BV
THE
4625
29
RADICAL CAUSE
al
OF
NATIONAL CALAMITY.
A SERMON,
PREACHED AT THE SCOTS CHURCH,
CROWN-COURT, RUSSEL-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN,
October 27, 1794,
BY
THE Rev. JOHN LOVE, MINISTER,
ARTILLERY-STREET, SPITALFIELDS.
LONDON:
FRINTED, AND SOLD BY S. BISHOP, GREAT NEWPORT-
STREET; G. G. AND J. ROBINSON, PATER-NOSTER-
ROW; T. CHAPMAN, NO. 151, FLEET-STREET;
V. GRIFFITHS, NO. 169, AND T. KAY, NO.
332, ST PAND; BY MR. STEPHEN, NO. 29,
THORNHAUGH-STREET, BEDFORD-
SQUARE; AND BY THE AUTHOR,
NO. 14, QUEEN'S-ROW,
HOXTON ,
semetering qualioy Anelko urt
all too guilty of sabbath rinking :-
gelt
Act
1067-29
5-1-35 farts
AN ALARM
TO THE
PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN,
ISAIAH, LXIII. IO.
* BUT THEY REBELLED, AND VEXED HIS HOLY SPIRIT:
U THEREFORE HE WAS TURNED TO BE THEIR
6 ENEMY, AND HE FOUGHT AGAINST THEM."
MY
Y Brethren, we are placed in this world that
we may be witneſſes of the works of God.
The powers of reaſon are not beſtowed on us for
trivial purpoſes. From all that is above us, or
around us, or under our feet, from all that we
ourſelves are, this voice iſſueth forth,
"
Stand
a ſtill, O man! and conſider the wondrous works
A
of
Arno
(2)
« of God.”* And if regenerating grace, accom-
panying the Divine word, hath rouſed and illumin-
ated our rational faculties, we can no longer with
Aupid indifference ſtalk up and down among the
wonders of the Almighty. In the ordinary and
tranquil ſtate of the world, the objects and move-
ments which appear will often fill us with aſto-
niſhment, and draw forth our adoring acknow?
ledgments and praiſes.
1
But there are periods when the viſible opera-
tions of Divine Government become peculiarly
ſolemn and intereſting---when, if I may allude to
the prophetical emblem, “ the wheels are lifted
up from the earth, their wings appear dreadful in
" their height, and the noiſe of the wings of the
ſpirited living creatures, among these wheels, is
« like the noiſe of great waters, as the voice of the
“ Almighty, the voice of ſpeech as the noiſe of an
" hoſt.” + Then even the blind world begins to
look aghaft, and the numbering reaſon and con
ſcience of the multitude are awakened. .
;
And
* Job xxxvii. 14.
* Ezek.it
( 3 )
1
;
And in ſuch a period ſhall they remain aſleep,
who profefs to be the children of light, the poſe
ſeſfors of ſupernatural wiſdom? God forbid !
in the pre-
;
Yes, my Brethren! it is time for uş, in the
fent embroiled ſtate of the European Nations,
turning away from inferior cauſes, to look up to
Heaven, with that queſtion warm upon our hearts,
" What meaneth the heat of this great anger ?”
For, if the ſtate of things admits a remedy, if ftill
it is poſſible to prevent or to fufpend for a time
the execution of deſerved judgment, in this way
alone muſt deliverance be obtained. The mighty
hand of Him who created the worlds muſt be ſeen,
acknowledged, and adored ; and an inquiry muſt
be made into the cauſes of that holy anger, which
never can ariſe without a cauſe. And this muſt
be done, not fuperficially, not deceitfully. The
fatal diſaſters of the ancient Jeruſalem were pre-
cipitated by that ſpirit, which is thus marked in
the prophecy of Jeremiah : “Who is the wise
“ man that may underſtand this, and who is he to
whom the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken thallac
may
1
( 4 )
may
declare it, for what the Land periſheth ?” *
“ They have healed the hurt of the daughter of
my people´nightly, ſaying, Peace, peace, when
" there is no peace.” † And the ſilent ruins of the
city gave to the complaint of the lamenting Pro-
phet unutterable energy, when beholding them he
thus fpake: “ Thy Prophets have ſeen vain and
“ fooliſh things for thee; and they have not diſco-
« vered thine iniquity to turn away thy captivity,
« but have ſeen for thee falſe burdens, and cauſes
« of banishment." I
I proceed, therefore, in the name of the Lord
of Hoſts, whoſe Meſſenger I am, however un-
worthy, to declare and teſtify, that the ſource of
all our public calamities is the wickedneſs of the
Country, and that contempt of the Holy Spirit of
God, in his peculiar operations on the fouls of
men, is the central point of that wickedneſs.
i
This awful charge I mean to ſtate as applicable
to all the orders of ſociety among us, from the high-
eft
* Jer. ix. 12.
+ Jer. vi. 14.
Lam. ii. 14,
:
( 5 )
1
eſt to the loweſt. The great of the land are not
before me: I wiſh they were ; called by Provi-
dence, and armed with Heavenly ſtrength, I ſhould
be glad to plead with them, on this ſubject, face to
face. But though, as members of the community,
we are only a handful of obſcure individuals, our
exerciſes will not be unimportant, or unregarded
by the King of Glory, if our ſpirits are ſincerely
broken by views of our own ſinfulneſs, and of ge-
neral rebellion againſt the Majeſty of Heaven
around us.
1
Contempt of the Holy Spirit of God, in his pecu-
liar gracious operations on the ſouls of men---this,
this is the great, the general crime of the Britiſh
Ihands.
A heavy accuſation exhibited againſt a great
People! If it is groundleſs, I ſhall merit ſevere
cenſure, as a falſe accuſer of my Country. Happy
fhould I be, were it poſſible to prove the contrary
of what I have ſtated, and to ſhew that there does
prevail, among the various claſſes of men, that
humble eftecm, veneration, and ſubmiſſion, which
the
1
( 6 )
the perſon and operations of this bleſſed Agent de
mand. But I fear my proofs of guilt ſhall be ir,
reſiſtible, and by no means hard to be collected.
In order to form juſt ideas of our conduct to-
wards the Spirit of Grace, it is neceſſary that we
look back, for a little, into past ages. Theſe
Countries, for a long period, were overwhelmed
with the darkneſs, and polluted with the abomi-
nations, of the Popiſh fuperftition. Under that
depraved fyftem, the glories of the Spirit of Jeſus
Chriſt were dreadfully obſcured. Inſtead of the
beauty, power, and ſplendor, of his vital opera-
tions, the Chriſtian Church held forth to the view
of the world a multitude of deluded idolaters,
whoſe veneration and hopes reſted facrilegiouſly
on worldly pomp, human authority, uncommanded
rites, fruitleſs auſterities, and the imaginary powers
of the idol Free-will,
3
At length, at the call of Heaven, firſt in this
Iland, afterwards in other Countries, the eye-lids
of the morning were opened. Then the Spirit of
Jehovah, who had all along in Heaven reſted un-
eclipſed
( 5 )
eclipſed on the High Prieſt and Mediator of the
Church; burſt forth in theſe darkened regions.
In the Reformers themſelves, and in multi-
tudes who embraced their doctrine, the nature and
excellency were diſplayed of that unaffected ſpi-
ritual religion, which is produced by Divine influ-
ence; and illuſtrious ſpecimens were exhibited, what
the Almighty Spirit of Grace can do, in renew
ing the ſouls of men. Great oppoſition, as might
be expected, was made to this reſurrection of true
Chriſtianity, and the fires of Perſecution were
kindled. But amidſt thoſe flames, the perfumes of
Heavenly Grace diffuſed their fragrancy, and roſe
accepted to the ſkies, as in the apoſtolic and
pureſt following ages. And thus the world at
large, and in a very ſpecial manner the inhabitants
of theſe Inands, were ſummoned to behold the
Majeſty of the Holy Ghoſt, and to ſubmit to his
gracious operations.
1
Here I take up the complaint and accuſation of
my text, “ But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy
“ Spirit.” Ah! why were the progreſs of Re-
formation,
( 8 )
formation, and the conqueſts of the pure Goſpel, in-
terrupted, by the grovelling ſchemes of this world's
policy? Why were dead forms and unwarranted
ceremonies held faſt, and exalted into the place of
the power of Godlineſs ? Why was the ſword of
public juſtice drawn againſt the Saints of the Moſt
High ? And why, when, after multiplied deliver-
ances and provocations, the returning Spirit of the
Lord in the preſent century lifted up his ſtandard,
and roſe in awful Majeſty, to deſtroy the works of
the Devil, and to rescue myriads from Satan's ty-
ranny---why was his offered return not univerſally
welcomed? why was his 'ſovereign procedure
daringly reproached, and the memory of his won-
ders at length almoſt extinguiſhed ?
1
« When I remember theſe things, I pour out
my ſoul in me.”* With deep regret, I attempt
to form the idea of the glorious height of purity,
to which, in theſe Countries, Religion might have
been by this time advanced, had the early calls of
infinite Grace been humbly and uniformly obeyed.
And I hear with awe the fecret voice of the Holy
One,
* Pſalm xlii.
(9)
One, thus complaining over an ungrateful People :
“ Your iniquities have turned away theſe things,
" and your fins have withholden good things from
you.' Will a man leave the ſnow of Lebanon
" which cometh from the rock of the field ? or
“ ihall the cold flowing waters that come from
“ another place be forſaken? O that thou hadſt
“ hearkened to my commandments ! Then had
“ thy peace been as a river, and thy righteous-
nefs as the waves of the ſea.” Jer, V, 25. xviii.
14. Iſaiah xlviii. 18.
The ſchemes of Divine Providence are the
ſchemes of Him who is eternal. Before God, a
thouſand years are as one day. Therefore, the
diſpenſations of God, towards different and diſtant
ages, arc myſteriouſly connected together. And
ſometimes, on one particular race of men a
tempeſt of judgments hath fallen, which had been
gathering for ages. (See Gen. xv. 16. Matt. xxiii.
35, 36.) Is this procedure' unrighteous ? No:
For in ſuch caſes, the children who feel the
ſtroke, have ſerved themſelves heirs to the
crimes of their fathers, by inheriting their ſpirit,
B
and
( 10 )
and by bringing to maturity the wickedneſs which
their anceſtors had begun to exemplify:
1
1
Into a dark reckoning of this kind, I fear,
the preſent race of men muſt enter. For we
havé imitated, we have gone beyond, the im-
piety of our fathers---- We have rebelled, and
« vexed his Holy Spirit.”
“ The ſhew of their countenance doth witneſs
againſt them,” ſaid the Holy Prophet, when
about to pronounce the awful ſentence in the
ears of Jerufalem, “ Thy men ſhall fall by the
“ ſword, and thy mighty in the war.” The pre-
vailing ſpirit and diſpoſitions of a people, form
the general look, dreſs, and demeanour; and
when the exterior appearance, which is faſhionable
and approved, is ſuch as plainly indicates levity,
haughtineſs, and eſtrangement from the Spiritual
World, the evidence commences of the crime
concerning which we now inquire. Look at the
multitude among us, you who are capable of judg-
ing
+ Ifaiah iii. 9, 25.
U
(i)
ing in this matter. You need go. no farther to
diſcover the exiſtence, and wide dominion;-of that
fpirit, which is in direct oppoſition to all Heavenly
influences. Nor ſhall theſe teffer marks of re-
bellion elude the notice of thoſe Divine Eyes,
which are as a flame of fire, or eſcape the blaſting
rebuke of Him who hath ſaid, “The eyes of the
“ lofty ſhall be humbled."* « Whom haft thou
“ reproached and blafphemed, and againſt whom
" haft thou lifted up thine eyes on high? even
« againſt the Holy One of Iſrael.”+ " Be-
« cauſe the daughters of Zion are haughty, and
a walk with ſtretched-forth necks and wanton
eyes, walking and mincing as they go there-
is fore the Lord will ſmite."
The breath of public opinion, the current of
general ſentiment and ſpeech on the ſubject of
Divine influences, or the profound oblivion and
ſilence in which that ſubject is buried, will ſoon
convince an intelligent obſerver,' that we are a
people
B 2
* Iſaiah v. 15. + Iſaiah xxxvii. 23. Iſaiah iii. 16.
( 12 )
people laden with this iniquity. But I muſt not
linger at the threſhold; I haften, to mark out
deciſive proofs, of this wide-waſting treaſon
againſt the Majeſty of the Holy Spirit of the
living God.
+
Of theſe, the firſt and moſt prominent is---
SABBATH-BREAKING, OR THE PROSTITUTION OF
SACRED TIME.
.::
.: Were it my deſign to eſtabliſh the autho-
rity of this wiſe, good, holy inſtitution, I might
go back to the foundation of the world, and to
the bowers of the original paradiſe; or I might
call you 'to liſten to that terrific voice of words,
which, iſſuing from the tempeſtuous darkneſs
and flames of Sinai, conveyed terror to the breaſts
of millions, while it pronounced the Statute of
Heaven, “. Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep
it holy.” But I take it for granted, that the in-
ftitution is Divine. My preſent object is to mark
the
( 13 )
the atrocity of its violation, as implying a
vile contempt of the influences of the Holy
Spirit.
When the glorious Saviour, having finiſhed the
myſterious purchaſe of Salvation, roſe to endleſs.
life and dominion on the firſt day of the week,
the honours of the Sabbath were juſtly transferred
to that day; and its hours became peculiarly .
facred and auſpicious, as the ſeaſon when mortals,
humbly waiting upon God, might hope to be vi-
ſited with thoſe operations of the Spirit of Jeſus
Chriſt which apply the bleſſings of Redemption.
What then might be expected in a country where-
in ſuch a Sabbath is made known? We plead not
for the formal auſterities of hypocriſy; but we con-
tend for it, and all the fophiſtry in the world can-
not reſiſt us, that to refuſe a ſerious, diligent ob
ſervation of the Chriſtian Sabbath, with a view
to the ſpiritual ends of its appointment, is to
contemn thoſe influences of the Eternal Spicit,
which bring Salvation, and Heaven, into immortal
fouls
. Every Sabbath-breaker is fuch a deſpiſer;
every
A
( 14 )
every act of Sabbath-breaking expreffes ſuch
contempti.
What then muſt be the ſtate of a country
filled with ſuch rebels? Be aſtoniſhed, ye Hea-
vens; be afhamed, thou Sun, whom the Spirit of
God placed in the ſkies---withdraw thy ſhining
beams from the haunts of ſuch tranſgreſors; and
thou folid Earth, tremble under their ſteps, while
they affemble in unaſhamed crowds, to declare,
before angels and men, how much they deſpiſe
the Majeſty and Grace of thy Creator!
I form the idea of a conference between two
of thoſe degraded archangels, whom the Scrip-
türe deſcribes as “ the rulers of the darkneſs of
« this world.” Meeting in the aerial regions,
they communicate to each other their horrid
machinations and delights; and thus Belial accoſts
the fierce inſanguined Moloch : « Whence, and
" whither is “thy Aight, admired Hero of the
sted
« fable abyſs ? What new 'exploit moves thy
panting boſom, ånd touches 'thine eyes with
"s fire?"
( 15 )
« fire ?” To whom Moloch anſwers, “Where
“ the ſain are, there am I. Fields of blood
are my garden of pleaſure. Joyful is the
" thundering pomp of modern fcientific de-
“ ſtruction. But chiefly am I pleaſed with the
« beſtial craſh of teeth, in the combatants. ap-
“ proaching to cloſe conflict. I am then, equally,
delighted with the murdering rage of the 'con-
querors, and with the pale ghaſtlineſs of the
“ ſlain. Satiated thus, in yonder plains, I fly
" acroſs the country, catching, as I paſs, the
groans and ſhrieks of widows, fifters, parents,
“ brothers, and helpleſs children. But. I haften
" to a ſcene, where moſt of all I feel myſelf a
“ God; to mark, in the circle of modern States-
men,
the ſimpering ſmile, and the ſelf-import-
« ant obſtinate ſhrug, wherewith the report of
« diſaſter, and of the carnage of their Country-
men, is entertained. No ſong of Homer is net
« ceſſary to rouſe theſe mortals to blood;
“ little inglorious money ſupplies all needful en-
" thuſiaſm.” Thus Moloch; and to him Belial
ſpeedily replies: “ And when I, honoured Mo-
loch,
( 16 )
loch; ſweep through thy ſcenes of glory, the
« noiſe of oaths and curſes is muſical in my ear,
« and I mark with joy the tranſition, in dying
“ heroes, from the confidence of fearleſs impreca-
« tion, to the ſullen horrors of cowardly de-
ſpair. But ſeeſt thou yonder tufted green ſpot,
« juſt beſide the lmoke of my favourite city ?
« There is the ſcene of my exploits. There I
enjoy pleaſure more ſublime than the ferocity
« of blood, while I teach mortals outrageouſly
« to diſdain the reſtraints of Divine Authority,
“.to fpit on whatever is Sacred, and to give the
back, and not the face, to the Author of Salva-
« tion. And now the long labour of my legions
.6 is.crowned with magnificent ſucceſs. On that
« hated firſt day of the week, what is my ex-
« tafy, while the thickening crowd is hurrying
« along with ardent countenance, as if the
“ wretches expected ſomething! At length the
variegated rabble, and the pompous train of
-“ .coaches and cavalry, overflows. What deli-
« cious confuſion! what glorious univerſal eclipſe
“ of ſober reaſon! what complete extinction of
the
.
( 17 )
(C
ti the fear; and the very remembrance of God!
* With what conſummate folly do they ſtare in
to one another's faces ! what torrents of nonſenſe are
poured from their lips ! Sublime contraſt to the
« abhorred folemnities of Chriſtian worſhip!---
" Perhaps conſcience ſtruggles a little in ſome
ap,o-
« ſtate puritan, or northern ſtripling; but my
“ breath foon fuppreffes -the conflict, and I ſee
in the wreck of all the labours and cares of whin-
« ing parents and miniſters. Think not, O Mo-
* loch! my boaſting to be vain. Thou remem-
" bereſt that region of the deep abyſs, peculiarly
“ crowded and fiery, whence the ſhriek of de-
ſpiſed falvation hath, at times, aſtoniſhed the
« central palace. The thoughts of that manſion,
" and that ſoon they ſhall be lodged in it, ſolace
me; and enable me to bear the contraſt between
* their eaſy dream and my own ceaſeleſs agonies.
" Beſides; I glory in the wide-extended influence
í of theſe my exertions. To the remoteſt re-
gions of the globe, the plants of wickedneſs
s from this nurſery, bear with them the diſhonours
rs of the Chriſtian name; and the ſound of Hyde
at Park Sabbaths echoes my glory, through every
C
recep-
oc
( 18 )
“ receptacle of the infernal univerſe. Nor art
“ thou thyſelf, Moloch, unindebted to me: I give
" to thy warriors, and even to thy beloved States-
“ men, their firſt education. Thy bloody ideas
“ could not be fully painted in their breaſts, were
not the awe of Eternity, and the ſenſe of Divine
“ Attributes, ſwept away by my influence. But
“ let us not contenid; our claims of glory ſhall be
adjuſted at leiſure, when the period of Grace,
" which cruel partiality, aſſigns to men, is ended.
“ Go thou, and proſper ; profanity and blood cản-
or not be, at variance; to our weak opponents we
" leave it to enfeeble one another with uſeleſs diſ-
putės; our Kingdom hath long ſtood by har-
monious exertions, and ſhall yet ſtand."*
A
!!
+
* We ought to be afraid of indulging a preſumptuous pe-
tulance, in reference to adverſaries fo ſeriouſly formidable
as are the Spirits of Darkneſs, according to the Apoſtle
Jude's wiſe admonition, v. 8, 9. But let the Reader remem-
ber the Scripture patterns of imagery of the kind here
introduced, in i Kings xxii. 19, &c, Job i. 6, &c. Luke xvi.
19, &c. And let him conſider the neceſſity, in a time of ex-
traordinary ſinning, of trying, by methods ſomewhat bold, to
reach the conſcience, “ if peradventure God will give men
“ repentance, and they may recover themſelves out of the
s ſnare of the Devil, who are taken captive by him at his
" will." 2 Tim. ii. 25, 26.
1
I
( 19 )
A ſecond proof of alienation from the bleſſed
Spirit of God, and contempt of his influences, is---
THE PROFANE WASTE OF LEISURE TIME ON
OTHER DAYS BESIDES THE SABBATH,
1
Every perſon, even the meaneſt in Society, ought
to enjoy the privilege of fome leiſure time : to
deny this in ordinary caſes, is oppreſſion; and in the
uſual manner of employing ſuch intervals, a clear
diſcovery is made of the ſpirit and diſpoſitions of
Mankind. I hardly need to point out what muſt
be the effects of juſt concern for ſalvation, and
eſteem of the influences of Grace, in our diſpoſal
of the time which is properly at our own com-
mand. The wiſe will mourn over the ruin of im-
mortal ſouls, while they fee, all over the country,
marks of apoſtacy, in this reſpect, from the paths
of uprightneſs and wiſdom.
""
Reaſonable allowances muſt be made for recrea-
tions truly harmleſs, and uſeful for invigorating,
the powers of body and mind: but life is ſhort;
eternity
C2
( 20 )
eternity is near; and its concerns, infinite in their
importance, muſt not yield to the juſtling of buſi-
neſs on the one hand, or of recreation on the
other.
If I know the terrors and the love of God,
and feel tender concern for the happineſs of a
friend, I will obſerve him in his leiſure hours: it
will give me pain to find him then a loitering
trifler; nor will it much relieve me to diſcover,
that in ſuch feaſons he is conſtantly engaged
in the purſuits of curious ſpeculation, or in the
gratification and improvement of an elegant taſte.
I will remind him that there are more ſerious
concerns; I will counſel him to ſeek for pleaſures
more ſolid and ſublime.
But what if my friend is ſeized with the madneſs
of the times, and hurried into the whirlpool of
faſhionable amuſement? Ah! now the chaos of
his darkened mind is agitated ; now there is no
acceſs for ſober reflection, much leſs for ſubjects
ſo ſolemn as the operations of the Holy Spirit of
God,
A
(21)
God. I muſt ſtand afar off, with the feelings of
one who behoids from the ſhore, incapable of af-
fording relief, a diſtant ſhipwreck; oply I re-
meinber, that “ the things which are impoſſible
“ with men, are poſſible with God.”
Can it be denied, that the carnal, diſſipated,
lawleſs ſtate of mind, which pervades aſſemblies
for vain amuſement, is attended with total pre-
ſumptuous averſion to the influences of the Holy
Spirit of God!
1.
When the trump of luxurious wealth hath
founded its alarm, and the reſtleſs demoniacs of
faſhion are afſembled in numerous cabal, under
the glittering, falſely hoſpitable, roof; when ani,
mal vivacity, indulged ſenſuality, the pride of un-
feeling proſperity, the refinement of deceitful im-
moral feeling, proſtituted genius, hell-tinged pro-
fanity, and the ſteams of diverſified folly afcend-
ing from every corner of the founding manſion,
have mingled together, to form the illuſive dream
of ſeeming enjoyment; then, before the moment
of
( 22 )
1
..
of univerſal frenzy and confuſion arrives, let there
be placed unſeen, an enlightened obſerver, one
whoſe breaſt glows with celeſtial fire: what ab-
horrence, what indignation, what unutterable com-
paffion, will work within him, and how deeply will
he feel the oppoſition between the fermenting per-
tilential vapour of the ſatanical facrifice, and that
pure incenſe of delight which breathes in the af-
ſemblies of the upright, when made glorious by
the preſence and mighty influence of the Spirit of
God? But at length, raiſed to ſomething of the
ſpirit of a Martyr or Apoſtle, let the Chriſtian
burft from his concealment; and, if the venerabi-
lity of years, of office, of acknowledged wiſdom
and piety---if the effulgence of heroic zeal, and the
tears of compaſſion, can check the clamour of
maſculine mirth, and reſtrain the no leſs rebel-
lious twitter of female gaiety, let him addreſs him-
ſelf in ſpeech to the remains of rationality and
conſcience in the profligate aſſembly. Let him
remind the enchanted mortals, that the God whom
angels worſhip is preſent in that very ſpot---that
they are immortal beings, haſtening to the Divine
Tribunal,
( 23 )
Tribunal, and in imminent hazard of being
plunged into the lake of everlaſting fire. Let
him teſtify to them of the Salvation of God, of
the love of Jeſus the Redeemer, and of the fa-
cred joys and pleaſures which they may yet enjoy
on Earth and in Heaven; if, abandoning theſe
vanities, they will reſign themſelves to the teaching
and influence of---Ah! the roar is up; fanaticiſm-
puritan---his voice is loſt; the inſulting hiſs is be-
come general; he muſt retire, breathing to Hea-
ven, " Ariſe, O God! plcad thine own cauſe!"
of va-
At the Theatre, when all is ſunk in haughty for-
getfulneſs of God; after the proud have once
more diſplayed their brilliancy, and “ ſet their
“ heart as the heart of God;" after the eyes
nity have for the laſt time wearied themſelves
in ſtaring about ; after the tears which real guilt
and miſery demanded, have been waſted on ficti-
tious crimes and calamities, and the whole crowd
hath been ſhaken with the madneſs of laughter; after
profanity hath unfurled its flag of defiance, with hell-
bred gallantry ſetting at nought the names of the
Most
1
( 24 )
/
Moft High, the tremendous operations of Provi:
dence, and the terrors of Damnation; after obſce-
nity hath ſwallowed down its morfel of elegant
filthineſs; let a celeſtial Spirit ſhine forth, eclips-
ing the luminaries of the place, and ſcattering
round thoſe terrors which were once felt at the
fepulchre of Jeſus of Nazareth; and in ſuch ſtrains
as thèſe, let his voice announce the haſtening
doom: “ Worms of the duſt, enemies of the
" eternal God! you have long been the abhorrence
« of the inhabitants of Heaven; you have diſdained
to ſeek Jeſus who was crucified; the Divine ſora
"rows, the pure delights, which his Spirit creates
-« in repenting ſouls, you have rejected, you have
“ treated with deriſion; now the day of your viſita-
« tionexpires. I ſwear by Him that liveth for ever
« and ever, you ſhall have time no longer!” Then
let trembling rock the ground; let the fabric and
its miſerable aſſembly roll down the opening
chaſm; and let the cloud of diſlodged ſpirits be-
hold the majeſtic, unveiled, flaming countenance of
their Judge. Would ſuch vengeance be too fevere?
Let is not prefime to ſay that it would; rather
let
si
1
!
( 25 )
let us wonder, that, amidſt ages of provocation,
ſuch tokens of wrath have not appeared; and if
our impenitence is ſtill continued, let us think
with awe for what folemn cataſtrophe ſuch a peo-
ple as we may be reſerved ---" What if God,
willing to ſhew his wrath, and to make his
power known, endured with much long-ſuffer-
ing the veſſels of wrath fitted to deſtruction?”
Rom. ix. 22.
<<
A third evidence of general alienation from the
ways of the Bleſſed Spirit of Grace, is---
THE LOUD VOICE OF DIABOLICAL LANGUAGE,
AND THE DISPLAY OF IMPUDENT IMPURITY,
IN THE MIDST OF US.
No long reaſoning is neceſſary, in reference to
the immediate ſubjects of ſuch wickedneſs, to ſhew
that they deſpiſe God in every reſpect, and eſpe-
cially as to his holy operations on the human ſoul.
Such horrid apoftates muſt be underſtood to have
made up their mind on this ſubject, and to have
virtually reſolved on parting for ever with all
D
Divine
1
( 26 )
Divine friendſhip, and on lying down in the ever-
laſting horrors of that priſon, which Divine
Juſtice will make ſufficiently gloomy, and ſtrong,
for their reception. And, if general abhor-
rence is not expreſſed againſt them, a few ſuch
monſters are enough to draw down judgments
from Heaven on a wide-extended Empire.
Shall we heſitate then to pronounce that to bę
a blaſpheming, a filthy Kingdom, where ſuch
crimes walk about in daily triumph ? Muſt we not
ſay of it, “it is fallen, and is become the habita-
« tion of devils, and the hold of every foul ſpirit,
", and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird ?''*
Men may make light of it, as they pleaſe: but
the number and boldneſs of the profane and pro-
fligate among us, is truly alarming; eſpecially as it
goes to prove, that the deteſtable vices, which the
great and wealthy have long exemplified, are now
diffuſed through all the inferior orders of Society.
If there is indeed a majority of ſober and virtuous
characters remaining, where is their zeal and exer-
tion
* Rev. xviii. 2.
( 27 )
tion to ſuppreſs ſuch crimes? Shall it be imagined
that the Holy Spirit of God is honoured, or will
long reſt, amidſt a people, who either commit, or
witneſs with indifference, evils which He infinitely
abhors?
But it will be ſaid, there certainly is in the Coun-
try a great maſs of ſober, reſpectable, induſtrious
Citizens; theſe form the ſtrong pillars of the
State, on which luxury, heroiſın, and even reli-
gion itſelf, muſt hang their trophies.
I come, I come to you, ye buſy plodding com-
mercial tribes, whoſe fouls are the ſeat of torment-
ing care, and your bodies of endleſs worldly fa-
tigue. In your prevailing ſpirit and ways, I dif-
cern a
FOURTH ALARMING EVIDENCE OF OPPOSITION
TO THE INFLUENCE OF HEAVENLY GRACE.
“ Labour not for the meat which periſheth, but
" for that meat which endureth unto everlaſting
D 2
« life,
( 28 )
is life, which the Son of man ſhall give unto you.
“ Take no thought what ye ſhall eat, or what ye
« ſhall drink, or wherewithal ye ſhall be cloathed:
« for after all theſe things do the heathen feek.
" Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and His
righteouſneſs. How hardly ſhall they that have
“ riches enter into the Kingdom of God!
« Bleſſed are the poor in ſpirit, for their's is the
" Kingdom of Heaven.”*
Ye men of buſinefs, wliat think ye of theſe
words of the Saviour and Judge of the world ?
Have they any meaning ? Are you not conſcious
of that inward, deep-rooted diſtemper, againſt
which theſe Statutes of Heaven are pointed ? At-
tend, I pray you, to one queſtion farther: What is
your eſteem of thoſe mighty operations and in-
fluences of the Eternal Spirit, which bring men to
regard ſuch teftimonies as theſe, not as gloomy,
abſurd paradoxes, but as awful, delightful, practi.
cable rules of conduct ?
Ah!
* John vi. 27. Matt. vi. 31. Mark X. 23. Matt. v. 3.
( 29.)
1
Ah! here is diſcovered the dreadful crime
againſt which I am contending. You proſecute,
each of you, his ſcheme of worldly advancement:
this, if the ſcheme is lawful, I blame not. You
appear in the concerns of life with vigour and ani-
mation: this I approve. What then? You graſp
at the things of a moment, with the eagerneſs of
creatures deſtined to ſpend Eternity in ſuch a
world as this? You pant after money, as though
there were no God, no Heaven of eternal pleaſure:
your hearts are full of grovelling, debaſing lufts.
Here is your wickedneſs; and the central point of
it is, that you neglect, you refuſe, you deſpiſe that
Bleſſed, Almighty, Gracious Agent, who would
change and purify your hearts, and fill them with
Heavenly delight.
Am I a falſe accuſer? Are we indeed a ſpiri-
tual people, Heavenly-minded amidſt all our ar-
dours and hurries of buſineſs ? I know there are
many profeſſors of better things than thoſe I have
alluded to: I admit, that here and there, in the
buſy ſcenes of life, may be found a ſpiritual per-
fon,
( 30 )
fon, who would gladly content himſelf with ſober
diligence in ſecular affairs, and who endures thoſe
carnal hurries which he cannot eſcape as a matter
of trial and patience, truſting in infinite Grace to
prevent the miſchief, and to repair the damages,
which are attached to his unavoidable manner of
life. But how few are theſe exceptions! And
when they are diſcovered, with what diſdain and
enmity do the carnal multitude look at them!
1
“How canſt thou ſay, I am not polluted, I have
to not gone after Baalim?"* I appeal to every
man's, to every child's obſervation. I appeal to
the ſtreets and houſes, to the coffee-rooms, count-
ing-houſes and workſhops, to the highways and
fields, and to the roaring ſeas, where buſineſs is
going forward. What is the breath, the ſpirit,
the current of the times? Do we look like thoſe
who habitually hold communion with the Holy
Ghoſt fent down from Heaven, or like thoſe who
deſpiſe Him?---like thoſe who fear to exchange
Heaven for Earth, or like thoſe who are ready to
fell
Jer. ii. 23.
( 31 )
fell all that is facred 'for bags of money? And
if the treaſures of Earth are indeed your God,
what are your bags of money, your piles of
goods, but ſo many idols of jealouſy, which one
day the breath of the Almighty will confume!
Ah, “ curſed children !"* if you will not repent,
and give glory to God, let your money periſh
with you. You are going to Hell, and you are,
while on Earth, drawing down the judgments of
the Great and Dreadful God, on the Countries
where you dwell. Hear, I beſeech you, before it
is too late, the teſtimonies of Divine wrath againſt
ſuch characters as your's; and while you hear, may
that Spirit of Grace, whom you have rejected,
wound and turn your hearts: “The wicked boaſt-
“ eth of his heart's deſire, and bleſſeth the covet-
" ous whom the Lord abhorreth. God is not in
~ all his thoughts ; his ways are always griev-
his mouth is full of curſing, and deceit,
" and fraud; his eyes are privily ſet againſt the
poor; he lieth in wait fecretly as a lion in
s his den---Break thou the arm of the wicked
oUS;
" and
2 Pet. ii. 14.
( 32 )
«c and the evil man."
« Wo unto them that
join houſe to houſe, that lay field to field, till
" there be no place. Lo, they have rejected the
“ word of the Lord! and what wiſdom is in
so them? Therefore will I give their wives to
“ others, and their fields to them that ſhall in-
“ herit them: for every one, from the leaſt even
“ unto the greateſt, is given to covetouſneſs; from
the Prophet even unto the Prieſt, every one
“ dealeth falſely. He is a proud man neither keep-
" eth at home, who enlargeth his defire as hell,
and is as death, and cannot be ſatisfied. Wo
“ to him that coveteth an evil covetouſneſs to his
houſe, that he may ſet his neſt on high: thou
« haft conſulted ſhame to thy houſe, by cutting
“ off many people, and haſt finned againſt thy
.“ foul; for the ſtone ihall cry out of the wall,
« and the beam out of the timber ſhall anſwer it.
1
« O thou that dwelleſt upon many waters
« abundant in treaſures ! thine end is come, and
“ the meaſure of thy covetouſneſs. The Lord
“ of Hofts hath ſworn by himſelf, Surely, I will
o fill thee with men as with caterpillars, and they
6 ſhall
( 33 )
«c ſhall lift up a ſhout againſt thee. Thus faith
" the Lord God: 0 Tyrus, thou haſt ſaid, I
". am of perfect beauty. By thy great wiſdom,
" and by thy traffic, haft thou increaſed thy
“ riches, and thine. heart is lifted up. Behold,
" therefore, I will bring ſtrangers upon thee,
" the terrible of the nations, and they ſhall
“ draw their ſwords againſt the beauty of thy
I wiſdom. Thou art the anointed cherub that
" covereth: thou haſt defiled thy fanctuaries by
- the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniqui-
ty of thy traffic; therefore I will caſt thee as
profane out of the mountain of God; and I will
deſtroy thee, O covering cherub, from the
midſt of the ſtones of fire.” Pſal. x. If. v.
Jer. viii. Hab. ii. Jer, li. Ezek. xxvii. xxviii.
so
ز
CC
The laſt awful proof of rebellion againſt the
Holy Spirit of God, I take from the
APPARENTSTATE OF THINGS IN WORSHIPPING
ASSEMBLIES.
The moſt ſolemn thing out of Heaven is Chris-
tian worſhip: who can entertain ideas of it fuffi-
E
ciently
( 34 )
.
ciently exalted ? In Goſpel Inſtitutions are pre-
ſented to the mind the infinite perfections of that
one Eternal Effence, which is all beauty and
majeſty, purity and ſplendor, love and felicity:
poſſeſſing this one glorious Effence of Deity, there
appear Three Divine Perſons, myſteriouſly diſtinct
and co-equal, and who, harmonious in their holy
love, ſuſtain diſtinct characters and offices, in re-
ference to the finner's worſhip. The firſt dif-
plays the Majeſty of a Judge and Father; the
ſecond appears as a Mediator, preſenting his own
atoning blood; the third operates within, in the
heart of the Worſhipper, and there imparts and
ſeals Salvation. Under ſuch views, with what
weight ought expreſſions, like the following, to
fall on every approaching mortal! "I will be
“ fanctified in them that come nigh me: God is
greatly to be feared in the aſſembly of the
“ Saints: 0 worſhip the Lord in the beauty of
ço holineſs: work out your own Salvation with
“ fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh
« in you."
:
But
* Lev. x. 3. Pſal. ixxxix. 7, xcvi. 9. Phil. ii. 12, 13.
1
( 35 )
But where ſhall be found amongſt us the aſſem-
bly of worſhippers, whoſe general aſpect and de-
portment bear manifeſt impreſſions of ſuch things
as theſe? To form the idea of what a Chriſtian
aſſembly may, and ought to be, I fear, we muſt
look away from almoſt every thing that preſent
times exhibit; we muſt go to the Scripture, and
to the records of former periods, “ the years
" of the right hand of the Moſt High.
))
In reference to the operations of the Bleſſed
Spirit, I can imagine only two ſituations of a body
of men united in Chriſtian worſhip, that can in-
dicate a due regard to this Glorious Agent.
The one is that of a people “ lamenting after
is the Lord.”* I take for granted, that the ſpirit
of Laodicean felf-fufficiency is driven from among
them, and that, conſcious of former provocations,
they have, in the ſpiritual ſenſe,
ornaments,” † and are waiting to ſee what the
God of Grace may do to them. It may eaſily be
E 2
conceived,
CC
put off their
i Sam. vii. 2. + Exod. xxxiii.
;
( 36 )
conceived, with what unaffected ſeriouſneſs and
humiliation, deſire and hope, ſuch a people will
appear in the ſanctuary of God; and with what
unfeigned forrow they will retire diſappointed,
while the Spirit of Power withholds His mighty
influences. Vain would be the attempt to amuſe
them with the empty charms of a worldly elo-
quence, or to deceive them with ſpeculative 'no-
tions of unfelt Salvation. Their complaint is not
to man; their relief can come from neither man
„nor àngel : He only who is God, infinite in power
and in love, even the Holy Ghoſt, deſcending in
the fulneſs of his Grace, can " bind up their
breach, and heal the ſtroke of their wound."*
He will « rend the Heavens, he will come
« down” among ſuch a people, “and the moun-
“ tains ſħall flow down at his preſence.”+ Then.
they ſhall appear in the other ſituation, which be-
longs to thoſe who duly regard His holy in-
Auences. In a Chriſtian aſſembly bleſſed with the
abundant pouring out of the Spirit from on high,
I ſhould expect to fee fomething like a general
manifeſt
* Iſaiah xxx. 26. f Iſaiah Ixiv. 1.
..
.
( 37 )
1
manifeſt Reſurrection from former inward death,
while the publiſhed truths of the Scripture are, by
the Divine Author of them, mightily impreſſed at
once on a multitude of ſouls, ſuitably to their vari-
ous circumſtances and capacities. In ſome coun-
tenances there would ſhine forth the ſerene eleva-
tion of Heavenly delight, like the angelic aſpect of
Stephen the Martyr; in others would appear the
humble awe and contrition of the publican; in
others, the tender melting of her who waſhed her
Saviour's feet with tears; in others, the ardour
of an invigorated ſtruggle to enter in at the
ſtrait gate; in others, the piercing look of
inquiring anxiety; in others, the conſternation
of an agonizing conſcience, loaded with parti-
cular crimes, or with the ſenſe of univerſal de-
pravity ; in others, the confuſed ſtare of guilty
ignorance. Nor ſhould I be ſurpriſed, though
the impreſſion of love, or of terror, from ſo
mighty an Agent, ſhould in ſome caſes overwhelm.
for a time the powers of animal nature, or break
in a little on that external order, which dead for-
maliſts are left perfectly capable in all points to
obſerve. Marking liich ſolemn ſeaſons, and tra-
cing
( 38 )
7
1
cing their abiding fruits, the Chriſtan Paſtor miglit
break forth into joyful congratulations, like thoſe
of the Apoſtles, in their addreſſes to the Primitive
Churches.
co
“ O Lord, why haſt thou made us to err from
thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy
“ fear ?"* What ſpectacles are now exhibited
under the name of Chriftian worſhip? Shall we
think of the mutterings of ſtone-dead formaliſts,
whoſe doings in religion are as remote from devo-
tion as the performances in an Indian Pagoda ?
Or ſhall we obſerve the freezing effuſions of pre-
ſumptuous heretics, who deny the very exiſtence
of the Holy Spirit! Or, approaching the crowd
of more orthodox profeſſors, ſhall we attend the
pulpit comedy of ſome groteſque performer, en-
circled with the applauſes of his ſportive admirers?
Are theſe things worſhip, Chriſtian worſhip? Are
they not " ſtrange fire,” againſt which the God of
Glory will exhibit folemn tokens of diſpleaſure ?
Of graver and more hopeful aſſemblies, may it
not be ſaid in the Prophet's words, “Ephraim is a
" cake
* Ifaiah Ixiii. 17.
1
( 39 )
..
<
not."*
« cake not turned; ftrangers have devoured his
so ſtrength, and he knoweth it not; yea, grey hairs
" are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth it
Suffer me, my Chriſtian Brethren, to
expreſs in plain terms thoſe apprehenſions, which
a long courſe of obſervation hath obliged me to
entertain. Is not the ſpirit of attention and regard
waſted on inferior circumſtances and ornaments,
inſtead of the great, fubftantial things of the power
of Godlineſs? Are not common gifts, and the
effects of mere animal vigour, often exalted above
the genuine graces of the Holy Spirit? Are 'not
the abilities, and even the graces, of men, turned into
Idols of jealouſy in the houſe of God, while that
life and comfort is expected from them, which the
preaching of angels could not of itſelf impart ? Is
not the power of the Holy Ghoſt almoſt forgotten
among us? Of the ſincere, are not many attempt-.
ing to rear up on the Divine foundation a ſuper-
ſtructure of wood, hay, ſtubble? And are there
not numbers of demure--looking people, whoſe
Goſpel notions fence them on all ſides, againſt all
conviction and ſpiritual ſenſation; and who, if
their
* Hos. vii. 8, 9.
( 40 )
their falſe peace is a little diſturbed, immediately
fly from the means of conviction, or commence
perſecutors of thoſe who endeavour to ſave them?
Were men to be raiſed up among us, who, with
the fire of a Welſh or a Livingſton, a Bolton or a
Rogers, ſhould enter into conteſt with the ſpecious
hypocriſies of ſeeming orthodox profeſſors, what
would be their probable fate? I fear they would
foon be left to pour out their teſtimony to empty
walls, in the ears of mourning indignant angels;
or, driven into the wilderneſs, they might be con-
ſtrained to cry to their God for a ſpeedy diſmiſſion,
from an ineffectual, and ſeemingly deſperate con-
Alict.
Praiſed for ever be the power, and unſearchable
mercy, of the Lord of Hoſts, who hath ſtill re-
ſerved in theſe Countries a remnant of upright,
Heaven-born ſouls. But, if even theſe are gene-
rally fallen aſleep, or ſunk under unbelieving de-
fpondency or backſliding carnality, how ſhall they
be rouſed and refined ? Muſt we not come to this
concluſion ? « The time is come that judgment
" muſt
1
!
1
( 41 )
* muſt begin at the houſe of God.* Awake, ,
« awake, O Jeruſalem !|---Thus faith the Lord,
“ break up your fallow ground, and ſow not
among thorns. Circumciſe yourſelves to the
“ Lord, and take away the foreſkin of your heart,
“ left my fury come forth like fire, and burn that
" none can quench it, becauſe of the evil of your
doings.”
1:
APPLICATION.
My Brethren, we have attempted to ſurvey
the horrors of guilt, the abyſs of deſolation,
around us. Shall we, in the view of ſuch things,
indulge the ſecret operation of malignant pride ?
I hope not; there is enough to humble us, if we
obſerve the faintneſs of our ideas of the evil of
ſuch crimes. Ah! I feel myſelf, at this moment,
chargeable with all the wickedneſs I have de-
ſcribed, becauſe I can look at it with ſo little
concern and abhorrence. O wretched heart with-
in me! when wilt thou feel as thou oughteſt for
the glory of God, and for the crimes and dangers
F
of
* i Pet. iv. 17. + Iſaiah li. 17. Jer. iv. 34.
( 42 ).
of immortal fouls! Let us not, however, yield
to deſpondency; let us ſtrive, depending on
Grace, to work upon our hearts, depraved as they
are, a ſolemn ſenſe of the real ſtate of our Coun-
try, until our feelings in ſome degree reſemble
thoſe of the man who ſaid, « rivers of waters run
down my eyes, becauſe they keep not thy law."*
For this end,
I. Let your thoughts dwell upon the atrocious
nature of this crime, and the reaſons why it ought
to be awfully puniſhed.
Who can diſcloſe the immenſity of evil, which
this wickedneſs contains in it, to deſpiſe the Holy
Spirit of God in his moſt peculiar operations ?
The object of this contempt is God, Jehovah,
the Great Incomprehenſible Creator of the Uni-
verſe. Why,” ſaid Peter to Ananias, “ hath
“ Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy
66 Ghoft? Thou haſt not lied unto men, but unto
« God.”
))
* Pſalm cxix. 136.
( 43 )
<< God.” It is He, “who meaſured the waters
« in the hollow of his hand, and meted out Hea-
«s ven with a ſpan”---who, as the Supreme Crea-
tor, “moved on the waters,” and drew forth the
chaos into order and beauty. It is He “ who
“ garniſhed the Heavens,” and who creates each
particular man. And muſt He ſuffer inſult from
mortal worms ? Poor ſinner! “
Poor finner! “gird up now thy
“ loins like a man---Where waſt thou, when He laid
« the foundations of the earth ? ---Haft thou an arm
“ like God! can'ſt thou thunder with a voice
66 like Him >»*
In his loweſt works He is adored by the bright
intelligences of Heaven. But here are moles of
the duſt, treading, with inſolence, on his ſublimeſt
operations, thoſe which reſemble the formation of
man in Paradiſe, or of the angelic hofts in Hea-
ven. Yea, we may affirm, without extravagance,
that the effectual change of one depraved human
heart, is a work of a higher order than the crea-
tion
F 2
* Acts v. 34. Iſaiah xl. 12, 13. Gen. i. 2. Job. xxvi. 13.
xxxiii. 4. xxxviii. 3, 4. xl. 9.
( 44 )
tion of a thouſand holy beings, a work more
deeply expreſſive of infinite power, wiſdom,
majeſty, condeſcenſion, and benignity. On the
fymptoms of this work, the angels of light fix
their piercing eyes with adoring delight. Shall
mortals deride it with impunity? Is the light of
Heavenly wiſdom, the melting of penitential forrow,
the pure ſweetneſs of love to God and man, in-
fuſed by the Spirit of the living God, the proper
ſubject of ridicule? Stand back, impure ſcorner!
left one night flaſh of indignation from the Author
of this Work, light up the hell within thee, and
convey thee all faming to the place of torment.
1
Let it be farther conſidered, that in the Chris-
tian diſpenſation, the Holy Ghoſt is manifeſtly re-
vealed as the laſt, the finiſhing agent, in whatever
relates to the ſalvation of immortal fouls. There-
fore, to deſpiſe his intiuences, is at once to reject
all that is facred in the infinite perfections of
Deity, all that is precious in the love of the Fa-
ther and in the purchaſe of the Son, all that is
important in the truths and duties of Chriſtianity.
Laſtly,
:
1
( 45 )
Laſtly, he, who rejects the holy operations of
the Spirit of the Lord, virtually gives conſent to
all the crimes in this world, and to all the blaf-
phemies in the world to come, which ſhall pro-
ceed from a heart « deceitful above all things,
" and deſperately wicked.” Refuſing to have the
fountain purified, he chooſes to be eternally filthy,
and embraces all poſſible defilement.
II. That we may learn to ſhrink back with
horror, from the ſymptoms of this evil in our-
ſelves and others, let us attend to the proceſs of
vengeance with which it ſtands connected.---
“ He (that is, the Holy Spirit) was turned to be
“ their enemy, and he fought againſt them.”
What ſtrange puniſhment this glorious Divine
Perſon will, in the future world, inflict on his
ungrateful, impenitent adverſaries, Eternity ſhall
reveal. I will call your attention, at this time, to
thoſe introductory and viſible operations of his
wrath, which involve the public ruin of countries
over-run with this iniquity. Ah! ſinful Nation!
whoever thou art, who cheriſheſt in thy bowels
this
i
( 46 )
.
t
this curſed hatred of God the Holy Ghuft, in the
time of His patience thy creſt may be lifted high ;
but thy day is coming, when thou ſhalt tremble
under the terrible Majeſty of His amazing opera-
tions !
For, in the day of wrath, the offended Spirit of
God will unlooſe the bonds, and diffolve the ce-
ment, of ſocial union among ſuch a people. This
He will do, by withdrawing that influence of His
which creates common virtue, humane and gene-
rous affections, regard to juſtice, and diſintereſted
public ſpirit; and by removing the ſecret barriers,
which reſtrain the ocean of human depravity.
Then will that ocean ſwell and tumultuate; then
unfeeling. oppreſſion on the one hand, and feditious
turbulence on the other, meeting together, will re-
duce to chaos the improvements of ages.
war.
He will take away the whole train of dis-
tinguiſhing abilities in the arts of peace and
He will raiſe up no more men of genius,
patriots, herpes, deliverers. If any ſhould remain,
He
( 47 )
He will infatuate their counſels, and baffle their ex-
ertions. Who will do this ? That Holy Spirit,
whoſe very name is contemptible in the ears of
the wicked. Wo unto that people from whom he
departs !
Againſt ſuch a people He will prepare inftru-
ments of vengeance. The ſun and moon, the
Itars in their courſes, earth, air, fire, and water,
or mean reptiles of the duſt, will, at His call, ope-
rate deſtruction; or, if human adverſaries are to
be employed, He will rouſe and inflame them:
“ He will lift up an enſign to the nations from
" far, and will hiſs unto them from the end of
“ the earth; and behold, they ſhall come with
ſpeed ſwiftly: none ſhall be weary nor ſtumble
among them; none ſhail Number nor ſleep;
“ neither ſhall the girdle of their loins be looſed,
“ nor the latchet of their ihoes be broken,” &c.
Iſaiah v.
And, if ſtill impenitence continues, He will
bring into dread accompliſhment ſuch words as
the
( 48 )
the following: “I will walk contrary to you in
fury; and I, even I, will chaſtiſe you ſeven
“ times for your ſins. If I whet my glittering
ſword, and mine hand take hold of judgment
--I will make mine arrows drunk with blood,
“ and my ſword ſhall devour fleſh---He will
“ fill the places with the dead bodies---Death
“ is come up into our windows, and is entered into
our palaces, to cut off the children from with-
out, and the young men from the ſtreets.")*
And when His ſtubborn enemies, in multitudes,
are finking into death, and haſtening to the Su-
preme Tribunal, then He will frown upon them,
according to thoſe infinitely tremendous declara-
tions ; “ Turn you at my reproof, behold, I will
pour out my Spirit unto you---But ye have ſet
at nought all my counſel---I alſo will laugh at
your calamity, and mock when your fear com-
" eth:t---And they ſhall ſay to the mountains,
cover us; and to the hills, fall on us.” I
III. Accept
* Lev. xxvi. 28. Deut. xxxii. 41. 42. Pſalm cx. 6.
Jer, ix. 21. +. Prov. i. 23, 25, 26. I Hos. x. 8. Luke
CC
xxiii. 29, 30.
( 49 )
III. Accept and practically regard theſe few
ſcriptural counſels.
!
Be filled with thankfulneſs for that long period
of manifold privilege which your Country hath
enjoyed, and that, beneath ſuch a cloud of national
guilt, you have ſeen ſo many years of eaſe, and ex-
emption from calamity.
Look back with peculiar gratitude, to your
folemn Chriſtian Feaſt on the preceding day, and
to other ſimilar ſeaſons, which in long auguſt fuc-
ceſſion you have enjoyed ;* and if, at the table of
the Son of God, you have, unfeignedly, mourned
and panted after the ſealing influence of his Spirit;
if that gracious Almighty Comforter hath there
met you, and touched your inmoſt ſouls with the
dying love of Jeſus; if he hath anointed your eyes
with eye-ſalve, ſo that, through the conflicts of
life, and the terrors of diffolution, you have ſeen
the ſhining path into the holieſt of all the Heaven
G
of
* The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was diſpenſed the
preceding day.
( 50 )
of Heavens; be thankful, rejoice, hold faſt that
which you have; you have obtained that which
the treaſures of Monarchs are too poor to pur-
chaſe, and the loſs of which they, who, with un-
hallowed hands, have polluted this ordinance, de-
baſing it to the low purpoſes of private or politi-
cal hypocriſy, inſulting Him whoſe ſacred light
Thines, and whoſe holy love burns, therein, ſhall
eternally deplore.
Repent of your perſonal ſhare in the crime of
deſpiſing the Spirit of the Lord. Make it ſure,
that you are indeed ſubdued and governed by his
bleffed influences; and the more you taſte their
excellent ſweetneſs, let the thoughts of your having
rebelled and vexed this glorious Agent, the more
deeply wound and abaſe you.
.
60.
Make ſerious preparation for days of calamity,
by “ accepting the dreaded puniſhment of iniqui-
ty, 1* by mortifying the various principles of
inward corruption, and by taking faſter hold' of
the promiſes and perfections of your God.
Improve
* Lev. xxvi. 41.
( 51 )
!
Improve to the uttermoft the interval of tran-
quillity, which yet remains. Try what may be
done for averting, or deferring, deſerved judg-
ments. As to political contentions, be fober, be
cautious, be conſcientious. If to any of you,
without its being arrogantly hunted after, Divine
Providence aſigns a ſphere of political action,
ſeek your wiſdom from God and His Word, not
from the writings or counfels of the Devil's chil-
dren. If you love the welfare of your Country,
remember that all other means are vain, in com-
pariſon of pleading with God for the pouring out
of the Spirit from on high, and exemplifyiñg in
yourſelves the power and glory of his genuine
operations. Remember that ſhort but important
Pfalm, the 13iſt, and that weighty little Chapter,
Jer. 45th.
You that have attained to ſtrength and eſta-
bliſhment in the ways of God, pity the weak and
ſtraggling of the flock; and let your bowels be
moved towards the periſhing multitude ; and what-
ever your hand findeth to do for their recovery,
do
ز
G 2
A
( 52 )
.
1
:
do it with your might. Stand afar off from the
prevailing pollutions of the times, whatever they
are, or may yet be. Give the decided example
of boldly reſiſting the wiles of the Devil. .
“ Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the Faith, quit you like
men, be ſtrong."
1 Cor. xvi. 13.
Long for the ſtate of perfection and glory, in
which the influences of the bleſſed Spirit of Jeſus
ſhall break in upon you as an overflowing food,
and ſhall raiſe you to a bleſſed impoſſibility of ever
reſiſting or grieving Him in the ſmalleſt degree,
and wherein you ſhall ſee Him fully glorified by
every ſoul in the immenſe multitude around you,
In the mean while we ſhall be happy, whatever
may be the times that paſs over us, if, through
the grace of that Holy Spirit of promiſe, whoſe
cauſe, according to my imperfect meaſure, I have
endeavoured to plead, we are enabled to riſe to
ſome degree of imitation of the illuſtrious pat-
tern ſet before us in the following words: Hab. iii,
“ God came from Teman---His glory cover-
" ed
.
( 53 )
1
« ed the Heavens---He beheld and drove aſun-
“ der the nations---I ſaw the tents of Cuſhan
$c in affiction: the curtains of the land of Midian
« did tremble---the mountains ſaw thee, and they
* trembled---thou didſt march through the land
“ in indignation---thou woundedft the head out
" of the houſe of the wicked. When I heard,
my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the
so voice; rottenneſs entered into my bones, and I
« trembled in myſelf, that I might reſt in the day
sc of trouble: when he cometh up unto the peo-
“ple, he will invade them with his troops.
Although the fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither
ſhall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the
56 olive ſhall fail, and the fields ſhall yield no
so meat; the Aock ſhall be cut off from the fold,
« and there ſhall be no herd in the ſtalls: yer I
♡ will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God
« of -my Salvation. The LORD GOD IS MY
FC STRENGTH.'
Now
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 07498 7390
( 54 )
Now, UNTO THE THREE THAT BEAR RECORD
IN HEAVEN, THE FATHER, THE WORD, AND
THE HOLY GHOST, (AND THESE THREE ONE),
BE
GLORY, DOMINION, AND
THANKSGIVING,
THROUGHOUT ALL AGES, WORLD WITHOUT END,
AMEN.