~y> Ih^J THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Princeton, N. J. Cane 9 aiylsioh... % SheJf^ Section L No,.-. $^971 . / k^- ^ V SERMONS ow VARIOUS SUBJECTS, EVANGELICAL, DEVOTIONAL aitd PRACTICAL, ADAPTED TO THE PROMOTION OV CHRISTIAN PIETY, FAMILY RELIGION, AND YOUTHFUL VIRTUE. By JOSEPH LATHROP, d. d. PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN WESTSPRINGFISID. SECOJSTD EDITIOJV, i^SVISED, CORRECTED AND XNLARGK*. PUBLISHED AT WORCESTER : BY ISAIAH THOMAS, Jun. '8»ID AT HIS RESPECTIVE BOOKSTORES IN BOSTON AND WORCISTEK- THOMAS DICKMAN, VRINTER 1809. Dislrici of Massachusetts : to wit *,. s* 'E IT REMEMBERED, That Oil the Sccond Day ©f *^eptember, in the Thirtyfourth Year of the Independence of the United States of America, Isaiah Thomas, Junior, of tke said District, has depos. ited in rhis Office the Title of a Book, the Right whereof he claims as Pro- prietor, in the Words following, to luit : " Sermons on various subjects j Evangelical, Devotional and Praciical. Adapted to the promotion of Chris- tian Piety, Family Religion, and Youthful Virtue. By Jos^pii LATHRor, D. D. Pastor of the First Church ia Wcstspringficld." In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intituled, " An Act for the Encouragement of learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the Times therein mentioned ;" and also to an Act in- tituled, " An Act supplementary to an Act, intituled, An Act for the En- couragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mcn- ttoned ; and extending the Benefits thereof to the hrts of Designing^ Ea- graving and Etching Historical, and other Prints." WILLIAM S SHAW, CUrh |f M«. Piitrict of MMiiafkMseltf. PREFACE TO TH5 SECOND EDITION. *tHE Author of thefollo'wing luork, luhen he learned^ that the three first volumes were out of prints and that another Edition nvas requested by the public and intended by the publisher^ carefully re'uised them^ and made such corrections, as ap- peared to be requisite. These three volumes go forth accompanied with the two others which were recently printed, so that the whole %vork now be- comes complete y in five volumes. To the two first volumes are added several Ser- mons not before printed j which are at the end of the volumes^ and are on such subjects as were deemed most interesting. In the third volume j which embraces the whole Epistle to the Ephesians, there is prefixed to leach Sermon an appropriate title^ and to the vol- ume itself a complete table of contents ; and thus an omission, before justly complained of is sup- plied. The candor, with which this work has been re- ceived by the public, is acknowledged voith respect- ful gratitude. It is hoped, that the work has been^ and still may be, useful to the attentive reader. Inaccuracies of composition, candor will readily iy PREFACE. excuse. If there he any material errors in senti- ment^ 'which^ it is hopedy there are noty for these no excuse is requested. The iDhole is commended to the blessing of God and to the serious attention of the readers, by the AUTHOR. P. S. It is in contemplation to collect and repub- lishy in a volume suited to accompany these, the Author''s Occasional Sermons. If the design should be prose cutedy the Sermons will be revised and corrected. CONTENTS. SERMON I. Christ's Miracles recorded that Men might believe, SERMON II. Credibility and Importance of the Gospel Report. SERMON III. ^^ The Guilt and Danger of Unbelief, zf.^ SERMON IV. Pilate's Indifference to the Truth. SERMON V. Guilt of those who strengthen the Wicked. SERMON VI. Destruction of those who despise the Gospel. SERMON VII. The subject of Sermon VII, continued. SERMON VIII. Cure and Conversion of Naaman the Syrian Leper. SERMON IX. The First Fruits unto Christ. SERMON X. The Uncertainty of the Way of the Wicked. SERMON XI. A Paralytic healed on the Faith of others. SERMON XII. The Vial poured into the Sun considered in ac- commodation to the Present Times. SERMON XIII. Religion essential in the Love of our Country. •if iv CONTENTS. SERMON XIV. The influence of Religion to enlarge the Mind. *. SERMON XV. The changing Nature of Worldly Things. SERMON XVI. The infamous Character of the Churl. SERMON XVII. Different Effects of a similar Education illustrated. SERMON XVIII. The Dovelike Descent of the Spirit on Christ. SERMON XIX. The subject of Sermon XVIII, improved. SERMON XX. Parting with Friends a painful Trial. SERMON XXI. Thankfulness to God for his daily Benefits. SERMON XXII. Christian characterized, who has been with Jesus* SERMON XXIII. The Impotent Man at the Pool of Bethesda. SERMON XXIV. Awakened Jailer instructed in the way to Salvationi SERMON XXV. Micah's Confidence and Disappointment. SERMON XXVI. Premature Judging forbidden. SERMON XXVII. The Excellence of the Scriptures. SERMON XXVIII. On the Perspicuity of the Scriptures. SERMON XXIX. The Soul rejoicing in deliverance from Prison. #&?§- ■^hrisfs Miracles recorded, that Men rm^ht believe^ vr^y^r-^Q'-Sy^^f\/^>^ JOHN, XX. 30, 31. And many other signs truly did Jesus, in the presence of his disci- ples, which are not written in this book ; but these are written, chat ye mii^ht believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God ; and that believing ye might have life through his name. S God has njade us rational crea- tures, the religion which he re- auiresof us must be a rational service. Faith, which is the great principle of religion, must be founded in evidence. Reason, in the fallen state of our nature, could never discover all the things necessary for us to know. It could never investigate the Vay in vdiich, and the terms 011 which, sinners may regain the lost favour of God. For our knowledge of these things we must be in- debted to revelation. To judge of the evidence, by which the truth of revelation is proved, must be the province of reason. God never requires us to believe any thing proposed Vol. II. B 10 The Design of Christy's miracles, to us, M^ithoiit competent evidence of its trutl:. Whenever he sends to men a revelation of his will, he sends it accompanied with demonstration of its^ divine original. The gospel revelation came to the world in this manner : — It began to be spoken by the Son of God himself, and was confirmed by them who heard him. The disciples, whom he chose for his attend- ants were witnesses of his doctrines and works : And they not only related them to others in that age, but have left a written narrative for the benefit of succeeding ages ; and this narrative is handed down to us. The Apostle John, havhig given a summary his- tory of Christ's works, subjoins this general obser- vation ; " Many other signs did Jesus, which are not written in this book ; but these are written that ye might believe him to be the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name." I. It is here supposed, that the miracles perform- ed by Jesus Christ, were a sufiicient evidence of his divine authority. Miracles, which are effects produced above the common powers of nature, and in a way and manner different from its ordinary and stated course, plain- ly discover God's immediate interposition. And from the goodness and faithfulness of God we may certainly conclude, that he never will immediately and supernaturally interpose to give such credibility to a falsehood, that men, judging rationally, must receive it as a truth. It was therefore a just con- clusion of Nicodemus, that Jesus must be a teach- er come from God, because no man could do the miracles which he did, except God were with him. The miracles of Christ were great and numerous. He constantly appealed to them as divine seals of his mission, and on them he placed the credit of all Hie Design of Christ'' s rniracles. T 1 his doctrines. To suppose that God, in such a case, should enable an impostor to perform these stupendous works, or should perform them for him, is contrary to all our ideas of his moral character. All moral evidence depends on the veracity of God. They who saw Christ cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, still the tempests, only by a single word ; and afterward yield himself to death ; and then, exactly according to his prediction, rise from the dead, ascend into heaven, and shed down on his disciples the promised gifts of the spirit ; could not rationally doubt, that he was, what he declared himself to be, the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world ; and that, consequently, all his doctrines were true, his precepts pure, and his whole reli- gion a heavenly institution. II. As these signs were evidence to those who saw them, so the record given of them is evidence to succeeding ages. This the evangelist teaches us, when he says, " These signs are written that ye might believe." For if they could be evidence on- ly to those who saw them, there was no reason why they should be written ; nor would the writing of them be a mean of faith. The apostle observes, that Christ performed them in the presence of his disciples. Most of them in- deed, were wrought in the presence of multitudes : But as the disciples were to be witnesses of them to the world, the evangelist particularly mentions this circumstance, to give credibility to their testi- mony. That which they sav/ and heard, they de- clared to others. They did not relate Christ's mir- acles on fame or report, but from their own imme- diate knowledge. They testified that which they saw, and their testimony is worthy of belief. The disciples of Jesus were credible witnesses of the facts which they related ; because it was not possible that they shoald be deceived y they could 12 The Design of Chrisfs miracles. be under no possible temptation to deceive others ; nor was it in their power to have deceived mankind^ even if they had formed such a design. 1. They could not be mistaken themselves in the matters, which they relate, but must infallibly know whether they were true or not. The miracles, which they have recorded, were matters which fell under their own observation, and were subject to their own senses. Vv'hether they saw the dead rise ; the sick and lame healed ; storms composed ^ thousands fed with a few loaves ; and, besure, whether they were themselves able to work miracles and speak with divers tongues; wheth- er Jesus, who was crucified, actually rose and ap- peared to them ; whether they conversed with him, saw his wounds, and heard him communicate his instructions to them ; were facts in which they could not possibly be mistaken. If their senses, in such plain, obvious matters, could deceive them, we cannot trust our senses in any case. If their rela- tion of facts is not true, they must have aimed to deceive mankind. But, 2. They could be under no temptation to relate these things, if they had not known them to be true, because, by their testimony, they exposed themselves to the loss of every thing that is desira- ble, and to the suffering; of every thing that is ter- rible, in this world. Poverty, reproach, persecu- tion and death, were the consequences of their per- severance in their testimony, and consequences which they foresaw, and which Christ had v/arned them to expect. And it can never be imagined that a number of men, in cool blood, should combine together to sacritice every thing that is dear in life, for the sake of imposing a falsehood on the world — should all steadily persevere in this design, after they began to feel the consequences of it, and should even persist in it till death, and none among them 'The Design of Chrisfs miracles. 13 should desert the cause and discover the fraud. Such a combination, so executed, was never known, or heard of, nor is human nature capable of it. And, 3. If they had been disposed to deceive mankind in tliese facts, it was not in their power to do it, nor could it be in their thoughts to attempt it. The facts which they relate, and the doctrines which they deliver, are so great and wonderful, that it is absurd to suppose a number of men should frame them out of their own invention. Had not the things which they declare been true, they could not have maintained that uniformity and consistency which appear in their testimony : Much less could such a number of persons have been consistent with one a- nother. And if their testimoi}y had not been true, it was, in the time of it, easy to detect the fraud and prevent it from spreading. The facts which they relate they declared were done publickly ; in the view of the world ; and then very lately. And had there been no such miracles, there would have been no credit given to their report. The disciples had enemies who wished to confound them. The Jews, especially their rulers, spared no pains to sup- press the christian cause. Their enmity to it would have prompted them to convict the disciples of false- hood, if they had not known, that the facts related were indisputable. Had they discovered any im. posture, they would immediatel}' have made it pub^ lick. And since they never denied the facts assert- ed by the apostles, but rather denied the consequen- ces of them, they must undoubtedly have been con- vinced, that they were real, and not fictitious. Had not the miracles, said to have been wrought by Jesus and his disciples, been real, the gospel never could have gained so extensive credit, as in fact it did ; and if it had not been then received, it would have been more difficult to introduce it, and give it a spread afterward : For it is always more 14 The Design of C!inst''s miracles^ easy to establish a scheme when it is new, than to revive it, after it has been rejected and proved to be false. The sacred writings carry in them an air of honesty and impartiality. They are of a holy na- ture and beneficial tendency. The pious and ex- emplary lives of the apostles proved them to be un- der the influence of the religion which they taught ; and their dying in defence of it shewed, that they firmly believed it to be divine. Its wonderful suc- cess, \^ithout the support of human power, de- monstrates, that it was patronized by heaven. The gospel history comes down to us with the passport of all former ages, and with every circumstance of credibility that can possibly attend any history. There are four men, who have professedly writ- ten memoirs of the life of Jesus Christ. Two of them were his attendant disciples ; the other two were contemporary and conversant with his disci- pies. Four others have written epistles to particu- lar societies of christians, or to christians in gene- ral. In these epistles they recognise the character, assert or allude to the miracles, and teach the doc- trines of Jesus, as thev are related in those me- moirs. So that this historv stands on the credit of eight different persons, most of whom were the immediate disciples of Jesus, and all of them his contemporaries. They wrote separately, on dif- ferent occasions, without the least appearance of concert or collusion ; and yet all substantially agree. To some of the principal f^cts there is the concur- rent testimony of heathen writers. These memoirs aiid epistles were received as genuine, in the apos- toiick and next succeeding age, and from age to age down to the present time. In short the gospel history, if considered merely as human, is better authenticated than any other ancient history extant. Jf we doubt its truth, we must doubt the truth of The Design of Chris fs miracles. it all history, and believe nothing, but what we see with our own eyes. I proceed to observe, ill. Though the evangelists have not written ev- ery thing which Christ did and taught, yet, they have written as much as is necessary to the estab- lishment of our faith. Saint John says. Many other things truly did Jesus, which are not written in this book, but these are written that ye might be- lieve. He says afterward. There are many other thitigs which Jesus did, which, if they should be zvritten, every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. A particular narrative of every thin^ which Christ did and spake, would have swelled the sacred volume beyond bounds. Few or none would have found ability to procure it, or time to read it. So that it would have been much less use- ful to the world, than the concise, summary ac- count which is now given us. They who can re- ject the gospel, after all the evidence which arises from the miracles written, might as well reject it, if the number were ten times as great. And though every discourse which our Saviour deliver- ed is not given us at full length, yet we have a sum- mary view of all the doctrines which he taught. Though many things which he spake are omitted in the history, yet no essential and important trutli is suppressed. The observation here made, may be applied to the works and sermons of his apostles. It is not necessary to suppose, nor indeed is it probable, that the New Testament contains all their transac- tions. It is certain that vve have only a summary account of the sermons v\ Inch they preached ; and, in some instances, there is only men- tion made of tlieir preaching at such a place, with- out any particular detail of the matters on which they spake. Nor is the supposition unreasonable, 16 The Dengn of Christ'^s miracles. that they might writt many epistles, on one occa- sion and another, which, are not transmitted to us. But then we have, in the sacred volume, all the doctrines fully taught, which we could have had, if every sermon preached, and every letter written by the apostles, had been given us at full length. As they wrote to different churches, they would un- doubtedly write many of the same things repeated- ly. We find this to be in some measure the case with many of the epistles which we have. There is a great similarity between that to the Ephesians, and that to the Colossians. There is ahnost no sentiment in the one but what occurs in the other, and often in nearly the same expressions. The epis- tle to Titus contains little, but what we find in those to Timothy. There is a great resemblance between Jude's epistle, and part of the second epistle of Peter. A repetition of the same things, especially of the more important truths and duties of religion, is of great use. It helps us to a better understanding of them ; it tends to impress them on the mind ; it sen'^es to fix them in the memory ; it shews what the inspired writers esteemed the most weighty matters, and w^ere most solicitous to inculcate. It is attended also with another important advantage. It secures the scriptures from the possibility of ma- terial corruption. If the religion of the gospel had been WTitten systematically ; and the same doc- trine, or precept, had been only once expressed ; evil minded men, by altering a single passage, would have erased an essential point, and changed the substance of the system. But now, as the same things are interspersed in various parts, the corruption of a sing:le text, will affect none of the great truths of religion, because the truth contain- ed in the text so corrupted, is to be found else- where. In order to blot out any of the doctrines Tke Design of ChrisVs miracles. 17 of religion, the scriptures must be altered i!i so many places at once, that every reader would im- mediately observe and reject the corruption. From this one circumstance, we may be absolute- ly certain, that the sacred scriptures have never suf- fered any material or essential alterations, either from the carelessness of transcribers, or the artifice of impostors. But though it seems necessary, that there should be frequent repetitions of the same things, yet it is by no means necessary, that every thing which Christ did and spake, or which the apostles preach- ed and wrote, should be conveyed to us ; for so many things could not be contained within the compass of a volume adapted to common use. From the miracles recorded, we have all the ev- idence of the divine authority of the scriptures, which we could have from a thousand more. And from the writings transmitted to us, we have all the instructions concerning our faith and duty, that we should have had, if every sermon delivered by Christ and his apostles, and all the letters which the apostles wrote, had been conveyed to us at large. For as the sermons were delivered, and " the let- ters were written to different persons, at different times, they were doubtless in substance similar to those which we now possess : So that the scrip- tures are perfect, and fully adapted to their end, though, in the days of inspiration and miracles, many things were spoken and done, which are not contained in this book. What was the great end for which the scriptures were written, the apostle teaches us ; IV. In the fourth place. These things are writ' ten that ye might believe. Faith is the great principle of religion. The scriptures teach us, what is that evidence on which tlieir divine authority is founded, and point out Voi. IL C 18 , The Design of t^hrist^s miracles, TO tis the great truths which are to govern out practice. The Christian needs to go no farther, than to the Bible itstlf, to find evidence of its divinity. If we only receive it with the regard due to common his- tory, we must believe, tV.at there were such per- sons as Jesus and his apostles, and that they per- formed very wonderful ^^ orks. If they performed such works, they v, ere sent of God : and if they ivere sent of God, the doctrines which they taught are to be believed ; and the rules of lile, which they govc, are to be obeyed. The purity, harmo- ny, benevolent design and useful tendency of thes6 doctrines and precepts, i fford additional evidence for the confirmation of our faith. The faith of a Christian must not stop in a ra- tional conviction of the divine authority of the scriptures ; nor in a.just apprehension of the sense and meaning of them. It must go farther. It must regard the system of religion there taught, as excellent and important ; and yield a full and un- reserved consent to it. That only is true faith, "which has a practical influence. The apostle says to the Thessalonians, " The word, which ye heard of us, ye received, not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in you which believe." He coijimends them " for their work of faith and their labour of love." That is faith, which gives the doctrines of the gospel their proper operation on the heart and life* If we acknowledge the gospel to be true, on a rational conviction of the sufficien- cy of its evidence, and yet treat it as if it were false ; if we own Christ as a Saviour, and yet make no application to him, and place no dependence on him for salvation ; if we profess the doctrines which he has taught, and yet are wholly uninfluenced by them in our conduct ; if we commend his precepts The Design of Chris fs miracles, 1,9 as excellent, and yet live in opposition to them ; pur faith is only speculation, and our speculative faith is practical unbelief. But if we so receive the gosj^el, tnat it effectually works in us, Cdsts down imaginations, and every high thinj:^ which exalts itself against tiie knowledge of God, a d brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ; then our faitli is such as the gospel re- ijuires. If the gospel is true, it must be infinitely impor- tant. To receive it with indifference, is to treat it with contempt. To despise it is to expose our- selves to that wo.iderful destruction, which it re- veals from heaven against them who hold the truth in unrighteousness. If to disbelieve the go.^pel against all the evidence which attends it, discovers perverseness of heart ; what stupidity, what ob- stinacy, what mad less do they discover, who pro- fess to believe it, and yet live in direct opposition to it! It is only the influential, the practical faith, which is worthy of the name. This brings us to observe, V. That to this faith is annexed eternal life, ** These things are written, that ye might believe, and that believing ye might have life through Cliiist's name." The gospel considers mankind as a guilty race, tinder condemnation to everlasting death. To re- deem them from death, and bring them to the hope of immortality here, and the enjoyment of it here- after, was the great end for which Christ appeared on earth. To accomplish this design, he not only lived among men,, wrought miracles, and went about teaching, and doing good ; but suffered death, revived, and entered into glory. Eternal life, therefore, comes to us in his name ; and our faith and hope must regard him in the character of JSO The Design of Christ'*^ miracles. a Saivoiir and Redeemer. If we have life through his name, our faith must be in his name. The apostle Peter says, " We are rtdeemed by the pre* cious blood of Christ, who was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested iii these last times for us, who by him do believe in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that our faith and hope might be in God.'* Faith entitles us to eternal life. " Believing w<5 have life through his name." But the faith to which this mighty privilege is annexed, is such as we have already described ; a faith which effectual- ly works in us. To no other faith do we find the promise of life made. To know, therefore, wheth- er we have life through the name of Christ, we must inquire, whether we have purified our hearts by obeying the truth ; whether the spirit and tem- per of the gospel is formed in us ; whether we are created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has ordained that we should walk in them. IMPROVEMENT. How wonderful is the grace of God, in making such preparation for our faith and happiness ! A Sav- iour has been sent from heaven, the most stupend- ous miracles have been wrought, the most sub- lime and glorious doctrines have been delivered, these have been written, the writings have been preserved and conveyed to us, that we might be- lieve, and that believing, we might have eternal life. How great is the perverseness of men, that they should need.such mighty efforts of divine pow- er to bring them to believe ! How amazing is the perverseness of those who remain in unbelief and dis- obedience against all these efforts of God's grace and power ! How just will be the condemnation of those, who will not, by all the means used widi The Design of Chrisfs miracles. 21 tliem, and by all the advantages bestowed on them, be brought to believe in Christ's name, and accept the glorious life, which he has purchased for them, and revealed to them ! It is said of some, that Christ himself marvelled because of their unbelief. And marvellous it is, that sinners should need so much done for them to overcome their unbelief and en- mity ; and that so many should continue unbeliev- ing and impenitent after all that is done. - God has written to us the great thhigs of his grace ; he has sent to us the word of salvation. Let us beware, lest this be our condemnation, that life is offered us, and we have chosen death ; and light has come to us, and we have loved darkness. SERMON U. The Credibility and Importance of the Gospel Jteport, ISAIAH, liii. 1. Who hath believed our report ? A HIS chapter contains a prophetick de- scription of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, of the gracious purposes of his death, and of the contempt and opposition which should attend him in the course of his ministry. The words of our text are a complaint of the in- credulity of those, to whom his gospel should be preached by himself in his own person, and by his apostle after him. The words are by saint John applied to those, who, when they saw Christ's miracles, would not receive him as the promised Saviour. " Though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him ; that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, Lord, Who hath believ- ^' The Credibility of the Gospel 23 ed our report ? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed ?" The apostle Paul, speak- ing of the perverseness of the Jews under his preach- ing, and that of the other apostles, says, in the words of Isaiah, *' How beautiful are the feet of ihem, who preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ! But they have not all obeyed the gospel ; for the same prophet says, Lord, Who hath believed our report ?" The report here intended is the gospel. The complaint is, that few believe it. And this com- plaint is made by those, who preached in the most engaging manner, and w ith the highest tokens of their divine commission. The text is not a lamentation over those who had never heard the gospel, but a reprehension of those who had heard, and yet would not believe. The prophet speiiking of the Messiah, whom he calls God's servantjSays, *' He shall deal prudently, he shall sprinkle many nations, that which had not been told them, they shall see ; and that which they had not heard, shall they consider." But he adds, " Who hath believed our report ?" John applies the proph- ecy as fulfilled in those who had actually seen Christ's miracles. Paul, in like manner, applies it to those, who had seen the feet of the messen- gers, who brought glad tidings. We will contemplate the gospel under this idea, that is, a Report. And then we will consider the complaint : JVho hath believed it ? L We will contemplate this report, and inquire whether it is not worthy of our attention and belief. 1. The report, which we hear, is a most instruc- tive report. It brings us information of many things, which were before unknown, and which, without this in- formation, never could have been known to the sons of men. ** That which had not been told us, we 24 7% ; these. We know whence it is. It originated ui heaven, and from thence is sent down to us. The apostle commends the Thessalonians, that when they heard the gospel preached, " they received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God." He warns the Hebrews, that they refuse not him, who speaketh ; for says he, " if they escaped not, who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him, that speaketh from heaven." — " How shall we escape, if we neglect this great sal- vation, which, at the first, began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them who heard him ?" The gospel was, in some degree, made known to the patriarchs ; and afterwards more fully to the prophets. But " God, who, at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake to the fathers by the prophets, has, in these last days, spoken to us by his son." The knowledge communicated to the fathers was from heaven ; for " holy men of God spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." But the gospel revelation is, in a more eminent sense, from heaven, as it was spoken to men imme- diately by the mouth of a divine instructor. And his instructions have come to us, not as most other reports come, by uncertain traditionary conveyance from one to another ; but in a way far more sure and satisfactory, by authentic records. This di- vine teacher chose a number of disciples, who at- tended upon him, during his abode on earth, and received his doctrines immediately from his mouth. These doctrines they, in his name, preached to the world, for the benefit of that age ; and committed to writing, for the use of succeeding ages. The re- port comes to us, not as a doubtful hearsay, but as a laithful record. Vol. n. D 26 The Credibility of the Gospel. Whatever evidence we might have, that the Son of God once appeared on earth, yet if we had no information concerning his doctrines, but what came by traditionary report, we must receive it with great diffidence ; for, in passing through a succes/- sion of many generations, it might be materially al- tered. Tradition, in the early ages of the world, when human life was extended to almost a thousand years, was a much safer mode of conveyance, than it can be now, since the great reduction of our mor- tal term. The great doctrines of revelation are not left in the precarious hands of tradition. Soon af- ter Christ's ascension, they were, by his attendants, V committed to writing. And copies of their writ- ings were, in a short time, so multiplied and dis- persed, as to stand secure against any attempts to corrupt them. Had the sacred records been alter- . ed, while the writers were alive, they would have detected and remedied the evil. By the time that they were gone oft' the stage, the copies were too numerous to admit of an alteration, which should be common to them all. If only a few copies had been mutilated and corrupted, these, by compar- ing them with other copies, might have been cor- . rected. To introduce into them all, at the same time, any great and essential alterations, must have been so evidently impracticable, that we cannot sup- pose it would ever be attempted. If then the gos- pel was, at first, a report from heaven, we are still to regard it as such ; for it has been conveyed to us in a way which secures it from all reasonable suspi- cion or essential corruption. We may therefore add, 3. The gospel is a credible report. Many reports come to us without evidence, we only hear them ; but know not what is their foundation, or whether they have any. And yet even these reports pass not wholly unregarded. The Oredihility of the Gospel. 27 How readily do we give credit and circulation to ill reports concerning our neighbours ? — How easily are we alarmed at threatening reports concerning our persons and properties ? — How fondly do we embrace favourable reports concerning our partic- ular friends ? Such rumours as these we often be- lieve, without waiting to examine their evidence or credibility. But if any important intelligence is brought to us, which is both rational in itself, and, at the same time, supported by a competent num- ber of reputable witnesses, we may much rather judge it worthy of our attention and belief. With this evidence the gospel conies. It is credible in its own nature. It gives us the most noble and exalted ideas of the perfections and providence of God. It lays before us a system of moral duties fully corresponding with the divine character. That we should love God with all our hearts, and our neighbours as ourselves — that we should relieve the miseries, and promote the hap- piness of others, as we have opportunity — that we should govern our passions and restrain our appe- tites — that we should use the good things of the world without abusing them, are duties which the; gospel inculcates and reason approves.. The doctrines of the gospel, though beyond the discovery, and above the comprehension of rea- son, are, in no instance, contrary to its dictates. They are all adapted to promote real virtue and righteousness. The immartality of the soul ; the resurrection of the body,, a future judgment, and the equitable distribution of rewards and punish- ments, are motives of solemn importance, urging us to repentance of sin, and holiness of life. The discovery of God's mercy to forgive the penitent,, and of his grace to assist the humble, is adapted to raise our drooping hopes, and animate us against all the difficulties, which may attend us in a course 28 The Credibility of the Gospel. of religion. The benevolent design, and holy ten- dency of the gospel, in all its doctrines and pre- cepts, render it worthy of our belief and accept- ance. Besides this internal evidence, God has been pleased to give it the sanction of his own testimony. The miracles, which Jesus performed, were, to his first disciples, a complete demonstration of the truth of his doctrines. The history of his life, miracles, death and resurrection, delivered on the testimony of these disciples, is to us a sufficient evidence of the same. For, as they conversed with him, and saw and heard the things which they relate, they could not themselves be deceived. The innocence and integrity of their lives, and their self-denials and sufferings in their master's cause, secure them from the suspicion of a design to deceive others. The numerous adversaries to the Christian cause among the learned men and ru- lers of the Jews and Gentiles, rendered it impos- sible, that these disciples, had they been ever so crafty and dishonest, should impose a fraud on the world. They confirmed their testimony and doc- trines by miracles performed in their master's name. They appeared to live and act tinder the influence of their own doctrines ; and thus gave practical evidence of their sincerity in preaching them. They resigned every worldly interest in support of the sacred cause, in which they were engaged ; and thus made it manifest to all, that the motives which governed them were not the interests and honours of this world ; but a belief of, and regard to that solemn futurity, which they, with such confidence, proclaimed to mankind. In consequence of their preaching, the gospel gained footing, and spread to a great extent in the world ; which it never could have done, if the facts alledged by them, had been only jictions • of The Credibility of the Gospel. 29 their own heads. If there never had been such a man as Jesus of Nazareth, who pubhckly preach,- ed, and wrought miracles in J udea ; who was tri- ed and condemned by the Jewish council, and sen- tenced to crucifixion by the Roman governor, and who, within three days after his death and burial, rose again and appeared to many ; a few men, com- bined together, could never, by any artifice or contrivance, have persuaded the world to believe these things ; because the contrary must have been universally known. That Christianity did gain credit, and spread in the world, and has, for seve- ral ages continued, even down to this time, we all know. This fact is an undeniable evidence of its truth and divinity. For it did not take place and prevail, either by secret fraud or open force, as impostures usually have done ; but by the testimo- ny of a few men to plain matters of fact, to ivhich they appeal as well known, and which, had they not been real, could easily have been disproved. Errors have sometimes been introduced and propagated by the artful reasoning of interested men. But Christianity rests not on the basis of human reasoning, or a subtile, intricate train of ar- gumentation : it stands on the ground of plain facts, of which every man is able to judge. The life, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth are the facts which support it. If these did really take place, the gospel is true. Whether they did or not, men of common abilities were as i comixitent to judge, as men- of the profoundest to learning. We, who live in the present age, have not, in every respect, the same evidence of the truth of the gospel, as they had, who were eye witnesses of a' those lacts. But we have their testimony, in the Siinost authentick manner, conveyed to us. Some If advantages we have, which they had not. Wc SQ The Credibility of the Gospel. have the examination of preceding ages. We set Christianity still supporting itself against all the op- position of the world. We see the unwearied at- tempts of its enemies to subvert it, rendered fruit- less and vain. We see many of the predictions, contained in these records, already verified ; and others, to all appearance, hastening on toward an accomplishment. These things amount to a full proof that the gospel is divine. We are to regard it then as a credible report. 4. It is an interesting report. Those reports, which, in our social interviews, are the more usual topics of discourse, are, in comparison with this, of small importance. Some of them relate to peace and war ; the success and defeat of armies ; the policies of kingdoms ; and the progress of arts and commerce. Some of them respect the affairs of families ; the conduct of par- ticular persons ; contentions and lawsuits between neighbours ; the folly of one man, and the wisdom of another. Many of them are altogether trifling, and introduced to supply the want of thought, and fill up the vacuities of conversation. But the re- port, which we have from heaven, is infinitely im- portant and equally concerns every son of Adam. If other reports engage the attention of some, this demands the regard of all. From the gospel we learn, that tlif; human race have, by transgression, fallen under the divine dis- pleasure. This report corresponds with our own experience and observation. We see death reign- ing over the sons of men. That death entered into the world by sin, is a reasonable supposition ; and it is an express doctrine of revelation. Death is not all that the sinner has to fear. Conscience ap- prehends something more awful than this ; and the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all un- godliness and unrighteousness of men. These arc The Credibility of the Gospel. ^ alarming reports. Whether there be any remedy for our unhappy condition ; how we shall obtain deliverance from the wrath to come, are serious aiid important inquiries. The gospel brings us a joyful message. It pro- claims peace and good will to men. It discovers a sacrifice offered for our sins by Jesus the Son of God, who was manifested in human flesh. It as- sures us that God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their ti^espasses. Pardon here, and glory in heaven, it promises widiout dis- tinction, to all who repent, and do works meet for repentance. How interesting are these reports ? Our exist- ence here is short. All our worldly possessions and prospects we must soon resign. Shall we have nothing in exchange ? To think that our existence terminates with death, is shocking to nature. To look for a miserable existence beyond degith is more tremendous still. How joyful then is the informa- tion, that there is before us an existence, which, will be lasting without end, and may also be happy beyond conception, that the most guilty may be pardoned, and the most unworthy may obtain a blessed immortality. In other cases, we readily receive a report which favours our interest, and corresponds with our wish- es. We easily believe , an ill report of an enemy, or a good report of a friend. We eagerly attend advice which agrees with our previous resolutions ; and we, with litde suspicion embrace, as our friend, the man who promises to serve our interest. The gospel report is then mdst worthy of our acceptance. This shews us how we may be great rnd happy ! It points out to us our real interest, and instructs us how we may secure it. 5. This is a puhlick report. It is what we have all heard, and heard often. ^52 7%e Credibility of the Gospel, Some reports are cautiously whispered from one friend and confident to another. However int^ rest- ing they may be, there are many, who have -^.o op- portunity to take the benefit of them. If there is a report of great profits to be made by a particular article of commerce, of a great demand for some of the necessaries of life in a certain place, of a great scarcity of some useful commodity likely to happen soon ; they who first hear this report, will keep it to themselves ; or communicate it only to a few select friends, who may assist them in the mo- nopoly. But the report, of which we are now speaking, is common. All have the same opportunity to make use of it. None can say, they have never heard it. " The sound has gone forth into all the earth ;" as the apostle observes ; " and the word to the ends of the world." If we fail of those blessings^ which the gospel offers, we cannot plead in our excuse, that the re- port of them never had reached us ; or that others had first engrossed them. They are published and proposed to all. How many soever have obtained a share in them, enough still remains for us. The report is, " Ho ! every one that thirsteth, come to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk with- out money, and without price." — " Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely." Finally, this is an ancient report. It was made ages ago. Our fathers heard it, and have told it to us ; We heard it in our childhood ; and hear it still. It is often repeated in our ears, and impor- tunately urged on our consciences. If we despise it, soon will be verified that part, which we are most reluctant to hear ; "He who belie veth not, shall not see life ; but the wrath of Godabideth oi\ him." The CrcdiliUty of the Gospel. 33 '' Men and brethren, and whosoever among you feareth God, unto you, unto you is the word of this salvation sent." Through Jesus Christ is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins : And by him all who believe are justified from all things from which ye cannot be justified by the law of na- ture, nor could the Jews be justified by the law of Moses. Bev/are therefore lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets, " Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish." For saith the Almighty, " I work a work in your days, a work which ye will in no wise believe, though a man de- clare it to you." The guilt and danger of unbelief will be more fully represented in another discourse. Vol. IL E #5 3|^ The Guilt and Danger of Unbelief. ISAIAH, liii. i. Who hath believed our report ? X HESE words are a prophetick complaint of the incredulity and disobedience of those, to whom the gospel should be preached by Jesus iu person, and by his disciples after him. We have already considered, what kind of re- port the gospel is. — We have seen, that, in every view, it is worthy of our most serious regard. Let us now, II. Consider, whether a proper attention is paid to this report among those to whom it is sent, or who have an opportunity to hear it. The complaint in the text is, '* Who hath believ- ed our report ?" The prophet speaks in the person of Jesus Christ, and his apostles. He foretells, that under their ministry, thrre would be many unbelievers : And so the event has proved. As it was in their day, so it has been since^ The Guilt and Danger of Unbelief, 35 The gospel, which to some is a savour of life un- to life, is to others a savour of death unto death. There are many nations^ which have not believ- ed the report. The words of the Psalmist, concerning the works of nature, Saint Paul applies to the preach- ers of the gospel. — " Their sound is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." The commission which Christ gave to his apos- tles was, that they should preach the gospel to all nations. This commission they executed with fi- delity. They travelled into various parts ot the world. Many nations they personally visited. Wherever they went, they preached in places of publick resort. And where they found a compe* tent number of believers, they planted churches \ and in every church they ordained stated elders. To the churches which they had planted they wrote many letters, which were publickly read, as well in other churches as in those to which they were im- mediately directed. They performed miracles in the presence of multitudes, and in the most con- spicuous manner. The doors of the houses, in which they preached, were opened to all, to hea- thens and unbelievers, as well as to christians. And they, as occasion required, spake in all the various languages of the people who assembled to heai* them. They might therefore properly be said to preach the gospel lo all nations. ^lany, from all the nations comprehended within the Roman em- pire, heard their doctrines and saw their miracles ; and these would naturally carry to others informa- tion of the things which they had seen and heard. Probably there were few or none within the empire, but who, in the apostle's time, either heard the gospel, or heard such report concerning it» as 36 The Guilt and Danger of Unbelief. ought to have awakened their attention to it. The intercourse of the Romans with other nations could not fail to convey the report beyond the bounds of the empire. Nor was the ministry of the apostles, and the primitive preachers confined v/ithin these limits. Their labours occupied a larger sphere. The work which they began, was, in the next age, still pursued, and carried to a wider extent. In short, it may be doubted, whether there is any na- tion in the world, which has not at one time or an- other had the offer of the gospel. If it has ^lot been actually preached among them, yet the knowl- edge of it has been conveyed to them in such a measure, as might justly have led them to enquire into its nature and evidence. The true reason why they have it not, is their indifference to it when they hear it, and their rejection of it when it is of- fered. If there were, among mankind, the same atten- tion to the concerns of religion, as there is to the interest of the present world, the gospel, before this time, would have overspread the earth. The valuable arts and manufactures of one country are soon introduced into all commercial countries, and from thence conveyed to places more obscure. The proc uce and works of China and the Indices are circulated through Europe, and ail the civilized parts of America : And many of them are not un- known even among the savages of America, and the barbarians of Africa. If a useful or curious discovery is made in one nation, it soon is commu- nicated to others. The use of the loadstone and the compass, of gunpowder and firearms did not long rest with the first inventors. If manl;ind felt the same solicitude, to improve in virtue and good- ness, as to increase in wealth and power — the same concern to spread the knowledge of reli- gion, as to promote arts, manufactures and com- The Guilt and Danger of Unhdicf. 37 iiierce, Christianity had long since been the religion of the world. But such is their stupidity with re- gard to their most important interests, that it is still confined to much the smaller part of our fallen race. Among those, to whom the gospel is preaclied, there are man}', vv'ho avowedly reject it ; and of those v/ho profess to believe it, there are many, who in works deny it. The opposition of the heart to the practical design of the gospel, is considered as unbelief. The apos- tle says of the Jews, " They have not all obeyed the gospel, for Esaias saith, Who hath believed our report ? The gospel is not a dry system of speculative o- pinions, designed for our amusement, but a wise collection of doctrines and precepts, intended for the government of our lives. And the faith, which it requires is not merely an act of the understanding in assenting to it as true, but an exercise also of the will in embracing it as good. It is believing with the heart, and receiving ihe love of the truth. He, who does not in heart receive, and in practice obey, the truth, is guilty of unbelief. His faith, in di- vine estimation, is of no value, because it has no influence, and produces no effect. The apostle commends the faith of those, " who when they heard the word, received it as the w ord of God, v.hich effectually works in them that believe." As he says of circumcision, we may say also of faith — It verily profitetb, if v/e obey the gospel ; but if not, it then becomes unbelief. Of the wicked ser- vant who smites his fellows, and drinks with the drunken, our Lord says, " His portion shall be ap- pointed to him with unbelievers^ His vicious life ranks him with infidels. Elsewhere it is said, " His portion shall be with, hypocrites,''^ with those, who, in practice contradict what, in words, they profess to believe. 38 The Guilt and Danger of Unbelief'. The Jews, who rebelled against God in the wil- derness, were destroyed by various judgments, be- cause of their unbelief. They saw the mighty works, which God wrought for their salvation ; but the}" sinned against him, tempted him in their hearts, and provoked him by their disobedience ; and there- fore it is said, " The}^ believed not in God, nor trust- ed in his salvation." We wonder, perhaps, at those, who heard the gospel from the mouth of Jesus and his apostles, and yet treated it as a fiction and imposture. It is said, that Jesus himself marvelled, because of their unbelief. They, however, are not the only unbelievers. The gospel, which Christ and his apostles preached, is transmitted to our age. — Have we received it ? It cannot be said, we have all obeyed it. There are many who live in the allowed practice of the sins, which this manifestly condemns. They are unjust and oppressive to their neighbours ; vain and impious in their language ; wild and extrava- gant in their diversions ; intemperate and irregular in their indulgences. Do they believe the report, that because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience ? Many are under a spirit of slumber. They have eyes, but see not ; ears have they, but they hear not, neither do they understand. They feel no soli- citude about their eternal salvation ; no concern to understand the terms of it, or to ascertain their in- terest in it. They do not even profess the gospel, or attend with constancy on its institutions. Do they believe that there is before them an eternal state of retribution ? — Do they believe that by the law of God they are condemned already, and that only the divine patience suspends the execution of the sentence which is gone forth against them ? — Do thev believe tliat Jesus the Son of God came The Guilt and Danger of UnhelieJ. 38> down from heaven to call them to repentance, and that on this repentance their eternal happiness de- pends ? — What ? believe these things, and yet neg- lect the means of their salvation ? neglect pra3"er, selfexamination and attendance on divine worship ? What inconsistency is here ! There are some who attend on the external forms of religion, and yet practically renounce it. They come before God as his people, and hear his words ; but they will not do them. The interests of the world are supreme in their thoughts. They are cum- bered about these things ; but the one thing, which is needful, finds no place in their hearts. They have been warned that many, like them, will stand before the Judge at the last day, and plead, *' Lord, Lord, we have eaten and drunk in thy presen