E207 K74B7 m§k :i;i;;i;?.;'v':;i:i!::' m.';':i'! LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0DDDS7DHma ^ j;;,';',;^;: 'P^r^^ "^0 4 o .0^ 1^ * %.„<^ .>;^s-. ^.„/ •^°iif*' A SERMON, &c. •*JlTTtR TntS 1 BEHELD, AND LO A GSHAT MULTITUDE, \VIlltH Nfll MAN COULD NDMBER, OF ALL NATIONS AND KINDREDS AND PEO- PLE AND TONOL'iSS, STOOD BEFORE THE THRON'E AND BEFORE TUB LAMB, CLOTHED WITH WHITE ROBES AND PALMS IN THEIR HANDS I- AND CHIED WITH A LOOD VOICE, SATING, SALVATION TO OUR GOD, WHO SITTiTH UPON THE TUKONE AND UNTO THE LAMB." IT is by the chriftian revelation only, that we have latisfaftory evidence of a future and im- mortal ftate ofexiftence. This gives us the fulleftaf- furance, that we (ball exift afier the prefent, mortal fcene is clofed ; and exprefsly declares, that all the (incerely virtuous, "thofe who fear God and work righieoufne fs," will be exalted to unfpeakablc glory and felicity in the heavenly world. It is true, indeed, that all other fyftcrns cf religion, which have been formed or adopted by mankind, have inculcated the do6lrine of the immortality of the foul, and of a future ftate of retribution. And may not this be julily oonfidered as proving, that the doQrine is agreeable to the reafon, the apprehenfions and the expectations of mankind. ? Human reafcn, however, could only argue the probability and fuggeft the hope of immortality. The iheories and realonings of the wifeft philofophers could never furnifli convincing evidence, that we fhould live bf^yond the grave. To afccnain and prove this mod intercfting and important truth, the aff'uran- ces of divine infpiration and ibedifplay of divine power appear to ha-ve been necefTary. It was requi- fne that a doBrine, fo full of confolation and fo ufe- ful in moralr. faould be fancUoned by that Being, [ 4 ] whofc abiluy now: can deny and whofc promifc nanf v/i\\ doubt. This doClrinc and this truth mull be cftablifhcd, then, by the intcrpofuions of divine wifdorD and power. The chriftian religion is attended and fup- portcd by Inch inicrpofiiions. Divine power was extraordinarily c}{CTicd, d'w\nc intelligence and mer- cy arc extraordinarily difplayed in every pari of this gracious difpcnfaiion. Prophecies and miracles ; dotlriiies, novel, co^nprehenfive and confoling; pre- cepts, pure ami perfecl ; the charai^er of its author incompar.vbly fuperior lo that of any merely hiwnan being — all combine to prove that the chriftian religion was diOcT'.ed bythc wifdomtSj fupported by the power of ibc Great Parent of the univcrfe. At the period foretold by infpircd prophets for centuries before the event,^ and with the fingular and wonderful, yet perfect cbaratler, which wad been dcfcribcd, the Son of God appeared in human fL'fli. Though he pofTelfed pow-' cr to command the elements, and to dire6l and con- iroul the paflions of men, his conduft exhibited the brightcft pattern of temperance, humility, fclf denial and difinieredcd benevolence. His exalted virtue and fpoilefs purity of charafter; the gracious doc- trines and holy precepts of his religion ; as well as the miracles he performed, declare his divine mifllori and prove him to have been filled with the wifclom and fpirii of God. The great truths and the bcft doc- trines of natural religion, he fully confirmed : And be taught others, refpefting the nature and benefits of bis mediation, moft important to be known by a Gn- ful world. At"tcr having voluntarily fubmittcd to death, in obedience to the will of his Father, to cfTcc- toate the purpofcs of his grace, he arofe triumphantly fiom the grave and afcendcd up inio glory. Surely [ 5 ] then we muft acknowledge that " this was the Son of God." — ''" He is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, at the right hand of the majefty in the heavens." The refiirre^lion of Chrift himfelf, connef^ed with the adurance, that he will come at a future day ancj redore the dead to life, is a firm foundation, on whicU fo build our hope and faith of immortality. On this proinife and on tJjis/<2^ we reft, with a fare and cer- (ain expectation of a future and eternal ftate of exif- tence. "And why fhould it be thought a thing incredible, that God fhould raifc the dead?" Certainly a Being of infinite power, who created, who prefcrves and governs all worlds; who at firft formed rnan out of [he duft of the earth, and gave him animal and intel- leQual faculties, can awake again to life our (lumber- ing atoms; and raife us, clothed with fpiritual bod- es, to the realms of immortal glory. Who will limit he power of the almighty ? Who will pronounce \vhat is polfible with God ? That the difciple of nar ure, or the pupil of human philofophy fliould be puz-. iled on this fubje6t, is not matter of wonder, and caa DC no jiijt ot)jection to the doctrine of revelation, ly hateyer of difficulty or ofmyftery there may be reding )n this ariicle of chriltianity, its truth is in no degree ncompatible with the perfeftions of the Deity, nor :pntradi(^ory to any known axioms of philofophy. It Is fufficient for us to know, that we fijall be made )ar.akers of immortality. But whether our fouls kr^re originally created immaterial Sc immortal :* or "It willl be readily admitted that true philofophy favors the idea of )ur pofltfliag an inin)atcriai and Ipiritual principle, which does not 6c- 3«fld on ti.e body for its being or excrcifcs ; and in fcveral places the vord of God implies that we fliall coutiuue to txift between death and " [ 6 ] vhcthcr it will be by a divine comiitjr.icatian of pow- fr, imparled at the refurrf'lion^ which (hall give us a fpiritualiiy and incorruptibility of ctllonce; itisim- poffihle for rcafon to dcttr:iiinc : ,Andy in tiie opin- ion of nnany learned divines, the infpircd fcripturos have not cxprrfslv decided. Bur, that, at fome future period, we fhall all be raifed from the filent prifonof the ton>b, atid that the righteous will be admitted to tht manlions of immortal blifs and glory, is abundant- ly dechrrd in the volnmc of infpfifation ; and cannot be doubted by thofe who believe in the chriflian rsv- claiion. *■< Bieir:^ he God fjr this ur>fpealcable gift." ^^Blelfcd be the God and Father of our Lord jelos Clirift, "who in the plcfjiLud;^ of his nvcrcy, by the ref- vrrctlionof ChrilVfroao the dead, hai given us a live- ly hope of aa inheritance, intorruptioie, undefilcd and unfading, r^fcrvcd in hcaver\ fpr thofe who arc kept by divine poYfcr ihro' faiih u»to Cilvaiion." The g6fi)el teaches us that " thei-c "will be a riiiioQ of iHAny crii-.rm Tljcolngiios, tliAt thf interval bc- |. ' 1 .. .. -. fcijvn at iiiTcnfibiiuf . The \ a^ 111 • ti^'.c of iaiiHivity, and I,, ^ . , N _ lUU ;k! lii-.-Ui'i l» ihi? fuppo- [ ; 1 This fociety of good beings, we are afTured, will be linrpcakabiy great and numerous. Thouoh it is a la- mentable fad, that many of the children of mer» dif«' regard the precepts of religion and the requirements of heaven, and piirfue thofe vicious courfes which lead toditftruction; yet there will b? found an inna- merable company who are faithful and holy, and who will fliare in the rewards of immortality. Thofe who are fincereiy devout and pious; thofe who love and ferve God, of every age and nation, will compofe this glorious and auguli aHemhly. « I faw," fays the apof- tie John « a gr^at nnultitude, which no man could number, of all nations and people and languacres ftood before the throne and before the lamb." Whatever, from partial or hafly views, we may be; ready to imagine, as to the number of thofe who will be fubjeSs of grace and glory, the gofpel inftruQs us, that falvation is confined lo no fed nor nation. '« God is no refpeBor of perfons." He will be found 3f all thofe who fincereiy feek and faithfully ferve iim. Whether barbarous or civilized, whether lear- [ied or ignorant, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether jnder the gofpel, or enjoying only the light of nature; ill who are truly deCrous and careful, accordinc^ to he knowledge they have, to pleafe God, will be gra- :iQufly accepted and made happy in the heavenly world. None will feek a!>d ferve hira in vain. With mpartial eye he views the whole family of mankind. They are all his offspring. And in whomever there s fincere piety and prevailing moral goodnefs; who- iver refift and overcome evil j whoever conquer un- ■lily paflions and habits ; thefe he approves and loves, ^e beholds with approbation the widow's mite, as kfeli as the morecxtenfive charity of the opulent; the L 8 ] honcO fi rice rily and humble worfliip oF the ignorant favagc, as well as the more enlightened and improved virtue of ihofi favored with the gofpcl ;* And he will blers& remunerate them all. — Though no human being can really p\cad perjonal merit before God, or claim a title to future glory and happincfs, [ds aU are imper- icB. and finful, and will receive, not of debt, but of grace,} yet, thofc, whofe fincerc defire and cndcavout it is to conform to the will of heaven, will be admit- ted into the fociety of the blefTcd above. In the heavenly world, all the virtuous and good, who have ever lived on earth, will be colk fted irrto one glorious and hlifsful fociety. " They (hall come from the eafl and from the weft, from the north and from the fouih, and fhall fit down with Abrahamj Ifaac and Ja- cob in the kingdom of God." Should It be objeQcd, that this can only apply td thofe who have lived in chriflian countries and have believed the gofpcl ; and, therefore, that it does not appear, as fuggcded, that any of the heathens will be faved — it might be faid in reply, that the great fin of inhdelity confifts in difregarding and oppofing the evidences, which God has given thofc who enjoy the gofpcl ; that all who are favcd, will be accepted by divine grace through the Saviour; that all pious and upright heathens, fuch as were Abraham and Cornelius before they received fupernatural inflruQion, have •n Iu» fcntcncc, pcrhapi, is cipablc of mifconnrudlion. It was only intended to conrcy the idta that the fmccrc and virtaoui even among bcKlhen^ would be f^vcd ; Not that our Itoly religion docs not tialt • nd refine our dirpoliiinnt and greatly tend to purify our condu<£k : >.'or that a holy hie uponchriftian priaeiplcs is not moft pleafinj; and acceptable to God. And it ha^ been obferved bctore, that reafi>n w>5 r " ■ " ■ ' ■ truth and virtue. Where God intends to call I . we believe he will picpirc the w»y for the iii- tr ..V >. 1 .. Yet ue coafider it rarioual and Icripiural, that lh»>tc hc4lh«n» wk timated in fcripture, will be greatly enlarged in the future ftate; and we fhall be permitted to fee and know more of the perfedionsj v.'ork;i and wifdom of God, New wonders and difplays of providence will probably be made to us, to exalt our admiring and adoring thoughts, and to gratify and delight our fouls. Many myfteriss in the divine condu6t will be explain- ed to our enlightened comprehenfion ; and the riches of redeeming love be more fully underftood, Thefe '^'i\\ be perpetual themes of praife, and inexhauftible fources of gratitude and joy. The facred fong, which ■will refound through the celeftial manfions, will be, *< blefling, glory, honor, and falvation to God the Father and to his Son, Jefus Chrift our Lord, who has redeemed us by his blood, out of every kindred and tonguej and people and nation." This great company of glorified beings reprefented to be thus ferving and praifing God in heaven, it i* alfo to be obferved, were pure and righteous. And U is agreeable to the whole current of infpired fcrip- r lo ] ture, that thofe who are admitted into the heavpnly world and participate in its fpiriluai joys, will be holy and virtuous beings. The idea is fuggefted in ouir text, by the exprefTion *^ that they were clothed with white robes," This apparel was an emblem of per- fonal purity and holinels, through the fanciifying in- fluence of the gofpel, and of the inteieft they had in the redemption of Chrift ; by whofe mediation and atonement thofe who believe and repent are confider- '•d as innocent or righteous in the fi^ht of heaven. God has appointed Jefus Chrifl: to be a Saviour, and a propitiation for the fins of the world ; on which ac- count, the penitent and faithful are offered pardon and favored with the inOuences of divine grace tore- new and fanQify them, and thus qualify them for the pure joys and exalted fervices of heaven. It is the bleflcd defign of the gofpel to deliver us from the pow- er of finful lufts and habits. It furnilhca peculiarly powerful motives to turn us from fin to holinefs, and to render us pure in heart and life. " Know ye not," fays the apoftie, " that the unrighteous fhall not inher- it the Kingdom of God." In that bkn'cd manfion all is holy obedience, peace, devotion and love. An in- heritance there is prepared for thofe only who have overcome temptations and fubdued their evil and corrupt affeQions. They are defcribed as vigors having palms in their hands. They are thofe who have conquered their fpiritual enemies, fought the good Bght of faith, and maintained their integrity amidft furrounding corruption. We perceive, then, that thcchrifl^n religion fur- nifhes us both with encouragement and counfci, to live above the world, to deny ourfelvcs all unlawful plcafurcs and indulgences, and to conform to the pre- [ it ] Cepts of heavenly wifdom. And certainly, this world is not to be confidered ctiiefly as zjlate of enjoyment. It is not our permanent place of abode. We are bt-re pilgrims and fojourners, as were our fathers be- fore us. — The gofpel docs not, in faB, require us to treat worldly goods with contempt, nor to be infcnfi- ble to the common blellings of life. The bounties of providence fliould be received with gratitude and enjoyed with cheerfulnefs. Chriftianity is not anf- werable for the voluntary feverities of fuperftition, nor the abfurd praaices of enthufiafm, ^This divine, fyftem would conduct its votaries in the paths of fo- briety and virtue to the realms of future glory and im- mortality. At the fame time, it requires us to fupprefs all anxious defires for the vain pleafures and fading honors of the world. " It calls us to glory and virtue." It would have us deny ourfelva all unrighteoufnefs, both in principle and conduB ; and perfuade us to cultivate fpirituality of fcfFetlions and to acquire vir- t,u,ous and holy habits. This divine religion is all our falvation and all our hope : Let us propofe it as the conftant rule of life. Would we derive confolation from its promifes and fliare in its offered grace, we'muft be careful to live in conformity to its. holy precepts. The doflrines of chriftianity do alfo adminifter great confolation to thofe who mourn the death of virtuous relatives and friends. For fuch, we mourn not as thofe who are without hope. In this appears the unfpeakable benefit of the gofpel, when compared to the fyftems of infidelity or fatalifm. It attempts not, indeed, to ftifle the emotions of forrow at the exit of a valuable friend. But it greatly foothes and mitigates our grief, by alTuring^ usj that the fpirits of [ '= ] departed faints, relieved from the infirmities, the car^J^^ and evils of this tcrrcftrial abode, svill be admitted to the manfions of ccleftiai glor)', F.ir be it from me to flatter the living, or to pro- nounce an unjufl panegyric on even iha: rcfpcflable perfonagr, whole recent death is [o deeply lamented. The intimate acquaintance and friends of General Knox^j I- am perfuadcd, will readily join me in clafs- int^ him among thofe charaQers who have don: great ^ood rn their day and grneraiion ; among thofe who have dcfervcd well of their country and mankind. Few men iiavc pofTcfTcd equal energy ofintcllefi with bim. The faculties of his mind were vafl and comprchenfive : And by application and ftudy he hadacqaired much ulcfalinformation, which ri^nder- cd him a more valuable citizen, and capacitated him lo be an entertaining and indruCtivc companion to xnep of literature artd Icicncc As a Patriot — few indeed in our country could juftly claim merit or recount fcrvices fuperior co his. With thofe heroes and ftatefmen, who in the memo-* rable period of 5775, made a brave and decided (land in defence of civil liberty, no motives could have operated but thofe which were pcrfctlly pure ani| patriotic. Among thefe meritorious charaClcrs, G^-neral Knox holds a diflinguifhed rank. From the firft moment to the clofe of that defenfive and lawful co««cft, which ierminate3 3 were acknowledged by that great man; and while he iived, he never ceafed to appreciate ihefe valuable qualities. His exertions were united with that illuf- trious Patriot, in compofing the difcontented and mu- tinous fpirit, which appeared in feme parts of the ar- my at the clofe of the war, and which threatened th^ country with the moft calamitous events. And by the fame exalted charefter, he was feletled as one well qualified to fill a refponfible and important office in the federal government; which under providence has been the inftrument of our political welfare and happinefs. But in the charaflers of a foldier and ftatefman, he did not lofe the more mild and amiable virtues of the man. The bland and gentle afFe£lions of humanity had full poffeffion of his foul. " His heart was made of tendernefs." The afflicled and diftiefled were fure lo fllare in his compaflion and charity. And in the relations and offices of domeftic life, he was eminent- ly affedionate and exemplary.* He difregarded hi6 * As I do not recoiled that it has been noticed in any hio£raphical remark? of Gen. Knox, I cannot refrain from mentioning in this place, liii filial piety, his moft afFedlionate and affiduous attentions to a lu'tdoiu- #(/j aged mother. In his greareft elevation, in his moft preffing duties of ^ public nature, flie was rtmembeied and honored. Perhaps, no one was ever more anxioudy devoted to provide for tlie comfoit and liappi- nefa of a beloved parent. Her family name was Campbell — Here alfp let me record the time cf his birth ; which was on the ai;th of July, 1750-— A memorandum in his father's family bible furniflies this faft. He was th^ lilt h of twelve children, moft of whom died in infancy. One of his brothers was an officer in our revolutionary war, and after- vards a Conful from the United States in fomc part of Europe : He died fevcral years ago— Of the public fcrvices, of the military talents *c merits of Gen. Knox, much more, we are fenfible, might be juftly faid. Before hoftilities openly commenced, he had difcovertd uncommon zeal in the caufe of liberty ; and was an officer of an independent company in Bpfton ; in which flation, his attention and (kill in difcipline gave prcfagcsof his future eminence. And no officer entered into our army, if we except the Commander in Chief, under more honorable and flat- tering circumftanccs. It was at the unanimous rcqueft of all the officcrg of artillery, that he was veftcd with the command in that department^ His condu(fl through the war afTorded proof that the choice was moft judiciou*.— Sut wc forbear to particularize the numerous iuftances of L H ] own wiHics and convenience, in kind endeavours tq promote Uie intcrcft and happincfs of his friends. The poffcfTion of extenfivc properly and of high office is too apt io,engendcr pride and infolence. But both in difpofition and manners, our dcparied friend was entirely exempt from this common frailly. Mild- nefs ever beamed in his countenance ; " on hislonguQ were the words of kindnes ;" and equity and generof- ity always marked his iniercourfe with his fellow-men. The poor, he nev?r opprelfcd ; the more obfcure citizen, I believe, could never complain of injufticQ at his hands. With all claffes of people, he dealt on the moll fair aud honorable pr nciplcs ; and would fooner fubmit to a facrifice of property himfelf, than injure or defraud another. In his political charafter, we fliould be unjuft did we not give him the praife of candor and moderation. Though decided in his opinions and undifguifed in his conduB, he could pot truly be denominated the zeaU ot of party. Even his enemies, (if enemies he had, of thofe who knew not his worth) will not deny him the merit of impartiality and magninimity. It is no^ however, to be dilfembled, that he was a warm advo catd for the principles and mcafures of our beloved Washington, and for thofe of the friends and ad- mirers of that fainted Patriot. And with this convic- tion, it was impoflTible for a man of his fincerity and greatnefs of mind, to be guilty of any temporizing conduQ, or of a change of opinion for the fake of pop- ularity or promotion. He was one of thofe " rare his iTieritotioov public fcrviccs. Hii name is cnrolird on the page o% hilUiry, will* other heiocn, who under providence, faved us from for- eign opprcflion and flsvcry ; and his patriotic deeds arc recorded ill tbc anuall of our cuuutry. [ «5 3 chara&ers, who prefer /ke public good t6 the pulUc Jd- vor." And with thofe, who can diftinguifh the fca- tures of the fincere patriot, his civic virtues and fervid ces will ever be highly appreciated. To the amiable qualities and moral excellencies of General Knox, which have already been enumerated, we may juflly add his prevailing difpofition to piety. With much of the manners of the gay World, and op- pofed as he was to all fuperftition and bigotry, he ihighl not appear to thofe ignorant of his better feel- ings, to polTefs teligious and devout afFeftions. But K) his friends, it was abundantly evident, that he cher- ifhed exalted fentiments of devotion and piety to God, He was not only a firm believer in the natural and moral attributes of the Deity, which philofophy might admit, and in his overuling and all pervading providence : But always expreffed a warm (enfe of his dependence and obligation for all the means of happioefs. From various converfitions, which 1 have had with him, on thefe fubjefts, it is my fettled con- vi6lion, that he received thcgofpel as a divine fyftem, and that his heart was warmed and influenced by pi- ous affeflions. He had a ftrong belief of the immor- tality of the foul :* And would contemplate with in- creafing fatisfaclion and delight the profpeft of inteU leSlual employments and glories in the future world. He fincerely refpeBed the minifters and inftitutions of our holy religion : And his exertions, to provide • The following paragraph is extraAed from his WiH. «« I think It proper to cxprcfs my unfliaken opinion of the immortality of my foul or mind, and to dedicate and devote the fame to the Supreme Head of the Univerfc— tu that great and tremendous Jehovj^h who cicatcd the univcrfal frame of nature, worlds and fyflems in number infinite ; and v/ho has given intellc«fluai cxiftcncc to the rational beings of each globe, who are perpetually migrating and afcending in the fcale of mind ac- cording to certain principles always foaaded on the great balls of mor- ftliry and virtue." [ >6 ] for the regular fuppofi of the gofpcl in this place \ycre great and unremitted. By his liberal donations i6 eTc6\ this houfe of religious worfliip and to remune- rate the labors of the preacher; and by his excmpla. ry conducl in attending the fcrvice of God on the fabbath, he gave full proof of his fincere attachment to the facred caufe of chriftianity. The inhabitants of this town have done honor to ihcmfclves by the tefpeft they have fliown to his memory, and the for- Tow cxprcfTcd at his deceafe. They have in truth loffa moll liberal friend and benefactor. But the forrows and the lofs of his own bereaved family — who can cftimate ? May God Almighty com- fort them. May he direft them to make a religious improvement of this calamitous event, which now overwhelms their fenfes in deep diftrefs. May he take them into his fpecial proteQion ; and maUo them partakers of his favor and blening in this world, and of his grace and glory in heaven. M ^^ 89 *t ^^ v«. "V "•* A>^ <- *^*f!T*' 0^ '^o '^^ aO <^ • • " • . 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