Eng- 
 lifli nation never before loft the commanding: Ad- 
 luiral of a Fleet in any naval engagement. The 
 voice of fuch a Providence fays loudly — '« Ceale 
 ye from man, whofe breath is in his noftrils, for 
 wherein is he to be accounted of 1'^ — '* It is better 
 to truft in the Lord than to put any confidence in 
 man.'^ Pf cxviii. 8, 9. '' BlelTed is he only who 
 hath the God of Jacob for his help, and whole hope 
 is in the Lord his God ; who made heaven and earth, 
 the fea and all that therein is ; &c." Pf. cxlvi. 5 to 7. 
 Here alfo we may be permitted to notice with 
 peculiar fatisfa(Slion, that fpirit of religious depen- 
 dence and acknowledgment of God, which attended 
 
 the 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 the communication of the intelligence. We re- 
 verence thofe whofe minds could feel, and whole 
 pious fear led them to exprefs fentiments fo becoming. 
 May our God always give us in high fituationsj and 
 at the head of the feveral departments, men of 
 known and refpe6led piety. The weight and in- 
 fluence of fuch charafters will often infufe, draw 
 forth, and efpecially encourage, thofe acknowledg- 
 ments of God, which, as we have feen in former 
 inftances, produce a moft powerful effe6l upon the 
 nation at large. Such a fpirit generally prevailing 
 would indeed be a token for good. It is the re- 
 vealed rule of the divine adminiftration, '' Thofe 
 who honor me I will ho nor. ^^ And the outward 
 profelTions of a nation in dependance and thankful- 
 nefs fhall not be difregarded, efpecially when united 
 with thofe of many whofe hearts are right with 
 God. 
 
 Review, my Chriftian brethren, thefe clrcum- 
 ilances which we have now concifely detailed, and 
 you will furely be ready to fay with me, it is no 
 common occafion which has called us together this 
 morning. — The nature, the circumftances, the fea- 
 fonablenefs, the confequences, of the vi6lory are 
 fuch, as mofl clearly mark out the hand of God, 
 and claim our peculiar admiration and gratitude. 
 The influence indeed which it ought to have upon 
 our minds is extenfive, if we would meet it with a 
 becoming temper, and render to the Lord accord-< 
 ing to his mercies. 
 
 The 
 
( 17 ) 
 
 The goodnefs of our God fliould lead us to r^e^ 
 pentance. Let us not be of thofe whom neither 
 judgments nor mercies will humble, left our mer- 
 cies ihould but aggravate a quickly approaching 
 deftru6\ion. Let us not be of thofe who " when 
 the hand of the Lord is ftretched out will not fee/^ 
 left he (hould fay, " They JJiall fee and be con- 
 founded. If xxvi. 1 1 . Let our minds be deeply im- 
 prefted with the ingratitude of forgetting the God 
 of our tender mercies. His providences feem yet 
 to recal us to his footftool — " Turn ye, turn ye, 
 who knows but the Lord may turn and repent him^^ 
 of the impending ftorm, when thus, from time to 
 time, He is warding off* its approach. 
 
 The afpe6l of fuch a difpenfation of mercy aff"ords 
 encouragement to Faith and Hope, 
 
 He, who has placed the watery bulwark around 
 our coafts, has manifeftly blefled every attempt to 
 defend them. In every eff'ort which related to our 
 own prote6tion, fuccefs has crowned our exertions. 
 May we not then truft, that, fo far at leaft, the 
 Lord is on our fide, while the iffue of every fuch 
 confli6^ bids us, " Fear notP Hence the Prayer 
 of' Faith ftiould be excited and encouraged. While 
 we have been ftretching forth our hands in humble, 
 fervent fupplication, the Lord hath evidently been 
 ftretching out His arm of power for our prote6lion. 
 He hath endowed our commanders with wifdom and 
 (kill, our failors with intrepidity and courage, and 
 has rewarded their exertions with viilory. If w^e 
 
 C have 
 
( 18 ) 
 have prayed in faith, can we doubt, or can we fail 
 to acknowledge, that herein we have had the an- 
 fwer of our pra}- ers ? and (hall not a gracious an- 
 fwev encourage us to " continue in prayer, and to 
 w^atch in the fame with thankfgiving ?'^ We may 
 yet again leave our prayers with Him in hope, and 
 " patiently wait for the Lord/' 
 
 In the fubje6ls of this day's confideration we 
 have the mod potent grounds of tliankfulnefs. 
 
 When wx refleft on the miferies which they are 
 now enduring, who inhabit the feat of war, where 
 the fvvord is unfheathed, and the defh'oying armies 
 are paffing to and fro, we cannot but blefs God 
 that we are fo far removed from the turbulent and 
 anxious fcenes. (See App. No. 4.) We enjoy alfo 
 w^ith redoubled fatisfa6\ion and thankfulnefs the quiet 
 of our native land. But, when we remember that it 
 is only by fuch interpofuions of a merciful God, in 
 bleffing the fkill and exertions of our victorious 
 fleets, that our deliverance has been wrought, or our 
 profperity and peace prolonged, how can wx reprefs 
 the overflowings of thankfulnefs and praiie ? 
 
 The circumdanccs which have now pafled under 
 our review fliould, in the laft place, excite our gra- 
 titiide to God, and to the intrepid defenders of 
 their country's caufe. The one I apprehend will, 
 upon the prefent occafion, be beft exprefled by the 
 other. 
 
 A Fund is about to be formed for the relief of 
 the fufl'exers in the late arduous conflict, conne6led 
 
 with 
 
( 19 ) 
 with the Patriotic Fund ah'eady eftabUfhed for fi- 
 milar purpofes ; and it is with pecnhar fatisfa^lion 
 that I dire6l your attention to fo laudable a defign. 
 1 fohcit you to an Aci of Gratitude to God, and to 
 the courage and obedience of tiie Britifh Navy ; an 
 A8; of Jujlice to the brave men who are fuffering 
 under their wounds, or who have fallen in the de^ 
 fence of their country ; an Act of Compofjion to 
 the widows and the fatheiiefs who are thereby left 
 deftitute and defencelefs ; an Act of Liberality wor- 
 thy of the Britifh people, and which may wipe off 
 a ftain which has Ions; relied on the chara6ler of 
 their compaffion. 
 
 Oh that I pofTefled the voice of perfuafion, and 
 on an occafion like this 1 would ftrive to exert its 
 influence. — But why fhould 1 wifh it ? Fa6ls 
 have already Ipoken loudly, and made, I doubt 
 not, a deep impreffion on your hearts. You are 
 come together this morning alread)^ difpofed to tliofe 
 fentiments, which a grateful people ought to feel 
 towards that God who giveth us the vi6lory, and 
 towards thofe who have ventured their all in our 
 defence, and loft their earthly all in the arduous 
 confli6l. Who are they whole caufe I am to 
 plead ? The wounded and the difabled foldier or 
 failor — the affli61ed and the weeping widozv — the 
 deftitute and the defencelefs orphan — And of whom ? 
 Of thofe, by whofe exertions under God, we are 
 indebted for the continuance of all our privileges, 
 civil or religious — that we are now peaceably af- 
 
 C % fembled 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 fembled in the houfe of God — that we fit under our 
 own vhie, and under our own fi2;-tree, none daring 
 to make us afraid — that we lie down and take our 
 reft, and rife up again in fafety. Let then their 
 future exertions be animated by the refle6tion, that, 
 while they are venturing their hves in the high 
 places of the fiekl, or on the deep places of the 
 turbulent ocean, while they are expofing their fa- 
 mifies to bereavement in fighting for their country, 
 their country is not forgetful of them, but is pre- 
 paring for the comfortable fubfiftence of thofe who, 
 in the event of war, may be left deftitute by their 
 virtuous ardour. 
 
 Alas ! we fit by our fire- fide, and talk of wars, 
 — of the wounded, — and the dying — but how little 
 can we conceive of thofe awful fcenes, where death 
 is dealing his arrows all around, and where every 
 moment is fital to numbers. Let thofe then who 
 venture fuch trying enterprizes, whofe experienced 
 courage again and again repeats the defpcrate hazard, 
 be dear to thofe who fit at home, and enjoy eafe and 
 lecurity through their dangers and exertions. Shall 
 we think it hard, fiiall we call it an exercife of 
 compafiion, fliall we not rather efteem it an a6l of 
 imperious juftice, to meet, to the utmofi: of our 
 abilities, the calls of their weeping families, when 
 they thus folicit our help ? 
 
 Let us for a moment realize the fcene — let us 
 think we hear the dreadful note, or rather feel the 
 folemn filence, of preparation. The enemy is in 
 
 fight 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 fight — the decks are cleared for a(9:Ion — the fatal 
 inftruments of deftrnclion are prepared — the appa- 
 ratus is adj lifted for the wounded or the dying — . 
 expe61ation is filent, — till with an intrepid and un- 
 daunted zeal the enemy is clofed with, and the 
 brave failor rufties into action unknowing whether 
 he may furvive or fall in the moment of vi61ory. 
 Oh thou God of all power and might cover their 
 heads in the day of battle. At this feafon the 
 iharpened courage feels no dread — Oh happy is it, 
 if that Chriftian courage then fupports the mind, 
 which, confident in the providential care of a recon- 
 ciled covenant God in Chrift Jefus, looks forward 
 alfo with a well grounded alTurance, in all events, 
 of felicity in a better world beyond the grave! 
 How important are the principles, the influence, 
 and the hopes, of true Chriftianity, to thofe who 
 carry their lives in their hand, and rufh into fucli 
 dangerous fcenes!! (See App. No. 5.) 
 
 But, in the fufpenfive moments of expe6lation, 
 when the thoughts xvili pais and repafs involuntarily 
 to thofe obje6ls which are moft dear, would it not 
 reprefs the ardour of your zeal to refle61, that pof- 
 fibly the beloved partner of your forrows and your 
 joys, with your unconfcious infant offspring, ma}^ 
 as the refiilt of your exertions in your country's 
 defence, be left themfelves defencelefs and defti- 
 tute?— that thofe dear obje6\s of your affe6lions 
 may be deprived of their only fupporter, may be 
 }eft to the cafual contributions of the humane, or 
 
 perhaps 
 
• ( 22 ) 
 
 perhaps to the fcanty allowance of a parifh ? per- 
 haps to endure the negligence and ingratitude of 
 the thoughtlefs and hard hearted, who have them- 
 felves neither courage to defend, nor virtue to love 
 the defenders of their country ? 
 
 How would fuch apprchenfions be relieved by the 
 profpeft of the generous help, which a fund con- 
 ftituted like this will afford ? At a feafon fo event- 
 ful, when God only knows hozv often, when, and 
 xvliere, the dreadful confli(Sl may be renewed, it can- 
 not be too liberally fupported, too greatly accumu- 
 lated, too far extended, wdien fecured in its appli- 
 cation. It is a tribute due both to God and to 
 them. While the knowledge of this will tend greatly 
 to clear away the anxieties of the feeling heart, and 
 give room for the expanding courage, nothing can 
 io juftly claim, and nothing perhaps has had a 
 greater influence to infure, in thofe who have lur- 
 vived fuch confli6ls, (and who, whatever their faults 
 may be, have minds proverbial for generofity) Loij- 
 altij to their King — Obedience to their faperlors-^ 
 Love to their country — and ardour in its caufe. 
 
 Let then your liberal donations this day, fLiy to 
 the wounded, the widow, and the orphan, JVeep 
 not. You are indeed deftitute and affli61ed, but your 
 country feels your forrows, which you endure on 
 its account — It honors the memory of thole you la- 
 jy^ent — It cannot indeed reftore your lofs, but it can 
 relieve your diftrefles, and what it can it will. 
 
 Here then, my Chriftian brethren, you have the 
 
 opportunity 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 opportunity oFexercifing the moft devout gratitude, 
 and the pared patriothin — of unithig gratitude to 
 God, with benevolence to man. At thefe doors 
 you may enlarge your contributions free from the 
 charge or the fufpicion of ollcntation ; or you may 
 give your mite, if not able to give more, without 
 the fear of contempt. On fuch an occafion, no one 
 who feels grateful to the God of vi6lory— who va- 
 lues the privileges and liberties of the nation, — or 
 who fympathizes with the affli61:ed fufferers, — will 
 pafs without contributing his grateful offering — 
 without exerting the utmoii of his abilities, in do- 
 ing his duty towards thofe who, in the day of bat- 
 tle, have not dilappointed their country^s expe6la- 
 tions. (See App. No. 6.) 
 
 God grant, that in the prefent eventful period, 
 w^e may never want fuch men, endued with wifdom 
 and foriitude, to furround our fhores. Let us re- 
 ward their ardour, encourage their exertions, and 
 then red alone on the " God of Salvation.^' 
 Humble for our provocat^ns, turning to the Lord 
 in repentance and newnels of life, and hoping in 
 his mercy, let us prefent and continue to prefent 
 the prayer of fliith, encouraged by his wonderful 
 and repeated interpofitions in anfwer to our fuppli- 
 nation. The event is in his hands, whole pad 
 mercies have been great — and who, as He hath de- 
 livered, we trud, will yet deliver, his people. 
 
 PRJYER. 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 P RA Y E R. 
 
 " While therefore, O Ahnighty God, we bear 
 in our remembrance the fkill and intrepidity of thole 
 who fight our battles, we confefs that they are but 
 inftruments in thy hands, and that thou doft direcSl 
 them according to the unfearchable purpofes of thy 
 will. The wifdom and the ftrength of man are 
 thine. The winds and the waves are obedient to thy 
 voice. Tlu'ough Thee we have done great a6ls. 
 Thou had fhewn us wonderful things in thy right- 
 eoufnefs. Thine, O Lord, is the greatnefs, and the 
 power, and the glory, and the vi6lory, and the 
 majefty ; for all that is in the heaven and in the 
 earth is thine. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, 
 let thy blefhng ftill be upon thy people, and Thou 
 ilialt be exalted as Head above all.'^ Amen, 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 The Victory of June 1st, under Lord Howe, 
 
 of St. Fificenty under Lord St. Vincent, 
 
 o\' Cam/ierdoiuny under Lord Duncan, 
 
 of the Nile, and } it i x- 
 
 ' \ under Lord ]Selson, 
 
 h ) 
 
 of Co/ienhagen, 
 
 of Trafalgar, under Lord Nelson, 
 with the capture of four ships, ") 
 
 completing the destruction of ^ under Admiral Sir R. Strachan. 
 the same fleet, J 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 This will be strikingly illustrated by comparing the letters of Lord 
 Collingwood, for the relief of the wounded, with the conduct of the 
 French ; who fired upon the Spanish ships after they had struck, and de- 
 stroyed many of their men, as they themselves were escaping. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Vice Admiral Lord Collingzuood, to William 
 Marsden, Esq. dated on board His Majesty's shiji the Queen, off Cajie 
 Trafalgar, Nov. 4, 1805. 
 
 ** Sir, 
 
 " In clearing the captured ships of prisoners, I found so many wounded 
 men, that to alleviate human misery as much as was in my power, I sent 
 to the Marquis de Solana, Governor-General of Andalusia, to offer him 
 the wounded to the care of their country, on receipts being given : a 
 proposal which was received with the greatest thankfulness, not only 
 by the Governor, but the whole country resounds with expressions of 
 gratitude. Two French frigates were sent out to receive them, with a 
 proper officer to give receipts : bringing with them all the English 
 who had been wrecked in several of the ships, and an offer from the 
 Marquis de Solana of the use of their hospitals for our wounded; pledg- 
 ing the honour of Spain for their being carefully attended. 
 
 " I have ordered most of the Spanish prisoners to be released : the 
 oflicers on parole ; the men for receipts given, and a condition, that 
 they do not serve m war, by sea or land, until exchanged, 8cc. 
 
 D Emyalus, 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 Euryalusy off Cadiz, Oct. 27, 1805. 
 
 " MY LOP.D MARQUIS, 
 
 *' A great number of Spanish subjects having been wounded in the 
 ]ate action, between tne British and the combined fleets of Spain and 
 France, on the 21st inst. humanity, and my desire to alleviate the 
 sufferings of these wounded men, dictate to me to offer to your Excel- 
 lency their enlargement ; that they may be taken proper care of in the 
 hospitals on shore: provided your Excellency will send boats to convey 
 them; with a proper officer, to give receipts for the number; and ac- 
 knowledge them m your Excellency's answer to this letter, to be pri- 
 soners of war, to be exchanged before they serve again* 
 
 " I beg to assure your Excellency of my high consideration, and that 
 1 am, &c. 
 
 (Signed) C. COLLINGWOOD." 
 
 To his Excellency the Mar(|uis de Solana, Captain 
 
 General of Andalusia, Governor, &c. Cadiz. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 It is the happiness, as well as the duty, of the Christian, to view all 
 things as in the hand of God; and, while he knows that not a hair 
 falls from the head, nor a sp:irrow to the ground, without his hea- 
 venly Father, he cannot but notice, as ihe interpositions of his pro- 
 vidence, those circumstances, however trivial they may appear in them- 
 selves, which ultimately lead to great and remarkable deliverances. 
 Such is the series of events which follow; each of which evidently 
 prepared the way, and disposed things for the late unparalleled and de- 
 cisive naval victory. The detail, ias communicated by an intelligent 
 friend, may afford pleasure to tlie attentive observer of Divine Pro- 
 vidence, and excite admiration and gratitude. 
 
 In the beginning of the year a great number of ships were ready for 
 sea in Toulon, Cadiz, and Rochefort. Subsequent events seem to 
 prove, that it was intended to make a vigorous attack on our West- 
 Indian possessions, by assembling all these squadrons at a given time 
 in that (juarter. 
 
 In January of this year, in pursuance of this design, the Rochefort 
 squadron escaped our fleets, and sailed to the West-Indies — arrived— 
 threw the islands into consternation— committed depredations— en- 
 quired anxiously after the Toulon and Cadiz squadrons, but, though 
 pursued by Admiral Cochrane, returned safely to France. 
 
 Jan. 15th, the Toulon fleet put to sea. Lord Nelson's fleet being 
 absent in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, but was dri'ven back 
 by a stor7n. Its intention was to raise the blockade of Cadiz, to take 
 with it that squadron, and unite with the Rochefort, already sUJiped 
 out J but was thus providentially frustrated !!! 
 
 In April, however, but while the Rochefort squadron was cither on 
 its return to Europe, or actually arrived in port, the Toulon fleet did 
 eflect its escape; and was seen, with astonishment and chagrin, by the 
 garrison of Gibraltar, standing, with colours flying, through the 
 Straights. Sir John Orde, with a few ships, was compelled to raise 
 the blockade of Cadiz—the two squadrons joined — pursued their voy- 
 
{ 27 ) 
 
 age to the M''e.st-lndies — arrived there in the middle of May — diffused 
 (consternation through the islands— and in England : for their destina- 
 tion was not ascertained for three months after they sailed. 
 
 Lord Nelson was far up the Mediterranean, and was a month behind 
 the combined fleet ; which, however, he tracked out with a sagacity 
 that excited general admiration — boldly pursued it with only eleven 
 sail of the line, though that fleet entered Martinique, consisting of 
 sixteen, and was joined by two more from Rochefort, making eighteen. 
 
 Lord Nelson had so quick a passage, that he arrived in twenty-four 
 «lays at Barbadoes, only three weeks after the combined squadron. 
 This interval v/ould have been sufficient, indited, to do prodigious 
 mischief to our possessions, had it been actively employed j but, either 
 through fear of his being close after them, or for some other unknown 
 cause, in which however, mark the Jiarticular Jiro'vidence of God O'uer 
 us, the combined fleet remained at Martinique //// about the very time 
 of Lord Nelson s arrival. 
 
 Martinique is but about an hundred miles north of Barbadoes; 
 and here we should have thought it a most happy thing had Lord 
 Nelson received jus«- information, and traced tlie enemy there; but 
 God determined otherwise, and, while he seemed to thwart our most 
 ardent wishes, was preparing to fulfil them, and even far to surpass, 
 them. 
 
 Misinformation at Barbadoes sent Lord Nelson in pursuit of the 
 enemy southward, two days sail, to Trinidad ; where, on his arrival, 
 he learnt that they liad not appeared. It seems likely that the com- 
 bined fleet got intelligence of Lord Nelson's being in those seas, and 
 probably of his having sailed southward; for, during the four days lost 
 in going to and returning from Trinidad, they slipped out of Mar- 
 tinique, sailed northward, passed by Antigua, which lies several days 
 sail north of Martinique, on the 8th June, and steered direct for Eu- 
 rope: having effected no injury of a7iy importance to our piossessions -^ 
 and exhibiting to the world the disgraceful sight of a fleet of eighteen 
 sail running away before one of little more than half its number. 
 
 But notice the providence of God, in not permitting Lord Nelson ts 
 overtake the enemy ! The disproportion between their force was so 
 great, that the victoiy, if obtained, would most likely have been in- 
 decisive ; and, however decisive, could not have crippled the enemy in 
 any degree so much as that to which the disappointment then met 
 with actually led. 
 
 On the 13th June, Lord Nelson passed Antigua in pursuit of the 
 enemy, who had then the start of him five days. With his usual sa- 
 gacity he followed them in the very track they had taken across the 
 Atlantic ; but, on his arrival off the coast of Spain, he seems to have 
 lost their track, as they sailed north for Ferrol, and he steered eastward 
 for Cadiz. He arrived in Gibraltar bay, July 22d, the very day on 
 which the combined squadron fell in with Sir Robert Calder off Ferrol, 
 And here notice again the signal interference of Providence. Our 
 Admiralty had taken every precaution to blockade, with as much force 
 as could be collected, those ports into which the enemy, of whose re- 
 turn to Europe they were informed, would be most likely to enter. 
 Sir Robert Calder was blockading the port of Ferrol with ten or eleven 
 ships, and it is said that the present venerable First Lord of the Ad- 
 miralty directed Admiral Stirling, who was blockading Rochefort with 
 four or five ships, by a letter under his own hand, to join Adm. Calder, 
 
 which 
 
( 2S ) 
 
 which he did only the day before the enemy ajijieared ! whose force wag 
 twenty sail of the line, with three ships of fifty guns, while Admirals 
 Calder and Stirling; united had but fifteen. An action ensued, in 
 which two of the enemy's ships were taken. For some reasons, at 
 present not fully understood, the engagement was not renewed, as 
 was expected ; and the enemy took shelter in Vigo : where, it seems, 
 they got intelligence that Admiral Stirling had returned to the block- 
 ade of Rochefort, and that, of course. Sir Robert Calder was too weak 
 to oppose their entrance into Ferrol ; which they accordingly accom- 
 plished: and Sir Robert Calder fell back on Lord Cornwallis's fleet ofF 
 Brest. The combined fleet, reinforced by the sliips in Ferrol, now 
 amounted to twenty-seven or twenty-eight sail, and left Ferrol about 
 the middle of August. About six days after Su" Robert Calder returned 
 to his station off" Ferrol with a reinforcement, having now under him 
 about twenty sail. In the mean time Lord Nelson, having refreshed 
 his fleet at Gibraltar, took his station off Cape St. Vincent, to wait for 
 the enemy, expecting, as it apjiean, that he ivas not yet arrin)ed in the 
 European seasj but, hearing at length of Adm, Calder's engagement, 
 and having ascertained that the enemy were got into port, he steered 
 for England, where he arrived Aug, 17th, having lei't most of his fleet 
 with Lord Cornw.dlis off Brest. 
 
 But now mark, that this cleared the way for the combined squadron 
 to get into Cadiz, which it could not have done, had Lord Nelson 
 kept his station, without fighting him. This seemed adnjerse, but yet 
 it ivas a preparatory step to the luonderfid -victory of Trafalgar ! It 
 seemed also adverscy that Admirals Calder and Stirling should separate 
 so soon after the battle, and leave Sir Robert Calder so weak that he 
 could not resist the entrance of the enemy into Ferrol ; but this also 
 ivas a pirepiaratory steji in Fro^uidence that the Ferrol squadron might 
 be released, and find its ruin at Trafalgar ! Let us loonder and adore !! ! 
 
 Sir Robert Calder finding the enemy had left Ferrol, pursued him 
 till he discovered that he had taken refuge in Cadiz; in which port he 
 was, at length, blockaded by Admirals Calder and Collingwood, with 
 twenty-six sail. 
 
 Here, then, through a train of most remarkable circumstances^ were 
 thirty-three sail of the line brought together contrary to our luishes I — /« 
 spite of our 'varied and strenuous endeasuours l—ha-ving frequently 
 alarmed our a/prehensions, and noiv exciting our fears ! But these 
 were all preparatory circumstances to a Victory, great be- 
 yond example, and surpassing all expectation ! 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Though we deprecate the idea going abroad, at least in the sense 
 in which it has been by many misunderstood, that ** they are suffering 
 in order to divert the storm from us,' yet surely, independent of this, 
 their distresses must claim our pity, excite our prayers, and demand 
 all the assistance we can render to them, while their calamities still in- 
 crease the causes of our thankfulness. I'he following Extracts will en- 
 gage our sympathy. 
 
 Fxlraet 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Mr. Jung^ ^liUc Counsellor^ Heidelberg, 
 
 O^ober 23y 1805. 
 
 *« But six weeks ago, the Emperor Napoleon was at Boulogne ; and 
 5^ow he is in the heart of Bavaria, at the head of 140, or 150,000 men: 
 and the Austrian army is either killed, taken prisoners, or dispersed. 
 How will this end ! The whole of Germany, and the northern nations, 
 are in arms. It is awful indeed 1 And all the violence of this tremendous 
 storm falls upon our poor native country. Last summer there was such 
 a scarcity in several parts of Saxony, Lusatia, Silesia, Bohemia, Austria, 
 and otiier neighbouring provinces, that many baked bran for bread, and 
 <used grass for vegetables; some people even went to those places, 
 where dead horses were thrown, and fed upon their flesh. Now, in 
 addition to the usual population of the country, there are 150,000 men 
 coming from the west, and more than 100,000 from the east, who must 
 also be fed : and in the northern parts the harvest has again been very 
 ccanty. My very heart bleeds at the sight of this universal distress. O! 
 tiiat some relief might be afforded us ! And perhaps our hopes of re- 
 ceiving some assistance from England may not be disappointed.*' 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Stuttgardt, Oct. 14, 1805. 
 
 ** What would you feel, could you now see our city ! It has quite the 
 appearance of a camp, 20,000 French soldiers having been quartered upon 
 «s. We have two officers and twelve privates in our own house, and 
 some of our neighbours had from thirty to forty. Provisions became so 
 scarce, that they were hardly to be procured There are some districts 
 in the vicinity of Ulm, in which every thing is entirely consumed-^ and 
 we have an uni'versal famine to fear. The "vintage of this year kas 
 also failed 11 " 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Nuremburg, Or/. 19, 1805. 
 
 *' The Lord our God gives Victory to whom he pleases — therefore let 
 
 Hs not murmur, but let us leave our cause to Him. O ! may England 
 
 in particular do so at the present time. May all the people of that 
 country, with mercy so much and so long blessed, open their eyes to 
 see that it is high time to seek the Lord, and to humble themselves 
 before Him, who alone can, and will protect them, if they come 
 but in the right manner to Him." 
 
 Extreme distress is experienced at this time in various parts of Ger- 
 many •, of which most authentic atfcounts have been received from dif- 
 ferent quarters. Foraging parties of soldiers have traversed the country 
 in various directions, and, at the point of the bayonet, have compelled 
 
 the farmers to thrash out their grain for the use of the French army; 
 
 the season too has been so unfavourable, that the vintage has failed : — 
 Therefore, the poor inhabitants can now, neither get bread for them- 
 selves or their children to eat, nor their common beverage, of low wines, 
 to drink. As to animal food, the armies have in many places cleared 
 away most of the cattle. There are numbers of very pious people in 
 the utmost distress, for want of the absolute necessaries of life. 
 
 Subscriptions are received, for the Relief of these distressed People, 
 at the following Bankers : Messrs. Down, Thornton, and Co. Bartholo- 
 mew-lane J Han key and Co. Fenchurcb-street ; and Hoares, Fleet-street. 
 
 No. 
 
( 30 ) 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 An Institution was formed in the year 1780, by a few persons wha 
 Were led seriously to consider, and deeply to deplore, the lamentable 
 io-norance of the great body of those two classes of men, to whom the 
 country look upas the means of national defence. This consideration 
 determmed them to form a Society, for the sole purpose of distributing 
 Bibles among the sailors and soldiers of the British Navy and Army, 
 which has since adopted the name of the Naval and Military 
 Bible Society. 
 
 For several years the Institution was amply supported, by liberal do- 
 nations, numerous subscriptions, and various collections at different 
 churches and other places of worship; which enabled the Society to 
 distribute Bibles very extensively. Constant applications were received 
 from Naval and Military Officers, expressing their earnest desire to have 
 the Bible put into the hands of their men, and engaging to use their 
 influence to promote the views of the Society therein. By these means 
 about 35,000 Bibles and Testaments have been distributed. 
 
 Notwithstanding the encouragement at first experienced, it is greatly 
 to be regretted, that, from the death of many of the most liberal sup- 
 porters of the Institution, its funds have so far declined, as to be very 
 inadequate to its benevolent purpose. 
 
 The recent establishment of another Society, The British and 
 Foreign Bible Society, upon an extensive scale, has also led some 
 of the friends of this Institution to conceive, that its continuance was 
 less necessary. Their spheres of action are, however, very diiferent : 
 nor is it the design of that respectable Society to accomplish the objects of 
 this. Every lover of tme religion, the best interest of his country, or the 
 spiritual welfare of those whose valour under God has been the means 
 of its preservation, will regret to hear, that, even during the present 
 unexampled warfare, the Committee have been obliged, with painful 
 reluctance, considerably to reduce the number of Bibles allotted to ships 
 and regiments. 
 
 It is with pleasure the Author obsei-ves that some of the most re- 
 spectable and noble characters in the nation have lately engaged to direct 
 and promote its designs. It is therefore hoped that the liberality of the 
 public will prevent the recurrence of a circumstance so much to be la- 
 mented, and which, it is apprehended, has been caused only by ignorance 
 of the society itself, and its designs. 
 
 Subscriptions will be received by the Author^ or by Mr. Stejihensont 
 Treasurer, William-street, Bridge-sf eet, Blackfriars. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 According to the last signal of the ever to be lamented Admiral— 
 Knglund expects every man to do his duty." 
 
 f I N I S. 
 
 Printed by W. WILSON, 
 $t. Pcici 's Hill, Doctors Commons. 
 
 ii^lL 
 
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SOUL : 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 PREACHED AT 
 THE PARISH CHURCH OF 
 
 ST. ANDREW WARDROBE, AND ST. ANN» BLACKFRIARS, 
 
 ONI 
 
 The First of Mai/, 1S08, 
 
 FOR THE BENEFIT OF 
 
 THE SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND, 
 
 FOR 
 
 PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE 
 
 IN THE 
 
 HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS. 
 
 BY THE REV. WILLIAM GOODE, A. M. 
 
 RECTOR OF THE SAID CHURCH. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BYT. GILLET, CROWN-COURT, FLEET-STREET. 
 
 1809. 
 
4i the Annual General Meeting of the Correspondent 
 Board, in London, of the Societ?/ in Scotland, for 
 propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highland^ 
 and Islaiids, Maij IS, 1S08, 
 
 JoHN-WiLLiAM Adam, Esq. in the Chair, 
 
 RESOLVED UNANIMOFSLY, 
 
 That the thanks of this Board he given to the Rcc, 
 William Goode, A. M. for his excellent Sermon, 
 preached before them on the 1st instant, at his Church, 
 St. Ann^s, Blackfriars ; and that he be requested to 
 permit the same to be printed for the use of the Societ?/. 
 
 Thomas Rutledge, D. D. . 
 Robert Y0UNG5 D. D. 
 
The kn^owledge of the soul^ 
 
 SERMON- 
 
 PROVERBS xix. 2. 
 
 Jilso that the Soul he without knowledge, it is 
 not good, 
 
 TF ignorance be the mother of devotion, how arc 
 we to. understand the declaration of our text ? 
 If wisdom and understanding are not to be es- 
 teemed the most valuable of all acquisitions, the 
 word of inspiration is calculated to promote the 
 error. From the lips of the wisest of men, the 
 Spirit of the Lord has given us this instruction, 
 '' Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get 
 ^' wisdom, and with all thj getting get under- 
 ^' standing/' — '" Wisdom is better than gold." — • 
 ^[ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and 
 B "tli« 
 
[ 2 3 
 
 /'the man that getteth understanding." It iH 
 
 the chief concerrij the true riches, the supreme 
 felicity of man. 
 
 We cannot be at a loss to perceive the species 
 of wisdom to which the allusion is here made* 
 It is doubtless thatj which our office leads us pe- 
 culiarly to recommend^ and^ for the diffusion of 
 which, the exertions of the Societ} ., for which I 
 have now tlie honour to plead, are chiefly di- 
 rected ; that wisdom which is spiritual, practical, 
 and saving, '' the wisdom which cometh from 
 '' above/' 
 
 In many other respects, it must be acknow- 
 ledged, that ^^ in much wisdom there is much 
 " grief," and '' he that increaseth knowledge 
 '' increaseth sorrow :" that stores of learned trea- 
 sures are neither profitable to their possessors, 
 nor to those around them ;. neither tend to im- 
 prove the mind, sanctify the heart, nor rectify 
 the conduct. Every species of knowledge must 
 indeed have its suitable place, in which it pos- 
 sesses a degree of weight and importance, and 
 might often be employed to much better pur- 
 poses than it is. But, hovrever valuable the ac- 
 quisition may be in the class to which it belongs, 
 in a moral and spiritual point of view such know- 
 ledge 
 
C 3 ] 
 
 ledge might often be dispensed with, without any 
 material detriment to the real interest Of man: but 
 that the soul be without knowledge can in no sense 
 be good, neither in itself considered^ — nor for the 
 benefit of the individual, — nor for society around. 
 
 So important ig the truth of our text, as it 
 stands in our present translation ; but a slight 
 alteration in the reading, which more exactly ex- 
 hibits the sense of the original, will also render 
 it more suitable to our present design. 
 
 I am well aware that^ in a popular assem- 
 bly, such intimations are better avoided, lest 
 they should tend through misapprehension to 
 weaken the confidence of the unlearned, in the 
 veracity of that translation wliich they are com- 
 pelled to use. It may however be sufficient to 
 prevent such an effect, if at the same time it be 
 remarked that, amidst the various readings which 
 the blunders, neglect, or ignorance of tran- 
 scribers unwarily introduced, while the sacred 
 oracles were yet in manuscript — or amidst the 
 few^ inaccuracies of the common translation, 
 there is no one in either which can justly affect 
 any one point of Christian doctrine. We are 
 still presented with the same view of the state of 
 Man; the person^ i^ork, and diessings of the 
 
 Saviour ; 
 
C 4 3 
 
 Saviour ; the per son , offices, and influences of 
 God the Holy Ghost ; and the cUstingidsliing 
 principles of the Gospel. Such corrections may 
 sometimes confirm^ illustrate, and increase tho 
 beauty or the energy of scriptural views, but can 
 never be honestly employed to w^eaken or subvert 
 one generally acknowledged doctrine of- the 
 Christian church. The confidence of this fact 
 may arm the uninstructed mind against those 
 perplexing apprehensions, which sometimes arise 
 from the temptations of the enemy, or the arti- 
 fice of deceivers, when studying that Word of 
 truth, on which their salvation depends. 
 
 Thus guarded, I venture to observe, that the 
 soul, in the original of our i^xt, does not appear 
 to be the subject in which this knowledge rests^ 
 but the object which it has in view. Some there- 
 fore have rendered the passage, '' To be without 
 '' the knowledge of the soul is not good/' This, 
 no doubt, more fully marks out the design of the 
 original, yet perhaps does not completely ex- 
 press its meaning. The words may, we appre- 
 hend, be rendered, '' verihj without sotd-hnow- 
 ledge there is no good.'* They then teach us this 
 
 * 5*116 hS> t*^i nj;T kSs Oi. £tiam absque scientia Animse, ugh 
 
 jbonum. MoNTANus. 
 
 important 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 important lesson^ so apposite to our present de* 
 sign, that '' without soul-knowledge^ that know- 
 ledge which pertains to the soul, nothing can 
 be really good or excellent to man ; that every 
 thing beside leaves the sinner in a state of deplor- 
 able darkness^ in the most important of ail con- 
 cerns, and destitute of that, which alone can 
 secure his present and eternal felicity. A truth 
 this which cannot be too deeply imprest upon 
 ^ur minds, or too forcibly inculcated upon all 
 around us^ when it is so evident that, amidst 
 the different kinds of knowledge after which 
 man is pursuing, this knowledge is considered as 
 of the least moment; that men are so indisposed 
 towards the necessary means of attaining it ; that 
 the Bible, God*s only instrument of conveying 
 it, is of ail things the most disregarded ; and that 
 every pursuit of literature, and even of folly, is 
 accounted more honourable amongst mankind, 
 than that which will lead them to the knowledge 
 of God, of thtmselveSj of a Saviour, and of 
 immortality . 
 
 It was, no doubt, a conviction of the import- 
 ance of f/ws knowledge, that led to the original 
 formation, and the liberal and extensive plans of 
 this Society, and which has been the cause of is 
 so ample support. Long may it exist, with an 
 
 increaii. g 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 increasing influence, to promote Christian know- 
 ledge among the most northern, and least fa- 
 voured, inhabitants of this highly favoured Isle; 
 v*'lio bad long been excluded from a community 
 in its blessings either of civilization or religious 
 privileges, and might still have remained either 
 in uncultivated ignorance, or the slaves of popish 
 superstition, had it not been for the exertions of 
 this institution. God forbid that any illiberal 
 prejudices of bigotry should check our benevo- 
 lent assistance to a sister church, which, though 
 differing from us in point of discipline, still 
 ^^ holds the Head/' is engaged in promoting the 
 knowledge of the same fundamental truths of re- 
 velation ; and which God has endowed with 
 peculiar wisdom in conducting this design, and 
 honoured with most abundant blessing on their 
 labours. 
 
 I shall feel myself happy, if my feeble efForta 
 should, in any degree, contribute to forward 
 its noble objects ; the importance of which 
 cannot be more strongly enforced than by the 
 views of our text : since, witJiout that knowledge 
 of the soul, which it is its dcs^ign to diffuse 
 abroad, there can he no good. 
 
 Under this impression let us apply ourselves 
 
 to 
 
C 7 ] 
 
 to the subject, which appears to involve In itself 
 the following considerations : 
 
 The value of the soul : 
 
 The means of attaining the knowledge of iti 
 •tate, and its true interests : 
 
 The knowledge which is thereby communicated 
 to us concerning it : and 
 
 The absolute importance of its attainment. 
 
 Oh ! Holy Ghost, the divine teacher of thj 
 church, sensible that without thee we can do 
 nothing, we intreat thy presence and thy power, 
 then shall the feeblest instrument and the weak- 
 est efforts produce the most desirable effects, and 
 " the excellency of the power shall be of thee 
 '' and not of us." 
 
 Our Jirst consideration is the value of the 
 soul. 
 
 i> 
 
 But what is the soul ? This we shall never 
 understand till we come into that world where 
 disembodied souls exist. Men define and ex- 
 plain, and then think they understand ; but here 
 
 the 
 
C 8 ] 
 
 the bounds of human knowledge are Yery don-* 
 fined. We know the soul though so intimate 
 an inmate only bj its qualities^ and this will be 
 sufficient for our present purpose, and for any 
 purpose of practical improvement. 
 
 We generally consider the soul as that some- 
 tiling within us whereby we think and judge, 
 reason and determine. Immaterial and spiritual^ 
 it is conscious of faculties w hich extend beyond 
 the limits of earth and sensible objects, and is 
 capable of contemplating not onl}^ the worlds 
 unseen, not only the works and ways of God, 
 but the infinite perfections of the divine nature. 
 Its powers are formed for the service of God, in 
 a much more exalted state of existence than that 
 in which they are now exercised. And some- 
 times, when renewed by his grace, it feels an 
 inward evidence of that which constitutes its 
 true dignity, a capacity for the enjoyment of 
 God, in the closest union, and in the communion 
 of bis blessedness. 
 
 But what stamps upon the soul its greatest 
 ralue is its inwiortaliiy. It is '' the breath of 
 '' lives' from the great Creator, and formed to 
 exx%i throughout eternity. 
 
 Eternity 
 
[ 9 } 
 
 Eterkity must give a value and importance 
 to any thing*. Every thing connected with 
 eternity must claim our serious attention : how 
 much more then that immortal soul, which must 
 exist in the use and exercise of all its faculties;, 
 perhaps eternally increasing in their extent and 
 vigour^ and forming a capacity for the most in- 
 tense happiness, or unspeakable misery^ through- 
 out eternity ! Our views are lost in the contem- 
 plation. The powers of numbers fiiil to calcu- 
 late. And, when the human imagination hath 
 exhausted its conceptions, and wandered through 
 millions of millions of ages, vVe yet stand but upon 
 the threshold of eternity! Flow solemn the con- 
 sideration. It has been well observed that the 
 temporal salvation of kingdoms, or of universal 
 nature, can bear no proportion to the salvation 
 of one soul, which, in the progress of eternity 
 ( if I may so speak ) must exceed the aggregate 
 duration of them all. And do I possess such an 
 inmate ? Is every one around mc endowed with 
 such an immortal spirit ? Flow infinitely im- 
 portant that we should acquire the knowledge — 
 how infinitely important to communicate the 
 knowledge, — of its present state, its hopes, its 
 fears, its expectations ! '^ To be without the 
 " knowledge of the soul it is not good." Nothing 
 can supply the deficiency. For, '' what will it 
 c " profit 
 
C 10 3 
 
 ^ profit a man if he gain tlie whole world, and 
 *' lose his own soul ?'' Without the knowledge 
 of the soul, what are we the better for its ex- 
 istence ? Th@ possession of an immortal soul^ 
 though an invaluable benefit, may thus become 
 ultimately the means of greater misery. While 
 it affords to man the opportunity of manifesting 
 still greater ingratitude and wickedness, it may 
 sink him at present beneath the brute creation in 
 debasement, and fit him only for still greater 
 displays of the righteous judgment of God. The 
 real dignity of human nature may thus form the 
 ])asis of its more extensive depravity, its ac- 
 cumulated guilt, and deeper degradation. Let 
 us then consider. 
 
 Secondly, The means of knowledge, in those 
 things which relate to the state and welfare of 
 the soul. 
 
 Here I apprehend no danger of confutation in 
 asserting, that the knoiiiedge of divine things can 
 come alone from God : that the knowledge of a 
 spiritual world, and the things connected with 
 it, must be alone derived from him. Hence 
 arises the absolute necessity of revelation ; with- 
 out wliich man had remained as ignorant that he 
 liad a soul, as of its properties, state, and ex- 
 pectations. 
 
[ 11 ] 
 
 pcctations. There is at least nothing in the 
 actual state of man which can disprove this. He 
 never did exist without a revelation. And it is 
 impossible io say, how far the primary discoveries 
 of God to the two common sources of mankind, 
 Adam and Noah^ may have extended themselr?^, 
 or what influence they may still diffuse^ through 
 corrupted tradition^ among the most unen- 
 lightened of their descendants. The vestiges of 
 those institutions, which the human mind could 
 never have devised, and • which bear the evident 
 marks of divine original, such as sacrifices for 
 sin, S£c. are certainly found amongst them ; 
 and to the present day constitute a chief part of 
 their religious worship, in appeasing their angry 
 deities. Nor can it ever be shewn, by what 
 series of argument, or chain of induction, either 
 nature or reason could lead man on from the 
 knowledge of earthly to the apprehension of spi- 
 ritual things; from the knowledge of material 
 substances, (the only objects with which he is 
 surrounded,) to the apprehension of immateritil 
 things, of which he could have no notices in the 
 thin^'8 [le saw, and which in the cleariest liaht of 
 revelation man is so apt to misunderstand. The 
 powers of his soul, without the discoveries, by 
 revelation, of those objects to which they are 
 suited, might have remained as latent capacities, 
 
 as 
 
[ 12 ] 
 
 as perhaps many other powers which he possesies 
 do, and will do, till they expand in the world of 
 spirits. The wisest heathen had (it appears) so 
 far lost the views of original revelation, as to he 
 entirely unacquainted with the idea of what is 
 properly termed creation ; and which is the very 
 first truth of the sacred Scriptures. What, indeed, 
 has their boasted philosophy discovered either in 
 truth or morals? In the first they appe^irinvelopcd 
 in '' darkness which maybe felt;" while their 
 boasted systems of morality allowed the indul- 
 gence of the grossest vices of the human heart.— 
 The higher and nobler principles of their systems 
 are either the relicts pf revelation, or derived 
 from its diverging rays, and may generally be 
 traced up to the connection of their philosophers 
 with the sources of divine light. 
 
 And wherein have the still more enlightened 
 philosophers (as they style therasielves) of the pre- 
 sent day exceeded in abilities, or in fortunate 
 discovery, their heathen predecessors ^ Have they 
 really added any one idea to their moral system? 
 the source is evident.* Their wisest dogmas^ 
 their best ornaments, have been, in some way or 
 other^ direct or indirect, derived from those 
 Scriptures which they affect to despise. And it 
 ii certain that what appears c^nunon to thera 
 
 both 
 
C 13 ] 
 
 both is riot borrowed by the Christum revelation 
 from them, but by tliem from it. 
 
 Let not these observations be deemed useless 
 speculations. In such times as these it is of the 
 utmost importance that they should be urged 
 upon the minds of Christians in general^ to coun- 
 teract the absurd boasts of iuiidelity. They are 
 calculated^ moreover^ to impress the mind of the 
 believer^ \yith the highest admiration of the di- 
 vine wisdom and beneficence, and to lead all of 
 us most highly to value the Bible, that Book of 
 Cod, that discovery of His will^ that revelation 
 of all which is necessary for us to know as to pur 
 souls, and '* without the knowledge of which 
 ^' there is po good.'- They are not indeed direct 
 proofs of the authenticity or inspiration of the sa- 
 cred volume, nor are they offered as such ; but, 
 as demonstrations of its excellence, they ought 
 to dispose our minds to attend candidly to such 
 proofs, since if we have not in this book the de- 
 claration of the divine will we are entirely desti- 
 tute of it, and the dilemma in which man is placed 
 must be awfully alarming. Blessed be God that 
 those proofs, external and internal, are both nu- 
 merous and irrefragable. It is impossible for 
 us to enter into theni at present, but we would 
 venture to rest the whole argument upon the so- 
 
 liitiou 
 
[ 14 ] 
 
 listion of one question^ which infidelity cah never 
 answer, Jf the Scriptures arc not from God, from 
 whence arc lliejj f 
 
 Iftlien thej aflord us the oaly director}^ in 
 those thinsrs which concern the knowledare of the 
 
 CD CD 
 
 soul; if their divine authority be fully attested, 
 it is to them alone we must apply for information 
 on these most interesting subjects. Their plain 
 dictates require our implicit assent; their doc- 
 trines claim our unequivocal credit ; their di- 
 rections demand our submissive obedience. — 
 Little will it avail us, to have the means of in- 
 formation in our hands, or to communicate them 
 to others, unless thereby we are effectually taught 
 ourselves : unless we learn fiom the book of God 
 that wisdom whereby we may become '' wise 
 *^ unto salvation:" unless our minds are en- 
 lightened by its truth, and our hearts sanctified 
 by the influence of that truth : unless it be cor- 
 dially believed by us, and '' work effectually by 
 *' believing." But, in order to this, we must be 
 acquainted with the subjects which will arise 
 under our next consideration. 
 
 Tiiirdlif, The information which the Scriptures 
 afford, or the leading truths to which they require 
 our assent, 
 
 These^ 
 
[ 15 ] 
 
 These, indeed, are subjects of coinraon consi- 
 deration amongst us ; and blessed be the abun* 
 dant merey of our God that they are so; for, 
 like the light of the sun, or like the bread we 
 eat, their constant recurrence renders them still 
 more precious, as they are the means of liglit, 
 life, and salvation. Suffer us then to run over 
 the most distinguishing points, not by way of ar- 
 gument, to convince your understanding (which 
 I trust will be needless), but by way of remem- 
 brance, to revive the sense of their importance 
 and excellence upon the heart. 
 
 What views here open upon the mind— -humi- 
 liating but encouraging : discovering the true 
 dignity, but the miserable depravity of man ; 
 leading up to the source of sovereign grace as the 
 origin of redemption; directing to the divinely 
 instituted remedy ; manifesting the treasures of 
 spiritual blessings in a Redeemer suited to our 
 state and nature ; and pointing the believing 
 mind, through a series of declarations, facts, and 
 promises, to the most perfect felicity, in the full 
 perfection of all the powers of the soul, in the 
 presence and enjoyment of God throughout 
 eternity ! Here we have the fulness of knowledge, 
 in all things ^hich relate to the immortal soul, 
 
 suid 
 
[ 16 ] 
 
 and '' vciihout the hiOKlccIge of which there U n& 
 '' good" 
 
 We cannot be surprised to find tliat^ in the 
 revelation of invisible and spiritual realities, 
 many things should be found above the compre- 
 hension of our powers, in the present state of 
 existence. Nor need we be surprised that the 
 pride of wisdom should reject those truths which 
 elude its research ; or the pride of moral virtue 
 despise its humbling declarations ; any more thait 
 that the corruption of an earthly mind should re- 
 ject its pure and sanctifying precepts. What- 
 ever difficulties may attend the subject, it is cer- 
 tain that the very foundation of tbe system of 
 revealed truth is laid in the fall, the consequent 
 depravity, the guilt, and tbe helplessness of man. 
 Its whole structure of facts, doctrines, and pre- 
 cepts is raised upon this basis. Without the 
 conviction of this we can never understand its 
 nature or design; and, without the deepest im- 
 pression of the truth of this upon our hearts, we 
 shall never discerr. nor welcome the wonders of 
 its grace. This however is the grand truth, 
 which man is disposed to deny ; though by de- 
 nying he still" more confirms its reality. Un- 
 willing to humble himself before that God, from 
 
 whose 
 
[ 1'' ^. 
 
 wliose allegiance be hath broken, whose autho- 
 rity he hath insulted, and whose law he hath 
 violated, and against which his heart rises in en- 
 mity and aversion, he tries by every evasion to 
 deceive himself as to his true state and character 
 He compares himself with himself; he compares 
 himself with others; he forms for his conduct e 
 law of sincerity, of which the Scriptures are 
 totally ignorant ; or, as the chief effort in de- 
 luslon, he brings down tlie holy spiritual law of 
 God to the standard of his own ability and im- 
 perfection, and then easily fancies that he attains 
 to the standard of the law. Thus armed, he ven- 
 tures to' reject the evidence of his senses as to all 
 things around him, in the actual display of 
 human corruption, and to deny or debase the 
 humbling principles of Christianity ; the pecu- 
 liar doctrines of the grace of God ; the richest 
 display of divine wisdom and compassion. He 
 reduces that glorious system of redemption into 
 which '' angels desire to look," and do look with 
 admiration, which is ''an height, a depth, a 
 '' length, a breadth of divine love, which pass- 
 eth all understanding, to a mere system of ethi- 
 cal precepts. 
 
 We deny not the cUgnitij of human naturc'^-'a.s 
 
 it came forth from the hand of its creator, its 
 
 D dig^nity 
 
C 18 ] 
 dignity was great; consisting in the vast powers 
 and faculties of an inimortal spirit, and its ca- 
 pacities of contemplating, serving, and enjoying 
 God. But higher were those angels of his presence, 
 '" who arc now reserved in chains of darkness 
 '• against the judgment of the great day/* The 
 higher the dignity the deeper the fall of a re- 
 bellious creature. It is the act alone of sovereign 
 mercy that fiillen man is not involved in the same 
 irretrievable hiisery. To be without the know- 
 ledge of this, the inie state of otu soyl^ is not 
 good. This alone will account for those circum- 
 stances in which we are cast, in a miserable and 
 dying world. To this the Scripture traces up 
 all the miseries of life. '' Sin entered into the 
 •' world, and death by sin, and so death passeth 
 ' upon all men, because all have sinned.'' It 
 confirms its account of our original corruption 
 and guilt, by referring us to that greatest mystery 
 in divine providence, the sufferings of our infant 
 race, who, though '' they have not sinned after 
 '' the similitude of Adam's transgression," feel 
 the etlect of it in death. For '' death reigned 
 '' from Adam to Moses even over those who had 
 ^' not thus sinned." Here it calls us to adore the 
 sovereignty and justice of God : and let ray soul 
 exclaim, '' shall not the judge of all the earth do 
 •^ right." 
 
 Whea 
 
C 19 ] 
 
 When once confirmed in the belief of that 
 scriptural position, tliat the cause of all misery is 
 s'lUj we shall not wonder at all the miseries which 
 surround us^, since we are told^ by the same au- 
 thority, that '' all have sinned and come short of 
 '" the glory of God ;'' and feel within ourselves, 
 and discern in every thing around us^ the truth 
 of the assertion. 
 
 But the consequences of transgression and guilt 
 do not terminate in this life. '' The soul that 
 '' sinneth it shall die." They await their final 
 sentence in the world to come, in that death 
 which is suited to the whole nature of sinful 
 man, and which is therefore called, by a solecism 
 in language, but by a solemnity of expression, 
 which will be found capable of truth and reality, 
 from the nature of the immortal soul. Eternal 
 Death ! ! 
 
 In this state man is as helpless as he is guilty. 
 While '^ by the law every mouth is stopped 
 ** and all the world stand guilty before God/' 
 '' The redemption of the soul is precious, and it 
 '"^ceasetU forever'' from man. '' The Scripture" 
 (it is declared) '' hath concluded all under sin,'* 
 to make way for the riches of divine grace in his 
 , salvation. Not that the Scripture itself has had 
 
 any 
 
C 20 ] 
 
 any influence in altering the real state of man ; 
 but this is the testimony which it bears concern- 
 ing him. And this it does, when, describing the 
 state of man, it solemnly proclaims, that '' there 
 " is none righteous, no not one;" they are all 
 gone out of the way ; they are altogether be- 
 come unprofitable ; there is none that doeth 
 good, no not one. Rom. iii. 10, 12. And again, 
 '' as many as are of the works of the law are under 
 '' the curse.*' So that '' by the deeds of the law 
 '' shall no flesh living be justified," Gal. iii. 10, 
 and Gal. iii. 22. The design of this is declared 
 to be, '' that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ 
 '' might be given to them that believe." Rem. iii. 20. 
 When the sinner is abased grace shall triumph. 
 When man is humbled God shall be exaKed. 
 This has been the plan of all God's dispensations 
 ever since man became a transgressor ; as most 
 suited to his state and his own perfections. De- 
 termined '' to destroy the wisdom of the wise, 
 ^' and to bring to nought the understanding of 
 '^ the prudent, he hath chosen the foolish things 
 ^' of the world to confound the w ise, and w eak 
 ^* things of the world to confound the mighty ; 
 *^' the base things of the world, and the things 
 ^' which are not hath God chosen, to bring to 
 '* nought things which are ; that no flesh should 
 *' glory in his presence." 1 Cor. i. 26 to 29. 
 
 Upon 
 
C 21 3 
 
 Upon the foundation of the guilt, depravity, 
 aud ruin of his creature. He, whose prerogative 
 it is to bring good out of evii, hath taken an op- 
 portunity to erect a temple to his glory; to de- 
 vise, and to execute a plan, in which is displayed 
 " to powers and principalities in heavenly places, 
 '' by the church, the manifold wisdom of God :*' 
 in whicli his justice stands displayed in all its 
 terrors ; his grace in all its sweetness ; his power 
 in all its grandeur; and his mercy in all its bound- 
 less extent. We see it originating in the eternal 
 counsels; in which (if we follow the scripture 
 guidance) we plainly discover three Persons en- 
 tering into covenant, or compact, for the salva- 
 tion of lost souls. We find names attributed to 
 each, according to the engagements into which 
 they respectively entered, and the offices which 
 they are represented as sustaining, in the great 
 purpose of redeeming love. Names which are 
 continually recurring throughout tlie whole of 
 the divine testimony, and each of w hich is uni- 
 formly applied, without confusion or deviation, 
 (except that the term Father is frequently ap^ 
 plied to the divine nature in general), to the 
 same person in the divine essence, bearing the 
 same office, and to no other. These 3.ve three, 
 and no more than iliree : Father, Son, and Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 The 
 
[ 22 ] 
 
 The mode of their existence in the one unJi- 
 ^'ided essence of Jehovah^ as it is not the sub- 
 ject of reveiationj is not amongst the objects of 
 vuv belief. But the fact is as much an article of 
 revelation as any of the plainest declarations of 
 duty exprest therein^ and therefore as much re- 
 quires the submission of our understanding to 
 the wisdom of the great Revealer^ as any precept 
 of the Gospel requires the obedience of our heart 
 to his authority. 
 
 Vie are therefore perfectly conformable to 
 Scripture^, when we declare that " the Father is 
 ^' God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost 
 "^ is God, and yet they are not three Gods but 
 '' one God.^^ For the creed of the Old Testa- 
 ment church is also the creed of the New : '' Hear 
 '' O Israel, Jehovah thy Aleim (thy three co- 
 *' venanters, or three in covenant) is one Je- 
 '' HOVAH.'' Deut. vi. 4. 
 
 Let not this be considered as a mere specula- 
 tive doctrine, when it lies at the very foundation 
 of the covenant of Redemption ; — when it enters 
 into every part of the system ; — wlien every step 
 in its fulfilment has reference to the three divine 
 persons, and exhibits them as engaged distinctly 
 in its performance ;— when our very initiation 
 
 into 
 
[ 23 ] 
 
 into the Christian church is fixt, by divine au- 
 thority^ upon a profession of the Father, Son, 
 and Holy Ghost ; — when there can be no Chris- 
 tian experience but as " we draw near to the 
 Father, through the Son, by the Holy Ghost ;'' — 
 and when we can never appear before God in 
 eternity, but as presented to the Father^ by the 
 Son, as sanctified by his Holy Spirit. How 
 then can we understand a system, of which these 
 \iews are thus the very basis, and substance, 
 and in which they are continually recurring, if 
 we refuse to admit them as truths. The plainest 
 doctrines of Christianity must appear inexplicable 
 siiicomiected with these views, and it is no won- 
 der if the whole iKi soon abandoned and denied. 
 To understand, or to explain the fact itself 
 is notour province, but to believe. Nor v/ill it 
 beat all surprising to us if, throughout eternity, 
 a finite being, in its highest perfection, should 
 be unable to understand the nature, mode of 
 existence, persons, or perfections of the inficite 
 Jehovah ; much less will such a want of clear 
 comprehension justify us in refusing our assent 
 to the plain dictates of revealed truth, in a state 
 of existence so limited as the present* 
 
 Connected with this grand display of the di- 
 vine persons and perfic' ions, the glories of re- 
 demption 
 
C 24 J 
 
 (lemption present themselves to our view in tBe 
 oracles of truth. 
 
 We arc led up to its source^ in the sovereign 
 pnrpose and unmerited love of the Father^ when 
 it is declared that '' God so loved the world, that 
 '' he gave his only begotten Son/' &c. ; and 
 again, '' not that we ioved God, but that God 
 "' loved us, and sent his son to be the propitia- 
 '' tion for our sins." 
 
 This wonderful mjsterv still more unfolds 
 itself, when he who vvas '' the word, who was 
 '' with God, and who was God," became flesh 
 and tabernacled amongst us. John i. i, 14. When 
 in the person of Jesus We behold '' Lmmanuel 
 '' God v.rth us ;" '' the great mystery of godli- 
 '*" ness God manifested in the flesh." How won- 
 derful the declaration of the Apostle, '' He who 
 '' was in the form of God, and thought it not 
 '' robbery to be equal vritli God, made himself of 
 '' no reputation," &c. li is here worthy of re- 
 mark that his condescension, in every step, is re- 
 presented as liis own voluntary act; He took 
 upon himself the form of a servant, he emptied 
 himself, lie humbled himself he gave himself to 
 the cross. If he appeared as the man of sorrows, 
 and acquainted with grief, it was because he had 
 
 voluntarily 
 
C 25 ] 
 
 Vol tmtcirily undertaken to be the surety of his 
 people ; that verily he might '' bear their sins 
 '' and carry their sorrows^ might be wounded for 
 '' their transgression^ and bruised for their ini- 
 *' quity^ &c/' Hence he is represented as '^ made 
 *' of God the propitiation through faith in his 
 '^ blood/' &c. And in his humiliation he him- 
 self informs us of its design; '' he came not to be 
 '^ ministered unto^ but to minister and to give 
 '^ his life a ransom for many." This is that lov« 
 which his church so admires in him^ '' who loved 
 *' it and gave himself for it, an offering and a sa- 
 '' crifice to God for a sweet smelling savour/' 
 
 But when ^*^ declared to be the Sono/God^ 
 " with power^ according to the spirit of holiness> 
 '' by the resurrection from the dead/' we see the 
 divine testimony to his person and doctrine^ and 
 the divine acceptance of his work. And^ while 
 he thus affords to us the indisputable proof of 
 the resurrection of the body, and of the invisible 
 and spiritual worlds, he himself opens our w ay to 
 it, becomes the earnest and the pledge of our en- 
 trance to it, and secures its ultimate and eternal 
 enjoyment to all his people by his own posses- 
 sion . 
 
 Seated upon his mediatorial throne in our na- 
 E ture 
 
[ ^6 1 
 
 ture, as *' the head of his people/' and ^' the head 
 over all tilings to them/' he possesses '' all the 
 treasures of wisdom and knowledge/* '^ all the 
 ^' fulness of the godhead hodilj." Yea^^'itwas 
 well pleasing/' in the economy of salvation^ 
 ^'^ that in him should all fulness dwell ; that out 
 '^ of his fulness we might receive and grace for 
 "^ grace/' Hence, as it is the covenant office of 
 the Holy Ghost to enlighten^, sanctify^ and pre- 
 serve the souls of his people^ to testify of Jesus^ 
 and reveal him to the hearty this Spirit is in his 
 hands to give, according to the revealed order of 
 the covenant. As the promised Spirit he there- 
 fore does and will pour him out in his influences 
 upon the church to the end of timc^ to glorify his 
 own person^ his office^ character, and the fulness 
 of his redemption ; to collect a people for him- 
 self, and preserve them to his kingdom and 
 glory. 
 
 Thus the covenant offices of the three persons 
 in Jehovah, arise from the state of man ; their 
 work and blessings are suited to the condition of 
 man, and are thus secured for the enjoyment of 
 all his people. What those blessings are^ the 
 word of truth informs us. They are what we 
 might expect them to be, from the wisdom, dig- 
 nity, and grace of him who obtained and bestow 5 
 
 thcui ; 
 
[ 27 J 
 
 them; they are all that wc can want for the sal- 
 vation of a lost soul, from the pardon of sin, to 
 the meetness for the possession of eternal glory. 
 
 In the divine dignity of the Saviour's .person, 
 I behold an infinite merit communicated to his 
 human obedience and suiFerings, which, when 
 considered as the appointment of God, and ac- 
 cepted of God for the salvation of sinners, lays 
 such a foundation for my hope before God, my 
 confidence of pardon and salvation in him, as 
 could arise from nothing beside. — Whatever may 
 have been my sin or guilt, I can believe the tes- 
 timony, that '' the blood of Jesus Christ, his son, 
 '' cleanses from all sin/' — Whatever is my state 
 of condemnation as a transgressor of the law, I 
 am assured, and upon such ground it deserves 
 my firmest confidence, that '' Jesus Christ is the 
 '' end of the law/o?^ rigliteousncss, to evgri/ one 
 " that believeth ;'' and that '' by him all who 
 *^ believe are justified from all things, ;" — What- 
 ever is my helplessness and weakness, what cause 
 can I have of fear, when the Lord Jehovah who 
 is my righteousness, is also ''my strength!'' — 
 Whatever are my enemies or dangers, if he be- 
 come '' the captain of my salvation,"' of whom 
 shall I be afraid ? If he be '' made of God unto 
 '' me wisdom^ righteousness, sanctification and 
 
 [' redemption 
 
C 28 ] 
 
 '' redemption, then, having nothing else to glory 
 '^ m, I may glory in the Lord;" — and well may 
 I argue with the apostle, '' He that spared not 
 '' his own son, but hath given him up for us all, 
 '' how shall he not with him also freely give us 
 '' all things !" Rom. viii. 32. 
 
 These are blessings arising from the Redeemer'* 
 dying love, and presented to the view of faith, in 
 the word of truth, not only as facts, but in con- 
 nection with the most gracious invitations to all 
 who feel their need ; and with the most exceed- 
 ing great and precious promises to all who seek 
 tliem. These are views which, in connection 
 with a serious conviction of our lost estate as sin- 
 ners, are of the highest moment. How precious 
 that word of grace that discovers them ! Well 
 may it be called " the glorious Gospel of the 
 '' blessed God !" Here we discover the door of 
 hope opening ; the rays of glory beaming upon 
 our souls. When sensible of sin and guilt, the 
 promises of the Gospel lay the foundation of 
 faith, and introduce into the soul the hope of 
 eternal life, '' which God who cannot lie, pro- 
 ^' mised before the world began,'' in Christ Jesus. 
 
 The regeneration indeed of the heart, — the dis- 
 ppsitipn of humble penitence, whereby the sinner 
 
C 29 ] 
 
 is inclined to accept these blessings, as the gifts 
 of grace, and the faith whereby they are re- 
 ceived, must indeed be derived from an higher 
 source than corrupted nature, and for this the 
 covenant of grace hath provided. '' Jesus is 
 ^' exalted to give repentance and remission of 
 '' sins,*' and is the '' author and finisher of faith/' 
 according to that promise of the new covenant, 
 '^ I will put my laws into their minds, and in 
 ^' their hearts will I write them," and '' I wdll be 
 *' to them a God, and thej- shall be to me a people: 
 ^' for 1 will be merciful to their unrighteousness, 
 " and their sins and iniquities I will remember 
 ^^ no more/' This is the security of his church ; 
 while to the humble inquirer it is sufficient to 
 know that, '' he giveth his holy spiraT to them 
 '' who ask it,'* and '' whosoever cometh unto 
 " him he will in no wise cast out/' 
 
 Under all the miseries of life, and the fears of 
 death, these views are sufficient to solace and sup- 
 port the mind. But the divine word, received in 
 faith, assures the believer still further, that ail his 
 concerns are in the hands of his exalted head. At 
 peace with God in Jesus Christ, all things are at 
 peace with him. Nature and Providence are but 
 the directions of his Lord. And beyond, '' eye 
 - hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered 
 
 '' into 
 
[ so ] 
 
 " into the heart of man, what God hath prepared 
 *' for them that love him." '' Life and immor- 
 *' talitj are brought to light by the Gospel." By 
 faith in Jesus the believer rises from the ruins 
 of the fall; he waits amidst all the trials of life 
 for his grace, and guidance; and looks for '" the 
 '"'^ exceeding gVeat and eternal weight of glory/' 
 beyond, '' reserved in heaven for those who are 
 '' kept by his almighty power, through faith, unto 
 '^'^ salvation." In the confidence of faith he tri- 
 umphs, '' who shall l^y any thing to the charge 
 ^^ of God's elect; it is God that justifieth ;.... 
 '' who shall separate us from the love of Christ ?" 
 '^ All things are ours since we are Christ's, and 
 ''^ Christ is Ix-^od's." — Compare Rom. viii. 33 to 
 39, and 1 Cor. iii. 2i to 23. 
 
 These, lapprehenJ, are the great and leading 
 truths, which the Gospel of Christ reveals, as 
 connected with the soul of man. Though the 
 sketch is extremely imperfect, yti, by the divine 
 blessing, it may be the means of refreshing our 
 minds, of strengthening our attachment to them, 
 and of exciting our gratitude for such exalted 
 mercies. 
 
 These great truths, — the divine glory^ person, 
 and work of the Lord Jesus Christ ; his com- 
 plete 
 
C 31 ] 
 
 plete satisfaction and atonement for sin ; the per- 
 sonality;, office, and influences of his holy spirit, 
 bringing the soul into the exercise of that faith, 
 whereby alone they are received and enjoyed ; 
 constitute the main pillars of Christianity. These 
 were the instruments which the Spirit of God em- 
 ployed to pull down the bulwarks of papal super- 
 stition, and to effect the reformation of the church: 
 and these are the means which he still employs, 
 for the calling and preserving a people for him- 
 self, out of an ungodly world. And it needs onlj 
 to observe the history of the church from the 
 beginning, to be convinced, that, when these truths 
 have been omitted, or but slightly treated of, in 
 its ministrations, there the Spirit's influence has 
 been withdrawn ; a dearth of religious affections;, 
 and a failure in Christian practice, have soon 
 followed; the church hath been again confounded 
 with the world, and its interests have rapidly de- 
 cayed. By this then let us learn their value. 
 Let the ministers of Christ, holding them deanpr 
 than life, boldly defend them; since it is evideiixt 
 that the Spirit of God will acknowledge nothing, 
 however gratifying to human wisdom, with Ins 
 own power y but his own truths and the simple de- 
 claration of that truth. You, my fellow Chris- 
 tians, steadfastly adhere to these views ; and let 
 our united efforts be e?ierted to difl'use them 
 
 aroujid, 
 
L 32 ] • 
 
 around^ and commend them by their influents 
 upon our conduct. For, without the knowledge 
 of these things, which relate to the soul there is 
 no good. 
 
 ^ Fourthly. Though the importance of this know- 
 ledge, accordingto our plan, must form the clos- 
 ing subject of our consideration, after what has 
 been said, a very few observations may suffice. 
 
 The great, the eternal blessings connected 
 with this knowledge, together with the distres- 
 sing situation, and extreme danger, of those who 
 are destitute of it, must plainly discover its im- 
 portance, and its excellency. 
 
 We need not here advert to the situation of 
 the Heathen world to prove this assertion : their 
 darkness and depravity — their vain superstitions — 
 their idolatrous rites — their human sacrifices, — - 
 their cruel devotions— their abominable practices, 
 even under the garb of religion— their justified de- 
 baucheries and immoralities — would indeed afford 
 a striking demonstration of its truth. But, in our 
 own Christian land, we have too many similar 
 proofs arising from a want of the power and vital 
 principal of Christianity, and an ignorance of 
 its nature and design^ 
 
 The 
 
C 33 ] 
 
 * The world at large is indebted to the diffusion 
 of Christianity, for the amelioratioa of its state. 
 Wherever its truths have been admitted, there its 
 influence has been felt. It sometimes civilizes 
 where it scarcely moralizes, and it moralizes ( if I 
 may so speak) where it does not spiritualize the 
 heart. This may be observed even in our own 
 land, where the word of God, though in our 
 hands, often lies neglected and unknown, till 
 a powerful and enlightened ministry excites the 
 attention to it. Then an effect has been produced 
 which nothing else could have wrought. The 
 moral appearance ef a place has been materially 
 changed, though but a few may have evidently 
 '' received the truth in the love of it.'* 
 
 But to come more immediately to the point. 
 If the true happiness of man consist in the per- 
 fection of his whole nature, (as it certainly must) 
 of what use is all that knowledge, which is un- 
 connected with the interest of the superior part 
 of his nature, — his immortal soul ? What is the 
 real value of those attainments which leave that 
 immortal soul in a state of depravity, guilt, and 
 ruin ? A moment's reflection will discover their 
 vanity ! But, if the acquisition of that knowledge, 
 or those attainments and possessions, have been 
 the means of leading us to neglect the interests of 
 F the 
 
[ Si ] 
 
 the soul; a moment's reflection will discover the 
 folly and the guilt ! To a soul under the guilt of 
 sin, nothing can be good. Wisdom and know- 
 ledge are but splendid ignorance^, riches are but 
 vanitv, honors but an empty sound. The great, 
 the important point neglected, the one tiling need' 
 July of what value will all besides be esteemed 
 ^"^ when God taketh away the soul ?" In the day, 
 when God shall declare " thy soul is required of 
 '' thee; then whose shall those things be which 
 thou hast provided ?" — Not thine.— Thy body can 
 no longer enjoy them, they are not suited to the 
 state into which the immortal soul is abo'it to 
 pass, and the great labour of their attainment 
 Avill then appear to thee, as it does now to the eye 
 of God, but a proof of egregious folly ; in 
 -which the interest of an immortal spirit has been 
 sacrificed to vanity and lies. 
 
 Suffer me then, my fellow-sinner, to recom^ 
 mend to your attention the word of truth, which 
 is able to save thy soul, to '' make thee wise unto 
 ^'salvation, throuo-h faith which is in Christ Jesus." 
 Let me press it upon you, seriously to consider 
 the dispensation of mercy which you enjoy, under 
 the clearest light of the Gospel. If these privi- 
 leges would be valuable to others, to whom you 
 w ish to send them, are they not equally so to us, 
 
 who 
 
[ 35 ] 
 
 who actually enjoy them ? If, imprest with their 
 excellency, we use our eiForts to diffuse them 
 ahroad, shall we be indifferent to their blessings, 
 or neglect to secure them ourselves ? This would 
 be the excess of folly ! Search then the Scrip- 
 tures ; study their contents ; meditate upon their 
 truths ; rejoice in their blessings. But always 
 remember that grand truth which is most pro- 
 minent upon their surface, that, without divine 
 teaching, you can have no spiritual understand- 
 ing of them. ''For the natural man knoweth 
 '' not the things of the Spirit of God, they are 
 ** foolishness to him, neither can he know them, 
 *' because they are spiritually discerned." Attend 
 therefore your reading the Scriptures, attend your 
 observance of every ordinance of the Christian 
 church, with dependance upon the teaching of 
 God the Holy Ghost, and prayer for his effec- 
 tual influence. 
 
 But let it be especially recollected that, d io 
 be without the revelation of God to man, and 
 the light of the Christian dispensation is most 
 seriously to be lamented, if men may " perish 
 '' for lack of knowledge," how much more awful 
 it must be, to slight the means of information 
 when in our hands, to neglect the sacred dictates 
 when revealed and proclaimed, and to perish for 
 
 the 
 
C 36 3 
 
 the abuse of knowledge. Let us especially bc- 
 \\ are how, with the clearest dispensation of di- 
 vine light shining upon our minds, we deny the 
 plain truths of revelation, because they are not 
 congenial to our corrupted dispositions ; how we 
 despise its humbling but saving doctrines, be- 
 cause they are beyond our investigation, or full 
 comprehension ; or how, with a profession of its 
 system, we remain uninfluenced by its power. 
 It is the design of the Gospel to renew the soul 
 iu the image of God, and without this effect it 
 has never answered its purpose upon us. For, 
 '' except a man be born again he cannot see the 
 '' kingdom of God." Its truths will work effec- 
 tually when believed ; and, when bringing sal- 
 vation to the heart, will '' teach us to deny un- 
 ^' godliness and worldly lusts, and to live right- 
 '' eously, soberly, and godly, in the present 
 '' world/' Here '' he that getteth wisdom loveth 
 ^'his own soul,'' and '' he that keepeth it shall 
 " find good/' But, oh ! may our God forbid 
 it, that the awful denunciation of the prophet 
 should ever rest upon us, pronounced on the vo- 
 luntary ignorance of his ancient nation, '' My 
 ''people are destroyed for lack of knowledge/' 
 '*' Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I also 
 ^' will reject thee/' Hos. iv. 6. '' It is a people of 
 '■ no understanding, therefore, be that made them 
 
 '' will 
 
[ 37 ] 
 
 '^ will not have mercy on them, and he that 
 "^ formed them will shew them no favour." 
 Is. xxvii. 11. 
 
 Now then, I apprehend, we need only to re- 
 view the subjects which have passed before us, 
 to engage your attention to the noble otgects of 
 this benevolent institution. 
 
 Only let it be granted that man has an immor- 
 tal soul, and, w ithout the knowledge of its state, 
 its interests, and its concerns, there can be no real 
 good. But, if that soul be fallen from its origi- 
 nal state of purity and felicity, expo sed to mi- 
 sery and death, the subject becomes infinitely 
 more important. By the concurring testimony, 
 however, of Scripture, of fact, and the experience 
 of all ages of mankind, this is the case. In the 
 word of God alone the remedy is discovered. 
 There we behold a God of Glori/ but o^ Grace ; 
 of Holiness but oi Mercy ! The plan of redeem- 
 ing love is laid in the eternal councils, and be- 
 comes the work of the three in Jehovah. There 
 '' on Jesus the mightij one, our help was laid.'* 
 
 We see the plan gradually developing itself, 
 in its different parts, and proceeding forward in 
 its fulfilment in all the dispensations of God to 
 
 man : 
 
C 38 ] 
 
 man : till at last, iu the person of Immanuel^ tlic 
 WORD made flesh, we see that infinite alone- 
 ment rendered, which forms a full, perfect^ aaid 
 proper satisfaction for sin ; thnt righteousness 
 wrought out which honors the demands of the 
 law ; that redemption completed hy which '' God 
 '' is just when he justifies" the believing sinner. 
 Here we are invited io fly, for pardon and salva- 
 tion, with a promise of acceptance, with a pro- 
 mise of every blessing the penitent sinner can 
 need, or the humble believer can enjoy through 
 time and through eternity. The ground, the ob- 
 ject, the immutable security of the believer's 
 hope is pointed out; and, in the hand of the 
 Spirit, this word of truth becomes '' the 'power 
 *' of God unto salvation/' 
 
 You who have experienced its grace will ad- 
 mire its glories. It constitutes the only basis of 
 your hope ; \i affords you support and consola- 
 tion under all the trials of life; it dissipates the 
 fear of death ; and then directs your views be- 
 yond, to '' the grace that is to be brought unto 
 '^ you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Blessed 
 " be the Lord God of Israel, who hath thus vi- 
 '* sited and redeemed his people; who hath ^{\exi 
 " to us the knowledge of Salvation, by the remis- 
 *' sionofsins; through the tender mercy of our 
 
 '^ God. 
 
[ 39 ] 
 
 ^' Godj whereby the day spring from on high 
 ^' hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in 
 '^ darkness and the shadow of deaths to guide our 
 " feet into the way of peace/* Blessed be God, 
 this light hath shone upon us^ let it be our glory 
 to reflect its beams around. 
 
 This is the benevolent purpose^ the generou* 
 design^ of the institution for which I now plead. 
 A design which it hath long been pursuing, with 
 remarkable success, in the remote corners of our 
 own isle. 
 
 It will be impossible for me^ in the close of a 
 discourse, to ^i\Q you more than a very concise 
 account of its origin and designs, its importance 
 and utility. A few individuals^ in the beginning 
 of the last century, contemplating with sympathy 
 the state of near three hundred thousands of their 
 fellow-countrymen, immersed in ignorance, bar- 
 barism, and superstition, strangers to the lan- 
 guage, literature, arts, and improvements, of other 
 parts of the British empire, formed the benevo- 
 lent plan of sending among them religious school- 
 masters and teachers, to promote their civiliza- 
 tion and instruction, and introduce them (under 
 the divine blessing) into the light and privilege* 
 of the Gospel. They wisely conceived that the 
 
 most 
 
C 40 ] 
 
 most probable means of accomplishing these de- 
 signs would be, to impress upon the minds of the 
 rising generation the principles of Christian 
 truth. From very small beginnings the Society 
 have now established near three hundred schoolt 
 under as many teachers, where about sixteen 
 thousand scholars are annually instructed in the 
 arts of civilized life, and the principles of 
 the Protestant religion. And it is computed that 
 near three hundred thousand have been under in- 
 struction in these schools^ since their original 
 establishment. 
 
 It is the first wish of the directors, that the 
 most important of all concerns, the diffusion of 
 gospel light and the knowledge of salvation, 
 should ever be considered as the chief object of 
 their attention. Their schoolmasters are therefore 
 always directed to act as catechists to the neigh- 
 bourhood where they are stationed ; and^ besides 
 conveying instruction to the children, to endeavor, 
 by every means suitable to their character, by 
 publicly catechising, and reading to the people on 
 the Lord's day, when no other services are per- 
 formed to impress the minds of all around them 
 with religious truth. This is highly important in a 
 country, where very little instruction beside can 
 be obtained^ owing to the great extent of the 
 
 parishei 
 
C 41 ] 
 
 parishes of 60 or 70 milesj intersected with 
 mountains and arms of the sea^ which prevent a 
 regular and continued intercourse. 
 
 The Society also have^ at a very great ex- 
 pence^ printed editions of the bible in the Gaelic 
 language, and have thus communicated to them 
 the word of life in their native tongue. 
 
 To aid the exertions of such schoolmasters^ 
 missionary ministers have also been appointed by 
 the Society^ at certain stations^ whose labors 
 have been great and beneficial. 
 
 When we contemplate for a moment, such a 
 number of children, snatched from ignorance and 
 vice^ trained up in the knowledge of Christian 
 principles and duties, rising to communicate 
 again the light of truth to their children, in a 
 still more extended circle, we must confess that 
 the advantages resulting from such an institution 
 must be incalculable. 
 
 Under the influence of this Society, the very 
 manners and dispositions of the inhabitants have 
 been materially changed. It is perhaps princi- 
 pally, if not exclusively, owing to their efforts, 
 that such a material difference h observed be- 
 
 G * tween 
 
[ 43 3 
 
 tween them and the native Irish^ though spring- 
 ing from one common origin ; whose language 
 also they speak, and whose religion, if any, they 
 originally professed. While the one, in the fury 
 of a blinded zeal, has been committing acts of 
 atrocity and murder, the recital of which has 
 shocked our feelings, these have discovered a 
 loyal attachment to their country and its consti- 
 tution, and have clothed its arms with glory in 
 distant parts of the world ; though little more 
 than half a century ago (in the year 1745) under 
 the influence of the same misguided zeal, they 
 threw this country into confusion, and carried 
 terror to the very capital. 
 
 It is a pleasing fact, that many, who would 
 otherwise have been sunk in ignorance and vice^ 
 have risen, bv the instruction received from this 
 institution, to fill with honor the first stationi 
 in society ; and, what is infinitely more impor- 
 tant, thousands are doubtless now in heaven, 
 praising God for the benefit of its exertions. 
 
 But its benevolent efi'orts are not confined to 
 
 its native soil. Besides their missionaries at 
 
 home, under the patronage of this institution, 
 
 the American Indian has been blest with the light 
 
 f divine truth. And, whoever recollects the 
 
 piety. 
 
C 43 ] 
 
 pietjj the labours^ and tire success of a Brainerd, 
 ■whose exertions were directed and supported by 
 this very Society^ must feel the obligation to af- 
 ford to it the utmost aid his abilities allow, and 
 if he can no more — -his prayers. 
 
 While we call upon you for some little of 
 your abundance to promote the cause of Christy 
 let us hope that^ the consideration of so many 
 thousands, dependent upon the resources of this 
 Society for the common means of instruction, 
 will awaken your philanthropy, and quicken 
 your zeal. And it ought to be remarked that, 
 though the funds of this Society are great, their 
 demands are still greater^ and that many appli- 
 cations for new schools are annually rejected, 
 through want of finances to supply their ex- 
 pence. — Embrace the present opportunity of be- 
 nevolent exertion. Very soon every opportunity 
 of thus honouring your Lord and Saviour will be 
 passed away, never to be recalled. And, if re- 
 gret could be felt in the world of glory, it would 
 doubtless arise from the recollection of opportu- 
 nities lost of glorifying the Redeemer, and pro* 
 moting his cause upon earth ; of how little we 
 have done for the honour of him, to whom we are 
 iindebted for life and imraortalitv. 
 
 Lft 
 
[ ^^ ] 
 
 Let us then indulge the hope that jou feel ail 
 holy ai'ilor arising'^ to spread the knowledge of 
 the Redeemer^ and the blessings of his salvation^ 
 through the world. If jou are acquainted with 
 his glory and salvation^ this is frequently the 
 subject of your devout supplication^ '' iliy king- 
 *' dom come.*' With your prayers employ your 
 example and influence to promote its progress. 
 Stiil continue these exertions. He that heareth 
 prayer hath manifested his approbation^ and has, 
 no doubt, answered the prayers of many of his 
 eminent servants of old, in that noble zeal and 
 ardor, which he has of late excited among his 
 professing people, in a variety of ways, to pro- 
 mote the knowledge of salvation through the 
 earth. Not only, we trust, is this a token for 
 good to the nation, but an earnest of fulfilling 
 bis promises in the recalling of his ancient peo- 
 ple, and the glorious fulness of the Gentile 
 world. 
 
 Animated then still more by what you sec 
 around you, add still further that pecuniary aid 
 to the funds of this Society which your circum- 
 stances permit. Cast into the treasury of the 
 Lord something that may sanctify your abund- 
 ance, or that mite which may testify your love 
 to his cause. 
 
 By 
 
C 45 ] 
 
 By the most feeble^ efforts, and feeble instrii- 
 fnents^ it often pleases the Ahiiightj God to dis- 
 cover his power in collecting and extending his 
 church. And to be in the least degree instru- 
 mental in forwarding so glorious a purpose, will 
 be esteemed an higher honour in eternity than the 
 acquisition of all earthly good. 
 
 Now then let that zeal, that love appear in 
 the abundance of your liberality. Shew that the 
 cause of Christ, not only in your own commu- 
 nity, but in every community of Christians, 
 is the object of your devout desire. And 
 may the eiforts of this Society, may the ef- 
 forts which are now making amongst ourselves, 
 and in the different societies of Christians, 
 be crowned with success, by the Spirit of all 
 grace and power ; till '' his kingdom come, and 
 '' his will be done on earth as it is in heaven : 
 " till the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth 
 " as the waters do the seas." O Lord, hasten it 
 in thy time. Amen. 
 
 FINIS, 
 
 T, Gillet, Printer, Crowa-court^ Jbi#et-street. 
 
A SERMON, 
 
SERMON 
 
 PREACHED AT THE PARISH CHURCH OF 
 
 St, Andrew by the Wardrobe and St, Anne, Blackfriars^ 
 
 ON TUESDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK, MAY 19, 1812, 
 
 BEFORE THE 
 
 Society for ^\^%iQm to aftica anO tfjc <Bm^ 
 
 INSTITUTED BV 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH, 
 
 BEIKG THEIR 
 
 TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 THE REV. WILLIAM GOODE, M. A. 
 
 RECTOR OF THE SAID UNITED PARISHES; LECTURER OF ST. JOHN OF WAPPING; 
 
 AND LADY CAMDEN'S TUESDAY EVENING LECTURER AT THE 
 
 CHURCH OF ST. LAWRENCE-JEWRY. 
 
 LOKDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND ROWLAND, COSWELL STREET. 
 1812. 
 
SERMON, Sfc. 
 
 PSALM Lxxii. 17. 
 
 AND MEN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM : ALL NATIONS 
 SHALL CALL HIM BLESSED. 
 
 MY CHRISTIAN BRETHREN 
 
 We are met together this morning, for the pro- 
 moting of an object, not only of no common 
 magnitude^ but by far the most important, that 
 can occupy the attention, or engage the united 
 energies of the Church of God; — an object, in 
 the promoting of which. Angels which excel in 
 strength, which do the commandments of the Lord, 
 who hearken to the voice of His word, those mi- 
 nisters of His which do His pleasure, even the 
 brightest seraphim before the throne, would 
 esteem it their highest honour to be employed. 
 — It is my appointed duty, to endeavour to ex- 
 cite your rising zeal into higher fervour in this 
 work of sacred benevolence-^the sending forth of 
 
the Ambassadors of heaven, to proclaim through 
 earth the message of reconcihation between God 
 and Man — to bear the glad tidings of salvation 
 to a ruined world — and to open before the dying 
 sons of men the scriptural prospects of life and 
 immortality. 
 
 Your prayer will, I doubt not, aid my efforts ; 
 and engage that divine assistance which can 
 render the weakest instrument effective, to ac- 
 complish the most important purposes of Je- 
 hovah's grace — In this confidence I enter upon 
 my task, and to this blessing I commit my 
 services. 
 
 When the great Redeemer of mankind had 
 completed his undertaking on earth, when his 
 own personal ministry was ended and he was 
 about to ascend to his Father, he delegated to 
 his disciples the work of continuing the ministry 
 of reconciliation to man ; and commanded them, 
 as his final charge, to preach this Gospel to every 
 creature. Animated with love to their Divine 
 Master, and fired with zeal for the salvation of 
 mankind, they immediately girt themselves for 
 the undertaking. No dangers affrighted them — 
 no difficulties deterred them. In a few years 
 the Jew and the Greek, the polished nations of 
 the Roman Empire, and even the barbarous in- 
 
habitants of the British Isles, had heard from 
 tiiem, or by their means, the Gospel of their 
 Salvation. 
 
 The execution of this command appears, in- 
 deed, to have been the chief object, which inva- 
 riably animated the holy ardour of primitive 
 Christians. But — too soon, alas ! softened by 
 prosperity, and therefore relaxing in their zeal, 
 the rulers and the members of the Church, either 
 forgot, or became indifferent to the last and most 
 benevolent mandate of their Lord ; and indis- 
 posed to that self-denial, and boldness of enter- 
 prize, which were necessary for its fulfilment. 
 Satisfied, therefore, with promoting the interest 
 of their own peculiar churches, the Gentile Na- 
 tions no longer excited their attention, nor wit- 
 nessed their benevolent exertions to enlighten 
 their darkness, or to save their souls. Hence 
 the rapid progress of the Gospel was impeded. 
 Cliristianity, instead of receiving fresh acquisi- 
 tions to its cause, lost the ground which it had 
 gained ; and the universal influence of Christian 
 Truth, so suited in its nature to promote the 
 general benefit of man, was prejudiced and 
 delayed. 
 
 Never, smce those happy times, hath any 
 spirit of Christian enterprize arisen, worthy of 
 
8 
 
 the Church, or of the glorious cause in which it 
 is engaged. The reformation itself found suf- 
 ficient employment for the apostolic instruments 
 by which it was effected, in the country in which 
 it first arose : nor could the Reformed Churches 
 be expected to direct their attention further, till 
 their own domestic peace and security were 
 confirmed. 
 
 A few solitary instances, therefore, excepted ; 
 and some bold attempts of the Romish Church, 
 directed, it is to be feared, more for secular ad- 
 vantage than for the promoting of true Chris- 
 tianity ; the Missionary Spirit has been suffered 
 to sleep, since the times of primitive love and 
 zeal, without any suitable attempts, to arouse it 
 to renewed exertions. 
 
 We reverence the venerable Societies, their 
 names shall be recorded with honour to the latest 
 posterity, which kept the dying spark of Missi- 
 onary Zeal alive, and which prevented its entire 
 extinction, when buried under the general for- 
 getfulness of all the Protestant Churches. But 
 shall we not hail, with peculiar delight and gra- 
 titude, the present times, when Christians in 
 general appear to be awaking from their long 
 slumber ; and are preparing themselves again 
 to execute their Lord's command? — Shall we 
 
9 
 
 not meet, with solemn attention and holy grati- 
 tude, the present providential circumstances of 
 the world, so eventful and so uncommon, which 
 appear to urge it more and more upon the Chris- 
 tian community to excite the reviving spark 
 into a flame ? — Shall we not entreat the heavenly 
 wisdom from above, which may enable us zeal- 
 ously to watch over it, and wisely to direct its 
 progress ? 
 
 To aim at novelty in the present state of Mis- 
 sionary Information would be absurd. It will 
 therefore be my object, only to collect and deli- 
 neate to your view, in the simplicity of truth, 
 some of the leading blessings of our common 
 Christianity: those blessings, which it reaches 
 forth with the hand of mercy to mankind ; and 
 to which it solicits their attention, in the most 
 persuasive language of invitation and of pro- 
 mise, wherever its heavenly sounds are heard — 
 blessings, which alone can restore, and which 
 will increase, and finally consummate the hap- 
 piness of man. This, we apprehend, will most 
 effectually excite our gratitude, for our own 
 unspeakable mercies; and inspire and pro- 
 voke into activity the sacred purpose, of diffus- 
 ing the knowledge of those mercies to man- 
 kind. Though immersed in ignorance, without 
 
10 
 
 Christ, voithout hopCy and without God in the 
 world, they are but companions with us in rebel- 
 lion and transgression : — nor are they sunk the 
 least beneath us, by nature, in the guilt or ruin 
 of the fall ; while w^e know that they are equally 
 capable of rising, even from their lowest degra- 
 dation to those glorious felicities, to which the 
 Gospel hath elevated our hopes. 
 
 Let us then awake to the generous attempt. 
 Our zeal may be animated, and our perseverance 
 sustained, under every discouragement, by the 
 recollection, that, however feeble and unpromis- 
 ing the beginnings, we anticipate with confidence 
 the certainty of ultimate success. We know, 
 that, in the fulness of the Prophetic times, by some 
 means which the providence of God shall deve- 
 lope, Men shall be blessed in him : all nations 
 shall call him blessed. 
 
 The subject will now engage our attention, 
 under the following considerations — 
 
 I. The only medium which God hath appoint- 
 ed of blessedness to a fallen World. 
 
 II. The BLESSINGS which, through this medium, 
 are to be communicated to mankind. 
 
11 
 
 III. The MEANS, in the connection of causes 
 and events, which Christians are called upon to 
 use, in order to warrant their expectation of the 
 accomplishment of these predicted purposes of 
 God. 
 
 IV. The peculiar grounds of hope, which 
 may encourage our exertions, in the present 
 times, to diffuse the knowledge of Christianity 
 through the Earth- 
 In these considerations, inspire, O Holy Spirit, 
 
 that heavenly ardour in the love of Christ, which 
 shall further the noble object of our present meet- 
 ing ! Let that sacred flame, which thy providence 
 and thy power have already kindled in thy 
 Church, burn with a brighter lustre, and glow 
 with a more generous warmth ! Yea, O Lord 
 God, let it spread from nation to nation and 
 from land to land, increasing in its energies and 
 extent as it proceeds through time, till the be- 
 nevolent command of the Redeemer shall be 
 universally fulfilled, and the promise be univer- 
 sally accomplished ! 
 
 I. Our first Enquiry relates to 
 
 The only MEDIUM, which god hath ap- 
 pointed Of BLESSEDNESS TO A FALLEN WORLD. 
 
12 
 
 " Men shall he blessed in him.*' 
 
 The person here spoken of, no doubt, is he, 
 who, in his humihation, is the seed of the Womany 
 the seed of Abraham, the Son of David ; who, 
 in his mediatorial character, for the benefit of 
 mankind, is the son of God incarnate j " Imma- 
 NUEi, God with us-,** " Jehovah become our sal- 
 vation ;" He, who is truly " the child born and 
 the Son give?i,'* but as truly the mighty God, 
 the EVERLASTING Father, whose mime is won- 
 derful ! 
 
 The blessedness which was deposited in the 
 first Adam, as the head of the first creation, 
 being lost, it pleased God to appoint a sovereign 
 constitution of grace, for the redemption of man j 
 at the head of which he placed his only be- 
 gotten Son ; that, in his incarnation, by the 
 merit of his atoning death might be obtained, 
 
 that, in his resurrection, by him as the 
 
 accepted mediator might be communicated, 
 
 and that, in his exaltation to the throne, from 
 his hand alone might be bestowed, all the bless- 
 ings of Salvation. Hence it pleased the Father y 
 that in him should all fulness dwell — all grace 
 and efficiency to restore a ruined world. As, 
 from the natural Sun, all life, beauty, and ver- 
 dure are communicated through creation ; so. 
 
13 
 
 from HIM, as the Sun of Righteousness, are dif- 
 fused all spiritual life, grace, and glory, through 
 the new creation, the Church of God. 
 
 In every dispensation of God to man, the eye 
 of spiritual discernment beholds this object pro- 
 minent and supreme. It marks an increasing 
 development of the first promise, till its actual 
 fulfilment ; till, behold, a Virgin conceives and 
 bears a Son j and, by the peculiar concurrence 
 of providential circumstances, in the accomplish- 
 ment of ancient prophecies, lays her infant first- 
 born, wrapped in swaddling bands, in the man- 
 ger, in the long predicted Town of Bethlehem. 
 
 This INCARNATION of onc, who is the Son of 
 God, is the cardinal point of Revelation. Ever 
 since the first promise, it constituted the glorious 
 expectation of Patriarchs and of Prophets. And, 
 by the Apostle St. John, this alone is spoken of 
 as the whole of Christianity ; because it implies 
 the union of the divine and human natures in 
 the one person of Immanuel, and includes in 
 itself all the work for which that incarnation 
 was designed. 
 
 In the language of Bishop Horsley* — " The 
 ^iisobedience of our first parents was nothing 
 
 * Posthumous Sermons, Vol, I. Page 170. 
 
14 
 
 less, than a confederacy with the apostate spirit, 
 against the sovereign authority ui GOD ; and if 
 such offenders are spared, by such a Sovereign, 
 it must be in a way which shall unite the per- 
 fection of mercy, with the perfection of justice j 
 for in God mercy and justice must be equally 
 perfect/' He, then, who becomes the blesser 
 of sinners, must become their surety j and he, 
 who becomes their Surety, though appearing in 
 the form of man, that he may suffer and obey, 
 must possess a dignity far beyond, to give to 
 those sufferings and to that obedience a suitable 
 merit, and to secure to the divine perfections 
 their unabated honour, by offering an adequate 
 atonement for the sins of men. 
 
 We learn then from Scripture — and from Scrip- 
 ture alone, fully authenticated as the Word of 
 God, we implicitly receive every article of our 
 faith — that the design of his appearance in our 
 nature, was, to give his life a ransom for many — 
 to make atonement for transgression — to become 
 a propitiation through faith in his blood, to de- 
 clare the righteousness of God in the forgiveness 
 of our sins, which are passed, through his for- 
 hearance — that God may be just, and the justi- 
 FiER of him, who believeth in Jesus, It is the 
 foundation and the glorious peculiarity of Chris- 
 tian Truth, that, He died, the just for the unjust — 
 
15 
 
 that he zvas wounded for our transgressions and 
 bruised for our iniquities — that the chastisement 
 of our peace was upon him-^i\vxi the Lord laid 
 on him the iniquity of us all. Hence, we have 
 redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness 
 of our siiis — And since, in him, mercy and truth 
 meet together, righteousness and peace embrace 
 each other ; on this ground, God is, not only 
 merciful and gracious, but righteous and just to 
 forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all 
 iniquity. 
 
 It needs little argument to prove, that, if a 
 work like this be necessary for the salvation of 
 man, or determined in the appointment of 
 God, no man alone, however perfect and endow- 
 ed, no Angel though becoming incarnate, could 
 ever have accomplished it : none but He, who 
 being in the form of God, took upon himself 
 the form of a servant — none but the word, 
 which was xvith God, and was God — none but 
 God manifest in the flesh, " The incarnation of 
 the Son of God was, therefore, essential to the 
 atonement of man's guilt, by the shedding of his 
 blood. On the other side, the need there was for 
 such an atonement, is the only cause that can 
 be assigned, which could induce the Son of God 
 to stoop to be made man*.'' To Him alone it 
 
 ♦ Bishop Horsley, Vol. I. Page 173. 
 
16 
 
 belongs to reconcile the justice of God with the 
 salvation of sinners ; but of the ability of one 
 so wonderfull}'^ constituted, no doubt can be 
 entertained. 
 
 The records of many of the Heathen Nations 
 have preserved the corrupted tradition of this 
 amazing event: no doubt, as the remains of the 
 first promise, or of some of the repeated inti- 
 mations of it to the primitive patriarchs. The 
 incarnations of a Veeshnu, with various other 
 similar fables of the Heathen World, are but 
 distorted, corrupted, or impious vestiges of this 
 grand subject of Revelation. Yet, though ab- 
 surd and contemptible in themselves, they may 
 nevertheless, be considered, to the confounding 
 of Infidelity, as collateral proofs of the original 
 
 AND GENERAL EXPECTATION OF MANKIND. They 
 
 may ultimately be rendered useful, in the provi- 
 dence of God, in convincing the nations who have 
 retained them of the truth of Christianity, as 
 bringing to their knowledge the unadulterated 
 facts, 'so essential in revealed rehgion, which the 
 ignorance and corruption of mankind have so 
 miserably perverted and debased. 
 
 Here, then, in the incarnation of the Son of 
 God, and the work of his redemption, we behold 
 the way effectually opened for our return to 
 
17 
 
 God. We contemplate, in Him, the sentence 
 of exclusion taken off; the divine favour re- 
 gained, consistently with the honour of the di- 
 vine perfections; the means effected, vi^hereby 
 the image of God may be restored on the heart 
 of man; and the hope of life and immortality 
 ennobling his prospects, as the free gift of God 
 in Jesus Christ our Lord. So wonderful is the 
 preparation in Jehovah's counsels of love, that 
 men may be blessed in hims till all nations shall 
 call him blessed. 
 
 But if all the blessedness of man centre in 
 Christ, then it necessarily follows, that the Gos- 
 pel, and the promulgation of that Gospel, must 
 be the greatest blessing which can be offered to 
 mankind. For the Gospel is the testimony of 
 Christ, To preach that Gospel is to testify of 
 Christ. Every part of its doctrine must have 
 relation to him: every hope of the sinner must 
 be grounded on him: and the purest morality 
 will flow from the knowledge of him,^ and from 
 union with him, in the influence of his grace, 
 and under the powerful efficacy of his love. 
 Thus the Apostles went forth preaching Christ, 
 Thus was the world at first brought to the obe- 
 dience of faith. The glorious era of the great 
 Reformation commenced with the revival of the 
 same heavenly doctrine, which alone can renew 
 
IB 
 
 the same effects on the heart of man, and con- 
 vert the nations to his name. No partial, no 
 accommodated testimony to the depraved state 
 or prejudices of human nature, can ever be ho- 
 noured, by God, with so great a benefit: for 
 with the faithful and decided declaration, alone, 
 of the essential truth of God, the promise of his 
 Spirit is connected. 
 
 The Christian Preacher will, therefore, insist on 
 the Redeemer's glories; the dignity of his divine 
 nature; the perfection of his human nature; and 
 the wonders of his mediatorial person, in which 
 they both unite. He will exhibit the design of 
 his undertaking, the completion of his work, and 
 the honour of all the divine attributes in its ex- 
 ecution. He will proclaim the reconciliation of 
 offended Majesty, and the free offers of mercy 
 to offending sinners: the work of the eternal 
 SPIRIT in the regeneration of the soul — the need 
 of repentance, — the efficacy of faith, — and the 
 necessity of holiness, in- heart and in life, as the 
 evidence of their truth. He will especially de- 
 lineate the nature, and urge the necessity of 
 faith, as that which alone unites the sinner with 
 his Saviour, and receives the virtue of his Cross. 
 But he will decidedly maintain, that that faith alone 
 produces these benefits, which, arising from a cor- 
 dial approbation of all the parts of the great plan 
 
19 
 
 of salvation, humbles the sinner before the throne 
 of the Divine Majesty, gjves all the glory of his 
 justification to the merit of the Saviour, works 
 effectually in the love of Christ, and therefore 
 necessarily becomes fruitful in every good word 
 and deed to his glory. The pardon and justifi- 
 cation of a sinner will thus be represented as 
 dependent only on the work of redemption, 
 completed by the Mediator, in his atoning death 
 and perfect obedience ; the regeneration and 
 sanctification of a sinner, on the promised ope- 
 ration of the Holy Spirit ; and both of these, as 
 necessarily productive of those corresponding 
 tempers, which lead to and secure the enjoyment 
 of salvation. 
 
 The pardon of iniquity will thus appear as the 
 first step in bringing the sinner back to God ; in 
 correcting the depraved passions of a fallen na- 
 ture, purifying it from the corruption that is in 
 the world through lust, and raising it in its dis- 
 position and desires to the nature of the hea- 
 venly felicity. The grand plan will be disco- 
 vered as advancing in the power of faith, under 
 the Spirit of the Lord, from glory to glory ; till 
 all the ignorance, guilt, and misery of man be 
 changed for heavenly knowledge, perfect purity, 
 and happiness unmixed, complete, and everlast- 
 ing, in the presence, likeness, and enjoyment 
 
20 
 
 of the holy and blessed God, throughout eter- 
 nity. 
 
 I know not whether to apologize, on the 
 one hand, for so imperfect a sketch of the lead- 
 ing features of Christianity; or, on the other, 
 for trespassing so long on the patience of this 
 congregation, in the review of such acknow- 
 ledged truths. But it seemed to me proper to 
 premise so much, and it may perhaps be need- 
 less to say more, on this occasion, to introduce 
 the following consideration: 
 
 II. The blessings, which the great re- 
 deemer BESTOWS ; WHICH, IN HIS GOSPEL, ARE PRO- 
 POSED TO ALL MANKIND; AND WHICH INVARIABLY 
 FOLLOW THE KNOWLEDGE AND CORDIAL ACCEPTANCE 
 OF THAT GOSPEL, IN EVERY NATION, 
 
 Happiness is the great pursuit of mankind. 
 Infidelity itself must give us the credit, that, in 
 endeavouring to diffuse the knowledge of the 
 Gospel, it is at least our design to increase the 
 general happiness of man. The only question 
 then between us must be: Are we pursuing the 
 object, in the use of those means which are suited 
 to the end proposed ? 
 
 It has been objected, that Christianity is not 
 
121 
 
 suited to the customs, the manners, the habits, 
 or the local circumstances of many nations : and 
 that their own idolatrous superstitions are more 
 adapted for their general benefit. But, without 
 enquiring into those customs, manners, habits, or 
 local circumstances, we will venture to assert, 
 that it is not necessary even to be acquainted 
 with them, to determine the question ; much 
 less to refute the objections arising from them. 
 We stand upon a broader ground, which no ar- 
 gument of this nature can affect. We assume 
 it as a FACT, that Christianity is the religion 
 OF God. We assume it as a truth, that Chris- 
 tianity is designed by God, for the general 
 happiness of all nations of the earth. If, 
 then. Infinite Wisdom cannot mistake in adapt- 
 ing its means to its end, the Gospel must be 
 suited to man in every age, in every clime, in 
 every possible situation. It must be adapted to 
 the happiness and perfection of his whole nature^ 
 both body and soul. It must be fitted to meet 
 his varied wants, as a creature and as a sinner. 
 It must correspond with his varied capacities of 
 knowledge, action, or enjoyment as an intelli- 
 gent immortal. There can be no situation, no 
 state of man, no local circumstances of any 
 nation on earth, but must ultimately be im- 
 proved by the knowledge and reception of the 
 Gospel. 
 
2^ 
 
 If, moreover, the Gospel be the channel, in 
 the sovereign determination of God, of commu- 
 nicating these blessings, then to convey the 
 knowledge of the Gospel to heathen lands, is to 
 convey to them a benefit of inestimable value. 
 Ignorance and depravity may be unable to ap- 
 preciate the worth of the giftj but gratitude and 
 thankfulness will follow the perception and en- 
 joyment of it. 
 
 Christian Philanthropy, then, imperiously urges 
 our most strenuous exertions to promote this 
 great object. It excites us, by the most power- 
 ful obligations of duty, and the tenderest feelings 
 of enlightened compassion, to reverence the au- 
 thority of our Master, and to obey with delight 
 that most admirable of his precepts, to do to 
 others, as we xvould have others do to us. To de- 
 cline the arduous but honourable task, through 
 senseless indifference, selfish indulgence, or 
 worldly policy — to persuade ourselves that w^e 
 need not be concerned about the welfare of the 
 different races of mankind, while they them- 
 selves are satisfied with their situation; though 
 WE know them to be degraded by ignorance and 
 vice, and still more awfully degraded, as destitute 
 of the knowledge of the true God, and our only 
 Saviour, Jesus Christ, is too much like the mur- 
 derous apathy of him, who insulted the Divine 
 
23 
 
 Majesty with the question, Am I my brother* s 
 keeper F and may perhaps meet, from him, with 
 a similar reward. 
 
 But, if these principles be true, we affirm still 
 further, that, to oppose the promulgation of 
 Christianity, by arguments drawn from these 
 local circumstances, or from the reasons of hu- 
 man prudence, is nothing less than to assume, 
 that the narrow policy of mortals is more suited 
 to promote the welfare of the human race, than 
 the plan of the Omniscient Mind — that the 
 infinite wisdom of God mistakes in its means of 
 bestowing blessedness on his creatures — in a 
 word, that God himself knows not how best to 
 govern the world which he has made, since pos- 
 sible circumstances may arise, and have arisen, 
 which may render his plan improper for execu- 
 tion, in various situations ; and unsuitable to the 
 general happiness of man. 
 
 Till we can adopt conclusions so absurd — till 
 we can join in these impious reflections on the 
 moral government of God, we cannot entertain 
 a doubt, but that the promoting of the know- 
 ledge of the Gospel, is the most exalted work of 
 piety — the noblest enterprise of humanity — and 
 the highest act of beneficence, at which the 
 benevolent mind can aim: we hesitate not to 
 
 c 2 
 
24 
 
 affirm, that the accomplishing of the object would 
 be the general felicity of the world. 
 
 Independently of those eternal blessings, which 
 it prepares for the immortal soul, in the know- 
 ledge of God and the hope of eternal life, Chris- 
 tianity has never failed to elevate the condition 
 of man^ and to become the parent of innumer- 
 able advantages to society, wherever it has been 
 made known. It may confidently be asked, 
 *^ Has Christianity ever done any harm?" The 
 state of those nations, which were once destitute 
 of its light, contrasted with the state of those 
 same nations, when enlightened by its beams, 
 might convince a candid mind, however ignorant 
 of the nature and value of its spiritual benefits, 
 of the importance of communicating the know- 
 ledge of Christianity through the earth, if it 
 were for no other purpose, than to exalt the 
 social state of man. 
 
 Here the appeal to fact is most conclusive. 
 The fascinating descriptions of the simplicity,' 
 purity, and happiness of many heathen nations, 
 which the enemies of Christianity have so often 
 delineated with exulting gratification, have al- 
 ways been proved, by the knowledge of the facts, 
 to be the offspring of ignorance, of prejudice, 
 or of falsehood , and wherever the Gospel has 
 
25 
 
 been unknown, men, overwhelmed in the dark- 
 ness of idolatry, have been debased in their 
 morals, brutal in their pleasures, and cruel in 
 their practices. And the more accurate investi- 
 gation of the manners and customs of those 
 nations, which have been considered as the most 
 humane, gentle, and inoffensive, have always 
 discovered, still more decidedly, that the dark 
 places of the earth are full of the habitations of 
 cruelty. 
 
 Such once was Britain ! If such it be not now, 
 whence this change? — from the influence of 
 Christianity. It was the religion of the con- 
 quered, which civihzed the barbarous nations 
 that deluged Europe, in the overthrow of the 
 Roman Empire ^ and soon united the conquerors 
 and the conquered together, in the bonds of 
 social harmony, and in a constantly improving 
 state of civil order and Christian legislation. It 
 is the light of Revelation alone, which, in some 
 form or other, directly or indirectly, hath ever 
 enlightened, civilized, or blessed mankind. And, 
 in proportion as Christianity has diffused itself 
 through any nation in a purer form, the standard 
 of morals has been raised to a higher elevation : 
 the civil, political, and moral state of society has 
 approximated to its perfection; and the general 
 happiness been promoted and secured. 
 
26 
 
 Why then should Christianity ever be sus- 
 pected of producing opposite effects ; in contra- 
 diction to the uninterrupted experience of ages 
 and generations ? No ! Were there no future 
 state, no hope of immortality revealed in the 
 Gospel, humanity and tender compassion to the 
 present miserable state of man, would excite us to 
 promulgate its moral code throughout the earth. 
 
 The Christian mind frequently contemplates, 
 with delight, the salutary changes which would 
 take place, in a disordered and distracted world, 
 \\{ere but the Gospel universally known and ge- 
 nerally received. It contemplates, with rapture, 
 a time, which certainly will arrive, when the 
 Gospel shall thus be known and received, and 
 these salutary changes shall bless the world. 
 Through that medium, which prophetic vision 
 opens to the eye of faith, it views the various re- 
 volutions of times and of empires, leading to 
 this grand and gratifying consummation — when 
 the moral wilderness shall become a frtntfuljieldy 
 and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose : 
 when the excellency of Car me I and of Sharon shall 
 be given to it: when they shall see the glory of the 
 Lord, and the excellency of our God, 
 
 Shall we anticipate for a few moments some of 
 these social and moral changes ? • 
 
27 
 
 Then no longer, says the pious Christian, 
 shall the innumerable tribes, the millions of wan- 
 dering savages, rove the inhospitable wilderness, 
 ignorant of every thing but sensual indulgence, 
 and hardened to brutal ferocity; but, enlight- 
 ened by the rays of truth and wisdom, softened 
 to domestic tenderness and social virtues, they 
 shall spread their peaceful habitations in the cul- 
 tivated desert: — the partakers also, with us, of 
 the influence and hopes of the Gospel. 
 
 No more shall the deified Ganges embrace, in 
 its watery grave, the thousands and tens of thou- 
 sands of devoted infants: nor the hand, not of 
 the murderous assassin, but of the tender nurse, 
 or the tenderer mother, devote the female off- 
 spring to death, the victim to the baleful influ- 
 ence of human vanity and pride. The peaceful 
 waters of the baptismal font shall rather devote 
 them to their Lord and ours ; and consecrate a 
 rising race, to people and to bless the nations. 
 
 No more shall the disconsolate and weeping 
 widow be compelled, by a delusive superstition, 
 or the fear of shame, to ascend the funeral pile 
 of her departed husband ; to surrender up her 
 life with his, amidst the horrid shouts, that 
 drown h^r feeble and dying cries : but, blessed 
 with the hopes of the Gospel, with patient resig- 
 
29 
 
 nation she shall submit to the decree of heaven, 
 and wait a happier union with him whom she 
 mourns, in the land where death shall be no 
 more. 
 
 No more shall the idol, ponderous car of Jug- 
 gernaut crush beneath its wheel the ignorant 
 devotee, who thus sacrifices his body for the sal- 
 vation of his soul. Nor shall the innumerable 
 absurdities and cruelties, which pagan supersti- 
 tion has devised to appease its wrathful deities, 
 deceive their miserable deluded votaries ; ex- 
 changed for the milder doctrines, the more be- 
 nevolent precepts, and the sure and sublimer 
 hopes of the religion of Jesus, 
 
 No longer shall the rites of human sacrifice, 
 which have slain their thousands and tens of 
 thousands of mankind, stain the smoking altars 
 with bloody" when faith has once directed the 
 anxious penitent to the great sacrifice, which 
 hath for ever taken away sin. 
 
 Here the Christian stands ; and triumphantly 
 asks: " Is it not an act of more than human 
 kindness, to offer these blessings, and innumer- 
 able others of a similar nature, inseparably con- 
 nected with the reception of Christianity, to the 
 Heathen World?" To aim at effecting such 
 
29 
 
 changes, must surely be the act of the most 
 noble benevolence: the system which can pro- 
 duce them, must be the blesser of the world! 
 
 But we appeal to its enemies. We appeal 
 again to fact. 
 
 The state of Christian Communities, com- 
 pared with those which are destitute of the 
 knowledge of Christianity, affords an incontro- 
 vertible proof of its benign influence. Nor can 
 the various evils, which are observed in such 
 communities, be justly attributed to the system 
 which they profess, but to the defects of its 
 professors. The candid observer will see the 
 origin of those evils, in the opposing corrupt 
 principles of human nature, and the conse- 
 quently diminished influence of Christianity on 
 the practice of those, whose judgments are 
 overpowered by the convincing evidence of its 
 truth. 
 
 But, how advantageous soever, these changes 
 may be, in meliorating the social state of man, 
 by the Christian they are considered as of very 
 inferior moment, in comparison of those nobler 
 blessings of Christianity, which aflect the im- 
 mortal soul, and rise into eternity. He consi- 
 ders Christianity as the wisdom and the power 
 
30 
 
 of God; to restore a guilty creature, to the ten- 
 derest mercies and the highest favour of his 
 Creator: to elevate mankind again, however de- 
 graded in vice and sunk in misery, to the re- 
 newed image of his Maker on earth, and to the 
 perfection of created moral excellency in his 
 presence above: or, in the language of Revela- 
 tion, to open their eyes, to bring them out of dark- 
 ness to light, and from the power of Satan unto 
 God ; that they may receive forgiveness of sijis, 
 and inheritance among them which are sanctified, 
 by faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Christianity is a remedy for the state of man, 
 as delineated in Scripture, and exhibited in the 
 experience of all ages: as a fallen guilty crea- 
 ture, depraved in his heart, irregular in his pas- 
 sions, and under the usurped dominion of the 
 prince of darkness. This we must never forget, 
 if we would properly estimate the value of the 
 Gospel. The evidences of this humiliating fact, 
 forced themselves on the mind of some of the 
 more enlightened heathen; who acknowledged 
 the depraved condition of human nature, though 
 they understood not its origin, its extent, or its 
 cure. Their imperfect systems therefore of mo- 
 rality, or schools of philosophy, offered nothing 
 for the relief of a guilty conscience; and very 
 little, and that little totally inadequate, for the 
 
31 
 
 improvement of the heart. The zvorld hi) zvls- 
 dom knew not God, when it pleased God, by the 
 mystery of the cross, and the foolishness of 
 preaching, to save them that believed. But the 
 mystery of the cross, with the foohshness of 
 preaching, soon triumphed over every obstacle, 
 and the Gospel, in its first display, effected the 
 most complete revolution in the sentiments, the 
 tempers, and the conduct of those vi^ho received 
 its message. And why? Because it was the in- 
 strument of God, accompanied by the influence 
 of the Holy Ghost, enlightening the under- 
 standing, convincing the conscience, and reno- 
 vating the heart. Hence, though offensive to 
 corrupted nature, through its humiliating doc- 
 trine, it was found to be the power of God unto 
 salvation to all them who believed. The same 
 Gospel, with its accompanying power, will ever 
 produce the same effect. But nothing less — no- 
 thing beside — will regenerate or save mankind. 
 
 As the Gospel is the glorious plan of the Eter- 
 nal Jehovah, so to every enlightened mind it 
 appears worthy of himself: since in it all the 
 perfections of the Godhead are magnified, while 
 the most satisfactory testimony of forgiving 
 mercy is communicated to the trembling peni- 
 tent. Here truth and justice still maintain their 
 highest glory, and the most awful proofs of the 
 
32 
 
 deep malignity of sin arise, from the very method 
 which divine wisdom hath taken to bestow the 
 abundance of divine grace. The guilty con- 
 science finds hope, and peace , and joy in believing, 
 through the all-sulliciency of the sacrifice — the 
 infinity of the atonement — the complete redemp- 
 tion of the Lord our Saviour, in that wonderful 
 preparation of divine love : and the pardoned 
 sinner learns to reverence the holiness and ma- 
 jesty of the great Governor of the World. When 
 the Son of God, in the sacrifice of his cross, be- 
 comes the Redeemer of Mankind j when he bows 
 his anointed head and dies, because the Lord laid 
 on Him the iiiiquity of us all; the believer adores 
 the justice of the lawgiver, in the sanctions of 
 his holy law : he learns that sin shall not go un- 
 punished, though resting, only by imputation, on 
 the Son of his love ; and thus beholds the highest 
 exaltation of divine mercy, as, at the same time, 
 the highest exaltation of divine justice! How 
 awfully is his mind affected, at the Cross, with 
 the mahgnity of his transgressions; while he 
 beholds, in its solemn scenes, a heavenly sacri- 
 fice, a complete atonement, — and triumphs in 
 the confidence of pardon, and everlasting deli- 
 verance ! 
 
 These are the views, which, by the accom- 
 panying energies of the Spirit of God, begin to 
 
33 
 
 raise the degenerated nature of man, out of the 
 ruins of the fall. The doctrine of the Cross, 
 thus understood, and received into the con- 
 science and the heart, humbles and yet cheers 
 the sinner; diffuses the most benign influence 
 to rectify his passions, and to correct his vices ; 
 and affords a salutary and certain remedy for all 
 the diseases of the mind. The knowledge of 
 his Creator, of himself, and of a future state, 
 which thus opens to his view, arising from the 
 solemn transactions of the Cross, and enforced 
 by them, becomes the principle of a new, a 
 holy, and a heavenly life. The motives, the 
 hopes, the objects which here present themselves 
 to the mind are such, as cannot fail, when really 
 believed, to influence and purify the heart. 
 The obligations which the Gospel enforces, from 
 an infinite series of divine philanthropy, dis- 
 played in the person, and consummated at the 
 cross of Christ, are such as delightfully con- 
 strain the affections to the love of God. While, 
 its rich provision secures the sinner's pardon, and 
 insures his title to the inheritance of glory, the 
 sacred consciousness of such a heavenly posses- 
 sion ennobles and elevates the soul above the 
 degrading influence of earthly passions, and ex- 
 alts its affections beyond the various distracting 
 scenes of earthly ambition, into the higher re- 
 gions of peace, of purity, and of Jove. In a 
 
34 
 
 word : The grace of God, which bringeth salva- 
 tioiiy teaches to deny ungodliness and ivoi^ldly lusts, 
 and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this 
 present zvorld ; lookijig for that blessed hope, and 
 the glorious appearing of the great God and our 
 Saviour, Jesus Christ, 
 
 But the Gospel offers, what no other system 
 ever did, or can offer:— a perfect example 
 of all its precepts; the living copy of moral per- 
 fection, of consummate virtue, in the Man 
 Christ Jesus. It thus presents to the believer, 
 the most powerful and kindly persuasive argu- 
 ment to that holiness, which conforms the prin- 
 ciples of the mind, the affections of the heart, 
 and the practice of the life, to the will of God. 
 
 The Gospel, however, affords still more. For, 
 as the religion of God, it is the testimony of the 
 Spirit. His promised influences attend its ad- 
 ministration, and render it the poiver of God, 
 unto the salvation of sinners, wherever its light 
 is diffused, and its doctrines promulgated. Such 
 was the power which attended its original de- 
 claration ; nor ought our expectation to be less, 
 
 IN ALL THINGS WHICH PERTAIN TO THE KNOW- 
 LEDGE OF SALVATION^ siucc wc havc the same 
 promises to rest on, and the same faithfulness 
 is engaged to perform those promises, when- 
 
35 
 
 ever, in obedience to our Lord and Master, we 
 send or go forth to preach this Gospel to every 
 creature. The promise of the Spirit, in his at- 
 tending grace and influence, forms the distin- 
 guishing superiority of Christian Truth; and will 
 ever distinguish it from all the theories of man, 
 as the power of God. 
 
 Let us then, for a moment, suppose the Chris- 
 tian doctrine and precepts to have their full in- 
 fluence on the heart: and let us enquire what 
 will be the result. Behold, the penitent is con- 
 soled with the confidence of pardon, and rejoices 
 in the love of God ! The Christian character is 
 formed after the bright example of its Author. 
 Faith, hope and love, with zeal and holy devo« 
 tion, virtues purely Christian, inspire the heart. 
 Meekness, humility, and purity of mind, virtues 
 unknown but to Christianity, secure the peaceful 
 and harmonious exercise of the relative and do- 
 mestic duties. While justice, temperance, for- 
 titude, and prudence, confirmed by the motives 
 and obligations of the Gospel, adorn the social 
 character, and ensure universal order and tran- 
 quillity. 
 
 Such is CHRISTIANITY ! — Would not then the 
 general difl*usion of a system so transforming, 
 attended with such a regenerating power be a 
 
36 
 
 general blessing to mankind ? Its effects, indeed, 
 at present are but partial and imperfect, inter- 
 rupted by the corrupt propensities of a fallen 
 nature; but, in proportion as its influence pre- 
 vails, amidst all the opposing principles of human 
 depravity, these happy results are even now be- 
 held. Let its influence be universally experi- 
 enced, and there will need no more, to realize 
 the enchanting descriptions of the Prophets. The 
 lion and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, will 
 lie down together : the sword will be beaten 
 into the ploughshare, and the spear into the 
 pruning-hook : the furious passions, now rushing 
 forward to destruction and slaughter, will no 
 longer terrify and alarm the earth : refreshing 
 peace, with triumphant exultation will spread 
 its wings over the conflicting nations, and men 
 will learn war no more. The happiness of earth 
 will then be the foretaste and the pledge of the 
 happiness of heatven 3 and wiU run on, increasing 
 and accumulating as it flows through time, till 
 it shall be absorbed in the exceeding great and 
 eternal weight of glory I 
 
 On these grounds, the Christian triumphs in 
 the pre-eminent advantages of his dispensation 5 
 but, with holy philanthropy, would unfold to 
 others the sources of his joy. " Christianity," 
 says he, " is my wisdom, let it be my aim to 
 
37 
 
 make others wise unto salvation. Christianity 
 is my honour : gladly would I see the whole race 
 of fallen sinners participating with me the dignity 
 of its state. Christianity is my happiness : let 
 that happiness be extended to all around. Chris- 
 tianity is the only solace of my mind, under all 
 the trials of life and in the near view of death : 
 Oh, Thou Heavenly Comforter, let the various 
 sorrows of mankind be alleviated or removed by 
 the consolations of thy heavenly doctrine." — 
 Thus, surveying with commiserating pity the 
 awful state of the heathen world, debased in su- 
 perstition and cruelties, and sunk into pollution, 
 and wretchedness, the Christian longs to com- 
 municate the knowledge of his Redeemer, and 
 of his salvation, to the utmost ends of the earth. 
 He feels his sacred joy advanced to its highest 
 pitch, in the assurance, that, in the fulness of 
 time. Men shall be blessed in him, all nations shall 
 call HIM blessed. — But we proceed to consider 
 
 III. What are the MEANS, in the connec- 
 tion OF CAUSES AND EVENTS, WHICH CHRISTIANS 
 ARE CALLED ON TO USE IN ORDER TO WARRANT 
 THEIR EXPECTATION OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF 
 THESE PREDICTED PURPOSES OF GoD. 
 
 As this subject has oftentimes before been 
 
 D 
 
38 
 
 urged on you from this place, I will aim to be 
 as concise as the subject will allow. It is my 
 only wish, to renew some of those feelings of 
 sacred ardour, which we have before felt so 
 warmly kindling in our bosoms. 
 
 Her^ then let it be distinctly stated, that 
 Christianity disclaims coercion. It knows no 
 force, but the force of argument and of truth. 
 It disdains all unnatural alliance with the fiery 
 zeal of superstition ; satisfied that its only legi- 
 timate weapon, is its own refulgent light. It 
 confidently contends, however, for a community 
 of rights with the dogmas of human invention. 
 It claims the liberty and the opportunity of 
 making known, to those who sit in darkness, its 
 doctrines, its morals, and its blessings. It de- 
 mands, with the authority of its Divine Author, 
 the privilege of explaining the grounds on which 
 it rests, the arguments by which it is supported, 
 and the advantages by which it recommends 
 itself to the attention of mankind. It is well 
 assured, that, when its nature and its claims are 
 fairly stated, and candidly compared with the 
 immoralities and cruelties of the most humane 
 superstition, it must carry conviction to the un- 
 derstanding, and, by the influence of that grace 
 which is its promised attendant, renovate and 
 
39 
 
 meliorate the heart : like those irradiating beam^ 
 of light, the irresistible force of which no bu- 
 man power can impede ; but whose benign force 
 we welcome with gratitude, as scattering the 
 delusive visions of the night, and bringing to 
 observation the realities of nature, the objects of 
 the day. 
 
 The peculiar means, then, which we are called 
 on to use, for this purpose, are, doubtless, the 
 same means as those, which were originally em- 
 ployed, in propagating the knowledge of Christ 
 — the DISPERSION OF THE WORD OF GoD, and the 
 PREACHING OF HIS TRUTH. Go ye iiito all the 
 zvorldy and preach the Gospel to every creature^ is 
 a Standing precept to the Christian Church. 
 For, hoifj shall they call on hiniy in xvhom they 
 have not believed ? how shall they believe in hiniy 
 of whom they have not heard f and how shall they 
 hear without a Preacher f A Christian Missio- 
 nary is, therefore, a necessary agent, in promul- 
 gating the doctrine of Christ. Such were the 
 Evangelists of primitive times. An oi'der eagerly 
 embraced by those, whose love was the warmest, 
 whose zeal was the most ardent, whose grace 
 was the nost conspicuous, and whose talents and 
 abilities for usefulness were the most eminent 
 and commanding. These stood with Apostles, 
 
 D 21 
 
40 
 
 the first in the glorious armies of the Lord : the 
 first in dangers, in sufferings, and in labours; and 
 the first, in estimation, in the Church of Christ. 
 
 The age of learned Christianity was not then 
 arrived. But, alas ! however excellent the at- 
 tainment of human learning, however necessary 
 for MANY in the present state of the Church, 
 how little have all the attainments of literature 
 effected, for the extension of genuine Cliristi- 
 anity, in comparison of what was effected by 
 that heavenly purity and patient zeal, that holy 
 love and gentle meekness, that fortitude of hope 
 and wisdom of divine illumination, which then so 
 much better supplied its place ! Had this piety 
 and zeal continued, directing its powers to the 
 enlightening of the heathen nations, their sound 
 would literally have soon gone out into all lands^ 
 and their words unto the ends oj the world. Re- 
 member then, my Christian Brethren, that, if 
 the same effects are to be produced, the same 
 tempers must be revived : instruments of the 
 like description must again be sent forth to evan- 
 gelize the nations : the same divine truth must 
 be carried with the like heavenly simplicity and 
 zeal to the ears of men, commended to their 
 attention by similar purity, meekness, fortitude, 
 and wisdom, in dependance upon the same in- 
 
41 
 
 fluence of God the Holy Ghost, to favour and 
 prosper the attempt. 
 
 But where shall we look for such instruments 
 as these ? As yet, alas ! they have been seen but 
 thinly scattered through the Church of Christ. 
 Few, very few have appeared with such talents 
 and dispositions to occupy the missionary field. 
 As the providence of God, however, appeai s, in 
 the present time, to be opening extensive pros- 
 pects, and calling forth to such great and ho- 
 nourable exertions, we will not, we ought not 
 to despair. It seems suitable to the general 
 dispensation of the wisdom and the power of 
 God, having afforded opportunities unknown 
 before, and disposed the hearts of his servants 
 to contemplate them with delight and ardour, 
 that he should, in his own time, raise up ancL 
 adapt his agents to accomplish the design. Let 
 us then especially employ that means, to which 
 the Redeemer hath directed us : let us pray the 
 Lord of the harvest, he who hath the hearts of 
 all men in his hands, that he would form for 
 himself, and send forth in his providence, such 
 labourers, into a field so inconceivably extensive, 
 and which now appears ripening for the harvest. 
 
 The various associations, which have lately 
 
42 
 
 been formed, for the accomplishing of this mighty 
 object, waiting for the grand event, of which pro- 
 phecies, and promises, and providences concur to 
 raise their expectation, have not been left alto- 
 gether destitute of instruments, suitable instru- 
 ments, for the work. They discern, laid by 
 their hands, the foundation of a structure, which 
 shall doubtless extend its basis, and rise into 
 spiritual beauty and glory through all the earth. 
 But patient expectation, unwearied activity, un- 
 abating zeal, zeal undismayed by apparent failure 
 even in many of the most promising enterprizes, 
 and especially prayer without ceasing, are the 
 true characteristics of missionary exertions. The 
 expectation, however, which is accompanied with 
 the prayer of faith, shall never be ultimately dis- 
 appointed. The Lord who can do it, will doubt- 
 less incline the hearts of many, and qualify them 
 for the arduous and honourable work. 
 
 We, of this Society, wish to see the Missio- 
 nary ardour kindling in our own Church, among 
 some of its candidates for the ministerial office, 
 who, being at present disengaged from the obli- 
 gation, which the providence of God has imposed 
 on others, in situations of usefulness, might justly 
 esteem it their highest honour to be thus de- 
 signated and employed. 
 
43 
 
 Had the same opportunities of extensive use* 
 fulness been presented, had the same facilities of 
 entering on them been afforded, had the same 
 motives for engaging in them been advanced, to 
 their elder Brethren, when unoccupied in such 
 stations, I venture to believe that some of them 
 would have w^elcomed the prospect with holy 
 ardour ; would have acknowledged with grati- 
 tude the hand of God, in placing before them 
 such a field of labour and of honour ; and would 
 have answered to the call of providence. Here 
 am I, send me. Their various and necessary en- 
 gagements now detach them from the service; 
 but their hearts, their counsels, and their prayers 
 will attend those, who, in these times of most 
 peculiar aspect, are stirred up to offer themselves 
 to the work of the Lord ; who concur with his 
 providence, in the fulfilment of his promise, to 
 diffuse his Gospel through the earth. 
 
 But, while we lament the w^ant of holy zeal 
 and ardour in the Missionary Cause; yet it 
 must be observed, that it is not every ebullition 
 of zeal, which a wise man or a prudent society 
 can countenance or encourage. The first effer- 
 vescence of religious zeal has oftentimes quickly 
 excited an ardour, which has as quickly subsided j 
 and would frequently make men, ministers or 
 missionaries, who would be found very inefficient 
 
44 
 
 and unsuitable in the course of trial. It is 
 hot every David, who is called to wield the 
 sword of a Goliath. Nor was it said without 
 reason by the Apostle, not a novitiate^ lest, being 
 lifted up with pride, he fall into the snare of the 
 devil. When such novitiates in Christianity has- 
 tily deem themselves capable of wielding the 
 mighty sword of the Spirit, when such infants in 
 the Christian Life conceive their feeble shoulder 
 able to sustain the weight of the most important 
 function, little effect has been ultimately pro- 
 duced by a fervour so premature andunchastised. 
 At this sacred calling, many of the holy Fathers 
 of the Primitive Church trembled ; and from this, 
 conscious of the great responsibility of the cure 
 of souls and the various difficulties, temptations, 
 and dangers attending it, they modestly receded, 
 till compelled by the voice of the Church itself 
 and the evident Providence of God. The future 
 exertions of this premature fervour have proved, 
 even when it has been genuine in the main, that 
 no peculiar influence of the Spirit of God, but 
 too much of unholy confidence, has generated 
 the equivocal flame. No great and powerful 
 administration has, perhaps, ever been conducted 
 in the Church, which has not had its gradual 
 growth ; when zeal and exertion have been ma- 
 tured by slow but sure experience, and patient 
 observation in the ways of God. The zeal. 
 
45 
 
 which is from heaven, will be patient, humble, 
 modest, and self-denying : meekly submitting to 
 the direction of superior piety, wisdom, and ex- 
 perience j and consonant with the suitable dis- 
 charge of other acknowledged duties. It will 
 wait with calm expectation, till the providence 
 of God fulfil its- most ardent desires, and con- 
 duct them forward to their accomplishment. 
 These qualities are the best proofs of its heavenly 
 origin. And such holy zeal will find the guiding 
 hand of God toward its proper destination; his 
 almighty power in its work, and his abundant 
 blessing for its success. 
 
 Such is the sacred fervour, which we most de- 
 voutly wish, that the Great Head of the Church 
 may inspire into the hearts of many. And could 
 w^e see it arising among those, who are about to 
 engage in the Sacred Function, it would indeed 
 animate our expectations of success. We might 
 then reasonably hope to meet the various stations 
 of Missionary Labour, which now open before 
 us, with suitable labourers, to the diffusive be- 
 nefit of mankind, and the salvation of innume- 
 rable immortal souls. Such we would most cheer- 
 fully receive under the patronage of this Society, 
 and encourage their holy ardour. 
 
 " Go forth,*' we say, " ye devoted servants of 
 
46 
 
 the Lord, prepared by his spirit, and called by 
 his Providence. Go forth, to bear the name of 
 vour Divine Master, the doctrines of his Cross, 
 the blessings of his Salvation, to distant nations. 
 Point out to them their ruin, their guilt, and 
 their misery ; but point them to the all-sufficient 
 remedy of God. Many of them are waiting 
 your message with earnest expectation ; and the 
 HOLY SPIRIT of promise is waiting to put honour 
 on the sacred testimony of Jesus, in the salvation 
 of sinful men. You have the promise of his pre- 
 sence, protection, and blessing. Go forth. Our 
 hearts shall be with you : our funds shall wil- 
 lingly support you : our prayers shall follow 
 you through every labour of love. The eyes of 
 the Church are fixed on you, as her dearest hope : 
 the eyes of holy angels anticipate your success 
 with heavenly joy : the eyes of your Master de- 
 light to look on you, for your security and con- 
 solation j and your work shall be its own reward. 
 Thousands and tens of thousands, in successive 
 ages, shall reap the benefit of your initiatory 
 labours, in social order. Christian privileges, and 
 immortal hopes. The glorious work shall go 
 forward, progressive to the end of time, softening 
 the miseries of the world, till it be consummated 
 in eternal glory. Then thousands, yet unborn, 
 shall join to bless Him, who loved thevi, and re- 
 deemed them unto God by his blood : and to adore 
 
47 
 
 the grace, which inspired your hearts to be the 
 messengers of his love, and made yonr zeal the 
 happy means of bringing them from the King- 
 dom of Satan, among the innumerable multitude 
 out of every nation, kindred, and tongue, to sur- 
 round the Throne of Glory/' 
 
 The Society at large, united for the purpose 
 of promoting this great object, can only endea- 
 vour to prepare the means, provide the resources, 
 adjust the materials, and await, iu the patience 
 of hope and the constancy of prayer, the gra- 
 cious influence, which shall dispose and qualify 
 its appointed messengers, to carry the tidings of 
 peace and salvation to the world. We would be 
 ready, when the prosperous gale of heavenly 
 favour shall begin to breathe, to transmit the 
 treasures of divine knowledge to distant shores, 
 wherever it shall direct the way ; to enrich the 
 world with the unsearchable riches of Christ, 
 
 Though to the actual exercise of Missionary 
 Labour, but few can obtain the honour of admis- 
 sion; yet in this department of the glorious cause, 
 there are few but may find some employment. 
 A department equally necessary, as a part of the 
 grand whole, though by far less honourable than 
 the post of danger, and the field of labour. We 
 sit at home, in the enjoyment of domestic ^ase. 
 
48 
 
 of social comforts, and of civil privileges ; while^ 
 comparatively, but a small portion of our time^ 
 our talents, or our exertions will suffice, to aid, 
 by our counsel or our labour, the progress of 
 the Missionary Cause* How much less excus- 
 able, then, will be our indifference and supine- 
 ness, if we do not most cordially unite, with our 
 Brethren, to the utmost of our abilities, as the 
 providence of God shall call, in the management 
 of its important concerns 1 
 
 Such, indeed, are the increasing views, and 
 the calls for extended operation in this Society, 
 that it begins to claim the decided attention of 
 all who are connected with-it. And we trust 
 that all, and each, in their several departments, 
 as its means of exertion and its prospects of use- 
 fulness more and more unfold, will begin to feel 
 an increasing interest in its prosperity. A 
 " Summary View of the Designs and Proceed- 
 ings of the Society," just published by the Com- 
 mittee, will afford to every attentive reader, such 
 a view of this part of the subject, as will discover 
 the increasing necessity of the combined exer- 
 tions, and of the united talent and zeal of all its 
 members. 
 
 Let those, then, to whom Providence hath 
 granted the opportunity, exert themselves to 
 
49 
 
 increase its patroi>age. Let them endeavour to 
 engage still further talent, ability, and interest, 
 to aid in prosecuting its opening plans. Then 
 shall the Society be enabled to enter, with rea- 
 sonable hope of support, on the varied fields 
 of labour which present themselves ; provided 
 with sufficient and effective wisdom and energy, 
 under the divine blessing, to attend to the mul- 
 tiplied objects, and to conduct with cheerful 
 assiduity the multiplied departments, in such an 
 extensive, and still extending plan of universal 
 benevolence. 
 
 For the same reason as we call on the wise, 
 the powerful, and the active, to communicate 
 their counsel and their aid j we must call also on 
 the affluent to increase the funds of the Institu- 
 tion, by larger and more liberal donations. 
 
 There is, perhaps, no species of benevolent 
 design, which requires such ample and liberal 
 support ; and it is certain there is none, which 
 so well deserves it. The object before us em- 
 braces all that is great and good in time and in 
 eternity; the present welfare and the eternal 
 salvation of the thousand millions of the present 
 race of man, and the thousands of millions which 
 shall succeed in progressive order to the end of 
 timeo 
 
60 
 
 However feeble the initiatory efforts of such 
 Institutions, without those .initiatory efforts no 
 general effects can ever be expected. However 
 small the beginnings, without those beginnings 
 no grand end can ever be produced. Remember 
 that the silver and the gold are his, whose cause 
 we now endeavour to promote. He can aug- 
 ment or diminish your stores, as he pleases. 
 But, in a little time, none of all your treasures will 
 remain with you, but that part of them, which 
 you have thus, in some way or other, put into 
 the treasury of the Lord. Here it will be se- 
 cured in the remembrance of his loving-kindness, 
 till it be exchanged for the everlasting riches of 
 His Glory ! 
 
 I cannot persuade myself to urge on you, 
 with any length of argument, those obligations, 
 which, if you possess any love to your Divine 
 Master, if you have any knowledge of his sal- 
 vation or any experience of his blessings, you 
 will so readily and cheerfully acknowledge. When 
 the cause of God — when the cause of Him whose 
 gr-ace you kfiow — who though he was inch in all 
 the Names, Attributes, Works, and Worship of 
 Jehovah, y^tfor oui^ sakes becaine poor^ in all the 
 
 poverty of the sinful sons of men when the 
 
 cause of thousands of millions of our fellow-crea- 
 tures, in their present welfare and eternal salva- 
 
51 
 
 tion, is the cause which we plead, it would argue 
 a base suspicion of the reality of your Christian 
 profession, if we did not anticipate the utmost 
 exertions of your liberality. 
 
 Let me rather compassionate the feelings of 
 those, who, placed in the ranks of humble po- 
 verty, though burning with equal zeal to pro- 
 mote the cause of the Redeemer, whom they 
 love, and the welfare of mankind, whom they 
 pity, are compelled to drop the tear of regret, 
 instead of the liberal donation. Ye cannot 
 communicate pecuniary aid; but, ye poor of the 
 flock, we claim, we solicit, we value your prayers. 
 If they attend the widow*s mite, we shall receive 
 that mite with peculiar gratification. But, though 
 unattended by any thing but the tear of sym- 
 pathy to man and of gratitude to God, think 
 not that they are too mean a gift, when conscious 
 that you have no gift beside ; for, the effectual 
 fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.^ 
 Prayer has often effected more than the combined 
 wisdom, riches, or exertions of the most intelli- 
 gent or laborious ; for it has brought down the 
 divine blessing on those exertions, has secured to 
 them the direction of heavenly wisdom, and has 
 thus conducted them to the consummation which 
 they have so ardently desired. If each then, in 
 his separate department, shall candidly examine^ 
 
If 
 
 ' 52 
 
 what the providence of God hath prescribed for 
 him, of influence or of counsel, of labour or of 
 liberality, towurd this greatest of all causes, with 
 a sincere desire of complying with the will of his 
 Lord, by cordial co-operation with his Christian 
 Brethren, in the peculiar work which his situation 
 and circumstances require of him, we may hope 
 for effectual exertions, liberal support, and under 
 the divine blessing an enlarged success. The 
 widely extended field of Missionary Labours 
 will soon be diligently occupied, and through the 
 prayer of the Church, we trust, abundantly bless- 
 ed with heavenly influence; and the time will 
 evidently be drawing nigh, when Men shall be 
 blessed in Him, when all nations shall call Him 
 blessed I 
 
 It only remains now to bring forward 
 
 IV. Some of those peculiar GROUNDS 
 
 OF HOPE, WHICH MAY ENCOURAGE OUR EXER- 
 TIONS IN THE PRESENT TIMES, TO DIFFUSE THE 
 KNOWLEDGE OF CHRISTIANITY THROUGH THE EARTH. 
 
 Though I ought to apologize for having de- 
 tained your attention so long, I cannot dismiss 
 the subject, without offering a few hints on 
 those encouraging circumstances, which in the 
 few last years have opened on us in a manner 
 
53 
 
 the most gratifying, as well as the most un- 
 common. 
 
 Let the point of duty be clearly established ; 
 and, in this alone, the Christian will find his mo- 
 tive and encouragement to action. But, the 
 point of duty, though now plain and self-evident, 
 is by no means the solitary encouragement, in 
 the present time, to the devoted Missionary, or 
 to us. 
 
 We might branch forth this part of our subject 
 into a variety of particulars, but two general 
 views will include our purpose — 
 
 The ASPECT OF PROVIDENCES — counccted with 
 
 the TENOUR OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 Here a field of observation opens before me, 
 which I most devoutly wish, that I had time 
 or ability to pursue. A right and comprehen* 
 sive view of these two subjects, would surely 
 remove the remaining indisposition of the Chris- 
 tian World, and rouse to ardour the hitherto 
 too dormant spirit of Missionary zeal. The 
 hopes, which on these grounds we may justly 
 entertain, may well inspire to fortitude, and 
 urge to perseverance. How far, as a Society, 
 we may be favoured in aiding the accomplish- 
 
54 
 
 ment of the great object ^ how far, as individuals;, 
 our eyes may see the day of universal light and 
 glory ; is known only to him, who sees the end 
 from the beginning. Slow may be its progress : 
 its perfection is sure. And, as yet, 
 
 I. The ASPECT OF PROVIDENCES dcclarcs its 
 dawn , or rather its approaching lustre — Impe- 
 diments are yielding — Prejudices are melting 
 away — An unusual fervour of united and holy 
 zeal is kindled — General expectation is excited 
 — And the actual work is begun on the earth. — - 
 
 Are not these the usual presages of the fulfil 
 ment of the divine predictions ? 
 
 1 . Impediments are xfielding. 
 
 Attempts have been made, and purposes ef- 
 fected, which, a iew years ago, would have been 
 deemed chimerical. These attempts, if they have 
 done no more, have at least led to extensive en- 
 quiry, and have discovered where Missionary 
 Labours are most necessary, where they would 
 be most welcome, and where the most promising 
 appearances encourage our benevolent hopes. 
 In this enquiry, the East and the West, the 
 North and the South, have opened fields of Mis- 
 sionary Labour unknown before. Various parts 
 of India and Africa are seen actually directing 
 
their eyes to us; or rather let us say, in the 
 language of the Prophetic Psalmist, stretching 
 out their hands to the Lord : while the distant 
 Isles are silently waiting for Christian Missiona- 
 ries to reap the extended harvest. 
 
 The once oppressed and desolated coast of 
 Western Africa, so long insulted by the cupi- 
 dity, enslaved by the cruelty, or degraded through 
 the immoralities of nrien called Christians, now 
 sees more than a hundred of her children, no 
 longer dreading the insidious snares of the watch- 
 ful slave-dealer, under the Christian Instruction 
 of the Missionaries of this Society. Most of 
 these are capable of reading those holi/ Scrip- 
 turesy which are able to make them zvise unto 
 salvation. Accustomed to Christian habits and 
 manners, they already join the domestic circle, 
 while reading the word of life, unite in the lan- 
 guage of prayer, or lift their infant voices in the 
 praises of their and our Redeemer. 
 
 One of these Missionaries is now aimong you, 
 with one of the sable children of their family^ 
 come to bring us the gratifying and encouraging 
 information. He would tell you, if the custom 
 of such a place as this permitted him, that hun- 
 dreds more of the children of this once injured 
 and oppressed race of men, now wait admission 
 
 e2 
 
66 
 
 among them, or would readily be committed to 
 their care, for the purpose of Christian Instruc- 
 tion, in what they call " the white man's book,*' 
 what we call the book of god, the Bible. And 
 such is the laxity of their superstition, that they 
 feel no objection to their becoming Christians, 
 nor any desire afterwards to withdraw them from 
 the profession of Christianity. As many of these 
 are the children of their Chiefs, may we not in- 
 dulge the pleasing hope of beholding by them 
 the most important changes produced, in the 
 civil state and general manners of the coun- 
 try? Such has been the^ expectation decidedly 
 expressed by some of the most intelligent ob- 
 ^bervers among themselves ; while the Christian 
 hopes, that still more noble purposes will be ef- 
 fected in extending the Kingdom of the Re- 
 deemer, How pleasing the prospect, — when, a 
 few years ago, no hope of such beginnings could 
 have been reasonably entertained i But the British 
 Legislature has wisely removed the impediments, 
 by the abolition of the nefarious and destructive 
 Slave Trader and has thus opened the way for 
 social order, and the light and influence of the 
 glorious Gospel. Five pounds a year is suffi- 
 cient for the support and education of one of 
 these children — Surely I hear some of you say 
 — " I will increase my intended liberality. I will 
 adopt one or more of this sable race, and commit 
 
57 
 
 them to the care of this Society, and its Christian 
 Teachers — so small a portion of the wealth, which 
 God hath bestowed on me, shall not be withheld 
 to redeem the injuries which Africa has suffered, 
 to train up one or more of her infant race, and to 
 promote the glory of my Redeemer in the welfare 
 of her future sons.*' 
 
 It is earnestly to be wished, and from the 
 known character and disposition of those, on 
 whom the solemn charge will devolve, it is much 
 to be hoped, that, in another of these regions, 
 much greater facilities will be afforded, than have 
 iiitherto existed, for conveying the tidings of 
 salvation, and extending the knowledge of Chris- 
 tianity, among many millions of the human race, 
 now become the subjects and the tenants of tjie 
 British Empire. 
 
 We most candidly and openly profess, that our 
 only present want, is the want of men suited to 
 the purpose, and of funds to support them. The 
 Society dare not urge on any individual the as- 
 sumption of the Missionary Character. They 
 know that a Missionary must be made of God ; 
 disposed by his grace, and sent forth by his 
 providence. But, when such facilities and op- 
 portunities are opening in the earth, and when 
 the call of duty m,ust be to some, they would 
 
58 
 
 urge it on the enquiry of every individual, 
 " Is THAT CALL OF DUTY TO ME?'* Let Suitable 
 Missionaries occupy tlie opening stations, and 
 the Society w^ill not indulge a suspicion, but 
 that the hberality of the affluent will keep 
 pace with the providential calls on its expendi- 
 ture. 
 
 2. Pi^ejudices are melting axvay. 
 
 Whatever doubts might formerly becloud the 
 mind of the cautious and the timid, when the 
 grand plans now in execution originated, they 
 have already yielded to the force of facts, and 
 the plainest evidence of the divine concurrence. 
 Scarcely a Christian now doubts of the necessity : 
 scarcely a Christian but now acknowledges the 
 duty. Conviction has seized the unwilling; and 
 the unreasonably cautious have cast off their 
 timid prudence, and no longer hesitate to pro- 
 nounce. This hath God wrought! Hence, 
 
 3. An unusual fervour of united^ and holy zeal 
 has been kindled, among all the denominations of 
 Christians y directed to this one grand object, 
 though in different ways — the Evangelizing of the 
 World, 
 
 The present century has opened with a new 
 era of Christian Light 5 and, amidst the most 
 
59 
 
 desolating wars, and under the most discouraging 
 aspect of public affairs, has introduced with it, 
 a hitherto unknown impulse of religious union, 
 philanthropy, and zeal. While judgment hath 
 begtm at the house of God, the degenerated Chris- 
 tian Church; while the heaviest calamities have 
 afflicted and oppressed the nations; while the 
 oldest empires have been plucked from their 
 very roots; amidst the general confusion has 
 sprung up the Tree of Life, to spread its shade 
 and to scatter its fruits over all the earth. While 
 the darkest clouds have overspread the political 
 horizon, through the solemn gloom has shot 
 forth a ray of celestial light, presaging the dawn 
 of that day, which shall fll the whole earth zvith 
 the glory of the Lord, 
 
 The first motion of that religious fervour 
 which, in an unusual manner, has marked the 
 character of the present times, originated, as I 
 apprehend, with the formation of Sunday Schools. 
 The general attention to the diffusion of Chris- 
 tian Knowledge among ourselves, which was 
 thus excited, naturally led the mind forward to 
 further plans of extended benevolence. This, 
 perhaps, though by a secret and unperceived 
 influence, gave rise to various societies for the 
 promoting of religion ; while the same holy ar- 
 dour, directing its views still further over the 
 
60 
 
 face of the earth, originated different associa- 
 tions for the conversion of the heathen world. — 
 A blaze of zeal, so sudden and so violent, could 
 scarcely be expected to be permanent and effec- 
 tive. Watched, however, by the jealousy of its 
 enemies, and suspected by the prudence of its 
 friends, the holy impulse, instead of subsiding, 
 as its enemies predicted, and as its friends had 
 reason to apprehend, has progressively increased; 
 and has exceeded in its effects the warmest ex 
 pectations of its patrons, and deceived the willing 
 forebodings of its adversaries. The Missionary 
 Influence has spread with rapid progress through 
 the earth, wherever the Christian Name is known. 
 In Europe, in Asia, and in America, the same in- 
 terest in the Missionary Cause has been excited, 
 the bright example imitated, and similar exertions 
 made — exertions, energetic when considered in 
 the abstract, but feeble, indeed, in comparison 
 of the many and increasing calls for Missionary 
 Labour which now surround us. 
 
 The Society, for which I plead, has thought 
 it best to pursue the same cause, in its own de- 
 partment, and in a distinct association : not 
 from any hostile views to any other, but from a 
 conviction, that the division of labour will faci* 
 litate the work, and bring into operation a mass 
 •f influence, the force of which could not other* 
 
61 
 
 wise have been brought to bear on the same 
 great object. We would pursue that object, in 
 the way most agreeable to our views of scrip- 
 tural discipline and worship; while we extend 
 our individual assistance, our kindest sympathy, 
 and our ardent prayers for success, to every simi- 
 lar undertaking, for the honour of our common 
 Lord, and the salvation of our fellow-men. 
 
 Allow me here to turn aside, for a few mo- 
 ments, to admire the conduct and the wisdom of 
 Divine Providence. It never, perhaps, was de- 
 signed by the Great Head of the Church, that 
 the PREACHER should be solitary, or the bible be 
 alone. The Bible, without a Preacher, may 
 lie useless, disregarded, and unobserved. A 
 Preacher, without the Bible, can scarcely hope 
 for success. But the devoted Missionary, with 
 the Bible in his hand, in the language of those 
 whom he addresses, may, from the evidence of 
 truth, and the influence of the Spirit, hope for 
 an abundant harvest of converts to his Lord, 
 more than the dew drops of the morning. Amidst 
 the general and novel zeal, therefore, which has 
 been excited for the interest of Christianity 
 through the earth, the heavenly design of trans- 
 lating the Word of Life, and sending its sacred 
 volume through all nations, people, and tongues, 
 has occupied, in an uncommon and surprising 
 
62 
 
 manner, the various denominations of the Chris- 
 tian Church, in this highly-favoured land. 
 
 Like the Prophet's cloud, small in its begin- 
 ning, it hath already spread itself over many 
 countries; and is still proceeding in its benign 
 and generous course ; dropping, as it passes, the 
 fertilizing showers of heavenly doctrine. Like 
 EzekieFs waters, it has issued from the Sanc- 
 tuary; and, gathering strength as it flows, has 
 already become a river to swim in; and promises 
 to diffuse itself into an ocean, unbounded but 
 with the limits of the universal world. Like 
 DanieFs stone cut out without hands, as unob- 
 served in its origin, it has in the same manner 
 diffused itself through the earth, to carry with it, 
 the government of the King of Kings and Lord 
 of Lords. 
 
 Since such a grand design could never be exe- 
 cuted, but by the union of Christians of every 
 denomination, such a union, in a manner un- 
 precedented and unexpected, has been so cor- 
 dially adopted, as to astonish the Christian 
 World itself. To expect unanimity in points of 
 either doctrine or discipline, would betray a great 
 ignorance of the present state of human nature. 
 And, without such unanimity, to amalgamate all 
 parties into one mass, would not be union but 
 
63 
 
 confusion. But surely we may, we ought, as 
 Christians, to unite in this one great point, in 
 which our common Christianity unites: we may, ^ 
 we ought to co-operate in this one great object, 
 which is the common and the equal aim of all 
 true Christians; and, when we unhappily divide, 
 in circumstances of discipline or observances, to 
 maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of 
 peace. 
 
 This allusion to the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society, will not, I trust, be deemed unsuitable 
 to our present design: since its plans and its 
 success are so essential to the prosperity of every 
 Missionary Undertaking, that its foreign opera- 
 tions have met with commendation, even from 
 those who have wished to check its domestic ex- 
 ertions; and the manifest blessing of Almighty 
 God on its attempts has, together with other 
 circumstances of providential dispensation, raised 
 
 4. That unusual and general expectation^ to 
 which we before referred, in the Church at large, of 
 the approaching diffusion of Christian Light, and the 
 influence of Christian Principles through the earth. 
 
 It may here be remarked, that this has gene- 
 rally been the method of Divine Providence, when 
 about to accomplish some great event. The 
 excited expectation of the Church, has excited 
 
(J4 
 
 its more ardent prayer; and the prayer of faith 
 has been answered with the expected blessing. 
 
 If, in the present times, we are deceived in 
 our expectations, we are deceived by the most 
 encouraging appearances, and by prospects of 
 the most imposing nature. We might humbly 
 ask, *^ Can it be the purpose of God, to raise 
 such a spirit of Christian enterprize and ardour, 
 when he has no corresponding object to accom- 
 phsh ? Can it be his design, to excite such holy 
 expectations, in order to disappoint and to deceive 
 them ? On the contrary, the tenour of the di- 
 vine dispensations, in former times, encourages 
 the holy wishes and hopes of his Church: and 
 excites a confidence, that his Providence is pre 
 paring a way for the progress of his Gospel; for 
 the consummation of his Prophecies; and for the 
 fulfilment of Jiis Promises. But, 
 
 5, The ivork is actually begun. 
 The morning star has arisen, the precursor pf 
 the rising sun. 
 
 The " Society for promoting Christian Know- 
 ledge,'* the parent of missions in this country, 
 has indeed long been labouring with considerable 
 success in the Missionary Cause; and has em- 
 ployed men, whose memory will ever be held 
 
66 
 
 in admiration in the Christian World — men, 
 who, by their zeal, their piety, and their 
 perseverance, have laid the foundation of evan- 
 gelizing the East; and have begun a work, 
 which we pray God to conduct to its consum 
 mation, by men like themselves ! The pious and 
 patient Moravian has long pursued his quiet and 
 undeviating course, to diffuse the light of di- 
 vine truth, through the darkest corners of the 
 North and of the South. Other Societies, in 
 their own peculiar spheres, have followed the 
 example, with a common share in the divine 
 blessing. 
 
 But, it must be acknowledged, that it has 
 been left to the beginning of the present cen- 
 tury — a time, which may, perhaps through all 
 future ages, mark a most distinguished era in the 
 Christian Church — to rouse the general ardour 
 of Christian Philanthropy, and to unite the va- 
 rious denominations of Christians in this work of 
 the Lord. God has evidently given his blessing 
 to their varied exertions : and seems thus to in- 
 timate to us, how little regard he pays to our 
 so cherished distinctions ; while he calls us to a 
 closer union of brotherly love and charity. 
 
 I venerate the Episcopal Church of the United 
 Empire. I glory to belong to its communion. 
 I conceive it to be more conformable, in its fun- 
 
66 
 
 damental constitution, to apostolic order and 
 the primitive discipline of the Church, than any 
 other. I wish most cordially to promote its 
 peculiar success ; convinced that a universal ad- 
 herence to its doctrines, a holy use of its primi- 
 tive and devotional liturgy, and a mild exercise 
 of its discipUne, vi^ould tend most to the glory 
 of the Redeemer, and the welfare of men. 
 Without any controversy, in former times, the 
 Episcopal Church of England shone forth as a 
 praise in all the earth ^ and may thus, if she 
 please, maintain her superiority, continue her 
 holy dignity, and rise to more extended useful- 
 ness. But is it necessary to unchristianize other 
 churches, to exalt our own? Where God is seen 
 to work, WE would not dare to oppose. If 
 others atie casting out devils in the name of 
 Christ, we would not venture to forbid them, 
 because they follow not with us. If it please 
 Him, who doeth what seemeth good to him in 
 heaven and in earth, to give a part of his work, 
 in evangelizing the world, into the hands of 
 other denominations of Christians, we would not 
 be found among those, who dispute his sove- 
 reignty, or who murmur at his appointment. 
 Rather let us excite one another to holy ardour, 
 to pious emulation, and to increased exertions. 
 If former attempts, have failed through jealousy 
 and disunion i let us try what attempts, con- 
 ducted in the union of the Spirit, will effect. 
 
6i 
 
 if old methods have been found inadequate^ lei 
 Us seek after new methods, which may appeai* 
 to promise success, provided only that they be 
 prudent, legitimate, and wise. Let every one; 
 in his own department, as thus most effectually 
 securing the most extended influence, pursue 
 that work of benevolence toward his fellow- 
 sinners, in which the most diligent pursuit and 
 the utmost exertion of abiUty, will still leave 
 much to be desired, and much to be done, by 
 all. Thus, co-operating in the work of the Lord, 
 we may well commit the interest of our own par- 
 ticular churches to the protection of Him, who 
 will never fail his people. Are we persuaded in 
 our own minds, that our particular churches are 
 formed on principles most suited to his appoint- 
 ment ? then we may be confident, that, in such 
 proportion, they will meet with his peculiar fa- 
 vour and protection; and therefore cannot fail, 
 in an equal proportion, of security and success. 
 Shall the devout lover of the interest of the Re- 
 deemer wish for more ^ 
 
 Nor let us be discouraged, if some of our 
 most promising undertakings should fail of the 
 success, which we prematurely anticipated. Our 
 designs may be disappointed, but not iiis. While 
 various objects and fields of labour, are opening 
 in his providence, it is ours to purpose, to ar- 
 
68 
 
 range, and to act, in humble dependance on 
 his all-disposing wisdom. In the morning lei 
 us sow the seedy and in the evening withhold 
 not our hand ; for we know not which shall pros- 
 per, either this or thaty or whether both shall he 
 alike good. Let the patience of faith and the 
 perseverance of hope, endure through every dis- 
 couragement, for the end cannot be disappointed, 
 since it is secured by 
 
 II. The faithful promises of God. The nations 
 shall be given to the Son. The heathen shall be 
 his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth 
 his possession. The North shall give up, the South 
 shall not keep back. They shall come from the 
 East and from the West, And the Isles shall 
 wait for his Law, Then shall He be the light of 
 the Gentiles, and God's salvation to the ends of 
 the earth, — When the providence of God shall 
 hasten to accomplish these prophetic declarations, 
 then, Who art thou, O great mountain ? before 
 Zeriibbabel thou shalt become a plain. Then, 
 though comparatively little the powers, feeble 
 the instruments, and inadequate the exertions, 
 the means which he chooses to employ, however 
 insufficient, shall become effective. Not by might 
 nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of 
 Hosts, Then, shall the tabernacle of David, 
 which hath been thrown dowji, be again erected; 
 
69 
 
 and the return of the houses of Israel and of 
 Judah, from their long apostacy and dispersion, 
 unite with the fulness of the Gentiles, Then, the 
 glory of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the 
 waters do the seas. We hail, O God of Israel, 
 the gleams of light, which have shot through 
 the impenetrable darkness, so long surrounding 
 thy ancient people. We trust, that the illus- 
 trious morning shall soon break forth, and spread 
 itself over the tops of the mountains. Hasten it, 
 O Lord, hasten it in its time ! 
 
 On this view of our subject, scripture autho- 
 rities would be endless. We know that we are 
 engaged in a work of love, which concurs with 
 the PROMISES of God, is encouraged by the pre^ 
 sent aspect of his providences, to which all the 
 PROPHECIES relate, and in which all his Prophe- 
 cies, Providences, and Promises shall be con- 
 summated. We are convinced that the blessing 
 and the power are his. But human instruments 
 are doubtless the means, which he will employ, 
 to accomplish his designs. Let us then follow 
 the path, as his providence opens it before us. 
 Though moving slowly onward, through various 
 impediments and frequently-disappointed expec- 
 tations, we may be confident, that, in our humble 
 sphere, we are carrying forward the grand plan, 
 toward its final consummation. 
 
70 
 
 Ye venerable Societies, which led the way ta 
 Missionary Labour, long before the Christian 
 World in general felt its importance or awoke to 
 exertion, go forward ! and may the Great 
 Head of his Church furnish you with many more 
 labourers, such as the apostolic Schwartz, the 
 laborious Gericke, and others their faithful asso- 
 ciates in the Missionary Vineyard. We follow 
 you, not as rivals, but as co-adjutors. May our 
 Heavenly Master raise up both for you and for 
 us Missionaries, of like piety, zeal, labour, and 
 patient perseverance with theirs ! May men of 
 the same spirit, be every where sent forth by 
 the Lord of the Harvest, and crowned with still 
 greater success ! 
 
 Ye various Associations of Christians, whose 
 zeal for the honour of your Divine Master, whose 
 love to his person and his cause, and whose pity 
 to your fellow-sinners, have excited your atten- 
 tion to the noble object of evangelizing the 
 v/orld, we wish you success in the name of the 
 Lord. Go FORWARD ! and the Lord abundantly 
 prosper your exertions. — Our united cause is 
 glorious- — its consummation is sure ! The dark- 
 ened nations shall behold the light of life. The 
 impurity and cruelties of their varied supersti- 
 tions shall yield to the purity and felicity of 
 Gospel truth and grace. Thousands and tens 
 
71 
 
 of thousands, yea millions of immortal spirits, 
 shall be snatched from the Kingdom of Satan, 
 and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear 
 Son. The Kingdom shall be the Lord's. All 
 shall know Him. His peace shall be diffused 
 through earth; and His glory be extended 
 eternally above the heavens ! 
 
 The Plant of Renotvn^lzxiied. by his providence 
 and his spirit, perhaps by our hands, shall rise 
 into the Tree of Life, shall spread its shade for 
 protection over all the earth, and produce its 
 continual fruits of abundant blessings, w^hile its 
 very leaves shall be for the healing of the nations. 
 Innumerable multitudes yet unborn, shall sit 
 beneath its shade, shall enjoy on earth its fruits 
 of salvation, till it spread its everlasting glory 
 over the Church, transplanted, with it, into the 
 paradise of God above ! 
 
 Glorious Immanuel ! our Almighty Saviour ! 
 and the Prince of Peace ! thy Church waits, 
 amidst all its discouragements, and through all 
 thy providential delays, the fulfilment of thy pro- 
 mise : — it looks with longing expectation : — it 
 hails with delight the providential intimations of 
 the dawning of that day, when Men shall be 
 blessed in thee ; when all nations shall call thee 
 blessed 1 1 Amen and Amen. 
 
 Whittingham and Rowland, Printers, Goswell Street, London. 
 
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