^■■f 
 
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 j>>^' 
 
 i:^  5:i  3::=3  ^^.  ..^^  s:^.  ^2^ 
 
 OF  THE 
 AT 
 
 PRINCETON,   N.  J. 
 
 S^  A  MUEL    AaNE^V, 
 
 OK     PHILADELPHIA,     PA. 
 
 QTo. 
 
 Pl^mA/  cJ^  /«d'fJL^§^iX'^ 
 
 5>03<;^^©3'' 
 
 ^0  '^^^^^     Divi5,on.OC<(^..|^^^?^^^'^ 
 
:  'W'  «*'  *»^ 
 
LECTURES 
 
 O    N 
 
 Primitive  Christianity  : 
 
 I    N 
 
 iD<ft£TRiNE,    Experience,    Worship^ 
 Discipline,  and  Manners,    as  it 
 appeared  in  the  Church  at  'Jeriijalem^ 
 .^^^'^''^      in  the  Time  of  the  Apoflles. 
 
 ALSO 
 
 On  the  Epistle  to  the  Church  at  Sardis.     And 
 on  the  Faithful  in  the  Days  of  MalacM, 
 
 INTERSPERSED    WITH 
 
 if^OTES,  REFLECTIONS,  and  ADDRESSES. 
 
 With  a  View  to  awaken  a  becoming  Zeal  for  the  Com^ 
 
 munion  of  Saints,  in  Order  and  Love. 
 
 * ''  \  'I  ,  '  li'  '  'f \^-/  »  \  i  .1,  Li , 
 
 By    BENJAMIN    WALL  EN. 
 
 •——And  exhorted  them  all,  that  with  Purpofe  of  Heart  they 
 would  cleave  unto  the  Lord.  Acts  xi.  23. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed  for  the  Author; 
 
 And  fold  by  MefT.  Robinson,  Keith,  Gardiner,  Tomkins» 
 
 DiLLY,  BucKLAND,  and  Johnson. 
 
 PiU§  bgwnd  Six  SMlUngs,  or  Five  Si^lli.ngs  fewsd, 
 
PRE    F  A'^e^-E:" 
 
 THESE  Ledures  are  the  fubflance  of 
 what  I  delivered  fome  years  ago ;  many 
 of  which  were  compofed  oh  a  rcqueft  for  pub- 
 Jifhing  two  Volumes  on  a  vari-.ty  of  fubjeds, 
 containing  thofe  hefe  prefented  the  Reader.  I 
 Toon  found  the  undertaking  interrupt  me  in  the 
 more  important  duties  of  my  office,  and  there- 
 fore laid  it  afide,  with  little  or  no  expeftatioil 
 of  reaffuming  the  deflgn  ;  but  laft  Summer, 
 being  called  off,  for  a  feafon,  from  my  ftated 
 miniftrations,  I  revifed  the  manufcript^  and  ' 
 went  forward  with  the  work,  which  providence 
 gave  me  a  further  opportunity  of  purfuing,  by 
 laying  me  under  a  partial  confinement,  through 
 a  cafualty,  under  which  my  life  was  mercifully 
 fpared  -,  thus  it  was  finifhed.  And  if  my  at- 
 tempt to  improve  this  occafional  leifure  fhould 
 in  any  degree  promote  the  kingdom  of  God,  I 
 
 a  2  Ihali 
 
iv  PREFACE. 
 
 fliall  have  reafon  to  rejoice  in  the  afflidionv 
 and  adore  his  wifdom  and  power,  whofe  plea- 
 fure  it  is  to.  bring  good  out  of  evil. 
 
 Thanks  be  to  God,  the  churches  have  reft, 
 and  liberty  of  confcience  is  preferved  by  our 
 gracious  fovereign  the  King,  and  his  Parlia- 
 ment, v.'ho  are  over  us  under  the  mofl  High, 
 unto  whom  we  are  more  efpecially  indebted, 
 who  vievv  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  fcrip- 
 ture  in  a  light  different  from  the  popular  opi- 
 nion, and  are  obliged  to  practice  accordingly. 
 May  this  invaluable  privilege  be  improved,  by 
 walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  as  the  primi- 
 tive difciples,  in  Judea  and  Samaria,  after  the 
 firft  perfecution,  that  in  like  manner,  through 
 the  comfort  and  operations  of  the  Holy  Gholl, 
 we  may  abundantly  increafe» 
 
 The  profane  and  immoral  condufl:  of  maa^y 
 of  every  rank,  in  the  nation,  may  juflly  alarm 
 us !  We  are  notorioully  given  to  pleafures,  at 
 a  time  when  providence  calls  us  to  mourning 
 
 and 
 
PREFACE.  V 
 
 and  falling;  witnefs  the  cries  of  the  induflrious 
 poor,  under  a  long  continued  fcarcity  of  almoft 
 every  kind  of  provifion,  &c.  but  the  ignorance 
 and  diforder  of  many,  who  by  their  holy  pro- 
 feffion,  fhould  be  as  lights  of  the  world,  and 
 the  fait  of  the  earth,  is  ft' 11  more  threatning. 
 What  intercouric  wini  heaven  is  held  in  private, 
 f  leave-,  but,  in  all  appearance,  family-devotioa 
 is  much  negledted,  nor  will  it  comport  with  the 
 manner  of  lite  in  fafnion  with  moil  •,  and  with 
 refpc(5b  to  focial  religion  of  a  more  public  na- 
 ture, it  is  notorioufly  flighted  ;  the  pious,  of  eve- 
 ry name,  lament  a  growing  negle6l  of  particular 
 chriftian  communion  in  the  land.  The  multi- 
 tude, whofe  god  is  their  belly,  and  who  break 
 the  fabbath  continually,  in  purfuit  of  fenfual 
 delights,  more  and  more  fill  the  roads  and  pub- 
 lic-houfes,  inftead  of  attending  the  houfe  of 
 the  Lord,  v»'hile  the  hearers  of  the  word,  in 
 general,  regard  not  the  peculiar  inflitutions  of 
 Chrill.  In  the  nationalchurch,  every  native, 
 who  is  fprinkled  by  her  miniiter,  is  confidered 
 a  member,    and  as   fuclr,  on  a   teftimony  of 
 
 a  3  com- 
 
vi  PREFACE. 
 
 competent  knowledge,  faith  and  fobriety,  enti- 
 tled to  confirmation  by  the  bifhop,  and  through 
 his  hands  to  the  table  of  the  Lord  ;  yet  how  few 
 claim  the  privilege!  And  what  excufe  can  be 
 made  for  Diflenters,  who  feparate  under  a  no- 
 tion of  zeal  for  the  purity  of  worfliip,  and  at 
 the  fame  time  negled:  ordinances  they  allow  to 
 be  of  divine  authority  j  neverthelefs  their  num- 
 ber in  cornmunion  is  comparatively  fmall ;  yea, 
 in  fome  inftances,  it  is  melancholy  to  fee  how 
 little  a  church  is  covered  with  a  large  congre- 
 gation or  audience!  It  may  be  queftioned,  with 
 grief,  what  people  under  heaven,  fo  generally 
 omit  the  principal  difiinguifhing  rites  of  their 
 religion,  as  thofe  who  call  themlelves  chriftians, 
 not  excepting  them  who  pafs  under  the  vene- 
 rable and  glorious  name  of  Proteftants ;  ftridl- 
 Jy  fpeaking,  there  is  but  little  fellowfhip  among 
 them,  in  gofpel-order,  according  to  their  own 
 particular  fentiments.  The  Lord's-fupper,  that 
 criterion  of  fellowihip,  in  which  we  commemo-^ 
 rate  the  fufferings  of  the  Saviour,  whofe  atone- 
 ment is  the  ground  of  our  hope ;  a  feaft  which 
 
 he 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 vu 
 
 he  has  commanded  his  dL'liples  frequently  to 
 keep  till  he  comes  j  alas,  how  is  it  in  a  manner 
 laid  afide  !  Can  we  think  ic  was  thus  when  a 
 law  was  enafted  to  difqualify  perfons,  who  had 
 not  taken  the  facrament  at  church  within  a  few 
 months  ?  Surely  the  communion-table  was  then 
 more  frequented  in  the  nation  than  now,  and, 
 can  we  reflect:  without  blufhing,  on  the  ihameful 
 omifllon  of  this  principal  teil  of  our  obedience 
 to  Chrilt  ? 
 
 But,  why  do  I  trouble  the  Reader  about  the 
 communion  of  faints,  in  this  or  the  other  parti- 
 cular form  ?  We  are  fallen  in  a  day  when  ma- 
 ny devoutly  difclaim  it.  It  is  now  very  com- 
 mon to  make  light  of  ordinances,  and  even  for 
 ferious  perfons  to  talk  as  if  they  valued  them- 
 felves  on  being  of  no  denomination  of  chrlftians ; 
 if  a  man,  fay  they,  loves  Jefus  Chrifr,  or  a 
 pr-eacher  fets  forth  the  mercy  of  the  Father  in 
 him,  we  have  no  concern  about  his  form  of 
 religion ;  yet  they  cry  up  the  martyrs,  many  of 
 whom  might  have  faved  their  treafure  and 
 a  4  blood, 
 
VUI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 blood,  had  they  made  no  confciencc  of  the  au^ 
 .thority  of  Chrift  in  his  houfe.  The  upright  will 
 deprecate  a  me  e  name,  under  any  form,  how- 
 eyer  agreeable  to  the  didlates  of  fcripture,  but 
 if  a  man  intends  by  his  being  of  no  denomina- 
 tion, that  he  regards  not  the  manner  of  fervice 
 appointed  by  tne  Lord  ;  where  is  his  religion  ? 
 They  who  blame  an  adherence  to  peculiar 
 niodes,  and  boafl:  in  their  freedom  to  a  variety 
 in  religious  fervice,  do  well  to  conlider,  that 
 there  is  certainly  a  right  way  of  worfliip,  pre- 
 fcribed  by  the  fole  King  of  faints.  I  may  inno- 
 cently miflake  the  fenfe  of  his  order,  but  indif- 
 ference about  it  can  be  no  proper  evidence  of 
 my  devotion  to  his  will.  Indeed  if  it' be  a  mat- 
 ter of  no  importance  how  God  is  worOiipi^ed, 
 the  voluntary  fufferings,  exile,  and  ruin  of  in-» 
 numerable  perfons  and  families,  who  gave  am- 
 ple proof  of  their  real  piety,  and  alfo  of  their 
 good  uiiderftanding,  was  the  height  of  folly  and 
 madnefs;  yea,  and  ftill  more,  the  orders  of  the 
 fanduary  by  our  Lord  and  his  infpired  apoftles^ 
 in  his  name,  are  impertinent,   which  no  fober 
 
 perform 
 
PREFACE.  U 
 
 perfon  will  admit.     The  truth  Is,   that  to  wor» 
 ihip  God  in  the  way  that  he  hath  appointed,    is 
 an  abfolute  duty  under  every  di^penfation.     Je- 
 hovah alone  is  the  objed  of  worfhip,    and  it  is 
 his  prerogative  to  direct  the  manaer  in  which 
 his  fervants  lliali  wait  upon  him  j    this  is  left 
 with  Jefus,  the  head  of  the  church,  who  before 
 his  afcention,  charged  his  minifters  with  teach- 
 ing the  people  to  obferve  all  things  whatever  he 
 hath  commanded  them,  to  the  end  of  the  world, 
 which  includes,  if  not  principally  intends,  the 
 orders  of  his  houfe;   fo  that  while  the  world 
 ftands,  his  difciples  are  to  be  taught  to  worfhip 
 in  the  particular  way  he  has  prefcribed,  and  no 
 other,  but  how  this  confifts  with  an  indifference 
 about  the  mode  of  religion,  is  hard  to  conceive. 
 Some  reprefent  the  order  of  fervice  as  only  the 
 garb  or  drefs  of  religion ;  be  it  fo ;  it  fhould  be 
 remembered,  that  there  is  a  uniform  eflablifhed 
 by  the  infinite  wifdom  of  our  divine  lawgiver, 
 which  belongs  to  the  obedience  of  faith,    and 
 which  cannot  be  defpifed,  without  affronting  the 
 Majefty  of  heaven,  pouring  contempt  on  the 
 
 authority 
 
X  PREFACE. 
 
 authority  of  the  Son  of  God,    and   danger  of 
 fuperftition. 
 
 It  is  an  allowed  criterion  of  piety,  that  we 
 efteem  thofe  who  fear  God  of  every  name,  and 
 take  pleafure  in  the  fpread  of  his  gofpel.  If 
 Chrift  is  preached,  and  the  power  of  godlinefs 
 prevails,  by  whomfoever,  or  in  whatever  parti- 
 cular form  of  profeflion,  his  minifters  and  peo- 
 ple rejoice ;  yet,  if  judicious ;  not  fo  but  that 
 wherein  a  man  appears  defective,  in  any  doc- 
 trine of  the  gofpel,  or  article  of  inftituted  wor- 
 fhip,  they  mull  wilh  him  to  know  the  way  of 
 the  Lord  more  perfedly,  and  confequently,  ra- 
 ther in  meeknefs  point  out  his  raiftake  than 
 join  him  in  his  error  ;  and,  furely,  my  love  to 
 thofe  who  differ  from  me  in  fome  points  of 
 chrillianity,  may  confid  v/ith  a  confcientious  re- 
 gard to  every  appointment  of  my  Lord.  Cha- 
 rity and  truth  are  effential,  and  never  to  be  fe- 
 paraced.  That  love  which  abounds  in  know- 
 ledge and  in  all  judgment  will  be  fincere,  in- 
 oficnfive,    fruitful  and  abiding,    and  is  much  to 
 
 be 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XI 
 
 be  dtfired.  In  a  word,  that  notion  of  charity, 
 that  renders  the  fubjed  indifferent  about  any- 
 thing which  he  is  perfuaded  to  be  the  will  of 
 Chrift,  is  falfe  and  pernicious ;  it  tends  to  cap- 
 tivate the  minds  of  men  from  the  authority  of 
 God,  and  lap  the  foundation  of  all  true  reli- 
 gion, it  is  therefore  dangerous  when,  under 
 any  pretence,  perfons  are  taught  to  be  un- 
 concerned about  the  appointed  form  of  wor- 
 ftiip ;  it  fhould  rather  be  commended  to  every  one 
 to  fearch  the  fcripture,  and  keep  to  that  which 
 his  confcience  direds,  and  regard  not  the  cenfures 
 of  men. 
 
 Another  thing  which  eclipfes  our  glory, 
 is  this,  namely,  the  little  concern  of  many, 
 •who  have  a  name  in  the  churches,  to  under- 
 ftand  the  nature,  or  pradice  the  duties  of  their 
 facred  covenant  with  one  another  in  the  Lord  ; 
 hence  they  cleave  not  together,  but  are  rather 
 averfe  to  the  unity  and  order  which  are  ap- 
 pointed, and  needful  to  anfwer  the  purpofe  of 
 particular  fellowHiip  j  this  deflroys  the  founda- 
 tion 
 
xii  PREFACE.^ 
 
 tion  of  godly  difcipline,  from  whence  alone 
 can  be  expected  the  purity  and  mutual  advan- 
 tage to  be  hoped  fox  in  chriftian  fociety. 
 
 It  is  gratefully  acknowledged,  that  notwith- 
 ftandingthefe  defe6ts,  there  is  one  thing  prevail- 
 ing, efpecially  in  the  capital  cities,  which  is  highly- 
 commendable  ;   many  copy  after  the  firft  difci- 
 ples  at  Jerufalem  in  a  rich  liberality,   on  every 
 occafion  •,   this  bountiful  fpirit  is  not  confined 
 to  any  particular  kdc,    but  reigns  among  all 
 forts  of  people,  to  the  honor  of  the  age,   but  to 
 the  fhame  of  thofe  who  are  not  to  be  moved  by 
 the  mod  flriking  and  popular  example  -,   may 
 this  hopeful  fymptom,  under  all  our  juft  com- 
 plaints, continue  and  become  univerfal,    that  a 
 bleffing  in  flore  from  on  high  being  poured  our 
 upon  us,   we  may  revive  and  flourilli  again  ! 
 but  at   prefent  \ye  have  to  bewail  our  many 
 backflidings  in  other  refpeds,    with  the  tokens 
 of  the  divine  difpleafure  upon  us ;  alas  the  fear- 
 city  of  able  and  acceptable  minillers ;   how  few 
 the  inftances  of  convcrfion !  and  how  little  com- 
 fort 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 fort  and  joy  in  our  aflemblles  •,  wh^e  many 
 wander,  or  mourn  as  fheep  without  a  fhepherd, 
 the  ordinances  of  the  fandiuary  are  but  in  too 
 many  inftances  as  dry  breads  and  a  mifcarryino- 
 womb!  Under  thefe  fad  circumftances,  ihall 
 it  be  thought  unfeafonabJe  that  we  advert  to 
 the  fimplicity  and  zeal  of  the  firft  chriftians, 
 with  whom  the  Lord  dwelt,  that  following  the 
 original  pattern  of  piety  and  brotherly  love, 
 we  may  in  like  manner  rejoice  in  his  prefence 
 and  blefling  ? 
 
 To  thefe  valuable  ends,  and  for  the  help  of 
 young  and  ordinary  chriftians,  I  drew  up  the 
 following  papers,  in  accomplifliing  which  I 
 have  confulted  feveral  writers  in  this  and  the 
 century  paft,  from  whom  I  hav?  found  myfclf 
 obliged,  with  due  refped,  to  differ  in  feveral  in- 
 ftances,  for  I  write  to  pleale  no  man,  and  at  the 
 fame  time  would  give  no  juft  offence  to  any 
 who  are  otherwife  minded,  nor  will  it  offend 
 the  ingenuous,  that  I  have  freely  declared  my 
 
 thoughts 
 
xiv  PREFACE. 
 
 thoughts  on  every  point,  as  it  fell  in  my  way  j 
 this  liberty  is  granted,  when  the  rules  of  decency 
 are  not  tranf^reffed. 
 
 My  title  will,  I  hope,  be  allowed,  and  not 
 deemed  a  magifterial  air,  to  which  I  have  as 
 litde  inclination  as  pretence.  What  led  me 
 into  this  choice  was  the  manner  in  which  thefe 
 pieces  were  exhibited  before  they  went  to  the 
 prefs,  namely,  by  reading  them  over  to  fome 
 chriftian  friends  in  ftated  or  occafional  aflem- 
 blies ,  fo  that  they  are  truly  and  properly 
 leSiures.  I  wilh  they  were  more  corrcdt ;  but, 
 having  difcovered  no  capital  error,  I  rely  on 
 the  fenfe  and  goodnefs  of  the  Reader  to  reflify 
 miftakes,  which  are  not  very  numerous.  As 
 to  the  contents  j  it  is  at  leafl  highly  probable 
 that  fome  will  find  their  fentiment,  fpirit  or 
 condu(5l  difapproved,  but  I  am  unconfcious  of 
 introducing  an  article  with  a  defign  to  refledl 
 on  a  fingle  perfon  or  particular  fociety,  much 
 lefs  have  I  rejoiced  in  myfelf,  on  the  con- 
 trary. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XV 
 
 trary,  my  own  great  deficiency  has  been  the 
 occafion  of  feveral  rebukes  to  be  found  in  this 
 piece ;  and,  permit  me  to  fay,  that  if  my  own 
 foul  is  not  warned  by  thefe  meditations,  it  will 
 come  (hort  of  the  defire  of  one,  who  is  deeply 
 convinced  of  the  importance  of  taking  heed, 
 left  after  having  preached  to  others,  he  himfelf 
 fhould  be  a  caft-away. 
 
 I  SHALL  only  add  further,  that  I  have  en- 
 deavoured to  diftinguifh  the  things  which  are 
 peculiar  to  the  church,  before  her  order  was 
 compleated,  an  imitation  of  which  is  a  mark 
 of  ignorance  and  impofture,  from  thole  in 
 which  llie  is  an  example  to  future  generations. 
 I  have  likewife  attempted  to  point  out  the 
 caufe  of  the  declenfions  we  mourn,  and  the 
 motives  and  means  of  recovery,  together 
 with  the  difpofition,  and  duty  of  thofe  who 
 fear  God  in  a  degenerate  age ;  with  what 
 fuccefs  the  Reader  will  judge  ;  his  prayer, 
 hsi^^y^Yi  is  defired,  that  this  imperfei^  eflay 
 
 may 
 
XVI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 may  not  be  in  vain,  on  which  I  prefume,  and 
 fubfcribe  myfelf  his  friend  and  fervant  in  tht 
 Lord. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK       I. 
 
 Containing  refleftions  on  the  death,  refurreftion, 
 afcention,  and  exaltation  of  the  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 LECTURE      I. 
 
 /I  N  IntroduSiion  to  the  apojiks  difcourfc.      The  murder 
 "^^     of  Cbriji  imputed  to  the  Jeius :  His  death  foreknown 
 
 and  determined  P^gc  i 
 
 LECTURE      n. 
 Notes  and  reJie£lions  on  Peter'' s  addrejs  to  the  men  of  fudea 
 
 LECTURE       in. 
 
 The  refurre^ion  of  Chriji^  by  whom.  What  is  implied  in 
 hofening  the  hands  of  death  3^ 
 
 LECTURE      IV. 
 
 What  to  he  underflood  by  a  witnefs.  Who  ate  witnejfes  of 
 our  Lord^s  refurreofion  :    Their  credibility  ^  i 
 
 LECTURE      V. 
 
 The  Holy  Ghoft  a  iviinefs  to  the  refurreSiion  of  fefus :  His 
 teftimoiiy  in  the  believer  appealed  to  by  the  apoftle^  i  yohn 
 V.  10.    conftdered  and  proved  6;/ 
 
 LECTURE      VI. 
 
 The  afcention  of  Jefus :  His  fejfion  at  the  right  hand  of  God 
 
 LECTURE      VII. 
 77?^  Father'' s  concern  in  exalting  his  Son^  who  immediately  re- 
 ceives the  Spirit  at  his  hands ;  with  the  noble  end  of  his 
 €07itinuancs  «n  the  throne.     Reflexions  loi 
 
 li  BOOK 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK       II. 
 
 Being  fome  thoughts  on  the  apoftle's  improve- 
 ment and  application  of  his  difcourfe  to  the 
 Jews  on  the  day  of  Pentecoft. 
 
 LECTURE      yill. 
 
 Containing  the  Jpo/iU's  a(ld7~efs  to  his  audience  in  general: 
 His  pwitiunl  dtfiripticn  oj  the  Saviour.  Ihe  charge  of 
 his  tnurder  on  the  Jews  repeated.  An  earneji  exhortation 
 io  confidcr  him  as  the  Lord's  Chriji ;  and  the  coKvi6iion^ 
 •which  naturally  rejult  from  fuch  a  perfuafion     page  lib 
 
 LECTURE      iX. 
 
 Notes  and  refcPAcns  on  Petei  's  proclamation  and  audrefs  in 
 the  Ciofe  of  his  Jtrmon  to  the  'Jeivs  130 
 
 BOOK         TIL 
 
 In  which  the  wonderful  fuccefs  of  the  apoftle's 
 firft  fermon  at  Jerufalem  is  particularly  con- 
 fivdered  and  improved. 
 
 LECTURE      X. 
 
 Shewing  the  fiaie  of  their  hearts  who  fell  under  conviSilon. 
 
 By  what  means  they  Were  awakened  j  and  the  method  they 
 
 ■   took  for  relief   '  143 
 
 LECTURE       XL 
 
 An  irnprovemsnt  on  the  cafe  of  thoj'e  who  were  convinced  by 
 the  preaching  of  Peter ^  on  the  day  of  Pentecofi  156 
 
 LECTURE      XIL 
 
 the  rature  of  evangelical  repentance.  IVhat  it  is  to  be  bap- 
 tized in  the  name  of  Jejus  for  the  remiffion  of  fins ;  and 
 in  zvhai  refpcii  the  Holy  Ghofi  is  given  to  them  that  believe 
 
 169 
 LECTURE       XIII. 
 'The  pro  mi fe  on  which  Peter  raijes  the  expe^alion  of  the  awa- 
 kened Jews,  upon  their  obeying  the  gofpel,  briefly  and  fairly 
 examined.,    with  notes  and  reflexions  on  the  whole  if  his 
 reply  io  their  anxious  quejiion  188 
 
 LECTURE 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 LECTURE      XIV. 
 The  converted  Jews  tejVtfy  their  reception  vf  the  gofpel^  In  be- 
 ing baptised  ana  j'Aning  the  church.     Notes  on  their  vifibls 
 'obedience  to  the  faith  paa;e  2p8 
 
 LECTURE      XV. 
 
 What  included  in  a  fa<uing '  reception  of  the  tvord,  and  the 
 manner  in  zvhich  it  is  embraced  221 
 
 LECTURE      XVL 
 
 The  fource  and  jyrnptoms  of  that  pleafure  vji:ich  attends  a  cor- 
 dial acceptance  cf  the  gofPel.  The  duty  of  thofe  zuho  em- 
 brace it  to  an  immediate  external  obedience ,  and  the  joy  of 
 true  faith  compared  with  that  which  may  he  found  vuith 
 an  hypocrite  233 
 
 BOOK         IV. 
 
 Being  an  hiflory  of  the  church  in  her  infant  ftate. 
 LECTURE      XVn. 
 
 The  confiancy  and  faithfulnefs  of  the  firjl  difciples  in  their 
 communion  together y  under  a  prof effton  of  chrifiianity  252 
 LECTURE      XVIIL 
 
 The  manner  in  which  the  primitive  difciples  lived  together  in 
 the  church  at  Jerufalem  277 
 
 LECTURE      XIX. 
 
 How  the  difciples  at  Jerufalem  were  employed ^  with  praSlical 
 notes  on  their  conduSi  287 
 
 LECTURE      XX. 
 
 The  daily  increaje  of  the  primitive  church  305 
 
 BOOK         V. 
 
 The  early  declenfion  of  the  church  from   her 
 •     original  fimplicity. 
 
 LECTURE      XXL 
 
 JntroduSlion.     The  Lord's  tefiimony  againjl  the  difciples  at 
 
 ^ardis.     In  what  re[pe£is  a  chmch  may  he  dead\  notwith- 
 
 Jlanding  fhe  hath  a  name  that  fhc  liveth.     The  occofvms  and 
 
 fymptoms  of  this  dreadful  fiate.     Motives  to  zvalch  againjl 
 
 .     '^^  page  337  ' 
 
 I.KCTURK 
 
C    O    N    T    E    N    T    1 
 
 L  E  C   r  U  R  E      XXII. 
 The  difc'ipks  at  Sard'is  exhorted  to  repent :  Their  zuorh  are 
 impeached.     How  the  Lord  appears  a  judge  of  what  a 
 people  perform  in  his  name.     The  me  a  fur  es  to  be  taken  to 
 rejiore  a  church  when  declined,     Reafons  for  attempting  it^ 
 mtwithflanding  her  things  may  he  dying  away      page  357 
 LECTURE      XXIII. 
 A  repetition  of  the  Redeemer  s  call  to  repentance,  with  particu- 
 lar direSiions  ;  and  a  threatning  in  cafe  of  difoledience  377 
 LECTURE      XXIV. 
 Tloe  faithful  diftinguijhed  in  a  time  of  general  defeSlioi^^  with 
 the  promife  of  a  glorious  reward  389 
 
 LECTURE      XXV. 
 The  honors  decreed  the  believer  in  the  day  of  Chrift ;  being  a 
 dejcription  of  his  white  raiment,  the  book  of  life,  and  like- 
 zvife  what  is  implied  in  not  having  his  name  blotted  out  of 
 that  book  404 
 
 LECTURE      XXVI. 
 The  univerfal  obligation  of  chriftians  to  attend  to  the  voice  of 
 the  Spirit  425 
 
 BOOK        VL 
 
 The  conduct  of  the  faithful  in  the  days  of  Malachi. 
 
 LECTURE       XXVII. 
 
 The  degenerate  Jiate  of  the  fews.  IVhat  implied  in  the  faints 
 Jpeaking  often  one  to  another ;  topics  of  dijcourje.  Reflexions 
 
 440^ 
 LECTURE    XXVIII. 
 What  included  in  thinking  on  the  name  of  the  Lord.  His  heark- 
 ening to  his  peoples  difcourfe,  and  book  of  remembrance  ex- 
 plained,    RefeSlions  458 
 LECTURE      XXiX. 
 Lord  of  hofts ;  whence  that  magnificent  title ;  the  day  when 
 he  will  make  up  his  jewels ;    and  what  implied  in  Jo  doing 
 
 474 
 LECTURE      XXX. 
 
 Chrift^s  people  comparable  zvith  jewels  ;  their  difperfton  in 
 time  \  the  certainty  of  their  accompHJhment  at  his  coming. 
 ReflWwns  489 
 
 PRIMITIVS; 
 
LECTURES 
 
 O  N 
 
 Primitive  Christianity,  &c, 
 BOOK    h 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 Refle<5lions  on  the  Death,  Refurre<5lion,  Afcenfion,' 
 and  Exaltation  of  the  Lord- Jesus  Christ. 
 
 LECTURE    I. 
 
 An  Introdudllon  to  the  Apoftle's  difcourfe — the  mur- 
 der of  Christ  imputed  to  the  Jews — his  death 
 foreknown  and  determined, 
 
 IT  is  pleafant  and  ufeful  to  behold  the  power  and 
 faithfulnefs  of  God  in  fetting  up  the  kingdom  of 
 his  Son.  It  began  under  a  famous  fermon  by  Peter  the 
 apoftle  at  Jerufalem,  on  the  day  of  Pentecoft,  o£ 
 which  we  have  a  full  and  particular  account  in  the 
 fecond  of  the  Adls.  On  this  part  of  fcripture  fome 
 following  Ledlures  are  grounded;  which  I  hope,  by 
 the  bleffing  of  God,  will  entertain  and  comfort  the 
 chriftian  who  reads  them ;  and  if  they  (hould  fall  into 
 the  hands  of  any  one  in  a  ftate  of  unbelief,  I  heartily 
 ^ifh  they  may  prove  a  means  of  convidion. 
 
 A  Pente- 
 
a  LECTURESON 
 
 L  Pentecost,  it  is  known,  was  a  feaft  of  the  Jews, 
 on  which  they  offered  the  firft-fruits  of  the  field, 
 Exod.  xxiii.  i6.  It  is  called,  Deut.  xvi.  lo.  "  The 
 *'  feaft  of  weeks,"  being  feven  weeks  from  the  pafT- 
 over;  and  it  is  ftiled  Pentecoft,  which  fignifies  the 
 fiftieth,  becaufe  it  fell  on  the  fiftieth  day  after  the 
 feaft  of  unleavened  bread ,  the  ufual  diftance  be- 
 tween our  Eafter  and  Whitfuntide.  It  has  been  re- 
 marked, that  this  feftival*  happened  on  the  firft  day 
 of  the  week;  for  this^  year  it  began  on  Saturday 
 evening :  So  that  on  our  Lord's-day  morning,  it 
 might  properly  be  faid  "  to  be  fully  come,"  ver.  i. 
 This  was  the  day  on  which  Chrift-  rofe  from  the 
 dead,  ''  and  became  the  firft-fruits  of  them  that 
 *'  flept,"  I  Cor.  XV.  20.  And  on  the  fame  chofen 
 day  the  Spirit  was  poured  out  on  the  difciples,  who 
 immediately  fpake  in  a  variety  of  tongues,  as  he  gave 
 them  utterance,  to  the  amazement  of  all  who  heard 
 them.  And  thus  the  Holy  Ghoft  bare  witnefs  to 
 the  glory  of  their  afccnded  Mafter,  and  enabled 
 them  to  publifli  his  name  in  the  vi'orld.  In  this 
 manner  it  pleafed  God  to  make  way  for  the  fpread 
 of  the  gofpel;  not  by' a  miraculous  alteration  in  the 
 hearers,  but  by  furnifliing  his  minifters,  who  were 
 chofen  from  illiterate  men,  with  an  extraordinary 
 power  of  fpeaking  his  wonderful  works  to  all  peopl« 
 in  their  own  native  language :  this  they  did  in  a  very 
 large  audience,  compofed  of  perfons  providentially 
 colleded  at  Jerufalem  from  every  nation  under 
 heaven,  ver.  5.     Thus,  as  hath  been  often  obferved, 
 
 as- 
 
 •  Thus  as  Chtlft  fufFered  at  the  feaft  of  the  paffover  he  was  glorified 
 en  the  neift  great  feftival  of  the  Jews,  which  being  in  ths  fummcr,  waf 
 attended  by  numbers  who  othefwil's  would  iiave  t)«ca  abfeati 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.      3 
 
 as  the  confufion  of  language  at  Babel  divided  man- 
 kind, and  feparated  the  world  in  general  from  the 
 means  of  grace,  whereby  the  true  knowledge  of  God 
 was  loft;  this  vail  was  deftroyed,  and  the  nations 
 turned  from  darknefs  to  light,  through  the  gift  of 
 tongues  in  the  c]iurch. 
 
 One  might  have  expelled,  that  every  one  who  faw 
 the  aftooifhing  faft,  would  have  afcribed  it  to  the 
 power  of  God  ;  but  alas,  what  are  the  greateft  mira- 
 cles with  hardened  unbelievers !  It  is  not  uncommon 
 for  fcepticks  to  plead,  that  they  have  never  feen  the 
 like  wonders  performed  which  are  produced  in  favor 
 of  chriftianity,  but  experience  hath  fhewn,  that  no' 
 kind  of  evidence,  however  ftriking,  can  remove  the 
 inveterate  prejudices  of  men  who  oppofe  themfelvej 
 to  the  truth  :  *'  If  they  hear  not  the  fcriptures,  nei- 
 *'  ther  will  they  be  perfuaded,  though  one  rdfe  frorn 
 **  the  dead,"  Luke  xvi.  31.  And  accordingly  iti  the 
 inftance  before  us  the  multitude  marvelled ;  "  they 
 **  were  amazed  and  in  doubt,  faying  one  to  another^ 
 "  What  meaheth  this  ?"  But  we  read  of  none  whoi 
 Were  truly  convinced  ;  on  the  contrary,  many  of  them 
 mocked,  and  were  even  fo  bafe  as  to  impute  this  pre- 
 ternatural volubility  to  the  force  of  new  winej  fome 
 have  thought  it  incredible  that  any  fhould  be  fo  ex- 
 tremely abfurd  as  to  imagine  that  an  excefs  of  drink- 
 ing could  enable  the  difciples  to  fpeak  with  tongues 
 they  underftood  not  before,  and  therefore  fuppofe 
 that  thefe  fcofFers,  being  native  Jews,  as  the  next 
 verfe  declares,  and  not  acquainted  with  any  diale(5t 
 tut  that  of  their  own  country,  the  apoftles  feemej 
 A  %  ii$ 
 
4  LECTURESON 
 
 to  them  as  bablers ;  but,  why  fliould  any  be  fur- 
 prized  that  a  generation,  who  had  been  taught  to  re- 
 proach our  Lord  with  calling  out  devils  by  Beelzebub, 
 and  who  had  afterwards  cruciiied  him  as  an  im- 
 poftor,  fhould  be  ftupid  and  malicious  enough,  thus 
 to  apprehend,  or  mifreprefent  this  wonderful  energy 
 of  the  Holy  Ghofl  ?  However,  this  is  their  charge ; 
 *'  Thefe  men  are  full  of  new  wine." 
 
 To  this  flander,  Peter,  fcanding  up  with  the  eleven, 
 and  having  intreated  a  hearing,  replies,  that  it  was 
 but  *'  the  third  hour  of  the  day,"  or  nine  in  the  morn- 
 ing :  this  was  the  time  of  the  daily  facrifice,  at  which 
 the  Jews  in  general  came  falling,  and  at  thefe  fefli- 
 vals  they  were  accuflomed  to  abftain  from  wine  till 
 noon ;  it  was  therefore  mod  unreafonable  to  imagine 
 that  thefe  men  were  drunken.  From  thia  pertinent 
 remark  the  apoftle  haflens  to  obferve,  that  what  they 
 faw  and  heard  was  no  other  than  what  Joel  the  pro- 
 phet foretold,  by  whom  God  faith,  "  And  it  fhall 
 '*  come  to  pafs  in  the  laft  days,  I  will  pour  out  my 
 ««  Spirit  on  all  flefii."  By  the  laft  days  the  prophet 
 intended,  and  the  Jews  themfelves  underftood,  the 
 days  of  the  Meffiah,  when  "  all  fiefh  fhould  fee  the 
 *'  falvation  of  God;"  for  it  is  written,  "that  who- 
 *'  foever  fhall  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  fhall 
 "  be  faved."  The  apoflle  having  explained  this  ap- 
 pearance from  fcripture,  in  faithfulnefs  turns  on  thefe 
 Jerufalem-finners,  and  with  a  view  to  their  repen- 
 •  tance,  boldly  charges  them  with  the  murder  of  Jefus, 
 and  points  out  the  light  againft  which  they  fmned 
 in  fhedding  his  blood,  and  alfo  that  their  end  was  not 
 
 obtaine4 
 
PRIMITIVE   CHRISTIANITY.      5 
 
 obtained  without  the  counfel  of  heaven,  ver.  22,  23. 
 "  Ye  men  of  Ifrael,  hear  thcfev/ords;  Jcfus  ofNa-" 
 *'  zareth,  a  man  approved  of  God  among  you,  by 
 **  miracles  and  wonders  and  ligns,  which  God  did  by 
 *'  him  in  the  midfl  of  you,  asye  yourfelves  alfo  knov/: 
 *'  him  being  delivered  by  the  determinate  counfel 
 "  and  foreknov/ledge  of  God,  ye  have  taken,  and 
 *'  by  wicked  hands  have  crucified  and  flaln."  Thus, 
 from  a  general  report  of  certain  falvation  in  Chrift 
 to  every  one  that  believes,  which  is  the  tenor  of  the 
 gofpel,  his  miniflers  are  without  refer^'e  to  lay  before 
 fmners  their  evil  and  danger,  that  obtaining  mercy  they 
 may  repent  and  be  faved. 
 
 From  this  introduction  it  appears  that  the  apoflle 
 ciireds  himfelf  to  the  Jews  who  dwelt  at  Jerufalem, 
 and  that  they  were  prepared  for  his  alarming  remon- 
 ftrance,  by  his  reafoning  out  of  fcripture  relating 
 to  Jefus  whom  they  had  crucified,  and  alfo  concern- 
 ing the  efFufion  of  the  Spirit  at  which  they  had  igno-- 
 rantly  fcoffed ;  and  this  no  doubt  was  fubfervient, 
 by  the  blefling  of  God,  to  thofe  painful  convictions 
 under  which  many  of  them  hereafter  cry  out. 
 
 Peter  might  have  upbraided  them  as  Stephen  did 
 on  another  occafion,  chap.  vii.  51.  *' Ye  fliff-necked 
 *'  and  uncircumcifed  in  heart  and  ears,  ye  do  alv/ays 
 «  refift  the  Holy  Ghofl !"  They  deferved  to  be  ftiled  a 
 perverfe  and  abfurd  generation,  who  had  no  regard  to 
 reafon  or  truth;  but  behold  he  accoRs  them  as  the 
 people  of  God,  and  under  a  title  which  was  to  their 
 lienor,  "Ye  men  of  Ifrael."  In  Ifa.  xli.  14.  the 
 A   3  Lord 
 
6  LECTURESON 
 
 Lord  thus  addreffes  his  people,  "  Thou  worm  Jacob:** 
 Not  in  contempt,  but  in  compaflion  he  fpeaks  in  this 
 manner,  to  let  them  know,  that  though  in  themfelves, 
 and  according  to  their  own  apprehenfion,  they  were, 
 as  Jacob  their  Father,  greatly  afflided  and  threatned, 
 helpleis  and  mean  as  a  worm ;  neverthelefs  he,  their 
 tnicrhty  Redeemer,  would  help  them,  and  their  adverfarieg 
 fhould  be  as  nothing:  But  Peter's  defign  wasto  {hew  the 
 regard  he  had  for  the  Jews,  while  he  fpared  not  to  cen- 
 fure  their  folly  and  wickednefs,  and  accordingly  he  ftiles 
 them  "  men  of  Ifrael."  And  under  a  more  refpe^lful 
 character  he  could  not  bcfpeak  them ;  yet  what  could  more 
 highly  reBe£l  on  their  condu61"?  Great  was  the  honor 
 ^nd  advantage  of  being  a  defcendant  from  Ifrael,  that 
 renowned  patriarch  j  in  this  'they  mJght  have  gloried, 
 had  they  behaved  as  became  their  eminent  anceflor-j  on 
 the  other  hand,  their  bafenefs  in  the  crucifixion  of 
 Jefus,  and  biafphcming  hisdifciples,  who  were  endued 
 with  the  Holy  Ghoft,  appeared  in  proportion  to  this 
 their  high  charaftcr,  and  the  privilcdges  they  enjoyed  : 
 They  were  Ifraelites,  and  many  of  them,  it  is  proba- 
 ble, leaders  of  the  people,  to  whom  were  committed 
 the  oracles  of  God,  and  who  profefTed  to  be  waiting 
 for  the  Meffiah,  and  the  effufion  of  the  Spirit,  which 
 aggravated  t|ieir  condu£l ;  and  no  doubt  this  manner 
 of  addrefs  was  defigned  the  more  deeply  to  afFccSl:  them 
 \vith  a  fenfe  of  their  guilt :  V/ith  the  fame  view  the 
 prophets  frequently,  under  the  Cziv.e  charaiSer,  call  on 
 ^hc  degenerate  Jews  to  repent,  Hofea  xiii,  9.  "  O  Ifracly 
 ?*  thou  haft  dellroyed  thyfelf."  And  again,  chap.  xiv.  I. 
 <f''  OKr^iel,  return  unto  the  Lord  thy  God  ;  for  thou 
 S^  hgft  fallen  by  thine  iniquity."     lii  thefc,  and  ether- 
 
 like 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  7 
 like  places,  this  backfliding  people  are  ftiled  Ifrael,  as  I 
 apprehend,  at  leaft  among  other  things,  to  ftiew  how 
 unworthy  they  a£led  iri  departing  from  the  Lord  ;  and 
 it  muft  be  acknowledged  that  this  was  an  excellent 
 means  of  conviction. 
 
 The  apoftle  proceeds,  and  craves  their  attention, 
 «*  Hear  thefe  words  ;"  which,  in  connexion  with  what 
 went  before,  runs  to  this  purpofe,  q.  d.  '  O  ye 
 '  men  of  Ifrael;     you  fee  how  unreafonable  it  is  to 
 
 *  fuppofe,  that  thefe  perfons  are  drunken,   or  to  ima- 
 
 *  gine  that  the  excefs  of  new  wine  fhould  enable 
 '  them  to  fpeak  in  this  variety  of  tongues :   this  abi- 
 
 *  lity  proceeds  from  the  Spirit,  which  the  prophet 
 ^■foretold  fliould  be  poured  out  in  the  days  of  the 
 ?  Mefiiah  5  now  I  have  fomewhat  to  fay  which  nearly 
 
 *  concerns    you,    I   befeech   you   therefore     patiently 
 
 *  to  hear  me.'  Note,  it  is  the  univerfal  and  earneft 
 defire  of  minifters,  who  feek  the  falvation  of  their 
 hearers,  that  they  attend  without  prejudice,  that  un- 
 der a  divine  bleiling,  they  may  convince  them  of 
 error,  and  bring  them  to  repentance. 
 
 But,  what  are  thefe  words  ?  They  are  words, 
 the  hearing  of  which  would  make  their  ears  tingle  j 
 yea  words  which  hereafter  appear  to  make  their 
 hearts  tremble :  Words  by  which  the  divine  Spirit 
 raifed  thofe  convictions  that  pierced  and  punctually 
 wounded  their  confcience.  The  apoflle  might  well 
 be  anxious  for  an  hearing,  for  there  was  reafon  tQ 
 expert  that  thefe  bold  tranfgreffors  would  flop  their 
 sars  againft  the  heavy  charge  he  was  about  to  lay 
 A  4  01^ 
 
8  LECTURESON 
 
 on  them.  For  what  impenitent  criminal  will  liften 
 to  the  voice  of  his  accufer  ?  but  with  God  all  things 
 are  poflible ;  he  can  draw  the  ear  of  the  moft  obfti- 
 nate  fmner,  as  a  means  of  convincing  his  heart,  at 
 his  pleafure,  and  his  hand  is  evident  in  the  prefent 
 cafe,  fmce,  otherwife,  why  fhould  they  not  behave 
 in  the  fame  manner  as  with  Stephen  the  martyr,  men- 
 tioned before  ?  However,  what  Peter  delivered  in  gene- 
 ral, related  to  their  having  crucified  the  Lord,  not- 
 withftanding  they  had  feen  the  fulleft  teftimony  of 
 God  in  his  favor.  It  contains  his  defcription  of  the 
 Saviour,  the  ftriking  evidence  afforded  thefe  Jews  of 
 his  divine  miflion,  their  concern  in  his  death,  and 
 the  counfel  of  God  in  refpedl  of  this  amazing  fcene 
 of  iniquity  and  blood ;  from  whence  may  be  drawn  a 
 variety  of  ufeful  obfervations. 
 
 In  defcribing  our  Saviour,  whom  thefe  men  had 
 {lain,  the  apoftie  ftiles  him  "  Jefus  of  Nazareth."  Now 
 Nazareth  we  know  was  a  poor  and  fmali  city  on  the 
 borders  of  Zebulun,  and  held  in  the  utmoft  contempt. 
 Hence  faith  Nathaniel  to  Philip,  "  Can  there  any  good 
 "  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth?"  John  i.  46.  But 
 that  which  men  difefteem  is  frequently  honored  by 
 God  :  This  poor  defpifed  city  was  the  place  where 
 Jofeph  and  Mary  refided,  and  confequently  where  the 
 incarnate  Son  of  God  dwelt  a  confiderable  part  of  hi? 
 time  in  the  flefh ;  yet,  alas !  what  are  the  moft  dif-,. 
 tin2;uifliing  external  advantages  !  There  was  no  con- 
 l^exion  between  the  place  of  our  Lord's  abode  and  ^ 
 participation  of  his  grace :  This  city  was  no  lefs  noto- 
 rious for  its  perverfe  infidelity  than  its  very  great  mean» 
 
 nefsj 
 
PRIMITIV.E  CHRISTIANITY.      9 
 
 nefs;  fo  hardened  were  the  inhabitants,  that  on  our 
 Lord's  preaching  to  theai,  and  upbraiding  them  with 
 their  incredulity,  they  rejected  him  with  the  utmoft 
 indignation,  ani  in  wrath  attempted  to  deftroy 
 him,  Luke  iv.  28,  29.  And  accordingly  he  foon  left 
 them  becaufe  of  their  unbelief;  fo  that  there  is  reafon 
 to  fear  that  the  generality  of  thofe  among  whom  the 
 Saviour  of  the  world  lived  more  than  thirty  years, 
 perifhed  in  their  fms.  Thus  perfons  may  be  highly 
 exalted  in  an  early  enjoyment  of  the  richeft  means  of 
 grace,  and  in  the  pride  and  wickednefs  of  their  heart 
 fmk  deep  into  hell,  under  a  fatal  oppofition  to  the 
 counfel  of  God  ! 
 
 •  But  to  return :  It  may  feem  flrange  at  firft,  that 
 Peter,  who  appears  at  this  time  to  have  a  realizing 
 profpedl  of  the  Redeemer  now  exalted  at  the  right-hand 
 of  God,  fhould  mention  him  under  this  diminutive 
 charadler;  but  when  we  confider  to  whom  he  was 
 fpeaking,  and  the  defign  he  was  upon,  we  fliall  admire 
 the  propriety  of  this  chofen  defcription.  He  is  addrefiing 
 the  Jews,  v/ith  a  view  to  convince  them,  that  this  fame 
 Lord,  of  whom  Joel  prophefied,  and  in  whom  alone 
 falvation  is  to  be  found,  was  no  other  than  that  very 
 perfon  whom  they  had  unrighteoufiy  flain.  Now  what 
 pould  be  more  to  his  purpofe  than  to  fpeak  of  him  under 
 |:he  identical  terms  by  which  he  was  defcribed  in  the 
 writing  over  his  head  when  he  hung  on  the  crofs  r  Which 
 is  known  to  run  thus  j  *' Jefus  of  Nazareth  the  King 
 "  of  the  Jews,"  John  xix.  19.  q.  d.  that  fame  Jefus, 
 jvhom  ye  in  contempt  call  Jefus  of  Nazareth,  is  no 
 Other  than   that  great  perfon  of  whom  the  prophet 
 
 fpeakS| 
 
10  LECTURESON 
 
 (peaks,  in  calling  on  whofe  name  the  fubje61:  fnall  be 
 faved.  Befides,  in  defcending  to  this  defcription  of  the 
 Saviour,  the  apoftle  is  not.  aftiamed  to  own  his  Lord  in 
 that  very  charaiSler  under  which  he  was  defpifed  and 
 pcrfecuted  to  death ;  and  he  likewife  afccnds  with  the 
 greater  advantage  to  his  glorious  ftate  in  heaven.  An 
 inftance  of  courage  and  wifdom  we  may  juftly 
 admire ! 
 
 The  next  thing  which  Peter  rcnionftrates  is,  th? 
 ample  and  undeniable  proof  offered  the  Jews  of  our 
 Lord's  divine  miiTicn.  This  was  admirably  calculated 
 to  affe6l  them  with  a  fenfe  of  their  folly,  which  was  a 
 main  thing  in  view;  it  was  as  full  and  as  ftrong  as 
 could  poffibly  be  given  :  *' A  man  approved  of  God." 
 Jefus  was  approved,  and  fometimes  applauded  by  men  ; 
 his  mighty  works  and  holy  converfation  rendered  him, 
 for  a  feafon,  admired  and  followed  as  an  extraordinary 
 perfon;  but  the  Jews  are  called  upon  to  reflect  on  the 
 undeniable  and  glorious  teftimony  they  had  received 
 from  heaven  j  "  A  man  approved  of  God  f,  by  miracles, 
 *'  wonders  and  figns :"  The  wonderful  works  br 
 which  the  Father  teftified  of  his  Son  in  the  courfe  cf 
 his  miniftry  were  many,  and  known  to  thefe  men, 
 Thefe  miracles  were  not  done  in  a  corner,  or  at  a 
 diftance,  but  openly  and  among  them  ;  *'  which  God 
 f  did  by  him  in  the  midft  of  you,"  faith  the  apoftle, 
 j.  e.  in  your  fynagogues,  in  the  temple,  apd  in  places 
 
 o£ 
 
 ■f  ^vv:-i:/.i:Ti  ri^aai  a  a-yijj.iloii;  are  words  nearly  of  the  fame  fignifica- 
 tion ;  and,  however  critically  diftindt,  feem  in  this  place  each  to  convey  the 
 i^ea  of  works  or  tokens  above  or  contiarj'to  the  cotsrfe  of  nature,  and  ma^ 
 be  confidered  as  a  redundancy  of  exprefiion,  to  fliew  the  number  and  variu'-jr, 
 
 fif  thofe  amazing  tsflimonies  of  a  divine  power  nianifsfl  by  Chrift, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CPIRISTIANITY.     u 
 
 of  public  refort.  They  were  not  lying  wonders,  but 
 miracles  indeed,  the  reality  of  which  no  man  could 
 decently  quefiion :  figns  which  were  evident,  and  of 
 which  his  enemies  themfelves  were  convinced  ;  and  ac- 
 cordingly he  adds,    "  Ye  yourfelves  alfo  knowj"   q.  d. 
 
 *  O  ye   men   of  Ifrael,  ye  are    witnefies  to  the  truth 
 
 *  of  what  I  declare,  for  thefe  divine  works  were  per- 
 '  formed  in  your  prefence  I    Did  ye  not  daily  behold, 
 
 *  in  Jerufalem,  many  wonders  and  figns  wrought  by 
 '  Jefus,  by  which  God  approved  him  ?  You  cannot 
 ^  deny  it.'  Thus  he  appeals  to  their  confciences,  and 
 many  of  them  were  deeply  convinced  on  refledion,  and 
 forely  wounded  uilder  a  fenfe  of  their  guilt,  as  will 
 hereafter  appear. 
 
 Having  reprefented  their  perverfe  incredulity  iii 
 Vvithftanding  fo  clear  divine  evidence  to  the  characler 
 of  Jefus,  the  apoftle  proceeds  to  the  concern  Virhicii 
 the  Jews  had  in  his  death.  It  was  his  great  defign  to 
 convince  them  that  they  were  guilty  in  (bedding  the  blood 
 not  only  of|an  innocent  perfon,  but  of  killing  the  Mef- 
 fiah,  fnat  being  awakened,  they  might  repent  of  this 
 hainous  tranfgrefiion  and  all  other  fms,  and  call  on 
 his  name  and  be  faved ;  he,  therefore,  fpares  not  to 
 pharge  them  diredly  with  crucifying  and  flaying  the 
 man  whom  God  had  approved,  in  which  he  is  very 
 circumftantial. 
 
 He  firft  obferves  that  they  took  him.  *'  Him  have 
 ^^  ye  taken."  Now  this  may  include  their  laying 
 hands  on  him  as  upon  a  malefaftor,  with  all  the  iUr 
 ■ireatmeiit  they  gave  him  from  his  being  apprehended 
 
 to 
 
12  LECTURES    ON 
 
 to  their  nailing  him  on  the  crofs.  Our  Lord  himfelf  faid, 
 Matt,  xxvi.55.  *'  Are  youcomeoutas  againfta  thiefwith 
 *'•  fwords  and  ftaves?"  In  this  manner  they  came  with 
 Judas  their  guide,  and  when  they  had,  by  means  of 
 the  execrable  traitor,  found  our  Saviour  in  the  garden, " 
 by  his  own  permiffion,  they  feized  him,  and  led  him 
 bound  to  his  judges  to  be  condemned,  in  order  to 
 vhich  they  fubborned  falfe  witnefs  againft  him ;  and 
 when  he  was  delivered  into  their  hands  they  Impi- 
 ©ufly  infult  and  curfe  him  for  an  impollor ;  they 
 Block,  fpit  upon,  and  crown  him  with  thorns,  and, 
 having  unmercifully  fcourged'him,  thus  mangled,  they 
 fering  him  with  bitter  revilings  up  to  mount  Calvary : 
 In  a  word,  they  treated  the  divine  Jefus  with  all  the 
 contempt  and  cruelty  which  the  malice  of  earth  or 
 Jiell  could  invent.  In  this  vile  manner  the  Jews  ap-r 
 prehended  and  dealt  with  our  Lord  ;  and  there  is  rea- 
 fon  to  think  that  while  Peter  exprefled  thefe  words, 
 ♦'  Him  have  ye  taken,"  fome  individuals  prefent  began 
 to  reflecSl  with  fhame  on  their  own  concern  in  this 
 wicked  tranfadiion. 
 
 Then  comes  the  charge  of  his  death,  "  Him  ye 
 *'  have  crucified  and  flain."  Crucifixion  is  known  to 
 be  a  manner  of  punifhment  ufed  by  the  Romans ;  it 
 was  infli(9:ed  only  on  flaves,  and  that  for  crimes  the 
 moft  infamous ;  He  that  fuffered  this  kind  of  death 
 bore  t  his  crofs  on  his  fhoulders  to  the  place  of  exe- 
 cution, -  where,     being  ftripped   of   his    clothes,     he 
 
 was 
 
 f  Not  the  whole  crofs,  but  the  Patibulum,  or  piece  of  timber  that  Uy 
 crofs  the  eredl  part  which  Hood  fixed  in  the  earth,  and  on  which  the  armi^ 
 •t"  ;ije  criminal  were  ftretched. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.      13 
 
 was  faftened  naked  unto  it,  and  this  was  ufually,  if 
 not  always  with  nails,  attended  with  the  caufe  of  his 
 death  written  over  his  head,  in  capital  letters.  Now 
 we  know  that  this  exadlly  agrees  with  the  manner 
 in  which  our  Lord  was  treated  by  the  Jews ;  fo  that 
 they  dealt  with  him  as  with  the  bafeft  of  men  and  the 
 vileft  of  criminals  !  Such  was  the  rage  and  envy  of 
 thefe  Jerufalem-fmners ;  they  thirfted  after  his  blood  ; 
 their  malice  prompted  them  to  fhed  it  in  a  manner 
 the  moft  'ignominious  and  painful.  He  was  crucified 
 and  flain  indeed  under  a  form  of  law,  and  by  the 
 hands  of  the  civil  magiftrate,  which  had  a  fpecious 
 appearance,  neverthelefs  the  holy  and  innocent  Jefus 
 was  unjuftly  cut  off  out  of  the  land  of  the  living, 
 and  his  crucifiers  are  truly  faid  to  kill  him,  and  charged 
 with  his  murder.  Ails  iii.  15.  chap.  vii.  52.  com- 
 pared. 
 
 ^ 
 
 The  means  by  which  they  fhed  the  blood  of  the 
 Saviour,  is  the  next  thing  which  the  apoftle  remarks ; 
 namely,  "  by  wicked  hands ;"  for  the  underflanding 
 of  this,  we  are  to  remember  the  civil  ftate  of  the  Jews 
 at  this  time;  they  were  now  in  fubjedlion  to  the 
 Romans,  under  whom  they  enjoyed  far  greater  pri- 
 vileges than  a  conquered  people  might  expeili  but 
 it  was  the  well-known  policy  of  that  famous  ftate  to 
 proteft  the  nations  they  fubdued  in  the  free  exercife 
 of  their  own  religion,  and  accordingly  the  Jews  were 
 in  this  refpe6l  remarkably  favored,  infomuch  that  they 
 were  allowed  to  kill  a  Gentile,  even  though  he  were 
 a  Roman,  who  prefumed  to  enter  and  defile  their 
 temple.    On    this    pretence  it  was  that  fome  went 
 
 about 
 
t4  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 about  to  flay  Paul,    as   appears  by  comparing  A^s 
 3cxi.  29.   v/ith  chap,  xxvi.  21.    So  highly   were  they 
 indulged   by  their  heathen  mafters ;  they  had  alfo  A 
 power  to  judge  petty  offenceSj  and  to  inflicl  lefTer  pe-«' 
 nalties  by  their  counfel  where  the  high-prieft  prefided 
 in  chief,   but  they  could  not  judicially  purtifh  any  cri- 
 minal with  death.   This  paint  indeed,  like  moft  ochef 
 articles  hath  been  difputed,   but  it  feems  evident  from 
 the  inflance  before  us,  the  Jews   had  not  the  power 
 of  life  and  death  ;  as  a  learned  and   laborious  writer  % 
 obferves.  If  in  any  cafe  they  had  this  authority,  it  muft 
 have  been  in  the  cafe  of  our  Lord,  whofe  fole"  charge 
 tvas  blafphemy,  in  afluming  the  charadler  oftheMef- 
 fiah  :    it  was  therefore  a  point  of  religion  in  which  the 
 Romans,  who,  as  hinted,  gave  their  conquered  fubjedls 
 full  liberty,  would  not  have  concerned  thenifelves,  had 
 they  in  any  cafe  allowed   the  Jews  the  authority  of 
 capital  puniftiment,  nor  would  a  people  fo  fond  of 
 power,  and  I  may  fay,  fo  enraged  againft  Jefus,  and 
 determined  to  take  away  his  life,  have  committed  a 
 caufe  within  their  own  jurifdifhion  to  a  foreigner,  or 
 left  his  execution  to  the  will  of  the  Romans  j   but  that 
 which  one  fhould  think  would  fet  it  beyond  all  difpute 
 is   their  own  declaration   to  Pilate,   John  xviii.   31* 
 V/hen  the  governor  bids  them  take  Jefus  and  judge 
 him  according  to  their  law,  which   indeed  they  had 
 already  done,    for  they  had  brought  hiili  in  guilty  of 
 death,  fee  Mat.   xxvi.  66.   John  xix.  7.  but  it  was 
 
 not 
 
 %  Dr.  Lardincr's  Credibility,  vol.  I.  page  77.  Sea  alfo  page  97, 
 154.  Whether  the  Jevvt  had  this  power  taken  from  them,  or  Idd  by 
 their  own  negligence,  as  Dr.  Lightfoot  afferts.  It  is,  I  think,  generally 
 allowed,  that  they  enjoyed  not  this  priviUdge  forty  yeiri  bafore  tbc  templa 
 wa»  dtllroysd,  Lardiner,  yol.  I.  201, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY,      i^ 
 not  in  their  power  to  execute  this  fentence.  Hence  the 
 anfwer  is  this ;  "  It  is  not  lawful  for  us  to  put  any 
 "  man  to  death  j"  and  accordingly  they  brought  him  to 
 the  judge,  who  though  he  was  convinced  of  the  inno- 
 cence of  Jefus,  and  knew  that  for  envy  the  Jews  had 
 delivered  him,    j^et  fo  bafe  was  this   magiftrate,   that 
 through  fear,  or  with  a  finifter  fend,  he  yielded  to  the 
 pomjlar  cry,  and  gave  up  this  holy  perfon  to  the  will 
 of^efe  wretches,  fee  Matt,  xxvjii.  i8 — 24.   Thus  the 
 Jews  crucified  and  flew  our  Lord,  not  by  their  ov/n, 
 but  by   the  hands  of  the  Romans  ;   thefe  hands  were 
 thofe  of  Pilate  that  wicked  man  and  unjuft  judge,  and 
 the  officers  and  foldiers  under  him,  who,   being  ftimu- 
 lated   by  the  voice   of  the   multitude,    ftirred    up  by 
 their  leaders,   were  but  too  eager  in  the  execution  of 
 his   unlawful    fentence.     The   Jews   themfelves    took 
 Jefus,  with  their  own  hands  into  which  he  was  be- 
 trayed,  and  did  unto  him  fpitefully  as  they  could,   but 
 they  could  not  put  him  to  death;  this  they  brought 
 about  by  means  of    the  Roman   civil    power,  who 
 moft  unrighteoufly  crucified  him  as  a  malefa6tor;  it 
 is  therefore  truly  declared,  that  with  wicked  hands, 
 that  is,  of  others,   they  flew  him,   which  the  facred 
 hiftorian  moft  accurately  placeth  in  his  account,  be- 
 tween the  apprehending  and  crucifixion  of  our  Lord, 
 according  to  the  fail.     Thus  the  fcripture  was  fulfilled, 
 PC  ^,  2.  "  The  kings  of  the  earth  fet  themfelves,  and 
 *'  the  rulers  take  counfel  together,  againft  the  Lord 
 **  and  againft  his  anointed.'*     And  as  Chrift  came  into 
 the  world  to  fave  Jews  and  Gentiles,  they  were  both 
 ^oncqrned  in  putting  him  to  death. 
 
 But 
 
•j6  l  e  c  t  u  r  e  s   o  n 
 
 But   there  is  nothing  in  the  whole  of  the  addrefs 
 more  inftrudtive  or  important  than  the  divine  hand  in 
 this  afFedling  event.     The  death  of  Chrift  was  no  pre- 
 carious or  cafual  thing,    but  fettled  in  the  counfel  of 
 God,   whofe  underftanding  is  infinite,   and  who  de- 
 elareth  the  end  from  the  beginning  j   this  the  apoftle 
 afferts  j    "  Him ,     being  delivered  *  by    the   determi- 
 *'  nate  §   counfel  and  foreknowledge  of  God."     The 
 fame  is  confirmed  and  explained  by  Peter  and  John  on 
 another  occafion,   A£l:s  iv.  27,  28.  "  For  of  a  truth 
 *'  a^ainft  thy  holy  child  Jefus  both  Herod  and   Pon- 
 "  tins  Pilate,  with   the  Gentiles,   and  the  people  of 
 *'  Ifrael,  were  gathered  together,  for  to  do  whatfoever 
 *'  thy  hand    and  thy  counfel  determined  before  to   be 
 *'  done."     The  word  determined  J,    in  this  proof  in- 
 deed differs  from  that  in  the  paflage  we  are  upon,  but 
 the  idea  is  the  fame,  and  they  concur  to  afcertain  the 
 predeftination  of  this  great  event.     It  was  determined, 
 i,  e.  fay  fome  it  was-  written,  which  no  doubt  is  a  truth ; 
 
 thus 
 
 *  It  has  been  fuggefted,  that  for  particular  reafons  the  Jews  voluntarily 
 furrendered  Jefus,  though  they  might  thenofelves  have  put  him  to  death, 
 but  we  have  already  feen  they  had  not  this  power,  ^and  Dr.  Lardiner 
 has  proved  that  the  word  eyMiov  in  this  place  does  not  carry  in  it  a  yield- 
 ing any  civil  authority  or  right,  and  Ihewn  that  it  is  ufed  in  the  New- 
 Teftament  fer  the  aB:  of  private  perfons  who  profecute,  or  bring  any  one 
 before  a  court  of  juftice  in  order  to  be  condemned,  and  I  think  he  haj 
 alfo  entirely  removed  the  moft  plaufible  pretence  for  this  opinion,  See 
 Lardiner's  Credibility,  Vol.  I.  page  86. 
 
 §  ufirjAevn  a  ofiQci}  to  declare,  as  by  definitive  fentence,  Rom.  i.  4.  of 
 to  ordain,  or  decree,  as  in  Ads  x.  42.  where  it  is  ufed  to  exprefs  the  divint 
 ordination  of  Chrift  to  the  office  of  judge. 
 
 X  'o-foufla-B  to  foreordain  gr  predeftlnate,  Rom.  viii,  30,  i  Cor,  il,  J* 
 Iph.  i.  5. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  17 
 thus  faith  our  ^Lord,  Luke  xxii.  22.  "  The  Son  of 
 "  man  goeth,  as  it  is  determined  ;"  and  in  Matt,  xxvi, 
 24.  in  relating  the  fame,  the  facred  hiftorian  ufes  the 
 phrafe  "  it  is  written; "  for  the  fame  was  both  deter- 
 mined and  written  ;  but  we  are  not  to  refolve  the  de- 
 termination of  Chrift's  death  into  a  fimple  predidlion, 
 as  if  it  was  determined  in  no  other  fenfe  than  as  de- 
 clared in  the  fcripture  :  things  are  not  properly  deter^ 
 mined  becaufe  declared  in^God's  word ;  on  the  con- 
 trary, they  are  foretold  becaufe  predetermined.  The  de- 
 cree of  God  is  the  ground  of  prophecy,  which  is  no 
 other  than  a  revelation,  as  providence  is  the  execution, 
 of  the  divine  will.  Nothing  can  be  plainer  than  that 
 the  blood-fhedding  of  Jefus  was  not  only  foreknown, 
 but  truly  and  properly  predetermined  by  the  mofl  High 
 who  worketh  all  things  after  the  counfel  of  his  own 
 will.  And  what  Peter  now  preacheth  concerning  this 
 point  he  afterwards  wrote  in  his  firft  epiftle,  chap, 
 i,  20.  **  Who,"  fays  he,  meaning  Chrift,  "  was  ve- 
 "  rily  fore-ordained,"i.  e.  to  his  fufferings  and  death,  as 
 appears  from  the  context,  "  before  the  foundation  of 
 *'  the  world."  To  which  agreeth  Rev.  xiii.  8.  where 
 he  is  ftiled,  "  The  Lamb  flain  from  the  founda- 
 •'  tion  of  the  world."  And  this  is  the  current  of  fcrip- 
 ture. So  then  the  delivery  of  the  innocent  Jefus  into  the 
 ]hands  of  the  wicked  to  be  crucified,  as  1  may  fay, 
 according  to  the  known  idea  of  the  terms,  was  fettled 
 in  the  definitive  counfel  of  God  from  everlafting ;  it 
 was  all  fixed  before  in  that  adorable  conftitution,  the 
 covenant  of  redemption,  of  which  the  Son  of  God  is 
 the  Mediator  and  Surety  j  and  indeed  his  being  deli- 
 vered was  in  confequence  of  his  undertaking  jjj  that 
 B  hc>ly 
 
i8  LECTURESON 
 
 holy  and  gracious  compa6l,  to  be  the  Subftitutc  of  the 
 people;  by  which  a  juft  and  legal  foundation  was 
 laid,  for  his  bearing  their  fins  in  his  own  body  on 
 the  tree. 
 
 This  is  the  addrefs  of  the  apoftle  to  the  men  of 
 Judea,  who  killed  our  Lord.  After  befpeaking  their 
 attention  in  a  manner  moft  refpedful,  he  plainly  and 
 faithfully  remonflrates  their  aggravated  guilt,  in  pre- 
 fuming  thus  to  ftied  the  blood  of  the  innocent  and 
 holy  Jefus,  in  defiance  of  all  the  miracles  which  God 
 did  by  him  in  the  midft  of  them,  as  a  teftimony  of 
 his  charadter  ;  he  pofitively  charges  his  murder  upon 
 them,  though  they  could  not  themfelves  perpetrate  this 
 horrid  fa6t,  but  did  it  by  the  hands  of  other  wicked 
 men,  who  put  him  to  death,  and  then  he  declares  that 
 he  being  thus  delivered  into  their  hands  to  be  crucified 
 and  flain,  was  determined  before  in  the  counfel  of 
 God;  which  might  juftly  alarm  them,  and  made  way 
 for  a  further  account  of  Jefus  in  proof  of  his  being 
 the  MelTiah ;  an  addrefs  which,  by  the  bleiling  of 
 God,  proved  a  means  of  the  converfion  of  many  who 
 .heard  him,  and  Vv'ho,  as  it  afterwards  appears,  cried 
 .out  in  diftrefs,  under  a  fenfe  of  their  perifhing  condi- 
 tion, and  being  inftru6ted,  gladly  embraced  the  word 
 of  the  gofpel.  Many  other  glorious  things  are  fpoken 
 of  Jefus  who  was  crucified ;  but,  before  we  proceed, 
 it  may  be  ufeful  to  paufe,  and  refleft  on  feveral  points 
 which  {land  fupported  by  this  remonftrance  of  the  apoftle 
 .  to  the  Jews ;  and  this  will  be  attempted  in  the  fol" 
 lowing  ledure. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     19 
 
 LECTURE    II. 
 
 Containing  notes  and  reflections  on  Peter's  addrefs  to 
 the  men  of  Judea. 
 
 THE  foregoing  Ledlure,  contains  the  apoftle's  high 
 charge  on  the  Jews  with  the  murder  of  our 
 Lord,  in  prevailing  on  the  Romans  to  crucify  him, 
 and  the  foreknowledge  and  counfel  of  God,  in  refpeCt 
 of  this  fcene  of  iniquity  and  blood,  in  the  prefent  the 
 Reader  is  defired  to  confider  the  following  articles,  which 
 appear  from  the  account,  and  nearly  concerns  us  ! 
 
 I.  The  Infufficiency  of  every  kind  and  degree  of 
 evidence  to  convince  the  unbeliever,  and  bring  him 
 to  repentance.  This  has  already  been  hinted,  and  is 
 a  point  fully  proved  in  the  inftance  before  us.  The  ab- 
 furd  light  in  J, which  the  fcornful  and  prejudiced  Jews 
 placed  the  wonderful  effects  of  the  Spirit,  in  their  un- 
 fair, if  not  malicious  imputation  on  the  difciples,  who 
 fpake  by  his  influence,  evidently  fhews  their  infuperable 
 pervencnefs ;  and  their  crucifying  Jefus,  notwithftanding 
 the  repeated  and  undeniable  teftimony  from  heaven  in 
 his  favor,  is  no  lefs  a  proof  that  all  external  means 
 whatever  are  in  themfelves  infufficient  to  open  the  eyes, 
 or  turn  the  hearts  of  men  enflaved  to  fin  and  unbelief. 
 What  could  be  more  ftriking,  or  more  adapted  to  con- 
 vince the  Jews  that  Jefus  was  the  Chrift,  than  the 
 JB  2  variety 
 
20  LECTURESON 
 
 variety  of  miracles  and  wonders,  by  which  God  [^ap- 
 proved him  in  their  fight  ?  Yet,  behold  ^this  feries 
 of  fupernatural  works  are  in  vain !  thefe  men  were 
 filled  with  envy  aad  malice  againft  our  Lord,  for  no 
 other  reafon  than  that  of  his  alTuming  the  character  of 
 Mefliah  ;  and,  being  left  to  their  own  will,  nothing 
 could  prevent  their  fhedding  his  blood.  In  like  man- 
 ner all  unbelievers  are  hardened ;  however  their  cir- 
 cumftances  may  differ,  fuch  is  the  power  and  deceit 
 of  the  flefh,  that  thofe  who  are  in  it,  are  proof  againft 
 every  means  of  conviction,  even  miracles  themfelves 
 cannot  turn  them.  The  carnal  mind  is  enmity  againft 
 God,  and  wHl  ever  find  an  excufe  for  perfifting  in  op- 
 pofition  to  his  will  j  it  is  not  fubjedt  to  his  law,  and 
 defpifes  his  grace ;  and  he  that  is  under  its  dominion, 
 if  left  to  himfelf,  will  withdraw  from  the  cleareft 
 light  J  he  will  either  prevent,  or  by  fome  means  ftifle 
 convictions,  for  he  is  a  rebel  in  heart,  and  in  nothing 
 is  he  more  determined  than  againft  a  fubmiflion  to  God 
 and  his  righteoufnefs :  fo  ftout  is  corruption  in  the 
 unregcnerate  mind  that  nothing  can  remove  it;  mere 
 moral  fuafion  is  by  no  means  fufficient ;  yea,  if 
 reafoning  out  of  the  fcriptures  is  attended  with  miracle 
 on  miracle  and  prodigies  without  number,  unlefs  a 
 divine  power  is  exerted  in  the  finner,  even  this,  or 
 whatever  elfe  of  an  ^Jcternal  nature,  can  be  conceived, 
 will  certainly  fail  of  Winging  an  Infidel  to  repent.  Again, 
 
 II.  We  fee  that  the  condemnation  of  thofe  who 
 finally  rejeCl  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  willbe  in  proportion 
 to  the  evidence  afforded  them  of  his  divine  miffion, 
 and  the  means  of  grace  they  have  enjoyed.    This 
 
 awful 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY,  tt 
 awful  truth  ftands  confirmed  by  the  inflance  before 
 us.  The  abundant  teftimony  God  gave  to  his  Son, 
 in  the  midft  of  Jerufalem,  is  urged  by  the  apoftle  on 
 the 'Jews  who  crucified  and  flew  him,  to  fhew  the  ag- 
 gravations of  their  guilt  in  that  murder.  Let  him  that 
 in  wantonnefs  defpifes  or  negleds  the  falvation  of  God 
 beware  I  Think,  O  carelefs  and  fcornful  tranfgreflbr, 
 ■what  a  judgment  awaits  thee,  if  thou  die  in  unbelief  1 
 The  Impenitent  man,  unto  whom  the  gofpel  has  been 
 preached,  and  in  whofe  days  it  hath  flouriflied,  fhall 
 hereafter  find  that  every  fermon  he  has  heard,  and 
 every  inllance  of  converfion  he  hath  feen,  will  rife  up 
 and  witnefs  againft  him,  at  the  tribunal  of  Chrift ; 
 and  how  wilt  thou  endure  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb, 
 when  he  is  revealed  from  heaven  in  flaming  fire,  to 
 take  vengeance  on  them  who  obey  not  the  gofpel ! 
 But, 
 
 III.  How  aftonifliing  is  it  that  the  lufts  of  men, 
 fhould  be  overruled  to  fulfil  the  purpofe  of  God  !  To 
 make  evil  anfwer  a  good  and  valuable  end,  is  a 
 noble  effeS:  of  infinite  wifdom.  A  moft  illuftrious 
 inftance  of  this  appears  in  the  gofpel  of  Jefus,  in 
 which  we  behold  the  chofen  redeemed  to  life  cver- 
 lafting  by  his  fufferin^s  and  death.  Herein  is  the 
 wifdom  of  God  in  a  myftery  indeed !  He  hath  taken 
 oecafion,  from  the  moft  fhameful  and  hateful  evil,  to 
 yield  the  brighteft  difplay  of  his  love,  and  of  all  his 
 perfedlions  j  for  in  no  point  of  light  doth  the  glory 
 of  God  fhine  with  that  fplendor  as  it  doth  in  Chrift, 
 in  whom  the  Father  hath  righteoufly  magnified  his 
 grace,  in  advancing  his   people  to  a  bleflednefs ,   in 
 
 B  3  fome 
 
%%  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N- 
 
 fome  refpeds  fuperior  to  that  which  would  have  re- 
 fulted    from    innocence    itfelf.     The    fame   adorable 
 wifdom  is  feen  in  accomplifhing  this  great  defign,  by 
 the   crucifixion  of  Jefus.     Behold,   the  vileft  paffions 
 of  men  fulfil  the  counfel  of  God  !   their  lufts  prompt 
 them  to  do  what  no  one  could  with  reafon  expeft ;  for 
 by  the  moft  flagrant   inftance  of   wickednefs ,    they 
 ftrangely  bring  to  pafs  the  defign  of  him  againft  whom 
 they  rebel.     How  unlikely  was  it,  that  Jefus  of  Naza- 
 reth,    who   in  every   tittle   fo    plainly   anfwered   the 
 prophecies  of  the  MefBah,  or  that  he  who  was  fo  cir- 
 cumftantially  pointed  out  in  the  fcripture,    fhould  be 
 put  to  death  by  the  people,   to  whom  were  committed 
 the  oracles  of  God !   It  is  wonderful  indeed,   that  the 
 men,  who  had  feen  undeniable  teftimonies  from  heaven 
 to  the    authority   of  Jefus,    fliould    neverthelefs    fet 
 themfelves  to  prove  him  an  impoftor,   and  be  fatisfied 
 with   nothing   lefs    than    his  blood ;    and,   flill   more 
 aftoniftiing,  that  In  this  bafe  attempt   they  fhould  put 
 him  to  death,  in  the  very  manner  the  prophets   de- 
 fcribe !   It  had  been  eafy  for  the  Jews  to   have  taken 
 away  the  life  of  our  Saviour  in  a  method  contrary  to 
 the  account  given  of  the  MefiTiah,  and  thereby  thrown 
 a  doubt  on  his  character  j  but  behold  they  are  diligent  to 
 do  to  this  Jefus  whatever  the  fcriptures  declare  fhould 
 be  done  to  him  they  expected,  as  if  they  defigned  to 
 prove  him  that  very  Chrift  he  profelTed  himfelf  to  be. 
 Who  could   have   thought   that   the  injuftice,     folly, 
 hatred  and  cruelty  of  thefe  v/icked   men,   was  fubfer- 
 vientto  thejuftice,  wifdom,  love  andmercyof  God  !  "  O 
 ^'  the  depth  of  the  riches,  both  of  the  divine  wifdom  and 
 f'  knowledge!"   "How  unfearchable  are  God's  judg- 
 
 f'  ments^ 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    23 
 
 <«  merits,  and  his  ways  paft  finding  out !"  Surely  his 
 counfel  ftands,  whoever  fins,  or  whoever  fufFers  !  If  the 
 vileft  of  lufts  and  a  conduft  againft  all  humanity  and 
 righteoufnefs,  in  a  people  profeflTing  the  fear  of  Jeho- 
 vah, could  have  defeated  the  purpofe  of  lieaven,  it  had 
 now  been  the  cafe;  but  lo,  Jefus  is  "  delivered  by  the 
 *'  determinate  counfel  and  foreknowledge  of  God. "Could 
 not  the  Almighty  have  reftrained  the  wicked  tlia't  they 
 might  not  have  found  their  hands  ?  No  doubt  he  could 
 have  interpofed  and  defended  the  innocent  from  blood  :  it 
 was  therefore  his  will  to  permit  it,  but  for  an  end  v/orthy 
 ofhimfelf,  that  grace  might  reign  through  righteoufnefsin 
 the  falvation  of  finners  through  the  death  of  his  Son. 
 And  indeed  it  is  unworthy  of  God  to  fuppofe  that  he  v/ill 
 fuffer  any  kind  of  evil  which  fhall  not  prove  an  occafion 
 of  good  to  his  glory.     But  then, 
 
 IV.  We  are  to  note,  That  the  decrees  of  God, 
 which  are  infallible  in  their  event,  entirely  confift  with 
 the  free  agency  of  man  who  ails  under  them.  All 
 things  arepoflible,  yea,  and  certain  in  confequencc  of  the 
 divine  counfel.  Thus  there  was  a  neceffity  of  infallibi- 
 lity in  the  death  of  Jefus;  i.e.  it  could  not  but  fall 
 out  as  God  had  determined,  that  Chrift  fhould  be 
 delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  and  be  cruci- 
 fied and  flain  in  the  manner  defcribed ;  neverthelefs 
 there  was  no  neceflity  of  compulfion,  whereby  the 
 freedom  of  their  aiSlion  who  killed  him,  was  interrupted. 
 The  decree  of  God  is  not  properly  the  caufe  of  any 
 thing  that  comes  to  pafs,  but  of  the  futurition  of  its 
 fubjedl :  And  his  decree  of  permiffion,  in  refpeil  of 
 the  fin  of  the  Jews,  had  no  phyfical  or  moral  influence 
 B  4  on 
 
24  LECTURESON 
 
 on  any  of  the  people  concerned,  each  one  a6led  freely, 
 and  of  choice.  The  pretence  fome  have  againft  the 
 divine  decrees,  as  being  inconfiftent  with  man's  free 
 agency,  is  groundlefs,  and  no  other  than  a  cavil, 
 -iince  nothing  is  clearer  on  record,  than  that  our  Saviour 
 was  delivered  and  crucified  according  to  the  determinate 
 counfel  and  foreknowledge  of  God,  and  at  the  fame 
 time  it  is  equally  plain,  that  the  Jews  moft  freely  and 
 wilfully  flew  him.  And  thus  it  is  always  in  refpedl  of 
 the  finful  actions  of  men,   as  one  obferves,  *'  they  firi 
 
 *  as  freely  as  if  there  was  no  decree,   and  yet  as  infal- 
 
 •  libly  as  if  there  was  no  liberty,'  fo  then  God  is  not 
 the  author  of  fm,  though  men  fm  according  to  the 
 divine  foreknowledge  and  counfel.  In  a  word,  on  the 
 one  hand,  there  is  not  the  leaft  colour  for  the  impu- 
 tation of  evil  to  the  Almighty,  who  decrees  to  permit 
 fm  as  the  occafion  of  good  for  his  own  glory,  nor, 
 on  the  other,  of  excufe  for  the  tranfgreflbr,  who, 
 when  he  fmncth,  afis  freely,  not  to  fulfil  the  will  of 
 God,  but  to  gratify  his  own.     It  follows, 
 
 V.  That  the  moral  evil  of  thofe  finful  actions,  which 
 are  permitted  by  the  counfel  of  God,  are  juftly  impu- 
 ted and  involve  the  tranfgreflbr  in  guilt.  The  wicked- 
 nefs  of  a  criminal  is  not  the  lefs,  becaufe  his  unrigh- 
 teous adl  was  foreknown,  or  fell  in  with  the  divine 
 purpofe,  fmce  his  ailion  was  free,  and  committed  to 
 fatisfy  his  own  carnal  inclinations  j  his  wicked  c»ndu<3: 
 is  no  other  than  wilful  rebellion,  and  deferves  to  be 
 punifhed.  It  was  a  rightepus  thing  with  God  to  pcfur 
 out  his  long  threatened  vengeance  on  the  rebellious 
 Jews,  who  in  that  generation  filled  up  the  meafure 
 of  their  iniquity,  in  crucifying  his  $on.     Sinners  may 
 
 n  ov¥ 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.     25 
 
 now  prefume,  imploufly  to  blafpheme  the  decrees  of  the 
 Almighty,  or  thiwk  to  fkreen  themfelves  under  them, 
 but  their  mouths  will  be  flopped,  when  God  fhall 
 judge  the  fecrets  of  men ;  then,  alas,  too  late  they 
 will  be  convinced,  and  fee  that  they  have  deceived 
 their  own  fouls,  and  that  the  reward  of  their  doings 
 is  juft ;  when  they  fhall  go  away  into  everlafting  pu" 
 nifhment !   And  further, 
 
 VI.  It  fhould  not  be  omitted,  that  men  are  charge- 
 able with  the  evil  that  others  commit  at  their  inftir 
 gation.  The  aflafiine  is  not  more  truly  worthy  of 
 death,  than  he  that  procured  him  to  take  away  the 
 life  of  his  neighbour,  i  Sam.  22.  21.  Saul,  faith  Abi- 
 ather,  hath  flain  the  Lord's  priefts.  Uriah  the  HIttitc 
 was  flain  by  the  fword  of  the  enemy,  yet  David  who 
 ordered  him  in  the  front  of  the  battle,  with  a  view  to 
 his  death,  is  juftly  charged  with  fhedding  his  blood. 
 In  like  manner,  thefe  men  of  Ifrael,  though  they  did 
 not,  for  they  could  not  with  their  own  hands,  put  to 
 death  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  yet  having  condemned 
 him  by  falfe  accufation,  and  procured  the  power  by 
 which  he  was  crucified,  are  truly  declared  his  murder- 
 ers. The  Jews  were  no  lefs  guilty  than  the  Romaas, 
 and  under  the  imputation  of  that  guilt,  each  one  con- 
 cerned perifhed,  who  obtained  not  remillion  through 
 faith  in  that  blood  which  he  fhed.  Thus  we  have  rea- 
 fon  to  conclude,  that  many  will  be  condemned  in  the 
 great  and  laft  day  for  crimes  which  they  had  not  in 
 their  power  themfelves  to  commit,  but  which,  to 
 gratify  their  lufts,  they  prompted  others  to  do.  O  let 
 us  take  heed  that  we  are  not  the  occafion,  efpecially 
 fhe  luilfiil  occafion  of  other  mens  fms,  for  he  that  is  fo 
 
 fhalj 
 
26  LECTURESON 
 
 fhall  not  be  clear,  but  is  juftly  liable  to  the  punifhment 
 due  to  the  evil  committed.     Once  more  : 
 
 VII.  Note,    It  becomes  the  minlfters  of  the  gofpel, 
 to  be  bold  in   reproving  fmners,   and  faithfully  to  re- 
 monftrate   all   the  guilt  that   is   evident  upon  them. 
 Mankind  are  far  more  fmful  than  they  can  apprehend, 
 while  in  their  natural  flate,   fo  that  moft  hearers  lie 
 under  vain  conceits ,   which,    if  not  removed ,    will 
 prove  their  deftruftion,  and  therefore,  however  it  may 
 be  dlfrelifhed   by   many,    there   is   need   of   infixing  . 
 much  on  original   and  heart-corruption,  the  curfe  of 
 the  law,   and  the  certain  and  everlafting  perdition  of 
 him  that  dies  in  his  fms,  left   the  blood   of  fouls  is 
 required  at  our  hands :   but,    befides  the  general  ftate 
 and  condudl  of  men  fmce  the  fall,   which  calls  for 
 plairi  dealing,   there   are   often  many  particular  evils 
 in  praftice  to  be  fet  home  on  the  confcience  ;   when 
 thefe  become  notorious  and  habitual,   we  ought  after 
 the  example  of  the  apoftle  in  this  cafe,  with  all  due 
 refpe<51:  to  their  perfons,   to   tell   the   guilty   of  their 
 crimes.     It  requires  great  wifdom  and  courage  duly 
 to   warn   them   who  prefume,    efpecially    thofe    who 
 are  of  a  diftinguifhed  character  :  we  are  not  to  be  rude, 
 nor  yet  on  the  referve.    Peter,  you  fee,   accofls  thefe 
 Jerufalem-finners,  as  men  of  Ifrael,  yet  fpares  not  to 
 charge  them   with    the    murder   of   Chrift. :    in    like 
 manner  a  minifter  may  be  civil,   and,  at  the  fame  time, 
 fmcere ;   he   may   be   decent,   yet   faithful.     Men  are 
 not  to  be  flattered  in  their  iniquity  to  their  ruin,   but, 
 in  love  to  their  fouls,  minifters  fliould  cry  aloud,  and 
 plainly  remopftrate  to  fmners,  hardened  in  their  way, 
 
 tht 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  27 
 the  whole  of  their  wickednefs,  with  a  view  to  awaken 
 and  convince  them,  that  obtaining  mercy  to  believe 
 on  Jefus  they  may  be  faved.  He  that  lives  after  the 
 flefh,  under  any  form  of  religion,  may  be  pleafed  with 
 the  minifter  who  difturbs  not  his  courfej  but,  in^the 
 day  of  judgment,  he  will  not  look  on  that  man  as  his 
 friend,  who  hath  covered  his  fm  and  foothed  him  to 
 the  lofs  of  his  foul.  Is  any  man  tempted,  through 
 fear  or 'private  advantage,  to  connive  at  tranfgreffors, 
 let  him  confider  the  heavy  charge  that  will  lie  on  every 
 unfaithful  teacher,  when  thofe  who  have  deceived 
 themfelves  under  him  are  finally  condemned,  and 
 configned  to  the  everlafting  fire  prepaced  for  the  devil 
 and-  his  angels ! 
 
 These  notes  on  the  apoftle's  remonftrance  to  the 
 Jews  deferve  our  ferious  attention.  The  greateft  mi- 
 racles are  infufficient  to  convince  the  unbeliever  ;  his 
 prejudices  are  not  to  be  removed,  by  any  kind  or  de- 
 gree of  evidence  whatever,  fo  that  objeftive  grace  or 
 mere  moral  fuafion  will  never  convert  him ;  yet  the 
 condemnation  of  them  who  obey  not  the  gofpel,  will 
 be  in  proportion  to  the  evidence  afforded  them  :  It  alfo 
 appears,  that  the  lufts  of  men  are  wonderfully  over- 
 ruled by  infinite  and  adorable  wifdom,  to  bring  about 
 the  purpofe  of  God,  whofe  holy  and  unchangeable 
 decrees,  though  they  infallibly  infure  the  event  of  what 
 is  determined,  perfedlly  confifts  with  man's  free  agen- 
 cy. A  tranfgrefTor  therefore  is  juftly  charged  with  the 
 evil  he  commits,  however  foreknown  to  the  Almighty, 
 and  fettled  in  his  immutable  counfel,  feeing  his  aftion 
 ^s  free:  It  is  further  to  be  remarked,  that  men  are 
 
 accountablea 
 
28  LECTURESOM 
 
 accountable,  not  only  for  the  evil  which  they  them- 
 felves  do,  but  likewife  for  every  wicked  a£l  per- 
 formed by  others  at  their  inftigation ;  and  finally, 
 from  this  example,  minifters  of  the  word,  are  led  to 
 confider,  that  it  becomes  them  to  treat  their  audience 
 with  every  kind  of  refpedl  due  to  their  character,  and, 
 at  the  fame  time,  on  no  confidcration  whatever,  to 
 flatter  any  man  in  his  iniquity,  but  freely  to  lay  open 
 the  perveifenefs  and  crimes  of  the  guilty,  with  a  view 
 to  their  being  converted  and  faved. 
 
 And  now,  my  dear  Reader,  art  thou  not  aftonifhed  at 
 the  popular  prejudice  againft  the  dodlrine  of  predcftina- 
 tion  ?  At  this  many  ftumble  through  unhappy  miftakes, 
 and  fee  not  the  confequencc ;  but  confider  the  current  of 
 fcripture,  and  is  it  not  ftrange  that  any  perfon,  above 
 the  character  of  a  Deift,  fhould  be  offended  at  a 
 doctrine  fo  well  fupported  by  divine  revelation  ?  And 
 how  can  a  man  read  and  credit  what  is  declared  on  the 
 the  death  of  Chrift,  and  with  reafon  rejed  it  ?  I  fup- 
 pofe  fome,  who  are  fo  unhappy  as  not  to  endure  this 
 clear  and  fundamental  truth,  would  ftartle,  if  it  (hould 
 be  aflerted  that  it  becomes  them  only  to  blafpheme  it, 
 who  would  exclude  the  throne  of  the  Almighty  from 
 under  the  heavens  ;  yet  the  obfervation  is  juft,  for  pre- 
 deftination  is  the  ground  of  providence.  If  the  decrees 
 of  God  exift  not,  or  his  counfel  fhould  fail,  his  govern- 
 ment in  the  world  would  be  at  an  end. 
 
 And  what  fhall  the  end  be  of  them  that  obey  not 
 the  gofpel  of  God  ?  Wo  be  to  him  who  finally  rejeds 
 the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  !  If  Jefus  of  Nazareth  was  ap- 
 proved 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  29 
 proved  of  God  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  moft 
 certainly  God  will  difapprove  and  caft  away  the  man 
 who  believes  not  on  him.  He  that  defpifeth  this 
 glorious  Saviour,  reje£kth  the  counfel  of  God  to  the 
 lofs  of  life  everlafting,  and  to  the  eternal  ruin  of  his 
 immortal  foul.  O  carelefs  fmner,  who  art  tempted  to 
 content  thyfelf  ftiort  of  an  intereft  in  Chrift !  was  it 
 determined  that  Jefus  fhould  be  delivered,  and  by 
 wicked  hands  crucified  and  flain  ?  It  is  no  lefs 
 the  determinate  counfel  of  God,  that  the  man 
 fiiall  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  judge,  and  be 
 punifhed  ^with  everlafting  deftruftion,  who  is  found  an 
 unbeliever  in  the  day  of  the  Lord.  Think  not  that 
 Jerufalem-finners  alone  were  obnoxious  to  the  venge- 
 ance of  heaven  becaufe  of  unbelief  J  for  "  except  you 
 "  repent,  you  fhall  likewife  perifti."  You  are  not 
 guilty  with  the  men  of  Judea,  or  like  them  chargeable 
 with  the  blood-fhedding  of  Jefus ;  but  is  not  your  un- 
 J)elief  as  hainous  as  theirs  ?  Yea,  and  more  fo,  if,  as 
 we  have  feen,  the  condemnation  of  unbelievers  will  be 
 meafured  by  the  evidence  offered  them.  Since  our 
 Saviour  was  crucified  he  is  rifen  from  the  dead,  and 
 hath  fent  down  the  Spirit  of  promife  from  the  Father ; 
 and  in  token  of  his  power  at  the  right-hand  of  God, 
 his  gofpel  hath  taken  a  marvellcus  fpread  in  the  world ; 
 which,  with  the  ruin  and  difperfion  of  the  Jews,  and 
 the  appearance  of  antichrift,  events  clearly  foretold  by 
 Chrift  and  his  apoftles,  adds  greatly  to  the  evidence 
 given  of  Jefus,  for  they  amount  to  a  ftronger  proof  of 
 his  power  and  glory  than  even  all  the  miracles  per- 
 formed in  the  midft  of  Jerufalem  confidered  by  thera- 
 felves  -.  So  that  unbelievers,  in  the  prefent  day,  refift, 
 
 cr 
 
30  LECTURES    ON 
 
 or  newleil  flronger  evidence  of  the  Mefliah,  than  the 
 men  of  Judea  themfelvesj  and  fhall  not  their  guilt  ex- 
 ceed in  proportion  ?  It  is  an  alarming  confideration  ! 
 Unbelief  in  them  who  crucified  our  Lord,  was  lefs 
 aggravating  than  it  is  in  thofe  who  now  believe  not,  and 
 it  will  be  moretolerable  for  the  men,  of  that  generation 
 who  rejected  the  only  Saviour,  than  for  thee,  O  Rea- 
 der !  if  thou  art  difobedient.  Take  heed  then  that  thou 
 fall  not  into' this  fore  condemnation  i 
 
 But  I  hope  my  addrefs  is  to  one  that  has  embraced 
 the  gofpel.  And  haft  thou,  my  Friend,  received  Chrlft 
 Jefus  the  Lord,  and  fubmitted  thyfelf  unto  him? 
 Adore  (jiftinguifhing  grace.  The  beft  of  means,  or  the 
 moft  able  inftrument,  are  incapable  of  producing  this 
 faith  which  is  unto  falvation  ;  much  lefs  is  it  owing  to 
 any  previous  good  difpofition  in  thyfelf  that  thou  haft 
 obeyed.  Be  not  offended  when  I  fay,  the  Jews  were  not 
 more  averfe  to  Jefus  of  Nazareth  than  thy  heart,  through 
 pride  and  unbelief,  was  naturally  fet  againft  the  righte- 
 oufnefs  of  God  in  him.  Since  *'  the  carnal  mind  is 
 *'  enmity  againft  God,"  where  is  the  man  who  can 
 fay,  that  left  under  the  fame  prejudices  and  tempta- 
 tions with  them  who  crucified  his  Son,  he  fhould  not 
 have  beenjguilty  of  his  blood  ?  Therefore  boaft  not,  but 
 remember  thou  art  indebted  to  grace,  and  let  God 
 have  the  glory.  Shun  the  appearance  of  thofe  apofta- 
 cies,  whereby  fome,  who,  after  a  fpecious  fhew  of 
 chriftianity,  "  have  cruified  to  themfelves  the  Son  of 
 *'  God  afrefh,  and  put  him  to  an  open  fhame /'  and 
 ftudy  to  (hew  that  thou  art  not  of  them  who  draw 
 
 back, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    31 
 
 back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them  which  believe  to  the 
 faving  of  the  foul. 
 
 Anx>  fliould  not  this  remonftrance  of  the  apoflle  to 
 the  Jews  in  Jerufalem,  refpeding  the  teftimony  of 
 God  unto  Jefus  his  Son,  embolden  thee,  O  believer ! 
 under  thy  profeflion  of  his  name  ?  What  folly  and 
 madnefs  muft  have  been  imputed  to  Peter,  thus  openly 
 in  the  city  where  our  Lord  was  crucified,  to  call  thofe 
 very  men  whom  he  charged  with  his  blood,  to  witnefs 
 the  wonders  by  which  he  was  approved  of  God  in  their 
 fight,  could  the  fa^  have  been  denied  !  Yet  we  fee  he 
 did  thus  appeal,  even  to  his  murderers,  and  no  one 
 gainfayed :  Yea,  fo  evident  was  the  truth,  that,  as 
 we  afterward  find,  thoufands  were  convinced  and 
 brought  to  the  obedience  of  faith ;  but  was  this 
 morally  poffible  had  they  queftioned  the  evidence  re- 
 ferred to  ?  How  confirming  then  is  this  to  the  chriflian  ! 
 Hear  ye  captious  Infidels,  who  defpife  the  Lord's 
 Chrift  !  If  God  did  bear  witnefs  unto  him  by  evident 
 miracles,  no  doubt  he  is  the  Meffiah ;  and,  admitting 
 the  truth  of  the  hiftory,  which  cannot  with  reafon 
 be  refufed,  we  are  as  certain  that  thefe  real  and  great 
 miracles  were  indeed  done  by  Jefus,  as  if  our  own  eyes 
 had  feen  him  perform  them.  Blufh  then,  ye  Deifts, 
 and  repent  J  but  let  the  faithful  blefs  God  and  rejoice, 
 and  not  be  aihamed  of  their  hope. 
 
 From  the  example  before  us  there  alfo  arifeth  com- 
 fort to  the  poor  and  afflidled,  who  truft  in  the  name  of 
 the  Lord.  Art  thou  fmall  and  defpifed,  look  unto 
 Jefus }  behold  he  was  defpifed  of  men,  but  honored  of 
 
 God! 
 
32  LECTURSON 
 
 God'!  It  appears  from  the  cafe  of  our  Redeemer  him- 
 felf,  that  no  contempt  in  life,  or  aggravating  circum- 
 ftances  in  death,  will  impeach  the  charadter  of  the 
 righteous,  or  leflen  them  in  the  eyes  of  their  heavenly 
 Father.  Art  thou  trampled  upon  and  reviled  ?  See  in 
 thy  Lord,  O  believer !  a  man  may  below  in  this  world, 
 and  little  efteemed,  yea  he  may  be  treated  as  the  ofF- 
 fcouring  of  all  things,  under  the  vifible  tokens  of  a 
 divine  approbation :  but  hath  the  man  any  reafon  to  fear 
 or  to  be  afhamed,  however  obfctire  and  rejedted  by 
 others,  who  hath  a  witnefs  from  above,  and  is  ex- 
 alted in  the  favor  of  the  Almighty  ?  Chriftian,  this  is 
 thy  lot  i  wait  on  thy  Redeemer,  and  be  of  good  courage, 
 and  think  it  not  ftrange  that  thou  art  partaker  of  his 
 fufFerings :  Fear  not,  he  will  ftiortly  bring  forth  thy 
 righteoufnefs  as  the  light,  and  thy  judgment  as  the 
 noon- day. 
 
 In  one  word,  What  then  remains,  but  that  every 
 man  fee  to  it,  that  he  is  accepted  of  God  ?  This  can 
 be  attained  alone  in  Chrift  Jefus,  whom  the  Father 
 approved  by  a  variety  of  miracles,  wonders  and  figns, 
 his  enemies  themfelves  being  judges,  and  who  was  de- 
 livered, according  to  the  decree  of  heaven,  to  be  cru- 
 cified and  flain,  "  that  he  might  put  away  fm  by  the 
 "  facrifice  of  himfelf.'*  Wilt  thou,  my  dear  Reader, 
 be  happy  ?  Truft  in  this  Saviour  ;  Bleffed  is  the  man 
 who  is  wafhed  from  his  fins  in  his  blood  ! 
 
 LECTURE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     33 
 
 LECTURE    III. 
 
 The  refurreilion  of  Chrift,  by  whom.    What  is  implied 
 in  loofening  the  bands  of  death. 
 
 THE  manifeft  defign  of  the  apoftle  in  imputing  to 
 the  Jews  the  blood  of  our  Saviour,  in  a  perverfe 
 oppofition  to  the  teftimony  of  God,  was  to  awaken. 
 them  to  repentance,  that  they  might  believe  and  be 
 Caved;  and  accordingly,  as  a  further  means  of  con- 
 viftion,  he  proceeds  to  fhew,  that  this  fame  Jefus 
 whom  they  had  crucified,  was  rifen  again  from  the  dead^ 
 This  glorious  and  important  event,  on  which  depends 
 our  hope  in  Chrift,  Peter  declares  with  a  freedom 
 becoming  a  man  who  had  feen  with  his  eyes,  had  looked 
 upon,  and  whofe  hands  had  handled  of  the  Word  of 
 life :  he  declares  it  on  his  own  teftimony,  with  the  reft 
 of  the  apoftles,  who  were  all  prefent,  ver.  32.  and  with 
 a  boldnefs  which  fliews  that  he  feared  no  con  trad  idlion 
 even  from  the  Jews  themfelves.  And  is  not  this  a  proof 
 that  the  refurre6tion  of  Jefus  was  in  fa6l  believed  by  the 
 inhabitants  of  Jerufalem,  notwithftanding  the  abfurd 
 ftory  by  which  their  leaders  had  ftiamefuljy  attempted  to 
 deceive  them  r  The  account  Peter  gives  of  this  won- 
 derful and  interefting  fa<Sl  runs  in  thefe  words,  *'  Whom 
 *'  God  hath  raifed  up,  having  loofed  the  pains  of 
 C  ''death  J 
 
34  LECTURESON 
 
 "  death,  becaufe  it  was  not  poflible  that  he  (hould  be 
 "  holden  of  it,''  Ads  ii.  24.  They  contain  the  author 
 of  our  Saviour's  refurredion,  who  is  God  ;  a  peri- 
 phrafe  of  this  divine  a£t,  "  having  loofed  the  bands  of 
 *'  death ;"  and  a  remark  by  which  this  blefled  truth 
 ftands  confirmed  ;  "  becaufe  it  was  not  poflible  that 
 *'  he  fhould  be  holden  of  it." 
 
 These  particulars  will  lead  us  into  the  fublime 
 myfteries  of  the  gofpel ;  in  attending  to  which  I  fhall 
 purfue  the  following  inquiries,  namely.  Who  is  that 
 divine  perfon  unto  whom  the  refurredtion  ofjefusis 
 afcribed  in  this  place?  what  is  implied  in  his  loofening 
 the  bands  of  death  ?  and  in  what  refpefts  it  was  im- 
 poflible  that  he  fliould  be  holden  by  it  ?    And, 
 
 Firjiy  This  adorable  and  important  event  is  afcribed 
 to  God.  The  refurrc£lion  of  the  dead  is  a  fupernatural 
 work,  but  it  is  not  impoffible.  The  Gentiles  indeed, 
 who  were  without  a  written  law,  difcerned  not  this 
 truth  ;  they  were  therefore  without  this  hope  in  the 
 world.  Death  was  not  in  the  original  conftitution  of 
 things,  it  came  in  by  fin  ;  a  deliverance  from,  its 
 power  mult  therefore  arife  from  the  fovereign  will  of 
 the  offended  Majefty  of  heaven,  v/ho  might  juftly  have 
 held  apoftate  man  in  the  bands  of  eternal  death.  So 
 that  the  knowledge  of  this  truth  depends  on  divine 
 revelation:  And  it  muft  alfo  be  confeffed,  that  to  an 
 eye  of  fenfe  there  are  unfurmountable  difficulties 
 in  the  refurredlion  of  the  dead.  If  we  view  a  corpfe, 
 there  is  nothing  in  the  nature  of  the  object  adapted  or 
 
 difpofed 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  35 
 difpofed  to  revive,  nor  is  there  any  created  power  that 
 is  able  to  raife  it  again. 
 
 Nevertheless,  the  very  heathen  vrould  be  with- 
 out excufe,   who  fhould  fay  that  it  is  not  in  the  power 
 of  God  to  quicken  the  dead.    Thus  Paul  reafons  with 
 Agrippa,   *'  Why  fhould  it  be  thought  a  thing  incre- 
 "  dible  with  you  that  God  fhould  raife  the  dead  ?"  That 
 man's  notion  of  a  Deity  muft  be  exceeding  low  and  abfurd 
 .who  can  quefrion  the  pofTibility  of  a  refurredlion  with 
 God  J    it  implies  no  contradidtion,   nor  is  it  the  leaft 
 unworthy  the  divine  Being  to  efFedt  it.     To  the  Al- 
 mighty,  whofe  power  and  knowledge  are  infinite,   it 
 furely  cannot  be  impofTible ;    nor  is  raifmg  the  dead  in- 
 confiflent  with  his  juflice,   good nefs  and  truth,  or  with 
 any  of  his  adorable  perfedlions  *,     BlefTed  be  his  name, 
 life  and  immortality  arc  brought  to  light  through  the 
 gofpd  !   It  is  elTential  to  the  faith  of  God's  eledl  to  give 
 him  the  glory  of  raifmg  the  dead.     Thus  Abraham  our 
 Father,  when  heofFered  up  Ifaac  his  fon,   Rom.  iv,  17. 
 This  was  a  noble  inflance  of  faith,   it  being  before  any 
 C   2  example 
 
 *  The  immediate  and  vifiblp  confequence  of  natural  death  on  its  fub- 
 jeft,  which  is  the  body,  vvherccf  we  have  daily  ocular  demon flration, 
 may  juftly  rebuke  the  unbeliever.  Who,  that  furvtys  the  human  frame  in 
 a  living  and  healthful  ftate,  could  difcern  or  imagine  that  this  curious 
 tabernacle  of  flelh,  with  all  its  members  and  powers,  was  formed  of  the 
 ground  ?  This  indeed  is  the  dodtrine  of  the  Bible  ;  but  it  is  no  lefs  myfte- 
 rious  and  incredible  to  an  eye  of  fenfe  and  to  unaflifted  reafon,  than  the 
 refurreftion  itfelf.  Men,  who  fet  up  their  underftanding  againft  the  tefti- 
 mony  of  God,  cannot  but  own  that  the  natural  body  is  principled  in  the 
 duft,  it  being  vifible  to  all :  But  why  then  do  they  deny  a  true  and  proper 
 refurreftion  of  this  body  from  the  ftate  of  the  dead,  no  lefs  plainly  revealed, 
 merely  becaufe  the  manner  is  not  to  be  defcribed,  and  thereby  deftroy  the 
 foundation  of  the  gofpel  ? 
 
36  LECTURESON 
 
 example  of  a  refurreftion.  Indeed  Enoch  was  tranf- 
 latcd,  which  might  be  an  hint  to  the  church  that  the 
 power  of  death  would  actually  be  deftroyed  by  the  feed 
 of  the  woman,  but  as  yet  no  man  had  been  raifed  from 
 the  dead :  And  may  it  not  with  reafon  be  concluded, 
 that  the  father  of  the  faithful,  who  believed  that  the 
 dead  "might  be  raifed,  who  faw  Chrifl's  day  and  was 
 glad,  John  viii.  56.  was  animated  in  his  obedience 
 from  a  believing  profpedl  of  the  Mefliah's  future  refur- 
 reftion  ? 
 
 However,  Chrift  is  rifen,  and  God  raifed  him  up. 
 But  who  is  intended  ?  The  refurreclion  of  the  dead  is 
 indifferently  afcribed  to  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghoft ; 
 and  accordingly  the  raifing'up  the  body  of  Chrift  is  men- 
 tioned as  his  own  z&:.  "  Chrift  both  died  and  rofe," 
 faith  the  apoftle,  Rom.  xiv.  9.  And  again,  i  Cor. 
 XV.  4.  "  He  rofe  again  the  third  day  j"  and  indogd  he 
 affumes  it  to  himfelf,  John  ii.  19.  "In  three  days  I 
 **  will  raife  it  up ;"  meaning,  as  the  facred  hiftorian 
 declares,  "  the  temple  of  his  body."  Thus  the  Son, 
 who  quickeneth  whom  he  will,  laid  down  his  life,  and 
 alfo  took  it  up  again.  Neverthelefs  the  fcriptures  fhew 
 that  the  divine  Spirit  is  the  agent  in  the  refurredtion ; 
 it  is  he  that  quickeneth  from  fin  and  the  grave;  and  by 
 him,  as  the  immediate  efficient  caufe,  both  the  body 
 of  Chrift  and  thofe  of  his  faints  are  revived.  *'Ifthe 
 "  Spirit  of  him  that  raifed  up  Jefus  from  the  dead 
 *'  dwell  in  you,  he  that  raifed  up  Chrift  from  the  dead 
 "  (hall  alfo  quicken  your  mortal  bodies  by  his  Spirit 
 "  that  dwelleth  in  you,"  Rom.  viii.  11.  And  in  chap. 
 i.  4.  he  is  faid  to  be  declared  *'  to  be  the  Son  of  God  with 
 
 *'  power 
 
PRIMITIVE   CHRISTIANITY.     37 
 
 "  power,  according  to  the  Spirit  of  holinefs,  by  the  re- 
 *'  furredtion  from  the  dead."  So  that  this  glorious  event 
 is  afcribed  to  the  Holy  Ghoft.    But  in  the  oeconomy  of 
 falvation,   both  the  Son  and  the  Spirit  a6l  in  ofRce  un- 
 der the  Father  ;   who  is  generally  defigned  in  the  gofpel 
 wher-e  God  is  ufed  diftinfl:  from  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
 and  it  is  obvious  that  the  Father  is  here  intended  j   it 
 was  the  Father,   whom  David  refers  to,  that  was  fworn 
 to  raife  fup  Chrift  to  fit  on  his  throne,  to  whom  he 
 afcended,   and  at  whofe  right  hand  Jefus  is  now  exalted 
 with  power  :   And  that  this  is  the  divine  Perfon  referred 
 to,   appears  from  the  current  of  fcripture,  to  whom  alfo 
 is  afcribed  the  refurredlion  of  the  dead,   and  the  raifing 
 of  Jefus.     The  Father  raifeth  the  dead  at  his  pleafure, 
 John  v.  21.    And  in  Rom.  vi.  4,   we  are  told,   '*  that 
 *.'  Chrift  was  raifed  by  the  glory  of  the  Father."     And 
 again,   Eph.  i.  19,  20.  it  is  declared,  that  *'  the  Father 
 *'  of  giory  wrought  in  Chrift>  according  to  the  work- 
 **  ing  of  his  mighty  power,  when  he  raifed  him  from  the 
 '*  dead."     This  is  a  certain  fa6t  of  the  utmoft  impor- 
 tance, that  the  hand  of  the  Father  was  feen  in  the  re- 
 furreilion  of  his  Son  ^    an  article  of  faith  which  lies 
 at  the  foundation  of  our  hope  in  the  blood  of  Jefus,  and 
 enters  deeply  into  the  myftery  of  Chrift,  as  will  ap- 
 pear from  the  next  enqi^iry,  to  which  I  proceed. 
 
 Secondly^  What  is  implied  in  God's  having  loofed  the 
 pains  of  death  ?  This  in  general  is  a  periphrafe  of 
 Chrift's  refurre6tion,  or  at  leaft  contained  in  it.  And 
 here  I  cannot  fall  in  with  thofe,  who,  as  I  humbly 
 apprehend,  have  inadvertently  given  into  a  myftical 
 fenfc,  and  applied  it  to  the  agonies  endured  by  our 
 C  3  Redeemer* 
 
3«      -         LECTURES    ON 
 
 Redeemer  J  and  accordingly  have  taken  occafion  from 
 this  pafTage  to  expatiate  on  the  fpiritual  fufFerings  of 
 Jefus,   which  are  ftiled  "  the  travail  of  his  foul." 
 
 It  is  far  from  being  agreeable  to  differ  from  perfons 
 of  fuperior  charadter  and  abilities,  nor  would  I  by  any 
 means  difcourage  the  jud  application  of  a  fingle  paffage 
 to  the  forrows  of  our  Saviour ;  but  whether  it  is  proper 
 to  fay,  that  God,  who  inflifted  the  punifliment  of  fin, 
 delivered  him,  our  Surety,  from  the  pains  which  were 
 upon  him,  may  be  decently  queftioned.  The  divine 
 Father  ceafed  not  to  afHi£l  him  till  he  had  poured  out 
 his  foul  and  yielded  up  the  ghoft :  And  his  not  being  the 
 fubjef^  of  eternal  death,  was  in  no  degree  owing  to  any 
 favor  fhewn  him  by  his  judge,  who  in  this  righteous 
 and  awful  tranfatStion  "  fpared  not  his  own  Son  ;"  and 
 fmce  he  made  ample  fatisfaclion  to  juflice  for  our  fins, 
 and  trampled  over  his  enemies  in  his  crofs,  may  it  not 
 rather  be  afierted,  that,  like  Sampfon,  by  his  death  he 
 delivered  himfelf  from  the  bonds  he  was  under  ?  How- 
 ever, to  apply  this  fentence  unto  our  Lord's  delive- 
 rance from  dolorous  fufferings,  either  inward  or  out- 
 ward, is  intirely  againft  the  fcope  of  the  place.  Peter 
 is  evidently  treating  on  the  true  and  proper  refurredlion 
 of  Jefus,  agreeable  to  his  quotation  out  of  the  Pfalms, 
 which  relates  to  the  raifing  up  the  body  of  Chrift  from 
 the  grave ;  this  he  urges  in  proof  of  his  being  the 
 Meffiah  ;  So  that  to  take  death  here  in  3|figurative  fenfe, 
 and  a  diflblution  of  its  pains  of  a  deliverance  from  fpiri- 
 tual forrow,  is  to  depart  from  the  fubjeiSl  in  hand.  The 
 apoftlc  had  no  view  to  fenfible  pains  of  any  kin4 
 whatever  •   tVoin   all  thele  Lhe  Redeemer  wss  certainly 
 
 releafed 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.      39 
 
 releafed  the  moment  he  expired,  but  the  pains  of  death, 
 fpoken  of  in  this  paflage,  were  evidently  loofened  at  his 
 refurredion. 
 
 There  is  another  paraphrafe  I  cannot  approve  :  hav- 
 ing loofed  the  bands  under  w^hich  he  lay,  i.  e.  fay  feme, 
 '  when  the  pains  of  death  had  done  their  work  upon 
 '  him  ;*  but  fenfible  grief  is  not  the  intention  of  the 
 place,  nor  is  the  idea  efTential  to  the  word  rendered 
 pains.  Death  is  a  flate  of  confinement  in  which  the 
 fubje£l  is  held  or  tied  faft  as  with  bands ;  and  in 
 I  Kings  XX.  31.  the  expreffion  is  ufed  for  cords  or 
 ropes,  with  which  captives  are  bound ;  and  fome 
 critics  note,  that  the  allufion  is  to  cruel  creditors> 
 who  will  be  fare  to  tie  their  debtors  faft,  which  agrees 
 with  Prov.  XX.  16.  where  the  fame  word  is  rendered  a 
 pledge,  which  we  know  is  held  faft  till  redeemed  with 
 a  price. 
 
 Now  he  that  underftands  the  myftcry  of  Chrift  in 
 his  death,  will  fee  the  term  pains  in  this  view,  exadlly 
 correfponds  with  the  circumftances  of  Jefus  when  he 
 became  obedient  to  the  death  of  the  crofs.  Was  he  not 
 taken  in  judgment  for  his  people's  tranfgreffions,  and 
 bound  as  their  Surety  ?  Our  debts  were  upon  him,  juftice 
 feized  him,  and  he  died  as  a  criminal !  And  furely  he 
 that  was  thus  caft  under  the  power  of  death,  when  de- 
 livered therefrom,  which  is  the  thing  recited,  may  well 
 be  faid  to  have  his  pains  or  bonds  loofed.  Thus  our  Re- 
 deemer lay  in  the  grave  for  a  feafon,  while  his  foul  wa» 
 rejoicing  in  paradife  ;  not  that  I  apprehend  he  was  now 
 fufFering  the  penalty  of  the  law^  which  was  infli<Sted 
 C  4  and 
 
4iO  LECTURESON 
 
 and  fulfilled  in  his  death;  *' but  having;,  in  the  death 
 *'  of  the  crofs,  put  away  fin  by  the  facrifice  of  himfelf,'* 
 his  body  was  thus  laid  under  the  pains  or  confinement 
 of  the  grave,  in  order  to  an  open  and  glorious'  releafe, 
 tvhereby  a  public  and  undeniable  proof  was  given  of  his 
 having  made  a  righteous  and  honorable  peace  by  his 
 blood. 
 
 This  opens  to  our  view  the  importance  of  what  is 
 declared,  namely,  that  God^  i.  e.  as  we  have  feen,  God, 
 even  the  Fathei:,  raifed  up  Jefus :  He  is  that  divine  perfon 
 who  laid  our  iniquity  on  Chrift,  in  co&fequence  of  his 
 voluntary  fubftitution  in  our  ftead  in  the  cove^nant  of 
 redemption.  The  Father  adled  as  judge  and  redlor  in 
 his  demand  of  fatisfaftion  to  lav/  and  juftice  for  our 
 offences;  he  ftretched  forth  his  omnipotent  avenging 
 arm,  and  his  fword  awoke  againft  our  heavy-laden 
 Surety,  and  flew  him.  Thus  the  Father  brought  the 
 Lord  Jefus  under  the  power  of  death ;  His  bringing 
 him  again  from  the  dead  is  an  a£l  of  the  higheft  con- 
 lequence,  and  full  of  encouragement  to  the  faith  and  joy 
 ef  his  people.  O  what  a  comfortable  and  glorious 
 fjght  is  this  ?  Chriilian,  behold  God  raifed  up  Jefus ! 
 See  the  Father  as  judge,  who  had  juftly  bound  him  as 
 thy  Surety,  releafe  him.  The  righteous  and  fin-hating 
 God,  who  confined  thy  Bondfman,  and  required  at  his 
 hands  whatever  was  due  unto  thee  as  a  finner,  in  order 
 to  thy  redemption  from  the  curfe  of  the  law ;  lo,  this 
 fame  divine  perfon  fets  him  at  liberty  !  Thus  glorioufly 
 was  thy  Redeemer  delivered  from  his  confinement  in  the 
 grave,  into  which  he  was  caft  for  thy  fins  !  Was  it  to 
 the  honor  of  the  apoftles,  when  falfly  imprifoned  at 
 
 Philippi^ 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     41 
 
 Philippi,  to  be  fetched  out  by  the  magiftrates  them- 
 felves,  and  thereby  declared  to  be  innocent,  A£l3 
 xvi.  39.  What  glory  muft  arife  on  thy  Saviour,  O 
 chriftian,  when  he  was  brought  again  from  the  dea<;i 
 by  the  righteous  Father  himfelf,  after  he  had  made 
 fetisfsition  to  juftice !  and  how  well  grounded  thy 
 hope  in  him  ! 
 
 This  is  the  beauty  of  our  Lord's  refurreftion.  We 
 are  to  confider,  that  it  is  not  merely  Chrifr's  being 
 raifcd  from  the  dead,  or  fimply  that  God  raifed  him  up  j 
 the  gofpel  of  this  intereftir.g  event  lieth  in  this,  name- 
 ly, that  tne  Father,  who,  as  judge,  had  laid  the  Re- 
 deemer under  the  power  of  death  for  our  fins,  did, 
 under  the  fame  righteous  charadler,  adlually  and  volun- 
 tarily releafe  him.  This  is  gofpel  indeed  !  the  glory 
 of  which,  no  doubt,  the  angels  beheld  with  reverence 
 and  joy:  and  fhould  it  not  fill  us,  who  truft  in  this  Jefus, 
 with  triumph?  But  of  this  more  hereafter;  we  have 
 fomethingftill  further  to  excite  our  admiration  and  hope. 
 It  is  declared,  '*  that  it  was  not  poifible  that  he  fhould 
 *'  be  holden  of  the  bands  of  death  :"  So  that  the  body 
 of  our  Saviour  could  not  be  detained  in  the  grave ;  he 
 muft  be  difcharged,  nor  could  any  thing  hinder  it. 
 This  is  a  glorious  truth  !  a  truth  which  reflefts  un- 
 fpeakable  honor  on  Jefus  who  was  flain,  and  muft  yield 
 a  proportionable  fatisfadlion  to  his  people,  who  are  re- 
 deemed with  his  blood,  and  truft  him  for  life.  And 
 this  brings, 
 
 Thirdly,  To  fhew  the  impoffibility  of  Jefus  being 
 held  under  the  power  of  death  and  the  grave.     Now>  on 
 
 reflection;, 
 
42  LECTURESON 
 
 reflection,   it  will  appear  that  it  was  impoflible  in  the 
 following  refpetSls :    As, 
 
 I.    It  was  naturally  impoflible,   both  on  account  of 
 hisdcitv,  and  the  victory  he  had  obtained  by  the  blood  of 
 his  crofs.     In  order  to  clear  up  this  point,   we  are  to 
 confider  whofe  body  it  was  that  lay  in  the  grave  from 
 which  it  was  raii'ed  :  It  was  the  body  of  him   who  is 
 the   Son   of  God.     To   this  confideration,    the  term 
 ufcd  in  the  pallage  direCIs  us.     The  apoftle  doth  not  fa}'', 
 becaufe  it  was  not  poflible  that  it,   but  that  he  fliould 
 be  holden ;   thereby  leading  our  thoughts  to  that  di- 
 vine perfon  who  took  thisflefh  into  union  with  himfelf. 
 This  "  great  myftery  of  godlinefs,  God  manifeft  in  the 
 **  fiefii,"  runs  through  every  branch  of  the  gofpel,    and 
 lies  at  the  foundation  of  the  truth  we  are  upon.     Before 
 this  body  was  conceived  in  the  womb  of  the  virgin,   it 
 was  declared   by  the  angel,   "  That  holy  thing  (hould 
 "  be  called  the  Son  of  God,"   Luke  i.  35.     Now  this 
 holy  thing,  I  apprehend,  chiefly  intends  the  natural  body 
 of  Chrift ;  and  this  is.fo  called,   becaufe  being  an  effen- 
 tial  part  of  his  whole  human  nature,    it  is  united  with 
 deity  in  the  perfon   of  the  Redeemer,    who  i«   God's 
 own  Son,   equal  with  the  Father :    For  this  reafon  the 
 body  of  Jefus  continued  under  the  fame  divine  charac- 
 ter when  it  lay  entombed  in  the  earth  j  and  accordingly 
 it  is  faid,   Rom.  i.  4.    that  he  was    "  declared  to  be  the 
 *'  Son  of  God  with  power,    by  the  refurreition  from 
 *'  the  dead."     This  ineffable  union  of  the  human  with 
 the  divine  nature    in  the    perfon   of    the  Redeemer, 
 having  taken  place  by  the  counfel  of  God,  fubfifts  for 
 
 ever : 
 
PRIMITIVE   CHRISTIANITY.    43 
 
 ever;  What  could  diflblve  it  ?  Ifanything,  the  fufFer- 
 rings  of  Chrift  muft  caufe  the  feparatlon  ;  but  this  can- 
 not be  fuppofed,  feeing  this  body  was  prepared  and 
 afTumed  by  the  Son  of  God,  that  he  nn'ght  therein 
 fufFer  and  die,  and  fo  "  become  a  facrifice  for  fin," 
 Hcb,  X.  5.  If  any  period  could  be  pointed  out  in 
 which  this  union  was  diffolved,  our  hope  In  Chrift 
 would  be  loft,  fince  the  infinite  merit  of  his  obedience 
 and  blood  as  a  fatisfadllon  to  juftice,  on  which  we  de- 
 pend, refults  from  his  deity  ;  but  thanks  be  to  God,  we 
 know,  that  the  man  Chrift  Jefus  was  truly  his  Son  when 
 he  expired  on  the  crofs ;  nor  could  any  change  jn  his 
 flefti,  no  not  by  death  itfelf,  in  the  leaft  afFedt,  much 
 lefs  deftroy  a  union  which  is  fpiritual  and  divine ;  and 
 therefore  far  above  the  reach  of  any  natural  caufe.  The 
 condition  of  our  Saviour,  while  in  the  ftate  of  the  dead, 
 was  like  that  of  his  brethren  deceafed ;  his  foul  and  bo- 
 dy were  feparate  for  a  feafon,  but  neither  body  nor  foul 
 from  the  divine  nature  in  the  perfon  of  the  Son :  this 
 union  fubfifted  through  every  change,  and  will  be  eter- 
 nal. And  was  it  poflible  that  this  body,  thus  united  ia 
 the  perfon  of  the  Mediator  unto  Deity  itfelf,  fhould 
 be  finally  held  in  the  grave  ?  Could  not  the  Son  of 
 God  have  rifen  at  his  pleafure  ?  How  then  could  he  be 
 a  moment  confined  againft  his  own  will?  We  may 
 therefore  be  certain,  that  the  pains  of  death,  which 
 God  loofed  when  he  raifed  up  Jefus, "  could  not  detain 
 him. 
 
 As  it  was  naturally  iir.poffible  that  Jefus  fhould  be 
 Jield  under  death  on  account  of  his  divine  nature;  this 
 jikewife  appears  from  his  glorious  vidlory  over  fatan  and 
 
 death 
 
44  LECTURESON 
 
 death  on  the  crofs.  We  are  told,  that  "  through  death 
 "  he  deftroyed  him  that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is, 
 *'  the  devil."  Heb.  ii.  14.  And  again,  "  He  fpoiied  princi- 
 *'  palities  and  powers,  and  made  a  ihcv/  of  them  openly, 
 *'  triumphing  over  them  in  it,"  Col.  ii,  15.  If  Jefus  by 
 himfelf,  through  the  blood  of  his  crofs,  deftroyed  the 
 power  of  fatan,  and  confequently  triumphed  over  death 
 and  the  grave,  by  removing  the  guilt  of  fm,  how  is  it 
 poflible  that  the  pains  of  death  fliould  confine  him  ?  It 
 cannot  be  imagined  that  an  enemy,  however  terrible  or 
 deftructive  toothers,  fhould  be  able  to  keep  under  that 
 perfon  by  whom  he  is  taken  and  deftroyed  :  Shall  the 
 vanquiflied  detain  his  conqueror,  or  bind  him  at  his 
 plcafurc  ?  Who  can  fuppofe  it  ?  But  thy  Saviour,  O 
 chriftian,  obtained  a  vidlory  over  death  and  hell  j  it 
 was  therefore  not  poiTible,  in  the  nature  of  things, 
 that  they  fliould  detain  him.  Thus  it  was  naturally 
 impoflible  that  Chrift  fhould  be  held  in  the  grave,  both 
 on  account  of  his  glory  and  power  as  a  divine  perfon, 
 and  alfo  as  the  mighty  conqueror  of  death  and  the  devil, 
 who  had  gained  a  dominion,  through  the  curfe  of  thelaw, 
 over  the  guilty  race  of  apoftate  Adam.  Either  of  thefe 
 confiderations  apart,  and  much  more  when  united, 
 abundantly  prove  that  ^efus  could  not  be  held  by 
 conftraint  under  the  power  of  death  ;  no,  not  a  mo- 
 ment. I  do  not  deny  that  the  Redeemer's  lying  in  the 
 grave  for  a  feafon  is  a  point  of  his  humiliation,  but 
 rather  think  it  was  in  refpe£l:  of  his  bodyj  yet  this 
 jTuiy  be  foberly  affirmed,  that  our  Saviour's  continuance 
 in  the  ftateof  the  dead,  after  he  had  made  fatisfa(ftion  fo.r 
 fin,   and  thereby  deftroyed  the  power  of  death,   was 
 
 voluntary, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     45 
 
 voluntary,    and  fubmitted  unto  for  ends  of  his  glory. 
 Again, 
 
 11.  It  was  morally  impoflible  that  Jefus  fliould  be 
 detained  in  the  grave,  in  refpeiS:  of  the  divine  decrees, 
 the  prophecy  of  fcripture,  and  the  end  for  which  he 
 was  delivered  unto  death.  That  the  refurre<Stion  of 
 Chrift  was  determined  beforehand,  will  fcarcely  be 
 doubted  :  It  was  no  lefs  the  fettled  counfel  and  fore- 
 knowledge of  God,  that  Jefus  fhould  be  raifed  from 
 the  dead,  than  that  he  fhould  be  crucified  and  flain. 
 Hence  our  Lord  fpeaks  of  taking  up,  as  well  as  of  laying 
 down  his  life  at  the  commandment  of  the  Father, 
 John  X.  18.  And,  indeed,  this  is  included  in  that 
 glory  of  which  the  Spirit  teftified  in  the  prophets,  and 
 which  was  fpoken  of  by  them  from  the  beginning  :  So 
 that  the  railing  up  Chrift  was  predetermined  in  the  coun- 
 fel of  heaven,  fmce  prophecy  is  no  other  than  a  reve- 
 lation of  the  divine  decrees.  But  again,  Thefe  prophe- 
 cies themfelves  (hew  it  morally  impoflible  that  the  body 
 of  Chrift  ihould  be  holden  by  death.  The  veracity  of 
 God  is  engaged  for  the  accomplifhment  of  his  word  ; 
 it  is  therefore  an  undeniable  maxim,  that  the  fcripture 
 cannot  be  broken,  but  they  contain  the  promife  of 
 the  Father  to  raife  up  his  Son :  and  this  is  the  very 
 thing  which  Peter  infifts  on,  namely,  that  God  had 
 fworn  to  raife  up  Chrift  and  fet  him  on  the  throne  of 
 David,  which  could  not  be  accomplifhed  without  his 
 refurre(Slion  from  the  dead  j  and  accordingly  he  (hews 
 the  Jews  that  the  Pfalmift  fpake  of  this  in  the  prophecy 
 <juoted,ver.  25.  and  following:  So  that  by  the  connexion 
 •f  the  difcourfe  and  argument  of  the  apvftle,  he  more 
 
 efpecially 
 
4^  LECTURE  SON 
 
 efpecially  intends,  by  its  being  impoffible,  this  moral 
 impoflibility  ai  iiing  from  the  faithfulnefs  of  God  to  his 
 word,  in  which  he  had  declared  he  would  raife  up  Jefus. 
 As  Chrift  muft  fufFer  and  die,  in  like-manner  there  was 
 a  neceflity  for  his  rifmg  again  from  the  dead,  for  this  rea- 
 fon  among  others,  that  the  fcripture  might  be  fulfilled, 
 it  being  impoffibic  that  the  word  of  the  Almighty 
 fhould  fail.  And  this  moral  impoflibility  of  detaining 
 our  Saviour  under  death,  is  ft  ill  further  confirmed  by 
 the  defign  of  the  Father  in  delivering  up  his  Son  to 
 fufFer  and  die,  namely,  that  his"people  might  live  through 
 him,  I  John  iv.  9.  The  defign  of  God  in  delivering 
 up  his  Son  could  not  be  fruftrated ;  and  this  was  to 
 deliver  his  adopted  fons  from  death  and  hell,  arid  to 
 bring  them  to  glory,  Heb.  ii.  10.  But  how  could  this 
 come  to  pafs  if  the  Saviour  himfelf  had  continued  in 
 the  grave  ?  Had  Chrift  our  Surety  been  held  in  thefe 
 bands,  we  could  not  have  beenjuftified  in  himj  Co 
 argues  the  apoftle, '/'  If  Chrift  be  not  raifed,  your  faith 
 "  is  vain;  ye  are  yet  in  your  fins,"  i  Cor.  xv.  17, 
 But  blefled  be  God,  he  "  whowas  delivered  for  our 
 *'  offences,  was  raifed  again  for  our  juftification,"  Rom, 
 iv.  25.     And  further, 
 
 III.  I  may  fay  it  was  kgaify  impoffible  that  our  Lord 
 fhould  be  held  in  thefe  bands,  on  account  of  the  latis- 
 fa(5tion  he  had  made  to  the  jufticeofGod.  Having  be- 
 come the  voluntary  fubftitute  of  finners,  in  the  cove- 
 n.^nt  of  redemption,  he  died  by  the  hand  of  the  Father, 
 under  the  righteous  imputation  of  all  their  iniquity; 
 and  in  this  his  obedience  unto  death,  he  fully  anfwered 
 the  demands  that  were  upon  him,  *'  for  he  put  away 
 
 "  fin 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRSTIANITY.       47 
 
 **  fin  by  the  facrifice  of  himfelf,"  Heb.  xi.  26.  This 
 fatisfadion,  which  appears  from  his  being  releafed, 
 entitled  him  to  a  deliverance.  It  would  have  been  un- 
 righteous to  have  continued  our  Surety  in  prifon,  who 
 had  fully  difcharged  our  debts,  yea  and  made  a  glorious 
 reparation  to  the  honor  of  the  law,  under  which  he  was 
 held  in  our  ftead.  But  is  there  any  unrighteoufnefs 
 with  God  ?  It  was  therefore  not  poflible,  becaufe  it 
 was  unlawful.  With  God  all  things  are  poflible  that 
 agree  with  the  divine  perfecStions  :  It  is  therefore  pof- 
 fible,  however  wonderful,  that  God  fhould  raife  the 
 dead,  for  ends  of  juftice  or  mercy,  or  for  a  difplay  of 
 his  power;  but  for  the  divine  Father  to  hold  the  inno- 
 cent as  guilty,  or  to  detain  our  Surety  in  the  grave,  into 
 which  he  was  caft  for  our  fins,  after  he  had  completely 
 atoned  them,  would  be  to  con  trad  i  61  his  cflential  righte- 
 oufnefs,  and  to  impeach  his  character  as  a  judge; 
 Jefus  having  finiflied  his  work,  and  made  a  full  end  of 
 fin,  juftice  required  that  he  fhould  be  fet  free,  it  not 
 being  equitable  for  that  perfon  to  be  held  under  death 
 who  had  merited  life,  or  to  have  with-held  the  vi6tori- 
 ous  Captain  of  our  falvatlon  from  the  reward  of  his 
 fufFerings.  Thus  it  was  naturally,  morally  and  legal- 
 ly impoflible  that  the  Son  of  God  fhould  be  holden  by 
 his  bands,  which  were  loofed  by  the  Father  when  he 
 raifed  him  up. 
 
 How  glorious  then  is  the  tomb  of  a  crucified  Savi- 
 our !  Look,  O  believer !  into  this  grave  j  confider 
 who  it  contains,  and  the  end  for  which  it  is  there ! 
 Iris  the  body  of  him  who  is  able  to  rife  at  his  pleafure. 
 O  aftoniftiing  fight !  here  lies  the  Conqueror  for  a  fea- 
 
 foQ 
 
48  tECTURESON 
 
 fon  in  the  arms  of  his  captive,  and  the  Lamb  in  the 
 jiaws  of  the  lion,  unhurt,  for  the  deftroyer  cannot  con- 
 fume  him  !  The  grave  of  thy  Redeemer,  O  chriftian  ! 
 is  full  of  myftery  and  grandeur.  Here  lies  the  man  in 
 whom  no  fm  was  found,  though  death  is  alone  the 
 wages  of  fin !  yea  here  lies  dead  the  Surety,  who,  in 
 the  ranfom  he  hath  given,  had  delivered  his  people 
 from  the  fting  of  death,  and  condemned  the  laft  ene- 
 my to  a  final  deftrudion ;  for  *'  death  itfelf  fhall  be 
 *'  call  into  the  lake  of  fire  and  fwallowed  up  in  vi6lory.'* 
 This  is  he  that  faid,  "  O  death  I  will  be  thy  plague, 
 «  O  grave  I  will  be  thy  deftrudion  !"  And  *'  who, 
 *'  through  death,  had  defi:royed  him  that  had  the  pow- 
 **  er  of  death,  which  is  the  devil."  "  He  laid  down 
 "  his  life  that  he  might  take  it  up  again : "  and  lies  thus 
 confined,  not  by  conftraint,  but  willingly,  while,  ac- 
 cording to  the  fettlement  in  the  counfel  of  peace,  in  or- 
 der to  his  being  openly  raifed  by  the  glory  of  the  Father, 
 to  his  immortal  honor,  and  the  joy  of  his  faints. 
 This,  this  truly  was  lying  in  ftate ;  not  like  the  gods  or 
 princes  of  the  earth,  in  a  vain  pomp  of  funeral  decora- 
 tion over  their  corpfe,  already  corrupted,  to  be  gazed 
 at  by  a  thoughtlefs  multitude  of  furviving  mortals,  and 
 then  covered  in  the  earth  till  the  refurreftion  of  the 
 dead  :  No ;  the  Prince  of  life  lies  in  death  like  himfelf, 
 that  juftice  having  loofed  his  bands  he  may  arife.  He 
 accordingly  rofe,  and  as  it  were  ftiook  ofF  his  duft 
 and  afcended  to  his  throne,  to  be  viewed  with  adoration 
 and  praife  by  the  heavenly  hofi-,  who  continually  afcribe 
 to  him  everlafting  dominion  and  glory. 
 
 And 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.    49 
 
 And  was  Jefus  raifed  up  by  God,  it  being  not 
 poflible  that  he  (hould  be  holden  by  death  ?  then  v/o 
 be  to  them  who  refift  or  defpife  him  !  Nothing  can  be 
 more  dreadful  for  unbelievers  and  impenitent  finners, 
 than  the  deliverance  of  Chrift  from  the  grave.  The 
 refurre61:ion  of  Jefus  proves  the  righteoufnefs  of  God, 
 and  judgment  to  come,  Adts  xviii.  31.  By  this  he  is 
 proclaimed  Lord  of  all,  and  him  by  whom  God  will 
 judge  the  world  in  righteoufnefs.  Reader,  if  thou 
 haft  not  fubmitted  to  the  Saviour,  I  befeech  thee  to 
 confider  that  he  is  exalted  at  the  right-hand  of  the 
 Father,  till  all  his  enemies  are  fubdued.  Chrift  is 
 rifenj  what  then  muft  become  of  the  man  who  doth 
 not  obey  him  ?  The  evidences  of  his  refurre6lion 
 abound,  as  will  hereafter  be  fiiewn,  yet  he  is  preached 
 in  vain  to  men  dead  in  fins.  Well  faid  our  Lord, 
 "  They  will  not  believe  though  one  rofe  from  the  dead." 
 We  have  ample  external  proof  that  Chrift  is  rifen,  yet 
 alas  how  few  to  whom  the  gofpel  is  preached  believe  on 
 his  name !  But  know,  thou  carelefs  hearer,  that  this 
 fame  Jefus,  whom  God  hath  railed  up  a  Saviour,  is 
 appointed  his  Judge.  And  as  it  was  not  poflible, 
 for  the  reafons  affigned,  that  the  pains  of  death  fhould 
 hold  him,  in  like  manner,  it  fhall  not  be  poflible  for 
 the  heavens  to  detain  him,  when  the  fet  day  is  come ; 
 then  (hall  he  be  "  revealed  in  flaming  fire,  and  take 
 "  vengeance  on  them  who  know  not  God,  and  obey 
 *«  not  his  gofpel,  2  Theff.  i.  8.  And  be  perfuaded, 
 that  from  the  exquifite  pains  of  this  death,  which  he  will 
 infli(9:,  thou  fhalt  never  be  loofed,  if  thou  art  caft  in 
 judgment,  for  they  who  fall  into  the  bands  of  this  living 
 
 D  God, 
 
50  LECTURESON 
 
 God,  as  the  avenger  of  fin,  will  furely  "  be  punifhed 
 ^'  with  everlafling  deftru£tion  from  his  prefcnce  and 
 "  from  the  glory  of  his  power,"  ver.  g.  O  then> 
 I  befeech  thee,  deceive  not  thyfelf,  but  take  warning, 
 and  may  the  Lord  convince  thee,  that,  repenting  of  thy 
 fins,  thou  mayeft  flee  to  this  only  Saviour,  who  hath 
 delivered  us  from  wrath  to  come  ! 
 
 But,  with  what  fatisfadion  and  joy  may  you,    my 
 dear  friends,  who  truft  in  the  Redeemer,    reflcfl  on  his 
 glorious  releafe  from  the  grave  !  to  you  this  grand  evtnt 
 is  no  lefs  interefting  than  wonderful.     Behold,  O  chri* 
 flian,  thy  Surety  raifed  and    difcharged  by  the  fame, 
 hand  vi^hich  bound  him  for  thy  fms !    Herein  thou  art 
 juftified,    and   here   is  a   pledge  of  thine   own    refur- 
 redlion.  What  a  ground  of  triumph  is  this  I    "  Who 
 *'  fhall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  ele£t  ?    It 
 "  is  God  that  juftifieth."     He  juftified  thy  Saviour, 
 believer,    and  it    is   God  that  juftifieth  thee  in   him ; 
 thou   art   therefore   righteoully    acquitted.     And    with 
 rcfpe<Sl:  to  judgment  to  come;  haft  thou  any  thing  to 
 fear  ?    "  Who  is  he  that  condemneth  ?  It  is  Chrift  that 
 *'  died,    yea  rather  that  is  rifen   again."      Unfhakca 
 IS  thy  confidence,  O  man,  in  the  blood  of  Chrift  for 
 the  remiffion  of  fms.    With  boklnefs  come  to  thy  hea- 
 venly Father,  in  the  name  of  this  Jefus  he  hath  bimfelf 
 raifed  up  ;  and  be  alTui^ed  that  the  end  of  thy  faith  will  be 
 thy  complete  and  eternal  falvation.     If  Chrift  is  rifen, 
 and  it  was  not  poffible  that  be  iliould  be  holden,  ;ro 
 man  fliall   perifh  for  whom  Chrift  died,   neither  can 
 death  have  -final  dominion  over  him.    Jefiis  is  rifen, 
 and  become  the  firft-fruits  of  them  that  fleep  in  him. 
 
 Hence 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  51 
 Hence,  fays  he  to  his  difciples,  "  Becaufe  I  live,  ye 
 *'  fhall  live  alfo,"  John  xiv.  19.  The  members  of  a 
 living  head  muft  a  fhort  fesfon,  for  valuable  ends,  fall 
 into  a  ftate  of  natural  death,  but  they  fliall  furely  re- 
 vive. May  this  ftrengthen  thy  faith,  enliven  thy 
 hop5,  and  increafe  thy  joy  in  the  Lord.  Finally,  O 
 chr'ftian,  is  there  not  the  higheft  reafon  for  thee  to 
 give  thanks  to  the  Father?  Behold  his  faithfulnefs, 
 juftice,  power  and  love,  illuftrioufly  difplayed  in  raif- 
 ing  up  thy  Saviour ;  and  confider  the  infinite  oblip-a- 
 tions  thou  art  under  to  him,  that  this  important  and 
 ,interefting  fail  ftands  confirmed  by  fo  many  credible 
 teftimonies.    But  of  this  in  the  follow^ing  leilure. 
 
 LECTURE    IV. 
 
 What  to  be  underftood  by  a  witnefs.     Who  are  wit- 
 neffes  of  our  Lord's  refurrediion.     Their  credibility. 
 
 THE  natural  prejudice' againft  a  refurreciion- in  ge- 
 neral, and  the  particular  ftrefs  laid  in  the  gofpel 
 on  the  raifmg  up  Chrift,  requires  the  mofl  ample  and 
 undeniable  proof  of  that  glorious  and  important 
 event;  and,  blefled  be  God,  this  is  not  wanting.  He 
 hath  abounded  in  every  kind  of  evidence,  v/hich  the 
 nature  of  the  thing  and  the  circumftances  of  the  cafe 
 will  admit,  among  which  the  teftimony  of  his  difciples 
 hath  a  principal  place,  and  is  now  to  be  confidered. 
 
 D  2  Tki: 
 
52  LECTURESON 
 
 The   apoftles  having  declared,   A£ls   xi.   24.    that 
 God   had  raifed  up  Jefus   of  Nazareth,    and   pointed 
 out    the   neceffity   of  his  refurreiSlion,     to  the  glory 
 of  his  name,   proceeds  to  fhew,  from  the  prophecy  of 
 David,  that  thus  it  was  determined,  vcr.  25 — 31.  And 
 in  ver.  32,   repeats  his  alTertion  vv'ith  a  punctuality  and 
 boldnefs  becoming  a  man  who  could  prove  what  he 
 faid,    "  This  Jefus  hath  God  raifed  up."    In  evidence 
 of  this  he  produces  the  teftimony  of  many,    including, 
 his  own  ;   "  whereof,   faith  he,    we  are  all  witnefTes." 
 The    like   declaration    is   made   on    another   occafion, 
 chap.  iii.  14-     And    likewife  again,   before   the   high- 
 prieft  and  Sanhedrim,  Peter  boldly  declares,  that  he 
 and   others   were  his,    i.    e.   God's  witneffes  of  thefe 
 thinf^s,   meaning  among  the  reft' that  of  the  refurredlion 
 of  Jefus  that  .was  flain.     In  attending  to  this  article  it 
 may  be  ufeful  to  ftate  the  notion  of  a  witnels,  confider 
 who  arc  defigned  by  the   witneffes  of  Chrift's  refur- 
 reclion,  and  then  (hew  their  credibility,   or  rather  that 
 their  teftimony  cannot  with  reafon  be  queftioned. 
 
 A  WITNESS  in  the  Ample  and  common  idea  of  the 
 word,  is  one  that  beares  open  teftimony  to  the  truth; 
 it  fignifies  clearly  to  affirm  the  thing  that  is  true.  And 
 thus  it  is  applied  to  a  man's  profefllon  of  his  faith  in 
 Chrift,  by  an  open  confeffion  of  his  name,  and  a  per- 
 fonal  fubje«5tion  to  him  before  men ;  in  this  fciife  to 
 confefs  is  to  witnefs.  Hence  our  Lcrd  himfclf  is  faid 
 to  witnefs  a  good  confefTion  before  Pontius  Pilate, 
 when  he  flood  to  the  truth  and  denied  not  his  cha- 
 rader,  i  Tim.  vi.  13.  compared  with  John  xviii.  37. 
 And  the  word  l^af\vl^;i  martyrs,  here  ufed  is  more  parti- 
 cularly 
 
^  ^T  T  D  5f.J 
 PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    53 
 
 cularly  applied  to  them  who,  being  called  to  it,  fcal 
 their  profefllon  with  their  blood.    Hence  Saul   pleads, 
 faying  to  the  Lord,   AcSls  xxii.  20.    *'  And  when  the 
 *'  blood  of  thy  martyr  Stephen  was  fhed  I  was  ftanding; 
 "  by,  &c.'*   And  we  read,  Rev.  xvii.  6.  of  the  blooJ  of 
 the  martyrs,    i.   e.   according  to  the  text,  of  the  wit- 
 neffes  of  Jefus.     The  fame  chara6ter  is  lilcewife  eivcn 
 to  the  mlnifters  of  the  word,   who  are  employed   to 
 affirm  and  declare  the  truth  :   thus  of  the  prophets,  who 
 by  fpecial  untSlion  from  heaven  teftified  beforehand  of 
 Jefus,  it  is  faid,  that  they  all  gave  witnefs  to  him  who 
 rofe    from   the    dead,    concerning    remiffion    of    fins 
 through  faith  in   his  blood,  ASis  x.  43,    Hence  alfo 
 John  the  baptift,   is  faid,  John  i.  7.   to  come  for  a  wit- 
 nefs, to  bear  witnefs  of  the  light,  i.  e.    to  teftify  unto 
 Chrift   the  true   lightj    and    the  witnefles   mentioned. 
 Rev.  xi.  3.  as  fome  apprehend,  feem  rather  a  number 
 of  gofpel  minifters  than   any   two  individual    perfons. 
 However  our  Lord  was  a  witnefs,  as  he  bore  witnefs, 
 to  himfelf ;    which  was  no  other  than  bearing  witnefs  to 
 the  truth,  John  viii.  18.     And  in  the  fame  fenfe  all  his 
 faithful  minifters,  who  teftify  and  declare  the  truth  as  it 
 is  in  Jefus,  may  be  ftiled  witnefTes  of  the  fame. 
 
 But  this  falls  fhort  of  the  fenfe  in  which  Peter  and 
 others  were  witnefles  of  our  Lord's  refurredlion.  A 
 witnefs  properly  fpeaking  is  one  who,  being  called 
 or  appointed  by  authority,  to  afcertain  any  fail,  gives 
 good  and  fufficient  proof  of  the  fame ;  he  is  one  that  tefti- 
 fies  a  thing  upon  his  own  knowledge  as  certainly  true. 
 Such  are  the  evidences  required  in  relation  to  facts  by 
 the  world  in  general  or  fpecial  focieties,  and  particu- 
 D   3  larly 
 
54  LECTURES    ON 
 
 larly  In  courts  of  juftice.  Thus  every  thing  by  the 
 law  was  to  be  eftablifhed  in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three 
 witnefies,  and  the  fame  rule  is  adopted  under  the  gof- 
 pel,  Dcut.  xvii.  6.  compared  with  2  Cor.  xiii.  i.  And 
 it  is  in  this  fenfe  that  the  apoftle  declares  concerning 
 himfelf,  and  many  others,  that  they  were  all  witnefies 
 of  the  refurre£lion  ofjefus.  He  intends  nothing  lefs 
 than  their  being  appointed  of  God  the  true  and  pro- 
 per witnefTes  cf  the  adorable  and  interefting  faft,  and 
 which  they  accordingly  teftified  upon  their  own 
 knowledge,  having  feen  the  Lord  after  he  was  rifcn,  and 
 before  whom  he  faid  and  did  fuch  things  as  amounted 
 to  a  full  demonftration  that  God  had  indeed  raifed  up 
 this  fame  Jefus  who  was  crucified  ;  of  which  more 
 hereafter.  Thus  as  Peter,  James  and  John,  were  eye- 
 witnefles  of  the  majefty  and  glory  ofjefus  in  his  tranf- 
 figuration  on  the  mount,  in  like  manner  all  thefe 
 v/hom  the  apoftle  refers  to  and  joins  himfelf  with, 
 were  eye  and  ear-witneffes  of  his  being  rifen  from  the 
 dead. 
 
 Now,  who  are  thefe  witnefies,  or  from  whence 
 sre  they  chofen  ?  from  angels  ?  No  :  Indeed  he  was 
 feen  of  angels  after  he  rofe,  i  Tim.  iii.  16.  And  we 
 read  that  angels  laid  to  the  women.  Matt,  xxviii.  6. 
 "  Ke  is  not  here,  for  he  is  rifen."  So  that  we  find 
 g.ngels  waited  at  the  fepulchre,  and  report  the  Sa- 
 i'iour's  refurrediion ;  and  we  lil<ewife  are  told,  a  glo- 
 rious hoft  of  thefe  illuftrious  fpirits  attended  our  Lord 
 when  he  afcended  on  high,  Pfalm  Ixviii.  17.  But  an- 
 gels were  not  appointed  of  God,  to  bear  witnefs  to 
 jhs  world  of  bis  SoHj   that|-s  hath  raifed  him  fronts 
 
 th§ 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  55 
 the  dead.  Neither  are  thefe  vvitneiTes  t^ken  from  the 
 body  of  the  Jews,  or  frocn  any  of  their  rulers.  Chfifl: 
 did  not  appear  unto  the^-n  afi.er  he  was  rifen.  At  this 
 unbelievers  have  frequently  cavilled.  If  Chrifl:,  fay 
 they,  indeed  rofe  again,  why  did  he  not  fhcw  hiipfelf 
 openly  to  the  Jev/s  and  their  rulers  ?  It  has  been 
 juftly  replied :  This  would  not  have  confifted  with 
 the  ftate  of  the  Jews,  nor  vyith  the  deAgn  of  the  wit- 
 nefles,  which  was  not  to  be  a  teftimony  only  to  that 
 nation,  which  was  foon  to  be  dertroyed,  byt  that  all 
 the  world  might  know  th^t  God  had  riiifvd  up  Jefus  a 
 Saviour.  The  Jews,  through  unbelief,  had  rejected  the 
 Meffiah  as  a  people,  and  thereby  filled  up  the  ineafure 
 of  their  fin.  Hence  they  were  under  an  awful  dere- 
 liction. Our  Lord  had  fonie  time  before  his  death 
 pronounced  their  doom,  namely.  Matt,  xxiii.  38, 
 that  their  houfe  was  left  ,unto  them  defolate*,  1.  e.,  de- 
 voted to  de{l:ru6lion  as  the. reward  of  their  iniquity. 
 And  in^the  next  verfe  hs  folemnly  declares,  faying, 
 "  Ye  fh-all  not  fee  me  henceforth,  till  ye  fhall  fay, 
 ^.'  Bleffed  is  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
 And  it  doth  not  appear  that  cur  Lord  once  after  ad- 
 drefled  the  Jews  in  the  courfe  of  his  miniflry,  in  order 
 to  their  conviction,  but  only  warns  his  hearers  of  their 
 approaching  deftruftion,  and  declares  the  many  awful 
 figns  that  would  forerun  it.  There  is  reafon  to  ap- 
 prehend that  fome  crafty  fceptics  are  aware,  that  if 
 in  thefe  circumftances  our  Lord,  had  acStually  appeared 
 D  4  to^ 
 
 *  To  be  defolate  is  fometimes  to  be  underftood  of  being  left  under  fin  and 
 
 J  the   punifliment  thereof.      Thus  in    Pfalm   xxxiv.    2I,    22.      it  is  faid 
 
 that  the  wicked  dizU  be  defolate  or  guilty    as  the  word  C  L!^'K   f.gnifics, 
 
 from   which   they  who    truft   in  the  Lord  are   fecure,     being    juftiucd 
 
 ift>  him. 
 
56  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  NT/  T  H^ 
 
 to  the  Jews,  he  had  furely  falfified  his  own  prediftion  j 
 in  which  cafe  no  doubt  they  would  have  availed  them- 
 felves  againft  him,  but  they  have  not  this  advantage* 
 Chrift  did  not  fhew  himfelf  to  the  Jews  after  he  was^ 
 rifen,  and  the  reafon  is  plain  ;  he  had  profefledly  left 
 them,  fo  that  his  immediate  concern  with  them  as  a, 
 body  was  long  fmce  at  an  end  ;  nor  was  it  probable 
 that  a  people  who  had,  in  the  hardnefs  of  their  hearts, 
 withftood  the  evidence  of  fo  many  miracles,  and  even 
 that  of  his  raifing  the  dead,  as  in  the  inftance  of  Laza- 
 rus j  I  fay,  it  is  not  likely  that  a  people,  who  againft 
 all  this  divine  tefiimony  had  reje6ted  Chrift  as  an  im- 
 poftor,  and  as  one  that  had  a  devil,  would  have  re- 
 pented and  received  him,  upon  feeing  him  after  his  re- 
 furredion.  However,  we  are  toconfider  that  Jcfus  was 
 to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  his  refurredion  to 
 be  publiftied  in  every  nation  under  heaven.  The  ru- 
 lers of  the  Jews  could  be  no  better  evidence  than  the 
 perfons    chofen  ;   for,    as    one  well  obferves,    '  What 
 
 *  greater  fatisfadion  would  it  have  been  to  the  world 
 
 *  in  general  that  Chrift  appeared  to  the  Jews,  or  to 
 '  the  magiftrates  at  Jerufalcm,  than  that  of  his  ap- 
 '  pearance  to  his   difciples,  provided    their   witnefs  is 
 
 *  credible?'  Any  unprejudiced  perfon  may  fee  that  the 
 feleded  witnefs  of  Ch;ift's  own  difciples,  duly  quali- 
 fied to  give  their  tcftimony,  was  the  moft  rational  and 
 convincing,  and  confequently  the  fitteft  external  evi- 
 dence that  the  world  could  receive.  It  is  therefore 
 perverfe  and  manifeft  prejudice  to  complain  that  the 
 witnefTes  of  our  Lord's  refurredion  were  chofen  from 
 his  own  difciples. 
 
 Put 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     57 
 
 But  to  return.  Neither  are  the  witnefles  referred  to 
 every  one  wh©  faw  and  converfed  with  the  Saviour  af- 
 ter he  rofe  from  the  dead  ;  he  vi^as  feen  of  five  hundred 
 brethren  at  once,  i  Cor.  xv.  6.  And  it  is  at  leaft 
 highly  probable  that  each  of  his  difciples  faw  him  be- 
 fore he  afcended  j  and  that  as  they  had  opportunity  de- 
 clared his  appearance  unto  them.  But  to  be  a  witnefs 
 of  Chrift's  refurre6lion  includes  a  fpecial  cemmiffion 
 and  authority,  by  divine  appointment,  to  teftify  this 
 wonderful  and  glorious  event  in  the  world.  Thus  Pe- 
 ter declares  that  they  were  "  witnefTes  chofen  before 
 **  God,  who  did  eat  and  drink  with  him  after  he  rofe 
 "  from  the  dead,"  A6\.s  x.  41.  It  was  effential  and 
 peculiar  to  the  character  of  an  apoflle  to  bear  this  tefci- 
 mony  of  Jefus  ;  and  therefore  when  the  number  of  the 
 apoftles  was  to  be  completed  by  the  filling  up  the 
 place  of  Judas  the  traitor,  it  is  faid,  Acls  i.  21,  22. 
 *'  Of  thefe  men  which  have  companled  with  us  all  the 
 **  time  that  the  Lord  Jefus  went  in  and  out  among  us, 
 *'  beginning  from  the  baptifm  of  John,  unto  that  fame 
 **  day  that  he  was  taken  up  from  us,  muft  one  be  or- 
 "  dained  to  be  a  witnefs  with  us  of  his  refurreclion." 
 And  accordingly  when  Saul  was  converted,  and  called 
 to  the  office  of  an  apoftle,  the  Lford  faith  j  "  For  I 
 *'  have  appeared  unto  thee  for  this  purpofe,  to  be  a 
 **  minifter  and  a  witnefs  both  of  the  things  which  thou 
 "  haft  feen  and  thofe  things  in  the  which  I  {hall  ap- 
 "  pear  unto  thee,"  Adls  xxvi.  16.  One  of  which  was 
 that  of  the  refurredion,  which  he  not  only  preached, 
 but  likewife  bare  witnefs  of  having  feen  Jefus  Chrift, 
 D5  1© 
 
58  LECTURESON 
 
 to  which  he  appeals  in  proof  of  his  apoftlefnip,  i  Cor. 
 ix.  I.  And  in  chap.  xv.  after  aflerting  that  Chrift;  rofe 
 again  the  third  day  according  to  the  fcriptures,  and  ap- 
 peared to  many  in  teilimony  of  the  fanie,  he  declares, 
 ver.  8.  "  and  laft  of  all  he  was  feen  of  me  alfo."  So 
 then  thefe  witnefles  are  no  other  than  thofe  firfl  and 
 great  miniftcrs,  the  apoftles  of  Chrift,  v/ho  being 
 qualified  by  their  own  converfe  with  him  after 
 he  was  alive  from  the  dead,  were  chofen  and  or- 
 dained before  God  to  teftify,  by  undeniable  evidence, 
 to  all  the  world  that  he  raifed  up  Jefus ;  and  ac- 
 cordingly they  went  forth  in  his  name,  with  figns 
 and  miracles  attending,  in  proof  of  their  miiTion  from 
 heaven. 
 
 It  remains  to  confider  the  credibility  of  thefe  chofen 
 witneffes,  which  is  by  no  means  to  be  taken  for  grant- 
 ed, nor  is  it  defired.  For  though  the  enemies  of  chri- 
 ftianity  have  prefumed  to  queftion  the  evidence  of  the 
 difciples,  it  hath  largely  been  fhewn  by  many  excel- 
 lent writers,  and  will  be  found  on  trial  that  their  cha- 
 rafter,  under  the  notion  of  a  witnefs  to  this  glorious 
 and  important  event,  will  bear  the  niceft  fcrutiny,  to 
 the  abundant  fatisfaflion  of  every  impartial  enquirer  ; 
 nor  do  I  know  of  any  thing  that  can  be  added  to  what 
 has  already  been  urged  on  the  head,  the  fum  of  which 
 I  fhall  prefent  to  the  reader.  In  general  it  appears 
 that  they  had  every  qualification  eflential  to  a  credible 
 witnefs.  They  had  knowledge,  peripicuity,  and  upright- 
 ncfs;   but  more  particularly, 
 
 Firft, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     59 
 
 First,  they  v/ere  corhpetfeht  judges.  The  thino- to 
 be  proved  was  level  to  any  man's  Gapaeity*.  Unbe 
 lievcrs  may  attempt  to  raife  difficulties  and  pretend  Breat 
 danger  of  being  deceived  in  a  cafe  of  this  nature,  but 
 they  have  been  told,  and  every  man's  reafon  will  tell 
 him,  that  evidence  is -eafily  obtained  v.'here  the  thing 
 in  queilion,  as  in  the  cafe  of  the  refurreclion,  is  mani- 
 fcftly  an  object  of  fenfe.  The  body  of  Chrift  is  a  fenfi- 
 ble  obje6t,  and  the  apoftles  had  fenfes  to  difcern  that 
 object.  It  has  been  juftly  pleaded,  nor  can  it  be  mo- 
 deftly  denied,  that  the  refurreclion  was  to  be  fup- 
 ported  by  the  evidence  of  fenfe;  now,  as  a  celebrated 
 writer  obferves,  *  it  requires  no  more  ability  to  be  a 
 '  witnefs  to  a  man   raifed  from  the  dead,   than  a  per- 
 
 *  fe6l:  knowledge  of  him  before  his  deceafe,  and  a  ca- 
 
 *  pacity  to  diftinguifh  between  a  dead  man  and  a  man 
 
 *  alive  }  and  what  living  man   doth  not  think  himfelf 
 
 *  a  judge  in  this  point  ?'  As  to  a  pretence  that  the  body 
 of  Jefus  was  not  truly  and  properly  a  body,  feeing  he 
 often  appeared  to  the  difciples  and  withdrew  from' 
 them  in  a  fudden  miraculous  way,  it  is  without  any 
 foundation,  fmce  at  Nazareth  before  his  dleathj  when 
 his  body  is  allowed  to  be  real,  and  ia  .othei;  places,  fee 
 Lake  iv.  30.  John  viii.  59.  he  withdrew  from  the 
 midft  of  the  people,  when  in  danger,  in  a  manner  no 
 lefs  wonderful.  Befidesjthe  apoftles  had  undeniable  tefti* 
 
 mony 
 
 •  It  is  the  fubtlety  of  a  deiftical  writer  to  infinuatc  that  the  credibility  of 
 a  v/itnefs  can  at  mod  be  only  presumed  ;  for  if  it  may  not  be  certainly 
 known,  there  can  then  be  no  dependence  on  any  hiftory,  facred  of 
 prophane,  snd  in  confequence  the  gofpel  itfelf  is  incapable  of  proof. 
 But  it  is  hoped  that  the  feader  is  not  to  be  moved  by  any  fuch  fo- 
 phiftry,  and  that  the  charadler  of  ihs  apoftles  who  teftified  that  Jef« 
 j§  rifen  will  appear  undeniable. 
 
6o  LECTURESON 
 
 mony  concerning  the  reality  of  our  Saviour's  body, 
 as  appears  from  Luke  xxvi.  39.  "  Handle  me  and  fee, 
 *'  for  a  fpirit  hath  not  flefli  and  bones,  as  ye  fee  mc 
 "  have." 
 
 The  knowledge  thefe  witneflfes  had  of  our  Lord's 
 refurredion  depended  not  on  occafional  or  tranfitory 
 yifits ;  they  had  fufEcient  opportunity  to  examine  his 
 body,  and  to  be  fatisfied  it  was  Jefus  himfelf,  which, 
 in  connexion  with  their  capacity  forjudging,  demands 
 our  credit.  Mary  Magdalen,  the  firft  who  faw  the 
 Lord  after  he  rofe,  was  forbid  to  detain  him  for  a  rca- 
 fon  afligned,  yet  it  doth  not  appear  that  flie  touched 
 not  his  body ;  however  it  is  plain  that  fhe  had  fuffi- 
 cient  proof  that  it  was  the  Lord  fhe  had  feen,  and  ac- 
 cordingly makes  her  report,  John  xx.  18.  And  with 
 refpedt  to  thefe  chofen  witnefles  we  have  already  feen 
 that  they  eat  and  drank  with  him,  yea,  faith  Luke 
 the  facred  hiftorian,  A6ls  i.  3.  *^  He  (hewed  himfelf 
 **  alive  after  his  paflion,  by  many  infallible  proofs, 
 **  being  feen  of  them  forty  days,  and  fpeaking  of  the 
 **  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God."  Thus 
 God  (hewed  his  Son,  whom  he  had  raifed  openly, 
 chap.  x.  40.  i.  e.  clearly  as  the  fun  fhines,  in  the  mod 
 confpicuous  manner,  {o  as  to  leave  no  doubt  on  the 
 minds  of  his  followers,  for  as  the  apoftle  acquaints  us, 
 I  John  i.  I.  "  They  heard,  they  faw  with  their  eyes; 
 **  they  looked  upon,  and  their  hands  handled  of  the 
 **  word  of  life."  A  pleonifm  or  redundancy  of  ex- 
 prefTion  which  implies  the  fullefi:  opportunity  for 
 trial  by  their  fenfes,  which,  as  hinted,  were  the  pro- 
 per, judge  of  the  hd:.     In  a  word,  had  Chrift  lived 
 
 with 
 
PRIMITJVE  CHRISTIANITY.    6i 
 
 with  his  difciplcs  an  hundred  years  after  he  rofe  from 
 the  dead,  they  could  not  have  obtained  a  more  cer- 
 tain proof  that  he  was  rifen  indeed. 
 
 In  confequence  of  their  full  fatisfaiiion  on  fufficient 
 evidence  that  Jefus  was  rifen,  the  apoftles  declare  it 
 without  hefitation,  which  is  another  credible  circum- 
 ftance ;  they  fpake  of  it  boldly  at  Jerufalem,  as  in  the 
 inftance  before  us,  and  even  before  the  high-prieft  and 
 council  of  the  Jews,  Adls  v.  33.  Now  it  is  not  cre- 
 dible that  they  fhould  thus  freely  and  conftantly  de- 
 clare that  Jefus  was  alive  on  the  fpot  where  he  was 
 crucified,  and  among  a  people  that  had  feen  him  laid 
 in  the  grave,  and  this  to  the  magiftrates  themfelves, 
 who  wanted  not  for  means  to  deteft,  nor  power  or 
 inclination  to  punifli  them,  if  the  fa<Sl  had  not  been 
 notorious. 
 
 Integrity  alfo  is  cfiential  to  the  credit  of  a  wit- 
 nefs,  and  of  this  the  difciples  had  every  poffible  mark. 
 And  here  I  might  infift  on  their  morals,  the  miracles 
 they  wrought,  their  faithfulnefs  in  recording  their 
 own  infirmities  and  fins,  their  many  and  great  fuffer- 
 ings  for  the  teftimony  of  Jefus,  and  when  called  to  it, 
 their  fealing  this  teftimony  with  their  blood.  Thefe 
 are  more  than  fufficient ;  and  efpecially  the  laft  is  an 
 undeniable  proof,  if  proof  can  be  had  of  human  up- 
 rightnefs.  Men  corrupted  with  infidelity  have  not 
 fpared  an  attempt  to  fet  afide  the  force  of  this  argu- 
 ment, by  comparing  it  with  that  of  a  criminal  under 
 fentence  of  death,  who  denies  the  fa<St  for  which 
 he  is  condemned,  which  hath  frequently  been  the  cafe. 
 
 But 
 
fy2  1/  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 But  to  this  it  has  been  juftiy  replied,  that  '  thefe  i« 
 '  no  comparifon  between  a  criminal  denying  the  truth 
 
 *  to  fave  his  hfe,  and  a  perfan  expofing  himfelf  to  fuf- 
 
 *  ferings  and  death  by  attefting  a  known  falfliood.'  And 
 indeed,  who  cannot  fee  that  this  is  rather  an  oppo- 
 iite  than  a  parallel  cafe  ?  The  apoftles  might  at  any 
 time  have  quitted  their  teftimony,  and  faved  their 
 Jives,  but  they  refiftcd  unto  blood,  ftriving  againft  Cm  ; 
 which,  joined  to  the  wonders  they  performed,  is  fuch 
 evidence,  that  to  refift  the  fame  is  to  refolye  againft 
 believing  either  God  or  man. 
 
 Thus  if  we  confider  that  thefc  witnefTcs  were  ca* 
 pable  of  judging  the  matter  in  queftion,  the  fufficient 
 means  they  had  of  knowing  the  fa£t,  the  open  manner 
 in  which  they  declared  it,  and  the  ample  proof  we  have 
 of  their  integrity,  nothing  but  prejudice  can  hinder  our 
 pronouncing  them  credible,  and  receiving  their  tefti- 
 mony of  our  Lord's  refurreclion ;  they  are  certainly  true 
 wtineiles  of  God  who  teftified  to  the  world  that  he 
 raifed  up  Chrift. 
 
 But,  befides  their  being  poffefled  of  every  qualification 
 required  in  a  witnefs,  there  are  many  other  things  which 
 tend  to  corroborate  their  evidence,  which  are  not  to 
 be  pafTed  over  in  filence.  Their  own  incredulity,  for 
 which  they  ftand  juftly  reproved;  their  being  never 
 called  in  queftion,  in  relation  to  the  fa£lj  which,  to- 
 gether with  Gamaliel's  advice,  A«S^s  v.  34..  aii4  f aul'p 
 anfwer  to  Agrippa  in  the  court  of  Csefaria,  chap.  xxvi. 
 are  more  than  Sufficient  to  lliew,  that  the  Jews  them- 
 selves 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     63 
 
 felves  Were  far  from  being  convinced  that  Chrift  was  • 
 not  rifen.    The  teftimony   of  unbelievers  themfelves 
 is  another  ftrong  circumftance  in  favour  of  the  apoftles 
 credibility.      The  foldiers  who  guarded  the  fepulchre, 
 though  bribed  to  conceal  it,  at  firft,  in  their  fear,  fcru- 
 ple  not  to  report  the  aftonifhing  event.  Matt,  xxviii.  1 1, 
 By  fome  apologies  of  the  fathers  it  appears  that  even 
 the  Roman  fenate  denied  not  the  refurreQion  of  Jefus, 
 and  it  is  very  remarkable  that  Jofephus  the  Jewifli  hift- 
 crian  fpeaks  without  hefitation,   that  Chrift  rofe  again 
 on  the  third  day.     But  ftill  greater  is  the  teftimony  of 
 God  by  the  mouth   of  his  prophets  who  foretold  the 
 refurre£lion  of  his  Son ;    this  will  confirm  the  credi- 
 bility of  his  witnefles  with  them  that  believe.     To  this 
 purpofe  the  apoftle  pleads,  Ads  xxvi.  22,  23.  that  he 
 faid   **  none  other  things  than  thofe  which  the  pro- 
 *'  phets    and    Mofes    did    fay.   fhould    come :     That 
 «  Chrift  ftiould  fuffer,   and  that  he  fhould  be  the  firft 
 *'  that  fhould  rife  from  the  dead."     It  certainly  adds 
 to  the -credit  of  perfons  every  way  qualified  to  be  wit- 
 nefles,  that  in  what  they  report,   however  wonderful, 
 they  declare  nothing  but  what  God  had  foretold  fhould 
 come  to  pafs.     The  amazing  fpread  and  efficacy  of  the 
 gofpel  might  alfo  be  urged,    and  likewife  the  number  of 
 thofe  who  attefted  the  fame ;  not  one  or  two,  but  twelve ; 
 and  afterward  the  apoftle  of  the  Gentiles,    who   once 
 thought  it  became  him,   and  therefore  to  his  utmoft  de- 
 ftroyed  the  faith  ;  fo  that  he  cannot  be  fuppofed  to  join  in 
 their  teftimony  without  the  moft  convincing  evidence; 
 together  with  all  the  other  difciples  who  faw  the  rifen 
 Saviour,  befides  the  witnefles  themfelves,  fo  that  many 
 hundr-ede  confirmed  their  report.  Thus  it  was  the  wifdom 
 
 of 
 
64  LECTURESON 
 
 of  God  by  a  great  variety  of  circumftances  to  eflablifli 
 the  vvitnefs  of  his  chofen  fervants  to  the  refurredion  of 
 our  Lord. 
 
 As  to  the  popular  obje£tions  of  infidels,  they  are 
 trifling  and  perverfe.  Some  cavil  that  he  was  not 
 three  days  and  three  nights  in  the  earth,  as  priedifted, 
 for  v\^ant  of  admitting  the  known  manner  of  reckoning 
 the  nights  into  the  day,  when  we  reckon  by  fo  many 
 days.  Three  days  and  three  nights  are  expreflions  equi- 
 valent to  three  days,  or  in  three  days.  And  three  days 
 inclufive  take  in  the  firft  and  the  laft  in  the  account, 
 however  fmall  a  part  of  either  is  employed,  which  an- 
 fwers  exactly  to  the  time  of  our  Saviour's  lying  in  the 
 grave.  The  Jews  plainly  underftood  the  next  day, 
 which  was  the  fabbath,  to  be  the  fecond  day,  and  the 
 pains  they  took  to  fet  a  guard  on  that  day,  left  in  the 
 night  the  body  of  Chrift  ftiould  be  ftolen  away,  fliews 
 that  in  their  account,  the  next,  i.  e.  the  third  day  was 
 the  day  on  which  he,  whom  they  call  a  deceiver,  faid, 
 "  I  will  rife  again,"  Matt,  xxvii.  63.  The  predi6lion 
 was  that  he  fhould  rife  again  the  third  day,  which  he 
 actually,  truly,  and  properly  did,  as  we  learn  from  the 
 teftimony  of  the  angels,  Luke  xxiv.  7.  alfo  from  his  ap- 
 pearance to  the  women,  and  the  difcourfe  of  thedifciples 
 ■with  him  as  they  walked  to  Emmaus,  "  To-day,  fay 
 *'  they,  is  the  third  day  fmce  thefe  things  were  done," 
 ver.  21.  which  was  the  very  day  on  which  Chrift 
 rofe,  as  appears  from  the  context.  Others  deny 
 that  a  refurrettion  is  poflible ;  this  is  exceeding 
 bold  if  not  impious  ;  it  is  moft  unreafonable  to  doubt 
 whether  the  Almighty  who  informed  this  curious  veffei 
 
 of 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  65 
 bf  duft  with  a  principle  of  life  can  revive  it  from  the 
 ftate  of  the  dead  at  his  pleafure ;  and,  as  hinted  alrea- 
 dy, there  is  no  contradi£tion  in  raifing  a  dead  body, 
 nor  is  it  in  any  reipeci  unworthy  of  God  to  perform  it ; 
 and  if  the  dead  may  be  raifed,  the  refurre£lion  of  Jefus 
 is  not  to  be  fcruplcd  under  a  notion  of  its  beiiig  im- 
 poffible.  In  a  word,  the  ftory  told  by  the  Jews,  of 
 our  Saviour's  body  being  ftole  in  the  night  by  his 
 difciples,  notv/ithftanding  all  their  precaution,  is  too 
 ridiculous  and  abfurd  to  be  received  by  any  fober  un- 
 prejudiced perfon.  The  difciples  were  at  this  time  in 
 the  utmoft  fear  and  jeopardy,  were  themfelves  dif- 
 couraged  at  the  death  of  their  Lord,  and  had  no  ap- 
 prehenfion  of  his  rifing  again,  and  therefore  had  no 
 motive  in  themfelves  to  attempt  the  removing  his 
 'body;  but  if  they  had,  they  were  utterly  incapable  of 
 performing  it;  could  they  roll  away  the  ftone  fronn 
 the  fepulchre,  or  do  it  without  awaking  any  of  the 
 guard  r  but  if  the  guard  continued  afleep,  how  came 
 they  to  know  that  his  body  was  ftolen  ?  or  if  it  was, 
 that  his  difciples  were  concerned  ?  they  neither  heard 
 nor  faw  any  thing  ;  and,  as  a  late  ingenuous  vy^riter  * 
 obferves,    *  was  it  ever  heard   fmce  the  world  began 
 
 *  that  evidence  was  admitted  to  a  fa£l:  that  took  place 
 
 *  while  the  parties  attefting  were  confeiTedly  afleep  ?* 
 Befides,  who  in  their  fenfes,  on  fuch  an  enterprize, 
 would  have  flayed  to  fold  up  the  cloths,  and  lay  them 
 apart  in  the  manner  they  were  found  by  Peter  and 
 John  ? 
 
 E  So 
 
 *  Trial  of  the  witnefles  of  the  refurreftion  of  Jefus,  -wherein  moft  of 
 the  arguments  mentioned  in  favor  of  the  apoilles  credibility  are  intrcdu»;ei 
 » ith   great  propriety  and  force. 
 
66  LECTURESON 
 
 So  then  it  appears  that  this  glorious  and  important 
 event,  the  refijrre6tion  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  ftands 
 fully  attefted  by  proper  witnefles  chofen  before  God, 
 whofe  credibility  is  not  to  be  queftioned,  being  con- 
 firoied  by  every  poflible  mark  of  truth,  and  againft 
 which  every  objection  of  the  adverfary  is  groundlefs 
 and  vain.  Unbelievers  are  therefore  inexcufable  j 
 their  folly  is  manifell,  fince  nothing  can  be  more  cre- 
 dible ;  nor  was  any  fail  in  the  world  more  abundantly 
 proved,  than  that  Jefus  was  raifed  from  the  dead.  May 
 fuch  obtain  mercy  to  repent ;  for  fmce  Chrift  is  rifen, 
 wo  be  to  the  man  who  fhall  be  found  to  have  denied 
 him  v/hen  he  comes  to  judgment ! 
 
 To  conclude,  he  that  believeth  hath  the  witnefs 
 in  himfelf,  and  may  be  afTured  from  his  own  expe- 
 rience that  Jefus  is  rifen.  The  efficacy  of  the  gofpel 
 unto  faving  faith  in  the  heart  Is  owing  to  the  fame  di- 
 vine power  which  wrought  in  Chrift  when  God  raifed 
 him  from  the  dead,  Eph.  i.  19,  20,  And  the  death  of 
 Jefus  is  the  procuring  caufe  of  fuch  divine  operation  ; 
 fo  that  the  faithful  have  an  internal  evidence,  whereby 
 the  veracity  of  thefe  chofen  witnefles  is  confirmed  to 
 themfelves.  O  chriftian,  thine  own  refurre6lion  from 
 the  grave  of  fin  is  a  fure  teftimony  to  thee  that  thy  Sa- 
 viour is  rifen  !  Had  not  thy  Surety  rofe  from  the 
 dead  thou  hadft  been  yet  in  thy  fins,  but  now  God 
 hath  quickened  tliee,  who  wert  thyfelf  dead  in  tref- 
 pafies  and  fins  ;  he  that  died  for  thee  is  certainly  alive  ! 
 Under  this  teftimony  of  the  Spirit  rejoice  in  thy  hope, 
 give  glory  to  the  Father,  who  raifed  up  his  Son,  and  gave 
 him  glory,  that  your  faith  and  hope  might  be  in  God, 
 
 LECTUR  E 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     67 
 
 LECTURE    V. 
 
 The  Holy  Ghoft  a  witnefs  to  the  refurre^lion  of 
 Jefus :  His  teftimony  in  the  believer  appealed  to  by 
 theapoftle,  ift  epiftle  John,  ch.  v.  10.  confidered  and 
 proved. 
 
 WE  have  feen  that  nothing  can  be  more  credible, 
 than  the  open  and  united  teftimony  theapoftles 
 gave   to   the  refurre6lion  of  Chrift;   yet  there  is  one 
 objeftion  boldly  advanced,   which  if  admitted   throws 
 a  dead  weight  on  all  that  can  be  faid  in  proof  of  this 
 point,    namely,  the  fa6l  is  fo  extraordinary,   it  being, 
 fay  the  objedtors,    contrary  to  the  laws  of  nature  for 
 the    dead    to  arife,    that    no    human    evidence    can 
 be  fufficient,   fmce  the  voice  of  nature  outv^eighs  the 
 utmoft  that  can  be  faid  againft  her.     To   this  fome 
 have  juftly  replied,  that  the  ideas  men  form  concern- 
 ing nature  are  governed   by  prejudices  they  have  re- 
 ceived   and   not   by   reafon  :    and   this  is   at  leaft  fre- 
 quently the  cafe.     But  furely,   however  above  or  con- 
 trary to  the  law  of  nature  it  may  be  fuppofed,  God 
 is  able  to  raife  the  dead  j  and  who  can  fay  that  he  will 
 not  ?   and  if  he  doth,  will  any  deny  that  the  fenfes  are 
 competent  judges  of  the  fa£l  ?   Now  it  is  alTerted  that 
 God  did  raife  up  Jefus,   who  fhewed  himfelf  openly 
 to  his  difciples,  whofe  convidlion  and  knowledge  of 
 E  2  their 
 
is  LECTURESON 
 
 their  rifen  Lord  were  inconteftible ;  which,  together 
 v/ith  the  uprightnefs  of  their  charaiSler,  and  the  man- 
 ner of  their  teftimony,  and  efpecially  as  their  report 
 was  confiriried  by  undeniable  miracles  which  they 
 wrought,  rerider  unbelievers  without  any:  excufe. 
 Neverthelefs  the  credit  of  our  Saviour's  refurreftion 
 doth  not  altogether  reft  on  human  evidence :  Not 
 only  the  apoflles  but  God  alfo  bare  witnefs  to  his 
 being  raifed  up  :  Not  to  infift  on  the  teftimony  of  the 
 Father  by  the  prophets  from  the  foundation  of  the 
 world,  or  that  of  the  Son  himfelf,  from  the  throne  in 
 the  heavens.  Rev,  i.  i8.  which  will  have  their  weight 
 with  them  that  believe,  to  eftablifii  their  faith  in  this 
 point ;  it  is  exprefsly  declared  that  the  Holy  Ghoft 
 alfo  did  witnefs  with  the  difciples  to  this  interefting 
 event,  whcfe  divine  teftimony  we  are  now  to  confider. 
 It  ftands  recorded.  Acts  v.  32.  where  the  apoftle, 
 upon  declaring  that  he  and  the  reft  were  witnefles  that 
 God  had  a6lually  raifed  up  Jefus,  and  exalted  him 
 with  his  right-hand,  adds  this  remarkable  claufe, 
 "  And  fo  is  alfo  the  Holy  Ghoft,  whom  God  hath 
 *'  given  to  them  that  obey  him."  I  ftiall  briefly  touch 
 on  the  divine  perfon  here  faid  to  witnefs,  as  the  apo- 
 ftles,  to  the  refurre6lion  of  Chrift  ;  the  view  in  which 
 he  is  confidered  in  thispaflagej  on  whom  he  is  be- 
 ftowed  ;  and  then  fliew  how,  or  in  what  manner  he 
 teftifies  of  this  bleficd  and  important  event. 
 
 The  Holy  Ghoft,  or  Spirit,  for  they  are  the  fame, 
 is  no  other  than  that  glorious  divine  perfon  who 
 defcended,  as  a  dove,  on  our  Lord  at  his  baptifm,  in 
 the  relating  of  which  the  apoftles  indifflsrently  ftile  him 
 
 th« 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    69 
 the  Spirit,  or  the  Holy  Ghofl,  Matt.  ili.  16.  compared 
 with  Luke  iii.  22.  This  adorable  Spirit  is  joined  with 
 the  Father  and  the  Son,   in  the  name  into  which"  chrif- 
 tians  are  baptized,  under  the  famecharadler  by  which  he 
 is  defcribed  in  the  text ;  and  it  is  remarkable  that  he 
 is  fpoken  of  under  this  character  near  fourfcore  times 
 in  the  New-Teftament.    His  proper  deity  and  diilincl 
 perfonality  are  clearly  fet  forth  in  the  facred  writings, 
 and  particularly  in  the  cafe  of  Ananias,  A6ls  v.  3,  4. 
 to  whom    the  apoftle  faith,     *'  Why  hath  fatan  filled 
 "  thine  heart  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghoft  ?    thou  haft  not 
 *'  lied  unto  men,  but  unto  God."     He  muft  be  greatly 
 prejudiced  who  would  attempt  to  evade  this  plain  and 
 ftrong  proof  of  the  true  divinity,  and  proper  perfonality 
 of  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;  and  the  fentence  before  us  evinces 
 the  latter,   for  to  bear  witnefs  is  a  perfonal  a£l.     He  is 
 ftiled  Ghoft  or  Spirit,   not  in  refpedl   of  his  fpiritual 
 eflence,   which  is  common  to  each  divine  perfon,   but 
 neither  the  Father  nor  the  Son  are  the  Spirit;  there- 
 fore this  diftinguiftiing  chara6ler  has  regard  to  his  per- 
 fonal fubfiftence  ;  and  however  fome  may  difapprove  it, 
 the  ancient   opinion   has  not   been   fuperceeded   by   a 
 better  account.    The  real  ground  of  this  divine  cha- 
 ra£ter  feems  to  be  this,  namely,   the  manner  of  his 
 eternal  proceflion,  which  is  by  fpiration  j    and  accor- 
 dingly in  Job  xxiii.  4.  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,    and  the 
 breath   of  the  Almighty   are    the  fame ;     and   as   for 
 the  epithet  holy,   it   ftands  fupported    by  his  elFential 
 purity,   and  alfo  by  his  being  the  author  of  hclinefs  in 
 them  that  believe.     This  divine  perfon,  we  are  told, 
 *'  proceedeth  from  the  Father  and  the  Son,"    which 
 may  be  applied  to  his  manner  of  fubfiftence  in  the 
 E  3  ^^''t/* 
 
^o  LECTURESON 
 
 deity,  as  hinted  already,  or  to  his  goings-forth  in  the 
 execution  of  his  office,  in  which  he  quickens,  fandli- 
 fies  and  comforts  the  hearts  of  the  redeemed,  and  hke- 
 wife  is  a  witnefs  to  their  eftabhfliment  and  joy ;  and 
 particularly  as  he  was,  and  continueth  to  be  an  evi- 
 dence or  witnefs  to  the  refurreftion  of  Jefus. 
 
 The  Holy  Ghoft  is  declared  to  be  the  gift  of  God. 
 As  Chrift,  fo  is  his  Spirit  the  gift  of  the  Father,  whofc 
 office  and  operations  are  needful  to  accomplifli  the  di- 
 vine purpofes  in  the  falvation  of  finners.  He  was 
 therefore  provided  in  the  counfel  of  God,  for  he  hath 
 chofen  us  through  fan6lification  of  the  Spirit.  Hence 
 the  Spirit  is  promifed,  and  hath  been  fent  forth  in  all 
 ages,  but  more  plentifully  in  thefe  laft  days  fince  the 
 coming  of  Chrift,  in  the  variety  of  his  gifts  and  the 
 plenty  of  his  grace  ;  fo  that  this  is  eminently  a  dif- 
 penfation  of  the  Spirit,  under  which  the  faithful  have 
 been  large  partakers  of  his  power  and  goodnefs,  where- 
 by they  obtained  a  freedom  or  boldnefs  unknown  in 
 general  heretofore,  "  For  ye  have  not  received  the 
 "  Spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear,  but  ye  have  re- 
 **  ceived  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry, 
 *'  Abba,  Father."    Rom.  viii.  15. 
 
 Now  it  Is  further  declared,  that  God  hath  given  the 
 Holy  Ghoft  to  them  that  obey  him ;  that  is,  who 
 obey  either  God  the  Father,  or  his  Son  Jefus  Chrift, 
 it  amounts  to  the  fame,  for  in  obeying  cf  Chrift  we 
 obey  the  Father  who  fent  him  :  but  in  gofpel-obedience 
 Chrift  is  the  rnore  immediate  objedlj  and  to  obey  Je- 
 fus Chrift  is  cordially  to  truft  him,  Rom.  x.  16. 
 **  They  have  not  all  obeyed  the  gofpel,  for  Efaias 
 f?  faith^  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our  report?"  Hence 
 
 ^he 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  71 
 the  Son  is  faid,  Heb.  v.  9.  to  have  become  '"  the  au- 
 **  thor  of  eternal  falvatlon  unto  all  them  that  obey 
 **  him,"  i.  e.  that  believe  him  ;  "  for  he  thatbelieveth 
 "  and  is  baptized,  fhall  be  faved,"  Mark  xvi.  i  \  To 
 obey  God,  or  Chrift,  or  the  gofpel,  are  the  fame  in 
 the  language  of  fcripture.  The  expreffion  ufed  in  this 
 place  literally  fignifies  to  fubmit,  and  conveys  the 
 idea  of  a  voluntary  obedience:  And  it  is  well  known 
 that  a  free  fubmiilion  to  Chrift  and  his  righteouf- 
 nefs  is  included  in  the  faith  of  the  chofen.  The  apoftle 
 reprefents  the  unbelief  of  the  Jews  by  their  not  having 
 "  fubmitted  themfelves  to  the  righteoufnefs  of  God," 
 Rom.  X.  3.  Chrift  is  exalted  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour ; 
 he  is  preached  Lord  and  Chrift  ;  or,  as  Peter  afterward 
 proclaimed  him  at  Casfaria,  A6ls  x.  36.  "  Lord  of 
 "  all."  As  fuch  his  people  receive  him;  they  receive 
 Chrift  Jefus  the  Lord,  Col.  ii.  6.  They  willingly 
 fubmit  themfelves  and  furrender  to  him  as  their  Lord, 
 to  be  ruled  by  him,  who  hath  redeemed  them  with  his 
 blood.  Thus  true  faith  in  Chrift  as  a  Saviour  encrao-es 
 the  fubjeil  to  him  as  his  fovereign  ;  and  accordingly 
 unbelievers  are  defcribed  to  be  fuch,  "  who  would  not 
 *'  that  Chrift  fhould  reign  over  them,"  Luke  xix.  27. 
 But  they  v/ho  are  made  willing  in  the  day  of  his  power 
 are  the  voluntary  fubje6ls  of  his  kingdom.  Now  to 
 them  who  thus  obey  Chrift,  the  Holy  Ghoft  is  faid 
 to  be  given  of  God,  they  are  all  partakers  of  this  di- 
 vine Spirit,  of  whom  they  are  born  again  and  brought 
 to  believe,  being  effedlualjy  called  through  the  power 
 of  this  omnipotent  agent  of  the  covenant ;  and  believ- 
 ing on  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  they  receive  the  gift 
 of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  A£ls  ii.  38.  Even  all  that  are  called, 
 E  4  whether 
 
72  LECTURES    ON 
 
 whether  Jew  or  Gentile,  are  "  made  to  drink  into  one 
 *'  fpirit,"  I  Cor.  xii.  13.  Each  believer  hath  a  mea- 
 fure  of  the  Spirit  in  his  gifts  and  graces,  according  to 
 the  will  and  wifdom  of  our  heavenly  Father.  So  then 
 to  obey  is  to  believe ;  and  thofe  on  whom  this  divine 
 witnefs  is  beflowed,  are  all  and  only  them  who 
 through  grace  are  brought  to  the  obedience  of  faith. 
 Thus  our  apoftle  declares  concerning  the  Gentiles  in 
 general  who  were  called,  Aits  xv.  8.  *'  That  God 
 ^'  bear  them  witnefs,  giving  them  the  Holy  Ghoft:" 
 
 But  the  main  point  is  the  teRimony  of  this  glorious 
 perfon  unto  the  truth,  th^it  the  Father  raifed  up  his 
 Son  Jefus,  and  hath  exalted  him  with  his  right-hand  ; 
 for,  though  the  fubje(51:  in  purfuit  is  the  refurrecSlion  of 
 Chrift,  yet  thefe  cannot  be  feparatcd  in  the  teftimony 
 of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  The  witnefs  of  the  apoftles  could 
 reach  no  farther  than  the  infallible  proofs  they  had  of 
 Jefus  being  alive  after  his  paffion,  or  at  farthcft  that 
 after  the  moft  convincing  evidence  that  he  was  truly 
 the  felf-fame  perfon,  and  no  other  than  the  Lord  who 
 was  crucified,  fome  of  them  faw  him  afcend  towards 
 heaven  ;  but  the  Holy  Ghoft  came  down  from  heaven 
 in  confequence  of  his  a£lual  feUion  at  the  right-hand  of 
 God,  as  will  hereafter  be  {een  from  chap.  ii.  33.  So 
 that  the  witnefs  of  the  Spirit  neceflarily  includes  a 
 teftimony  of  the  Saviour's  exaltation,  which  neve.the- 
 Icfs  terminates  flrll:  on  his]  refurreclion  from  the  dead, 
 v/ichout  which  he  could  never  have  been  received  into 
 glory.  The  queftion  is,  how  the  Holy  GhofI:  became 
 ii  witnefs  of  this  wonderful,  but  certairi  and  interefting 
 f;i£l:  ?    And^  according  to  fcripturcj    the   Holy  Ghoft 
 
 may 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  73 
 may  be  faid  to  witnefs  as  a  fpirit  of  prophecy,  Hcb. 
 X.  15.  The  Holy  Shoft  is  ftiled  a  witnefs  of  the  death 
 ofChriftas  a  fiicrificefor  fin,  and  the  efficacy  thereof 
 to  the  putting  it  away,  according  to  the  fcope  of  the 
 place,  on  account  of  his  having  fpoken  by  the  prophets 
 concerning  the  remiilion  of  fins :  he  is  therefore  called 
 a  witnefs,  even  becaufe  he  foretold  what  implied  a  fatis- 
 fa£lion  to  be  made  for  fin  by  the  blood-ftiedding  of  the 
 Meffiah,  through  which  alone  forgivenefs  could  be  ob- 
 tained ;  but  this  h  not  fo  diredtly  to  the  purpofe;  our 
 bufinefs  is  to  confider  in  what  way  the  H!oly  Ghoft  did 
 actually  teflify  after  the  afcenfion  of  Chrift,  that  he 
 was  rifen  from  the  dead  ;  and  this  he  did  both  exter- 
 nally, and  alfo  in  an  internal  manner. 
 
 /vr/?,  We  may  confider  his  external  evidence,  which 
 extended  to  all  v/herever  the  gofpel  was  preached  in 
 the  primitive  times;  it  lay  open  to  the  view  of  every 
 fpedlator,  or  hearer  of  the  word,  called  or  uncalled, 
 and  was  given  more  efpecially  as  a  fign  for  the  con- 
 vidtion  of  unbelievers.  The  miraculous  operations  of 
 the  Holy  Ghoft  were  doubtlefs  one  kind  of  teftimony 
 he  gave  to  the  refurrecftion  of  Chrift.  Thefe  confifted 
 in  extraordinary  powers  communicated  to  the  apoftles 
 for  the  fpreading  of  the  gofpel,  as  by  the  gift  of 
 tongues,  together  with  that  fpirit  of  wifdom,  utterance 
 and  boldnefs  with  which  thofe  nrft  and  great  minifters 
 were  infpired ;  this  aftoniftied  their  enemies,  A6ls 
 iv.  13.  and  tended  to  convince  the  world  of  their  di- 
 vine raiffion,  and  to  promote  the  credit  of  the  dodlrine 
 they  preached ;  befides  the  miracles  they  wrought, 
 (u^k  as  healing  the  fick,  cafting  out  devils,  and  con- 
 veying 
 
74  LECTURESON 
 
 veying  miraculous  powers  to  others,  by  the  laying  on 
 of  their  hands  in  the  fight  of  all  men:  fo  that  with 
 great  power  or  ability,  as  the  word  fignifieth,  gave 
 the  apodles  witnefs  to  the  refurredion  of  the  Lord  Je- 
 fus,  A£ls  iv.  33.  Add  to  this  their  amazing  fuccefs> 
 which  was  not  by  their  power  or  might,  but  by  the 
 Spirit  of  the  living  God.  Thus  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  a 
 variety  of  inftances  attended  the  apoftles  in  their  mini- 
 ilrations  in  every  place,  and  it  might  truly  be  faid,  on 
 account  of  his  wonderful  operations,  that  great  grace 
 was  upon  them  all ;  and  this  was  one  way  in  which 
 the  Holy  Spirit  became  a  witnefs  with  thefe  chofen  dif- 
 ciples  of  the  refurredion  of  Jefus.  I  fee  no  room  to 
 queftion  that  this  external  evidence  of  the  Spirit  is  what 
 the  apoftlc  chiefly  if  not  folely  intends  in  this  place, 
 lince  he  is  fpeaking  to  the  high-prieft  and  other  unbe- 
 lieving Jews ;  befides  the  evidence  of  them  who  are 
 properly  witnefTes  of  our  Saviour's  refurredlion,  and  of 
 the  Holy  Ghoft  confidered  under  that  character,  was  to 
 be  laid  before  the  world  y  and  confequently  muft  be  by 
 fomething  external  and  vifible;  fomething  adapted  to, 
 and  level  with  the  capacity  of  men  as  reafonable  crea- 
 tures, and  fuch  as  natural  men  can  receive.  Such 
 were  the  wonderful  v/orks  wrought  by  the  power  of 
 the  Spirit  referred  to.  Indeed,  as  hath  been  truly  ob- 
 ferved,  a  miracle  proves  nothing  immediately;  but 
 that  there  is  a  caufe  equal  to  the  eifed :  but  fmce  a 
 real  miracle  is  unqueftionably  the  finger  of  God,  it  is  a 
 manifeft  proof  of  his  integrity,  by  whofe  hand  it  is  per- 
 formed, and  confirms  his  veracity  in  the  atteftation  he 
 makes  of  a  fad  upon  his  own  knowledge,  and  confe- 
 quently of  the  fad  itfelf  J  for  it  cannot  with  decency  be 
 
 fuppofed 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRSTIANITY.       75 
 
 fuppofed  that  the  omnifcient  and  faithful  Jehovah 
 would  fet  his  feal  to  an  impoftor  or  a  lie :  we  may  there- 
 fore juftly  efteem  the  extraordinary  and  miraculous 
 works  by  the  apoftles,  and  their  amazing  fuccefs 
 through  the  efficacious  operations  of  the  Spirit,  where- 
 by they  triumphed  over  the  inveterate  prejudices  of 
 Jews  and  Gentiles  in  every  place,  as  a  glorious  proof 
 of  the  divine  Spirit  with  them  to  the  world,  that  Jefus 
 was  rifen  again :  which  proof  ftands  recorded  to  the 
 condemnation  of  unbelievers ;  for  herein,  beftdcs  the 
 abundant  and  fufficient  teftimony  of  men,  they  have 
 fet  before  them  alfo  the  witnefs  of  God.     But, 
 
 Secondly,  There  is  another  way  in  which  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  anfwers  this  chara6ter,  namely,  by  his  internal 
 witnefs,  which  is  peculiar  to  the  faithful,  and  refults 
 from  his  work  and  abode  in  their  hearts  j  thus  it  is  de- 
 clared, I  John  V.  10.  "  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son 
 "  of  God,  hath  the  witnefs  in  himfelf."  Nothing  is 
 more  defpifed  by  many,  as  foolifh  and  enthufiaftical, 
 than  the  work  and  witnefs  of  the  Spirit  in  his  faints, 
 on  which  vital  religion  depends.  I  fhould  rejoice  in 
 the  conviction  of  any  fuch  ignorant  fcoffer ;  but  my 
 view  is  principally  the  eftablifhment  of  them  that  be- 
 lieve ;  it  will  therefore  not  be  impertinent,  and  I  hope 
 it  may  be  ufeful,  that  I  attempt  to  clear  this  paf- 
 fage  from  the  cloud  drawn  over  it  by  the  falfe  glolTes 
 and  bold  contradictions  of  fome.  It  is  afFedting  to  fee 
 men  who  have  employed  their  fuperior  talents  with  fuc- 
 cefs, in  ftating  the  external  evidence  of  chriftianity, 
 as  if  they  were  ft  rangers  to  the  power  of  the  gofpel ; 
 pod  knowethj  on  every  occafion  bending  their  utmoft 
 
 force 
 
76  LECTURESON 
 
 force  agalnft  the  operations  of  the  IJoly  Spirit  on  the 
 heart,  whereby  he  becomes  a  witnefs  in  the  faithful ! 
 Some  deny  that  the  apoftle  here  appeals  to  an  inward 
 teftlmony  of  the  Spirit,  and  infinuate  that  he  fpeaks 
 of  the  extraordinary  powers  which  believers  obtained, 
 who  could  not  but  credit  the  reality  of  thofe  powers  of 
 which  they  were  coiifcious.  According  to  thefe  gen- 
 tlemen therefore  when  the  apoftle  faith,  ,*'  He  that 
 "  believeth  hath  the  witnefs  in  himfelf,"  he  appeals 
 to  the  powers  of  the  Spirit  which  the  believer  had  re- 
 ceived, manifeft  in  their  efFedls ;  and  this  they  would 
 have  to  be  that  witnefs  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  whereof 
 Peter  fpeaks:  So  that  in  reality  this  inwardj  witnefs 
 depends  on  an  external  evidence,  and  comes  to  no- 
 thing more  than  a  certain  confcioufnefs  of  extraordi- 
 nary powers  received  ;  which  being  exerted,  witnefied 
 to  the  fubje(3:  that  Jefus  was  rifen  from  the  dead. 
 And  who  cannot  fee  that,  according  to  this,  it  is  the 
 vifible  cffcEt  of  this]  miraculous  power,  and  not  the 
 power  itfelf,  which  is  truly  and  properly  the  tefti- 
 mony  a  believer  receives,  but  can  this  be  ftiled  *'  a  wit- 
 **  nefs  in  himfelf?  Befides  thefe  very  men  allow, 
 yea  they  infift,  that  thefe  extraordinary  gifts  of  the 
 Spirit  hath  long  ceafed  in  the  church.  Thus  we  are  at 
 once  fecured  from  any  enthufiaftlc  notion  of  an  in- 
 ward teftimony  of  the  Spirit  common  to  the  faithful, 
 and  every  believer  is  cut  ofF  from  any  expeftation  of 
 finding  this  witnefs  in  himfelf,  fo  plainly  aflerted  by 
 the  apoflle.  It  is  well  for  the  chriflian  that  the  fcrip- 
 tyre  cannot  be  broken. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     77 
 
 But  a  little  reflection  may  (hew  this  confined  inter- 
 pretation unjuft.  The  apoftle  John  is  not  diflinguifh- 
 ing  the  faithful  one  from  another;  he  is  confidering 
 mankind  as  children  of  God  or  children  of  the  devil : 
 and  with  refpedt  to  the  former,  he  does  not  fay  this 
 or  the  other  believer  hath  the  witncfs  in  himfelf ;  on 
 the  contrary  the  individual  pronoun  Ke,  determines 
 the  fenfe  to  be  univerfal  and  particular,  and  confe- 
 quently  that  every  renewed  perfon  hath  this  teftimony 
 in  his  own  brcaft.  And  as  to  the  pafTage  in  the  A6ls 
 we  are  upon,  Peter  fpeaks  indefinitely  of  them  that 
 obey  the  gofpel  of  Chrift ;  nor  fhould  any  man  take 
 the  liberty  as  fome  prefume,  to  confine  the  text  by 
 paraphrafing  the  fentence  thus,  '  them  that  obey  him  ;* 
 i.  e.  fay  they,  '  the  apoftles  and  many  others  who  have 
 *  fubmitted  to  his  government,'  there  being  no  fuch 
 limitation  in  the  fcope  or  words  of  the  infpired  writer. 
 That  the  witnefs  which  the  believer  hath  in  himfelf, 
 aflerted  in  this  claufe,  is  to  be  underftood  of  a  tefti- 
 mony,  which  arifeth  in  the  heart  or  confcience  of 
 every  one  that  is  called,  and  not  to  be  confined  to  the 
 miraculous  powers  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  with  which 
 fome  only  were  endowed  even  In  the  primitive  times, 
 is  clear  from  the  obvious  defign  of  the  apoftle.  He 
 wrote  his  epiftle  with  a  view  to  eftablifh  the  difciples 
 in  the  doftrine  of  Chrift,  relating  to  his  appearance  in 
 the  flefh,  and  that  each  one  born  of  the  Spirit  might 
 know  that  he  believed  on  his  name ;  to  this  end  he 
 aflerts  that  ''  the  Son  of  God  was  manifefced  to  take 
 *'  away  our  fins ;"  and  then  declares  the  infallible 
 proof  which  he  and  others  had  of  this  truth,  even  after 
 
 his 
 
78  L'E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 his  refurre(Elion  from  the  dead.  He  declares,  chap.  I. 
 •*  That  they  had  heard,  feen,  looked  upon,  and  handled 
 •'  of  the  word  of  life ;"  and  goes  on  to  certain  criterions 
 of  the  regenerate,  among  which  this  is  one,  namely,  *'he 
 "  that  believeth  hath  the  witnefs  in  himfelf."  The  wit- 
 nefs  of  what  ?  Why  doubtlefsof  this,  that  Jefus  who  was 
 God  manifeft  in  the  flefh,  having  aftually  made  propitia- 
 tion by  the  blood  of  the  crofs,  rofe  from  the  dead,  afcend- 
 cd  to  glory,  and  lives  with  the  Father  to  interceed  for  his 
 people.  Now  of  this,  faith  the  apoftie,  the  believer 
 *'  hath  the  witnefs  in  himfelf  j"  i.  e.  he  hath  by  the 
 work  of  the  Spirit  in  his  own  heart  an  undeniable  proof 
 that  Jefus  is  rifen ;  which  exadlly  correfponds  with 
 the  nature  of  that  hope  unto  which  the  regenerate  are 
 begotten,  i  Pet.  i.  3.  It  is  a  lively  hope  grounded  in 
 the  refurreclion  of  Jefus  Chrift  from  the  dead,  raifed 
 by  the  agency  of  that  Spirit  which  the  Father  beftowed 
 in  confequence  of  the  exaltation  of  his  Son,  who  died 
 for  our  fins  and  rofe  again :  So  that  whoever  is  quick- 
 ened by  the  Spirit  of  life  in  Chrift,  hath  a  witnefs  in 
 himfelf  that  Jefus,  whom  he  trufteth,  is  raifed  from 
 the  dead.  And  is  there  any  thing  abfurd  in  this  tefti- 
 mony  ?  Is  it  not  clear  and  moft  certainly  true,  that  if 
 quickening  grace,  regeneration  and  faving  faith  are 
 of  the  Spirit,  fent  down  from  the  Saviour,  who  fits  at 
 the  right-hand  of  God,  as  the  fcriptures  declare,  then 
 every  one  that  believes  hath  this  witnefs  in  himfelf, 
 the  Holy  Ghoft,  in  the  execution  of  his  office,  and 
 by  thefe  efficacious  influences  of  his  grace,  muft  be  an 
 infallible  witnefs  in  the  called,  that  Jefus  who  fends 
 him  Is  rifen  and  exalted.    This  divine  operation  is  truly 
 
 myfterious. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.      79 
 myfterious,  and  what  the  world  cannot  receive,   and  it 
 is  no  caufe  of  wonder  that  natural  men  fhould  contra- 
 did  the  things  of  the  Spirit  they  are  not  able  to  dif- 
 cern.    But  admitting  this  work  in   the   foul,  which, 
 would  to  God  he  that  oppofeth  himfelf  to  the  truth, 
 might  experience,  the  reafon  of  this  evidence  to  the 
 happy  fubjedt,   for  this  kind  of  proof  is  purely  perfonal, 
 is  fo  obvious  as  fcarce  to  be  denied ;  the  chriftian  in- 
 deed hath  not  always  a  practical  fenfe  of  this  joyful 
 aflurance  of  his  Saviour's  refurre£tion,  the  ground  of 
 his  hope,  which  refults   from  the  quickening  of  the 
 Spirit  J  this  greatly  depends  on  his  frame  j  but  he  that 
 is  the  fubjecSt  of  a  divine  change  by  the  power  of  the 
 Holy  Ghoft,   whofe  miffion  is  from  the  exalted  Re- 
 deemer, muft  needs  be  poflefTed  of  a  virtual  proof  in 
 his  own  experience  that  Jefus  is  alive  from  the  dead. 
 How  is  it  poflible  that  a  man  begotten  to  a  lively  hope, 
 by  the  refurre6tion  of  Chrift  from  the  dead,  which 
 belongs  to  the  charadter  of  every  chriftian,   I  fay,  how 
 can  it  be  that  this  man  fhould  be  deftitute  of  a  witnefs 
 in  himfelf  that  Jefus  is  rifen  ?  it  is  therefore  moft  ra- 
 tional, and  confequently  without  any  the  leaft  tinc- 
 ture of  enthufiafm,   that  the  apoftle  in  the  paflage  re- 
 ferred to,  is  underftood  of  that  inward  teftimony  which 
 refults  from  the  work  of  the  Spirit  in  the  faithful  to  the 
 refurre<5lion  of  him  in  whom  they  believe ;  but  whe- 
 ther it  is  becoming  in  any  one  to  wreft  the  fcripture, 
 in  order  to  contradict  an  appeal  of  this  nature,  and  to 
 deride  the  witnefs  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  his  people,  the 
 Reader  will  judge. 
 
 But 
 
8o  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 '.*BuT  this  teftimony  of  the  Spirit  in  the  faints  unto 
 their  Lord's  refurrecSlion  is  not  confined  to  his  general 
 work  on  their  hearts,  whereby  they  are  quickened  and 
 efFeilually  called.  It  likewife  appears  in  the  fame  man- 
 ner it  does  in  refpeit  of  the  divine  authority  of  the 
 fcriptures,  namely,  by  urging  on  their  mind  the  wit- 
 nefs  of  the  apoftles  and  other  external  evidences  of  the 
 important  event,  whereby  they  are  powerfully  con- 
 vinced and  fully  perfuaded  that  he  is  rifen  indeed. 
 Till  the  Spirit  doth  thus  as  it  were  join  vvitnefs  with 
 the  confcience  of  a  man,  and  thereby  renders  effectual 
 the  arguments  or  motives  arifing  from  the  evidence 
 given,  he  is  not  eftabliihed  in  this  foundation  of  God. 
 ]^ow  as  a  judicious  writer*  obferves,  on  the  like  illumi- 
 nations or  efficacious  imprellions  of  the  Spirit,  in  con- 
 firmation of  the  fcriptures,  it  may  juftly  be  noted, 
 that  the  inward  witnefs  I  aflert,  or  rather  which  is  af- 
 ferted  by  the  infpired  apoflle,  is  by  no  means  enthu- 
 fiafm  ;  for  it  is  a  difcovery  or  confirmation  in  the  mind 
 and  confcience  by  means  and  inftruments ;  whereas 
 every  one  knows,  that  enthufiafm,  in  our  common  ac- 
 ceptation of  the  word,  is  mere  imagination  and  con- 
 ceit, without  any  reafon  or  motive  grounded  in  evi- 
 dence, and  that  the  deluded  fubjeil  pours  contempt  on 
 thefe,  and  indeed,  for  the  moft  part  on  all  other  moral 
 caufes  whatever.  Thus  without  rejeilino-  external 
 evidence  as  a  reafon  or  motive  to  believe  any  h6t  that 
 
 concerns 
 
 *  Dr.  John  Edwards,  a  man  of  lingular  piety  and  learning,  whofe 
 ■works  are  tjo  full  of  ftrong  reafoning  and  folid  arguments,  on  every  point, 
 to  be  charged  with  enthufiafm,  without  manifelt  prejudice  j  fee  him  oi»- 
 the  autiioriry,  ftije  and  perfc-(5lion  of  fcripture.  Vol.  1.  page  48.  1693. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  8t 
 concerns  our  falvation,  we  may  boldly  declare,  that 
 the  divine  faith,  proper  to  a  regenerate  man,  is  fupcr- 
 natural  and  not  mere  moral  fuafion,  but  as  the 
 apoftle  exprefles,  it  is  in  the  demonftration  of  the  Spi- 
 rit and  with  power  ;  or  in  other  words,  that  the  faith 
 of  the  chofen  doth  not  ftand  in  the  wifdom  of  men, 
 but  in  the  power  of  God,  i  Cor.  ii.  4,  5. 
 
 We  live  in  a  day  of  prevailing  infidelity,  wherein 
 fceptics  abound,    and   fliould  be  furnifhed  with  argu- 
 ments  to  ftop   the  mouth  of  a    fcornful   unbeliever ; 
 nor  was  the  church  ever  fo  amply  provided  with  means 
 ^or,  that  purpofe.     The  bold  libels  of  deifts  have  pro- 
 duced  many  learned  and   folid  anfwers  in  defence  of 
 revelation  ;   but  Sir,   I  am  forry  the  caution  is  needful ; 
 when  you  read   fome  of  thefe  ingenuous  and  able  au- 
 thors,  who  have  well  defended  the  external  evidence 
 of  chriftianity,  with  all  due  refpe£t  to  their  character, 
 you  muft  beware,  left  you  are  ftumbled  in  relation  to 
 points  of  chriftian  experience,    for  it  is  melancholy  to 
 obferve,  that  a  deift  cannot  more  oppofe  the  authenti- 
 city of  fcripture,  than  fome  men  who  plead  for  it  feem 
 averfe  to  the  notion  of  an  efficacious  work  of  the  Spi- 
 rit of  God  in  them  that  are  called.    Thofe  treatifes  on 
 the  veracity  of  the  facred  writings,  which  occafionally 
 ftrike  at  the  operations  and  witnefs  of  the  Holy  Ghoit 
 in  believers,   appear  to  me  the  moft  dangerous  means 
 of  flattering  men  who  are  deftitute  of  the  life  and  power 
 of  godlinefs  to  their  ruin.    But  I  hope  the  Reader  is 
 convinced,    that  there   is  no  reafon  for   rejedling   the 
 notion  of  an   appeal  to   the  inward  teftimony  of  the 
 Spirit  in  the  claufe  abovementioned ;  for  if  the  pri- 
 F  mitive 
 
82  LECTURES     ON 
 
 mitive  chrlftians,  as  thefe  writers  urge,  might  be  faid 
 each  to  have  a  witnefs  in  himfelf  of  the  refurre^lion  of 
 Jefus,  arifing  from  his  being  confcious  of  extraordinary 
 powers  communicated  to  him,    much  more  muft  the 
 quickening   and   comforting   influences    of    the   Holy 
 Ghoft,  which  proceed  on  a  convicStion  of  the  Redeemer's 
 being  raifed    from    the   dead,    be  a  teftlmony  of  this 
 glorious  event  in    the  fubjeil  of  his  grace.     In   one 
 word,   the  apoftle  exprefsly  declares,  that  "  he  that 
 "  believeth  hath  the  witnefs  in  himfelf."     And   is  it 
 not  ftrange,  that  any  who  pretend  to  the  faith  of  the 
 gofpel,  ftiould  prefume  to  aflert,   that  he  doth  not  ap- 
 peal to  an  inward  teflimony  of  the  Spirit,  and  to  make 
 way  for  the  credit  of  this  confident  affertion,  endeavour 
 to  fix  an  odium  on  the  notion  of  fuch  a  teftimony,  by 
 ftiling  thofe  who  avow  it   *  modern  enthufiafts !'    But 
 furely  this  can  never  be  taken  for  reafon  or  argument; 
 it  only  fhews  that  men  of  great  ingenuity  and  learning 
 in    other   refpecls,    may    be    under   ftrong    prejudices 
 againft  a  fupernatural  work  and  witnefs  of  the  Spirit 
 in  the  hearts  of  God's  people,   however  clearly  revealed 
 to  be  the  experience,  not  only  of  modern,  but  alfo,   of 
 ancient  believers,   even  of  all  the  faithful  from  the  be- 
 ginning of  chriftianity.     Refie6t  then,  O  Chriftian,  on 
 thine  own  experience,  and  be  not  afhamed  to  own,  but 
 gladly  rejoice  that  thou  haft  from  the  Spirit  that  dwel- 
 leth  in  thee,  a  fure  and  {landing  teftimony  of  thy  Sa- 
 viour's refurreilion ! 
 
 Thus  not  only  the  apoftles,  but  the  Holy  Ghoft 
 alfo  witneffed  the  refurrection  of  Jefus  from  the  dead. 
 He  did  fo  by  the  miraculous  powers  with  which  the 
 
 apoftles 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    83 
 
 apoftles  and  others  were  endowed  in  the  firft  ages  of 
 chriftianity  J  and  likewife  by  the  operation  of  his  grace 
 in  them  that  believed.  The  vifible  efFctfts  of  thefe  ex- 
 traordinary powers  were  a  fign  to  the  world  for  the 
 convi6lion  of  many,  while  his  work  and  teftimony  in 
 the  hearts  of  them  that  were  called  pofleflVd  each  happy 
 fubjedl  of  his  grace  with  a  witnefs  in  himfelf,  that  God 
 had  indeed  raifed  up  Jefus  who  was  crucified  and  flain. 
 And  truly,  fmce  this  work  in  the  hearts  of  the  redeemed, 
 proceeds  on  the  certainty  of  Chrift's  refurre£lion, 
 which  lies  at  the  bottom  of  their  hope,  it  is  fo  far  from 
 being  enthufiafm,  modern  enthufiafm,  as  fome  modern 
 advocates  for  revelation  have  been  pleafed  to  call  it, 
 that  nothing  can  be  more  rational,  for  on  a  fuppofition 
 of  fuch  a  work  of  the  Spirit,  it  is  impoflible  it  fhould  be 
 otherwife. 
 
 How  undeniable  and  fatisfai5lory  then  is  the  evidence 
 of  Chrill's  refurre£lion  !  "  If  we  receive  the  witnefs 
 •*  of  men  the  witnefs  of  God  is  greater,"  i  John  v.  9. 
 And  efpecially  as  this  witnefs  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  ter- 
 minates in  the  heart  of  every  chriftian  by  the  work  of 
 his  grace.  Then  enquire,  my  Friend  :  Hath  he  quick- 
 ened and  begotten  thee  to  a  lively  hope  by  the  return 
 of  Jefus  from  the  dead?  Without  this  experience,  a 
 fimple  credit  of  the  fcriptures,  and  this  wonderful  fait 
 they  relate,  will  leave  thee  fhort  of  falvation :  But 
 with  this  divine  hope  be  not  afraid,  thy  redemptior^ 
 draweth  nigh,  only  let  thy  converfation  be  in  heaven, 
 whence  thy  Saviour  is  coming ;  thou  muft  fliortly  fee 
 death  and  corruption,  but  thy  dead  body  like  his  fhall 
 
 F  2  arife. 
 
84  LECTURESON 
 
 arife,  "  according  to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able 
 "  to  fubdue  all  things  to  himfelf." 
 
 What  a  fearful  condition  muft  unbelievers  be  in, 
 when  Jefus  fhall  be  revealed  from  heaven  to  take  ven- 
 geance on  them  wht*  fieny  his  refurreftion  !  At  his  tri- 
 bunal feat,  how  will  they  ftand  it,  when  all  thefe  cho- 
 fen  witnefles  fliall  rife  up  in  judgment  againft  them  ; 
 and  the  Holy  Ghcft  alfo,  whofe  teftimony  they  have 
 rejefled,  and  it  may  be  blafphemed  !  O  that  thofe 
 who  fcornfully  fet  themfelves  againft  the  truth  and 
 power  of  chriftianity,  were  awakened  to  conuder,  that 
 they  would  hearken  to  the  voice  of  the  Spirit  they  at 
 prefent  defpife !  "  -To-day,  faith  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 "  even  while  it  is  called  to-day,  harden  not  your 
 "  hearts."  And  againft  the  difobedient  he  himfelf  will 
 be  a  Vv'itnefs  to  their  everlafting  confufion  !  On  the 
 other  hand,  how  dcfirable  are  the  renewed  teftimonies 
 of  the  Spirit  in  the  heart.  Every  fenfible  operation  of 
 the  Holy  Ghoft  and  fealing  of  that  divine  Comforter, 
 is  a  frefh  witnefs  in  and  to  the  believer.  O  that  under 
 the  powerful  influences  of  his  grace  we  might  daily 
 more  and  more,  by  our  faith,  love  and  fruit,  hold 
 forth  a  rifen  Saviour,  and  manifeft  to  all,  that  indeed 
 we  are  rifen  with  him !  In  a  word,  let  us  earneftly 
 plead  for  this  Arm  of  the  Lord  with  the  preaching  of 
 the  gofpel,  that  many  who  are  now  dead  in  fin,  being 
 quickened,  may  believe  on  the  Son  of  God,  that  being 
 burled  wiih  Chrift  in  baptifm  unto  death,  like  as  he 
 was  raifed  up  from  the  dead,  by  the  glory  of  the  Father, 
 even  fo  they  alfo  may  walk  in  newnefs  of  life,  to  the 
 praife  of  his  grace. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    85 
 
 LECTURE     VI. 
 
 The  afcenfion  of  Je'us.     His  feffion  at  the  right-hand 
 of    God. 
 
 rXAVING  confidered  the  v/itnefs  of  the  Spirit, v/ith 
 ^  -L  that  of  the  apoftles  to  our  Lord's  refurrecSlion, 
 we  now  return  to  the  famous  firlt  fermon  which  Peter 
 preached  at  Jerufalem.  That  interefting  point  being 
 manifeft,  he  proceeds  to  (hev/  how  it  came  to  pafs  that 
 the  difciples  were  endowed  from  on  high  in  the  won- 
 derful manner  his  audience  had  feen.  This  glorious 
 part  of  his  difcourfe  is  recorded,  A£ts  ii.  33,  34.  and 
 35  verfes,  in  the  following  terms,  *'  Therefore  being 
 "  by  the  right  hand  of  God  exalted,  and  having;  re- 
 "  ceived  of  the  Father  the  promife  of  the  Holy  Gh:)fl-, 
 *'  he  hath  fhed  forth  this  which  ye  now  fee  and  hear : 
 "  For  David  is  not  afcended  into  the  heavens  j  but 
 "  he  faith  himfslf,  The  Lord  faid'unto  my  Lord, 
 *'  Sit  thou  on  my  right-hand,  until  I  make  thy  foes  thy 
 **  footftool."  Note  here  in  general,  that  the  apoftle 
 doth  not  barely  affert,  but  makes  it  evident  that  Chrift 
 was  to  afcend  to  the  throne  in  the  heavens,  in  which 
 he  is  an  example  to  preachers  in  every  age.  His  call 
 and  furniture  as  a  minifter  were  both  extraordinary, 
 yet  he  afiumes  no  dominion  over  the  faith  of  his  hearers, 
 but  proves  his  dodrine  from  the  oraclea  of  God,  and 
 F    3  endeavour. 
 
86  LECTURESON 
 
 endeavours  to  perfuade  the  Jews,  by  an  appeal  to  the 
 writings  of  David,  whom  they  all  owned  a  prophet : 
 In  like  manner  the  minifters  of"  Jefus  are  to  convince 
 gain-faycrs,  and  to  feek  their  converfion,  not  by  dog- 
 matic aflertions,'  but  by  reafoning  out  of  the  fcrip- 
 tures,  there  being  no  other  method  adapted  to  affe6l 
 the  confciences  of  men  with  the  authority  of  God,  with- 
 out which  they  cannot  be  faved. 
 
 But  to  return.  In  this  paffage  a  door  is  opened  in 
 heaven;  and  O  how  illuftrious  and  delightful  the 
 fcene  !  Behold,  Chriftian,  thy  Saviour  fits  there,  crown- 
 ed with  glory  and  honour,  to  pour  out  blefllngs  on  his 
 people,  and  reward  them  that  hate  him  !  The  follow- 
 ing particulars  are  to  be  noted  in  this  divine  profpe£l:, 
 namely,  the  afcenfion  of  Jefus,  his  feflion  at  the  right- 
 hand  of  God,  the  hand  of  the  Father  in  placing  him 
 there,  what  pafled  between  them  on  his  being  exalted, 
 and  the  period  of  his  prefent  fituation ;  all  which  afford 
 nourifhment  to  the  faith  of  God's  people,  and  are  a 
 ground  of  their  joy  in  the  Lord :  Let  us  then  briefly 
 attend  to  each  in  its  order. 
 
 That  Chrift  lives  exalted  in  the  heavens,  is  a  truth 
 of  the  utmoft  importance  to  the  faithful,  for  we  are 
 faved  by  his  life  with  the  Father  ;  but  this  is  impoffible 
 if  he  afccnded  not  to  him  ;  the  apoftle  therefore  argues 
 the  point  and  proves,  that  he  whom  God  hath  exalted, 
 and  confequently  who  is  afcended,  is  not  the  Plalmifl 
 but  Chrift.  His  reafoning  ftands  thus,  ver.  34.  '*  For 
 ?^  David  is  not  afcended  into  the  heavens  j"  for  he  had 
 
 before 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    87 
 
 before  obferved,  that  his  body  remained  in  the  flate  of 
 the  dead;  but  he,  David,  faith  himfelf;  "  The  Lord 
 *'  faid  unto  my  Lord,  i.  e.  the  Meiliah,  Sit  thou  on 
 "  my  right  hand."  Not  David  therefore,  but  Chrift 
 is  afcended.  Can  any  thing  be  more  conclufive  or 
 juft  ?  The  prophet  lay  buried  in  his  fepulchre  with  the 
 Jev/s,  and  therefore  could  not  be  afcended  ;  but  he 
 fpake  of  the  Meifiah,  whom  God  would  raife  up  to  fit 
 on  his  throne,  even  Jefus  who  is  now  alive  from  the 
 dead,  and  fits  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  which  im- 
 plies his  afcenfion ;  and  accordingly  Jefus  is  gone 
 into  heaven. 
 
 From  this  reafoning  of  the  apoftle  it  appears,  that 
 the  afcenfion  of  our  Lord  has  refpedl  to  his  human 
 nature,  and  is  no  other  than  his  going  or  being  carried 
 up  in  the  body  from  earth  into  heaven  j  a  local  remove, 
 by  which  a  change  of  place  is  inferred  :  fo  that  Jefus 
 no  longer  corporally  refides  in  this  lower  world,  but 
 is  retained  in  the  heavens,  in  which  he  is  received. 
 This  is  varloufly  expreffed  :  It  is  declared,  he  was 
 parted  or  taken  up  from  them:  At  other  times  he  is 
 faid  to  go :  And  again,  that  he  went  up  to  heaven, 
 for  he  was  a6live  in  afcending  by  his  own  power  and 
 right ;  and  at  the  fame  time  in  reality,  as  will  here- 
 after be  ftiewn,  the  Father  exalted  him.  Oi  this  af- 
 cenfion of  the  Mefliah  the  Old  Teftament  faints  were 
 not  unacquainted.  It  has  been  thought  that  the  tran- 
 flation  of  Enoch,  and  the  ^flumption  of  Elijah,  were 
 fhadows  of  this  great  event ;  inftances  which  at  leaft 
 fhew  a  credibility  of  a  bodily  entrance  into  the  hea- 
 F  4  venly 
 
88  LECTURESON 
 
 venly  ftate  *.  However  Noah's  ark  will  be  admitted 
 a  figure  of  Chrift,  out  of  which  the  patriarch  afcend- 
 ed,  as  Jefus  from  the  grave,  i  Pet.  iii.  20.  And  the 
 returning  of  Mofes's  ark  to  Mount-Sion,  and  placing 
 it  In  the  tabernacle,  after  many  years  dwelling  in  the 
 houfe  of  Ahimelech,  fome  confider  in  the  fame  point 
 of  light,  which  feems  favoured  by  the  prophet,  who 
 referring  to  that  joyful  feafon,  cries  out,  "  Lift  up 
 *'  your  heads,  O  ye  gates,  and  be  ye  lift  up  ye  ever- 
 "  lafting  doors,  and  the  King  of  glory  {hall  come  in. 
 "  Who  is  this  King  of  glory  ?  The  Lord  of  Hofts," 
 Pfalm  xxiv.  17.  And  further,  it  is  manifefl  from  Heb. 
 ix.  24.  that  the  entrance  of  the  Jewifh  high-prieft 
 within  the  veil,  on  the  day  of  atonement,  typified 
 that  of  our  forerunner  Jefus  into  heaven,  the  true  holy 
 place.  Thus  there  have  been  feveral  types  or  emblems 
 of  the  afccafion  of  our  Saviour  into  the  heavens. 
 
 There  are  likewife  many  fcripture  tcflimonies, 
 befides  the  paflage  before  us,  which  plainly  refer  to 
 this  grand  and  important  article  of  faith.  Daniel  faw 
 in  a  vifion !  '*  The  Son  of  man  coming  with  the 
 *'  clouds  of  heaven  to  the  Ancient  of  days,  and  they 
 *'  brought  him  near  before  him,  and  thei-e  was  given 
 *'  him   dominion,  glory,    and  a  kingdom,"    chap.  vii.. 
 
 *  Note,  Not  that  any  natural  or  corruptible  body  can  be  fuppofed  capable 
 of  the  heavenly  glory  :  "  Flefli  and  biood  cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  of 
 "  God,"  I  Cor.  XV.  50.  Hence  they  who  fliall  be  found  alive  at  the 
 coming  of  Chrift,  and  thprefore  fleep  or  die  not,  "  fliall  be  changed  in  a 
 *'  moment:"  In  like  manner,  no  doubt,  the  bodies  of  thefe  faints  were 
 inftantaneoufly  transformed  into  a  fpiritual  incorruptible  ft?te  :  Nor  is  there 
 any  diflkulty  in  conceiving  this  fudden  and  wonderful  change  by  the  Al- 
 jniehty,  though  in  an  atom,  or  the  fmalleft  article  of  time  that  can  be 
 jn  Rgi fjed  J  which  the  apoftlc  finely  ilhulrates  by  the  "  twinkling  of  sn  eye," 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  89 
 13,  14.  which  cannot  refer  to  his  fecond  appearance. 
 Since  then  he  will  come,  not  to  receive^  but  to  deliver 
 up  a  kingdom  to  the  Father,  i  Cor.  xv.  24.  Yea 
 thefe  ancient  prophefies  go  farther  than  barely  to  point 
 out  that  the  Mefliah  fliould  afoend ;  they  likewife 
 enter  into  the  glorious  circumftances  in  which  he  was 
 to  go  up.  The  Saviour  did  not  afcend  alone,  and  in 
 fijence,  as  when  he  defcended  to  his  ftate  of  humilia- 
 tion, but  in  a  magnificent  manner,  with  a  fhining 
 retinue  as  became  him,  who  having  by  the  death  of 
 his  crofs,  triumphed  over  principalities  and  powers, 
 was  entering  into  his  glory,  to  fill  all  things  *  for  the 
 completing  of  his  mediatorial  kingdom.  It  feems  no 
 vain  conjedure  that  the  faints  who  came  out  of  their 
 graves  after  our  Lord's  refurredlion  went  with  him  to 
 glory  ;  for  is  it  reafonable  to  fuppofe  that  they  return- 
 ed to  the  earth  ?  If  not,  they  are  doubtlefs  received 
 into  heaven,  and  why  not  with  the  Saviour  ?  But  of 
 this  we  are  certain,  that  Jefus  afcended  with  a  multi- 
 tude of  the  heavenly  hoft,  Pfalm  Ixviii.  17.  *'  The 
 "  chariots  of  God  are  twenty  thoufand,  even  thou- 
 "  fands,  or  many  thoufands,  of  angels  ;  The  Lord  is 
 *'  among  them  as  in  Sinai,  in  the  holy  place.  Thou 
 *'  haft  afcended  on  high."  And  again,  Pfalm  xlvii.  5. 
 "  God  is  gone  up  with  a  fhout,  the  Lord  with  the 
 "  found  of  a  trumpet."   Thus  we  are  told,   i  Thefs. 
 
 iv. 
 
 *  Eph.  iv.  10.  "  To  fill  all  things,"  i.  e.  all  things  needful  to  the  per- 
 fc'fting  his  body  the  church ;  as  appears  from  what  follows  ;  for  in  refpe£l 
 of  the  omniprefence  eflential  to  his  divine  nature,  he  filled  all  things 
 before  his  afcenfion,  and  they  who  understand  and  confider  the  nature  of 
 corporal  fubftance,  which  cannot  be  infinitely  extended,  will  rejeifl  the 
 notion  of  the  ubiquity  of  our  Saviour's  natural  body  as  entirely  falfe  and 
 iibfurd. 
 
90  LECTURESON 
 
 iv.  i6.  "  The  Lord  himfelf  (hall  defcend  from  heaven 
 *'  with  a  fhout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel  and 
 *'  v^Ith  the  trump  of  God;"  which  agrees  with  the 
 report  to  the  difciples,  AtSts  i.  ir.  From  whence  it 
 appears,  that  the  afcenfion  of  Jefus  was  in  like  manner 
 as  hereafter  his  coming  from  heaven  (hall  be,  namely, 
 local,   vifible,   and  glorious. 
 
 To  the  witnefs  of  the  prophets  we  have  our  Lord's 
 own  predi»Slion  that  he  fliould  afcend  j   of  which  he  Is 
 thought  to  give  early  intimation  in  his  difcourfe  with 
 Nicodemus,   John  iii.    12.    but  in  that  with   his  dif- 
 ciples on  the  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed,  he  is 
 plain  and  exprefs,   John  xvi  2.    "  I  go  to  the  Father." 
 And  again,   chap.  xvi.  28.   "  I  came  from  the  Father, 
 *'  and  am  come  into  the    world  :    again,  I  leave  the 
 **  world  and  go  to  the  Father."     This  they  well  under- 
 ftood,   as  appears  from  the  following  verfe,  "  Lo,  now 
 "  fpeakeft    thou  plainly,  and  fpeakeft    no    proverb." 
 And  in  chap.  xiv.  29.   after  repeating  the  fame  thing, 
 Jefus    faith,  *'  And   now  I  have   told   you   before   it 
 '*  come   to   pafs,    that  when   it  is  come   to  pafs,    ye 
 "  might  believe."     And  accordingly,   on  the   morning 
 he  rofe,  he  fays  to  Mary  Magdalene,  "  Touch  me  not, 
 "  for  1  am  not  yet  afcended  to  my  Father,  but  go  to 
 *'  my  brethren,   and   fay   unto  them,   I  afcend,  &c." 
 Had  the  difciples  never  underftood  that  the  Lord   was 
 to  afcend,   this  meffage  had  been  ftrajige  and  perplex- 
 ing;  but  he  reminds  them  of  what  he  foretold,  for  this 
 reafon  among  others,    left  they  fhould  flatter  themfclves 
 that  he  would  tarry  with  them  henceforth^  and  fet  up 
 a  kingdom  on  earth,  now  he  was  ri fen  from  the  dead, 
 
 which 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    91 
 
 which  they  ftill  fondly  expe6led,  and  that  at  his  de- 
 parture they  might  be  fully  perfuaded  that  he  was 
 indeed  gone  to  the  Father,  as  he  declared  before  "his 
 deceafe. 
 
 It  has  been  very  properly  noted,  that  there  was  no 
 r.eceffity  for  the  difciples  to  fee  their  Mafter  rife  out 
 of  his  grave,  fince  he  was  to  abide  many  days,  and  to 
 afford  them  repeated  and  undeniable  proof  of  his  bein» 
 alive  from  the  dead,  but  the  article  of  his  afcenfion  is 
 very  differently  circumftanced.  After  he  Vv'as  taken, 
 up  into  heaven,  he  was  no  more  to  be  feen  in  this 
 World,  it  was  therefore  requifite  that  they  fhould  be- 
 hold him  afcend  to  their  full  fatisfadion,  that  they 
 might  teftify  on  their  own  knowledge  whither  he  was 
 gone,  and  accordingly  we  find  them  eye-witnefTes  of 
 the  fa6l  in  the  moft  perfe£l  manner  that  can  be  con- 
 ceived. 
 
 On  the  credit  of  fcripture  nothing  can  be  more 
 certain  or  plain  than  that  Jefus  did  truly  and  properlv 
 afcend,  or  go  up  into  heaven  bodily  in  the  fight  of  his 
 difciples:  They  afford  a  particular  account  of  this 
 important  event,  relating  to  the  time,  place,  and  man- 
 ner of  its  accomplifliment.  It  was  forty  days  after 
 his  refurrection,  on  Mount-Olivet,  in  the  confines 
 of  Bethany,  near  if  not  on  the  felf-fame  fpot,  to 
 which  Chrift  often  retired,  and  where  once  under 
 dreadful  apprehenfions  of  wrath,  being  in  an  agony, 
 he  fweat  drops  as  blood  :  So  that  from  the  very  place 
 in  which  he  was  heretofore  (cen  in  the  utmoft  diflrefs, 
 defcending  into  an  hell  of  darknefs  and  fufferings,  we 
 
 now 
 
92  LECTURESON 
 
 now  behold  the  Redeemer  alive  from  the  dead,  with 
 gladnefs,  afcending  to  heaven.  How  different  the 
 fcene  ! — A  dying'Saviour  filled  with  horror  and  anguifh, 
 and  covered  with  fhame  ? — A  rifen  Jcfus,  with  joy  and 
 triumph,  advancing  to  his  glory  I 
 
 But  the  manner  in  which  our  Lord  was  removed  is 
 ftill  more  punctually  recited.  The  evangelift  Mark 
 thus  relates  it,  "  So  then  after  the  Lord  had  fpokea 
 *'  unto  them  he  was  received  up  into  heaven  !"  Mark 
 xvi.  19.  And  Luke  in  his  gofpel,  chap.  xxiv.  50,  51. 
 declares,  that  "  he  led  them  out  as  far  as  Bethany, 
 "  and  he  lift  up  his  hands  and  blelled  them  j  and  it 
 *'  came  to  pafs  while  he  bleffcd  them  he  was  parted 
 "  from  them  and  carried  up  into  heaven."  But  in 
 A61s  i.  9,  10.  he  is  very  particular  and  ftriking, 
 "  And  when  he  had  fpoken  thefe  things,  while  they 
 *'  beheld,  he  was  taken  up,  and  a  cloud  received 
 *'  him  out  of  their  fiahr,  and  while  thev  looked  fled- 
 *'  fallly  toward  heaven  as  he  went  up,  5:c."  This 
 was  the  manner  in  which  Jefus  was  parted  from 
 his  difciples  j  not  by  didippearing  at  once,  or  vanifli- 
 ing  out  of  their  fight,  as  on  fome  other  occafions  j 
 No,  it  was  not  a  fudden  or  hafty  tranfport,  but  he 
 moved  up  before  them  while  their  eyes  were  fixed  upon 
 him ;  fo  that  they  faw  him,  and  fledfaftly  looked  as 
 he  advanced  to  the  vifible  heaven,  till  at  length  they 
 beheld  the  cloud  receive  him. 
 
 To  underfland  this  cloud  metaphorically  of  angels, 
 as  f<)me  have  fuggefted,  fccms  rather  to  prejudice  the 
 account,    and  to  weaken  the  apoftles  evidence :   who 
 
 need 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.      93 
 
 need  be  fold  that  it  is  not  the  part  of  an  hiftorian  to 
 deal  in  figures?  And  the  evangelift  exprefsly  declares 
 that  a  cloud  received  the  Lord  ;  the  fight  of  which  was 
 a  natural  and  evident  proof  to  them  that  beheld  it,  that 
 he  was  taken  up  into  heaven.  Neither  Luke  himfelf, 
 nor  any  other  prefent  on  the  occafion,  appear  to  have 
 the  leaft  apprehenfion  of  angels  ;  and  if  their  teilimony 
 is  at  all  to  be  regarded,  no  doubt  they  were  in  the 
 perfedt  exercife  of  their  natural  fenfes,  and  could  not 
 be  deceived,  but  in  reality  favv  what  they  relate  ;  We 
 may  therefore  conclude  it  was  truly  and  properly  a 
 cloud  diftinguifhed  in  the  vifible  heavens  ;  a  cloud  pre- 
 pared to  enclofe  the  body  of  Jefus,  in  which  he  was 
 conveyed  to  the  higher  regions  by  myriads  of  angels, 
 who,  though  unfeen  by  the  difciples,  we  know  at- 
 tended the  vi£lorious  Redeemer  to  his  palace  in  glory. 
 
 It  is  with  reafon  fuppofed,  tliat  this  cloud  was  at 
 a  confiderable  diilance  from  the  earth,  and  it  is  plain, 
 that  from  the  moment  Chrift  began  to  be  lifted  up,  his 
 difciples  had  their  eyes  upon  him  ;  fo  that  they  beheld 
 him  gradually  mount  in  the  air,  higher  and  higher, 
 till  he  reached  the  bright  cloud,  into  which,  as 
 fometimes  the  natural  fun,  they  faw  him  enter, 
 loft  fight  of  his  body,  and  faw  him  no  more. 
 And  that  they  were  not  miflaken  is  clear  from  the 
 teftimony  of  the  angels,  "  Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why 
 **  ftand  ye  gazing  into  heaven  ?  this  fame  Jefus  which 
 *'  is  taken  up  from  you  into  heaven  (hall  fo  come  in 
 "  like  manner  as  ye  have  feen  him  go  into  heaven," 
 ver.  II.  Upon  the  whole  it  appears  that  the  apoftles 
 were  not  under  a  deception,  neither  was  it  a  vifion  but 
 
 a  real 
 
94  LECTURESON 
 
 a  real  fa£l.  Chrift  was  indeed  taken  up  into  heaven, 
 and  they  faw  him  go  up  in  the  manner  defcribcd  ; 
 there  is  therefore  no  colour  of  reafon  for  any  hefita- 
 tion  concerning  the  truth  of  this  grand  and  important 
 affair ;  and  accordingly  we  find  that  the  difciples  fo 
 far  from  doubting,  or  even  regretting  their  Lord's 
 being  parted  from  them,  that  fully  perfuaded  he  was 
 gone  to  the  Father,  they  worfhipped  him  unfeen,  and 
 exalted,  "  and  returned  to  Jerufalem ;  and  how? 
 **  with  tears  and  lamentation  ?  No,  but  with  great 
 "  joy,  praifmg  and  blefling  God,"  till  endowed  from 
 on  high,  and  then  proceeded  to  preach  him  every 
 wliere,  with  boldnefs,  and  with  amazing  fuccefs. 
 Now,  who  that  confiders  this  account,  and  efpecially 
 in  connexion  with  the  efFufion  of  the  Spirit  on  the 
 apoftles,  can  a  moment  queftion  whether  that  this  fame 
 Jefus  who  defcended  is  likewife  afcended  to  the 
 Father  ?  O  my  foul,  turn  up  thine  eyes  with  grati- 
 tude and  joy ;  let  thy  afFedions  afcend  like  pillars  of 
 fmoke  to  thy  blefied  Redeemer :  Behold  he  is  gone, 
 he  is  gone  up  before  thee  to  prepare  a  place  for  thee  ! 
 
 IS 
 
 From  the  afcenfion  of  Chrift  we  proceed  to  h 
 feflionat  the  right  hand  of  God.  This  glorious  fubje6t 
 hath  been  frequently  handled  ;  nor  have  I  any  thing  new 
 to  offer  upon  it,  but  fhall  attempt  only  a  brief  explication 
 of  this  joyful  affurance  the  gofpel  affords.  The  defign 
 of  Peter  is  not  barely  to  fhew  that  Jefus  is  afcended,  but 
 alfo  to  reprefent  his  exalted  ftate  in  the  heavens ;  and 
 this  is  contained  in  the  quotation  from  David,  verfe 
 34.  "  Sit  thou  on  my  right  hand."  Of  this  exaltation 
 our  Lord  bare  witnefs  before  Pontius  Pilate,  Luke  xxii. 
 
 69* 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  95 
 69.  **  Hereafter  fhall  the  Son  of  man  fit  on  the  right 
 **  hand  of  the  power  of  God."  And  accordingly  we 
 are  told,  Mark  xvi.  19.  that  when  Jefus  was  received 
 up  into  heaven,  he  fat  on  the  right  hand  of  God  :  And 
 indeed  the  paflUges  which  teftifie  the  fame,  are  more 
 than  can  now  be  recited  ;  I  (hall  therefore  only  fubjoin 
 the  remarkable  witnefs  of  Stephen  the  martyr,  *'  Be- 
 "  hold,  faith  he,  I  fee  the  heavens  opened,  and  the 
 *'  Son  of  man  {landing  on  the  right  hand  of  God," 
 A(£ls  vii.  56.  It  cannot  with  decency  be  fuppofed  that 
 this  holy  man  uttered  a  falfhood  in  the  view  of  eter- 
 nity, or  would  have  prefumed  to  have  committed  his 
 foul  into  the  hands  of  Jefus,  as  he  inftantly  did,  had 
 he  been  doubtful  of  the  truth  of  what  he  declared. 
 
 But  how  is  Chrift  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ?  And 
 what  is  implied  in  this  fituation?  We  are  not,  with 
 fome,  to  imagine  that  the  Father  has  bodily  parts: 
 God  is  a  fpirit ;  and  the  Father  never  was  clothed  with 
 flejfh.  Here  is  therefore  no  comparifon  between  the 
 right  hand  and  the  left,  as  when  thefe  expreUions  are 
 ufcd  of  corporal  beings  % :   And  that  the  phrafe  is  in 
 
 this 
 
 I  From  Stephen's  declaration  to  the  Sanhedrim,  admitting  that  the 
 heavens  were  properly  opened,  as  at  the  baptifm  of  our  Lord,  and  that  the 
 martyr  aftually  faw  Jefus  ftanding  at  th«  right  hand  of  God,  it  appears  that 
 there  is  a  vifible  d'fplay  of  the  glory  of  the  Father  in  the  heavenly  temple, 
 adapted  to  the  corporal  fight  of  thofe,  who,  like  the  Saviour,  dwell  there 
 in  a  fpiritual  and  glorified  body  as  Enoch,  Elijah,  &c.  Now  in  refpeft 
 of  this,  Jefus  m^y  be  truly  declared,  in  a  literal  fenfe,  at  the  right  hand 
 of  God.  The  objecflion  to  the  heavens  being  really  dividad,  becaue 
 then  it  would  have  been  a  miracle  if  all  that  was  prefent  had  not 
 feen  it,  with  fubmiflion,  feems  of  no  force  ;  for  why  (hould  a  miracle  be 
 thought  rtrange  in  this  age,  and  on  fo  extraordinary  an  occafion  ?  Befides,  in 
 the  cafe  «f  Siul,  when  approaching  Damafcus,  there  wal  ijideed  a  bright 
 
 ihining 
 
96  LEG  T  U  RES    ON 
 
 this  place  purely  metaphorical,    is   evident  in  that  the 
 prophet,  foon  after  the  words  quoted  in  our  text,    re- 
 prefents  Jehovah  the  Father  at  the  right  hand  of  his 
 Son  whom  he  had  exalted,   Pfalm  ex.  5.   "  The  Lord 
 *'  at  thy  right  hand  fliall  ftrike  through  kings  in  the 
 "  day  of  his  wrath."     Now  the  Son's  fitting  at  the 
 right  hand  of  the  Father,  confids  not  with  the  Father's 
 fitting  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Son,    if  the  words  are 
 literaliy  taken,   but  in  a  figurative  fenfe  they  are  eafily 
 reconciled.      The  allufion  here  is   to   the  cuftom   of 
 princes,  who,  it  is  known,  on  certain  occafions  have  dif- 
 tinguiflied  their  favourites  by  placing  them  at  the  right 
 hand  of  their  throne;  which  anfwers  to  the  account  we 
 have  of  our  Saviour's  fituation  in  heaven  :  He  is  faid  to 
 be  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the 
 Majefty  in  the  heavens,   Heb.  viii.  i.  compared  with 
 chap.  xii.  2.     This  however  is  far  from  implying,  that 
 the  Man  Chrift  Jefus  is  made  equal,   much  lefs  that  he 
 is  fuperior  to  him  by  whom  he  is  exalted.     Among  men 
 this  place  is  frequently  given   in  token  of  their  fupe- 
 rior rank;  but  no  fuch  thought  can  be  admitted,   even 
 of  the  Mefliah  himfelf,  in   comparifon  with  the  Father, 
 whofe  fervant  he  is  :    nor  is  this  to  be  underftood  of  a 
 local  limitation,    which  would  reduce  the  words  to  a  li- 
 teral fenfe;   the  impropriety  of  which   has  already  been 
 
 fhewn 
 
 fliining  light  his  companions  beheld,  but  they  heard  not  diftin£lly  the 
 voice,  neither  did  they  fee  him  that  fpake,  both  which  the  pcrfecutor  did  ; 
 and  that  his  fight  of  the  Saviour  was  bodily,  which  necefiarily  implies  the 
 opening  of  the  heavens,  is  clear  from  I  Cor.  xv.  8.  AAs  ix.  17.  and  chap. 
 xxii.  14.  The  heavens  therefore  might  aiTlually  be  open  to  this  holy  man, 
 notwitkftanding  it  was  fcen  by  Eone  but  himfelf:  Ncverthelefs  the  phrafe 
 of  Chrift's  being  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  in  the  language  of  prophecy, 
 js  rather  metaphorical  than  literal,  as  in  the  paffage  quoted  by  Peter  from 
 David, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     97 
 
 (hewn.  It  is  true,  that  the  afcenfion  of  Jefas  in  the 
 body  implies  a  change  of  place  ;  in  confequence  of 
 which,  his  corporal  prefence  is  locally  confined  in  the 
 heavens,  and  will  continue  fo  till  the  reftitution  of 
 all  things ;  but  the  phrafe  in  the  text  hath  no  refpedt  to 
 place,  but  is  purely  expreflive  of  his  ftate  in  the  heav- 
 enly world,   denoting, 
 
 ■  !♦  The  honor  and  dignity  to  which  he  is  advanced. 
 Some  pretend,    that  in   the  Eaftern  countries  the  left 
 hand  is  efleemed  the  moft  honorable :    But  will  any 
 imagine  that  Solomon  placed   his  mother,   the  queen, 
 on  his  right  hand  to  difgrace  her?     i  Kings  ii.    19. 
 And  certain  it  is,  that  we  fee  Jefus,   who  defpifed  the 
 fhame  when  fufFering  for  fin,    ''  crowned  with  honor 
 *'  and  glory,"  Heb.  ii.  9.     Into  this  he  was  to  enter 
 after  his  fufFerings,   as  foretold  by  the  prophets.    Hence 
 in  his  difcourfe  with  the  difciples  when  rifen  from  the 
 dead,    as  they  were  walking  to  Emmaus,    he  faith, 
 *'  Ought  not  Chrift  to  have  fufFered  thefe  things,  and  to 
 *'  enter  into  his  glory  ?"  Luke  xxiv.  26.  Thus  dignifi- 
 ed he  now  fits  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  in  the 
 heavens,  receiving  the  honor  due  to  his  Majefiy  and 
 merit,  in  the  high  praifes  and  adorations  of  the  an<rels 
 and  faints,  who  fl:and  before  and  round  about  the  throne 
 crying,   "  Salvation  to  our  God   which  fitteth  on  the 
 "  throne,    and    unto  the  Lamb,"   Rev.  vii.   o,  lo. 
 Again, 
 
 2.   The  power  with  which  our  Saviour  is  inverted, 
 
 is  another  thing  implied  in  this  fentence.     Thus  Jefus 
 
 faith,  "  Ye  fhall  fee  the  Son  of  man  fitting  on  the 
 
 G  «*  right 
 
q8  lectureson 
 
 **  right  hand  of  power,"  Markxiv.62.  We  ha  veal  ready 
 ieen,  that  Daniel  beheld  in  a  vifion,  dominion  and  a  king- 
 dom given  him  by  the  Ancient  of  days,  chap.  vii.  14.  This 
 powerof  the  Redeemer  isfupreme,  univerfal  and  unfpeak- 
 ably  great,  to  the  glory  of  his  name,  and  the  joy  of  his 
 people,  as  may  hereafter  be  fc^'n.  Before  his  afcenfion 
 the  Lord  faith,  "  All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven 
 and  in  (^arth,"Matt.  xxviii.18.  And  weareto]d,Phil.ii.g. 
 that  "[God  hath  highly  exalted  him,  and  given  him  aname 
 **  which  is  above  every  name."  "  He  is  over  all ;  yea, 
 *'  far  above  all  heavens,"  Eph.  iv.  10.  The  Father  of 
 gloiy  hath  fet  him  at  his  o\\'n  right  hand  in  heavenly 
 places,  "  far  above  a);  principality  and  power,  and  might, 
 "  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named,  not  only 
 "  in  this  world,  but  alfo  in  that  which  is  to  come," 
 Eph.  j.  21.  Thus,  O  Chriftian,  thy  Saviour  is  ex- 
 alted, "King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  Lords,  and  made 
 higlier  than  the  lieavens,"  Heb.  vii.  26.  This  is  the 
 real  ftate  of  the  afcended  Jefus,  "who  became  obe- 
 "  dient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  crofs."  And 
 further, 
 
 3.  His  fitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God  may  denote 
 the  fatisfa6lion,  joy  and  pleafure  which  Jefus  has  ia 
 communion  with  the  Father.  This  fituation  implies 
 nearnefs,  fellowfhip  and  reft.  If  the  ranfomed  find 
 fati&fa6lion  and  joy  in  beholding  their  Father's  face  in 
 righteoufnefs,  and  when  they  awake  in  his  likenefs,Pfalm 
 xvii.  15.  how  much  more  muft  the  Redeemer  himfelf 
 be  rejoiced  in  the  throne  of  his  glory  f  This  the  pro- 
 phet refers  to,  Pfalm  xvi.  11.  **  Thou  wilt  fhew  me 
 *'  the  path  of  life:   In  thy  prefence  is  fulnefs  of  joy: 
 
 "  at 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  99 
 **  at  thy  right  hand  there  are  pleafures  for  ever 
 «  more." 
 
 Finally,  The  phrafe  ilill  further  implies  his  con- 
 tinuance in  this  glorified  ftate.  Sitting  is  a  pofture  of 
 reft ;  and  Chrift  will  remain  on  his  throne  till  he  rifes 
 up  and  comes  forth  unto  judgment,  as  the  fcriptures 
 abundantly  fliew,  and  our  text  in  particular.  So  then 
 the  feflion  of  Jefus  at  the  right  hand  of  God  imports 
 his  illullrious  ftate  in  the  heavens,  as  crov/ned  with 
 glory,  invefted  with  power,  and  filled  with  fatisfac- 
 tion  and  joy  in  the  fruition  of  his  Father's  ^prefence, 
 and  the  honors  that  are  paid  him  on  the  throne,  in 
 which  he  fliall  abide  till  his  fecond  appearance.  Thus 
 exalted  is  the  Man  who  died  at  Mount  Calvary,  and 
 who,  being  raifed  from  the  dead,  afcended  from  earth, 
 into  heaven.  Great  is  this  myftery  of  godlinefs:  Still 
 God  manifeft  in  the  flefli  is  the  perfon  of  our  ado- 
 rable Mediator,  in  whom,  at  the  right  hand  of 
 the  Father,  we  behold  the  human  nature,  indeed  in- 
 finitely below  the  nature  of  Deity,  and  unfpeakably  in* 
 ferior  to  that  of  the  angels  ;  yet  wonderfully  dignified 
 in  honor  and  power,  even  far  above  the  heavens  them- 
 feives  !  Glorious  reward  of  the  cruciating  forrows  and 
 fhame  endured  on  the  crofs,  when  he  made  his  foul  an 
 offering  for  fin  !  And  how  full  a  vindication  is  this  of 
 the  wifdom  and  juftice  of  God,  in  ordaining  the  flefh  of 
 his  Son  to  thofe  bitter  fufferings,  in  anfwer  to  the  cavil 
 of  unbelievers,  who  prefume  to  find  fault  with  the 
 fovereign  good  pleafure  of  him  who  worketh  all  things 
 according  to  the  counfel  of  his  own  will,  to  the  praife 
 of  his  grace  ? 
 
 G  2  From 
 
100  LECTURES    ON 
 
 From  this  fituation  of  our  glorified  Redeemer  with 
 the  Father,  every  pretence  of  his  bodily  prefence  on  earth 
 is  entirely  excluded.  The  notion  of  a  corporal  prefence 
 in  the  facrament,  as  the  Catholics  teach  in  their  dodlrine 
 oftranfubftantiation,  is  not  only  abfurd  and  fhocking,  but 
 it  is  in  every  fenfe  and  view  abfolutely  inconfiftent  v/ith 
 the  perfon  ofChrift,  in  and  by  the  human  nature, 
 being  feated  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  in  the  heavenly 
 world,  as  the  fcripture  aflerts,  for  "  the  heavens  muft 
 **  receive,  i.  e.  retain  him  until  the  times  of  the  refti- 
 **  tution  of  all  things,"  Afls  iii.  21.  From  whence 
 he  is  ready  to  be  revealed  ;  till  then,  a  conceit  of  his 
 bodily  prefence  on  earth  in  any  feafon,  or  under  any 
 cirrumftances  whatever,  is  plainly  a  groundlefs  and 
 vain  imagination.  Neverthelefs,  Believer,  his  promife 
 is  fure  :  This  local  circumfcription  of  our  Saviour's 
 body,  interferes  not  with  that  fpiritual  prefence  he  hath 
 encouraged  his  people  to  expe£t  in  his  church,  and  with 
 his  minifters  to  the  end  of  the  world.  He  is  God  and 
 man  ;  and  as,  while  on  earth,  he  was  in  heaven,  in 
 refpe^t  of  his  deity,  John  iii.  13.  in  like  manner  he  is 
 now,  in  virtue  of  the  fame  divine  nature,  able  to  be, 
 notwithftanding  the  prefent  detention  of  his  human 
 nature  in  the  world  of  glory,  with  his  faints  below  ac- 
 cording to  his  word.  Wherefore,  O  Chriftian,  whilft 
 thou  art  looking  to  Jefus,  the  author  and  finiflier  of 
 thy  faith,  now  on  the  throne  in  the  heavens,  ex- 
 pert the  vifjts  of  his  love.  "  He  is  faithful  that  hath 
 "  promifedi"  and  biefled  are  they  who  wait  for 
 him. 
 
 .      LECTURE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     loi 
 
 LECTURE     VII. 
 
 The  Father's  concern  in  exalting  his  Son,  who  imme- 
 diately receives  the  Spirit  at  his  hands ;  with  the 
 noble  end  of  his  continuance  on  the  throne.  Re- 
 flexions. 
 
 NOTHING  yields  the  believer  more  fatisfadllon 
 than    the   glorious  ftate  of  his  Redeemer  in  the 
 heavens ;  and  his  joy  is  enhanced  v/hen  he  confiders 
 by  whom  he  is  placed  on  the  throne.     Now  it  is  with 
 this  the  apoftle  begins  his  account  :    "  Therefore  being 
 *'  by    the  right  hand   of  God    exalted,"   A^Sts   ii.  33. 
 This  he  hkewife  afierts  in  another  difcourfe  :   "  Him 
 '*  hath  God  exalted  with  his  right  hand,"   chap.  v.  31. 
 So  then  Jefus  is  crowned  by  the  Father  himfelf :     He 
 is  not  only  at  the  right-hand   of  God,   but  advanced 
 to  this  dignity  and  power  with  or  by  the  right  hand 
 of  the  Father ;   a  myftery  that  demands  our  peculiar  at- 
 tention.    We  have  feen  in  the  preceding  ledlure,   that 
 the  right  hand  of  God  is  a  phrafe  metaphorically  ufed 
 by  the  prophet ;  and  this  further  appears  by  the  various 
 applications  of  it  in  the  fubjedl  before  us.     And  here  I 
 apprehend  it  denotes  the  exertion  of  his  power  accord- 
 ing to  his  oath.     The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  is  his 
 glorious   power  :   *'  Thou  hafl  a  mighty  arm,   flrong 
 **  is  thy   hand   and  high   is   thy  right  hand,"  Pfalm 
 G   3  Ixxxix, 
 
102  LECTURES    ON 
 
 Ixxxix.  13.  And  from  Eph.  i.  19,  20.  it  appears  that 
 Jehovah  the  Father  exerted  the  might  of  his  power  in 
 Chrift  when  he  raifed  him  up  to  his  throne,  as  he 
 fwore  with  an  oath  to  David  his  fervant,  ver.  30. 
 And  this  figurative  fentence  may  alfo  allude  to  the 
 well-known  ancient  form  in  fwearing,  by  a  folemn 
 elevation  of  the  right  hand  to  heaven.  Thus  John 
 faw  the  angel  in  a  vifion  "  ftand  upon  the  fea  and  upon 
 *'  the  earth,  lifting  up  his  hand  to  heaven,  and  fwearing 
 "  by  him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever,"  Rev.  x.  5,  6. 
 In  like  manner  it  is  declared,  "  The  Lord  hath  fworn 
 "  by  his  right  hand  and  by  the  arm  of  his  ftrength," 
 Ifa.  Ixii.  8.  Thus  Jefus  was  railed  and  placed  at  the 
 right  hand  of  God  far  above  every  name  that  is  named. 
 It  was  the  Father's  own  a^,  in  the  charadler  of  judge, 
 by  which  the  triumphant  Kedeemer,  having  made 
 reconciliation  for  iniquity,  was  exalted,  as  agreed  on 
 in  the  covenant  of  peace :  An  article  df  no  Jfrnall 
 importance  with  them  who  believe.  This,  allow  the 
 expreffion,  is  the  glory  of  the  glorified  Saviour.  He 
 afllimed  not  the  throne  in  the  heavens,  which  he  fills, 
 but  afcended  and  fat  down  at  the  call,  and  by  the  power 
 of  the  moft  High.  It  is  true,  Chrift  is  thus  highly 
 exalted  as  the  reward  of  his  obedience  to  death,  Phil. 
 ii.  9.  His  dignified  ftate  hath  a  meritorious  caufe  in 
 himfelf,  and  is  no  more  than  the  ftipulated  andjuft 
 return  for  the  labour  and  victory  of  his  crofs,  by 
 which  he  finifhed  the  work  of  redemption.  Herein 
 our  glorious  King  far  exceeds  all  principalities  and 
 powers  in  heaven  or  on  earth  :  Who,  O  thou  Prince 
 of  life  and  Lord  of  glory,  is  like  unto  thee  !  Who 
 among  the  fons  of  the  mighty  to  be  compared   with 
 
 thee  I 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     103 
 thee!   Nor   gods   on  high,   nor  gods  below,    whether 
 angels  or  men,  have  any  prerence  to   this  claim ;  not 
 the  moft   illuftrious    feraphini,    whofe   exalted    domi- 
 nion in  the  celeftial  world,  is  neareft   o  t'eDe'-.y,  «  an 
 b'oaft  his  dt  f.-rt  of  the  crown  that  he  wears  j   but  Jefus 
 hath   an   equitable  right  in  the  dignity  I'.nd   pewer  he 
 holds;  and  the  honors  of  his  throne  proclaim  the  merit 
 of  his    blood  !    Neverthelefs,    we    fee   he   exa'ted    not 
 himfelf,  but   is   cloathed  with   majefty  by  Jehovah  the 
 Father,  whofe  fervant   he  was,   and  in  whom  accord- 
 ing to  the  fettlements  of  infinite  wifdom,   in  the  ceco- 
 nomy  of  man's  falvation,   the  divine  right  of  inveftiture 
 remained.     Hail,   O  Chriftian,   thy  King  and   Saviour 
 is"  not    an   ufurper ;   he  is  crowned   by  authority ;    his 
 throne   is   eilablifhed    in    righteoufnefs,    and  it  cannot 
 be   moved  !  This   fpreads  a  joy   among  his    fubje^ls, 
 under  which  they  are  ready  to  triumph,    in   the  lan- 
 guage of  the  prophet,  and  fay,    "  The  Lord   is  our 
 *'  judge,   the  Lord   is   our  law-giver,   the  Lord    is 
 *'  our  King,   he  will  fave  us  !"  Ifa.   xxxiii.  22. 
 
 From  the  authority  by  which  our  Saviour  is  exalt- 
 ed we  are  led  to  another  inflance  of  grace.  On  his 
 appearance  in  the  heavens,  a  mofl  grand  and  intercftinp- 
 tranfadlion,  immediately  takes  place  between  him  and 
 the  Father.  This  deferves  our  particular  notice. 
 When  we  confider  the  mutual  complacency  of  thefe 
 divine  perfons  each  in  the  other,  the  infinite  delight 
 of  the  Father  in  his  Son  as  his  eleft  fervant,  with  the 
 fatisfaclion  he  had  in  his  finifhed  work  on  the  crofs, 
 and  efpecially  if  we  add,  how  greatly  the  Redeemer 
 longed  after  his  glory  which  he  had  with  his  Father, 
 G4  as 
 
104  LECTURES    ON 
 
 as  Mediator,   before  the  foundation  of  the  world,   we 
 fhall  have  reafon  to  apprehend,  that  the  honor  and  joy 
 of  their  meeting  in  the  throne,   is  not  to  be  fully  con- 
 ceived.   No  doubt,   as  hinted  before,  when  the  King 
 of  glory  entered,   and  was  faluted  by  the  Father,   the 
 heavens  refounded  with  the  acclamations  of  their  bleft 
 inhabitants,   fhouting  the   honors  of  God  and  of  the 
 Lamb.     But  we  are  here  called  to  obferve  a  frefh  occa- 
 fion  of  triumph  and   praife.     No  fooner  is  the  great 
 Interceflbr  and  Head  of  the  church  placed  at  the  right 
 band   of  God,   but   behold    the   Father     delivers   the 
 Spirit  into  his  hands,  by  whom  he  is  poured  forth  on 
 the  difciples,  according  to  the  promife  of  the  covenant, 
 long  fince  revealed,    and   engaged   for  by  Jefus  him- 
 felf  befce    he   afcended.     "  Having   received   of  the 
 *'  Father  the  promife  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  he  hath  fhed 
 '*  forth  this  which  ye  now  fee   and  hear."     Adorable 
 fcene  !    See  how  the  facred  Three  are  united  in  fulfilling 
 their  covenant-engagements   for   the  falvation  of    the 
 church  !    Here,   in  a  meafure,    is  unfolded  the  methods 
 of  infinite   wifdom  :    the  Father   is   firft  in   order   and 
 operation  in  this  myftery  of  grace  ;  from  hence,  as  from 
 the  fountain  and   head,  the  Son  is  fupplied  with  the 
 Holy  Ghnft  for  the  propagation  of  the  gofpel  and  the 
 gathering  in   his   ele6t.     Paufe,   my  dear  Reader,   and 
 admire.     O   this   wonderful    condefcention   and    love ! 
 How   unfearchable  are  the  judgments  of  God  and  his 
 ways  of  mercy   with   finners  !    "  Lord,   what  is  man 
 *'  that  thou  fhouldft  be  mindful  of  him,    or  any  of  the 
 "  fons  of  men   that  thou   fliouldfl  thus  vifit  them  !'■ 
 This  is   no  other  than   the  good  pleafure  of  him  who 
 \\'ork.eth  all  things  according  to  the  counfel  of  his  own 
 
 wilit 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  105 
 will.  Adore  then  his  fovereign  grace !  One  branch 
 of  Chrifl's  glory  is  his  mediatorial  fulnefs ;  this  includes 
 a  difpenfation  of  the  Spirit,  as  a  Spirit  of  grace,  for 
 the  quickening  thofe  who  are  redeemed  with  his  blood. 
 Hence  the  cholen  have  been  called  and  fanftified  fmce 
 the  world  began,  yea,  and  the  Holy  Ghoft,  who 
 moved  and  infpired  the  prophets  of  old,  was  the  Spirit 
 of  Chrift,  I  Pet.  i.  11.  But  that  which  is  exhibited  in 
 the  paffage  before  us  is,  the  fending  forth  the  Spirit 
 from  on  high,  by  whofe  operations  and  miraculous 
 gifts,  the  laft  feai  was  fet  to  the  authority  of  Jefus,  for 
 the  convidlion  of  the  world  and  the  fpread  of  his  king- 
 dom. Glorious  fight !  Lo  the  captain  of  falvation, 
 of  whom  it  was  written  in  the  volume  of  the  book,  *'  I 
 *'  delight  to  do  thy  will,  O  God,"  being  made  per- 
 fc£l  through  fufferings,  appears  in  heaven  the  advocate 
 of  his  people !  See  him  advance  in  robes  of  righteouf- 
 nefs,  to  the  Father,  as  it  were  with  the  roll  of  the  cove- 
 nant in  his  handi  ratified  in  his  blood!  Behold  how  he 
 pleads  at  the  throne,  and  with  authority  demands  the 
 promife  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  who  immediately  proceeds 
 from  the  hands  of  the  Father  into  thofe  of  the  Son, 
 and  from  him  to  the  waiting  difciples  at  Jerufalem  ! 
 The  effufion  of  the  Spirit  was  the  wonder  of  thofe 
 who  beheld  it  on  earth  :  »But  with  what  aftonifnment 
 and  joy  muft  the  heavenly  hoft  view  the  ground  and 
 amazing  proceiTion !  On  this  blefled  occafion  we  may 
 reafcnably  fuppofe,  that  the  innumerable  company  of 
 angels,  who  pry  into  the  myilery  of  redemption,  and 
 rejoice  in  the  converfion  of  a  fmner,  with  the  thoufands 
 of  faints  who  compaffed  the  throne,  wdre  filled  with 
 admiration,   and  ready  to  unite  in  that  new  fong,  faying 
 
 with 
 
io6  L   E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 with  a  loud  voice,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was 
 •'  flain  to  receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wifdom,  and 
 *'  ftrength,  and  honor,   and  glory,  and  bleffing  !" 
 
 Thus  Jefus  fits  enthroned  in  the  heavens,  having 
 fent  forth  the  holy  Spirit  of  pron^ife.     But,  how  long 
 iball    he    continue    in  this    glorious    fituation  ?    Now 
 this  is  declared   in   ver.    35.    "  Until  I  make  thy  foes 
 **  thy  footftool :"   Which  opens  to  our  view  the  defign 
 and  period  of  that  dignity   and   power  with  which  the 
 Father  hath  inverted   his  Son,   our  blefled  Redeemer. 
 It   may    be  proper  here   to  remark   that    the  glory  of 
 Chrift,  as  head  and  lord  of  the  eled  is  eternal,  nor  will 
 theManChrirt  Jefus  ever  again  be  humbled  or  degraded  j 
 The  Mediator  Ihall  reign  on  his  throne  in  the  ultimate 
 ftate  of  happinefs  :     And  indeed   whatever   difficulties 
 may  attend  a  paflage  or  two,  relating  to  this  divine 
 myftcry,    tor  inftance  his    "   deliverijig   up   the  king- 
 **  dom    to   the   Father,"     i    Cor.    xv.    as   one  juitly 
 obferves,   it   is  ftrange   to  think  that  Chrift  fhould  lay 
 afide  his  rule  as  foon  as  he  has  fubdued   all  his   foes; 
 befides  his  people  are  aiTured  of  reigning  with  him  for 
 ever   in   glory,    Kom.    v.     17.    compared    with    R.ev. 
 xxii.  5.    Agreeable   to  this  is*  his  prayer  to  his  Father, 
 John  xvii.  24.    *'  I  will    alfo   that    thofe   whom    thou 
 *'  haft  givcii   me  be  with  me  where  I  am,   that  they 
 *'  may   behold   my   glory."     Neverthelefs   the  prefent 
 form  of  his  government  and  kingdom  will  be  altered  i 
 the  manner  of  which  is  not  particularly  revealed,   but 
 from  this  and  other  fcriptures,  it  appears  that  he  will 
 not  ever  continue  in  the  fame  circumftances  in  which 
 he  now  fits  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ;    but  that  when 
 t|ie  end  fpecified  ia  the  text  is  anfwered,  he  will  rife 
 
 from 
 
PRIMITIVE   CHRISTIANITY.    107 
 
 from  his  throne  and  come  forth  to  judgment,  with 
 unfpeakable  power  and  glory.  The  exaltation  of  Jefus 
 is  not  alone  for  himfelf,  or  merely  as  the  reward  of  his 
 fufferings,  but  alfo  to  apply  the  vidory  of  his  crofs, 
 to  accomplifh  the  number  of  his  eledt,  and  to  bring 
 down  his  enerriies  under  his  feet,  that  he  may  finifh 
 the  myftery  of  God  in  the  falvation  and  happinefs  of 
 them  that  obey  him.  In  the  phrafe,  "  Until  I  make 
 '*  thy  foes  thy  footftool,"  there  is  a  manifefl  reference 
 to  a  well-known  cuftom  of  conquerors ;  an  example  of 
 which  we  have  in  the  captains  of  Ifrael,  who,  at  the''' 
 diredion  of  Jofhua  their  commander,  put  their  feet  on 
 the  necks  of  the  five  kings  they  had  fubdued  at  Gibeon. 
 Thus  (ball  the  Captain  of  falvation  tread  down  all  his 
 enemies,  and  trample  them  under  his  feet,  as  the  mire 
 of  the  flreet,   into  fliame  and  everlafting  contempt. 
 
 But  it  may  be  ufeful  to  enquire,  v/ho  are  the  foes 
 pf  our  bleffed  Redeemer  .''  Can  any  one  be  fo  ftupid 
 and  bafe  as  to  oppofe  his  glorious  perfon,  the  grace  of 
 whofe  office,  and  whofe  condefcention  and  love  in 
 undertaking  for  finners,  with  the  triumphs  of  his  crofs, 
 challenge  our  highefc  regard  ?  Sure  it  muft  argue  a 
 vile  dTpofition,  to  hate  and  cppofe  the  Son  of  God, 
 "  who  is  the  brightnefs  of  his  Father's  glory  and  the 
 ^'  exprefs  image  of  his  perfon  5"  or  to  reject  that  Al- 
 mighty Saviour,  who  is  poiTefled  of  every  perfeftion 
 as  God  and  Mediator,  and  whofe  nature  and  power 
 demand  the  obedience  and  love  of  every  creature  in 
 heaven  or  in  earth  ?  An  oppofitioii  to  one  fo  divinely 
 great,  and  fo  immenfely  good,  is  the  height  of  folly  and 
 fnadnefs,  and  mull  proceed  from  a  mind  moft  wretch- 
 ly  depraved  ;  yet,  alas,  the  enemies  of  Jefus  abound  both 
 
 on 
 
io8  LECTURESON 
 
 on  earth  and  in  hell.  The  fpiritual  enemies  of  Chrift, 
 as  the  fubftitute  of  his  people,  were  fin,  the  curfe  of 
 the  law,  the  malice  and  power  of  fatan,  this  evil  world, 
 and  death  and  the  grave ;  thefe  arrayed  themfelves 
 agalnft  him,  when,  through  death,  he  deftroyed  the 
 devil  that  had  the  power  of  death,  having  put  away 
 fm  by  the  facrifice  of  himfelf ;  he  overcame  them  all  in 
 the  blood  of  his  croG,  and  virtually  put  them  under 
 his  feet ;  and  accnrding'y  the  prophet  Ifaiah,  chap.  xiii. 
 reprefents  the  Meffiali  coming  from  Edom,  in  dyed 
 garments  from  Bozrah  in  apparel,  fpkndid  and  red,  as  a 
 mitrhty  conqueror  from  the  field  of  battle  after  a  glo- 
 rious victory,  ftained  with  the  blood  of  his  enemies. 
 Thus  a  fure  foundation  is  laid  for  what  follows; 
 when  the  day  of  his  redeemed  is  come,  then  will  he 
 tread  down  the  people  in  his  anger,  and  make  them 
 drunk  in  his  fury,  and  bring  down  their  ftrength  to 
 the  earth  ;  then  the  laft  enemy  fhall  be  utterly  de- 
 ftroyed, never  to  wound  or  hurt  any  more,  but  death 
 and  hell  fhall  be  caft  into  the  lake  of  fire. 
 
 But  the  foes  more  immediately  intended,  feem  the 
 wicked,  who  finally  oppofe  the  authority  and  grace  of 
 the  Redeemer,  whether  men  or  devils.  It  is  a  hum- 
 bling truth,  but  all  mankind  are  enemies  to  Chrift, 
 the  ele6l  not  excepted,  though  they  are  chofen  by  the 
 Father,  and  the  ranfomed  of  his  Son,  yet  while  in  an 
 unregenerate  ftate,  they  are  enemies  in  their  minds  to 
 the  way  of  God's  grace  in  Chrift  Jefus  to  finners  ;  of 
 wnich  S^ul  is  a  remarkable  inftance,  who,  though  a 
 chofen  veflel  of  mercy,  was  before  his  converfion  a 
 deftroyer  o(  the  faith  he  afterwards  preached.     And 
 
 truly 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     109 
 
 truly  the  oppofition  of  a  vain  world  to  the  pure  gofpel, 
 is  more  owing  to  the  natural  averfion  of  the  carnal 
 mind  than  feems  generally  apprehended  j  and  fome 
 who  are  called,  bewail  the  pride  and  obftinacy  with 
 which  in  the  time  of  their  ignorance,  they  oppofed  it  j 
 but,  being  enlightened,  and  made  willing  by  the 
 power  of  God,  they,  freely  fubmitted  themfelves  to 
 Jefus  as  their  Lord,  and  obtained  mercy  and  life  at 
 his  hands.  In  like  manner  all  real  penitents,  even 
 though  they  have  formerly  blafphemed  the  Son  of  man, 
 {hall  be  fpared  and  received,  when  they  who  perfift  in 
 oppofuig  him  fhall  not  efcape  his  juft  indignation,  but 
 be  miferably  abafed  under  his  feet;  but  the  righteous 
 (hall  be  exalted  in  his  favor. 
 
 And  if  on  earth,  much  more  in  hell,  are  to  be 
 found  inveterate,  though  impotent  foes  of  the  glorious 
 and  omnipotent  Saviour.  It  has  been  fuggefted,  that 
 the  fall  of  angels  was  owing  to  the  envy  of  fatan  againft 
 the  throne  of  God's  Son,  to  which  he  impioufly  afpired. 
 Hence  that  apoftate  fiend,  with  all  the  principalities 
 who  joined  under  him  in  the  fatal  rebellion,  were  hurl- 
 ed down  to  hell  by  that  divine  Prince,  at  whofe  glory 
 they  prefumed  to  ftrike.  This  may  be  thought  a  bold 
 conjecture,  beyond  the  line  of  revelation,  and  not  to 
 be  indulged  :  But  we  may  foberly  conclude,  that  no- 
 thing (hort  of  an  infolent  tranfgreflion  againft  the  Ma- 
 jefty  of  heaven  could  be  an  occafion  of  fo  fearful  a 
 doom :  And  we  are  certain  that  pride  was  the  con- 
 demnation of  the  devil  and  his  angels ;  but  how  this 
 curfed  root  of  moral  evil  took  place  in  the  celeftial  an- 
 gels,  fo  highly  exalted  in  the  creation,  is  a  myftery ; 
 
 we 
 
ito'  LECTURES    ON. 
 
 v/e  know  they  were  originally  glorious  and  blefTed,  but 
 that  now  thefe  once  illuftrious  and  happy  fpirits  are 
 moft  vile  and  miferable,  infomuch  that  they  are  held 
 under  chains  of  darknefs  unto  a  future  judgment,  by 
 which  they  fhall  be  configned  to  the  torments  of  ever- 
 lafting  fire.  But  it  is  vain  to  imagine  the  way  in 
 which  thefe  apoftate  angels  were  defedled  ;  be  that  as 
 it  may,  we  learn  from  the  tremendous  fa£l,  that  no 
 creature  is  or  can  be  impeccable,  and  alfo  that  fin  jQiall 
 not  go  unpunifhed.  But  what  is  intimated  is,  an 
 oppofition  to  the  Son  of  God,  in  the  charader  and 
 work  of  Mediator :  Under  which  confideration  hell 
 is  full  of  his  foes.  The  malice  and  oppofition  of  fatan, 
 and  the  infernal  hoft  that  are  with  him,  are  obvious  ; 
 nor  is  it  ftrange,  fince  the  Son  of  God  was  manifefted 
 to  deftroy  the  works  of  the  devil,  and  the  whole 
 bufinefs  of  Chrift  is  to  overthrow  his  kingdom  of 
 darknefs;  this  feed  of  the  woman  is  to  break  the 
 ferpent's  head,  in  bringing  many  fons  to  glory, 
 whofe  de{lru£lion  he  had  conceived.  Thus  faith  the 
 fcriptures,  "  I  will  put  enmity  between  thee  and  the 
 "  woman,  and  between  thy  fe'fed  and  her  feed ;  it 
 «'  {hall  bruife  thy  head,  and  thou  fhalt  bruife  his  heel," 
 Gen.  iii.  15.  There  is  therefore  an  eternal  enmity  be- 
 tween Chrifl:  and  the  devil,  an  irreconcileable  hatred ; 
 and  whence  arifeth  perpetual  unwearied  and  violent 
 attempts,  againfi:  the  authority  and  kingdom  of  Jefus; 
 and  no  doubt  thefe  are  Chrift's  foes,  whom  the  Father 
 will  fubdue  and  bring  under  him  ;  but  the  prophet 
 feems  to  have  more  immediately  in  view,  thofe  his 
 enemies,  the  children  of  men,  whether  of  high  or  low 
 degree,  who  obftinately  perfift  unto  a  final  rejedion  of 
 
 his 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY,     in 
 
 his  authority  and  grace.  However  all  the  powers  ia 
 earth  or  hell,  that  fet  themfelves  againft  the  Re- 
 deemer, (hall  be  brought  down  under  his  feet.  This 
 indeed  is  gradually  performed,  for  judgment  v/ill  not 
 be  finifhed  till  his  people  are  gathered :  2  Pet.  iii.  7. 
 **  The  Lord  is  not  flack  concerning  his  promife,  -as 
 *'  fome  men  count  flacknefs,  but  is  long-fuffering  to 
 **  US-ward ;  not  willing  that  any  fhould  perifh,  but 
 *'  that  all  fliould  come  to  repentance."  But  no  fooner 
 are  the  purpofes  of  grace  anfwered  by  this  divine  pa- 
 tience, but  all  things  fnall  be  put  under  Jefus  ;  inclu- 
 ding the  moil  haughty  and  powerful  who  now  exalt 
 themfelves  againft  him  ;  then  fnall  come  to  pafs  that 
 faying,  "  Aflc  of  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  the  hea- 
 "  then  for  thy  inheritance,  and  the  uttermoft  parts  of 
 *'  the  earth  for  thy  poffeflion."  Not  to  f^ive  by  the 
 efficacy  of  his  gofpel,  to  which  the  paiTage  is  often  applied 
 but  to  deftroy,  by  the  arm  of  his  vengeance,  all  the 
 difobedient  who  oppofe  him ;  as  appears  from  the 
 terms  of  the  prophecy  itfelf,  Pfalm  ii.  9.  "  Thou 
 "  fhalt  break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron,  thou  (halt  dafti ' 
 *'  them  in  pieces  like  a  potters  vefTel !"  See  alfo  Rev, 
 ii.  27. 
 
 Review  the  profpedl,  dear  Reader;  lo,  an  afcend- 
 ed  Jefus  fitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  crowned 
 with  glory  and  power  by  Jehovah  the  Father  hlmfelf, 
 from  whom  we  behold  him  receive  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 and  pour  him  forth  upon  his  difciples,  whofe  miracu- 
 lous gifts  were  feen  at  Jerufalem,  in  teftimony  of  his 
 exalted  ftate,  in  which  he  will  abide  until  all^  who 
 oppofe  him  are  under  his  feet  j  then  fliall  the  Son  deli- 
 ver 
 
112  LECTURES     ON 
 
 ver  up  the  kingdom  to  the  Father,  having  put  down 
 all  rule  and  authority,  and  prefent  his  church  fauklefs 
 before  the  prefence  of  his  glory  with  joy.  Thus  fhall 
 iflue  the  prefent  adminiftration  of  his  mediatorial  work 
 on  earth,  and  he  fhall  commence  the  vifible  head  of 
 the  glorified  creation  in  the  heavenly  world,  and  con- 
 tinue the  medium  of  communication  between  God 
 and  his  people,  who  will  be  happy  in  their  union  and 
 feliovvriiip  with  him  for  ever  ! 
 
 And  is  Chrift  thus  exalted  ?  What  then  will  become 
 of  thofe  who  reject  him  !  It  is  impoffible  to  conceive  the 
 diftrefs  and  confufion  that  muft  attend  them  who  are 
 made  his  footftool,  when  he  takes  vengeance.  O  the 
 contempt  and  anguilh  of  infidels,  who  finally  reject 
 or  obftinately  rcfufe  the  Redeemer  and  his  gofpel. 
 Their  fhame  and  mifery  will  certainly  be  in  proportion 
 to  his  glory  and  power  as  a  Saviour  and  judge.  It  is 
 the  wrath  of  the  Lamb ;  wrath  infinite  as  his  love,  his 
 fufFerings  and  his  merit !  flrange  and  intolerable  ! 
 who  can  defcribe  or  endure  itj  when  the  Lord  fhall 
 defcend  from  heaven,  and  the  trumpet  fhall  found, 
 **  Our  God  fhall  come,  faith  the  prophet,  a  fire  fhall 
 *'  devour  before  him,  and  it  fhall  be  very  tempefluous 
 "  round  about  him ;  he  fhall  call  to  the  heaven  above, 
 *'  and  to  the  earth,  that  he  may  judge  his  people; 
 **  and  the  heavens  (hall  declare  his  righteoufnefs,  for 
 **  God  is  judge  himfelf."  Hear  then,  O  unbeliever, 
 canfl  thou  fland  before  his  indignation?  canft  thou 
 abide  the  flercenefs  of  his  anger;  when  his  fury  is 
 poured  out  like  fire,  and  the  rocks  are  thrown  down 
 by  him  ?   art  thou  trampling  under  foot  the  blood  of 
 
 the 
 
PRIxMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    113 
 
 the  Son  of  God,  or  afraid  or  a(hamed  to  truft  and  con- 
 fefs  him  now  before  men  ?  How  wilt  thou  endure  to  be 
 dragged  forth  in  the  prefence  of  God  and  his  angels, 
 and  trodden  down  among  the  wicked  in  the  day  of  his 
 wrath  ?  No  rocks  or  mountains  fhall  be  able  to  cover 
 thee.  O  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
 the  living  God  for  defpite  of  his  grace  ! 
 
 But  I  fpcak  to  him  that  believes,  and  unto  whom 
 Jefus  is  precious.  And  is  it  not  matter  of  unfpeakable 
 joy,  as  an  excellent  v/riter  remarks,  to  one  that  loves 
 Chtifl:,  *  that  he  is  now  exalted,  glorified,  and  en- 
 '  throned  in  an  everlafling  and  immoveable  kingdom?' 
 View,  O  Chrifcian,  thy  afccnded  and  glorified  Sa- 
 viour I  The  fcene  is  opened  in  fcripture  for  thine  eyes  to 
 behold.  Contemplate  the  dignity  and  power  of  him 
 that  endured  the  crofs  and  defpifed  the  {liame  for  thy 
 fins.  In  vain  the  difciples  continued  on  Mount  Olivet, 
 gazing  with  their  natural  eyes  up  to  the  vifible  heavens, 
 through  which  their  Lord  was  taken  out  of  their  fight, 
 and  placed  on  the  right  hand  of  God  3  and  for  this  they 
 were  juftly  reproved:  But  it  is  the  wifdom,  duty  and 
 privilege  ,of  the  chriftian  to  ufe  the  eyes  of  his  fpiritual 
 underftanding,  and  through  faith  behold  him  that  is 
 invifible,  crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  the  Fore- 
 runner, Advocate,  Prieft  and  King  of  his  people. 
 
 The  advantages  that  arife  from  a  becoming  attention 
 to  thefe  things  are  many  and  great.  The  exaltation  of 
 Chrift  is  to  the  glory  of  the  Father.  If  we  are  duly 
 afFefted  with  this  divine  profpeil,  it  will  excite  our 
 praifes  to  him,  whofe  infinite  power,  faithfulnefs  and 
 H  love. 
 
114  LECTURES    ON 
 
 love,  are  illuftrioufly  difplayed  in  raifmg  up  his  Son 
 Jcfus  Chrift.  It  will  likewife  pofTefs  us  with  reverence 
 and  efteem  for  the  Saviour  himfelf,  and  make  us  bow 
 with  adoration,  as  in  heaven  they  caft  down  their 
 crowns,  before  his  prefence.  This  alfo  refle£ts  a 
 glory  on  the  Chriftian  profeifion.  What  an  honor  to 
 be  a  difciple  of  Jefus  !  Shall  any  refufe  to  own  him  be- 
 fore men,  who  is  thus  highly  exalted  with  God  ?  Muft 
 not  the  man  who  claims  a  relation  to  fo  dignified  an 
 head,  have  reafon  to  glory  in  his  crofs,  and  with  Mofes 
 efteem  even  the  reproaches  of  Chrift,  yea  and  rejoice  if 
 he  is  counted  worthy  to  fufFer  for  his  fake  ?  Blufh  then, 
 O  Reader,  if  confcious  that  through  fear  of  the 
 fcornful,  or  of  any  other  trial,  thou  art  neglefbing  his 
 orders,  and  avoiding  the  open  confeflion  to  his  name 
 required  in  the  gofpel !  See  Jefus  crowned  on  the 
 throne  in  his  heavenly  kingdom  !  Behold  the  thoufands 
 of  thoufands  that  minifter  unto  him,  and  the  ten  thou- 
 fand  thoufands  that  ftand  before  him.  And  canft  thou 
 be  aftiamed  of  him  and  his  words  in  the  face  of  his  ene- 
 mies, who  are  foon  to  be  trodden  under  his  feet  ? 
 
 Again,  fhould  not  this  confirm  and  enliven  our 
 hope  in  a  dark  and  threatening  feafon  ?  God  raifed  up 
 and  glorified  his  Son,  that  our  faith  and  hope  might  be 
 in  himfelf,  i  Fct.  i.  :  i.  Since  Jefus  fits  at  the  right 
 hand  of  the  Father,  until  his  foes  are  his  footftool,  fear 
 not,  O  Believer,  he  is  able  to  fave  thee  !  And  however 
 the  enemies  cf  Chrift  and  his  gofpel  may  feem  to 
 prevail,  and  be  ready  to  infult,  their  triumph 
 is  Ihort,  thy  exalted  Redeemer  is  daily  advancing 
 sigainft  them.    It  is  indeed  a  cloudy  day  when  the  de- 
 
 lufions 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    115 
 
 iufions  of  Mahomet,  or  heathen  idolatry,  and  grofs 
 fuperftition,  fpread  over  (o  confiderable  a  part  of  the 
 earth;  and  efpecialy  if  we  add  the  abominations  of 
 Popery,  the  infolence  of  Deifts,  and  the  abounding  difor- 
 ders,  and  many  unhappy  divifions  where  the  name  of 
 chriftianity  is  known :  but  in  thefe  fad  circumftances 
 we  have  this  to  comfort  us,  that  the  adverfaries  of 
 Zion  are  doomed  to  deftrudion.  The  Lord  reigns,  and 
 they  who  oppofe  him  muft  repent  or  be  ruined, 
 Thefe  veffels  of  wrath  are  permitted  a  while,  but 
 the  day  of  vengeance  is  at  hand,  when  all  the  enemies 
 of  Jefus  fhall  be  covered  with  fhame  and  perilh  for 
 ever. 
 
 ■  l^iNALLY,  Beloved,  is  the  Saviour  raifed  to  this 
 dignity  in  the  heavens  ?  With  what  freedom  ftiould  his 
 people  come  to  the  throne  of  grace  for  every  bleffing, 
 and  particularly  for  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promife  he  hath 
 received  of  the  Father  ?  Remember  that  he  is  thus  exalt- 
 ed in  public  charadter,  and  in  the  name  of  his  faints 
 and  that  his  blefTed  ftate,  is  the  earned  and  example  of 
 thine,  who  art  virtually  raifed  and  fet  together  with  thy 
 glorified  Head :  Therefore  be  of  good  courage  in  purfu- 
 ing  the  vidory  given  thee.  "  He  is  faithful  that  has 
 *'  promifed,"  faying,  "  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I 
 **  grant  to  fit  with  me  in  my  throne,  even  as  I  alfo 
 *'  overcame  and  am  fet  down  with  my  Father  in  his 
 **  throne,"  Rev.  iii.  21. 
 
 The  End  of  the  Firjl  Booh 
 
 Ha  PRIMITIVE 
 
[  ii6  ] 
 
 PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY. 
 BOOK    II. 
 
 BEING 
 
 Some  thoughts  on  the  apoftle's  improvement  and 
 application  of  his  difcourfe  to  the  Jews  on  the 
 day  of  Pentecoft. 
 
 LECTURE    VIII. 
 
 Containing  the  apoftle's  addrefs  to  his  audience  in  gene- 
 ral. His  pundtual  defcription  of  the  Saviour.  The 
 charge  of  his  murder  on  the  Jews  repeated.  An 
 earnefl  exhortation  to  confider  him  as  the  Lord's 
 Chrift;  and  the  convictions  which  naturally  refult 
 from  fuch  a  perfuafion. 
 
 PETER  having  largely  proved,  by  undeniable 
 teftimony  and  reafoning  out  of  the  fcriptures,  the 
 afcenfion  and  glory  of  Jefus,  clofes  his  excellent  fer- 
 mon  v/ith  a  lively  application  which  Hands  on  record, 
 and  runs  in  thefe  terms,  "  Therefore  let  all  the  houfe 
 *'  of  Ifrael  know  afluredly,  that  God  hath  made  that 
 *'  fame  Jefus  whom  ye  have  crucified,  both  Lord  and 
 *'  Chrift,"   Aas  ii.  36. 
 
 The 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     117 
 
 The  words  are  plainly  an  inference  by  v/ay  of  re. 
 flection,  in  which  this  great  preacher  manifeftly  calls 
 upon  his  audience,  without  exception,  to  conuder 
 what  he  had  been  faying,  and  to  apply  the  fame  for 
 their  conviilion,  that  they  might  no  longer  reje6l  the 
 counfel  of  God  againft  themfelves,  but  believe  and  be 
 faved.  Thus  the  apofilc  winds  up  his  difcourfe.  And 
 this  is  the  end  and  method  of  preaching,  owned  of 
 God,  for  the  converfion  of  fmners,  A  glorious  inftance 
 of  which  is  before  us.  It  appears  from  ver.  14,  that  the 
 apoftle  flood  up  and  delivered  himfelf  in  an  earneft  and 
 audible  manner  becoming  the  occafion ;  and  there  is  rea- 
 fon  to  fuppofe  that  his  fervency  rather  increafed  than  de- 
 clined. No  doubt,  in  proclaiming  thefe  words^  he  lift  up 
 his  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  with  great  boldnefs  and  zeal 
 ftretched  forth  his  hands  and  prefled  home  the  confide- 
 ration  of  the  Lhings  he  had  fpoken,  on  the  hearts  and 
 confciences  of  his  hearers.  The  particulars  to  be 
 noted  in  this  facred  paragraph  are,  the  objects  addrefTed, 
 the  truth  which  the  apoftle  advances,  and  his  earneft 
 exhortation  to  lay  it  to  heart.  I  ftiall  confider  each  in 
 its  order;  point  out  the  convi£lions  that  muft  arife 
 from  a  cordial  perfuafion  of  what  is  aflerted,  and  then 
 clofe  with  a  word  or  two  by  way  of  improvement. 
 And, 
 
 F'lrJ}^  The  proclamation  is  to  the  houfe  of  Ifrael, 
 
 i.  e.  the  people  of  the  Jews,  fo  denominated  from  their 
 
 anceftor   Jacob,   firnamed  Ifrael  j   the  Lord's  people, 
 
 whom  he  brought  out  of  Egypt,  a  chofea  feed  from 
 
 H  3  the 
 
iig  LECTURES    ON 
 
 the  loins  of  Abraham,  by  Ifaac  and  Jacob,  with  whom 
 God  eftablifhed  his  covenant.  This  people,  whofe 
 number  was  great,  are  ftiled  the  houfe  of  Ifrael, 
 Jacob  or  Ifrael  being  the  !  immediate  parent  of  the 
 twelve  patriarchs  from  whom  the  multitude  fprang ;  who 
 at  length  profpered  into  a  kingdom,  a  peculiar  trea- 
 fure  unto  the  Lord.  Many  and  gr?at  were  their 
 privileges;  and  for  a  feafon  their  renown  went 
 forth  among  the  heathen  for  beauty.  Unto  them  be- 
 longed the  oracles  of  God ;  and  with  them  were  the 
 ordinances  of  the  fan<Stuary,  in  the  midft  of  whom 
 Jehovah  dwelt,  while  they  obeyed  his  voice  and  kept 
 his  covenant.  But,  alas,  being  a  flifF-necked  and  per- 
 verfe  generation,  they  foon  and  frequently  corrupted 
 themfelves  to  their  ruin.  And  at  this  time  they  were 
 in  a  moft  deplorable  condition  j  for  being  left  of  God, 
 svhofe  wrath  was  impending,  they  became  vain  in  their 
 imagination,  and  were  in  a  manner  univerfally  blinded  ; 
 but  ftill  there  was  among  them  a  remnant,  ac- 
 cording to  the  election  of  grace,  Rom.  xi.  5.  And 
 God  had  not  caft  away  his  people  whom  he  foreknev/ : 
 Neverthelefs  we  find  that  Peter's  addrefs  is  to  all  this 
 houfe  of  Ifrael ,  This  affords  an  example  of  preaching 
 to  the  end  of  the  world.  If  a  minifter's  idea  of  the 
 Father's  ele<3:ion  ftraitens  him  in  his  report  of  the 
 gofpe],  fp  that  he  cannot  moft  earneftly  befeech 
 every  hearer  of  the  word,  with  an  ardent  defire 
 aftey  his  faying  acquaintance  with  Chrift,  he  feems 
 ynder  fome  unhappy  miftake  about  this  glorious  doc- 
 trine of  grace.  Secret  things  belong  unto  God  ;  and 
 ^her§  is  nothing  revealed  concerning  hig  counfel,  which 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.    119 
 
 is  ajuft  exception  to  our  addrelTes  and  prayers,  yea  and 
 our    warmeft  pleadings    with    each   individual,    that 
 he  receive  not   the   grace  of  God  in  vain.     Not  the 
 unknown  eleSi^  but  known  finners,   are  the  immediate  ob- 
 jects  of  a  gofpel-miniftry,     in  refpeit  of  its  general 
 report.     It  is  true,  the  great  end  of  this  commiflion 
 from  heaven  is  the  gathering  the  chofen  and  redeemed 
 of  the  Lord  :  And  this  will  be  the   view  of  him  that  is 
 employed.    Conftraiued  by  the  love  of  Chrift,  his  mini- 
 fters  are  animated  to  patience  and  diligence,  and,    with 
 the  apoftle,  "  can  endure  all  things  for  the  eledl's  fake, 
 "  that  they  may  obtain  the  falvation  which  is   in  him^ 
 "  with  eternal  glory,"  2  Tim.  ii.  10.     Neverthelefs,  the 
 Lord  knoweth   them  that  are  his.     And  a  fervant  of 
 Jefus  hath  not,    nor  can  he  have  any  rational  or  war- 
 rantable ground  for  refpedl  of  perfons  in  his  miniftry, 
 but  is  to  preach  the   word   indefinitely  j   and  labour, 
 if  by  any  means,  every  one  may  repent  and  receive  re- 
 miffion  of  fins,  and  by  fubmitting  himfelf  to  the  Lord, 
 obtain  life  eternal.      This  is  the  example  of  Peter. 
 Indeed   he  was  the  apoftle  of  the  circumcifion,   and 
 fent  to  the  loft  ftieep  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael,  and  there- 
 fore applies  himfelf  direflly  to  the  Jews,  among  whom 
 he  knew  there  was  a  chofen  feed ;  yet  his  exhortation  is 
 univerfaly  extended  :  "  Let  all|the  houfe  of  Ifrael  know." 
 Nor  have  we  any  reafon  to  doubt  but  that  his  heart's  de- 
 fire,like  that  of  Paul  for  Ifrael  was,  (without  exception) 
 that  they  might  be  fa  ved.  Thatman  who  doth  not  fincerely 
 defire,  and  earneftly  endeavour  after  the  final  happinefs 
 of  all  who  attend  him,  and  accordingly  direct  his  dif- 
 CQurfe  to  the  heart  and  confcience  of  every  hearer,  feems 
 H  4  under 
 
120  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 under  a  prejudice,   and  comes  fliort  of  the  fample  given 
 
 of  thole  who  preached  the  word  from  the  beginning. 
 
 Secondly f  The  truth  the  apofde  remonflrates  to  thefe 
 unbelievers  for  fubftance  is  this,  namely,  that  Jefus 
 was  the  Chrift,  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  King  of 
 Ifrael  j  or,  as  he  himfelf  on  a  certain  occafion  confeiFed, 
 faying,  *'  Thou  art  Chrifl  the  Son  of  the  living 
 "  God,"  John  vi.  69.  He  declares  and  urgeth  it  upon 
 'them,  that  "God  hath  made  that  fame  Jefus  whom 
 "  ye  have  crucified,  both  Lord  and  Chrift."     Note, 
 
 I.  His  punflual  defcrlpticn  of  the  Mefliah,  "That 
 *'  fame  Jefus."  It  is  of  great  importance  to  know  the 
 perfon  of  the  Saviour,  not  indeed  in  a  natural  v/ay  or 
 after  the  fleih,  as  the  Jews  knew  him  when  they  cruci- 
 fied and  ^,Q\Y  him,  or  as  the  apoflles  difcerned  him  alive 
 from  the  dead,  and  thereby  becan  e  qualified,  as  we  have 
 feen,  to  witnefs  his  refurreclion.  Henctk^rth  Chrift 
 is  no  more  known  after  this  manner ;  but  a  fpiritual 
 knowledge  of  his  perfcn  is  needful  to  a  cordial  depen- 
 dence upon  him.  A  man  may  trufl;  him  that  is  v.nfeen^ 
 but  no  man  can  depend  on  an  objev5l  unknown:  And 
 accordingly  we  {\\\^  that  an  underftanding  in  the  per- 
 fon of  ChriiL  is  given  to  them  that  believe  :  "  He  hath 
 *'  given  us  an  underPianding  in  him  that  is  true," 
 John  V.  20.  The  apoftle's  dchgn  is  not  only  to  con- 
 vince the  Jews  of  their  guilt,  but  likewife  to  fhew 
 them,  that  in  this  fame  Jefus,  and  in  no  other,  falvation 
 is  found,  and  this  with  a  view  to  their  converfion.  In  like 
 planner  every  true  believer  knows  who  the  Lord's  Chrift 
 
 is; 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  ITY.  121 
 is ;  he  hath  a  true  underftanding  in  the  perfon  of  his 
 Redeemer  j  nor  will  any  faith  fupport  its  fubje6l  in  an 
 hour  of  temptation,  and  efpecially  in  the  views  of  eter- 
 nity, but  that  which  is  accompanied  with  a  certain 
 knowledge  of  him  in  whom  his  confidence  is  placed  ; 
 But  the  chriftian  is  abundantly  fatlsfied  in  this,  and  there- 
 fore can  rejoice,  as  the  apoftle,  when  his  departure  is  at 
 hand,  and  fay,  "  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and 
 *'  I  am  perfuaded  that  he  Is  able  to  keep  that  which  1 
 **  have  committed  unto  him  againft  that  day,"  2  Tim. 
 i.  12.  The  faithful  are  not  alike  in  the  degrees  of  their 
 knowledge,  but  each  believer  hath  a  true  acquaintance 
 with  him  whom  he  truds  j  he  is  fo  far  enlightened  as 
 to  know  and  be  perfuaded  that  his  Saviour  is  the  Son 
 of  the  living  God.  If  the  experience  of  the  faints  in 
 this  point  of  knowledge  Is  fubflantially  the  fame, 
 which  cannot  with  reafon  be  doubted,  then  according 
 to  the  pafiage  in  John  before  mentioned,  they  all  know 
 that  the  Son  of  God  is  ccme,  I.  e.  was  manifcited  in  the 
 flefh,  and  that  this  his  Son  Jefus  Chrill  Is  the  true  God 
 and  eternal  life.  This  knowledge  Includes  a  true  Idea  of 
 theconflitutionof  his  wonderful  perfon,  as  God-man;  for 
 though  an  ordinary  chriflian,  at  leaft  fomefuch,  may  not 
 be  clearly  led  Into  every  circumftance  relating  to  the 
 ineffable  union  of  thefe  infinitely  diflant  natures  in  the 
 perfon  of  the  Mffliah,  or  be  capable  of  difcourfino- 
 with  judgment  on  this  fublime  fubje6V,  yet  the  faith  of 
 God's  people  Is  fo  grounded  in  the  perfon  of  their  Re- 
 deemer, that  it  cannot  exiil  without  a  true  acquain- 
 tance therewith.  His  deity  and  humanity  are  therefore 
 known  to  believers,  the  leaft  of  whom  is  perfuaded  that 
 Jefus  is  Immanuel,  "  God  with  us ;"  and  he  is  like- 
 wife 
 
122  LECTURES    ON 
 
 wife  confident  of  this,  that  his  Saviour  is  that  fame 
 Jefus  who  fufFered  without  the  gates  of  Jerufalem, 
 even  the  felf-fame  perfon  who  was  crucified  at  Mount 
 Calvary.  This  is  what  Peter  points  out  in  the  ftrong- 
 eft  manner  to  his  hearers,  that  he,  whom  God  hath 
 made  both  Lord  and  Chrift,  is  that  fame  Jefus,  even 
 that  felf-fame  individual  perfon  whom  they  had  flain  on 
 the  crofs,  and  no  other.  And  this  knowledge  is  con» 
 tained  in  the  faith  of  the  chofen.     But, 
 
 2.  Observe  with  what  freedom  he  repeats  his  charge 
 on  thefe- Jerufalem  finners ;  *'  Whom  ye  have  cruci- 
 *'  fied."  This  indeed  may  be  confidered  as  a  part  of 
 the  defcription  given  of  the  Lord's  Chrift ;  but  I  ap- 
 prehend that  the  apoftle  had  a  further  view.  He  feems 
 to  be  exceedingly  earneft  after  their  repentance ;  and 
 therefore  to  awaken  them,  takes  the  opportunity  of 
 rehearfing  their  crime,  that  being  deeply  convinced 
 of  their  horrid  and  inexpreflible  guilt,  they  might  on 
 due  encouragement  be  prepared  to  look  on  him  whom 
 they  had  pierced,  and  mourn.  This  gofpel-minifter 
 longed  after  the  converfion  of  his  hearers,  and  would 
 fain  have  them  fee  their  wretched  condition,  and  the 
 eternal  mifery  before  them,  that  they  might  flee  to 
 Jefus,  and  efcape  wrath  to  come.  And  in  this  he 
 purfued  the  counfel  of  God  with  refpeft  to  many  that 
 heard  him,  as  appears  by  the  fequel,  to  the  joy  and 
 furprize  of  this  faithful  fervant  of  the  Lord,  who,  it 
 is  highly  prooable,  little  expedled  the  glorious  harveft 
 he  reaped  in  the  end  ;  but  of  that  in  its  place.  Sinners 
 are  for  the  moft  part  hardened  in  unbelief,  and  have 
 weed  to  be  told   again  and  again  of  their  evil  ;  and 
 
 affedionate 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.  123 
 
 affe6lionate  minifters,  who  watch  for  their  fouls>  will 
 repeat  their  remonftrances  with  a  view  to  convince 
 them  J  they  will  cry  aloud,  and  fpare  not  to  fhew  unto 
 them  their  tranfgrefiions  and  their  fins,  that  if  God 
 peradventure  fhould  awaken  them  to  a  fenfe  of  their 
 folly  and  danger,  and  give  them  repentance  unto  the 
 acknowledgement  of  the  truth,  they  may  recover  them- 
 felves  and  be  plucked  as  brands  from  the  fire.  Thus 
 Peter  having  fet  forth  the  glory  and  power  of  the  exalt- 
 ed Saviour,  fixes  the  attention  of  the  Jews  on  him, 
 whom  they  had  crucified,  as  the  Lord's  Chrift,  fhew- 
 ing  that  he  was  no  other  than  that  felf-fame  perfon 
 whom  they  had  defpifed  and  wickedly  murdered. 
 This  their  blood-guiltinefs  he  repeats,  and  as  it  were 
 rings  in  their  ears,  that,  being  duly  and  deeply 
 alFe£led  with  their  ruined  ftate,  they  might  repent 
 and  be  faved.  We  may  juftly  admire  the  wifdom, 
 faithfulnefs  and  compaflion  of  this  great  man  of  God. 
 How  worthy  the  imitation  of  all  unto  whom  is  com- 
 mitted the  gofpel  of  peace,  and  the  care  of  immortal 
 fouls !  O  that  fuch  preachers  abounded  !  Once  more, 
 
 3.  We  are  to  note  the  pofitive  manner  in  which 
 the  apoftle  declares  the  authority  of  Jefus.  He  aflerts 
 it  with  the  utmofi:  boldnefs  and  confidence.  This  is 
 no  conjecture,  however  probable,  but  a  certain  unde- 
 niable fadl.  He,  that  fame  Jefus  whom  ye  have  cru- 
 cified, is  made,  and  made  by  God,  both  Lord  and 
 Chrift.  To  be  made  is  to  be  created  or  conftituted  hf 
 authority.  So  was  Jefus  to  the  office  of  Mediator, 
 wnto  which  thefe  charadters  belong.  He  was  made 
 \>y  the  Father  from  whom  he  received  his  authority ; 
 
 it 
 
124  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 it  was  he  called  and  created  him  in  the  eternal  counfel 
 of  peace.  Hence  Il'a.  xlii.  i.  *'  Behold  my  fervant 
 •'  whom  I  uphold,  mine  ele6l  in  whom  my  foul  de- 
 *'  lighteth,"  And  again,  "  I  was  fet  up  from  ever- 
 *'  lafting,  from  the  beginning,  or  ever  the  earth  was." 
 Prov.  viii.  23.  And  accordingly  our  Lord,  John  xvii,  5, 
 fpeaks  of  a  glory  v/hich  he  had  with  the  Father  before 
 the  world  was.  So  then  Jefus  was  ordained  and  fet 
 up  in  the  high  office  of  Mediator,  not  upon  his  incar- 
 nation, but  from  the  beginning,  even  from  everlafting 
 was  he  made,  by  a  fpecial  conftitution  according  to 
 the  infinite  wifdom  of  God,  that  he  might  accomplifh 
 th?  purpofe  of  his  grace  in  bringing  many  fons  to 
 glory;  and  wiih  this  {lands  connected  his  appointment 
 to  a  kingdom,  unto  which  the  Father  flood  engaged 
 to  exalt  him  when  he  had  finiflied  his  work  upon 
 earth.  Thus  was  he  created  to  this  dignity  and  power 
 in  the  covenant  of  redemption  befc^re  the  foundation 
 of  the  world.  But  to  be  made  fignifieth  more  than  to 
 be  appointed,  ordained  or  conftituted  :  it  may  intend 
 alfo  his  being  manifeft  or  openly  invefted  with  autho- 
 rity; and  from  the  fcope  of  the  place,  we  are  led  to 
 confider  it  here  in  this  fenfe.  The  apoflle  plainly  de- 
 figns  that  God  had  ai^iually  and  evidently  invefted 
 Jefus  with  the  majefly  and  power  which  belonged  to 
 the  MejTiah,  as  prophefied  of  old,  and  that  now  he 
 was  undoubtedly  and  vifibiy  both  Loid  and  Chrift. 
 It  remains  to  confider. 
 
 Thirdly,  The  apoftle's  folemn  andearneft  exhortation 
 to  receive  the  truth  in  their  heart.  "  Let  all  the  houfe 
 <*  of  Ifrael  know  afTuredly."      To  know  afTuredly  is 
 
 to 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  125 
 
 to  be  perfuaded  without  hefitation  :  And  by  this  phrafe, 
 Peter  doth  not  fo  much  report  the  truth  as  ftir  up  the 
 Jews  to  embrace  it.  When  tlie  princes  of  the  earth 
 fend  forth  their  heralds  with  a  *  be  it  known  unto  all 
 
 *  men,'  every  man  is  called  upon,  not  barely  to  hear 
 or  credit  the  report,  but  alfo  and  chiefly  to  confider 
 and  obey  it;  it  is  an  authoritative  fentence  demanding 
 the  aflent,  perfuafion  and  conformity  of  their  fubje(3:s: 
 In  like  manner,  this  gofpel-minifter,  having  proved 
 that  Jefus  was  the  Chrift  and  Lord  of  all,  in  his  name 
 calls  with  authority  on  thefe  men  of  Ifrael  to  a  furc 
 belief  and  full  perfuafion  of  what  he  had  declared  him 
 to  be,  and  a  fubmiflion  to  him  as  fuch.  q.  d.  *  O  }'e 
 '"  men  of  Judea,  and  all  ye  that  dv/ell  at  Jerufalem, 
 
 *  harden  not  your  hearts,   do  not  perverfely  rejefl  this 
 
 *  word   of  falvation.    Lo,   that  fame  Jefus  whom   ye 
 
 *  crucified,  God  hath  raifed  up,  whereof  we  are  all 
 
 *  witneffes,  and  fo  is  the  Holy  Ghoft,  in  this  which 
 '  ye  now  fee  and  hear.  He  is  therefore  doubtlefs  exalt- 
 
 *  ed.  No  longer  queftion  his  power  in  heaven  and 
 «  earth,  but  aflure  yourfelves  that  this  fame  Jefus  is 
 «  indeed  both  Lord  and  ChriH.' 
 
 This  practical  knowledge  and  credit,  demanded  by 
 the  apoftle  on  the  evidence  given,  is  of  the  operation 
 of  God.  It  is  not  indeed  truly  and  properly  or  at  leaft 
 not  the  whole  of  faving  faith,  by  which  the  fubjefl: 
 as  a  loft  finner,  encouraged  by  the  promife  of  free 
 and  rich  grace,  being  affifled  by  the  Spirit,  trufts  his 
 foul  in  the  hands  of  the  almighty  Redeemer,  and  relieth 
 upon  him  for  life;  yet  furely  this  perfuafion  cometh 
 ©f  him  that  calleth  the  faints,  and  is  owing  to  a  divine 
 
 agency 
 
126  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 agency.     When  the  gofpel  comes  not  in  word  only 
 but  in  power,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghoft,  then  it  comes, 
 faith    the  apoftle,   in   much    afTurance,   and   ifTues   in 
 converfion,    i  ThelT.  i.  5.   The  native   blindnefs  and 
 perverfe   unbelief,    under   which   the    natural   man  is 
 held,  will  not  permit  him  to  entertain  this  full  perfua- 
 fion  of  the  authority  of  the  glorified  Jefus  :  and  with 
 refpe<a:  to  the  Jews,  who  had  been  guilty  of  his  blood, 
 they  were  highly  prejudiced,  and  under  the  ftrongeft 
 temptations,  to  difown  him  whofe  vengeance  they  had 
 reafon  to  dread,  if  invefted  with  power;   fo  that  all  the 
 force  of  the  apoftle's  reafoning  muft  have  been  infuffi- 
 cient  without  the  intervention  of  his  divine  arm,  who 
 can  open  the  heart  at  his  pleafure;   and  accordingly 
 we  find  that,  though  many  believed  through   grace, 
 yet  it  feems  the  far  greater  part  of  his  numerous  au- 
 dience remained   unperfuadeable  and  obeyed   not  the 
 truth.     Many  are  convinced  from  external  evidence, 
 that  the  fcriptures  are  true ;   they  are  morally  perfuaded 
 of  their  veracity,   and   credit   what   they   relate,   and 
 confequently  believe  in  this  fenfe,  that  Jefus  of  Naza- 
 reth who  was  crucified,  revived,  afcended   to  glory, 
 and  fits  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ;   but,  alas,  what  is 
 their  knowledge !  It  is  all   fuperficial  and  heartlefs ; 
 they  dread  not  his  wrath,  nordefire  his  falvation;  they 
 are  not  afFe£led  with  the  gofpel-report,  "  He  that  be- 
 **  lieveth  ftiall  be   faved,  and  he   that  believeth   not 
 *'  ftiall  be  damned."     A  general  notion  of  being  faved 
 by  Chrift,   without   any   regard   to  an  experience  of 
 fincere  repentance  and  faith,  tends  only  to  prove  the 
 fubje£t  under  a  fingular  and  dangerous  hardnefs  j  but 
 where  a  full  and  cordial  perfuafion  ©f  the  power  of 
 
 Jefus, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  127 
 Jefus,  as  the  Lord's  Chrift,  to  fave  his  people  and  to 
 deftroy  his  enemies  takes  place,  the  fubje£l  will  feel  a 
 painful  concern  about  his  own  eternal  welfare,  and  be 
 ready  to  cry  out,  as  in  the  inftance  before  us.  What 
 mufti  do?  or  "What  /hall  I  do  to  be  faved  ?"  And 
 this  will  appear  when  we  confider,  as  propofed,  the 
 convictions  that  muft  arife  from  fuch  a  perfuafion. 
 And, 
 
 I.  A  perfuafion  of  this  will  convince  the  fubje£l  that 
 Chrift  is  a  Saviour  indeed.  On  the  birth  of  Jefus,  you 
 know,  the  angel  declared  to  the  fhepherds,  faying, 
 *'  Unto  you  is  born  in  the  city  of  David,  this  day,  2 
 *'"  Saviour,  which  is  Chrift  the  Lord,"  Luke  ii.  11, 
 To  the  fame  purpofe  faith  Paul,  *'  Of  this  man's,  i.  e, 
 "  David's  feed,  hath  God,  according  to  his  promife, 
 "  raifed  unto  Ifrael  a  Saviour,  Jefus,"  A6ls  xiii.  23. 
 Thus  if  God  hath  truly  made  this  fame  Jefus  both 
 Lord  and  Chrift,  he  is  furely  a  Saviour  mighty  and 
 great:  His  power,  dignity,  and  all-fufficiency  are  not 
 to  be  queftioned.  It  is  for  want  of  believing  from  the 
 heart  this  divine  authority  of  Jefus,  that  any  diftruft  or 
 defpife  him.  If  a  man  is  poffefled  of  this  knowledge  of 
 faith,  that  God  hath  indeed  invefted  Jefus  Chrift  with 
 all  power  in  heaven  and  earth,  he  muft  be  convinced 
 that  he  is  able  to  anfwer  his  charaCler.  And  under 
 this  convi«5tion,  he  would  certainly  either  fear  his  in- 
 dignation or  truft  in  his  name.  Where  this  conviflion 
 takes  place,  there  can  be  no  difpute,  no,  not  a  mo- 
 ment's hefitation,  but  that  Jefus  is  able  to  fave  them 
 that  come  to  God  by  him,  and  that  all  others,  who  obey 
 
 not 
 
128  LE  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 not  the  gofpelj  fhall  be  accounted  his  enemies  and  made 
 his  footftool.     Again, 
 
 2.  This  perfuafion  will  alfo  convince  a  man  that 
 Jefus  is  the  only  Saviour.  There  cannot  be  two  of 
 this  fupreme  dignity.  If  this  fame  Jefus  is  Lord  and 
 Chrift,  there  can  be  no  other.  Some  modern  Jews,  being 
 prefTed  with  the  evidence  of  the  fufferings  and  death  of 
 Jefus  of  Nazareth,  as  exactly  and  fully  anfwering  the 
 prophefies  concerning  the  MelTiah,  in  order  to  uphold 
 their  vain  expe61ation  of  one  yet  to  come,  have  in- 
 vented to  themfelves  a  norion  of  their  being  two  of 
 that  charader,  one  to  fufier,  another  to  reign,  or  to 
 fave  and  deliver  them.  This  vain  conceit,  as  one 
 juftly  ftiles  it,  fhews  their,  perverfe  unbelief,  and  how 
 miferably  blinded  and  hardened  they  are  !  O  when 
 fhall  the  veil  be  taken  away  !  but  nothing  can  be  more 
 falfe  and  abfurd,  being  deftitute  of  reafon  and  contrary 
 to  fcripture :  "  There  is  but  one  Mediator  between 
 "  God  and  man,  the  man  Chrift  Jefus,"  i  Tim.  ii.  5. 
 And  whoever  confiders  that  office,  and  the  manner  in 
 which  it  is  executed,  will  find  that  there  can  be  only 
 one  of  this  diftinguifhing  charafier.  He  only  who 
 being  made  perfect  through  fufferings,  became  the 
 author  of  eternal  falvation,  lives  at  the  right  hand  of 
 God,  to  deliver  his  people  and  bring  them  to  glory.  In 
 the  nature  of  the  thing  there  can  be  but  one  whom 
 God  hath  exalted  to  this  dignity :  He  therefore  who 
 afiuredly  knoweth  that  Jefus  is  that  perfon  who  fuftains 
 this  power  by  divine  authority,  muft  be  convinced  of 
 what  Peter  declares,  A£ls  iv.  11.  namely,  "that  fal- 
 "  vation  is  in  no  other,  neither  is  there  any  name 
 
 under 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    129 
 
 *'  under  heaven  given  among  men  whereby  we  muft  be 
 *^  faved."    It  follows, 
 
 3.  That  from  this  knowledge  in  the  heart,  there 
 will  arife  a  convi6lion  that  every  man  muft  either 
 perifh  under  the  adminiftration  of  Jefus,  or  be  faved  by 
 his  blood.  He  that  is  afTured  in  his  mind,  that  God  hath 
 made  Jefus  both  Lord  and  Chrift,  and  that  confequently 
 he  is  the  all-fufficient  and  only  Savioyr  and  judo;e,  be- 
 ing confcious  of  his  own  guilt,  cannot  fail  of  feeing,  that 
 without  a  fubmiflion  to  and  intereft  in  him,  he  fhall  cer- 
 tainly perifti.  Hence  this  knowledge  will  prove  efFe61ual 
 torender  the  fubjedl  anxious  about  his  eternal  ftate,  fo 
 as  to  become  an  earneft  enquirer  after  obtaining  this 
 falvation,  being  fenfible  of  his  danger,  anddiftrefled  in 
 his  foul  while  in  a  ftate  of  uncertainty.  Thus  the  word 
 coming  with  power  unto  many  of  thefe  Jerufalem- 
 finners,  they  were  immediately  convinced  of  their 
 mifery  and  danger;  and  being  pricked  in  the  heart, 
 with  the  utmoft  eagernefs  and  anguifti  of  fpirit,  they 
 fay  unto  Peter,  and  to  the  reft  of  the  apoftles,  "  Men 
 •'  and  brethren^  What  fhall  we  do  ?" 
 
 LECTURE 
 
I30  LECTURES    ON 
 
 LECTURE    IX. 
 
 Being  notes  and  refle^iions  on  Peter's  proclama- 
 tion and  addrefs  in  the  clofe  of  his  fermon  to  the 
 Jews. 
 
 IN  the  foregoing  letSlure  we  confidered  the  winding 
 up  of  the  apoftle''s  difcourfe  at  Jerufalem  ;  It  con- 
 (ifts  in  a  remonftance,  by  way  of  refle(3:ion,  in  which 
 he  excites  his  audience,  the  Jews,  to  confider  the  refult 
 of  what  he  had  proved  concerning  Jefus  of  Nazareth 
 whom  they  had  crucified  ;  and  calleth  upon  them,  in  a 
 moft  folemn  and  earneft  manner,  to  "  know  afluredly" 
 that  God  had  made  that  fame  Jefus  both  Lord  and  Chriftj, 
 A  perfuafion  of  this,  we  have  feen,  muft  needs  con- 
 vince the  fubje<5i:  that  Chrift  is  a  Saviour  indeed^  and 
 the  only  Saviour  of  finners  j  and  confequently  that  he  is 
 undone  without  an  intereft  in  him.  Such  was  the 
 cfFedt  of  Peter's  exhortation,  by  the  blefling  of  God, 
 on  many  of  his  hearers.  Now  this  being  the  firft  fer- 
 mon publicly  preached  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
 after  his  afcenfion,  it  is  doubtlefs  the  moft  primitive 
 pattern  of  preaching ;  we  are  therefore  naturally  led 
 to  turn  our  thoughts  on  thofe  points  which  more 
 immediately  concern  that  divine  inftitution  j  in  refe- 
 rence to  which  the  following  particulars  deferve  our 
 attention. 
 
 I,  That 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     131 
 
 I.  That  the  conftitution  and  authority  of  Jefus,  in 
 the  character  of  Mcffiah,    is  a  principal  fubjea  of  the 
 gofpel-miniftry.     The  divine  authority  of  Jefus  is    of 
 the  utmoft  importance ;    without  a  full  fatisfaclion  here- 
 in no  man  can  truft  him:    The  leaft  hefitation  in  this 
 point  leaves  the  fubjea:  incapable  of  embracing  a  cruci- 
 iied  Redeemer  J  for  he  that  is  in  good  earneft  about  his 
 falvation,  will  never  confide  in  one  whofe  authority  is 
 doubtful.     Our  Saviour  declares,  concerning  his  difci- 
 pies,  faying  to  his  Father,   "  I  have  given  them  the 
 "  words  which  thou  gaveft  me,  and  they  have  received 
 *'  them,    and  have  known  furely  that  I  came  out  from 
 *'  thee,   and  they  have  believed  that  thou  didft  fend 
 "  me,"  John  xvii.  8.     A  full  afilirance  of  his  divine 
 miilion  was  the  ground  of  their  confidence  in  him  :   In 
 like  manner  he  that  receives  the  word  of  the  gofpel  into 
 his  heart,    and  comes  to  Chrift  for  life,   comes  to  him 
 under  a   full  perfuafion  that  God  hath   invefled  this 
 fame  Jefus,   whom  he  trufts,  with  the  power  of  a  Sa- 
 viour ;  without  this  there  can  be  no  faith,  it  being  need- 
 ful   to  awaken  in  the   mind  a  due  concern  about  an 
 intereft  in  Chrift,   and  to  engage  a  finner's  dependence 
 upon  him  :   the  apoftle  therefore,   with  great  propriety, 
 urges  this  point  on  the  Jews,  to  convince  them  of  their 
 danger,  and  of  the  pov/er  of  Jefus  to  fave,  that  they 
 might  not,  through  unbelief,    perifh  in  their  fins.  This 
 example  fhould  be  followed  by  the  minifters  of  the  o-of- 
 pel ;    they  are  to  be  much  employed  in  opening  thofe 
 fcriptures  that  relate  to  the  Father's  appointment  of  his 
 Son  to  the  office  he  bears,  that  their  hearers,   knowing 
 that  Jefus  is  the  Chrift,  and  that  he  is  exalted  by  the 
 I  2  right 
 
132  LECTURES    ON 
 
 right  hand  of  God,  to  fave  or  to  deftroy,  may  fee  the 
 the  infinite  importance  of  an  intereft  in  him,  and  be 
 erxouraged  to  truft  him.  In  this  way  faith  comes  by 
 hearing,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  by 
 pofleiTing  the  fubje£^,  with  an  evidence  to  his  confcience 
 that  Jefus  is  indeed  the  Lord's  Chrift,  and  able  to  fave 
 to  the  utermoft  them  who  come  unto  God  by  him :  In 
 want  of  which  convi6iion,  fome  hearers  of  the  word, 
 with  their  heads  full  of  orthodox  nouons,  feem  carelefs, 
 and  are  little  ccncerned  about  repentance  unto  life; 
 but  where  this  knowledge  reacheth  the  heart,  a  man 
 will  not  content  himfelf  fhort  of  being  fare  in  this  only 
 and  almighty  Lord  and  Saviour  of  finners.  This  being 
 the  ilate  of  the  cafe,  moft  certainly  it  is  a  capital  branch 
 of  a  preacher's  bufmefs,  to  lay  open  the  counfel  of  God 
 in  the  conftitution  of  his  Son. 
 
 Again,  we  may  note,  that  it  becomes  the  mini- 
 flers  of  Chrift  to  exhort  and  excite  them  that  hear, 
 unto  a  believing  application  of  the  things  that  are 
 fpoken.  Peter,  you  fee,  having  proved  from  fcripture 
 the  dignlry  and  power  of  the  afcended  Redeemer, 
 clofes  his  fermon  in  a  warm  and  lively  addrefs  to  the 
 Jews ;  wtiereby  he  labours  to  convince  them  of  the 
 glory  of  Chrift  as  Lord  of  all,  and  as  the  anointed  of 
 God,  that  being  duly  afFeded  with  his  authority  and 
 grace,  they  might  believe  on  him  unto  life  everlafting. 
 If  this  may  be  deemed  an  example,  it  is  not  unbecom- 
 ing the  minifteis  of  the  word  to  go  farther  than  a 
 bare,  however  judicious  report  of  the  things  which 
 belong  to  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  and  proceed  to  open 
 the  counfel  of  God,   and  to  excite  their  audience  to 
 
 confider 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    133 
 
 confider  the  reality  and  importance  of  what  they  have 
 heard,  that  being  fully  perfuaded,   they  may    believe 
 and  be  faved.     The  fcriptures  abound  with  the  like 
 famples  of  preaching;   and   indeed,  fo  duli  are  man- 
 kind,  that  the  warmeft  addrefles  to  the  heart  and  con» 
 fcience  are  needful  as  a  means  of  awakening  perfons  to 
 apply  the  word  to  themfelves  :   and  accordingly  we  find 
 this  account  from  the  great  apoftle  of  the  Gentiles, 
 **  Now  then,    fays  he,  we  are  ambaffadors  for  Chrift, 
 *'  as  though  God  did  befeech   you  by  us ;   we  pray 
 "  you  in  Chrift's  flead,  be   ye   reconciled  to  God," 
 2  Cor.  V.  20.    Nothing  I  think  can  be  more  evident, 
 than  that  thefe  firft  and  great  preachers  did  not  leave 
 the  people  in  a  cold  and  lifelefs  manner,   or  without 
 ■  attempting   to  afFedt  their  hearts  with  what  they  de- 
 livered. 
 
 I  am  fenfible,  that  while  fome  have  little  regard  to 
 the  judgment  of  their  hearers,  and  make  the  paflions  a 
 firft  and  principal  objedl  of  addrefs,  fome  others  have 
 condemned  all  endeavours  to  touch  the  afFe6lions,  and 
 would  confine  the  preacher  to  a  naked  expofition,  or 
 bare  report  of  the  truth,  with  its  evidence  from  fcrip- 
 turej  applications  are  reprefented  as  favouring  of  the 
 creatures  ability,  yea  and  as  intruding  on  the  work  of 
 the  Spirit,  whofe  office,  fay  they,  is  to  apply  his  own 
 grace.  To  obviate  this  prejudice,  I  fhall  endeavour 
 briefly  to  (hew  the  propriety  of  addreffing  the  con- 
 fciences  of  men,  according  to  this  original  pattern, 
 and  its  confiftency  with  the  fpiritual  impotence  of  fallen 
 man,  and  confequently  with  the  abfolute  need  of  a  di- 
 vine agency,  in  order  to  his  faving  advantage, 
 
 I  3  T« 
 
134 
 
 LECTURES    ON 
 
 To  ftir  up  the  hearers  of  the  word  by  way  of  re- 
 flexion, and  to  ufe  every  fober  means  of  perfuafion, 
 whereby,  under  the  blefling  of  God,   their  hearts  may 
 be  affe£ted  with  the  truth,  to  the  profit  of  their  fouls j 
 is  not  only  fuited  to  the  nature  of  man,   but  alfo  exa£tly 
 agrees  with  the  method  of  our  Lord  and   hisapoftles; 
 and  if,   as  hath  been  complained,    any  are  unguarded^ 
 and  feemingly  inconfiftent  with  ajuft  idea  of  the  truthj 
 in  attempting  to  copy  the  example,  can  this  be  a  fuffi- 
 cient  excufe  for  laying  afide  or  rejetfling  the  natural 
 and  ancient  means  of  edification  ?  nor  is  the  agency  of 
 the  Spirit,    in  an  effeftual  application  of  the  gofpel,  a 
 cogent  objeilion  to  the  preacher's  addrefling  the  con- 
 fcience  of  his  hearer  ;  unlefs  it  be  admitted  againft  ex- 
 pounding   of  the    fcriptures  to  enlighten   his   under-^ 
 irandino^ ;  for  except  a  man  is  taught  of  God,  he  is  in- 
 capable  of  difcerning  the  things  of  his  Spirit:    So  that 
 f)n  this  pretence,   all  kind  ©f  preaching  may  be  cenfured 
 as   ufelcfs,  and   indeed  every  means  of  knowledge  and 
 convidtion  refufed,  fince  there  is  no  branch  of  the  mi- 
 nfftry^  the  fuccefs  of  which  doth  not  abfolutely  depend 
 on  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghoft :    But  moral  endea- 
 vours to  inform  the  judgment,   and  to  touch  the  hearts 
 of  a  chrillian  audience,   are  equally  juft,   agreeable  to 
 the   tefiimony   of  God,    and  perfectly  confident  with 
 the  office  of  the  Spirit,  who  alone  cap  efFedtually  teach 
 the  children  of  men. 
 
 Vap.ious  are  the  talents  of  preachers,  and  alfo  the 
 occafions  and  circumftances  which  may  occur  in  the 
 courfe  of  their  miniftry,   Thefe,   with  their  difpofition 
 
 under 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     155 
 
 under  the  guidance  of  the  Spirit,  who  directs  the  hearts 
 of  his  fervants  at  his  pleaiure,  hath  a  prevailing  influ- 
 ence in  the  method  they  take  in  difcourfing  on  the 
 kingdon^  of  God  ;  nor  do  I  more  than  recommend  the 
 iuftance  before  us  as,  what  I  apprehend,  a  genuine 
 ftandard  of  preaching  ;  I  hope  this  may  be  allowed,  and 
 efpecially  fmce  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  honor  the  pattern 
 with  fo  great  and  wonderful  fuccefs  , 
 
 The   example   is    clear.     Peter    preaching   to  the 
 Jews,   proves  from   the  fcripture,   that  he  whom  they 
 had  crucified,  and  who  was  raifed  from  the  dead,  Vi^as 
 indeed  the  Meffiah  foretold  by  the  prophets;    and  hav- 
 ing  fo  done,    though    his    audience  confided   of  the 
 mod:  hardened  and  guilty  perfons,  who,    in  all  appear- 
 ance, were  held  under  the  power  of  fin  and  unbelief, 
 he  winds  up  h's  difccurfe  in  an  affeiSiionate  addrefs  to 
 this  obftinate  and  perilling  multitude,  calling  on  all, 
 and  every  one  to  reflect  on  the  things  he  had  fpokent 
 In  this  clofing  application  he  evidently  points  out  a 
 plain  truth,   which   refults  from  the  confideration   of 
 what  he  had  alledged,  namely,  that  this  fame  Jefus  was 
 manifeftly  both   Lojd   and   Chrift,   and   earneftly  be- 
 feeches  them  to  receive  it.     In  like  manner  our  Lord 
 himfelf,   and  the  difciples  he  fent  in  the  courfe  of  hrs 
 life,   laboured  to  convince  thofe  who  attended   their 
 miniftry.     It  appears   from    the   facred   hiftory,    that 
 they  went  forth  expounding  the  fcriptures,  to  open  the 
 underftanding    and     rectify    the    judgment   of    their 
 hearers;  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  infer,  exhort 
 and  excite  them,   that,    through  grace,   the  dodrines 
 they  taught,  being  mixed  with  faith,  might  be  duly 
 I  4  applied 
 
136  LECTURES    ON 
 
 applied  and  reduced  to  experience  and  practice.  This 
 method  alfo  runs  through  the  whole  apoftolic  mini- 
 ftration ;  and  though,  as  obferved,  there  will  be  a 
 great  variety  in  the  manner  of  preachers,  I  cannot  but 
 think  that  way  which  confifts  with  this  general  plan 
 moft  agreeable  to  the  defign  of  a  gofpel-miniftry, 
 which  is  to  irradiate  the  underftanding,  and  likewife 
 to  affedi  the  heart,  both  which  are  needful.  To  aim 
 at  moving  the  pallions,  without  informing  the  judg- 
 ment, or  a  full  perfuafion  of  the  truth ;  and  on  the 
 other  hand  to  reft  in  a  bare  report  of  the  doftrines 
 revealed  in  the  bible,  in  a  ne2^1e£l:  of  perfonal  applica- 
 tion and  addrefling  the  confciences  of  men,  that  they 
 may  be  fuitably  impreffed  with  the  things  that  are 
 fpoken,  feem  equally  wrong;  the  one  has  a  tendency 
 to  flatter  perfons  with  an  hope  grounded  in  their  own 
 imaginations  rather  than  the  teftimony  of  God,  which 
 is  vain ;  and  the  other  to  fill  them  with  a  conceit  of 
 themfelves,  on  account  of  their  notions  of  the  gofpel, 
 without  any  regard  to  the  fruits  of  that  faith  which  is 
 of  the  operation  of  God  :  In  each  cafe  the  fubjedt  de- 
 ceives himfelf  J  and  therefore  whatever  tends  to  che- 
 rifh  either,  fliould  be  avoided  as  unfriendly  to  the  inte- 
 reft  of  real  religion.  In  a  word,  from  the  ftate  of  the 
 natural  man,  and  from  univerf^l  experience,  it  is  clear, 
 that  the  moft  judicious  explanations  or  fervent  addreffes, 
 which  the  ableft  preacher  on  earth  can  deliver,  are  in- 
 fufficient  of  themfelves  to  enlighten  or  enlarge  the  mind 
 of  a  hearer.  And  with  me  it  is  no  lefs  certain,  that 
 from  the  beginning,  the  minifters  of  Chrift,  by  reafon- 
 ing  out  of  the  fcriptures,  and  by  a  particular  and  ear- 
 ned 
 
MITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    137 
 
 neft  application  to  their  audience,  fought  to  convince 
 them  and  bring  them  to  the  obedience  of  faith.  Once 
 more, 
 
 3.  This  inftance  proves  that  gofpel-minifters  fhould, 
 under  no  pretence  whatever  decline  their  utmoft  en- 
 deavours to  convert  any  perfon  or  people,  however 
 notorious  their  infidelity  and  wickednefs.  It  may  be 
 ufeful  to  confider  this  point,  left  by  any  means  our 
 own  carnal  reafon  and  foolifh  miftakes  give  the  enemy 
 advantage,  through  a  negle6l  of  the  fouls  committed  to 
 cur  charge  in  a  private  or  public  capacity.  If  fingular 
 hardnefs,  infidelity  and  guilt,  rendered  the  fhameful 
 fubjefts  unmeet  for  the  attempts  of  a  gofpel-minifter, 
 Peter  had  never  taken  fuch  pains  to  awaken  and  con- 
 vince thefe  blood-guilty  fmners.  Men,  who,  in  con- 
 tempt of  all  the  miraculous  and  undeniable  teftimony 
 from  heaven,  in  favour  of  the  holy  Jefus,  notwith- 
 ftanding  the  light  and  convI£lIon  they  had  received 
 concerning  his  being  a  man  approved  of  God,  yet  for 
 envy  in  malice  betrayed  and  murdered  him ;  men  that 
 were  hardened  in  their  infidelity,  and  had  ,no  remorfe 
 for  this  great  wickednefs,  but  contiimed  to  refift  the 
 Holy  Ghoft,  infomuch,  as  that  many  of  them  had 
 been  mocking  at  his  extraordinary  gifts  ;  I  fay,  the 
 apoftle  would  not  have  laboured  to  convince  thefe 
 feemlngly  abandoned  tranlgreflbrs,  if  the  vileft  of  men 
 were  to  be  left  in  defpair.  When  the  defcendents  of 
 thofe  who  fear  God,  caft  away  the  cords  of  a  religious 
 education,  or  when  fuch,  in  .vhom  convictions  have 
 been  raifed,  quench  the  light  they  have  received ,  and 
 become  openly  licentious  and  wicked,  having  turned 
 
 their 
 
J38  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 their  backs  on  the  ways  of  God,  or  it  may  be  fet  their 
 months  and  face s  againft  heaven,  their  confciences  fecm 
 to  be  fi.-arcd,  and  their  condition  is  truly  deplorable  and 
 dano-erous,  we  may  well  tremble  for  them,  left,  being 
 given  up  of  God,  they  finally  rejedl  his  counfel  to 
 their  ruin  I  Neverthelefs  their  cafe  is  not  defperate, 
 jicither  are  even  fuch  to  be  excluded  from  the  means  of 
 falvation.  ^ 
 
 Christ  came  to  favc  firlners ;  nor  is  any  finner  be- 
 yond the  reach  of  hio  arm.  The  miniftration  of  his 
 word  therefore  waits  the  pleafure  and  power  of  God 
 without  refpe£^  of  perfons.  A  defpifed  gofpel  indeed 
 hath  been  taken  away,  and  the  candleftick  removed 
 out  of  his  place.  Hence  a  famine  of  hearing  the  word 
 of  the  Lord,  and  the  people  perifh  for  lack  of  know- 
 ledge, which  is  awful  to  confider;  but  where  the 
 kingdom  of  heaven  is  continued,  no  degree  of  infide- 
 lity or  wickednefs  fl:iould  difcourage  or  prevent  the  mi- 
 nifters  of  Jefus  from  ftrivlng  after  the  converfion  of 
 men.  No  nation  under  heaven  was  ever  more  cor- 
 rupt and  guilty  than  the  Jews  at  tliis  time,  and  efpe- 
 cially  the  inhabitants  of  their  capital  city;  and  yet  we 
 find  the  difciples  went  forth,  as  the  Lord  had  com- 
 manded, and  preached  repentance  and  remiiTion  of  fins 
 in  his  name,  beginning  at  Jerufalem,  as  in  the  in- 
 flance  before  us.  And  foall  it  ever  be  thought  that 
 any  man's  wickednefs  can  render  him  unmeet  for  the 
 miniflry  of  the  gofpel  ? 
 
 It  is  wrong  then  to  fay  of  this  or  the  other  perfon, 
 be  is  fo  hardened  in  unbelief,  and  a  wretch  fo  abandon- 
 ed 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     139 
 
 cd  to  his  lufts,  that  it  is  in  vain  to  reafon  with  him  on 
 fin,  or  righteoufnefs,  or  judgment  to  come,  or  to  de- 
 clare unto  him  the  power  and  glory  of  Jefus.  This 
 favours  of  ignorance,  felf-fufficiency,  and  a  diftruft  of 
 that  power  which  alone  can  fubdue  the  tranfgrefTor :  Is 
 the  divine  arm  fhortcned  that  it  cannot  fave  ?  Shall  man 
 determine  the  counfel  of  God,  or  fet  bounds  to  his 
 grace  ?  When  under  any  temptation  we  think  or  fpeak 
 thus,  do  we  noc  forget  the  fuccefs  which  attended 
 the  preaching  of  the  gofpel,  even  among  thofe  who 
 murdered  the  Saviour,  that  the  vefiels  of  mercy  zre 
 unknown  to  us,  and  that  the  converfion  of  a  finner  is 
 by  the  power  of  God,  accompanying  the  perfuafion  of 
 the  preacher  ? 
 
 In  fhort,  the  miniftraticn  of  the  gofpel  proceeds  on 
 thofe  principles  which  warrant  and  oblige,  yea,  and 
 encourage  thofe  who  are  employed  therein  to  preach 
 to,  and  plead  with  the  greateft  tranfgreffors,  and  moft: 
 perverfe  unbelievers,  if  peradventure  God  will  grant 
 them  repentance  to  the  acknov/ledgement  of  the  truth. 
 The  vileft  finner,  or  the  moft  obfcinate  infidel  is  within 
 the  reach  of  omnipotent  grace :  The  Lord's  people 
 fliall  be  willing  in  the  day  cf  his  power^  and  his  fer- 
 vants  fhall  find  their  labour  fhall  not  be  in  vain  in 
 him.  But  if  any  are  permitted  to  harden  thcmfeives  to 
 their  defl:ru6lion,  faithful  minifiers  are  unto  God  a 
 fweet  favour  of  Chrift  in  them  that  are  faved  and  in 
 them  that  perifh.  To  the  one  they  are  *'  a  favour  of 
 "  death  unto  death,  and  to  the  other  a  favour  of  life 
 "  unto  life.  And  who  is  fufficient  for  thefe  things  ?'* 
 2  Cor.  ii.  15,  16. 
 
 Thu8 
 
140  LECTURESON 
 
 Thus  then,  by  the  manner  in  which  Peter  fmiflsed 
 his  famous  and  ruccefsful  difcouric  to  the  Jews,  we 
 Jearn  that  the  conftitution  and  authority  of  Jefus,  in 
 the  character  of  the  Mefiiah>  is  a  princjp^a  fubje^l  of 
 a  gofpel-miniftryj  that  it  belongs  to  that  miniftraiion 
 carnelliy  to  exhort  and  flir  up  all  that  hear,  unto  a 
 believing  application  of  the  things  that  are  fpoken. 
 And  further,  that  the  minifters  of  Chrift  are  not  to 
 withhold  their  endeavour  after  the  converfion  of  the 
 moft  notorious  tranfgrefTors. 
 
 And  now,  my  d<!ar  Reader,  permit  me,  after  this 
 iioble  example,  to  exhort  and  befeech  thee.  Art  thou 
 carelefs  and  unconcerned  about  the  falvation  publifhed 
 in  the  gofpel  ?  Know  thou  that  this  fame  Jefus  whom 
 we  preach,  and  who  was  crucified  without  the  gates 
 of  Jerufalem,  is  alive  from  the  dead,  and  is  made  of 
 God  both  Lord  and  Chrift.  O  that  thine  heart  was 
 polFeffed  of  this  affurance,  and  no  longer  capable  of  a 
 moments  eafe  without  an  intereft  in  this  only  and 
 almighty  Saviour  !  Satan  Waits  to  fuggeft  thofe  imae;i- 
 nations  which  may  prevent  the  important  convidtion ; 
 and  when  it  takes  place,  thy  own  carnal  reafon,  .and 
 the  feeds  of  infidelity,  which  grow  in  thy  flefh,  will 
 if  poffible  extinguifli  it.  But  there  is  not  the  leaft 
 ground  to  hefitate  that  the  Father  hath  indeed  raifed 
 up  his  Son  Jefus,  and  fet  him  at  his  own  right  hand, 
 until  his  Uxs  are  his  footftool.  The  efFufion  of  the 
 Spuit,  the  fprtad  of  the  gofpel,  the  fearful  deftrudlion 
 of  the  city  and  temple  at  Jerufalem,  and  the  prefent 
 ^ifpcrfed  ftat€  of  the  Jews,  are  ifjconteftible  proofs  that 
 
 Jefus 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    141 
 
 Jefu3  is  exalted  ;  and  as  fure  as  he  ever  exlftied  on 
 earth,  and  is  paffed  into  heaven,  fo  certain  it  is  that 'he 
 is  the  only  Saviour,  authorized  of  God  to  judge  the 
 quick  and  the  dead  at  his  appearance  and  icir^gdom. 
 How  miferable  then  muft  thou  be,  if  in  the  end  thou 
 art  found  among  them  who  obey  not  the  gofpel  t  k 
 availed  not  thcfe  Jews  to  be  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael, 
 neither  will  it  ftand  thee  in  ftead  to  be  a  nominal 
 chriftian,' if  thou  art  not  a  true  worfhipper  ofChri'fl: 
 as  thy  Lord  and  Saviour.  Deceive  not  thyfelf;  the 
 wrath  of  the  Lamb  will  furely  come  down  on  all  un- 
 believers and  tear  them  to  pieces.  There  is  none  t^ 
 deliver.  Thou  wilt  therefore  find  it  a  certain  and 
 €t-ernal  truth ;  it  is  the  fum  of  the  gbfpeL,  Mark 
 xvi.  16.  "  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  fhall  be 
 "  faved,  but  he  that  believeth  not  fliail  be  damned." 
 
 But  haft  thou,  Beloved,  feen  the  Lord's  Chrift  ? 
 and  is  he  the  object  of  thy  trufl:  ?  How  precious  this 
 truth !  With  reverence  and  joy  behold  this  fame 
 Jefus  who  died  for  thy  fins,  and  who  defpifed  the 
 fname  of  the  crofs,  now  openly  inverted  and  highly 
 exalted  univerfal  Lord,  thy  Lord,  and  thy  God  !  Fear 
 not,  though  "in  many  temptations,  thy  King  is  able  to 
 fave  thee ;  he  lives  to  defend  thee  in  life,  to  preferve 
 •thee  in  death,  and  to  bring  thee  fafe  to  his  heavenly 
 kingdom.  And  is  he  thy  Lord  ?  Then  worftiip  thou 
 him.  Nothing  can  more  loudly  demand  thy  profciTed 
 fubje^lion  to  gofpel-appointments.  Haft  thou  never 
 yet  publicly  devoted  thyfelf  to  Jefus  and  confefled  to 
 his  name  ?  How  canft  thou  believe  him  made  of  the 
 i^'atber  Lord  and  Chrift,  and  withhold  thy  obedience, 
 
 or 
 
142  LECTURES    ON 
 
 or  omit  what  he  hath  commanded  ?  Doth  thy  con- 
 fcience  accufe  thee  of  this  ?  Blulh  and  repent,  think 
 how  ungrateful  and  prefumptuous  it  is  to  negledl  the 
 orders  of  thy  Redeemer  who  is  enthroned  in  the 
 heavens,  and  before  whom  thou  muft  fhortly  appear  ! 
 Alfo  hear  what  the  Father  faith,  "  Yet  have  I  fet  my 
 "  King  on  my  holy  hill  of  Zion,"  Pfalm  ii.  6.  And 
 attend  to  the  honor  he  pays  him,  "  Thy  throne,  O 
 "  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever;  a  fceptre  of  righteouf- 
 *'  nefs  is  the  fceptre  of  thy  kingdom!"  Heb.  i.  8. 
 And  wilt  thou  not  bow  in  the  name  of  this  Jefus  ? 
 or  wilt  thou  refufe  to  own  his  authority  in  the  fight  of 
 the  world  ?  Surely  it  becomes  thee  my  Friend,  to  adore 
 and  ferve  thy  dignified  Saviour,  "  who  is  over  all 
 *'  God  bleffed  for  ever.  Amen." 
 # 
 
 Tilje  End  of  the  Second  Book, 
 
 PRIMITIVE 
 
[  H3  1 
 
 PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY, 
 BOOK    IIL 
 
 IN    WHICH 
 
 The  wonderful  fuccefs  of  tke  apoflle's  firll 
 fermon  at  Jerufalem,  is  particularly  confidered 
 and  improved. 
 
 LECTURE    X. 
 
 Shewing  the  ftate  of  their  hearts  who  fell  under  con- 
 virion.  By  what  means  they  were  awakened ;  and 
 the  method  they  took,  for  relief, 
 
 ISAIAH  complains,  in  reference  -to  the  Jews, 
 faying,  "  Who  hath  believed  our  report  ?"  Yet  it 
 was  not  in  vain  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  preached 
 at  Jerufalem.  Peter  had  no  fooner  finifhed  his  difcourfe, 
 but,  !o,  many  of  his  hearers  appeared  deeply  affected, 
 jnfomuch  that  they  cry  out  in  the  midft:  of  the  afiembly. 
 Their  acclamation  was  not  like  the  found  of  enthuftafts, 
 who,  under  a  falfe  impreffion,  have  been  fornetimes 
 found  to  fcream  and  tofs  in  a  wild  and  frantic  manner: 
 No }  but  being  awakened  to  a  juft  fenfe  of  their  mifery, 
 they  make  a  fober,  though  an  earned  and  anxious  en- 
 quiry fuited  to  their  deplorable  condition.  The  ac- 
 count 
 
144  LECTURESON, 
 
 count  is  as  follows,  and  is  recorded,  A(fts  ii.  37. 
 *'  Now  when  they  had  heard  this,  they  were  pricked 
 *'  in  their  heart,  and  faid  unto  Peter,  and  to  the  reft 
 *'  of  the  apoftles,  Men  and  brethren,  what  fliall  we 
 «  dor" 
 
 In  this  hiftorical  paflage  an  amazing  fcene  is  prefent- 
 cd  J  thoufands  of  finners  awakened  in  an  inftant,  alike 
 fmitten,  as  the  Ifraelites  in  the  wildernefs ;  every  one 
 wounded,  lifting  up  their  voice,  as  one  man,  in  the 
 prefence  of  a  multitude  who  attended  the  apoilles. 
 How  aftonifhed  the  audience,  to  behold  and  to  hear 
 fo  many  perfons,  in  the  utmoft  diftrefs,  befeeching  his 
 minifters  whom,  but  a  few  weeks  before,  they  had 
 crucified  as  an  impoftor  !  Here  then  is  another  external 
 evidence  to  the  men  of  Judea,  proving  the  divine 
 miflion  and  glorious  ftate  of  Jefus,  in  whofe  name  the 
 difciples  appeared.  An  extraordinary  event  this,  at- 
 tended with  peculiar  circumftances :  But  the  eJfFe<5bs  of 
 God's  grace  are  fubftantially  the  fame  in  every  fubje6l  of 
 his  power.  One  convinced  fmner  may  be  more  and 
 longer  terrified  under  a  fenfe  of  his  guilt  than  another; 
 but  no  real  penitent  is  altogether  a  ftranger  to  the  dif- 
 trefs which  filled  the  hearts  of  thefe  Jews ;  he  is  not 
 without  a  tafte  of  this  forrow  :  And  every  convert  has 
 been  compelled,  as  it  were,  to  the  fame  enquiry :  in 
 anfwer  to  which,  he  has  by  fome  means  been  led  to  the 
 Saviour,  and  found  reft  for  his  foul.  May  no  one, 
 employed  in  reading  thefe  papers,  be  finally  unacquaint- 
 ed with    that  fpiritual  trouble  which  is  needful  to 
 
 bring 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    145 
 
 bring  him  to  Chrift,   and  to  prepare  him  for  a  jo}'ful 
 [  reception  of  the  gofpel ! 
 
 It  may  be  ufeful  to  confider  the  painful  ftate  of  thefe 
 awakened  tranfgreflbrs  j  by  what  means  they  were  con- 
 vinced and  became  thus  diftrefTed  ;  and  the  method  they 
 took  for  relief:  particulars  which  lead  to  the  experience 
 and  practice  of  thofe  in  whom  the  word  is  the  power  of 
 God  to  falvation. 
 
 Their  condition  was  truly  deplorable:  "  They 
 "  w/ire  pricked  in  the  heart."  A  fore  cafe  indeed,  and 
 grievous  beyond  all  expreflion  !  The  heart  taken  fpiri- 
 tually,  and  it  cannot  here  be  underftood  in  a  natural 
 fenfe,  is  often  comprehenfive  of  all  the  powers  and 
 faculties  of  the  foul,  as  when  it  is  faid,  "Truft  In  the 
 "  Lord  with  all  thine  heart."  And  again,  "  With  the 
 "  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteoufnefs."  But  in  this 
 pafTage,  as  in  many  other  places,  it  feems  confined  to 
 the  confcience.  Thus  it  is  written,  2  Sam.  xxiv.  10.  that 
 **  David'sheart, i.e. hisconfciencefmotehimwhenhehad 
 "  numbered  the  people,"  as  appears  from  his  confefHon  : 
 **  He  faid  unto  the  Lord,  I  have  fmned  greatly  in  that 
 **  I  have  done."  And  the  word  is  thus  taken, 
 I  John  iii.  21.  "  If  our  hearts  condemn  us  not,  i.  e. 
 "  if  we  have  the  teftimony  of  a  good  confcience,  we 
 *«  have  boldnefs,  &c."  In  like  manner  fays  Job, 
 chap.  xvii.  6.  "  My  heart  fiiall  not  reproach  me  as 
 "  long  as  I  live."  Confcience  in  the  foul  of  man  is  a 
 kind  of  vice -judge  ;  and, except  in  an  obdurate  ftate,  it  is 
 ever  accufmg  or  excufing  the  fubjedt,  Rom.  ii.  15.  It 
 may  lie  dormant  a  feafon,  but  will  furely  awake,  and 
 K  with 
 
J46  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 with  a  terrible  voice  bear  witnefs  againft  the  tranf- 
 grefibr.    Thus,  in  the  inftance  before  us^   Peter  having 
 charged  upon  the  Jews  the  murder  of  Chrifl,  through 
 a  divine  power    it  entered  the  confcience  of   many, 
 who  were  touched  to  the  quick,   infomuch,  that  while 
 he  reaibned  with  them  out  of  the  fcriptures,  his  words 
 became  as  drawn  fv/ords,  and   pierced   through  their 
 fouls.     Thus  the  word  of  God,  however  unafFeded 
 men  hardened  in  unbelief  may  be,  when  it  comes  with 
 the  energy  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  "  is  quick  and  power- 
 "  ful,    (harper  than  any  two-edged  fword,,  piercing 
 ««  even  to  the  dividing  afunder  foul  and  fpirit,"   Heb. 
 IV.  12.      So  thefe  Jerufalem-finners  found  it,    whofe 
 wounds    are  mofl   emphatically   exprefled  by  a  word 
 no    where  elfe    ufed   in     all    the  New  -  Teftament, 
 KJ}srjy.-:c-a.ii,    it  fignifies  to  vex,    rend,  or    pun£lually 
 wound,  as  if  a  man  was  pierced  to  the  centre  of  his 
 heart  with  an  arrow  or  fpear ;   yea  fome  illuflrate  the 
 term,  by  fuppofing  the  fharp  points  of  many  poifoned 
 daggers  or  fcorpion-ftrings  all  at  once  faftened  in  the 
 heart,  in  the  moft  cruel  manner  that  can  be  devifed. 
 Thus  forely  and  punctually  wounded  were  thefe  finful 
 men :  and  this  flriking  expreflion  imports  the  follow- 
 ing articles : 
 
 I.  That  their  convictions  were  deep  and  eiFe(5iuaI. 
 It  was  no  fuperficial  or  tranfitory  impreflion,  neither 
 were  they  merely  cut  to  the  heart,  as  the  Pharifees 
 wcie  under  another  fcrmon  by  the  fame  apoflle,  chap. 
 v.  33.  or  like  thofe  at  the  reproof  of  Stephen  the  mar- 
 tyr, chap.  vii.  54.  in  both  which  pla(5i?s,  ^nTr(toflo,  a 
 -very  different  wor^l  is  u^ed,  in  which  there  is  an  allu- 
 
 flQfl 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  147 
 iion  to  a  favv  that  tears  and  hacks  rather  than  pierces, 
 and  fitly  reprefents  thofe  convidions,  which,  how- 
 ever painful  while  they  continue,  leave  the  fub-. 
 je£l  under  the  power  of  fin,  and  rather  irritate  than 
 mortify  the  flefh.  There  is  a  material  difference 
 between  being  cut  io^  and  pricked  in  the  heart  j  the 
 one  fets  the  fubjedl  a  raging,  whereas  the  other  en- 
 gages him  to  repentance.  And  accordingly  we  find, 
 that  thofe  affected  in  the  former  way,  fought  revenge 
 on  the  apoftles  who  reproved  them  ;  they  took  counfel 
 to  flay  them,  gnafhed  with  their  teeth,  and  even 
 ftoned  righteous  Stephen  :  On  the  contrary,  in  the  in- 
 ftance  before  us,  we  fee  that  thefe  men,  felf-condemn- 
 ed,  and  perfuaded  of  the  authority  of  Jefus,  with 
 the  higheft  efteem  of  his  minifiers,  unanimoufly  addrefs 
 them  as  the  fervants  of  God  to  fhew  them  the  way  of 
 falvation.  They  were  deeply  and  painfully  convinced, 
 but  they  were  not  offended,  as  fome,  with  their  teach- 
 ers :  No  J  they  appear  humble  and  contrite;  fenfiblq 
 of  their  own  vilenefs,  they  were  ready  to  perlfh  under  a 
 fearful  expedlation  of  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb  they  had 
 flain  :  and  if  they  had  any  indignation  it  was  againft 
 themfelves,  and  not  againft  thofe  that  were  the  infl:ru- 
 ments  of  poffeffing  them  with  a  fenfe  of  their  guilt. 
 This  was  their  cafe  :  they  were  pricked  in  the  heart—? 
 the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  ftuck  in  them — the  words 
 of  the  preacher,  by  the  power  of  God,  entered  deep 
 and  faftened  in  their  confcience — under  which  they 
 cry  out  for  diredlion  how  they  Ihall  efcape.  No 
 wonder  that, 
 
 K  2  a.  Their, 
 
148    ^        L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 2.  Their  pains  were  exquifjte.     Anguifli  arofefrom 
 thefe  deep  and  powerful  conviiSHons.     This,  we  have 
 feen,    is  a  principal  idea  of  the  word.     No  language 
 can  fully  defcribe  the  torments  of  being  wounded  in  the 
 manner   implied  in  this  term.      The  acute  fenfations 
 that  arife  from  being  pierced  in  the  vitals,  or  moft  ner- 
 vous parts  of  the  body,   are  not  to  be  told.     How  in- 
 tolerable then  are  the  pains  of  a  wounded  confcience, 
 a  heart  fpiritually  and  throughly  wounded,   when  every 
 faculty  of  the  foul  is  tortured,    under  a  fenfe  of  guilt, 
 accorrpanied  with  a  fearful  apprehenfion  of  approach- 
 .  ing  vengeance!    Yet  this  is  not  all :   for,    ' 
 
 3.  It  further  conveys  this  idea  alfo,  that  their  wound 
 was  deadly.  It  was  not  only  deep  and  cruciating,  but 
 no  lefs  than  mortal,  and  left  to  its  natural  courfe  muft 
 have  been  fatal.  This,  however  dreadful,  is  clearly 
 laid  up  in  the  phrafe.  It  is  well  known,  that  an  en- 
 trance into  the  natural  heart,  is  at  leafl  certain,  and 
 for  the  moft  part  prefent  death  to  the  body.  Hence  the 
 foldier  who  pierced  the  body  of  our  Saviour,  while  it 
 hung  on  the  crofs,  confirmed  his  deceafe.  For  the 
 natural  body  may  feem  to  be  dead,  when,  in  reality, 
 it  is  alive,  the  vital  principle  being  only  retired  out  of 
 fight }  but  it  is  impofTible  that  a  man  fhould  furvive  a 
 wound  that  is  truly  and  properly  in  his  heart. 
 
 But  our  fubjeft  is  fpiritual.    He  that  is  pricked  in 
 
 ^he  heart,   as  thefe  men  of  Judea,  dies  immediately, 
 
 i.  e.  a  fentence  of  condemnation  and  death  enters  his 
 
 confciencei   and  being  felf-convi^led,   under  a  fenfe  of 
 
 his 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  149 
 
 his  guilt  and  pollution,    all  hones  of  being  juftified  in 
 and  from  himfeJf  are  vanifhed  away.     Thus  faith  Paul, 
 "  When  the  commandment  came   fin  re\riYed  and  1 
 "  died;    and  the  commandment  which  was  ordained 
 «  unto  life,    I  found  to  be  unto  death,"   Rom.  vii.  9. 
 A  human  body,  into  the  heart  of  which  a  dagger  has 
 been  thruft,  i«  not  more  certainly  dead,  in  a  natural, 
 than  the  man  whofe  confcience  hath  been  pierced  with  a 
 due  convidion  of  fin  is  in  a  fpiritual  fenfe.     Thus,  dead 
 in  himfelf,  he  may  be  truly  reprefented  as  having  received 
 a  mortal  wound,  fincethe  terrors  of  death  are  fallen  upon 
 him;  and  unlefs  relieved,   through  faith  in  the  blood 
 of  Chrift,  and  by  the  remiffion  of  his  fins,  he  would 
 certainly  die  in  defpair  and  perifti  for  ever.     In  a  word,' 
 -  convinced  finners  are  not  unlike  the  terrified  Egyptians, 
 when  they  haftened  the  Ifraelites  out  of  the  land,  fay- 
 ing,   *'We  be  all  dead  men,"   Exod.  xii.  33.     But 
 blefled  be  the  Lord,  "  he  is  nigh  unto  them  who  are  of 
 *'  a  broken  heart,   and  faveth  fuch  as  be  of  a  contrite 
 "  fpirit,   he  healeth  and  bindeth    up  all  their  wounds, 
 *'  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace,"  Pfalm  xxxiv.  18. 
 xlvii.  3.  compared.  , 
 
 But  what  pierced  the  heart  of  thefe  mourning  tranf- 
 greflbrs  ?  Their  guilt,  even  the  guilt  of  all  their  fins 
 in  general,  as  appears  from  the  apoftle's  reply :  Firft 
 feized  with  a  tormenting  fenfe  of  their  horrid  and 
 ao-o-ravated  evil  in  the  murder  of  Chrift,  whom  they 
 now  were  convinced  was  exalted  to  glory  j  then  fol- 
 lowed a  fenfe  of  their  vilenefs  by  nature,  and  their 
 wianifold  tranfgreflions,  from  the  puniftiment  of  which 
 K  3  they 
 
150  LECTURES    ON 
 
 they  faw  no  way  of  efcape,  fince  they  had  fhed  the 
 blood  of  the  only  Saviour ;  their  fears  therefore  ran 
 high,  and  they  were  under  a  dreadful  apprehcnfion  of 
 the  vengeance  of  heaven.  This  was  their  wretched 
 condition;  and  thus  they  were  ready  to  perifh.  To 
 which  mufl  be  added,  that  this  was  in  fome  degree  the 
 cafe  of  each  individual:  it  was  not  fympathetick  but 
 radical ;  that  is,  one  did  not  cry  out  for  another,  but 
 each  for  himfelfj  they  might  be  fome  more  and  fome 
 Jefs  diftrefTed,  but  every  one  was  cordially,  deeply, 
 painfully,   and  mortally  wounded. 
 
 But  how  came  they  thus  forely  diftrefTed  ?  It  was 
 by  the  preaching  of  Peter:  "When  they  heard  this." 
 The  v/hole  of  the  apoftle's  difcourfe  had  a  tendency  t& 
 awaken  them ;  and  it  is  reafonable  to  fupoofe,  that 
 they  were  much  moved  under  his  preaching ;  but  our 
 tranflators,  by  fupplying  the  particle  this,  feem  to  ap- 
 prehend, that  the  clofmg  addrefs  was  what  mofl  affect- 
 ed thefe  men,  and  particularly  when  they  heard  that 
 this  fame  Jefus,  whom  they  had  crucified,  was  ad- 
 vanced to  the  throne  in  the  heavens.  Yet  I  apprehend  it 
 is  to  be  referred  to  the  fcrmon  in  general.  But  was  the 
 hearing  intended  that  of  the  outward  ear  only?  Cer- 
 tainly No;  this  indeed  was  included.  They  doubtlefs 
 heard  in  a  natural  fcnfe.  But  if  this  was  all,  how 
 comes  it  then  that  the  atidience  in  geiieraj,  in  like 
 manner,  were  not  afFcdled  ?  Peter,  we  have  ken^  lifted 
 up  his  voice,  and  though  the  aflembly  v.'as  large,  there 
 is  re.ifon  to  conclude  that  everyone  heard  him  diflinilly. 
 If  natural  hearing  had  been  fufEcient,  not  a  foul  of 
 
 the 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     151 
 
 the  thoufands  prefent  would  have  remained  infenfible : 
 but  thofe  who  cry' out  in  the  text,  though  many  inf 
 number,  are  manifeftly  diftinguifhed  from  the  reft  of  the    . 
 multitude,  which  proves  it  was  not  the  cafe  univerfally. 
 
 It  was  in  this  affembly,  as  in  moft  congregations 
 where  the  gofpel  is  publifhed  with  fuccefsj  fome  hear 
 the  word,  under  the  preaching  of  which  others,  who  fet 
 with  them,  are  convinced  and  converted  j  yet,  alas, 
 they  themfelves  feel  no  remorfe,  but  remain  hardened, 
 as  if  they  had  never  fmned,  or  ftood  in  no  need  of  a 
 Saviour  !  Thus,  when  Paul  preached  at  Rome,  "  fome 
 "  believed  the  things  that  were  fpoken,  and  fome  be- 
 "  lieved  them  not,"  A£iS  xxviii.  24.  Truly,  bare 
 hearing,  however  diftin6t  and  exact,  or  long  continued, 
 is  altogether  infufficient  to  produce  this  effect.  No 
 preaching  whatever  is  capable  of  poffefiing  the  hearer, 
 who  is  left  in  his  native  blindnefs,  with  a  due  fenfe  of 
 fin,  fpiritual  forrow,  or  earneft  concern  to  be  faved. 
 In  vain  are  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  employed 
 againft  the  power  of  fm  in  an  unregenerate  man,  un- 
 lefs  the  omnipotent  arm  of  Jehovah  is  exerted,  and  the 
 fmner  is  changed  3  the  ignorance,  unbelief,  pride  and 
 enmity  of  his  carnal  mind,  renders  it  invulnerable, 
 like  Job's  leviathan  :  Thefe  fcales,  under  which  he 
 is  {hut  up,  feals  him  clofej  nothing  (hort  of  a  divine 
 power  can  penetrate  his  flefli  and  quicken  his  foul  j  he 
 is  proof  againft  any  argument,  how  ftrong  and  con- 
 vincing foever:  The  comparifon  is  but  toojuiV,  *  his 
 '  heart  is  as  firm  as  a  ftone,  yea  as  hard  as  a  piece  of 
 K  4  *  a  nether* 
 
152  LECTURES    ON 
 
 '  a  nether  mill-ftone;  daits  are  counted  as  flubblc,  and 
 *  he  laugheth  at  thefhaking  of  the  fpear.' 
 
 But  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  had  wrought  e(Fe<ftually 
 in  thefe  Jerufalem-finners,  and   prepared  their  minds 
 for  the  reception  of  his  word ;  he  had  taken  away  the 
 heart  of  ftone  and  given  an  heart  of  flefh.     Hence  fhey 
 heard   with  underftanding,   faith   and  attention,  as  in 
 Lydia,  v/hofe  heart   the  Lord  opened,  A6ls  xvi.    14. 
 Convidlions  prevailed,    and  they  felt  what  they  heard  ; 
 and  being    fully  perfuaded,  they  were  not  difobedient, 
 but  believing,  afllired  themfelves  that  God  had  made 
 Jefus  of  Nazareth  both  Lord   and  Chrift:    ^et   their 
 faith  did  not  rife  to  an  appropriating  view  of  the  Sa- 
 viour;  from  this  they  were  prevented  by  a  fearful  ap- 
 prehenfion,   natural    in   their  circumftances,  of  being 
 excluded  from  an  intereft  in  his  undertaking  and  death, 
 whofe  blood    they    had   wickedly   {ht&;    A   thought 
 which  throv/s  light  on  the  fenfe  of  their  queftion,   and 
 leads  to  the  method  they  took  for  relief.     They  did  not 
 as  fome,  give  up  all   hope,   or  rejedl  the  counfel  of 
 God    againft    themfelves.     Convictions,    which    leave 
 the  fubjecSt  under  the  power  of  fm  and  unbelief,    either 
 excite  their  natural  averfion  to  the  wifdom  of  God,  or 
 iffue  in  defpair.     Such  is  the  fatal   tendency  of  legal 
 conviifiion    on     the    difobedient.     Very    different   the 
 fpirit  and  condu6t  of  thefe  mourning  fmners.     Unde^r  a 
 deep  fenfe  of   their  guilt  and  a  full   perfuafion  of  the 
 authority  of  Jefus,   they  are  indeed  in  the  utmoft  con- 
 fternaticn   and    anguifh   of   foul,   and   even   ready    to 
 perifti,  yet  have  fome  diftant  hope.     They  could  not 
 difcern  how  they  could  be  faved  by  him  they  had  mur- 
 K  4  dered  ^ 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     153 
 
 ■dercdi   neverthelefs  they  apply  to  his  minifters  la  a 
 manner  that  proves  a  deep  humiliation  of  foul,  and  an 
 earneft  defire,    if  pofuble,    to  obtain  the   falvation   of 
 God ;  yea  and  fonie  expedlation,    at  leaft  a  peradven- 
 ture,  that  his  fervants  could  diredl  them.     They  hear- 
 tily believed  that  Jefus  was  the  Chrift  ;  and  their  open 
 and  earneft  application   to  the  apoftles,   who  preache<i 
 in  his  name,  in  the  prefenee  of  all    who  crouded  the 
 temple,  was  an  acknowledgement  of  him  as  far  as  their 
 condition  could  poflibly  admit.     Hopeful  penitents  in- 
 deed I  to  Peter  and  to  the  reft  of  the  apoftles,   thefe 
 awakened  and  wounded  tranfgrefibrs  betake  themfelves 
 for  advice   in   their   dangerous   ftate ;    and    to   whom 
 fhould  they  go,  but  to  them  whofe  preaching  had  been 
 a  means  of  convincing  them  of  the  glory  and  authority 
 of  Jefus,  as  the  only  Lord   and  true  Meffiah,   thoiigh 
 that  very  convidion,   under  their  prefent  circumftances, 
 fubjedcd  them  to  the  moft  painful  diilrefs  ?  It  is  wif- 
 dom,  in  this  fenfe,  to  turn  unto  him  that  hath  torn  us 
 for  an  healing,   it  being  often  the  pleafure  of  the  Al- 
 mighty to  bind  up  with  the  fame  hand  by  which  be 
 hath  fmitten.     Thus  direded  by  the  Spirit  of  wifdom, 
 thefe  diftrefTed   finners  apply  to  the  apoftles  for  relief, 
 and  that  with  the  higheft  refpedl ;  "  Men  and   bre- 
 *'  thren."     Unbelievers  are  prone  to  defpife  the  mini- 
 fters of  the  gofpel,   but  they  who  ftand  in  need  of  fal- 
 vation greatly  reverence  and  efteem  them.     Thus  the 
 jailor  fied    to   Paul    and   Silas,  though    his   prifoners, 
 faying,    "  Sirs,  what  muft  I  do  to  be  faved  ?"  Ads 
 xvi.  30.  An  enquiry  for  fubftarxe,    the  fame  with  that 
 which  is  made  by  thefe  awakened  Jews  of  Peter  and 
 ^hofe  that  were  with  him ;  "  What  fhall  we  do  ?'* 
 
154  LECTURES    ON 
 
 This  qucflion  fuppofes  a  (enfe  of  their  guilt,  and 
 implies  a  confeffion  of  the  Time,  with  a  painful  appre- 
 henfion  of  impending  wrath  and  deftruftion :  It  like- 
 wife  intimates  a  perfuafion  of  the  apoftle's  authority 
 and  fkiil  in  the  methods  of  falvation,  and  alfo  fome 
 hope  of  their  compaflion  and  roadincfs  to  direcft  them 
 in  this  fearful  dilemma:  *'  WJiat  fliall  we  dor"  I  am 
 fenfible  that  there  is  a  pronencfs  in  man,  under  legal 
 convidion,  to  feek  after  righrcoufnefs  by  his  own 
 works,  hence  it  is  remarked  by  fome,  on  this  claufe, 
 that  awakened  finners  are  generally  at  firfl  upon  a 
 covenant  of  works  j  but,  with  fubmifiion,  I  apprehend 
 the  purport  of  the  queftion,  under  the  circumftances 
 of  thefe  convi<3:s,  convey  quite  another  idea.  Tlxe 
 difFerence  between  the  perfons  in  the  text,  and  that 
 of  the  jailor  is  obvious  :  His  confcience  was  awakened 
 by  an  alarming  providence,  Vv'hich  filled  him  with 
 guilty  fears,  and  the  terrors  of  wrath  v/ere  upon  him. 
 He  might  indeed  have  fome  general  notion  that  Paul 
 and  Silas  were  fervants  of  God,  and  no  doubt  he 
 thou'^ht  they  could  inftrudt  him ;  but  there  is  reafon 
 to  conclude,  that  he  was  an  uttrr  Granger  to  the 
 fcripturcs,  and  to  Chiift  as  the  Saviour  of  finners; 
 hence  the  word  of  the  gofpel  was  fpoken  to  him  and 
 his  houfe.  But  thefe  men  of  Judea  knew  the  prophets ; 
 and  their  conviaion  took  place  under  the  preaching  of 
 Peter,  and  arofe  from  a  perfuafion  that  Jefus  whgm 
 they  had  fiain  was  the  Chrill:.  The  queftion  w^ith 
 them,  was  not  who  was  the  Saviour,  nor  how  finners 
 are  to  be  favcd  by  him  ?  It  feems  chiefly,  if  not  alto- 
 gether to  tur!i  on  this  point,  namely,  whether  there 
 vas  any  hope  for  them,    feeing  they  had  crucified  him 
 
 wha 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.  155 
 
 who  alone  had    power  to  {:ive,   q.  d.    *  O  Men   and 
 
 *  Brethren,  we  are  now  perfuaded  that  Jefus  of  Naza- 
 
 *  reth   is  truly  the  MeiTiah,  what  then   fhall    we  do  ? 
 
 *  Our  tranrgrelfions  are  innumerable,  and  our  iniquity 
 
 *  great !  We  are  vile  and  Tinful  beyond  all  exprefllon, 
 'and  are  verily  guilty  in  (bedding  the  blood  of  that 
 
 *  holy  One,  whom  God  approved  among  us.     Is  there 
 
 *  any  hope  for  us  in  this  fame  Jefus  God  hath  made 
 '  both  Lord  and  Chrlft  ?  What  fhall  we  do  ?  We 
 '  that  have  crucified  the  only  Saviour  ?  How  fliall  we 
 
 *  efcape  his  righteous  vengeance  r    Is  it  pofTible  for  us 
 
 *  to  be  faved  by  him  we  have  murdered  ?    Alas,    for 
 
 *  us,  blood-guilty  tranfgrefibrs  I  O  tell  us,,  we  befeech 
 '  you.  Sirs,  tell  us  what  we  fhall  do!'  Thus  they 
 were  forely  perplexed  but  not  in  defpair,  though  in- 
 deed very  near  it,  for  being  convirced  of  fin,  ofrigh- 
 teoufnefs,  and  of  judgment  to  come,  and  of  the  au- 
 thority of  that  Jefus  they  flew,  to  fave  and  to  deftroy, 
 they  could  not  fee  how  it  was  pofEble  they  fliould  be 
 faved  :  It  was  truly  a  very  dark  cafe,  and  extremely 
 dangerous,  infcmuch,  that  if  any  awakened  felf-con- 
 demned  finncr  had  reafon  to  defpair,  thofe  men  moil 
 certainly  had  :  but,  adored  be  the  riches  of  fovereiga 
 mercy,  repentance  and  remiffion  of  fins  was  preached 
 in  his  name,  and  even  began  with  fuccefs  at  Jeru- 
 falem.  It  appears  in  the  following  account,  that 
 many,  who  were  more  or  lefa  concerned  in  killing  the 
 Prince  of  life,  were  faved  through  faith  in  the  blood 
 they  had  fhed.  Aftonifhing  grace!  O  the  confufiori 
 ^hat  will  f-i^e  thofe,  who  perifii  under  the  report  of  the 
 gofpel,  when  finners,  who  crucified  the  Son  of  God, 
 {hall  appear  to  inherit  life  €verlafting !  The  fearful 
 
 impenitefit 
 
156  LECTURES    ON 
 
 impenitent  will  have  no  juft  ground  of  complaintj 
 or  be  able  to  plead,  in  judgment  to  come,  that  there 
 was  not  fufficient  encouragement  for  his  hope  of  being 
 faved  on  repentance.  Thefe  examples  of  rich  and  fu- 
 perabounding  grace  will  then  redound  to  the  honor  o( 
 God,  and  the  unbeliever  fhall  be  covered  with  fhame. 
 Art  thou  dcfpairing,  dear  Reader,  becaufe  of  thine 
 aggravated  guilt?  think  on  the  mercy  thefe  tranf- 
 greflbrs  obtained,  whofe  fins  were  as  fcarlet  and  crim-- 
 fon,  but  were  waflied  in  his  blood  whom  they  cruci- 
 fied. Look  unto  Jefus  and  be  faved  ;  thou  fhalt  not 
 be  confounded,  but  iland  with  his  faints  before  hin> 
 at  his  comins:. 
 
 LECTURE    XI. 
 
 An  improvement  on  the  cafe  of  thofe  who  were  con- 
 vinced by  the  preaching  of  Peter,  on  the  day  of 
 Pentecoft. 
 
 ^JT  AVING  taken  a  view  of  their  forrowful  cafe 
 ^  _L  who  were  awakened  under  Peter's  difcourfe, 
 and  the  method  they  purfued  for  relief,  it  may  be  ufe- 
 ful  to  make  feme  remarks  on  this  firft  .Inftance  of  fuc- 
 cefs  by  the  gofpel  publiilied  in  the  name  of  a  rifen  Sa- 
 viour. Thefe,  with  propei  reflections,  will  compofe 
 the  enfuing  leClure. 
 
 And   the  firft  thing  deferving   our  notice  is  this, 
 n^elyj  that   from   the   beginning    fainers  have  been 
 
 convinced 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  157 
 convinced  and  awakened  to  a  concern  about  falvation 
 by  Chrift,  under  the  hearing  of  the  word. 
 
 The  fovereignty  of  God  may  be  difplayed,   in  open- 
 ing the  heart,  without  the   intervention   of  a  preach- 
 er; nor  is  it  becoming  to  fuppofe  that  the  Lord  hath 
 limited  himfelf  in  the  difpenfations  of  his  grace ;    Other 
 means  are  fubordinate  to  this  appointment  of  heaven 
 for  theconverfionof  men,  fometimes,  as  with  the  jailor, 
 ftriking  providences  have  been  fubfervient  to  the  purpofe 
 of  God  in  the  call  of  his  chofen  ;   alfo  prayer,   reading, 
 and  the  fpiritual  difcourfe  of  the  faints;  and  above  all, 
 .,  the  holy, loving  and  fruitful  lives  of  profeilbrs,  havecon- 
 duced  to  the  convincing  of  others :   thefe,    I  fay,  are 
 ofteii  the   means   of   promoting   the  faith,   infomuch 
 that  many  date   their   firfc   av/akenings  from  one  or 
 more  of  them  ;   neverthelefs,    the  principal  ftated,   and 
 ordinary  method  in  which  the  Almighty  turneth  fmners 
 to   himfelf,   is  the  word  preached,  as  in  the  inftancc 
 before  us.     Peter  expounded  the  prophecies,    reafoned 
 out  of  the  fcriptures,   and  applied  to  the  confcience  of 
 his  hearers  with  earneft  addrefs ;   by  this  means  many 
 were  pricked    in    the   l^eart,   and    moved    to  enquire, 
 what   they   mufi:  do  ?    the  confequence  of  which,    as 
 hereafter   appears,   was  that,  on   due  encouragement, 
 they   embraced   the   gofpel,    obtained    remiflion,    and 
 were  faved.     In  this  way  we  are  to  attempt  the  con- 
 verfion  of  men  to  the  end  of  the  world  ;   "  for  it  pleaf- 
 "  eth  God,   by  the  fooliflmefs  of  preaching,  to  fave 
 "  them  that  believe."     The   preaching   of  the  crofs 
 may  be  efteemed  foolifti  by  an  ignorant  ind  periihing 
 world,  but  to  thcHi  that  are  faved  it  is  the  wifdom  and 
 
 power 
 
I58  LECTURES    ON 
 
 power  of  God:  Thus  faith  conies  by  hearing,  Rom. 
 X.  17.  Hence,  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  who 
 publifli  the  gofpcl  of  peace  !  This  being  the  cafe,  we 
 are  not  to  wonder  that  Satan  fliould,  by  every  means 
 in  his  power,  fet  at  nought,  or  difcourage  the  miniftry 
 of  the  word,  which  he  fometimes,  when  permitted, 
 attempts,  by  pcrfecutions  and  fiery  trials,  to  terrify 
 and  difhearten  men  from  the  fervice ;  but  at  other 
 times,  by  feducing  men  into  error,  diforder,  and  li- 
 centioufnefs,  under  the  prevalency  of  which,  thei^e 
 may  be  much  preaching,  and  at  the  fame  time  but 
 little  preaching  of  Chrift  ;  while  thofe  few,  whofe 
 miniftry  and  converfation  anfwer  to  the  word  of  the 
 Lord,  are  under  fore  difcouragements,  yea  and  the 
 very  office  itfeif  in  a  manner  defpifed.  Whether  there 
 are  no  appearances  tending  this  way  in  the  preferit 
 time,  is  left  to  the  confiderate  Reader;  but  this  is  cer- 
 tain, that  the  enemy  will  attempt  to  difgrace  and  turn 
 afide  men  from  that  fort  of  preaching,  of  which  we 
 have  an  example  in  Peter;  the  old  ferpent  well 
 knows,  that  reafoning  from  the  authority  of  God, 
 unto  the  confciences  of  men,  or  argum.ents  from  fcrip- 
 ture,  are  proofs  againft  him,  and  fatal  to  his  intereft, 
 being  an  appointed  and  effedual  means,  through  the 
 energy  of  the  Spirit,  for  pulling  down  his  ftrong  holds, 
 and  refcuing  poor  captive  finners  from  his  kingdom  of 
 darknefs.  And  is  gofpel-preaching  the  ordinary  means 
 of  falvation  ?  How  melancholy  their  cafe,  who,  under 
 any  temptation,  withdraw  themfelves  from,  or  negled 
 the  hearing  of  the  word  !  Such  are  in  the  utmoft 
 danger  oi  ruin  !  Nothing  is  impoffible  with  God  j  bat 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.     159 
 
 we  have  no  promife  or  other  gi"ound  of  hope,  that  he 
 will  follow  after  that  man  who  fcrfakes  the  means  of 
 grace.  Art  thou  tempted,  my  Friend,  to  turn  away 
 thine  ear  from  the  found  of  the  gofpel?  Beware,  thou 
 haft  no  reafon  to  expcit  that  the  Lord  will  prevent 
 thee;  and  if  thou  an.  left  in  thine  impenitence  and 
 hardnefs,  thou  fhalt  die  in  thy  lins,  and  perifli  for 
 ever  ;    but  this  God  forbid  ! 
 
 Another  thing  deferving  our  notice,  is  the  pun- 
 gency of  guilt  in  the  confcience.  We  have  feen  how 
 cruciating  the  pains  endured  by  thofe  awakened  tranf- 
 grefibrs.  Thus  every  one  truly  convinced,  is  more  or 
 .lefs  pricked  in  the  heart.  Thefe  wounds  by  convic- 
 tion are  deeper,  and  of  longer  continuance  in  fome 
 than  in  others  ;  but  no  quickened  finner  is  an  utter  ftran- 
 ger  to  the  torment  of  guilt,  and  fome  are  grievoufly 
 wounded  indeed :  fuch  are  ready  to  crv  out,  as  ia 
 Job,  chap.  vi.  4.  "  TJie  arrows  of  the  Almighty  arc 
 "  within  me  :  the  poifon  thereof  drinketh  up  my  fpi- 
 *'  rit,  the  terrors  of  God  do  fet  themfelvcs  in  array  againii 
 **  me."  It  may  be  ufeful  to  remember,  that  con- 
 victions are  fometimes  like  (harp  arrows  oi'  the 
 mighty,  with  coals  of  juniper,  piercing  and  burning 
 the  fpirit,  till  it  is  in  a  manner  confumed  with  death. 
 Thus  David  gives  his  experience,  Pfalm  xxxxii.  3,  4* 
 *'  When  I  kept  filence,"  i.  e.  from  confefling  my  fins, 
 "  my  bones  waxed  old  through  my  roaring  all  the  day 
 *'  long ;  for  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon 
 "  me,"  i.  e.  preffing  him  fore  with  the  weight  of 
 hjs  iniquities,  which  now  went  over  him  as  an  heavy 
 l^urthen,    too  heavy  for  him.    Pfalm  xxxviii.    2,  4. 
 
 ■«•  Thus 
 
i6o  LECTURESGN 
 
 Thus  the  wrath  of  God  was  like  fire  in  his  confcience, 
 and  as  it  were  burnt  him  up,  for  he  adds,  "  my  moif- 
 *  ture  is  turned  into  the  drought  of  fummer."  Heman 
 is  another  inflance  of  this,  he  who  crieth  out,  "  while 
 *'  I  fufFer  thy  terrors  I  am  diftraded,"  and  again, 
 "  thy  fierce  wrath  goeth  over  me,  and  thy  terrors  have 
 *'  cut  me  ofF,"  Pfalm  Ixxxviii.  15,  16.  And  how 
 painful  a  cafe  muft  that  heinous  backflider  be  in  ?  who 
 with  deep  humiliation  for  his  vilenefj,  thus  befeeches 
 the  God  of  all  grace  :  *'  Make  me  to  hetr  joy  and 
 **  gladncfs,  that  the  bones  which  thou  haft  broken 
 '*  may  rejoice,"  Pfalm  li.  8.  One  broken  bone,  often 
 'gives  the  patient  inexpreflible  pain  :  how  exquifite 
 then  muft  the  forrows  of  that  heart  be,  wliich  isjuft- 
 ly  compared  to  many  broken  bones,  or  rather  to  a 
 body  the  multitude  of  whofe  bones  are  broken  to 
 pieces,  which  feems.the  allufion  of  the  Pfalmift  ? 
 Take  heed,  Sirs,  of  fin,  and  abftain  from  the  appearance 
 of  evil  ;  for  you  fee  what  dreadful  havock  it  makes 
 in  the  foul,  when  the  wrath  of  God  is  let  into  the  con- 
 fcience. Thefe  indeed  are  extraordinary  inftances, 
 but  he  that  is  duly  afFefled  with  the  evil  of  fin,  muft 
 be  fenfible  of  the  curfe  of  the  law,  in  proportion  to 
 which  the  terrors  of  the  Almighty  are  upon  him,  and 
 the  wound  is  grievous ;  many  are  foon  healed  by  the 
 application  of  gofpel-grace,  but  fome  continue  long 
 under  an  afflldting  fenfe  of  their  defert  as  finners, 
 without  any  comfortable  view  of  their  intereft  in 
 Jefus  the  only  Redeemer,  which  is  truly  deplorable ; 
 blefled  be  God  their  cafe  is  not  defperate,  he  that 
 wounds  alfo  can  heal,  and  a  fountain  is  opened  in 
 
 the 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    i$f 
 
 the  gofpel  to  him  who  is  ready  to  perifh  :  but  the  pains 
 which  arife  from  the  fling  of  death  in  the  cnnfcience, 
 are  fcmetimes  fcarce  to  be  born  ;  and  he  that  lies  under 
 them,  being  as  yet  without  an  appropriating  view  of 
 the  Saviour,  is  an  obje£l  of  great  compaflion,  for  his 
 forrows  are  not  to  be  told. 
 
 We  may  further  remark,  that  the  moment  a  man's 
 confcience  is  fmitten  with  guilt,  he  is  anxious  for 
 relief.  Slight  impreflions  may  be  foon  taken  olF,  by 
 the  prefumptuous  and  carnal  reafonings  of  the  flefhly 
 mind,  and  the  difturbed  finner  may  be  able  by  fome 
 means  to  ftifle  convidlion  within  himfelf ;  but  thofe 
 fenfations  of  fm,  which  are  not  effedlual  to  make 
 the  fubje£i:  cry  out  to  God  or  man,  or  to  both, 
 fcarce  deferve  the  name  of  convi6lions,  at  leaft,  they 
 are  very  fuperficial,  and  come  ftiort  of  thofe  that 
 arife  from  a  full  difcovery  of  the  law  of  death  in  the 
 confcience  j  under  which  a  man  muft  die  in  himfelf, 
 be  felf-condemned,  and  as  it  were  flee  from  himfelf  to 
 another  for  relief.  Hence  awakened  fouls  are  enqui- 
 ring fouls.  If  thy  convidlons,  dear  Reader,  have  not 
 obliged  thee  to  cry  for  direflion  and  help,  thou 
 art  yet  unacquainted  with  thy  danger,  and  incapable 
 of  feeling  the  joy  of  falvation  in  Chrift, 
 
 In  one  word,  if  the  condu£l  of  thefe  Jerufalem-fia- 
 ners  was  becoming  or  worthy  the  imitation  of  others 
 under  the  like  circumftances,  it  is  natural  and  pro- 
 per for  them  that  are  pierced  with  conviftion,  to 
 open  their  cafe  unto  others.  Indeed,  if  I  may  be  al- 
 lowed the  expreffion,  God  is  our  only  Father-confef- 
 
 L  for. 
 
i6«  LECTURESON 
 
 for,  and  by  his  Spirit  alone  can  the  heavy-laden 
 finner  be  led  unto  Chrifl,  and  find  reft  for  his  foul. 
 Neverthelefs,  the  L  )rd  operates  by  means  and  inftru- 
 ments,  and  many  are  held  under  terror,  and  expofed 
 to  the  temptations  offatan  for  want  of  revealing  their 
 caf'-.  And  there  is  fuch  a  thing  as  fuffering  in  confe- 
 quence  of  hiJing  our  guilty  fears  from  m^n,  as  vi^ell  as 
 from  God.  O  affliiSled  Sinner,  conceal  not  thy  trou- 
 bl!  Art  thou  diftrefled  about  thy  fpiritual  eftate?  Or 
 duft  thou  labour  under  fearful  apprehenfions  of  wrath 
 for  thy  fins,  and  knoweft  not  what  thou  fhalt  do  to 
 be  favedi*  Come,  follow  this  early  example,  an  exam- 
 ple which  fo  well  fucceeded — apply  to  lome  chriftian 
 friend  or  minifter  of  the  gofpel — be  not  afraid  or  afha- 
 med  to  unbofom  thyfelf  to  thofe  who  fear  God — and 
 efpecially  feek  diredtion  of  them  by  whom  he  hath 
 awakened  thee.  This  frequentl)  proves  a  means  of 
 fpeedy  relief;  an  inftance  of  which  is  before  thee.  To 
 thefe  obfervations  it  may  be  ufeful  to  add  a  refle(5tion 
 or  two. 
 
 And  firft,  Beloved,  review  the  wonderful  fcene! 
 How  aftonifling  the  grace  and  power  of  God ! 
 It  was  rich  grace  indeed  tl  at  the  gofpel  {hould  be 
 preached,  and  mercy  lay  hold  on  Jerufalem-fmners  ;  that 
 God  fhould  extend  his  kindnefs  to  men  who  had  pre- 
 funied  thus  wickedly  to  crucify  the  Son  of  his  love  f 
 Yet  fuch  was  his  abounding  grace!  And  no  lefs  mar- 
 vellous that  power  by  which  the  hearts  of  fo  many 
 obftlnate  rebels  were  changed,  and  in  an  inftant  re- 
 duced from  the  utmoft  blindnefs  and  infidelity  unto  a 
 fenfc  of  their  Jpiritual  condition,  a  belief  in  the  Mef- 
 
 fiah. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     163 
 
 flah,  and  an  unfeigned  concern  about  their  falvation 
 from  wrath  to  come.  _  O  the  omnipotent  arm  of  the 
 Lord!  When  that  is  revealed,  the  report  is  believed; 
 and  when  he  worketh,  who  ftiall  let  it  ?  Well  faith  the 
 prophet,  "  Thy  people  fhall  be  willing  in  the  day  of 
 '*  thy  power.'' 
 
 And  what  muft  be  the  torments  of  hell  ?  If  fin  in 
 the  confcience  is  fo  painful,  and  the  heart  of  a  con- 
 vinced tranfgreflbr  is  expofed  to  fuch  horror  and  an- 
 guifh  under  the  apprehenfions  of  wrath,  how  mife- 
 rable  muft  they  be  who  are  drinking  this  cup  of  the 
 damned  !  Is  a  wounded  conlcience  fo  tormenting  in 
 this  world,  where  the  gofpel  is  preached,  and  a  mind, 
 pierced  with  convidlion,  liable  to  be  fo  deeply  afFe6ted, 
 as  to  ba  juftly  the  compared  with  an  heart  wounded  by 
 poifoned  daggers  or  fcorpion-ftings,  how  dreadful  the 
 avenging  hand  of  the  Almighty  in  a  ftate  of  judicial 
 fuffering  !  Far  be  it.  Lord,  that  any  perufing  thefe 
 papers,  fhould  hereafter  be  numbered  with  thofe 
 wretched  fpirits,  who  are  too  fadly  convinced  by  what 
 they  now  feel  of  their  eternal  mifery,  to  flatter  them- 
 felves  that  they  fhall  ever  efcape  !  Thus,  in  the  parable 
 of  Lazarus,  the  rich  man  lifts  up  his  defpairing  eyes, 
 from  the  bottomlefs  pit,  without  hope  or  defire  of 
 being  delivered  from  thence :  He  pleads  for  the  warn- 
 ing of  others,  after  being  denied  the  leaft  drop  of  wa- 
 ter to  cool  his  own  tongue,  but  not  a  word  of  his 
 releafe  from  this  place  of  torment :  No ;  alas,  fuch 
 know  that  they  are  referved  in  everlafting  chains  un- 
 der darknefs  unto  the  judgment  of  the  great  day  ! 
 Fearful  ftate,  where  hope  never  comes,  where  juftice 
 L  2  reigns 
 
i64  LECTURESON 
 
 reigns  without  mercy,  and  whert  no  finner  has  a  ra- 
 tional ground  to  enquire,  "  What  muft  I  do  to  be 
 "  faved  r 
 
 From  this  inftance  we  may  alfo  infer  the  hideous 
 cries  of  unbelievers  when  Chrift  the  judge  fhall  appear. 
 If  a  perfuafion  that  Jefus  is  exalted  and  made  Lord  of 
 all,  occafioned  thofe  who  crucified  him  to  cry  out  as 
 perfons  undone,  how  will  they  wail  and  lament  who 
 finally  reject  him,  when  they  fee  him  revealed  from 
 heaven  to  take  vengeance  on  thofe  who  obey  not  the 
 gofpel !  "  Behold,  faith  John,  Rev.  i.  7.  he  cometh 
 *'  with  clouds,  and  every  eje  fliall  fee  him,  and  they 
 '*  alfo  which  pierced  him  j  and  all  kindreds  of  the 
 *'  earth  fliall  wail  becaufe  of  him."  Then  fhall  the 
 finally  impenitent,  who  have  ftifled  their  convidlions, 
 and  defpifed  or  negledled  the  falvation  of  God,  fee 
 and  know  that  Jefus  is  the  judge  who  is  able  to  de- 
 ftroy  ;  they  fhall  then  cry  to  the  mountains  and  locks, 
 faying,  '*  Fall  on  us,  and  hide  us  from  the  face  of 
 "  him  that  fitteth  on  the  throne,  and  from  the  wrath 
 "  of  the  Lamb,"  alas  but  in  vain !  Now  the  hearts 
 of  unbelievers  are  ftout,  they  refufe  to  fubmit  j  and 
 many  of  them  fet  their  mouths  againft  the  dignity  and 
 grace  of  the  glorious  Redeemer ;  they  deny  the  won- 
 derful conftitution  of  his  perfon,  blafpheme  his  deity, 
 trample  under  foot  his  blood  of  atonement,  and  would 
 laugh  his  difciples  to  fcorn;  but  their  tongues  will 
 then  be  otherwile  employed,  when  they  behold  him 
 cotring  to  judgment;  then  will  they,  too  late,  be 
 convinced,  and  cry  out  of  their  mifery  and  ruin,  in 
 the  awful  manner  defcribed  by  the  prophet,  "  Who 
 
 "  among 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY,  165 
 *'  among  us  fhall  dwell  with  the  devo'-'rin^  fire  ?  Who, 
 *'  amongft  us  {hall  dwell  with  everlafting  hun^In^s  ?" 
 Ifa.  xxxiii.  14.  Alas  I  aLis!  who  indeed  !  And  what 
 fhall  they  do?  The  queftion  is  vain:  They  are  un- 
 done J  nothing  can  be  done  to  prevent  their  immediate 
 and  everlafting  deftruftion ;  the  trumpet  of  the  gofpel 
 will  not  then  found:  No,  but  the  trump  of  God  as 
 at  Sinai,  with  thundering  and  lightenings,  will  fum- 
 mons  the  workers  of  iniquity  to  his  awful  tribunal; 
 from  whence  being  openly  condemned,  they  fhall  be 
 turned  into  hell,  with  that  tremendous  fentence,  "  De- 
 **  part  from  me,  ye  curfed,  into  everlafting  fire  prepared 
 *'  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.  Then  fhall  they  call 
 *'  upon  him  whom  they  have  defpifed,  but  he  will  not 
 "  anfwer  j  they  fhall  feek  him  early,  but  fhall  not  find 
 *'  him,"  Prov.  i.  28.  Thus,  when  trouble  and  anguifh 
 feize  the  difobedient,  they  will  cry  and  call,  but  alas 
 the  Judge,  whom  they  have  defpifed  as  a  Saviour, 
 *'  will  laugh  at  their  calamity  and  mock  at  their  fear," 
 ver,  26.  If  the  Reader  is  flighting  this  Jefus,  let  him 
 beware  left  deftru^lion  come  upon  him  as  a  whirlwind, 
 there  will  furely  be  none  to  deliver. 
 
 But  is  any  man  afHi6led  and  ready  to  perifh  ?  How 
 great  is  the  mercy  to  have  the  word  of  falvation  near  to 
 that  foul !  What  muft  have  become  of  thefe  men  had 
 there  been  none  to  inftru£t  them  ?  But  happy  for  them, 
 that  in  their  diftrefs  they  knew  where  to  flee,  and  had 
 thofe  at  hand  whom  the  Lord  had  appointed  to  fhew 
 unto  men  the  way  of  falvation.  Their  bones  were 
 broken,  and  their  hearts  grievoufly  fmitten,  but  a 
 fkiiful  phyfician  is  near  to  bind  up  and  comfort.  The 
 L  3  impenitent 
 
i66  LECTURESON 
 
 impenitent  and  carelefs  make  light  of  the  gofpel,  and 
 account  it  no  favor  to  dwell  where  the  faithful  fervants 
 of  Jefus  abide;  but  the  man  who  is  -anxious  about 
 being  faved,  will  rejoice  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  and 
 his  minifters  are  nigh :  this  often  proves  a  means  of 
 fpeedy  relief,  as  in  the  cafe  of  thefe  Jews.  However, 
 fmce  the  pains  of  a  wounced  confcience  are  exquifite, 
 and  are  not  to  be  healed,  but  through  faith  in  the 
 blood  of  Chrift,  the  advantage  of  being  under  a  gof- 
 pel-miniftry,  when  in  fpiritual  diftrefs,'  is  obvious. 
 Nothing  is  more  precious  to  thofe  who  enquire  after 
 life,  than  the  word  of  the  Lord,  or  more  amiable  in 
 their  eyes  than  the  feet  of  thofe  who  publifh  his  name. 
 Then  prize  your  happy  fituation,  who  dwell  in  the 
 midft  of  the  churches  of  Chrift,  and  conftantly  fit 
 under  the  found  of  his  gofpel,  that  you  receive  not 
 this  grace  in  vain.    But  again, 
 
 Were  fo  many  converted  through  a  divine  blefling 
 on  the  preaching  of  the  apoftles?  Who  can  forbear 
 though  it  be  with  reludtance,  the  melanchtjly  re- 
 fle£lion,  I  mean  the  afFeding  difference  between  the 
 primitive  times  and  thofe  in  which  we  live?  How  in- 
 fenfible  are  the  generality  of  hearers  ?  What  reafon  to 
 be  grieved  at  the  prevailing  hardnefs  and  unbelief  of 
 the  multitude  ?  Where  are  any  now  crying  out,  under 
 a  fenfe  of  their  guilt,  what  fhall  we  do  ?  Do  not  men 
 for  the  moft  part,  hear  as  if  they  had  no  need  of  a  Sa- 
 viour, or  as  if  preaching  was  a  form,  and  minifters  at 
 beft  appointed  to  entertain  with  a  fong  ?  Now,  inftead 
 of  many  being  pierced  under  one  fermon,  as  in  Peter's 
 aflfembly,  are  not  many  difcourfes  delivered,  and,   in 
 
 appearance 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     167 
 
 appearance  not  a  fingle  heart  moved  ?   '  Lo-d,  where 
 
 *  is  thine  arm  ?  are  thy  bowels  reftraincJ  ?  hear  out 
 «  groans,  who  labour  [in  thy  vineyard,  and  long  a''ter 
 '*  the  falvationof  thy  chofen  ?  It  is  thy  work,  O  Lord  of 
 
 *  hofts  thou  Icnoweft  them  that  are  thy  peouJe ;  thrcueh 
 
 *  thy  power,  make  the  gofpel  efFedual  to  fdve  them  ?  O 
 '  letnot  thy  faithful  minifters  be  afhamsd  !  Sharpen  di  ne 
 
 *  arrows  in  the  hearts  of  thine  enemies,  that  being 
 »  pierced  through  the  foul,  they  may  look  untojefus  and 
 '  be  healed  !' 
 
 And  now,  my  dear  Reader,  art  thou  altoo-ether 
 unacquainted  with  the  evil  of  fm  and  a  confcience 
 fmitten  v/ith  guilt  ?  haft  thou  never  faid,  at  leaft  in  thine 
 heart,  what  muft  I  do  ?  Permit  me  as  one  who  feeks  thy 
 felicity  :  Whence  is  it  that  thou  art  fecure  and  whole, 
 while  others  are  broken  and  wounded  ?  Why  fo  indif- 
 ferent about  falvation,  when  many,  ready  to  perifh, 
 are  with  anxiety  and  zeal  crying  out  for  direflion  how 
 they  fhall  efcape  ?  Haft  thou  no  caufe  of  diftrefs  on 
 account  of  thy  fin  ?  Art  thou  exempted  from  the 
 wrath  of  God,  or  not  equally  expofed  to  his  juft  in- 
 dignation in  common  with  other  tranfgrefTors  ?  Aad 
 canft  thou  be  eafy  ?  O  thy  aftonifhing  hardnefs  1 
 would  to  God  that  this  heart  of  ftone  was  removed  I 
 Soon,  very  foon  will  thy  confcience  open  and  witnefs 
 againft  thee;  and  how  wilt  thou  endure  the  curfe  of 
 the  law  which  thou  haft  broken  ?  It  will  make  thee  as 
 a  fiery  oven  when  judgment  takes  place  ;  unlefs  found 
 in  Chrift  it  will  burn  to  the  loweft  hell.  Indeed,  as 
 obferved,  the  cafe  of  the  Jews  was  peculiar,  and  for 
 the  moft  part,  the  anguifh  of  an  awakened  finner  is  in 
 L  4  pre  portion 
 
i68  LECTURESON 
 
 proportion  to  his  guilt.  So  that  the  diftrefs  of  true 
 penitents  differ  much  in  point  of  degree;  nor  is  the 
 evidence  of  a  faving  change  to  be  meafured  by  the 
 pangs  of  the  fubjedl :  It  is  pofllble,  yea  it  feems  evi- 
 dent from  experience,  that  one  who  falls  fhort  of 
 the  obedience  of  faith,  may  endure  (harper  and  longer 
 convictions  than,  in  fome  inftances,  attend  the  con- 
 verfion  of  another.  Neverthelefs,  every  one  will  fooner 
 or  later  be  ftinged  with  the  evil  of  fin ;  and  though 
 the  convinced  are  not  alike  grieved,  the  man  who 
 taftes  not  the  bitternefs  of  death,  is  incapable  of  apply- 
 ing to  the  Saviour  for  life. 
 
 In  a  word,  may  the  faithful,  for  Chrlft's  fake,  and 
 in  love  to  precious  fouls>  ftrive  in  their  prayers  for  the 
 power  of  the  Spirit :  Under  his  divine  agency  the  ftout- 
 hearted  are  reduced  to  obedience !  O  that  this  hand  of 
 the  Lord,  being  with  us,  as  in  the  primitive  times, 
 numbers  believed  and  turned  unto  him !  And  if  any 
 man  is  pierced  with  a  fenfe  of  his  abounding  iniquity, 
 let  him  know  that  with  the  Father  is  mercy,  and  with 
 him  there  is  plenteous  redemption;  for  thefe  men  of 
 Ifrael,  who  even  crucified  his  Son,  on  a  convidtion  of 
 their  folly  and  danger,  cried  not  in  vain,  as  the  fol- 
 Ipwing  lecture  will  fhew. 
 
 ^.ECTURi; 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    169 
 
 LECTURE     XII. 
 
 The  nature  of  evangelical  repentance.  What  it  is  to 
 be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus  for  the  remiiEon  of 
 fins ;  and  in  what  refpeft  the  Holy  Ghoft  is  given 
 to  them  that  believe. 
 
 WE  are  now  come  to  the  counfel  of  God  by  his 
 infpired  minifter  unto  the  enquiring  Jews, 
 wherein  the  riches  of  his  grace  is  opened  for  the  relief 
 of  a  fenfible  linner.  The  Lord  refpedleth  not  any 
 man's  perfon ;  It  is  therefore  a  ftanding  direction  to 
 every  one,  who,  in  like  manner,  is  convinced  of  his 
 evil  and  danger,  and  would  efcape  the  vengeance  of 
 heaven.  This  feafonable  reply  is  recited  in  A£ls  ii.  38. 
 and  runs  in  thefe  words  :  "  Then  Peter  faid  unto  them, 
 "  Repent  and  be  baptized,  every  one  of  you,  in  the 
 "  name  of  Jefus  Chrift,  for  the  remifiion  of  fins,  and 
 "  ye  fliall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.'*  A 
 kind  and  falutary  anfwer,  in  which  we  are  to  mark 
 the  apoftle's  diredtion,  and  the  motive  on  which  he 
 would  engage  thefe  mourning  tranfgreffors  to  obe- 
 dience. 
 
 His  dire6lion  is  twofold ;   to  repent,  and  to  be  bap- 
 tized.    The  common  notion  of  repentance  is  forrow 
 fpr  fm:  and  there  is  reafon  to  apprehend  that  fome  de- 
 ceive 
 
170  LECTURES    ON 
 
 ceive  themfelves  by  refting  in  a  fuperficial  tranfitory 
 conviction ;  which,  however  grievous,  falls  fhort  of 
 the  genuine  forrow  of  a  contrite  heart,  which  alone 
 js  acceptable  to  God.  No  doubt  repentance  includes 
 a  convidion,  yea  a  painful  convidion  of  fm  i  and  it 
 muft  be  allowed,  that,  confcious  of  guilt,  a  man  is 
 afhamed  and  afflicted.  But,  properly  fpeaking,  repen- 
 tance is  a  change,  the  fubje£t  of  which,  is  not  only 
 filled  with  a  fenfe  of  his  error,  and  grieved  for  his 
 folly,  but  alfo  is  bent  againft  the  evil  that  hath  enflav- 
 ed  him,  refolved  to  flee  from  it  and  amend.  So  that 
 according  to  the  nature  and  degree  of  real  repentance, 
 a  reformation  enfues.  The  confcience  of  fome  aban- 
 doned tro-T.fgreffors,  or  hypocrites,  may  be  incapable 
 of  feeling,  as  the  flefti  of  a  man  when  feared  with  a  hot 
 iron>  I  Tim.  iv.  2.  Yet  few  are  totally  ignorant  of 
 lemorfe,  fmners  for  the  moft  part  have  at  tiriies  an 
 afflicting  fenfe  of  their  guilt ;  yea,  and  in  fome  in- 
 ftances  very  fharp  convidtions  may  pierce  the  heart, 
 and  produce  ftrong  cries  and  tears,  refolutions  and 
 promifes  of  amendment ;  at  the  fame  time,  as  it  af- 
 terwards appears,  the  man  is  unacquainted  with  godly 
 forrow,  and  repentance  unto  life. 
 
 Evangelical  repentance  is  the  gift  of  God  by 
 Jcfus  Chrift  :  It  flows  from  a  principle  of  divine  life  in 
 the  foul  of  him  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit ;  of  which  the 
 convinced  finner  alone  is  a  capable  fubjeil.  In  the 
 e;:ercife  of  this  grace  a  man  beholds  the  evil  of  fin,  is 
 affected  with  its  turpitude,  and  abhors  it ;  and,  being 
 deeply  fenfible  of  his  own  vilenefs,  abafeth  himfelf 
 before  God  with  an  open  confeflion,    in  profpe6t  of 
 
 pardoning 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     171 
 
 pardoning  mercy.     This  repentance  admits  of  no  al- 
 lowed   I'm,   and    is   ever  accompanied  wi'.h  a   purfuit 
 after  holinefs,  and  a  converfation  becoming  the  gofpel.' 
 One  infallible  criterion  of  genuine  repentance  is  faith,  ■ 
 i.  e.   adivcly  confidered  j    for  though  repentance    and 
 faith  may  be  diftinguifhed,   they  are  radically  the  fame, 
 being  the  exercife  of^^p  renewed  foul  under  the  influence 
 of  divine  grace,  with  a  view  to  fa'vation.     Faith,  in 
 its  prime  ad,    is  truly  exprefied  by  an  excellent  wri- 
 ter *,  to  be  the  flight  of  a  penitent  fmner  to  Chrifl:  for 
 falvation.     Certainly  the  repentance  defcribed,  which 
 is  of  a  fpiritual  and  faving  nature,  is  not  without  faith, 
 whereby    the   fabjedt   hath  a  difcernment  of  fpiritual 
 things  :  And  the  firft  efFe6l   of  being  thus  truly  peni- 
 tent,  in  the  views  of  that  free  remilHon  preached  in 
 the  name  of  Jefus,  is  obedience  to  the  gofpel.     A  fin- 
 cere   penitent  lays  hold  of  the  promife,   and  flees  for 
 refuge  to  Chrift.     Thus  repentance,    under  the  call  of 
 the  gofpel,    is  compleated  by   the  obedience  of  faith. 
 The  penitent  man  comes  to  Jefus  confefling  his  guilt 
 and  pollution  ;    he  heartily  renounces  all  merit  in  him- 
 felf,   and  believing  the  promife,  refls  on  the  Redeemer 
 as  the  only  and  omnipotent  Saviour.     So  then,   to  re- 
 pent,  to   be   converted,   and   to   believe  in    the  Lord 
 Jefus   Chrifl:,    are   fynonymous  phrafes,    at   leafl:    the 
 repentance  Peter  intends,  and  vi^hich  is  the  fubjedl  of 
 a  gofpel-miniftry,   ifiTues  in  nothing  fhort  of  truft  in 
 Chrifl-,   or  a  turning  to  him   as  the  ftrong-hold   and 
 hope  of  them  who  are  ready  to  perifli :    And  according- 
 ly we  find,  Mark  i.  15.   the  difciples  were  fent  forth 
 to  preach,   faying,   "  Repent  ye  and  believe  the  gof- 
 
 "  pel." 
 *  Owen  on  juftlficatlon,  page  95, 
 
172  LECTURES    ON 
 
 •'  pel.**  It  is  repentance  from  infidelity  and  rebellion 
 againft  God,  as  he  is  revealed  in  his  word,  which  Is 
 accompanied  with  faith  and  holy  obedience,  according 
 to  the  ufe  of  the  expreflion  in  Luke  xvi.  30.  where 
 the  rich  man  is  fpeaking  to  Abraham  concerning  his 
 furviving  brethren,  who  like  himfelf  lived  in  infidelity 
 and  fin,  faying,  "  But  if  one  went  unto  them  from 
 **  the  dead,  they  will  repent;"  i.  e.  of  their  unbelief, 
 as  appears  from  the  fcope  of  the  place.  In  like  man- 
 ner evangelical  repentance  is  nothing  fhort  of  believing 
 and  turning  to  the  Lord. 
 
 This  idea  of  repentance  in  the  text  is  confirmed  by 
 the  circumftances  of  the  objects  addrefled  :  they  were 
 deeply  conviriced  of  their  guilt,  and  in  the  utmoft 
 diftrefs.  A  true  penit-ent  indeed  hath  an  habitual  fenfe 
 of  the  evil  and  bitternefs  of  fin  ;  it  is  exceeding  finful 
 in  his  eyes,  and  dreadful  in  its  efFe£ls  under  the  curfe 
 of  a  broken  law,  and  ftill  more  heinous  in  the  light  of 
 the  gofpel  3  but  where  is  the  propriety  of  exhorting 
 perfons  to  mourn  over  fin,  whofe  hearts  were  already 
 overwhelmed  under  a  fenfe  of  their  great  iniquity,  and 
 with  the  fears  of  vengeance  to  come  ?  Nor  can  repen- 
 tance here  fignify  a  change  of  mind  or  opinion  con- 
 cerning Jefus,  and  in  confequence  an  alteration  in 
 their  conduct,  fo  as  no  longer  to  oppofe  him  as  an  im- 
 pofter,  under  which  pretence  they  had  taken  away  his 
 life,  fince  a  convi£lion  of  his  divine  authority  was  a 
 principal  occafion  of  their  diftrefs  and  confufion  j  nor 
 doth  the  apoftle  ofter  a  word  more  in  vindication  of  his 
 charader,  or  to  prove  him  the  Mefliah.  In  fhort, 
 thefe  men  ftood  in  no  need  of  being  called  upon  to  be 
 
 forry 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     173 
 
 forry  for  fin,  or  to  be  perfuaded  that  Jefus  was  the 
 Chrift;  they  were  deeply  wounded  under  a  fenfe  of 
 their  tranfgreflions  and  fully  convinced  of  his  miflion 
 from  heaven,  but  this  they  needed,  namely,  a  per- 
 fonal  application  to,  and  reliance  upon  him  as  the 
 Lord's  Chrift,  without  which  no  man's  forrow  for  fin, 
 or  opinion  of  Jefus  will  fave  him;  and  for  this  thefe 
 felf-condemned  finners  were  prepared  on  due  encou- 
 ragement, as  appears  in  the  iflue :  but,  at  prefent 
 being  ignorant  of  the  extent  and  riches  of  his  grace, 
 they  feem  fearful  of  being  excluded  the  hope  of  the 
 gofpel,  and  at  their  wits-end ;  and  accordingly  the 
 apoftle  fends  them  to  Jefus  for  pardon  and  life,  with 
 a  joyful  aflTurance  of  mercy,  and  he  urges  it  upon 
 them  as  needful  to  an  efcape  from  the  wrath  they  de- 
 ferved.  This  fenfe  of  repentance  in  the  text  corref- 
 ponds  not  only  with  the  circumftances  of  the  perfons 
 addrefled,  but  likewife  with  the  motives  ufed  by  the 
 apoftle,  and  the  direction  he  gives  them ;  for  no  re- 
 pentance fhort  of  faith  in  Chrift,  ftands  conneded  with 
 remiflion  of  fins,  or  entitles  the  fubjedt  to  baptifm; 
 and,  though  there  is  reafon  to  apprehend  that,  in  the 
 primitive  times,  feme  were  partakers  of  the  Holy 
 Ghoft,  in  his  extraordinary  gifts,  who  neverthelefs 
 were  deftitute  of  faving  faith,  yet  a  profeftion  of  this 
 faith  was  requifite  to  a  vifible  claim  in  the  promife, 
 *'  Thefe  figns  ftiall  follow  them  that  believe,"  Mark 
 xvi.  17.  Nor  did  John,  the  forerunner  of  our  Lord, 
 in  the  courfe  of  his  miniftry,  admit  any  to  baptifm  for 
 the  remiflion  of  fins,  without  a  confeflion  of  their  belief 
 in  him  that  ftiould  come  after  him,  whom  he  declared 
 would  baptize    his    difciples    with  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 
 Matt. 
 
174  LEGTURESON 
 
 Matt.  iii.  II.  compared  with  A6ls  xlx.  4.  And  that  a 
 divine  faith  or  holy  truft  in  Chrift  is  contained  in  that 
 repentance  unto  which  the  apoftles  exhorted  their 
 hearers,  is  evident  from  other  paffages  of  fcripture. 
 Thus,  Peter  fays,  "  Pepent  ye  therefore  and  be  con- 
 *'  verted,  that  your  fms  may  be  blotted  out."  A<£ls 
 iii.  9.  And  again,  chap.  viii.  37.  When  the  eunuch 
 propofed  himfelf  to  Philip  for  baptifm,  he  replies,  "If 
 *'  thou  believeft  with  all  thine  heart,  thou  mayeft." 
 And  further,  chap.  xvi.  30,  31.  on  the  jailor's  ap- 
 plication to  Paul  and  Silas  under  the  like  diftrefs,  fay- 
 ing, "  WTiat  fhall  I  do  to  be  faved  ?"  their  anfwer  is 
 the  fame,  "  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift."  Upon 
 the  whole,  it  appears  that  nothing  lefs  than  a  cordial 
 faith  is  required  in  baptifm  with  hope  of  remiflion, 
 and  that  therefore  this  faith  is  included  in  that  repen- 
 tance the  apoftle  intends  j  in  the  exercife  of  which  the 
 Jews  are  directed  to  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus. 
 
 I  Have  been  thus  particular  in  fettling  what  I  appre- 
 hend the  juft  idea  of  the  expreffion  repent,  as  it  throws 
 a  light  on  many  exhortations  in  the  New-Teftament, 
 and  is  more  efpecially  needful  to  a  right  underltanding 
 and  improvement  of  the  pafTage  before  us.  Peter  is 
 plainly  dire£ting  thefe  awakened  tranfgreflbrs,  who 
 were  anxious  to  know  what  they  fhould  do,  notwith- 
 ftanding  their  aggravated  guilt,  to  believe  on  Jefus 
 and  fubmit  themfelves  to  him,  and  publicly  own  their 
 dependance  upon  him  as  Lord  and  Chrift.  To  repent, 
 therefore,  muft  carry  in  it  faith  in  the  Redeemer ;  and 
 this  exhortation  feparate  from  the  encouragements 
 exprefsly  fubjoined,  was  adapted  to  relieve  thefe  dif- 
 
 treflcd 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    175 
 
 trefled  fouls  from  the  tormenting  fears  of  being  abfo- 
 lutely  excluded  from  the  grace  of  God  in  his  Son ; 
 and  is  a  noble  inftance  of  the  fkill  and  faithfulnefs  of 
 the  preacher,  and  alfo  (hews  that  the  minifters  of  Chrift 
 are  warranted  to  encourage  every  fenfible  fmner. 
 
 Nor  is  it  fuppofed  in  this  exhortation,  thus  under- 
 ftood,  that  thefe  Jews,  or  any  other  under  the  like 
 circumftances,  are  able  in  and  of  themfelves  to  believe 
 in  Jefus ;  this  diredlion  and  encouragement  is  given  to 
 them  only  who  are  called,  ver.  39.  "  to  as  many  as 
 "  the  Lord  our  God  fhall  call."  By  this  the  apoftle 
 fufficiently  guards  againft  any  undue  afcription  of  power 
 in  the  creature,  and  leads  our  thoughts  to  the  energy  of 
 the  Spirit,  in  quickening  grace,  as  needful  unto  faving 
 repentance  or  faith.  An  heart  or  ability  fo  to  repent  is 
 undoubtedly  the  free  gift  of  God,  difpenfed  from  the 
 King  of  grace,  wrought  in  the  fubje6l  by  the  power 
 of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  under  whofe  divine  agency  alone 
 this  and  every  other  fpiritual  a£i  is  exerted ;  all  which 
 is  clearly  fhewn  in  different  parts  of  the  facred  wri- 
 tings} thus  it  is  declared,  "  God  hath  exalted  Jefus 
 *'  to  give  repentance  and  remiffion  of  fins,"  A£ls  v.  31. 
 And  again,  "  Then  hath  God  alfo  granted  to  the 
 "  Gentiles  repentance  unto  life,"  chap.  xi.  18.  "  And 
 "  we  know  that  it  is  God  which  worketh,  in  his 
 "  called  ones,  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  plea- 
 "  fure,"  Phil.  ii.  13.  Hence  they  repent  and  believe: 
 It  is  therefore  no  other  than  cavil,  in  oppofition  to  the 
 exprefs  counfel  of  God,  to  argue  from  fuch-like  ex- 
 hortations to  the  power  of  man  without  fpecial  grace 
 to  repent   and  turn  unto  the   Lord.     Moft  certainly 
 
 "no 
 
176  LECTURES    ON 
 
 *'  no  man  can  come  to  Chrift,  except  the  Father 
 •*  which  fent  him  draw  him,"  John  vi.  44.  Yet  awa- 
 kened fmners  are  to  be  dire£led  and  exhorted  to  repent, 
 and  to  fubmit  themfelves  to  Jefus  for  the  remiflion  of 
 fms ;  and  the  moral  ends  of  fuch  exhortations  are  ob- 
 vious to  any  unprejudiced  perfon  ;  they  are  to  convince 
 men  of  the  neceflity  there  is  for  repentance  unto  life, 
 and  a  means,  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit,  to  lead,  en- 
 courage, and  animate  perifhing  fmners  to  believe  and 
 be  faved.  And  this  anfwer  may  fuffice  to  fhew  the 
 perverfenefs  of  them  who  will  reprefent  this  method, 
 in  a  gofpel-miniftry,  as  inconfiftent  with  the  impotency 
 of  man,  or  the  goodnefs  of  God,  fmce  it  is  evident 
 that  thefe  exhortations  are  adapted  to  excite  con- 
 vinced tranfgreflbrs  to  repentance  and  faith,  and  the 
 Almighty  is  pleafed  to  render  them  efFecSlual  thereunto 
 in  the  hearts  of  his  chofen :  therefore  no  man  need 
 fcruple  to  follow  the  example  before  us,  in  the  courfe 
 of  his  miniftry,  when  fmners  enquire,  what  fhall  we 
 do  ?  But  freely  and  earneftly  recommend  them,  even 
 every  one,  to  repent  and  believe  on  the  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift  i  nor  ftiould  any  be  offended  at  this,  fmce  it 
 is  manifeftly  rational,  all  things  confidered,  and  a 
 means  owned  of  God  for  the  falvation  of  men. 
 
 To  repentance  the  apoftle  enjoins  fubmiffion  to 
 baptifm ;  "  And,  fays  he,  be  baptized  every  one 
 "  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jefus  Chrift  for  the  re- 
 *'  miflion  of  fms."  I  fhall  not  enlarge  on  the  form 
 of  this  divine  inftitution,  which  I  am  forry  to  fay, 
 like  fome  other  appointments  of  the  Redeemer, 
 is  more  known  than  pradifedj  but  the  defign  I  am 
 
 upon 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANtTY.     177 
 
 upon,  and  the  exhortation  of  Peter,  will  not  permit  me 
 to  be  totally  filent  on  an  article  eflential  to  primitive 
 worfhip.  Nothing  is  more  my  averfion  than  the  fcorn 
 and  anger,  which  is  but  too  often  feen  in  debating  this 
 point.  It  may  be  pleafmg  to  the  fleih,  but  this  is  not 
 by  manifeftation  of  the  truth,  commending  ourfelves 
 to  every  man's  confcience  in  the  fight  of  God ;  ^  it  is 
 unfeemly  and  vain.  I  vi^ould  therefore  in  meeknefs  and 
 fobriety,  with  a  cordial  efteem  for  thofe  brethren  who 
 aie  otherwife  minded,  ufe  a  becoming  freedom  on  the 
 fubjed,  on  which  it  may  be  difficult  to  offer  any  thing 
 which  has  not  for  fubftance  been  urged,  or  at  leaft 
 hinted  already  by  others. 
 
 Jt  is  notorious  that  a  change  in  the  modeof  th's  o-of- 
 pel-ordinance,  from  dipping  to  fprinkling,  hath  obLamed  ; 
 and  in  thefe  and  forre  oiher  parts  of  the  world,  called 
 chriftian,  become  a! .Tiofl:  gentral^  ncverthclefs  they  are 
 plainly  quite  different,  and  cannot  be  made  one  and  the 
 fame,  or  fpoken  of  as  fuch  withuut  a  violation  of  lan- 
 guage and  fenfe.  Sprinkling  was  a  rite  of  purif  cation  un- 
 der the  law,  but  manifeftly  and  ever  di{lin£l  from  that  of 
 bathing  or  immerfion,  which  was  alfo  appointed,  Numb. 
 xix.13,19.  compared.  To  confound  thefe  different  modes, 
 or  to  ufe  the  one  inflead  of  the  other,  feems  highly  un- 
 reafonable,  and  not  to  be  juftifiedj  and  indeed,  with 
 becoming  refpedt  to  thofe  who  can  ufe  this  liberty,  I 
 take  leave  to  fay,  that,  in  my  opinion,  to  csW  fprinkling 
 baptifm^  is  truly  no  better.  To  baptize,  is  to  wafh  the 
 fubje<3:  by  bathing  or  dippings  and  not  to  wet  a  part  only 
 by  ajperfion  or  fprinkling.  Nor  let  the  reader  think  that 
 •ur  practice  of  dipping  is  confined  to  a  few,  becaufe  it 
 
 M  is 
 
178  LECTURES    ON 
 
 is  by  many  iiegleiled  or  defpifed  in  this  ifland,  and  fome 
 other  countries  j  not  to  infift  on  the  thoufands  who 
 confcientioufly  adhere  to  this  mode  in  our  own  native 
 country,  and  efpecially  in  our  American  colonies.  Dr. 
 Wall,  a  zealous  and  learned  writ  r  in  favor  of  infant- 
 baptifm,  obferves,  Part  II.  page  309.  ift  edit.  '  All 
 '  chriftians  in  the  world,  who  never  owned  the  pope's 
 
 *  ufurped  power,  do  and  ever  did  dip  their  infants  in  the 
 '  ordinary  ufe.'  And  he  adds,  '  If  we  take  the  divifion 
 '  of  the  world  from  the  three  main  parts  of  it,  all  the 
 
 *  chriftians  in  Afia,  all  in  Africa,  and  al^out  one  third 
 '  part  of  Europe,  underftand  by  baptifm  hhmerfion^  and 
 '  fo  prailice.'  Every  attempt  to  deftroy  or  remove  this 
 native  and  genuine  idea  of  baptifm  is  vain  j  and  I  may 
 venture  to  fay,  that  it  will  never  be  in  the  power  of 
 man  to  fhew  that  baptizing  is  not  dipping,  or  that  this 
 was  not  the  mode  in  which  the  apoftles  and  firft  mini- 
 fters  performed  this  chiiftian  ordinance.  Baptifm  is 
 ftiled  the  counfel  of  God ;  a  religious  rite  fet  up  with 
 divine  authority,  firft  by  John  the  forerunner  of  our 
 Lord,  whofe  miffion  from  heaven  was  clear.  Hence 
 Wi.en  Chrift  put  the  queftion  to  the  elders  concerning 
 his  baptifm,  they  feared  to  fay  it  was  of  men.  The 
 Jews  were  ftartled  when  they  faw  him  baptize  and  de- 
 mand his  authority,  "  Why  baptizeft  thou,  if  thou  be  not 
 *'  Chrift  nor  Elias?"  John  i.  15.  jFrom  whence  I  am  con- 
 vinced, the  notion  fome  propagate  concerning  the  Jew- 
 ifti  cuftom  to  baptize  profelytes  is  without  any  founda- 
 tion. And  it  fecms  unworthy  our  divine  Law-giver, 
 to  fuppofe  that  a  main  inftitution  of  his  kingdom  is 
 borrowed  from  a  fuperftitious  cuftom  of  the  Jews,  which 
 muft  be  the  c«ife  if  it  really  was  in  pradice,  feeing  it  is 
 
 plain 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     179 
 
 plain  that  Mofes  never  enjoined  it,  but  it  feemed  a  new 
 thing  to  the  Jews.  However,  hut  this  harbinger  of  the 
 Meffiah  baptized  by  in-.merrion  is  evident  by  the  name 
 he  acquired  from  his  prachce,  viz,  Jvhn  the  iia,  uft  or 
 Dipper.  Baptizing  '  nd  ("ipp'ng  is  !o  clearly  t  .e  lame, 
 that  it  would  have  beta  impertinent,  efpecially  m  a 
 country  where  it  was  dailv  in  ufe,  to  have  attempted 
 a  defcription  of  the  manner  in  which  it  wr^s  penormed  ; 
 and  had  no  prejudice  taken  place  in  favor  of  d  (O'trary 
 practice,  the  circumftances  related  of  our  LorJ's  bap- 
 tifm  would  fw.ffice  to  f^^^lisfy  every  ferious  enquirer.  We 
 are  told,  that  "  when  he  was  baptized  he  went  up 
 "  ftraightway  out  of  the  water."  Dr.  Whitby,  and 
 other  eminent  authors,  who  plead  for  the  baptizing  of 
 infants,  notice  the  j uft  obfervation  of  the  Greek  church 
 on  the  palTage,  which  is  this,  namely,  *  that  he,  who 
 '  afcended  out  of  the  water,  muft  firft  defcend  down 
 '  into  it.'  And  it  is  remarkable  that  the  infpired  apoftle 
 Kfes  the  fam.e  argument  in  reference  to  the  afcenfion  of 
 Chrift,  which  prefuppofes  his  refurre<Stion  from  the 
 dead,  fhadowed  forth  in  baptifm  by  immerfion,  Eph. 
 iv.  9.  "  Now  that  he,"  i.  e.  Chrift,  "  afcended,  what 
 *'  is  it  but  that  he  alfo  defcended  firft  into  the  lower 
 *'  parts  of  the  earth  ?"  i.  e.  died  and  was  buried;  and 
 the  inference  is  too  natural  not  to  be  difcerned  by  the 
 plaineft  capacity :   But,  adds  the  Doilor,    '  Baptifm, 
 
 *  therefore,   is  not  to  be  performed  by  fprinkling,  but 
 
 *  by  wafhing  the  body  ;'     and   ftill   further,   fays  he, 
 
 *  Indeed  it  can  only  be  ignorance  of  the  Jewifh  rites  in 
 
 *  baptifm,  that  this  is  queftioned.'  His  teftimony  I 
 hope  will  not  be  altogether  difregarded. 
 
 Ma  Oa 
 
i8o  LECTURES    ON 
 
 On  a  fiippofition  that  the  apoftks,  who  wrote  th« 
 New-l'tft.iment,  ufed  the  terms  of  the  feptaagint, 
 which  is  generally  allowed,  and  (eems  clearly  the  cafe, 
 it  is  fubmt  ed  to  the  learned  of  the  pasdobaptifts  them- 
 felves,  '*  Whether  it  was  pofuble  for  them  to  fix  on  two 
 words  in  all  that  Greek  tranflation  that  can  rnore 
 piecifely  determine  this  particular  manner  of  walh- 
 ing  the  body  by  immerfion  diftindl  from  all  other  pu- 
 rifications, than  ihofe  they  have  a£lually  chofen,  viz. 
 BaTrlnTw  t>  ^"<i  ^w«^  >'  ^"^  the  i?.me  mode  of  baptifm 
 is  confirmed  by  every  inftance,  and  particularly  the 
 place  chofen  for  the  adminiftration  of  this  divine  ordi- 
 nance; nor  doth  any  other  rr.anner  of  wafhing  agree 
 with  the  manifeft  reference  we  have  therein  unto  the 
 burial  and  refurrediion  of  our  Saviour,  and  to  that  of 
 the  fubjecls  being  raifed  frcm  the  death  of  fm  to  walk 
 in  newnefs  of  life,  fo  clearly  pointed  out  in  Rom.  vi. 
 
 and 
 
 •  Letters  to  a  Right  Rev.  Author,  &c.  Part  I.  Letter  IV.  page  29. 
 
 •f-  Dr.  Gale  hath  abundantly  (hewn  fnm  the  critics  and  alfo  from  the 
 Grecian  poets  and  historians,  that  Bw^il^u  always  fignifies  to  dip,  which 
 every  one  who  is  capable  may  coniult  with  advantage ;  befides,  as  that 
 learned  writer  juft  y  obferves,  if  the  expreflion  was  otherwife  ever  fo 
 ambiguous,  yet,  as  it  relates  to  bapiii'm,  the  dottrinc  a  d  pradtice  of  John 
 and  the  apoflles  fufiiciently  determine  the  fenlt  unto  dipping.  Gale  on 
 baptil'm,  Letters  III,  IV  and  V.  And  fiom  the  fame  letters  it  appears 
 that  Mr,  Wall  himfelf,  who  is  the  hiftorian  they  refer  10,  intimates  that 
 the  clergy  would  gladly  levive  the  anc  ent  practice,  and  defired,  according 
 to  the  direction  of  the  rubric,  to  baptize  by  dipping  all  that  are  willing  to 
 receive  it  in  that  manner,  and  are  able  to  bear  it  j  and  I  prefume,  that 
 notwithftanding  the  continuance  of  fprinkling  in  the  national  church, 
 with  fcarct  any  exception  for  half  a  century  more,  muft  rather  have  in- 
 Creafed  the  popular  prejudice  in  favor  ot  the  pradlice,  theie  arc  ftili  not  a 
 few  of  that  communioa  who  are  fufficiently  convinced  to  wifh  a  return  t# 
 the  good  old  waj. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.   i8i 
 
 and  Col.  ii.  This  alfo  correfponds  with  every  allufion  , 
 in  fcripture  to  baptifm,  and  the  general  conceflion  or 
 teftimony  of  the  moR:  reputable  advocates  for  bapiizlng 
 of  infants,  fince  the  pra6tice  exiftcd,  which  is  in  favor 
 of  dipping.  Among  thefe,  which  are  a  multitude,  the 
 known  wi(h  of  the  above  learned  author,  in  his  note 
 on  Rom.  vi.  4.  is  much  to  the  purpofe,     '  Immerfion, 
 
 *  fays  he,  was  religioufly  obferved  by  all  chriftians  for 
 
 *  thirteen  centuries.'  And  he  laments  the  change  of  it 
 into  fprinkling  without  any  allowance  from  the  author 
 of  this  inftitution,  or  any  licence  from  any  council  of 
 the  church;  of  which  the  reader  will  fee  more  at  large 
 in  confulting  his  paraphrafe.  And  truly  the  cuftom  of 
 afperfion,  however  prevailing  at  prefent,  is  compara- 
 tively modern  in  England,  and  is  even  now  only  per- 
 mitted by  the  governors  of  the  national  church,  as  ap- 
 pears in  their  liturgy.  Some  fpeak  of  the  fuppofed  danger 
 of  dipping  in  thefe  cold  climates,  and  think  this  may  be 
 a  very  good  reafon  for  changing  the  form  of  baptifm  to 
 fprinkling,  but  experience  proves  the  fafety  of  dipping, 
 and  this  mode  is  ftill  ufed  in  countries  many  degrees 
 colder  than  ours ;  witnefs  the  Ruflias,  and  even  Muf- 
 covia  itfelf,  in  fome  parts  of  which  it  is  extremely  fe- 
 vere  ;  nor  hath  it  in  any  inftance  appeared  injurious  to 
 dip  the  body,  even  of  infants  the  moft  tender,  in  water. 
 But  admitting  there  feems  a  danger  in  dipping  a  weakly 
 conftitution,  or  in  a  very  cold  feafon,  fhall  we  not  truft 
 the  Lord  in  the  way  of  our  duty?  Shall  we  reafon 
 from  thence  in  oppofition  to  the  wifdom  of  God,  un- 
 to a  negledl  of  his  fovereign  and  gracious  appoint- 
 ment ?  Or  will  this  juftify  a  change  in  the  mode 
 of  a  divine  ordinance?    It  is  a  truth  that  hath  been 
 
 M  3  frequently 
 
i82  LECTURESON 
 
 frequently  urged,  that  '  on  a  mere  pofitive  inftitution 
 '  we  cannot  argue  as  in  matters  of  natural  or  mora,! 
 '  duty.'  It  therefore  becomes  us  to  obey  with  humi- 
 lity and  reverence,  and  confcientioufly  adhere  in  our 
 practice  to  every  circumftance  prefcribcd  in  the  word. 
 This  method  of  reafoning  therefore  is  not  to  be  defend- 
 ed, nor  fhould  any  prefume  to  acSt  thereupon  contrary 
 to  the  exprefs  will  of  the  Lord  whom  we  ferve.  Upon 
 the  whole,  it  is  truly  aftonifning,  and  an  afieding  in- 
 ftance  of  human  weaknefs,  that  in  a  country  where  the 
 cuflom  univerfally  prevailed  fo  many  centuries,  and 
 where  the  pradlife  ftill  flands  exprefly  directed  in  the 
 public  inftrument  of  the  national  church,  that  this  form 
 of  baptifm  fhould  be  counted  ftrange,  novel  or  indecent. 
 Is  it  not  ftrange,  that,  under  thefe  circumftances,  a 
 people  who  cannot  but  perform  this  appointment  of  the 
 Saviour  by  dipping,  fhould,  for  that  reafpn  only,  be 
 derided  or  cenfured  ?  Alas,  how  fickle  mankind  !  To 
 what  amazing  prejudices  are  we  expofed  !  That  the 
 pencra!  and  ordinary  way  was  to  baptize  by  immerfion 
 or  dipping  the  fu'^jeiSl  *  into  the  water,  is  fo  plain  and 
 
 *  clear,  faith  Dr.  Wall  *,  by  an  infinite  number  of 
 '  pail'ages,   that  one  cannot  but  pity  the  weak  endea- 
 
 *  vours  of  luch  psedobaptifls  who  would  maintain  the 
 '  negative.'  And  1  am  ptrfuaded  that  mofl:,  v/ho  do 
 not  think  it  abfolutely  neceflary  to  the  eflence  of  bap- 
 tifm, and  therefore  remain  in  the  popular  way,  will,  on 
 ferious  reflection,  with  that  learned  writer,  difown  and 
 fliew  a  diflike  of  the  profane  feoffs  vi'hich  feme  people 
 o-ivc  to  theEnglifh  aiuipsedobaptif^s  merely  for  their  ufc 
 of  dipping;    and  certain  1  am,  that  if  any  are  otherwife 
 
 mindedj 
 
 *  Vol.  II.  3d  edit.  p.  351. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  183 
 minded,  their  zeal  againft  this  ancient  mod^  of  bap- 
 tizing is  not  duly  tempered  with  knowledge  and  cha«" 
 rity. 
 
 Now  this  baptifm  is  to  be  performed  in  the  name  of 
 Jefus  Chrift.     The  commiflion  of  our  Lord  to  his  dif- 
 ciples  is  plain  and  exprefs.   Matt,  xxviii.  19.    "  Go  ye, 
 *'  therefore,   teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
 *'  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
 *'  Holy  Ghoft."     Nor  are  thefe  words  of  Peter,  *'  in 
 *'  the  name  of  Jefus,"  to  be  otherwife  taken  than  con- 
 fifts  with  this  order  of  the  Saviour.  No  doubt  this  f  »rm 
 is  facred  in  the  ordinance  of  baptifm ;  for  fo,  as  hinted 
 already,   is  every  article  prefcribed  in  a  pofitive  infl.tu- 
 tion,  which  entirely  depends  on  the  fovereign  will  of 
 the  law-giver.     It  has  been  fuggefted,   that  the  Jews, 
 being   already   believers  in  the  Father  and    the  Holy 
 Ghoft,  had  need  only  of  being  baptized  in  the  name 
 of  Jefus  J  but  there  is  not  the  leaft  intimation  in  fcrip- 
 ture  of  this  difference  in  the  baptizing  of  Jews  from 
 that  of  the  Gentiles,   nor  is  the  name  of  either  divine 
 Perfon  to  be  omitted  in  the  adminiftration  of  this  ordi- 
 nance,  feeing  that  would  come  fhort  of  the  exprefs  di- 
 re(5lion  of  our  Lord.      Neverthelefs  chriftian  baptifm 
 may  well  be  defcribed  in  the  name  of  Jefus,  as  here  and 
 elfewhere,   chap.  viii.  16.    x,  48.    xix.  5.     Since  the 
 authority  of  Jefus  is  the  ground  of  proceeding,  and  the 
 iubje<5l  not  only  confefles  his  faith  in,  and  adores  Jeho- 
 vah, Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft,  the  Three  that  bear 
 record   in  heaven,  but  likewife  in  an  efpecial  manner 
 confeiFeth  Chrift  as  his  king,  and  fubmits  to  him  as  the 
 Son  of  God  and  Lord  of  all.     Baptifm  is  an  a6l  of 
 M  4  foler.in 
 
i84  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 folemn  worfhip  and  perfonal  devotion  to  the  Redeemer, 
 in  which  the  parties  own  his  authority,   and  Surrender 
 unto  the  Lord  as  his  God.     Hence  it  is  ftiled  "  calHng 
 *'  on  the  name  of  the  Lord,"  A£ts  xxii.  i6.     A  phrafe 
 which  indeed  includes  prayer  after  the  example  of  Jcfus 
 himfelf,   of  whom  we  read,  Luke  iii.  21.   "  that  being 
 *'  baptized  and  praying,  the  heaven  was  opened."  But 
 it  likewife  extends  to  the  whole  obedience  of  faith, 
 Rom.  X.  13,  14.  where  the  apoftle  refers  to  the  fame 
 prophefy  quoted  in  Peter's  difcourfe,   ver.  21.   "  And 
 *'  whofoeverfiiall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  (hall 
 *'  be  faved."     He  that  fubmits  to  this  ordinance  with 
 underftanding,  is  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus,  call- 
 ing upc  n  his  name  in  the  prayer  of  faith,  and  actually 
 owns  and  fubmits  to  the  authority,  of  Chrift,  who  will 
 fave  him. 
 
 It  is  added,  "  for  the  remiffion  of  fins ;"  which 
 {hews  what  troubled  the  heart  of  thefe  awakened  tranf- 
 grefibrs ;  it  was  guilt,  their  fins  were  fet  in  order  before 
 them,  a  fenfe  of  which  pierced  them.  But  will  water- 
 baptifm  cleanfe  us  from  fin  ?  No,  no  more  than  the 
 tears  of  the  penitent.  Nothing  is  the  meritorious  caufe 
 of  pardon  but  the  atonem-  nt  of  the  Saviour  :  His  blood 
 alone,  applied  to  the  wounded  confcience,  can  heal  it. 
 Thus  Peter  declares,  "  Through  his  name,  whofoever 
 *'  believeth  in  him,  fhall  receive  remiflion  of  fins,  " 
 A61s  X.  43.  And  again  it  is  written,  "  Whom  God 
 **  hath  fet  forth  a  propitiation,  through  faith  in  his 
 **  blood,  to  declare  his  righ:eoufnefs  in  the  remifTion  of 
 *'  fins,"  Rom.  iii.  25.  And  further,  "  In  whom  we 
 5'  haye  redemption  through  his  blood,   the  forgivenefs 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     185 
 
 * 
 **  of  fins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace,"  Eph. 
 
 i.  7.  Thus  the  fcriptures  abundantly  (hew,  that  not  • 
 baptifm  but  the  blood  of  Jefus,  in  whofe  nihie  we  are 
 baptized,  is  that  which  cleanfeth  from  fin.  This  man- 
 ner of  freaking,  "  be  baptized  for  the  remiflion  of 
 *'  fins,"  IS  by  way  of  encouragement  and  dire6lion  to 
 thefe  afHi£led  enquiring  fouls,  and  fliews  that  there  was 
 remiilion  even  for  them,  and  that  they  fhould  fubmit 
 to  baptifm  in  the  exercife  of  faith  on  Chrift,  who,  by 
 the  facrifice  of  himfelf,  obtained  eternal  redemption, 
 and  whofe  fufferings,  death  and  refurre<5lion,  are  fha- 
 dowed  forth  in  the  appointed  form  of  this  gofpel-infti- 
 tution.  In  a  word,  the  exhortation  is  univerfal  and 
 without  any  exception,  '*  every  one  of  you  j"  to  fhew 
 that  not  one  perfon,  among  the  thoufands  who  were 
 pricked  in  the  heart,  and  who  flood  in  need  of  pardon, 
 was  excluded  from  the  hope  of  God's  mercy  In  Chrift; 
 and  that  likewife  not  a  Tingle  believer,  who  laid  hold  of 
 this  mercy,  was  excluded  from  a  profeffed  fubje£lion 
 to  the  gofpel,  or  public  acknowledgment  of  his  divine 
 authority,  and  devotion  to  his  will  in  the  fight  of  man- 
 kind. 
 
 To  this  obedience  of  faith  the  apoftle  annexeth  a 
 prcmife,  *'  And  ye  fhall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
 *'  Ghoft ;"  not  in  his  quickening  or  regenerating  in- 
 fluences, whereby  the  fubje6l  is  truly  convinced  of  fin, 
 and  engaged  to  believe  on  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  A 
 participation  of  his  grace,  in  this  refpe6l,  is  previoufly 
 required  to  baptifm.  Thus,  as  before,  Philip  faith  to 
 the  eunuch,  "  If  thou  believeft  with  all  thine  heart, 
 *'  thou  mayeft."     This  promife  may  be  underftood  in 
 
 a  fenfe 
 
i86^         LECTURES    ON 
 
 a  fenfe  peculiar  to  the  primitive  times,  or  accommo- 
 dated to  the  hope  of  every  baptized  believer  in  ail  ages 
 and  places  to  the  end  of  the  world.  It  may  refer  to  the 
 extraordinary  gifts  which  the  Holy  Ghoft  diflributed 
 among  the  apoftles,  who  had  alfo,  by  him,  a  power  of 
 conveying  the  fame  to  others,  by  which  the  gofpel  was 
 then  confirmed  among  the  difciples ;  many  of  whom 
 were  enabled  to  Ipeak  with  tongues,  and  to  perform 
 great  things  in  teftiraony  of  the  refurredtion  of  Jefus, 
 and  for  the  edification  of  his  church,  A£ts  xix  Many, 
 I  fay,  for  we  are  not  to  fuppofe  that  every  one  who 
 was  baptized  was  thus  miraculoufly  endowed,  but  only 
 fome,  as  c  rcumftances  required.  Thus  Cornelius  and 
 others  received  the  Holy  Ghoft  at  Cefarea,  A6ls  x.  47. 
 In  this  view  it  is  an  afTurance  or  their  being  confirmed 
 by  further  inftances  of  his  wonderful  operations  which 
 came  to  pafs,  when,  as  we  are  told,  "  Many  wonders 
 *'  and  iigns  were  done  by  the  apoftles,"  Ails  i.  43. 
 and  likewife  that  many  of  themfelves  ihould  partake 
 of  bis  extraordinary  gifts  for  the  fpread  of  the  gofpel. 
 Hence  we  read,  chap.  viii.  4.  that  a  perfecution  being 
 raifed  at  Jerufalem,  by  which  the  diiciples  in  general 
 were  difperfed,  "  they  that  were  fcattered  abroad  went 
 '*  every  where  preaching  the  word."  So  that  the  wife 
 was  taken  in  his  own  craftinefs,  and  the  malice  of 
 fatan  overruled  to  the  increafe  of  the  kingdom  of  God, 
 which  that  enemy  fought  to  deftroy.  Neverthelefs,  if 
 believers  now  have  any  intereft  in  this  promife,  it  is 
 not  to  be  confined  to  thefe  extraordinary  gifts.  The 
 promife  is  given  to  every  one  :  And  1  cannot  help 
 thinking  that  Peter  includes,  if  not  chiefly  intends, 
 thofe  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  whereby  the  faith- 
 
 fia 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.     187 
 
 ful  are  more  aburadantly  enlightened,  fanftified  and 
 confirmed,  even  that  Vv'orking  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by" 
 which  the  chriflian  is  fealed  to  the  day  of  redemption, 
 and  made  meet  for  communion  with  God  and  his  glo- 
 rious  inheritance,  compare  2  Cor.  v.  5.  Eph,  i.  13,  18. 
 and  chap.  iv.  30.  Certain  it  is  that  the  Comforter, 
 as  a  Spirit  of  adoption  and  a  witnefling  Spirit,  is  more 
 or  lefs  given  to  them  that  obey  the  gofpel,  and  that,  in 
 waiting  on  the  Lord  in  his  appointments,  believers  may 
 expe£l  to  be  eftablifhed  with  grace,  and  to  increafe  in 
 the  knowledge  of  him  unto  a  meetnefs  for  glory. 
 
 Thus  Peter  excites  thefe  awakened  tranfgreflbrs  to 
 evangelical  reper.tance,  which  includes  faith  in  the 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and  to  witnefs  the  fame  by  being 
 openly  baptized  in  his  name,  in  a  certain  profpeft  of 
 full  remiflion  of  fmsj  yea  though  they  had  wickedly 
 flain  the  Redeemer,  he  aflures  them  notwithftanding, 
 that  on  confeffion  they  fhould  be  fealed  with  the  Holy 
 Spirit  of  promife.  Joyful  tidings,  which,  through  a 
 divine  energy,  became  life  from  the  dead,  and  healed 
 the  wounds  that  had  otherwife  proved  mortal.  When 
 they  heard  this,  they  gladly  received  the  word,  and  de- 
 layed not  to  yield  themfelves  to  the  Lord.  In  like 
 manner  the  gofptl  is  fent  to  bind  up  every  broken 
 heart,  and  to  comfort  every  finner  who  mourns.  And 
 therefore,  dear  Reader,  if  thine  heart  is  wounded  re- 
 ceive the  confolation,  for  a  reconciled  God  is  no  re- 
 fpeiter  ©f  perfons. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
i88  LECTURES    ON 
 
 LECTURE    XIII. 
 
 The  promife  on  which  Peter  raifes  the  expectation  of 
 the  awakened  Jews,  upon  their  obeying  the  gofpel, 
 briefly  and  fairly  examined.  With  notes  and  re- 
 fledlions  on  the  whole  of  their  reply  to  their  anxious 
 queftion. 
 
 THE  apoflle  having  encouraged  the  men  of  Judea, 
 finful  as  they  were,  with  a  certain  profpedl  of 
 remiifion  on  repentance,  and  having  afTerted  that,  on 
 being  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus,  they  fhould  re- 
 <;elve  the  Holy  Ghoft,  proceeds  to  the  ground  of  this 
 blefled  affarance.  And  his  argument  is  this  :  *'  For 
 *'  the  promife  is  unto  you  and  to  your  children,  and 
 *'  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord 
 *'  our  God  (hall  call."  The  promife  is  remiffion  of 
 iins,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  unto  them  who 
 repent  and  are  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord ;  and 
 the  paflTage  would  be  eafily  underftood,  -had  there  been 
 no  difpute  among  chriftians  concerning  the  fubje(£l  of 
 baptifm.  But  fmce  fome  who  plead  for  the  baptizing 
 of  infants,  have  prefied  this  text  into  their  fervice,  it 
 is  needful  to  clear  up  the  fenfe,  and  to  confider  whether 
 it  affords  any  foundation  for  that  pradlice,  which  I 
 (hall  attempt  with  candor  in  a  very  few  words.  In 
 general,  the  promife  is  limited  to  them  that  are  called. 
 The  word  rendered  children  is  not  frequently,  if  at  all, 
 ufed  for  infants ;  and  a  right  to  baptifm,  as  hinted  al- 
 ready, is  not  the  thing  promifed. 
 
 One 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    ,89 
 
 One  might  have  thought  that  the  laft  claufe  In  this 
 verfe  would  have  efFedually  fecured  it  from  being  ap-, 
 plied  in  favor  of  infant-baptifm,  fmce  while  it  extends 
 its  comfort  to  all  that  are  called,  it  limits  the  obje6is  of 
 the  promife  to  them.  Now  this  call  muft  be  either  the 
 external  call  in  the  miniftry  of  the  word,  or  that  which 
 is  internal  and  efficacious  unto  repentance  and  fath. 
 If  we  underfj-and  of  it  the  former,  what  infants  are  ca- 
 pable of  that  ?  Can  babes  and  fucklings,  in  a  natural 
 fenfe,  hear  and  underftand  the  word  of  the  gofpel  ?  Or 
 are  the  minifters  of  Chrift  fent  to  preach  unto  them? 
 No  fober  advocate  for  their  being  baptized  will  anfwer 
 in  the  affirmative.  An  unprejudiced  Reader  will  there- 
 fore eafily  admit,  that  the  call  here  intended  is  that 
 which  is  effeiSlual  unto  repentance,  a  teftimony  of 
 which  is  given  in  baptifm.  This  call  is  of  God  by 
 Jefus,  and  wrought  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  in  the  hearts  of  the  regenerate,  and  confcquently 
 peculiar  to  them  who  are  born  of  the  Spirit.  Far  be 
 it  to  infmuate,  that  infants  are  incapable  of  the  fanc- 
 tifying  operations  of  the  Spirit,  but  how  or  when  the 
 almighty  King  of  grace  worketh  in  any  fuch,  accord- 
 ing to  the  counfel  of  his  will,  is  a  fecret  to  us;  but 
 we  are  fpeaking  of  what  is  revealed,  and  the  rule  of 
 our  duty  in  the  admmiftration  of  a  divine  ordinance, 
 and  we  may,  and  muft  with  freedom  aflert,  that  infants 
 neither  are  nor  can  be  the  vifible  fubjedls  of  this  divine 
 work,  but  the  promife,  whether  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 or  the  remiffion  or  fms,  or  of  falvation,  verfe  21.  which 
 feems  rather  intended,  is  certainly  limited  to  thofe  who 
 are  called  of  God,  and  to  their  children  as  fuch ;  and 
 
 accordingly 
 
190  LECTURES    ON 
 
 accordingly  the  learned  Dr.  Whitby  himfelf,  whore 
 regard  for  infant-baptifm  is  not  to  be  queilioned,  ex- 
 prefly  and  juftly  declares,  that  thefe  words  will  not 
 prove  a  right  of  iafants  to  this  gofpel-inilituiion.  See 
 his  annotations  on  the  place. 
 
 But  that  none  fhould  be  mifled,  or  carried  away 
 by  the  found  of  the  word  children  in  this  pafTage,  it 
 may  be  proper  to  note,  that  it  is  not  -cra^lt  ,  whereby 
 young  children  or  infants,  when  diftinguilbtd  from 
 men  and  women,  are  exprcfTed  ;  for  inflance,  that 
 which  is  ufed  in  defcribuig  thofe  who  were  miraculoully 
 fed,  Matt.  xiv.  31.  and  chap.  xy.  38.  from  which  the 
 term  psedobaptifl  is  derived  j  but  the  word  is  texcoj, 
 quite  another  word,  and  which  fignifieth  poflerity  rather 
 than  little  children  or  infants.  This  is  fo  obvious, 
 that  Dr.  Hammond  *,  another  zealous  advocate  for 
 infant-baptifm,  hath  thefe  remarkable  words  on  the 
 place :  '  If  any  hath  made  ufe  of  that  very  uncludent 
 '  argument  (fo  he  fliles  it)    "  the  promife-is  made  to 
 
 •  you  and  your  children,"  I  have  nothing  to  fay  in 
 <  defence  of  them  j    I  think  the  word  children  there  is 
 
 *  really  the  pofterity  of  the  Jews.'  So  then,  in  the 
 opinion  of  this  learned  paedobaptift,  no  good  argument 
 can  be  drawn  from  this  palTage  to  the  right  of  the 
 infant-feed  of  believers  unto  chriftian  baptifm  j  and  in* 
 deed  it  is  IVrange  that  wife  and  good  men  fliould 
 infmuate  the  notion,  much  more  that  they  ftiould, 
 in  any  degree  refl  the  validity  of  infant-baptifm  on  an 
 expreflion  that  is  well  known  to  have  no  refpedl  to  the 
 infantile  Itate.     Befides,  the  promife  as  hinted,  has  no 
 
 relation 
 
 *  Refol,  6,  34.  Edit,  izvao,  p.  256, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  191 
 relation  to  baptifm.  Peter  exhorts  believers  to  be  bap- 
 tized, as  incumbent  on  as  many  as  the  Lord  fhall  call, 
 upon  which  they  are  entitled  to  claim  the  pron^fe,  and 
 encouraged  to  look  for  its  accomplifliment  in  the'r  own 
 experience,  to  their  fatisfadtion  and  joy ;  of  which,  by 
 the  way,  infants  are  incapable ;  nor  can  the  baptizing 
 of  infants  be  inferred  with  any  colour  of  reafon  from 
 this  declaration  of  the  apoftle. 
 
 The  propriety  of  Peter's  exprefllng  himfelf  in  this 
 manner  will  appear,  if  we  confider  that  the  Jews  were 
 "  the  children  of  the  prophets,  and  of  the  covenant 
 *'  God  made  with  their  fathers,  faying  to  Abraham, 
 "  And  in  thy  feed  fhall  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  ;^e 
 *'  blefled,"  A6tsiii.25.  To  them  belonged  the  promifes, 
 Rom.  ix.  4.  It  was  their  peculiar  honor  and  advantage 
 to  have  the  promife  of  the  Melliah,  and  of  the  blefUngs 
 of  life  and  grace,  which  come  on  the  called  through 
 faith  in  his  blood.  Hence  the  gofpel  was  firft  preached 
 to  them  :  "  Unto  you  firft,  God  having  raifcd  up  his 
 *'  Son  Jefus,  fent  him  to  blefs  you,  in  turning  away 
 **  every  one  of  you  from  his  iniquities,"  A6ts  iu.  26. 
 And  in  chap.  xiii.  47.  we  read  it  was  neceflary  that  the 
 word  of  God  fhould  firft  be  fpoken  to  them.  Indeed 
 the  promifes  afcertained  the  pardon  of  no  one  while 
 in  a  ftate  of  unbelief;  nor  was  an  Ifraelite,  who  firft 
 enjoyed  the  means  of  grace,  better  entitled  to  claim 
 remiffion  on  repentance  than  the  Gentiles  who  were 
 originally  void  ot  the  privilege ;  but  it  is  eafy  to  .fee 
 the  propriety  and  force  of  the  apoftle's  argument  with 
 thejfe  awakened  Jews,  who  were  now  convinced  that 
 
 fal  ration 
 
192  LECTURES    ON 
 
 falvation  was  in  no  other  than  in  that  fame  Jefus  whom 
 they  had  crucified.  The  promifc  being  unto  them  and 
 to  their  children  *,  even  to  as  many  as  the  Lord  their 
 God  fliall  call,  muft  needs  encourage  their  hope  as 
 partakers  of  this  calling,  notwithftantiing  their  aggra- 
 vated guilt,  fince  it  fhewed  there  was  mercy  even  for 
 them,  nor  could  they  defpair  under  fuch  a  perfuafion. 
 How  feafonable  and  juft  was  this  reafoning  of  the  apo- 
 ftle  with  the  people  who  had  not  only  murdered  the 
 Prince  of  life,  but  had  likewife  imprecated  his  blood  on 
 themfelves  and  on  their  children,  and  thereby,  as  far 
 as  in  their  power,  bound  their  blood-guikinefs  on  their 
 lateft  pofterity  I  O  the  tormenting  diftrefs  that  muft 
 attend  a  convidion  of  having  deftroyed  both  themfelves 
 and  their  children.  Dreadful  will  be  the  cafe  of  parents 
 who  fhall  hereafter,  as  fome  through  a  neglect  of  their 
 fouls  or  their  ill  example,  be  found  acceflary  to  the 
 damnation  of  their  offspring.  Thefe  Jerufalem-finners 
 were  verily  guilty  in  binding  their  pofterity  under  a 
 curfe  for  their  own  wickednefs,  and  no  doubt  it  lay 
 with  weight  on  their  confcience,  and  they  were  terrified 
 with  the  apprehenfion  of  having  excluded  themfelves 
 from  the  meicy  of  God  by  flaying  his  Son,  and  alfo  by 
 expofing  their  feed  to  his  wrath.  No,  as  if  Peter  fhould 
 fay,  though  you  have  been  thus  guilty,  guilty  of  the 
 blood  of  the  Lord,  and  guilty  in  curfing  your  poftcrity9 
 and  deferve  everlafling  deflruftion,  yet  God,  who  fore- 
 faw  all  your  wickednefs  and  knows  the  extent  of  his 
 own  grace,  hath  diredled  his  promife  to  you;  he 
 has  prom4fed  remiflion  of  fins  on  repentance  to  you  and 
 to  your  children,  even  to  as  many  as  he  fhall  effectually 
 
 call, 
 *  Matt,  xxvii.  25.  ra  rUvx,  the  fame  expreflion  ufcd  in  the  promife. 
 
PRIMIT'IVE  CHRISTIANITY.  193 
 call,  being  convinced  of  your  evil,  fear  not  to  flee  unto 
 this  fame  Jefus,  whom  you  have  crucified  ;  neither  ye, 
 nor  your  children,  not  one  of  you  are  excluded  from 
 the  report  of  falvaticn  in  the  Redeemer.  Therefore,  O 
 ye  men  of  Judea,  truft  in  the  Lord  and  be  faved  ! 
 **  Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you,  for  the 
 "  remiffion  of  fins,  &c."  Thus  Peter,  fkilful  in  the 
 word  of  righteoufnefs,  heals  and  animates  the  afflided 
 Jews,  who  lay  bleeding  under  a  fenfe  of  their  guilt 
 and  ready  to  perifh,  with  an  affurance  of  obtaining 
 mercy,  according  to  the  promife  made  to  them,  and  to 
 their  pofterity,  agreeable  to  the  golpel-report,  which 
 declares  that  "  whofoever  fhall  call  on  the  name  of 
 *'  the  Lord,  fhall  be  faved."  And  the  following  things 
 are  manifeft  from  the  whole  of  this  reply  to  thefe  en- 
 quiring finners, 
 
 I.  That  a  perfonal  and  cordial  repentance  is  of  in- 
 finite moment.  Repent  every  one  of  you.  No  man 
 fhall  receive  remiffion  of  fins,  or  be  faved  from  wrath 
 to  come,  without  that  repentance  unto  life  which  leads 
 the  fubje<ft  into  a  reliance  on  Jefus,  and  is  accompanied 
 with  a  fubmiffion  to  him  as  the  Lord's.  Chrift  and  an 
 all-fufHcient  Saviour.  It  is  of  univerfal  concern,  to 
 repent  in  the  fenfe  of  this  pafTage ;  and  every  one  who 
 is  pricked  in  the  heart  and  enquires,  what  he  fhall  do  ? 
 muft  be  exhorted  fo  to  repent.  Dear  Reader,  it 
 is  not  thy  hearing  the  word,  nor  any  convictions  of 
 fin,  under  which  thou  art  troubled ;  nor  is  it  barely  a 
 perfuafion  that  Jefus  is  the  Chrifl,  that  will  fufiice  thee. 
 '*  God  hath  fet  him  forth  a  propitiation,  through  faith 
 **  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteoufnefs  in  the  re- 
 N  '•  mi/Soa 
 
J94  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 *'  miffion  of  fins,"  Rom.  iij.  25.  This  faith  thou  muft 
 have.  He  only  that  believeth  in  Jefus,  fnall  obtaia 
 pardon  and  life  at  his  hands.  The  fcriptures  afford  no 
 ideas  of  remiflion  and  juftification,  exclufive  of  a  per<- 
 fonal  faith  in  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  The  promife  is 
 to  him  that  believeth,  and  they  only,  "  which  be  of 
 *'  faith,  are  blciTed  with  faithful  Abraham,"  Gal.  iii.  9, 
 Many  are  the  opinions  and  diftindions  which  even 
 great  and  good  men  have  advanced  in  the  world,  acr 
 cording  to  their  different  conceptions  of  the  methods  of 
 grace,  which  are  hard  to  reconcile ;  but  they  muft  all 
 be  reduced  to  this  certain  truth,  moft  clearly  revealed  in 
 the  gofpel,  namely,  that  without  repentance  there  is  no 
 remiffion.  And,  what  lefs  can  be  the  concern  of  a  wife 
 and  faithful  preacher  refpe£ling  each  of  his  hearers^ 
 than  that  he  fhould  obtain  mercy  thus  to.  repent  and 
 be  faved  ?     But, 
 
 IT.  Note  the  indifpenfible  duty  of  every  believer 
 to  be  baptized.  This  evident  truth  is  contradicted  in 
 the  practice  of  thofe  who  wjll  not  be  perfuaded  tq 
 fubmit  themfelves  to  the  Lord  in  this  divine  ordinance. 
 Art  thou  of  this  number,  my  Friend  ?  Serioufly  con- 
 fider !  Repentance  and  baptifm  in  the  name  of  Jefus, 
 are  infeparably  connected  in  the  charaiSler  of  him  to 
 whom  an  affurance  of  falvation  is  given  in  the  gofpel. 
 *'  He  that  believeth  apd  is  baptized,  fliall  be  faved," 
 Mark  xvi.  16,  This  is  the  fubftance  of  preaching 
 from  the  beginning;  and  thefe  God,  who  knoweth  all 
 things,  hath  joined  together  in  the  proclamations 
 pf  his  grice,  and  it  becomes  us  to  unite  therri 
 \n  practice.     The  man  that  would  boldly  claim  re- 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    195 
 
 miflion  of  fins  and  the  gift  of  the  Spirit,  is  no  more  ex-, 
 cufed  from  baptifm  than  from  repentance ;  not  that  the 
 one  or  the  other  is  in  any  fenfe  or  degree  the  merito- 
 rious caufe  of  pardon,  or  of  the  beftowment  of  fpiritual 
 blellings,  but  they  are  both  exprefly  and  abfolutely  in- 
 cluded in  the  defcriptlon  of  him  that  is  an  heir  of  the 
 promife.  And  doth  not  this  deferve  thy  moft  ferious 
 attention  ?  A  perfon  may  doubt  his  own  real  character, 
 and  fear  he  is  not  a  believer  in  Chrift,  in  proportion  to 
 which  his  comfort  is  lofl:,  and  he  is  prevented  from 
 chearful  obedience ;  or  he  may  think  that  what  his  pa- 
 rents did  with  him  when  an  infant,  is  fufHcient  to  an- 
 Iwer  the  demand  of  the  gofpel  on  them  who  would 
 hope  to  be  faved,  and  on  this  perfuafion  be  eafy  in  his 
 confcience,  yea  and  be  even  bold  in  his  profeflion  ;  but 
 what  man  can  modeftly  fay  or  foberly  think,  in  a  perufal 
 .  of  the  promife,  that  he  ftands  aflured  of  pardon  and 
 life,  while  he  negledls  or  refufeth  to  fubmit  to  the  au- 
 thority of  Jefus,  by  being  baptized  in  his  name  ?  It  is 
 truly  aftonifhing,  that  any  one  who  confcientioufly 
 holds  a  good  hope,  through  grace,  of  being  juftified  in 
 the  Lord,  can  a  moment  delay  his  conformity  to  this 
 plain  appointment,  and  thereby  exclude  himfelf  from  a 
 vifible  claim  in  the  promife  of  life,  through  his  blood  ! 
 Far  be  it  to  urge  on  difciples  any  opinion  or  dodlrine 
 of  men,  however  pioufly  defigned,  but  the  counfel  of 
 God  is  not  to  be  fhunned;  nor  could  I  count  myfelf 
 pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men,  if  I  fpared  to  infift  on 
 this  great  command  of  my  Mafter.  It  is  true  ordinances 
 are  no  faviours  ;  but,  my  Friend,  if  thou  art  tempted  to 
 jndifFerency  about  them,  remember  they  are  facred,  and 
 likewifc  binding  on  all  Chrift's  difciples,  and  that  fal- 
 N  2  vatioa 
 
196  LECTURESON 
 
 vatlofi  is  to  be  obtained  in  a  way  of  gofpel-obedience. 
 Take  heed  to  thyfelf.  Indeed  a  man  may  conform  to 
 this  external  appointment  of  the  Saviour,  and  never- 
 thelefs,  like  Simon  the  forcerer,  remain  in  the  gaul  of 
 bitternefs  and  bonds  of  iniquity ;  therefore  truft  not  to 
 any  profeflion  whatever,  but  at  the  fame  time  confider 
 that  no  man  can  fufficiently  prove  his  repentance  or 
 fubjedlion  of  heart  to  the  Redeemer,  who  refuses  to  be 
 baptized  in  his  name.  In  one  word,  baptifm  is  a  plain, 
 eafy  and  exprefs  inftitution  of  our  Lord,  in  the  negleft 
 of  which  no  man  can  yield  a  compleat  evidence  of  his 
 faith  in  Chrift;  neither  will  any  works,  however  ufeful 
 ;ind  excellent  in  their  kind,  without  this  work  of  righ- 
 teoufnefs  (for  fo  our  Lord  ftiles  it)  prove  that  we  are 
 his  difciples  indeed.  "  Repent  and  be  baptized  every 
 *'  one  of  you,"  is  the  language  of  heaven  to  the  end  of 
 the  world,  wherever  the  gofpel  is  preached :  And  a  fkil- 
 ful  and  faithful  minifter,  however  this  ordinance  may 
 be  negle£led  or  defpifcd  in  his  day,  will  not  be  fatisfied 
 without  putting  every  one  of  his  hearers  not  only  on 
 trufting  in  Jefus,  but  likewife  on  being  baptized  in  his 
 name,  as  he  tenders  the  glory  of  Chrifl  and  his  own 
 future  joy.     But  again, 
 
 III.  It  is  further  to  be  noted,  that  in  the  mlfjiftra- 
 tion  of  the  gofpel,  there  is  a  free  and  open  proclacnation 
 of  pardon  hi  the  name  of  Chrift  to  every  penitent  fin- 
 ner.  This  known  and  joyful  truth  is  confirmed  by  the 
 inftance  before  us.  Here  is  no  exception  or  difference. 
 The  moft:  guilty  of  thofe  Jerufaleni-tranfgreflbrs  is  af- 
 fured  of  remillion  on  his  repentance ;  which  may  fervc 
 to  prevent  the  malicious  and  cruel  defign  of  the  enemy 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHP^ISTIANITY.    197 
 
 in  his  attempt  to  difhearten  a  foul  deeply  fenfible  of 
 abounding  iniquity.  Multitudes  defpif^  or  negledt  di- 
 vine grace,  from  light  apprehenfions  of  guilt.  The 
 power  of  fatan  in  the  minds  of  the  unregenerate  lies 
 much  in  a  fubtil  extenuation  of  fm ;  the  enemy  puts  a 
 falfe  glofs  on  the  evil  thereof  in  thought,  word  and 
 deed  ;  thus  covers  its  bafencfs  and  eafily  obtains  on 
 apoftate  man,  through  the  deceitfulnefs  of  his  flefh ; 
 infomuch  that,  being  hardened,  he  continues  unafFeded 
 with  the  glory  and  importance  of  falvation  by  Chrift. 
 But  v/hen  this  flattering  peace  or  fecurity  is  broke  up, 
 by  powerful  convi£tions  from  the  Spirit,  the  old  ferpent 
 turns  the  tables  upon  him ;  he  takes  occafion  from  his 
 knk  of  guilt  to  difcourage  his  hope  in  the  mercy  of 
 God,  and  to  drive  him  Into  defpair:  Now  he  transforms 
 himfclf  into  an  angel  of  light;  he  magnifies  the  divine 
 juftice  and  holinefs,  and  the  righteoufnefs  of  the  law, 
 which  is  broken,  and  its  rigor  as  a  covenant  of  works, 
 that  men  under  convi6tion  may  apprehend  their  tranf- 
 greffions  have  exceeded  the  extent  of  God's  mercy  in 
 Chrift.  The  afflicted,  felf-condemned  fmner  too  readily- 
 Jiftens  to  thefe  infinuations,  and  thereby  often  becomes 
 reduced  to  the  utmoft  extremity.  But  if  any  man 
 is  under  a  temptation  of  this  fort,  be  it  known  unto 
 him,  that  the  devil  is  a  liar.  Thefe  fuggeftions  direflly 
 contradict  the  counfels  of  heaven,  which  declare  that 
 *'  where  fm  hath  abounded,  grace  doth  much  more 
 *'  abound,"  Rom.  v.  20.  There  are  none  fo  aban- 
 doned and  vile  in  their  ftate  of  ignorance  and  unbelief, 
 but,  feeing  themfelves  loft  and  undone,  they  are  invited 
 to  Jefus  for  life.  God  is  faithful ;  and  the  merit  of 
 Chrift  is  fufficient  to  illuftrate  his  righteoufnefs  in  the 
 N  3  pardon 
 
LECTURES    ON 
 
 pardon  of  fin.  '*  Ho  every  one  that  thirfleth,  come 
 "  ye  to  the  waters,"  Ifa.  Iv.  i.  And  again,  ver.  8. 
 *'  Let  i.he  wicked  forfake  his  way  and  return  unio  the 
 *'  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy  upon  him  j  and  to 
 *'  our  God,  for  he  will  abundantly  pardon."  And, 
 is  not  this  correfpondent  with  Peter's  encouragement  to 
 the  Jews  on  repentance  ?  The  Infidelity,  prophanenefs, 
 Injuftice  and  cruelty,  which  attended  their  murder  of 
 the  Son  of  God,  and  their  treatment  of  the  holy  Jefus 
 as  an  impofler  and  blafphemer,  in  oppofition  to  the 
 moll:  ftriking  and  miraculous  evidence  from  heaven  of 
 his  being  the  MefTiah,  was  a  crime  the  aggravations  of 
 which  are  not  to  be  exprefled  j  yet  we  fee  that  among 
 the  thoufands  charged  with  this  guilt,  who  were  con- 
 vinced of  their  wickednefs,  and  flood  in  need  of  a  Sa- 
 viour, every  one  is  directed  to  fubmit  unto  him  they 
 had  crucified,  with  a  promife  of  fuccefs.  What  a  pat- 
 tern is  here  of  the  long-fufFerance  of  God,  and  the 
 riches  of  his  grace !  Say  not,  O  mourning  tranfgreflbr, 
 my  fins,  which  are  gone  over  my  head,  are  too  many 
 and  great  to  be  forgiven  !  This  is  the  language  of 
 curfed  unbelief,  and  the  devil  j  it  makes  God  a  liar  in 
 the  proclamations  of  his  grace,  and  is  a  virtual  denial  of 
 this  amazing  inftance  of  fovereign  mercy,  by  which  it 
 appears  that  the  diyine  purpofe  in  Chrift  is  equal,  yea 
 exceeds  the  moft  accumulated  guilt  of  him  that  xe- 
 pents.  Therefore  under  whatever  fpecious  fhew  the 
 enemy  would  infinuate  defpair,  rejeft  the  temptation 
 as  contrary  to  the  truth  of  God  and  his  Son.  It  is  ut- 
 terly inexcufable  to  defpair  of  mercy  after  thefe  decla- 
 rations and  examples  of  full  and  free  pardon.  Unbe- 
 lief in  them  tg  whom  the  gofpel  is  fent,  is  horrid  and 
 
 fatal ', 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     199 
 
 fatal ;   it  admits  of  no  excufe,   but  juftly  expofes  the  , 
 impenitent  fubje£t  to  the  forefl:  condemnation.     And 
 further, 
 
 IV.  The  premifes  fhew  that  no  real  penitent  is  to 
 be  refufed  the  ordinances  of  the  gofpel,  however  bad 
 his  former  convefation  may  have  been.  Some  plead 
 for  open  communion,  and  make  light  of  baptifm 
 itfelf.  If  any  man  appears  to  them  pious,  though  he 
 is  not  conformed  to  that  divine  inftitution,  they  em- 
 brace him,  and  cenfure  their  brethren  who  cannot  dif- 
 penfe  with  an  ordinance  of  Chrift  under  any  confidera- 
 tion  whatever,  while  they  applaud  themfelves  as  per- 
 fons  of  a  truly  catholic  fpirit ;  but  in  fa6l,  a  right  to 
 chriftian  communion  is  not  entirely  grounded  in  the 
 piety  of  the  fubje£l,  but  requires  an  open  confeflion  of 
 Jefus,  and  devotion  to  him  in  baptifm.  A  man,  being 
 called,  will  hereafter  fit  down  with  the  faints  in  the 
 kingdom  in  heaven,  who,  yet  remaining  unbaptized, 
 hath  no  place  in  the  church  on  earth.  The  Lord 
 knows  them  that  are  his,  and  accepts  them ;  but  he 
 has  commanded  his  difciples  to  be  baptized  in  his 
 name.  And,  is  it  the  perfe6lion  of  charity  to  prefume 
 againft  his  exprefs  will  and  pleafure  ?  But  then,  on  the 
 the  other  hand,  no  man,  who  proves  his  repentance,  is 
 to  be  denied  baptifm,  or  being  baptized,  the  privilege  of 
 the  faithful,  merely  becaufe  he  was  a  notorious 
 tranfgreflbr  before  converfion.  The  men  of  Judea, 
 though  guilty  of  the  blood  of  Jefus  himfelf,  on  con- 
 vidlion,  were  directed  to  baptifm;  and  we  find  them 
 afterward  admitted  to  the  fellowfhip  of  the  church. 
 Alfo  at  Corinth,  perfons  who  had  formerly  lived  in  a 
 N  4  moft 
 
ICO  LECTURES    ON 
 
 moft  ftiameful  manner,  being  fandlified  by  grace,  are 
 numbered  with  the  faints  in  that  city,  i  Cor.  vi.  g. 
 Yea  2nd  fome,  who  once  in  ignorance,  like  the  apoftle 
 of  the  Gentiles,  would  have  deftroyed  the  faith,  after 
 they  were  called  became  (hining  inftances  of  holinefs 
 and  zeal,  to  the  praife  of  the  grace  they  received.  I 
 hope  none  will  abufe  this  mercy  to  their  ruin  ;  and  far 
 be  it  hence  to  infmuate  that  churches  are  not  to  be 
 careful  whom  they  receive.  A  profligate  fmner,  or 
 one  who  hath  openly  oppofed  the  truth,  if  a  genuine 
 penitent,  will  of  himfelf  afford  every  poflible  evidence 
 of  his  converfion  ;  the  fruits  of  which  are  to  be  waited 
 for.  And  a  man  may  be  juftly  fufpe£ted,  who  would 
 intrude  himfelf  on  others,  who  are  not  fatisfied  of  his 
 repentance.  But  to  ftand  ofF>  or  to  refufe  the  right 
 hand  of  fellowfliip,  to  one  that  is  truly  and  vifibly  hum- 
 bled for  his  fins,  and  who  gives  proper  evidence  of  his 
 faith  in  the  Redeemer,  becaufe  of  his  former  evil  con- 
 verfation,  left  it  (hould  offend  or  bring  a  difgrace  on 
 religion,  as  fome  apprehend,  or  indeed  on  any  other 
 pretence,  however  piaufible,  favors  of  ignorance  and 
 pharifaical  pride.  This  at  beft  is  no  other  than  carnal 
 reafon,  and  contrary  to  the  counfel  of  God.  Chrift 
 Jefus  came  into  the  world  to  fave  fmners,  and  they 
 who  would  rejedl  fuch  when  penitent,  forget  that  they 
 themfelves  were  once  the  fervants  of  fm,  they  run 
 counter  to  the  manifeft  defign  of  the  miflion  and  incar- 
 nation of  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  example  of  all  fcrip- 
 ture-hiftory.     But  to  proceed, 
 
 V.  Upon  the  fame  principle,   no  repenting  finner 
 fhould  be  afraid  or  afhamed  to  confefs  the  Lord  Jefus 
 
 Chrift, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  201 
 Chrift,  becaufe  of  his  paft  rebellion  and  w.'ckednefs. 
 It  is  probable  that  Saul,  while  he  lay  at  Damafcus, 
 feared  to  own  his  converfion  by  putting  on  Chrid,  be- 
 caufe he  had  blafphcmed  his  name  and  perfecuted  his 
 people  in  the  time  of  his  ignorance.  We  know  that 
 this  was  his  obje<5lion  againft  going  to  Jerufalem  : 
 "  Lord,  faith  he,  they  know  that  I  imprifoned,  and 
 *'  beat  in  every  fynagogue  them  that  believed  on  thee ; 
 *'  and  when  the  blood  of  thy  martyr  Stephen  v/as  flied, 
 "  I  was  ftanding  by,  confenting  unto  his  death,  and 
 *'  kept  the  raiment  of  them  that  flew  him,"A6cs  xxii,  19. 
 Certain  it  is  that  a  view  of  his  fmfulnefs  occafioned  his 
 delay,  as  appears  from  the  exhortation  of  Ananias: 
 *'  And  now  why  tarried  thou  ?  arife  and  be  baptized, 
 *'  and  wafh  away  thy  fins,  calling  on  the  name  of  the 
 *'  Lord,"  ver.  16.  So  then  a  view  of  his  aggravated 
 guilt  hindered  him  awhile,  from  a  public  acknowledg- 
 ment of  the  Saviour  in  baptifm.  For  the  like  reafon 
 many  decline  a  confeflion  of  Chrill.  They  have  been 
 guilty  of  fuch  and  fuch  heinous  tranfgreflions  in  life, 
 and  therefore  they  are  afhamed  or  afraid  of  making  a 
 profeflion  of  their  faith,  but  without  a  caufe;  for 
 as  no  man  is  to  be  refufed  by  others,  fo  neither  fliould 
 any  man  himfelf  delay  baptifm  on  account  of  his  noto- 
 rious bad  life  in  time  paft.  If  not  only  Saul  the  blaf- 
 phemer  and  perfecutor,  but  alfo  every  convinced  Jew, 
 even  though  he  had  been  actually  concerned  in  cruci- 
 fying Chrift,  is  direfled  and  encouraged,  on  repentance, 
 to  be  baptized  in  his  name,  what  colour  of  reafon 
 can  there  be  for  a  penitent  to  decline  an  open  con- 
 feffion  of  the  Lord,  or  to  abftain  from  the  privileges 
 of  the  gofpel,  becaufe  of  his  vilenefs  before  conver- 
 fion ? 
 
202  LECTURESON 
 
 fion  ?  And  is  this  thy  temptation,  dear  Reader  ?  Bring 
 forth  the  fruits  of  repentance,  and  fear  not  to  glorify 
 thy  Redeemer  by  a  public  devotion  to  his  name.  He 
 that  plucked  thee  as  a  brand  from  the  fire,  and  took 
 away  thy  filthy  garments,  hath  beftowed  this  mercy 
 upon  thee,  that  thou  mayeft  appear  a  monument  of  his 
 grace  in  the  fight  of  the  world  to  his  praife.  Be  of 
 good  courage  :  why  tarrieft  thou  ?  arife  and  be  baptized 
 without  further  delay.     Once  more. 
 
 Note  VI.  It  is  fufficient  encouragement  to  awakened 
 Jlnners,  that  unto  them  the  word  of  falvation  is  fent. 
 This  is  the  argument,  and  the  only  argument  of  the 
 apoftle  with  the  Jews,  to  encourage  their  hope  of  re- 
 miffion  and  the  gift  of  the  Spirit,  on  their  being  bap- 
 tized. O  it  is  an  unfpeakable  mercy  and  joy  to  a  con- 
 vinced tranfgreflbr  who  is  ready  to  perifti,  when  he 
 finds  the  word  of  the  gofpel  directed  to  him,  that  he  is 
 fo  far  from  being  excluded  from  the  promife  of  life, 
 that  Jefus  invites  him  !  This  is  the  firft  ground  of 
 hope  to  the  awakened  finner.  Hence  he  is  induced  to 
 flee,  under  all  his  guilt  and  unworthinefs,  unto  him  that 
 is  able  and  willing  to  fave  him ;  and  with  the  higheft 
 reafon,  for  furely  a  true  penitent  may  fafely  venture  on 
 the  faithfulnefs  and  power  of  God  to  glorify  his  righ- 
 teoufnefs  in  the  pardon,  fanftification  and  eternal  fal- 
 vation of  his  foul,  according  to  his  word.  And  indeed 
 the  only  folid  foundation  of  hope  is  the  teftimony  of 
 God.  '*  I  wait  for  the  Lord,  and  in  his  word  do 
 *'  I  hope,"  Pfalm  cxxx.  5.  That  hope  which  is  not 
 grounded  in  the  divine  word,  will  never  prove  an  an- 
 chor of  the  foul  in  an  hour  of  temptation.    But  the 
 
 perilhing 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    203 
 
 perifliing  finner  laying  hold  of  the  proclamations  of 
 grace  in  Chrift  Jefus,  as  dire6led  to  him,  will  not 
 fail,  through  the  affiftance  of  the  Spirit,  to  hope  in 
 the  Redeemer,  and  none  ever  truftcd  in  him  and  were 
 afhamed. 
 
 These  are  the  truths  which  clearly  refuk  frcm  Pe- 
 ter's reply  to  the  earneft  queftion  of  the  Jews,  wh'>  ap- 
 plied in  diftrcfs  under  a  conviction  of  their  fins,  rj^ime- 
 ly,  the  infinite  importance  of  being  found  among  thofe 
 who  repent  and  believe,  and  their  indifpenfible  duty  to 
 be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus.  It  likewife  proves  that 
 a  free  and  full  pardon  is  opened  in  the  miniftration  of  the 
 gofpel  to  every  one  that  repents,  and  tnat  no  real  peni- 
 tent is  to  be  refufed  the  ordinances  of  Chrift  merely  on 
 account  of  his  former  had  conduit  j  neither  fliould  he 
 for  this  realon  fhun  a  profeffion  of  his  name.  And 
 finally  it  appears  that  the  confideration  of  the  divine 
 promife  of  life  in  Jefus  being  diredfed  unto  him,  is  a 
 fufficient  ground  of  encouragement  to  the  awakened 
 fmner,  who  is  ready  to  pcrifh,  to  truft  in  the  Lord, 
 and  be  baptized  in  his  name,  in  a  certain  expectation 
 of  being  faved  through. grace. 
 
 This  is  the  fum  of  the  gofpel.  And  thus  our  Sa- 
 viour taught  his  difciples,  that  *'  it  behoved  Chrift  to 
 "  fufFer,  and  to  rile  from  the  dead  the  third  day,  and 
 "  that  repentance  and  remiffion  of  fins  fhould  be 
 "  preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  beginning 
 *'  at  Jerufalem,"  Luke  xxiv.  46.  The  report  of  this 
 grace,  in  rhe  form  of  an  exhortation,  was  from  the  he- 
 ginning  addrefled   to  every  enquiring  hearer  of  the 
 
 word. 
 
204  LECTURES    ON 
 
 word.  Thus  Jefus  hlmfelf  "  came  into  Galilee  preach- 
 *'  ing  the  gofpel  of  the  kingdom  of  God, — faying, 
 "  R.epent  ye  and  believe  the  gofpel,"  Mark  i.  15,  16. 
 And  unto  the  Jews  in  their  blindnefs  he  falih,  "  Ex- 
 *'  cept  ye  repent,  ye  fhall  all  likewife  perifh,"  Luke- 
 xiii.  3.  And  again,  "  If  ye  believe  not  that  I  am  he, 
 "  yp  {hall  die  in  your  fins,"  John  viii.  24.  This  in- 
 deed includes  a  credit  of  him  as  the  AiefTiah,  but  car- 
 ries in  it  more,  even  that  repentance  which  ftands  con- 
 nefted  with  remiflion  of  fins,  as  appears  from  the  terms 
 of  the  threatning  in  cafe  of  impenitence.  Nor  is  it 
 becoming  or  fafe,  to  leflen  the  importance  of  the  repen- 
 tance and  faith  univerfally  enjoined  in  the  miniftration 
 of  the  gofpel,  on  any  pretence  whatever.  And  as  Chrift 
 himfelf,  fo  did  his  apoftles  preach  the  gofpel  to  every 
 one  wherever  they  went.  This  account  Paul  gives  of 
 his  miniftry  in  his  appeal  to  the  elders  of  Ephefus, 
 Adls  XX.  21.  teftifying,  ^iap,«p%po/^£>':^ ;  not  fimply  pub- 
 liftiing  the  do(5trine,  nor  barely  fhewing  the  neceffity  of 
 '*  repentance  towards  God  and  faith  toward  our  Lord 
 *'  Jefus  Chrift."  The  word  fignifies  to  call  upon  or 
 charge  the  obje£l  addrefi'ed ;  and  thus  it  is  ufed  by  the 
 apoftle  to  Timothy,  2  epiftle  iv.  i.  "I  charge  thee 
 *^  therefore  before  God,  &c."  This  Paul  did  both  to 
 Jews  and  Greeks,  not  only  (hewing  them  that  repen- 
 tance was  needful  to  the  remiffion  of  fins,  but  ftirring 
 them  up  to  repent;  which  agrees  with  what  he  declares 
 to  Agrippa  in  the  court  of  Cefaria,  chap.  xxvi.  ,20. 
 namely,  that  he  *'  ihewed  firft  to  them  at  Damafcus, 
 *'  and  at  Jerufalem,  and  throughout  all  the  coafts  of 
 **  Judea,  and  then  to  the  Gentiles,  that  they  fhould 
 *'  repent  and  turn  to  God,  and  do  works  meet  for  re- 
 
 "  pentance." 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.   205 
 
 '*  pentance."  In  like  manner,  in  the  inftance  before 
 us,  Peter's  exhortation  indeed  was  occafioned  by  the 
 enquiry  of  perfons  convinced  of  their  need  of  a  Saviour  ; 
 and  no  one  without  fucji  conviilicn  can  pofiibly  truft 
 in  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift;  yet  the  apoftle's  addrefs  ex- 
 tends to  the  whole  of  his  audience,  and  his  argument 
 comprehends  every  Jew  to-whom  the  promife  belonged, 
 even  all  the  houfe  of  Ifrael,  and  every  one  in  particular, 
 prefent  or  abfent,  under  the  like  convidlion,  is  exhorted 
 and  encouraged  by  thefe  words  of  Peter,  to  repent  and 
 be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus  for  the  remiflion  of 
 fms.  It  is  the  office  of  the  Spirit  to  convince  men  of 
 Hn  J  neither  will  any  turn  to  the  Lord,  who  are  not 
 ready  to  perifh,  and  faith  itfelf  is  the  gift  of  God ; 
 hence  they  only  in  whom  a  divine  power  is  exerted, 
 will  obey  this  external  call  in  the  gofpel ;  yet  every 
 one  is  called,  and  ought  to  be  intreated  and  charged  to 
 repent  and  believe,  that  is,  as  a  perifliing  fmner  to  flee 
 unto  Jefus,  who  is  the  only  and  all-fufficient  Saviour, 
 according  to  ancient  prophecy,  Ifa.  xlv.  22.  "  Look 
 *'  unto  me,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  and  be  faved." 
 Thus  to  the  end  of  the  world  the  gofpel  is  preached  to 
 every  creature,  that  the  Lord  working  efFedtually  in 
 the  hearts  of  his  chofen,  may  grant  them  repentance 
 nnto  life,  and  bring  them  to  the  obedience  of  faith. 
 
 And  nov/,  my  dear  Reader,  what  doft  thou  think  of 
 thefe  things,  or  thyfelf  ?  Haft  thou  long  fat  under  (he 
 report  of  the  gofpel  unconcerned  and  impenitent  ?  how 
 hard  is  thine  heart,  and  how  great  is  thy  danger !  thou 
 ^rt  yet  in  thy  unSj   fenfual  in  thy  ftate,  and  void  of 
 
 the 
 
2o6  LECTURESON 
 
 the  Spirit;  and  if  deith  overtakes  thee  in  this  fad  con- 
 dition, thou  art  forever  undone  !  Confider,  I  befeech 
 thee  J  the  Judge  is  at  (he  door,  and  this  night  thy  foul 
 may  be  required  at  thine  hands.  The  foul  out  of 
 Chrift  muft  perifli ;  in  which  dreadful  cafe  thy  blood 
 will  be  upon  thee,  the  weight  of  which  v/ill  fmk  thee 
 in  the  bottomlefs  gulph  of  perdition  !  O  then  repent 
 and  fiee  unto  Jcfus ;  there  is  no  other  name  under 
 heaven  whereby  thou  canft  be  faved.  Precious  and 
 wonderful  are  the  bkllings  of  pardon  and  fan6lification 
 fet  forth  in  the  gofpcl  :  To  be  a  partaker  of  thefe  is  of 
 the  utmoft  confcqucnce  to  every  man;  yet  alas,  how 
 lightly  efteemed,  how  greatly  neglected  and  defpifed  ! 
 Whence  is  it  that  the  Icaft  profpecl  of  temporal  riches 
 and  pleafure,  or  earthly  enjoyments,  things  compari- 
 tively  trifling  and  vain,  immediately  ftrike  thy  atten- 
 tion ;  while  alas,  the  unfearchable  riches  of  Chrift, 
 rcminion  of  hns,  and  the  Holy  Ghoft,  (gifts  of  infinite 
 value  in  themfelves,  and  of  no  lefs  importance)  are  To 
 obvioufly  and  fhamefully  flighted  ?  The  moment  the 
 things  of  this  world  are  reported  in  the  ear,  and  pro- 
 pofed  to  a  man,  he  feels  in  himfelf  a  dcfire,  perhaps  an 
 unlawful  defirc,  of  the  obje£l;  and  in  proportion  to  the 
 confidence  he  hath  of  obtaining  it,  he  is  prone  to  an 
 excefs  of  joy  ;  whereas  the  report  of  thefe  fpiritual 
 blelhngs,  necelTary  to  the  fruition  of  God,  are  heard  by 
 moft  v/ithout  any  emmotion  of  heart,  or  even  the  le^ft 
 concern  about  a  pcrfonal  intercil  in  them, 
 
 Strange  and  lamentable  this !  yet  perfe6tly  natural 
 to  a  mind  that  is  bliiidcd  by  the  god  of  this  world,  and 
 
 hardened 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    207 
 
 hardened  through  the  deceitfulnefs  of  fin.  The  con- 
 fcience  of  an  unregenerate  man  is  not  duly  if  at  all  af- 
 fe<Sed  with  his  native  guilt  and  pollution,  or  the  righ- 
 jteoufnefs  of  God,  or  judgment  to  come.  Hence  the 
 grace  of  the  gofpel  cannot  raife  his  attention  or  engage 
 his  purfuit.  If  this  is  thy  cafe,  may  the  Lord  open 
 thine  eyes,  and  grant  thee  a  fight  of  thy  real  condition. 
 But  if  thou  art  now  faying  in  thine  heart,  under  a 
 deep  fenfe  of  thine  iniquity,  What  fhall  I  do  ?  To 
 thee  this  word  of  falvation  is  fent.  It  is  the  word 
 of  the  Lord  which  abideth  for  ever,  and  the  voice 
 of  God  to  every  one  by  the  miniftration  of  his  gof- 
 pel;  "  Repent  and  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus 
 ^*  Chrift,  for  the  remiflion  of  fins."  And,  as  God  ig 
 true,  "  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  fhall  be 
 "  faved." 
 
 To  conclude.  Remiffion  of  fins,  and  emiffion  of  the 
 Holy  Ghoft,  are  the  two  capital  bleffings  of  the  gofpel. 
 To  procure  thefc  the  Son  of  God  was  manifeft  in  the 
 ilefh,  and  became  obedient  to  the  death  of  the  crofs. 
 Thy  Saviour,  O  Chriftian,  fufFered  and  died  a  facrifice 
 for  fin,  that  juftice  being  fatisfied  by  his  complete 
 atonement,  the  divine  holinefs  might  be  vindicated  in 
 befiiowing  grace  on  the  chofen.  Hence,  as  we  have 
 feen,  the  Redeemer  having  finifhed  his  work,  afcended 
 to  the  Father ;  and  upon  receiving  the  promife  of  the 
 Spirit,  he  fhed  him  forth  on  the  difciples,  that  repen- 
 tance and  remiffion  of  fins  might  be  preached  in  his 
 name,  for  the  converfion  and  joy  of  the  redeemed 
 :imong  men.    And,  art  thou  a  partaker  of  this  heavenly 
 
 callinp;  ? 
 
20g  LECTURES     ON 
 
 calling  ?  give  diligence  to  prove  it  >  *'  be  of  good  chear, 
 "  thy  Tins  are  forgiven  thee."  But  remember  that 
 *'  to  whom  much  is  forgiven,  the  fame  loveth  much." 
 Abound  then  in  thefe  fruits  of  Icvo,  that  tliy  faith  may 
 appear,  and  grace  may  be  magnified  in  thine  eternal 
 falvation. 
 
 LECTURE    XIV. 
 
 The  converted  Jews  teftify  their  reception  of  the  gof- 
 pel,  in  being  baptized  and  joining  the  church.  Notes 
 on  their  vlfible  obedience  to  the  faith. 
 
 THE  further  we  advance,  the  more  we  have  reafon 
 to  admire  !  It  was  truly  aftonifhing  that  remif- 
 fion  of  fms  fliould  be  preached  in  the  name  of  Jefus 
 to  them  who  had  been  guilty  of  his  blood,  and  that  any 
 of  them,  in  diftrefs,  fliould  apply  to  his  apoftles  for  ad- 
 vice; but  ftill  more  extraordinary  is  the  real  converfion 
 of  a  multitude,  who  had  defied  every  kind  of  external 
 evidence  to  his  charadter  as  the  Mefliah,  and  even  glo- 
 ried in  having  procured  his  execution.  To  behold 
 thoufands  of  thefe  murderers  of  the  Lord  take  up  the 
 erofs  in  an  open  confeffion  of  his  name,  whom  they  had 
 lately  put  to  death  as  an  impofter,  may  juftly  ftrike  us 
 with  wonder  ;  yet  this  was,  through  the  power  of  God, 
 the  efFeit  of  Peter's  difcourfe  j  for  we  read,  A£ts  ii.  41. 
 *^  Then  they  that  gladly  received  the  word  were  bap- 
 *^  ti^ed  3  and  the  fame  day  there  were  ^dded  unto  them 
 
 *'  abou^ 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     209 
 
 **  about  three  thoufand  fouls."  Thus  the  omnipotent 
 arm  of  fovcreign  grace  is  ever  vidorious,  and  it  came 
 to  pzL  ^as  the  prophet  foretold,  "  Thy  people  fh?ill  be 
 "  willing  in  tlie  day  of  thy  pcv/er."  The  particulars 
 of  this  remarkable  account  being  opened,  will  lead  us 
 to  feveral  points  efiential  to  the  experience  and  du'y 
 of  them  who  are  efieilually  called. 
 
 First,  We  are  tdJ  that  t'.ey  r^c.hcd  his  word, 
 i.  e.  believed  ihe-gofpel  he  preached.  In  believing 
 there  is  a  reception  of  the  word  and  of  Chriil  revealed 
 in  it.  And  accordingly  in  John  i.  j2.  they  who  re- 
 ceived him,  are  t'ie  fame  with  thole  who  believed  on 
 his  name ;  which  agrees  with  what  our  Lord  fays  in  his 
 addrefs  to  the  Father  concerning  his  difciplcs  :  **  I 
 *'  have  given  them  rhy  words,  and  they  have  received 
 *'  them,"  John  xvii.  8. 
 
 Unbelievers  rejc£i:  the  word  of  falvation,  and  like 
 many  at  Antioch,  A6tb  xiii.  46.  put  it  from  them,  and 
 thereby  judge  themlelves  unworthy  of  everlafting  life. 
 But  thefe  men,  being  awakened  and  convinced,  be- 
 lieved the  report,  and  accounting  it  a  faithful  faying 
 and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  embraced  and  applied  it. 
 They  were  helped,  through  grace,  to  "  receive  the 
 ^'  engrafted  word,  which  is  able  to  fave  our  fouls." 
 And  that  to  receive  the  word  in  the  fenfe  of  this  place, 
 carries  in  it  nothing  lefs  than  the  obedience  of  faith,  or 
 z  receiving  Chnft  Jefus  the  Lord,  appears  from  the 
 event. 
 
 Note  again.    The  manner  in  which  they  embraced 
 the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  namely,  with  pkafure.     "  Then 
 
 O  *'  they 
 
210  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 *'  they  that  gladly  received  his  word."  They  received 
 it  with  all  readinefs  of  mind.  As  Zaccheus,  when  call- 
 ed by  the  Saviour  from  the  fycamore-tree,  "  he  mad« 
 **  hafte  and  came  dov/n  and  received  him  joyfully,"  Lukq 
 xix.  6.  Thus  the  people  of  Galilee,  who  waited  for  Je- 
 fus  when  he  returned  from  the  country  of  the  Gadarenes, 
 gladly  received  him  again  :  So  when  the  word  is  mixed 
 with  faith,  it  is  attended  with  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
 I  ThefT.  vi.  i.  Some  joy  of  heart  hath  been  felt  by 
 that  man  who  knows  the  found  of  the  gofpel,  which 
 is  joyful  tidings  to  the  perifhing  fmner.  Thy 
 frame,  chriftian  Reader,  may  at  prefent  be  forrowful  j 
 but  once,  when  firft  the  promife  of  remiflion  was  re- 
 ceived, it  gladdened  thine  heart.  And  this  was  the 
 experience  of  David  :  *'  Thy  teftimonies  have  I  taken 
 *'  as  my  heritage  for  ever,  for  they  are  the  rejoicing 
 *'  of  my  heart,"  Pfalm  cxix.  iii.  And  again:  "I 
 **  rejoice  at  thy  word,  as  one  that  findeth  great  fpoil," 
 ver.  162.  which  agrees  with  Matt.  xiii.  44.  "  The 
 "  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  treafure  hid  in  a 
 **  field  ;  the  which  when  a  man  hath  found  he  hideth, 
 "  and  for  joy  thereof  goeth  and  felleth  all  that  he  hath, 
 "  and  buyeth  that  field."  Such  is  the  efiedl  of  the  gofpel, 
 Vv'hen  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  the  falvation  of  a, 
 man  that  believes  j    he  gladly  receives  it, 
 
 IS'ow  they  who  indeed  thus  obey  from  the  heart  this 
 form  of  dodtrine,  are  naturally  willing  to  tefrify  the 
 faxne  in  every  a6|:  of  external  obedience  j  and  accord- 
 ingly thefe  Jews  yvere  immediately  baptized,  and  thereby 
 openly  and  readily  acknowledged  Chrift  Jefus  the  Lorcj. 
 Baptifm  is  one  part  of  the  counfel  of  God,  v>'hich  the 
 
 apoftlq 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     2ir 
 
 apoftle  had  declared.  The  minifters  of  Chrift  are  to 
 teach  not  barely  repentance,  but  the  baptifm  of  repen- 
 tance for  the  remiffion  of  fins,  i.  e.  it  becomes  them 
 to  diredl  all  who  repent,  to  be  baptized  on  a  confefTion 
 of  their  guilt  and  their  faith  in  the  Mefiiah.  In  this 
 manner  John  baptift  began  in  the  wildernefs,  "  bap- 
 *.'  tizing  with  the  baptifni  of  repentance,  faying  to  the 
 *••  people,  that  they  fnould  believe  on  him  that  fliouM 
 "  come  after  him,  that  is,  on  Chrifl  Jefus,"  Adis 
 xix.  4.  And  after  the  Lord  "was  rifcn,  he  fent  forth 
 his  apoftles,  faying,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
 *'  preach  the  gofpel  to  every  creature.  He  that  be- 
 "  lieveth  and  is  baptized,  fliall  bs  faved,"  Mark  xvi. 
 15,  16.  This  agrees  with  the  hiilory  of  the  eunuch, 
 in  "which  it  appears  that  Philip  had,  in  his  difcourfe 
 treated  on  the  do6lrine  of  baptifm,  on  a  profeflion  of 
 faith.  Hence  he  takes  the  firft  opportunity  to  propofe 
 himfelf,  and  this  is  the  reply  of  his  fpiritual  guide : 
 "  If  thou  believeft  with  all  thine  heart,  thou  mayeft," 
 A6ls  viii,  36,  37.  Thus  they  who  receive  the  word 
 are  to  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord ;  *'  for  with  the 
 *■'  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteoufnefs,  and  with  the 
 *'  mouth  confeffion  is  made  unto  falvation,"  Rom. 
 X.  10.  And  this  evidence  thefe  Jerufalem-converts  gave 
 of  their  having  received  the  gofpel  they  had  heard  ;  they 
 furrendered  to  Jefus,  and  owned  themfelves  his  difci- 
 ples  ;  "  for  as  many  of  you  as  have  been  baptized  into 
 «  Chrift,    have  put  on  Chrift,"    Gal.  iii.  27. 
 
 From  their  baptifm  the  apoftle  proceeds  to  their 
 union  with  the  church  ;  "  there  were  added  unto 
 \\  them,"  i,  e.  to  the  church,  as  appears  from  vsr  47. 
 
 O  2  He 
 
412  LECTURES    ON 
 
 He  that  is  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus,  is  become  his 
 vifible  fubjeft,  and  is  formally  meet  for  the  communion 
 of  faints  in  his  houfe ;  he  is  as  it  were  now  openly  in 
 the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son,  and  a  difciple  of  the 
 Redeemer ;  but  no  man  commences  a  member  of  a 
 chriftian  church,  in  which  alone  the  feat  of  govern- 
 ment and  gofpel-crder  is  found,  purely  by  his  being 
 baptized.  Indeed  every  one  thus  prepared,  whofe  cha- 
 rafter  anfwers  to  his  holy  profefiion,  and  who  is  capa- 
 ble of  the  duties  and  ends  of  this  fpiritual  communion, 
 is  to  be  received  ;  but  there  is  no  necefTary  connexion 
 between  a  man's  baptifm  and  his  relation  to  any  parti- 
 cular church.  He  that  is  baptized  is  both  entitled  and 
 obliged  to  chriflian  'communion,  but  in  order  to  this, 
 an  union  is  needful ;  the  manner  of  which  is  dear  from 
 2  Cor.  viii.  5.  "  They  firft  gave  their  own  felves  unto 
 *'  the  Lord,  and  unto  us  by  the  will  of  Gou."  To  the 
 fame  purpofe  is  Rom.  xv.  7.  "  Wherefore  receive  ye 
 "  one  another,  as  Chrift  alfo  received  us,  to  the  glory 
 *'  of  God."  So  then  the  formal  bond  of  church- 
 fellowfliip  is  mutual  confent.  No  baptized  perfon,  who  in 
 the  judgment  of  charity  is  a  believer,  is  on  any  account 
 to  be  refufed  ;  neither  his  poverty,  nor  the  weak- 
 nefs  of  his  faith,  nor  his  being  a  babe  in  fpiritual 
 underftanding,  nor  any  other  circumftance  whatever, 
 may  hinder  the  acceptance  of  him  who  hath  learned 
 Chrift ;  and,  being  baptized  in  his  name,  has  a  compe- 
 tent knovv'ledge  of  the  nature"  and  defign  of  chriftian 
 pommunioii :  This  is  manifeft  from  John  i.  12.  men- 
 tioned already.  "  But  to  as  many  as  received  him, 
 *'  to  them  gave  he  power  (or  privilege)  to  become  the 
 •*  fons  of  God,"    What  lefs  can  be  intended  by  this 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    213 
 
 power  than  a  right  to  fhare  with  the  difcip'es  in  every 
 privilege  of  the  gofpel  ?  Therefore  as  many  as  believe 
 on  his  name  are  entitled  thereto.  But  ftill  the  confent 
 of  the  parties  is  required  to  cpnftitute  a  perfon  a  mem- 
 ber of  a  particular  chriftian  fociety ;  he  muft  propofe, 
 and  they  mull  accept,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  While 
 therefore  we  avoid  the  pride  of  Diftrophes,  and  by  no 
 means  rejcd  a  brother  in  Chrift,  or  caPc  him  out  of  the 
 chuich  ;  on  the  other  hand,  let  us  take  heed  that  under 
 a  notion  of  charity  we  do  not  countenance  diforder." 
 No  man  can  be  conftrained  againft  his  own  will  unto 
 this  relation  in  any  gofpel-church  ;  and  a  pretence  of 
 right  to  intrude  into  the  fociety  of  the  faithful  without 
 a  full  f?.tisfa£lion  as  to  a  meetnefs  for  communion,  is 
 againft  the  didlates  of  reafon  and  fcripture,  and  parti- 
 cularly the  example  of  Saul,  that  eminent  inftance  of 
 fovereign  and  omnipotent  grace  :  After  his  calling  and 
 baptifm  he  was  not  joined  to  the  difciples  till  they,  be- 
 ing perfuaded  of  his  converfion  and  character,  gave  him 
 the  right  hand  of  fellowfhip.  And  if  this  was  required 
 in  the  primitive  timesj  and  among  the  apoftles,  who 
 were  to  feparate  and  go  into  difi'erent  parts  of  the  world 
 for  the  fpread  of  the  gofpel,  much  more  ought  believers, 
 who  are  to  continue  together  in  the  order  of  Chrift,  to 
 be  fatisfied  in  them  whom  they  lay  into  their  bofom. 
 So  then  you  fee  that  there  muft  be  a  joining  by  mutual 
 confent,  in  order  to  the  communion  of  faints  in  a  chri- 
 ftian  church-ftate.  And  in  this  manner,  no  doubt, 
 thefe  Jews,  when  baptized,  were  added  to  the  church. 
 
 The  apoftle  having  noted  their  admiffion,   goes  on 
 to  mention  their  number  >   not  indeed  precifely,  but  a 
 
 O  3  few 
 
214  LECTURES    ON 
 
 few  more  or  Ici's ;    about  three  thoufand  fouls.     A  very 
 large  ga.hering  indeed  !     Now  came  to  pafs  what  our 
 Lord  told  Peter  and  John,   when  he  called  them  from 
 their  nets.  Matt,  iv.  19.  "  Follow  me,  and  I  will  make 
 "  you   fifhers  of  men."     The  miraculous  drau'^ht  at 
 the  fea  of  Tiberias,    which  the  difciples  could  fcarce 
 drag  to  fhor?,  was  but  a  fhadow  of  this,  taken  up  by 
 the  net  of  the  gofpel.    The  fields  were  now  white,  and 
 the  reaper  foon  rejoiced  with  his  (heaves !     What  an 
 harvefl  of  fouls  was  here  colleiled  into  the  kingdom  of 
 heaven  !     May  we  not  juftly  admire,    and    efpecially 
 when  we  confidcr  that  all  thefe  were  gathered  and  join- 
 ed to  the  Lord  the  fame  day  ?     This  is  a  marvellous 
 circumftance,  but  it  was  the  Lord's  doing ;    and  who 
 fliail  limit  the  power  of  God  ?     It  is  eafy  with  Jeho- 
 vah to  cf  nvert  any  number,  in  whatever  fpace,  at  his 
 pleafure.     Lt   a  day  or  in  a  hour,  yea  in  a  moment, 
 the  victorious  arm  of  his  grace  can  fubdue  the  heart  of 
 a  firmer,    and  even  turn  the  difobedient  in  thoufands  to 
 the  wifdom  pf  the  juft  !     Had  the  change  depended  on 
 the   preacher,   this  extraordinary  account  might  have 
 been  quefiioned  ;    but  fiiicc  the  work  is  divine,   if  any 
 man  doubt,    the  anfwer  is  ready.;    it  is  the  fame  as  in 
 the  cafe  of  the  refurre61ion.    Why  fliould  it  be  thought 
 a  thing  incredible  with  you  that  God  fhould  quicken 
 {o  great  a  number  of  fouls  in  a  day  ?    Is  any  thing  too 
 hard  for  the  Almighty  ?     Cannot  he  at  his  will,   in  an 
 inllant,    reduce  a  multitude  of  unbelievers  to   the  obe- 
 dience of  the  faith  ?     Surely  with  God  all  things  arc 
 po/Hble.     Some,  indeed,  have  queried  whether  fo  many 
 ^erfons  could  be  baptized  in  a  day;    though  it  appears 
 not  improbable  to  them  who  confider  the  number  of  baths 
 
 at 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    215 
 
 at  Jerufalem,  and  that  the  apoftles  had  hands  more 
 than  fafEcisnt  to  accomplifli  this  work  from  eleven  in 
 the  morning,  by  which  time  it  is  reafonable  to  fuppofe 
 Peter  had  finifhsd  his  feirmon.  But  whatever  difficulty 
 is  made  about  the  baptizing  thefe  perfons,  there  can  be 
 no  room  to  hefitate  concerning  the  power  of  God  to 
 convert  them  within  the  time  abovementioned. 
 
 Once  more,  obferve ;  this  account  Is  univerfal  and 
 particular  :  They  all  "and  every  one  gladly  received  the 
 word  ;  none  but  thofe  v/ho  received  the  word  were 
 baptized  ;  and  no  one  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus  ort 
 this  teftimony  was  refufed  a  place  in  the  church,  but 
 was  freely  admitted.  Such  is  the  order  of  the  gofpel  ; 
 nor  can  it  be  fhewn  from  the  New-Tefcament  that  any 
 perfon  was  admitted  to  baptifm  who  received  not  the 
 word  of  the  Lord,  or  that  an  unbaptized  perfon  was  at 
 any  time  joined  to  the  church.  This  is  the  fum  of 
 the  account.  A  number  of  fmners  at  Jerufalem,  to  the 
 amount  of  about  three  thoufand,  hearing  from  Peter 
 the  good  tidings  of  remiffion  of  fins,  were  enabled  to 
 believe  j  arid  in  teftimony  of  their  cordial  acceptance  of 
 the  gofpel,  openly  conFefTed  Jefus  Chrift,  and  being  in 
 his  name  baptized,  they  were  immediately  added  to  the 
 church  by  mutual  confent.  Here  it  may  be  ufeful  to 
 paufe  and  refledl. 
 
 In  this  glorious  event  we  have  a  wonderful  difplay 
 of  the  fovereignty,  power,  grace  and  faithfulnefs,  of 
 God.  Here  is  diftinguiftiing  mercy,  they  and  not 
 others.  Thoufands  were  converted  ;  but  there  is  rea- 
 fon  to  conclude  that  many  more  thoufands,  who  heard 
 
 O  4  the 
 
2i6  LECTURES    ON 
 
 the  farre  fermon  remained  in  unbelief.  Again,  how 
 adorable  the  power  of  God  in  the  fuddcn  converfion  of 
 fo  many  ftubborn  unbvhevers,  who  hsd  ?.6ted  aoajnft 
 the  mod  ftriking  teftimonies  of  the  Father  to  his  well- 
 beloved  Son ;  and  to  call  home  and  pardon  thefc  daring 
 and  bloody  tranfgrefibrs,  who  had  murdered  the  Prince 
 of  life  and  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory  !  This  was  alfo  rich 
 nrrace  irdced.  Nor  can  we  too  much  admire  the  faith- 
 fulnefs  of  God  in  thus  accomplifliing  the  promiffs  he 
 had  j.iven  to  his  church.  Now  it  came  to  pafs  that  in 
 ev^n-tide  it  was  light.  How  did  he  mukiply  the  na- 
 tion and  increafe  their  joy  !  Their  joy  before  him  was 
 truly  accoiding  to  the  joy  of  harveft;  and  they  tri- 
 umphed in  Chrift  a:>  men  rejoice  when  they  divide  the 
 fpoil,  Ifa.  ix.  3.  Alas,  how  different  is  the  face  of 
 things  now  !  Now  a  minifter  of  the  gofpel  can  truly 
 mourn  with  the  prophet,  Micah  vii.  i.  and  lament, 
 faying,  "  Woe  is  me,  for  I  am  as  when  they  have  ga- 
 *'  thered  the  fummer  fruits,  as  the  grape-gleanings  of 
 *'  the  vintage  I"  Here  and  there  an  inftance,  for  the 
 Lord  hath  not  utterly  forfaken  us.  And  if  any  judg- 
 ment is  to  be  formed  by  the  example  of  thejfe  converts, 
 how  few  gladly  receive  the  word  !  Few  inflced,  com- 
 paratively fpeaking,  arc  baptized  and  ajiided  to  the 
 church  !  In  this  refpect  theie  is  buriittle  even  of  the 
 form  of  godlinefs  arnong  us.  The  generality  of  hearers 
 feem  to  have  no  inclination  to  obey.  O  that  they  had 
 hcarVb  to  turn  their  fc;et  unto  the  tefiimonies  of  the 
 Lord,  and  would  glorify  Chrift  in  a  profelFed  fub- 
 jediion  to  his  gofpel !  But  in  vain  do  minifters  now 
 wifh  and  pray  ;  in  vain  are  ftrong  arguments  and  ear- 
 neft  intrcaties  with  many  who  would  be  thought  chri- 
 
 ftians ; 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.  217 
 
 ftians  -y  they  regard  not  the  order  of  th»  gofpe],  as  if 
 chriftianity  could  be  promoted  without  a  church-ftate, 
 or  there  was  neither  authority,  wifdom  or  grace,  in  the 
 appointments  of  the  Lord  !  Ncverthelefs  God  is  able 
 and  faithful  to  revve  vts  again.  Let  us  not  dtfpond 
 and  fay,  our  bones  are  dried,  our  hope  is  loft !  1  he 
 divine  power  and  grace,  manifeiled  in  the  coiiverfioii 
 of  this  multitude,  fliould  encourage  us  to  hope  and 
 wait  for  the  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  from  on  hi^h; 
 then  fhall  our  v/ildernefs  become  as  a  fruitful  field. 
 Many  will  then  embrace  the  word  with  joy,  and  be- 
 come obedient  to  the  faith,  to  the  glory  of  God,  and 
 the  increafe  of  his  vifible  kingdom. 
 
 But  for  the  dirediicn  and  cncourao-ement  of  thofe 
 who  are  doubtful  of  their  ftate,  or  negligent  of  their 
 duty  to  Chrift,  I  fliall  attempt  a  more  particular  im- 
 provement of  this  original  example,  which  manifeltly 
 prefents  us  with  the  following  truths,   namely, 
 
 I.  That  a  faving  reception  of  the  word  is  accom- 
 panied with  joy. 
 
 ,11.  It  becomes  every  one,  who  hath  obtained  mercy 
 to  believe  and  embrace  tiie  goipel,  to  be  immediately 
 baptized  in  the  name  of  Jefus.     And, 
 
 III.  He  that  gladly  receives  the  word,  and  is  bap- 
 tized into  Chrift,  is  obliged  and  entitled  to  the  com- 
 munion of  faints,  and  ihould  accordingly  be  joined 
 to  the  church.  * 
 
 We 
 
2i8  L  E  C  T  tJ  R  E  S    O  ^ 
 
 We  have  feen  that  thfe  example  of  thefe  convert^ 
 agrees  with  many  other  inftances  on  record,  which 
 abundantly  fhew  that  a  reception  of  the  word  is  at- 
 tended with  joy,  and  prove  the  firft  proportion  ;  and 
 indeed,  in  the  nature  of  the  thing,  it  cannot  be  other- 
 wife.  The  tidings  of  peace,  pardon,  liberty,  falvation^ 
 and  vidory,  mud  convey  joy  to  the  fubjetSl;  but  alJ 
 thefe  are  included  in  the  vo.ke  of  a  reconciled  God  to 
 perifliing  fmnerb  by  the  gofpel  of  his  Son.  The  man 
 who  is  unacquainted  with  the  evil  of  fin,  and  his  own 
 fad  condition  under  its  power  and  curfe,  may  take  up 
 with  a  notion  of  evangelical  truth,  and  be  a  ftranger 
 to  the  gladnefs  felt  by  thefe  converts;  but  he  that  has 
 been  laid  under  adeep  conviction  of  his  mifery  and  guilt, 
 and,  like  the  men  of  Judea,  pricked  in  the  heart,  un-* 
 der  a  fenfe  of  his  heinous  iniquity,  cannot  fail  of  re- 
 joicing in  the  knowledge  of  falvation  by  the  remiflion 
 of  fins.  Gan  a  proclamation  of  liberty  to  the  captive, 
 pardon  to  the  condemned,  and  glory  to  them  who  are 
 covered  with  fhame  as  children  of  wrath,  be  received 
 without  joy?  it  is  utterly  impoffible.  They  who  are  ready 
 to  perifli  cannot  but  rejoice  in  a  profpeCt  of  deliverance, 
 in  proportion  to  the  danger  apprehended,  and  the  cer- 
 tainty and  compleatnefs  of  the  falvation  revealed.  In 
 one  word  j  it  is  gofpel  that  is  received,  and  eflentially 
 a  joyful  found,  and  therefore  it  rauft  in  fome  degree 
 rejoice  thofe  who  embrace  it. 
 
 And  as  to  the  other  obfervations,  they  are  no  lefs 
 confirmed  by  the  teftimony  of  fcripture.  It  is  implied 
 in  the  general  report  of  the  gofpel,   '«  He  that  believ- 
 
 «  eth 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    219 
 
 "  eth  and  is  baptized  fliall  be  faved."    And  the  commif- 
 fion  of  our  Lord  to  teach  and  baptize,  proves  the  obliga- 
 tion of  baptifm  on  them  that  are  taught.   And  it  is  plain 
 from  the  exhortation  of  Ananias  to  Saul  when  he  lin- 
 gered, Adts  xxii.  16.  that  no  enlightened  perfon,  under 
 any  pretence,  fhould  delay  his  fubmiffion  to  Chrift,  or  be 
 refufed  his  facred  appointments.     And,    however  fome 
 may  excufe  themfelves,   and  are  not  to  be  perfuaded 
 unto  this  obedience,    it  appears  from  the  readinefs  of 
 thefe  men  at  Jerufalem,   and  the  jailor  and  his  houfe 
 on  the  like  occafion,  and  efpecially  when  joined  to  that 
 of  the  eunuch,   A6ls  viii.  36.     I  fay,    it  appears  but 
 natural  to  thofe  who  receive  the  word  gladly  by  a  cor- 
 dial faith,    to  be  forward  in  prefenting  themfelves  as 
 the  fubje6ls  of  baptifm.     Nothing  can   be  more  evi- 
 dent than  that  he  who  receiveth  the  engrafted  word 
 fhould  immediately  conform  to  this  divine  inftitution. 
 And  that  it  becomes  a  baptized  believer  to  be  joined  to 
 the  church  the  firft  opportunity,  is  not  to  be  doubted, 
 fmce  he   is  baptized  in  order  to  this  communion  of 
 faints,    and  the  obfervance  of  whatever  the  Lord  hath 
 commanded  ;    fo  that  a  man   who,   after  he  has   fub- 
 mitted  to  this  ordinance,    neglects  the  facred  fellow- 
 Ihip,  defeats  one  end  of  his  baptifm,   and  comes  fhort 
 of  his  engagements  in  that  folemn  devotion  of  hjmfelf 
 to  the  Lord,    as  well  as  to  the  uniform  pra6lice  of  the 
 primitive  chriftians. 
 
 Since  therefore  it  cannot  be  modeftly  qiieftioned 
 that  it  is  the  exprefs  will  of  God,  and  agreeable  to 
 the  condu6l  of  fuch  who  were  enlightened  from  the 
 beginning,   that  they  who  embrace  the  gofpel  fhould 
 
 without 
 
220         Lectureson 
 
 without  delay  be  baptized  and  added  to  the  church, 
 it  may  be  prefumed  that  few  will  controvert  thefc 
 points,  but  at  the  fame  time,  as  obferved,  the  far 
 greater  number  of  hearers  obey  not  the  truth,  among 
 which  we  may  hope  there  are  many  to  whom  the  word 
 of  the  Lord  is  precious ;  fuch  perfons  are  for  the  moft 
 part  fearful  of  their  m.eetnefs  for  thefe  holy  appoint- 
 ments. When  one  and  another  is  afked  why,  upon  a 
 good  hope  through  grace,  he  remains  without  practi- 
 cal and  vifible  fubjedtion  to  Chrift,  whom  he  efteems 
 as  his  Lord  ?  The  common  reply  is,  I  fear  I  am  not 
 fufEciently  qualified  ;  I  am  unworthy,  and  not  duly 
 prepared  for  thefe  inftitutions.  And  here,  it  muft  be 
 owned,  that  men  fhould  take  heed  that  they  do  not 
 precipitate  into  any  form  of  religion.  A  formal  pro- 
 feffion,  without  the  life  and  power  of  godlinefs, 
 avails  not  the  hypocrite  ;  nor  will  a  blind  devo- 
 tion, however  exatt  and  externally  regular,  fave  any 
 man ;  yet  under  this  pretence,  fhall  any  true  chriftian 
 omit  the  appointments  of  his  Redeemer  ?  And  fmcc 
 we  have  before  us  a  criterion  of  real  chriftianity, 
 kand  confequently  of  an  undeniable  fitnefs  for  gofpel- 
 ordinances,  I  beg  the  fcrupulous  believer  to  credit  me 
 awhile  till  I  have  an  opportunity  of  purfuing  the  in- 
 terefting  point  in  another  lecture  or  two ;  in  his  atten- 
 dance on  which,  I  truft,  by  the  blefling  of  God,  his 
 doubts  may  be  removed  to  his  full  fatisfadion. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    221 
 
 LECTURE    XV. 
 
 What  is  included  in  a  faving  reception  of  the  word^ 
 and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  embraced. 
 
 FROM  the  ftriking  example  of  the  firfl  converts 
 at  Jerufalem,  and  Other  like  inftancts,  it  appears 
 that  the  word  is  embraced  with  joy,  and  that  every 
 one  who  receives  ir,  fhould  be  imaiediately  baptizrid, 
 and  joined  to  the  church.  Points  which  are  fcarcely 
 debated.  Neverthelefs,  how  rarely  are  the  waters  of 
 the  baptiftery  ufed  ;  and  how  few,  in  connparifon,  ap- 
 pear before  the  Lord  with  the  facrifice  of  praiie,  and 
 fit  at  his  table  !  Now  this  muft  be  owing,  either  to 
 a  negledi:  ot'  the  gofpel,  or  to  fome  ground  lefs  fcruple 
 in  them  that  embrace  it,  whereby  they  are  prevented 
 from  conforming  to  this  holy  pro'^cilion.  But  the 
 inftance  of  the  Jews,  who  were  baptized  at  the  direc- 
 tion of  Peter,  is  a  fufficient  reply  to  the  ferious  en- 
 quirer; It  reduces  the  point  to  this  fingle  queftion, 
 namely,  Have  I  in  like  manner  received  the  vvord  ? 
 If  confcience  anfvvers  in  the  affirmative,  every  jufr  ob- 
 jefiLion  is  removed,  and  the  fiibjedl  muft  find  relief 
 from  his  fears,  and  a  warrant  to  appear  under  that 
 form  of  godlinefs  which  becomes  the  dilcrples  of  Jefus. 
 With  a  view,  therefore,  to  aflift  thofe  who  are  doubt- 
 ful, and  to  animate  the  fincere  penitent  unta 
 a  chearful  obedience,  I  Ihall  particularly  conf.der  the 
 pharadter  and  experience  of  thofe  who  were  baptized 
 
 and 
 
222  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 and  joined  to  the  Lord  at  Jerufalem,  and  fliew  the 
 obligation  of  them  who  have  obtained  the  like  mercy 
 to  copy  this  original  pattern. 
 
 The  principal  and  interefting  branch  of  my  fubjecSl 
 is  the  defcription  of  thofe  who  willingly  offered  them-f 
 felves,  and  were  added  to  the  church.  He  that  finds 
 himfelf  anfwer  to  this,  will  readily  follow  their  ex- 
 ample, and  cfpecially  when  he  confiders  the  obligations 
 upon  him,  which  are  hereafter  to  be  named.  Now 
 thefe  primitive  difciples  are  reprefented  as  having  glad- 
 ly received  his  word.  To  a  full  difplay  of  which  it 
 may  be  ufeful  to  fliew,  what  is  included  in  a  faving 
 reception  of  the  truth,  how  or  in  what  manner  a  per- 
 fon  gladly  receives  it,  the  fource  of  that  joy  which 
 they  feel.  And,  as  a  further  illuftratiop  of  the  point, 
 I  {hall  mention  the  genuine  fymptoms  oi  this  bleffed 
 experience.  Now  a  cordial  reception  of  the  gofpe^ 
 carries  in  it, 
 
 I.  An  underflanding  in  Chrift,  and  the  things 
 which  belong  to  his  kingdom.  *'  He  that  receiveth 
 "  the  feed  into  good  o-round,  is  he  that  heareth  the 
 *'  word  and  underftandeth  it,"  Matt.  xiii.  23.  Such 
 is  the  profitable  hearer,  who  embraces  the  gofpel  in  his 
 heart.  This  was  the  experience  of  the  faithful  of  old. 
 Hence  faith  David,  "  The  entrance  of  thy  word  giv- 
 "  eth  light,  it  giveth  underflanding  to  the  fimple," 
 Pfalm  cxix.  130.  And  in  verfe  25,  he  prayeth,  fay- 
 ing, "  Give  me  underflanding  that  I  may  know  thy 
 *'  teftimonies."  Some  are  greatly  offended  that  man 
 in  his  natural  flate  is  reprefented  void  of  underfland-r 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    223 
 
 ^•no-.  Yet  thus  faith  the  fcrlpture,  which  cannot  be 
 broken,  Rom.  i.  31.  *'  Vv-ithout  underftanding."  And 
 again,  chap.  iii.  11.  "  There  is  none  that  underftand- 
 *'  eth.  "  To  the  fame  purpofe  is  Ephef.  iv.  18. 
 **  Their  underftanding  is  darkened."  Yea  faith  the 
 prophet,  Pfalm  Ixxx.  5.  "  They  know  not,  neither 
 *'  will  they  undeiftand."  A  natural  man  may  know 
 all  language,  and  be  a  profound  critic  in  the  letter  of 
 fcripture :  He  may  alfo  attain  to  an  accurate  know- 
 ledge of  every  docStrine  therein  revealed  ;  neverthelefs, 
 darknefs  hath  blinded  his  eyes,  he  is  fpiritually  blind  ; 
 for  with  all  his  natural  advantages,  he  cannot  difcern 
 ordiftinguilh  the  glory  and  ^importance  of  the  gofpel; 
 he  hath  ears  but  heareth  not ;  and  is  in  the  fame  fi- 
 ti^atjion  w^ith  the  Jews,  to  whom  our  Lord  thus  de- 
 clares, John  viii.  43.  *'  Why  do  ye  not  underftand 
 *'  my  fpeech  ?  even  becaufe  ye  cannot  hear  my  word." 
 Thus  the  mind  of  the  unregenerate  hearer  labours 
 under  infuperable  prejudices,  infomuch  that  he  is  in- 
 capable, without  a  change,  of  beholding  the  glory  of 
 the  Lord,  and  the  wifdom  of  God  in  his  gofpel.  To 
 v/hich  impotence,  in  refpedl  of  divine  knowledge,  the 
 apofcle  is  as  plain  as  words  can  exprefs  it.  "  The 
 *'  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit 
 "  of  God,  they  are  foolifhnefs  unto  him ;  neither  can 
 •'  he  know  them,  becaufe  they  are  fpiritually  difcern- 
 *'  ed,"  I  Cor.  ii.  14.  This  is  the  fad  ftate  of  ihi 
 carnal  man  ;  he  heareth  the  word  oi  the  kingdom, 
 but  our  Lord  expiefsly  declares,  he  underilandeth  it 
 not.  So  that  in  whatever  fenfe  unp'ofitabie  hearers 
 may  be  faid  to  receive  che  word,  or  to  have  it  fowa 
 p.  their  hearts,  they  are  certainly  deditute  of  a  capa- 
 city 
 
224  LECTURESON 
 
 ci'y  of  difcerning  the  things  of  the  Spirit.  But  this 
 is  the  criterion  of  him  who  receiveth  he  v.oid  to  Hfe 
 cverlafting,  that  he  underftandeth  itj  and  by  ihis  he  llands 
 difiinguiflied  from  all  other  hearers.  He  huih  v„hat  is 
 ftiled.  Col.  i.  9.  a  fpiritual  underftanding,  which  is 
 effential  unto  a  faving  reception  of  the  gofpel,  and  is 
 the  efFe£t  of  divine  illumination.  Hence  the  prayer  of 
 the  apoftle,  2  Tim.  xii.  '],  *'  And  the  Lord  give  thee 
 '*  underftandina;  in  all  things."  In  one  word,  God 
 hath  given  to  him  that  is  calUd,  an  underftanding  to 
 "  know  him  that  is  true."  Without  this  gift  o\  God, 
 no  man  can  receive  the  word  in  the  joyful  manner 
 thefe  converts  did. 
 
 Again,  faith  is  eflential  to  this  blefled  experience. 
 Concerning  thofe  who  perifhed  under  the  former  dif- 
 pehfation  we  read,  Heb.  iv.  2.  that  "  the  word 
 "  preached  did  not  profit  them,  not  being  mixed  with 
 ''  faith  in  them  that  hca'd  it."  The  allufion  is  to  a 
 mingling  two  or  more  things  until  they  incorporate. 
 In  like  manner,  when  the  word  is  mixed  with  faith, 
 it  is  not  only  received  into  the  underftanding,  but  ex- 
 tends to  all  the  powers  of  the  foul,  fo  that  the  heart 
 is  confojmed  and  united  therewith.  Thus  runs  the 
 margin  of  many  copies,  "  becaufe  they  were  not 
 *'  united  by  faith."  A  fimple  idea  of  the  truth,  how- 
 ever clear  and  diftin6t,  yea  and  though  attended  with 
 the  higheft  credit  of  its  veracity.  Is  not  fufficient. 
 The  heart  inuft  be  deeply  imprefled,  and  as  it  were 
 trantfcrmicd  into  the  do6trine  of  Chiift.  Indeed  this 
 fuppofes  an  enlightened  underflantling,  and  a  perfuaiion 
 of  the  exiftence  and  glory  of  the  things  which  are  re- 
 vealed 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  225 
 
 Vealed,  without  which  it  is  impoflible  to  receive  them 
 into  the  heart.  But  a  profitable  reception  of  the  word, 
 by  faith,  implies  more  than  a  bare  underftanding, 
 which  in  itfelf  cannot  produce  a  fufficient  alteration 
 in  the  fubje6l.  The  whole  heart  is  concerned  in  this 
 divine  exercife,  as  appears  from  Rom.  vi.  17.  *'  Ye 
 *'  have  obeyed  from  the  heart  that  form  of  doilrine 
 **  which  was  delivered  unto  you ;"  or  as  k  is  read, 
 **  unto  which  you  was  delivered."  Where  much  the 
 fame  idea  is  conveyed  by  an  allufion  to  metal  caft  m 
 a  mould,  which  receives  the  impreflion  of  its  type, 
 and  comes  out  with  its  likenefs  :  So  is  the  heart  tranf- 
 formed  when  the  word  is  united  by  faith  ;  yea  and  ftill 
 more,  it  as  it  were  incorporates  with  it,  fo  that  the 
 things  of  the  gofpel  hath  an  exiftence  in  the  fub- 
 je6l,  as  the  great  Dr.  Owen  obferves  on  Heb.  xi.  i. 
 . "  It  is  the  fubftance  of  things  hoped  for."  Faith, 
 mixing  with  a  preached  gofpel,  gives  a  kind  of  fub- 
 fiftence  of  what  is  promifed  in  the  heart  of  the  be- 
 liever J  it  is  alfo,  faith  the  apoftle,  "  the  evidence 
 "  of  things  not  feen."  The  fubje£l  hath  the  witnefs 
 in  himfelf,  and  a  fubftantial  evidence  of  the  truth 
 in  his  own  experience.  So  then  the  word  thus  re- 
 ceived, under  the  influence  of  divine  grace,  becomes 
 united  with,  and  transforms  the  fubjedi:  in  a  manner 
 not  unlike  that  of  natural  food,  which  by  incorpo- 
 rating with  the  body,  is  a  means  to  fuftain  and  in- 
 vigorate animal  life.  It  is  true,  this  divine  operation 
 is  wonderful,  the  modus  of  which  is  not  to  be  ex- 
 plained ;  but  this  is  no  jufl  objedion,  fince  the 
 like  muft  be  owned  of  the  manner  in  which'  the 
 food  of  the  body  unites  and  fuftains  it.    The  learned 
 
 P  may 
 
226  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 may  defcribe  or  dilate  on  digeftion,  fecretion,  repara- 
 tion, nutrition,  &c.  with  more  or  lefs  certainty ;  yet 
 after  all  it  is  allowed  that  nature  is  a  myftery  in  re- 
 fpe6l  of  her  adual  incorporation  of  food  as  it  were 
 into  herfelf,  but  ^that  the  body  is  fuftained  in  this 
 manner,  will  fcarce  be  denied.  And  the  fame  idea 
 is  conveyed  by  the  word  being  mixed  v/ith  faith  in  the 
 heart,  as  likewife  when  the  gofpel  is  compared  to  food, 
 and  Chrift  to  the  bread  of  life,  and  alfo  when  faith 
 in  him  is  reprefe-nted  under  the  notion  of  eating  his 
 flefh  and  drinking  his  blood.  Spiritual  and  natural 
 eating  are  indeed  efTentially  different,  and  to  compare 
 the  former  in  every  circumftance  with  the  latter  would 
 be  abfurd ;  but  if  In  any  particular  they  agree,  it 
 is  in  this,  that  each  invigorate  the  life  to  which  it 
 is  adapted,  by  being  received  into  and  incorporating 
 with  the  fubjecSl ;  and  this  feems  the  purport  of  that 
 remarkable  palTage,  2  Pet.  i.  4.  where,  fpeaking  of 
 the  exceeding  great  and  precious  promifes  which  are 
 given  us  by  the  gofpel,  he  faith,  "  that  by  thefe  ye 
 *'  might  be  partakers  "of  the  divine  nature."  Thefe 
 promifes,  embraced  with  faith,  became  a  means, 
 under  the  agency  of  the  Spirit,  of  transforming  the 
 foul  into  the  divine  image.  Hence  holinefs,  humility, 
 and  the  love  of  God,  appear  in  the  fubjeit,  to  the 
 praife  of  his  grace  who  hath  called  him, 
 
 It  follows,  that  the  afFedions  are  included  in  re- 
 ceiving the  word,  as  obfervcd  ;  it  reaches  the  heart. 
 *  Faith  (fays  an  excellent  divine)  fets  love  to  work 
 '  upon  the  objedls  propofed  to  be  believed.'  And 
 the  apoftle  gives  this  criterion  of  the  chriftian  faith, 
 
 that 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    227 
 
 that  it  worketh  by  love,  Gal.  v.  6.  It  th  refore 
 touches  the  inward  fprings  of  the  foul,  and  draws 
 out  the  afFedions  towards  God  and  Chrift,  and  the 
 things  of  the  Spirit.  This  is  the  faith  wh  c!i,  be- 
 ing mixed  with  the  word,  renders  it  efffectual  to 
 promoting  the  divine  life  in  the  foul.  Thus  all  the 
 powers  of  the  mind  are  engaged,  and  the  believer 
 receives  the  love  of  the  truth  that  he  might  be  fav- 
 ed,  2  Their,  ii.  10.  And,  indeed,  love  to  the  truth 
 and  to  Chrift  is  infeparable,  from  a  tafte  of  his  grace. 
 There  is  no  receiving  the  word  with  a  due  fenfe  of  its 
 glory  and  importance,  and  mixing  it  with  faith,  which 
 implies  fome  degree  of  hope  in  the  bleffings  revealed, 
 without  a  fincere,  unlverfal  and  fuperlative  afFe6lion, 
 which  every  one  more  or  lefs  feels  on  embracing  the 
 gofpel  J  fo  that  the  religion  of  a  real  chriftian  is  rooted 
 and  grounded  in  love  from  the  beginning. 
 
 And  further,  this  includes  a  fincere  and  univerfal 
 obedience.  Hence  believers  are  defcribed  as  obedient 
 to  the  faith,  A6ls  vi.  7.  And  Peter,  i  epif.  i.  21. 
 thus  exhorts  the  difciples  :  "  Seeing  you  have  purified 
 "  your  fouls  in  obeying  the  truth,  thro'  the  Spirit,  fee 
 "  that  ye  love  one  another,  &c."  On  the  other  hand, 
 they  who  reject:  the  counfel  of  God  are  pj^onounced 
 difobedient,  and  are  complained  of  as  not  obeying  the 
 gofpel.  In  receiving  the  word  there  is  not  only  n 
 fubmiffion  to  the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  but  the  per- 
 fon  refigns  himfelf  unto  Jefus  as  his  Lord,  and  be- 
 comes a  willing  fubjeft  of  his  kingdom.  Thus  in 
 Col.  ii.  6.  it  is  ftiled,  receiving  Chrift  Jefus  the  Lord, 
 i.  e.  to  be  difpofed  and  governed  by  him  in  all  things. 
 
 P  2         '  He 
 
228  LECTURES    ON 
 
 He  that  cordially  embraces  the  gofpcl  furrenders  him- 
 felf  unto  Jefus,  and  the  language  of  his  heart  is  with 
 Saul,  who,  when  converted,  cries  out,  "  Lord,  what 
 *'  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?"  And  I  need  only  fay, 
 that  in  the  natural  courfe  of  things  this  devotion  of 
 foul  to  the  Redeemer  will  iffue  in  external  obedience. 
 Thus  when  the  word  is  the  power  of  God  to  falvation, 
 it  is  received  into  the  underftanding,  mixed  with 
 faith,  engages  the  heart  of  the  fubjecSt,  and  is  attended 
 with  an  unfeigned  obedience  to  Chrift. 
 
 Now  he  that  has  obtained  mercy  thus  to  believe 
 the  word  of  the  gofpel,  will  appear,  on  refledlion,  to 
 have  received  it  in  the  following  manner : 
 
 First,  with  a  full  perfuafion  of  its  true  and  pror 
 per  divinity :  "  For  our  gofpel  came  not  unto  you 
 "  in  word  only>  but  alfo  in  power,  and  in  the  Ho- 
 *'  ly  Ghofl",  and  in  much  affurance,"  i  TheiT.  i.  5, 
 j.  e.  of  its  divine  original  and  authority ;  "  becaufe 
 '*  ye  received  the  word  of  God,  which  ye  heard  of  us, 
 "  ye  received  it  not  as  the  word  of  men,  but  as  it 
 "  is  in  truth  the  word  of  God,"  chap.  xi.  13..  And 
 this  they  did  not  barely  from  any  external  evidence 
 whatever,  but  from  an  inward  experience  of  its  power, 
 for  the  apoRle  adds^  "  which  e{ie6l:ually  workcth  in 
 "  you  that  believe."  The  word  comes  with  a  divine 
 authority  into  the  heart,  and  commends  itfelf  to  the 
 confcicnce.  Hence  though  the  preaching  of  the  crofs 
 is  to  them  that  perifli  foolifhnefs,  yet  "  unto  them 
 "  that  are  called  it  is  the  wifdom  of  God  and  the 
 "  power  of  God."     They  receive  the  word  as  from 
 
 the 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    229 
 
 the  Lord,  and  every  do£lrine  is  embraced  in  his  name ; 
 ,7;  ,;ts  being  thus  apprehended,  is  the  very  ground 
 :.  .Mw-"  laith,  affection  and  obedience,  which  ftand, 
 iioL  in  the  wifdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God, 
 It  is  this  div'ine  voice  they  hear,  and  this  alone  con- 
 quers the  foul  and  compels  the  heart  to  obedience. 
 So  that  the  believer  has  an  eye  to  the  ''upreme  au- 
 thority of  God  ;  and  in  receiving  his  word  he  fubmits 
 to  and  relies  upon  him  as  the  all-perfe£t  Jehovah  and 
 Sovereign  of  his  creatures,  who  has  a  ri^hi  to  demand 
 his  obedience,  and  whofe  faithtulnefs  never  can  fail. 
 In  a  word ;  this  reception  of  the  gofpel  we  are  fpeak- 
 ing  of,  carries  in  it  that  abfolute  dependence,  and  that 
 unrefcrved  fubje6lion,  which  is  due  to  God  only,  and 
 therefore  muft  be  grounded  on  his  authority ;  for  it 
 would  be  unlawful  to  yield  in  this  manner  to  any 
 mere  creature.     But  again. 
 
 The  word  thus  received  is  alfo  embraced  inftantane- 
 oufly.  "  The  kingdom  of  heaven  (faith  our  Lord) 
 *'  is  like  unto  a  merchant-man  feeking  goodly  pearls, 
 **  who  when  he  had  found  one  pearl  of -great  price, 
 "  he, went  and  fold  all  that  he  had,  and  bought  it," 
 Matt.  xiii.  45,  46.  The  truth  of  God  is  not  like 
 the  opinion  of  man,  to  be  deliberated  upon  and  cau- 
 tioufly  received  j  what  comes  with  a  divine  authority 
 to  the  confcience,  admits  no  debate.  No  fooner 
 doth  the  entrance  of  the  word  enlighten  the  mind 
 and  poffefs  it  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God 
 in  the  perfon  of  Chrift,  but  the  heart  is  fubdued  and 
 ©beys.  And  the  reafon  is  plain  j  for  if  a  man  could 
 ^oubt  a  moment  whether  or  not  he  fhall  obey  divine 
 P  3  truth. 
 
230  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 truth,  he  would  prove  himfelf  perverfe,  and  in  a  fiate 
 of  rebellion  againft  God. 
 
 And  further.  The  word  is  embraced  in  an  eager  and 
 refolute  manner,  with  the  utmoft  willingnefs*  of  heart. 
 Such  is  the  nature  and  importance  of  the  gofpel,  that 
 it  cannot  be  duly  received  with  indifference-  A  re- 
 ception of  the  word  in  the  fenfe  we  are  upon,  as 
 hinted  before,  terminates  in  faith,  and  includes  that 
 coming  to  Chrift  or  receiving  of  him,  which  is  the 
 fame  with  believing  on  his  name.  The  truth  is  re- 
 ceived by  thofe  who  are  ready  to  perifh,  and  to  fuch 
 it  muft  be  as  life  from  the  dead.  The  frame  of  the 
 penitent  finner  towards  the  word,  when  he  layeth 
 hold  of  the  promife  and  fleeth  to  Chrift  for  life,  will 
 in  fome  degree  anfwer  to  the  importance  of  that  con- 
 cern he  has  in  it,  which  is  no  lefs  than  that  of  being 
 delivered  from  wrath  to  come,  and  the  obtaining 
 of  life  everlafting.  This  good  news  is  as  cold  waters 
 to  a  thirfty  foul ;  and  he  muft  be  thirfty  that  drinks  it. 
 Nor  are  the  invitations  of  the  gofpel  given  to  any  other. 
 So  then  the  word  is  received  with  a  longing  heart, 
 and  wit-h  a  holy  refolution  to  renounce  every  thing 
 for  the  fake  of  Chrift  and  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  in 
 liim. 
 
 M0R.E0VER,  the  gofpel  is  received  with  unfeigned 
 contrition  of  foul.  Indeed  when  it  enters  the  heart 
 it  relieves  from  the  forro'A^s  of  a  guilty  confcience  ; 
 it  heals  the  fubjedt  of  thofe  wounds  which  the  terrors 
 of  the  Almighty  have  made  under  legal  convidtion, 
 
 and 
 
 *  scJlj.il/Ui  libentcr,  the  word  rendered  gladly  in  the  text, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     231 
 
 and  fills  him  with  peace  through  faith  in  the  blood  of 
 the  Saviour,  but  at  the  fame  time  it  opens  the  fluices 
 of  evangelical  repentance.  Remiflion  is  received  with 
 the  profounceft  humility;  for  the  fubjedl  being  melted 
 under  a  fenfe  of  divine  love,  is  deeply  afFe<3;ed  with 
 his  own  unworthinefs,  and  mourns  with  felf-abafe- 
 ment  for  the  evil  of  his  many  tranfgrellions ,  v/hich 
 are  freely  forgiven  him.  Hence  alfo  he  is  filled  with 
 admiration  at  the  rich  grace  of  God  bellowed  on 
 him. 
 
 In  a  word,  it  is  plain,  from  the  inftance  in  hand, 
 that  an  acceptance  of  the  gofpel  is  attended  with  joy. 
 Thefe  Jerufalem-finners  gladly  received  the  word. 
 In  like  manner  do  all  who  embrace  it,  which,  as 
 hinted,  agrees  with  the  nature  of  the  gofpel-report, 
 it  being  efientially  good  tidings  of  joy.  Nor  is  evan- 
 gelical forrow,  which  belongs  to  a  broken  and  con- 
 trite heart,  at  all  inconfiftent  with  this.  The  mercy 
 of  God,  conveyed  through  the  blood  of  his  Son,  is 
 adapted  to  both ;  for  furely  the  man,  who  hath  re- 
 ceived remiflion  of  fins,  may  well  blufti  and  mourn  on 
 account  of  his  vilenefs,  and  his  having  offended  that 
 Lord  who  hath  pardoned  him,  and  at  the  fame  time 
 fincerely  and  gladly  rejoice  in  the  grace  he  has  re- 
 reived. 
 
 In  this  manner  enlightened  finners  mix  the  word 
 with  faith,  and  obey  the  truth  from  the  heart.  They 
 receive  it  as  the  word  of  God,  in  an  inftant,  without 
 hefitation,  and  with  ardor  and  refolution,  as  moft 
 defirable  in  itfelf  and  important  to  them.  They  hke- 
 P  4  wife 
 
232  LECTURESGN 
 
 wife  embrace  it  with  a  contrite  frame,  under  a  d^p 
 fenfe  of  their  own  unworthinefs  and  the  aboundiHg 
 grace,  which  they  alfo  admire ;  and  further,  it  is  at- 
 tended with  gladnefs,  as  it  was  with  the  Jews.  Ar- 
 ticles, which,  I  am  perfuaded,  will  find  a  teftimony 
 in  the  confcience  of  him,  who  has  been  called  out 
 of  darknefs  into  marvellous  light.  It  is  certain  that 
 the  experience  of  the  faithful  differ  much  in  degree; 
 fome  are  not  fo  deeply  fenfible  as  others  may  have 
 been  ;  and  I  would  be  far  from  infifting  on  any  thing 
 not  quite  efTcntial,  and  thereby  ftumble  the  weak ; 
 but  it  appears  to  me  that  thefe  are  genuine  criterions. 
 And  1  cannot  but  think  that  the  leaft  of  all  faints  will 
 difcern,  on  refleilion,  that  the  authority  of  God  is  at 
 the  foundation  of  his  faith  j  that  however  long  he  may 
 have  been  doubtful  and  held  back,  through  ignorance 
 and  fear,  from  refting  his  foul  on  Chrift,  the  moment  he 
 faw  his  fulnefs  and  the  mercy  of  God  held  forth  unto 
 him,  he  yielded  to  the  fceptre  of  his  love;  and  that 
 in  fo  doing  he  humbled  himfelf  as  unworthy  the 
 blefling,  and  admired  the  grace  of  his  pardon j,  and, 
 in  a  word,  that  at  this  feafon  he  felt  fome  degree  of 
 joy  in  believing.  I  appeal  to  the  experienced  Reader, 
 and  heartily  wifh  thefe  hints  may  prove  an  occafion 
 of  his  eftablifhment,  that  he  may  rejoice  with  them, 
 in  whom  the  word  of  the  Lord  abideth  a  feed  of  life 
 cverlafting !  '         '      ' 
 
 LECTURE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRTSTTANITY.    233 
 
 LECTURE    XVI. 
 
 The  fource  and  fymptoms  of  the  pleafure  which  at- 
 tends a  cordial  acceptance  of  the  gofpel.  The  duty 
 of  thofe  who  embrace  it  to  an  immediate  external 
 obedience.  And  the  joy  of  true  faith  compared  with 
 that  which  may  be  found  with  an  hypocrite. 
 
 THE  laft  lefture  clofed  with  obferving  that  a 
 faving  reception  of  the  gofpel  is  attended  with 
 joy.  We  now  proceed  to  the  fpring  of  this  facred 
 afFeftion  peculiar  to  them  that  are  called  ;  which,  to- 
 gether with  the  attending  fymptoms,  the  obligation  on 
 the  fubje6t  to  incorporate  himfelf  among  the  vifible 
 difciples  of  Jefus,  and  a  word  for  the  relief  of  en- 
 quiring fouls,  will  finifh  our  defign  on  the  increafe  of 
 the  church  by  the  firft  fermon  preached  after  our  Lord's 
 refurreftion.  This  enquiry  is  the  more  needful,  fince 
 it  appears  from  the  parable  of  the  fower.  Matt,  xiii, 
 that  there  is  a  joy  felt  by  fome  who  are  void  of  fpiri- 
 tual  underftanding,  and  who  have  no  root  in  them- 
 felves,  and  therefore,  however  induced  to  a  formal  pto- 
 feflion,  under  which,  for  a  feafon,  they  may  boaft; 
 they  are  at  length  offended,  and  perifn.  Every  con- 
 fiderate  perfon  would  deprecate  being  deceived  in  a 
 matter  of  fo  great  importance.  And  it  may  be,  my 
 Reader  is  wifhing  to  know  that  his  joy  is  fubftantial 
 and  good.     May  this  attempt  to  affift  his  enquiry  be 
 
 fucceeded, 
 
234  LECTURES    ON 
 
 fucceeded,  and  prove  a  happy  means  of  our  mutual 
 fatisfatStion  and  comfort !  But  let  it  be  remembered 
 that  it  is  not  eflential  to  the  character  of  a  believer, 
 that  he  has  been  enabled  to  diftinguifh  th;'  bottom 
 of  his  heart,  or  that  he  fhould  vew  things  in  his 
 own  experience  in  the  p.-ecife  order  laid  down  in 
 the  following  obfervations.  It  is  fufficient,  dear 
 dear  Friend,  that  thou  findeft  in  thyfclf  the  fubftance 
 of  what  is  defcribed.  This  premifed,  I  go  on  to  the 
 enquiry  propofed. 
 
 And  here  I  cannot  but  apprehend,  that  the  grand 
 and  original  fource  of  this  divine  joy  is  the  glory  of 
 God,  as  it  fhines  forth  in  Chrift.  This  apptars  juft, 
 both  from  fcripture  and  experience.  That  which  is  firfl: 
 prefented  to  the  mind,  by  the  light  of  the  gofpel,  to 
 engage  a  man  to  the  obedience  of  faith,  may  I  think 
 be  properly  confidered  as  the  leading  fpring  of  his  joy 
 in  the  Lord ;  and  what  is  this  but  ''  the  glory  of  God 
 **  in  the  face  of  his  Son  Jefus  Chrift  ?  "  2  Cor.  iv.  6. 
 In  the  fame  profpedl  a  believer  perfeveres.  "  We  all 
 *'  with  open  face,  as  in  a  glafs,  behold  the  glory  of 
 "  the  Lord,  &c."  chap.  iii.  18.  The  enlightened 
 Cnner  has  a  direct  and  true  fight  of  the  moral  excel- 
 lency and  beauty  of  the  gofpel.  It  is  a  reconciled 
 God,  whofe  righteoufnefs  is  declared  in  the  remiflion 
 of  fins,  that  fixes  the  heart  and  fills  it  with  gladnefs. 
 He  that  has  been  troubled  for  fin  as  an  offence  againft 
 God,  finds  his  reft,  on  a  view  of  the  harmony  of  all 
 divine  attributes  in  his  redemption ;  and  it  affords  him 
 unfpeakable  fatisfadlion  and  delight,  to  behold  the  Al- 
 Hiighty  a  juft  God  and  a  Saviour,  and  that  pardon  and 
 
 life 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    235 
 
 life  everlafting  are  fet  forth  in  a  confonance  with  the  ma- 
 jefty  and  glory  of  God  and  his  government.  Now  t  is  joy 
 is  more  or  lefs  felt  antecedent  to  and  irrefpecStive  of  his 
 own  intereft  in  this  grace.  So  that  the  joy  of  a 
 chriftlan  is  rooted  in  the  love  of  God,  whofe  glory  is 
 feen  in  his  recovery  from  ruin.  The  word  is  received 
 under  a  full  perfuafion  of  its  conformity  to  the  d;vine 
 wifdom  and  righteoufnefs ;  and  though  the  joy  of  the 
 awakened  finner  is  not  without  fome  hope  of  perfonal 
 intereft  in  the  Redeemer,  or  at  leaft  of  obtaining  this 
 falvation,  yet  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  divine 
 excellency  of  the  things  of  the  Spirit,  is  the  firft  and 
 immediate  fource  of  his  gladnefs.  Thus  the  joy  of 
 faith  arifeth  from  its  objedl.  It  is  God  in  Chrift, 
 who  is  the  image  of  the  Father,  and  in  whom  mercy 
 and  truth,  and  righteoufnefs  and  peace,  unite  and  mu- 
 tually embrace,  that  yields  him  delight.  And  accord- 
 ingly the  joy  of  believers  hath  always  centered  in 
 God.  Hence  David  fliles  him,  Pfalm  xliii.  4.  my 
 exceeding  joy ;  or,  as  it  may  be  read,  the  joy  of  my 
 gladnefs.  He  that  is  juftihed  by  faith  "  rejoices  in 
 "  the  Lord,  and  his  foul  is  joyful  in  his  God,"  Ifa. 
 Ixi.  10.  And  in  Rom.  v.  11.  the  apoftle,  fpeaking  of 
 the  general  experience  of  the  faints,  faith,  "  We  alfo 
 *'  joy  in  God  through  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  by 
 *'  whom  we  have  now  received  the  atonement."  The 
 center  of  joy  is  its  fource.  Joy  naturally  terminates 
 in  that  out  of  which  it  originally  arofe.  Now  the  joy 
 of  the  chriftian  is  in  God  reconciled  by  the  death  of 
 his  Son ;  the  firft  fpring  of  which  was  a  profpedt  of 
 peace  by  the  blood  of  his  crofs.  A  chriftian  may  not 
 be  able  to  diftinguifh  this  order  of  his  affe(Sions  in  a 
 
 life 
 
236  LECTURESON 
 
 life  of  faith;  but,  on  examination,  he  will  find  in 
 proper  ion  to  his  light,  that  it  takes  its  firfl  r,T? 
 from  a  view  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  pe'!  >'  of 
 Chrift,  and  the  dilplay  there  is  in  the  goCpe',  of  the 
 divine  perfedlions  in  the  deliverance  and  falvation  of 
 fmners. 
 
 The  next  fource  of  gladnefs  in  receiving  the  word  ' 
 is  the  hope  of  the  fubje6l  for  himCeif.     The  called  are 
 begotten  to  a  lively  hope  of  perfonal  intereft  in  the 
 falvation  revealed;    for  the  illuminations  of  the  Spirit 
 correfpond  with  the   word   of  the   gofpel,    in   which" 
 every  fenfible  finner  is  invited  with   an   aflurance  of 
 mercy,  as  in  the  inftance  before  us,  ver.  38.     Appro- 
 priation is  effential  to  faith,   infomach  that  however 
 weak  in  Its  degree,  there  is  no  a£l  of  believing,  pro-' 
 perly  fpeaking,  from  the  firfl:  motions  of  the  quickened 
 fmner  towards  the  Saviour  without  it.      Believing  is 
 trufting;   but  there  can  be  no  trufting  without  hope. 
 In  receiving  the  word  by  faith,   there  is  included  an 
 application  to  Chrift,   and  of  the  peace  he  hath  made;  ' 
 and   confequently  the  fubjedl  applies   to   himfelf  the 
 grace  and  glory  which  are  the  purchafe  of  his  blood. 
 And  accordingly,   from  [the  beginning,   the  gofpel  is 
 treafured  up  or  hid  in  the  heart.     He  that  receiveth 
 the  word  of  the  kingdom  receiveth  it  for  himfelf,  and 
 layeth  it  up  as  his  property,  riches  and  life.     Hence 
 fprings  his  joy;    this  God  is  his  God;    this  Jefus  is 
 his  Saviour;  and  that  he  hath  a  right  to  claim  in  the 
 promife  of  grace.      At  leaft  without  fome  degree  of 
 hope  there  can  be  no  joy  ;   but  gladnefs  attends  a  re- 
 ceiving of  the  word,    in  proportion  to  the  intereft 
 
 and 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    237 
 
 and  advantage  the  called  apprehend  themfelves  to 
 have  in  the  glorious  gofpel  of  Chrift;  and  unfpeak-  • 
 able  is  his  advantage ;  for,  "  of  him  are  ye  in  Chrift 
 *'  Jefus,  who  of  God  is  made  unto  us  wifdom,  and  righ- 
 *'  teoufnefs,  and  fandification  and  redemption,"  i  Cor. 
 i.  30.  In  this  profpe6l,  may  not  the  believer  well  ex- 
 ult, and,  like  the  eunuch  who  was  converted  by  the 
 preaching  of  Philip,  having  put  on  Chrift,  proceed  in 
 his  way  rejoicing  ? 
 
 Another  fpring  of  this  facred  afFeiSion  in  the  be- 
 liever, is  the  happy  difference  which  he  finds  and  feels 
 in  himfelf.  A  ftranger  intermeddles  not  with  this  joy  ; 
 nor  is  it  in  the  power  of  a  carnal  mind  to  conceive  the 
 blefled  alteration  which  a  received  gofpel  makes  in  the 
 foul.  While  a  fmner  lies  under  convi£tion  of  guilt, 
 felf-condemned  and  ready  to  perlfh,  his  troubles  arc 
 great,  he  is  filled  with  darknefs,  and  diftrefs  j  and 
 in  fome  inftances  the  tormenting  fears  of  wrath  have 
 been  exquifitely  great,  like  thofe  Jerufalem-finners, 
 whofe  hearts,  we  have  feen,  were  pierced  as  with  dag- 
 gers or  fwords.  Their  cafe  indeed  was  fomewhat  pe- 
 culiar ;  but  the  evil  "of  fin  in  the  confcience  will  ever 
 break  the  peace  of  the  foul ;  and  for  the  moft  part, 
 the  terrors  of  a  broken  law,  and  the  apprehenfions  of 
 ruin,  for  a  feafon  greatly  difturb  the  awakened  tranf- 
 grefTor.  And  with  refpecl  to  thofe  who  are  feeking 
 relief  for  their  fouls  ftiort  of  Chrift  and  his  righteouf- 
 npfs,  their  minds  are  ftill  diftatisfied  :  If  they  flatter 
 themfelves  awhile,  fome  frefti  excurfion  of  fin,  or  de- 
 fe^  in  duty,  plunges  them  into  the  ditch,  and  they 
 ^fe  again  in  diftrefs.     But  when  God  fhincs  into  the 
 
 foul. 
 
238  LECTURES    ON 
 
 foul,  and  gives  the  light  of  his  glory  in  Chriflr,  O 
 the  liberty,  peace  and  courage,  that  poflefTes  the  mind  ! 
 This  binds  up  the  heart,  comforts  the  mourner,  and 
 fets  the  captive  free.  Now,  juflified  by  faith,  the  fm- 
 ner  hath  peace  with  God.  He  is  follaced  with  divine 
 love;  and,  being  thus  healed  and  reftored,  finds  that 
 reft,  which  a  faithful  Saviour  has  promifed  to  all  who 
 are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  on  coming  to  him,  and 
 feels  himfelf  chearful. 
 
 Finally.  A  certain  profpecSt  of  glory  enhances 
 the  joy  of  the  faithful.  The  falvation  in  Chrift,  which 
 a  believer  apprehends,  includes  a  glory  to  come,  in 
 the  fruition  of  which  he  fiiall  be  happy  for  ever. 
 Hence  we  are  faid  to  be  "  called  unto  eternal  glory," 
 and  *'  begotten  by  the  refurre£tion  of  Chrift  from  the 
 "  dead,  unto  a  lively  hope  of  an  inheritance  incor- 
 *'  ruptible,  undefiled,  and  which  fadeth  not  away." 
 Chriftians  in  this  are  conformed  to  their  head,  the 
 Meffiah,  who  in  prophecy  fays,  "  Therefore  my  heart 
 *'  is  glad  and  my  glory  rejoiceth,"  Pfalm  xvi.  9.  And, 
 whence  this  joy  of  the  Redeemer?  He  adds,  "  ThOu 
 '*  wilt  fhew  me  the  path  of  life."  In  like  manner  the 
 believer  is  infpired.  A  view  of  his  glory  with  Chrift 
 fills  him  with  gladnefs.  Nor  is  this  at  all  inconfiftent  with 
 the  believer's  joy  firft  arifing  from  a  fight  of  the  glory  of 
 God,  and  terminating  in  the  Lord,  fince  that  glory  in 
 the  hope  of  which  he  rejoices  lies  in  his  being  with 
 God,  to  behold  his  face  in  righteoufnefs,  to  be  filled 
 with  his  love,  and  to  celebrate  his  praife.  Such  was  the 
 expectation  of  the  MeJHah  himfelf,  in  the  paflage  laft 
 
 mentioned ; 
 
PRIxMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     239 
 
 mentioned :    "  In  thy  prefence  is  fulnefs  of  joy,   and 
 *'  at  thy  right  hand  are  pleafures  for  evermore." 
 
 These  are  the  fprings  of  gladnefs  in  the  heart  of 
 him  who  receives  the  word,  or  believes  in  the  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift.  It  takes  its  rife  from  a  view  of  the 
 glory  of  God  in  him,  the  beauty  of  which  attracts 
 the  beholder ;  for,  however  ftrange  or  difagreeable  the 
 gofpel  may  be  to  a  natural  man,  nothing  is  more  glo- 
 rious in  itfelf,*  or  more  fuited  to  the  tafte  and  defire 
 of  him  that  is  fpiritual.  He  rejoices  in  the  divine 
 wifdom,  holinefs  and  righteoufnefs,  which  fhine  in  his 
 juftification,  through  faith  'in  the  Redeemer.  Thus 
 the  gofpel  is  firft  received  as  it  is  in  itfelf,  glorious  and 
 excellent.  And  though  this  Is  not  without  hope  of 
 an  intereft  in  the  falvation  revealed,  yet  a  difcovery 
 of  the  divine  glory  in  this  provifion  of  grace  firft  ftrikeg 
 the  mind  of  him  that  is  called,  whofe  pleafure  increafes 
 on  a  view  of  his  perfonal  advantage,  which  together 
 with  the  fweet  alteration  the  peace  of  God  makes  in 
 his  heart,  lately  troubled  with  fin,  and  the  profpe<5l  of 
 life  everlafting  fills  him  with  joy.  Now  all  thefe  are 
 more  or  lefs  experienced  by  the  faithful.  No  wonder, 
 then,  that  the  word  is  gladly  received.  Can  the  man 
 be  otherwife  than  glad,  who  beholds  the  glory  of  God 
 difplayed  in  the  falvation  of  his  foul  ?  Or  fhall  he 
 who  is  relieved  from  the  forrows  of  a  wounded  con- 
 fcience,  and  the  terrors  of  divine  wrath,  being  cleanfed 
 with  the  blood  of  Chrift,  who  is  now  formed  in  him 
 the  hope  of  glory,  fail  of  rejoicing  ?  Certainly  no. 
 May  this  joy  in  the  falvation  of  God,  my  dear 
 ^Friend,  be  the  ftrength  of  our  heart,  that,  perfevering 
 
 in 
 
240  LECTURES    ON 
 
 in  the  fruits  of  holinefs,  we  may  attain  to  perfe6tion  in 
 the  world  to  come  ! 
 
 Now  whoever  has  found  this  joy  arife  in  his  heart, 
 to  him  the  word  of  the  gofpel  is  precious ;  he  efteems 
 it  as  excellent  in  itfelf,  and  as  the  means  of  his  own 
 falvation.  It  is  therefore  more  than  his  neceflary  food. 
 Job  xxiii.  12.  more  to  be  defired  than  gold,  yea  than 
 much  fine  gold  ;  fweeter  alfo  than  honey  or  the  honey- 
 comb, Pfalm  xlx.  10.  Hence  young  converts  give 
 themfelves  to  reading  and  meditation,  and  delight  in 
 the  company  of  thofe  who  are  ready  to  difcourfe  on 
 fpiritual  fubjeds.  They  alfo  take  every  opportunity  of 
 hearing,  to  be  deprived  of  w^hich  would  be  as  a  famine 
 to  their  fouls.  This  delight  in  the  law  of  God  is 
 frequently  feen  to  abate,  yea  and,  it  may  be,  that  very 
 foon,  which  is  juftly  lamented  ;  and  they  who  have 
 forgot  the  love  of  their  efpoufals,  do  well  to  look  back 
 to  the  kindnefs  of  their  youth,  and  remember  how  they 
 firft  received  and  heard,  and  hold  faft  and  repent,  Rer. 
 iii.  3.  But  if  any  man  defpifes  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
 or  thinks  its  miniftration  needlefs  for  him,  under  a 
 conceit  of  what  he  hath  already  attained,  he  is  proud, 
 knowing  nothing,  and  hath  need  to  beware  that  he  de- 
 ceives not  himfelf  among  thofe  who  receive  not  the  love 
 of  the  truth  ;  for  where  that  abides  in  the  heart,  the 
 preaching  of  the  gofpel  is  highly  efteemed,  and  the 
 preachers  in  confequence,  which  is  another  fymptom 
 of  gladly  receiving  the  word,  as  it  is  written,  *'  How 
 **  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that  preach  the  gof- 
 *'  pel  of  peace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things  !" 
 Rom.  X.  15.     Faithful  minifters  of  Chrift  are  hated 
 
 and 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.    241 
 
 and  defpifed  by  the  enemies  of  the  truth  ;  but  it  is  the 
 property  of  thofe  who  beHeve  to  efteem  them.  And 
 however  they  are  treated  by  fome  who  pretend  to  this 
 faith,  it  is  certain  that  they  are  highly  acceptable  to 
 them  in  whom  it  prevails.  And  this  is  perfeilly 
 natural,  fmce  befides  the  pleafure  and  advantage 
 they  themfelves  find  in  hearing,  it  is  a  genuine,  and 
 indeed  one  of  the  firfl:  and  mofl  fenfible  fymptoms  of 
 embracing  the  gofpel,  to  wifli  it  might  be  the  power  of 
 God  to  the  falvation  of  others.  The  fame  difpoHtion 
 is  feen  in  every  one  in  whom  God  has  fhined,  which 
 difcovered  itfelf  in  the  woman  of  Samaria  ;  having 
 found  Chrift,  and  been  enabled  to  truft  him,  he  would 
 rejoice  at  his  being  revealed  to  all  with  whom  he  is 
 connecSled,  that  they  might  alfo  believe.  In  a  word,  un- 
 der the  influence  of  this  divine  joy,  believers  are  bold  to 
 confefs  the  Lord  Jefus,  and  to  declare  their  experience  of 
 his  love.  This  joy  is  as  the  light  of  the  morning,  which 
 difperfeth-the  clouds  ;  the  fears  which  overfhadow  and 
 intimidate  the  mind  through  ignorance,  unbelief  and 
 carnal  reafon,  vanifh  before  it,  and  a  freedom  and 
 courage  poflelTes  the  fubjecl,  who  no  longer  will  confult 
 fiefh  and  blood,  but  refolves  to  obferve  every  gofpel-in- 
 ftitution.  Thus  no  fooner  did  thefe  difciples  embrace 
 the  gofpel,  but  they  openly  and  joyfully  joined  to  the 
 Lord,  though  it  called  for  the  immediate  and  certain 
 expence  of  all  that  they  had,  and  was  even  at  the 
 hazard  of  their  lives. 
 
 This  leads  to  the  reafons   for  an  immediate  and 
 chearful  compliance  with  the  appointments  of  the  Re- 
 deemer.    Obedience  to  Chrift  is  of  infinite  importance. 
 Q^  There 
 
242  LECTURESON 
 
 There  is  falvation  in  no  other ;  nor  any  other  way 
 of  being  faved  by  Jefus  but  through  faith  in  him. 
 We  hope  that  many  who  are  not  in  a  profefled  fubjec- 
 tion  to  his  gofpel,  yet  believe  on  his  name.  But  how 
 uncomely  in  a  chriftian  not  to  be  conformed  to  the 
 undoubted  will  of  his  Lord  ?  Indeed  this  is  fo  againft  the 
 natural  tendency  of  faith,  and  the  genuine  influence  of 
 divine  love,  in  the  remiffion  of  fins,  that  one  would  be 
 apt  to  conclude  that  the  fubje6l:  could  not  allow  himfelf, 
 on  any  confideration  whatever,  to  fall  fhort  of  the 
 leaft  command  of  his  Saviour;  yet,  alas,  we  have 
 reafon  to  lament,  that,  in  all  appearance,  many  who 
 have  tafted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  through  one  un- 
 happy occafion  and  another,  prefume  to  live  in  the 
 omiffion  of  what  is  enjoined  them  !  And,  Reader,  art 
 thou  in  this  way  ?  Allow  me  to  prefs  thee;  examine 
 thyfelf,  and  obey  thy  Redeemer  in  all  things ;  remem- 
 ber what  Peter  declares,  *'  This  fame  Jelus  God  hath 
 *'  made  both  Lord  and  Chrift."  It  is  not  the  forgetful 
 hearer  of  the  word,  but  the  doer  of  the  work  :  *'  This 
 *'  man,  fays  the  apoftle,  {hall  be  blefle  j  in  his  deed." 
 Faith  without  fruit  will  as  furely  deceive  thee  as  an 
 heartlefs  obedience  :  A  general  flight  of  that  open  confef- 
 f:on  of  Chrifl:  before  men,  among  thofe  who  fit  under  the 
 word,  may  render  thee  indifferent  about  it ;  but  it  will 
 be  found  a  thing  of  the  greateft  importance  when  the 
 Son  of  man  fnall  confefs  his  faithful  difciples  before  the 
 angels  of  God.  And  it  fhould  further  be  noted,  that  a 
 perfonal  fubjedtion  to  Jefus  is,  by  the  tefl:imony  of  God, 
 cflTential  to  the  chara6ter  of  him  that  may  hope  for  the 
 falvation  revealed  in  the  gofpel. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  243 
 
 It  is  a  glorious  truth,  that  the  gofpel  is  the  "  power  • 
 **  of  God  unto  falvation  to  every  one  that  believeth  :" 
 But  then  we  are  to  remember  that  chriftian  baptifm, 
 and  a  conformity  to  the  order  of  the  gofpel,  belongs  to 
 the  obedience  of  faith,  which  indeed  comprehends  more, 
 but  not  lefs,  than  a  regard  to  every  external  a£l  of  homage 
 to  the  Saviour.  From  this,  and  many  other  confidera- 
 tions*,  the  folly  of  negleiling  divine  appointments  is  ma- 
 nifeft.  An  attempt  to  convince  men  of  this  may  now 
 feem  abortive  and  vain ;  but  certainly  he  who  in  the 
 end  is  found  to. have  defpifed,  or  fhuned  the  Redeemer's 
 commands,  will  have  no  reafpn  to  glory  at  his  appear- 
 ance and  kingdom.  The  man  whofe  confcience  tells 
 him  that  he  has  wilfully  omitted  and  lived  in  a  negleft 
 of  any  known  inftitution  of  Jefus,  will  find  his  hearc 
 fail  him  at  the  approach  of  his  judge ;  but  he  that  abides 
 in  Chrift  may  have  ^confidence,  for  he  ftiall  not  be 
 afliamed  before  him  at  his  coming. 
 
 » 
 
 As  a  further  inducement  to  be  found  in  the  way  of 
 
 obedience,  I  intreat  the  Reader,  who  trufts  in  the  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift,  will  allow  me  to  urge  the  following  par- 
 ticulars upon  him : 
 
 I.  Thou  art  certainly  qualified  for  this  gofpel-fer- 
 vlce.  Is  the  queftion  whether  thy  years,  condition  in 
 life,  or  attainm^ent  in  knowledge,  faith  and  love,  come 
 up  to  what  is  required  in  the  difciples  of  Chrift?  The 
 anfwer  is  at  hand  :  "  If  thou  believeft  with  all  thine 
 "  heart,  thou  mayeft,"   A6ts  viii.  37.     A  meetnefs  for 
 
 Q_  2  thefe 
 
 *  Folly  of  negledting  divine  inftitutions,  publlflied  175S. 
 
244  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 thefe  holy  appointments  depends  not  on  any  particular 
 age  or  worldly  circumftances,  no  nor  on  fingular  advances 
 in  a  ftate  of  grace.  All  that  they  require,  is  a  new 
 heart,  and  manifeft  repentance  and  faith,  without 
 which  no  man  can  be  faved.  And  if  thou  art  qualified 
 through  grace,  muft  not  thy  confcience  condemn  thee 
 for  omitting  thy  Redeemer's  commands  ? 
 
 2.  It  is  abfolutely  required  at  thy  hands.  *'  Re- 
 '*  pent  and  be  baptized,"  is  the  voice  of  Chrift  in  his 
 gofpel  to  the  end  of  the  world.  No  man  that  trufts 
 in  the  Lord  is  on  any  accoulit  e;ccepted  from  an  obli- 
 gation to  confefs  him.  All  and  every  one,  who  looks 
 to  Jefus  for  life,  is  enjoined  in  his  word  to  be  bap- 
 tized in  his  name,  and  wilt  thou  withftand  the  united 
 demand  of  his  authority  and  love  ? 
 
 Moreover,  the  example  of  the  faithful  call  for 
 thine  obedience.  It  was  the  univerfal  practice  of  tha 
 primitive  difciples.  Of  the  multitude  converted  in  the 
 apoftles  time,  not  one  appears  to  delay  this  profeflion, 
 Saul  only  excepted,  and  he  ftandsjuftly  reproved.  It 
 becomes  thee  to  imitate  their  zeal.  We  are  to  follow 
 them  in  the  path  of  duty  as  well  as  of  fuffering.  And 
 indeed  no  kind  of  fufPerings  endured  otherwife  than 
 under  this  profcfTion,  hath  a  direil  tendency  to  glorify 
 Chrift,  or  to  prove  our  faith  in  him.  But,  we  have 
 feen  that  when  the  gofpel  firfl  prevailed,  converts  were 
 manifeft  by  their  immediate  recourfe  to  the  minifters 
 of  Chrift,  they  willingly  offered  themfelves  for  bap- 
 tifm,  and  to  be  joined  with  the  church,  and  did  not, 
 as  many  now  do,   linger  and  halt  year  after  year,  as 
 
 if 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    245 
 
 if  a  profeffion  of  Jefus  was  a  matter  of  indifFerency  or 
 prefump6ion,  but  they  made  hafte  and  delayed  not,  and 
 and  in  all  appearance  thought  a  day  loft  not  fpent 
 under  Chri.ft,  and  this  they  did  in  the  midft  of  temp- 
 tations and  fiery  trials.  Now,  if  it  became  them  thus, 
 at  the  hazard  of  every  thing  dear  in  this  world,  to  put 
 on  Chrift,  fhall  any  in  the  prefent  day,  who  in  the 
 general,  run  no  fuch  danger  to  the  flefh,  with  decency 
 negledl  it  ?  But,  alas,  the  fcepticifm  and  lukewarm- 
 nefs  that  abounds,  more  effectually  and  fatally  quenches 
 our  zeal  for  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  than  the 
 fevereft  perfecutions  for  confcience  fake.  This  the 
 experience  of  all  ages  hath  too  plainly  verified  j  which 
 fhews  the  perverfenefs  of  our  natural  fpirits,  and  may 
 juftly  fill  us  with  blufhing,  while  we  blefs  God  for  the 
 external  peace  and  liberty  we  enjoy.     But  again, 
 
 4.  It  is  thy  honor  and  advantage  to  be  under  this 
 holy  profeffion.  However  defpifed  by  the  world,  can 
 any  thing  be  more  truly  praife- worthy  than  to  be  a  dif- 
 ciple  of  Jefus  ?  If  relative  honor  in  any  chara<Sler  is  in 
 proportion  to  the  dignity  of  him  with  whom  we  are 
 connedled,  as  moft  certainly  it  is,  who  can  vie  with 
 the  chriftian,  or  what  more  honorable  than  his  pro- 
 feffion ?  To  be  a  real  and  vifible  difciple  of  the  Son 
 of  God  J  and  a  follower  of  the  Lamb,  who  is  exalted 
 in  the  midft  of  the  throne  in  the  heavens,  far  above  all, 
 muft  be  an  honor  indeed,  infinitely  furpaffing  the  moft 
 noble  alliance  or  connexion  on  earth.  It  is  for  want 
 of  difcerning  the  glory  of  Cnrift,  that  any  are  back- 
 ward to  give  the  moft  evident  proof  of  their  fubje6lion 
 to  his  authority.     A  due  fenfe  of  this  in  the  heart  will 
 
 Q.  3  make 
 
246  LECTURES    ON 
 
 make  a  man  count  it  an  honor  to  be  vile  in  the  eyes  of 
 the  world  for  his  name's  fake.  No  man  need  be 
 afhamed  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  who  is  not  a  fhame  to 
 it,  but  adorns  the  doctrine  of  his  Saviour.  And  fur- 
 ther, 
 
 5.  To  be  baptized  into  Chrift  is  as  it  were  to  have 
 his  Father's  name  written  in  our  foreheads.  Rev.  xiv.  i. 
 for  we  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Chrift 
 Jefus,  the  honor  of  which  is  not  to  be  exprefled.  Nor 
 is  it  lefs  an  advantage  to  be  walking  in  Chrift.  This 
 right  or  privilege  is  profitable  to  him  that  believes,  and 
 therefore  to  be  highly  efteemed.  If  we  may  credit  the 
 fcripture  of  truth,  and  the  declared  experience  of  the 
 faithful,  there  is  a  leward  in  walking  blamelefs  in  the 
 ordinances  of  the  Lord  ;  it  is  fo  in  point  of  knowledg-e, 
 protection,  comfort  and  joy,  in  communion  with  God 
 and  his  people;  all  which  muft  be  exceeding  precious 
 to  him  that  is  fpiritual.  And  are  not  thefe  motives 
 fufficient  to  engage  thy  chearful  fubmiffion  to  Jefus  ? 
 If  any  thing  further  is  needful  to  convince  thee,  con- 
 fidcr, 
 
 6.  On  the  contrary,  the  many  difadvantages  that 
 attend  a  non-conformity  to  the  evident  and  undeniable 
 appointments  of  the  Redeemer.  In  this  ftate,  as  hint- 
 ed already,  the  fubjcdl  can  yield  no  fufficient  proof  of 
 his  faith.  A  man  may  believe  j  but  no  man  can  fhew 
 that  he  believes  in  a  ne^le£t  of  the  Saviour's  inftitutions, 
 which  are  grounded  in  his  authority,  and  a  teft  of  the 
 foul's  obedience  unto  him.  By  this  omiffion  alfo  a 
 perfon  falls  fhort  of  the  charader  of  him  unto  whom 
 
 the 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     247 
 
 the  promife  of  falvation  is  given,  which,  one  would 
 think,  fhould  ahrm  the  man  who  defires  to  be  fay- 
 ed. And  further,  he  that  lives  out  of  this  order  ex- 
 cludes himfelf  from  other  precious  promifes,  and  is  not 
 in  the  ordinary  way  of  communion  with  God,  and 
 confequently  it  affedls  his  peace,  holinefs,  joy  and  love, 
 all  which  are  greatly  promoted  in  this  divine  fellowfhip. 
 In  a  word,  he  is  much  expofed  in  an  hour  of  temp- 
 tation. One  fpecious  excufe  which  feme  make  for 
 fliunning  a  chriftian  profefilon  is  this,  that  they  are 
 afraid  they  fliall  prove  a  diftionor  unto  it.  But, 
 rot  to  infift  on  the  power  of  Chrift  to  keep  his  faithful 
 difciples  from  falling,  which  is  hereby  overlooked,  the 
 obje6tion  'fuppofes  that  a  perfon  is  obliged  by  this  holy 
 order  to  walk  with  greater  circumfpedion  than  him 
 who  is  not  under  the  fame;  but,  is  this  an  argument 
 with  one  that  fears  God  to  juftify  a  negleft  of  his 
 precepts  ?  Shall  the  man  who  follows  after  holinefs, 
 deprive  himfelf  of  this  facred  guard  by  refufing  to 
 comply  with  the  plain  inftitutions  of  his  Lord  ?  Or, 
 fliall  he  not  readily  come  under  every  poffible  obliga- 
 tion againft  fin  ?  Reafons  for  a  believer  being  bapr 
 tized  and  added  to  the  church  might  eafily  be  multi- 
 plied, but  thefe  may  fufHce :  He  is  qualified;  it  is 
 required  at  his  hands :  This  was  the  univerfal  prac- 
 tice of  thofe  who  were  called  from  the  beginning ; 
 and  the  honor  and  advantage  of  walking  under  this 
 profeflion  is  great  and  unfpeakable.  On  the  other 
 hand,  no  lefs  are  the  di  fad  vantages  of  not  being  con- 
 formed to  this  order.  If  thefe  prevail  not  with  the 
 Reader  to  to  be  found  in  this  duty,  what  hope  can  f 
 have  of  fuccecding  ?  I  muft  leave  him  to  the  mercies 
 0,4  of' 
 
248  LECTURESON 
 
 of  the  Lord,  whofe  people  fhall  be  willmg  in  the  day 
 
 of  his  power. 
 
 But  perhaps  the  Reader  is  doubting  his  ftate, 
 and  ready  to  fay :  True ;  I  cannot  but  own  that 
 the  word  of  the  Lord  has  come  with  fome  power 
 into  my  heart.  My  afFe£tions  have  fometimes  been 
 raifed,  and  I  have  felt  a  joy  in  hearing  the  gofpel; 
 but,  alas,  I  am  ftill  fo  carnal  2nd  fenfual,  and  find 
 fo  little  of  the  love  of  God  in  my  foul,  that  I  fear 
 my  tranfitory  delight  is  no  other  than  may  be  found 
 with  an  hypocrite.  This  may  alfo  be  the  fear  of  one 
 who  has  already  made  a  profefTion,  in  confequenc^ 
 of  which   he  is  fometimes  filled  with  diftrefs. 
 
 To  relieve  the  enquiring  foul,  I  fhall  clofe  thjs 
 ledlure  with  a  criterion  or  two,  by  which  we  may 
 diftin2;u!fh  between  the  joy  of  the  hypocrite,  and  that 
 of  a  true  believer. 
 
 And  from  what  has  been  faid,  it  appears  that  the? 
 hypocriie's  joy  is  in  himfelf ;  whereas  we  have  feen, 
 that  the  firit  fpring  of  joy  in  him  that  receiveth  the 
 word  is  in  God.  The  joy  of  the  hypocrite  primarily 
 arifeth  from  a  confident  and  high  conceit'  of  his  good 
 ftatc,  without  any  reafon  froqi  fcripture,  but  purely 
 from  his  own  imagination.  He  is  unacquainted  with 
 forrow  for  fin,  and  pot  duly  affeded  with  the  v/ifdom 
 and  ri-lueoufncfs  of  God  in  our  redemption  by  the 
 blood  of  his  Son.  Ke  is  taken  up  in  felf-adm.iration, 
 and  continually  boafting  of  his  great  experience,  and 
 how  religious  he  is.     Not  fo  the  man  in  whom  the 
 
 word 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    249 
 
 word  is  efFecSual  unto  the  obedience  of  faith.  The 
 love  of  God  is  at  the  bottom  of  that  man's  profeflion," 
 which  is  in  proportion  to  the  abundance  of  grace  he 
 has  received  in  the  remiflion  of  fins.  And  as  the 
 nature  of  fin  is  more  his  averfion,  than  the  punifh- 
 ment  thereof}  fo,  as  hath  been  ftiewn,  he  delights 
 firft  and  chiefly  in  the  glory  of  God,  the  excellency 
 of  Chriil:  and  his  gofpel,  while  he  rejoices  in  the 
 faving  advantage  he  obtains  from  this  provifion  of 
 infinite  wifdom  and  love.      Again, 
 
 Hence  the  joy  of  a  falfe  profeflbr  is  attended  with 
 felf-exaltation,  and  renders  him  light  and  prefump- 
 tuous ;  he  is  proud  of  his  attainments  j  and  while  he 
 thinks  that  he  ftands,  the  man  whofs  foot  is  ready  to 
 flip,  is  as  a  lamp  defpifed  in  his  fight  j  thus  he  is 
 haughty,  carelefs  of  his  own  conduft,  cenforious  of 
 others.  On  the  contrary,  the  chriftian's  joy,  which 
 proceeds  from  a  view  of  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  in 
 the  pardon  of  his  fins  ;  the  evil  and  bitternefs  of 
 which  he  hath  felt  in  his  confcience,  is  attended  with 
 humility,  reverence,  and  an  holy  concern  for  the  ho- 
 nor of  God,  His  joy  is  mingled  in  his  heart  with 
 evangelical  forrow.  He  is  low  in  his  own  eyes ;  has 
 compaflion  for  them  that  are  out  of  the  way,  is  fober 
 in  his  account  of  himfelf,  and  in  this  ftate  of  fin  and 
 temptation  rejoiceth  with  trembling. 
 
 And  further,  in  the  midft  of  all  his  vain  glory 
 the  hypocrite  is  barren.  "  But  (faith  our  Lord)  he 
 ^'  that  receiveth  feed  into  the  good  ground,  is  he  that 
 f  heareth  the  word  and  underftandeth  it,  which  alfo 
 
 "  beareth 
 
250  LECTURESON 
 
 <'  beareth  fruit,"  Matt.  xiii.  23.  He  that  rejoiceth 
 in  his  own  attainment  is  an  empty  vine,  and  brings 
 forth  fruit  unto  himfelf.  But  the  chriftian's  joy, 
 which  fprings  from  the  love  of  God,  naturally  yieldeth 
 fruit  unto  him,  as  it  is  written,  '*  But  now  being 
 *'  made  free  from  fm,  and  become  the  fervants  of 
 *'  God,  ye  have  your  fruit  unto  holinefs,  and  the  end 
 *'  everlafting  life,"  Rom.  vi.  22.  which  leads  to  ano- 
 ther criterion,  and  the  laft  I  fhall  mention,  which  is 
 this: 
 
 The  joy  of  the  hypocrite  is  tranfitory,  whereas 
 that  of  the  chriftian  abides.  I  mean  in  refpedl  of  its 
 principle  and  habit  in  the  foul,  for  his  frame  is  liable 
 to  change.  Nothing  is  more  uncertain  and  fleeting  than 
 his  joy  who  has  no  root  in  himfelf.  The  man,  whofe 
 profeffion  is  not  grounded  in  the  love  of  God,  will 
 furely  be  offended.  But  he  that  has  received  the  gof- 
 pel  into  his  heart  by  faith,  though  in  heavinefs  for 
 a  feafon  through  manifold  temptations,  has  an  un- 
 failing fource  of  joy  in  the  immutable  counfel  and  fa- 
 vor of  the  Almighty,  and  may  always  rejoice  in  the 
 Lord.  In  a  view  of  the  glory  and  importance  of  the 
 divine  word,  and  his  own  intereft  in  the  bleffings  of 
 grace,  he  fiiall  not  be  moved,  but  will  hold  out  to  the 
 end  and  be  faved.  "  The  water  (fays  our  Lord) 
 *'  that  I  fiiall  give  him,  fhall  be  in  him  a  well  of 
 *'  water  fpringing  up  into  eternal  life,"  John  vi.  14. 
 This  is  the  joy  of  faith  j  it  centers  in  God  ;  it  makes 
 a  man  humble  and  fruitful ;  and  it  abides  in  the 
 foul.  But  carnal  rejoicing,  though  occafioned  by  the 
 word,   ariftth  from  fome  other  confideration  than  di- 
 
 vina 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     251 
 
 vine  grace  and  righteoufnefs,  and  terminates  in  felf; 
 it  pufFs  up  the  fubje(5l,  who  is  unfruitful,  and  will " 
 fail  in  an  hour  of  trial.  Dear  Reader,  examine 
 thyfelfj  "for  who  is  wife  and  he  fhall  underfland 
 "  thefe  things  ?  prudent,  and  he  fhall  know  them  ? 
 **  For  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  right,  and  the  jufl 
 **  fhall  walk  in  them,  but  the  tranfgreflbrs  fhall 
 **  fall  therein."  Having  this  teftimony  that  thy  joy 
 is  in  the  Lord,  fear  not,  though  now  thou  mayefl 
 have  forrow,  thine  heart  fhall  rejoice,  and  thy  joy 
 po  man  taketh  from  thee ;  for  "  light  is  fown  for  the 
 .*?  righteous,  and  gladnefs  for  the  jupright  in  heart.'* 
 
 PRIMITIVE 
 
[    252   J 
 
 PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY. 
 BOOK      ly. 
 
 BEING 
 
 An  Hiftory  of  the  Church  in  her  infant  State. 
 
 —      '  ...  ^ 
 
 LECTURE      XVII. 
 
 The  conftancy  and  faithfulnefs  of  the  firft  difciples 
 in  their  communion  together,  under  a  profeffion  of 
 chriftianity.   - 
 
 OF  all  hiftories  that  of  the  fcripture  juftly  claims 
 the  pre-eminence.  Its  undoubted  veracity,  with 
 the  importance  of  its  various  and  w^onderful  events, 
 and  efpecially  when  joined  to  the  noble  and  gracious 
 defign  of  its  glorious  Author,  which  is  to  promote 
 the  honor  of  God,  and  the  falvation  and  happinefs  of 
 man,  challenge  our  higheft  regard  *. 
 
 SCRIP- 
 
 *  Properly  fpeaking,  the  Author  of  fcripture  is  God,  and  particularly 
 the  Holy  Ghoft,  by  whofe  infpiratjcai  the  prophefies  were  fpoken,  and  un- 
 der whofe  infallible  direftion  both  the  hiftory  and  prophecy  of  thofe  facred 
 writings  were  penned,  and  committed  to  the  church.  This,  no  doubt, 
 is  the  prevailing  fcntiment,  notwithflanding  it  is  fo  much  the  cuftom 
 to  give  this  charaftcr  to  the  apoftles  and  others,  who  were  the  emanuenfis 
 of  the  divine  Spirit,  or  writers  rather  than  authors  of  the  books  and 
 eplftlcs  to  which  their  names  are  affixed. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    253 
 
 Scripture  may  te  confidered  as  an  univerfal  hiflo- 
 ry  of  the  world,  and  the  church,  but  efpecially  of  the 
 latter,  in  which  the  dodrines,  precepts  and  ordinances 
 of  God,  and  the  prailice  of  men  are  faithfully  recited. 
 Thus  the  Old-Teftament  is  the  beft  hiftory  of  the 
 world  from  its  creation,  including  the  fall  of  man, 
 the  counfel  of  God  relating  to  the  recovery  of  his 
 chofen  by  the  feed  of  the  woman ;  alfo  the  methods 
 of  divine  providence  in  raifmg  and  preferving  a  godly 
 feed,  amidft  the  corruption  and  defolations  of  man- 
 kind, till  the  Mefliah  came.  It  is  therefore  likewife 
 a  hiftory  of  the  church,  which  is  carried  on  in  the 
 New-Teftament,  beginning,  in  the  four  evangelifts, 
 with  the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  whofe  life, 
 miniftry,  fufferings,  death,  and  refurredion  from  the 
 dead,  are  concifely,  but  fully  fet  forth,  and  with  this 
 view,  "  that  ye  might  believe  that  Jefus  is  the  Chrift: 
 *'  the  Son  of  God,  and  that  believing  ye  might  have 
 *'  life  through  his  name,"  John  xx.  31. 
 
 The  fame  defign  is  purfued  in  the  remaining  part 
 of  the  fcripture  to  the  end.  Now  of  this  divine  nar- 
 ration no  part  is  of  greater  importance  to  the  church 
 than  the  Ails  of  the  Apoftles,  which  contain  an  au- 
 thentic account  of  the  rife  and  progrefs  of  chriftianity 
 in  the  world;  fo  that  thefe  writings,  with  the  addi- 
 tion of  the  epiftles,  and  the  book  of  Revelation,  which 
 clofes  the  facred  canon,  alone  afford  a  genuine  and 
 compleat  hiftory  of  the  purity  in  dodlrine,  worfhip 
 and  difcipline,  which  prevailed  among  the  firft  chri- 
 flians ,  who  are  the  faireft  example  of  fecial  religion. 
 
 This 
 
J54  LECTURESON     . 
 
 This  then  Is  the  true  ecclefiaftical  hiflory,  to 
 which  all  others  wrote  after  the  days  of  the  apoftles 
 muft  be  fubordinate,  and  an  acquaintance  with  which 
 is  to  be  efteemed  one  branch  of  a  chriftian's  attain- 
 ment, as  a  conformity  unto  it  is  a  part  of  his  cha- 
 radler.  And  it  were  heartily  to  be  wifhed,  that  every 
 one,  who  profefleth  himfelf  a  follower  of  the  Lamb, 
 made  it  his  diligent  ftudy.  In  all  probability  we 
 (hould  then  be  more  united  in  faith  and  worfhip,  and 
 animated  to  a  more  holy,  fpiritual  and  orderly  temper 
 and  condudl,  and  alfo  love  one  another  more  than  at 
 prefent  in  all  appearance  we  do.  I  fhall  therefore 
 count  it  a  mercy  if  this  little  fketch  Ihoul  i  be  an  oc- 
 cafion  of  promoting  the  knowledge  of  To  ufeful  a  part 
 of  divine  revelation,  or  a  means  of  reviving  the  true 
 fpirit  of  primitive  godlinefs. 
 
 The  paragraph  on  which  I  have  planned  my  defign 
 is  contained  in  the  laft  fix  verfes  of  the  fecond  of  the 
 A£ts,   which  run  in  the  following  words : 
 
 "  And  they  continued  ftedfaftly  in  the  apoftles 
 "  dodtrine  and  fellowfhip,  and  in  breaking  of  bread, 
 "  and  in  prayers.  And  fear  came  upon  every  foul, 
 "  and  many  wonders  and  figns  were  done  by  the 
 "  apoftles.  And  all  that  believed  were  together,  and 
 "  had  all  things  common.  And  fold  their  pofleflions 
 *'  and  goods,  and  parted  them  to  all  men,  as  every 
 "  man  had  need.  And  they  continuing  daily  with 
 "  one  accord  in  the  temple,  and  breaking  bread  from 
 
 "  houfe 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    255 
 
 "  houfe  to  houfe,  did  eat  their  meet  with  gladnefs 
 **  and  finglenefs  of  heart,  praifing  God,  and  having 
 **  favor  wath  all  the  people.  And  the  Lord  added 
 **  to  the  church  daily  fuch  as  fhould  be  faved." 
 
 Here  then  is  a  concife  hiftory  of  the  primitive 
 church  in  her  pure  infant  ftate,  before  her  members 
 were  fcattered  by  perfecution,  or  thofe  errors,  divi- 
 fions  and  apoftafies  took  place,  which  hath  fmce  dif- 
 graced  and  defiled  her.  Indeed  (lie  was  not  yet  ar- 
 rived to  maturity,  in  refpedl  of  that  order  the  infinite 
 wifdom  of  her  Lord  foon  after  faw  fit  to  eftabllfh  for 
 her  edification.  At  prefent  the  apoftles  fupplied  the 
 part  of  bifliops  and  deacons,  officers  who  are,  fince 
 become  needful  to  a  perfe£l  church-ftate.  We  view 
 her  as  a  lovely  child,  in  her  firft  appearance  in  the 
 world.  There  are  alfo  fome  circumllances  peculiar 
 to  her  then  prefent  condition,  a  pretended  conformity 
 to  which  would  be  ridiculous  or  worfe,  yet  fhe  is  the 
 original  pattern  of  piety  and  love.  Thefe  are  the 
 lively  features  of  a  neat  gofpel-church,  walking  in  the 
 fear  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  comforts  of  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  ;  and  however  fome  may  plead  for  another 
 manner,  the  fame  fpirit  and  behaviour  will  be  found 
 when  and  where  genuine  chriftianity  prevails,  for  re- 
 ligion is  fubftantially  the  fame  in  all  ages  and  places 
 to  the  end  of  the  w^orld. 
 
 The  account  divides  itfelf  naturally  into  three  ge- 
 neral branches. 
 
 I.  The 
 
256  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 I.  The  conftancy  and  falthfulnefs  of  the  primitive 
 difciples  in  communion  together, ,  under  a  profelTion 
 of  the  gofpel. 
 
 II.  Their  manner  of  life.     And, 
 
 III.  Their  daily  increafe. 
 
 The  enfuing  part  of  the  le£lure  will  contain  a 
 review  of  the  firft  of  thefe  articles.  We  are  told  that 
 they  continued  Jledfajlly  ;  and  the  particular  inftances 
 are  given  in  which  they  perfevered  with  fo  great  re- 
 folution  and  zeal. 
 
 It  is  faid  that  they  continued.  Some  nominal 
 chiiftians,  like  feed  fown  in  ftony  ground,  hear  the 
 word,  and  receive  it  with  a  kind  of  joy ;  but,  having 
 no  root  in  themfelves,  their  religion  is  foon  at  an 
 end.  Indeed,  fluftied  with  a  conceit  of  their  know- 
 ledge, they  prefume  they  belong  to  the  kingdom  of 
 God,  and  haftily  fpring  up  in  a  promifmg  blade  of 
 external  obedience,  in  which  they  are  zealous  awhile, 
 but  alas  they  abide  not  ;  their  goodnefs  is  as  the 
 morning-cloud,  and  as  the  early  dew  it  paffeth  away ; 
 thus  tranfvent  is  their  form  of  chriftianity.  Here  and 
 there  one  who  fets  out  with  a  {hew,  foon  ftumble  and 
 recover,  or  falling,  rife  up  again  j  but  from  the  pa- 
 rable of  the  fower,  and  from  general  experience,  it 
 appears  that  few  are  reftored,  whofe  fhining  profeflion 
 jprefently  iflues  in  a  fhameful  departure  from  God. 
 
 For 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.  257 
 
 For  the  moft  part  they  feem  given  up  to  the  delufions 
 of  fatan,  and  being  hardened  through  the  deceitful nefs" 
 of  fin,  become  final  apoftates ;  fo  tnat  however  in 
 fome  inftances  fuch  may  have  grace  to  repent,  for 
 their  cafe  is  not  defperate,  we  have  reafon  to  trem- 
 ble for  them  who  quickly  throw  ofF  the  name  of 
 Chrift,  and  return  to  their  fins,  as  iii  the  higheft  dan- 
 ger of  ruin.  Not  fo  thefe  difciples;  they  continued 
 in  the  ways  of  ihe  Lord,  and  proved  the  fmcerity  of 
 their  love.     Again, 
 
 They  continued  Jiedjajlly.  If  feme  foon  apo^a- 
 tize,  many  more,  who  begin  with  a  flaming  zeal,  are 
 quickly  lukewarm,  loofe  and  diforderly,  under  the 
 profefTion  they  hold.  Hence  they  become  inactive  and 
 barren;  and,  in  their  fpirit  and  behaviour,  fall  flnrt 
 of  the  charader  they  bear.  A  man  may  prefenily  take 
 up  the  name  of  a  chriftian,  with  whom  it  may  not 
 be  eafy  to  drop  it,  in  a  country  the  inhabitants 
 of  which  are  confidercd  as  chriftians,  except  thofe 
 who  exprefly  and  openly  deny  the  very  name,  as 
 Turks,  Jews  and  Deifls,  to  which  boldnefs  but  fev/ 
 comparatively  attain.  It  is  difficult  to  throw  off  the 
 garb  of  religion ;  and  rarely  fcen  that  he  who  hath 
 put  himfelf  under  a  form  of  chriftianity,  and  join- 
 ed to  any  particular  church,  is  fond  of  yielding  up 
 his  character,  though  alas  he  may  be  far  from  aiming 
 at  a  converfation  becoming  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  but 
 in  many  refpe£ls  behave  unworthy  his  heavenly  call- 
 ing, infomuch  that  it  may  be  fcarcely  tollcrable  for 
 him  to  be  continued  in  the  communion  of  faints.  But 
 the  difciples  at  Jerufalem  not  only  made  a  profeflion, 
 R  but 
 
258  LECTURESON 
 
 but  conUnued  Pedfnfily  there'n  :  'a-poc-y.upitfaHe;  one  word 
 in  the  original,  and  very  emphatical,  which  carries  in 
 it  an  inv'nc'ble  conftancy,  alluding  to  hunter^  who 
 ceafe  not  to  f(.llow  till  they  have  got  their  piirfuit:  it 
 fignifies  not  barely  perfcvcranc:,  bat  to  perfevcre  with 
 ftrength,  fo  as  to  increafe  in  their  attendance,  zeal  and 
 courage  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord.  Thus,  inllead  of 
 declining  and  becoming  lukewarm,  thefe  primitive 
 chriftians  waxed  bolder  and  ftronger,  and  exerted 
 theml'clves  ftill  more  and  more  :  for  the  expreflion 
 here  ufcd,  regards  not  only  the  time,  but  alfo  the 
 temper,  with  which  they  adhered  to  their  profeflion, 
 and  points  out  their  importuni  y  and  defire  in  this  per- 
 feverance  :  So  the  word  is  ufed,  Rom.  xii.  12.  continuing 
 injlant  in  prayer;  where  if  refpefts  not  barely  the  time 
 of  praying,  but  likewife  and  chiefly,  tht  fervent  manner 
 in  which  it  becomes  us  to  wreftle  with  God.  Thus 
 thefe  d.fciples  continued  ;  they  applied  themfelve* 
 with  carneftnefs  to  every  branch  and  duty  of  their 
 proleffion,  and  held  fail  the  fame  without  waver- 
 ing ;  being  patient,  watchful  and  adlive,  they  prefled 
 forward,  and  made  daily  advances  towards  a  perfection 
 in  the  things  which  pertained  to  the  kingdom  of  God. 
 How  noble  the  examp'e  !  and  what  a  reflexion  on 
 them  who  are  unfruitful  and  fickle,  and  who,  being 
 led  away  with  the  wicked,  fall  from  their  own  ftedfaft- 
 nefs  I  But  blefled  and  honorable  are  thofe  who  cleave 
 to  the  Lord  with  purpofe  of  heart. 
 
 The  particulars  in  which  thefe  chriftians  perfevered 
 in  fo  Liudable  a  manner  are  recited  as  follows ; 
 
 First, 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN-ITY.  259 
 
 First,  In  the  apojiles  do^rine,  i.  e.  the  docElrines 
 they  taught,  which  were  truly  the  doctrines  of 
 Chrift,  and  not  of  the  apoftles  invention.  The  gofpel 
 is  not  the  word  of  man,  but  of  God.  The  apoftles 
 were  ojily  minifters  of  Chrift,  and  fpake  the  wholfom 
 words  of  Jefiis  their  Lord,  nevtrrhe'efs  it  is  Ri'eJ  the 
 apoftlcb  do6trine ;  as  Paul,  who  aflumed  nothing  to 
 himfelf,  but  was  ever  deeply  afreded  vvith  his  unwor- 
 thyncfs  to  preach  it,  calls  it  his  gnfpcl,  becnufe  the 
 miniftration  thereof  was  committed  to  him  :  And  it 
 may  alfo  be  ftiled  their  do6trine  In  opposition  to  the  falfe 
 notions  fpread  abroad  by  fomc  w.,o  perverted  the  grfpel 
 ofChrift.  Dodlrine  here  is  no  otiier  than  the  faith 
 once  delivered  to  the  faints,  under  which  all  the  pre- 
 cious truths  of  the  gloriou.':  goi'pel  are  included;  in 
 general  it  was  Jefus  and  the  refurretSlion  ;  a  new  and 
 ftrange  do£trine  to  the  world,  yet  it  was  no  other 
 than  Mofes  and  the  prophets  did  fay  fhould  come. 
 Ads  xvii.  19.  and  chap.  xxvi.  22.  compared.  The 
 fubftance  of  this  gofpel  was  publiihed  of  old,  though, 
 not  being  mixed  with  faith  in  many  that  heard,  it  did 
 not  profit  or  fave  them,  and  they  periflied  in  their  fins  ; 
 which  awful  account  is  to  warn  us  that  we  receive  not 
 the  grace  of  God  in  vain.  Since  the  coming  of  Chrift", 
 this  grace  has  been  more  fully  manifefted  by  his  own 
 preaching,  and  that  of  his  infpired  apoflles,  whofe 
 dodlrine  included  every  thing  revealed  concerning  the 
 eternal  purpofe  of  the  Father,  and  the  covenant  of  re- 
 demption, wherein  is  laid  out  the  methods  of  divine 
 wifdom  and  love  in  the  falvation  of  the  chofen,  throuprh 
 faith  in  Chrifl  Jefus  :  So  that  the  apoflles  dodrine  takes 
 R  2  in 
 
-260  C  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 in  whatever  relates  to  the  Redeemer's  perfon,  media- 
 tor'al  character,  facrifice,  righteoufneis,  grace,  and 
 obedience  of  faith,  which  includes  the  office  of  the 
 Spirit,  and  in  a  word  the  whole  counfel  of  God.  Ma- 
 ny errors  were  foon  introduced,  as  hinted  already, 
 by  which  not  a  few  were  deceived  and  corrupted  i  but 
 the  apoftles  adhered  to  the  truth,  and  united  in  their 
 report  without  variation.  Their  dodrine  was  fimple 
 and  pure  ;  it  was  not  divers,  as  among  the  falfe  teachers, 
 not  yea  and  nay,  but  uniform,  confident  and  one; 
 which  may  be  another  reafon  for  its  being  thus  Itiled  : 
 They  one  and  all  preached  the  fame  gofpel  in  every 
 place.  Now  it  is  declared  that  the  primitive  chriftians 
 continued  ftedfaftly  in  this  apoftolic  doctrine :  And  this" 
 denotes  in  the  firft  place,  their  open  and  bold  profeffion 
 of  the  fame.  When  lound  do6b"ine  falls  into  difgrace, 
 and  becomes  oppofed  and  defpifed,  many  are  unwilling 
 to  own  it,  and  are  tempted  to  hide  their  convidlion  of 
 its  reality  and  importance;  but  thefe  difciples  were  not 
 afhamed  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  it  had  been  the  power 
 of  God  to  their  falvation  ;  they  therefore  held  faft  this 
 profeffion  of  their  faith  without  wavering,  and  perfeve- 
 red  in  their  witnefs  to  the  truth.  Again,  it  may  intend 
 their  diligence  in  hearing  this  dodrine,  which  indeed 
 ftands  connected  with  the  former.  Hearing  the  word 
 is  not  only  the  means  of  increafmg  in  fpiritual  know- 
 ledge, but  al'o  one  manner  of  teftifying  a  regard  for 
 the  gofpel :  So  that  the  man  who  negleits  it,  not  only 
 betrays  a  conceit  of  himfelf,  but  hereby,  in  fome 
 meafure,  drops  his  profeffion.  Not  fo  thofe  difciples, 
 they  continued  with  conftancy  under  the  preaching  of 
 the  word,  as  became  them  who  would  attain  to  all 
 
 riches 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    261 
 
 richer  of  the  full  aflurance  of  underftanding,  to  the  ac- 
 knowledgment of  the  myftery  of  God,  and  of  the  Fa- 
 ther, and  of  Chrift,  that  they  might  be  built  up  and 
 eftablifhed  in  the  faith,  as  they  had  been  taught  i  by 
 which  example  they  condemn  all  thofe  who  are  in- 
 different about  hearing  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  are 
 not  ftudious  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of. 
 Chrift:  If  fuch  have  the  love  of  God  in  them,  they 
 are  not  likely  to  beftedfaft  or  fruitful  in  their  proreiTion, 
 but  rather  to  be  carried  about  with  every  wind  of  falfe 
 doctrine,  and  vain  imagination  of  them  who  lay  in 
 wait  to  deceive;  fuch  are  in  very  great  danger  of  falling, 
 and  have  need  to  beware.  Thus  they  continued  fted- 
 faftly,  i.  e.  fwerved  not  from  their  profciTion  of  the 
 truth,  or  attendance  on  the  miniftration  of  it,  but 
 confefled  and  purfued  after  a  further  eftablifliment  in 
 the  dodrlne  they  had  been  taught  by  the  apoftles,  not 
 giving  place  to  the  herefies  that  abounded  in  oppofition 
 to  the  gofpel  of  Chrilt-,  or  abating  in  their  zeal  for  its 
 honor  and  fuccefs. 
 
 From  this  article  I  would  note  one  thing  by  the 
 way,  that  demands  our  attention,  which  is  this,  namely, 
 that  it  is  part  of  the  chriftian  charader  to  maintain  a 
 confcientious  regard,  and  ftriftly  adhere  to  found  doc- 
 trine. They  who  would  leffen  the  concern  of  the. 
 faithful  about  purity  in  dodtrine,  depart  from  the  ori- 
 ginal pattern,  and  flrike  at  the  foundation  of  real 
 chriftianity.  To  be  found  in  faith  in  this  fenfe,  is  of 
 the  utmoft  importance  j  for  truth  is  the  ftandard  of  ex- 
 perience, and  the  fole  rule  of  pra6lice ;  and  without 
 knowledge  neither  the  heart  nor  the  life  can  be  good ; 
 R  3  it 
 
262  LECTURES    ON 
 
 it  is  the  true  grace  of  God  or  true  dotSrine  of  the 
 gofpel,  wherein  believers  ftand,  and  become  fruitful, 
 I  Pet.  V.  12.  And  accordingly  it  is  written,  Col.  i".  6. 
 that  the  gofpel  which  came  unto  the  Coloffians,  as 
 it  did  in  all  the  world,  bringing  forth  fruit,  as,  faith 
 he,  "  it  doth  alfo  in  you,  fmce  the  day  ye  heard  6f 
 *'  it,  and  knew  the  grace  of  God  in  truth,"  i.  e.  the 
 true  grace  of  God  or  doftrine  of  Chrift,  in  the  ex- 
 perience and  power  of  them  through  faith.  Errors  in 
 <Jo£lrine  lead  to  errors  in  practice.  Hence,  though  a 
 mere  fpeculative  knowledge  of  the  gofpel  has  no  fay- 
 ing or  abiding  efFeft,  yet  it  is  needful  to  guard  againft 
 any  corruption  from  the  fimplicity  that  is  in  Chrift; 
 and  therefore  Paul  and  Barnabas,  Ails  xiii.  43.  fpeak- 
 ing  unto  the  people  at  Antioch,  "  perfuaded  them  to 
 *'  continue  in  the  grace  of  God,"  i.  e.  the  word  of 
 God,  which  they  had  been  preaching  unto  them.  It 
 is  therefore  becoming  the  chriftian  character  to  buy  the 
 truth  and  fell  it  not,  but,  after  the  example  of  thefe 
 difciples ,  to  be  ftedfaft  in  the  do£lrine  _of  the 
 Lord  preached  by  his  apoftle,  and  on  no  consideration 
 whatever,  in  any  degree,  depart  from  them.  But  to 
 return. 
 
 Another  inftance  in  which  thefe  primitive  fhri- 
 ftiaiis  perfevered,  is  felioivfiip.  By  fellowfhip  we 
 fometimes  underftand  an  union  v/ith  the  iaints,  or 
 place  in  their  fociety,  which  was  our  fubjedt  in  a 
 preceeding  lecture ;  and  I  confefs  that  the  fame  word 
 is  ufed  in  Gal.  ii.  9.  for  the  right  hand  of  fellowfhip, 
 given  by  Cephas  and  others  to  Paul  and  Barnabas, 
 in   token   of  their  hearty  acknowledgment   of  them 
 
 in 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIA^NITY.    263 
 
 in  the  character  of  fellow-communican's.  We  have 
 alfo  fhewn  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  believer  to  be 
 found  in  the  communion  of  faints,  which  fome  ne- 
 gle<ft,  who,  while  they  boaft  in  their  knowledge  of 
 doftrines,  have  not  learned  to  obferve  this  nohle  di- 
 vine inftitution.  But  we  have  already  feen  t'.efe  dif-r 
 ciples  added  to  the  church.  They  were  joined  to^ie- 
 ther  in  the  Lord  previous  to  this ;  (o  that  their  con- 
 tinuing ftedfaftly  in  this  fellowlhip  muft  re!^r  to  fome 
 particular  branch  of  duty  therein,  diftincl  from  other 
 articles  mentioned ;  and  1  apprehend  it  more  efpecially 
 regards  their  forwardnefs  to  communicate*.  In  the 
 fociety  or  fellowfliip  of  the  church  there  is  a  com- 
 munication of  all  goodnefs  from  one  to  another,  ac- 
 cording 
 
 Koivuvix,  an  obligation  to  this  free  and  faithful  communication  of  all 
 •iir  talents  perfonal  and  relative,  which  may  conduce  to  the  advantage  of 
 the  body  and  its  members,  refults  from  the  nature  of  that  covenant  chri- 
 flians  are  under  in  a  church  ftate,  which  hath  refpeft  not  only  to  the 
 Lord  as  our  common  head,  and  to  all  his  appointments  and  ofScers  in  his 
 houfe ;  but  it  alfo  has  a  mutual  refpeft  to  every  one  in  communion,  for 
 in  this  confederation  the  difciples  clave  together,  fo  as  to  be  no  longer 
 their  own,  but  the  property  one  of  another.  The  fcriptures  are  plain, 
 2  Cor.  viii.  5.  "  They  gave  themfelves  to  us  by  the  will  of  God," 
 Again,  Rom.  xv.  7.  "  Receive  ye  one  another."  And  further,  i  Pet, 
 V.  5.  "  Yea  all  of  you  be  fubjeft  one  to  another."  See  alfo  Col.  iv. 
 9 — 12.  I  Cor.  xii.  la — 27.  Rom.  xii.  {.  Col.  ii.  19.  and  Eph.  20,  21. 
 So  then  in  church-covenant,  by  the  wili  of  God,  his  people  give  them- 
 felves each  to  the  other,  and  are  as  it  were  the  property  one  of  the  other. 
 A  felfifh  felf-willed  fpirit  is  direflly  againft  the  principles  of  this  facred 
 union  in  the  Lord.  And  if  chriftians  united  with  underftanding,  accord- 
 ing to  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  and  were  faithful  to  their  folcmn  engagements, 
 they  would  abound,  to  their  power,  in  all  liberality  and  good  orfcr,  which 
 would  turn  to  their  mutual  comfort  and  edification.  But  there  is  reafon  to 
 fear  that  many  prefeflbrs  are  ignorant  of  the  foundation  of  this  holv  com- 
 paft  by  divine  appointment,  asd  therefore  without  remorfe  walk  after  their 
 •wn  imagination. 
 
 R4 
 
264  LECTURESON 
 
 cording  to  the  ability  which  God  giveth,  in  things 
 natural  and  fpiritual.  With  refpetSl  to  outward  good 
 things,  we  fhall  find  in  this  infant  church  an  univcrfal 
 community  of  their  fubftance  for  the  benefit  of  the 
 whole  J  a  circumftance  peculiar  to  the  then  ftate  of 
 chriftianity  in  the  world,  as  I  fhall  endeavour  to  (hew 
 in  its  place.  If  this  is  at  all  referrtd  to  here,  it  may 
 intend  their  continuing  from  time  to  time,  as  addi- 
 tions were  made  of  new  convert's,  or  any  others  who 
 might  have  property  come  into  their  hands,  to  throw 
 it  into  the  common  ftock,  as  at  t'le  beginning.  How 
 ever  a  free  contribution  of  temporal  good,  for  the 
 fupport  of  the  miniftry,  fupply  of  the  poor,  and  other 
 recefiary  expences  for  maintaining  the.  worfliip  of 
 God  in  the  communion  of  his  faints,  is  an  efiential 
 branch  of  chriftian  fellowUiip  in  the  prefent  ftate  of 
 the  church,  and  will  be  fo  to  the  end  of  the  world, 
 unto  which,  exhortations  abound  in  the  New-Tefta- 
 ment,  which  fome  regard  nor,  being  fadly  deficient  in 
 their  duty  to  the  L^rd  and  his  people.  But  many  are 
 of  another  and  a  better  fpirit,  or  the  vifible  intcreft 
 of  Chrift  would  fink  in  the  world,  which,  blefied  be 
 God,  who  has  the  hearts  of  men  in  his  hands,  fhall 
 never  come  to  pafs.  But  this  is  not  to  be  reftrained 
 to  liberality,  it  extends  to  other  inftances  of  brotherly 
 love,  and  takes  in  fpiritual  communications,  fuch  as 
 admonitions,  advice,  yej  and  vifiting  the  fick,  or 
 thofe  who  are  in  diftrefs;  for  however  thoughtlefs, 
 or  little  exercifed,  fome  may  be  in  the  laft  mentioned 
 office  of  love,  to  the  grief  of  their  affli6lcd  brethren, 
 it  is  a  confiderable  branch  of  practical  godlinefs  and 
 chriftian  communion,  and  they  who  negledt  it  do  well 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    265 
 
 to  confider  what  the  apoftle  James  declares,  chap. 
 i.  ulto.  *'  Pure  religion  and  undefiled  before  God  and  " 
 *'  the  Father  is  this,  to  vifit  the  fatherlefs  and  the  widow 
 **  in  their  affliction."  In  (hort,  when  it  is  faid  they 
 continued  ftcdfaflly  in  fellowihip,  it  carries  in  it  their 
 conftancy  and  diligence  in  every  a£l  of  endeared 
 friendfhip,  and  mutual  and  earneft  endeavour  by  love 
 to  ferve  one  another,  as  they  had  opportunity,  and  as 
 occafion  required.  Thus  thefe  primitive  chriftians 
 abounded  in  every  focial  virtue,  each  one  ftriving 
 to  his  utmoft  for  the  comfort  and  edification  of  the 
 church,  and- the  members  in  particular;  fo  that  their 
 religion  did  not  reft  in  purity  of  doctrine,  but,  like 
 thofe  who  have  an  experience  of  its  power,  and  the 
 Icve  of  God  in  their  hearts,  they  were  fruitful  in 
 every  good  word  and  work. 
 
 The  next  article,  by  which  their  continuing  fted- 
 faftly  under  their  profeiTion  is  fpecified,  is  that  of 
 breaking  of  bread.  A  phrafe  which,  however  fome- 
 times  ufed  for  common  and  natural  meals,  as  I  ap- 
 prehend in  verfe  46,  yet  here,  I  think,  it  plainly  in- 
 tends that  fpiritual  repaft,  or  divine  ordinance  in  the 
 church,  the  Lord's-fupper.  On  this  table  of  tiie 
 Lord,  are  placed  by  his  dire«5tion,  bread  and  wine, 
 which  are  appointed  figns  or  figures  of  his  body  ar<i 
 blood,  the  conftituent  parts  of  that  flefh  in  which  he 
 fufFered,  when  he  became  a  facrifice  for  the  fins  df 
 his  people.  One  end  of  this  fupper  being  a  com- 
 memoration of  our  Saviour's  paflion  on  the  crofs,  as 
 fpecified  by  himfelf,  when  he  inftituted  the  fame/,  and 
 .accordingly  it  is  faid,  that  "  in  eating  this  bread,  and 
 
 •    "  in 
 
266  LECTURES    ON 
 
 •'  in  drinking  this  cup,  ye  do  fliew  forth  the  Lord> 
 "  death  till  he  come,"  i  Cor.  xi.  26.  But  there  is 
 another  fign  of  ufe  iji  this  ordinance.  We  are  taught 
 chap.  X.  17.  of  the  fame  epiftle,  which  is  this,  name- 
 ly, that  hereby  we  teftify  our  union  with  Chrift,  and 
 with  one  another  in  him:  "  For  (faith  the  apoftic) 
 «'  we  being  many  are  one  Bread  *,    and  one  body  j 
 
 "  for 
 
 *  Dr.  Dodderidge  notes  that  many  ynluatle  manufcripts  read,  "  and  of 
 "  one  cup."  And  we  find  in  the  preceeding  verfe,  and  indeed  in  all 
 ether  places  in  fcripture,  vhe  cup  in  the  fupper  is  mentioned  in  the  hngu- 
 lar  niimbei-,  which  anfvvers  to  the  idea  our  Saviour  himfelf  gives  us  of  his 
 bloody  luffcrings,  reprefcnted  by  the  cup  in  the  facrament.  When  in  an 
 agony  in  the  garden  he  I'upplicates  his  Father,  he  fays  not,  Let  thefe  cups, 
 as  of  mar»/,  but  as  of  one.  Let  tbh  cup  pafs  from  me.  But,  in  refpeft  of 
 the  bread,  it  is  exprcfly  faid  to  be  one,  i.  e.  as  expofitors  generally  agree, 
 one  loaf.  It  is  well  known  thnt  the  order  of  the  words  are  as  follows : 
 ViiTi  *K  acT^  tv  c-uiJ.ot.  o\  tJot^Xoi  eo-jiaei/]  "  Becaufe  the  bread  is  o»e, 
 "  we,  being  many,  are  one  body."  Which  Dr.  Whitby  paraphrafes 
 thus  :  '  The  loaf  or  bread  is  -one ;  and  we  all  partalie  of  one  loaf,  and 
 '  therefore  are  one  body,*  This  he  improves  againft  the  pra£tice  of  the 
 Church  of  Rome,  who  diflributes  to  her  communicants  feverally  an  un- 
 broken wafer;  fo  that,  as  the  Doftor  obfcrves,  they  neither  are  partakers 
 of  one  bread  or  loaf,  or  of  bread  broken,  as  faith  he,  it  was  the  cuftom 
 both  of  Jews  and  chriftians  to  do,  i,  e.  the  one  at  the  paflbver,  and  the 
 other  at  the  fupper.  But  then,  why  do  proteftants  break  feveral  loaves, 
 the  pieces  of  which  are  received  by  the  members  of  the  fame  church  ? 
 If  they  partake  of  bread  broken,  is  it  of  one  bread  ?  The  bread  and  one 
 Irejdare  fynonymous  phrafes,  and  fignify  one  lump  or  loaf.  And  Dr.  Gill 
 lias  given  us  from  Dr.  Lightfoot  a  very  pertinent  paflage  of  a  writer  of 
 note,  whence  it  appears  that  the  Jews  thought  it  needful,  in  order  to  an 
 iiffociation  of  this  kind,  that  the  bread  whereof  the  members  partake 
 Ihouid  be  originally  in  one  loaf;  and  en  the  like  principle  do  chriftians 
 commune  at  the  table  of  tjieir  Lord.  I  am  fenfible  that  many  have  the 
 following  glofs  on  this  paiTjge,  namely,  "  As  bread  confifts  of  many 
 "  grains  of  corn,  which  being  grousd  and  kneeded  together  make  up 
 *<  one  lojf,  fo  bcHcvers  being  many  are  one  body  of  which  Chrift  is  the 
 "  head."  Thus  they  fpc  k,  as  if  the  apoftle  alluded  to  the  compofition 
 •f  a  loaf  ef  corn  bread  j  but  1  humbly  apprehend  this  is  not  his  defign. 
 
 Hs 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    267 
 
 <*  for  we  are  all  partakers  of  that  one  bread."  This 
 idea  of  the  facrament  feems  now  little  regarded ;  but,, 
 allowing  the  paflage  refers  to  the  flipper,  which  will 
 fcarce  be  denied,  is  not  this  as  truly  the  counfel  of 
 God  as  the  other  ?  The  firft  and  principle  defign  of 
 this  holy  ordinance,  is  to  exhibit  the  natural  body  of 
 Jefus  in  a  figure,  and  to  manifeft  his  fufferings  and 
 death,  yet  we  are  not  to  exclude  from  our  view  the 
 defign  alfo  of  reprefenting  the  myjlical  body  of  Chrift, 
 and  our  profeflion  of  a  union  in  him,  by  partaking 
 together  of  one  and  the  fame  bread,  which  is  broken 
 and  divided  in  the  communion  of  the  faithful.  This 
 idea  of  the  fupper  is  adapted  to  holinefs,  love,  and 
 that  practical  union,  if  I  may  fo  exprefs  it,  a  great 
 deficiency  in  which  is  too  juftly  lamented  in  the  pre- 
 fent  time.     I  mention  it  now  on  occafion  of  this  peri- 
 
 phrafe 
 
 He  is  arguing,  not  from  the  comp  fition  of  a  loaf,  but  from  the  original 
 unity  of  thofe  pieces  in  one  lump,  which  are  diftributed  to  the  fcveraj 
 communicants  in  this  gofpcl-feaft.  And,  in  my  opinion,  it  is  not  fuffi- 
 cient  to  fay,  that  the  members  of  a  church,  all  partake  of  bread,  whicii 
 is  of  the  fame  nature  or  kind.  Nothing  lefs  will  come  up  to  the  argu- 
 ment of  the  apoftle  than  this,  that  the  bread  whereof  chriftians  partake  in 
 that  divine  ordinance,  is  at  firft  or  before  it  is  broken,  in  one  mafs  or 
 lump.  And  I  think  we  cannot  be  too  exa£l  in  the  manifeft  clrcum- 
 fiances  of  a  pofitive  inftitutlon  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  And  I  hope  there 
 needs  no  other  apology  for  detaining  the  Reader  v.'ith  this  long  note,  which 
 J  conclude  with  the  following  lines  of  that  celebrated  poetical  expofjicrj 
 the  late  Dr.  Watts  : 
 
 *  We  are  but  fevVal  parts 
 
 *  Of  the  fame  broken  bread  ; 
 
 *  One  body  hath  its  fev'ral  limbs, 
 
 *  But  Jefus  is  the  Head. 
 
 Watts's  hymns,  book  3.  hymn  2.  See  alfi?  the  fcveral  learned  authors  on 
 the  place  abovcmentioned,  and  likewifc  Dr.  Hammond,  and  the  continua- 
 tors  of  Mr,  Henry,  Arc, 
 
268  LECTURES     ON 
 
 phrafe  of  the  eucharift  breaking  bread,  which  manifeftly 
 correfponds  with  the  defcription  of  the  maniier  in 
 which  this  ordinance  is  adminiftred,  one  branch  of 
 which  lies  in  breaking  a  fingle  loaf  or  lump  of  bread  ; 
 for  the  abovementioned  paflagc  would  be  diverted 
 of  all  its  propriety  and  argument,  if  the  ancient 
 cuftom  was  not  to  have  one  lump  only  divided  among 
 the  communicants,  there  being  no  other  tolerable  fenfe 
 in  which  thofe  who  partake  in  this  ordinance  may  be 
 faid  to  participate  of  one  brtad,  but  that  of  the  feveral 
 pieces  of  which  each  receive  one,  being  originally 
 united  in  one  lump  and  fo  prefer  ted  on  the  table,  and 
 broken  afuncJcr,  as  the  Lord  hath  (hewn  us.  And  this 
 is  the  foundation  of  the  apoftle's  reafoning  from  the 
 communion,  unto  th6  union  of  them  who  partake  m 
 it,  as  members  of  one  body  in  Chrift.  If  a  ftranger 
 was  to  form  his  notion  of  the  manner  in  the  facra- 
 ment  from  this  place,  he  might  juftly  be  furprized, 
 on  bcinf'  a  fpeciator  at  this  ordinance  in  the  ufual 
 method,  to  fee  a  number  of  loaves  divided  on  the  oc- 
 cafion,  and  at  a  lofs  to  reconcile  it  with  the  idea  con- 
 veyed by  the  apoftle  in  the  paflage  referred  to.  How 
 far  this  may  deferve  confideration,  I  leave  to  the  Rea- 
 der ;  but  if  it  be  lawful  to  conform  in  our  practice 
 to  the  reafoning  of  a  pafTage,  which  manifeltly  re- 
 fers to  this  inftitution,  why  iliould  we  not  ?  and 
 efpecially  as  it  may  eafily  be  done.  But  to  pafs  this; 
 breaking  of  bread  bcins;  thus  a  conftituent  branch  in 
 the  adminidration  of  the  fupper,  no  wonder  it  is  men- 
 tioned under  this  phrafe ;  and  that  in  fpeaking  of  the 
 difciples  aflembling  to  eat  it,  it  is  faid  they  came  to- 
 gether to  break  bread,   as  in  Ails  xx.  7,  |i.     And 
 
 again. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  269 
 again,  i  Cor.  x.  16.  faith  the  apoftle,  "  the  bread 
 *<  which  we  break." 
 
 Now  it  is  declared   of  thefe  chriftians,    that  they 
 continued   ftedfaflly  in  breaking  of  bread  ;    they  did 
 not,  as  fome,    decline  this  branch  of  their  holy  pro- 
 feflion,  but  were  conftant  and  univerfal  in  a  frequent 
 attendance  on  the  Lord  at  his  table.     In  this  precious 
 inftitution  of  the   Saviour  the  fum  of  the  gofpel   is 
 colleded,    and  fometimes  the  fweeteft  communion  is 
 found  ;  it  exhibi-s  a  crucified  Jefus,  and  is  moft  wifely 
 adapted  to  promote  the  life  and   power  of  godlinefs, 
 and  to  fatisfy  and  rejoice  the  believer,  who  is  looking 
 for  the  bleffed  hope  of  his  glorious  appearance;  and 
 fad  is  the  fymptom  of  a  growing  negleft  of  this  holy 
 ordinance  among  nominal  chriftians  I     But  thefe  firfl 
 difciples  were  zealous,  and  frequent  in  their  attendance 
 upon   it ;    how   frequent  is    not   recited  ;    fome   have 
 thought  daily,  or  at  leaft  in  every  meeting,  but  the 
 account  we  have  of  their  coming  together  to  break 
 «   bread   feems   rather  to  fuppofe  they   had  other  meet- 
 incrs   of  a   religious   kind,    in   which  that   ordinance 
 was  not  adm.iniftered ;   however  this   is  certam  from 
 1  Cor.  xi.  26.    that   they  often   eat   this  bread,    and 
 drank  this   cup.     And  from  other  accounts  it  feems 
 to  have  been  at  leaft:  every  firft  day  of  the  week ;  to 
 which  agrees  the  pafiage  in  Jchn  before  mentioned, 
 and  alfo  the  pradfice  of  the  church  for  centuries  after 
 the  age  of  the  apoftles ;    for  writers,   both  chriftian 
 and  heathen,  fpeak  of  the  biftiop  giving  the  eucharifl: 
 on  Sunday,  when  they  were  aftembled  to  praife  Chrifi: 
 and  bind  themfelves  by  a  facrament,  as  the  heathens 
 
 obferved  j 
 
270  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 obferved ;  but  the  learned  and  impartial  author  of  the 
 conftitution  and  dilcipline  of  the  primitive  church, 
 page  19,  obferve?,  *  that  in  thefe  days  they  comrau- 
 *  nicated  at  leaft  three  times  a  week,  viz.  Wed- 
 '  nefdays,  Fridays,  and  Lord's-days.'  It  was  cele- 
 brated in  the  evening  at  Troas,  on  the  firft  day  of  the 
 week,  v.'hen  Paul  preached  till  midnight ;  and  from 
 the  above-named  writer,  page  103,  it  appears,  this 
 fupper  was  adminiftred  at  the  conclufion  of  their  fo- 
 lemn  fervices,  i.  e.  after  they  had  read,  fung,  preach- 
 ed and  prayed,  which  folemnities  were  held  either 
 morning;  or  evening,  as  beft  fuited  in  the  times  of 
 perfecution.  However  this  eucharift  was  given  not 
 yearly,  or  once  in  a  quarter,  which  by  no  means  an- 
 Iwers  to  the  frequency  hinted  in  fcripture  j  no,  nor 
 did  thefe  zealous  difciples  content  themfelves  with  a 
 monthly  commemoration  of  their  Saviour's  paflion, 
 which  feems  much  too  often  for  many  nominal  chri- 
 ftians  in  this  day;  for,  being  full  of  love  to  Jefua 
 Chrift,  and  to  each  other,  as  members  of  the  fame 
 body  in  him,  they  afiembled  every  week  or  of.ener, 
 to  join  in  this  communion.  They  gloried  in  tha 
 crofs,  and  delighted  in  their  union  in  Chrift ;  and,  as 
 pcrfons  longing  after  the  prefence  and  honor  of  their  . 
 JLord,  and  their  mutual  refreftiment  and  joy,  they 
 continued  univerfally  to  come  up  together  in  his  name, 
 to  eat  at  his  table ;  thus  they  glorified  their  Saviour, 
 «nd  encouraged  one  another  !  An  example  worthy 
 the  imitation  of  all  who  profefs  chriftianity. 
 
 It  remains  to  confider  the  laft  inftance  in  which 
 jthefe  difciples  perfevcred.     The  apoftle  adds,  and  in 
 
 prayers. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    171 
 
 prayers.  All  pr.iyer  becomes  the  charader  of  a 
 chrifti.m,  but  here  is  intended  particularly  the  prayers 
 ot  the  chujch.  The  houfe  of  the  Lord  is  an  houfe 
 of  prayer  J  and  the  fecial  worfhip  of  his  people  lies 
 much  in  their  uni.ed  and  carneft  fupplications  at  the 
 throne  of  grace.  Prayers  attend  every  folemnity,  but 
 many  are  ihc  O'Xafions  of  the  chuich  in  this  change- 
 able and  militant  ftate  for  folemn  feafons  of  prayer; 
 and,  indeed,  in  the  beft  of  times  there  is  need  of  thefe 
 opportunities  in  which  the  faints  may  *'  build  up  one 
 **  another  on  their  moft  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy 
 **  Ghoft."  Now  the  primitive  chriftians  applied  thcm- 
 felves  earneftly  to  this  part  of  their  duty  in  the  houfe 
 of  God ;  they  were  conftant,  early  and  zealous  at  the 
 appointed  feafons  of  prayer;  and  not  like  fome  who 
 are  excufing  themfelves  on  every  occafion.  On  per- 
 fons  firft  fetting  out  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  it  is 
 generally  feen  that  they  are  difpofcd  to  thefe  meetings, 
 and  read)-  to  come  where  prayer  is  wont  to  be  made ; 
 but  it  often  appears  that  fuch  are  foon  drawn  afide, 
 and  decline  their  attendance.  It  may  lilcewile  be 
 obferved  that  when  prayer -meetings  are  newly  fet . 
 up,  people  flock  for  awhile  j  but,  as  if  they  came 
 out  of  mere  curiofity,  in  a  very  little  time,  many  ne- 
 gte£l  or  for  fake  them.  Nor  fliould  we  be  furprized 
 that  the  carnally-minded  are  not  to  be  held  to  thi« 
 fpiritual  exercife ;  for  the  fiefh  cannot  bear  the  circum- 
 fpe£tion,  felf-denial,  and  holinefs,  needful  to  a  con- 
 tinuing inftant  in  prayer ;  but,  hearken,  ye  nominal 
 chriftians,  who  defpife  thefe  appointments  in  the  com- 
 munities to  which  you  belong !  can  you  read  this  ac- 
 ^  *unt  without  blulhing  ?    See  how  the  love  of  Chrift 
 
 conilrained 
 
\ 
 
 2^^  LECTURES    ON 
 
 conftralned  thefe  difciples  !  They  continued  ftedfaftly 
 in  prayers,  being  univerfally  forward  to  fill  their  af- 
 fembiies  ;  and,  are  you  confcious  of  negledting  the 
 prayers  of  the  church  in  which  you  have  a  place,  and 
 of  a  difinclination  to  join  them  ?  How  dwells  this  love 
 in  your  heart ! 
 
 Thus  (lands  divided  a  chrlftian  profeffion  under 
 four  diflindl  branches,  do61:rine,  fellowfhip,  i.  e.  fecial 
 and  mutual  communications,  breaking  of  bread  in  the 
 fupper  of  the  Lord,  and  ftated  or  occafional  aflemblies 
 for  prayer :  In  each  particular  the  primitive  chriftians, 
 infpired  with  zeal  for  the  glory  of  Jefus,  and  love  to 
 one  another,  were  conftant  and  a£tive,  purfuing  every 
 duty  of  their  calling  and  communion  in  Chrifb,  with 
 zn  increafmg  boldnefs  and  ardor;  an  illuftrious  fpeci- 
 men  of  that  faith  by  which  alone  a  man  is  juftified, 
 receives  remiflion  of  fms,  and  is  entitled  to  a  claim 
 among  the  children  of  God.  It  is  a  faith  which  work- 
 eth  by  love,  and  will  certainly  influence  the  fubjefk 
 to  a  fleady  and  fruitful  behaviour  as  becomes  the 
 gofpel. 
 
 That  many  come  fhort  of  this  noble  example,  it 
 is  necdlefs  to  prove;  but  we  may  juftly  lament  the 
 little  appearance  there  is  of  a  general  aim  at  the  like 
 perfedlion  in  obedience  and  love.  The  manner  of 
 living  among  the  difciples  at  firft  in  Jerufalem,  to  be 
 confidered  hereafter,  will  further  explain,  illuftrate  and 
 confirm  the  articles  we  have  now  been  upon,  and  na- 
 turally induce  to  fome  remarks  which  would  otherwifc 
 be  pertinent  here,    I  Ihall  therefore,    referving   them 
 
 for 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  273 
 a  more  fuitable  place,  clofe  this  leflure  with  a  re- 
 fle<5tion,  or  rather  an  excitation  to  refledt,  and  la- 
 bour after  a  conformity  to  this  primitive  fpirit  and 
 condudt. 
 
 Permit  me,  my  dear  chriftian  Reader,  to  put  you 
 in  remembrance,  and  to  ftir  up  your  zeal.  How 
 different  this  behaviour  of  the  primitive  difciples  to 
 that  which  appears  among  us  at  this  day  !  Jnftead  of 
 continuing  ftedfaftly,  what  numbers,  through  love  of 
 the  world,  or  diftruft  of  the  power  and  faithfulncfs 
 of  God,  warp  and  foon  turn  afide  !  Look  round 
 and  confider,  who  are  they  tiat  continue  and  increafe 
 in  a  becoming  boldnefs  for  the  truth — that  delight  in 
 the  fellowfhip  of  the  faints,  freely  communicarinw  of 
 their  talents,  natural  and  fpiritual,  for  the  edification 
 of  the  church — that  are  frequent  at  the  table  of  the 
 Lord — and  that  are  zealous  in  promoting  afiemblies 
 for  prayer?  Bleffed  be  God,  there  are  fome ;  but, 
 muft  it  not  be  owned  that  among  nominal  chriftians, 
 the  generality  content  themfelves  with  bare  hearing, 
 and  that  in  a  manner  uncertain  and  carelefs  ?  But, 
 among  thofe  who  have  feparated  themfelves  to  the 
 ordinances  of  Chrifb,  and  are  joined  to  his  church, 
 what  lukewarmnefs,  floth  and  inftability  is  fecn  !  How 
 carnal,  worldly  and  felfifli  I  Do  not  earthly  cares,  af- 
 fections, and  pleafures,  openly  engrofs  the  time  and 
 attention  of  many,  to  a  general  negle6l  of  the  duties 
 and  privileges  which  belong  to  a  chriftian  proreiTicu  ? 
 In  a  word,  how  few  are  the  inftances  in  which  men 
 io  withftand  the^  temptations  they  are  under,  and 
 ollow  after  righteoufnels,  as  to  come  up  in  any  to!e- 
 
 S  lable 
 
274  LECTURES    ON 
 
 rable  degree  to  this  ftandard  of  pure  and  vital  chri* 
 ftianity  !  Witnefs  the  manner  in  which,  by  accounts, 
 the  folemn  appointn^ents  of  the  churches  are  in  com- 
 mon regarded,  or  rather  in  all  appearance  defpifed,  to 
 the  increafe  of  licentioufnefs,  and  the  grief  of  all 
 who  are  heartily  concerned  for  the  faith  and  order  of 
 the  gofpel !  O  that  we  confidered  the  dignity  and  ho- 
 linefs  of  the  calling  we  prolefs,  and  lived  up  to  our 
 obligations  and  hope,  and  to  the  light  we  have  receiv- 
 ed !  Then  fhould  we  vie  with,  yea,  and  in  fome  re- 
 fpe£l:s,  exceed  thefe  worthy  believers ;  but,  alas  they 
 condemn  us  !  They  thus  cleaved  to  the  Lord  with  an 
 holy  fortitude,  amidfl:  perfecutions  and  fiery  trials  j 
 but  as  for  us,  though  we  pretend  to  the  fame  divine 
 chara6ler,  and  call  ourfelves  the  difciples  or  followers 
 of  a  Captain,  who  overcame  the  world,  and  was  made 
 perfecl  through  fuffcrings ;  yet  alas,  how  vain  are  the 
 trifles  that  amufe  us  from  his  precious  appointments  ! 
 What  flight  afflicStions,  and  little  fclf-denial,  will  in- 
 timidate and  flumble  us;  and,  to  fay  no  more,  what 
 fiiameful  excufes  are  made  by  many  profeffors  for  their 
 no  lefs  fliamcful  habitual  negleil  of  their  ftation  in 
 the  houfc  of  Goil  !  I  hope  this  is  fpoken  to  him  that 
 can  by  no  means  allow  himfelf  in  a  lukewarm  and 
 fruitlefs  profeffion  :  But,  if  any  can  read  this  account 
 of  the  primitive  chriftians,  and  be  carelefs  and  difor- 
 dcrly  ;  if  he  can,  through  floth,  love  of  pleafure,  or 
 from  any  other  caufe  whatever,  neglect  the  ordinances 
 of  the  Lord,  pour  contempt  on  the  folemn  appoint- 
 ments of  his  church,  and  refufe  to  join  in  her  prayers, 
 he  betrays  an  obduracy  and'  perverfnefs,  yea  and  that 
 want  of  love  to  Chrifl  and  his  ways,  which  lays  hitn 
 
 undey 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    275 
 
 mider  a  juft  fufpicion  of  being  the  fervant  of  fin;  at  the 
 thoughts  of  which  who  would  not  tremble? 
 
 No  one  can  doubt,  but  that  the  deportment  of  thefe 
 firft  difclples  is  written  for  our  imitation  ;  let  us  then 
 not  be  flothful,  but  followers  of  them,  who  thus  after 
 having  axlorned  their  chriftian  character,  through  faith 
 and  patience  inherit  the  promifes.  Remember  it  be- 
 comes us  to  hold  faft  our  profeffion  in  every  branch  : 
 To  be  found  in  the  do6lrines  of  grace,  to  be  filled 
 with  the  fruits  of  focial  virtue  in  our  fellowfhip  with 
 the  faints,  to  be  frequent  in  a  commemoration  of  the 
 Lord  at  his  table,  and  to  continue  inftant  in  the  pray- 
 ers of  his  people,  are  things  of  the  utmoft  importance 
 to  the  glory  of  God,  the  advantage  of  thofe  with  whom 
 we  are  in  communion,  and  the  joy  of  them  that  watch 
 for  our  fouls,  whofe  faithful  account  moft  nearly  con- 
 cerns us.  By  a  ftedfaft  adherence  to  thefe  things,  the 
 world  will  know  that  we  are  the  difciples  of  Jefus, 
 and  we  may  expect  an  increafe  in  knowledge  and 
 faith,  and  to  enjoy  communion  with  God.  Our  bold- 
 nefs,  both  now  and  hereafter,  depends  much  on  our 
 thus  abiding  in  Chrift,  Pfalm  cxix.  6.  i  John  ii.  28. 
 Unlefs  we  thus  cleave  to  the  Lord,  we  fliall  not  be 
 able  to  face  the  enemy  with  courage,  nor  can  we  ufe 
 freedom  in  prayer ;  for  how  (liall  a  man  look  up  to 
 Jefus,  who  is  a  prieft  on  his  throne,  when  he  is  con- 
 fcious  of  negleding  his  precepts  ?  It  is  likewife  of 
 importance  in  our  lateft  moments,  if  they  are  at- 
 tended with  reflection.  What  comfort  can  there  be 
 in  a  review  of  an  unftable  and  fruitlefs  profeffion  ?  Di- 
 yine  forgivenefs  may  fupport  the  heart  under  this  for- 
 '"'*-  S   2  rowful 
 
276  LECTURES    ON 
 
 rowful  profpe£l;  but  in  proportion  to  a  juftfenfeof 
 this  grace,  the  penitent  will  be  filled  with  fhame,  and 
 bitterly  mourn  his  ungrateful  backflidings :  Whereas 
 he  that  ftands  fail  hath  this  rejoicing,  the  teftimony  of 
 a  good  confcience,  and  many  fweet  promi fes  to  en- 
 courage him,  particularly  that  capital  one:  **  Be  thou 
 *'  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of 
 *'  life."  Nor  fhould  it  be  omitted  that  the  real  cha- 
 ra6ler  of  the  righteous  muft  hereafter  be  manifefted 
 and  confirmed,  by  the  inftances  of  their  love  to  Chrift 
 and  his  people,  and  how  that  will  appear  in  their  con- 
 du£l  who  are  flothful  and  carelefs,  fuch  do  well  to 
 confider ;  therefore  "  abide  in  Chrift,  that,  when  he 
 *'  fhall  appear,  ye  may  have  confidence,  and  not  be 
 *'  afhamed  before  him  at  his  coming." 
 
 In  one  word;  nothing  fliort  of  this  will  poflefs 
 mankind  with  a  reverence  of  the  Lord  and  his  church, 
 or  induce  renewed  teftimonies  of  the  power  and  grace 
 of  God,  whereby  it  may  be  known  that  he  is  in  the  midft 
 of  a  people  to  blefs  them.  When  perfons  united  under 
 a  profefTion  of  the  gofpel  are  lukewarm,  diforderly  and 
 licentious,  they  are  left  of  God,  whofe  Spirit  ii  griev- 
 ed, and  become  contemptible;  but  if  they  keep  up  to 
 the  temper  and  conduit  of  thefc  firft  dlfciples,  and 
 walk  in  love ;  as  fear  came  on  every  foul  around  this 
 chriftian  church,  fo  it  will  be  in  a  meafure  with  them ; 
 for  a  church  fo  walking  together  may  be  truly  admired 
 in  the  language  of  Solomon's  Song,  chap.  vi.  lO.  with 
 which  I  conclude,  "  Who  is  fhe  that  looketh  forth  as 
 "  the  morning,  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  fun,  and 
 *'  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners  ?  " 
 
 lecture; 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    277 
 
 LECTURE     XVIII. 
 
 The  manner  in  which  thefe  primitive  difciples  lived 
 together  in  the  church  at  Jerufalem. 
 
 IN  this  conclfe  hiftory  of  the  primitive  church,  we 
 have  already  feen  the  conftant  and  earneft  pur- 
 fuit  of  her  members  in  every  branch  of  their  profeffion. 
 Impartiahty  and  zeal  are  genuine  fymptoms  of  real 
 piety,  in  which  they  abounded,  and  became  an  ex- 
 ample' to  the  faithful  in  every  age.  We  now  pafs  to 
 the  fecond  general  divifion  of  the  account,  which  con- 
 tains their  manner  of  living,  comprehending  their 
 pleafant  fituatiwn,  how  their  tiir-e  was  employed,  the 
 fpirit  or  temper  which  prevailed  among  them,  and 
 the  influence  ii  had  on  thofe  who  b?held  them.  The 
 whole  prefents  us  with  a  beaudful  fcene  of  brotherly 
 love,  and  delight  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  ! 
 
 As  to  their  fituation,  we  are  told,  ver.  4^.  that 
 *'  all  that  believed  were  together."  Etti  to  avTo,  i.  e. 
 literally  in  the  fame  ;  this  may  be  vari -ufly  applied; 
 they  were  in  the  fame  judgment,  ^nd  the  fame  in  point 
 of  experience  and  worfhip,  they  had  one  Lord,  one 
 faith,  and  one  baptifm  ;  but  this  is  included  in  ver.  42, 
 already  explained.  They  were  alfo  united  in  their 
 affe(9tions  one  towards  another ,  minding  the  fame 
 S  3  thing, 
 
278  LECTURES    ON 
 
 thing,  and,  being  knit  together  in  love,  as  one  man, 
 they  ftrove  for  the  faith  of  the  gofpel,  following  the  . 
 things  which  make  for  peace  and  mutual  edification. 
 Satan  had  not  yet  excited  thofe  finful  pa.Tions,  too 
 often  feen  among  chriftians,  whereof  come  evil  fur- 
 mifings,  contentions  and  divifions,  to  the  difturbancs 
 of  their  peace,  and  the  diigrace  of  their  heavenly  call- 
 ing. The  malicious  and  fubtle  adverfary  indeed  foon 
 found  means  to  ftir  up  a  vain-glorious  difpofition,  and 
 occafion  fchifms  among  them,  witnefs  at  Corinth  ; 
 one  was  of  Paul  and  another  of  Apollos,  infomuch 
 that  in  2  epift.  xli.  20.  the  apoftle  faith,  **  I  fear,  left 
 ''  when  I  come  I  fhall  not  find  you  fuch  as  I  would— 
 "  left  there  be  debates,  envyings,  wrath,  flrife,  &c." 
 But  at  prefent  and  for  awhile  this  church  at  Jerufalem 
 was  free  from  thefe  corruptions  and  diforders,  and  the 
 difciples,  as  new-born  babes,  defired  the  fincere  milk 
 of  the  word,  and  were  perfectly  united  in  an  harmo- 
 nious purfuit  after  the  glory  of  Chrift  and  each  other's 
 comfort,  having  no  party-views,  or  different  aims  in 
 their  communion  together,  but  were  of  one  accord 
 and  of  one  mind.  Thus,  Ads  iv.  32,  we  are  told, 
 that  "  the  multitude  of  them  that  believed,  were  of 
 "  one  heart  and  of  one  foul." 
 
 This  may  alfo  refer  to  the  frequent  meetings  they 
 held,  which  perfectly  agrees  with  the  account  of  their 
 practice ;  "  they  were  daily  in  the  temple,  and  from 
 *'  houfe  to  houfe,"  of  which  more  hereafter.  ]n  this 
 view  it  fhews  that  they  did  not  forfake  the  afTembling 
 of  them  (elves  together,  as  the  manner  of  fome  is,  but 
 
 aflbciaied 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    279 
 
 aflbciated  with   conflancy  and   delight,    fo   that   they 
 were  in  a  manner  always  in  company. 
 
 Again,  they  were  together  in  one  church-ftate. 
 The  learned  Dr.  Lightfoot  underftands  it  of  their 
 keeping  together  in  feveral  companies  or  congre_a- 
 tions,  according  to  their  languages,  nations,  and  other 
 connexions,  &c.  But  I  humbly  apprehend,  that  if 
 feparate  congregations  were  needful  for  thefe  or  any 
 other  reafons,  as  here  among  Proteftants  of  different 
 nations,  for  inftance,  the  Dutch,  the  French,  &c.  yet 
 it  is  evident  they  were  but  one  church,  even  he  fame 
 unto  which  the  converts  were  added  j  nor  do  we  read 
 of  any  other  in  this  famous  city.  On  the  contrary, 
 we  arc  told,  chap.  v.  11.  that  "  great  fear  came  upon 
 "  all  the  church,"  on  account  of  Ananias  and  Sap- 
 phira.  And  ftill  further,  chap.  viii.  i.  it  is  faid,  that 
 after  the  death  of  Stephen  the  martyr,  "  there  was  a 
 *'  great  perfecution  againft  the  church  which  was  at 
 **  Jerufaltm."  Still  but  one  church  at  Jerufalem ; 
 and  therefore,  I  fay,  if  the  difciples  did  on  any  occa- 
 fion,  or  for  any  purpofes,  at  times  meet  together  in 
 feparate  congregations,  as  obferved,  they  were  all  in 
 the  fame  individual  church -ftate,  there  being  no  other 
 then  fubfifting  ;.  nor  was  the  order  or  offices  needful 
 to  form  and  organize  particular  churches,  as  after- 
 wards, fettled  by  the  authority  of  Chrift,  through  the 
 hands  of  his  apoftles ;  and  indeed  it  doth  not  appear 
 that  there  ever  was  in  the  age  of  the  apoftles  more 
 than  one  church,  at  Jerufalem,  or  in  any  other  city 
 •r  place  whatever. 
 
 S  4  An'» 
 
28o  LECTURESON 
 
 ■  And  here  it  may  be  ufeful  to  paufe,  and  reflecSt  on, 
 the  wide  difFcrcnce  there  is  between  the  condu61:  of 
 chriftians  in  refpedl  of  church-communion  in  this  day, 
 and  that  of  thofe  in  the  primitive  times  j  then  they 
 continued  together  in  every  place,  in  one  body,  and 
 that  univerfally,  fo  far  as  we  learn,  at  leaft  this  was 
 the  cafe,  while  they  had  gifts  fufficient,  and  were 
 capable  of  doing  it;  but  now  alas,  almoft  on  every 
 occafion  profeiTors  divide,  infomuch  that  there  is  fcarce 
 a  little  town  where  perfons  of  the  fame  efTential  faith 
 and  order,  arc  not  divided  into  what  they  call  feparate 
 church-ftates,  each  of  which  are  fcarce  able  to  per- 
 form the  duties  efTential  to  their  own  well-being.  It 
 is  nei  her  my  inclination  nor  province  to  cenfure  any 
 foci'='ty  whatever ;  but,  may  I  not  decently  move  for  a 
 ferious  confideration,  whether  it  is  agreeable  to  the 
 fpirit  of  chriftianity,  or  for  the  intereft  and  glory  of 
 the  church  thus  to  divide  on  every  occafion  ? 
 
 Particular  congregations  of  believers  incorpo- 
 rated in  the  order  of  the  goipel  arc  cel^tainly  of  divine 
 ihftitution,  and  needful  for  the  exercife  of  difcipline, 
 ind  Other  relative  duties  in  the  communion  of  faints 
 on  earth  j  accordingly  there  were  many  fuch  focieties 
 in  the  apofcolic  age  in  the  fame  country.  Thus  we 
 read  of  the  churches  in  Afia,  Macedonia,  Galatia,  and 
 Judea ;  but  when  the  difciples  in  Jerufalem,  Corinth, 
 Philrppi,  &c.  are  mentioned,  it  is  always  in  the  fm- 
 gul.ar  number,  to  fhew  they  continued  together  in  one 
 bhdy  in  Chrift.  It  is  true  in  thofe  days  there  were 
 extraordinary  gifts  and  helps ;   and  if  four,  five  or  fix 
 
 thoufand 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     281 
 
 thoufand  believers  inhabit  a  city  or  populous  place,  a 
 minifter  of  common  abilities  will  fcarce  be  able  to  dif- 
 charge  the  paftoral  office  among  them,  nor  would  the 
 people  be  capable  of  knowing,  loving,  and  performing 
 their  part  to  one  another  as  members  of  a  particular 
 church  ought  to  do.  If  therefore  the  number  of  chri- 
 ftians  united  in  judgment  is  too  many  for  the  ordinary 
 ends  of  communicn,  it  is  fit  to  fcparate  with  mutual 
 confentj  neverchelefs  it  is  moft  for  the  honor  of  the 
 gofpel,  and  fafeft  when  the  faithful,  who  dwell  in  one 
 place,  can  commune  together  in  cne  churchy  and  when 
 this  cannot  be  attained,  through  fome  difFerence  in 
 point  of  docStrine  or  order,  or  by  reafon  of  the  multi- 
 tude of  profeffors,  great  care  (hould  be  taken  to  preferve 
 unity  of  afFeil;on  and  harmony,  and  to  avoid  every 
 mean  and  low  pradlice,  whereby  fome  have  defpifed, 
 or  at  leaft  fliown  but  too  great  forward nefs  to  dif- 
 courageand  lefTen  neighbouring  churches  andminifters, 
 for  if  there  is  not  brotherly  love,  a  cordial  friendfhip, 
 and  focial  converfe  maintained  between  gofpel-minifters 
 and  churches,  who  thus  as  it  were  refide  together,  it  is 
 a  fad  reproach  to  our  holy  profeffion,  and  fatan  will 
 furejy  get  an  advantage.  When  therefore  a  carnal, 
 private,  felfifli  fpirit  prevails  among  minifters,  and  the 
 members  of  feparate  congregations  are  not  encouraged 
 to  correfpond  with  one  another  in  the  fight  of  the 
 world,  in  any  place  whatever,  it  is  very  unhappy 
 and  threatening.  This  was  the  opinion  of  the  great 
 Dr.  Owen,  in  the  preface  to  his  Efhcol,  he  fays,  'It 
 '  is  convenient  that  all  believers  in  one  place  fhould 
 '  join  themfelves  in  one  congregation,  unlefs,  through 
 '  their  being  too  numerous,  they  are  by  common  con- 
 
 *  fent 
 
282  LECTURES    ON 
 
 '  fent  diftinguifhed  into  more ;  which  order  cannot  be 
 '  difturbed  without  danger,  ftrife,  emulation,  and 
 *  breach  of  love.'  I  apprehend  there  may  be  other 
 reafons,  of  diftin£l  congregations  in  one  place,  be- 
 fides  that  of  numbers.  But  the  danger  from  caufelefs 
 reparation,  as  noted  above,  is  too  plainly  verified,  and 
 fhould  induce  him  that  fecks  peace  to  unite,  as  far  as 
 he  can,  in  fellowfhip  with  thofe  of  another  particular 
 communion.  And  the  primitive  difciples  thus  keeping 
 together,  notwithftanding  their  vaft  increafe,  moft  cer- 
 tainly condemn  thofe  divifions  and  fubdivifions  on  every 
 different  opinion,  which  is  fo  frequently  feen  in  a  day  of 
 lukewarmnefs  and  declenfion  ;  whereby,  in  fome  places, 
 the  vifible  church  is  crumbled  into  pieces,  to  the  grief  of 
 good  men.  In  a  word,  the  divifion  of  any  chriflian 
 congregation,  who  can  join  together  in  the  ordinances 
 of  the  gofpel,  under  whatever  fpecious  pretence,  may 
 gratify  the  lufts  of  men^  but  has  no  tendency  to 
 promote  the  truth  of  God,  and  is  not  to  be  encouraged 
 by  any  who  wifh  well  to  Zion. 
 
 But  to  return.  This  phrafe  of  the  difciples  being 
 together,  is  by  fome  underftood  of  their  aflbciating  in 
 one  place.  It  appears  from  Acts  iv.  31.  that  even 
 after  a  further  increafe  of  the  church  they  met  in  one 
 place,  which  was  miraculoufly  fhaken  while  they  were 
 aflerabled.  Hence  it  was  an  ancient  defcription  of  a 
 particular  church,  that  it  is  a  *  fociety  of  chriftians* 
 '  meeting   together  in  one  place,   under  their   proper 
 
 *  pallors,  for  the  performance  of  religious  worfhip,  and 
 
 *  the  exercife  of  chriftian  difcipline:'  which  is,  by  the 
 
 way, 
 
 •  Si\guiry  into  the  conftitution  of  the  primitive  ch«rcb,  p.  7. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    283 
 
 way,  utterly  againft  the  popular  notion  of  a  national 
 church  in  any  form  whatever  j  but,  as  hinted  already, 
 I  apprehend  that  we  have  in  this  claufe  their  manner  of 
 life  J  they  were  together  in  a  civil  as  well  as  in  a  religi- 
 ous fenfe ;  a  fociety  that  communed  together  in  natural, 
 no  lefs  than  in  fpiritual  things  :  We  fhall  prefently  fee 
 that  they  had  all  things  common,  and  lived  on  one 
 ftock.  This  continued  awhile.  Thus  we  read,  chap, 
 iv.  34.  that  *'  as  many  as  were  poffeflbrs  of  lands  or 
 **  houfes,  fold  them  and  brought  the  price  of  the  things 
 **  that  were  fold,  and  laid  them  down  at  the  apoftles 
 •'  feet."  Some  have  t'iought  it  incredible  that  any 
 fingle  houfe  fhould  accommodate  fo  many  thoufands, 
 particularly  with  lodging;  for  as  to  an  apartment  in 
 one  of  the  towers  of  the  temple,  as  fome  have  fugo-efled, 
 Jofephus  indeed  aflerts,  that  they  made  up  an  hundred 
 beds.  What  is  that  to  the  number  of  difciples  ?  Be- 
 fides,  is  there  any  reafon  to  imagine  that  the  defpifed 
 and  perfecuted  chriftians  ftiould  have  leave  to  dwell 
 there  ?  Nor  is  it  at  all  needful  to  fuppofe  that  they 
 dwelt  in  one  houfe  ;  perfons  maybe  in  one  family,  and 
 yet  have  apartments  at  fome  diftance  from  each  other  ; 
 and  it  is  certain,  the  firft  chiiflians  lived  in  different 
 habitations,  for  we  are  told,  ver.  46.  that  they  **^  broke 
 "  bread  from  houfe  to  houfe :"  neverthelefs  they  were 
 plainly  one  fociety,  fupplied  out  of  the  fame  capital  ftock, 
 which  was  raifed  from  the  free-will  furrender  of  the  fub- 
 ftance  belonging  to  them  who  joined  the  church  as  de- 
 fcribed ;  the  depofiting  and  difpofition  of  which,  are 
 recited  ia  the  fifth  and  fixth  chapter  of  the  Ads.  And 
 here  I  cannot  but  vindicate  the  charader  of  thefe  noble 
 chriftian*  from  the  unworthy  conceptions  of  fome. 
 
 It 
 
2^4  LECTURES    ON 
 
 It  has  been  infinuated  *,  that  one  reafon  of  the  dif- 
 cLplcs  freely  parting  with  their  fubftance  was  this, 
 namely,  *  that  being  refolved  to  cleave  to  the  apoftles, 
 '  and  apprehending  the  approach  of  the  de{lru£i:ion  of 
 '  Jerufalem,  when  they  knew  they  muft  flee  and  leave 
 '  all  to  the  enemy,  they  therefore  were  willing  to  part 
 '  with  their  eftates  for  the  benefit  of  the  church/ 
 This  I  think  is  a  groundlefs  conjedlure,  and  rather  un- 
 generous :  If  It  was  certain  that  the  Romans  were 
 inftantly  coming,  and  would  feizc  on  the  country  of 
 the  Jews,  it  would  have  been  natural,  in  them  that 
 believed  it,  to  have  parted  with  their  eftates;  and 
 fmce  the  multitude  gave  no  heed  to  the  prediction  of 
 our  Lord,  there  would  doubtlefs  have  been  many  to 
 purchafe,  for  under  thefe  circumftances  they  mufl:  be 
 fuppofed  to  have  bought  at  a  very  low  price;  but 
 the  deftru6lion  of  Jerufalem  was  near  forty  years 
 diftant,  and  there  is  no  reafon  for  imputing  the  con- 
 du£l  of  the  primitive  difciples  to  any  fuch  motive; 
 their  manifeft  zeal  for  the  gofpel,  and  love  to  each  other, 
 was  more  than  a  fufficient  inducement  to  part  with  their 
 houfes  and  lands  for  the  relief  of  their  brethren;  they 
 therefore  not  only  fold  them,  but  (except  in  the  cafe 
 of  Ananias  and  Sapphira)  they  every  one  delivered 
 up  the  whole  of  their  produce  to  the  apoftles  ;  and  this 
 they  did  not  without  caufe,  for  it  appears,  that  after 
 all  the  generofity  of  thofe  who  had  pofleflions  among 
 them,  in  a  time  of  perfecution  they  foon  flood  in  need  of 
 the  contribution  of  others.     Upon  the  whole,   I  fay  it 
 
 feems 
 
 ♦  Dr.  Whitby's"  annotation  on  Afts  ii.  45.    and  E>r.  Dodderidge's  note 
 on  the  fame  place. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  285 
 
 feems  unworthy  the  charadter  of  thefe  noble  followers 
 of  the  Lamb,  to  fuppofe  that  a  confideration  fo  low 
 and  carnal  fh  uld  in  any  degree  move  them  to  their 
 feafonable  and  rich  liberality. 
 
 Some  afFe6l  to  imitate  the  primitive  chriftians,  by 
 attempting  to  live  in  the  manner  they  did ;  and  it  is 
 probable  that  the  above  fiiggeftion  was  with  a  view  to 
 prevent  this  vain-glorious  pretence ;  but  we  are  not  to. 
 have  recourfe  to  conjedtures  that  detradl  from  the 
 faithful  in  their  becoming  zeal  on  an  extraordinary 
 occafion,  to  obviate  the  defigns  of  crafty  men,  who 
 under  a  fpecious  fhew  of  religion,  decoy  the  fimple  out 
 of  their  property  and  freedom,  againft  reafon  and  fcrip- 
 ture.  It  is  plain  from  the  facred  hiftory  that  this 
 manner  of  communion  was  owing  to  the  peculiar  cir- 
 cumftances  the  difciples  were  in  at  prefent^  and,  as 
 has  been  frequently  and  juftly  obferved,  that  it  was 
 never  intended  to  be  a  precedent  in  a  fettled  ftate  of 
 chriftianity,  fmce  it  appears  from  the  current  of  the 
 epiftles,  that  members  of  churches  are  fpoken  of  as 
 rich  and  poor,  and  many  exhortations  are  given  which 
 Gould  have  no  place,  if  it  was  the  duty  or  excellency 
 of  chriftians  in  fociety,  to  have  all  things  common,  as 
 they  had  at  this  time  in  Jerufalem.  The  inftitutions 
 of  the  gofpel  are  not  advanced  on  the  ruins  of  mO" 
 rality.  '  Chrift's  gofpel  (fay  the  continuators  of  Mr* 
 '  Pool's  annotations)  does  not  deftroy  the  law;    and 
 
 *  the  eighth  commandment  is  fiill  in  force,  which  it 
 '  could  not  be  if  there  was  no  property,  or  meum  and 
 
 *  tuum  now.'     And  indeed,  however  fome  may  boall 
 in  this  notion,  or  practice  of  fecial  religion,  it  has  a 
 
 natural 
 
186  LECTURES    ON 
 
 natural  tendency  to  deftroy  the  foundations  of  order 
 and  government,  both  in  the  world  and  in  the  church, 
 and  accordingly  to  be  fhunned  and  rejeded,  as  a  de- 
 lufion  and  unworthy  the  gofpel  of  Chrift. 
 
 This  was  the  fituation  and  manner  of  the  difciples 
 in  the  infant  ftate  of  the  church,  all  that  believed  were  to- 
 gether^ i.  e.  they  were  fupplied  out  of  one  common  ftock, 
 which  arofe  from  the  fubflance  of  thofe  who  had  pof- 
 feflions,  which  they  fold  ;  a  condu£l  by  no  means 
 fuited  to  the  manifeft  duties  of  believers  in  an  ordinary 
 church-ftate,  all  pretence  to  which  is  abfurd  and  un- 
 fcriptural,  if  not  downright  immoral.  Neverthelefs  it 
 was  a  wife  and  noble  inftance  of  charity  in  the  primitive 
 church,  by  which  every  covetous  or  ftraight-handed  per- 
 fon,  who  affumes  the  name  of  a  chriftian,  ftands  con- 
 demned to  the  end  of  the  world.  And  however  difagree- 
 able  to  fome  the  obfervation  may  be,  this  example  of 
 love  proves  that,  in  a  right  ftaie  of  things,  the  difciples 
 of  Jefus,  conftrained  by  his  grace,  will  be  as  much  as 
 polBble  together,  in  order  to  a  mutual  and  free  com- 
 munication of  their  talents  for  the  fupport  of  his  king- 
 dom and  the  good  of  each  other  i  and  confequently 
 that  a  narrow  and  felfifli  fpirit,  and  a  roving  difpoii- 
 tion,  will  never  anfwer  the  end  of  chriftian  com- 
 munion. 
 
 LECTUIIE 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  287 
 
 LECTURE    XIX. 
 
 How  the  difciples  at  Jerufalem  were  employed,  with 
 pradlical  notes  on  their  condudl. 
 
 WE  are  now  to  confider  in  what  manner  the 
 primitive  chriftians  filled  up  their  time  in  the 
 fituation  we  left  them.  Idle  profefTors  might  find  an 
 occafion,  and  there  is  reafon  to  fear  that  fome  would 
 abufe  a  communion  circumftanced  as  that  at  Jerufa- 
 lem, in  favor  of  the  flefh,  but  great  was  the  grace  he- 
 flowed  on  thefe  difciples  ;  they  feem  one  and  all  to 
 be  infpired  from  heaven  to  a  diligent  proof  of  their 
 calling  and  election  of  God,  in  purfuit  of  which  they 
 divided  their  time  between  religious  exercifes  and  thofe 
 which  are  civil. 
 
 The  immediate  defign  of  their  union  was  religion, 
 «nd  to  ferve  God  through  Jefus  Chrift  j  according- 
 ly it  is  firft  related,  that  "  they  continued  daily  with 
 *'  one  accord  in  the  temple."  They  were  now  of  the 
 true  circumcifion,  who  worfliipped  God  in  the  Spirit, 
 and  knew  that  in  every  place  where  his  people  were 
 gathered  in  his  name,  his  prefence  and  blelfing  were 
 infured  ;  neverthelefs  the  temple,  as  an  houfe  of  pray- 
 er, was  not  yet  totally  abolifhed  j  they  therefore  for- 
 foolc  not  the  public  aflembly,  but  daily  reforted  unto 
 it  at  the  appointed  feafon.  Thus  we  read,  chap.  iii. 
 Jihat  at  the  hour  of  prayer,  being  the  ninth  hour,  or 
 
 three 
 
288  LECTURES    ON 
 
 three  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  time  of  the 
 daily  facrifice,  and  the  hour  when  Jefus  the  Lamb  of 
 God  expired  on  the  crofs,  Peter  and  John  went  into 
 the  temple.     Some  nominal  chriftians  would  think  it 
 a  burden  to  be  called  upon  an  hour  in  a  week,  or  per- 
 haps in   a  month  for  focial  prayer,  except  on  the  fab- 
 bath  ;  but  it  was  the  daily  practice  of  thefe  primitive 
 chriflians  to  attend  in  the  temple,  befides  many  private 
 meetings  among  themfelvcs.     What  a  wearinefs  would 
 this  be  to  fome  profcfibrs !    Indeed  prayers  may  be  fol- 
 lowed feveral  times  in  a  day,    in  a  vain   and   fuper- 
 ftitious  manner,  yet  there  is  no  fuperftition  in  the  dai- 
 ly prayers  of  the  church  ;  nor  are  they  inconfiftent  with 
 other  duties  in    life,    if  things  were  rightly  managed, 
 perfons  in  common  might  find  time  to  wait  upon  God, 
 without  being  ranked  among  the  idle  who  negleil  their 
 civil  occupation,  or  to  provide  for  their  families ;  nei- 
 ther are  the  prayers  which  in  many  places  of  worfhip 
 are  now  day  after  day  for  ihe  mofl  part  literally  and 
 properly  read  to  empty  pews,    within  the  bare  walls 
 of  our  churches ;    thefe,    I  fay,   are  not  the  relics  of 
 popery,    as    fome    may    imagine,    but    the   contempt 
 thrown  upon  them  a  melancholy  fymptom  of  our  fad 
 declenfion  from  that  piety,  and  delight  in  focial  pray- 
 er, which  fmce  the  reformation  once  prevailed  in  the 
 land  I    Indeed  we  are  not  held  to  fet  hours  under  the 
 prefent  difpenfation,  but  it  is  a  gofpel-precept  to  pray 
 without  ceafmg;  and  it  furely  then  becomes  us  to  be 
 frequently,    if  not  daily,    uniting  in  our  prayers  to  the 
 Lord,  for  which  feafons  muft  be  appointed,  a  neglecSl 
 of  which  difcovers  want  of  inclination  to  this  divine 
 fcrvice  j  and  the  truth  is  that  fome,  being  eager  in  a 
 
 purfuit 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     289 
 
 puiTuit  after  the  bufinefs  and  pleafures  of  life,  their 
 manner  will  not  admit  of  a  regular  and  conflant  at- 
 tendance in  the  church,  or  the  family ;  and  it  is  to 
 be  feared  that  there  are  but  too  many  prayerlefs  peo- 
 ple among  us  of  every  denomination,  againft  whom, 
 if  they  repent  not,  Papifts,  yea  and  Mahometans, 
 who  perform  their  devotion  five  times  a  day,  and  efteem 
 prayer*  the  pillar  of  heaven  and  key  of  paradife,  will 
 rife  up  in  judgment. 
 
 But  again  j  as  thefe  difciples  were  daily  in  the 
 temple,  it  is  likewife  declared  they  were  fo  in  "  break- 
 **  ing  bread  from  houfe  to  houfe."  This  is  explained 
 in  the  next  claufe,  by  its  being  faid,  "  they  eat  their 
 *'  meat ;"  a  phrafe  no  where  applied  to  that  fpiritual 
 repaft,  the  fupper  of  our  Lord,  and  therefore  muft 
 refer  to  their  natural  meals.  Some  underftand  it  of 
 friendly  entertainments,  which  they  apprehend  was 
 made  at  each  others  houfes  ;  but,  if  as  many  of  them 
 as  had  houfes  or  lands,  made  fale  of  the  fame  and  fur- 
 rendered  the  purchafe,  as  defcribed,  I  pray,  who  could 
 provide  thefe  feafts  for  their  friends  ?  Hofpitality  is 
 one  fruit  of  brotherly  love  ;  but  it  ftems  inconfiftent 
 with  the  ftate  of  this  fociety,  in  which  all  things 
 were  common,  to  fuppofe  that  they  treated  one  ano- 
 ther in  this  manner.  I  am,  therefore,  of  opinion 
 that  this  breaking  of  bread  from  houfe  to  houfe,  was 
 no  other  than  their  commons,  prepared  in  different 
 apartments  or  houfes,  in  which  provifion  was  made 
 by  agreement,  as  fuited  their  flate,  and  the  pur- 
 pofes  of  their  communion  together,  which  may  eafily 
 be  conceived  in  a  body  fo  compacted  as  thefe  chri- 
 
 T  flians 
 
 *  Sales's  preliminary  difcourfe  to  the  koran,  p.  142. 
 
290  LECTURESON 
 
 ftians.  Thus  they  went  on  from  day  to  day,  joining 
 in  the  worfhip  of  God  in  his  temple  or  in  church- 
 afTemblies,  anJ  liicewife  at  home,  for  they  had  houfes 
 to  eat  and  to  drink  in,  where  they  partook  of  the 
 bounti-s  of  providence  together. 
 
 Now   this    focial   communion,    in  refpedt  both  of 
 natural  and  religious  enjoyments,  v/as  maintained  and 
 carried  on  in  a  fpirit  and  temper  every  way  fuited  to 
 their  holy  profeflion.     In  the  firft  place,    we  are  told 
 they  did   it  with  gladnefs.      A  fad  countenance  is  no 
 prcper  fymptom  of  unfeigned  piety;  and  I  fee  no  rea-' 
 fon  why  this  fhould  not  include  a  natural  chearful- 
 nefs,  which  will  be  felt  in  proportion  to  bodily  health, 
 and   a  juft  fenfe  of  the   divine  bounty.      "  Go  thy 
 *'  way,  (fays  the  wife  man)  eat  thy  bread  with  joy, 
 *'  and  drink  thy  wine  with  a  merry  heart,  for  God 
 *'  now  accepteth  thy  works,"  Ecclef.  xviii.  7.     Who 
 fo  fit  to  take  a  fober  and  moderate  joy  in  the  crea- 
 ture as  the  chriftian,  whofe  God  is  his  portion  ?    In 
 this  fenfe,  the  man  whofe  fins  are  forgiven  him,  may 
 be  of  good  cheer  ;    but  no  doubt  a  fpiritual  joy  is 
 principally  intended.     'AfaPiAjao-st ;    the  fame   word   in 
 Jude  ver.  24.  is  rendered  exceeding  joy,  and  fignifies 
 not  meerly  a  gladnefs  of  heart,  but  a  vifible  exultation, 
 and  fuppofes  external  fymptoms,  fo  that  it  may  refer 
 to  their  fpiritual  difcourfe,  faying,  as  the  difciples  after 
 the  Lord  was  departed,    "  Did  not  our  heart   burn 
 *'  within  us  while  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way,  and 
 <'  while  he  opened    to    us   the   fcriptures  ?  "     Luke 
 xxiv.  32.      Thus  might  they  enquire  of  each  other, 
 and  communicate  of  their  experience,  and,  being  filled 
 
 vvitiii 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  291 
 
 with  joy,  fing  praifes  together ;  for,  however  ftran^e 
 it  may  now  feem,  there  is  reafon  to  conclude  that 
 the  primitive  chriftians  rarely  parted  at  any  time  vv^iih- 
 out  prayer  and  Tinging.  However  religion  is  in  a 
 flourifhing  ftate,  when  from  the  houfe  of  pra)er  the 
 faithful  come  rejoiced  in  the  loving- kindnefs  of  the 
 Lord,  and  fatit-fied  in  the  riches  of  his  grace,  they  fit 
 down  together  at  thL*  table  of  providence  in  their  own 
 houfes  with  a  fingular  chearfulnefs ,  while  feeding 
 their  bodies  their  fouls  are  feafted  in  a  remembrance  of 
 his  favor.  Thus  their  joy  is  double,  of  which  {Gran- 
 gers to  real  piety  can  form  no  adequate  idea. 
 
 Again,  with  fmgknefs  of  heart.  The  term,  aips^oTrJIt 
 .here  rendered  Jingknefs  is  ufed  no  where  elfe;  it  fig- 
 nifies  plain,  upnght  and  honefl,  and  moft  emphati- 
 cally exprefles  the  utmoft  fimplicity.  It  is  the  tefti- 
 mony  of  God,  who  fearchfth  the  reins,  and  a  glorious 
 part  of  the  character  of  thefe  difciples,  that  they  con- 
 tinued together  without  any  finifler,  private  or  felfifii 
 view,  being  free  from  carnal  motives  in  their  felloW- 
 fliip ;  no  crafty  defigns,  or  mean  underhand  doings, 
 were  praiticed  among  them.  here  might  be  hypo- 
 crites, but  in  general  they  aflbciated  with  a  pure 
 heart,  and  unfeigned  love  of  the  brethren,  and  their 
 condu(5l  was  frank  and  open,  like  thofe  who  had  a  fingle 
 eye  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  their  mutual  honor  and 
 comfort.  This  flands  in  a  natural  connexion  with  the 
 trhearfulnefs  that  fpread  through  their  company ;  '*  for 
 *'  (faith  the  apoftle)  our  rejoicing  is  this,  the  tefti- 
 "  mony  of  our  confcience,  that  in  fimplicity  and 
 "  godly  fincerity,  not  with  flefhly  wifdom,  but  by 
 T  2  '*  the 
 
292  LECTURESON 
 
 **  the  grace  of  Gtd  we  have  had  our  converfation  in 
 *'  the  world,  and  more  abundantly  to  you  wards," 
 2  Cor.  i.  12.  Thus  upright  and  fincere  were  thejfe 
 primitive  chrift.ans,  without  oftentation  or  covetouf- 
 nefs.  O  that  the  like  teftimony  could  be  born  to  the 
 fpirit  and  condud^  of  all  who  bear  the  name  of  chri- 
 flianity,  and  are  in  communion  with  the  faithful  ! 
 But,  alas,  fome  are  of  a  contrary  difpofition,  and  but 
 too  plainly  difcover  on  every  occafion  their  private 
 views.  Flence  ftrife  and  vain -glory,  animofities  and 
 divifions,  whereby  the  church  is  fometimes  torn  and 
 defaced,  and  fore  difcouragements  are  laid  on  the  hearts 
 of  them  that  truly  love  God. 
 
 Once  more ;  It  is  further  declared  that  the  difci- 
 plcs  went  on  in  thefe  afibciations  praiftng  God,  As 
 obferved,  the  term  rendered  gladnefs  carries  in  it  a  joy 
 exprefled  by  fome  bodily  exercife,  fuch  as  leaping, 
 dancing  and  fingino;,  5cc.  Now  here  we  learn  the 
 nature  of  that  joy  which  poficfled  the  hearts  of  thefe 
 chriftians,  and  how  it  appeared  ;  not  by  the  ranting 
 noife  of  fenfualifls,  who  fmg  and  roar  like  madmen 
 and  fools ;  their  joy,  like  themfelves,  is  carnal  and 
 impious,  blazing  with  a  noife,  and  tranfitory  as  the 
 crackling  of  thorns  uader  a  pot;  nor  was  it  like  that 
 of  thefe  degenerate  and  ihameful  Ifraelites  complained 
 of  in  Ifa.  V.  I2.  "  The  harp,  the  viol,  the  tabret 
 "  and  pipe,  and  wine  are  In  their  feafls :  but  they 
 "'  regard  not  the  work  of  the  Lord,  neither  confider 
 "  the  operation  of  his  hands."  Not  fo  at  the  table 
 of  the  faithful  at  Jerulalcm,  their  rejoicing  was  holy 
 and   fpiritual,    and  terminated   in   the  honor  of  their 
 
 heavenly 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     293 
 
 heavenly  Father,  whofe  abounding  mercies,  temporal 
 and  eternal,  infpired  them  with  gratitude.  To  God 
 they  lift  up  their  voices  together,  with  adoration 
 and  praife,  to  celebrate  his  love.  Now  they  might 
 praife  God  in  their  meetings  at  thefe  repafts  of  a  na- 
 tural kind,  as  well  as  in  thofe  more  immediately  ap- 
 pointed for  religious  fervice  in  feveral  ways;  by  their 
 application  for  a  blefllng,  with  thanks,  for  the  food 
 of  the  body;  which  however  fome  make  light  of,  or 
 fcruple,  is  due  to  our  bountiful  Father,  and  a  means 
 of  fan£lifying  the  creatures  we  receive,  i  Tim.  iv.  5. 
 an  example  of  which  we  have  in  our  Lord,  who,  when 
 he  fed  the  people  with  the  meat  that  periflaeth,  firft 
 gave  thanks  unto  God,  John  vi.  11.  which  is  alfo  no- 
 ticed by  the  evangelift  Matthew.  And  thus  faith  the 
 apoftle,  "  He  that  eateth  to  the  Lord,  giveth  God 
 "  thanks,"  Rom.  xiv.  6.  In  fhort,  it  is  unworthy  the 
 knowledge  of  God,  and  much  more  of  the  gofpel  of 
 Chrift,  to  fit  down  to  our  food,  and  ]  ife  up,  without 
 giving  thanks.  But  to  return,  the  difciples  praifed 
 God  in  their  difcourfe;  their  Mafter  had  fhewn  them 
 to  improve  their  meals  by  entering  on  fubje(R:s  that 
 are  fpiritual  and  divine,  Luke  vii.  40.  xiv,  7.  and 
 on  other  occafions.  Chriftians  lofe  much  by  oniitt- 
 ing  this  manner  of  edification.  Hence  the  tongue 
 of  thofe  who  talk  much  and  do  nothing,  are  noto- 
 rioufly  proud,  licentious  or  diforderly  in  their  con- 
 dudt,  condemn  them  ;  it  may  be  juft  to  caution  againft 
 an  affeded  loquacity  on  religious  fubjeds,  v/hich 
 is  odious  and  vain  ;  but  this  appears  not  to  me  a 
 prevailing  evil  in  the  prefent  generation;  the  table- 
 talk    of    moil    chriftian    families,    as    far  as    I    can 
 
 T  3  learn, 
 
294  LECTURES    ON 
 
 learn,  rarely  turns  on  any  fubjecl  that  {hould  give  the 
 leaft  difgufl-  to  thofe  who  are  ftrangers  to  the  power  of 
 religion  ;  at  leaft  in  general,  we  feem  little  to  be  charg- 
 ed with  this  kind  of  imprudence,  but  are  much  more 
 polite,  or  rather  flow  in  our  difcourfej  yet  it  is  certain 
 that  when  perfons  are  affeited  with  the  love  of  God, 
 and  a  fenfe  of  divine  things,  they  are  very  much  dif- 
 pofed  to  mention  them.  And  if,  as  our  Lord  ob.-» 
 ferves,  Matt.  xiii.  34.  "  out  of  the  abundance 
 *'  of  the  heart  the  mouth  fpeaketh,  "  of  which, 
 no  man  can  doubt,  is  it  not  reafonable  then  to  ex- 
 petfl  that  believers,  on  returning  from  the  enjoyment 
 of  God  in  his  fanftuary  to  their  ovv'n  houfes,  for  the 
 refrefhment  of  nature,  fliould  remind  one  another,  and 
 praife  God  together  for  the  fpiritual  benefits  they  have 
 received  ?  Was  this  the  pratflice,  we  might  hope 
 to  fee  more  fpiritual ity  among  us ;  our  children,  fer- 
 vants  and  friends,  who  Hand  round  about  us,  might 
 be  edifi:d  thereby,  and  he  ready  to  blefs  us  in  the 
 name  of  the  Lord.  And  further,  God  may  be  praifed 
 by  his  people  even  at  their  ov/n  tables,  at  lead  before 
 they  feparate  from  thefe  entertainrnents,  in  pfalms, 
 hymns  and  fpiritual  fongs,  in  which  manner  we  are 
 direcSled  to  teach  and  admonifli  cne  another.  Col. 
 i'.i.  16.  and,  v/Iiy  not  in  our  own  houfs:-,  or  family- 
 aiiemblies  ?  Is  the  Tinging  an  hymn  confined  to  the 
 fandrur.iy,  or  forbid  elfewhere  ?  Should  not  every 
 chriiti::n  fan~.i'y  be  as  a  little  church?  and  may  not 
 thofe  who  love  God  take  any  fit  opportunity  to  iiir  up 
 each  other  and  to  join  in  his  praife  ?  And  fnall  the 
 ignorant  and  malicious  reproaches  of  worldly  men, 
 who  are  not  afliamed  of  their  empty,  if  not  filthy  and 
 
 impious 
 
PRIiMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    295 
 
 impious  ballads,  intimidate  chriftians  from  the  enter- 
 tainment and  profit  of  united  fongs  to  the  honor  of 
 God,  and  their  bleffed  Redeemer? 
 
 This  then  is  noted  of  thefe  primitive  chriftians ; 
 they  were  not  only  joyful  and  upright,  but  chearful 
 and  grateful,  praifing  God.  They  might  decently 
 praife  the  food  which  they  eat,  as  delicious  and  good 
 in  rts  kind  ;  this  is  proper  and  ufeful  in  its  place ;  but, 
 doth  it  not  rather  look  fenfual  to  confine  our  difcourfe 
 to  this  fubjed?  However  they  pralfed  God,  i,  e.  their 
 converfation  in  general  turned  not  on  felf-applaufe,  or 
 any  thing  trifling  and  carnal ;  but  in  all  their  meet- 
 in<ys,  both  in  the  church  and  at  home,  they  com- 
 muned  on  things  adapted  to  edify  the  foul,  and  to 
 quicken  one  another  in  glorifying  their  Saviour.  How 
 different  are  they  whofe  converfation  is  full  of  flan- 
 der  and  backbiting,  filthy  difcourfe  or  vain  jell- 
 ing, which  is  very  oifenfive  and  finful !  I  hope  the 
 Reader  is  far  from  indulging  a  pradice  fo  (hameful ; 
 fuch  table-talk  is  hateful  and  fcandalous  j  but,  have 
 we  not  too  much  reafon  to  blufli  on  rcfleiStion  ? 
 How  little  proceeds  from  our  mouth  in  ordinary  con- 
 verfe  which  is  good,  to  the  ufe  of  edifying,  that  it 
 may  minifter  grace  to  the  hearers  ] 
 
 It  remains  to  obferve,  the  influence  this  manner  of 
 life  had  upon  the  world  about  them.  And  it  appears 
 that  this  harmony,  afFediion  and  faithfulnefs  among 
 themfelves,  which  it  is  reafonable  to  fuppofe  was  at- 
 tended with  an  affable  and  courteous  behaviour  to 
 others,   the  genuj.ne  fruit  of  vital  religion,   gave  the 
 
 T  4  difciples 
 
296  LECTURES    ON 
 
 difciples  an  high  reputation,  for  we  are  told,  they  had 
 "  favor  with  all  the  people."      Some  underftand  this  of 
 the  favor  (hewn  by  the  difciples  to  all  people,  i.  e.  fay  they, 
 their  charity  was  not  confined  to  themfelves,  but  ex- 
 tended to  others  who  were  not  of  their  own  community. 
 And  it  muft  be  owned,  that  we  are  taught  to  do  good 
 unto  all,   but  efpeciallv  to  the  houfhold  of  faith,  which 
 catholic  fpirit  is  fuited  to  the  genius  of  the  gofpel,  yet 
 this  interpretation  feems  drained.     Thefe  chriftians  in- 
 deed were  kind  and  condefcending  to  every  one,  but 
 they   had   little  opportunity  of  helping  others,    being 
 themfelves,  as  a  fociety,  often  in  need,  as  hinted  before, 
 notv/ithftanding  the  generofity  of  thofe  who  had  pro- 
 perty among  them,    which   we  have   reafon  to  think 
 were  comparative'y  few ;    it  is  therefore   mofl   natural 
 to    apply    the    pafllige    to    the    refpeiEl    fhewn    them 
 by  the  people  in  general.     This  ami^ible  fpirit  and  con- 
 duct gained  the  good-will  of  the  multitude,   however 
 reproached  and  vilified  by  fome  malicious  unbelievers, 
 who'  envied   their  union   and    fuccefs,    and   afterwards 
 raifcd   bitter  perfccution  againfl:   them.     Neverthclefs, 
 at  prefent,  their  {ledf.  ftnefs  in  cleaving  together  in  the 
 Lord,    and   their  holy  converfation  in  other  refpeCls, 
 manifefted  their  excellency  to  the  confciences  of  thofe 
 who  beheld  them,  who  could  not  but  admire,   as  in 
 future  periods  it  is  recorded  they  did,    infomuch  that 
 it  was  common  for  the  heathens  to  fay  of  the  chriftians, 
 with  aftonifhment.    Behold,   how  they  love  one  ano- 
 ther !     Thus  thefe  difciples,  hke  Jefus  himfelf,  being 
 made    wife,    increafed    in  favor  with   God   and    man. 
 The  Lord   was   vifibly   with   them,  by   the  figns  and 
 V/onders  that  were  done  by  the  apoflles,  fo  that  "  fear 
 
 **  can>e 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    297 
 
 *'  came  upon  every  foul,"  and  their  lovely  deportment 
 rendered  them  in  a  manner  univerfaliy  grateful.  In 
 this  way  fhould  all  who  are  feparated  by  a  profefied 
 fubje£tion  to  the  gofpel  adorn  it,  and  by  a  favor  of  its 
 divine  influence  in  the  whole  of  their  condudt,  gain 
 the  efteem  of  mankind  ;  for  a  loofe  and  light  beha- 
 viour in  perfons  who  pretend  to  the  high  calling  of 
 God,  is  Ihameful,  and  ufually  brings  them  into  con- 
 tempt :  So  true  is  it,  "  that  they  who  honor  God 
 "  fhall  be  honored,  but  they  Vs^ho  defpifc  him  fhall  be 
 *'  lightly  efteemed,"  i  Sam.  ii.  30.  Thus  it  is  fre- 
 quently feen  that  a  m.an  whofe  coiverfation  is  un- 
 comely under  a  religious  charadler,  is  defpifcd  even 
 by  the  world  ;  and  he  alone  may  expect  to  have  efteem 
 who  ails  up  to  his  pro.feflion ;  it  is  the  holy,  juft 
 and  friendly  behaviour  of  a  people  united  in  the  fel- 
 lowfhip  of  the  gofpel  that  convinces  mankind  of  their 
 fmcerity,  and  is  likely  to  induce  that  refpedl,  which 
 may,  under  a  bleffing,  promote  the  faith  of  cur  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrifl  in  the  world. 
 
 Such,  I  apprehend,  was  the  manner  of  the  firft  dif- 
 ciples  at  Jerufalem  ;  they  cleaved  to  the  Lord  and  one 
 another  with  purpofe  of  heart,  and  were  together^  as 
 we  faw  in  the  preceeding  lecture,  not  only  in  point  of 
 afFe£lion  and  judgment,  and  in  one  church-ftate,  but 
 they  lived  together  as  one  family ;  though  on  account 
 of  their  number  they  were  divided  into  feparate  apart- 
 ments or  houfes,  yet  the)  had  all  things  common,  be- 
 ing each  as  they  lacked  fupplied  from  one  ftock  or 
 fund,  raifed  in  the  manner  defcribed.  And  now  it 
 appears  that  in  this  extraordinary  fituation  their  time 
 
 was 
 
2^8  LECTURES    ON 
 
 was  employed  in  daily  afTembling  themfelves  m  the 
 temple  for  divine  fervice,  from  whence  they  returned 
 to  partake  together  of  the  bounties  of  providence, 
 breaking  bread  from  houfe  to  houfe;  with  an  holy 
 chearfulnefs  and  unfeigned  fimplicity,  they  mingled 
 their  common  meals  for  the  refrefliment  of  nature 
 with  thofe  communications  of  a  fpiritual  kind,  where- 
 by they  were  mutually  excited  to  join  in  praifmg  the 
 Lord;  thus  they  lived  a  life  of  devotion  to  God  and 
 mutual  affection,  which  procured  an  unlverfal  efteem. 
 O  happy  and  honorable  fociety  !  How  plcafant  and 
 blefled  the  communion,  when  the  difciples  thus  walked 
 together  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  with  integrity  and' 
 brotherly  love  !  Thefe  were  halcyon  days,  when  there 
 was  nothing  to  diflurb  the  public  tranquility,  or  dif- 
 quiet  the  hearts  of  the  faithful,  but  all  fair  and 
 ferene,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  joy  of  his 
 people  !  But,  alas,  how  tranfitory  this  beauty  and 
 gladnefs  in  Zion  !  It  was  not  to  laft ;  the  faints 
 muft  be  tried ;  and  fatan,  who  is  the  prince  of  the  power 
 of  the  air,  foon  obtained  permiffion  to  blow  up  a  tem- 
 peft,  and  threaten  the  ark  of  the  Lord.  In  a  fhort 
 time,  as  he  hath  ever  fmce  more  or  Icfs,  did  the  ene- 
 my, by  a  variety  of  cruel  perfccutions,  foul  apofta- 
 fics  -dud.  damnable  hercfies,  tear  and  mangle  the  vifiblc 
 body  of  Chrift,  if  pofnble  to  dcftroy  it;  but  we  know 
 the  church  ftands  fecure;  the  gates  of  hell  fhall  not 
 prevail  againfc  her,  to  her  ruin,  or  even  fo  as  to  pre- 
 vent ksr  pcrfe£lion  in  the  end,  yet  this  primitive  glory 
 of  the  church  is  in  a  meafure  gone  oft'  tor  awhile,  and 
 her  members  have  not  that  futisfa6iion  and  joy  in  her 
 
 commu- 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    299 
 
 communion  the  difciples  had,  when  in  the  iimplicity 
 of  her  infant  ftate. 
 
 But  now,  my  dear  Reader,  it  may  be  proper  to 
 obferve,  that  you  are  not  to  expert,  or  even  wifh  for 
 a  communion  fo  circumftanced,  in  every  refpeit,  as 
 that  in  which  the  difciples  were  united  before  the  gof- 
 pel  was  fpread,  and  chnltian  churches  eftabliflied.  It 
 is  plain,  as  obier.ed,  that  a  community  of  goods,  and 
 Jiving  together  as  thefe  chriftians  did,  is  now  contrary 
 to  the  word  of  God,  and  inconhftent  with  the  duties 
 of  our  holy  profeffion,  in  the  church  and  in  the  worid  ; 
 fo  that,  as  I  have  fhcwn,  every  pretence  of  forming 
 ourfclves  in  this  manner,  under  a  notion  of  comino- 
 near  to  the  original  pattern  of  chriftianity,  is  unfcrip- 
 tural  and  vain  ;  neverthelefs,  the  union,  aftcdlion,  fim- 
 plicity,  and  manners,  of  the  firfl  difciples,  10  far  as 
 they  confift  with  the  plan  laid  down  in  tlie  New- 
 Teftament,  are  certainly  much  to  be  defired,  yea  and 
 to  be  hoped  for  in  waiting  on  the  Lord  ;  at  leaft,  keep- 
 ing himfelf  in  the  love  of  God,  each  one  may  expedl 
 a  conformity  in  fome  good  meafure  to  this  amiable 
 flandard,  and  the  fpirit  of  religion  being  invariably  the 
 fame,  1  (hall  clofe  the  lecture  wiih  a  few  brief  remarks 
 by  way  of  refle£tion. 
 
 And  firft  we  may  note,  that  it  is  the  inclination 
 and  the  intereft  of  the  difciples  of  Jefus,  as  much  as 
 may  be,  to  afibciate  together.  It  is  in  the  nature  of 
 intelligent  creatures  to  be  focial ;  fo  that  they  who, 
 being  called,  have  cafl  in  their  lot,  as  heirs  together  of 
 the  grace  of   life,    fliould   naturally  cleave   to   each 
 
 Other 
 
300  LECTURESON 
 
 other  in  the  Lord.  The  believer  can  truly  appeal  to 
 his  God  and  declare,  in  the  words  of  the  Pfalmift, 
 "  I  am  a  companion  of  all  them  that  fear  thee,  and  of 
 **  them  that  keep  thy  precepts,"  Pfalm  cxix.  63.  His 
 heart's  defire  is  to  the  fellowfhip  of  the  faints,  the  ex- 
 cellent of  the  earth,  in  whom  is  all  his  delight;  and 
 while  brotherly  love  continues,  the  faithful  are  mani- 
 feftly  glad  of  each  others  company,  infomuch  that 
 whatever  appearance  there  may  be  of  indifFerency  to 
 this  among  nominal  chriftians,  in  a  (late  of  lukcwarm- 
 nefs  and  fonowful  divifions,  it  is  certain  that  this  holy 
 and  happy  inclination  or  defire  keeps  pace  with  the 
 life  and  power  of  godlinefs ;  a  decay  from  this,  which 
 is  the  fame  with  a  defeilion  from  the  love  of  God,  Is  a 
 principal  fource  of  that  dangerous,  and  for  the  moft 
 part  fatal  drawing-back,  the  forfaking  the  aflembling 
 of  ourfelvcs  together.  Frequent  aflemblies  are  abfolutely 
 needful  to  fupport  a  church-ftate,  and  the  building 
 ourfelves  on  our  moft  holy  faith,  without  which  a  peo- 
 ple cannot  keep  themfelves  in  the  love  of  God,  as  di- 
 rected Jude  ver.  20,  21.  Nor  can  believers  in  a  focial 
 or  private  capacity,  expe£l:  to  flourifli  without  them, 
 but  in  keeping  together  on  every  cccafion  they  knit 
 faftcr  in  love,  and  become  endeared  to  one  another  in 
 confequence  of  reciprocal  acSls  of  kindnefs  and  friend- 
 fhip.  It  therefore  is  of  great  advantage  to  the  intereft 
 of  religion,  w^hen  they  who  fear  the  Lord  are  feeking 
 every  fit  opportunity  to  convcrfe  together :  And  this 
 will  be  the  cafe  when  perfons  are  in  good  earneft, 
 feeking  firft  the  kingdom  of  God  and  the  things 
 which  are  Chrifl's.  I'hey  may  be  providentially  in- 
 terrupted from  afTcciating  j   but,  being  conilrained  by 
 
 divine 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  301 
 
 divine  love,  they  are  no  fooner  at  liberty,  but,  like 
 Peter  and  John,  when  let  go  from  their  confinement  by 
 the  Jews,  they  joyfully  return  to  their  own  company, 
 which  is  no  other  than  their  brethren  in  Chrift. 
 
 Again  ;  this  example  proves  that  they  who  aflb- 
 ciate  in  the  fear  of  God,  are  difpofed,  and  will  ftudy  to 
 improve  their  meetings  together  to  their  fpiritual  ad- 
 vantage. In  the  temple  or  aflemblies  of  the  church, 
 this  is  dire6lly  and  profelTedly  in  view ;  but  I  princi- 
 pally refer  to  chriftians  when  met  in  their  own  houfes, 
 or  occafionally  from  time  to  time  in  any  other  place  ; 
 particularly  their  vifits  one  among  another,  in  which 
 they  have  an  hofpitable  intercourfe,  and  chearfully 
 partake  of  the  bounties  of  Providence  as  relations 
 or  friends ;  fuch  opportunities  may  be  employed  to 
 the  purpofes  of  religion,  without  infringing  on  a 
 becoming  regard  to  things  of  the  world.  I  am 
 far  from  cenfuring  difcourfe  on  fubjedls  which  re- 
 late to  civil  and  natural  life,  which  is  fometimes 
 becoming  and  ufeful  ;  but  then,  fliould  they  fpend 
 their  whole  time  on  temporal  things  ?  Is  there  no 
 opportunity  on  fuch  occafions  to  communicate  fome- 
 thing  for  the  foul,  and  which  relates  to  eternity  ?  And, 
 is  it  not  decent  and  profitable  for  them  who  are 
 heirs  of  falvation,  if  poffible,  to  make  every  feafon. 
 fubfervient  to  their  meetnefs  for  glory  ?  We  have  feen 
 that  there  is  the  higheft  reafon  to  conclude  that  the 
 firft  difciples,  at  their  common  meals,  refrefhed  one 
 another  with  fpiritual  things.  And  it  is  certain,  with 
 this  expedlation  Paul  defired  to  have  an  interview  with 
 the  chriftians  at  Rome :  "  For  I  long  to  fee  you,  (faith 
 
 "  he) 
 
302  LECTURES    ON 
 
 '  he)  that  I  may  impart  fome  ipiritiial  gift  unto  you, 
 *'  to  the  end  that  ye  may  be  eftablifiied  ;  that  is,  that . 
 "  I  might  be  comforted  togethfr  with  you,  by  the 
 *'  mutual  faiih  both  of  you  and  me,"  Rom.  i.  ii,  12. 
 In  which  place,  I  apprehend,  the',  apoftle  doth  not 
 fo  much  intend  his  imparting  extraordinary  gifts,  or 
 what  he  might  communicate  in  the  exercife  of  his 
 office,  as  their  conferences  in  relation  to  fairh  and 
 experience,  fince  their  communications  v/ere  mutual, 
 at  leaft  I  think  there  is  no  reafon  to  queflion  that 
 thefe  are  included  ;  and  it  would  tend  much  to  a 
 revival  of  a  fpirit  of  religion  among  us,  if  it  was  the 
 ftudy  of  chriftians  to  accommodate  their  vifits  in  this 
 manner  to  the  promoting  of  their  fpiritual  intereft. 
 But  permit,  my  dear  Reader,  a  word  of  advice.  la 
 order  to  carry  on  this  pious  defign  two  things  are  need- 
 ful :  Firft,  that  thefe  friendly  entertainments  at  home 
 are  fo  contrived  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  appointed^ 
 feafons  of  the  fan61:uary.  Is  it  becoming  a  chriftian  to 
 fay,  I  have  a  friend  on  a  vifit,  and  therefore  cannot 
 come  up  to  the  houfe  of  the  Lord  ?  This  is  fometimes 
 the  cafe,  through  companions  who  fear  not  his  name, 
 or  it  may  be  through  careleflhefs,  which  arc  both  to 
 be  avoided  by  him  who  would  profit  in  religion.  No 
 appointment  for  focial  entertainment  in  thy  own 
 habitation,  fhould  ordinarily  take  place  againft  ftated 
 and  known  feafons  fet  apart  for  alTembling  in  the 
 church.  This  may  be  thought  by  fome  rather  too 
 ftri6l ;  but  a  man,  who  thirfts  after  God,  will  (o  or- 
 der his  affairs,  and  when  he  can,  deny  himfelf  at  home 
 rather  than  be  deprived  of  an  opportunity  in  the  houfe 
 of  the  Lord.  And  then  it  is  further  necelTary  to  ob- 
 tain 
 
PRIMITIVE    CHRISTIANITY.  303 
 
 tain  this  advantage,  that  our  civil  and  friend'y  ea- 
 tertainments  be  mingled  with  exercifes  of  a  fpintuai 
 kind,  which  confift  with  thofe  meetings,  fuch  as 
 praying  together,  and  ic  me  ferlous  and  heavenly  dif-- 
 courfe ;  fureiy  this  might  give  life  and  joy  to  a  com- 
 pany of  believers,  when  reo;al!ng  themfelves  in  mode- 
 ration with  the  good  things  of  life,  without  abating  a 
 defirable  relifh  in  their  natural  enjoyments.  Certaia 
 I  am  that  this  is  the  way  to  be  filled  with  each  others, 
 company,  as  it  is  exprefled  in  Rom.  xv.  24.  Whereas,, 
 through  a  total  negledl  of  thefe  things,  we  often  empty 
 one  another  in  cur  vifits,  and  come  together,  not  for 
 the  better,  but  for  the  worfe,  at  leaft  in  refpecl  of  the 
 foul. 
 
 ■  It  may  further  be  noted,  that  one  fruit  of  that  faith 
 which  worlceth  by  love  is  an  hofpitable  and  liberal 
 fpirit.  The  primitive  chriftians  are  a  noble  e»<ampla 
 of  the  power  of  the  gofpel  in  this  rcfpeiSl ;  it  enlarged 
 their  hearts  to  be  generous  in  parting  with  their  fub- 
 ftance  for  the  common  good,  without  any  referve  to 
 themfelves  j  this,  indeed,  in  ordinary  circumftances,  is. 
 not  required,  but  the  love  of  God  will  certainly  purify 
 a  man  from  covetoufnefs,  and  promote  in  him  a  boun- 
 tiful difpofition.  Thus,  no  fooner  was  the  heart  of 
 Lydia  opened,  but  the  doors  of  her  houfe  were  open  to 
 receive  the  minifters  and  difciples  of  Jefus,  Ada. 
 xvi.  15.  The  apoftle  James  afferts,  that  faith  with- 
 out works  is  dead,  and  likewife  fhews  that  works  of 
 mercy  and  love  are  eflential  to  that  which  is  faving : 
 nor  can  any  thing  be  more  contrary  to  the  real  fpirit 
 •f.  chriftianity  than  a  raorofe,  narrow  and  felfiih  tem- 
 per. 
 
304  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 pcr.  That  man  who  is  not  willing  to  Caew  kindnefs, 
 and  do  good  to  every  one,  but  efpecially  to  his  bre- 
 thren in  the  Lord,  as  directed  in  the  gofpel  of  Chrift, 
 fhould  look  to  himfclf.  If  we  do  not  as  it  were  wafti 
 the  faints  feet,  and  minifter  to  their  neceflities  accord- 
 ing to  our  ability,  yea  and  alfo  delight  iw  fhewing  all 
 manner  of  refpedl  to  the  people  of  God,  we  want 
 an  efl'ential  evidence  of  grace  in  the  heart.  Let  no 
 tin  profit:.' ble  proftllor  flatter  h'mfelf,  for  pure  religion 
 is  love ;  not  in  word  and  in  tongue,  but  in  deed  and 
 in  truth. 
 
 ■  Moreover  it  appears  that  the  fruits  of  faith  are 
 abiding.  Thefe  chriftians  continued  in  their  harmony  and 
 ]bve  J  they  were  not,  as  fome,  unftable  as  water ;  nei- 
 ther is  true  religion  a  fickle  or  tranfitory  thing,  nor  is 
 it  partial.  He  that  fears  God,  is  habitually  conftant 
 and  univerfal  in  obeying  the  truth  ;  and  this  will  ap-' 
 pear  in  his  behaviour  under  a  profeflion  of  the  gofpel. 
 To  which  maybe  added,  that  the  believer  finds  un- 
 speakable delight  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  j  they  are 
 ways  of  pleafantnefs,  and  paths  of  peace  to  his  foul. 
 Strangers  conceive  not  the  gladnefs  and  joy  that  attend 
 the  faints  who  walk  together  in  love,  in  the  order  of 
 Chrift.  Their  communion  is  fweet,  who  can  fay, 
 '*  Have  fellowfhip  with  us  ;  truly  our  fellowfliip  is 
 "^  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jefus  Chrift. 
 
 Finally,  we  fee  that  the  vifible  and  clofe  union  of 
 chriftians,  and  their  mutual  offices  of  kindnefs,  is  a 
 flriking  evidence  to  all  around  them  of  their  real  reli- 
 gion.   By  this  faith  is  ken,  and  the  world  is  convinced.' 
 
 Whereas 
 
PTIIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  305 
 
 Whereas  fhort  of  this  teftimony,  the  greatefl  attain- 
 ment in  knowledge  and  gifts,  or  the  higheft  profeifion 
 of  zeal  for  the  truths  and  ordinances  of  ihe  gof- 
 pel,  is  vain;  it  fails  of  proving  a  man  under  the  do- 
 minion of  grace.  He  is  nothing  who  hath  not  th^s 
 char'.tv,  in  the  exercife  of  which  the  dodlrin?  of  God 
 our  Saviour  is  adorned;  but,  in  this  prailice  of  pieiy 
 and  goodnefs,  the  ca'ling  and  eledion  of  the  chriliian 
 appears.  Thus  faith  the  1  ord,  *'  By  this  fhal]  all  men 
 "  know  that  ye  are  my  difciples,  thar  ye  love  one  ano- 
 "  thcr,"  John  xiii.  35.  May  the  Spirit  of  love  and 
 of  a  found  mind  be  poured  out  from  on  high  on  all 
 that  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  that,  being  thus 
 found  in  the  faith,  th^y  may  abound  in  every  fruit 
 of  righteoufnefs,  to  the  conviiSlion  of  gainfayers,  and 
 to  the  praife  of  the  glory  of  him  that  hath  called  them 
 out  of  darknefs  into  his  marvellous  light  I 
 
 L  E  C  T  U  R  E      XX. 
 
 The  daily  increafc  of  the  primitive  church. 
 
 AMONG  all  the  extraordinary  and  entertaining 
 things  related  of  the  faints  at  Jerufalem,  it  is 
 none  of  the  leaft  that  the  Lord  was  with  them.  He 
 crowned  his  gofpel  with  continual  fuccefs,  and  the 
 number  of  difciples  multiplied  greatly ;  for  we  are 
 told,  that  "  the  Lord  added  to  the  church  da.ly  fuch 
 '  V  "as 
 
3o6  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 "  as  fliould  be  faved."  It  was  their  glory  and  hap- 
 pinefs  to  be  in  perfect  harmony  and  love,  and  in  favor 
 with  man,  but  ftill  more  fo  to  enjoy  the  vifible  pre- 
 fence  and  bleffing  of  Jehovah  ;  the  beauty  of  the  Lord 
 their  God  was  upon  them,  and  he  eftabliflied  the  work 
 of  their  hands.  In  this  pleafing  account  the  followino- 
 particulars  are  included,  namely,  the  denomination 
 under  which  the  difciples  are  mentioned,  their  daily 
 increafe,  by  whom  thefe  additions  were  made,  and  the 
 peculiar  defcription  of  thofe  who  were  joined.  A  re- 
 view of  thefe  articles,  with  brief  notes  upon  them,  and 
 ibme  rcilcftions,  will  be  the  fubjedl  of  this  lecture,  and 
 finifh  our  defign  on  this  ufeful  part  of  facred  ecclefiafti- 
 cal  hillory. 
 
 The  EiTglifii  term  churchy  under  which  the  faithful 
 here  fir  ft  ftand  dcfcribrd,  an  expreflion  often  repeated 
 in  the  New-Teftament,  is  derived  from  two  words, 
 which  may  be  rendered,  '  the  houfe  or  habitation  of 
 the  Lord.'  Thus  the  temple  at  Jerufalem  is  frequent- 
 ly filled ;  and  a  like  phrafc  is  ufed  of  the  fplritual  tem- 
 ple, "  the  houfc  of  God,"  i  Tim.  iii.  15.  over  whom 
 nov  Chrid,  who  is  the  true  God,  prefides  fole  law- 
 giver and  king,  as  it  is  written,  Heb.  iii.  6.  **  But 
 "  Chrift  as  a  fon  over  his  own  houfe,  whofe  houfe  are 
 "  we."  But  {iy.y.Ma-ia.)  the  word  ufed  here,  and  in  all 
 other  places  where  church  intends  a  fociety  of  believers 
 in  order,  is  of  another  import,  and  fignifies  to  be  called 
 out;  fo  that  theifimple  and  native  idea  of  a  church,  is  a 
 company  of  called  perfons  alTembled  together,  which 
 cxaiflly  correfponds  with  the  true  notion  of  a  chriftian 
 
 or 
 
 *  KTPIOY  OIKOS,  which  form  the  word  kirk. 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    307 
 
 or  gofpel-church,  which  is  no  other  than  a  company 
 of  faiiitb),  who,  oeing  called  by  grace,  acc.jrding  to  the 
 divine  purpofe,  are  built  tOL,ether,  by  a  fprcial  CQ- 
 venant,  and  alTociating  themfelves  in  one  time  and 
 p'ace,  for  a  mutual  enjoyment  of  the  appointments  of 
 their  Lord  and  Redeemer. 
 
 Custom  has  rendered  it  tolerable  ;  but,  however 
 early  or  common  the  word  has  been  app  led  to  a  houfe 
 or  place  of  aflembly,  as  frequently  to  this  day,  it  is 
 neverthelefs  very  improper;  and  though  it  might  at 
 firft  be  innocently  introduced,  and  is  now  ufed  by 
 many,  who  are  far  from  intending  any  thing  unwor- 
 thy the  fpirituality  of  gofpel-worihip,  this  liberty  has 
 been  abufed ;  iniiead  of  an  ordinary  houfe  or  apart- 
 ment, as  at  firft,  ftately  piles  have  been  raifed,  framed 
 and  adorned  in  a  peculiar  manner,  under  the  name  of 
 a  church,  by  which  the  vulgar  have  been  captivated 
 to  a  fuperftitious  veneration  for  material  buildin2;s ;  it 
 is  therefore  to  be  wifhed,  that  this  undue  application 
 of  the  word  was  renounced.  Though  fome  refpedtable 
 perfons  have  been  otherwife  minded,  1  take  leave  to 
 fay,  that  I  apprehend  the  meeting-place  of  the  faithful 
 for  divine  fervice  is  no  where  in  fcripture  certainly 
 called  a  church.  The  paflage  in  i  Cor.  xi.  18.  is  thus 
 interpreted  by  fome,  "  v/hen  ye  come  together  in  the 
 "  church,"  i.  e.  fay  they,  into  the  place  of  meeting, 
 which  is  thought  to  be  confirmed  by  what  follows, 
 ver.  20.  *'  when  ye  come  together  therefore  into  one 
 *'  place. "  But,  with  fubmiflion,  coming  into  the 
 church  is  eafily  underftood,  and  may  fignify  no  other 
 than  a/Tembiing  together  in  a  church-meeting  j    and 
 
 U  2  though 
 
3o8  LECTURESON 
 
 though  it  is  true  that  fuch  meetings  muft  be  held  in  a 
 particular  place,  yet  the  original  words  do  not  deter- 
 minate it  topical,  but  rather  refer  to  the  unity  of  the 
 perfons  who  met,  than  to  the  place  in  which  they 
 aflembled  ;  they  are  the  very  words*  ufed  in  Adts  ii.  44. 
 already  confidered  in  leiSture  XVIII.  Alfo  in  chap, 
 iii.  I.  And  again,  in  the  ivth  chapter  and  26th  verfe. 
 Now  it  cannot  in  either  of  thefe  pafl'ages  defign  a 
 place  or  houfe  of  meeting.  And  as  to  the  church  the 
 diforderly  Corinthians  are  fufpedted  of  defpifing,  men- 
 tioned ver.  22.  it  can  by  no  means  be  applied  to  a  ma- 
 terial building,  unlefs  we  fuppofe  it  con(eCrated  by  di- 
 vine authority,  and  therefore  holy  as  the  Jewifh  fanc- 
 tuary  of  old  ;  but  however  fome  may  plead  for  it,  no 
 fcripture-v/arrant  has  yet,  and,  I  prefume,  never  will 
 be  produced  for  this  relative  fan^Stity  in  material  build- 
 ings under  the  gofpcl-d:rpenfation.  The  church  of 
 God,  whom  thefe  wanton  profeflbrs  are  fuppofed  to 
 contemn,  and  thofe  whom  they  put  to  fhame,  by  the 
 indecent  and  uncharitable  pra6lice  reproved,  appear  to 
 me  to  be  one  and  the  fame;  they  are  defcribed  as 
 *'  having  or  pofTefTing  nothing,"  i.  e.  the  poor,  who 
 may  well  be  ftilcd  the  church,  fmce  they  were  a  part, 
 yea  and  it  is  reafcnable  to  fuppofe  the  major  part  of 
 ihe  church  i  for,  "  hath  not  God  chofen  the  poor 
 *'  of  this  world,  rich  in  faith  and  heirs  of  the  king- 
 ''  d^tn  ?  " 
 
 THii  exprefilon  is  ufed  of  different  forts  of  aflem- 
 blies;  for  inftance,  the  town-clerk  of  Ephefus  fo  ftiles 
 the  muititude  of  crafts-men  who  gathered  againft  the 
 
 apoftle, 
 
 at     -,      /       \      \  n\ 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  309 
 
 apollle,  at  the  motion  or  call  of  Demetrius  the  filver- 
 fmlth,  A<Sls  xix.  41.  And  in  verfe  39,  of  that  chap- 
 ter, the  fame  word  is  ufcd  for  an  orderly  court  of  juf- 
 tice,  in  which  he  tells  the  feditious,  their  caufe,  if  they 
 Tiad  anyjuft  complaiiit,  might  le  legally  determined  ; 
 other  applications  of  the  term  may  be  produced,  but 
 for  the  rnoft  part,  as  here,  it  refers  to  the  church  of 
 God;  fometimes  to  the  invifible  and  catholic  church, 
 which  comprehends  the  whole  eleition  of  grace,  who  are 
 orfhall  be  faved,  and  may  be  confideredas  called  in  the 
 divine  purpofe.  This  is  the  church  which  is  the  body 
 of  Chrift,  over  whom  he  is  given  to  be  head,  the  fiJl- 
 nefs  of  him  that  filleth  all  in  all,  Ej)h.  i.  22,  23.  even 
 that  church  whom  Chriil  loved,  and  gave  himfelf  for, 
 and  ranfomed  with  his  blood,  out  of  every  kindred, 
 tongue  and  nation,  whofe  nam.es  are  written  in  heaven, 
 and  who,  being  completely  gathered,  fhall  at  laft  ap- 
 pear in  one  general  and  glorious  aflembly,  and  together 
 poflefs  the  kingdom  prepared  for  them  fioni  the  foun- 
 dation of  the  world. 
 
 Some  number  the  pafTage  before  us  with  thofe  that 
 fpeak  of  the  church  in  this  general  fenfe  j  but  it  is 
 plainly  hiftorical,  and  refers  to  the  faints  in  order  at 
 Jerufalem.  It  is  frequently  taken  for  the  vifible  church 
 on  earth  univerfally,  or,  as  the  fathers  exprefied  it, 
 '  the  church  difperfed  through  the  world  to  the  ends 
 *  of  the  earth  *.'  Thus  we  read,  Adts  xii.  i.  that 
 Herod,  that  bloody  man,  vexed  certain  of  the  church. 
 And  again.  Gal.  i.  13.  fays  Paul,  *'  I  perfecutcd  the 
 **  church,"   i.  e.    the  difciples  of  Jefus,  wherever  he 
 
 U  3  fwUfid 
 
 •  Enquiry  into  the  primitive  church,  p,  3. 
 
310  LECTURES    ON 
 
 found  them,  A£ls  ix.  2.  So  then  it  is  taken  for  all 
 that  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  every  place, 
 1  Cor.  i.  2.  But  the  word  is  mo.e  frequently  applied 
 to  a  particular  community,  as  in  tue  inftance  before 
 us.  'Ihe  difciples  were  now  a  body  corporate,  afiem- 
 bling  themfelves  for  chriftlan  worlhip  and  difcipline, 
 under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  apoftles ;  the  firft 
 chriftian  church  exifting,  and  v/iiich,  though  not  yet 
 compleatly  organized,  (extraordinary  circumftances  ex- 
 cepted) which  the  ferious  enquirer  may  eafily  diftin- 
 guifh,  is  the  original  pattern  of  fellowfhip  in  the  gof- 
 pel.  Thus  as  the  difciples  were  firit  called  chriitians 
 at  Antioch,  fo  in  a  focial  capacity  they  were  firft  iHleda 
 church  at  Jerulalem.  Henceforward,  bemg  thus  united, 
 and  walking  together  in  every  place,  they  were  called  a 
 church.  Of  thefe  churches,  we  have  feen,  there  were 
 many  in  the  time  of  the  apoftles.  And  accordingly 
 we  read  of  the  churches  of  Judca,  Galatia,  Maccdo- 
 donia,  and  Afia,  and  likewife  of  all  the  churches  of 
 the  faints.  Thefe  churches  were  originally  ot  the  fame 
 faith  and  order ;  they  each  held  the  lame  dodirme,  and 
 the  ordinances  were  the  fame  in  every  community, 
 1  Cor.  vii.  17.  and  they  maintained  a  relpecttul  and  af- 
 fectionate correfpondence  with  each  other,  by  melic-n- 
 gers,  letters  of  commendation  and  advice,  with  every 
 office  of  love  in  their  power,  as  circuuiitances  required  j 
 thinf^s  too  little  rctrarded  in  a  (late  ot  lukewaimnefs 
 and  diyificn,  being  always  difcouraged  by  covetous  and 
 diforJerly  perfons,  who  fer\e  their  own  belly,  and  not 
 the  Lord  Jelus  Chrift,  but  in  which  the  firlt  dilciples 
 abounded,  as  the  fcnptures  declare;  neverthelels  each 
 congregation  or  incorporated  focicty  of  chriftians  was 
 
 inde- 
 
PRIMITIVE   CHRISTIANITY.  311 
 
 independent,  in  which  alfo  the  feat  of  government, 
 and  a  fufficient  means  of  perfonal  edification  was 
 found,  under  their  proper  paftors  and  guides,  in  the 
 exercife  of  whofe  different  fundtions  the  ordinances 
 were  duly  adminiflred.  This  is  the  denomination 
 which  the  aflbciated  difciples  came  under  from  the  be- 
 ginning, the  church  ;  and  this  Is  the  proper  character 
 of  chrirtians  joined  in  the  order  of  the  gofpel,  they  are  a 
 church,  or  an  afiembly,  called  out  and  gathered  from 
 the  world  ;  not  that  the  members  of  this  facred  fociety 
 can  always  be  together  in  one  place,  but  the  propriety 
 of  this  appellation  is  evident  in  that,  as  in  all  bodies 
 corporate,  their  appearance  and  operations  depend  on 
 ftated  and  frequent  aflembling  themfelves  together, 
 which  was  the  daily  praftice  of  the  faints  at  Jerufalem  ; 
 and  the  forfaking  of  which,  in  every  age  and  place,  i$ 
 the  firft  ftep,  and  an  high-way  to  ap(.R.icy  ar.d  ruin, 
 both  of  communities  and  particular  perfons. 
 
 We  are  now  to  confider  the  increafe  of  this  church 
 at  Jerufalem.  There  were  continual  additions  unto  it  : 
 "  added  to  the  church  daily."  A  church  is  a  change- 
 -able  body,  compofed  of  individuals  who  are  mutabie. 
 Many  are  the  viciffitudes  in  providence,  by  which  the 
 members  of  a  particular  gofpel-church  are  removed, 
 and  at  beft  the  perfons  who  compofe  them,  like  the 
 priefts  of  old,  continue  not  by  reafon  of  death  ;  befides, 
 they  are  liable  to  be  corrupted,  in  confequence  of 
 which  it  is  too  often  feen,  they  make  (hipwreck  of 
 faith,  or  behave  fo  unworthy  their  profeffion,  that  it 
 is  needful  to  put  them  away,  or  to  purge  them  out  as 
 old  leaven,  for  the  prefe'rvation  of  the  body,  the  honor 
 
 U  4  of 
 
3ia.  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N  u/  I « ^ 
 
 of  religion,  and  the  convi£lion  and  fafety  of  the  delin- 
 quent   himfelf.       On   thefc,    and    on    other  accounts, 
 churches  are  often  diminilhed,  and   for  want  of  addi- 
 tions brought  very  low,  yea  and  in  fome  inftances  en- 
 tiiely  diflblve ;  but  the  church  at  Jcrufakm  was  in  a 
 thriving  and  prrfperous  condition,  the  word  of  God 
 grew  exceedingly,    and  multitudes   gladly  received  if, 
 and  joyfu'ly  fubmitted  themfelves  to  the  name  of  Jefus. 
 They  can^e  da  !y  to  the  apoftles,    and  were  baptized 
 and   added   to  tlie  Lord.      Indeed   difciples  were  not 
 multiplied  evety  day  equal  to  the  number  of  the  firft 
 gathering,  in  which  the  incrcafe  of  one  day  was  three 
 thoufand,  yet  the  go.'pcl  had  fiee  couife  into  the  hearts 
 of  many,  ar.d  biaught  them  to  the  obedience  of  faith, 
 infoiTiuch  that  every  time  the  difciples  met,  at  leaft  in 
 general,    there  were  fome  inftances   of  the  power  of 
 God  in  a  vifible  fubjedtion  of  Tinners  to  the  Saviour,  as 
 their  loveieitzn  and  kin;2:. 
 
 But,  who  made  thefe  additions?  The  hiftorian  de- 
 clares, "  it  was  the  Lord."  It  is  the  Lord's  doing, 
 and  to  him  it  ought  to  be  afciibcd.  ]\'liniiiers  are  in- 
 ftrunients  for  the  corividlion  and  perfuafion  of  men,  , 
 that  they  m;iy  believe  and  be  favtd  j  they  preach  the 
 word  of  faiih,  and  it  pleafeth  God  by  the  fooliftjnefs 
 of,  preaching  to  i'dvc  them  that  believe;  but  faith  is  the 
 gift  of  God.  "  Who  i,s  Paul,  and  who  is  Appllos, 
 *'  but  minifters  by  whom  ye  believed,  even  as  the 
 *'  Lord  gave  to  every  man  ?"  i  Cor.  iii.  5.  Again; 
 th(-fc  who  are  called,  being  made  willing  in  the  day 
 of  God's  pow-r,  freely  cttcr  themlelves  J  and  aifo  the 
 jdifciplcs  with  whpm  they  are  cejiieiued  jiaye  iWn  cop- 
 
 CeiA 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    313- 
 
 cerft  in  this  union,  which  takes  place,  as  we  have  keu, 
 bymutual  confent.  Thus  all  parties  are  aiStive  tov/ards^ 
 the  addition  of  perfons  to  any  particular  church,  after 
 the  example  ';  efore  us.  Ptter  and  John  preached  the 
 word,  who,  with  the  afliftance  of  others,  baptized  the 
 penitent,  and  were  inftrumental  of  joining  tht'm  to  the 
 church  ;  the  members  of  which  in  refpetSt  or'  their  recep- 
 tion of  them  into  their  bod)',  may  be  looked  upon  as 
 adding  fuch  perfons,  and  alfo  the  party  received  is  con-' 
 cerned  in  this  union,  who,  on  account  of  his  voluntary 
 furrender  and  adherence  to  Chrift,  is  declared  in  prophe- 
 cy to  have  *'  joined  himfelf  to  the  Lord,"  Ifa.  Ivi.  ■■^. 
 Neverthelefs,  when  a  church  is  increafed  in  the  number 
 of  the  faithful,  and  built  up  a  fpiritual  houfe  for  divine 
 fervice,  it  mult  be  ultimately  referred  to  the  grace  and 
 power  of  God.     Which  leads, 
 
 Finally,  tc  the  remaining  article  in  this  facred  ac- 
 count, namely,  the  peculiar  defcription  of  thofe  who 
 were  joined  by  the  Lord  to  his  people.  It  is  declared  that 
 they  were  "  fuch  as  Ihould  be  faved."  Some  would  con- 
 fine the  fenfe  of  this  phrafe  to  their  obtaining  the  means 
 of  falvation,  but  then  all  who  heard  the  word  fliouk! 
 have  been  united  to  the  church,  whereas  it  is  manifeft 
 that  fome  only,  thou_h  a  great  number,  even  they  only 
 were  added,  who  received  the  gofpel,  and  were  bap- 
 tized -in  the  name  of  Jefus.  The  miniflration  of  the 
 word  is  a  diftinguifhing  favor,  and  wo  be  to  them 
 w'ho  negle(5l  or  defpife  it ;  and  he  that  is  thoughtful 
 ?ibaut  his  falvation  may  juftly  encourage  himfelf  from 
 the  enjoyment  of  the  means,  in  a  hope  that, the  Lord 
 will  have  mercy  upon  him ;  for  though  many  indulged 
 
314  LECTURES    ON 
 
 in  like- manner,  perifli  in  tlieir  fins  through  unbelitf,  yet 
 this  grant  fruni  heaven  is  a  leading  ftep  towards  the  fal- 
 vation  of  the  ele«5t ;  therefore  great  is  the  privilege  of 
 a  gofpel-niiniftry,  and  to  be  highly  efteemed  ;  but  it  is 
 die  thing  to  be  of  them  to  whom  the  falvation  of  God, 
 i,  e.  the  word  of  falvation  is  font,  Acts  xxviii.  28.  and 
 another  thing  to  be  oi fuch  as  Jhoiild  be  faved.  The  Javed'xs 
 a  phrafe  which  (lands  oppofed  to  the  loji  or  the  perifhed, 
 to  both  which  the  gofpel  is  evidently  preached  :  It  is 
 ufed  only  in  two  other  places,  which  may  ftrve  to 
 illuilrate  the  point.  In  i  Cor.  i.  18.  we  read,  "  The 
 "  preaching  of  the  crofs  is  to  them  that  perifh  foolifli- 
 *'  nefs ;"  "but  (fays  the  apoftlc)  unto  us  that  arc 
 *'  faved  it  is  the  power  of  God."  And  again,  2  Cor. 
 ii.  J 5,  16.  fpeaking  of  the  acceptance  vi'hich  faith- 
 ful minifters  fnid  with  God ,  however  fome  to 
 v.'hom  they  preach  may  treat  their  report,  and  re- 
 ceive or  reject  it,  he  faith,  "  We  are  unto  God  a 
 *'  fweet  favour  of  Chrift  in  them  that  are  faved,  and  in 
 *'  them  that  perifh."  Now  in  bcth  thefe  pafTages  we 
 fee  that  the  faved  and  the  loji  are  cppofed  to  each  other, 
 and  that  both  the  one  and  the  other  fat  under  the  report 
 of  the  gofpel.  It  is  therefore  plain  that  thefe  perf(  ns, 
 of  whom  it  is  declared  that  they  arc  fuch  as  fhould  be 
 fa\'cd,  are  not  thus  defcribed,  becaufe  they  enjoyed 
 the  means  of  filvation,  but  to  diftinguifh  them  from 
 thofe  who,  notvvithftanding  they  were  thus  favored, 
 periflaed  in  their  infidelity.  iSo  then,  the  loft,  or 
 them  that  perifii,  are  the  difobedient,  who,  being  left 
 to  themfelves,  pcrverfely  rejed  the  counfel  of  God  j 
 and  though  they  may  take  up  a  formal  profefTion  of 
 Chilli,    yet   having   no  root  in  themfelves   they  fall 
 
 away 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     315 
 
 away  and  come  fhort  of  the  promife  :  and  the  faved,  in 
 oppofition  to  t'lefe,  are  fuch,  who,  beizig  effeciua  '^y 
 called,  are  truly  obedient  to  the  faith,  and  will  per- 
 fevere  unto  life  everlafting,  being,  as  it  is  exprefled,  "  not 
 "  appointed  to  wrath,  but  to  ohtain  falvation  by 
 «  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,"  i  ThefT.  v.  9.  This 
 phrafe  therefore  amounts  to  the  fame  with  that  ufed 
 of  the  Gentiles  at  Antioch,  A£l$  xiii.  48.  of  whom  it 
 is  faid,  "  That  as  many  as  were  ordained  to  eternal 
 *'  life  believed."  Such  who  {hall  be  faved  are  fuch 
 who  are  ordained  to  eternal  life,  and  accordingly 
 obtain  like  precious  faith  with  God's  e]e6i-,  and  having 
 openly  fubmitted  themfelves  to  Jefus,  "  are  not  of  thetn 
 **  who  draw  back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them  who  be- 
 "  lieve  to  the  faving  of  the  foul,"  Heb.  x.  39.  Thefe 
 are  the  faved,  ''  faved  and  called  with  an  holy  calling, 
 "  not  according  to  their  works,  but  according  to  his  own 
 **  purpofe  and  grace,  which  was  given  them  in  Chrift 
 *'  Jefus  before  the  world  began,"  2  Tim.  i.  9.  iuch 
 are  *'  faved  by  grace,  through  faith,  and  that  not  of 
 *'  themfelves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God,"  Eph.  ii.  8.  In 
 a  word,  fuch  are  faved,  i.  e.  "•  being  called  they  are 
 "  juftified  by  his  grace,  and  made  heirs  according  to 
 "  the  hope  of  eternal  life,"  Tit.  iii.  7.  nor  fhall  their 
 **  hope  make  them  afhamed,  for  whom  he  juftified 
 *'  them  he  alfo  glorified,"   Rom.  viii  30. 
 
 This  then  is  the  fum  of  the  account,  that  the  Lord 
 fo  abundantly  owned  the  preaching  of  the  gofpel,  and 
 profpered  his  church  at  Jerufalem,  that  there  were 
 daily  additions,  not  barely  of  nominal  chriftians,  but 
 they  were  multiplied  with   the  chofen  of  God,   who 
 
 were 
 
'3i6  LECTURES    ON 
 
 were  called  according  to  his  purpofe,  being  ordained 
 to  eternal  life  :  Their  increafe  was  of  fucli  as  fhould  be 
 faved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord.  To  be  of  this  nunibef, 
 my  Reader,  will  hereafter  be  found  of  infinite  impor- 
 tance to  each  individual,  and  it  is  the  glory  and  hap- 
 pinefs  of  a  church  to  be  filled  with  fuch  members ; 
 therefore  "give  diligence  to  make  thy  calling  and 
 *'  eledlion  fure,'*  and  let  the  Lord  have  no  reft  till  he 
 thus  beautifies  the  houfe  of  his  glory,  '*  and  makes 
 *'  Jerufalem  a  praife  in  the  whole  earth,  an  eternal 
 **  excellency,  and  the  joy  of  many  generations." 
 
 In  refle<5ting  on  this  true  and  delightful  hiftory  of 
 *the  firft  chriftians  in  their  communion  together,  wc 
 are  led  into  a  view  of  the  following  truths : 
 
 Note  I,  That  the  communion  of  faints  is  clearly  a 
 divine  inftitution.  It  was  under  the  diredion  of  the 
 apoftles  who  received  their  commiilion  from  the  Lord, 
 and  who  were  infpired  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  that  the 
 difciples  at  firft  were  gathered  into  church-order,  and 
 continued  fo  to  be  in  every  place  where  the  gofptl  ob- 
 tained. 
 
 Man  by  the  excellency  of  his  nature,  as  an  intelli- 
 gent being,  is  formed  for  fociety,  and  by  his  relation  to 
 others  obliged  to  aflbciate  with  them ;  he  cannot  exert 
 his  utmoft  capacity,  nor  anfwer  the  end  of  his  exiftence, 
 or  find  compleat  happinefs,  but  in  afocialftatej  and 
 fince  the  end  of  his  being  is  to  glorify  God  and  enjoy 
 him,  religious  fociety  has  been  argued  from  the  laws  of 
 nature  i   and  it  mull  be  acknowledged^   that  church- 
 
 fdlowfliip 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    317 
 
 fellowfhip  is  agreeable  to  natural  light,   but  the  obliga- 
 tion of  believers  to  this  facred  union  arifes  from  the 
 authority  of  God  in  his  word,   who  has  direded  our 
 worfhip  through  Jefus  the  Mediator,  in  whofe  name  we 
 gather  together.     Chrift  is  king  of  faints,   a  fon  over 
 his  own  houfe,  and  he  has  not  left  his  people  without 
 a  plain  direction,   and  a  promife  fufficient  to  encourage 
 them  in  waiting  upon  him.  The  motive,  form,  rule,  and 
 ,end  of  th'S  fellowfhip  depend  entirely  on  his  will  ;  nor  is 
 it  in  the  power  of  any  man ,  or  fet  of  men,  to  make  laws 
 of  government  or  terms  of  communion,   which  are  not 
 founded  in  the  word  of  the  Lord,  but  every  thing  muft 
 be  done  as  he  has  ordained,  according  to  the  commiflion 
 he  gave   his  apoflles.   Matt,   xxviii.  18.     So  then  a 
 church  is  not  barely  a  fociety,    nor  meerly  a  fociety  of 
 believers,  with  a  religious  view,    but  a  fociety  formed 
 on  the  order  and  difcipline  which  Chrift  hath  appointed  ; 
 and  for  the  faithful  to  incorporate  and  walk  together  in 
 church-relation,   is  no  indifferent  matter,  for  it  is  not 
 of  human  invention,  however  prudent  and  ufeful,  but  an 
 appointment  from  heaven,   as  appears  from  the  conduct 
 of  thefe  primitive  chriftians,  under  the  guidance  of  their 
 authorized   and   infpired  leaders,  who  taught  them  to 
 obferve  all  and   only  thofe  things  which  the  Lord  had 
 commanded.     If  the  authority  of  this  holy  covenant  ia 
 the  Lord  was  duly  confidered,  it  would  not  be  fo  gene- 
 rally negledted  ;    for  fmce  it  is  of  God,   certainly  every 
 believer  is  called  upon  tojoin  himfelf  to  fome  congrega- 
 tion, on  whom  he  difcerns  the  true  notes  ofagofpel- 
 church,  without  which  no  man  can  difcharge  his  duty 
 to  Chriftj  to  his  fellow-chriflians,  or  to  his  own  fouL 
 
 We 
 
3iS  LECTURESON 
 
 We  may  therefore  juftly  lament  the  growing  omiflion 
 of  this  divine  order.     But  again. 
 
 Note  II.  The  proper  and  authorized  members  of 
 a  chriftian  church,  are  fuch  only,  who,  in  all  appear- 
 ance, are  of  them  that  fhall  be  faved.  Indeed  the 
 Lord  alone  is  certainly  acquainted  with  thefe ;  he  only 
 knoweth  them  that  are  his,  and  for  wife  ends,  permits 
 others  to  intrude :  but  they  who  are  in  the  gall  of 
 bitternefs  and  bonds  of  inquity,  notwithftanding  they 
 have  a  notional  faith,  and  are  baptized,  have  no  part 
 or  lot  in  this  matter.  This  fpiritual  houfe  and  holy 
 city  muft  be  built  with  holy  and  fpiritual  perfons,  and 
 care  fhould  be  taken  that  none  but  thofe  whofe  calling 
 proves  their  election  of  God  are  admitted  into  the 
 facred  fociety.  He  that  yields  not  the  fruits  of  evange- 
 lical repentance,  and  a  found  and  lively  faith  in  Jefus, 
 has  no  claim  to  a  place  in  his  church  :  An  ignorant, 
 ungodly,  proud,  or  felf-righteous  man  may  impofc 
 himfelfon  the  company,  but  when  the  King  infpe<Sls 
 thofe  who  are  at  his  table,  the  man  who  is  not  inverted 
 with  the  wedding-garment,  will  be  turned  out  with 
 fhame.  That  th6  Lord  hath  determined  that  his 
 church  in  this  ftate  of  trial  fhould  be  liable  to  hypo- 
 crites, appears  from  many  fcriptures,  and  from  the 
 inftances  in  whith  fome  fuch  turn  apoftates,  and  be- 
 come roots  of  bitternefs,  whereby  many  are  troubled 
 and  defiled  :  fo  that  while  it  is  meet  we  fliould  think 
 well  of  each  in  our  fellowfhip,  and  pray  for  him  as  one 
 of  the  chofen  of  God,  there  is  ftill  but  little  reafon  to 
 expedl  that  none  fhall  be  added  to  his  vifible  church 
 but  fuch  as  fhaM  be  faved  j  neverthelefs  the  divine  de- 
 cree 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  319 
 
 cree  to  permit  others  to  mingle  with  his  faints,  gives 
 them  no  right  to  his  fanduary,  neither  will  it  juftify 
 his  piofefling  people  in  receiving  any  into  their  com- 
 munion vv^ho  appear  deftitute  of  that  grace  which  be- 
 longs to  the  heirs  of  falvation.  This  privilege  of  be- 
 coming the  fens  of  God,  is  given  only  to  them  who  are 
 born  of  the  Spirit,  John  i.  12.  And  we  fiiould  be 
 careful  that  lively  ftones  are  placed  in  this  temple 
 of  the  moft  High,  i  Pet.  ii.  3,  5.  And  as  no  other 
 than  quickened  fmners  are  appointed,  or  authorized  to  a 
 place  in  the  church  of  the  living  God  ;  fo  none  but  fuch 
 (can  anfwer  the  end  of  this  divine  fellowfhip,  which  is 
 to  offer  up  fpiritual  facrifices  acceptable  to  God  by  Je- 
 fus  Chrift,  and  to  build  up  one  another  on  their  moft 
 holy  faith  unto  eternal  life  :  But  are  thefe  things  pofTiblc 
 with  him  that  is  dead  in  trefpafles  and  fin  ?  Can  a  carnal 
 or  natural  man  offer  up  fpiritual  facrifices  ?  Can  he 
 that  is  in  the  flefti,  and  out  of  Chrift,  be  acceptable 
 to  God  who  is  a  fpirit,  and  who  Is  well-pleafed  alone 
 in  his  Son  ?  Or,  can  the  dead  nourifh  the  living  ?  No 
 more  can  dead  finners  nourifh  that  living  body  the 
 church,  but  this  Is  effentlal  to  the  end  of  chriflian  com- 
 munion. A  formal  and  lifelefs  profefTion,  In  Itfelf 
 confidered,  avails  not  to  the  glory  of  God,  nor  to  the 
 falvation  of  Its  fubjeft :  and  however  the  Lord  may 
 render  unconverted  perfons,  who  join  themfelves  to  his 
 people,  fubfervient  to  the  purpofes  of  his  grace,  they 
 are  utterly  incapable  of  fpiritual  communion,  or  pro- 
 perly and  truly  of  fpiritual  fervice,  neither  will  it  turn 
 out  to  their  advantage  in  the  end.  Befides,  though 
 fuch  are  permitted,  ftrid^ly  fpeaking,  they  are  not 
 added  by  the  Lord.    Our  Saviour  hath  ihewn  who  it  is 
 
 that 
 
326  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 that  (oweth  the  bad  feed  :  hence  tares  grow  up  with  the 
 wheat,  Matt.  xiii.  39.  the  enemy  that  fovved  them  is 
 tSe  Devil.  Is  an  ungodly  perf-n  or  hypocrite  found  in 
 the  church  ?  fiehold  the  hand  of  the  Lord  hath  not  plant- 
 ed him  there  *  No,  Friend,  all  his  works  are  according 
 to  i.he  counfel  of  his  will.  Jefus  is  the  fame,  he  adds 
 none  to  his  people  but  fuch  as  fhould  be  faved.  But 
 then. 
 
 Note  TII.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  is  in  every  ad-. 
 dition  of  faved  and  fpiritual  members  to  his  vifible 
 church.  It  is  by  him  alone  a  community  is  inriched 
 with  thefe  chofen  veflels  of  mercy :  and  when  one 
 fuch  is  added,  it  may  truly  be  faid,  *  God  gave 
 '  the  increafe.'  Ry  his  Spirit  they  are  regenerated  and 
 quickened  fwr  the  fcllowfhip  of  his  faints,  as  the  ftones 
 were  prepared  for  the  temple,  they  are  fitted  to  his  fpi- 
 ritual houfe,  and  by  him  they  are  drawn  to  the  obedi- 
 ence of  faith.  However  minifters  and  churches,  and 
 the  fubiedls  themfelves,  as  we  have  feen,  are  adlive,  and 
 have  their  voluntary  concern  in  ecclefiaftical  union, 
 it  is  alone  by  the  will  and  power  of  the  moft  High  that 
 his  ekcl  are  formed  and  difpoled  for  his  fervice;  and  as 
 the  arm  of  his  grace  is  revealed  in  preparing,  fo  the 
 hand  of  his  providence  is  nearly  concerned  in  fixing 
 one  and  another  in  this  or  that  particular  church.  If 
 the  bound  of  our  habitations  is  fixed,  in  refpedt  of  na- 
 tural and  civil  life,  how  much  more  will  our  heavenly 
 Father  lead  his  children  unto  a  fituation  in  his  houfe 
 for  the  prote<Slion  and  nourifhment  of  their  foul .'  In 
 fome  inftances  the  word  and  providence  of  the  Lord  ap» 
 patently  concur  in  fettling  his  faithful  in  this  fpiritual 
 
 relation  j 
 
PRIxMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    321 
 
 Irelation  ;  this  affords  them  mattef  of  joy  and  thankf- 
 giving  J  but  his  concern  and  guidauce  in  this  refpetSt 
 in  every  cafe  is  not  to  be  doubted  by  thofe  who  truft 
 him,  for  he  is  their  (hepherd,  who  muketh  them  to 
 "  lie  down  in  green  paftures,  and  leadeth  them  befide 
 •*  the  ftill  waters,"  Pfalm  xxiii.  2.  Yea,  many  a  child 
 of  Gud  hah.  feen  reafon  to  a  ore  and  blefs  him  Lr  the 
 leadings  of  his  providence,  though  by  affliiSling  changes 
 in.  life,  unto  a  place  in  his  houfe,  in  which  they  have- 
 found  fweet  communion,  and  r  ft  for  the  foul.  So 
 then,  whc  n  a  church  is  increafed  by  the  union  of  one 
 that  is  called  by  grace,  and  an  heir  of  glory,  flie  may 
 rejoice  and  fay,  alluding  to  Rachel's  prophecy  when 
 Jofeph  was  born.  Gen.  xxx.  24.  The  Lord  hath  added 
 to  me  another  fon  !  And,  it  may  hereafter  be  the  v/on- 
 der  and  praife  of  thj  general  aflembly  and  the  church- 
 cf  the  firft-born,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  to  be- 
 hold the  wifdom  and  grace  of  thofe  difpenfations, 
 whereby  the  chofen  have  been  diftributed  in  Zion  on 
 earth.  However,  each  living  member  in  a  church  is  a 
 fpiritual  Jofeph — an  addition  from  the  Lord  ;  and  h.ip- 
 py  it  is  when  the  difciples  receive  one  another  as  Chrift 
 alfo  received  his  apoftles,  as  the  gift  of  the  Father; 
 then  .would  the  name  of  the  Lord  be  magnified,  and  3 
 mutual  eftcem  prevail  among  his  people,  to  their  un- 
 fpeakable  honor  and  advantage !  O  that  it  was  thus 
 more  frequently  feen  !  Lord,  when  wilt  thou  again 
 pour  out  the  Spirit  from  on  high  ?  when  fhall  the 
 houfe  of  thy  glory  be  filled,  and  converts  come  up  to 
 thine  altar,  each  one  prefenting  himfelf  a  facrifice  of 
 joy  ?   and  when  (hall  thy  faints  with  admiration  and 
 
 X  gratitude 
 
322  L|:CTURES    ON 
 
 gratitude  fay,    *'  Who  aie  thefe  that  fly  as  a  cloud, 
 **  and  as  the  doves  to  their  windows  ?  "     Once  more. 
 
 Note  IV.  That  additions  from  the  Lord  are  of 
 great  importance  to  a  chriftian  community.  An  in- 
 creafe  of  fpiritual  and  fruitful  members,  whofe  temper 
 and  condudl  manifefl  their  calling  and  e!e£lion  of  God, 
 are  alone  from  himfelf,  and  a  vifible  token  of  his  pre- 
 fence,  which  is  one  chara£i:erifl:ic  of  a  true  gofpel- 
 church.  Chrift  walketh  in  the  midft  of  the  golden 
 candlefticks,  Rev.  ii.  i.  yea  and  faith,  "  Where  two 
 *'  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  I 
 *'  am  in  the  midft  of  them,"  Matt,  xviii.  20,  The 
 Papifts  vainly  boaft  in  their  number,  and  proudly  ftile 
 themfelves  catholic^  as  if  their  profeflion  was  univerfal, 
 which,  blefled  be  God,  is  far  from  being  truej  but 
 numbers  are  not  the  note  of  a  church.  The  true 
 church  is  exceeded  in  number  by  the  world  in  general, 
 and  in  feme  periods  by  antichrift  in  particular,  fo  that 
 there  can  be  no  dependence  on  meer  popularity  -,  but 
 this  is  certain,  that  the  Lord  is  prefent  with  his  peo- 
 ple ;  and,  fmce  his  adding  unto  them  is  one  proof  that 
 he  is  with  them,  though  he  hath  other  kind  of  mani- 
 feftatlons  of  his  prefence  to  fatisfy  his  faints,  when  for 
 a  feafoii  an  increafe  is  fufpended,  thefe  additions  are  to 
 be  prayed  for.  Bcfides,  the  church's  edijfication  de- 
 pends on  the  Lord's  adding  fuch  to  her  number.  For- 
 mal profeflbrs  may  be  an  occafional  advantage,  but 
 properly  fpcaking,  this  fpiritual  houfe  is  built  up  by 
 them  that  are  alive  unto  God,  Eph.  iv.  15,  16.  They 
 are  fuch  who  "  grow  up  into  him  in  all  things,  v/hich 
 
 "  is 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  323 
 
 *'  is  the  head,  even  Chrift ;  from  v/hom  the  whwle 
 *'  body  fitly  joined  toget'^er,  and  compacted  by  that 
 *'  which  every  joint  fupplieth,  according  to  the  efFec- 
 **  tual  vv^orking  in  the  meafure  of  every  part,  maketh 
 *'  increafe  of  the  body,  unto  the  edifying  itfelf  in 
 *'  love."  From  this  fine  defcription  ot  the  myftical 
 body  of  Chrift,  it  appears  that  a  particular  church  is 
 conducive  unto  the' edification  of  his  real  members,  in 
 proportion  to  the  number  and  vigor  of  them  who  are 
 vitally  in  him  ;  the  leaft  of  whom  are  of  advantage  in 
 his  grace,  prayers,  fpiritual  affe6i;ion,  and  gifts,  and 
 may  be  helpful  to  the-greateft  particular  member,  and 
 the  body  in  general,  for  "  the  head  fhall  not  fay  to  the 
 *'  feet,  I  have  no  need  of  thee,"  i  Cor.  xii.  21. 
 Thefe  additions  are  therefore  much  to  be  defned,  fee- 
 ing no  fpiritual  fruit  can  proceed  from  natural  men, 
 but  the  increafe  of  them  who  are  in  Chrift  Jefus,  will 
 add  to  the  life  and  beauty  of  a  church.  And  further, 
 the  importance  of  having  fuch  added  will  appear,  if 
 we  confider  that  without  this  a  gofpel  church-ftate 
 cannot  exift,  but  muft  foon  be  broke  up.  As  hinted 
 already,  it  is  meet  to  think  well  of  all  who  profefs  the 
 gofpel  of  Chrift,  and  who  do  not  by  their  unworthy 
 behaviour  lay  themfelves  under  fufpicion  ;  neverthlefs 
 there  is  but  too  much  reafon  to  conclude,  that  in  every 
 church  there  may  be  fome  who  are  not  of  the  chofen 
 and  faithful ;  nor  would  I  pronounce  it  impoffible  that 
 vital  religion  may  be  fo  funk  in  a  chriftian  fociety,  that 
 her  members  in  general  may  be  ho  better  than  formal 
 profeflbrs.  God  forbid  J  but  I  apprehend  this  may  be 
 the  cafe;  yet  confidering  the  end  of  this  divine  fellow- 
 fliip,  it  feems  unreafonable  to  call  that  fociety  a  church 
 
 X  2  of 
 
314  LECTURES    ON 
 
 of  Chrift  in  which  not  one  true  chriftian  remains;  but 
 this  may,    yea  it  muft  be  the   cafe  uith  a  nominal 
 church   through  the  viciffitudes  of  providtrce  in  this 
 nnorra]  fVate,  and  that  in  a  very  {ew  years,  if  the  Lord 
 doth  not  add  fome  real  difciples.     So  then  this  fpiritual 
 building,  like  all  other  ftiu£lures  on  earth,  and  even 
 the  world  itfelf,  for  reaf  ns  mentioned  before,  is  fubjeft 
 to  decay,  and  would  fall  into  ruin,  unlefs  repaired  by 
 the  hand  of  the  Lord.     It  appears  from  2  Pet.  iii.  9. 
 that  the  world  iifelf  is  TufFered  to  continue  for  the  fake 
 of  the  chofen,    that  they  may  be   faved,  through  the 
 knowledge  of  the  truth.     By  the  reafoning  of  the  apo- 
 ftle  in  that  place,  when   the  number  of  the  eledt  are 
 accomplifhed,  the  conflagration  will  immediately  enfue, 
 and  the  univerfe  d.flblve  in  the  devouring  flames  of  that 
 fire,  in  which  the  Judge  (hall  be  revealed  from  heaven. 
 In  like  manner,  a  particular  church  is  maintained  for 
 the  communion  and  edification  of  the  faints;  and  fmce 
 the  purpofe  oi  divine  wifdom  and  grace  can  be  no  lon- 
 ger anfwered  in  a  focicty  who  are  utterly  deflitute  of 
 living  members,  or  hath  no  one  quickened  by  grace 
 left  amo.ig  themj  what  reafon  is  there  to  hope  for  their 
 continuance  as  a  people  r     But  if  any  are  otherwife 
 :mlnded,  of  this  we  are  certain,  that  if  fuch  a  commu- 
 nity cou'd  be  pointed  out,  fhe  would  be  no  chriftian 
 church,  but  on  the  contrary  of  the  fynagogue  of  fatan ; 
 a  company  of  hypocrites  and  importers  under  a  facred 
 profeflion  i     So  then  it  amounts  to  the  fame,   whether 
 a  fociety  may  or  may.  not  fland  under  this  form.     Ad- 
 ditions from  the  Lord  of  his  faved-ones  is  needful  to 
 the  continuance  of  a  true  gofpel -church,  and  therefore 
 of  the  utmofl  importance. 
 
 These 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     325 
 
 These  are  the  particular  do^rlnes  that  refult  from 
 this  facred  h  ftory  of  the  firft  clilciples,  and  which  ftand 
 confirmed  by  the  clofing  fent- nee  of  the  evangeiift's 
 account;  than  whch  no  part  is  more  interefting  and 
 pleafing.  The  fellowfliip  of  faints  is  an  ordinance  of 
 God,  that  the  called  only,  who  are  fuch  as  fhall  be 
 faved,  are  meet  for,  or  entitled  to  this  divine  privilege, 
 that  thefe  are  added  by  the  Lord,  and  that  the  addition 
 of  fuch  by  him  is  needful  to  the  character,  edification, 
 and  continuance  of  a  true  gofpel-church. 
 
 It  follows  that  a  chriflian  church  is  a  fociety  di- 
 ftindl  from  the  world.  Thus  flie  is  defcribed  by  her 
 Lord,  Cant.  iv.  12.  "A  garden  enclofed  is  my  fifler, 
 *'  my  fpoufe,  a  fpring  fhut  up,  a  fountain  fealcd." 
 Nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to  the  nature  of  a  gof- 
 pel-church than  a  fociety  laid  open  and  common.  It 
 is  further  evident,  that  in  a  particular  vifible  church 
 alone,  enclofed  as  the  Lord  hath  directed,  the  feat  of 
 government  is  found.  Indeed,  through  the  carelefs  ha- 
 bit of  profefTors,  difcipline  may  decline  under  any  form 
 of  chriftian  communion  ;  and  truly  there  feems  now 
 little  reafon  for  boafting  in  the  order  of  many  who  fe- 
 parate  from  national  eftablifhments,  which  is  not  to 
 their  praife ;  but  it  has  been  found,  by  forrowful  expe- 
 rience, that  a  godly  difcipline  cannot  be  maintained  in 
 an  open  church-ftate,  the  want  of  which  is  to  this  day 
 juftly  lamented  by  thofe  who  fear  God  of  every  deno- 
 mination. It  likewife  appears  from  thefe  premifes,  that 
 in  taking  up  this  fellowfhip  a  perfon  joins  himfelf  to 
 the  church  j  and  the  relation  which  refults  from  this 
 X  3  union 
 
326  LECTURES    ON 
 
 union  to  any  mlnifter  or  particui^.r  perfon  depends  on 
 his  connexion  with  the  body  j  and  alfo  that  every  thing 
 done  or  fufFi-red  in  this  order,  is  an  ail  of  obedience  to 
 the  Lord,  in  whom  the  chriflian  rejoiceth  under  the 
 fruition  of  his  privileges  in  the  houfe  of  God.  A  due 
 confideration  of  thefe  points  would  check  the  prevail- 
 ing fondnefs  of  popular  conflitutions,  and  reclaim  ma- 
 ny from  the  diforders  they  indulge,  which  betrays  an 
 ignorance  of  the  nature,  and  fubvcrts  the  defign  of  this 
 facred  inftitution. 
 
 And  here  again  let  me  intreat  the  Reader  to  con- 
 fider,  fince  this  is  the  appointment  of  heaven,  who 
 can  deny  the  propriety  and  obligation  of  every  believer 
 to  fubmit  to  his  Lord,  and  to  walk  before  him  in  union 
 with  his  people.  If  the  communion  of  faints  was  no 
 mo.e  than  a  lawful  and  prudent  afibciation,  adapted  to 
 the  honor  of  God,  and  their  mutual  advantage,  would 
 it  be  any  inflance  of  piety,  wifdom  or  goodnefs,  to  de- 
 fpife  or  negledl  it  ?  But,  feeing  it  as  a  divine  inftitu- 
 tion,  muft  not  the  confcience  of  every  chriftian  diclate 
 his  obedience  ?  The  great  Dr.  Owen  lays  it  down  as 
 an  allowed  maxim,  and  i  fee  no  exception,  '  that  every 
 '  believer  is  bound,  by  virtue  of  pofitive  precepts,  to 
 
 *  join  himfelf  to  fome  fuch  fingle  congregation,  hav- 
 
 *  ing  the  proper  m'irks  of  a  true  church  of  Chrift/ 
 All  rep'itable  and  orderly  perfons,  however  they  may 
 differ  in  th;ir  opinions  about  particular  forms,  agree  in 
 this :  That  the  ditciples  of  the  Redeemer  are  bound  to 
 his  ordinances,  without  delay  or  exception;  nor  will 
 any  lefufe  it  who  feriouily  ponder  the  commiflion  given 
 by  our  Lord  to  his  apoHleSj  to  baptize  in  his  name, 
 
 and 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     327 
 
 and  teach  thofe  who  have  been  baptized  to  obferve  all 
 things  whatfoever  he  hath  commanded  them  j  yet  how 
 many  linger  and  fcruple  to  tlie  end  of  their  days,  and 
 thereby  lofe  the  opportunity  for  bearing  their  teftimony 
 to  the  name  of  Jefus  in  the  world  ! 
 
 To  this  facred  fellowfhip  every  faint  fhould  be  ad- 
 mitted on  a  credible  teftimony  of  his  repentance.  And 
 here  it  is  proper  to  confider  in  what  way  it  becomes  a 
 believer  to  teftify  his  faith  to  the  fatisfaclion  of  the 
 church.  The  propriety  of  chriftians  being  fully  per- 
 fuaded  of  a  meetnefs  in  thofe  whom  they  receive  into 
 communion,  as  obferved  in  a  preceeding  lecture  J,  is 
 fo  obvious  that  it  will  fcarce  be  difputed  ;  the  queftion 
 is,  in  what  form  this  fatisfa6tion  ought  to  be  g-iven  ? 
 Far  be  it  to  infill  on  terms  of  com.munion  net  pre- 
 fcribed  by  our  Lord^  and  for  which  we  have  not  the 
 example  of  his  infpired  apoftles  !  But  my  opinion  on 
 this  article  of  focial  religion,  in  favor  of  an  ancient 
 cuftom  too  much  negledled,  will,  I  hope,  be  received 
 with  candor ;  and  that  if  my  Reader  is  convinced  that 
 it  correfponds  with  the  fcripture,  and  the  nature  of  that 
 divine  fellowfhip  on  which  we  are  difcourfing,  he  will 
 hot  defpife  it. 
 
 And  here  I  truly  acknowledge  that  this  teftimony 
 
 may  be  given  in  writing,    or  even  by  figns  only  * ; 
 
 X   4  the 
 
 X  Page  16S, 
 
 *  An  inftance  of  which  not  long  fince  turned  out,  in  the  cafe  of  a  young 
 man  born  deaf  and  dumb,  but  whofe  heart  the  Lord  opened,  in  confequenie 
 of  which  he  was  enabled  by  figns  to  give  full  fatisfaftion  to  the  church 
 meeting  in  the  Pithey,  Erjlkl,  and  continv.es  an  honorable  member  of  the 
 fame. 
 
328  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 the  fenfe  of  hearing,  and  the  faculty  of  fpeech,  are  not 
 eflential  to  the  obtaining  of  faith  j  and  no  believer  who 
 can  by  any  poHible  method  convey  an  idea  of  his  con- 
 verfion,  and  a  defire  of  walking  in  gofpel  order,  whofe 
 behaviour  bears  witnefs  to  the  fincerity  of  his  profeflion, 
 which  ii  ever  to  be  regarded  ;  I  fay,  no  fuch  perfcn  is 
 to  be  refufed  the  ordinances  of  Chrift,  on  any  confide- 
 ration  whatever  j   neverthelefs,  a  folemn,  exprefs  and 
 verbal  declaration  of  faith  in  Chrift,  and  the  power  of 
 his  grace  in  efFeftual  calling,    appears  to  be  natural 
 and  fcriptural,  and  likewife  agreeable  to  the  practice  of 
 the  faithful  in  all  ages  when  the  fpirit  of  religion  pre- 
 vaili-d.  See  Ifa.  xliv.  5.     A  profeflion  of  faith  is  uni- 
 verfally  approved  f.     One  Ihall  fay,  1  am  the  Lord's. 
 The  term  oi^oy^ayix^  ufed  for  this  chrift ian   profeflion, 
 throughout  the  New-Teftament,  carries  in  it  an  open 
 and  frank  acknowledgment  of  any  perfon  or  thing  as 
 our  own  ;  and  what  is  the  chriftian  profeffion  but  an 
 acknowledgment  of  Chrift  as  the  Son  of  God,  and  our 
 dependence  upon  and  devotion  to  him  as  our  Saviour 
 and  Lord  ?     This  no  doubt  is  to  be  done  by  particular 
 adb  of  obedience  to  his  declared  will,  and  by  an  habi- 
 tual courfe  of  external  conduct,  whereby,  having  put 
 on  his  name,  we  bear  a  conftant  witnefs  to  his  autho- 
 rity and  grace  j  but  he  that  looks  to  Chrift  for  falva- 
 
 tion. 
 
 f  The  Psdobaptift  DlfTenters,  yea  and  even  the  Church  of  Englir.d  it- 
 felf,  are  not  without  foirte  tdtimony  to  this;  the  latter  require  a  perfoa  to 
 rehearfe  the  commandments,  creed  and  Lord's-prayer,  and  likewife  to  an- 
 fw^rt  he  queft  ons  in  the  catechifm,  antecedent  to  his  being  confirmed, 
 without  which  he  cannot  be  rcgulaily  admitted  to  the  table  of  the  Lord,, 
 which  is  effential  to  a  full  communion  of  feints  j  and,  what  lels  h  tbij- 
 than  a  verbal  confeiTion  of  faith  ? 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHmSTIANITY.    329 
 
 tion,  and  is  brought  to  this  obedience  of  faith,  has 
 a  reafon  for  his  hope,  and  fhould  be  ready  to  give  itj 
 which  is  neither  more  or  lefs,  in  other  words,  than  h-is 
 experience  of  the  power  of  God  difplaycd  in  cniighl- 
 ening  his  mind,  convincing  him  of  fin,  engaging  his 
 heart  to  truft  in  the  MefTiah ;  and  why  fliouid  the  man 
 that  has  obtained  this  mercy  make  a  difficu'ty  of  de- 
 claring it  to  the  f^iithful,  or  even  to  an  infidel,  if  re- 
 tjuired  ?  But  it  fhould  be  confidered,  that  a  confeflion 
 or  verbal  declaration  is  an  efTential  and  leading  ide.i  in 
 that  profeflion  which  the  gofpel  requires ;  and  accord- 
 ingly Chrift  Jefus  is  faid,  in  1  Tim.  vi.  13.  "  to  have 
 *'  witnefled  a  good  confefiion  before  Pontius  Pilate." 
 And  this  we  know  was  an  open  and  free  declaration  of 
 his  charafler,  John  xviii.  38.  where  the  fame  word  is  ufed: 
 .  **  Beloved,  Chrift  is  highly  exalted,  and  hath  a  name 
 *'  above  every  name,  that  every  knee  ftiould  bov/,  and 
 "  that  every  tongue  fhould  confefs  unto  him."  A  man 
 may  talk  of  his  faith  in  Chrift  in  a  loofe  and  general 
 way,  which  comes  not  up  to  a  folemn  reverend  con- 
 feflion  of  his  name  ;  or,  after  having  made  a  confef- 
 fion,  he  may  be  tempted  to  negleft  his  ordinances,  and 
 fo  fall  {hort  of  the  engagements  he  is  under ;  but  bow- 
 ing the  knee  is  a  diftin(Sl  mode  of  worfhip  from  that  of 
 confeffing  with  the  tongue.  They  are  neither  to  be 
 confounded  nor  feparated  in  gofpel-obedience,  which 
 demands  the  facrifice  of  the  lips  in  a  confe/Tion  of  Je- 
 fus ;  and  though  fome  will  fubftitute  the  hand  inftead 
 of  the  tongue  in  this  branch  of  duty  to  the  Saviour, 
 they  may  as  foon  prove  that  thefe  different  members  of 
 '.the  natural  body  arc  one  and  the  fame,  as  that  there  is 
 «,,(:n.$  efiVntial  dift'e.rence  in  the  manner  of  writing  or 
 
 fpeaking. 
 
330  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 fpeaking,  or  that  the  Holy  Ghoft  intended  the  former 
 when  he  exprefies  the  latter. 
 
 Our  Lord  infifts  on  our  confefling  him  before  men 
 on  earth,  Matt.  x.  32.  where  it  is  urged  from  a  confi- 
 deration  that  one  might  expedl  fhould  awaken  every 
 chriftian  to  fiiun  the  appearance  of  evading  the  point. 
 The  Pharifees  are  condemned  for  not  coiifcffing  Chrift, 
 John  xii.  42.  And  it  appears  from  the  inftance  of  the 
 eunuch,  and  others,  that  the  firft  (lep  in  a  chriflian 
 profeffion,  is  to  declare  cur  knowledge  of  Jefus,  and 
 faith  in  him  as  the  fon  of  God.  And  to  the  fame  pur- 
 pofe  u^e  read,  Rom.  x.  9,  10.  "  that  with  the  heart 
 *'  man  bjlieveth  unto  righteoufnefs,  and  v/ith  the 
 *'  mouth  confeiTion  is  made  to  f:ilvation."  A  man's 
 own  lips  is  the  proper  arid  natural  inftrument  of  con- 
 feflion  J  and  indeed  to  introduce  any  practice  under  a 
 notion  of  confefling  wliere  the  mouth  is  not  uied,  ap- 
 pears to  me  no  lefs  prepofterous  than  unfcrlptural.  In 
 a  word,  a  fair  and  clofc  rcafoning  out  of  the  fcripture, 
 we  fhall  find  that  a  verbal  acknov/ledgment  is  included 
 in  that  profeffion  of  the  name  of  Jefus,  under  which 
 the  primitive  difciples  were  found  ;  and  therefore  I 
 cannot  but  think  it  incumbent  on  every  believer  in 
 Ghrift,  and  am  forry  that  it  fnould  be  even  difpenfed 
 with,  much'm.ore  difcouraged,  where  it  may  be  obtained. 
 There  is  nothing  in  a  ferious  and  humble  declaration 
 of  a  perfon's  experience  in  the  church  of  God  but  what 
 is  decent  and  horiorable,  or  to  offend  the  moft  tender 
 and  modeft  conftitutlon.  Nor  doth  it  appear  that  the 
 laying  it  afide  has  increafed  the  number  of  thofe  who 
 join  in  communion  3  on  the  contrary,  church-fellow- 
 
 fliip 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.    331 
 
 fliip  among  nominal  chrlftians  never  was  more  negledl- 
 ed  than  in  the  prefent  day,  fo  that  it  is  much  to  be 
 wiflied  that  we  returned  to  the  good  old  way  pointed 
 out  by  reafoir  and  fcripture,  and  that  the  faithful  were 
 encourage'  to  f.iy  with  David,  "  Come  and  hear,  all 
 "  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I  will  declare  what  he  hath 
 *'  done  for  my  foul,"  Pfalm  Ixvi.  16. 
 
 Finally;  fince  it  is  plain  that  the  communion  of 
 faints  is  of  divine  inftitution,  and  that  from  the  begin- 
 ning the  called  were  joined  by  the  Lord  to  the  church, 
 have  we  not  reafon  to  conclude  that  this  is  the  general 
 method  of  God  with  his  people  ?  The  pious  Mr,  Henrv, 
 n  his  remark  on  this  verfe,  has  the  following  note : 
 Thofc,  faith  he,  that  God  hath  defigned  for  eternal 
 falvation,  fhall  one  time  or  another  be  effectually 
 brought  to  Chrift;  and  thofe  that  are  brought  to 
 Chriit  are  added  to  the  church  in  a  holy  covenant 
 by  b:iptirm,  and  in  a  holy  communion  by  other  ordi- 
 nances.' This  indeed  is  to  be  taken  in  a  qualified 
 fefife,  but  may  it  not  juftly  be  inferred  from  this  ac- 
 count, and  from  the  general  report  of  thegofpel,  "  He 
 *'  that  brlieveth  and  is  baptized,  fliall  be  faved ;"  that 
 this  is  the  high-way  to  heaven,  and  that,  at  leafl  un- 
 der the  gofpel-difpcnfation,  however  there  may  be  ex- 
 ceptions, for  the  grace  of  God  is  not  to  be  limited 
 ctlierwife  than  according  to  the  revealed  counfel  of 
 heaven,  for  the  moft  part,  fuch  who  fhall  be  faved  will 
 her,  after  appear  to  have  been  added  to  the  church  ?  A 
 confideration  that  fhould  awaken  all  who  live  in  the 
 negled  of  this  fellowHiip,  to  examine  into  the  ground 
 
 '  Bf 
 
332  L  E  C  T  U  R  E  S    O  N 
 
 of  that  hope,  which  is  not  eitcctual  ro  bring  them  un- 
 der  this  pleafant  yoke  of  their  iveaetmer. 
 
 On  a  review  of  this  authentic  and  interefling  hiflory 
 of  the  primitive  church,  wh.>  can  but  fee,  ana  be 
 charmed  with  her  beauty  !  How  lovely  is  her  counte- 
 niance  in  her  infant  ftate,  when  a  conilant  and  tauhful 
 fpirit  univerfally  prevailed!  Witii  what  unity,  zeal, 
 brotherly  love,  hoipitality,  honor  and  fucce(i>,  did  fhe 
 :ippear  in  her  aflemblies,  daily  increafing  and  flounih- 
 ing  out,  ftill  more  and  more,  from  the  bofom  of  her 
 Lord,  who  was  continually  faluting  her  with  the  to- 
 kens of  his  power  and  love,  and  cauling  her  members 
 to  "  fuck  and  be  fatisfied,  and  to  milk  out  and  be  de- 
 '*  Ijobted'  with  the  abundance  of  her  glory  !  "  O  that 
 it  was  v/ith  us  as  in  thefe  days  and  months,  when 
 Zion  v/as  a  crown  of  gl(^ry  in  the  hand  of  her  Lord, 
 and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  her  God  !  Thanks 
 be  to  God,  he  will  never  forfake  his  people.  There 
 afe  daily  additions  to  his  church,  and  wc  have  reafon 
 to  hope  that  they  are  of  fuch  as  fliall  be  f.ived  j  yet,  is 
 there  no  caufe  to  bewail  the  pref.  nt  ftate  of  the  vifible 
 kingdom  of  Chrift,  and  the  melancholy  d  fference  when 
 compared  with  what  we  have  feen  ?  how  unftable, 
 corrupt,  divided,  and  lukewarm  !  how  covetous,  loofe 
 and  unprofitable;  yea,  and  in  many  inftances,  how  un- 
 charit  .b'e  are  profeffors  in  their  behaviour  one  toward 
 another,  infomuch  that  in  fome  places  there  is  need 
 for  applying  the  caution.  Gal.  v.  13.  "  But  if  ye  bite 
 t'  and  devour  one  another,  take  heed  that  ye  be  not 
 »'  confumed  one  of  another."     For  tl'iefe  things  let  us 
 
 .         humble 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.     333 
 
 humble  ourfelves,  and  fc^ck  for  the  return  of  the  Spirit, 
 who  is  grieved  by  this  fad  difpofrion  and  ccndudl ;  but 
 he  waits  to  be  gr'cious,  and  will  heal  our  backflid.ngs 
 if  we  return  un.o  him.  Rerr.cu.ber,  Beloved,  the  con- 
 nexion there  is  between  a  lively,  faithful,  fpiritual  and 
 fruitful  behaviour,  and  the  divine  prefence  and  bleffing. 
 The  wnd  bloweth  where  it  iifteth  ;  fo  is  the  work  of 
 the  Spirit,  amon^  a  profelling  people,  his  operations 
 are  acccrdii  g  to  the  good  pleafure  of' his  will,  but  he 
 work^.  by  the  appointed  means  of  grace.  Order,  har- 
 mony and  zeal  in  a  church  are  needfu!  to  warrant  an 
 expectation  of  its  increafe;  fo  that  when  thiS  is  abfent 
 the  afpe<5t  is  threatening.  Nor  let  it  be  forgot  that  the 
 defi-n  of  our  fellowfhip  in  Chrifl  is  nothing  fhortot  eter- 
 nal falvation.  This  is  the  end  of  our  faith.  With  this 
 view  the  Lord  adds  his  chofen  to  the  church,  namely, 
 that  they  (hould  be  faved  ;  and  this  {hould  be  the  aim 
 and  endeavour  of  his  minifters  and  people  in  commu- 
 nion. May  this  therefore  be  our  earneft  purfuit  under 
 a  profeflion  of  his  name,  that  Vv^e  may  together  appear 
 with  our  Redeemer  in  glory  at  his  coming  ! 
 
 And  now,  my  dear  Reader,  I  finifh  this  lecture 
 and  fubjedl  with  an  earneft  intreaty  that  thou  wouldft 
 carefully  furvey  and  ponder  the  whole  fcene  of  tranf- 
 a6l.ons  reprefentcd  in  the  foregoing  pages.  What  fo- 
 ber  unprejudiced  perfon  can  refle£l  on  thefe  things 
 without  admiration  and  praife  !  How  confpicuous  the 
 fovereign  love,  wifdom,  grace,  power  and  faithfulnefs 
 of  God,  in  fending  his  Son  to  die  and  fave  finners,  as 
 he  fpake  by  the  mouth  of  his  prophets  from  the  foun- 
 dation of  the  world  ;    and  in  fealing  his  miflion  and 
 
 charafter 
 
3J4  LECTURES    ON 
 
 character  by  fo  great  a  variety  and  number  of  miraples, 
 unbelievers  themfelves  being  judges  !  And,  how  hard- 
 ened their  hearts,  who  rejedt  the  Redeemer,  or  ne- 
 gle£l  his  falvation  !  Behold  and  be  allonifhed  :  His  re- 
 furrcdion  from  the  dead ;  and  confider  the  atTipIe  fatif- , 
 fadion,  by  undeniable  v/itnefTes  of  a  fa£t  equally  inte- 
 reftino-  and  glorious,  w^hofe  tefiimony  is  confirmed  by 
 the  Spirit  of  truth  !  How  amazing  the  methods  of 
 grace,  that  reigns  through  righteoufnefs  to  the  par.  on 
 and  life  of  the  mod  flagrant  tranfgreflbrs,  vi'ho  repent  j 
 not  excluding  the  murderers  of  Jefus  himfelf ;  but  that 
 *'  in  his  name  remiffion  of  fms  (hould  be  preached  to 
 *<  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerufalem."  Yea,  and  that 
 fo  great  a  multitude  of  thefe  blood-guilty  wretches 
 ftiould  be  converted  in  a  day,  and  obtain  a  pardon 
 from  him,  whom,  but  a  few  weeks  before,  they  had 
 unjuftly  condemned,  and,  by  the  hands  of  the  wicked, 
 crucified  and  flain  I  And  finally,  that  the  faithful  ftiould 
 be  called  into  a  fellowfhip  fo  adapted  to  the  honor  of 
 their  Saviour,  their  mutual  advantage,  and  the  conti- 
 nuance of  the  gofpel  to  the  end  of  the  world,  is  greatly 
 to  be  admired  !  Who  that  attends  to  this  wonderful 
 difpenfation  of  mercy  from  an  holy  God  to  finful  men, 
 can  forbear  to  cry  out  with  the  apoftle,  *'  O  the  depth 
 "  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wifdom  and  knowledge  of 
 *'  God  :  How  unfearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his 
 *'  ways  pafl  finding  out !  " 
 
 Iv  thefe  things  are  certainly  true,  as  doubtlefs  they 
 are,  then  the  gofpel  is  true,  and  wo  be  to  them  who 
 defpife  it.  It  is  highly  unreafonable  to  queftion  thefe 
 fafts,  fince  it  is  not  credible  that  the  apoftles  would 
 
 have 
 
PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIANITY.  335 
 
 have  openly  appealed  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Jerufalem 
 concerning  thefe  things  if  they  had   been  faife,  or  that 
 fuch  prefumption  and  folly  fhould  not  have  immediate-  • 
 ]y  met  with  its  reward,  to  their  ruin;  and  ftd]  more 
 incredible,  yea  it  vi^as  even  impolTible,  on  a  fuppcfitioii 
 of  any  impofture  or  deceit,  that  a  few  plain  perfons, 
 whofe  fimplicity  and  moral  behaviour  was  never  dif- 
 puted  ;  without  learning,  riches,  power,  or  any  other 
 weapons,  than  reafoning  out  of  the  fcriptures,    com- 
 pared with  the  external  evidence  given  from  heaven  to 
 the  doitrine  they  preached,  fliould  perfuade  fo  great  a 
 multitude,  who  lived  on  the  fpot  where  Jefus  was  cru- 
 cified, to  become  followers  of  him,  through  a  fcene  of 
 fufferings  and  felf  denial.     In  a  word,  had  there  been 
 the  leaft  hefitation  concerning  the  fa^ts  referred  to  by 
 Peter  in  his  difcourfe,  and  on  which  the  apoftles  pro- 
 ceeded in  their  miniftry,  chriRiaaity  muft  have  been 
 cruflied  on  its  firft  appearance,  and   its  votaries  fcat- 
 tcred  with  fliame  and  jufl:  indignation:    But  fmce  the 
 contrary  is  evident,  how  daring  and  perverfe  is  the  op- 
 pofition  of  deifts  who  openly  contradidl  and  blafpheme 
 the  name  of  Jefus,   and  the  revelation  of  his  grace ! 
 And  indeed  fmce  Jefus  is  the  Meiliah,  and  there  can 
 be  falvation  in  no  other,  how  unhappy  and  dangerous 
 the  {late  of  all  unbelievers !     If  thefe  papers  fall  into 
 the  hands  of  fuch  who  neglect  or  defpife  the  true  grace 
 of  God,  and  prove  a  means  of  convincing  any  one  of 
 them,  the  name  of  the  Lord  will  be  praifed,    and  I 
 (hall  have  joy  in  the  day  of  revelation.     However,  this 
 attempt  is  humbly  committed  to  his  bleffing,  in  hope 
 ©f  its  finding  fome  acceptance  in  the  heart  of  the  true 
 
 chriftian 
 
336  LECTURES    ON 
 
 chriftian  Reader;  and  with  refpeft  to  thofe  who  arc 
 yet  difobedient,  I  know  of  nothing  more  fuitable  than 
 the  exhortation  of  the  prophet,  Pfalm  ii.  12,  with 
 which  I  conclude  :  **  Kifs  the  fon  left  he  be  angry, 
 *'  and  ye  periih  from  the  way,  when  his  wrath  is 
 <«  kindled  bat  a  little :  Blefled  are  all  they  that  put 
 "  their  truft  in  him." 
 
 The  End  of  Primiti^t:  Christianity. 
 
 A  DIS- 
 
f  337  ] 
 
 A 
 DISSERTATION 
 
 ON.    THE 
 
 EPISTLE  TO  THE  CHURCH 
 AT    S  A  R  D  I  S, 
 
 FOR 
 
 The  Warning  of  thofe  who  are  fallen  into  the 
 like  threatning  State  of  Religion. 
 
 BOOK        V. 
 
 The  early  declenfion  of  the  church  from  her  original 
 fimplicity. 
 
 LECTURE    XXI. 
 
 Introdudion.  The  Lord's  teftimony  agalnft  the  difcl- 
 ples  at  Sardis.  In  what  refpedls  a  church  may  be 
 dead,  notwithftanding  {he  hath  a  name  that  (he  liv- 
 eth.  The  occafions  and  fymptoms  of  this  dreadful 
 ftate.     Motives  to  watch  againft  it. 
 
 THAT  the  church  foon  declined  from  her  primi- 
 tive purity,  order  and  zeal,  is  notoiious,  and  a 
 fubjedt  more  needful  than  pleafing.  On  the  fpread 
 of  chriftianity  tares  grew  up  with  the  wheat,  infomuch 
 that  the  worft  of  errors  and  moft  fhameful  apoltacies 
 appeared,  evei\  in  the  days  of  the  apoftles ;  this  their 
 Y  writings 
 
338    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 writings  in  general  (hew,  but  no  where  more  plainly 
 than  in  the  epiftles  to  the  feven  churches  in  Afia,  con- 
 tained in  the  revelation  of  Jcfus  Chrift  by  his   angel 
 to  his  fervant  John  the  evangelift.     Some  writers  of 
 note  have  fhunned  an  explanation  of  this  myfterious 
 book,  as  though  an  attempt  of  this  kind  was  prefump- 
 tuous  and  vain  j  on  the  contrary,  fome  others,  no  lefs- 
 eminent  for  piety  and  learning,  feem  to  have  ventured 
 too  far  and  mifcarried :  Time  hath  fhewn  them  greatly 
 miftaken  in  what,  like  prophets,  they  have  been  bold^ 
 to  afiert,  concerning  the  accompliftiment  of  its  feveral 
 predictions.     This  temerity  fliould  warn  us  againft  in- 
 truding into  things  not  mentioned  in  fcripture,  but  it 
 is  no  reafon  for  laying  afide  the  fludy  of  a  divine  pro- 
 phecy, unto  which  we  are  encouraged  with  an  afTu- 
 rance  of  a  bleiling,  chap.  i.  3. 
 
 There  are  thofe  who  contend  that  thefe  epifllcs  arc 
 prophetical  of  tl)e  vifible  church  in  different  periods, 
 fucceeding  each  other  to  the  end  of  time,  and  fome  go 
 about  to  affign  them  precifely,  to  which  others  make 
 confiderable  objedlions ;  but  it  anfwers  my  prefent  de- 
 fign  that  it  is  generally  allowed  that  a  chriftian  church 
 did  really  exift  in  each  city  mentioned,  and  that  thefe 
 churches  were  actually  in  the  circumftances  feverally 
 defcribed  at  the  time  the  apoftle  John  wrote,  for  he 
 is  exprefly  dire£led  to  write  the  things  which  are,  as 
 well  as  thofe  which  Jliatl  be  hereafter.^  chap.  i.  19.  So 
 that,  if  a  myftical  fenfe  may  be  admitted,  a  literal  one 
 cannot  be  refufed.  The  fads  then  related  of  thefe 
 churches  are  doubtlefs  hiftorically  true,  and  the  exhor- 
 tations. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS,    339 
 
 tations,  promifes  and  threatnings,  and  ^liktwif©  the  re-  : 
 proofs  and  commen  lations,  are  of  univerfal  m{lru<^ion»  ' 
 Indeed  there  are  fome  articles  in  every  eptftJe  peculiar 
 to  the  community  unto  whom  it  is  fent,  but  wc  It-arn 
 from  the  clofe  of  each,  that  what  is  faid  to  one  is  fpoken 
 tc^all,  and  therefore. the  contents  ard'^^tS  be  applied  TE^' 
 the  churches  of  Chrift  under  fimilar  circumftanceSj  iiji 
 every  age,  to  the  end  of  the  world.  "'- 
 
 -  The  prefent  ftate  of  religion,  which  is  juftly  la- 
 mented, feems  much  to  refemble  that  which  appeared 
 in  the  church  at  Sardis,  which  is  the  fubjedt  l  have 
 chofen,  and  accordingly  fome  who  take  it  prophetically 
 apply  it  to  the  period  we  are  in;  if  their  notion  is  juft, 
 the  epiftle  to  her  very  nearly  concerns  us,  and  demands 
 our  moft  ferious  atrention ;  however,  on  comparifon, 
 the  likenefs  is  but  too  vifible,  fo  that  a  diflertation  up- 
 on it  cannot  be  unieafonable. 
 
 The  plan  of  thefe  epiftles  Is  uniform.  After  an  or- 
 der to  write,  they  are  each  directed  to  the  angel  or  mi- 
 nifter  of  the  church  from  Jfu  Chrift,  whom  the 
 apoftle  at  large  in  a  vifion,  as  defciibed  chap.  i.  and 
 from  which  uefcription  this  divine  fptaker  aflumes 
 feme  diftiigu  (hing  charadier  adapted  to  the  pecu- 
 liar llate  of  the  community,  which  being  laid  open, 
 with  proper  rebukes  and  exhortations  for  the  awaken- 
 ing of  backfliders  and  comforting  the  faithful,  is  fol- 
 lowed with  a  gracious  promife  unto  him  that  p-rfe- 
 veres  ,  and  a  folemn  excitation  to  hearken  to  the 
 voice  of  the  Spirit. 
 
 Y  2  •  CoN' 
 
34.0    LECTUP.ES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 Conformable  to  this  plan  our  epiftle  to  Sardis 
 runs  thus : 
 
 1.  "  Unto  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Sardis  writer 
 «  Thefe  things  faith  he  that  hath  the  feven  fpirits  of 
 **  God,  and  the  feven  ftars :  I  know  thy  works,  that 
 *'  thou  haft  a  name  that  thou  liveft,  and  art  dead. 
 
 2.  "  Be  watchful,  and  ftrengthen  the  things  which 
 «  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die ;  for  I  have  not  found 
 "  thy  works  perfect  before  God. 
 
 3.  ''  Remember  therefore  how  thou  haft  received 
 "  and  heard,  and  hold  faft,  and  repent.  If  therefore 
 "  thou  (halt  not  watch,  I  will  come  on  thee  as  a  thief, 
 *<  and  thou  fhalt  not  know  what  hour  I  will  come  up- 
 "  on  thee. 
 
 4.  *'  Thou  haft  a  few  names  even  in  Sardis,  which 
 *<  have  not  defiled  their  garments ;  and  they  fhall  walk 
 **  with  me  in  white :   for  they  are  worthy. 
 
 e.  **  He  that  overcometh,  the  fame  fhall  be  clothed 
 <*  in  white  raiment ;  and  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name 
 **  out  of  the  book  of  life,  but  I  will  confefs  his  name 
 **  before  my  Father,  and  before  his  angels. 
 
 6.  *'  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the 
 "  Spirit  faith  unto  the  churches." 
 
 I  SHALL 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  ;.T  SAUDIS.     34.1 
 
 I  SHALL  endeavour  to  open  and  apply  this  divine 
 meflage  from  Jefus  to  his  people,  in  a  leciure  oBCich 
 verfe,  in  the  order  it  {lands;  tlie  fiiil  of  whiqh  con- 
 tains the  follovi'ing  particulars,  namely,  the  direcSlion 
 of  the  epiftle,  the  character  which  our  Lord  affumes, 
 and  his  account  of  their  {hameful  and  dangerous 
 ftate. 
 
 The  fuperfcription  runs :  "  Unto  the  angel  of  the 
 "  church  in  Sardis."  Sardis  was  the  metropolis  of  Lydia 
 in  Afia  minor,  formerly  an  important  city  of  great 
 magnificence,  where  the  celebrated  Crcefas  once  kept 
 his  court,  but  it  is  long  fince  reduced,  there  being  now 
 only  a  village  of  this  name  a  fmall  diftance  from  the 
 ruins  of  the  former,  which  fome  think  was  the  feat  of 
 this  chriftian  church  ;  but  all  thefe  churches  were  fi- 
 tuate  in  capital  cities,  and  there  is  no  reafon  to  queftion 
 but  that  Sardis  was  famous  in  the  apoftles  time.  A  po- 
 pular and  opulent  city,  the  riches  and  luxury  of  which 
 might  be  one  occafion  of  the  fad  declenfions  complain- 
 ed of,  for  experience  {hews  that  the  bufinefs  and  plea- 
 fures  which  abound  in  fuch  places  are  often  deftructive 
 of  vital  religion ;  however,  unto  the  angel  or  minifter 
 of  the  church,  as  it  is  explained  chap.  i.  20.  this  epif- 
 tle is  dire(5led  ;  not  that  it  concerned  him  only  or  prin- 
 cipally, he  might  be  to  blame;  fometimes  a  minifler  is 
 tempted  by  the  perverfenefs  and  ill-treatment  he  meets 
 with  on  account  of  his  faithful  reproofs,  to  let  men 
 alone  in  their  folly,  or  he  might  be  fallen  into  the 
 fame  carnal  frame  which  prevailed  in  the  church ;  or  if 
 chofen  into  office  fmce  fhe  declined,  no  v/onder  that 
 Y  3  ,  his 
 
342    LFCTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 his  fpirit  and  condu£l  was  conformed  unto  theirs,  for 
 in  a  f^ate  of  lukewarmnefs  people  naturally  feek  cut  for 
 one  like  themfelves,  whofe  miniftration  and  conduct 
 fhall  give  them  no  difturbance  in  their  difordcrly  walk, 
 and  there  are  but  too  many  in  every  age  who  are  ready 
 for  their  puipofej  hence  the  old  proverb,  '  like  peo- 
 *  pie,  like  prieft.'  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  paftor  or  el- 
 der is  not  charged  with  negleiEl  of  his  duty.  1  he  let- 
 ter is  dirc£led  to  him  as  her  principal  officer  for  the 
 church,  and  manifeflly  concerns  every  member  v^'ho  is 
 commended  or  reproved,  and  exhorted  with  a  promifc 
 or  threatni  ig,  according  to  his  integrity  or  deRdl,  in 
 whatever  ftation  or  charader  he  flood. 
 
 To  engage  their  attention  the  divine  Jefus  prefcribes 
 himfelf  in  termS  "under  which  he  appears  in  a  grand  and 
 moft  important  light :  "  Thcfe  things  faith  he  that  hath 
 "  the  feven  fpirits  and  jhe  (even  ftars."  They  are  not 
 the  di(Si:ate  of  any  creature,  however  dignified  in  na- 
 ture or  rffice,  but  of  tl-.e  great  Son  of  man,  who  is  the 
 Alpha  and  Omega,  the  true  God  and  eternal  life,  the 
 exalted  Head  of  the  church,  who,  being  alive  from 
 ■the  dead,  hath  al!  power  in  heaven  and  earth.  *'  Hq 
 *'•  that  hath  the  feycp  fpirijs  of  God  j"  under  whom 
 not  only  the  angels  of  heaven  miniOer  to  the  heirs  of 
 Yalvation,  but  the  Spirit  Limielf  procecdeth,  the  fulnefs 
 and  variety  of  wh^fe  gi'^ts  and  graces  are  difpcnfcd  in 
 ChriR  .1  fus ;  vca,  and  the  feven  flars,  thofc  angels  in 
 pffice,  or  niiniflers  of  the  word,  who  are  appoii'ted  to 
 fdify  the  church,  thefe  ate  all  in  his  hand,  to  he  con- 
 tinued or  removed  at  his  pleafure.  Tiiis  character  of 
 t\\p  Saviour  hath  a  twofold  afpeit  j  it  carries  in   it  a 
 
 threat- 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SAJIDIS.    343 
 
 threatning  if  they  remained  difobedient,  and  a  promife 
 of  his  bleffing  in  cafe  of  repentance,  unto  which  they 
 zte  called  ;  q  d.    *  O  ye,  the  minifter  "and  people  in 
 
 *  my  church  at  Sardis,  unto  whom  I  now  fend,  confi- 
 
 *  der  who  it  is  that  faith  thefe  things  unto  you ;  it  is 
 .*  he  that  haih  the  difpofmg  of  all  fpiritual  gifts  and 
 
 *  graces,    means  and   inftiuments,   vyhertby   y(  u  can 
 
 *  flourifli  or  even  cxift :  If  you  hearken  not  to  me,  or 
 
 *  defpife  my  counfel,  remetnber  I  am  he,  at  wh  .fe  in- 
 
 *  fl:at^ce  the  Spirit  of  life  and  grace  withdraws,  and  the 
 
 *  ftars  difappear,    in   conftquence  of  v/hich  churches 
 ;*  decay,  and  at  length  entirely  diflblve;    on  the  other 
 
 *  hand,  if  you  take  warning  and  repent,  under  a  fenfe 
 
 *  of  your  backflidings,  behold  I  am  ready  to  furnilh 
 
 *  you  with  every  needful  fupply  for  the  continuance  of 
 *-  ray  gofpel  with  fuccefs  among  you,  that  you  may  re- 
 
 *  vive,  and  that  your  beauty  be  reftored  to  the  glory  , 
 
 *  of  my  name.'  And  now  who  cannot  fee  the  pro- 
 priety of  this  introdudlion  to  the  reproofs  and  exhorta- 
 tions which  follow  ?  Could  any  thing  be  more  adapted 
 to  awaken  them  out  of  that  ftate  of  fupinenefs  and  ne- 
 gligence into  which  they  were  funk,  and  to  encourage 
 their  return  to  the  Lord  ? 
 
 Many  are  the  works  to  be  performed  in  a  church- 
 ftate,  to  a  due  dlfcharge  of  which  it  is  needful  that  each 
 member  fills  up  his  flation,  according  to  the  meafure 
 of  grace  he  hath  obtained.  The  work  or  bufmefs  of  a 
 church  is  to  maintain  the  dodrines  and  orders  of  the 
 gofpel  in  their  fimplicity  and  glory,  to  hold  forth  the 
 word  of  life,  for  the  converfion  of  fmners  and  the  edifi- 
 cation of  faints,  to  oppok  fatan  and  his  kingdom,  and 
 Y4  to 
 
344    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 to  promote  the  knowledge  of  Chrift,  and  cherifh  the 
 members  of  his  body,  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power; 
 this  requires  that  dligence  and  an  expence  of  mind  and 
 body,  which  a  flothful  or  felfifh  profeflbr  will  not  ex- 
 ert. By  this  labour  and  felf-denial  frequent  affem- 
 blies  are  to  be  held  for  preaching  the  word,  admini- 
 ftring  the  ordinances,  ftriving  together  in  prayers,  an 
 holy  watch  over  one  another  in  the  Lord,  and  all 
 works  of  charity,  fuch  as  brotherly  admonition,  vifit- 
 ing  the  fick,  and  i'elieving  the  poor,  with  every  office 
 of  kindnefs  as  occafion  requires,  in  which  the  faints  are 
 to  abound  in  love  to  God  and  each  other.  All  thefe 
 works  are  required  in  a  church  ;  to  be  zealous  in  which 
 becon'ses  the  difc'ples  of  Jefus,  though  they  feem  little 
 regarded  by  fome  who  pafs  under  that  name,  but  every 
 communiiy  is  eftablifhed  in  proportion  to  her  diligence 
 and  faithrulnefs  in  thefe  things  which  are  in  a  degree 
 efleiitial  to  the  form  of  a  community,  and  accordingly 
 that  at  Sard  is  had  her  works,  the  knowledge  of  which 
 is  the  firft  thing  afferted,  "  I  know  thy  works."  It 
 is  a  pert'eit  knov\led^'e  which  Chrifl  here  aflumes,  fuch 
 as  men  obtain  of  an  objecl  within  the  compafs  of  their 
 undeiftanding  after  the  moft  careful  infpe61ion,  and 
 accordin;'ly  he  declares,  "  1  have  not  found  thy  works 
 *'  perk£l,  &c."  Thus  he  whole  eyes  are  as  a  flaming 
 fire,  difcerning  the  thoughis  of  the  heart,  declares  bis 
 exacTr  and  univerfal  acquaintance  with  the  works  of  his 
 church,  v/hich  fhews  that  his  eye  is  upon  the  ways  of 
 profefl'ors  who  come  fhort  of  their  duty,  how  little 
 fotvcr  they  tliink  of  it,  and  that  his  judgment  is  ac- 
 cording to  truth.  What  Chrifl  fays  againft  a  people 
 he  fays  not  on  the  report  of  others,  but  on  his  own 
 
 know 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.     345 
 
 knowledge,  and  the  fads  are  not  to  be  difputed  ;  he 
 is  himfelf  a  witnefs  againft  thofe  he  condemns,  there- 
 fore wo  be  to  them  who  will  not  repent. 
 
 Now  what  report  doth  the  omnifcient  Jefus  give  of 
 the  ft.>te  of  this  church  ?  No  doubt  a  juft,  but  alas  it  is 
 a  m  lancholy  account '  This  is  the  teftimony  he  bears 
 againft  her :  He  declares  it  to  her  face,  "  that  thou 
 *'  haft  a  na.ne  that  thou  liveft,  and  art  dead."     '  This 
 
 *  is  thine  appearance  and  charader ;  thou  wouldeft 
 I*  feem  a  church  of  the  hving  God,  in  whom  he  is 
 ■'  worfhipped  in  ftmplicity  and  truth,  and  haft  a  name 
 '  that  thou  thus  liveft;  but  this  character  which  thou 
 '  beareft  is   f^lfe,  1  know  thy  works ;    and  this  is  thy 
 
 *  true  but  (hameful  condition,  thou  art  in  reality  dead.' 
 •Thus  the  church  at  Sardis  ftands  charged  by  the  holy 
 
 -  Jefus  himftlf. 
 
 But  was  fhe  abfolutely  and  totally  without  any 
 life  ?  Certainly  no  ;  (he  was  yet  alive,  her  church-ftat(; 
 exifted,  nor  had  (he,  as  hinted  already,  wholly  ceafcd 
 from  her  works ;  feme  things  remain,  though  they 
 are  ready  to  die  ;  thefe  {he  is  exhorted  to  ftrengthen. 
 Indeed  the  gen.ralitv  of  her  members  fcem  very  defec- 
 tive, and  it  is  probable  many  of  them  were  hypocrites, 
 .  neverthelefs  there  were  a  few  names  in  Sardis  of  a  dif- 
 
 -  fercnt  charader,  as  will  hereafter  appear ;  and  while 
 any  who  live  unto  God ,  and  hold  their  inte- 
 grity, remain  in  a  church,  though  their  number  are 
 few,  and  they  are  incapable  of  withftanding  the  tide 
 of  corruption,  it  cannot  be  faid  that  flie  is  totally 
 dead.  This  charge. muft  therefore  be  taken  in  a  quali- 
 fied 
 
346    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 fied  fenfe;  our  Lord  plainly  intends  that  fhe  was  con>- 
 paratively  dead,  i.  e.  liJelefs,  unprofitable,  and  very 
 imperfect;  dead  in  comparifon  of  what  is  required^ 
 her  vigour  and  fruitfulnefs  fell  ftiort  of  what  fhe  pro- 
 feffed  and  the  chaia£ter  fhe  bore,  and,  in  a  word,  that 
 {he  was  fadly  declined  from  her  primitive  zeal  and 
 faithfulneis,  and  that,  under  thefe  circumftances,  fhe 
 was  in  a  dying  condition,  and  if  fhe  did  not  repent, 
 would  certainly  come  to  a  fpeedy  difTolution.  This, 
 I  fay,  was  the  fhameful  and  dangerous  flate  of  the 
 community  referred  to,  and  to  the  like  fad  condition 
 the  moft  famous  chur«.he3  are  liable,  and  are  for  the 
 moft  part  reduced  before  they  dilTolve.  What  appear- 
 ances we  have  of  a  fimilar  declenfion  in  the  prefent 
 day,  I  fhall  not  here  ftay  to  enquire,  but  that  we  may 
 be  warned  and  improved  by  this  affecting  example,  I 
 propofe  briefly  to  ccnfider  in  what  refpedt  a  church 
 may  have  a  name  to  live  and  yet  be  dead,  fhew  whence 
 it  is  that  a  chriflian  community,  although  dead  in  thjc 
 fenfe  of  our  text,  may  neverthelefs  have  a  name  that 
 (he  liveth,  point  out  the  fymptoms  of  this  flate  of 
 things,  and  then  offer  fome  motives  to  be  watchful 
 againft  it. 
 
 Anb  firfl,  a  church  may  have  the  charafter  of  be- 
 ing found  in  the  faith  and  zealous  for  the  dodlrines  of 
 grace,  and  yet  be  (o  izx  degenerated  as  that  on  ex- 
 amination it  will  be  found,  that  thofe  in  her  commu- 
 nion have  no  jufl  regard  for  them,  or  it  may  be  arc 
 fond  of  vain  notions  which  dire£tly  oppofe  them. 
 Thus  in  feveral  of  the  Afian  churches,  who  are  flilgd 
 golden  candleHiclcs,  as  in  Pergamos  and  Thyatria,  the 
 
 hateful 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     347 
 
 hateful  clo£lrines  of  Balaam,   the  Nicolations,  and  the 
 fubtleties   of  J^zt-bel,    were   connived    at;    dodlrines 
 which  tended  to  idolatry  and  unclernnefs ;  and  if,  as    " 
 fome  think,  thefe  are  typical  of  ;  ome,  her  abomina- 
 tions are  notorious ;  fhe  alFumes  the  name  of  the  apo- 
 ftolic  church,  but  is  far  from  being  fttdfaft  in  the  doc- 
 trine of  Chrift,  for  (he  is  not  built  on  the  foundation 
 of  the  apoftles  and  prop  ets,  of  which  Chiiil  Jefus  is 
 the  corner-ftone ;  her  foundation  is  not  in  the  fcrip- 
 ture,  but  in  human  traditions,  fo  that  her  tenets  are 
 befide  the  authority  of  God,  whofe  precept  in  many 
 'inftances  fhe  difann  l!eth,  te:iching  for  dodlrines    the 
 commandments  of  men,  and  particularly  in  the  article 
 of  juftification ;   human  merit,  and  the  works  of  the 
 finner,  are  made  a  caufe  of  his  accept?nce  with  God, 
 '  and  a  title  to  life,  againft  all  reafon  and  fcripture,  for, 
 fince  "  we  are  altogether  as  an  unclean  thing,"  moft 
 certain  it  is  that  *'  all  our  righteoufnefles  are  as  filthy 
 **rags,"Ifa.lxiv.6.  And  the  gofpel-dodrine  in  this  point 
 makes  the  obedience  of  Chrift  and  his  perfe<ft  righ- 
 teoufnefs,    imputed    and    received    by    faith ,    the   fo'e 
 ground  of  glory  in  the  fight  of  God,  declaring  that  be- 
 lievers are  "juftified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the 
 *'  redemption  which  is  in  Chiift  Jefus,"  Tit.  iii.7.  But 
 if,  as  hinted,  the  Sardinian  church-itate  under  her  de- 
 "clenfions  was  a  figure  of  the  reformed  churches,  who 
 earn  t  fee  too  great  a  likenefs  ?    The  very  name  of  a 
 Proteftant  is  oppofed  to  the  doftrines  of  Fore,  and 
 thofe  of  the  reformation  were  levelled  dircdtly  againft 
 that  root  of  all  popifh  inventions  *  the  merit  of  works,* 
 but  alas  how  are  many  Proieftants,  both  at  home  and 
 abroad,  fvveryed  from  the  true  grace  of  God !    Thofe 
 
 precious 
 
34«    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 precious  truths,,  by  which,  through  the  power  and  blef- 
 iing  of  the  Almighty,  antichrift  was  expelled,  and  this  and 
 ot'icr  nations  were  refcued  from  popifh  fupeiftition  and 
 tyranny,  are  now  fet  at  nought,  and  in  a  manner  uni- 
 verfally  denied  !  May  not  a  church  be  fa:d  to  have 
 a  name  that  fhe  liveth  and  at  the  fame  time  is  dead  in 
 refpe£l  of  her  do£lrine,  when  her  public  confeflion  and 
 Iworn  articles  are  full  and  ftrong,  for  inftance,  for  the 
 Holy  Trinity,  the  Deity  and  fatisfadtion  of  Chrift,  the 
 deplorable  ftate  of  man  who  is  born  under  the  guilt 
 and  dominion  of  fin,  his  total  impotence  in  himfelf, 
 and  the  neccfilty  of  the  regeneration  of  the  Spirit,  to- 
 gether with  jufLincation  alone  by  the  merits  of  the  Re- 
 deemer, and  at  the  fame  time  the  generality  of  her  mi- 
 niflers  and  members  contradict:  thefe  great  and  impor- 
 tant truths  of  revtlation,  and  to  liieir  utmoft  promote 
 a  fet  of  notions  in  direct  oppofiiion  unto  them  ?  And 
 need  we  go  far  for  an  inftance  fo  amazingly  perverfe 
 and  afFecting  ?  Nor  is  this  confined  to  any  particular 
 denoininaticn  of  Proteflants.  it  is  fad  to  relate,  but 
 even  among  Frotefcant  Diifenters,  whofe  feparation 
 from  the  public  hath  a  form  of  zeal  for  the  purity  of 
 the  gofpel,  it  is  notorious  that  there  are  fomx  even 
 among  them  moft  fhamefuily  corrupted  with  the  leaven 
 of  thcfu  vi'ho  fubvert  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jcfus,  info- 
 much  that  in  all  appearance  they  have  fcarce  any  thing 
 of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  to  Le  found  with  them. 
 
 Again  ;  this  mny  be  the  cafe  with  a  church  in 
 refpedf  of  her  difcipline.  It  belongs  to  a  church  to 
 watcli  over  the  life  of  her  m.embers,  and  to  warn  them 
 of  errors  in  dodtriiie  and  pra6lice,  to  admonifli  them 
 
 that 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.      34.9 
 
 that  go  aftray,  to  cenfure  the  diforderly,  and  if  re- 
 quired, as  in  cafe  of  perverfenefs,  to  put  the  offender 
 away;  and  this  is  fo  reafonable  in  itfelf,  and  fo  plainly 
 revealed,  that  no  one  denies  it.  Indeed  it  is  needful  to 
 the  purity  and  prefervation  of  every  corporate  body  to 
 exercife  difcipline,  the  objects,  manner,  and  end  of 
 which,  in  a  chriftian  community,  are  defcribed  in  the 
 word,  with  many  exhortations  to  be  faithful  in  this 
 truft,  yet  alas  it  is  but  too  much  ncgleded  even  among 
 thofe  who  feparate  from  others  under  a  pretence  of  a 
 confcientious  regard  to  the  authority  of  the  Lord  in  the 
 order  of  his  houfe.  At  Thyatira  they  are  condemned 
 for  fufFering  that  woman  Jezebel,  and  in  Corinth  the 
 difciples  are  blamed  for  not  putting  away  the  incef- 
 tuous  perfon  j  and  if  he  that  fearcheth  the  hearts  and 
 trieth  the  reins  was  to  examine  his  churches  in  the  pre- 
 fent  day  on  this  head,  there  is  reafon  to  fear  he  would 
 have  many  charges  againft  them  for  fuffering  thofe  who 
 ought  to  be  dealt  with.  If  Proteftants,  who  have  a 
 name  for  order  and  purity,  were  truly  adlive  and  faith- 
 ful, we  fliould  not  find  erroneous,  proud  and  loofe 
 perfons  walking  about  with  their  names  in  the  churches 
 es  of  Chrift,  as  they  do  in  fome  inftances,  to  the  grief 
 and  fcandal  of  many.  But,  when  a  people  profefs  a 
 holy  difcipline  in  the  houfe  of  God,  and  at  the  fame 
 time  connive  at  fin,  are  they  not  dead  notwithftanding 
 they  have  a  name  that  they  live  ?  And  this  was  the 
 cafe  among  the  churches  in  Afia  at  the  time  when  thefe 
 epifiiles  were  wrote,  and  it  will  ever  be  thus  in  propor- 
 tion to  our  decay  from  the  life  and  power  of  godiinefs. 
 
 And 
 
350    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 And  further ;  this  may  be  the  cafe  in  reference  to 
 the  af}'e<flion  which  is  required  in  the  communion  of 
 faints.  A  people  may  have  a  name  for  love  to  each 
 other,  when  at  the  fame  time,  on  due  examination, 
 but  little  may  be  found  of  that  goodnefs,  fympathy  and 
 delight  among  them,  which  is  the  genuine  fruit  of  true 
 chriftian  charity.  Love  is  the  leading  grace  to  the 
 works  of  faith,  a  defedl  in  which  is  manifeft  where 
 contentions  and  divifions  abound,  which  is  fometimes 
 the  cafe ;  but  where  things  are  not  come  to  this  pafs, 
 the  members  of  a  church  may  be  far  from  continuing 
 in  that  defirable  harmony  and  intimate  afFedion  which 
 belong  to  their  charadter :  At  a  diftance  it  may  be 
 thought  that  they  are  in  a  ftate  of  cordial  friendfhp 
 and  union  of  foul,  when  alas  to  them  that  are  within, 
 there  appears  an  unhappy  fpirit  among  them,  or  at 
 leaft,  that  inftead  of  cleaving  together  as  choien  com- 
 panions, and  being  kindly  afFedtionate  in  their  beha- 
 viour, they  fcarce  know  one  another,  and  through  an 
 unnatural  diftance  and  {hynefs  are  incapable  of  that 
 mutual  affiftance  and  comfort  which  becomes  iheir  pro- 
 leflion.  This  ftrange  conduft  among  chnftians  ui  fel- 
 iowfliip,  is  fometimes  owing  to  a  corruption  from  the 
 fimplicity  of  the  gofpel,  the  dodlrines  and  ordinances 
 of  which  are  adapted  to  unite  the  difciples ;  but  when 
 errors  take  place,  iniquity  abounds,  and  the  love  of 
 many  waxeth  cold.  However,  brotherly  love  is  not 
 always  anfwerable  to  the  fame  of  a  chriftian  fociety; 
 and  when  this  is  the  cafe,  in  proportion  to  her  defi- 
 ciency, fhe  is  truly  ftiled  dead  under  a  name  to  live,  to 
 the  grief  of  thofe  who  fcek  her  profperity. 
 
 Once 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    351 
 
 Once  more ;  (he  may  have  a  name  to  live  and  yet 
 be  dead  in  refpedl  of  her  aflemblies.  Frequent  and 
 general  aflemblies  are  eflential  to  the  performance  of 
 the  works  v/hich  belong  to  a  church,  in  a  forfaking  of 
 which,  their  fall  is  inevitable.  Now  the  gatherings  of 
 a  fociety  may  be  defeiSlIve,  and  far  fhort  of  what  they 
 feem  to  fpe(Slators,  or  are  reported  to  be.  It  may  be 
 thought  ftrange,  but  experience  hath  fliewn,  that  a 
 church  ftate  may  decline,  and  in  a  manner  dwindle  to 
 nothing,  in  the  midft  of  a  popular  audience.  Many 
 may  attend  the  ordinary  mea  is  of  grace  in  a  chriftian 
 community,  the  members  of  which  are  very  remifs  in 
 thofe  fpccial  meetings,  on  which  depend  that  difcipline, 
 and  works  which  are  needful  to  her  welfare  and  increafe  ; 
 and  when  this  becomes  ha'^itual  among  a  people  who 
 are  of  repute  in  the  churches,  they  fall  under  the  de- 
 fcription  before  us,  are  in  very  great  danger,  and  do 
 well  to  take  warning. 
 
 These  falfe  appearance  and  threatning  declenfion  in 
 any  community  no  doubt  arifes  from  the  bad  difpofition 
 and  condu£l:  of  thofe  who  compofe  it,  for  this  lifeleft 
 ftate  is  inconfiftent  with  the  order  and  zeal  of  her 
 members,  fo  that  even  fuch  who,  by  their  future  re- 
 pentance may  appear  to  be  difciples  ind  ed,  muft  at, 
 prefent  be  in  a  fleepy  and  carnal  frame,  while  there. ii 
 reafon  to  apprehend  that  fome,  and  thofe  not  a  few, 
 are  meer  formal  profeffors,  of  whom  it  may  be  truly 
 faid  that  they  are  fpiritually  dead,  notwithftanding  their 
 name  among  the  living  in  Jerufalem.  However  the  re- 
 putation of  a  church  fo  different  froiti  her  real  condi- 
 tion 
 
352    LECTURES  ON  THE^PISTLE 
 
 tion  as  -at  Sardis,   may   be  owing  to  one  or  more  of 
 the  follow  in  2:  occafions : 
 
 1.  To  the  gradual  manner  in  which  {he  declined 
 from  her  original  perfedlion  and  vigour.  When  a  church 
 is  firil  gathered  her  members  are  for  the  moft  part 
 lively  and  adive,  they  are  full  of  zeal  and  good  works ; 
 hence  they  have  a  name  among  the  brethren,  and  this 
 their  chara6ler  may  remain  after  they  have  left  their 
 fiift  love,  from  whence  they  go  ofF  by  flow  degrees, 
 even  almoft  imperceptably,  at  leaft  to  others.  Or 
 again, 
 
 2.  It  may  arife  from  comparing  their  Hate  with  that 
 of  another  community  ftill  more  declined.  By  this  falfe 
 rule  of  comparifon  both  particular  perfons  and  bodies  of 
 men,  fometimes  flatter  themfelves  to  their  ruin ;  but  it 
 fliould  be  confidered  that  in  fome  refpedl  or  degree  v/e 
 may  be  better  than  others,  and  at  the  fame  time  be  in  a 
 very  bad  fl:ate,  yea  and  even  nigh  to  deflrudtion ;  fo 
 dangerous  is  that  deceitful  line  by  which  we  are  but 
 too  much  inclined  to  meafure  ourfelves  and  others. 
 And, 
 
 3.  The  character  of  a  church,  even  after  (he  is 
 greatly  declined,  may  awhile  be  fupportcd,  at  leaft  with 
 fome,  by  the  favor  and  good  converfation  of  a  few  be- 
 longing to  her  who  yet  maintain  their  integrity,  for  per- 
 fons at  a  difl:ance  judge  of  the  whole  by  the  part  they 
 are  converfant  with,  which  fliews,  by  the  way,  how 
 much  the  reputation  of  a  community  depends  on  the 
 good  behaviour  of  her  members,  and  fhould  be  one  mo- 
 tive 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  353 
 tivc  to  virtue  in  every  one  who  ftands  in  the  facred  re- 
 lation. On  the  other  hand,  it  is  not  impoffible  but 
 that  fome  may  be  deceived  by  the  mifreprefentation  of 
 vain  glorious  pcnons  vi^ho  are  diforderly  themfelves,  yet 
 boaft  of  the  community  to  which  they  belong.  Thefe 
 are  the  ordinary  occafions  or  means  by  v/hich  the  good 
 name  of  a  church  for  purify  and  zeal  may  in  fome  de- 
 gree prevail,  although  in  reality  {lie  is  very  much  funk, 
 and  her  things  v^^hich  remain  are  dying  away  j  namely, 
 the  gradual  manner  of  her  declenfion  ;  the  ftill  more 
 deplorable  flate  of  fome  other  communities,  with  whom 
 ihe  is  compared,  the  reputation  fhe  receives  by  a  few 
 of  her  members  whofe  walk  is  agreeable ;  and  the  like 
 falfe  idea  may  alfo  be  promoted  by  the  deceitful  talk  of 
 fome  men. 
 
 But  from  whatever  quarter  the  deception  may  arife, 
 in  this  fad  hypocritical  ftate,  a  church  is  in  the  utmoft 
 danger  of  being  difTolved,  for  in  proportion  to  her 
 deadnefs  fhe  is  barren  j  a  principal  means  of  fruitful- 
 nefs  is  wanting.  It  is  true,  the  uprightnefs  and  zeal 
 of  a  church,  or  the  vigor  and  fpirituality  of  its  mem- 
 bers, are  not  the  efficient  caufe  of  increafe  j  it  is 
 alone  by  the  power  of  God  that  finners  are  con- 
 verted, planted  and  flourifti  in  the  houfe  of  the  Lord, 
 yet  the  promife  of  the  Spirit  is  to  be  expedled  in  the  way 
 of  our  duty,  both  in  a  foclal  and  private  capacity  ;  and 
 accordingly  the  Laodiceans  are  threatned  with  the  lofs 
 of  the  candleftick,  and  even  to  be  caft  out  with  abhor- 
 rence, if  they  did  not  repent  of  their  lukewarmnefs. 
 Befidesj  it  appears  from  example,  that  the  livelinefs  and 
 
354    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 adtivity  of  faints  in  communion,  is  a  means  fubfer- 
 vient  to  the  work  of  the  Spirit  among  them,  for  many 
 are  indebted  to  the  earneft  prayers,  the  godly  dif- 
 courfe,  and  to  other  inftances  of  piety  and  zeal  in  the 
 faithful,  as  a  means  of  their  converfion,  which  is  often 
 confeflcd  in  the  church  by  them  that  are  called.  The 
 prder  and  ftedfaftnefs  of  a  people  like  wife  engage  the 
 godly  to  join  them,  but  it  cannot  be  expeded,  and  it  is 
 rarely  feen  that  fuch  unite  or  continue  with  a  church 
 in  a  like  ftate  with  that  at  Sardis ;  and  indeed  where 
 diforders  and  hypocrifies  prevail  the  Spirit  is  grieved 
 and  departs,  whofe  divine  agency,  as  already  obferved, 
 is  needful  to  any  degree  of  fuccefs.  In  a  word,  the 
 analogy  between  natural  and  fpiritual  things  is  obvious, 
 and  though  I  am  far  from  apprehending  that  they  are 
 in  all  refpefts  the  fame,  yet  that  the  Lord  in  his  ordi- 
 nary courfe,  works  with  and  by  the  graces  of  his  peo- 
 ple, and  renders  their  falthfulnefs  and  zeal  a  means  of 
 converfion  and  a  flourifhing  ftate  of  his  church,  can- 
 not be  modefl:ly  denied,  infomuch  that  Abraham  had  as 
 good  reafon  to  hope  for  a  child  by  Sarah,  when  her 
 body  was  dead  in  the  courfe  of  nature,  as  the  moft:  able 
 and  a<Slive  minifter  in  the  world  has  to  expedl  an  in- 
 creafe  of  fpiritual  feed,  from  a  people  funk  into  the  for- 
 mality and  coldnefs  defcribed. 
 
 Another  melancholy  fymptom  of  this  fad  and 
 fliameful  condition,  is  an  unperfuadable  obftinate  fpi- 
 rit.  It  is  exceeding  difEcult  to  convince  a  people  in 
 thefe  circumftances  of  their  danger,  for  the  mofl  part 
 they  are  infenfible  and  fecure,  yea,  and  often  fo  con- 
 ceited 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  355 
 celted  of  themfelves,  that,  in  a  manner,  it  is  vain  to 
 exh^'it  them;  a  remonflrance  of  their  folly  and  pre- 
 fiimption  they  impute  to  an  uncharitable  jealoufy,  and 
 are  difpleafed,  or  it  may  be  treat  their  faithful  monitor 
 with  contempt ;  they  reply  in  fuch  language  as  this : 
 The  former  times  were  not  better  than  thefe,  others 
 are  ftill  more  deficient,  and  in  fhbrt  we  are  as  well  as 
 can  be  expected,  and  thus  they  excufe  themfelves  from 
 amendment  till  they  become  incapable  of  bearing  re- 
 proof, but  are  immediately  ofFended  with  every  attempt 
 to  reclaim  them ;  fo  that,  like  Ifrael  in  the  days  of 
 Amos  the  prophet,  being  fet  on  their  own  ways,  they 
 hate  the  man  that  rebuketh  in  the  gate,  and  abhor  him 
 that  fpeaketh  uprightly  unto  them. 
 
 And  now,  who  that  fears  God  will  not  deprecate 
 being  in  any  degree  the  occafion  or  fubje£l  of  this 
 odious  and  threatning  ftate  of  religion  ?  May  it  never 
 be  a  general  cafe  in  our  land  I  But,  have  we  no  alarm- 
 ing fymptoms  which  call  for  a  fpeedy  reformation,  left 
 we  fall  in  like  manner?  To  awaken  our  indignation 
 at  every  thing  which  tends  to  this  fhameful  condition, 
 remember,  that  though  the  Lord  is  mercifully  pleafed  to 
 call  fuch  a  people  to  repentance,  their  hypocrifies  are 
 hateful  in  his  fight.  To  reft  in  a  formal  communion 
 and  be  carelefs  and  unfruitful,  is  to  affront  our  holy 
 Redeemer,  who  is  jealous  of  his  honor.  By  allowed 
 partiality  and  negleft  in  his  houfe,  a  people  defpife  his 
 authority,  abufe  his  love,  difgrace  his  name,  and  in  a 
 word,  as  it  were  provoke  him  continually  to  his  face; 
 and  who  can  ftand  before  him  when  he  is  angry  ?  If 
 Z  2  he 
 
356    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 he  is  offended  that  hath  the  feven  fpirits  and  the  feven 
 ftars,  'n  whofe  pov.  er  is  every  gift  and  divine  operation, 
 on  vvhicli  the  welfare  and  even  the  exiftcnce  of  a 
 church-j^are  depends,  what  le^s  cnn  be  expected  but 
 difiblution  and  ruin  ?  \vo  be  to  them  whofe  finful 
 condu(Sl  and  long  provocations,  bring  down  his  judg- 
 ments ;  they  mufl  anfwer  the  confequence  ;  for 
 when  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  removed  from  a 
 land,  many  temporal  miferies  attend  the  unfpeakable 
 lofs,  of  which  there  are  awful  inftances;  but  we  fhall 
 have  occafion  to  fpeak  of  the  punifliment  that  awaits 
 thofe  who  fm  away  the  gofpel,  and  leave  their  pqfterity 
 in  darknefs,  in  the  following  leflure.  I  conclude  the 
 prefent  with  a  prayer,  in  which  the  ferious  Reader  will 
 certainly  join  me : 
 
 *  Lord,  fend  down  thy  holy   Spirit  to  purify  and 
 
 *  quicken  our  hearts,  that  thy  love  may  conftrain  us 
 '  to  a  becoming  zeal   for   thy  glory,    and  that  as  we 
 
 *  have  a  name  that  we  live,  we  may  Ihew  that  we  are 
 
 *  alive  indeed  unto  God,    and  abound  in   every  good 
 
 *  work,  to  the  promoting  ^thy  vifible  kingdom  in  the 
 '  world  !  ' 
 
 LECTURE 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    357 
 
 LECTURE      XXIT. 
 
 The  difciples  at  Sardis  exhorted  to  repent ;  their  works 
 are  impeached.  How  the  Lord  appears  a  judge  of 
 what  a  people  perform  in  his  name.  The  meafures 
 to  be  taken  to  reftore  a  church  when  declined.  Rea- 
 fons  for  attempting  it,  notwithftandmg  her  things 
 may  be  dying  away. 
 
 THE  omnifclent  and  holy  Redeemer,  having  warn- 
 ed his  church  of  her  hypocritical  and  dangerous 
 /late,  goes  on  to  exhort  and  rebuke  her,  the  particu- 
 lars of  which,  with  proper  refledlions,  are  now  to  be 
 confidered.  This  part  of  his  meflage  is  contained  in 
 the  following  words :  "  Be  watchful,  and  ftrengthen 
 *'  the  things  which  remain,  and  which  are  ready  to 
 *'  die;  for  I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect  before 
 *'  God."  We  are  told.  Matt.  xiii.  24.  that  "  the- 
 *'  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a  man  that  fowed  good 
 *'  feed  in  his  field,  in  which  while  men  flept  the  enemy 
 "  fowed  his  tares."  Decays  in  a  church  originally 
 fpring  from  a  defe6l  in  herfelf,  and  the  adverfary  gains 
 his  firft  advantage  by  the  inattention  of  her  members. 
 If  chriftians  were  on  their  guard,  fatan  could  have  no 
 opportunity  of  introducing  thofe  poifonous  errors,  and 
 formal  profeflbrs,  which  are  the  bane  of  religious  fo- 
 ciety.  Thus  it  appears  that  thefe  difciples  were  very 
 remifs.  Hence  temptations  prevailed,  and  they  were 
 Z  3  daily 
 
358    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 daily  declining  j  they  are  therefore  admonifhed  to  return 
 to  their  watch.  The  firft  ftep  towards  a  recovery  is  to 
 renew  that  difcipline  which,  in  the  fad  ftate  complained 
 of,  muft  have  been  greatly  negleded  j  a  watch  is  to  be 
 fet  over  ourfclves,  and  againft  the  enemy,  that  no  fur- 
 ther place  may  be  given  him,  without  which  we  can- 
 not v/ith  reafon  expe6l  to  reform;  and  accordingly  we 
 fee  a  guard  is  placed  at  the  door  of  this  church,  and  at 
 the  hearts  of  her  members,  by  way  of  prevention,  and, 
 this  done,  all  hands  are  required  to  repair  the  houfe  of 
 the  Lord,  in  the  following  words ;  "  Strengthen  the 
 *'  things  which  remain  and  are  ready  to  die." 
 
 It  has  been  thought  by  fonie,  that  the  things  re- 
 ferred to  are  the  graces  of  the  Spirit,  from  the  exercife 
 of  v/hich,  no  doubt,  there  muft  have  been  a  general 
 decay  among  thefe  dlfciples ;  nor  could  they  hope  to 
 revive  as  a  church  unlefs  they  were  reftored  to  a  more 
 vigorous  habit  of  faith  and  love  in  Chrift  Jefus ;  but 
 they  are  v/rong  who  would  infmuate  from  hence  that  a 
 principle  of  grace  may  become  extinil,  or  ceafe  to  exift 
 in  the  heart  of  a  regenerate  man,  for  it  is  exprefly  de- 
 clared, that  "  vvhofoever  is  born  of  God,  his  feed  re- 
 *'  maineth  in  him,"  i  Johniii.g.  And  again,  that  the 
 grace,  or  water  of  life,  given  by  Chrift  to  him  that  is  call- 
 ed, "  fhall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water,  fpringing  up  into 
 *'  everlafting  life,"  John  iv.  14.  So  that  nothing  can  be 
 more  certain  than  the  final  perfeverance  of  the  faints; 
 and  therefore,  however  the  vifible  intereft  of  religion 
 may  be  on  the  decline,  and  particular  churches  decay 
 or  dillblve,  yea,  and  a  child  of  God  be  found  dead  in 
 his  frame,  the  man  that  hath  root  in  himfelf  fhall  en- 
 dure 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     359 
 
 dure  to  the  end  ;  fuppofing  therefore  that  the  graces  of 
 the  chriftian  are  here  intended,  it  cannot  be  juftly  in- 
 ferred, becaufe  he  may  in  this  imperfed"  flate  feem  to 
 languifti  awhile,  and  partially  fail  in  his  fruits,  that 
 therefore  he  fhall  totally  fall  from  grace,  and  perifii  at 
 laft.  All  that  can  be  fairly  concluded  is  this,  that  the 
 real  faint  is  liable  to  decays,  againft  which  it  becomes 
 him  to  watch,  or  that,  when  he  is  fallen,  means  are 
 to  be  ufed  for  his  recovery,  which  are  truths  univerfaily 
 acknowledged. 
 
 They  feem  nearer  the  purpofe  who  undeiftand  by 
 thefe  things  backfliders  among  them,  who,  in  appear- 
 ance, were  on  the  point  of  cafting  cfF  their  faith.  In 
 this  view  it  is  a  feafonable  exhortation  to  the  church  to 
 admonifli  and  reprove  them,  and,  if  poffible,  prevent 
 their  total  apoftacy  and  ruin.  But  I  apprehend  that 
 the  works  of  this  people,  on  which  the  Lord  hath  an 
 eye,  and  which  he  declares  to  be  imperfeft  in  the  very 
 nextclaufe,  are  the  things  chiefly,  if  not  folely  intended. 
 And  the  things  or  works,  which  belong  to  a  gofpel 
 church- ftate,  are  recited,  Adts  ii.  42.  namely,  doctrine, 
 fellowfliip,  breaking  of  bread  and  prayers,  which  com- 
 prehend the  whole  of  the  faith,  worfhip  and  difcipline 
 effential  to  chriftian  communion.  Now  it  feems  there 
 remained  fome  works  among  this  backfliding  people, 
 they  were  not  totally  departed  from  the  truths  of  the 
 gofpel,  nor  had  they  entirely  forfaken  the  aflembling 
 of  themfelves  for  the  worftiip  of  God,  and  the  difcipline 
 of  his  houfe ;  their  united  prayers  were  not  wholly 
 ceafed,  neither  were  they  utter  ftrangers  to  thofe  offi- 
 Z  4  ces 
 
36o    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 ces  of  kindnefs  and  love  which  are  the  genuine  fruit  of 
 a  cordial  feilowlhip  in  the  Spirit.  Plad  there  been  no-^ 
 thing  of  this  found  among  them,  they  had  not  exifted 
 as  a  church  ;  but  alas,  they  were  flothful  and  partial, 
 and  fcarce  faved  appearances;  tliey  were  fo  back- 
 ward and  unftable,  that  thcfe  things  were  hardly  main- 
 tained ;  they  were  fmking  daily,  and  feem  almoft  ex- 
 piring and  gone.  Under  this  fhameful  and  dangerous 
 declenfion  they  are  called  upon  to  reftore  and  con- 
 firm their  feeble  and  dying  ftate,  each  one  to  return  to 
 his  duty,  and  to  exert  himfelf  in  repairing  thofe  decays 
 that  were  found  in  the  houfe  of  the  Lord. 
 
 As  one  means  of  awakening  thefe  backfliders  to  re-^ 
 pentance,  the  holy  Redeemer  makes  the  following  re-, 
 port,  which  might  juftly  alarm  them,  "  I  have  not 
 *'  found  thy  works  perfect  before  God  !  "    q.  d.    'I 
 
 *  that  fearch   the  heart  and   try  the  reins,    have  ex- 
 
 *  amincd  thy  works,  and  rcje61:  them  as  unfound  and 
 '  imperfect  in  the  prefence  of  God  ;   they  are  fuch  as 
 
 *  cannot  be  pleafmg  to  him,  nor  will  he  accept  them.' 
 Thus  the  ferviccs  of  thefe  degenerate  people  are  as  it 
 were  thrown  back  in  their  faces,  or  returned  upon  them 
 as  naught.  But,  can  we  look  for  perfe6lion  in  the 
 works  of  a  community  compofed  of  imperfedt  and  falli- 
 ble men,  which  is  the  caf;  with  the  purcft  focicty  upon 
 earth  ?  No  church  ever  yet  prctenJed  to  infallibility, 
 except  that  apoftate  one,  whofe  errors,  fuperftition  and 
 idolatry,  notorioufly  contradict  her  arrogant  claim } 
 what  then  is  intended  by  a  want  of  perfedlion  ?  Thip 
 native  idea  of  the  expreiiion  here  ufed,  is  fulnefs,  and 
 
 this 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    361 
 
 this  complaint  manifeftly  intends  a  criminal  *  defefV, 
 or  that  fhe  did  not  exert  herfdf  with  the  integrity  and 
 diligence  required.  We  are  told  that  at  Corinth  they 
 came  behind  in  no  gift;  but,  alas,  at  Sardis  they  are 
 charged  with  not  coming  up  to  their  ability,  which 
 amounts  to  no  lefs  than  a  charge  of  hypocnfy  itfelE, 
 and  anfwers  to  the  character  already  giveii  of  this 
 church.  The  works  of  a  church  are  imperfeiSl,  when 
 her  members  deal  deceitfully  one  with  another,  and  are 
 each  making  idle,  it  may  be  falfe  pretences  for  not  fup- 
 plying  his  part;  fo  that  her  aflemblies  are  fmall,  and 
 her  works,  however  comparatively  tolerable,  come 
 fhort  of  the  power  fhe  hath,  and  what  is  required  at 
 her  hands.  In  a  word,  when  a  people  can  do  more 
 and  better  than  they  do,  and  are  (hort  for  want  of  ex- 
 erting the  gifts  they  have  received,  then  their  works  are 
 not  perfe6l ;  they  may  feem  fo  to  men,  and  to  the  de- 
 linquents themfelves,  who,  like  thofe  of  Laodicea, 
 ver.  17.  may  boaft  that  they  are  rich  and  increafed  in 
 goods,  but  to  the  Lord,  whofe  eyes  are  as  a  flame  of 
 fire,  their  fmful  imperfeiSlion  appears,  and  on  which 
 account  they  are  highly  difpleafmg  in  his  fight,  and 
 though  he  is  gracious  and  long-fufFering,  yet  he  is  jea- 
 lous of  his  honor,  and  will  one  day  condemn  thofe  who 
 
 trifle 
 
 *  In  like  manner  the  Ifraelites  who  periflied  In  the  wilderners,  are  charg- 
 ed with  not  having  fuliy  followed  the  Lord,  as  Caleb  and  Jofhua  did.  ■  See 
 :  Numb.  xiv".  24.  The  word  t^/D  there  ufed  fignities  compleat,  or  rather 
 filled  as  a  fliip  under  fail  carried  ftrongly  with  the  winds,  as  if  flie  feared 
 neither  rocks  nor  fands.  Leigh's  Crit,  And  much  the  fame  idea  is  fixed 
 ty  the  late  excellent  Mr.  Hervey  to  'BiT?:(JVC-,<iii  on  2  Pet.  i,  11,  Th's  flack- 
 nefs  and  deficiency  tljrough  negleft  is  highly  provoking  to  the  Lord,  as  ap- 
 pears from  the  above  avvful  inftance  of  his  difplcafure ;  an  enfample  to 
 warn  us  againfl  Ccth  and  unfaithfulnefs,  in  what  concerns  our  holy  pro- 
 fcflion. 
 
362    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 trifle  with  his  name,  and  negle<Sl  the  facred  inftitutions 
 of  his  love.  Thus,  as  in  the  hand-writing  of  Bel- 
 fhazzar,  T£kel  is  infcribed  on  this  fallen  church,  fhe 
 "  is  weighed  in  the  ballances,  and  found  wanting,"  by 
 the  Iving  of  faints.  This  charge  is  the  more  afFedting, 
 as  it  is  laid  on  her  works  without  any  exception  — 
 *'  I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect  before  God." 
 Awful  fentence  indeed  !  and  the  rather  as  it  is  a  fen- 
 tence  confirmed  by  the  infallible  truth  of  him  that  pro- 
 nounced it.  Had  this  charge  proceeded  from  the  lips 
 of  a  creature,  it  might  have  been  falfej  but  who  will 
 difpute  what  Jefus,  the  Amen  and  faithful  witnefs,  de- 
 clares ?  Many  are  the  falfe  accufations  which  are  laid 
 againft  the  righteous,  by  the  world  and  fatan,  from 
 which  they  fhall  hereafter  be  cleared,  but  that  people 
 are  certainly  guilty  who  are  charged  by  the  Lord  him- 
 felf;  their  mouths  will  therefore  be  flopped,  neither 
 fnall  any  plead  for  them,  no,  nor  fave  them  from  his 
 juft  indignation,  for  as  this  rebuke  implies  his  abhor- 
 rence of  their  floth  and  hypocrify,  it  likewife  befpeaks 
 his  coming  upon  them  in  judgment  unlefs  they  repent, 
 according  to  a  fubfequent  threatning. 
 
 From  this  account  it  appears  that  the  Lord  is  judge 
 of  thofe  works  which  arc  performed  in  a  gofpel  church- 
 ftate,  and  that  when  his  people  are  fenfible  of  threat- 
 ning declenfions,  they  are  required  to  exert  themfelves 
 in  order  to  recover  ^  and  it  may  be  ufeful  to  confider 
 in  what  points  of  light  the  Lord  is  a  judge  of  his  peo- 
 ple, the  meafures  to  be  taken  to  revive  an  intereft  that 
 is  dying,  and  the  reafons  there  are  for  attempting  it. 
 
 AN0 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     363 
 
 And  firft,  the  judgment  of  Chrifi:  In  his  church  is 
 tnanifeft  in  lefpe^l  of  his  omnifclence.  He  is  a  God 
 of  knowledge,  by  whom  a6^ions  are  weighed,  i  Sam. 
 ii.  3.  This  was  the  refort  of  Peter  in  a  time  of  diftrefs, 
 *'  Lord,  thou  knoweft  all  things,"  John  xxi.  17.  And 
 in  Heb.  iv.  13.  Aiys  the  apoftle,  *'  All  things  are  na- 
 *'  iced  and  open  unto  the  eyes  of  him  with  whom  we 
 *'  have  to  do."  An  excoriated  beaft,  flain  of  old  for 
 a  facrifice,  hung  up  and  opened  to  view,  or  even  the 
 anatomized  body,  doth  not  lie  fo  expofed  to  the  eye  of 
 the  fkilful  beholder,  as  our  v/orks  to  the  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift.  He  difcerns  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the 
 heart,  and  hath  an  exadl:  and  intuitive  knowledge  of 
 their  number,  nature  and  fprings  of  adlion  in  his  peo- 
 ple, -fo  that  nothing  efcapes  him.     Again, 
 
 This  charafler  our  Lord  fuftains  in  refpeil  of  his 
 office.  He  is  not  only  Judge  as  a  divine  perfon,  but 
 alfo  as  Mediator.  It  belongs  to  him  as  the  great  Shep- 
 herd of  the  ilieep  to  inipedl  and  judge  his  people  ;  to  this 
 he  is  appointed  by  the  Father,  who  hath  committed  all 
 judgment  to  his  Son  j  fo  that  Chrift  is  inverted  with 
 this  power  in  his  paftoral  capacity,  being  feated  on  the 
 throne  in  his  church.  Every  community  under  a  pro- 
 fefiion  of  his  nam.e,  and  each  particular  member  there- 
 of is  fubjecS  to  his  examination,  and  mufl  fland  before 
 his  judgment-feat.  And  further,  the  Redeemer  is  judge 
 of  his  people  in  a  pradtical  fenfej  i.  e.  he  actually  and 
 conflantly  infpe£ts  their  work  in  the  charafter  of  a 
 judge.  We  cannot  v/ith  decency  fuppofe  that  the  holy 
 Jefus  doth  not  execute  the  commifTion  he  hath  received, 
 
 or 
 
364    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 or  exert  this  authority  in  the  midft  of  his  churches; 
 and  the  inftance  before  us  proves  that  he  is  active  in 
 judgment  upon  them,  for  when  he  faith,  "  I  have  not 
 *'  found  thy  works  perfe6l,"  he  fpeaks  as  one  that  had 
 examined  and  proved  them ;  fo  that  his  eyes  are  on  his 
 people,  not  only  as  their  Saviour  to  preferve  them,  but 
 alfo  as  their  judge  to  try  them  ;  he  has  a  ballance  or  mea- 
 fure  in  his  hand  to  weigh  and  adjuft  all  they  profefs  to 
 do  in  his  name,  and  thofe  which  are  not  perfect  or  full 
 according  to  their  ability  he  will  furely  rejed,  and  re- 
 gard not  the  perfuns  of  any.  In  thefe  rcfpeils  our 
 £ord  is  judge  of  what  is  done  in  the  character  of  a 
 church ;  in  refpecl  of  his  eflential  omnifcience  as  a 
 divine  perfon,  in  refpedl  of  his  office,  and  in  refpe£l  of 
 his  certain  adual  infpection  into  their  fpirit  and  con- 
 "duft.  It  is  therefore  of  the  utmoft  importance  when 
 thin'^s  are  dying  away  in  any  community,  that  they 
 hearken  to  his  voice  and  repent,  as  will  hereafter  more 
 particularly  be  feen. 
 
 But,  what  are  the  meafures  to  be  taken  in  order  to 
 revive  an  intereft  that  appears  on  the  decline  ?  Before 
 we  enter  on  particulars  here  it  may  be  proper  to  note, 
 that  when  things  are  come  to  this  pafs,  and  a  church  is 
 funk  fo  low,  through  long  and  repeated  backflidings, 
 as  to  be  ready  to  diffolve,  her  awakened  members  are 
 prone  to  defpond,  and  may  be  tempted,  through  guilt 
 and  unbelief,  or  from  floth  and  felf-love,  to  leave  her, 
 which  is  mean  and  ungrateful  j  yet  this  has  been  the 
 conduct  of  fome,  in  regard  of  the  community  to 
 which  they  belonged,  v/hen  fiie  feemed  to  be  going ; 
 as  a  fhip  in  diflrefs  is  left  by  her  company,  who  appre- 
 hend 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.     365 
 
 hend  (he  wiU  fink  or  be  otherwife  loft,  fo  hath  a 
 church  in  danger  been  forfaken  by  her  members,  till 
 broken  to  pieces  and  ruined ;  they  could  not  endure  the 
 pains  and  felf-denial  which  peradventure  might  have 
 .faved  her,  but  this  is  unbecoming  a  dlfciple  of  Jefus, 
 and  againft  his  diredlion  before  us.  It  mult  therefore  be 
 highly  difpleafing  to  him,  when  any  thus  evade  their 
 endeavour  to  preferve  and  revive  his  declining  caufe; 
 therefore  let  thofe  who  would  have  boldnefs  at  his 
 coming  fee  to  it,  that  nothing  Is  wanting  on  their  part 
 to  rellore  the  finking  intereft  of  religion  in  their  hands, 
 and  the  meafures  to  be  taken  in  order  to  effeik  it  are  as 
 follows : 
 
 I.  A  STRICT  and  impartial  enquiry  into  the  ftate  of  the 
 community,  and  the  condition  of  its  feveral  members. 
 In  exhorting  the  difciples  at  Sard  is,  to  ftren^then  the 
 things  which  were  ready  to  die,  there  feems  an  allufion 
 to  a  natural  body,  which  having  long  languiflied  under 
 a  threatning  diftemper,  is,  in  all  appearance,  nigh 
 unto  death  :  And  every  one  knows,  that  when  a  phyfi- 
 cian  is  called  in  this  dangerous  cafe,  he  firft  examines 
 into  the  nature  of  the  difeafe,  the  parts  affected,  the 
 time,  occafion,  and  p'rogrefs  which  the  diforder  Hath 
 made,  with  every  other  circumftance  relating  to  the 
 patient's  complaint :  In  like  manner,  when  a  people 
 find  themfelves  on  the  decline,  in  order  to  their  re- 
 covery, they  muft  difcern  what  errors  and  ill  habits 
 prevail,  and  confider  who  are  defective,  and  in  what 
 degree,  under  what  temptation,  and  In  a  word,  how  far 
 the  corporation  is  degenerated  from  Its  natural  and  primi- 
 ,rtive  ftate.     Without  ajuft  idea  of  her  real  condition,   in 
 
 thefe 
 
366    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 thefe  particulars,  the  means  of  reftoration  cannot  be 
 applied,  and  things  vWll  grow  worfe,  till  a  diffolution 
 enfues,  if  not  timely  prevented.  To  this  method  we 
 are  dire6led  In  the  following  words  :  "  Remeinber 
 *'  therefore  how  thou  haft  received  and  heard,  and  re- 
 *'  pent."  Of  which  in  its  place  ;  for  the  prefent  it 
 may  fuffice,  that  in  general  this  certainly  implies  a 
 reflection  on  her  fallen  ftate,  that  flie  might  be  fenfible 
 of  her  declenfions,  and  even  know  the  worfl  of 
 her  cafe.  This  enquiry  among  a  people  fufficiently 
 awakened,  '  who  are  in  the  way  of  recovery,  will 
 be  perfonal,  each  afte£led  will  examine  his  own 
 fpirit  and  conduct,  and  fay,  "  What  have  I  done?" 
 Jer.  viii.  6^  And  the  fame  will  be  carried  on  in  public, 
 by  the  infpecSlion  of  the  paftor  and  other  officers,  and 
 likewife  by  the  church  herfelf,  who,  as  a  body  cor- 
 porate, will,  in  her  difcipline  alTemblies,  be  lodkihg 
 diligently,  that  by  her  feafonable  admonition,  and 
 even  cenfure,  if  needful,  fhe  may  prevent  a  further 
 fpread  of  diforders,  and  at  length  be  perfedly  re- 
 ftored.      Again, 
 
 2.  Another  means  required,  is  united  and  earneft 
 prayer  to  the  Lord  to  heal  our  backflidings.  We  have 
 deftroyed  ourfelves,  but  our  help  is  in  him.  The  cha- 
 radler  Jefus  allumes,  when  fpeaking  to  this  people,  im- 
 plicitly directs  them  to  himfelf,  as  poffeft  of  all  thofe 
 gifts,  and  that  grace  which  are  needful  to  a  flourifliing 
 ftate.  When  the  Lord  is  as  the  dew  on  Ifrael,  then 
 fhe  will  revive  as  the  corn;  but  for  this  he  will  be 
 fought  unto,  without  which  his  bleffing  cannot  be  ex- 
 peded.     Befides  the  fervent  prayers  of  the  faithful,  are 
 
 in 
 
TQ  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  367 
 jn  themfelves  a  means  of  reftoration :  in  prayer  the 
 graces  of  the  Spirit  are  exercifcd  and  ftrengthened. 
 prayer  in  the  Spirit  is  of  an  edifying  nature  j  by  this 
 the  heart  is  humbled,  melted,  purified  and  refreflicd : 
 Hence,  Jude  ver.  20.  the  brethren  are  diredled,  in  a  time 
 of  falling  away,  to  "  build  up  one  another  on  their 
 "  moft  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  holy  Ghoft."  1  he 
 declining  (late  t)f  a  church,  appears  in  nothino;  more 
 than  in  a  negled  of  her  prayers  :  in  proportion  to  this 
 the  love  of  God  moft  furely  decays,  infomuch  that 
 there  is  little  or  no  hopes  of  recovery :  When  a  people 
 are  not  to  be  induced  to  wreftle  at  the  throne  of  grace, 
 they  muft  grow  more  and  more  formal  and  lifeleis,  and 
 be  in  the  utmoft  danger  of  ruin. 
 
 3.  When  the  things  of  a  community  are  thus  re- 
 duced, they  are  not  likely  to  revive,  unlefs  there  is 
 a  mutual  activity  and  diligence  in  her  members,  in 
 their  feveral  ftations  ;  every  man  to  his  poft,  and 
 all  hands  employed  in  the  work.  As  the  recovery 
 of  the  natural  body  from  a  threatning  diforder  depends 
 much  on  a  due  circulation,  and  each  member  perform- 
 ing its  fundion,  fo  is  Chrift.  It  is  not  fufficient  to 
 behold  our  declenfions,  or  to  bewail  them,  either  to 
 the  Lord  or  to  one  another :  Like  Ifrael  of  old, 
 I  Chron.  xxii.  16.  w^e  muft  arife  and  be  doing,  in  hopes 
 that  the  Lord  will  be  with  us.  "  Why  ftand  ye  cry- 
 **  ing  ?  faith  the  Lord  to  Mofes,  fpeak  to  the  children 
 •'  of  Ifrael  that  they  go  forward."  In  a  v/ord,  infpec- 
 tion  and  prayer  are  vain  without  a  refolution  in  the 
 ftrength  of  the  Lord  to  hold  faft  and  repent.  If  prayer- 
 raeetmgs  are  ever  fo  frequent  or  full,  they  will  come 
 
 Ihort 
 
368    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE    ' 
 
 fhort  of  a  remedy,  unlefs  Individuals  fill  up  their  places; 
 for  the  works  of  that  church  can  never  be  perfedt", 
 whofe  members  fail  of  their  duty :  To  complain  of  de- 
 fedis  without  endeavouring  to  fupply  them,  is  highly 
 abfurd,  a  conduct  which  tends  flill  more  to  weaken 
 the  caufe.  Now  it  any  man  would  know  his  particular 
 duty,  under  declenfions  in  the  fociety  to  which  he 
 belongs,  his  confcience  will  tell  him  ;  and  the  fcrip- 
 ture  is  fo  plain,  with  refpecl:  to  that  nobleft  of  focieties, 
 a  church,  that  no  one  can  plead  ignorance.  He  that 
 will  not  attend  her  aflemblies,  and  exert  his  ability  in 
 theilation  he  holds,  turns  away  his  ear  from  the  voice 
 of  Chrift,   and  will  not  regard  the  welfare  of  Zion. 
 
 One  motive  in  them  who  love  God  and  his  people, 
 for  exerting  themfelves  in  reftoring  the  affairs  of  a 
 church  when  gone  to  decay,  is  her  imminent  danger. 
 Hence  the  Lord  notes  to  this  people,  that  the  things 
 which  remained  were  "  ready  to  die;"  q.  d.  confider 
 how  near  you  are  to  a  total  lofs  of  thofe  things  which 
 belong  to  your  ftate ;  if  they  fhould  entirely  ceafe  you  are 
 utterly  ruined.  Now  the  more  threatning  the  cafe 
 of  a  difordered  conflitution,  the  greater  the  concern  of 
 him  who  defires  to  preferve  it,  and  his  diligence  after 
 its  recovery  will  be  in  proportion :  In  like  manner 
 when  things  are  ready  to  expire  in  a  chriftian  commu- 
 nity, an  argument  is  drawn  by  her  prudent  and 
 afFedtionate  members,  from  the  danger  apprehended, 
 for  being  fpeedy  and  a£tive  to  revive  her.     Again, 
 
 A  PROSPECT  of  her  recovery  is  another  inducement. 
 This  alfo  is  fuggefted  in  the  warning  before  us.     A 
 
 command 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    369 
 
 command  from  God  to  repent  and  return  to  duty,  im- 
 plies a  promife  of  remifiion  and  fuccefs  to  them  that 
 obey.  This  call  on  the  chuich  at  Sardis  was  a  kind 
 intimation  that  the  might  be  recovered,  and  a  feafon- 
 able  encouragement  to  arife  for  her  help,  and  efpecially 
 as  the  Lord  revealed  himfelf  to  her  under  charafters 
 expreffive  of  his  power  and  grace.  This  was  a  token 
 for  good,  and  an  argument  with  every  wife  and  confi- 
 derate  perfon  to  do  what  in  him  lay  to  reftore  her,  it 
 appearing  that  however  dangerous  her  cafe,  it  was  not 
 yet  defperate ;  yea,  there  was  the  higheft  reafon  to  con- 
 clude that  his  labour  fliould  not  be  in  vain,  fmce  he 
 that  called  him  to  this  fervice  is  able  to  render  it  ef- 
 feftual.  While  there  is  life,  we  fay,  there  is  hope. 
 The  animal  frame  may  be  in  a  laiiguifhing  ftate ; 
 through  a  prevailing  difeafe,  or  a  complication  of  dif- 
 orders,  it  may  be  brought  very  low,  fcarce  any  pulfe 
 to  be  difcerned,  yea,  and  the  vital  principle  fo  retire  as 
 to  be  out  of  the  view  even  of  a  fkilful  phyfician,  and  at 
 the  fame  time  it  may  exift,  and  recover  its  vifiole  force, 
 fo  that  it  is  not  always  eafy  to  determine  whether  or 
 not  it  is  a£l:ually  dead  ;  but  this  we  know^,  that  as  long 
 as  any  fenfible  warmth  and  motion  remains,  there  is 
 hope  that  in  the  ufe  of  means  the  fpirit  may  revive, 
 and  a  vigorous  circulation  return,  whereby  the  body 
 (hall  again  be  ftrengthened  for  the  a£lions  of  life.  In 
 like  manner  the  fymproms  of  fpiritual  life  and  the  love 
 of  God,  in  which  true  religion  fubflantially  confifts, 
 may,  through  a  prevailing  carnality  and  corruption,  be 
 reduced  very  low,  and  fcarcely  perceived  in  a  chri- 
 ftian  community,  of  whofc  recovery  we  are  not  to 
 defpairj   there  may  yet  be  life  in  hcrj   many  of  her 
 
 A  a  members. 
 
370    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 memberSj  who  feem  formal  and  dead,  may  be  concealed 
 in  darknefs,  difcouragcd  and  fearful  under  various 
 temptations,  who  on  due  application  may  be  animated 
 and  fhew  themfelves  alive;  their  graces  may  yet  be 
 drawn  forth  into  exercife,  by  whofe  adtivity  and  dili- 
 gence the  church  will  be  reftored  and  flourifh  again. 
 Thus,  though  things  are  apparently  dying,  they  may 
 Hill  revive;  and  there  is  always  ground  to  hope  that  a 
 people  however  declined,  being  fenfible  of  their  condi- 
 tion, on  return'ng  to  their  Lord  and  their  duty,  ftiali 
 not  be  difiblvcd  or  deftroyed  ;  and  is  not  this  an  argu- 
 ment for  feeking  to  revive  her  again,  even  in  the  moft 
 dangerous  circumftances  ? 
 
 And  fuither;  the  excellency  and  ufe  of  a  chriftian 
 church-{late,  is  another  flrong  motive  to  an  endeavour 
 after  its  prefervation  and  welfare.  We  are  fallen  in  a 
 time  when  the  yoke  of  Chrift  feems  rather  grievous  to 
 feme,  whofe  pretence  of  knowledge  runs  high,  and 
 have  reaion  to  lament  that  the  communion  of  faints 
 fuits  not  the  popular  taile  of  the  day;  yea,  fome  even 
 prefumc  to  plead  a  liberty  from  it,  and,  as  it  were, 
 gloiy  in  their  negle£l:  of  gofpel-appointments,  as  if  it 
 v/as  the  privilege  of  a  chriftian  to  live  free  from  the 
 orders  of  his  Lord,  or  becoming  his  charailer  to  defpife 
 rhem ;  but  that  notion  of  chriftianlty,  which  includes 
 not  a  perfonal  fubjcclion  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Re- 
 deemer, is  prepoflerous  and  vain,  and  a  more  threat- 
 ning  fymptom  cannot  appear  among  nominal  chriftians, 
 than  a  prevailing  omiflion  of  that  divine  fellowfhip  in 
 which  the  called  bind  themfelves  to  walk  together  in 
 the  Lord.     If  this  becomes  general  in  a  nation,  where 
 
 the 
 
to  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.    371 
 
 the  gofpel  is  preached,  the  kingdom  of  God  will  foon  be 
 removed,  and  along  with  it  departs  liberty,  civil  and  reli- 
 gions, in  confequence  of  wnich  a  country  is  debafd  and 
 enflaved  ;  witnefs  all  Afia,  and  other  parts  of  the  earth, 
 formerly  the  feat  of  fiourifhing  churches,  like  the  city 
 of  Sardis,  once  famous,  while  the  golden  candleftick 
 adorned  her,  but,  as  already  obrerved,  flie  r.ow  appears 
 a  poor  contemptible  village.  So  then  gofpel-churches 
 are  the  glory  of  a  land,  with  which  ftand  connecSted  all 
 that  is  dear,  and  this  will  be  an  argument  with  every 
 fenfible  perfon  to  exert  himfelf  in  refloring  the  church 
 to  which  he  belongs,  when  her  things  are  declining. 
 Indeed  the  continuance  of  the  gofpel  doth  not  depend 
 on  any  particular  congregation,  yet  every  fociety  of  be- 
 lievers, in  which  the  do6lrine,  difcipline  and  worfhip 
 of  Chrift  is  maintained,  is  a  part  of  his  vifible  intereft 
 in  a  nation ;  it  muft  therefore  be  a  grief  to  thofe  who 
 lay  to  heart  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good  of  man- 
 kind, when  they  behold  fuch  a  fociety  in  danger  of 
 diflblving. 
 
 The  importance  of  maintaining  a  gofpel-church 
 will  alfo  appear,  when  we  confider  the  piomife  fhe  hath 
 of  the  Redeemer's  prefence  and  bleffing,  which  is  a  fur- 
 ther motive  to  preferve  it:  By  a  diiliilution  of  an  orderly 
 fociety  of  believers,  who  are  entitled  to  this  gracious 
 afTurance,  we  are  deprived  of  one  precious  means  of 
 communion  with  God ,  the  manifcftative  glory  of 
 Chrift,  the  converfion  of  ftnners,  and  the  comfort  of 
 them  that  believe ;  who  then  that  hath  any  regard  for 
 the  honor  of  Jefus,  or  the  welfare  of  fouls,  can  fail  of 
 A  a  2  beinff 
 
372    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 being  excited,  on  reflexion,  to  ufe  his  utmoft  endea- 
 vour to  prevent  it  ? 
 
 Besides,  it  will  be  an  argument  with  the  awakened 
 backflider  to  a  fpeedy  and  vigorous  attempt  for  reftoring 
 a  church  that  is  near  a  difiblution,  if  he  himfelf  hath 
 contributed  to  her  threatruns:  declenfions.  Things  ne- 
 ver  come  to  this  pafs  in  a  community  without  the  de- 
 fect and  folly,  at  leaft  of  many  individuals ;  it  is  proba- 
 ble that  few,  if  any,  are  entirely  free  from  being  in 
 fome  meafure  the  occafion  of  this  deplorable  ftate  ; 
 however  in  proportion  to  a  fenfe  of  the  injury  dene  a 
 fociety  by  a  man's  own  condudl,  muft  his  readinefs  be 
 to  repair  it.  If  we  behold  a  natural  body  languifhing 
 under  pain  and  ficknefs,  and  in  danger,  will  not  hu- 
 manity itfelf  demand  our  immediate  afliftance,  if  pofli- 
 hle,  to  revive  it  ?  But  if,  as  may  be  the  cafe,  we  are  con- 
 fcious  that  our  own, neglect,  or  abufe  of  this  body,  has 
 been  the  (hameful  caufe  of  its  perifliing  condition,  are  we 
 not  ftill  more  obliged  to  lay  out  ourfelves  with  a  view  to 
 its  recovery  ?  The  application  is  eafy.  Every  ingenuous 
 perfon  will  be  careful  about  reftoring  an  intcreft,  the 
 tlecleniion  of  which  is  in  fome  degree  owing  to  him- 
 ftlf.  And  if  they  who  feem  liitle  concerned  at  the  dy- 
 i;ig  flate  of  a  community  to  which  they  belong,  and 
 who  are  practically  faying,  Let  the  caufe  fink,  were  duly 
 f:jnC.b!e  of  their  own  conduit,  they  would  fee  it  highly 
 iiicunibent  on  themfelves,  more  than  on  others,  to  arife 
 At  its  help.  Add  to  tliefc,  the  reward  which  is  in- 
 fiired  to  thofe  who  feek  the  honor  of  God,  which  is 
 another  juft   motive   for  reftoring  the  beauty  of  his 
 
 houfe. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    373 
 
 houfe.  This  is  exprefled  in  a  following  claufe  :  "  He 
 **  that  overcometh,  the  fame  {hall  be  clothed  in  white 
 '*  raiment;"  of  which  in  its  place.  It  requires  felf- 
 denial  and  courage  to  ftand  up  for  the  purity  and 
 order  of  the  gofpel  when  it  is  generally  neglected  or 
 defpifed.  A  man  muft  exert  his  ability,  and  it  may  be 
 endure  the  refentment  and  fcorn  of  thofe  who,  wedded 
 to  their  lufts,  will  oppofe  a  reformation  ;  and  if  he  has 
 heretofore,  in  any  degree,  complied  with  the  evil  of 
 the  time,  or  been  ofFfrom  his  watch,  which,  as  hinted, 
 Is  probable,  it  will  be  ftill  more  difficult  for  him ;  he 
 muft  firft  cleanfe  himfelf,  and  forfake  every  fmful  in- 
 dulgence that  hath  turned  him  afide,  and  may  expe6t 
 many  refled  ons  to  difliearten  him  from  uniting  in  the 
 work,  but  the  man  need  not  fear  whofe  repentance  is 
 evinced  by  a  return  to  his  duty  ;  he  fhall  not  only  be 
 forgiven,  but  likewife  (hare  in  the  recomperce  pro- 
 mifed  ;  for  no  man's  labour  fhall  be  vain  in  the 
 Lord. 
 
 It  appears  then  that  the  chriftian  ought  not  to  forfake 
 his  ftation  in  the  church,  when  things  are  declined  and 
 feem  ready  to  vanifh  away ;  no,  by  no  means.  The 
 members  of  a  community  in  decay  have  reafon  to 
 mourn,  and  it  may  be,  to  be  covered  with  fhame  for 
 their  own  backflidings,  but  can  have  none  to  defpair ; 
 however  threatning  the  danger,  if  they  awake  and  re- 
 pent, and  diligently  follow  the  things  they  have  ne- 
 gledled,  there  is  ftill  a  profpeiiitof  recovery,  which,  with 
 the  excellency  of  this  gofpel-conftitution,  and  efpccially 
 when  the  fubjedl  is  confcious  of  being  acceftary  to  the 
 declenfions  lamented,  and  the  certain  future  reward  of 
 A  a  3  the 
 
374    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 the  righteous,  are  cogent  arguments  for  an  attempt  to 
 reftore  a  church-ftate,  even  under  the  loweft  circum- 
 llances  that  can  be  fuppofcd.  And,  can  the  love  of 
 God  dwell  in  that  man,  w'.  o  is  not  to  be  engaged  by 
 cither  or  all  of  thefe  motives,  unto  a  zeal  for  the  wel- 
 fare of  Zion  ? 
 
 While  we  mourn  the  dying  intereft  of  Jefus  among 
 'US,  may  we  not  juftly  admire  his  love  and  patience,  thus 
 to  warn  his  backfliding  people,    and    gracioufly  meet 
 them   with  a   promife  on   r.epentance.      But,  Reader, 
 forget  not  that  religicm  is  a  perfonal  thing,  and  allow 
 me  to  fay,  that  in  whatever  flate  the  particular  com- 
 munity may  be  with  whom  thou  art  connefted,  as  an 
 hearer  or  member,   thou  thyfelf  may  be  in  a  fimilar 
 condition  with  that  of  this  church  ;    in  thy  own  re- 
 ligious experience  and  pra£lice  the  things  which  lemain 
 may  he  on  the  decline,  and  almoft  expired.    Permit  me, 
 with   freedom,    to  afl<:   thee.    How  {lands   it   with  the 
 frame  of  thy  foul  ?  It  may  be  thy  cafe.     In  time  paft 
 fin  pierced  thy  heart,  and  thou  waft  then  anxious   ior 
 repentance  and  pardon  ;  thy  breathing  was  earneft  after 
 an  intereft  in  Chrift,  and  the  inheritance  of  them  who 
 are  fan6lified  by  faith,  in  order  to  communion  with  the 
 Lord  and  his  people,  but  now,  alas,  thefe  convi61ions 
 are  worn  oft',  and,  through  the  cares  of  the  world  and 
 the  pleafures  of  life,  thy  former  defires  are  abated  or 
 gone,    thou  art  ready  to  quit  all  concern  about  the 
 kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteoufnefs,  and  to  lay  afide 
 the  thoughts  of  living  to  the  Saviour,   under  a  pro- 
 feflion  of  his  name.  Doth  confcicnce  tell  thee  that  thou 
 
 art 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     375 
 
 art  in  this  manner  gone  backward,  and  that  thine  heirt 
 is  almoft  a  ftranger  to  this  holy  concern  and  afll'clion  ? 
 Great  is  thy  delufion  and  danger  !  i  befeech  thee  to 
 hear  what  Jefus  faith  by  his  Spirit  to  this  fallen 
 church,  *'  ftrengthen  the  things  which  remain." 
 It  is  of  the  utmoil  importance,  therefore  icpent  in- 
 due feafon,  for  if  thou  art  not  conforined  to  this  ex- 
 hortation, behold,  he  cometh  to  judgment,  when 
 thou  and  thy  religion,  fuch  as  it  is,  will  perifli  to- 
 gether. 
 
 But  again,  my  dear  Friend,  how  is  thy  private  de- 
 votion maintained  ?  Enter  into  thy  clofet,'true  religion 
 firft.  appears  there,  and  there  a  decay  from  its  power  is 
 firft  to  be  difcerned.  Once  every  opportunity  of  re- 
 tirement was  embraced,  to  pour  out  thy  foul  unto 
 God,  to  contemplate  his  law,  and  for  fcif- exa- 
 mination ;  then  it  was  thy  cuftom  to  come  forth 
 from  thy  chamber  into  the  family,  thy  children  and 
 fervants  were  aflembled  for  prayer,  reading,  and  other 
 exercifes  of{  a  fpiritual  nature.  Thus  fome  begin,  and 
 it  may  be  go  on  for  awhile,  till  worldly  bufmefs  and 
 carnal  company  interfere;  alas,  they  cannot  withftand 
 the  temptation,  their  goodnefs  is  as  the  morning-cloud, 
 and  as  the  early  dew  it  pafleth  away.  And  are  any  like 
 fymptoms  on  thee,  chriftian  Reader  ?  are  thefe  things 
 omitted,  or  are  they  attended  in  an  uncertain,  cold  and 
 indifferent  manner,  infomuch  that  there  is  danger  of  their 
 being  utterly  forfaken?  O  be  wife,  and  confidcr,  arife 
 from  the  dead,  flee  from  thofe  lufts  that  have  enticed  thee, 
 A  a  4  and 
 
376    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 and  return  immediately  unto  him  from  whom  thou  haft 
 foohflily  departed. 
 
 Finally,  Is  there  a  fenfible  and  vifible  alteration 
 for  the  worfe  in  thy  public  or  fecial  religion  ?  P'ormerly 
 thy  feet  were  prepared  for  the  temple,  and  hearing  the 
 word  of  the  Lord  was  delightful,  it  was  a  pleafure  to 
 fit  at  his  table,  and  his  ordinances  were  highly  efteem- 
 ed,  infomuch  that  the  return  of  his  fabbaths  was  the 
 joy  of  thy  foul :  But  haft  thou  loft  thy  relifh  for  thefe 
 facred'  and  precious  enjoyments  ?  are  they  become  wea- 
 rinefs  to  thee  ?  and  doft  thou  excufe  thyfelf  on  every 
 occafion,  and  of  choice  abfent  from  the  fanfluary,  or 
 make  light  of  thy  deficiency  in  the  relative  duties  of 
 communion  ?  It  is  indeed  a  fad  cafe  to  become  thus 
 unfruitful,  and  for  the  leavs  of  thy  profeffion  to  fade 
 and  fall  off  in  this  manner.  Thus  hypocrites  often 
 Aide  away  and  turn  apoftates  to  their  ruin.  Far  be  it 
 the  Rt^ier  ftiould  have  in  the  end  his  portion  with  un- 
 believers !  but  I  would  hope  better  things,  even 
 things  that  accompany  falvation.  And  haft  thou 
 efcaped  or  overcome  the  temptations  by  which  many 
 are  caft  down  and  deftroyed,  and  in  a  flourifhing  ftate, 
 in  thefe  points  of  religion  ;  thou  art  highly  favoured  of 
 heaven  ?  Adore  the  grace  by  which  thou  haft  flood,  be 
 ftiil  on  thy  guard,  and  whoever  draws  back,  cleave 
 thou  with  purpofe  of  heart  unto  the  Lord.  In  one 
 word,  may  all  who  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord 
 hearken  unto  the  words  of  Peter,  in  the  clcfe  of  his  fe- 
 cond  epiftle,  and  with  which  I  conclude  this  lecSture. 
 '*  Ye  therefore,  beloved,  feeing  ye  know  thefe  things 
 
 "  before, 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.     377 
 
 *'  before,  beware,  left  ye  alfo,  being  led  away  with  the 
 *'  error  of  the  wicked,  fa!  J  from  your  own  ftedfaftneCs; 
 **  but  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our 
 "  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift :  To  him  be  glor\', 
 *'  both  now  and  forever.     Amen." 
 
 LECTURE     XXIII. 
 
 A  repetition  of  the  Redeemer's  call  to  repentance, 
 with  particular  diretSlions;  and  a  threatning  in  cafe 
 of  difobedience. 
 
 OUR  Lord  having  called  upon  the  church  at 
 Sardis,  to  reftore  the  things  that  were*  dying 
 away,  gracioufly  dire«Eis  her  how  to  proceed,  but  at 
 the  fame  time  threatens  her  if  Ihe  did  not  repent: 
 *'  Remember  therefore  how  thou  haft  received  and  heard, 
 **  and  hold  faft  and  repent.  If  therefore  thou  flialt 
 *'  not  watch,  I  will  come  on  thee  as  a  thief,  and  thou 
 "  flialt  not  know  in  what  hour  I  will  come  upon  thee." 
 An  awakening  meflage,  by  which  they  who  are  on  the 
 decline  in  their  religious  character  are  inftrudted  and 
 warned,  and  which  may  be  applied  to  chriftians  in 
 every  age,  in  a  private  or  fecial  capacity. 
 
 The  principal  thingtobe  confidered  is  that  which  ftands 
 firft,  an  exhortation  to  look  back  and  review  paft  experi- 
 ence and  ccndudl  from  the  beginning:  "  Remember  there- 
 "  fore  how  thou  haft  received  and  heard."  Hearing  is  the 
 
 means 
 
378    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 means  of  the  obedience  of  faith  ;  and  this  degenerate  peo- 
 ple are  diredleu  to  refle6t  on  the  manner  in  which  they 
 embraced  the  truth,  or  the  fpirit  and  behaviour  which 
 prevailed  among  them  at  the  beginning.  It  is  a  call  on 
 the  church,  or  on  her  members  in  particular.  In  re- 
 fpe£c  of  fociety,  it  refers  to  their  original  fimplicity  and 
 zeal  in  the  faith  and  order  of  Chriff,  from  whence  fhe 
 was  fallen  :  "  Remember  how  thou  haft  received  and 
 "  heard  ;"  call  to  mind  the  manner  of  entrance  the 
 gofpel  had  when  firft  preached  among  you,  with  what 
 readinefs  and  joy  ye  received  it,  on  what  foundation  the 
 church-ftate  was  raifed,  how  watchful,  ddigent,  and 
 lively  her  members,  and  compare  it  with  her  prefent 
 fecure  and  lukewarm  condition. 
 
 Some  apply  this  to  the  prefent  flate  of  theProteftant 
 churches,  who  are  in  general  but  too  much  gone  off 
 from  that  purity  in  doitrine,  worfhip  and  difcipline,  for 
 which  they  were  famous,  when  they  firft  renounced 
 the  errors  of  Rome,  asobferved  in  a  preceeding  lecture, 
 and  particularly  in  refpe<5l  of  the  grand  and  capital  ar- 
 ticle of  juftification  by  grace,  in  oppofition  to  the  merit 
 of  works.  It  cannot  modeftly  be  denied,  but  that  the 
 religious  fentiments  and  practice,  which  now  prevail  in 
 Geneva,  Holland,  and  other  foreign  Proteftant  ftates, 
 differ  wide  from  thofe  that  were  avowed  on  the  reforma- 
 tion :  And,  O  that  our  native  country  could  be  excepted  ! 
 But,-  alas,  the  pulpit,  the  prefs,  and  the  popular  tafte, 
 unite  in  declaring  our  fhameful  departure.  Thisalfo 
 appears  when  we  compare  the  tenets  which  are  in  a 
 manner  univerfally  fpread,  with  the  inftruments  of  ori- 
 ginal union  and  articles  of  faith,  which,  notwithftand- 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.      379 
 
 ing  the  contempt  caft  upon  the  truths  contained  in 
 them,  are  fliil  extent  by  publig  authority,  together 
 with  the  writings  of  the  firft  reformers  in  every  place ; 
 all  which  loudly  teftify  againft  us  ! 
 
 But,  pafllng  this,  the  people  at  Sardis  were  greatly 
 corrupted,  infoniuch  that  few  had  efcaped  the  general 
 pollution  ;  fo  fad  was  their  departure  from  the  f'lmpli- 
 city  and  holinefs  which  originally  adorned  the  church 
 in  that  place,  the  remains  of  which  glory  was  fading 
 away.  In  thefe  difgraceful  circumftanccs  Ihe  is  bid  to 
 remember.  In  a  difordered  ftate  of  body,  no  faculty  is. 
 fooner  impaired  then  the  memory;  and  a  chriftian  fo- 
 ciety,  when  funk  and  depraved,  are  forgetful  of  their 
 forrrier  zeal  and  good  works ;  a  fcrious  refleiftion  on 
 which  might  ^bring  them  to  repentance.  The  precife 
 date  of  the  epillle  is  uncertain,  but  doubtlefs  this 
 church,  with  others  in  Afia,  had  fubfifted  a  conlider- 
 able  time;  fo  great  a  declenfion  could  hardly  obtain  in 
 a  few  years  only,  yet  fome  aged  perfons,  as  the  cvange- 
 lilt  himfelf,  might  remember  her  gathering,  and  wit- 
 nefs  the  melancholy  difference. 
 
 Under  thefe  decays  the  fame  refledlion  becomes  in- 
 dividuals; every  perfen  fhould  examine  himfelf,  and  en- 
 quire, how  did  I  come  under  a  profeffed  fubje6lion  to  the 
 gofpel  ?  Was  it  from  a  deep  convicStion  of  my  miferable 
 ftate  as  a  Tinner,  and  a  perfuafion  of  the  authority  and 
 grace  of  Jefus,  as  the  only  and  all-fufEcient  Saviour,  that 
 I  trufted  in  him,  and  furrendered  myfelf  to  his  will  ? 
 O  my  foul,  now  fo  unfavuory  and  carelefs,  call  to  mind 
 the  love  of  thine  efpoufals,  and  the  kindnefs  of  thy 
 
 youth  ? 
 
38o    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 youth  !  How  didft  thou  receive  Chrift  Jefus  the  Lord, 
 and  hear  the  tidings  of  his  mercy  !  how  precious  then 
 was  the  word  of  his  grace  !  with  what  fweetnefs  and 
 power  did  it  come  to  thy  heart !  O  the  readinefs  and 
 joy  with  which  thou  laid  hold  on  the  hope  fet  before 
 thee  !  thou  waft  then  impatient  for  feafons  of  commu- 
 nion with  the  Lord  and  his  people;  but  now,  alas,  how 
 indifferent  towards  them,  the  new  moons  and  fabbaths 
 are  almoft  a  wearinefs  to  thee;  confider  how  thou 
 art  fallen ;  the  danger  thou  art  in,  and  how  pro- 
 voking thy  condudl,  and  repent !  When  a  backfliding 
 chriflian  is  enabled  thus  to  refle6l  on  his  firft  fetting 
 out  in  religion,  there  is  hope  of  his  recovery,  and 
 that  he  will  be  ftedfaft  in  every  branch  of  his  holy  pro- 
 feflion,  which  is  the  next  thing  required.  "  And  hold 
 "  faft,"  i.  e.  keep  diligently  *  the  precious  dodrines 
 and  ordinances  thou  haft  received,  with  a  watchful 
 eye,  that  they  be  not  loft  or  taken  away,  which  agrees 
 with  the  following  fentence,  and  implies  the  danger 
 they  were  in  through  the  fubtlety  of  fatan,  to  whom 
 they  had  already  given  place,  and  likcwife  that  it  re- 
 quired their  utmoft  folicitude  and  ftrength  to  preferve 
 them.  It  is  added,  "  and  repenf,"  i.  e.  be  wife  and 
 turn  from  your  evil,  as  perfons  convinced  of  their 
 folly,  return  unto  me.  The  word  fignifies  afterwit, 
 and  alludes  to  the'  madnefs  of  thofe  who  depart  from 
 the  Lord.  Thus  the  prodigal,  who  is  an  emblem  of 
 a  penitent  finner  or  backflider,  is  faid  to  come  to  him- 
 felf.  When  men  wander  from  God  and  the  order  of 
 the  gofpel,  it  may  truly  be  faid  that  a  deceived  heart 
 hath  turned  them  afide,  they  are  as  it  were  infatuated 
 
 througlv 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    381 
 
 through  the  deceitfulnefsoffin  ;  and  when  fuch  are  re- 
 ftored  to  their  fpiritual  fenfes,  they  will  be  covered  with 
 fhame,  and  thankful  for  the  grace  that  has  prevented 
 their  ruin,  and  their  change  will  be  attended  with  fu- 
 ture diligence  in  every  duty. 
 
 As  a  further  means  of  awakening  this  church,  fhe  is 
 threatned  in  cafe  of  difobedience :  "  If  therefore  thou 
 **  flialt  not   watch;"    if,    after   all    my  patience   and 
 warning,  thou  contiiiueft  fupine  and  carelefs,  and  will 
 not  awake  and  be  on  thy  guard,  "  I   will  come  upon 
 *'  thee  as  a  thief.  Many  are  the  chaftnings  in  ftore  for 
 a    loofe  and    hypocritical     generation    of    profefTors; 
 fometimes  they  are  hewed  by  the  prophets  of  the  Lord, 
 and  flain  by  the  words  of  his  mouth,    Hof.  vi.  5.     He 
 animates  his  fervants  to  cry  aloud  and  fpare  not,  but 
 fhew  them  their  tranfgreflions  and  fms,  who  are  fure  to 
 meet  with  their  refentment,  unlefs  they  are  reclaimed. 
 At  other  times  the  hand  of  his  providence  is  againfl  them, 
 and  they  are  diminifhed  by  ficknefs  and  death,  as  at  Co- 
 rinth. Again,  he  hides  his  face  that  they  cannot  behold 
 him,  or  itjnay  be  his  Spirit  is  with-held,  and  the  dew  is 
 not  on  their  fleece  ;  they  are  barren  and  comfortlefs,  their 
 breads  are  dry,  and  a  mifcarrying  womb  is  their  por- 
 tion, Hof.  ix.  14.     Or,    once   more,   when  joined   to 
 their  idols,  as  Ephraim,  he  lets  them  alone.     Thefe  are 
 tokens  of  his  difpleafure,  which  a  fenfible  people  will 
 deprecate ;    But    the    threatning    before    us    is    ftill 
 more  alarming,    it  is  not  to  corredl  but  to  deftroy ;  a 
 threatning  of  vengeance,   the  terror  of  which  will  ap- 
 pear, if  we  confider. 
 
 ■d:. 
 
 I.  That 
 
382    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 I.  That  the  Lord  himfelf  was  to  come  upon  them* 
 If  an  angel,  or  even  but  a  man  had  been  commiflioned 
 from  heaven  to  chaftize  them  in  anger,  they  might 
 juftly  have  trembled  at  the  thought  of  his  approach,  but 
 how  fearful  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God,  of 
 Jefus  himfelf,  whofe  power  is  infinite,  and  whofe  face, 
 as  an  angry  judge,  neither  earth  nor  heaven  can  endure  ! 
 Every  attribute  afcribed  to  the  Redeemer  in  that  grand 
 and  awful  defcription,  chap.  i.  and  e!fe  where,  is 
 properly  applied  to  this  threatning,  "  I  will  come  upon 
 *'  thee :"  1,  whofe  eyes  are  as  a  flame  of  fire,  who 
 fearcheth  the  heart  and  the  reins ;  I,  whofe  feet  are  as 
 fine  brafs,  as  if  they  burned  in  a  furnace,  to  tread 
 down  Tmine  enemies  and  trample  them  in  my  fury;  I, 
 whofe  voice  is  as  the  found  of  many  waters,  as  the  roar- 
 ing of  the  fea ;  1  that  have  the  feven  ftars  in  my  right 
 hand,  and  out  of  whofe  mouth  goeth  a  fharp  two- 
 edged  fword ;  I,  whofe  countenance  is  as  the  fun 
 fhining  in  his  ftrength,  before  whom  no  flefh  can 
 (land ;  in  a  word,  I,  that  have  the  keys  of  death  and 
 hell,  and  kill  and  make  alive  at  my  pleafure  ;  I,  even 
 "  I  will  come  upon  thee."  Awful  expeitation  !  Who 
 among  the  guilty  is  prepared  to  meet  this  offended  God 
 in  his  anger  !  But, 
 
 2.  The  comparifon  ufed  by  our  Lord  to  illuftrate 
 his  coming,  is  another  confiderable  aggravation,  *'  as 
 *'  a  thief."  This  denotes  the  manner  and  the  end  of  his 
 vifitation.  i.  It  implies  that  he  would  come  on  a  fudden ; 
 which  indeed  is  contained  in  the  phrafe  itfelf,  come  on^ 
 I  Sam.  ii.  34.  but  the  idea  is  ftill  more  enlivened  by 
 
 the 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.    383 
 
 the  comparlfon,    the  thief  cometh  unawares.     Hence 
 faith  our  Lord,  Matt.  xxiv.  43.    "  If  the  good  man  of 
 "  the  houle  had  known  in  what  watch  the  thief  would 
 **  come,   &c."     And  that  this  is  principally  intended, 
 appears  from  the  following  fentence,  "  Thou  (halt  not 
 *'  know  in  what  hour  I  will  come  upon  thee."    In  this 
 manner  the  world  of  old  was  deftroyed,    and  thus  it 
 will  be  in  all  divine  judgment,  "  the  day  -A  the  Lord 
 "  fo  cometh  as  a  thief  in  the  night,"   i   i'hefl'.  v.  2. 
 and  particularly  in  removing  the  candleftick  out  of  his 
 place,  for  the  fins  of  a  backfliding  people  :    "  Behold  I 
 *«  come  as  a  thief.     Blefled  is  he  that  watcheth  and 
 **  keepeth  his  garments,"  Rev.  xvi.  15.  which  agrees 
 with  the  condition  in  the  text,  already  confidered.   Be- 
 fides  this,  2.  it  alfo  intimates  the  end  of  his  coming, 
 which  is  to  deprive  *  and  ruin  the  impenitent :  **  The 
 *'  thief  cometh  not,  but  for  to  iteal,  and  to  kill,  and 
 "  to  dettroy,"   John  x.  10.     Thus  the  wrath  of  the 
 Lamb  comes  on  wilful  and  ftubborn  tranfgreflors,  1  ut 
 with  this  difference,  that,  whereas  the  conduit  of  the 
 thief  is  unjuft  and  finful,  the  judgments  of  the  Lord 
 are  righteous.     And, 
 
 3.  This  threatning  is  the  more  dreadful,  as  it  leaves 
 no  hope  of  further  warning  or  patience :  It  is  the  laft 
 meflage,    in  contempt  of  which  they  are  doomed   to 
 
 immediate 
 
 *  Chrift  cannot  be  faid  to  come  as  a  thief  in  an  evil  fenfe,  morally 
 fpeaking  ;  his  effential  goodnefs  and  righteoufnefs  forbid  our  entertaining 
 fo  bale  or  unworthy  idea  of  his  coming,  as  that  it  is  with  any  unjuft  or 
 cruel  defign,  but  certainly  the  end  of  his  judgment  is  the  dertrudion  of 
 unbelievers  and  hypocrites,  and  the  comparifon  is  only  in  refpeft  of  fuch; 
 "  for  ye,  brethren,  are  not  in  darknefs;  that  that  day  fliould  overtake  you 
 "  as  a  thief,"    i  Theff.  v.  4. 
 
384    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 immediate  deftrudlion ;  nothing  can  be  more  abfolute 
 than  the  terms  of  this  awful  declaration,  *'  If 
 "  therefore  thou  fhalt  not  watch,  I  will  come  upon 
 *'  thee."  Wo  be  to  them  who  are  at  cafe  in  Zion  ; 
 they  are  threatned  with  fudden  deftrudion  from  the 
 Lord,  who  w  -i^  himfelf  come  upon  them,  except  they 
 repent. 
 
 See  then,  O  chriftian,  the  difpleafure  of  thy  Re- 
 deemer with  thofe  who  are  unfaithful  and  fruitlefs 
 under  a  profeflion  of  his  name;  he  is  a  holy  and  jealous 
 God,  and  cannot  endure  a  lukewarm  and  deceitful 
 condudt  in  them  that  approach  him.  He  hath  com- 
 panion on  the  frames  of  his  faints,  yea,  and  when  they 
 f:n  through  infirmity,  he  is  their  advocate  with  the 
 Father,  as  it  were,  to  cover  their  involuntary  failings, 
 and  to  plead  againft  every  accufation  of  the  adverfary  j 
 but  when  a  people,  having  the  form  of  godlinefs,  be- 
 come habitually  negligent  and  partial,  it  is  an  affront 
 to  ail  his  perfe6lions  j  fuch  perfons  provoke  him  to  his 
 face,  and  if  after  due  warning,  they  prefume  in  this  man- 
 ner to  defpife  him,  his  anger  will  fmoke  againft  them, 
 and  utterly  confume  them  ! 
 
 Beware  then  of  fettling  on  the  lees,  and  reding  in 
 a  name  for  religion;  thou  art  under  a  profeflion  and 
 waft  formerly  adlive  and  fruitful,  but  art  thou  now  be- 
 come lifelefs  and  formal  ?  Remember  the  zeal  and  good 
 works  of  this  fallen  church  in  her  primitive  ftate  was 
 no  excufe  for  her  prefent  dcfc£tion  and  floth,  (lie  is 
 threatned  with  the  vengeance  of  heaven  notwithftand- 
 ing  her  former  gocdnefs,  and  the  fame  (lie  now  had  for 
 
 beins 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     385 
 
 being  alive,  thefe  things  availed  not  w^ith  the  Lord  in 
 whofe  fio-ht  fhe  was  talfe,  and  came  fhort  of  her  cha- 
 rafter ;  therefore  be  not  fecure  in  the  opinion  of  men, 
 God  is  not  mocked  ;  and  when  he  comes  on  impenitent 
 tranfgreflbrs,  the  works  they  have  forfaken  will  witnefs 
 agatnft  them,  rather  than  juftify  their  prefent  hypocrify 
 and  negligence,  or  hide  them  from  his  wrath  ;  therefore, 
 boaft  not  thyfelf,  thou  backfliding  profeflbr,  in  what  thou 
 haft  betn,  or  in  what  others  now  take  thee  to  be ; 
 arife  from  the  dead,  and  repent,  fo  flialt  thou  be  ap- 
 proved of  thy  judj^e,  and  his  ange:  fhall  not  fall  upon 
 thee. 
 
 How  deplorable  the  condit'on  of  thofe  who  are  over- 
 tak'.n  by  an  injured  and  offended  Saviour!  The  fug-, 
 geftion  is  ftroiig  with  refpe£l  to  this  church,  that  if 
 Chrift  came  upon  her,  as  he  threatned,  fhe  would  be 
 miferab.y  dettroyed :  "  1  will  come  on  you;"  q.  d.  and 
 what  will  you  do  ?  wh  ther  can  you  flee  ?  Haft  thou  an 
 arm  lik  God  ?  or  canli  thou  thunder  with  a  voice  like 
 him  ?  A'  .  am  againft  thee,  who  can  be  for  thee,  or 
 fave  thee  ?  1  bis  is  th^  language  of  the  threatning  be- 
 fore us  ;  it  is  the  word  of  a  King,  and  it  comes  with 
 power,  for  he  is  able  to  dcftroy  all  thofe  who  hate  him. 
 If  fatJn  or  the  world  come  on  a  church,  or  the  chri- 
 ftian  is  attacked  from  any  other  quarter,  the  temporary 
 fuffering  and  lufs  may  be  great,  yet  a  deliverer  is  at 
 hand,  but  when  the  omnipotent  Jefus  himfelf  overtakes 
 the  fmner  in  judgment,  there  is  no  efcape  or  remedy, 
 deftrudion  will  enfue  ^  he  is  terrible  in  righteoufnefs, 
 when  he  comes  to  take  vengeance  on  the  workers  of 
 iniquity,  and  more  efpecially  on  hypocrites  in  Zion. 
 B  b  Hear 
 
386    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 Hear  what  he  fays  when  he  uttered  his  voice  and  roared 
 out  of  Zion  :  "  I  will  be  unto  Ephraim  as  a  lion,  and 
 *'  as  a  young  lion  to  the  houfe  of  Judah :  I,  even  I  will 
 *'  tear,  and  go  av/ay ;  I  will  take  away  and  none  (hall 
 *'  refcue  him,"  Hofea  v.  14.  He  is  ftill  the  fame  Lord, 
 who  will  judge  his  people,  and  this  will  be  the  mifera- 
 rable  end  of  all  who  defpife  him. 
 
 Nevertheless,  the  patience  and  grace  of  the  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift  are  difplayed,  and  demand  our  attention  j 
 he  is  flow  to  anger,  and  warns  the  generation  that  pro- 
 voke him  to  jealoufy  before  he  comes  on  them  to  their 
 ruin.  Thus  he  waited  long  in  the  days  of  Noe  before 
 the  flood  came  upon  them,  and  forty  years  was  he 
 tempted  by  them  who  fell  through  unbelief  in  the  wil- 
 dernefs  ;  alfo  the  like  fpace  was  granted  to  Jerufalem 
 after  the  time  of  our  Saviour,  and  fince  the  fpread  of 
 his  kingdom  in  the  world.  No  nation  or  people  was 
 ever  deprived  of  a  gofpel  church-ftate  till  after  many 
 warnings  and  great  provocations.  The  language  of 
 Chrift  in  his  word  and  providence,  with  refpe6l  to  a 
 fallen  people,  is  like  that  by  the  prophet  to  Ephraim, 
 "  How  fhall  I  give  thee  up  ?  "  as  if  his  heart  turned 
 within  him ;  his  repeated  exhortations  and  much  long- 
 fuffering  (hews  that  he  delights  not  in  the  deftru6tion 
 of  a  people,  or  in  removing  the  candleftick  out  of  his 
 place  J  they  fpeak  againft  the  diflx)Iution  of  churches, 
 and  call  loud  on  delinquents  to  repent  and  be  faved. 
 
 It  appears  then,  that  nothing  but  a  perverfe  and  im- 
 penitent fpirit  will  bring  down  the  wrath  of  God  on  a 
 people  i  however  long  a  church  may  have  been  on  the 
 
 decay 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    3S7 
 
 decay  or  low  fhe  is  funk,  though  fhe  hath  years  been 
 declining,  and  her  works  are  very  imperfed:,  infomuch 
 that,  as  a:  Sardi-;,  her  things  which  remain  are  ready 
 to  die,  yet,  if  it  at  length,  by  any  means,  her  mem- 
 bers are  awakened,  and  return  to  the  Lord,  he  will 
 have  mercy  upon  them  5  and  the  like'  may  be  obferved 
 in  regard  of  any  one  perfon  who  is  under  declenfion; 
 a  penitent  backflider  is  not  cafl  into  defpair  by  the  fe- 
 vereft  threatnings  of  Chrifl-,  whofe  love,  grace  and 
 power  are  more  than  fufficient  to  reftore  him,  and  who 
 is  ready  to  heal  his  backflidmgs  and  accept  the  calves 
 of  his  lips.  This  {hould  engage  us  when  chaftned  for 
 our  fmful  departures,  to  excite  one  another  in  the  lan- 
 guage of  Ephraim  and  Judah,  Hof.  vi.  i.  "  Come,  Jet 
 *'  us  return  unto  the  Lord  j  for  he  hath  torn,  and  he 
 *'  will  heal  us ;  he  hath  fmitten,  and  he  will  bind  us 
 "  up."  In  this  confidence  every  repenting  finner,  and 
 backfliding  people,  may  come  to  the  Lord,  and  find 
 reft  for  their  fouls. 
 
 To  conclude.  Let  this  divine  meflage  be  improved 
 by  the  faithful  in  a  way  of  prevention.  This  fallen 
 church  is  direded  to  remember  how  (he  had  received, 
 and  heard;  a  ftep  which  was  need iul  towards  her  re- 
 covery ;  and  the  fame  means  will  be  of  excellent  ufe 
 againft  every  temptation  to  fin,  and  of  keeping  up  a 
 lively  fenfe  of  religion  in  the  foul.  Chriftian,  let  thy 
 firft  fetting-out  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  be  ever  before 
 thee ;  daily  recolle6t  the  grace  and  power  exerted  in 
 thy  converfion  j  remember  Bethel,  where  thou  anointed 
 the  pillar,  and  began  thy  vows  unto  thy  God  ;  when 
 no  eye  faw  thee,  and  thou  gaveft  thyfelf  unto  the 
 B  b  2  Lord  1 
 
388    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 Lord  J  alfo  frequently  confider  the  manner  and  mo- 
 tives of  thy  public  furrender;  with  what  reverence, 
 hope  and  joy,  waft  thou  baptized  in  the  name  of  the 
 Lord,  came  into  his  houfc,  fat  down  at  his  table,  and 
 numbered  thyfelf  with  his  faints.  O  the  grateful  fenfe 
 of  his  power  and  grace  on  thefe  folemn  occafions ! 
 How  did  it  melt  thee,  and  caufe  thee  to  pour  out  thy 
 foul  in  fecret,  with  fervent  fupplications,  and  holy  re- 
 folutions  to  cleave  to  the  Lord  with  purpofe  of  heart ! 
 A  frequent  review  of  thy  experience  in  thefe  gracious 
 feafons  hath  a  tendency  to  preferve  thee  in  an  hour  of 
 temptation,  and  prevent  thofe  backflidings  which  in 
 many  have  made  work  for  bitter  repentaace  j  but  if  any 
 man  is  already  fallen  into  fin,  this  recolledlion  will  re- 
 vive the  evidence  of  his  calling,  and  promote  his  re- 
 covery, fince  this  is  the  language  of  a  covenant  God 
 to  his  people,  who  mourn  their  declenfions :  "  Turn, 
 *'  O  backlliding  children,  for  I  am  married  unto  you." 
 And  again,  "  Return,  thou  backfliding  Ifrael,  faith  the 
 *'  Lord,  and  I  will  not  caufe  mine  anger  to  fall  upon 
 *.'  you."  Haft  thou  been  thus  mercifully  reftored,  my 
 dear  Friend  ?  it  will  appear  in  thy  holinefs  and  lovej 
 keep  thyfelf  unfpotted,  and,  notwithftanding  thine  un- 
 worthlnefs,  thou  ftialt  have  honor  with  thy  Redeemer 
 at  his  appearance  and  kingdom. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     389 
 
 LECTURE      XXIV. 
 
 The  faithful  diftingu'fhed  in  a  time  of  general  defec- 
 tion, with  the  promife  of  a  glorious  reward. 
 
 ITHERTO  the  epiflle  has  bore  a  gloomy 
 and  threatning  afpe61;  ;  but  to  the  upright 
 there  arifeth  a  light  in  darknefs  ;  an  illuftrious  ex- 
 ample of  this  now  appears  for  the  encouragement  of 
 thofe  who  fear  God  in  a  degenerate  age  :  "  Thou  haft 
 **  a  few  names  even  in  Sardis,  which  have  not  defiled 
 *'  their  garments  ;  and  they  fhall  walk  with  me  in 
 "  white,  for  they  are  worthy,"  ver.  4.  Amidft  the  luke- 
 warmnefs  and  hypocrify  which  in  a  manner  univerfally 
 prevailed,  here  are  prefented  to  our  view,  chofen  and 
 faithful  perfons  excepted  from  the  general  indiitment, 
 and  owned  of  the  Lord,  with  a  promife.  The  names 
 of  God's  people  *  are  written  in  heaven,  and  ever  be- 
 fore him.  This,  no  doubt  is  true  in  the  moft  literal 
 fenfe,  for  it  cannot  with  reafon  be  queftioned  but  the 
 omnifcient  Jefus,  that  great  fhepherd  of  the  flock  f, 
 calleth  his  own  Iheep  by  name ;  but,  in  the  paflage  be- 
 fore us,  names  are  evidently  perfons,  and  the  term 
 thus  applied  conveys  an  idea  of  reputation  and  honor; 
 
 B  b  3  for 
 
 *  Luke  X.  20. 
 
 •f-  John  X.  3.  Accordingly  fome  perfons  were  prophefied  of  b3f  name  two 
 •r  three  hundred  years  before  their  birth,  witnefs  Jofiah  and  Cyrus.  Sec 
 1  Kings  xiii.  2.  a  Kings  xxii,  xxiii,  and  lia.  xliv.  aS. 
 
390    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE" 
 
 for   inftance,    Ecclef.  vii.  i.    it   is   faid,    *'  A    name," 
 i.  e.  a  good  name,  "  is  better  than  precious  ointment.'' 
 And  again,  Job,    chap   xxx.  8.    fpeaks  of  bafe  men, 
 i.  e.  literally,  men  ivkhcut  nanie^ ;  not  but  the  vileft  of 
 men  are  fometimes  exalted  ;  as  in  the  days  of  Malachi, 
 chap.  iii.  15.    the  proud  were  called  happy,  and  they 
 who  worked  wickednefs  were  fet  up ;  then  the  name 
 of  the  righteous  is  rather  a  prey  than  a  praife ;   but, 
 however  defpifed  or  traduced   by  men,   they  are  a  fweet 
 favour  to  God,  and  fhall  be  honored  by  him  :    So  then 
 thefe  names  are  no  other  than  eminent  and  honorable 
 perfons  of  real  charadler,  and   not  of  report  only,  as 
 with  the  church  in  general,  but  good  men  and  true,  iri 
 the  fight  of  him  who  trieth  the  reins,   and  accordingly 
 are  efteemed  and  rewarded.  This  account  contains  a  de- 
 fcription  of  the  perfons  commended,  their  recompence 
 of  reward,  and  the  propriety  or  fitnefs  of  conferring 
 this  honor^upon  them.     And  they  are  defcribed, 
 
 I.  By  the  fmallnefs  of  their  number,  a  few.  The 
 flock  of  Chrift  is  little  compared  with  the  world, 
 "  Many  be  called  but  few  chofen  :"  But  the  compari-: 
 fon  here  is  with  the  members  of  this  church,  the  gene- 
 rality of  whom  were  fadly  dec''ned,  only  here  and  there 
 one,  through  grace,  had  maintained  a  good  confci- 
 ence,  whom  the  Lord  diftinguifnes  from  the  reft. 
 Numb  rs  are  no  certain  note  of  truih,  and  the  fmallefl 
 part  of  a  divided  fociety  may  appear  to  be  right; 
 however,  as  we  fhall  prefently  fee,  the  charaiter  of 
 the  faithful,  when  religion  is  on  the  decline,  is 
 in  proportion  to  the  number  of  thofe  who  are 
 defected , 
 
 2.  THEm 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    391 
 
 2.  Their  purity  is  another  part  of  the  defcription, 
 "  which  have  not  defiled  their  garments."  The  allu- 
 fion  is  obvious.  Garments  are  what  men  inveft  them- 
 felves  with,  and  in  which  they  appear  according  to 
 their  rank  and  condition  :  Spiritually  taken,  they  are  the 
 religious  habit  and  courfe  of  nominal  chriftians,  in  the 
 light  of  God,  angds  and  men.  Thus  we  read,  Ifa. 
 Ixi.  10.  of  the  "  garments  of  falvation,  and  the  robe 
 *'  of  righteoufnefs."  Thefe,  at  lead  the  latter  of 
 thefe,  is  no  other  than  the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  v/hich 
 is  by  the  faith  of  Jefus  Chrifl,  with  which  al!  true  be- 
 lievers are  clothed  and  adorned  unto  their  compleat  and 
 everlafting  juftiiication ;  but  here  it  feems  principally, 
 if  not  folely  intended,  of  the  profeilion  and  behaviour, 
 of  thofe  honorable  difciples,  and  points  to  their  order, 
 the  ftedfaftnefs  of  their  faith,  and  tlieir  holy  converfa- 
 tion :  Thus  holy  Job  declares,  in  vindication  of  his 
 charafler,  chap.  xxix.  14.  "  I  put  on  righteoufnefs 
 "  and  it  clothed  me  j  my  judgment  was  as  a  robe  and 
 *'  a  diadem."  In  like  manner  thefe  upright  fouls  were 
 not  turned  from  the  fimplicity  of  the  gofpel,  nor  tainted 
 with  the  common  pollutions,  but  held  faft,  having 
 nobly  withftood  the  prevailing  corruptions,  and  kept 
 themfelves  clean,  "  hating  even  the  garment  fpotted 
 *'  with  the  flefh,"  like  the  virgins  mentioned,  Rev. 
 xiv.  4.  who  had  *'  not  defiled  themfelves  with  women." 
 Thefe,  I  fay,  as  chafle  virgins  efpoufed  to  Chrift,  were 
 free  from  the  fpots  by  which  many  had  difgraced  them- 
 felves and  his  name ;  not  that  we  are  to  fuppofe  they 
 had  no  defedls  to  lament,  or  were  totally  free  from 
 Gccafional  error :  it  is  not  faid  that  their  garments  were 
 B  b  4  not 
 
392    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 not  defiled,  but  that  they  had  "  not  defiled  their  gar- 
 *'  ments."  Whether  the  Reader  fees  a  real  difFerence 
 between  thefe  forms  of  expreflion  or  not,  I  piefume  he 
 will  readily  admit,  that  this  account  (hews  they  had 
 not  wilfully  corrupted  themfflves,  but  preferved  their 
 integrity,  and  bore  a  teftimony,  at  lead  in  their  pradlice, 
 againft  the  difordcr  and  licentioufnefs  which  prevailed 
 in  the  church,  and  had  reduced  her  to  fo  threatning  a 
 condition.  Thus  they  were  without  guile  before  God, 
 and  free  from  the  general  charge.     And, 
 
 3.  The  integrity  of  thefe  worthy  perfons  is  further 
 illullrated,  by  a  glance  on  the  exceeding  degeneracy  of 
 the  people  with  whom  they  flood  connected,  ivcn  in 
 Sardis.  The  particle  is  juftly  fupplied;  it  being  won- 
 derful indeed  that  any  ih  luld  be  clean  in  fo  degenerate 
 a  company,  among  whom  the  life  and  power  of  reli- 
 gion was  in  a  manner  cxtinci  J  yet  this  was  the  fa6l, 
 notwithdanding  the  community  was  declining  apace, 
 and  even  nigh  to  a  diifolution,  through  the  depravity 
 of  her  members,  there  was  a  number,  though  but  iewy 
 who  were  enabled  to  retain  a  fpirit  and  conducl  be- 
 com.ing  their  holy  profeiiion,  with  whom  th'.-  Lord  was 
 well-plcafed. 
 
 This  report  Is  made  to  the  angel  or  minifler  of  the 
 church  :  '-'•  Thou  haft  a  {qvj  names,  he.''  I  apprehend, 
 not  fo  much  to  info»-m  him,  for  can  it  be  fuppofed  that 
 thefe  luigular  piofcflbrs  were  uiiknown  to  their  paftor  ? 
 Not  without  highly  impeaching  his  charader.  Forma- 
 lity and  fin  in  a  people  are  a  fnare  to  their  minifler; 
 and  when  errors  and  diforders  prevail,  it  requires  pe- 
 culiar 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SAUDIS.     393 
 
 euliar  fortitude  and  grace  to  withftand  the  tide  of  cor- 
 ruption, fo  as  not  in  any  degree  to  connive  at  fome 
 evil,  and  deferve  reproof;  but  though  I  would  not  itift- 
 nuate  that  pallors  arc  never,  or  even  fcldom  to  blame, 
 the  contrary  of  which  is  notorious,  nor  would  I  cover 
 or  extenuate  their  faults,  which  are  more  heinous  thitn 
 the  errors  of  perfons  in  a  private  capacity  ;  yet,  as  for- 
 merly hinted,  it  doth  not  appear  that  the  oliniiter  at 
 Sardis  is  particularly  charged;  it  feems  therefore  natu- 
 ral, in  charity,  to  rank  h  m  among  thofe  faithful  fer- 
 vants  of  the  Lord  who  are  grieved  to  the  heart  to  fee 
 thino-s  dyinu  under  th-::ir  hands:  In  the  like  furrowful 
 cafe  we  fee  fome  have  been  overwhelmed,  they  have 
 dwelt  on  the  decienfions  and  apoftacies  of  the  multi- 
 tude, and  overlo'ked  the  exceptions  there  are  from  ihc 
 general  decay,  till  they  have  almoft  delpaircdofa  re- 
 covery: Thus  Elias  thought  he  was  alone^  and  that. 
 true  religion  would  expire  with  his  bfe,  when  at  the 
 fame  time  a  very  large  number  were  referved  from  the 
 idolatry  of  the  times.  And  this  notice  fiom  the  Lord 
 to  his  fervant  at  Sardis  feems  to  be  to  comfort  him,  and 
 alfo  to  infpire  him  v/ith  courage  to  attempt  a  reforma- 
 tion;  Be  that  as  it  msy,  in  this  inftance  we  fee,  and  it 
 mayjuftlybe  admired,  that  the  exalted  S-iviour,  the 
 great  and  chief  Shepherd,  gracioufly  florps  from  his 
 throne,  to  give  his  under  keepi^r  an  account  of  the  flae 
 of  his  flock,  before  whom,  as  thir  judge,  both  he  and 
 his  backfl.ding  people  were  fliortly  to  appear. 
 
 Now  the  recompence  infured  thefe  upright  difciples, 
 is  not  any  prefent  or  temporary  reward,  but  an  honor 
 and  happjnefs  far  exceeding  every  thing  to  be  enjoyed 
 
 in 
 
394    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 in  this  world,  and  is  couched  in  the  following  terms, 
 "  l^hey  fhall  walk  with  me  in  white."  Some  re- 
 fp£lable  writers  *  have  thought  that  this  of  walking 
 with,  or  before  God,  is  peculiar  to  a  pleafing  admini- 
 ftration  of  an  office  :  Thus  did  Enoch  as  a  prophet,  and 
 Isioah  as  a  preacher  of  righteoufnefs.  And  i  Sam.  ii.  30. 
 the  Lord  faith  unto  Eli,  *'  I  faid  indeed,  that  thy 
 *'  houfe,  and  the  houfe  of  thy  father,  fhould  walk  be- 
 *'  fore  me  for  ever;"  i.  e.  as  appears  from  the  context, 
 in  the  office  of  a  prieft  :  But,  with  fubmiffi  m,  the 
 phrafe  is  extended  to  the  behaviour  or  walk  of  the 
 faithful  in  a  private  capacity.  Abraham,  though 
 poflefled  of  a  promife  that  his  feed  fhould  be  multiplied, 
 feems  not  invefted,  properly  fpeaking,  with  an  office 
 when  the  Lord  faid  unto  him,  *'  Walk  before  me,  and 
 *'  be  thou  perfedl,"  Gen.  xvii.  i.  However,  it  is  cer- 
 tain that  "  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God,"  Mic.  vi.  8. 
 is  not  confined  to  perfons  of  a  public  charadler,  but  that 
 it  becomes  every  chrilliain  to  "  walk  worthy  of  the 
 *'  Lord  unto  all  well-pleafmg,"  according  to  Col.  i.  10. 
 and  other  paflages  in  the  New-Teftament,  where  the 
 fame  idea  is  conveyed.  In  this  fenfe,  they  who  defile 
 not  their  garments,  walk  before  God  with  an  holy  avve 
 of  his  divine  majefty  and  prefence,  and  an  hatred  of 
 fin ;  and  in  keeping  his  commandments  they  are  often 
 indulged  wiih  that  fweet  communion,  and  tliofe  mani- 
 feftations  of  his  love,  which  greatly  over-ballance  every 
 trial  they  meet  with  j  but  the  reward  here  intended  is 
 manifeftly  future;  and  accordingly  it  is  laid  out  in 
 terms,  frequently  ufed  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,    to  fet  forth 
 
 the 
 
 *  Aynfwoith  on  Gen,  v.  24.   ^nd  vi,  9. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.     395 
 
 the  bleflednefs  of  the  righteous  in  the  world   to  come, 
 which  it  may  be  ufeful  to  confider  :  And, 
 
 1.  It  is  faid,  "  they  fhall  walk.'*  In  natural  walk- 
 ing the  powers  of  the  body  are  exercifed,  and  the  fub- 
 je£l  makes  a  delightful  progreffion  to  the  end  he  is 
 purfuing:  it  denotes  life,  ftrength,  freedom  aiid  joy, 
 and  moft  fitly  reprefents  their  happinefs  who  are  enter- 
 ed into  life,  free  from  weaknefs  and  fm,  and  filled  with 
 joy  in  the  prefence  of  God :  This  agrees  with  Ih. 
 XXXV.  10.  1  he  redeemed  fhall  walk  there.  And 
 again,  chap.  Ivii.  2.  it  is  faid  of  good  men  de- 
 parted, that  "  they  reft  in  their  beds,  each  one  walk- 
 "  ing  in  his  uprightnefs."  And  further  it  is  affirmed. 
 Rev.  xxi.  24.  that  "  the  nations  of  them  which 
 *'  are  faved  {hall  walk  in  the  light  of  the  heavenly 
 "  city."     Again, 
 
 2.  To  be  with  God  or  with  Chrift ;  i,  e.  in  their  im- 
 mediate prefence,  is  another  known  defcription  of  the 
 faints  in  paradife.  Thus  in  Phil.  i.  23.  Paul  declares 
 his  defire  "  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Chrift."  And  our 
 Saviour  in  John  xvii.  24.  prays  to  the  Father,  fay- 
 ing, "  I  will  that  thofe  whom  thou  haft  given  me  be 
 "  with  me  where  I  am  ;"  namely,  in  heaven,  "  that  they 
 *'  may  behold  my  glory."     And, 
 
 3.  This  honor  of  the  faithful  is  ftill  more  ftrongly 
 exprefled  by  their  walking  with  Jefus  in  white',  this 
 Vvill  occur  in  a  fubfequent  ledure,  but  it  is  needful  to 
 
 touch. 
 
396    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 touch  on  it  here.  White  is  an  emblem  of  purity  and 
 glory:  Thus  appeared  the  angel  that  rolled  back,  the 
 ftone  from  the  fepulchrej  we  are  told,  that  "  h's  rai- 
 *'  ment  was  white  as  fnow."  In  like  manner  when 
 our  Lord  was  transfigured  on  the  mount,  his  vefture 
 was  white  as  light,  a  brightncfs  more  reCplendent  than 
 the  meridian  fun.  It  may  allude  to  the  garircnrs  of  the 
 priefts,  who  were  dreffed  in  white  linen,  to  fignify  their 
 confecration  and  acceptance  with  the  Lcird,  who  is 
 holy,  or  rather  to  the  v/hite  robes  which  conquerors 
 anciently  wore  in  their  triumphal  proceflions  ;  both  ideas 
 are  fuited  to  the  charadler  of  the  faithful  "  who  overcome 
 **  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  being  made  kings 
 "  and  priefts  unto  God,  and  his  Father,"  Rev.  i.  6. 
 In  a  word,  if  it  be  enquired,  Vthen  this  will  come  to 
 pafs  ?  No  doubt  it  will  commence  in  a  degree  in  the 
 feparate  flate  of  the  righteous,  but  the  reference  is  more 
 direcSlly  to  the  fecond  appearance  of  Chrift,  even  to 
 that  grand  proceflion  of  Jefus  in  the  day  of  his  revelation 
 from  heaven,  when  he  fliall  be  glorified  in  his  faints, 
 and  admired  in  all  them  that  believe;  or  rather  it  ter- 
 minates in  the  ultimate  glory  of  the  redeemed,  which 
 fhall  be  everlalling.  Thus  each  member  of  the  pro- 
 miffary  fentence  correfponds  with  the  language  of 
 fcripture,  when  it  points  out  the  future  glory  of  the 
 faints,  and  together  they  yield  a  full  and  mofl  lively 
 defcription  of  the  reward  which  is  laid  up  for  thofe 
 who  maintain  their  integrity,  and  hold  out  to  the 
 end. 
 
 It  remains  to  confider  the  propriety  or  fitncfs  of  con- 
 ferring this  honor  on  thefe  holy  men,  and  the  reafon 
 
 affigned 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  397 
 afligned  is  no  other  than  this,  "  for  they  are  worthy." 
 Now  methinks  the  fincere  believer  is  ready  to  blufii  at 
 this  gracious  expreffion  :  Can  worthiness  be  juftly  af- 
 cribed  to  a  finful  creature,  redeemed  by  the  blood  of 
 Jefus  ?  O  my  foul,  what  is  thy  faith,  or  what  are  thy 
 worki  ?  Suppofe  thou  haft  not  defiled  thy  garments,  is 
 it  more  than  became  thee  ?  Thou  art  then  an  unprofit- 
 able fervant,  and  ft  ill  more  indebted  to  the  fovcieign 
 mercy,  and  power  of  God,  by  whom  thou  haft 
 flood,  and  thy  boafting  is  for  ever  excluded.  In  this 
 manner  will  the  pureft  faint  upon  earth,  on  the  appre- 
 henfion  of  there  being  any  glory  attributed  to  him, 
 however  comparatively  perfect  his  works,  in  point  of 
 integrity,  check  the  firft  rifing  thought  of  merit  in 
 himfelf,  and  with  unfeigned  humility  and  gratitude  de- 
 clare :  "  By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am."  But 
 the  truth  is,  that  no  fuch  worthinefs  is  intended.  The 
 labourer,  we  fay,  is  worthy  of  his  hire  ;  he  hath 
 earned  his  wages,  and  it  is  his  juft  due;  alfo  the  wicked 
 righteoufly  fuffer  the  vengeance  of  the  Almighty,  they 
 ftridlly  and  properly  deferve  the  punifhment  they  en- 
 dure, Rom.  i.  32.  but  worthinefs  in  this  fenfe  cannot 
 be  afcribed  to  the  heirs  of  falvation  by  grace. 
 
 Nor  will  it  fuffice  to  fay  that  believers  are  gra- 
 cioufly  accepted  through  the  merits  of  Chiift;  doubt- 
 lefs  the  work  which  the  Redeemer  finifhed  on  his  crofs, 
 when  he  made  compleat  atonement  for  fin,  is  the  de- 
 ferving  caufe  of  his  people's  fruition  of  glory,  but  thii 
 does  not  come  up  to  the  terms  in  the  text,  for  it  ex- 
 prefly  declares  that  they  are  worthy  j  thefe  very  per- 
 fons  are  the  real,  proper  and  immediate  fubje<Ss  of  this 
 
 worthinefs, 
 
398    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 worthinefs,  whatever  it  be.     To  clear  up  this  point  we 
 muft  note,  that  a  perfon  may  be  worthy  in  rel'pe^l  of 
 merit  or  meetnefs,  now,  as  already  hinted,  a  worthi- 
 nefs of  merit  is  difclaimed  by  the  chriftian,  nor  can  it 
 be  decently  afcribed  to  him  in  relation  to  his  future  in- 
 heritance.    All  the  works  and  felf-denial  which  attend 
 the  ftridieft  proteflion  of  godlinefs,  or  the  holieft  con- 
 v.erfation,  however  diftinguiftiing,  exalted  or  valuable 
 in  its  p  ace,   weighs  not  a  fmgle  grain  towards  the 
 kingdom  of  heaven.     A  title  to  glory  lies  in  the  dona- 
 tion of  the  Father,  and  in  the  purchafe  of  his  Son,  in 
 and  with  whom  the  faints  become  heirs;    it  follows 
 that  thefe  difciples  are  declared  worthy  in  refpeil  of 
 their  meetnefs  for  g'ory  to  come,    which  appeared   in 
 their  faith  and  evangelical  obedience.     Thus  the  apo- 
 ftle  is  to  be  underftood  when   he  tells*  the  afflicted 
 Theflalonians,    2  epiftle  i.  5.    that   their   tribulations 
 were  with  a  view  to  their  being  counted  worthy  of  the 
 kingdom  of  God,  for  which  they'  alfo  fufFered.     And 
 again,  ver.  11.  he  faith,  "We  pray  always  for  you,  that 
 *'  God  would  count  you  worthy  of  this  calling."     But 
 how  ?  by  reckoning  their  fufFerings,  however  great,  the 
 meritorious  caufe  of  their  enjoying  this  kingdom  ?    God 
 forbid  we  Ihould  thus  attempt  to  rob  the  Redeemer  of  his 
 glory,  in  whofe  obedience  unto  death  alone  this  caufe  is 
 to  be  found  !  How  then  ?  The  anfwer  follows :  "  And 
 *'  fulfil  all  the  good  pleafure  of  his  goodnefs,  and  the  work 
 "  of  faith  with  power."     This  counting  them  worthy, 
 therefore,  is  no  other  than  to  finifli  the  good  work  be- 
 gun in  them,    and  thereby  compleat  the  evidence  of 
 their  efFedual  calling,  that  their  real  charadler  as  faints 
 may  be  manifeft.      By  this  divine  operation  and  in- 
 fluence 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    399 
 
 fluence,  the  faithful  perfevere,  and  even,  if  required, 
 will  refift  unto  blood  ;  and  their  fufFcrings  for  righ-  . 
 teoufnefs  fake  fhall  manifeft  that  they  are  of  thofe  to 
 whom  the  promife  is  given.  Now  this  is  the  fenfe  in 
 which  thefe  men  of  Sardis  are  faid  to  be  worthy,  i  e, 
 they  appeared  by  their  purity  in  do6lrine  and  life, 
 amidft  abounding  corruption,  to  be  holy  perfons,  the 
 fubje^ls  oi  like  precious  faith  with  God's  ele£t,  and  con- 
 fequently  Abraham's  feed,  and  heirs  according  to  ^the 
 promife.  Thus  in  the  laft  and  great  day  the  righteous 
 Judge  will  count,  i.  e.  having  compleated  his  work  in 
 his  faints,  he  will  fhew  them  to  be  worthy  ;  their 
 works  of  holinefs  fhall  prove  that  they  are  his  difciples 
 indeed,  to  the  glory  of  his  name,  and  the  fhame  of 
 thofe  who  accufe  them. 
 
 Thus  even  in  Sardis,  when  the  church  in  that  city 
 was  formal  and  lifelefs,  and  her  members  in  general 
 fadly  corrupted,  infomuch  that  her  things  were  dying 
 away,  there  was  a  remnant  of  excellent  perfons,  who, 
 by  the  grace  of  God,  efcaped  the  common  pollution, 
 and  retained  their  integrity;  of  thefe  the  Lord  moil 
 gracioufly  condefcends  to  bear  witnefs  unto  his  fervant, 
 their  paftor,  pronouncing  them  holy,  and  worthy,  or 
 meet  for  the  reward  of  the  inheritance,  and  accord- 
 ingly declares,  that  having  finifhed  their  courfe  and 
 overcome,  they  fhould  walk  with  him  in  white,  or  in 
 robes  of  immortality  and  light.  So  then,  like  Enoch 
 before  he  was  tranflated,  thefe  worthies,  even  in  the 
 prefent  ftate,  obtain  this  witnefs  that  they  pleafed  God, 
 which  is  at  once  a  pledge  and  vindication  of  their  being 
 admitted  to  the  glories  of  his  everlafting  kingdom. 
 
 From 
 
4C0    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 From  this  example,  we  learn  that  apoftacy  proceeds 
 from  conuption.  It  is  ouiiig  to  the  indulgence  of  the 
 fleih  that  men  turn  afuie  from  the  ways  of  the  Lord. 
 If  the  flc  rts  of  thofe  whofe  works  are  not  perfect  are 
 expofed,  ^c  will  be  foui-d  that  they  thtmfelves  are  un- 
 clean and  the  fou^ce  of  their  {lumber  and  hypocrify 
 will  appear.  The  members  of  the  natural  body  are  not 
 deficient  or  uftlefs  but  through  fome  prevailing  difor- 
 der,  although  for  a  fcafon  it  may  not  be  difcerned  :  In 
 like  manner,  however  awhile,  church-members  may 
 cover  their  defects  with  deceitful  pretences,  it  gene- 
 rally turns  out  that  they  are  cold  and  unprofitable 
 throup;h  a  fecret  allowance  of  fm ;  fome  error  or  lull  is 
 harboured,  which,  Hke  a  worm  at  the  root,  eats  out 
 their  ftrength.  Hence  they  are  flothful  and  partial, 
 as  it  is  written,  "  Men  love  not  the  truth,  becaufe 
 *'  they  have  pleafure  in  unrighteoufnefs ;"  "  where- 
 "  fore  he  faith,  Awake  thou  that  fleepeft,  and  arife 
 "  from  the  dead,  and  Chrift  fhall  give  thee  light," 
 Eph.  v.  14.  An  alarm  occafioned  by  the  prefumption 
 of  fome  of  whom  it  is  faid,  "  It  is  a  fhame  even  to 
 "  fpeak  of  thefe  things  which  are  done  of  them  in  fe- 
 *'  cret."  Accordingly  fome  error,  in  principle  or  prac- 
 tice, lies  at  the  bottom  of  an  unfruitful  behaviour  un- 
 der a  profeffion  of  religion,  and  unlefs  the  old  leaven  is 
 purged  out,  the  hypocrite  will  jincreafe  unto  more  un- 
 godlinefs,  till  his  iniquity  is  full^  and  his  end  is  de- 
 ftrudtion. 
 
 At  Sardis,  as  in  every  city,  there  was  but  .one  gof- 
 pel-church,   which,  confidering  the  popularity  of  the 
 
 place. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    401 
 
 place,  and  the  fucccfs  which  had  attended  the  preach- 
 ing or  the:  word,  muft  be  fuppofed  very  large,  and 
 when  fuch  a  community  became  depraved  in  the  de- 
 gree reprefrnted,  the  danger  was  great,  yet  a  few  are 
 preferved.  Thus  in  the  worft  of  times  the  Lord  hath 
 a  people  that  fear  him.  In  the  old  world,  uhen  vio- 
 lence covered  the  earth,  Noah  was  righteous  in  his 
 fight;  alfo  in  Sodom  pious  Lot  dwelt;  and,  what  faith 
 the  Lord  to  \r  lias,  when  he  thought  himfelf  alone  ?  as 
 referred  to  before:  *'  1  have  referved  feven  thou  land' 
 "  that  have  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal."  So  in  the 
 days  of  iVlalachi,  when  facrilege  and  infidelity  abounded 
 in  Ifrael,  we  fhall  find  perfons  who  thought  on  the 
 name  of  the  Lord  ;  and  in  ages  fince,  particularly 
 when  antichnlt  fpread  through  the  nations,  and  the 
 world  wandered  after  the  beaft,  witnelTes  arofe  who  are 
 famed  in  hiftory  for  the  noble  teitimony  they  bore  to 
 the  truth,  through  fulFeiings,  and  even  at  the  expence 
 of  their  blood. 
 
 And  Ihall  the  righteous  be  overlooked  or  forgotten  ? 
 Far  be  it ;  Jefus  remembers  thefe  fev/  names  in  Sardis  ; 
 he  will  ever  be  mindful  of  thofe  who  cleave  to  hitn, 
 when  others  forfake  him.  1  he  Lord  is  a  God  of 
 judgment,  and  feparates  the  precious  from  the  vile.  In 
 an  evil  time  the  faithful  may  lie  in  obfcurity;  they 
 may  he  driven  into  corners,  or  obliged  to  conceal 
 themfelves,  but  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  on  them  who 
 figh  and  cry  for  the  prevailing  abominations,  and  he 
 will  certainly  mark  them  in  love ;  for  a  feafon  they  may 
 be  m  heavinefs,  but  their  forrows  in  the  end  fhall  turn 
 to  their  unfpeakable  advantage ;  in  the  mean  time  their 
 C  c  fingulai- 
 
402    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 fingular  purity  and  zeal  fliines  the  brighter,  by  reafon 
 of  the  darknefs  ot  tranfgrelFors  with  whom  they  are  co- 
 temporary  ;  befides  fuch  are  frequently  taken  from  the 
 evil  to  come,  or  hid  in  the  day  of  God's  anger,  or  it 
 may  be  they  are  wonderfully  preferved  in  the  midft  of 
 bis  judgments  J  but  if  he  has  allotted  them  to  fall  with 
 the  wicked  in  a  general  deftru£l:ion,  which  is  fome- 
 times  the  cafe,  they  are  gathered  to  himielf,  and  his 
 promife  is  fure. 
 
 What  then  is  the  lofs  or  fhame  which  may  at- 
 tend thofe  who  cleave  to  the  Lord,  compared  with 
 their  reward  ?  Holinefs  and  zeal  in  a  degenerate  age, 
 when  a  lifelefs  profeflion  is  current,  will  expofe  a  man 
 to  contempt  and  ill-will  j  the  ungodly  will  turn  upon 
 him,  and  on  every  occafion  reproach  him ;  he  will  be 
 fure  to  meet  with  the  refentment  of  thofe  who  ?re  con- 
 tent with  a  name  J  this,  joined  to  fatan's  temptations, 
 and  the  conflicts  he  has  with  his  own  flefli,  together 
 with  his  concern  for  the  honor  of  religion,  and  in  a 
 word,  what  he  feels  for  thofe  whofe  God  is  their  belly, 
 and  who  are  haftening  to  ruin,  may  at  prefent  diftrefs 
 him,  but  a  joyful  harveft  of  the  tears  which  he  fows  to 
 the  Spirit  is  infured  him,  he  fliall  remember  his  for- 
 rows  as  waters  that  pafs  away,  and  find  that  reckoning, 
 juft,  that  "  the  fufFerings  of  this  prefent  time  are  not 
 "  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  that  fhall  be 
 *«  revealed  in  the  faints." 
 
 But  {hall  everyone  who  is  advanced  to  the  king- 
 dom of  glory,  hereafter  appear  a  meet  fubjedl  ?  fhall  his 
 works  be  found  perfed,  and  prove  his  faith  and  true 
 
 holinefs 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.    403 
 
 holinefs  in  the  day  of  revelation  ?  Then  the  divine  pu- 
 rity and  juftice,  and  every  mora!  p'=rfc6rion  of  Deity, 
 will  be  vindicated  arid  honored,  in  crowning  the  faints 
 wifi  immortality  and  life ;  but,  what  will  become  of 
 the  licentious  profeflbr,  who  prefumes  on  his  religious 
 character,  and  holds  the  truth  in  unrighteoufnefs. 
 Would  God  there  were  none  of  this  appearance  !  But 
 alab,  the  fioots  which  are  feen  on  the  garments  of  fome 
 who  call  themfelves  chri^ians  I  How  are  they  wander- 
 ino-  from  God,  and  making  provifion  for  the  flcfh,  to 
 the-srief  of  thofe  witii  wh  .m  thev  are  in  communion, 
 while  the  enemy  blafphemes  !  Such  rv.-iy  hav'e  a  name 
 that  they  live,,  but  in  the  fight  of  God  and  good  men 
 they  are  dead  ;  they  |live  in  the  pride  and  pleafure  of 
 life,  and  are  dead  while  they  live;  yet  they  hope  to  be 
 faved,  and  it  highly  offends  them  to  queftion  their 
 ftate.  Fatal  delufion  ;  unlefs  thev  repent!  The  Lord 
 convince  fuch  men  of  th?ir  folly  and  deceit,  left, 
 overtaken  as  by  a  thief  in  the  night,  they  fall  fhort  of 
 the  heaven  they  boafl,  and  are  covered  with  fhame  and 
 everlafting  contempt. 
 
 And  now,  chriflian  Reader,  dofl  thou  expe£l  to  join 
 in  the  illuftrious  procefTion,  and  to  walk  in  white  with 
 the  Lord  at  his  cominy  ?  dofl:  thou  lock  for  this  reward 
 and  for  a  place  amons;  the  faints  in  the  ren^ions  of  lio-ht? 
 then  hare  and  (hun  the  appearance  o^  evil;  let  unbe- 
 lievers and  hypocrites,  who  have  no  hope  or  defire  of 
 this  bleffed  inheritai.ee,  live  as  the\  li^;  their  diforders 
 and  licentioufnefs  fuit  their  character  and  end  ;  but 
 thou  art  a  candidate  for  glory  and  honor ;  the  leaft 
 ftain  of  fm  is  a  difgrace  to  thy  profefHon.  In  the  pro- 
 C  c  2  fpedi 
 
404    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 fpe£l  of  triumph  with  Chrift,  at  his  appearance  and 
 kingdom,  the  believer  is  proof  againft  every  temptation 
 to  iukewarmnefs  and  apoll^acy  j  it  will  infpire  his  foul 
 with  refoluiion  and  courage  in  a  feafon  of  trial,  and 
 efpecially  when  he  at-tends  to  the  animating  affurance 
 which  follows :  "  He  that  overcometh,  the  fame  fhall 
 "  be  clothed  in  white  raiment ;  and  I  will  not  blot  out 
 **  his  name  out  of  the  book  of  life,  but  1  will  confefs 
 "  his  name  before  my  Father,  and  before  his  angels  j" 
 but  this  will  be  the  fubjedl  of  another  le£lure. 
 
 LECTURE    XXV. 
 
 The  honors  decreed  the  believer  in  the  day  of  Chrift ; 
 being  a  defcription  of  his  white  raiment,  the  book 
 of  life,  and  likewife  what  is  implied  in  not  having 
 his  name  blotted  out  of  that  book. 
 
 THE  plan  on  which  all  the  epiftles  to  the  churches 
 in  Afia  are  formed,  among  other  articles,  con- 
 tains a  promife  to  him  that  overcometh  j  and  in  the  lec- 
 ture immediately  preceeding,  we  have  feen  that  a  glo- 
 rious reward  is  laid  up  for  the  righteous,  an  affurance 
 of  which  is  repeated  with  enlargement  in  the  following 
 proclamation,  the  fubjedl  of  our  prefent  difcourfe : 
 "  He  that  overcometh  the  fame  fhall  be  clothed  in 
 "  white  raiment;  and  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out 
 "  of  the  book  of  life ;  but  I  will  confefs  his  name  be- 
 •'*  fore  my  Father  and  before  his  angels."  A  declara- 
 tion 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    405 
 
 tion  from  the  throne  in  the  heavens,  not  only  to  ani- 
 mate the  few  whofe  garments  were  clean,  but  likewife 
 for  the  encouragement  of  every  convinced  backflider  to 
 repent,  in  confidence  of  pardon  and  life  :  So  wonderful 
 is  the  patience  and  mercy  of  God.  And  the  man  who 
 can  be  impenitent  under  this  blefTed  report,  is  manifeftly 
 perverfe,  and  will  in  the  end  ftand  felf-condemned,  and 
 juftly  perilh  with  the  workers  of  iniquity. 
 
 The  promife  is  exceeding  punctual  with  refpcft  to 
 its  objedl.  He^  the  fame,  that  very  identical  perfon, 
 under  whatever  age,  charailer,  or  circumftances  ■  he 
 may  fight  the  good  fight,  (hall  be  clothed  v/ith  honor 
 and  glory.  Hence  note  by  the  way,  that  the  eye  of  the 
 Lord  is  on  each  nominal  chriftian,  and  that  he  will  not 
 mifapply  the  rewards  of  his  grace. 
 
 Faith  is  a  warfare,  and  every  believer  comes  under 
 the  notion  of  a  foldier:  he  may  not  be  an  officer,  who 
 is  flationed  in  the  front,  and  thereby  more  particularly^- 
 expofed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy ;  but  I  fay  every  chri- 
 ftian is  a  foldier,  under  the  Captain  of  falvation.  This 
 is  the  general  characSler  of  the  faithful :  they  are  all 
 fwordfmen,  and  fliould  be  expert  in  this  war,  that  fub- 
 duing  their  enemies  they  may  triumph  at  laft.  Thus 
 we  have  the  fituation,  bufinefs  and  end  of  the  be- 
 liever in  this  militant  ftate,  he  is  one  that  overcometh. 
 To  overcome,  fuppofes  powerful  and  dangerous  oppo- 
 fition ;  it  carries  in  it  an  adlual  and  toilfome  confli6l, 
 confifts  with  many  fears,  and  even  temporary  foils ;  it 
 requires  a  refolute  perfeverance,  and  is  perfected  in  final 
 viilory.  Our  text,  therefore,  is  as  a  trumpet  blown  in 
 C  c  3  the 
 
4o6    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 the  midft  of  an  engagement,  whi'e  the  em  my  is  pufti- 
 Jng,  and  threatens,  that  the  believer  may  be  infpired 
 with  courage,   and  conquer. 
 
 The  powers  againft  •'horn  rhe  chrifliian  is  engaged, 
 are  known  to  be  tie  world,  the  fleth  and  the  devil ;  but, 
 alas,  in  appearance  this  knowledge  is  often  meer  fpe- 
 culation.  Can  a  juft  idea  of  thefe  fubt'e  and  vigilant 
 forces,  admit  of  the  wanton  and  carelefs  manner  which 
 prevails  in  the  conduct  of  many  ?  Surely,  if  we  really 
 apprehended  danger  from  fo  many  quarters  we  fliould 
 be  more  on  our  guard.  Thefe  enemies  are  uncertain 
 and  various  in  their  manner,  but  there  is  no  place, 
 charaiSler,  or  circumflances,  in  civil  or  ri-ligious  life, 
 fecure  from  their  attempt  to  injure  and  deftroy.  Noiv 
 the  trial  is  more  fenfible  from  one  of  thefe  parties,  and 
 then  from  another,  and  frequently  they  are  both  to  be 
 difcerned  in  the  attack;  however  their  intereft  is  unit- 
 ed, they  are  fiibfervient  to  each  ether,  and  their  view 
 is  the  fame  j  to  conquer  and  ruin.  In  moft  temptations 
 fatan  is  the  principal,  the  ficfh  gives  occafjcn,  and  the 
 world  affords  the  materials.  In  a  v.'ord,  there  is  an 
 endlefs  change  in  the  meafurcs  taken  by  ihefe.  rcftlefs 
 adverfaries,  as  permitted,  according  to  the  dirFerent 
 fituation  of  the  believer,  or  {late  of  the  vifible  church 
 in  h'';  f^ay.  Someiimes  faran  ranges  as  a  roaring  lion,  he 
 com'is  ciovvn,  as  in  the  daysofperfccution,  i  Pet.  v.  8. 
 At  another  time,  like  a  ferpent,  as  when  he  enticed  mo- 
 ther Eve,  he  corrupts  in  a  more  imperceptible,  but  not 
 ]efs  effectual  manner:  Then  his  artillery  are  not  depri- 
 vation of  goods,  exile,  file  and  fword,  but  by  herifies, 
 delufions,  and  fnares  of  this  world,  of  which  he  is  the 
 
 god  I 
 
TO  THE  CHURiCH  AT  SARDIS.      407 
 
 god ;  he  infinuates  and  deceives  men  into  lukewarm- 
 nefs  and  di-forder,  till  the  example  of  formal  profeflbrs 
 are  more  than  fufficient  to  anfwer  his  end.  And  thus 
 it  often  comes  to  pafs,  as  at  Sardis,  that  a  people  have 
 a  name  that  they  live,  when,  alas,  in  truth  they  are 
 dead,  and  are  in  danger  of  being  overtake;n  in  judg- 
 ment by  an  offended  God,  who  is  jealous  of  his  glory, 
 and  whofe  anger  is  more  to  be  dreaded,  than  all  the 
 malice  and  power  of  men  or  devils,  v/ho  would  turn 
 us  afide  from  his  ways.  Whether  there  are  any  fymp- 
 toms  of  the  like  condition  on  the  Proteftant  churches, 
 at  home  or  abroad,  in  the  prefent  day,  the  Reader  will 
 judge:  But  when  this  is  the  cafe,  the  upright  are  un- 
 der peculiar  temptations,  from  the  number  of  apoftates, 
 fome  of  whom  may  have  been  famous  for  their  feeming 
 knowledge  and  zeal  for  religion  :  They  are  likewife  in 
 danger  from  the  fpecious  fhew  of  time-ferving  men, 
 who  often  make  a  found  of  liberty,  charity,  goodnefs 
 and  virtue,  but  at  the  fame  time  they  are  full  of  all 
 fubtlety  and  mifchief,  to  captivate  men  from  the  faith, 
 experience  and  order  of  the  gofpel.  Moreover,  the  ill 
 treatment  which  the  faithful  fometimes  meet  with  for 
 their  ftedfaftnefs,  by  thofe  who  fall  in  with  the  corrup- 
 tion of  the  times,  the  burthen  laid  on  them,  through 
 the  deficiency  of  others,  with  whom  they  are  con- 
 nedled  in  fociety,  their  fears  of  being  overcome,  and 
 it  may  be  of  a  total  diffolutioh  of  the  church  in  [thes 
 place  where  they  dwell ;  thefe,  and  other  things  that 
 time  would  fail  to  mention,  are  a  fore  trial  to  them 
 who  love  God,  in  a  day  of  general  declenfion.  "  Blefs- 
 "  ed  is  he  that  endureth  to  the  end  :  He  that  "over- 
 "  Cometh,  the  iame  Ihall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment  j 
 C  c  4.  *'  and 
 
4o8    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 ''  and  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out  of  the  book  of 
 "  life,  but  I  will  confefshis  name  before  my  Father  and 
 *'  before  his  angels."  A  glorious  pr^mife,  which  Je- 
 fus  him felf  {lands  engaged  to  fulfil!  It  is  laid  out;  in, 
 three  diftinii:  branches;  they  correfpond  with  each 
 other,  and  together  yield  a  mod:  animatino'  profpecl, 
 of  the  honor  of  the  faints,  at  the  coming  of  the  Lord, 
 The  two  firfl:  are  highly  figurative,  and  are  explained 
 by  the  laft,  which  runs  in  plain  language, 
 
 T.  It  is  declared,  that  the  victorious  faint  "  {hall 
 *'  be  clothed  in  white  raiment."  The  fame  metaphor 
 occurred  in  the  foregoing  ledure,  in  which  it  was  noted, 
 that  white  is  an  emblem  of  purity,  glory,  conqueft 
 and  joy.  Thus,  Rev.  xv.  6.  "  the  angels  came  out  of 
 "  the  temple  with  the  vials  of  wrath,  clothed  in  pure 
 *'  and  white  linen,"  in  token  of  their  holinefs  and 
 fplen  Jor.  For  the  fame  reafon,  chap,  iv.  4,  "  the 
 **  four  and  twenty  elders  fit  round  about  the  thrqne 
 *'  clothed  in  white  raiment,  with  crowns  of  gold  on 
 "  their  heads."  And  further,  as  hinted,  it  was  the  an- 
 cient cudom  to  make  triumphal  proceffion  in  white: 
 To  v/hich  agrees.  Rev.  vi.  2.  TheCap^ain  of  falvation, 
 the  Lord  of  hofts,  is  beheld  "an  a  v^hite  horfe,  with 
 *'  a  bow  in  his  hand,  when  a  crown  was  given  him, 
 *'  on  which  he  went  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer." 
 And  in  chap.  xix.  14.  the  armies  that  followed  him 
 are  alfo  in  veiled  in  w'lite.  Once  more,  to  the  fame 
 purpofe  alfo  is  chap,  vii  11.  "John  beheld,  and  lo,  a 
 "  multitude  flood  before  the  throne  and  bcfpre  the 
 ^'  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robcf,  and  palms  in  their 
 '?  h,^ndsi"  vyhich  is  another  eftablilhed  token  of  vic- 
 tory. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  409 
 tory.  Some  indeed  confine  this  to  the  martyrs,  who, 
 on  account  of  their  fufFerings  for  Chrift,  may  be  faid 
 to  "have  wafhed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in 
 "  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,"  and  ftile  it  the  enfign  of 
 martyrs ;  but,  with  fubmiflion,  however  the  phrafe 
 may  be  pecuHarly  adapted  to  thofe  who  fealed  the  tefti- 
 monyofjefus  with  their  blood,  it  is  not  confined  to 
 them ;  there  is  indeed  a  noble  army  of  witnefles  to 
 the  truth,  who  fhine  in  the  kingdom  of  glory,  and 
 whofe  crowns  maybe  of  fingular  luftre,  but  the  vifion 
 feems  rather  to  comprehend  all  the  redeemed  who  have 
 attained  the  heavenly  ftate.  However,  there  is  another 
 way  of  being  wafhed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  befides 
 that  of  martyrdom,  and  without  which  even  the  mar- 
 tyrs themfelves  could  not  ftand  before  God  in  his 
 temple  above  J  and  it  is  certain,  that  the  promife  un- 
 der confideration  hath  refpe<St  to  the  faithful,  whofe 
 fufFerings  aiid  trials  arofe  from  a  different  quarter  than 
 that  of  pcifecution. 
 
 If  one  ftate  is  Intended  by  the  whole  of  the  promife, 
 which  will  fcarce  be  denied,  it  cannot  terminate  in  any 
 future  period  of  the  chuich  on  earth,  as  fome  are  of 
 opinion ;  the  finifhing  claufe  manifeftly  refers  to  the 
 day  of  revelation,  when  the  faints  fliall  appear  with 
 their  illuftrious  Head  m  a  glorious  manner,  i.  As  in- 
 verted with  the  robe  of  righteoufnefs  brought  in  by  the 
 Mefliah,  when  he  made  reconciliation  for  iniquity  by 
 his  obedience  to  the  death  of  the  crofs.  This  is  fitly 
 compared  to  white  raiment.  Rev.  iii.  18.  for  its  infi- 
 nite purity  and  ineffable  glory,  being  the  righteoufnefs 
 pf  a  divine  perfon,  though  wrought  in  and  by  the  hu- 
 man 
 
410    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 man  nature,  which  he  affumed,  in  order  to  redeem  us. 
 This  fpotlefs  robe  is  now  upon  every  one  thar  believ- 
 eth,  Rom.  iii.  22.  in  which  he  (lands  juftified,  and' 
 perfedly  comely  in  the  fight  of  God,  like  Joftiua  the 
 pritft,  Zech.  iii.  4.  his  iniquity  is  pafledaway,  and  he 
 is  clothed  with  change  of  raiment,  no  charge  can  lie 
 agalnft  him,  Rom.  viii.  i.  Thus  the  church  is  de~ 
 fcriled;  "  Her  cloathing  is  of  wrought  gold,  mafTy  and 
 *'  bright,"  Pfalmxlv\  13.  And  fometimes  the  chiiftian 
 can  rejoice  in  his  God,  beholding  himfclf  herein  decked 
 as  a  prieft,  and  adorned  as  a  bride  with  her  jewels ;  yet 
 this  is  not  always  the  cafe,  a  believer  may  be  in  the 
 dark,  and  doubt  his  ov/n  (late,  but  when  Jefus  is  re- 
 vealed from  heaven,  his  faints  (hall  be  arrayed  in  this 
 garment  of  falvation,  and  fhall  find  themfelves  hono- 
 rably acquitted  in  the  preTnce  of  all.  But,  2.  Ano- 
 ther branch  of  his  glory  will  be  the  beauty  of  holinefs  : 
 *'  The  King's  daughter  is  likewife  all  glorious  within." 
 A  perfeclion  in  holinefs  is  laid  up  in  the  hope  of  the 
 gofpel ;  it  is  the  earnefl:  defire  and  expecl"ation  of  every 
 true  chriftian,  and  towards  which  fome  make  greater 
 advances  in  the  prefent  ftate  than  others ;  at  beit  he  is 
 deficient,  but  in  the  future  worid  his  fpirit  is  made  per- 
 fe£l ;  and  when  he  comes  with  his  Saviour  from  heav- 
 en, his  wiiole  fpirit,  foul  and  body  will  be  wholly 
 fan(5lified,  he  fhall  appear  blamelefs  and  without  fault : 
 fo  that  his  righteoufnefs  in  this  fenfe  will  break  forth  as 
 the  light,  the  fplendor  of  which  will  cover  bis  mali- 
 cious accufers  with  fliame  at  the  refurredlion.  For, 
 3.  The  chriftian  will  be  clothed  with  white  in  re- 
 fpe6l  of  his  glorified  body.  We  have  feen  the  raiment 
 of  Jefus  on  the  mount  was  white  as  light  j  a  figure  and 
 
 earneft 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    411 
 
 carneft  of  his  future  glory,  when  rifen  from  the  dead ; 
 and  to  this  we  kno.v  bis  faints  will  be  conformed, 
 Rom.  viii.  29.  Phil.  iii.  21.  ''for  we  fliall  fee  him  as 
 *'  he  is,"  I  John  iii.  2.  Of  this  blefied  hope,  the  refur- 
 reftion  of  Jefus  is  an  infallible  pledge,  1  Cor.  xv.  Now 
 the  chriftian  may  be  faid  to  be  clothed  with  vile  raiment 
 in  refpedl  of  his  finful  and  mortal  body,  but  when  it  is 
 fafliioned  like  that  in  which  his  Saviour  fits-  at  the 
 right  hand  oFGod,  it  will  be  an  eflential  part  of  his  glory. 
 Finally,  The  luftreof  each  believer  will,  I  apprehend, 
 greatly  arife  from  his  vifible  union  in  the  church, 
 unto  Jefus  the  head,  and  to  every  member  of  his  glori- 
 ous and  myftical  b '.dy,  v/ho  wil-  then  appear  in  their 
 brighteft  apparel  before  the  Father  and  his  angels  ;  then 
 wiU  the  faint  that  overcometh,  fit  down  v/ith  his  Lord  in 
 his  throne,  in  exceeding  white  raiment,  with  all  the  en- 
 figns  of  victory  and  triumph,  and  with  him  enter  the 
 kingdom,  where  the  wife  fhall  Hiine  as  the  fun  in  the 
 firmament,  and  as  the  flars,  for  ever  and  ever.  Thefe 
 are  the  fliining  garments  which  the  fons  of  Zion  ftiall 
 put  on  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  ;  they  {hall  be  invefted 
 with  the  righteoufnefs  of  their  Redeemer,  as  with  gold; 
 the  fine  linen  of  perfect  and  fpotlefs  purity  fhall  adorn 
 them,  their  bodies  (hall  then  be  fpiritual  and  glorious ; 
 and  further,  they  fhall  be  clothed  in  robes  of  everlafting 
 light,  as  members  of  Chrift  and  one  another,  who  have 
 gained  a  total  and  final  vitSory  over  all  their  enemies, 
 and  are  crowned  with  honor  in  the  eternal  kingdom  of 
 the  Father.  In  one  word,  then  (hall  come  to  pafs  that 
 faying,  "  He  will  beautify  the  meek  with  falva- 
 f«  tion." 
 
 We 
 
124    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 We  now  come  to  the  fecond  branch  of  the  promife  ; 
 **  And  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out  of  the  book  of 
 '*  life.'*  As  hinted  already,  thefe  are  figurative  terms, 
 and  they  plainly  allude  in  general  to  a  well-known  in- 
 ftrurnent,  in  which  things  are  noted  down  to  be 
 brought  to  remembrance  as  occafion  requires,  and  par- 
 ticularly to  the  ufe  of  books  in  a  court  of  judicature, 
 where  caufes  are  tried  and  determined.  Our  concern  in 
 attending  unto  them,  is  to  avoid  every  idea  unworthy  of 
 God,  or  of  divine  revelation  :  With  this  caution  I  at- 
 tempt to  faew  from  the  fcripture,  our  only  fure  guide, 
 what  may  be  underftooi  by  the  book  of  life,  and  the  im- 
 port of  this  promife,  namely,  that  Chrift  will  not  blot 
 out  the  believer's  name  out  of  his  book. 
 
 Daniel,  chap.  vii.  relates  his  vifion  of  the  Father, 
 who  is  ftiled  "  The  Ancient  of  days;"  by  whom  he 
 faw  all  judgment  committed  to  the  Son  of  man,  who 
 alfo  appeared  with  the  clouds  of  heaven.  A  grand  and 
 awful  vifion,  which  enters  deeply  into  the  myftery  of 
 God  !  1  he  prophet  declares,  that  *'  the  judgment  was 
 *'  fer,  and  the  books  were  opened."  The  like  fcene  is 
 prefented  to  John  in  the  ifle  of  Patmos,  Rev.  xx.  12.  "I 
 "  law  the  dead,  fr.all  and  great,  (land  before  God,  and 
 *'  the  bouks  were  opened  ;"  not  that  we  are  to  fuppofe 
 that,  properly  fpcaking,  books  will  be  wanted,  or  ufed 
 at  the  tribunal  of  Chrift;  he  is  net  like  earthly  judges, 
 unto  whom,  as  obferved,  the  allufion  [is  made,  who, 
 with  all  their  fuperior  ability,  ftand  in  need  of  fuch 
 means  to  affift  and  direct  them  :  the  infinite  underftand- 
 ing,  and  other  perfe6lions  of  the  divine  Jefus,  who  is 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    413 
 
 judge,  forbid  this  low  conception;  before  him  all  things 
 are  prefent  and  naked  from  the  end  to  the  beginn  n;^ ; 
 no  witnefTes,  no  records  are  needful,  no ;  he  hjth  abi- 
 lity in  himlelf  to  execute  his  impoitant  commiffion, 
 and  not  a  man  fiiall  have  caufe  to  complain  of  his 
 judgment,  or  be  able  to  appeal  from  his  bar.  Yet  this 
 is  the  repeated  language  of  fcripture,  the  books  fhall 
 be  opened,  and  fomething  no  doubt  is  referred  to  by 
 this  term,  which  demands  our  attention  ;  we  may 
 therefore  foberly  enquire.  What  are  thefe  books  ?  I  an- 
 fwer,  in  general,  every  objed  fenfible  or  fpirituaJ, 
 which  the  Holy  Ghoft  has  thought  fit,  dire<flly  or  indi- 
 redlly,  to  prefent  to  our  view  under  the  notion  of  a 
 book,  may  be  juftly  numbered  among  thofe  that  fhall 
 be  opened  in  the  day  of  judgment ;  it  will  therefore  be 
 pertinent  to  mention  thefe  books,  at  leaft  the  principal 
 ones,  in  our  way  to  that  exprefled  in  this  promifeu 
 And,  I.  In  Pfalm  xix.  univerfal  nature  is  compared  to 
 a  book,  which  declares  and  fpeaks  as  it  were,  in  words 
 or  lines,  the  exiftence,  infinite  wifdom,  and  other  per- 
 feiStions  of  its  glorious  Author.  7  his  ^xtenfive  volame 
 contains  the  vifible  heavens  and  earth,  with  all  its 
 amazing  furniture  and  innumerable  inhabitants;  it  lies 
 open  for  the  inftrudtion  of  man,  and  to  put  him  in  re- 
 membrance, that,  beholding  the  eternal  power  and  god- 
 head therein  expreffed,  he  might  adore  and  ferve  his 
 bounteous  Creator  and  Lord  ;  by  this  the  heathen 
 ftand  condemned  for  their  idolatry  and  immoral  be- 
 haviour, Rom.  ii.  I.  And  again,  Confcience  is  ano- 
 ther thing  reprefented  as  retaining  to  the  view  of  man 
 things  pait  or  prefent;  it  generally  fpeaks  now  to  every 
 mani  but  if,  through  the  indulgence  of  fin,  the  tranf- 
 
 greflbr 
 
414    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE   ' 
 
 grtffor  is  feared,  or  finally  impenitent,  and  this  book 
 is  fjuit,  it  will  open  at  the  tribunal  of  God  to  his 
 coniulion  and  condemnation  for  ever.  There  is  like- 
 wife  the  book  of  fcripiure  j  that  folemn  guard  on  the 
 facred  writing,  Rev.  xxii.  i8.  ftiled  the  words  of  the 
 prophecy  of  this  book,  is  not  to  be  confined  to  that 
 which  is  commonly  called.  The  book  of  the  revelation 
 of  St.  John  the  divine,  but  is  to  be  extended  to  the 
 oracles  of  God,  without  any  exception.  This  code 
 coiitains  the  books  of  Mofes,  the  pfalms,  and  the  pro- 
 phets, and  likewife  the  evangelifts,  the  Adls,  and  every 
 epiftle  of  the  New-Teftament,  out  of  which  thofe  {hall 
 be  judged  who  enjoy  the  benefit  of  divine  revelation. 
 Aud  further,  we  read  of  the  book  of  the  law,  1  mean 
 the  covenant  of  works,  which  whether  confidered  as 
 written  in  the  heart,  or  exhibited  under  the  difpenfation 
 of  Mofes,  demands  particular  notice ;  in  this  dreadful 
 book  every  tranfgrtfibr  is  written  accurfed.  Gal.  iii.  lO. 
 It  is  a  miniftration  of  condemnation  and  death  to  every 
 man  who  is  under  the  law,  and  no  doubt  this  will  alfo 
 be  opened  when  the  judgment  is  fet,  when  all  that  are 
 in  it  (liall  perifti  with  a  miferable  deftruclion  :  But, 
 here  is  another  book  ftill,  which  is  pointed  to  in  the 
 promife  before  us,  namely,  the  book  of  life  ;  this  book 
 or  roll,  we  are  exprcfiy  told,  will  be  unfolded,  and 
 that  it  will  appear  diflincSl  from,  and  after  all  the  reft. 
 Rev.  XX.  12.  "  And  another  book  was  opened,  which 
 *'  is  the  book  of  life,  and  the  dead  were  judged  out  of 
 *'  thofe  things  which  were  written  in  the  book,  &c." 
 Paul  fpeaks  of  this  book,  Phil.  iv.  3.  and  mentions 
 fome  perfons  whofe' names  he  was  pcrfuaded  were  in  it. 
 We  alfo  read,  Rev.  xiii.  8.  of  them  that  worfhipped  the 
 
 beaft. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  S  ARDIS.    415 
 
 beaft,  that  their  names  are  not  written  in  the  book  of 
 life,  and  the  fame  is  referred  to  in  feveral  other  places; 
 Now,  what  is  intended  in  divine  revelation  by  this  im- 
 portant and  interefting  book  ?  There  is  a  record  in 
 heaven  concerning  the  fpirit  and  conduit  of  the  faith- 
 ,ful,  which  is  fl-iied  in  Mai.  iii.  17.  a  *'  book  of  remem- 
 "  brance,"  and  faid  to  be  ^vritten  before  the  Lord  for 
 them  that  feared  him ;  of  which  in  a  fublequent  lec- 
 ture. God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  the  love  of  his 
 faints,  but  will  remember  their  works  in  the  day  of  ac- 
 count ;  but  I  apprehend  this  book  of  lite  is  no  other 
 than  the  roll  of  eleding  love,  or,  in  other  words,  the 
 decrees  of  God  concerning  his  chofen  and  redeemed 
 among  men ;  in  proof  of  this  I  Ihall  fhew  that  the  de- 
 crees of  the  Almighty  in  general,  and  confequently 
 thofe  which  relate  to  the  counfels  of  his  mercy  in  par- 
 ticular, are  mentioned  under  the  idea  of  a  book,  and 
 then  point  out  fome  circumftances  revealed  concernino- 
 the  book  of  life,  which  is  the  fubje£t  in  hand. 
 
 Nothing  can  be  more  clear  than  that  the  fecret 
 purpofe  or  decree  of  God,  in  reference  to  nature  and 
 providence,  are  reprefented  under  the  notion  of  being 
 written  in  a  book.  In  reference  to  our  natural  frame, 
 fays  David,  Pfalm  cxxxix,  16.  *'  Thme  eyes  did  fee 
 "  my  fubftance  yet  being  imperfect,  and  in  thy  book 
 "  all  my  members  were  written,"  i.  e.  determined  or 
 decreed,  before  thou  gaveft  them  adual  exiftence.  The 
 fame  may  be  obferved  in  refpecf  of  providence.  Re- 
 markable to  this  purpofe  is  the  paffage  in  Daniel,  chap. 
 X.  21.  to  which  I  crave  the  Render's  attention.     The 
 
 angel 
 
4i6  LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 angel  fays  to  the  prophet,  "  I  will  fhew  thee  that 
 "  which  is  noted  in  the  fcripture  of  truth."  This 
 agrees  with  the  property  of  a  book  in  which  things  are 
 noted.  Now  the  fcripture  of  truth  in  Daniel  cannot  be 
 underftood  of  the  written  word  in  his  time,  for  the 
 prophet  was  well  acquainted  with  all  divine  revelation 
 then  extant ;  and  it  is  manifeft  that  the  angel  refers  to 
 an  event  yet  to  come,  and  which  hitherto  lay  concealed 
 in  the  bofom  of  the  Father ;  here  is  therefore  an  un- 
 doubted inftance  of  the  fecret  purpofe  of  God  being  re- 
 prefented  as  it  were  noted  before  him  in  a  book  j  and 
 doth  not  this  prove  the  doctrine  of  predeftination, 
 which  feme  men  blalpheme  ?  Indeed  the  election  of 
 God  lies  at  the  foundation  of  all  the  grace  communi- 
 cated to  any  of  fallen  Adam's  race  from  the  beginning, 
 in  time,  and  in  the  glories  of  eternity ;  and  if  the  de- 
 crees of  God  may  be  confidered  as  a  book  which  con- 
 tains all  his  purpofe  and  counfel  in  reference  to  creation 
 and  providence,  there  is  no  reafon  againft  conceiving  in 
 like  manner  of  the  things  which  concern  the  ftili  more 
 wonderful  work  of  redemption.  In  [this  book  of  life 
 are  written  all  things  relating  to  the  falvation  of  the 
 cleft,  and  particularly  the  certain  objefls  of  that  fore- 
 knowledge, or  love,  which  was  difplayed  in  their  ap- 
 pointment to  glory  by  Jefus  Chrift  j  nor  is  it  ftrange 
 that  he  who  recorded  the  various  parts  of  the  human 
 body  before  it  was  formed  ihould  note,  as  in  a  book  be- 
 fore him,  all  the  members  of  that  myflical  body,  the 
 church,  who  fliall  enjoy  him  for  ever  ;  they  are  "  vef- 
 *'  fels  of  mercy  which  he  had  afore  prepared  unto  glo- 
 "  ry,"  Rom.  ix.  23.     Their  names  are  in  this  book 
 
 of 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    417 
 
 of  decree,  yea,  doubtlefs  ftridly  and  literally,  as  hint- 
 ed before  *,  the  very  names  by  which  they  are 
 knoWli  in  this  life  are  included,  for  in  fome  in- 
 ftances,  as  in  Jofiah  and  Cyrus,  proper  names  of  per- 
 fons  were  exprefly  revealed,  even  centuries  before  they 
 "were  born ;  but  this  is  nnt  peculiar  to  the  chofcn,  nor 
 infifled  on  here  ;  the  phrafe  is  metaphorical,  and  it  is 
 enough  that  the  heirs  of  falvat  on  are  marked  in  this 
 booic,  and  that,  being  found  written  therein  in  the  day 
 of  judgment,  they  will  then  take  poffeflion  of  the  king- 
 dom prepared  for  thofe  whom  the  Father  hath  blefl- 
 ed,  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 
 
 Nor  is  fcr'pture  filent  or  even  fparing  concerning 
 this  wonderful  and  interefting  volume.  We  read  in 
 Luke  X.  20.  that  the  names  of  the  faints  are  written  in 
 heaven;  and  again,  Heb.  xii.  23.  that  the  church  of 
 the  firft-born,  i.  e.  the  names  or  perfons  that  make  up 
 that  general  aflembly,  are  written  or  enrolled  in  heav- 
 -en  J,  which  is  thought  to  allude  to  the  enrollment  of 
 the  firft-born  of  literal  Ifrael,  Numb.  iii.  40.  However 
 it  is  well  known  that  the  ancients  wrote  on  rolls  of 
 parchment;  now  this  roll  or  book  muft  needs  be  ori- 
 ginally in  heaven,  fmce  it  exifted  from  eternity,  which 
 is  the  next  thing  recorded;  Rev.xvii.  8.  the  book  of 
 life  is  faid  to  be  "  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 
 Moreover  in  chap.  xxi.  17.  it  is  ftiled  "  the  Lamb's 
 *'  book  of  life."  And  in  chap.  xiii.  8,  thefe  criterions 
 are  united ;  where  we  read  of  fome  whofe  names  are 
 not  written  in  "  the  book  of  life,  of  the  Lamb  flain 
 **  from  the  foundation  of  the  world."  A  paliage  which 
 
 D  d  throvvs 
 
 *  Page  389.  ;J  Dr.  Owen  on  the  plr.cc. 
 
4i8    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 throws  a  light  on  this  divine  code,  and  agrees  with  the 
 current. of  prophecy,  the  general  fubjedl  of  this  book  is 
 no  other  than  the  redemption  of  the  eledl  by  the 
 blood  of  God's  Son,  whofe  name  is  at  the  head  of  the 
 chofen,  as  the  firft-born  among  many  brethren,  pre- 
 deftinated  to  the  adoption  of  children  by  him,  and  co- 
 heirs with  him  in  the  heavenly  inheritance,  to  be  en- 
 joyed on  the  completion  of  his  furetifhip-engagements, 
 one  eflential  branch  of  which  was  the  expiation  of  fm. 
 Hence,  when  the  Redeemer  appeared  to  put  away  fm 
 by  the  facrifice  of  himfelf,  he  faith,  "  Lo  I  come  (in  the 
 "  Volume  of  the  Book,  it  is  written  of  me)  to  do 
 "  thy  will,  O  God."  In  the  volume  y.s^aXiJ*,  i.  e.  in 
 the  head  of  the  book,  or  roll,  it  is  written  of  me ;  they 
 who  would  confine  it  to  the  written  word,  or  to  the 
 writings  of  Mofes,  which  is  emphatically  ftiled  the  book, 
 by  the  Jews,  apply  this  to  the  firft  promife,  Gen.  iii.  15. 
 But,  I  think  this  addrefs  of  the  Son  to  the  Father  is 
 julily  confidered  as  ultimately  referring  to  the  cove- 
 nant of  redemption,  in  which  divine  compact  he  fo- 
 lemnly  engaged  to  die  for  the  fms  of  the  people; 
 certain  it  is  that  the  fufFerings  and  death  of  Chrift 
 were  particularly  noted  in  this  eternal  volume  of 
 decrees,  for  we  have  feen  that  he  was  "  delivered 
 "  according  to  the  determinate  counfel  and  foreknow- 
 ''  ledge  of  God."  From  this  ancient  record,  trea- 
 fured  up  in  the  archives  of  heaven,  previous  to  the 
 commencement  of  time,  the  book  of  revelation  is 
 drawn,  even  the  whole  gofpel,  which  is  a  record  of 
 eternal  life,  promifed  in  Chrift  before  the  world  began. 
 So  then  this  idea  of  the  decrees  of  the  Almighty  is  af- 
 forded in  fcripture,  they  are  noted  as  in  a  book  before 
 (  him. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    419 
 
 him,  and  the  book  of  life  in  particular  appears  to  be 
 the  fame  with  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  which  is  fre- 
 quently'mentioned,  and  which  contains  the  names  of 
 the  el'£l:,  and  the  methods  of  infinite  wifdom  in  bring- 
 ing them  to  glory  by  the.fufferings  of  Jefus,  the  only 
 begotten  of  ihe  Father.  And  furely,  my  Reader,  if  the 
 divine  deciees  in  general  are  in  fcripture  compared  to  a 
 book,  as  you  have  feen,  thofe  which  concern  the  falva- 
 tibn  of  the  church  in  Chrift  may  well  be  ftiled  fo, 
 tvith  this  fingular  and  illuftrious  epithet,  the  book  of 
 life. 
 
 Now  the  Lord  declares  concerning  him  that  over- 
 cometh,  faymg,  *'  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out  of 
 *'  the  book  of  life."  It  appears,  in  Rev.  xx.  15.  that, 
 in  the  judgment  to  come,  whoever  ;s  not  found  written 
 in  the  book  of  life,  will  be  caft  into  the  lake  of  fire; 
 this  part  of  the  promife  therefore  proves  that  an  inte- 
 reft  therein  is  of  the  utmoft  importance.  I  am  fenfible 
 that  fome  fay,  that  to  have  a  name  written  in  heaven, 
 is  only  to  have  a  prefent  right  to  the  inheritance  by 
 virtue  of  our  faith,  v/h.ch,  they  fuppofe,  may  be  loft. 
 This  groundlefs  and  uncomfortable  notion  is  induced 
 from  a  prejudice  againft  the  doctrine  of  ele£tion,  and 
 that  of  the  final  perfevcrance  of  the  faints,  but  fuch  do 
 well  to  confider  the  following  particulars  ;  i.  That 
 nothing  can  be  more  evident  than  it  is  from  the  fcrip- 
 ture, that  God  hath  a  people  chofen  unto  falvation  in 
 Chrift  Jefus  his  Son,  and  that  by  this  line  of  ele^lion  all 
 fpiritualbleflings  are  directed,  and  defcend  on  any  of  the 
 children  of  men,  Eph.  i.  4.  2  Theft",  i.  13.    2.  A  title  to 
 
 D  d  2  the 
 
420    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE     ' 
 
 the  inheritance  of  the  faints,  though  it  be  received  by 
 faith,  is  not  grounded  in  faith,  but  origina'ly  in  the 
 donation  of  the  Father;   and  the  believer's  right  to  the 
 poffefiion  ard  enjoyment,  is  derived  from  the  merit  of 
 the  Son,  through  whofe  blood  it  defcends  to  them  who 
 (hall  be  heirs  of  falvation,  in  a  way  of  righteoufnefs  ; 
 this  is  the  truth  and  the  glory  of  the  gofpel ;  the  inhe- 
 ritance is  by  promife,  as  to  Abraham,  and  the  fruition 
 of  the  faithful  in  time  and  eternity  is  not  of  debt,  but 
 of  grace,    Rom.  v.  21.   Eph.  i.  14.     Befides,  3.  It  is 
 highly   indecent  to  imagine  that  the  immutable  and 
 eternal  God  fhall  change  his  purpofe,  or  repent  of  his 
 gift,  or,  to  fpeak  freely  according  to  the  figure  of  this 
 palTage,    that  he  fhould  write  any  man  in  this  book, 
 and  then  blot  him  out  again,  and  fo  vice  verfa>  as  he 
 riles  or  falls  in  the  obedience  of  faith,  not  to  fay,  that 
 if  the  divine  Advocate  with  the  Father  prevails,   the 
 faith  of  his  people  cannot  totally  and  finally  fail,  Luke 
 xxii.  32.     Again,    4.  This  ftrange  notion  contradicts 
 the  word  and  oath  of  the  moft  High,  who  hath  revealed 
 unto  the  heirs   of  falvation    the   immutability  of  his 
 counfel,    which  is  their  ftrong  confolation,    Heb.  vi. 
 ■  J",  18.     And  further,  this  conceit  is  inconfiftent  with 
 a  full  affurance  of  hope,  and  leaves  no  room  for  the  be- 
 liever's rejoicing  that  his  name  is  written  in  heaven, 
 which  our  Lord  himfelf  recommends  to  his  difciples, 
 Luke  X.  20.     In  a  word,   this  imagination  directly  op- 
 pofes  the  tenor  of  the  gofpel-report,   which  runs  in 
 thefe  abfolute  terms :  "  He  that  believeth  and  is  bap- 
 '<  tizt  d,  fhall  be  faved."     Thus  it  appears,  that  to  af- 
 ferc  that  an  ele<Sl  perfon,  who  is  redeemed  and  called 
 
 according 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    411 
 
 according  to  the  purpofe  of  God,  is  liable  to  an  erafe- 
 ment  from  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  or  that  the  Lord 
 will  blot  him  out  from  thence,  is  to  deny  tlie  teftimony 
 of  God,  to  impeach  his  perfedions,  and  to  make  an  at- 
 tempt on  the  foundations  of  the  righteous ;  but  we  know 
 it  is  vain,  for  the  counfel  of  the  Lord  (hall  ftand. 
 As  to  the  phrafe  in  this  place,  that  the  Lord  will  not 
 blot  out  the  believer's  name  out  of  the  book  of  life,  it 
 is  purely  figurative,  and,  according  to  the  allufion, 
 amounts  to  this,  and  no  more,  namely,  that  in  the  end, 
 when  this  important  volume  is  opened,  he  (hall  cer- 
 tainly be  found  written  therein  ;  or  in  other  words, 
 that  the  man  who  overcomes  will  appear  in  the  future 
 judgment  blefled  of  the  Father,  who  hath  given  him 
 the  victory,  and  that  he  fhall  accordingly  be  admitted 
 to  the  honors  and  triumphs  of  the  redeemed  in  that 
 day  :  And,  what  more  can  the  chriftian  defire  ?  It  is  a 
 glory  which  will  infinitely  furpafs  his  utmofl  prefent 
 conception. 
 
 The  light  in  which  we  have  confidered  thefe  meta- 
 phorical branches  of  the  promife,  is  confirmed  by  the 
 following  fentence,  with  which  it  concludes :  "  but  I 
 **  will  confefs  his  name  before  my  Father,  and  before 
 *'  his  angels."  This  fettles  the  period  of  its  accom- 
 plifhment,  namely,  the  laft  and  great  day,  when  the 
 Son  of  man  fhall  be  revealed  from  heaven  to  judge  the 
 world,  for  it  is  manifeft  from  Matt.  xxv.  and  many 
 other  parts  of  the  New-Teftament,  that  then  the  righ- 
 teous will  be  owned  by  the  Lord ;  and  in  thefe  words 
 to  confefs  his  name,  being  fet  in  oppofition  to  his 
 blotting  it  cut  of  the  book  of  life,  determines  the  {enie 
 Dd  3  of 
 
422    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 of  that  difficult  phrafe,  for  by  this  antthefis  it  appears, 
 that  when  Jefus  fays,  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out 
 of  the  book  of  life,  he  intends  prerilely  this,  namely, 
 thac  he  would  acknowledge  him  ;  t  his  appearance  and 
 kingdom.  To  be  blotted  out  of  the  book  of  life  when 
 the  judgment  is  fet,  i>  not  to  be  found  written  therein, 
 Rev.  XX.  15.  and  pofitively  confifts  in  being  rejedlec^ 
 and  difowned  by  the  Judge,  as  all  the  workers  of  ini- 
 quity will  be ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  Chrift  in  this  pra- 
 mife  engages  to  own  and  honor  his  victorious  faint, 
 he  will  not  deny,  but  confefs  his  name  ;  he  will  de- 
 clare his  righteoufnefs,  own  him  to  be  a  fon,  and  an 
 heir  of  falvation  and  life. 
 
 This  is  the  fum ;  every  man  that  holds  faft  his  pro- 
 feffion,  and  overcomes  in  the  end,  as  the  real  chriftia^ 
 mofl:  certainly  will,  the  fame  fnall  be  found  writtn  in 
 the  Lamb's  book  of  life  at  the  day  of  judgment ;  Chrift 
 will  then  own  him  to  be  chcfen  and  faithful,  on  which 
 a  glory  fhall  be  revealed  upon  him  anfwerable  to  a  tri- 
 umph ;  yea,  far  exceeding  the  moft  beautiful  diadem 
 placed  on  the  head  of  the  greateft  conqueror  or  prince 
 of  the  earth,  even  a  crov/n  ot  glory  which  fadeth  not 
 away. 
 
 Now,  the  man  muft  be  hardened  indeed,  who  can 
 queftion  the  importance  of  being  in  this  book,  or  re- 
 main indifferent  whether  or  not  his  name  is  found 
 there.  But,  Reader,  dolt  thou  inquire  for  thyfeif  ? 
 Look  ;  hath  the  golpel  reached  thy  heart,  and  reduced 
 thee  to  the  obedience  of  faith  ?  doft  thou  believe  on 
 the  name  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  his  Spirit  made 
 
 the 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    423 
 
 the  word  efFe^lual  to  thy  repentance,  and  brought  thee 
 to  rely  on  Jefus  as  thy  Lord  and  thy  God  ?    Thou 
 mayeft  then  rejoice  that  thy  name  is  written  in  heaven, 
 I  ThefT.  i.  4.     This  ground  is  Aire.     Think  not,  en- 
 quiring foul,  to  afcend  up  to  heaven  and  there  enter  the 
 bofom,  or  fearch  the  eternal  record  of  the  Father,  it  is  a 
 fruitlefs  attempt,  and  needlefs ;  that  book  will  not  be 
 fully  opened  to  any  creature  till  the  day  of  revelation, 
 but  there  is  a  tranfcript  fufEcient  on  earth  to  fatisfy 
 him  that  is  conformed  to  the  gofpel  of  Chrift ;  defcend 
 into  thine  heart,  and  compare  thy  experience  with  that 
 divine  ftandard.     Dwells  the  love  of  God  there  ?  Is  his 
 law  in  thine  heart  ?  Fear  not.     A  confcience  purified 
 from  the  love  and  allowance  of  fin,  and  pofT^fled  of  an 
 hope,  in  the  falvation  of  God,  is  an  undeniable  tffed: 
 of  that  power  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,    which  leaves  no 
 room   to   doubt   that   the   fubjecl   is   enrolled   in   the 
 Lamb's  book  of  life  :    "  Whom  he  did  predeftinate, 
 *'  them  he  alfo  called,"   Rom.  viii.  30.     This  is  the 
 only  fafe   rulej    other  methods  of  judging  thy  ftate 
 may  amufe  but  deceive  thee;  thy  attainments,  thy  pro- 
 feffion,  thy  name  for  religion  are  no  certain  criterions, 
 much  lefs  doth  this  knowledge  depend  on  vifions  and 
 private  revelations,  imaginary  or  real,  but  if  the  defire 
 of  thy  foul  is  to  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  to  the  re- 
 membrance thereof,  thou  mayeft  fafely  conclude  that 
 his  defire  is  to  thee,  and  that  thou  art  numbered  with 
 his  faints. 
 
 And,  art  thou  acquainted  with  this  power  of  the 
 gofpel  in  thy  heart,  my  dear  Friend  ?  mayeft  thou  con- 
 clude that,  unworthy  as  thou  art,  thy  name  is  written 
 D  d  4  in 
 
424    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 in  heaven  ?  then  let  me  intreat  thee,  dwell  much  oq 
 the  glory  contained  in  this  promife ;  be  not  conformed 
 to  this  world  ;  and  if  thou  art  under  fore  trials,  or 
 fuffering  for  righteoufnefs  fake,  let  the  honor  and  tri- 
 umph of  the  faints,  whenjefus  fhall  appear,  infpire  thee 
 with  courage  ^  fliun  not  a  teftimony  for  the  Lord  in 
 the  way  of  his  appointment  ;  remember  that  not  to 
 own  Chrift  is  to  deny  him,  and  the  man  who  will  not 
 confefs  him  lets  go  the  promife  of  this  glorious  rewar4 
 unto  them  who  obey  him  ;  then  be  not  afhamed  of  the 
 name  of  thy  Saviour  in  the  figbt  of  an  unbelieving 
 world,  or  to  live  up  to  thy  holy  profefllon,  in  the 
 midft  of  the  diforders  that  prevail  in  a  fmful  genera- 
 tion, this  is  unworthy  thy  charadler  and  hope ;  there- 
 fore caft  off  the  works  of  darknefs,  and  put  on  the  ar- 
 armour  of  ligbt,  in  a  certain  expt<S|:ation  of  being 
 crowned  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  when  fhame  fhall 
 cover  thine  enemy,  with  all  who  forge^  God  and 
 defpife  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  "  Behold  he  comes 
 "  quickly,  and  his  reward  is  with  him,  tp  give  every 
 *'  man  according  as  his  work  fhall  be,"  Rev.  xxii.  12, 
 In  a  word,  attend  to  the  exhortation,  wl^ich  concludes 
 this  and  the  other  epiftlcs  to  the  difciples  in  Afia,  *'  He 
 **  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  faith 
 '*  to  the  churches."  With  the  opening  of  which  we 
 ihall  finifli  our  defign  on  this  fubjedl. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
TO  THE  CHUPs-CH  AT  SARDIS.    425 
 
 LECTURE      XKVl. 
 
 The  unlverfal  obligation  of  chriftians  to  attend  to  the 
 voice  of  the  Spirit. 
 
 THE  epiftle  to  Sardis  clofes,  like  the  reft,  with  a 
 folemn  excitation  to  hearken  to  the  Spirit.  "  He 
 *'  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  faith 
 *'  to  the  churches."  A  like  exhortation  is  repeated  by 
 our  Lord  in  the  courfe  of  his  miniftry,  and  is  always 
 needful,  Tince  they  who  are  endowed  with  this  diftin- 
 guifhing  faculty  are  liable  to  be  dull,  which  is  a  cafe 
 too  frequent  to  admit  of  debate.  Some  take  the  paffage 
 as  exprefllve  of  the  confequence  of  the  word  being 
 preached,  n?mely,  that  then,  the  man  that  hath  an  ear 
 will  certainly  hear  j  but  experience  denies  it. 
 
 Our  text  is  a  demand  on  him  that  hath  an  ear,  who 
 is  directed  to  hear  what  the  Spirit  faith  to  the  churches ; 
 i.  e.  In  his  epiftles  to  the  churches  in  Afia,  which  no 
 doubt  is  to  be  regarded  by  the  faithful  to  the  end  of  the 
 world,  yet  the  phraie  vvill  admit  of  a  more  compre- 
 henfive  idea,  and  may  be  juftly  applied  to  the  whole  of 
 divine  revelation. 
 
 The  exiftence,  office  and  operations  of  the  Spirit,  are 
 fq  much  the  fubjedl  of  fcripture,  that  one  might  have 
 hoped  for  an  unity  of  faith  concerning  him,  but  alas, 
 Ri^ny  are  the  fancies  advanced  againft  the  dignity  of  his 
 
 perfon 
 
426    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 perfbn  and  grace.  Some  nominal  chriftians  intend  by 
 the  Spirit  no  other  than  natural  confcience,  or  the  in- 
 ward light  of  human  reafon  ;  and  if  this  is  thy  notion, 
 my  Reader,  take  heed,  left  **  the  light  that  is  m  thee 
 "  be  darknefs."  Others  conceive  of  the  Spirit  as  a  mcer 
 q,ualky  in  the  divine  Being,  and  ftile  him  the  virtue, 
 influence  or  power  of  God  ;  but  thefe  are  low  and  falfc 
 conceptions,  which  contradi6l  the  fcripture-account  of 
 the  holy  Ghoft,  whofe  ptrfonality  is  fo  fully  fet  forth 
 in  thofe  facred  writings,  that  even  fome  who  ftumble 
 at  the  adorable  Trinity,  overborn  wrth  the  evidence 
 thereof,  are  compelled  to  confefs  it,  and  have  recourfe 
 to  a  ftupFd  and  vain  imagination  *,  that  he  is  fome  em- 
 inent angel  or  created  fpirit,  who  on  account  of  his 
 highnefs  and  intimacy  with  God,  was  fingled  out  and 
 fent  from  heaven  to  fandlify  the  church ;  this  ftrange 
 conceit  Ihews  the  wretched  fhift  to  which  men  are 
 driven  when  they  leave  the  teftimony  the  Lord  hath 
 given  of  himfelf.  The  perfonality  and  deity  of  the 
 Spirit  are  manifefl:  in  the  word,  in  which  there  are 
 afcribed  to  him,  in  numberlefs  inftances,  underftand- 
 ing,  will,  power,  and  every  thing  eflential  to  an  intel- 
 ligent voluntary  agent,  which  coropleat  the  idea  of  a 
 pcrfon  ;  and  his  divinity  is  clear  from  his  being  joined 
 with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  with  whom  he  bears  re- 
 cord in  heaven,  i  John  v.  7.  and  alfo  is  worfliipped, 
 particularly  in  baptifm,  Matt,  xxviii.  19.  His  proper 
 deity  and  diftiniEl  perfonality  are  clear  in  the  inftance  of 
 Peter's  rebuke  of  Ananias,  who  declares  that  he  had 
 lied  to  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  that  in  fo  doing  he  had' 
 not  lied  unto  man,  but  unto  God,  Ails  v.  3,  4.     Now 
 
 this 
 
 •  Dr.  Owen  on  the  Spirit,  p.  46, 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    427 
 
 this  glorious  divine  Spirit,  thus  equal  in  nature  wit :  the 
 Father  and  Son,  from  whom  he  procee  is,  appears  to  be  the 
 great    gent  of  the  covenant,  whofe  operations  are  need- 
 ful and  efFe<£lual  to  accompli fh  the  purpofe  of  grace  in 
 the  falvation  of  the  chofen,  in  a  fubferviency  to  which 
 he  moved  the  prophets,  2  Pet.  i.  21.  who  fpake  by  him 
 the  counfel  of  God.     *'  All  fcripture  is  given  by  in- 
 "  fpiration  of  God ;"  and  this  is  never  afcribed  to  the 
 Father  or  the  Son,  but  to  the  Spirit  alone,  by  whom 
 the  Son  himfelf  prophefied  when  he  miniftred  on  earth, 
 *'  He  whom  God  fent  fpeaketh  God's  words,  for  God 
 *'  giveth  not  the   Spirit   by  meafure  to  him,"    John 
 iii.  34.     Thus   the  Spirit  is  the  author  of  fcripture, 
 when,  or  by  whomfoever  it  was  uttered,  not  excepting  the 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrift.    So  then  the  whole  of  divine  revelation 
 is  his  voice,  which  voice  is  to  the  churches,  for  though 
 fome  things  were  originally  dire£led  to  particular  per- 
 fons,    or  to  mankind   in   general,    yet  it  was  in  the 
 phurch  the  Spirit  fpake  by  the  mouth  of  his  fervants, 
 and  whatever  is  written  is  for  the  univerfal  learning, 
 patience  and  hope  of  the  faithful,  Rom.  xv.  4.     And 
 moreover  to  the   church   hath  been   committed  thefe 
 oracles  of  God,  as  of  old  1:0  the  Jews ;  and  fince  the 
 gofpel  has  been  eftablifhed,  fcripture,  under  a  wife  and 
 wonderful  providence  by  the  will  of  God,  has  not  been 
 }eft  in  private  hands ;  and  neither  Jews  nor  Gentiles 
 have  been  unfaithful  to  their  truft ;    the  former,   al- 
 though fadly  corrupted  and  funk  fo  low,  through  igno- 
 rance and  vice,  that  they  knew  not  the  voice  of  Mofes 
 and  the  prophets,  read  in  their  fynagogue  every  fab- 
 bath,  A'fls  xiii.  27.  yet  it  is  notorious  that  they  fcru- 
 puloufly  adhered  to  the  letter  of  fcripture,  and  are  ne- 
 ver 
 
428    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 vei  charged  with  altering  it  in  any  one  inftance ;  and 
 with  refpedl  to  the  chriftian  church,  even  the  unhappy 
 divifions,  and  oppofite  fentiments  of  its  nominal  mem- 
 bers, have  been  fubfervient  to  the  keeping  them  entire, 
 each  party,  having  a  jealous  eye  over  the  other  j  it  has 
 been  out  of  the  power  of  either  to  alter  fcripture  in  favor 
 of  their  own  particular  fcheme.  Thus  what  the  Spirit 
 faith  he  faith  to  all  the  churches,  even  to  every  church 
 and  to  each  of  her  members,  who  are  therefore  every 
 one  required  to  hear ;  for  facred  prophefy  is  not  a  dead 
 letter,  which  is  now  filent  and  paft,  but  the  lively  ora- 
 cles of  God,  even  the  word  of  God  which  liveth  and 
 abideth  for  ever,  A,6is  vii.  38.  i  Pet.  i.  23.  compared. 
 
 But  what  is  this  ear  with  which  a  man  mufl;  or  can 
 hear  the  voice  of  the  Spirit?  No  doubt,  as  obferved, 
 it  is  a  diftinguifhing  talent.  If  an  ear,  in  the  fenfe  of 
 this  pafTage,  was  common  or  univerfal,  the  form  of  the 
 text  would  be  impertinent.  What  then  is  this  ear?  The 
 fielhly  ear,  or  organ  of  natural  fenfe,  is  out  of  the 
 queftion,  being  common  to  all  who  dwell  in  the 
 body ;  befides,  the  objedl  to  be  regarded  is  moral  or 
 fpiritual,  the  faculty  therefore  muft  be  intellec- 
 tual. It  may  be  ufeful  to  note  by  the  way,  that  to 
 have  an  ear  in  a  natural  fenfe,  is  to  have  that  ufeful 
 member  perfedt  and  clear,  which,  through  one  or  ano- 
 ther occafion,  may  be  obftrudled.  The  ears  of  fome 
 men  are  dull,  they  are  in  a  manner  flopped  ;  that  curi- 
 ous membrane  is  fo  out  of  tone  that  the  fubjeiSl  can  hear 
 but  little,  yea  it  may  be  nothing  at  all,  which  is  very 
 difcomftting,    particularly  to  them  that  have  known 
 
 the 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  429 
 the  pleafure  of  found.  To  be  totally  deaf,  is  inconve- 
 nient and  dangerous,  and  atrial  to  the  chriftian,  pp.rti- 
 cularly  on  this  account,  that  it  deprives  him  of  hearino- 
 the  word  of  the  Lord,  a  principal  means  of  his  com- 
 fort. Thanks  be  to  God,  there  are  other  ways  cf 
 hearing  the  voice  of  the  Spirit  than  that  of  attendirjg 
 to  the  word  preached ;  neverthelefs  it  is  a  great  aiflic- 
 tion  to  him  that  delights  in  the  teftimonies  of  the  Lord 
 to  be  prevented  from  hearing  them  publifaed  in  his 
 name. 
 
 This  ear  is  no  other  than  an  ability  of  foul  <5r  he-^rt 
 to  praife  and  embrace  the  voice  of  the  Spirit,  or  a 
 capacity  for  difcerning  fpiritual  objedis,  v/hicli  the  natu- 
 ral man  hath  not.  It  is  not  the  natural  underftanding 
 of  any  man,  however  cultivated  or  enlarged.  Man,  as 
 a  reafonable  creature,  with  proper  afTiftance,  may  uti- 
 derftand  the  words  of  fcripture,  he  may  perceive  the 
 dodrines  they  contain,  and  alfo  difcover  the  ju ft  con- 
 nexion and  harmony  of  gofpel  truth,  and  at  the  fame 
 time  fall  fnort  of  this  divine  faculty :  neither  is  it  aa 
 ability  for  difcourfing  on  points  of  faith  to  public  edi- 
 fication, which  is  a  fmgular  talent.  The  ear  we  now 
 fpeak  of  is  common  to  regenerate  perfons,  who  being 
 favingly  enlightened,  can  diftinguifh  the  glory  and 
 importance  of  the  gofpel,  and  cordially  embrace  it,  as 
 when  the  heart  of  Lydia  was  opened  flie  attended  to  the 
 things  which  were  fpoken  by  Paul.  A  certain  writer, 
 who  is  not  to  be  fufpeded  of  undervaluing  hixman 
 power  or  attainments,  thus  defines  it :  'It  is,  fays  he, 
 '  a  good  inclination  to,  and  a  good  judgment  and  per- 
 *  ception  of  divine  things,  fo  as  thoroughly  to  weigh 
 
 '  and 
 
430    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 '  and  confider  what  is  fpolce  :'  All  which  are  certainly 
 included,  for  we  ftiall  prefently  fee,  that  in  the  ufe  of 
 the  fpiritual  ear,  every  power  is  engaged ;  but,  if  the 
 fcripture  is  true,  it  is  impoflible  that  the  natural  man 
 ftould  thus  know  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
 1  Cor.  ii.  14.  a  vail  of  ignorance  and  prejudice  covers 
 his  mind;  nor  is  one  man  by  nature  b.ttrr  difpofed 
 or  more  capable  than  another  of  attaining  to  this:  It  is 
 for  wantofconfidering  tbeb.;d  moral  ftate  of  fallen  man, 
 that  any,  in  oppofition  to  the  teftimony  of  God,  con- 
 ceit that  the  fine  fenfe,  liberal  education,  or  any  other 
 comparative  excellency,  in  an  unregenerate  ftate,  brings 
 the  fubjedl  a  jot  nearer  to  this  divine  fenfe,  the  wifeft 
 and  nob  eft  of  the  world  are  as  far  off  from  it  as  the 
 foolifh  and  vulgar;  there  is  no  foundation  for  this 
 capacity  in  the  carnal  mind ;  and  if  the  fmner  cannot, 
 with  the  greateft  external  advantages,  attain  the  true 
 idea  or  difcernment  of  fpiritual  things,  much  lefs  can 
 he  apply  them  to  himfelf.  What  our  Lord  faid  to  the 
 Jews,  John  viii.  43.  may  juftly  be  applied  to  natural 
 men  without  any  exception,  *'  Why  do  ye  not  under- 
 *'  ftand  my  fpeech  ?  even  becaufe  ye  cannot  hear  my 
 '*  word."  Carnal  reafonings  and  pride  blindeth  the 
 eyes  of  the  fmner,  and  fill  him  with  infuperable  preju- 
 dices againft  the  fpirituality  and  purity  of  the  goipel  ; 
 till  thefe  are  removed  he  is  not  able  to  diftingufti  their 
 excellency  or  relifti  their  fweetnefs.  So  then  this  ear 
 is  not  any  fpeculation  or  human  attainment,  however 
 refined  or  exalted,  but  a  fupernatural  and  experimental 
 thing  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  phrafe,  even  when 
 applied  to  a  capacity  for  natural  hearing  in  the  common 
 fenfe  of  mankind,  conveys  an  idea  of  fomcthing  extra- 
 ordinary. 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.  4.31 
 ordinary,  to  have  an  ear  for  mufic  :  What  is  it  lefs  than 
 to  have  a  diftinguifliing  judgrrifnt  and  taflre  for  the  har- 
 mony of  founds,  which  yield  the  fubjcd  unfpeakable  " 
 pleafure  ?  But  will  any  deny  that  this  is  a  peculiar  ta- 
 lent, a  kind  of  perfonal  fenfe,  which  is  not  to  be  ac- 
 quired or  defcribed,  though  it  may  be  greatly  improved  ? 
 A  perfon  muft  be  naturally  formed  for  delighting  in 
 mufic  :  In  like  manner  no  man  can  kd  the  happinefs 
 of  knowing  the  joyful  found  till  Chrift  is  formed  in 
 him,  or  he  is  a  new  creature.  This  heaiing  ear  is  the 
 fpecial  gift  and  work  of  the  Lord,  Prov.  xx.  12.  which 
 he  beftows  at  his  fovereign  pleafure :  Hence  fays  Mofes 
 to  rebellious  Ifrael,  "  The  Lord  hath  not  given  you 
 "  an  heart  to  perceive,  and  eyes  to  fee,  and  ears  to 
 *'  hear  unto  this  day,"  Deut.  xxix.  4.  In  a  word, 
 theneceflity  of  regeneration,  in  order  to  hearing  the 
 Spirit,  is  evident  from  our  Saviour's  declaration,  **  He 
 "  that  is  of  God  heareth  God's  words ;  ye  therefore 
 "  hear  them  not  becaufe  ye  are  not  of  God,"  John 
 viii.  47. 
 
 To  hear  in  general,  is  to  exert  this  diftinguifliino- 
 faculty,  in  attending  to  the  things  of  divine  revelation; 
 and  it  implies  a  diligent  fearch  into  the  mind  of  the  Spi- 
 rit. "  Let  him  hear;"  i.  e.  let  him  exercife  his  fpiri- 
 tual  fenfes  that  he  may  perceive  the  mind  of  the  Holy 
 Ghoft,  and  attain  a  juft  conception  of  divne  things, 
 till  he  arrives  to  a  full  aflurance  of  underftanding  in  the 
 myftery  of  God.  Now  he  that  doth  this  will  embrace 
 every  opportunity  for  hearing,  reading,  meditation  and 
 prayer.  It  alfo  carries  in  it  a  ferious  refledion  on  the 
 excellency  and  importance  of  what  he  difcerns,   that 
 
 his 
 
432    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLfi 
 
 his  heart  may  be  duly  and  conftantly  afteded.  Afi'd 
 further,  this  hearing  is  to  be  extended  to  pradlice. 
 The  man  who  doth  not  ronform  to  the  orders  of  his 
 fupcrior,  can  in  no  proper  or  honor-jble  fenfe  be  faid 
 to  hear  him,  nor  can  that  man  be  efteemed  a  hearer  of 
 thr  Spirit,  whofe  temper  and  conduft  are  not  con- 
 formed to  his  didates ;  without  aiming  at  this,  or  in- 
 deed unlefs  this  is  in  a  good  meafure  attained,  all  pre- 
 tence to  hearing  the  Spirit  is  vain  :  for  a  man  to  talk  of 
 heaimg  what  the  Spirit  faith  to  the  churches,  and  live 
 in  pride  and  fenfual  pleafure,  or  go  on  in  a  courfe  of 
 diforder  and  fm,  is  to  mock  the  Almighiy,  or  rather  to 
 deceive  his  own  foul,  for  God  is  not  mocked.  In  (hort, 
 to  hear  in  the  fenfe  of  this  exhortation,  comprehends 
 the  w^hole  obedience  of  faith. 
 
 Some  refolve  this  fpiritual  ear  into  a  holy  defire,  or 
 purpofe  of  heart  to  attend  to  the  voice  of  God,  and 
 give  the  fenfe  in  thefe  words,  '  Let  him  that  has  an 
 '  ability  and  is  defirousof  hearing  :'  And  moft  certain  it 
 is,  that  to  hear  is  freely  to  open  the  ear.  A  willing 
 heart  is  eflential  to  the  hearing  of  the  Spirit.  The 
 people  of  Chrift  are  a  willing  people,  and  their  will, 
 being  fandlified,  is  much  concerned  in  hearkening  to 
 the  Lord:  they  are  alfo  impartial,  and  open  the  ear 
 without  any  refcrve.  This  is  the  language  of  the  obe- 
 dient foul,  "  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  fervant  heareth." 
 And  again,  "  1  will  hear  what  God  the  Lord  will 
 "  fpeak,"  Pfalm  Ixxxv.  8.  Moreover  he  is  conftant  in 
 this  divine  exercife,  it  is  his  habitual  and  daily  pra6^ice  ; 
 and  finally,  it  is  that  in  which  he  delights.  The  wif- 
 dom  and  goodnefs  of  our  adorable  Creator  are  wonder- 
 fully 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.    435 
 
 fully  difplayed  in  fo  conftituting  the  human  body,  that 
 in  a  healthful  and  temperate  flate,  the  ex-rcife  of 
 its  fenfes  is  highly  delightful.  Thus,  in  the  exercife  of 
 faith,  that  fpiritual  fe;.le  of  tl.e  new  creature,  in  what- 
 ever manner  it  is  exerted,  affords  the  fuDJfcSi:  a  fingular 
 pleafure  ;  the  very  opening  of  uie  e  .r  to  the  Spirit, 
 though  it  call  for  great  felf-d'-nial,  is  grj.icful  to  the 
 chriftian  ;  his  love  to  Jefus,  and  h.-.  prolpec^  of  glo  y  to 
 come,  yield  him  unfpeakable  joy,  even  in  fufFv:fings  for 
 the  fake  of  Chrift  and  his  gofpel. 
 
 Many  are  the  motives  which  induce  the  believer  to 
 hearken  to  the  Spirit  j  as  for  inftunce,  his  dignity  and 
 love.  Doft  thou  find  thyfelf  dull,  my  dear  Friend? 
 Confider  who  fpeaks :  the  infinite  majefty  of  this  di- 
 vine Perfon,  and  the  grace  and  power  difplayed  in  the 
 execution  of  his  office,  demand  thy  regard ;  it  is  the 
 voice  of  God,  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  of  that  Spirit  which 
 proceedeth  from  the  Father  and  the  Son ;  he  is 
 the  almighty  Agent  that  formed  the  body,  thy  Re- 
 deemer alTumed,  in  which  he  bore  thy  fins  away  on 
 the  tree ;  by  his  power  alfo  that  body  was  raifcd  from 
 the  grave,  and  thou  thyfelf  waft  quickened  wh.n  dead 
 in  trefpailes  and  fins,  and  obtained  the  ear  with  which 
 thou  canft  hear,  and  on  whom  all  faints  depend  for  the 
 refurredlion  of  their  bodies  in  the  laft  and  great  day.  To 
 turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  Holy  Gh(ift ;  what  is  it  lefs  than 
 to  affront  thofe  divine  Per(^:»ns  by  whom  he  is  fent,  and 
 to  defpifehim  as  a  Spirit  of  revelation  and  grace  ?  But, 
 far  be  the  finful  and  fatal  prefumption  ! 
 
 E  e  Again, 
 
434    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 Again,  another  inducement  is  what  the  Spirit  de- 
 livers, which  is  important  and  glorious.  There  is  no- 
 thing fpoken  by  the  Spirit  to  the  chujrches  that  is  fa'fe, 
 impertinent,  or  trifling;  all  his  fayings  are  true,  they 
 are  holy  and  wife,  and  moft  nearly  concern  us;  he 
 Ipeaketh  great  things,  things  deep  and  myfterious, 
 which  call  for  the  utmoft  attention  to  difcern,  and  the 
 knowledge  of  which  is  of  an  interefting  nature ;  what- 
 ever he  faith  in  his  word  hath  a  real  connexion  with 
 the  believer's  prefent  peace,  and  will  have  fome  in- 
 fluence into  his  future  happinefs,  or  promote  the 
 honor  of  God  in  his  eternal  felicity;  yea,  he  is  alfo  a 
 comforter  in  all  that  he  fays  to  his  people.  There  is 
 no  awful  threatning,  or  felf-denying  precept  in  the 
 whole  book  of  God,  but,  if  rightly  underflood  and 
 duly  applied,  imports  fome  confolation  to  the  believer : 
 *'  He  will  fpeak  peace  to  his  people  and  unto  his 
 "  faints." 
 
 It  is  alfo  an  argument  with  him  that  fears  God  to 
 hear  the  Spirit,  when  he  confiders  unto  whom  his 
 words  are  dire£led,  even  to  himfelf.  The  voice  of  the 
 Spirit,  particularly  in  his  exhortations  to  perfeverance, 
 and  promifes  of  falvation,  vidlory,  and  glory  to  the 
 churches,  is  to  every  difciple  of  Jefus.  "  He  that  hath 
 *'  an  ear."  If  thou  haft  an  ear,  the  Holy  Ghoft  fpeaks 
 unto  thee;  and  this  is  the  argument  of  wifdom, 
 "  Unto  you,  O  man,  1  call,  and  my  voice  is  to  the 
 "  fons  of  men,"  Prov.  viii.  4.  And  befides,  we  are  to 
 remember  that  the  Lord  fpeaks  in  kindnefs  and  love, 
 
 Heb. 
 
TO  THE  CHUPCH  AT  SARDIS.    435 
 
 Heb.  xii.  5.  faith  the  apoftle,  *'  Ye  have  forgotten,'* 
 i.  e.  neglecfted,  "  and  not  hearkened  to  the  exhortatioa 
 **  which  fpeaketh  unto  you  as  unto  children." 
 
 And  further,  t\i<2  importance  of  obeying  the  Spirit,  is 
 not  the  leaft  motive  to  hearing  his  voice.  In  the 
 inftance  before  us,  we  fee,  from  the  epiftle  itfdf, 
 how  awful  the  expectation  of  thofe  who  would  not  hear, 
 hold  faft,  and  lepent !  On  the  other  hand,  the  glory 
 and  joy  of  him  that  attended  this  divine  mefTage  is 
 great  beyond  all  expreffion.  In  like  manner  it  is  m 
 refped  of  the  whole  of  facred  fcripture :  The  divine 
 author  is  the  Spirit  of  Chrift,  that  great  Prophet,  con- 
 cerning whom,  thus  faith  Jehovah,  "  Whofoever  fhall 
 *'  not  hearken  to  my  words,  which  he  fhall  fpeak  in 
 "  my  name,  I  will  require  it  of  him,"  Deut- xviii.  ig. 
 i.  e.  punifh  him  with  everlafting  deftrudlion,  as  appears 
 from  Peter's  difcourfe,  A«5ls  iii.  23. 
 
 The  amount  is  as  follows :  The  ear  demanded  in 
 this  exhortation,  is  a  fmgular  faculty,  peculiar  to  the 
 the  regenerate;  it  is  the  ear  of  faith,  which  is  a  kind 
 of  fpiritual  fenfe,  by  which  the  fubjedl  is  able,  through 
 divine  affiftance,  to  difcern  the  things  of  the  Spirit,  and 
 is  duly  affeiled  with  their  importance  and  glory.  The 
 attention  required  is  no  other  than  the  exertion  of 
 this  ability  in  fearching  into  the  mind  of  God,  that  he 
 may  be  conformed  unto  it  in  heart  and  life.  The  mo- 
 tives to  which  are,  the  majefty  and  grace  of  the  divine 
 Speaker,  the  excellent  and  interefting  nature  of  the 
 thmgs  he  declares,  his  din.61:ion  to  the  fubjecl,  and  the 
 infinite  importance  of  obeying  his  voice, 
 
 E  e  2  It 
 
436    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 It  appears  then,  that  a  new  heart  is  needful  to  a  fav- 
 ing  improvement  of  the  gofpel.     A  man  muft  have  an 
 ear  before  he  can  hear.    Without  a  faculty  fuited  to  the 
 obje6t,  it  is  impoflible  to  difcern  and  embrace  it.     But 
 of  this  the  natural  man  is  deftitute,  in  refpeft  of  fpiri- 
 tual  things,  he  muft  therefore  be  born  again,  for,  con- 
 ceived in  fm,  his  heart  is  corrupt  and  totally  alienated 
 from  God,  fo  that  he  neither  doth  nor  can  delight  in 
 his  lav/.     In  vain  are  the  moft  ftriking  reprefentations 
 of  divine  objedls  from  the  vi^ord,  to  the  carnal  mind ; 
 it  is  void  of  fpiritual  fenfe,  and  the  conceit  is  abfurd, 
 that  any  fpiritual  object,  how  glorious  foever  in  itfelf, 
 or  however  juftly  or  neaily  prefented,  or  indeed  finely 
 illuftrated,  Ihould  properly  afFedl  it.     Hence  the  moft 
 fkilful  and  afFedionate  preaching  is   frequently  abor- 
 tive, and  the  grace  of  God  is  faithfully  preached  to 
 many  in  vain ;   for  until  the  Holy  Ghoft  is  given  from 
 on  high,  and  a  new  fpirit  is  put  within  the  hearer,  as 
 promifed,  he  cannot  difcern  or  relifti  the  things  of  God, 
 fo  then  ''  Paul  may  plant  and  Apollos  water,  but  God 
 "  muft  give  the  increafe." 
 
 I  HAVE  already  hinted,  and  it  (hould  be  remember- 
 ed, that  the  chriftian  himfelf  ftands  in  need  of  frequent 
 and  earneft  exhortations  to  hearken  to  the  Spirit.  No 
 man  can  hear  in  any  fenfe  without  an  ear,  but  he  that 
 is  cndoAcd  with  this  faculty  may  be  dull  of  hearing, 
 yea,  and  fcarce  hear  at  all  to  any  advantage,  hermit 
 /ne,  my  Friend,  to  excite  thee :  Open  thine  ear  to  this 
 divi/ie  voice  j  let  this  be  thy  care  when  in  private  or  in 
 jpublic  devotipn,  yea  and  in  every  fuuation  and  concern 
 
 oi 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDTS.    437- 
 
 of  life.  Alas,  our  ears,  how  often  are  they  turned  afide 
 to  vain  imaginations !  The  fuggeftions  of  fatan  and  the 
 fancies  of  men  captivate,  impoverifh,  and  darken  our 
 minds,  and  betray  us  into  fin  ;  but,  if  our  ears  hung 
 on  the  lips  of  the  Spirit,  with  what  reverence,  delight 
 and  profit  fliould  we  hear  I 
 
 And  wouldeft  thou  examine  thyfelf,  my  dear  Rea- 
 der; the  following  criterions  may  affift  thee.  This 
 hearing  by  faith  is  accompanied  with  the  love  of  the 
 Spirit,  and  his  voice;  his  mouth  is  moft  fweet;  and 
 no  wonder,  feeing  it  is  the  voice  of  thy  Beloved  who 
 fpeaks  by  him;  thou  art  alfo  imploring  his  divine  aids, 
 that  thine  ear  being  opened  may  be  perfe6l  and  found  ; 
 likevvife  the  preaching  and  the  minifters  of  the  word 
 are  highly  efteemed ;  thou  wilt  not,  as  fome,  under  a 
 conceit  of  hearing  the  Spirit,  defpife  the  means,  an  at- 
 tendance on  wi'iich  he  hath  prefcribed  to  his  faints  ; 
 moreover,  the  hearers  of  the  Spirit,  are  thy  chofen  com- 
 panions, and  every  notion  or  mventlon  of  man,  con- 
 trary to  the  teftimony  of  God,  thy  utter  averfion.  And 
 further,  thou  wilt  try  whatever  is  propofed  in  the  name 
 of  the  Lord  by  the  fcriptures,  and  adhere  to  nothing  in 
 refpedt  of  do<Slrine,  worfhip  or  experience,  but  what 
 they  declare  to  belong  to  the  faithful.  And  are  thefe 
 fymptoms  upon  thee,  my  Friend  ?  then,  be  not  afraid  ; 
 whatever  may  be  thy  infirmities  or  involuntary  defe6ls, 
 thou  mayeft  foberly  rank  thyfelf  with  thofe  who  have 
 obtained  mercy  to  incline  their  ear  to  the  Spirit  of  ho- 
 linefs  and  grace, 
 
 E  e  3  To 
 
438    LECTURES  ON  THE  EPISTLE 
 
 To  conclude.     This  folemn  demand  from  the  ex- 
 alted Redeemer,  proves  religion  a  perfonal  thing,  and 
 that  liberty  of  confciencc  is  every  man's  privilege  and 
 duty.     Nothing  can  more  effe6lually  cut  off  every  pre- 
 tence of  authority  over  another  man's  confcience  than 
 this  exhortation  ;    we  are  not  allowed  to  hearken  to 
 any  who  would  arrogate  to  themfelves  a  power  of  im- 
 pofnig  upon  us  their  i'cn(c  of  fcripture,  or  prefume  to 
 direft  our  faith,  or  the  manner  of  our  worfhip.     He 
 that  hath  an  ear,  which  is  requifite  to  vital  godlinefs, 
 and  which,  as  we  have  feen,  is  the  fpecial  gift  of  di- 
 vine  grace,    is  called  upon,     not  to   hear  what  the 
 churches  didate,    but  what   the  Spirit    jaith    unto    the 
 churches.      No    man    therefore,    nor    any    body    of 
 men,  however   facred  in  their  character,    are  at   any 
 time  to  be  regarded,  in  p(  int  of  religion,   farther  than 
 they    agree    with    the    voice    of    the    Holy     Ghoft. 
 Confcience   is  facred  to  the  authority  of  God  j    yea, 
 and    by   this   demand   of  the  Lord  every  man    is    not 
 barely  pennltted^    but    tven  commanded    to    hear  with 
 his  o'Lvn  ear ;  he  therefore  that  interpofes  his  authority 
 between  my  ear  and  the  voice  of  the  Spirit,  a£ls  a  ty- 
 rannical and  impious  part,  for  every  man  by  this  word 
 of  the    Lord  is    not  only  entitled^    but  alfo   ohliged  to 
 maintain  the  rights  of  his   own  confcience,  as  he  will 
 anfwer  it  to  the  Almighty.      1  hus  liberty  of  private 
 judgment,  that  firit  and  great  principle  of  Proteftants, 
 and  of  ail  true  religion,  is  fixed  on  a  folid  bafis,  and 
 never  to  befhaken  to  the  end  of  the  woild.    Thanks  be 
 -  to  God,    and  cur   excellent  prince    and  conilitution, 
 
TO  THE  CHURCH  AT  SARDIS.    439 
 
 in  thefe  happy  nauons,  we  f^njoy  this  freedom  in 
 its  utmoft  extent ;  no  po'nt  of  faith,  mode  of  worfhip^ 
 or  whatever  relates  to  that  dear  thing  religion^  is  at- 
 tempted  to  be  impofed  upon  us.  O  that  we  may  lead 
 peaceable  lives  in  all  godlinefs  and  honefty,  and  that 
 our  fenfuality,  lukewarmnefs,  unbelief,  and  carnal  con- 
 tentions, may  never  deprive  us  of  the  invaluable  privi- 
 lege, or  prevent  our  improving  the  fame,  to  the  glory 
 of  God,  and  our  own  everlafting  advantage! 
 
 End  of  the  Ep'tjile  to  the  Church  at  Sardis» 
 
 Ee4  ADIS. 
 
r  440  } 
 DISSERTATION 
 
 O  N     T  H  E 
 
 CONDUCTOFTHE   FAITHFUL  IN 
 THE  DAYS   OF  MALACHI. 
 
 B    O    O    K        VI. 
 
 LECTURE     XXVir, 
 
 The  degenerate  frate  of  the  Jews.     What  is  implied  in 
 the  faints  fpeaking  often  one  to  another ;  topics  of 
 
 difcourfc.     RcHcdiions, 
 
 IT  appears  from  the  letter  which  we  have  opened 
 and  read,  that  a  few  remained  upright  amidft  the 
 threatning  declenfions  at  Sardis.  Thus  in  times  of 
 the  greateft  dcfe£l!on  God  hath  referved  a  people  for 
 himfclf ;  and  it  may  be  ufeful  to  fee  the  meafures  they 
 took,  that,  following  their  laudable  example,  we  may 
 in  like  manner  preferve  ourfelves  in  an  hour  of  tempta- 
 tion. l\o  doubt  thcfe  worthy  per  Ions,  who  ftand  com- 
 mended of  the  Lox^D,  were  acftive  in  iheir  duty;  and, 
 while  they  mourned  the  fad  flate  of  Zion,  ufed  every 
 means  in  their  power  to  maintain  their  integrity  and 
 hope;  of  this  indeed  we  have  no  particulars,  but,  from 
 other  like  inllanccs  on  record,  we  may  gather  the  in- 
 
 cl  Illation 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     441 
 
 dination  and  pradice  of  the  faints  in  a  time  of  diforder, 
 of  which  none  is  more  diredlly  to  our  purpofe  than  that 
 of  thofe  in  the  days  of  Pylalachi,  when  religion  and 
 manners  were  funk  to  a  degree,  perhaps  below  the 
 mark  of  any  former  period  of  the  church,  I  have  there- 
 fore chofe  to  fubjoin  a  view  of  their  condudl  and 
 the  memorial  taken  of  their  zeal  in  the  prefence  of  the 
 Lord.  It  is  written  in  the  third  chapter  of  the  prophe- 
 fy,  the  i6th  and  17th  verfes,  as  follows :  "  Then  they 
 *'  that  feared  the  Lord  fpake  often  one  to  another,  and 
 ''  the  Lord  hearkned  and  heard  it ;  and  a  book  of  re- 
 f'  membrance  was  written  before  him  for  them  that 
 ^'  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  thought  upon  his  name. 
 *'  And  they  {hall  be  mine,  faith  the  Lord  of  hofts,  in 
 *'  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels ;  and  I  will 
 *-'  fparc  them  as  a  man  fpareth  his  own  fon  that  ferv- 
 *'  eth  him."  In  this  account  we  have  the  cuftom  of 
 the  faithful,  the  regard  which  the  Lord  paid  to  them, 
 and  his  gracious  refolutlon  In  their  favor;  the  firft  of 
 thefe  is  the  fubjedt  of  this  le<Sture. 
 
 The  imagination  of  fome,  that  Malachiwasan  an- 
 gel in  the  form  of  a  man,  feems  whimfical  and  ground- 
 lefs;  his  narrie,  though  it  fignifies  an  angel,  will  not 
 fupport  their  conjecture,  for  the  fame  word  is  applied  to 
 the  Melliah  himfelf,  chap.  iii.  i.  where  the  Father 
 ftiles  him  my  mejfenger ;  fo  that  we  may  as  foon  queftion 
 the  proper  humanity  of  Chrift,  as  of  this  fervant  of  the 
 Lord.  We  are  told,  2  Pet.  i.  21.  that  the  prophets, 
 >vith  whom  M^lachi  is  iiuir.bered.  Matt.  xi.  10.  were 
 holy  men^  who  fpake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
 phoft.     Some  take  him  to  be  the  fame  with  Ezra  the 
 
 fcribe, 
 
44-2  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 fcribe,  who  indeed  was  a  prtacher,  and  expounded  the 
 lav/  to  the  people,  but  hath  no  criterion  of  a  prophet  in 
 his  chara£ler ;  it  is  thought,  with  more  colour  of  rea- 
 fon,  that  he  was  cotemporary  with  ISehemiah  ;  this, 
 however,  feems  plain,  and  is  generally  allowed,  that  he 
 was  the  laft  infpired  mcfienger  to  ungrateful  backfliding 
 Ifrae!,  nnd  that  from  his  death  prophecy  ceafed  till  the 
 incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  being  about  the  fpace 
 of  four  hundred  years,  whofe  appearance  was  the  more 
 confpicuous  for  this  long  night  of  darknefs  and 
 fiience. 
 
 But  our  concern  is  rather  with  the  moral  and  reli- 
 gious ftate  of  the  Jews  in  his  jday,  and,  as  hnted  al- 
 ready, this  was  fliamcfully  diflblute.  Far  be  it  that 
 fuch  a  deluge  of  iniquity  Ihould  again  fpread  over  any 
 people  or  nation  !  They  indulged  to  all  manner  of  evil, 
 and  v/ere  funk  into  the  very  dregs  of  corruption  and 
 wickednefs.  In  ver.  5.  they  are  charged  with  forcery, 
 adultery,  falfe-fwearing,  oppreffion,  injuftice,  and  cru- 
 elty. It  likewife  appears  that  the  moft  daring  infidelity 
 raged,  iniomuch  that  they  impudently  faid  :  "  Every 
 *'  one  that  doth  evil  is  good  in  the  fight  of  -the  Lord, 
 "  and  he  delighteth  in  them,"  which  is  in  fome  re- 
 fpe6ls  worfe  than  atheifm  itfelfj  and,  taunting  the 
 prophets  v/ho  thre;.tned  them  with  vengeance,  they  faid, 
 *'  Where  is  the  God  of  judgment  ?"  chap.  ii.  17.  No 
 wonder  thefe  fcofFers  Ihould  profane  the  holinefs  of  the 
 Lord,  and  marry  the  daughter  of  a  ftrange  God,  yet 
 they  called  themfelves  the  children  of  God,  and  pre- 
 tended to  ferve  the  moft  High  ;  but  at  the  fame  time 
 were  partial,  hypocritical  and  prefumptuous ;  like  fome 
 
 nigardly 
 
IN  THF  DAYS  OF  MALACHT.     443 
 
 liigardly  chriftians  whofe  pitiful  offering  fail  ihon  of  their 
 ability  as  required,  they  deceitfully  covered  the  altar  v/nh 
 tears,  while  they  polluted   it  with  their  torn  auu   Ume 
 facrifices,  and  fealkd  themfelves  w'th  the  lambs  of  the    " 
 flock,  having  plenty  of  males  to  anlwer  the  apptiiiu- 
 ments  of  the  law;  but  the  table  of  the  Lord  was  con-r 
 temptible,  ii  \yas  a  wearinefs  to  ferve  hiui,  and  thty 
 fcornfully  fnuffed  at  the  provifion  of  his  houfe;  yea,  the 
 priefts  themfelves  were  ignorant,  flothful,  meicenary, 
 and  dcfpifed  the  name  of  the  Lord,    for  which   chc  v 
 were  rendered  bafe  in  the  eyes  ot  the  people,    a  cnrfe 
 which  feems  entailed  on  time-itrving  and  coTupr  mi- 
 fiifters  in  every  age  ;  for  mankind  in  gencial,  however 
 void  of  religion  themfelves,  feldom  fail  of  heiut.ly  dc- 
 fpifing  wicked  men  under  a  facied  charaiter ;   m  ihort, 
 the  vilenefs  of  every  rank  in  this  depraved  generation  is 
 fcarce  to  be  parallelled,    and  almoft  incredible ;    and 
 thoUj_,h  they  were  ftiarply  reproved  they  received  r,oc 
 corredion,  but,  inftead  of  repenting,  were  ftout,  and 
 with  mfolence  replied  to  the  Lord:    "  Wherein  have 
 *'  we   robbed    thee  ?    wherein    have    we   defpiftd    thy 
 ^'  Name  ?"  And,  to  conclude  this  melancholy  fubject, 
 fo  wretched  was  the   time   that  the  more  proud  and 
 wicked  any  man  was  the  more  he  was  carefTed  and  ap- 
 plauded ;  fuch  was  the  hateful   and  dcp'orable  condi- 
 tion of  Ifrael  when  Malachi  was  fent  in  the  name  of 
 the  Lord,    and  accordingly  as  a  thick  fpreading  cloud 
 clothes  the  heavens  with   blacknels,    and    as   it  were 
 makes  fackcloth  their  covering  ;    fo  high  and  heavy 
 charges   on   thefe    heinous   tranfgreflbrs ,    and    fearful 
 threatnings  of  divine   vengeance,    extend  through   all 
 this  prophecy,  infomuch  that  Ihort  of  the  account  be- 
 fore 
 
444  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 fore  us,  (o  dark  is  the  fccne,  that  one  might  be  tempted 
 to  think  with  Ehja'i,  that  not  a  faint  was  leK,  as  if  the 
 Lord  had  totally  foriaken  his  people  ^  but  on  a  fudden 
 darts  for.h  from  this  threatnirag  cloud  a  ray  iron;  the 
 Sun  of  RghteoLifncfs  to  chear  us ;  a  remnai.t  appears 
 *'  vhat  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  tiiought  upon  his 
 "  Name  !  " 
 
 But  what  couM  thefe  p'ous  fouls  do?  Their  num- 
 ber w.ib  finall,  ai)d  it  is  prob.tbie  alfo  their  outward 
 condition  co;rparatively  mean,  for  it  is  feldom  chat 
 others  efcapc  the  pollutions  of  the  day;  and,  from  the 
 facrilege  and  prof^nenefs  complained  of,  with  what  is 
 declared  in  this  prophecy  concerning  men  of  that  order, 
 it  feems  no  breach  of  charity  to  fuppofe  that  not  a 
 pried  was  to  be  found  in  this  little  company,  at  leaft 
 no  one  of  dign  ty  or  pcAver  v/as  am.  n2;  them  ;  what  then 
 was  a  few,  poor  and  d.fpifed,  though  godly  pcrfons, 
 capable  of,  in  oppoiition  to  thefe  floods  of  impiety  and 
 vice  ?  Could  they  ftem  the  rapid  tide  of  corruption, 
 or  be  lii;cly  to  reform  this  abandcntd  race?  Or  to  what 
 purpofe  v/as  it  for  them  to  open  their  lips  to  this  fcorn- 
 ful  and  hirdcned  generation  ?  In  fuch  evil  times  the 
 righteous  are  filent,  they  have  no  fafe  or  promifing  op- 
 portunity of  fpeaking  to  the  public  in  behalf  of  God 
 and  religion,  yea,  it  may  be,  watch  the  door  of  their 
 mouth  againll  bofom  friends  and  relations,  jVlic.  vii.  5. 
 What  then  could  be  done?  muft  each,  like  a  folitary 
 dove,  tabring  on  his  bread,  bewail  himfelf  alone  ?  Jt  is 
 likely  they  mourned  much  apart,  being  greatly  per- 
 plexed, though  not  indefpair;  they  could  find  no  fa- 
 tibfaction  or  relief  in  popular  affembliesj  but  one  way 
 
 was 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHL     445 
 
 was  left  among  themfelvcs,  and  ihough  it  was  attended 
 with  trouble  and  danger,  thi .  way  they  took,  a  path  liit'e 
 trod  in  a  day  of  licentioufneo  and  carnal  fecuiity.  This 
 track  is  no  oihcr  than  religious  conference  j  they  fre-  • 
 quenily  difcouifcd    together  in   u]^- ighinefs  and    Io\e: 
 *'  Tiien,"  when  immorality,  proLin<.nefs  and  inhdeiiiy 
 fo  much  abounded,  "  they  that  feared  il.e  Lord,  fpake 
 "  often  one  to  another."     And  ihcir  voice,  ab  we  fhrill 
 prefently  fee,  came  into  the  earo  cf  the  Lord  of  hi  ils 
 with  acceptance.     In  like  manner  they  who  l.;ve  God, 
 without  riches,  power,  learning,  or  any  other  fiiining 
 gift  of  nature  or  providence,  by  their  holy  converie,  in 
 his  prefence  may  greatly  edify  one  another;  an  expe- 
 dient more  efpecially  uilful  in  a  feafon  of  general  de- 
 parture from  the  ordmanccs  of  the  Lord,  and  the  habit 
 of  life  which  becomes  thofe  who  fear  him.     This  was 
 the  cuftom  of  thefe  pious  ^fraelitCa,   however  inferior 
 they  might  be   in  many  rci'pedts,  with  hcariS  full  of 
 concern  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  a  view  to  their  own 
 prefervation  and   comfort,  they  v.  ere  enabled   by  grace 
 to  confer  together,  to  their  unfpcakable  honor  and  ad- 
 vantage, as  will  hereafter  be  feen. 
 
 Now  this  pradlice  fuppofes,  i.  That  they  had  freguent 
 c/pmbiL'S.  It  was  impolTible  to  hold  thefe  conferences 
 without  meeting  together,  to  which  they  who  fear 
 God  have  been  always  inclined,  and  particularly  when 
 they  perceived  aiiy  remarkable  danger.  Man  is  focial 
 in  every  ftate.  "  The  companies  of  the  wicked  (fays 
 "  David)  have  robbed  me;  but  I  have  not  forgotten 
 *'  thy  law,"  Pfdm  cxix.  61.  When  the  impious  meet 
 daily  Lo  countenance  one  another  in  their  abominations, 
 
 and 
 
446  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 and  to  upliold  the  wretched  caufe  of  infiuelity,  fhall  the 
 riohtei  us,  whom  they  hate  and  oppofe,  forfakc-  the  af- 
 fembling  of  themfelve'-  together,  and  lofe  the  things 
 they  have  gained  ?  John  ii.  8.  They  certainly  will 
 not ;  the  faints,  in  t  e  exerclfe  of  grace,  will  aflbciate 
 for  tht  ir  mutual  fupport,  and  in  defence  of  the  truth, 
 when  the  enemy  tomes  in  like  a  flood;  and  he  that 
 can  allow  himfelf  to  negle£l  this  natural  and  neceflary 
 means  of  his  own  prefervation,  and  of  promotmg  the 
 caufe  of  piety  in  the  world,  does  well  to  confider  how 
 the  love  of  God  dwells  in  his  heart ! 
 
 Again,  it  implies  that  they  freely  opened  their 
 minds  to  each  other,  7  he  fcripture  is  unacquainted 
 with  filent  meetings,  which  are  really  vain  and  abfurd. 
 Religious  aflemblies  are  for  the  glory  of  God  and  our 
 mutual  profit ;  but,  can  thefe  ends  be  anfwered  where 
 nothing  is  faid  ?  How  can  our  united  fupplications  and 
 praifes  afcend  to  the  Father,  or  infl:ru6lion  and  com- 
 fort be  conveyed  to  our  hearts,  in  a  meeting  where  a 
 word  is  not  uttered  ?  It  is  therefore  highly  unreafon- 
 abie  to  plead  for  or  pra£tice  a  total  filence  among  the 
 famts,  when  gathered  together  in  the  n::ir;e  of  the 
 Lord.  The  faithful  referred  to  were  otherwife  taught; 
 they  opened  their  mouths,  no  doubt,  to  the  Lord,  in 
 prayer  and  thankfglving ;  but  the  report  we  are  now  con- 
 fidering  is  confined  to  their  fpeeches  one  to  another,which 
 might  be  according  to  their  ability  from  the  word ;  but 
 here  is  not  fo  much  a  regard  to  the  preaching  of  one 
 qualified  and  called  to  that  important  fervice,  which 
 may  be  one  means  of  eftabliftiing  the  children  of  God 
 in  their  private  aflemblies  j  it  refers  to  conference- 
 meetings. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     447 
 
 meetings,  in  which  they  more  freely  and  univerfally 
 difcouifed,  everyone  bearing  his  part ;  for  inconverfa- 
 tion,  like  a  bank,  each  companion  has  or  fhould  hav^e 
 his  fhare;  at  thefe  meet'ngs  of  the  faithful  all  in  gene- 
 ral fpeak  in  their  order,  in  a  manner  fuited  to  the  oc- 
 cafion  and  circumftances  they  were  in,  as  the  expreflion 
 implies. 
 
 This  leads  to  obferve,  that  we  are  not  to  imagine 
 that  this  was  a  light  or  common  difcourfe.  The  word 
 "lli'i  rendered  [pake  in  the  account,  is  very  emphatical ; 
 it  points  to  the  order  of  their  conferr  ng  together, 
 and  the  propriety  of  what  they  delivered.  The 
 term  is  applied  to  God  when  he  fpake  to  xMofes,  and 
 it  is  alfo  ufed  to  exprefs  the  e.oquence  of  Aaron,  whofe 
 lips  were  prepared  to  fpeak  well,  or  in  an  excellent 
 manner ;  it  is  not  barely  to  fay,  but  it  figniiies  an  or- 
 derly continued  wife  fpeech,  fuch  as  may  delight  and 
 profit  the  hearer,  and  (hews  that  thefe  pious  fouls  were 
 greatly  affifted  in  this  humble  attempt,  and  endowed 
 with  a  Spirit  from  on  higii  ;  the  confufed  and  rude  way 
 of  fome,  under  a  pretence  of  freedom  in  their  afiem- 
 blies,  is  carnal,  indecent  and  vain,  and  no  more  to  be 
 compared  with  the  conference  commended  in  fcripture, 
 than  the  babling  of  fools  with  the  ferious  and  perti- 
 nent difcourfes  of  the  learned  and  wife,  in  the  mod  re- 
 fpedable  fociety.  Thefe  holy  men  met  under  a  deep 
 concern  for  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  their  mutual 
 fafety  and  encouragement  in  his  ways,  which  w.re  de- 
 fpifed ;  and  when  the  people  of  God  come  together  in 
 this  frame  and  view,  whether  in  a  formal  or  more  fa- 
 miliar manner,  the  Spirit  is  often  poured  out  from  on 
 
 high ; 
 
448  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 high ;  hence  their  lips  move  fwettly  and  wifely.  O  the 
 reverence,  fervor  and  proprioty  with  which  they  who 
 fear  the  Lord  fomctimes  fpeak.  to  one  another,  under 
 the  influence  of  his  grace,  which  he  hears  with  de- 
 light ! 
 
 It  is  neither  prefumptuous  nor  vain,  but  may  be 
 ufeful  to  conjecSlure  the  topics  or  heads  of  difcourfe  the 
 faithful  went  upon  in  thefe  meetings.  Indeed  no  man 
 now  llviig  was  prefent,  but,  from  the  nature  of  the 
 thing,  and  from  univerfal  experience  under  the  Lke 
 circumftances,  we  may  eafily  apprehend,  and  even  ven- 
 ture to  affirm,  that  the  following  fubjeils  had  a  place 
 in  their  conference: 
 
 I.  "The  name  of  the  Lord."  This  includes  his  na- 
 ture, counfels  and  caufe,  as  we  (hall  have  occafion  to 
 fhew  when  we  enter  on  the  character  of  the  pious, 
 Thefe  Ifraelites  fpake  the  truth  in  their  heart,  and  no 
 doubt  their  difcourfe  turned  on  that  which  occupied 
 their  thoughts.  They  fpake  one  to  another  concerning 
 the  holinefs,  juftice,  power  and  faith fulnefs  of  the  Lord 
 their  God.  Every  one  in  his  temple  fpeaks  of  his  glory. 
 Diifcourfes  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  this  fenfe  are  very 
 ftrengthening  to  the  faith  of  God's  people,  and  tends 
 to  engage  their  hearts  towards  him.  Befides,  we  may 
 fuppofe  that  they  conferred  on  the  prophecies,  hiftory 
 and  promifes  contained  in  revelation.  Indeed,  before 
 the  invention  of  printing,  copies  of  the  fcripture  were 
 fcarce  j  Bibles  are  now  very  cheap  j  but  in  thofe  days 
 a  few  leaves  of  that  facred  volume  would  fetch  a  con- 
 fiderable  fum  j  neverthelefs  feme  of  the  company  might 
 
 furnifo 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     449 
 
 furnifh  the  reft,  and  others  from  their  iremoiies  affift 
 theaflembly;  hence  they  might  fpeak  to  one  another 
 on  the  promifes  of  the  Meffiah,  God's  covenant  with 
 Abraham,  and  his  repeated  engagements  to  fave  them 
 that  fear  him  ;  they  might  likcwife  difcoune  on  the 
 feafonable  and  wonderful  appearance  of  the  Almi^jhty 
 for  the  prefervation  of  his  church,  and  the  reviving  his 
 caufe  when  in  danger,  by  Noah,  Mofes,  and  alfo  in 
 the  days  of  Elias,  when  faith  feemed  to  fail,  and  true 
 religion  was  ready  to  expire.  Tinefc  confiderations, 
 with  the  immutability  of  the  divine  counfel,  which 
 infures  the  completion  of  tl.e  eled;,  afford  itrong  con- 
 folatiun  to  the  faithful,  and  fill  them  with  courage 
 under  the  darkeft  fcenes  of  prpvidence. 
 
 ?.  Their  hearts  were  full  of  concern  about  the  abo- 
 minations by  which  the  Name  of  the  Lord  was  blaf- 
 phemed,  and  therefore  no  doubt  they  dwelt  upon  the 
 threatning  errors  and  difoiders  which  prevailed.  In 
 this  fad  ftate  of  things,  as  hinted  before,  they  might  be 
 rather  dilcouraged  from  fpeaking  to  otiiers  who,  being 
 hardened  in  their  iniquity,  would  only  deride  and  abufe 
 them,  and  thereby  add  to  their  guilt;  but  to  one  ano- 
 ther, in  thofe  conference-meetings  they  freely  unbur- 
 thened  their  minds  on  the  melancholy  fubjetl,  which 
 might  be  ufeful  to  excite  a  becoming  indignation 
 againft  the  provoking  tranfgreflions  of  the  times,  to 
 keep  them  on  their  guard,  and  to  animate  them  in 
 holding  faft  their  profsffion.     And  further, 
 
 3.  It  may  be  prefumed  that  they  fpake  to  one  ano- 
 ther concerning  the  fnares  that  were  about  them,  and 
 F{  the 
 
450  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 the  temptations  they  were  under,  at  leafl  in  fome  mea- 
 fure,  to  comply  with  the  finful  cuftom  of  the  day,  and 
 thereby  to  fail  from  their  ftedfaftnefs.  In  a  feafon  of 
 general  defe(3:ion,  men  full  of  fubtlcty  lie  in  wait,  if 
 poflible,  to  pervert  from  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  and 
 there  are  commonly  popular  arts  in  pra£lice,  by  which 
 fome  are  overtaken  to  their  hurt  j  thefe  differ  according 
 to  the  tafte  of  the  times,  and  are  craftily  adapted  to  the 
 temper  and  circumftances  of  the  objeiS;  but  whatever 
 may  be  the  form  of  the  nets  which  are  fpread,  it  is 
 natural  for  thofe  who  are  on  the  watch,  to  acquaint  one 
 another  with  what  they  perceive,  and  mention  the  in- 
 ftances  in  which  they  prevail,  that,  being  fufficiently 
 warned,  they  may  efcape  the  paths  of  the  deftroyer. 
 To  this  it  may  be  needful,  at  times,  to  call  to  remem- 
 brance their  frailty,  and  how  liable  the  beft  are, 
 through  the  deceit  of  the  flefh,  to  be  overtaken  and 
 fall  into  fm. 
 
 But,  of  all  the  fubje(9:s  which  may  turn  up  in  the 
 conference  of  the  faints  in  a  time  of  apoftafy,  there  is 
 none  more  common  or  ufeful  than  that  of  their  own 
 experience.  By  experience  I  mean  the  efficacy  of  the 
 aofpel  in  the  heart,  which  is  through  the  operation  of 
 the  Spirit,  and  that  communion  with  God  and  fenfe  of 
 his  love,  which  the  believer  may  have  found  in  his 
 attendance  on  divine  inftitutions.  That  the  word  comee 
 not  in  word  only  but  alfo  in  power,  fufficient  to  inveft 
 the  fubjeft  with  an  alTurance  of  the  truth,  and  that. 
 they  who  embrace  it  with  love,  and  obey  it  from  the 
 heart,  have  enjoyed  delightful  fellowfliip  with  the  Lord 
 in  his  ways,  mull  be  owned  by  thofe  who  pretend  to 
 
 the 
 
•       IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHT.     451 
 
 the  credit  of  divine  revelation  ;  and  indeed,  he  who  has 
 felt  nothing  of  this  internal  efFeifl:  by  the  word  unto  re- 
 pentance and  faith,  is  a  flranger  to  vital  religion  ;  for 
 we  are  exprefly  told  that  the  word  thus  "  efF.vf  aally 
 *'  worketh  in  them  that  believe,"  i  ThefT.  ii.  13.  It 
 is  not  barely  a  fa6t  which  has  in  lome  decree  once  been 
 found  v^ith  the  chriilian,  much  Icfs  is  it  confiaeJ  to 
 thofe  who  are  ftrong  in  fa  rh,  this  -^fFeSl:  is  common  to 
 them  who  believe  j  nor  were  the  tauhul  of  old  with- 
 out this  experience,  the  fymptoms  jf  which  are,  ha^ 
 tred  of  fin,  defires  after  holmefs,  anr' joy  in  the  Lord  j 
 now,  however  fome  under  a  fpecious  pretence  of  hu- 
 mility, and  the  deceit  of  the  heart,  would  take  chri- 
 ftians  off  from  a  regard  to  this  as  an  uncertain  and 
 tranfitory  thing,  if  any  fuch  exper'ence  exifts,  to  hefi- 
 tate  which  is  to  favor  of  deifm  itfelf,  let  reafon  judge 
 if  a  remembrance  thereof  is  not  a  natural  and  powerful 
 means  to  eftablifh  its  fubjeil  in  an  age  that  is  loofe  and 
 prophane,  for  this  man  has  the  witnefs  in  himfelf  to  the 
 truth  from  which  he  is  tempted  to  depart ;  he  has  r'elt  the 
 power  of  thofe  do£lrines,  vv'hich  the  wicked  contradict 
 and  blafpheme  ;  and  can  a  man  be  eafily  moved  from  the 
 truth  which  hath  been  efFeclual  to  his  growth  in  grace, 
 and  communion  with  God  ?  He  that  doth  the  truth 
 Cometh  to  the  light,  and  will  bring  the  feeiings  of  his 
 heart,  as  v/ell  as  his  external  obedience,  to  tho»  ftand- 
 ard  of  fcripture,  for  he  is  concerned  to  manifeft  its  fo- 
 briety,  and  that  it  is  agreeable  to  the  analogy  of 
 faith,  and  to  the  common  teftimony  of  the  faints,  for 
 even  experimental  religion  is  fubftantially  the  fame  ia 
 the  called,  and  nothing  can  be  more  rational  than  to 
 improve  that  experience,  th^-  reality  of  which  is  evident 
 
 F  f  2  to 
 
452  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 to  his  confcience,  into  an  argument  for  holding  faft  his 
 profeffion,  for  though  no  man's  private  experience  is  a 
 proof  to  another  that  his  religion  is  divine,  yet  to  him- 
 felf  a  more  fohd  evidence  of  this  he  cannot  poffefs,  mi- 
 raculous teftimony  or  immediate  infpiration  alone  ex- 
 cepted ;  even  that  bell  of  internal  evidence  which  be- 
 longs to  the  Bible,  namely,  the  purity  of  its  doctrines 
 and  precepts,   is  not  equal  to  that  of  its  fan6iifying  ef- 
 fects in  the  heart,  of  vi^hich  the  believer  is  confcious  on 
 refledion.     This  being  the  cafe,  it  is  eafy  to  fee  the 
 advantage  that  muft  arife  to  the  faithful  by  a  free  com- 
 munication of  their  experience  to  each  other,  to  con- 
 firm them  and  to  animate  their  perfeveratice  amidft  the 
 fcorn  of  unbelievers,  or  licentious  pi ofeflbrs,  for,  what 
 man  who  hath  this  evidence  of  the  truth  in  his  heart 
 will  defpife  or  forfake  it  ?  The  apoftle  was  animated  by 
 this  effcd  of  the  word  upon  others :  "  For  I  am  not 
 •'  afliamed  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  for  it  is  the  power 
 '*  of  God  to  the  falvation  of  every  one  that  believeth,** 
 Rom.  i.  16.     How  much  more  fhall  a  man  be  encou- 
 raged to  abide  in  his  profeffion,  who  finds  himfelf  the 
 fubje£l  of  this  divine  power  ?   May  the  Reader  manifeft 
 his  knowledge  of  the  like  teftimony  by  his  walk,  for  I 
 prefume  that  he  is  convinced  that  no  article  or  topic  of 
 difcourfe  is  more  profitable  among  the  children  of  God, 
 in  a  perilous  time,  than  what  relates  to  their  acquain- 
 tance with  experimental  religion.     Other  particulars 
 might  be  fubjomed,  namely,  their  infinite  obligation? 
 to  Jefus,  who  was  facrificed  for  them,  the  contradic- 
 tions he  endured,  and  the  fhame  he  defpifed  when  he 
 fufFered  on  the  crofs ;  they  will  likewife  remember  their 
 folemn  engagements  to  him  and  his  people,  the  mife- 
 
 rable 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHT.     453 
 
 rable  end  of  apoftates,  and  by  every  argument  in  their 
 power  excite  one  another  to  ftrive  againft  fin  and  to 
 hold  out  to  the  end  j  and,  to  fay  no  more,  they  will 
 not  forget  the  grace  there  is  in  Chrift  to  fupport  and 
 deliver  them,  nor  the  glory  they  fhall  obtain  at  his  ap- 
 pearance and  kinydom ;  but  time  would  fail,  and  the 
 Readei  will  think  thefe  hiato  aie  fufficient. 
 
 It  appears  then,  that  chriftians  are  not  filent  when 
 together,  for  want  oi  fubjedts  adapted  to  their  comfort 
 in  this  Itate  of  trial.  The  things  of  the  Spirit  afford 
 a  rich  variety  of  matter  for  difcourfe ;  yet,  alas,  how 
 often  is  it  feen  that,  being  ftraitened  in  themfelves, 
 they  are  dumb,  or  rarely  converle  on  what  relates  to 
 the  kingdom  of  God  ;  but  when  they  are  enabled  to 
 open  their  bofom  and  fp^ak  freely  on  thefe  divine  to- 
 pics, they  find  comfort  by  the  mutual  faith  of  each 
 other;  it  knits  them  together  m  lov,  and  has  a  pow- 
 erful tendency  to  revive  their  fpirits  when  drooping, 
 infomuch  that  fometimes  they  meet  in  heavinefs 
 through  manifold  temptations,  and  return  with  thankf- 
 giving  and  joy,  being  ready  as  it  were  to  take  >:  ff  their 
 harps  from  the  willows,  and  with  melody  tune  them  to 
 the  God  of  their  life,  fo  that  they  who  omit  fuch  oppor- 
 tunities little  think  how  much  they  lofe  by  their  ab- 
 fence,  and  lie  out  of  the  way  of  their  pwn  great  ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 From  this  inftance  of  piety  it  alfo  appears  that  true 
 
 religion  is  focial.     Indeed  the  godly  man  is  obliged  to 
 
 Ihun  the  vam  multitude.   He  is  in  a  manner  fequeftered 
 
 from  the  world,  and  muft  often  retire,  it  may  be  fome- 
 
 F  f  3  times 
 
454  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 times  from  the  beft  of  company,   for,    however  fomC 
 live,  private  devotion  is  needful  to  a  clofe  walk  with 
 God  5  to  be  unacquainted  with  this,  is  to  be  a  ftranger 
 to  faith,  or  at  leaft  fuch  are  declining  apace  from  its 
 virtue,  and  will  one  day  bitterly  weep  for  their  folly; 
 now,   on   account  of  thefe  neceflary  withdrawments, 
 the  believer  may  be  thought  an  unfociable  creature, 
 but  this  is  for  want  of  underftanding  or  confidering  the 
 nature  and  tendency  of  his  life,  which,  while  it  induces 
 him  into  his  chamber  to  converfe  with  himfelf  and 
 his  Lord,  that  the  life  of  religion  may  be  maintained 
 in  his  foul,  by  that  very  means  preferves  an  habitual 
 fenfe  of  the  love  of  Gcd  to  him,  and  his  approaching 
 falvation,    which  naturally  cn^ate  a  defire,    yea,   and 
 'fometimes  a  lonp,ing  after  thofe  aflemblies  in  which  he 
 may  hope  for  a  tafte  of  that  joy,  in  the  fulnefs  of  which 
 the  fpirits  of  the  juft  fing  round  the  throne  of  God  and 
 the  Lamb.     Thus  the  believer's  clofet  fits  him  for  the 
 fandhiary,  and  his  private  iniercourfe  with  heaven  pre- 
 pares and  dirpoffrs   him   for  the  communion  of  faints; 
 ncr  is  any  eflt'it  of  divine  love  in  the  heart  more  cer- 
 tain, than  that  of  a  rtadinefs  to  meet  them  on  &\cry 
 proper  occafior,  and  a  delight  in  their  prcllnce.    Some 
 iindi  r  a   high  profeffion  of  the  gofpel  may  be  cynical 
 and  relervcd,  but  it  is   unjult  to  charge  their  difagree- 
 able  temper  on  tne  religion   of  Jelus,    the  genius  of 
 which   is  quite  the  revcrfe  ;  nothing  can  be  more  di- 
 rectly oppofite  to  an  evangelical  Ipirir,  to  Vv'hich  bro- 
 therly love  is  eflential,   than  any  thing  that  favours  of  a 
 rr.onkifh  life,  which  fome  men,  through  weaknefs  or 
 defign^    plead  for  :  rui  practice.     The  gofpel  leads  its 
 fulj-ds  to  airociate  ofien,  and  to  an  open  frank  con- 
 
 verfatioi> 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      455 
 
 yerfation  <me  with  another;  f(»  that  it  is  no  good  fign, 
 and  far  from  being  amia->le,  when  ptrf.>ns  affe6l  the 
 unfociable  habit  which  i  nie  men  wear;  a  hah  t  v/hich 
 as  it  is  contrary  to  fcr  [tur:-examp!e,  is  no  hf- pre- 
 judicial to  tlie  itU'-reit  g1  religion,  u  r  it  tend*,  to  de- 
 prive che  faithful  of  one  [.rincipal  means  of  their  con- 
 firmation and  joy. 
 
 It  Is  an  observation  grounded  on  univerfal  expe- 
 rience, that  a  man  is  known  by  his  con  pany.  Thus 
 the  friends  ot^  the  believer  are  thofe  who  fear  God  ;  his 
 natural  or  civil  connexions  in  life  may  expofc  him  to 
 very  unpleafmg  fociety  at  times,  but  he  that  walks  in  the 
 Spirit  will  not  choofe  to  afibciate  with  the  ignorant  and 
 prophane ;  he  is,  with  David,  "  a  companion  of  all 
 "them  that  fear  God  ;"  and  he  delights  in  the  faints 
 who  are  the  excellent  of  the  earth  ;  hence  he  is  earneft 
 with  the  Lord  in  fuch  language  as  this:  "Let  thofe 
 *'  that  fear  thee  turn  unto  me,  and  thofe  that  have 
 *'  known  thy  teftimonics."  Art  rhou,  Reader,  a  com- 
 panion of  the  ungodly,  thou  art  either  ungodly  thyfelf, 
 or  ftrangely  feduced  ;  beware  of  rhe  plagues  that  are 
 coming  on  the  wicked,  but  I  would  hope  thy  fellow- 
 fhip  is  with  the  righteous ;  be  thankful  for  thy  happy 
 fituation ;  it  is  a  fingular  advantage  to  enjoy  their  fa- 
 vor and  company,  but  a  mercy  fliU  greater  is  an  heart 
 to  improve  it. 
 
 And,  are  the  advantages  of  chriftian  conferences  fo 
 
 great  and  important  ?  may  we  not  juftly  lament  that  it 
 
 is  fo  much  negledled,  or  rather  laid  afide  ?    That  there 
 
 is  now  little  of  it  in  the  ordinary  difcourfc  of  believers, 
 
 F  f  4  almoft 
 
456  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 almofl-  every  one  knows,  a  forrowful  fymptom  of  their 
 hearts  being  too  feidom  employed  on  heavenly  fubjedls  5 
 her  ce  many  are  lean  and  unfruitful,  but,  as  the  per? 
 fe£lion  ot  chriftian  fociety  lies  in  a  gofpel  church  ftate, 
 the  intereft  of  religion  is  moft  effedually  promoted  by 
 the  gatherings  of  thofe  who  are  joined  in  the  Lord,  it 
 is  therefore  melancholy  indeed,  when  members  of  the 
 fame  church  either  fpeak  not  at  all,  or  rarely  fay  any 
 thing  to  one  another  about  the  things  of  God.     Cafual 
 and  ordinary  meetings  of  the  faithful  ought  to  be  intir 
 proved  to  their  fpiritual  profit,  but  the  principal  and 
 only  fufficient  means  of  promoting  the   kingdom  of 
 God,  is  the  fellowfliip  of  the  faints  in  the  order  of  the 
 gofpel,  to  which  every  other  pious  endeavour  muft  be 
 fubordinate ;  hence  the  old  ferpent,  in  every  age,  would 
 entice  mtn  from  a  regard  to  this  divine  inftitution  j  in 
 jfome  inflancef,  they  who  belong  to  this  or  the  other 
 community,   omit  the  affemblies  of  their  brethren,  and 
 {am  to   be   religious  abroad,  which  is  ftrange ;    but, 
 from  what  we  have  feen,  the  advantage  of  conferring 
 togehi-T  is  manifeftly  great,  it  (hould  therefore  be  en- 
 couraged in  every  church,  without  which  one  confi- 
 deic'ble  end  (>f  conimunion  and  means  of  keeping  up 
 the  power  of  godlinefs  is  loft.     O  that  thefe  ancient 
 worthies  were  followed  !   can  any  thing  be  more  highly 
 appro\ed  t'  an  ihtir  practice  ?    or  can  it  with  reafon  be 
 doubted  whahcr  iheir  condu6t  is  tranfmitted   for  the 
 imitation  of  po''eiity  ?     Why  then.    Beloved,    is  the 
 laudi.ble  cuftom  difcouraged  or  forfaken  ?    Things  are 
 rot  fo  bad  with  us  as  in  the  time  of  thofe  whofe  exam- 
 ple is  before  us  5   but,  are  there  no  appearances  to  awa- 
 ken our  concern  for  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  and  to  put 
 
 us 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     457 
 
 us  on  every  method   to  quicken  one  another  in  his 
 wav  ?   why  then  do  we  omit  this  excellent  means  of 
 promoting  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God  ?    will  you 
 fay  thiit  religious  conferences  have  been  abufed  ?    Be  it 
 fo ;   what  means  of  grace  may  not  be  abufed  by  vain 
 and  felf-confiJent  perfons  ?   Shall  the  children  of  God 
 be  fiient,  or  refrain  from   fpenking  one  to  another,  be- 
 caufe  fome  bafe  hypocritical  men  have  taken  occafion 
 from  thefe  exercifes  to  intrude  and  exalt  themfelvesj 
 againit  the  order  and  peace  of  the  church  ?    This  me- 
 thod of  edification  is  fo  natural,  that  it  is  fcarce  to  be 
 avoided  by  them  who  are  earneftly  feeking  the  things 
 which  are  above,    infomuch  that  whenever  the  work 
 of  the  Lord  is  going  forward,   conference- meetings 
 abound,  and  the  enlightened  gladly  lay  hold  of  every 
 opportunity  for  fpeaking  on  divine  fubjciSs,    and  the 
 eonftant  ufe  of  this  pradtice  in  a  church  is  of  great  fer- 
 vice  towards  the  mutual  acquaintance  and  love  of  the 
 members,  difcerning  of  gifts  for  the  miniftry,  prevent- 
 ing apoftafies,  and  promoting  the  power  of  godlinefs 
 among  them.     O  that  the  faithful  were  enlarged,  and 
 their  lips  circumcifed   to  fpeak  to  one  another,  that 
 they  were  free  to  communicate  their  experience  and 
 knowledge,   and  to  lay  open  the  temptations,    fears, 
 hope  and  joy,  which  exercife  their  hearts  in  a  life  of 
 faith  ;  nothing  can  be  more  rational  or  becoming  their 
 character.     By  this  means  many  a  church  has  been 
 preferved,  or  revived,  yea,  and  in  fome  inftances  long 
 fulhined  without  a  ftated  minifter,  till  one  has  been 
 obtained,  with  a  bleffing,  under  whom  it  hath  flou- 
 jifhed  again  j   it  is  therefore  to  be  wifhed  that  the  ex- 
 ample before  us  was  univerfally  followed,  and  fpiritual 
 
 confe- 
 
458  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 Cinrerenc':'  tncour^^^cd  in  every  chriftian  community. 
 A  pradlice  lb  high'y  pleafing  to  the  Lord,  and  condu- 
 cive to  the  intercft  of  perfonal  and  fecial  religion,  muft 
 fureK  b?  thf  object  of  rh.-ir  defire,  wiio  hope  to  be  his 
 in  the  day  v/h(:u  he  makes  up  his  jewels,  which  will 
 abundantl  recompence  the  lelf-denial  that  may  attend 
 their  zca!  for  his  Name, 
 
 LECTURE    XXVIIL 
 
 What  included  in  thinking  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord. 
 His  hec'rke.iing  to  his  peoples  difcourfe,  and  book  of 
 remembrance,  explained.     Refledlions. 
 
 ^  r  E  have  feen  the  righteous  in  conference  toge- 
 '  V  iher  at  a  time  when  the  Name  of  the  Lord 
 was  p'ofaned,  and  have  heard,  as  it  vi^ere,  the  fubjedls 
 on  whicln  ihey  dncourfed.  Thefe  exercifes  are  el}ecmed, 
 in  proportion  to  the  increale  or  decay  of  vital  godli- 
 iiefs,  infomuch'that  we  may  in  a  meafure  difcover  the 
 ft  te  of  religion  among  any  body  of  people,  by  their 
 regard  to  fuch  pious  and  needful  affembiies.  ,  When 
 the  work  of  the  Lord  is  going  forward,  the  afFedlions 
 of  his  faints  are  raifed  towards  heaven,  then  they  de- 
 Ijoht  in  thofe  interviews  before  him  which  tend  to  pro- 
 mote his  intercft,  and  iheir  mutual  acvantage.  At  firft 
 converfion  men  naturally  defire  to  tell  what  God  hath 
 done  for  their  fouls,  and  to  be  further  enlightened,  and 
 it  is  the  joy  of  more  advanced  believers,  when  in  a  be-> 
 coming  frame,  to  affift  tiieir  young  bre'Lhren.     Hence 
 
 they 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     45Q 
 
 they  gladly  embrace  every  fit  opportunity  of  comino- 
 together.  To  this  fome  objeil  and  fay,  that  thefe 
 meetings  interfere  with  the  chriftian's  obligations  in 
 other  refpe(3:s;  but,  however  fome  idle  perfons  rnay 
 have  negledled  their  duty,  and  given  juft  caul'e  of  com- 
 plaint, it  is  far  from  b.ing  impofiible  for  the  difciples 
 of  Jefus,  who  are  nearly  fituated,  to  hold  frequent^  I 
 had  almoft  faid,  daily*'  aflemblies  for  fpiritual  exercifej 
 
 this 
 
 *  As  hinted  p.  aSS,  if  people  delighted  in  fpiritual  exercifes,  they  might 
 contrive  freqiieiit  meetings  without  a  negledl  of  their  civil  concerns.  The 
 daily  prayers,  and  other  religious  fervice  in  the  Eftablifhed  Church,  and 
 alfo  among  the  Diflcnters,  in  almoft  every  market-tovi'n  and  citv  in  the 
 Jcingdom,  not  excepting  the  metropolis  itfelf,  evidently  prove  that  our  fore- 
 fathers found  this  to  be  faft,  otherwife,  what  fhould  be  the  occafion  or 
 motive  to  the  many  donations  and  voluntary  fubfcriptions  for  the  fupport  of 
 fuch"opportun!tis3  ?  We  may  flatter  ourfelves  j  but,  for  the  moft  pa:t,  ab- 
 fence  from  thefe  appointments  is  not  owing  to  neceffary  bufinefs,  but  to  a 
 want  of  inclination,  and  the  truth  is,  that  we  are  too  plainly  now  become 
 lovers  of  pleafure  more  than  lovers  of  God.  I  take  leave  further  to  obferve 
 concerning  thefe  occafional  meetings  of  the  faithful,  that,  hov>'ever  in  the  ge- 
 neral they  were  promifcuous  from  the  beginning,  there  are  inftances  recorded 
 in  which  they  were  compofed  of  women  only,  who  cxercifed,  at  leaft  in  pray- 
 er, one  among  another ;  in  all  appearance  this  was  the  cafe  in  the  houfe  of 
 Mary,  Afts  xii.  12.  At  this  meeting  for  prayer  many  were  gathered,  but 
 not  a  man  feen  among  them;  and  from  what  Peter  fays,  ver.  17.  it  fliould 
 feem  that  neither  James,  nor  any  of  the  brethren  were  there ;  but,  that 
 in  whuh  Lydia  uas  converted,  an  account  of  which  we  have  in  chap.  xvi. 
 is  fti^i  mote  to  the  purpofe.  We  are  told  that  Paul  fpake  to  the  women 
 which  --eforted  thither ;  and  will  any  perfon  fuppofe  that  the  men  with- 
 drew on  inp  entrance  of  the  apoftle,  or  that  he  fpake  not  to  all  who  were 
 prefent  ?  To  fay  that  the  greater  part  were  women,  or  that  Paul  difcourfed 
 with  thufe  women  before  worihip  began,  is  at  beft  an  improbable  conjec- 
 ture, and  as  it  were  begging  the  queftionj  no  tircumftance  is  mentioned 
 J;hat  would  induce  an  unprejudiced  perfon  to  conclude  that  a  man,  befides 
 the  apoftle  and  his  companions,  came  to  this  meeting:  And,  why  fhould 
 not  womviii  endowed  with  grace  exercife  one  among  another  in  private?  In- 
 {leed  their  filence  i?  rcjuircd  in  open  ard  public  aff:nib!ier,  it  being,  as  de- 
 
 rl^rcd 
 
46o  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 this  may  cer.a  nly  be  done  without  any  imj)earhment 
 of  r heir  character  in  civil  and  natural  life,  and  it  has 
 always  b^e  the  cafe  in  a  flouriftiing  ftate  ol  the  church. 
 Widely  different  from  this,  was  the  period  'n  which  the 
 faith lul  rcfened  to  were  accuftomed  to  meet;  there 
 was  then  not  h  hare  coldnefs  or  negledl,  but  an  averfion 
 to  the  way  of  the  Lord,  which  is  ever  attended  with 
 a  popular  conttmpt  of  thofe  who  delight  in  waiting  up- 
 on him.  Under  thefe  circumftances  we  may  fuppofe 
 that  their  mctt  ngs  were  private,  or  that  they  who  fol- 
 Iov\-ed  taem  wen.  expoftd  to  reproach  and  derifion ;  but 
 the  God  whom  they  lerved  difdained  not  to  own  them, 
 whofe  record  on  high  in  their  favor,  infinitely  over- 
 balanced  the  difgrace    and   trial  they  met  with  from 
 
 men, 
 
 flared  in  I  Cor.  xiv.  35.  a  fliame  for  women  to  fpeak  in  the  church; 
 nor  fhould  any  prcfume  to  encourage  a  praftice  in  dirtdt  oppofiiion  to  the 
 teftimony  of  God;  but,  if  it  is  abfolutely  unlawful  for  a  woman  to  praj', 
 or  to  o^jen  ht-r  mouth  on  points  of  religion,  in  any  alTembly  whatever, 
 vhere  is  thi  pt-u  nercy  or  defign  of  the  ap  ftle's  difcourfe  in  chap.  xi.  5,  6? 
 Stveral  other  paflages  ihew  that  women  were  ernploytd  in  a  spiritual  way 
 for  tht  benefit  of  the  aifciplcs,  namely,  A£ts  xviii.  27,  Rom.  xvi.  i,  Phil, 
 iv.  3  Rev.  li.  ^o,  &c.  which  me  Reader  may  coniult  at  his  leifure.  In- 
 deed it  fccms  uareafonable  to  reftrain  chriftian  women  irom  any  manner  of 
 of  e  irymg  one  anoiher,  in  their  power,  that  is  dtcent,  and  that  eonfifts 
 with  the  Older  of  the  church,  prcfcribeu  by  the  Lord,  and  his  infpired 
 miniftt-is.  In  one  word,  I  fee  nothing  in  nature  or  fcripture  that  forbids  a 
 woman  the  liberty  of  pr.iying,  or  otherwife  exercifing  her  ability,  in  pri- 
 vate or  fpecial  fociety,  which  I  the  rather  mention,  becaufe  without  this 
 allowance,  in  feme  circumftances,  one  means  of  religion  is  eratirely  loff, 
 particularly  family-prayer,  and  that  even  where  the  rifiug  generation  is 
 nearly  concerned,  and  there  is  realbn  to  fear  that  this  groundlefs  prejudice 
 againft  a  woman's  b?ing  exercifed  in  a  foclal  way  under  any  confideration 
 whatever.  h-ii.h  occafioned  a  fad  negledl  of  that  branch  of  worfhip  ia  fome, 
 who  might  otherwife  have  l"d  thofe  under  their  c.^re  to  the  throne  of 
 grace,  with  advantage,  though,  to  their  praife  be  it  fpokv;n,  a  few  of  that 
 fex  are  not  ailiamed  of  their  duty  to  God,  and  the  fouls  cominitttd  to  tbel^ 
 charge. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACH^.      461 
 
 men,  which  we  are  n')W  to  confider.  "  And  the  Lord 
 "  hearkened  and  heard  it  j  and  a  b'?ok  of  ixmembrance 
 "  was  written  before  him  for  thdn  ihat  kw.^^d  the 
 *'  Lord,  and  that  thought  iipm  hi^  Nanr"."  To 
 think  on  the  Name  ot  tht  Lord  i?  a  ci  teruju  <.f  fje- 
 nuine  piety,  it  may  tiiertiore  br  u!' tul  to  Oj.ea  this 
 critical  notp,  and  fhew  unio  wliom  it  bt-h  n_.->,  and  then 
 fee  the  attention  which  Jehovah  ^ave  to  the  -o  ]y  m 
 their  meetings,  and  the  tranfudfinn  which  euluctJ  this 
 graCiOus  notice  of  their  zeal  tor  lis  glory. 
 
 The  Name  of  the  Lord,  in  this  place,  is  h's  publ'c 
 authority,  worfh'p  and  intereftj  or  in  other  words,  it 
 is  his  truth,  ordinances,  and  vifible  church,  and  com- 
 prehends every  thing  that  relates  to  rea)  pitfy,  in  its 
 power  and  form;  it  is  the  caiife  of  God  and  t  uth,  and 
 ftands  oppofed  to  infidelity,  prophai  enefs  and  vice,  of 
 every  kind  and  degree,  whereby  the  nioU  High  is  dif- 
 honored  and  blafphemed,  as  in  the  c<riupt  and  de- 
 generate age  of  ]VIalac!".t:  To  this  agrees  chap.  i.  u. 
 "  My  Name,  faith  the  Lord  of  h(  Us,  fhall  be  great 
 "  among  the  Gentiles,"  i.  e.  as  appears  from  the  fen- 
 tence  immediately  following,  "  in  every  pla..e  incenfe 
 **  (hall  be  offered  to  his  Name,  and  a  pure  offering,'* 
 which  came  to  pafs  through  the  obedience  of  faith, 
 when  the  gofpel  obtained  in  the  world. 
 
 Now  to  think  on  this  N  ime,  is  not  barely  to  have  a 
 thought  about  it,  which  the  wicked  may  havej  nor 
 doth  it  preclude  all  conc.rn  about  civil  and  temporal 
 things,  without  which  no  man  can  fill  up  hisftation  in 
 providence,  or  adorn  a  chriftian  piofeJlion  j  neither  is 
 
 it 
 
462   CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 it  impofli  lie  for  a  man  who  is  entitled  to  this  charafter, 
 through  one  occafion  and  another,  to  have  the  Name  of 
 the  Lord  out  of  his  thoughts  for  a  feafon  :  His  expe- 
 rience was  rare,  who  laments  in  his  diar)^,  that  on  a  cer- 
 tain day,  for  the  fpace  of  an  hour,  he  was  a  ftranger 
 to  a  thought  of  Jefus  and  his  Name.  Alas,  hew  many 
 hours  and  days  pafs  away  without  an  affcding  fenfe  of 
 his  love,   and  concern  for  his  glory  ! 
 
 This  regard  for  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  lies,  i.  In 
 an  habitual  concern  for  his  honor,   and  the  intereft  of 
 religion,  which  is  inherent  to  a  pnnciple  of  grace,  and 
 infeparable  from  the  love  of  God  in  the  foul.     The  new 
 creature  breathes  after  the  glory  of  its  divine  Author ;  fo 
 that  it  is  as  natural  for  the  righteous  to  think  on  the 
 Name  of  the  Lord,  as  the  thought  of  foolifhnefs  is  to 
 the  wicked.     This  facred  habit  in  the  faithful  appears 
 to  be  univerfal  from  Ifa.  xxvi.  8.  "  The  defire  of  our  . 
 "  foul  is  to  thy    Name   and   remembrance  of  thee." 
 Herein  lies  a  critical  difference  between  the  natural  and 
 fpiritual  man's  thoughts  of  God,  that  in  one  it  is  forced, 
 difagreeable,    againft  the  prevailing  bent  of  his  mind, 
 and  what  he   would  gladly  difmifs;    whereas    in    the 
 other  it  is  of  choice,    accompanied  with   delight,   and 
 what  he  feeks  after,  as  David,  "  iVIy  meditation  on  him 
 *'  fhall  be  fweet,"  Pfalmciv.  34.    Which  leads,  2.  To 
 obferve,   that  the   firft  fenfible  and   adlual   exercife  of 
 this  divine  habit  is  a  fixed  and  deep  intention  of  mind, 
 contemplating  the  intereft  and  glory  of  God  ;  The  word 
 imports  a  clofe  infpe6lion,    as   the  ingenious  artificer 
 turns  about  a  curious  work,  and  views  it  on  every  fide, 
 that  he  may  finifh  the  fame :   So  that  one  obvious  and 
 
 efTential 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  AlALACIII.     463    • 
 efiential  idea,  is  that  of  employing  our  faculties  in  rumi- 
 nating on  the  Name  of  ;hc  Lord.     He  therefore  who 
 is  a  ftrangcr  to  the  Ituuy  of  ihofe  things  which  belong 
 to  the  kingdom  01  God,  has  no  pi'.te  re  to  this  charac- 
 ter ;   nor  is   it  merely  to  meui  ..tt,  but,    3,   To  th.nk, 
 with  a  folicitude  of  mind,  about  its  prv)fp  rity,  with 
 contrivance   how  to   promote  it.     This  thou^htfuinefs 
 turns  not  only  on  the  excellency  and  importance  of  the 
 Name  of  Jehovah,  but  alfo  on  the  danger  it  is  in  th.  ou2;h 
 the  declenfions  ar.d  apoftacies  of  the  t'mes,  and  implies 
 our  chief  care  and  ftudy  to  fave,  revive,  and  incrcafe  it. 
 The  word  is  fometimes   rendered  dcrnfe:   and   he  that 
 doth  not  lay  to  heart  the  welfare  of  Zion,  and  contrive 
 what  in  him  lies  towards  the  intereft  ol  Chrift  in  his 
 day,   falls  fhort  of  the  defcription.     In  a  wo.'d,   it  im- 
 ports doing  to  our  utmoft,    whatever  may  tend  to  the 
 honor  of  God,  or  exerting  our  talents  of  every  kind  for 
 his  glory.     Some  obferve  from  this  claufe,   that  here  is 
 comfort  for  the  poor  and  weak,   who  cr.n  fcarce  fay  or 
 do  any  thing  for  promoting  the  caufe  of  che  Redeemer 
 in  the  world ;  the  promife  is  not  to  them  who  ck^   but 
 to  thofe   who   think  on  the  Name  oi  the  Lord;  but 
 every  one  who  anfwers  this  character  will  be  adtive  ac- 
 cording to  his  ability.  In  vam  do  they  pretend  to  a  cordial 
 regard  for  the  caufe  of  God,   who  withhold  any  thing 
 in   their  power  to  promote  it;   and    what  man  is  not 
 capable  of   doing   fomeihing  ?    who   cannot  pray  for 
 Zion,   appear  in  her  affembiies,  and  be  more  or  lefs  ac- 
 tive for  the  peace  or  jcrufalem  .? 
 
 Thus  to  think  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord  is  no  fuper- 
 ficial  tranfitory  or  Iruiticfs  thing,  but  a  folid,  perma- 
 nent. 
 
464  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 neni,  and  choice  experience  oF  the  faithful,  and  car- 
 ries in  it  the  utinoft  folici'.ude  and  enHe^vour  of  the 
 fubject  for  the  g  ory  of  God.  Now  whoever  ib  thus 
 employed  will  find  himfelf  grieved,  or  rejoiced,  as  the, 
 intereft  of  religion  declines  or  ,Dioipcrs ;  h^  will  alfo 
 deny  himfelf,  when  needful,  and,  li  called  to  it,  fub- 
 mit  to  the  k^weil  or  lUKid  difficah  olTice  of  love,  for 
 the  fake  of  Chnil  and  his  people,  riappy  the  man 
 who  hath  this  noble  teftimony  ot  his  confcien.  e !  the 
 Lord  will  think  upon  him  in  a  time  oi  tr9uble,  and 
 great  is  his  honor,  as  will  hereafter  appear. 
 
 And,  hath  the  Reader  a  claim  in  this  note  of  the 
 righteous  ?  Is  he  confcious  of  a  like  folicitude  tor  the 
 Name  of  the  Lord,  and  concern  for  his  intereft  in  the 
 world  ?  Alas,  fome  nominal  chriftians  openly  difcover 
 a  want  of  this  regard  for  the  welfare  of  Zion  5  they 
 live  in  a  fenfual  manner,  and  are  not  grieved  for  the 
 apoftafies  of  the  times ;  but  awful  is  the  threatening : 
 *'  If  ye  will  not  lay  it  to  heart  to  give  glory  unto  my 
 •*  Name,  faith  the  Lord  of  hofts,  I  will  even  fend  a 
 •'  curfe  upon  you."  O  that  carelefs  backfliders,  who 
 negleft  the  honor  of  God,  could  tremble  at  his  word, 
 and  repent  of  their  folly  '  But,  my  Friend,  is,  *'  hal- 
 •*  lowed  be  thy  Name,"  engraved  in  thine  heart  f  haft 
 thou  a  cordial  concern  for  tht  caufe  of  religion  in  a  de- 
 •  generate  age  ?  Rejoice ;  cheriih  every  thought  which 
 the  love  of  God  may  excite  in  thy  breaft  for  his  glory, 
 purfue  it  with  vigour,  and  feize  the  opportunity  for 
 adtion ;  it  may  call  for  much  felf-denial ;  the  world 
 may  fcofF,   and  wanton  profeflbrs  reproach  thee,  but 
 
 the 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACIII.     465 
 
 t"he  eye  of  the  Lord   Is  upon  thee;  dare  to  be  holy, 
 and  zealous  in  his  ways ;  thou  Ihalt  net  lofe  thy  re- . 
 ward  ! 
 
 DECE^f'l'  conceptions  of  Jehovah  will  prevent  low 
 and  carnal  ideas  of  this  report  of  his  grace ;  when  we 
 fpcak  of  the  Lord's  hearkening  to  his  people,  we  are 
 to  guard  againfl-  every  conceit  unworthy  his  glorious 
 perfections,  and  not  indulge  a  thought  to  the  diflionor 
 of  his  infinite  mind.  Far  be  it  to  imagine  that  the 
 eternaJ  God  is  at  any  uncertainty  about  what  is  fpoken 
 in  fecret,  ox  that  his  acquaintance  with  what  p^^ffes  in 
 the  mofb  private  alTemblies  of  his  faints,  depends  on  that 
 formal  attention,  by  which  they  attain  to  the  knowledge 
 of  one  anothers  dircourfe;  bodily  parts  and  gefturcs  are 
 no  doubt  attributed  to  God  by.  way  of  allufion,  and  de- 
 note a  fimilitude  in  his  dilpenfations  with  the  conduit 
 of  men  under  the  like  circumftances ;  thus  his  fupport- 
 ing  grace  is  defcribed  by  holding  v^ith  his  hand,  and 
 putting  underneath  his  arm ;  his  regard  of  the  ftate  and 
 fupplications  of  his  people,  by  opening  his  eyes  and  his 
 ears;  and  when  it  is  declared  that  he  hearkened  and 
 heard  v/hat  thefe  gracious  perfons  faid  in  their  meet- 
 ings, I  apprehend  the  following  ideas  are  included, 
 I.  That  he  is  prcfcut.  They  who  liflen  to  difcourfe 
 are  fupoofed  to  be  in  company,  or  near,  at  leaft  with- 
 in hearing  :  It  is  true  the  Almighty  fiiis  heaven  and 
 earth,  and  in  ihis  f?nfe  is  always  at  hand  and  not  far 
 ofr,  Jer.  xxiii.  23,  24.  But  we  know  that  there  is 
 a  fpecial  and  gracious  prefence  vouchfafed  to  them  who 
 fear  God  ;  he  is  nigh  unto  all  who  call  upon  him  in  trut^i, 
 Pfalm  odv.  i8.     Of  this  there  was  a  fymbol  in  tolo- 
 
 G  2  n;on'i^ 
 
466  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 mon's  temple,  and  the  promife  is  given  to  the  fmalleft 
 aflembly  of  his  faints,  Matt,  xviii  20.  And  it  is  fre- 
 quently found,  that  when  two  or  three  are  gathered  in 
 his  Name,  they  have  :eafon  to  fay:  Is  not  the  Lord  in 
 this  place!  A^z\n ^ftleiKe  is  another  idea  conne<5^ed  with 
 hearkening.  The  Lord  is  faid  to  keep  filence  when 
 he  fpeaks  not  in  judgment  to  the  wicked,  Pfalm  1.  3. 
 Alfo  Jer.  viii.  6.  it  is  faid,  that  he  hearkened  and 
 heard,  but  they  fpake  not  aright,  no  man  repented  him 
 of  his  wickednefs,  i.  e.  the  Lord  gave  them  fpace  for 
 repentance,  but  they  did  not  improve  his  long-fuffer- 
 ins;  and  G,race  ;  fo  that  this  may  intend,  among  other 
 things,  the  forbearance  of  the  Almighty,  who  could 
 have  looked  on  the  proud  and  abafed  them,  but  he  faw 
 meet,  as  it  were,  to  (land  ftill  in  the  courfe  of  his  pro- 
 vidence, and  fuffer  the  wicked  to  prevail,  which,  how- 
 ever a  trial  to  the  righteous,  gave  them  an  opportunity 
 of  tefti Tying  their  zeal  for  his  Name,  which  turned  to 
 their  advantage.  ltz[{o\vc\'^\\G.$\{\s  peculiar  attention.  Men 
 liften  in  order  to  obferve  what  is  faid  j  and  the  Lord 
 hearkening  to  the  converfation  of  thofe  who  think  on 
 his  Name,  effentially  includes  his  particular  notice  of 
 whatever  they  fpake ;  with  this  ftands  connected  an 
 idea  of  his  perfeSl  knowledge  of  all  their  difcourfc;  the 
 end  of  hearing  is  to  underftand  the  report;  indeed 
 among  men  this  end  may  be  lofl: ;  through  diftance, 
 the  lovvnefs  of  the  fpcaker,  or  fome  occafional  obftruc- 
 tion,  a  perfon  may  hearken  in  vain,  but  nothing  can 
 prevent  the  all-perfett  Jehovah  from  an  exa(fl  and  full 
 acquaintance  with  every  thing  which  pafleth  in  the 
 conference  of  his  people.  Finally,  it  denotes  his  appro- 
 bation  and  delight :  "  Let  me  hear  thy  voice,  for  fvveet.is 
 
 "  thv 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     467 
 
 *^  thy  voice,"  Cant.  ii.  14.  A  melodious  f^und  en- 
 gages the  attention,  and  the  Lord  hearkens  to 
 the  prayer  and  pious  difccurfe  of  his  faints,  in  their  re- 
 ligious aflemblies,  as  one  who  hath  a  tafte  for  mufic  in- 
 clines his  ear  to  a  found  and  good  inftrument,  played 
 by  a  fkilful  hand.  Thefe  are  the  natural  and  prin- 
 cipal ideas  contained  in  this  wor.dcrful  fentence,  name- 
 ly, the  prefence  of  the  Lord  in  the  aflemblies  of  his 
 faints,  his  fiience,  his  attention,  his  perfei^t  knowledge 
 of  every  thing  they  fay,  and  the  pleafure  he  rakes  in 
 their  concern  for  his  glory :  Their  earnefl  fupplica- 
 tions,  and  afFe»3:ionate  fpeeches  one  to  another,  out  of 
 love  to  his  Name,  afcend  up  before  him,  as  pillars  of 
 Imoke,  "  with  myrrh  and  franckincenfe,  perfumed  with. 
 *'  all  powder  of  the  merchant,"  Cant.  iii.  6.  All 
 which  is  very  inciting,  ard  may  well  induce  us  to  fol- 
 low this  noble  example  of  piety,  and  efpecially  when 
 we  confider  the  honorable  notice  which  is  taken  of 
 thefe  eminent  faints,  to  v/hich  we  proceed. 
 
 "  And  a  book  of  remembrance  v/as  written  before 
 *'  him."  It  has  already  been  {hewn  chat  there  are  ma- 
 ny kind  of  books  m.entioped  in  fcripture,  to  be  opened 
 when  the  judgment  is  ict.  A  book  of  remembrance  is 
 a  regifler  of  names  or  events,  to  which  recourfe  may 
 be  had  on  proper  occafions.  The  allufion  is  to  the 
 cuftom  of  princes,  who  order  their  fcribes  or  fecretaries 
 to  write  down  certain  important  events,  in  their  pre- 
 fence. Thus  when  the  confpiracy  of  Bigthen  and  Te- 
 refli,  certified  by  Efther  in  Mordecai's  name,  was 
 proved,  it  was  written  in  the  book  of  the  Chronicles 
 before  the  king  at  court,  i.  e.  in  the  royal  prefence, ' 
 G  g  2  which 
 
468  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 which  was  afterward  produced,  and  his  faithful  fervant, 
 who  difcovered  the  matter,  rewarded,  chap.  vi.  3.  In 
 like  manner  the  Lord  is  here  reprefented,  feeing,  with 
 his  own  eyes  a  true  record  of  what  he  had  heard  with 
 his  ears  from  thofe  who  feared  him,  whofe  pious 
 affedlion,  fidelity  and  courage,  he  determines  to  recom- 
 pence,  with  a  glory  not  to  be  fully  exprefied.  The 
 eternal  omnifcient  Jehovah  needs  no  memorial ;  but 
 this  manner  of  fpeaking  after  the  ufage  of  men,  denotes 
 his  delio;ht  in  thefe  faints,  his  everlafting:  remembrance 
 of  their  love,  and  the  certain  reward  of  his  grace,  as 
 may  be  feen  by  comparing  the  paflage  with  Ifa.  xlix. 
 16.  and  Hof.  vii.  2.  This  memorial  was  written  before 
 him^  i.  e.  under  his  eye  and  infped^ion,  to  be  conti- 
 nually in  his  fight,  or  laid  up  in  the  archives  of  heaven, 
 above  the  reach  of  ar,y  who  would  erafe  or  deftroy  it, 
 that  nothing  might  be  loft,  but  that  every  inftance  of 
 their  holy  zeal  might  appear  in  that  day,  when  the 
 righteous  fhall  be  ci owned  in  his  prefence.  Confide- 
 rations  of  a  moft  enlivening  nature,  and  admirably 
 adapted  to  infpire  them  with  an  unfhaken  refolution  to 
 the  end  of  their  courfe. 
 
 The  particulars  of  the  glory  afllgned  thefe  advocates 
 for  God  and  religion,  are  at  prefent  referved,  but  in 
 general  we  are  told,  that  the  record  was  for  them.  It 
 was  not  like  that  which  Ifaiah  was  dire6led  to  infcribe 
 againft  the  degenerate  children  of  Ifrael,  in  which  was 
 inferred  their  rebellion  and  ruin  j  no,  this  is  a  regifter 
 highly  in  their  favor  3  indeed  it  contained  the  names 
 and  conference  of  thefe  holy  perfons,  but  the  phrafe 
 expreffes  more  than  its   being  meerly  of  or   concerning 
 
 them, 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     469 
 
 them,  and  points  at  the  tenor  and  defign  of  this  wri- 
 tino-,  namely,  that  it  was  to  their  honor,  and  to  fecure 
 their  future  and  eternal  advantage.  In  a  word,  this, 
 memorial  is  revealed  not  for  their  fakes  only,  who  lived 
 in  Malachi's  days,  but  a!fo  for  the  confolation  and  joy 
 of  them  who  think  upon  the  Name  of  the  Lord  in 
 every  place,  to  the  end  of  the  world ;  and  he  that  be- 
 lieves will  hold  taft  his  integrity,  however  tried,  and 
 reckon  that  h'S  prefent  fufferings  are  not  worthy  to  be 
 compared  with  the  dignity  and  bleficdnefs  of  his  accep- 
 tance with  the  Lord  at  his  coming. 
 
 How  much  to  be  admired  is  the  condefcention  and 
 grace  of  the  moft  High  !  That  the  infinite  and  adorable 
 God  fliould  thus  bow  down  to  his  creature.^,  or  hearken 
 to  the  feeble  voice  of  his  imperfe£l  faints  in  their  little 
 aflemblies,  is  truly  aftonifhing  !  May  we  not  juftly 
 adopt  the  words  of  the  royal  confecrator,  when,  on  his 
 knees  in  the  temple,  and  with  expanded  hands  towards 
 heaven,  he  draws  back  as  it  were  with  holy  amazement, 
 and  fay,  "  But  w;ll  God  in  very  deed  dwell  with  men  on 
 *'  the  earth  I  "  The  thrones  in  heaven  bend,  to  be- 
 hold this  wonderful  kindnefs  of  Jehovah  to  his  people ! 
 That  the  glorious  Lord  of  univerfal  creation,  who 
 alfo,  in  his  Itate  as  Mediator,  is  far  above  ail  principali- 
 ties and  powers,  and  whofe  ears  are  continually  faluted 
 with  the  adorations  and  fongs  of  the  innumerable  fpi- 
 rits  above,  fhould  ftoop,  and  be  taken  with  the  groans 
 and  tears,  and  broken  conferences  of  them  that  fear 
 him  below ;  this  is  wonderful  indeed,  and  can  only  be 
 refolved  into  that  fovereign  love  which  pafleth  under- 
 ftanding,  and  which  firft  brought  him  down  fromi  his 
 Gg  3  glory 
 
470  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 glory  in  which  he  fhone  with  the  Father,  to  humble 
 himfelf  to  the  fhame  and  death  of  the  crofs,  that  he 
 might  redeem  us  to  God  by  his  blood ! 
 
 This  throws  a  luftre  on  the  conference  of  the  faith- 
 ful, and  fliould  engage  them  to  be  frequently  fpeaking 
 one  to  another.  The  prefence  and  ear  of  the  Lord 
 are  a  glory  on  the  afT-mbly  of  his  people,  howeyer 
 fmall  or  deipifed.  The  reputation  of  any  fociety 
 draws  many  after  it  ;  and  if  men  fought  the  honor 
 which  comes  from  God  only,  they  would  certainly 
 delight  in  thofe  meetings,  which  they  too  often  Ihun. 
 It  is  natural  to  frequent  the  afl'cmblies  we  apprehend 
 to  our  credit  and  advantage ;  how  ftrange  is  it  then 
 that  a  good  man  can  be  unfociable  in  this  refpect, 
 or  refufe  to  join  in  an  exercife  fo  rational,  fo  approved 
 of  the  Lord,  and  fo  beneficial  to  himfelf,  and  to  the 
 deareft  interefl  he  has  ! 
 
 Under  a  perfuafion  of  this  divine  'prefence  and  no- 
 tice, with  what  reverence  and  fobriety  fliould  we  be- 
 have in  our  aiTcmblieb !  \n  a  meeting  where  every  thing 
 that  paflts  is  recorded  in  heaven,  and  the  Lord  is  pre- 
 fent  himfelf,  who  can  allow  a  vain  thought  or  trifling 
 exprellion  ?  Would  a  man  of  fen'fe  or  modefty  behave 
 unfetmly,  or  fay  any  thing  difagreeable  in  the  prefence 
 or  hearing  of  a  wife  and  refpedlable  governor  or  prince? 
 woul  i  h  ■  not  be  careful  to  avoid  whatever  might  offend 
 bis  highiicfs,  and  lludy  to  honor  and  pleafe  him  ?  Im- 
 perci  lent  and  foobfh  difcourle  among  them  who  profefs 
 to  fear  (jod,  on  any  occifion,  is  /siC,  and  unworthy 
 their  character  i  yet,  alas,  if  this  book  of  remembrance 
 
 wag 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      471 
 
 was  laid  open  before  us;  could  we  read  without  bl-iHi- 
 in^  ?  How  many  hours  that  are  fptriu,  even  in  the  . 
 company  of  chriftians,  (land  ready  to  accufe  us  ?  Our 
 fpeech  fhou  d  always  be  good,  that  it  may  niinifter 
 grace  to  the  hearers,  but  in  religious  meet.ngs,  more 
 efpecially  we  fnoulJ  keep!  our  hearts  with  all  diligence, 
 and  behave  in  an  orderly,  decent,  humb'e  and  cautious 
 manner,  as  in  the  fight  of  the  Lord.  A  due  fenfe  of 
 the  record  taken  in  heaven  of  what  is  faid  amona:  the 
 faints  on  earth,  would  c'leck  th^  bo!dn'-fs  of  foT.e,  who 
 fpeak,  or  rather  prate.  Without  thinking,  and  give  juft 
 offence.  Beloved,  we  are  not  to  be  rafli  with  our 
 mouth,  but  pray  for  a  fpirit  of  v/ildom,  that  we  naay 
 know  how  to  condu6t  ourfelves  in  the  houfe  of  God, 
 who  dwells  in  the  midft  of  his  people.  This  holy 
 guard  in  the  affemblies  of  the  faints  is  perfe£IIy  con- 
 fiftent  with  a  becoming  freedom  in  expreinng  our 
 thoughts  and  experience,  or  whatever  rr.ay  tend  to  the 
 promoting  of  vital  religion. 
 
 But,  thou  art  ready  to  object,  my  talents  are  mean, 
 I  can  fay  or  do  little  or  nothing  for  the  caufe ;  and  on 
 that  account  am  tempted  to  abfent  from  the  meetino-s 
 of  the  brethren.  Thou  haft  the  greater  need  to  attend 
 them;  they  are  an  excellent  means  of  flrengthening 
 the  weak,  and  increafmg  the  light  and  capacity  of 
 thofe  who  fear  God,  and,  where  is  the  upricrhtnefs  of 
 thy  complaint,  if  thou  art  not  feeking  more  grace?  It  is 
 pofTible  that  pride  may  lurk  at  the  bottom  of  this  fpccious 
 pretence ;  is  it  decent  to  fay,  I  will  not  employ  the  capaci- 
 ty I  have,  becaufe  it  is  not  equal  to  that  which  fome  (-thers 
 obtain  ?    Wilt  thou  refufe  to  acknowledge  the  fovereignty 
 
 G  g  4  of 
 
472  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 of  God  in  the  diftribution  of  his  gifts?   Or,  canft  thou, 
 with  reafon,    expe£l  to  be  further  entrufted,    if  thou 
 doft  not  improve  the  talent  thou  haft  ?  Be  clothed  with 
 humility,  and  do  not  think  thyfclf  utterly  incapable  of 
 icvviwy  the  intertft  of  religion.     A  perfonal  appearance 
 among  the  faints,    is  in  itfelf  a  means  of  thofe  affem- 
 blics,  in  which  they  contrive  and  a6l  for  the  Name  of  the 
 Lord  ;  and,  is  not  this  in  thy  power  ?  Thou  haft  not  the 
 eloquenceof  Aaron  or  the  tongue  of  Apollos,  yea,  it  may 
 be  thou  canft  fcarce  fpeak  at  all,  yet,  if  with  real  concern 
 for  the  honor  of  God,  you  ailill  with  your  prefence  before  - 
 him,  he  knows  thy  delircs,  and  his  ear  is  open  to  the  voice 
 of  thine  heart.    It  is  an  honor  to  be  qualified  for  plead- 
 in"-  the  caufe  of  God,  and  for  edifying  his  church,  but 
 his  gracious  memorial  in  behalf  of  his  people  is  not 
 ccnHned  to  thofe  who  fpeak  beft,  or  even  to  them  whq 
 do  moft,   but  extends  to  all   v.-ho  think  pn  his  Name. 
 Upon  the  whole,  it  appears  that  there  is  no  reafon  to 
 bo  difcouraged   on  account  of   thy  v.eakncfs,    nor   is 
 that  an  exciue  for  t.y  non-attendance  with  the  faith- 
 ful in  their  confercnce-meetinns. 
 
 And,  vi'hat  is  the  contempt,  ill  will,  or  reproaches 
 of  n^cn,  or  any  other  trials  to  be  met  with  in  thus 
 fci'kins  the  kingdom  of  God  ?  The  world  may  deem  it 
 u-cak  and  fup-rrllitious,  and  they  who  are  addicted  to 
 pi.'.afure,  and  attend  all  aflem.biies  but  that  of  the 
 faint?,  may  prom  uncc  it  aftl-dled  fingularity,  or  even 
 divibt  the  iuK-eiity  ot  thofe  v/ho  follow  them;  they 
 v/ill  objecl:  and  lay  every  faimbling-blcck  they  can  in 
 thy  way,  if  not  malicioufiy  watch  for  thy  halting,  and 
 pia^nify  every  failing   againflthee;    yea  and   furthe/, 
 
 thoij 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      473 
 
 thou  mayeii:  be  forfakcn  by  fome  who  were  once  thy 
 ^zealous  companions,  fee  little  fuccefs,  and  even  for  a 
 feafon  be  in  darknefs  of  foul.  Thus  the  Lord  may 
 h'de  himfelf,  and  keep  filence  awhile,  neverthelcfs  thy 
 name  is  written  in  heaven  ;  a  bock  of  remembrance  is 
 th'.re  ;  not  a  thought,  a  figh,  a  tear,  a  word,  or  an 
 paction,  fnail  be  loft-  or  forgotten .  Then  be  not 
 aftiamed ;  though  out  of  the  books  of  fome  men,  to 
 thy  prcLnt  difadvantage,  and  the  contempt  of  vain  per- 
 fons ;  thou  art  noted  in  this  book  of  God,  precious  in 
 ^is  fight,  and  fhalt  receive  at  his  hands  a  crown  of 
 glory  which  fadeth  not  away. 
 
 To  conclude :  Should  not  the  gracious  inclination 
 and  regard  of  the  Lord  to  his  faints  when  difcourfing 
 together  on  his  Name,  excite  their  attention  to  him  ? 
 It  belongs  to  the  faithful  to  hear  whatever  the  Lord 
 God  v/ill  fpeak,  and  his  hearkening  to  them  is  one  mo- 
 tive to  this  obedience  of  faith.  "  The  companions 
 "  hearken  to  thy  voice,"  Cant.  vlii.  13.  It  is  not 
 only  difobedient  but  ungrateful  to  neglect:  his  voice, 
 whofe  ear  is  attentive  to  ours.  Blufh,  Chriflian,  if  thy 
 ccnfcience  telis  thee  tliou  haft  at  any  time  difcovered  a 
 want  of  regard  to  the  authority  and  love  of  thy  Lord, 
 who  is  ever  v/aitir.g  to  be  gracious  unto  thee !  In  a 
 word,  is  a  book  of  remembrance  written  before  him 
 for  thee  ?  let  a  memorial  of  his  free  and  wonderful 
 grace  be  written  on  the  table  of  thine  heart ;  bind  it  on 
 thine  arm,  or  rather  let  it  be  graven  on  the  palms  of 
 thy  hai.ds,  to  animate  thy  zeal  for  his  glory,  that  thou 
 mayeft  appear  to  be  his  in  that  day  when  he  makes  up 
 ]iis  jev/els? 
 
 LECTURE 
 
474  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 LECTURE      XXIX. 
 
 LoKD  of  bolls  J  whence  that  magnificent  title;  the 
 dzy  when  he  will  make  up  his  jewels ;  and  what 
 implied  in  fo  doing. 
 
 TH  AT  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  be- 
 fore the  Lord,  in  favor  of  his  people,  might 
 juftly  infpire  them  with  courage  under  all  their  temp- 
 tations, but  he  is  gracioufly  pleafed  to  make  a  further 
 revclatiC)n  of  his  will,  and  to  unfold  this  facred  memo- 
 rial; not  to  indu'ge  a  vain  curiofity,  but  that  they 
 irsicrht  be  fi  kd  with  peace  and  joy  in  believing,  and 
 prcfs  towards  the  mark  of  this  glorious  prize.  This  is 
 the  record  ;  *'  And  they  {hall  be  mine,  faith  the  Lord 
 "  of  hofls,  in  that  day  when  1  make  up  my  jewels ; 
 •*  and  I  will  fpare  them  as  a  man  fpareth  his  own  fon 
 "  that  ferveth  h.m."  Other  pafTages  intimate  the  no- 
 tice God  takes  of  the  thoughts,  affedlions,  refolutions, 
 prayers,  tears  and  ferviccs  of  his  faints,  and  they  war- 
 rai>t  us  to  conclude  that  thefe  are  all  punctually  in- 
 fcribcd  in  this  book;  but  here  we  have  an  exprefs  re- 
 cital of  its  contents,  from  whence  the  faithful  may  cer- 
 tainly know  what  is  written  in  heaven  concerning 
 them .  And ,  who  can  forbear  with  the  pfalmift 
 to  admire  and  fay  :  ^^  O  Lord,  how  great  is  thy 
 '*  goodnefs  v/hich  thou  hafl:  laid  up  for  them  that  truft 
 f'  in  thee  before  the  fons  of  men  !  " 
 
 This 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     475   . 
 
 ^  This  is  not  the  corijefture  cf  man  but  the  counfel . 
 of  God,  on  which  alone  that  hope  depends,  which  is 
 the  anchor  of  the  foul;  it  is  what  the  Lord  of  hofts 
 fa'th  ;  a  difcinguifning  cha:a6tcr  firft  adopted  by  Han- 
 nah,   when  flie  vowed  in  the  bitternefs  cf  her  foul, 
 I  Sam.  i.  II.     Jehovah  is  the  Lord  of  hofts,    as  he 
 ruleth  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabi- 
 tants of  the  earth,   in  which  refpecb  the  number  of  his 
 forces  are  not  to  be  told,  they  comprehend  every  crea- 
 ture on  whom  his  light  fhines.  Job  xxv.  3.     In  this 
 illuftrious  character,  are  difplayed  the  majefly,  power, 
 and  glory  of  the  moft  High  over  all ;   but  I  apprehend 
 it  chiefly  refpeds  him  as   King  of  faints,  and  as  the 
 commander  cf  the  people  he  hath  redeemed  ;  it  feems 
 a  title  peculiar  to  Jehovah  the  Son,  and  to  be  originally 
 derived  from  his  conducing  the  Ifraelites  out  of  Egypt 
 into  Canaan,  of  whom  it  is  faid,  Exod.  vi.  26.  that 
 they  were  brought  "  from  the  land  of  Egypt,  accord- 
 *'  ing  to  their  armies  or  hofts."     And  again,    chap, 
 xii.  41.   "  In  the  felf-fame  day  it  came  to  pafs  that  all 
 "  the   hofcs   of  the   Lord    went  out  from  the  land 
 *'  of  Egypt ;"  and  accordingly  the  ark  on  which  ihe 
 fhekinah  rcfted  was  called  by  the  *'  Name  of  the  Lord 
 "  of  hoft?,  who  dwelt  between  the  cherubims,"  2  Sam. 
 vi.  2.     This  agrees  with  the  chara6ler  under  which  he 
 appeared  to  Jofhua,  chap.  v.  15.  "  The  Captain  of  the 
 *'  Lord's  hofts,"  to  whom  divine  honor  is  paid,  which 
 correfponds  with  Ifa.  Iv.  4.    where  the  Father  faith, 
 '*  1  have  given  him — a  leader  and  commander  of  the 
 *'  people."    Now  this  fignificant  and  fmgular  charac- 
 jter  is  aftijmcd  in  the  proclamation  before  us  5  and  this 
 
 was 
 
476  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 was  the  grand  and  flriking  manner  in  which  the -pro- 
 phets came  forth  :  "  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  the  Lord 
 "  of  hojts^'  from  whofe  mouth  the  report  comes  to  the 
 heart  with  authority,  and  being  mixed  with  faith,  pro- 
 duces an  affured  expeiStation  of  the  promife  ;  for  who 
 fli.^It  queftion  the  word  of  the  omnipotent  and  un- 
 chaugeable  God  ? 
 
 Ani>  what  ear  is  not  open  when  the  Lord  of  hofts 
 fpeak-s  ?  Who  is  not  waiting  to  know  what  the  King 
 of  heaven  will  pronounce  at  the  head  of  his  troops  ?  He 
 will  farely'declare  fomething  great 2xiA good ^X'^g.  himfelf, 
 t-^  the  joy  of  his  faints ;  of  this  David  was  confident, 
 Ff.lm  ixxxv.  6.  "  The  Lord  will  fpeak  peace  to  his 
 "  Jieople  and  to  his  faints ;"  nor  was  he  miftaken  :  he 
 utteishis  voice  from  his  heavenly  throne,  under  whom 
 rank,  in  order,  the  innumerable  company  of  angels, arch- 
 ai'.ge'.s,  cherubiins  and  feraphims,  with  the  patriarchs, 
 ap()(lles,  and  a  multitude  of  fpirits  made  perfe6t,  who 
 were  redeemed  unto  God  by  his  blood,  all  filent  to 
 Imw^  and  fwift  to  perform  his  fovereign  pleafure ;  and 
 lo  his  command  is  to  infcribe  this  decree  from  his 
 lip3  !  "  And  they  (hall  be  mine,  faith  the  Lord  of 
 *'  hofts,  in  the  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels ;  and 
 "  I  will  fpare  them  as  a  man  fpareth  his  own  fon  that 
 "  ferveth  him."  No  lefs  honor  is  infured  them  who 
 think  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord  :  it  contains  all  their 
 falvation  and  all  their  defire  j  lefs  could  not  fatisfy 
 them  ;  more  is  net  wanting  to  render  them  compleatly 
 h^ppy  for  ever. 
 
 Th^ 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     477 
 
 The  period  referred  to  is  the  laft  and  great  day  ;  for 
 though  the  deftruitjon  of  the  Jews  is  pointed  at  in  this 
 prophec}',  on  the  credit  of  which,  as  confirmed  by  our 
 Lord,  many  fled*  and  efcaped,  whom  fome  count 
 thefe  jewels  j  yet  this  fearful  inftance  of  vengeance, 
 however  Hke  that  yet  to  come,  did  not  amount  to  the 
 defcription  given  of  this  day  of  the  Lord,  which  we  are 
 told,  "fhall  burn  as  an  oven,  and  utterly  confume  all 
 "  that  do  wickedly,"  infomuch  that  it  fliall  leave  them 
 neither  root  nor  branch  :  but  this  was  not  the  cafe  in 
 the  deftruclion  of  Jerufalemj  indeed  multitudes  periftied 
 in  a  terrible  manner,  yet  their  pofterity  remain  to  this 
 day  in  fm  and  unbelief;  neither  did  the  righteous  then 
 tread  down  the  wicked  as  afhes  under  the  foles  of  their 
 feetj  nor  (hall  we  difcern  between  him  that  ferveth 
 God  and  him  that  ferveth  him  not ;  all  which  is  de- 
 clared of  this  day,  till  Jefus  is  revealed  from  heaven  to 
 judge  the  fecrets  of  men,  and  render  to  every  one  ac- 
 cording to  his  deeds. 
 
 In  this  gracious  declaration  from  the  Lord  of  hofts, 
 we  are  to  note,  whofe  property  the  righteous  fiiall  be  at 
 his  glorious  appearance,  the  mercy  they  fhall  then  ob- 
 tain, and  how  that  folemn  and  interefting  period  is 
 defcribed.  It  begins  with  the  claim  which  the  Lord 
 will  make  in  his  people  at  his  appearance  and  king- 
 dom, "  They  fhall  be  mine."  Every  creature  is 
 the  Lord's,  who  is  the  Maker  of  all  things;  he 
 hath  an  abfolute  propriety  and  univerfal  dominion 
 ©ver  the  works  of  his  hands.     All  fouls  are  his,   angels 
 
 and 
 
 *  To  PeJli,  a  city  of  Macedonu, 
 
47S   CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 and  men  ;  nor  doth  the  apoftacy  and  rebcliicn  of  either 
 deprive  the  moft  High ;  but  there  is  no  cert.uh  con- 
 nexion between  being  the  Lord's  by  creation  and  natu- 
 ral right,  and  an  efcape  from  his  wrath,  as  a  righteous 
 judge,  who  will  not  acquit  j  but  thi;,  we  fhall  prefently 
 fee,  ftands  connedled  with  being  his  in  the  ku(Q  of  the 
 text,  "  They  fhall  be  mine,"  to  me,  as  it  literally 
 runs  J  i.  e.  my  fons,  each  one  fhall  be  to  me  as  an 
 own,  dutiful,  and  beloved  fon  to  his  affectionate  and 
 generous  parent :  This  appears  from  their  being  fpared 
 as  a  fon,  according  to  the  promife;  for  the  infinitely 
 wife  and  unchangeable  Jehovah  cannot  mifapply  the 
 bleffings  of  his  love.  He  is  undoubtedly  a  fon  whom 
 the  Lord  deals  with  as  fuch .  Again}  *'  They 
 fhall  be  mine,"  i.  e.  my  jeweh.  Now  the  jewels  of 
 z  man  are  his  treafure,  and  'his  cbimi  the  Lord 
 hath  in  his  people,  txod.  xix.  15.  "  Thou  fhalt 
 *'  be  to  me  a  peculiar  treafure  above  all  the  people 
 "  of  the  earth."  1  he  expreffion  carries  in  it  more 
 than  bare  property,  however  valuable,  it  is  an  allufion 
 to  jewels  purchafed  and  appropriated  to  a  man's  own 
 ufe,  and  for  the  difplay  of  his  perfonal  glory  on  certain 
 occafions,  of  which  more  hereafter.  Thefe  ideas  cor- 
 refpond  with  the  relation  fubfifting  between  God  and 
 his  people,  whom  he  hath  chofen,  redeemed,  and  fet 
 apart  for  himfelf :  "  The  Lord  hath  chofen  Jac,  b  for 
 "  himfelf,  and  Ifrael  for  his  peculiar  treafure,"  or  jew- 
 els, for  the  word  is  the  fame,  Pfalm  cxxxv.  4.  "  They 
 "  fhall  be  mine."  But  are  not  the  righteous  now  his  ? 
 Doubtlefs  they  are }  being  called  by  grace,  they  ap- 
 pear to  be  his ;  under  a  perfuafion  of  which  they  may 
 boldly  fay,  "  I  am  the  Lord's,"  Ifa.  xliv.  5.  or,  as  in 
 
 Cant. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     479 
 
 Cant.  vii.  10.  "lam  my  Beloved's,  and  his  deirc  is 
 *'  towards  me,"  1  hus  Gith  the  Lord  to  the  leed  of 
 Jacob,  "  I  have  called  thee  by  thy  name,  thau  art 
 *'  mine"  Ifa.  xliii.  I.  This  is  the  chara«3:erirt.c  of 
 them  who  fear  God,  by  the  teftimony  of  his  word,  and 
 in  which  they  can  ibmetimes  rejnice,  when  fealed  with 
 the  Spirit  of  adoption  ;  and  in  many  inftances  the  Loio 
 hath  owned  his  people  in  the  difpenfation  of  his  provi- 
 dence, by  which  their  enemies,  who  opprefTed  them, 
 have  been  made  to  know,  to  their  coft,  that  he  "  that 
 *'  toucheth  them  toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye  ;"  never- 
 thelefs,  in  this  ftate  of  imperfection  and  trial,  they  are 
 .often  obfcured  in  infirmities,  affli£lions  and  perfecu- 
 tions,  under  which  they  lie  concealed,  and  their  real 
 character  queftioned  by  themfelves  and  others.  In  this 
 dark  and  doubtful  fituation,  the  eriemy  is  ready  to  infult, 
 and  they  are  but  too  prone  to  fear  that  they  are  no:  the 
 children  of  God  j  but  in  the  day  when  Chrift  makes  up 
 his  jewels,  thefe  dlouds  fhall  vanifh  away,  they  (hall  be 
 manifeftly  hisj  and  be  filled  with  courage  and  joy  whea 
 he  will  confefs  them  before  his  Father  and  his  an^ieis, 
 ''  They  fliall  be  mine,"  faith  the  Lord  of  hofts,  evi- 
 dently mine  :  I  will  inveft  myfelf  with  them^  and  be  glo- 
 rified in  them ;  then  fhall  fmall  and  great  know,  and 
 every  creature,  in  that  univerfal  alTembly,  acknowledge 
 they  are  mine,  when  my  glory  is  revealed  upon  them  ; 
 it  fhall  then  be  manifeft  that  they  are  mine,  whom  the 
 Father  hath  given  me,  my  (heep,  for  v/hom  I  laid  down 
 my  life,   my  chofen,  called  and  faithful  ones. 
 
 With  this  honor  and  joy,  ftands  connected  the  mercy 
 of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  exprefled  in  thefe  words, 
 "  I  will   fpare  them  as  a  man  fpareth  his  own   fon 
 
 "  that 
 
48o    CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 "  that  ferveth  him."  Some  refer  this  to  the  dealing^ 
 of  God  with  his  children  in  timej  q.  d.  they  fhall  hi 
 mine  in  the  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels  ;  till  then  I 
 will  fp:ire,  i  e.  have  pity  on  them  ,  1  will  not  enter 
 into  judgment  with  them;  but  pardun.and  accept 
 them,  nothwithftanding  all  their  imperfediunsj  and 
 no  doubt  the  believer  is  indebted  to  the  fj.anng  mercy 
 of  the  Lord  while  in  their  natural  ftate,  till  called  into 
 fellcwfliip  with  him;  and  in  all  his  difpeitfations,  even 
 in  his  chaftenings,  he  corre6tcth  them  as  a  father  a 
 fon  in  whom  he  delights ;  but  it  is  realonable  to  refer 
 both  claufes  to  the  fame  period,  even  to  that  day  of  the 
 Lord  v/hen  vengeance  fhall  be  taken  on  the  wicked. 
 The  Word*  properly  fignifies  to  be  propitious,  favor- 
 able, or  compaffionatc,  even  to  fhew  mercy  to  them 
 who  in  juftice  might  bedeftroyed.  "  As  I  live,  faith  the 
 *'  Lord,  I  will  not  fpare,  neither  will  I  pity,"  Ezelc, 
 V.  II.  i.  e.  I  will  execute  juftice,  *'  becaufe  thou  haft 
 **  defiled  my  fanduary."  Thus  God  fpared  not  the 
 an  pels  that  finned,  but  ca/i  them  down  to  hell,  nor  the  old 
 -world,  2  Pet.  ii.  4,  5.  In  this  fenfe  alfo  the  Father 
 fpared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  to  juftice 
 for  our  fins,  which  indeed  is  the  legal  ground  of  that 
 mercy  which  the  righteous  (hall  obtain  according  to 
 this  promife.  I  will  fpare  them,  fo  as  not  to  inflicSl  the 
 punifhment  or  evil  their  iniquities  deferve ;  as  a  prince 
 fpares  the  life  of  a  criminal,  or  traitor,  which  he  might 
 juftly  have  taken  away,  or  rather  as  a  par'?nt  dealeth 
 with  his  own  fon,  whom  he  will  not  punifh  according 
 to  his  defert.  This  fparing  mercy  is  a  kind  of  pity  pro- 
 ceeding from  love,  by  which  the  fubjeil  is  faved  from 
 
 deferved 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     4^i 
 
 iJeferved  punifhmcnt ;  and  this  ftiercy  is  looked  for  by 
 them  who  think  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  Jude  xxii. 
 In  that  awful  day,  when  the  righteous  vengeance  of 
 a  fm-hating  God  fhall  confume  the  wicked  as  with 
 fire,  thofe  devouring  flames  ftiall  not  kindle  upon  them, 
 they  (hall  be  wholly  and  perfectly  fpared  ;  not  a  drop  of 
 vi/rath  fhall  fall  on  them  !  yea,  faith  the  Lord,  "  I  will 
 *'  fpare  them  as  a  man  fpareth  his  own  fon  thztferveib 
 *'  hiMf"  they  ftiall  be  treated  as  innocent,  or  as  though 
 tliey  had  never  offended  :  wonderful  mercy  indeed  ! 
 They  fhall  not  only  be  entirely  fecure  from  the  punifh- 
 ment  of  fin,  but  they  ftiall  be  jufl:ified  and  openly  ac- 
 quitted at  the  tribunal-feat,  which  juftification  fl:ands 
 infeparably  connected  with  life  everlafting.  So  then,  to 
 be  fpared  in  the  fenfe  of  this  promife,  is  nothing  ftiorC 
 of  compleat  ahd  eternal  falvatioh, 
 
 .  In  this  illuftratiori  of  the  mercy  which  the  righteous 
 fhall  obtain  at  the  appearance  and  kingdom  of  their  Sa- 
 viour, we  may  note,  the  charailer  under  which  this 
 grace  ftiall  be  brought  unto  them,  viz.  that  of  own  fons.3 
 this  befpeaks  new  covenant-relation,  out  of  which  co- 
 venant no  finner  ftiall  be  fpared  in  that  day.  Chrift  is 
 the  judge,  by  commiflion  from  the  Father,  and  the 
 mercy  he  difpenfes  from  his  throne,  terminates  on  thofe 
 adopted  fons,  whofe  fafe  condudl  to  glory  was  the  end  of 
 his  fufFerings  and  death ;  and  accordingly  we  find  that  he 
 inverts  them  in  the  following  terms,  "  Come  ye  blefled 
 *'  of  my  Father."  To  which  agrees  Rev.  xxi.  ft. 
 *'  He  that  overcometh  fhall  inherit  all  things,  and  I 
 *J^  will  be  his  God,  and  he  ftiall  be  my  fon."  We 
 H  h  are 
 
482   CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 are  , further  taught  by  this  allufitn,  the  pleafure 
 and  joy  with  which  the  Lurd  will  thus  fpare  thems 
 that  fear  him.  When  a  father  corrects  his  own  fon, 
 he  ftill  delights  in  him,  though  his  conduit  requires 
 chaftifement ;  but  if  a  parent,  .n  the  charadter  of  a 
 judge,  is  called  to  fentence  and  punifh  condemned  ma- 
 lefadors,  among  whom  his  own  child  has  been 
 numbered,  can  in  juftice  acquit,  or  fpare  him  from 
 the  miferable  deftrudlion  of  the  guilty,  with  what 
 tranfporting  joy  muft  he  difcharge  and  defend  him  ^ 
 who  can  fay,  or  fully  conceive,  the  delight  an  affec- 
 tionate father  muft  take  in  thus  fparing  his  beloved 
 fon  ?  This  is  the  time,  O  believer,  when  thy  God  will 
 *'  rejoice  over  thee,"  Ifa.  Ixii.  5.  "  He  will  rejoice 
 "  over  thee  with  joy  ;  he  will  reft  in  his  love,  he  will 
 *'  joy  over  thee  with  fmging,"   Zeph.  iii.  17. 
 
 This  notable  day  is  defcribed  from  a  lingular  and 
 interefting  tranfaiSion  which  is  then  to  take  place: 
 "  In  the  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels."  It  has  al- 
 ready been  {hewn,  that  the  jewels  of  the  Lord  are  no 
 other  than  thofe  who  love,  and  think  upon  his  Name; 
 thefe  are  his  dear  and  precious  property,  prepared  and 
 reffrved  for  his  glory  •,  now  thefe  jewels  he  will  mah 
 Zip  f .  The  firft  and  obvious  idea  of  which  is  coUe^ion, 
 It  alludes  to  a  prince  or  rich  man  whofe  plate  and  jew- 
 els, being  depofued  and  difperfed  in  different  places,  are 
 on  fome  grand  occafion  gathered  together  for  the  dif- 
 play  of  his  magnificence.  Thus  on  fet- times  the  great 
 men  of  the  earth  make  up  their  vefiels  of  gold  and  of  fil- 
 
 vffrj 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     483 
 
 i'er ;  and  likewife  their  diamonds  and  other  curious  ftones 
 of  beauty  and  value,  v/ith  which  they  adorn  themfelves 
 and  make  their  appearance,  oil  marfiage-feafts,  or  ori 
 other  public  occafions,  to  be  admired  in  their  affluence 
 arid  grandeur:  In  like  manner  the  Lord  will  colledl 
 his  people,  W'ho,  as  we  have  feen,  are  his  pecuh'af 
 treafure.  "  Gather  my  faints  together  unto  me,  thofe 
 "  who  have  made  a  covenant  with  me  by  facnfice," 
 t'falm  I.  5.  And  again,  "  And  he  fhall  fend  his  angels 
 *'  with  ;  great  found  of  a  trumpet,  and  they  fliall 
 "  gather  together  his  elc«Sl  from  the  four  v/inds,  froni 
 *•  one  end  of  the  heaven  to  the  other,"  Matt.  xxiv.  31, 
 both  which  places  evidently  refer  to  the  day  of  judg- 
 fhent,  when  all  the  redeemed  ftial!  be  together  in 
 one  body)  with  their  glorified  Head. 
 
 But  fimple  collection  is  not  peculiar  to  the  faints, 
 for  in  that  day  fmall  and  great,  without  exceptionj 
 fhall  ftand  before  God ;  the  v/icked  will  be  gathered  as 
 well  as  the  righteous.  The  exprelTion  alfo  imports  their 
 luftre  and  beauty,  and  points  to  the  glorious  manner  in 
 which  the  righteous  £hall  then  appear  together  with 
 Chrift ;  "  when  I  make  up,"  i.  e.  when  I  finifh,  polifli, 
 br  compleat  them,  that  they  may  appear  in  the  utmoft 
 perfeftion.  This  is  the  gradation  of  the  Lord's  work 
 on  his  people,  Ifa.  xliii.  7.  "  I  have  created  him  for  my 
 glory,  I  hnve  formed  him,  yea,  I  have  w^^^  him,"  or, 
 according  to  the  rendring  before  us,  for  it  is  the  fame 
 word,  fnade  up;  and  it  is  well  known  that  in  the 
 making  up  of  jewels,  in  order  to  a  magnificent  appear- 
 ance, they  are  cut,  fet  and  polifhed,  that  their  bright- 
 nefs  may  appear.  Thus  the  faints  fhall  be  glo^oufly 
 H  h  2  finifhed 
 
4^4  CONDUCT  QF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 finiflied  at  the  coming  of  th'  ir  Lord,   when  called  t^ 
 
 the  marriage- flipper  of   the  Lamb,    and  fhine  in  th© 
 
 kingdom  of  thei.  Father.     They  who-  fear  the   LoR» 
 
 have  the  principle   of  glory  and  beauty  in  themfelves, 
 
 not  indted  by  nature,  in  which  refpeft  the  comparifon 
 
 fails  J    they  are  naturally  polluted  and  guilty,    naked 
 
 and   bare,    which   is  ihameful,     but,   being  partakers- 
 
 of  grace  in  Chrift,  thty  are  the  excellent  of  the  earthy 
 
 and  have  a  real-  and     fubftantial  glory  belonging  ta" 
 
 them  :  Covered  with  the  fpotlefs  robe  of  his  mediatorial 
 
 righteoufnefs ;   their  cloathing  is   wrought  gold,   and 
 
 their  brightnefs  as  a  bridegroom  which  decketh  him- 
 
 felf  as  a  prieft,  and  as  a  bride  adorneth  herfelf  with  her 
 
 jewels  j  but  the  finifhing  thefe  fpiritual  jewels  refpe£ls- 
 
 their  internal  holinefs  and  perfonal  beauty,  as  renewed 
 
 in  the  image  of  God,   unto  a  divine  and  eternal  life, 
 
 which  is  the  honor  and  happinefs  of  the  creature,   and 
 
 will  extend  to  their  whole  perfons  at  the  refurredlioHi* 
 
 Grace  is  the  eflence  of  glory,   which  cannot  be  fully 
 
 difplayed   in  a  ilate  of  fm  and  mortality,    but  when 
 
 Jesus  makes  up  his  jewels,    they  fhall  not  only  be 
 
 compleat  in  their  number,  not  one  being  miffing,  but 
 
 each  (hall  be  finifhed  in  the  higheft  manner.    In  that 
 
 day  they  who  are  the  Lord's,  whether  found  among 
 
 the  quick  or  the  dead,    fhall  be  brought  forth  in  his 
 
 likenefs ;    then  each  faint  will  be  wrought  up  to  the 
 
 greateft  perfection  and  bear  his  part  in  new  Jerufalem, 
 
 when  that  holy  city  comes  down  from  God  out  of 
 
 heaven,  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  hufband. 
 
 There  is  yet  another  thing  implied,  without  which 
 a  number  of  jewels  can  never  appear  with  advantage, 
 
 na,mely. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     485 
 
 ^namely,  their  due  difpofitlon.  The  beauty  of  all 
 precious  ftones,  however  excellent  in  their  nature,  or 
 polifhed  by  art.  will  be  feen  in  proportion  to  the  order 
 in  which  they  are  placed  ;  a  proper  adjuftment  in  this 
 refpeil  is  needful  to  a  compleat  view  of  a  biilliant 
 diamond,  or  other  precious  ftone,  and  accordingly 
 fome  read  the  words,  I  difpofe,  i.  e.  order,  my 
 jewels,  as  the  ftones  of  a  crown,  fet  by  a  flcilful  hand, 
 "for  a  difplay  of  their  luftre  in  every  point  of  light,  to 
 charm  the  fpedlator;  for  then  the  faints,  thus  colleded 
 into  one  ftately  body,  will  be  as  a  crown  of  glory  in 
 the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand 
 of  their  God.  In  all  bodies  who  make  their  appear- 
 ance, individual  membtrs  fhine  in  their  place,  and  the 
 glory  of  the  proceflion  depends  upon  order  ;  a  faint  out  of 
 order,  is  like  a  loofe  jewel  that  is  fcattered  or  concealed  in 
 a  corner  j  he  cannot  difplay  the  beauty  of  holinefs,  the 
 obedience  of  faith,  or  his  love  to  the  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift,  but  lies  as  it  were  in  obfcurity  and  contributes 
 nothing  towards  the  luftre  of  his  Redeemer's  kingdom 
 on  earth,  which  is  greatly  eclipfed  by  a  neglecft  of  an 
 orderly  profeflion,  or  not  walking  in  the  Name  of  the 
 Lord,  as  becometh  his  faints  j  but  at  the  refurredlion 
 every  man  will  appear  in  his  own  oider,  i  Cor.  xv. 
 There  will  be  no  confufion  or  mifplace  in  that  general 
 afTembly  and  church  of  the  firft-born,  every  jewel  fiiall 
 be  in  its  place ;  from  whence  it  will  appear  in  the  moft 
 ftriking  manner  to  its  own  advantage,  and  the  glory  of 
 all  with  whom  it  ftands  in  connexion. 
 
 This  is  the  gracious  afllirance  from  the  mo^th  of 
 
 the  Lord,  in  favor  of  thofe  who  think  on  his  Name. 
 
 Hh3  In 
 
CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 In  the  laft  and  great  day,  when  all  the  workers  of 
 iniquity  fhali  be  rejedcd  and  punifhcd,  and  the  ven- 
 gea;  ce  of  a  fm-hating  God,  by  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb, 
 (hall  come  down  on  the  wicked,  to  their  eternal  per- 
 dition, thefe  faints  fliall  appear  to  be  his,  his  dear  and 
 valuable  treafure,  to  his  honor  and  glory ;  he  will 
 then  make  them  up  as  his  jewels,  gather  them  to- 
 gether, perf'e6lly  finifli  and  duly  difpofe  them  in  his  illuf- 
 trious'myftical  body,  when  he  fliall  prefent  her  a  glorious 
 church  to  himfelf ;  then  fhall  all  his  faithful  fervants 
 obtain  mercy,  be  fpared  from  the  juft  defert  of  their 
 manifold  tranfgrefiions,  yea,  and  treated  as  innocent, 
 being  juftified  and  accepted,  as  though  they  had  never 
 offended  ;  and  in  one  word,  as  the  fons  of  God,  with 
 joy  and  delight,  the  Judge,  their  Redeemer,  in  the 
 name  of,  his  Father,  will  polTefs  them  with  life 
 everlalling. 
 
 It  appears  from  this  account,  that  the  Lord  hath 
 a  people  fet  apart  for  himfelf,  his  peculiar  treafure  ; 
 that  thefe  jewels  are  at  prefent  fcattered  and  divided, 
 but  that  on  the  day  of  his  appearance  they  fhall  he, 
 made  up,  or  compleated,  when  they  fhall  obtain  his 
 mercy  unto  eternal  life,  in  which  they  will  find  an 
 ample  reward  for  all  their  fufferings  for  righteoufnefs 
 fake,  and  their  love  to  his  Name.  An  improvement  on 
 thefe  points  v/ill  be  the  fubjedi  of  an  other  ledlurej 
 which  will  finifh  the  defign  we  are  upon^  for  the 
 preient  it  may  fuffice  to  obferve,  that  the  expectation 
 of  the  believer  is  fure,  it  refts  not  on  any  uncertain 
 conje£lure,  however  probable,  nor  is  it  a  conclufion 
 drawn  from  the  moft  plaufible  reafonings  of  rnan  i  his 
 
 hope 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHL      487 
 
 hope  is  in  the  teftimor.y  of  God,  and  its  foundations 
 lie  detp  and  ftcure  in  the  immutability  of  his  c  lunfel, 
 and  guard' d  by  every  perfeclion  of  deiry.  **  I  wait  for 
 the  L  RD,  my  f  ul  doth  wait,  in  his  word  do  I  h'  pe," 
 Pfalni  cxxx.  5.  Nothing  fliort  of  the  exprefs  declara- 
 tion of  the  I.oRD  hin.fclf,  lies  at  the  bottom  of  our 
 hope  in  Chrirt,  it  holds  in  the  promif^-,  and  centers  in 
 Jehovah,  who  abiderh  faithful,  for  be  cannot  deny 
 himfelf;  *'  In  hope  of  eternal  life  which  God  that 
 *'  cannot  lie,  promi^^d  b-fofe  the  v/orld  began,"  Tit, 
 i.  2.  The  Lord  hatn  fpoken,  and  v  jio  Ihall  diffannul 
 it  ?  His  "  word  is  forever  ftttled  in  the  ]ieavens,  and 
 *'  his  faithfulnefs  eftabliihed  above  the  clouds ;"  he  is 
 the  Lord  of  hofts,  he  fpeaks  and  it  is  done,  he  com* 
 mands  and  it  ftands  faft  j  the  foul  that  depends  on  his 
 word  may  challenge  the  univerfe,  and  look  upon  every 
 creature  as  an  inftrument  in  the  band  of  God,  fo  far 
 as  it  may  afFedt  him,  to  bring  about  his  €xpe(3:ation 
 and  hope  ;  "all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
 *'  who  love  God,"  whofe  purpofe,  according  to  which 
 they  are  called,  fhall  ftand,  certainly  ftand,  "  for  if 
 *'  God  be  for  us  who  can  be  againft  us  ?"  This  then 
 is  the  chorus  of  the  church,  or  the  repeated  fong  of 
 the  faithful  in  fociety,  "  The  Lord  of  hoils  is  with  us, 
 "  the  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge,  Selah."  This  hope 
 is  infallible;  that  every  or>£  who  thinks  on  the  Name 
 of  the  Lord  fhall  be  his,  in  the  day  when  he  makes  up 
 his  jewels,  and  that  he  "  will  fpare  fuch,  as  a  man 
 *'  fpareth  his  own  fon  that  ferveth  him  ;  for  this  is  as  the 
 "  waters  of  Noah,  ifa.  liv.  7 — 10.  As  the  Lord  hath 
 "  fworn  that  the  waters  of  Noah  fhall  no  more  go  over 
 .«  the  earth,  fgbath  he  fworn  he  will  not  be  wiath  with 
 Hh4  his 
 
488  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 "^^  his  people,  nor  rebuke  them  in  the  day  of  his  anger,? 
 *'  Surely  in  the  floods  of  great  waters  they  fhall  not 
 *'  come  nigh  unto  them.  He  will  be  their  hiding-place, 
 **  and  will  compafs  them  about  with  fongs  of  deliver^ 
 f  ance,"  Pfalm  xxxii.  6,  7. 
 
 Nor  fhall  the  happinefs  of  the  faint  be  delayed  ;  his 
 falvation  flumbereth  not.  Under  fome  circumftance? 
 he  may  now  be  impatient,  not  making  the  teftimonies 
 of  the  Lord  the  men  of  his  counfel,  but  rather  leaning 
 to  his  own  underftanding,  and  efpecially  when  his  enei- 
 mies  infult,  and  tauntingly  fay,  Where  is  the  promife  of 
 his  coming  ?  The  chriftian  may  then  be  ready  to  cry, 
 O  Lord  how  long  !  or  in  the  mother  of  Sifera's  words, 
 in  relation  to  her  fon,  "  Why  is  his  chariot  fo  long  in 
 "  coming  ?  Why  tarry  the  wheels  of  his  chariot  ?"  But 
 the  Lord  is  not  flack  concerning  his  promife;  the 
 day  is  at  hand  when  it  fhall  come  to  pafs  that,  as  fure  as 
 the  Lord  brought  forth  the  children  of  Ifrael,  the  felf- 
 fame  day  appointed  four  hundred  and  thirty  years 
 before  its  commencement ;  in  like  manner  the  falvatioa 
 of  God  fhall  not  tarry  ;  *'  of  that  day  and  hour  no  maa 
 **  knoweth  "  it  is  a  fecret  in  the  bofom  of  the  Father, 
 Mat.  xi.  27.  and  it  will  be  fuddenly  revealed  ;  but  of 
 this  we  are  certain,  that  a  time  is  fixed,  and  that  it 
 nearly  approaches,  when  Chrift:  will  make  up  his 
 jewels ;  nor  fhall  earth  or  hell  be  able  to  procraftinate 
 the  hour  of  this  bleflTed  hope;  he  faith,  "  Surely  I  comip 
 5'  quickly:  Amen;  even  fo,  come  Lord  Jefus. 
 
 LECTURE 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     489 
 
 LECTURE     XXX. 
 
 Chrift's  people  comparable  with  jewels ;  their  difperfior^ 
 in  time  J  the  certainty  of  their  accomplifhment  at 
 his  coming.     Reflexions. 
 
 FROM  the  promife  explained  in  the  preceding 
 lecSlure,  it  is  evident  that  the  Lord  has  a  peculiar 
 people,  who  are  ftiled  his  jewels  ;  that  at  prefent  thefe 
 are  difperfed,  but  that  a  day  is  at  hand,  when  he  will 
 compleat  them,  and  that  then  he  will  own  and  honor 
 them  as  a  father  his  dear  and  dutiful  fon.  The  Reader's 
 attention  is  once  more  intreated,  while  I  attempt  to 
 improve  the  delightful  fubjeft,  by  fhewing  the  pro- 
 priety of  the  metaphor  under  which  the  chofen  are 
 defcribed,  in  what  refpe6ts  they  lie  fcattered  abroad, 
 and  the  r^afons  there  are  to  conclude  that  they  (hall 
 certainly  be  gathered  and  fpared,  according  to  the  word 
 of  the  Lord  j  thefe  particulars,  with  a  glance  on  the 
 ample  reward  the  righteous  will  find  in  this  grace,  and 
 fuitable  refledlions,  will  finifli  my  defign. 
 
 In  this  glorious  prophecy,  the  Lord  mentions  his 
 jewels,  which  he  will  make  up  at  his  coming;  now, 
 that  thefe  are  no  other  than  his  people,  who  think  on 
 his  Name,  appears  from  the  aflurance  he  gives  them. 
 that  they  fliall  be  his  at  that  time,  which  amounts  to  a. 
 promife  of  being  counted  in  his  treafure  in  the  day  of 
 revelation,  and  the  aptnefs  of  the  defcription  before  us 
 will  appear  when  we  confiderj 
 
 I,  That 
 
490  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 I.  That  their  nurrher  is  certain.  The  jewels  of  a 
 prince  or  great  nan,  are  known  and  determinate 
 pMftionb  or  parts  of  his  peculiai'  treafure.  For  a  man 
 to  r  alee  up  his  jewels,  ws  have  feen,  is  to  accomplifh 
 their  number  or  gaiher  them  altogether,  but  how  can 
 this  be  if  their  number  is  uncertain  with  the  owner  ? 
 Can  a  r  ch  rr;an  be  I'uppofed  unacquainted  with  thofc 
 prtc'ous  things  whi.b  h.-  hath  fet  apart  for  himfclf, 
 or  his  perfonul  glory  i  Much  lefs  is  it  dLcent  to  imagme 
 that  there  is  any  .uiicertainty  with  the  Lord  in  ;-efpe<3: 
 of  the  faints,  the  knowledge  of  whom  is  ffTentiil  to 
 the  idea  of  nna.king  them  up,  it  being  impollible  to 
 compleat  an  indefinite  number  of  objedls :  The  peo- 
 ple c,f  God  are  a  certain  chofcn  generation,  whom 
 the  Father  has  adopted  to  himfelf  in  Chrift,  who  hath 
 redeemed  t^em  with  his  blood,  and  is  charged  with 
 their  recovery  and  falvation ;  thefe  are  vefTels  of  mercy 
 afore  prepared  unto  glory,  being  ordained  to  life  evej*- 
 lafting,  whofe  number  cannot  in  the  nature  of  things 
 be  increafed  or  diminiflied.  I  am  fenfible  this  holy 
 dof^rine  of  the  Bible  is  difagreeable  to  the  tafte  of  men 
 who  lean  to  their  own  underftanding  ;  but  however  they 
 who  fubmit  not  themfelves  to  the  divine  fovcreignty  in 
 the  difpenfations  of  grace,  may  contradict  and  blafpheme, 
 thisfoundatjon  of  Godftandeth  fure;  "  the  Lord  know- 
 *'  eth  them  that  are  his :"  This  fober  and  rational  truth, 
 is  fupported  by  many  exprefs  and  flrong  declara- 
 tions, and  indeed  by  the  curient  of  fcripture,  yea,  it 
 is  infeparably  connedted  with  the  way  of  falvation 
 opened  in  the  gofpelj   for  take  away  the  dodrine  of 
 
 eledion. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      491. 
 
 .e-ie(^ion,  and  the  notion  of  a  proper  facrifice  of  atone- 
 ment, and  redemption  by  the  Sori  of  God,  as  the  fub- 
 ftitute  of  finners,  is  not  to  be  fupported  but  the 
 /cripturcs  declare  that  "  Chrift  hath  redeemed  us  from 
 *'  the  curfe  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curfe  for  us,'' 
 Gal.  iii-  13.  And  again,  "  He  hath  made  him  to  be 
 "  fm  for  us,  who  knew  no  fm,  that  we  might  be  made 
 *'  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  in  him,"  2  Cor.  v.  25, 
 This  idea  of  the  faints,  feems  couched  under  the  figure 
 before  us,  which  fhews  its  propriety.  Jev/els  are  a  cer- 
 tain known  number  of  precious  veflels,  which  however 
 depofited  at  prefent  in  different  places,  are  to  be  col- 
 lected, in  order,  on  particular  cccafions  for  the  honor 
 of  thofe  who  pofiefs  them.  In  like  manner  we  have 
 feen,  "  that  the  Son  of  man  ihall  fend  Jiis  angels 
 '"  with  the  great  found  of  a  trumpet,  and  they  fhall 
 '*  gather  together  his  elecSl  from  the  four  winds,  froin 
 f*  one  end  of  heaven  to  the  other."     But, 
 
 2.  This  figure  flands  illuftrated  by  the  very  high 
 ejleem  of  the  Lord  for  his  people.  Jewels  are  exceed- 
 ingly valued  by  their  owner ;  and  our  Saviour  hath  ob- 
 ferved  what  univerfal  experience  confirms,  Matt.  vi.  21. 
 "  that  v/here  the  treafure,"  i.e.  the  peculiar  portion  and 
 joy  of  a  man  is,  "  there  will  his  heart  be  alfo."  Now 
 the  Lord  hath  fet  his  afFeiSions  on  his  people,  and 
 therefore  he  chofe  them,  Deut.  vii.  7.  They  are  fealtd 
 on  his  heart,  Cant.  viii.  &.  They  are  the  objedls  of 
 his  fpecial  unchangeable  and  eternal  love,  precious  and 
 honorable  in  his  fight.  This  choice  and  efteem  arofe 
 not  from  any  motive  in  them.  Neither  a  forefight  of 
 ithfir  mifery,  or  their  faith,  or  any  thmg  comparatively 
 
 better 
 
492  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 better  or  wprfe,  properly  and  fimply,  induced  the  AI- 
 ijiighty  to  regard  them  above  others  ;  no,  they  arc 
 efteemed  as  his  elc(3:,  and  he  fet  them  apart,  of  his  meer 
 good  pleafure,  as  the  Sovereign  of  grace ;  but,  havino- 
 thus  chofe  them  for  himfelf,  they  are  dear  to  him,  in- 
 fomuch  that  he  that  toucheth  them,  "  toucheth  the  ap- 
 f  pie  of  his  eye,"  Zech.  ii.  8.     Again, 
 
 3.  They  rnay  well  be  thus  ftiled  on  account  of  the 
 price  he  paid  for  them.     Jewels  are  coftly,  and  ufually 
 obtained  with  a  very  great  fum.     Thus  of  wifdom  it  is 
 faidy  *'  She  (hall  not  be  exchanged  for  jewels  of  fine 
 *'  gold,    and  her  price  exceeds   that  of  rubies,"    Job 
 xxviii.  17,  18.     To  the  fame  purpofe  we  read.  Matt, 
 xiii.  46.  of  the  having  found  one  pearl  of  great  price, 
 went  and  foid  ail  that  he  had,  and  bought  it.     As  hint- 
 ed already,    there  was  no  fingular  excellency  in  the 
 people  of  God,  in  their  natural  or  creation  ftate,  much 
 l^fs  as  mvolved  in   the  fatal  apoftacy  of  man,  to  com- 
 mend them  in  the  fight  of  Jehovah  ;  but  having  fet  his 
 love  upon  them,  and  they  being  under  a  fentence  of 
 death,  and  children  of  wrath  and  difobedience  as  others, 
 they  were  dearly  bought  out  of  the  hands  of  juflice; 
 redeenied,    not  with  corruptible   things  as  filver  and 
 gold,  but  with  blood  ;  not  with  the  blood  of  bulls  or 
 of  goats,  but  yvrith  the  precious  blood  of  the  Son  of 
 God,  who  was  manifeft  in  the  flefh,  and  who,  in  re- 
 fpedl  of  his  innocence  as  man,  and  the  defignation  of 
 the  Father,  was  as  a  lamb  without  blemifh  or  fpot. 
 **  Ye  are,  faith  the  apofcle,  bought  with  a  price,"  i  Cor, 
 vi.  20.  No  trifling  or  inadequate  confideration  ranfom- 
 ed  thefe  veflels  of  pkafure  and  mercy  i  the  expreffion  is 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     495 
 
 ftrong,  and  carries  in  it  tha'  a  full  price  was  paid  tor 
 them  ;  it  points  to  the  equitable,  yea  to  the  unfpeakable 
 value  of  that  which  the  Lord  laid  down  for  his  peo- 
 ple. Ineffable  indeed  J  he  gave  himfelf.  for  them  and 
 poured  out  his  foul  unto  death,  that  he  might  poflefs 
 and  enjoy  them  !  No  jewels,  however  comparatively 
 immenle  in  their  value,  were  purchafed  at  th"  rate  of 
 Ghrift's  people ;  their  price,  on  the  higheft  poflible  com- 
 putation, falls  infinitely  below  that:  by  which  the  chofeH 
 were  redeemed.     And  fufth^r, 
 
 4.  The  allufion  is  juft  in  refpe^l  of  their  virtue  ana 
 goodnejs.     Jewels  have  an  intrinfic  worth,  and  are  of 
 real  value  to  him  that  polleffes  them.    So  are  the  faints, 
 they  are  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  Pfalm  xvi.  3.     In 
 their  apcftate  ftate  they  are  vile  and  unprofitable ;  and 
 fmce  their  converfion,  their  fiefh  which  cleaves  to  them 
 is  bafej    yet  being  called,    and  chofen,   and  faithful, 
 they  are  dignified  in  the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  which 
 is  by  faith,  "  unto  all  and  upon  all  them  that  believe.*, 
 In  this  robe  they  are  decked,  as  a  prieft  with  his  jew- 
 els, Ifa.  Ixi.  10.     They  are  likewife  choice  in  regard 
 of  their  inherent  righteoufnefs;    there  is   fome    o-ood 
 thing  wrought  in  them,  by  the  Holy  Ghoft  j  they  znreallyy 
 though  in  refpe6l  of  degree  but  imperfeSfly,  fan6tified, 
 and  in  proportion  to  their  light,  faith,  love,  and  fruits, 
 truly  valuable,  and  accordingly.  Lam.  iv.  thefe  ftones 
 of  the  fanduary,  the  precious  fons  of  Zion,  are  com- 
 pared to  fine  and  pure  gold.     Moreover, 
 
 5.  As  jewels,  the  people  of  God  are  moft  carefully 
 preferved,    Men  lock  up  their  treafure  in  a  cabinet  or 
 
 place 
 
494  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 place  of  great  fafetyj  and  the  Lord  preferves  therf! 
 that  love  him ;  they  are  hid  and  preferved  from  being 
 loft  or  deftroyed  :  They  dwelt  on  his  heart  and  wefft' 
 fecurcd  in  the  covenant,  chofen  in  Chrift,  who  is  the 
 fecret  place  of  the  moft  High,  from  everlasting.  In  the 
 time  of  their  ignorance,  when  in  the  world  dnd  iti  the 
 kingdom  of  fatar,  they  ^ere  preferved  in  him,  and, 
 being  called,  they  are  fecure  in  his  hands,  his  eye  is  con- 
 tinually upon  them,  and  he  keeps  them,  as  with  a  gar- 
 rifon  J,  by  his  power,  for  *'  as  the  motjntains  are 
 *'  round  about  Jerufakm,  fo  the  Lord  is  round  about 
 "  his  people  from  henceforth  even  for  ever,"  Pfalni 
 cxxv.  2.     And, 
 
 6.  This  metaphor  fs  proper  on  account  of  ths 
 glory  they  reflect  on  the  Saviour.  Jewels  are  fof 
 ornament;  in  them,  on  certain  occafions,  perfons  of 
 rank  make  a  magnificent  appearance,  agreeable  tof 
 «heir  diftinguiftiing  charadler.  In  like  manner,  Je- 
 fus  doth  and  will  fhine  in  his  chofen;  he  is  novg' 
 adorned  by  their  obedience  of  faith  and  fruits  of  righ- 
 teoufnefs,  which  redound  to  his  honor  and  praife,  and 
 in  fome  periods  the  Lord  has  flione  in  the  beauty  of 
 Zion  in  general,  when  his  glory  has  rifen  upon  her,' 
 then  this  flock  of  his  people,  whom  he  hath  faved,  are 
 as  the  ftones  of  a  crown  lifted  up,  Zech.  ix.  i6.  or, 
 Ifa.  Ixii.  3.  as  "  a  crown  of  glory  or  a  royal  diadem  in 
 "  his  band,"  but  at  his  coming,  when  he  fhall  defcend 
 from  heaven,  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  and  his  angels,' 
 he  will  alfo  be  *'  gloriiied  in  his  faints,  and  admired  m 
 *'  all  them  that  believe."    Once  more, 
 
 7.  A5 
 
 tjpfovpovy,imi  I  Pet.  i.  5,  compared  with  2  Cov  xi.  33. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     405 
 
 y.  As  jewels  he  will  poflefs  them  for  ever.  A  no- 
 tle  perfon,  who  regards  his  honor,  will  part  wi;h 
 any  thing  rather  than  his  jewels;  for  without  thefe,  on 
 particular  occafions,  his  appearance  will  fall  fliort  of 
 his  charader,  and  dif^race  him.  No  man  will  difpofe 
 of  his  peculiar  treafure,  but  in  cafe  of  neceffity  ;  nor 
 will  the  a]l-perfe<S  and  blefled  Jehovah,  who  hath  fet 
 apart  the  chofen  for  himfelf,  fufFer  them  to  be  loft,  or 
 refign  them  to  any,  for  he  refts  in  his  love,  and  will 
 eternally  rejoice  in  his  people.  So  then  they  who  fear 
 the  Lord  may  fitly  be  counted  his.  jewels;  they  are  a 
 certain  known  number,  precious  in  his  eyes,  and  which 
 he  hath  purchafed  at  a  very  high  rate;  befides their  real 
 beauty  and  worth,  confidered  as  faints,  his  care  to  pre- 
 ferve  them,  the  honor  they  do  him  both  now  and  here- 
 after, and,  in  a  word,  his  determination  to  enjoy 
 them  forever ;  thefe  are  fufficient  to  juftify,  yea,  and 
 finely  illuftrate  the  propriety  of  the  metaphor. 
 
 Now  thefe  jewels  are  united  in  the  purpofe  of  the 
 Father;  their  names  are  together  in  the  Lamb's  book 
 of  life ;  they  are  from  the  beginning,  before  Go  1,  in  a 
 myftical  union  with  Clirlft,  who  is  the  head  of  his  body 
 the  church,  and  of  the  flock  committed  to  the  charo^e  of 
 Jefus,  the  fhepherd  and  b;fhop  of  fouls ;  neverthelefs  it 
 appears  that  for  a  feafon  they  lie  in  a  fcattered  and  di- 
 vided condition,  and  that  in  the  following  refpedls, 
 
 I.  In  the  period  of  their  aftual  exiftence.  The  a!I- 
 comprehenfivemind  of  the  infinite  Jehovah,  from  eter- 
 mty  viewed  the  obje<as  of  his  love,  and  chofe  them  at 
 
 once. 
 
496  CONDUGT  OF  THE  FAITHFUt 
 
 once,  but  they  are  produced  by  degrees,  both  in  nature 
 and  grace  j  in  refpedl  of  the  former,  which  is  thcf 
 point  before  me,  they  defcend  by  ordinary  generation - 
 from  Adam,  and  are  brought  forth,  fome  in  one 
 age  and  fome  in  another ;  hence  they  are  as  it 
 were  difperfed  in  different  ages  and  nations  of  the 
 world,  from  the  creation  to  the  diffolution  of  the 
 heavens  and  the  earth.  This  natural  divifion  or  fepa- 
 ration  in  time,  no  doubt  is  under  the  condudtof  Infinite 
 wifdom  ;  and  in  the  day  when  he  makes  up  his  jewels 
 will  turn  out  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  fatisfaclion' 
 and  joy  of  his  faints.     Again, 
 
 2.  These  chofen,  who  are  cotemporarles  in  this 
 world,  are  fcattered  abroad  in  the  earth ;  the  bounds 
 of  their  habitations  are  fixed  in  common  with  others, 
 and  it  is  probable  in  fome  inftances,  with  a  fpecial 
 view,  fubfervient  to  the  purpofeof  divine  grace,  for  ma- 
 ny have  been  called  in  confequence  of  their  fituation ;' 
 however  the  children  of  God  are  locally  difperfed,  fome 
 in  one  place,  and  others  elfewhere,  infomuch  that  f<?w 
 of  them  comparatively  can  aflemble  together  and  havef 
 perfonal  and  frequent  interviews  ;  hence  a  particular 
 church-ftate  is  appointed,  and  needful  to  the  fupport 
 of  focial  religion.  The  like  might  be  obferved  in  re- 
 fpedl  of  their  different  ftations  and  circumftances  in  the 
 prefent  lije\  but,  in  death  they  are  ftill  more  divided. 
 Under  the  dominion  of  this  laft  and  great  enemy,  for  a 
 while,  they  are  not  only  feparated  from  others,  but 
 each  individual  is  in  a  ftate  of  difperfion ;  his  fpirit  is 
 gathered  to  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb,  while 
 the  tabernacle  of  his  body,  having  feen  corruption,  is 
 
 diffolved 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.     49^ 
 
 diflblved  into  aflies  and  duft ;  and  thus  thefe  bodies  lie 
 icattered  in  the  grave  till  the  morning  of  the  relurrec- 
 tion.  In  fhort,  if  we  take  a  general  view  of  the  people 
 whom  the  Lord  hath  fet  apart  for  himfelf,  and  who 
 are  ftiled  his  jewels,  as  they  appear  in  the  glafs  of  the 
 word,  at  the  inftant  period  we  fhall  behold  an  innume- 
 rable multitude  already  paffed  through  the  revoliitions 
 of  time,  who  are  through  faith  and  patience  inheriting 
 the  promifes.  In  the  unfeen  and  eternal  world,  as  al- 
 ready obferved,  they  are  in  a  kind  of  perfonal  difper- 
 fion,  their  bodies  and  fouls  being  at  prefent  in  a  ftate  of 
 reparation  ;  we  {hall  likewife  fee  many  now  living,  who 
 may  be  confidered  as  called,  or  in  a  ftate  of  nature,  for 
 though  revelation  doth  not  difcover  the  particular  vef- 
 fels  of  mercy,  while  in  the  kingdom  of  darknefs,  yet 
 they  bear  witnefs  to  a  chofen  feed  who  fhall  be 
 faved  in  every  age  and  generation,  fo  that  we  have  a 
 general  and  certain  knowledge  of  faith,  that,  befides 
 vifible  faints,  there  are  fome  of  thefe  jewels  exifling  on 
 the  earth,  who  furely  fhall  be  gathered,  though  the 
 number  of  fuch  which  remain  in  any  period,  or  any  in- 
 dividual of  them,  is  referved  till  the  appointed  time  of 
 converfion.  And  further,  if  we  look  forward,  it  appears 
 from  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  there  are  children  yet 
 unborn,  who  fhall  in  fucceeding  ages  be  a  feed  to  ferve 
 him,  and  that  in  the  latter  day  a  glorious  harveft  fhall 
 be  gathered,  both  of  Jews  and  Gentiles.  And,  final- 
 ly, that  at  the  revelation  of  Chrifl,  though  the  greater 
 number  of  thefe  precious  faints  will  be  gathered  from 
 their  graves,  fome  will  defcend  with  him  in  their  glo-^ 
 rified  bodies  from  heaven,  and  at  the  fame  time  not  a 
 few  will  be  found  alive  on  the  earth.  Thus  divided  are 
 I  i  the 
 
498  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 the  peculiar  treafure  of  the  Lord  in  time,  under  pros* 
 vidence,  through  the  unlverfe,  in  every  generation, 
 pad,  preie-:t,  and  to  comej  fome  dead,  fome  alive,, 
 ibme  yet  rebelling  in  the  kingdom  of  fatan,  while 
 others  are  reduced  to  the  obedience  of  faith^  and  are 
 rejoicing  in  the  Lord  as  their  God ;  and  when  the 
 laft  trumpet  founds,  the  elel:  ftiall  be  gathered  from 
 heaven,  earth,  and  hell,  or  the  grave  j  but,  however 
 difperfed,  they  are  fecure  and  forth  coming.  The 
 Lord  will-  certainly  make  up  thefe  jewels  ;  their  num- 
 ber fhall  be  compleated,  and  not  one  fliall  be  wanting, 
 when  he  appears  in  his  glory,  of  which  bleffed  hope  the 
 following  particulars  are  a  full  confirmation ; 
 
 .  I.  It  hath  already  been  fhewn  that  they  are  his 
 chofen  dear  property  j  he  hath  fet  his  love  upon  them, 
 Ihed  his  blood  for  them ;  they  are  his  treafure  and  his 
 glory  as  Mediator,  and  will  he  fufFer  one  of  thefe  to  be 
 loft  ?  What  man  would  lofe  a  jewel  of  his  treafure,  or 
 fufFer  it  to  lie  in  a  total  and  final  obfcurity  ?  The  de- 
 light the  Lord  hath  in  his  people,  and  efpecially  when 
 joined  to  his  purchafe,  is  an  abundant  fecurity  for  their 
 being  gathered  to  himfelf  in  due  time.     And, 
 
 2.  If  thefe  are  not  made  up,  the  end  of  his  choofing 
 and  redeeming  them  is  lofl.  It  was  to  fhew  the  riches 
 of  his  glory,  that  thefe  vefTels  of  mercy  were  felefted 
 and  ranfomed  j  the  ultimate  view  of  all  this  grace,  is  the 
 honor  of  God,  in  the  perfedlion  of  his  people  j  this  was 
 the  end  of  the  divine  counfel  from  everlafling ;  for  this 
 purpofe  the  Father  chofe  his  faints  in  Chrift,  and  con- 
 ttituted  his  Son  the  head  of  the  church,  and  the  Saviour 
 
 of 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      499 
 
 •of  the  body.  Agreeable  to  this,  Chrift  having  loved  his 
 church,  gave  himfelf  for  her,  that  he  might  prefent 
 her  to  himfelf  a  glorious  church,  Eph.  v.  27.  But  this 
 will  not  be  accompiifhed  while  a  jewel  is  miffing, 
 there  would  then  be  a  defetSl  or  fchifm  in  the  body,  nor 
 will  the  glory  or  happinefs  of  any  one  faint  be  abfo- 
 lutely,  and  in  all  refpe<Ss  compleat,  till  the  whole  elec- 
 tion of  grace  appear  united  in  one  body,  and  each 
 member  fin jftied  and  fet  in  his  place.  In  a  word,  Jefus 
 ^ied  "  that  he  might  gather  together  in  one,  the  chil- 
 *'  dren  of  God  that  were  fcattered  abroad,"  John  xi.52. 
 Not  only  thoife  of  the  nation  of  the  Jews,  but  alfo  the 
 chofen  among  the  Gentiles ;  fo  that  if  any  one  is  left 
 hehind^  Chrift  died  in  vain  j  a  notion  to  be  utterly  re- 
 jeded.  See  Gal.  ii.  21.     But  again, 
 
 3.  Of  this  the  believer  hath  an  earneft  in  his  effec- 
 tual calling.  Every  chriftian  may  fafely  argue  from  the 
 beginning  to  the  completion  of  a  divine  work  in  his 
 foul,  Phil.  i.  6.  Shall  the  Almighty  forfake  his  own 
 work,  or  leave  it  unfinifhed  ?  It  cannot  be  decently 
 fuppofed.  What  fiiould  hinder  the  Lord  from  makino- 
 up,  or,  as  the  word  imports,  finiftiing  any  one  of  his 
 jewels,  which  he  hath  fet  apart,  redeemed,  and  called 
 by  his  grace  !  Not  the  unworthinefs  of  the  fubjeil,  nor 
 any,  however  feeming  unfurmountable,  difficulties  that 
 lie  in  the  way,  feeing  what  he  hath  already  done  with 
 refpeil  to  this  chofen  veflel  of  mercy,  and  efpecially 
 in  turning  him  from  darknefs  to  light,  and  flaying  the 
 enmity  of  his  mindj  this  I  fay  is  no  lefs,  if  not  a  great- 
 er inftance  of  grace  and  power  than  is  required  unto 
 the  perfe<^ion  of  him  who  is  already  wafhed  and  fanc- 
 
 I  i  2  t.ficd  J 
 
5C0  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 tified  ;  nor  can  any  leafon  be  given  why  the  unchange- 
 able and  hving  Cjod  fliould  fufter  his  mercy  to  fail, 
 contrary  to  his  folemn  engagements  to  maintain  it  for 
 ever.  He  then  who  hath  been  gathered  by  the  hand  of 
 the  Lord  out  of  the  world,  and  is  numbered  with 
 them  who  are  fan£tified  by  faith,  may  be  affured 
 that  they  {hall  be  made  up,  and  counted  among  his 
 jewels  at  laft,  and  efpecially  when  we  confider  fur- 
 ther, 
 
 4.  The  infinite  perfecSlion  and  glorious  power  of  the 
 moft  High,  with  whom  all  things  are  poffible.     Thefe 
 have  already  been  difplayed  in  their  exiftence  and  con- 
 verfion  ;  it  is  highly  unreafonable  to  queflion  whether 
 he  that  created  his  people,   and  redeemed  them  from 
 the  dominion  of  fm  and  the  power  of  fatan,  can  make 
 them  perfe«51:  in   holinefs,   and   prefent  them  faultlefs, 
 and  finifhed,  in  the  day  of  his  appearance,  and  equally 
 abfurd  to  imagine  that  any  thing  needful  to  compleat 
 the  faints,  can  lie  out  of  the  reach  of  unfearchable  Wif- 
 dom  and  divine  Omnipotence ;  nothing  of  thefe  jew- 
 els, however  difperfed,  is  hid  from  the  Lord,  or  be- 
 yond tlie  reach  of  his  arm  ;  their  being  made  up  carries 
 in  it  the  refurrecSion  of  their  bodies,  which  at  prefent, 
 as  we  have  feen,  are  diflblvel  and  fcaitered  in  the  grave, 
 infomuch  that  to  an  eye  of  fenfe,  their  return  feems  im- 
 poffible,  yet  reafon  proclaims  that  God  is  able  to  raife 
 the  dead ;  we  are  indebted  to  the  gofpel  for  this  light 
 of  life  and   immortality  fi'om  death,  yet  reafon  is  not 
 jnore  incapable  of  difcovering  this  redemption  of  the 
 bodv,  to  which  the  faints  are  adopted,  than  it  is  for- 
 ward to  atteft  its  credibility,  on  the  teftimony  of  God. 
 
11^  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      501 
 
 So  then,  the  affection  the  Lord  hath  for  his  people,  the 
 end  of  his  choice,  his  purchafe,  and  what  he  hath  al- 
 ready done  for,  and  wrought  in  them,  ami  his  almighty 
 power,  and  other  perfe£lions,  leave  no  room  to  queftion 
 but  that  he  will  make  up  his  jewels,  according  to  the 
 word  of  his  grace. 
 
 Nor  is  the  hope  of  that  mercy  which  ftands  con- 
 ne£ted  with  the  glory  to  be  revealed  on  the  faints,  in 
 the  day  of  Chrift,  lefs  certain.     Its  foundation  is  laid 
 in  the  fubftitution  and  fufFerings  of  the  Son  of  God  in 
 their  ftead ;  all  their  iniquity  was  laid  on  him,  and  he 
 bore  away  their  fms  by  the  facrifice  of  h  mfelf.    If  God 
 fpared  not  his  own  Son,  and  Chrift  died  for  them,  the 
 faithful  may  be  affured  that  they  fhall  be  fpared  in  the 
 day  of  his  wrath ;  furely  in  the  floods  of  great  waters 
 they  fhall  not  come  nigh  unto  them;  the  Redeemer  is 
 their  hiding-place,  and  will  compafs  them  about  with 
 fongs  of  deliverance  j  this  may  alfo  be  gathered  from  the 
 pompaflion  already  exercifed  towards  them,  when  in  aftate 
 of  death  and  condemnation  ;  he  that  patiently  endured 
 their   enmity    and    rebellion,    and    plucked    them    as 
 brands  from  the  fire,  will  furely  have  mercy  on  them, 
 and  fpare  them  in  the  dny  of  his  wrath  ;  befides,  they 
 are  covered  with  the  robe  of  his  righteoufncfs,    and 
 wafhed  in  his  blood  j  the  righteoufncfs  of  God  is  upon 
 them,  and  being  now  j  uftified  freely  by  his  grace,  they  fhall 
 doubtlefs  be  faved  from  wr^th  through  him,  Rom.  v.  9. 
 Yea,  and  further,  the  experience  of  the  chriftian  con- 
 firms it.  Indeed  the  patience  and  goodnefs  of  the  Lord 
 in  his  providence,  is  no  fecurity  againft  the  vengeance 
 oi  the  Almighty,  who  endures  with  much  long-fufFer- 
 
502  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 ing  the  veflels  of  wrath ;  yet,  alas,  how  often  do  Tin- 
 ners prefi.me  on  an  efcape,  becaufe  the  execution  of 
 their  fentence  hath  liOt  taken  place ;  but  the  prefent 
 mercy  and  favor  oi  God  in  a  way  of  ipecial  grace  to 
 his  called,  afcertains  this  bleffed  aflurance,  the  gift  of 
 his  Spirit,  the  light  of  his  countenance,  their  commu- 
 nion with  God  at  any  time  in  his  ordinances,  their 
 freedom  of  accefs  to  him  as  their  Father,  and  in  a 
 word,  every  infl;anc€  of  fpiritual  fupply,  or  promife  ap- 
 plied to  their  heart,  is  an  evident  token,  or  rather  a 
 tafte  and  earneft,  of  that  mercy  the  righteous  fhall  ob- 
 tain at  the  coming  of  Chrift ;  fo  that  there  is  not  the 
 leaft  room  to  hefitate  their  being  fpared  by  the  Lord 
 in  the  day  when  he  makes  up  his  jewels,  even  as  a 
 man  fpareth  his  own  fon  that  ferveth  him. 
 
 Now,  that  the  honor  and  glory  of  being  owned  of 
 the  Lord,  and  fpared  as  a  dear  and  dutiful  fon,  is  be- 
 yond all  expreflion,  and  that  it  will  turn  out  an  ample 
 reward  for  the  tribulation  and  tears  of  his  faithful  diici- 
 pies,  in  a  time  of  general  apoftacy,  appears  from  the 
 promife  itfelf.  No  other  confideration  is  oiTered  to  fa- 
 tisfy  and  encourage  his  fuffering  people  under  the  fore 
 temptations  which  befal  them.  The  Lord  doth  not 
 fay,  I  will  now  avenge  myfelf  on  the  ungodly  who 
 profane  my  Name,  and  defpife  them  who  fear  me  ;  or, 
 I  will  immediately  defcend  as  the  dew  on  Ifrael, 
 and  remove  the  occafions  of  her  forrow,  which  is 
 fometimcs  the  cafe,  at  the  interceflion  of  his  mourners, 
 but  here  is  no  abfolute  promife  of  any  alteration  for  the 
 prefent,  all  that  is  propofed  to  animate  and  comfort 
 thcfe  gracious  and  aiflided  fouls  is,  that  they  ftiould    be 
 
 his. 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  xMALACHT.  505 
 liis,  and  that  he  would  fpare  them  in  the  dav  of  his 
 coming  j  but  the  divine  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs  would 
 not  leave  the  righteous  without  a  firffi;cieiit  rew^urd  ;  we 
 may  thererbre  be  alTured  that  in  the  accompliibnient  of 
 this  promlfe  they  fhall  find  a  full  recompence  for  all 
 the  felf-denial  a;nd  grief  to  which  their  piecy  may  have 
 exp.'fed  them*  To  this  agrees  the  exprefs  declaration 
 of  our  Saviour  and  his  infpired  apoft'es,  and  alfo  the 
 judgment  of  the  faithful  m  all  generations.  M'  fes 
 chofe  to  fuffer  aiflidlion  with  the  people  of  God,  and 
 even  efteemed  the  reproach  of  Chrift,  greater  riches 
 than  the  treafures  of  Egypt,  having  refpedl  to  this  re- 
 compence of  reward.  And  we  read  of  many,  who,  be- 
 ing tortured,  would  not  accept  deliverance,  on  the  con- 
 dition of  refigning  their  hope,  that  they  might  obtain  a 
 better  refurreilion,  Heb.  xi.  If  the  honor  and  joy  of 
 the  faints  at  the  day  of  Chrift  will  not  abundantly 
 compenfate  for  all  the  fhame  and  forrow  which  they 
 may  endure  in  this  vi^orld  for  his  Name's  fake,  thefe 
 worthies  were  certainly  under  a  delufion,  and  of  all 
 men  moft  miferable ;  but  *' we  know  our  light  afflic- 
 *'  tion,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a 
 **  far  more  exceeding  and  eternai  weight  of  glory,"  (o 
 that  we  may  juftly  "  reckon  that  the  fuffcrings  of  this 
 *'  prefent  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the 
 *'  glory,  which  ftiall  be  revealed  in  us."  Compare 
 2  Cor.  iv.  17.  with  Rom.  viii.  18.  Of  this  reward 
 many,  whofe  trials  have  been  great,  have  had  a  joyful 
 Carneft  in  the  witnefs  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  (olace  they 
 have  found  in  the  houfe  of  the  Lord  ;  they  who  have 
 sndured  the  moft  for  the  teltimony  of  their  confcience 
 
 will 
 
504  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FATTHFUt 
 
 will  acknowledge  that  the  pleafures  of  fellowfhip  witR 
 God,  and  the  fatisfadtion  they  have  found  in  the  com*- 
 munications  of  his  grace,  and  efpecially  when  they  be^ 
 hold  themfelves  in  Chrift,  through  the  Spirit  of  adop- 
 tion ;  their  delight  and  joy  in  God  have  far  over-bal- 
 lanced  the  pain  and  difgrace  of  their  fufFerings.  Thus 
 David,  from  his  paft  experience  in  the  fanftuary,  re- 
 joices in  this  expCfSlation,  faying,  "  My  mouth  fhall  be 
 *'  fatisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatnefs,"  Pfalm  Ixiii.  5. 
 and  many  like  inftances  might  be  produced.  Now  if 
 believers  are  fo  abundantly  fatisfied  in  what  they  at 
 prefent  enjoy,  and  find  fuch  ample  return  for  the  felf-de^- 
 nial  they  are  called  to  for  the  fake  of  religion  in  therr 
 experience  of  the  love  of  God  in  this  world,  what 
 muft  be  their  glory  and  joy  on  being  made  up  and  fi- 
 nifhed  in  the  laft  and  great  day  ?  To  be  the  Lord's, 
 and  to  be  numbered  with  his  jewels,  when  he  appears 
 in  his  kingdom,  muft  be  an  honor  and  reward,  of  which 
 they  v/ho  attain  to  the  higheft  degree  of  knowledge  in 
 the  prefent  ftate,  can  form  no  adequate  conception.  *'  It 
 *'  doth  not  yet  appear,  faith  the  apoftle,  what  we  fhall 
 '  *'  be,"  I  John  iii.  2.  But  we  may  foberly  conclude 
 that  the  reward  of  this  inheritance  will  exceed  the 
 higheft  expectation  of  the  moft  eminent  faint  on  earth, 
 and  it  may  be  of  thofe  who  in  a  feparate  ftate  are  al- 
 ready admitted  to  the  throne  in  the  heavens,  however 
 it  certainly  pafleth  the  underftanding  of  every  mortal,  and 
 will  fill  the  happy  fubjedls  with  triumph  and  praife  "  un- 
 *'  to  him  that  loved  them,  and  wafhed  them  from  their 
 *'  fins  in  his  own  blood,  and  made  them  kings  and 
 *'  priefts  unto  God,  and  his  Father." 
 
 How 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHI.      50J 
 
 How  melancholy  and  miferable  the  cafe  of  thofe, 
 whom  the  Lord  will  rejed!,  or  leave  behhd  in  the  day 
 when  he  makes  up  his  jewels  ?  If  it  is  the  peculiar  pri- , 
 vilege  of  the  righteous  to  be  his,  and  to  be  fpared  in 
 that  awful  day  of  decifion  and  juftice,  let  th°  Chriftlefs 
 fmner  beware  j  God  will  not  fpare  thec^  but  will  exe- 
 cute the  fiercehefs  of  his  a'^tr^^r!  O  how  unconcerned 
 are  many  about  an  intereft  in  Chrift,  and  beirg  gathered 
 with  his  peciiliar  treafure  at  his  coming;  they  conrider 
 not  the  vengeance  he  v/ill  then  take  on  them  wiio  dif- 
 bbey  him.  It  were  better,  Reader,  thou  hadft  never 
 been  born  or  ex:ifted,  than  hot  be  found  among  the 
 Lord's  jewels  at  the  feafoh  referred  to ;  when  they 
 fliall  fhine  forth  in  their  beauty,  afcend  up  to  glory, 
 and  poflefs  the  everlafting  kingdom  of  the  Father, 
 ihame  fhall  cover  unbelievers,  who  will  be  then,  O 
 tremble,  ye  carelefs  ones !  caft  into  the  lake  of  fire, 
 and  lie  dovi^n  in  forrOw  and  darknefs  for  ever  ! 
 
 But,  art  thou,  dear  Friend,  waiting  for  the  hope  of 
 right^ouifnefs  by  faith  ?  Haft  thou  found  the  Pearl  of 
 great  price  ?  Is  Chrift  thy  dependence  and  delight,  and 
 exceeding  precious  to  thy  foul,  fo  that  all  things  are  as 
 nothing  compared  v^ith  his  excellency  and  grace  ?  Is 
 his  name  fo  dear,  that  it  occupies  the  thoughts  of  thine 
 heart  ?  And  art  thou  grieved  at  the  contempt  caft  upon 
 it  by  the  ungodly,  and  when  licentious  profeflbrs  dif- 
 grace  it  ?  Thefe  are  genuine  fymptoms  of  that  holy 
 fear  which  belongs  to  the  Children  of  God ;  and  they 
 who  thus  think  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  are  entitled 
 to  ejrped  the  honor  of  being  Ch rift's  at  his  coming. 
 K  k  And^ 
 
5o6  CONDUCT  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 
 
 And,    Reader,    is  this  thine  experience  ?    Doth  thine 
 heart  re'oice  in  piofpedl  of  being  found  among  the  peo- 
 ple of  the  LoRo,  before  the  Father  r.jid  his  angels,  in 
 the  day  of  re\e!ation  ?     Manifeil  this  in  thy  profefled 
 fubjc6tion  to  the  gofp^-1  of  Ciinft.     Can  any  man,  with 
 rcafon,  be  looked  upon  as  a  fuccefsful  candidate  for  the 
 glory  and  joy  oi  b.ing  thw  Lord's,  when  he  makes  up 
 his  jewels,  to  whom  it  is  an  indifferent  matter,  whe- 
 ther he  appears  to  be  his  among  men,  or  who  will  not 
 confcfs  him  on  earth.     1  he  importance,    credit,  and 
 advantage  of  a   public  acknowledgment  and  worfhip  of 
 Jefus,  has  been  a  principal  dtCipi  of  thefe  papers,  how 
 far  they  may  fucceed  w.li  hereafter  appear ;  but  I  think 
 it  muft  be  allowed  an  awkard  and  inconhftent  part,  for 
 a  perfon  to  boad  in  the  vicv/  of  being  numbered  with 
 the  faints  in  the  day  of  revelaMon,  and  at  the  fame  time 
 allow  himfelf  to  be  namelefs  arnong  them  in  the  fight 
 of  m.ankind.     Is  it  nqt  (Irange,  that  he  who  expects  to 
 be  owned,  fpared  and  glorified,    as  a  vilible  member  of 
 Chrift,    in  the   univerfal  alTcmbly,    at  the  tribunal  of 
 God,    fhoulu  not  think   it  his  duty  and   honor  to  be 
 openlv  joined  to  the  Lord  and   his  people,  or  that  he 
 fbould  not  be  alliam.ed  to  live  feparate  from  the  vifible 
 heirs  of  falvatlon  ?   One  would  think  it  almoft  impoffi- 
 ble  that  a  m.an  whofe  heart  is  fixed  in  the  hope  of  being 
 revealed  in  the  church  triumphant,   could  reft  fhcrt  of 
 appearlns  in  the  church   in  her  militant  fiate-   it  is  a 
 conduct  fo  ungrateful,    not  to  fay  abfurd,    a  fenfible 
 perfon  wiil  blufli  to  find  jn  fiimfelf,  and  it  is  hoped  will 
 repent;  however,  this  is  certain,  that  nothing  can  be 
 more  unreafonable   than   to  prefume  we  faall    appear 
 with  Chrift  in  glory,  when  he  is  revealed  from  he  avcn. 
 
 J  a 
 
IN  THE  DAYS  OF  MALACHT.     507 
 
 m  a  negle6l  of  his  honor  on  earth ;  and  It  becomes 
 thofe  who  amufe  themfelves  with  this  expedlation  to 
 fee  if  it  ftands  fupported  by  the  teftimony  of  God,  for 
 3n  hope  void  of  that  foundation  will  furely  deceive. 
 
 And  now,  Beloved,  I  take  my  farewel  with  an  qar- 
 neft  exhortation  to  my  own  foul  and  yours.  Picfs  for- 
 ward, and  haften  to  the  coaiing  of  ihe  Lord.  Blefled. 
 is  the  hope  of  his  fecond  appearance  !  A  day  awful. and 
 fatal  to  the  wicked,  who  fhail  be  utterly  confumed, 
 but,  oh  how  delightful  to  the  righteous  who  fear  him. 
 Then  will  their  eternal  gl;  ry  commence  j  when  every 
 jewel  fhall  be  fin'ilied,  difp/ed  and  fet  in  the  moft' 
 beautiful  point  of  light,  and,  t'-e  number  of  the  eledl, 
 being  accompl idled,  the  adorable  Rtdeemer  will  pre- 
 fe-nt  his  beloved  church,  faultlefs  b.  fore  the  prefence  of 
 his  glory,  with  exceedingjoy.  Animated  with  this  divine 
 hope,  may  all  my  dear  keaders,  with  their  unwortny 
 writer,  keep  themfelves  in  the  love  of  God,  looking 
 for  the  mercies  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  unto  eternal 
 life;  who  is  over  all,  God  bleffed  for  ever.     Amen. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Lately  publillied,  by  the  farrte  Author',' 
 
 I.  rr^  H  E  Chriftian's  concern  that  he  may  not  be  i 
 JL     caft-away,  in  two  difcourfes,  price  8  d. 
 
 2.  A  Sermon  on  the  deceafe  of  his  Royal  Highneft 
 the  late  Duke  of  Cumberland,  price  6d. 
 
 3.  The  eternal  exiftence  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrilt 
 confidered  and  improved,  price  6d. 
 
 4.  The  Chrifiian's  falutation,  a  far^wel  -  fermon^' 
 price  6d. 
 
 5.  The  conftitutlon  of  a  gofpel-church  adapted  t9 
 union  and  peace,  price  6d. 
 
 6.  Some  thoughts  on  the  indecency  and  danger  ot 
 the  believer's  refting  fhort  of  the  communion  of  faints. 
 The  third  edition,  price  3d.  or  2s.  6d.  per  dozen. 
 
 6.  An  humble  addrefs  to  the  churches  of  Chrift,  not 
 to  forfake  the  aflembling  themfelves  together.  The  fc- 
 cond  edition,  price  3d,  or  2s,  6 d,  per  Dozen, 
 
■■-' i  - --^  ^x-->  \S--^' i^^  N--^  \  ■"■"^'^ .' 
 
 :J^^a^^-^ 
 
 ^"^^^ 
 
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