,transcribed from the #ahcb ,j4 ,g4 ,f4 ,rivington edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,,the ,,duty ,,of ,a ,,christian ,,people ,,under ,,divine ,,visitations4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,newton ,,smart1 ,m4,a4 ,,of ,,university ,,college1 ,,oxford4 99 99 99 99 99 8,,when ,,thy ,,judgments ,,are ,,in ,,the ,,earth1 ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,the ,,world ,,will ,,learn ,,righteousness40 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,for ,j4 ,g4 ,f4 ,,rivington1 ,,st4 ,,paul',s ,,church-,,yard1 ,,and ,,waterloo-,,place3 ,,and ,,sold ,,by ,j4 ,,hatchard ,,son1 ,,piccadilly2 ,,parker1 ,,talboys1 ,,oxford2 ,,andrews1 ,,durham2 ,,charnley1 ,,newcastle2 ,,renney1 ,,sunderland2 ,,and ,,other ,,booksellers4 99 99 99 99 99 #ahcb4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,,gilbert ,,rivington1 ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,square4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to ,,the ,,revered ,,memory ,,of ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,kindest ,,and ,,best ,,of ,,mothers1 ,,who ,,received ,,her ,,children ,,as ,a ,,gift ,,that ,,cometh ,,of ,,the ,,lord1 ,,and ,,prayed ,,and ,,laboured1 ,,with ,,earnest ,,and ,,faithful ,,diligence1 ,,to ,,bring ,,them ,,up ,,in ,,the ,,nurture ,,and ,,admonition ,,of ,,the ,,lord1 ,,this ,,work ,,is ,,inscribed ,,with ,,the ,,deepest ,,feelings ,,of ,,filial ,,love1 ,,gratitude1 ,,and ,,veneration4 8,,the ,,memory ,,of ,,the ,,just ,,is ,,blessed40 ,,the ,,duty ,,of ,a ,,christian ,,people1 c4 ,isaiah x4 #c4 8,,what ,,will ,,ye ,,do ,,in ,,the ,,day ,,of ,,visitation ,,and ,,in ,,the ,,desolation ,,which ,,shall ,,come ,,from ,,far8 ,,to ,,whom ,,will ,,ye ,,flee ,,for ,,help80 ,,the aspect of the times1 upon a careful survey1 presents1 to the thoughtful mind1 cause of anxiety for the safety and welfare of the empire2 and1 to the religious mind1 ground for apprehension1 lest the ,almighty should be about to visit1 for the sins of the nations1 by 8pouring upon them the vials of ,his wrath40 #c;a ,in the emphatic language of our ,lord's prediction of the latter days2 there is1 throughout ,europe1 8distress of nations with perplexity2 men's hearts failing them for fear2 and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth40 #c;b ,in this country1 to an alarming state of popular excitement1 there has supervened a new cause of dread1 so great1 as almost to absorb1 for the present1 all subjects of merely temporal interest4 ,a fearful and most fatal pestilence1 which had extended far and wide in ,asia1 has been gradually spreading throughout ,europe1 and steadily advancing towards our shores3 there exists a difference of opinion as to whether or not it has reached them2 but thus much is certain2 an epidemic1 similar in character1 and hardly less malignant and fatal1 has broken out in one of the seaports of the kingdom1 and extended to some of the neighbouring towns and villages2 thus appearing to establish its identity with the ,continental disease4 ,under circumstances so calculated to produce general apprehension1 and so full of danger to the community at large1 it becomes a matter of vital importance to enquire1 ,what is the course a ,christian people should adopt8 ,to such an enquiry1 the sincere ,christian1--who is satisfied1 that the safety of nations and of individuals is1 at all times1 in the protection of the ,almighty2 and who believes1 that the sword1 the famine1 the earthquake1 the tempest1 and the pestilence1 are but instruments in the hand of ,god to execute ,his sovereign and gracious will1--may justly reply in the words of a prophet of old1 speaking in the name of the ,most ,high3 8,,therefore1 ,,also1 ,,now ,,saith ,,the ,,lord1 ,,turn ,,ye ,,even ,,to ,,me1 ,,with ,,all ,,your ,,heart1 ,,and ,,with ,,fasting1 ,,and ,,with ,,weeping1 ,,and ,,with ,,mourning4 ,,and ,,rend ,,your ,,heart1 ,,and ,,not ,,your ,,garments1 ,,and ,,turn ,,unto ,,the ,,lord ,,your ,,god3 ,,for ,,he ,,is ,,gracious ,,and ,,merciful1 ,,slow ,,to ,,anger1 ,,and ,,of ,,great ,,kindness1 ,,and ,,repenteth ,,him ,,of ,,the ,,evil40 #e;a ,and how is a whole nation to be called upon to humble themselves before ,god in the day of their visitation8 ,let the same ,prophet return the answer2 8,,blow ,,the ,,trumpet ,,in ,,zion1 ,,sanctify ,a ,,fast1 ,,call ,a ,,solemn ,,assembly1 ,,gather ,,the ,,people1 ,,sanctify ,,the ,,congregation1 ,,assemble ,,the ,,elders1 ,,gather ,,the ,,children4 ,,let ,,the ,,priests1 ,,the ,,ministers ,,of ,,the ,,lord1 ,,weep ,,between ,,the ,,porch ,,and ,,the ,,altar1 ,,and ,,let ,,them ,,say1 ,,spare ,,thy ,,people1 ,o ,,lord40 #e;b ,as the ,almighty1 8with whom is no variableness1 nor shadow of turning10 #e;c is 8the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever20 #e;d as 8whatsoever things were written aforetime1 were written for our learning2 that we1 through patience and comfort of the ,scriptures1 might have hope30 #e;e let the people of this kingdom1 strong in faith1 raise1 on an appointed day1 their united voice in prayer2 and in the language of sorrow1 humiliation1 and repentance1 cry1 ,o ,lord1 8we have sinned with our fathers1 we have done amiss and dealt wickedly20 #e;f but 8,thou1 ,lord1 art good1 and ready to forgive2 and plenteous in mercy unto all them who call upon ,thee60 #e;g ,alas6 because we see not the 8outstretched arm0 of ,omnipotence1 which governeth the nations2 because we hear not the 8mighty voice0 which universal ,nature obeys2 we too often forget that 8the ,lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save1 nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear30 #f;a we too often forget that it is 8,god that ruleth in ,jacob1 and unto the ends of the world40 #f;b ,but is it sufficient to call upon a people1 suffering under the apprehension or infliction of ,divine judgments1 to assemble in the courts of the ,lord's house1 to acknowledge the justice of their punishment1 and to humble themselves before their ,god8 ,let the volume of inspiration again reply1 8,to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me8 saith the ,lord80 #f;c--8,,wash ,,ye1 ,,make ,,you ,,clean1 ,,put ,,away ,,the ,,evil ,,of ,,your ,,doings ,,before ,,mine ,,eyes2 ,,cease ,,to ,,do ,,evil1 ,,learn ,,to ,,do ,,well1 ,,seek ,,judgment1 ,,relieve ,,the ,,oppressed1 ,,judge ,,the ,,fatherless1 ,,plead ,,for ,,the ,,widow40 #f;d 8,,behold1 ,,to ,,obey ,,is ,,better ,,than ,,sacrifice1 ,,and ,,to ,,hearken ,,than ,,the ,,fat ,,of ,,rams40 #f;e ,much has been effected when a nation has been brought to prostrate itself before ,god1 and1 through a deep sense of its guilt1 weakness1 and misery1 to flee unto ,him1 who alone is mighty to save2 but incalculably more has been accomplished1 when to the prayer for mercy has been added one for grace2 and it has been truly1 not less the language of the heart than of the lips1 8,sanctify to us this thy fatherly correction1 that the sense of our weakness may add strength to our faith1 and seriousness to our repentance40 #g;a ,may ,god1 of ,his great mercy1 vouchsafe to the people of this land1 8to know the time of their visitation20 #g;b to humble themselves before ,him1 who 8in faithfulness has caused them to be troubled20 #g;c to 8seek the ,lord while ,he may be found1 and to call upon ,him while ,he is near20 #g;d and to 8repent and turn themselves from all their transgressions3 so iniquity shall not be their ruin40 #g;e ,oh that the practical infidelity1 which exists to such a fearful extent in the present day1 may not withhold from a suffering people the deliverance and blessing which ,god alone can bestow6 ,a neglect and distrust1 if not a denial of ,god's ,providence1 in the preservation and government of nations and individuals1 is one of the most crying sins of the day4 ,because the natural eye does not perceive the visible workings of a ,divine economy in the course of events1 it practically ascribes all to human means1 and relies on human aid4 ,but1 as if 8the finger of ,god0 was to be revealed as pointing in wrath to this great truth of natural and revealed religion--a ,divine providence--one of the most remarkable and terrible features of this fatal pestilence1 through which so many millions of human beings have been swept away1 is1 that whilst human prudence has been completely baffled in its plans of prevention1 human science has failed in its attempts at cure4 ,what a salutary lesson does this teach1 in a day when earthly is often elevated above heavenly wisdom in the estimation of men1 and when the arm of flesh appears more confided in than the arm of ,omnipotence1 for the accomplishment of events6 ,may the great ,disposer of events1 who1 in the dispensations of ,his ,providence1 is graciously pleased to educe real good from seeming evil1 make this awful visitation productive of religious advantage to this and other nations4 ,may earthly sovereigns learn that the ,lord1 by whom 8kings reign1 and princes decree justice10 #h;a is their defence1 and 8the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 their ,king30 #h;b may the rulers of the people remember1 that 8except the ,lord keep the city1 the watchman waketh but in vain40 #h;c ,for although ,god's providence governs all things in heaven and in earth1 still the great ,sovereign of the universe1 8the ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords10 8waiteth to be gracious10 nor suffers ,his truth to fail4 ,he shuts not up ,his loving-kindness in displeasure1 but listens to the prayers of the meanest of ,his servants2 and in answer to them1 ,he often suspends1 and sometimes averts his just judgments4 ,the guilty cities of the ,plain would have been spared for the sake of ten righteous1 if that number of the servants of the true ,god could have been found amongst the inhabitants4 #i;a ,nor is the prayer of humble and contrite guilt disregarded4 ,the judgments impending over ,nineveh were suspended1 when that mighty capital1 at the preaching of a prophet1 acknowledged its sin1 and humbled itself before the ,lord4 #i;b ,let1 then1 the prayer of repentance1 faith1 and submission1 arise to the throne of ,divine grace1 from the united people of the land2 and1 soon as the merciful object of this visitation is answered1 we may humbly trust the command1 as of old1 will be addressed to the destroying angel1 8,,it ,,is ,,enough1 ,,now ,,stay ,,thine ,,hand40 #i;c ,for the ,almighty has himself declared1 8,at what instant ,i shall speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom1 to pluck up1 and to pull down1 and to destroy it3 if that nation1 ,,against ,,whom ,i ,,have ,,pronounced1 ,,turn ,,from ,,their ,,evil1 ,i ,,will ,,repent ,,of ,,the ,,evil ,,that ,i ,,thought ,,to ,,do ,,unto ,,them40 #i;d ,may1 then1 this nation receive grace1 in this their day of trial1 to 8,,turn ,,from ,,their ,,evil10 before the ,lord 8allow ,his full displeasure to arise40 ,may they learn and acknowledge1 that their only hope of safety is in the mercy and long-suffering of ,god1 who alone can preserve them from 8the pestilence which walketh in darkness1 and from the sickness which destroyeth in the noon-day40 ,may they 8offer faithfully10 and the ,lord 8receive acceptably10 their prayer for deliverance3 8,have pity1 ,o ,lord1 have pity upon ,thy people1 both here and abroad2 withdraw ,thy heavy hand from those who are suffering under ,thy judgments2 and remove from us that grievous calamity1 against which1 our only security is in ,thy compassion60 #aj;a ,and may our gracious and long-suffering ,lord be pleased to arrest in its course the pestilence1 now confined to few places1 and to permit it not to spread dismay and death through the towns and villages of the kingdom4 ,thus far1 the duty of a ,christian people collectively1 under ,divine judgments1 has been shewn2 it remains to consider their duty individually2 which involves the consideration of what man owes to his ,god1 his country1 his neighbour1 and himself1 under any general visitation of ,divine ,providence4 ,the ,christian's duty towards ,god1 when ,his judgments are abroad1 is a recognition of1 and submission to1 ,his chastening hand3 to his country1 unwearied exertion for the removal of the evils which appear to have called down the ,divine vengeance3 to his neighbour1 friendly assistance1 religious exhortation1 and spiritual consolation3 and to himself1 through ,divine grace1 humiliation1 repentance1 amendment1 and daily preparation for death and judgment4 ,these several duties1 being all dependent upon each other1 and intimately blended in their operation1 may1 perhaps1 be not unfitly considered1 as embraced by the public and private obligations of ,christians under afflictive dispensations2 which may be briefly stated to be--earnest prayer and incessant labour to effect a ,,personal ,,reformation1 and1 as far as in them lies1 a ,,national ,,reformation2 which are proposed to be considered1 as follows1 more at large4 ,let individuals 8humble themselves under the mighty hand of ,god20 #aa let them acknowledge the extent of their sinfulness1 and the justice of their punishment2 let them confide in ,god's mercy1 and commit themselves to ,his safe keeping2 let them seek for grace to reform1 in their lives and conversation1 whatever is at variance with the ,gospel2 from which1 and not from the maxims of men1 let them learn what is required of ,christians4 ,let them publicly bear testimony at once to the justice and mercy of ,god's judgments1 and strive earnestly to rouse the nation to a sense of its guiltiness1 which has exposed it to the ,divine displeasure2 let them1 in dependence on the blessing of ,heaven1 labour to eradicate all infidel and heretical opinions2 to advance a reformation of public morals2 and to promote a general diffusion of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge4 ,too justly does the language of ,isaiah1 addressed to the rebellious and guilty house of ,judah1 apply to our own times3 8,ah1 sinful nation1 a people laden with iniquity1 a seed of evil-doers1 children that are corrupters3 they have forsaken the ,lord1 they have provoked the ,holy ,one of ,israel to anger1 they are gone backward40 #ab;a ,may ,he1 8who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men10 and convert them from the evil of their ways1 8pour upon all flesh the spirit of grace and supplication20 #ab;b that individual may extend1 until it become national repentance1 and the whole nation worship before ,him4 ,then will the scourge of ,his wrath prove the harbinger of ,his mercy1 and we shall become a chosen people1 a holy nation unto the ,lord4 ,then may our gracious and long-suffering ,god allow us1 without presumption1 to draw comfort from those words of favour and forgiveness1 spoken to ,his people when humbled and contrite3 8,remember these1 ,o ,jacob and ,israel2 for thou art my servant2 ,i have formed thee1 thou art my servant3 ,o ,israel1 thou shalt not be forgotten of me3 ,i have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions1 and as a cloud thy sins3 return unto me1 for ,i have redeemed thee40 #ac;a ,i4 ,the ,christian's duty of personal reformation under ,divine judgments4 ,it is from the volume of inspiration--whence he derives all the light which he enjoys1 as to the providence1 beneficence1 and love of ,god2 whence he draws all the knowledge he possesses as to the nature of his own being1 the object of his present existence1 and the place of his final destination2--man must learn his duty under the ,divine dispensations4 ,the ,holy ,scriptures are to the true ,christian 8a lamp unto his feet1 and a light unto his paths40 #ac;b ,when pursuing his heavenward journey through this vale of tears1 the prospect often appears uninviting and gloomy1 the sky dark and troubled1 and the way1 always narrow1 becomes sometimes a thorny and tangled path4 ,dangers also1 more or less near and alarming1 keep the pilgrim often under apprehension1 and always on his guard4 ,still1 he pursues a straight-forward course1 from which he deviates little--for he possesses a guide more unerring than the compass of the mariner1 and that guide is the infallible ,word of ,god4 ,when darkness obscures1 difficulties perplex1 and dangers environ his road1 in his unfailing 8lamp0 he finds light1 guidance1 and safety4 ,at this moment1 a dark cloud hangs over this country3--nay1 more1 the storm of ,divine displeasure has already commenced4 ,lest1 therefore1 it should burst upon us in its full 8fury10 let all betake themselves to that blessed light1 which1 amid the thickest darkness and most appalling storm1 can 8guide our feet into the way of peace40 #ad;a ,let the enquiry be made as to the course to be adopted in the words of a ,prophet3 8,what will ye do in the day of visitation1 and in the desolation which shall come from far8 ,to whom will ye flee for help80 #ad;b ,let the same ,prophet reply3 8,,trust ,,ye ,,in ,,the ,,lord ,,for ,,ever1 ,,for ,,in ,,the ,,lord ,,jehovah ,,is ,,everlasting ,,strength40 #ad;c ,trust in ,god is the necessary fruit of faith1 which is the only basis on which religion can rest3 8he that cometh to ,god must believe that ,he is1 and that ,he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek ,him30 #ad;d thus1 except with one philosophical school of antiquity1 a belief in the being of a ,god has1 even amongst the ,heathen1 always been accompanied by a trust in ,his ,providence4 ,in the ,christian scheme1 this trust is a fixed1 governing principle4 8,to take notice of the hand of ,god in every thing that befalls us10 says the learned and excellent ,sherlock1 8to attribute all the evils we suffer1 and all the good things1 to ,his sovereign will and appointment3 this is the foundation of all the other duties which we owe to ,providence1 and the general neglect of this makes us defective in all the rest40 #ae;a ,this passage supplies a clear view of ,christian duty under afflictive dispensations4 ,as faith recognises an ,almighty ,father's will in the appointment1 and ,his hand in the direction of events1 the believer refers equally national and individual prosperity and adversity1 mercies and visitations1 to ,him1 8whose power ruleth over all40 ,and as he refers all events to the will and appointment of the great ,governor of the ,universe1 he endeavours to receive whatever befalls him1 as coming from ,his hand1 with patient submission and humble thankfulness3 for he knows how immeasurably his punishment falls short of his deserts2 and he is assured1 that 8,god chastens us for our profit1 that we might be partakers of ,his holiness40 #ae;b ,at the same time1 therefore1 that he relies with firm dependence on the tender mercies1 the blessed guidance1 and sure protection of his ,heavenly ,father2 he seeks for grace to improve to the spiritual advancement of himself and others1 the divine chastisements1--8chastisements which originate in love1 and are tempered with mercy30 #ae;c 8,for whom the ,lord loveth he chasteneth1 and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth40#af;a ,he enters1 therefore1 anew upon a careful review of his past life1 and again summons before the bar of conscience1 8the sins of his youth1 and the offences of his riper age20 he recalls to mind the warnings he has had1 the privileges he has enjoyed1 and the mercies he has received2 and he institutes a rigid scrutiny into his present life1 which he tries by the unerring test of ,god's holy word4 ,and if he be sincere and honest1 and not a dissembler with ,god1 and a deceiver of himself1 the language will spontaneously burst from his lips2 8,it is good for me that ,i have been in trouble1 that ,i may learn ,thy statutes40 #af;b 8,oh1 ,lord1 my strength and my fortress1 my refuge in the day of affliction10 #af;c--8,turn ,thee unto me1 and have mercy upon me1 for ,i am desolate and in misery4 ,the sorrows of my heart are enlarged2 oh1 bring ,thou me out of my troubles2 look upon my adversity and misery1 and forgive me all my sin40 #af;d ,not that probably his life has been stained with deeper or more numerous offences than the generality of men3 it may be that he has been 8brought up in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord10 and has never departed from serving his ,god2 it may be that he has long ranked amongst those who strive to be 8blameless and harmless1 the sons of ,god1 without rebuke1 in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation1 amongst whom they shine as lights in the world40 #ag;a ,but still there lives not the man who has not much to repent of1 and to humble himself for1 before the ,lord4 ,and when the sorrows of life1 the judgments of ,god1 or the approach of death1 loosen the hold of earthly ties upon the affections1 and the attention becomes intently fixed on that invisible world of spirits1 whither all are hastening3 then1 even he1 who has long sought to serve his ,god with devout reverence and holy obedience1 feels with stronger force1 and sees with clearer view1 the fearful extent of his omissions of duty and commissions of sin4 ,when he considers that one moment may suffice to usher him into the presence of that ,great ,being1 of infinite purity1 in whose sight the heavens are not clean2 when he remembers the condemnation passed on all sin by a righteous law2--conscious guilt compels him to bow before the ,lord with the deep self-abasement of him who 8smote upon his breast1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner20 #ag;b and conscious weakness makes him call to the ,saviour1 with the imploring voice of him who cried1 8,lord1 save me40 #ag;c ,for when the conscience is fully enlightened1 and the heart sanctified by ,divine grace1 a clear perception of the holiness of ,god's law1 and a deep sense of personal unworthiness1 are produced in the believer1 which at once humble him to the dust1 and lead him to throw himself entirely on the mercy of ,god in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord4 ,then it is that he labours to devote himself more entirely to his ,master's service1 8and adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour in all things30 #ah;a then it is he 8sets his affections on things above30 #ah;b 8looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great ,god and our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 who gave himself for us1 that he might redeem us from all iniquity1 and purify unto himself a peculiar people1 zealous of good works40 #ah;c ,and then it is that he takes for his song in the house of his pilgrimage1 8,i know1 ,o ,lord1 that ,thy judgments are right1 and that ,thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be afflicted40 #ah;d 8,for which cause we faint not2 but though our outward man perish1 yet the inward man is renewed day by day4 ,for our light affliction1 which is but for a moment1 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory4 ,while we look not at the things which are seen1 but at the things which are not seen2 for the things which are seen are temporal1 but the things which are not seen are eternal40 #ai;a ,such is the conduct of the true believer under the chastening hand of the ,lord2 such the improvement which1 through the ,divine blessing1 he is enabled to make of those afflictive dispensations1 which are sent in mercy to remind him1 that he is only a 8stranger and pilgrim upon earth10 and must 8desire a better country1 that is an heavenly40 #ai;b ,and when ,god's judgments are upon the land1 when ,he has smitten the people with pestilence1 the servant of the ,lord rests with firm faith on the protection of ,him1 who has promised1 as 8thy days1 so shall thy strength be40 #ai;c ,he knows that whatever happens to him is by the appointment of ,god1 without whom even 8a sparrow shall not fall on the ground20 #ai;d he has further1 the blessed assurance1 that 8all things work together for good1 to them who love ,god20 #ai;e therefore he has all 8the joy and peace in believing0 of those1 whose minds being 8stayed on ,god10 #ai;f abound in hope through 8the power of the ,holy ,ghost40 #ai;g ,not that he supposes he will possess a necessary exemption from the power of the pestilence2 this would be to presume on ,god's protection3 not that trusting to ,divine ,providence he neglects all human precautions1 and unnecessarily exposes himself to danger2 this would be1 in the strong language of ,scripture1 to tempt ,god3 not that he relies on human precautions as supplying any ground of security2 this would be to distrust ,god4 ,but believing that the pestilence can have no power over him1 except by the ,divine appointment2 and being assured1 that1 if such be the ,divine will1 it will prove for his final and eternal welfare2 he uses1 with entire dependence on the ,divine blessing1 the precautions which prudence dictates2 and commending himself to the safe keeping of ,god1 he faithfully and diligently discharges the duties of his station and office1 whether of pastor1 magistrate1 citizen1 physician1 or servant1 or1 as they may be included in one word1 of ,christian4 ,not that the believer1 whilst he 8wears this veil of flesh10 is elevated so far above human infirmity1 that1 through the power of faith1 he knows neither weakness nor fear in the hour of danger1 and in the discharge of duty4 ,st4 ,paul--in allusion to the marvellous change wrought in the soul1 8by the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god in the face of ,jesus ,christ10--says1 8but we have this treasure in earthen vessels1 that the excellency of the power may be of ,god1 and not of us4 ,we are troubled on every side1 yet not distressed2 we are perplexed1 but not in despair2 persecuted1 but not forsaken2 cast down1 but not destroyed2 always bearing about in the body the dying of the ,lord ,jesus1 that the life also of ,jesus might be made manifest in our flesh40 #ba;a ,still1 they who have learnt1 through grace1 to confide1 with the simplicity of a child1 on the power1 care1 and love of their heavenly ,father1 will1 amid difficulties and dangers1 8prove more than conquerors1 through ,him who loved us1 and gave ,himself for us20 and will repose1 with firm faith1 pious hope1 and holy confidence1 on ,his protection1 ,,in ,,whose ,,hands ,,are ,,the ,,issues ,,of ,,life ,,and ,,death2 and who has said1 by the mouth of his prophets1 8,,thou ,,shalt ,,not ,,be ,,afraid ,,for ,,any ,,terror ,,by ,,night1 ,,nor ,,for ,,the ,,arrow ,,that ,,flieth ,,by ,,day2 ,,for ,,the ,,pestilence ,,which ,,walketh ,,in ,,darkness1 ,,nor ,,for ,,the ,,sickness ,,which ,,destroyeth ,,in ,,the ,,noon-,,day4 ,a thousand shall fall beside thee1 and ten thousand at thy right hand1 but it shall not come nigh thee40 #ba;b ,there are some sincere ,christians1 who1 from natural timidity of disposition1 or from constitutional debility1 are peculiarly susceptible of fear2 and distress themselves by considering such fear a proof that they do not possess the favour of ,god4 ,let them earnestly pray for that holy and firm faith1 which disarms apprehension under great and imminent peril2 but if they do not obtain it1 let them not despond1 but continue their prayers2 it may be a blessing which ,heaven has still in store for them4 ,but if not1 having learnt submission to the ,divine will1 let them draw comfort from words which should be so deeply engraved on the memory1 as to be ever remembered1 and speak peace1 in their moments of doubt and alarm1 to their troubled souls3 8,,fear ,,thou ,,not2 ,,for ,i ,,am ,,with ,,thee3 ,,be ,,not ,,dismayed1 ,,for ,i ,,am ,,thy ,,god3 ,i ,,will ,,strengthen ,,thee2 ,,yea1 ,i ,,will ,,help ,,thee2 ,,yea1 ,i ,,will ,,uphold ,,thee ,,with ,,the ,,right ,,hand ,,of ,,my ,,righteousness40 #bb;a--8,the truth is1 the greater our fears and sorrows and aversions are1 the greater is our submission to ,god3 it may be thought a great weakness of nature to be so afraid of our sufferings2 but it argues the greater strength of faith1 and is a more glorious victory over self1 to make our very fears and aversions submit to the ,divine will4 ,submission to ,god does not consist in courage and fortitude of mind to bear sufferings1 which many have1 without any sense of ,god1 and which the profoundest reverence for ,god will not always teach us2 but he submits1 who receives the bitter cup and drinks it1 though with a trembling heart and hand40 #bb;b ,thus much having been stated1 that the timid mind or the sickly frame2 the tender plant of grace or 8the bruised reed20 may not sink under a weight of obligation1 the fulfilment of which is above their present strength2 and may not despair1 because they fear they can never attain to that measure of faith1 8which1 whilst it kisses with filial reverence the rod of correction10 can1 in the strong language of ,st4 ,paul1 8glory in tribulation also2 knowing that tribulation worketh patience2 and patience1 experience2 and experience1 hope2 and hope maketh not ashamed1 because the love of ,god is shed abroad in our hearts1 by the ,holy ,ghost which is given unto us40 #bc;a ,let it be remembered1 at the same time1 that though none should despond1 because they possess not a strength of faith bestowed only on the most highly-advanced ,christians2 still1 all must earnestly seek grace to be enabled to 8go on unto perfection20 #bc;b by having implanted in their souls that 8perfect love1 which casteth out fear40 #bc;c ,and1 as undoubting faith1 unrepining submission1 and unwearied supplication1 are amongst the leading features of the true ,christian character1 they alone can enjoy the consolations of the ,gospel of peace1 who are 8rejoicing in hope1 patient in tribulation1 continuing instant in prayer40 #bc;d ,it is a painful1 an awful consideration1 how many1 in this ,christian land1 8care for none of these things40 #bc;e ,i speak not merely of the profane1 the scoffer1 the sceptic1 and the infidel2 of those who 8make a mock at sin10 and1 disputing or disbelieving the truth of ,christianity1 8live without ,god in the world20--,i speak also of the gay1 the thoughtless1 and the proud2 of the worldly1 the avaricious1 and the sensual2 of the envious1 the malicious1 and the censorious2 and1 with shame be it said1 of unworthy and false professors and teachers2 of the unsound in faith and morals2 of the lukewarm1 the self-righteous1 and the hypocritical2 in short1 of all who1 declaring a belief in the ,christian faith1 either mistake its doctrines1 disregard its spirit1 abuse its privileges1 or live unmindful of its strict and holy obligations4 ,against all such the ,gospel denounces condemnation and woe4 ,how1 then1 are they prepared to meet the awful dispensation of ,divine ,providence1 which has fallen upon the nation8 ,let the prophet's enquiry be addressed to them3--8,what will ye do in the day of visitation1 and in the desolation which shall come from far8 to whom will ye flee for help80 ,will ye dare to say1 8,o ,lord1 my strength and my fortress1 my refuge in the day of affliction80 ,what6 can ye in sickness apply to ,god for relief1 who in health were 8lovers of pleasure more than lovers of ,god80 #bd ,can ye in affliction seek comfort of ,god1 who in joy have by your actions denied ,god8 ,can ye in adversity flee to ,god1 who in prosperity had not ,god in all your thoughts8 #be ,they who have never really sought1 and submitted to the guidance of the ,gospel1 cannot hope to possess its support and consolations in the first hour of need4 ,how dark1 therefore1 to such1 is the season of sickness1 of sorrow1 and of adversity3 they enjoy no light from above1 no comfort from within1 no consolation from without1 which can brighten the gloomy mind1 cheer the desponding heart1 and soothe the alarmed conscience4 ,faithful and busy memory serves only to supply a painful retrospect of opportunities neglected1 and warnings despised3 and conscience1 which had long slumbered in a deadly lethargy1 often now inflicts her sharpest stings upon the wretched sufferer4 ,and should they be arrested by the sudden stroke of a fatal malady1 when living in forgetfulness of ,god1 and intently occupied with the pursuit of pleasure1 honour1 or of gain2 how terrible is the approach of death6 ,how often1 as this life is fading from the darkening eye1 do the realities of the next burst upon the mind1 with a distinctness and force never felt before6 ,how often1 as the soul is trembling on the fearful verge of eternity1 is a vain wish entertained for the return of a brief portion of that time which has been spent in sin1 folly1 or the acquisition of what will not profit in a dying hour6 ,but is the prayer for mercy1 extorted by fear and suffering1 never heard2 is the tardy repentance never accepted8 ,on the contrary1 we believe the prayer of humble and contrite guilt to be never rejected3 but1 be it remembered1 at the same time1 that repentance is the gift of ,god1 and that those who long trifle with their day of grace1 and by silencing the admonitions of conscience1 resist the ,spirit1 may be visited with the fearful punishment of judicial blindness and final impenitence4 8,because ,i have called1 and ye refused2 ,i have stretched out my hand1 and no man regarded3 but ye have set at nought all my counsel1 and would none of my reproof3 ,i also will laugh at your calamity1 and will mock when your fear cometh2 when your fear cometh as desolation1 and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind1 when distress and anguish cometh upon you4 ,then shall they call upon me1 but ,i will not answer2 they shall seek me early1 but they shall not find me3 for that they hated knowledge1 and did not choose the fear of the ,lord2 they would none of my counsel1 they despised all my reproof40 #bf ,from this fearful denunciation of ,divine wrath upon obstinate and hardened disobedience1 what an awful lesson may be learnt1 under the present circumstances of this country4 ,how descriptive are many of the terms employed of that fatal pestilence which has broken out in the land6 in the suddenness of the seizure1 it resembles 8,,the ,,whirlwind20 by its destructiveness1 it causes 8,,desolation20 and from the intensity of the sufferings which it produces1 arise 8,,distress ,,and ,,anguish40 ,god grant that the threatened vengeance be not equally verified2--8,,then ,,shall ,,they ,,call ,,upon ,,me1 ,,but ,i ,,will ,,not ,,answer2 ,,they ,,shall ,,seek ,,me ,,early1 ,,but ,,they ,,shall ,,not ,,find ,,me40 ,oh6 let not any individual risk incurring such a fearful doom by delaying his repentance6 ,the ,lord now calls every one with a voice that all must hear2 ,he has 8bared an arm10 which all must see2 let not any longer refuse1 let not any longer disregard1 lest they should fill up the measure of their iniquity1 and be swept away by the blast of ,divine displeasure6 ,let not any trust to that1 at all times presumptuous1 if not always fallacious1 hope1 a death-bed repentance4 ,that man1 whose existence hangs upon a thread1 which a moment may suffice to snap1 should defer his preparation for death and judgment1 is such an act of madness1 that nothing but a knowledge of its certainty could make a religious mind credit the fact4 ,what6 risk an eternity of joy or misery on the chances of a moment6 for beyond the present moment1 man possesses no security of the continuance of life4 ,and the very presumption which leads him to calculate upon long years to come may call forth that awful sentence1--8,thou fool1 this night thy soul shall be required of thee40 ,but if the postponement of turning and calling upon ,god be1 under ordinary circumstances1 full of presumption and danger1 what is it now in times of pestilence8 ,from the many instances of mortality which encompass us on every side1 8there comes a voice1 which solemn sounding bids the world prepare40 ,the judgments of the ,almighty1--to those who are living in forgetfulness of ,him1 and disobedience to ,his commands1 but have not entirely thrown off ,his service1--speak the language addressed to ,jonah1 8,what meanest thou1 ,o sleeper8 ,arise1 and call upon thy ,god40 #bh;a ,but to those who refuse to turn1 who 8harden their necks against the reproof1 and will have none of the counsel of ,god20 they resemble the characters of flame upon the walls of the palace of ,belshazzar1 which announced the terrible decree1--8,,thou ,,art ,,weighed ,,in ,,the ,,balances1 ,,and ,,art ,,found ,,wanting40 #bh;b ,the ,christian writer1 judging from the experience of the past1 cannot close his eyes to the sad truth1 that there are some whom mercy softens not1 whom threatening warns not1 whom danger alarms not4 ,who amidst manifestations of ,divine wrath1 display hardened unconcern or desperate wickedness4 ,what a striking proof have we here of the effects of sin in hardening the heart1 and deadening the conscience4 ,but let not any imagine that such men will view the approach of the fatal malady without alarm4 ,the bodily anguish will probably supply no parallel to the mental terror1 when they find themselves clutched1 as it were1 in the grasp of the mortal disease which is destroying them4 ,and in the ordinarily brief interval between seizure and that death1 which so often ensues1 if conscience resume her power1 how terrible must be the remorse1 how unutterable the anguish of the affrighted soul1 which sees death1 death eternal in view1 and yet cannot pray3 or if the cry for pardon and help to their long-forgotten ,god1 burst from the quivering lip1 it is the bitter cry of almost despairing terror4 ,sad as are many of the scenes which human life presents in its passage from the cradle to the tomb2 and harrowing to the feelings of beholders as is the sight of corporeal anguish2 how immeasurably do other scenes of human suffering fall short of the union of bodily and mental agony1 often witnessed on the death-bed of terrified guilt6 but still1 to the religious mind1 there are two death-beds still more fearful1 as being more hopeless2 and they are1 when desperate wickedness1 at its last hour1 evinces hardened indifference or blasphemous despair2 when no prayer is offered1 or when curses are mingled with the prayer4 ,may the fear of such death-beds act1 through the grace of ,god1 as a salutary warning to those who are living in sin1 and neglecting to improve the call to repentance sent in mercy3 and let their thoughts extend beyond the present life1 and draw further instruction from the awful truth--that whilst death terminates to impenitent guilt its present sufferings1 it commences others far more terrible4 ,were it permitted to a living man to pass the portals of the dark prison-house of disembodied spirits1 and witness the punishments of the condemned1--the unceasing gnawing of the undying worm1 the unremitting burning of the unquenched fire2--what words could express the joy and thankfulness of that man1 on returning to the land of the living and the place of hope6 ,would he lose a moment in fleeing to the cross of ,christ1 for deliverance from sin1 and refuge from the wrath to come8 ,would he still defer seeking for 8repentance towards ,god1 and faith towards our ,lord ,jesus ,christ80 #cj ,the terrible realities he had witnessed of that state of untried being on which the soul enters at death1 would doubtless haunt his waking and his sleeping hours1 and he would find no rest till ,god1 by his ,spirit1 had spoken peace to his affrighted soul4 ,and then1 long as life lasted1 it would be his daily subject of grateful thanksgiving to his gracious long-suffering ,lord1 that he had borne with his iniquities1 and had not cut him off in the midst of his sins3 but through the ,divine mercy he was allowed on earth 8to praise the ,lord with joyful lips10 instead of 8in hell1 lifting up his eyes1 being in torments40 #ca ,but such a visit to the place of condemned spirits is not necessary to learn all that in our present state of being it concerns us to know4 ,the volume of inspiration has revealed the awful truth1 that an eternity of torments awaits the condemned in a future world4 ,will not1 then1 this suffice to rouse thoughtless and sinful men to a sense of danger8 ,the judgments of the ,almighty now upon the land2 death approaching many under a fearful form2 the presumption and sinfulness of trusting to a late repentance2 the danger of the infliction of judicial blindness2 the horrors of a guilty death-bed2 the torments of the damned1 have all been urged as so many calls to repentance1 and may ,god accompany them with his grace1 that they may not be urged in vain2 but all of these equal not the awfulness and terribleness of ,,an ,,eternity ,,of ,,torment4 ,there is something overpowering in the idea of unmitigated unmitigable woe2 it is so terrific1 that it astounds1 it is so vast1 that it overwhelms the mind3 for the finite faculties of man cannot grasp eternity3 they are lost in the maze of millions of years rolling on in endless succession4 ,but if there be any who have tost1 for one night1 on a bed of suffering2 any who have experienced1 for one hour1 the racking torture of intolerable pain2 let them ask themselves how they would endure1 in the immensity of endless time1 8the worm which dieth not1 and the fire which is not quenched40 ,may this awful consideration have its due weight upon every reader2 may those who have not yet been 8turned from darkness to light1 and from the power of ,satan unto ,god10 obtain grace to seek pardon and peace through the ,saviour who brought life and immortality to light by the ,gospel2 that1 through ,him they may escape 8the fire prepared for the devil and his angels40 #cb;a 8,knowing1 therefore1 the terrors of the ,lord1 we persuade men10 #cb;b says ,st4 ,paul3 who afterwards adds1 8,now1 then1 we are ambassadors for ,christ2 as though ,god did beseech you by us1 we pray you1 in ,christ's stead1 be ye reconciled unto ,god40 #cb;c ,it is thus the ,christian minister declares the denunciations of ,divine vengeance1 and the certainty and eternity of ,divine punishments1 that he may prepare the way for a joyful acceptance of the offers of ,divine mercy4 ,this two-fold duty of the ministerial office1 is beautifully described by ,cowper3 8,there stands the messenger of truth1 there stands ,the legate of the skies6 ,his theme divine1 ,his office sacred1 his credentials clear4 ,by him the violated ,law speaks out ,its thunders3 and by him1 in strains as sweet ,as angels use1 the ,gospel whispers peace40 #cc;a ,the dispensations of the ,almighty are at once the inflictions of his displeasure1 the warnings of his love1 and the invitations of his mercy3 to every sinner they address the enquiry1 8,despisest thou the riches of his goodness1 and forbearance1 and long-suffering1 not knowing that the goodness of ,god leadeth thee to repentance8 ,but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath1 and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god80 #cc;b ,may the ,almighty give his blessing upon the afflictive visitation ,he has sent upon this land1 that sinners may be roused to a sense of their danger1 and brought to embrace thankfully the offers of pardon and salvation1 made through ,christ ,jesus our ,lord6 ,the ,holy ,scriptures present at once the most earnest calls to repentance and the most gracious offers of forgiveness4 8,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked2 but that the wicked turn from his way and live3 turn ye1 turn ye1 from your evil ways1 for why will ye die1 ,o house of ,israel80 #cd;a 8,o house of ,israel1 are not my ways equal1 and are not your ways unequal8 saith the ,lord4 ,therefore ,i will judge you1 ,o house of ,israel1 every one according to his ways1 saith the ,lord ,god4 ,repent1 and turn yourselves from all your transgressions1 so iniquity shall not be your ruin4 ,cast away from you all your transgressions1 whereby ye have transgressed1 and make you a new heart1 and a new spirit2 for why will ye die1 ,o house of ,israel8 for ,i have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth1 saith the ,lord ,god4 ,wherefore1 turn yourselves1 and live ye40 #cd;b 8,come now1 and let us reason together1 saith the ,lord3 though your sins be as scarlet1 they shall be as white as snow2 though they be red like crimson1 they shall be as wool40 #cd;c ,such are some of the invitations of the ,holy ,scriptures to turning and calling upon ,god4 ,let us1 then1 suppose the case of one who is alarmed by the ,divine threatenings2 who1 conscious of his guilt1 sees as it were the gulf of perdition yawning beneath his feet2 but is deterred1 by a sense of the heinousness of his sins1 from seeking the pardon which he despairs of obtaining4 ,how is he to be addressed8 ,the love and mercy of ,god1 as shewn towards a guilty and perishing world1 in the mysterious1 but most gracious1 plan of redemption1 through the ,saviour1 must be pointed out1 and largely dwelt upon4 ,under the severer dispensation of the ,law1 amid the awful splendours of its promulgation1 the ,lord was proclaimed to be 8the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 abundant in goodness and truth2 keeping mercy for thousands1 forgiving iniquity1 transgression1 and sin1 and that will by no means clear the guilty40 #ce;a ,under the ,gospel dispensation1 it is emphatically said1 8,,god ,,is ,,love30 #ce;b that 8,god so loved the world1 that ,he gave ,his only-begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in ,him should not perish1 but have everlasting life40 #ce;c ,let not1 therefore1 the heinousness of past sins1 and the sense of present unworthiness1 deter any from coming to the ,saviour3 for 8,god sent not his ,son into the world to condemn the world1 but that the world through ,him might be saved40 #ce;d ,and that gracious ,saviour has authoritatively declared1 what is the sole condition of acceptance1 through ,his infinite merits3 8,verily1 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 he that believeth on me hath everlasting life30 #ce;e and has tenderly invited all to flee unto ,him who labour under the yoke of sin1 or the burden of sorrow2 8,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy-laden1 and ,i will give you rest3 take my yoke upon you1 and learn of me1 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart2 and ye shall find rest unto your souls3 for my yoke is easy1 and my burden is light40 #cf;a ,before the nativity of our blessed ,lord1 the command was conveyed by an angel1 8,thou shalt call ,his name ,jesus1 for ,he shall save ,his people from their sins40 #cf;b ,agreeably to which1 ,he ,himself says1 8,i am not come to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance40 #cf;c ,and ,st4 ,paul prefaces his delivery of the great truth he was commissioned to teach1 in a manner befitting its importance3 8,this is a true saying1 and worthy of all men to be received1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners40 #cf;d ,if the ,gospel did not contain a free pardon for sin1 little would it be in accordance either with its name1 good news1 or with the proclamation of the heavenly host1 which heralded the birth of the ,messiah3 8,behold1 ,i bring you good tidings of great joy1 which shall be to all people1 for unto you is born this day in the city of ,david1 a ,saviour1 which is ,christ the ,lord40 #cf;e ,to every penitent the promise is addressed--8,him that cometh to ,me1 ,i will in no wise cast out40 #cf;f ,the ,divine mercy towards repentant sinners knows no restrictions2 the cleansing power of the ,saviour's blood1 no limitations4 ,if there be any self-convicted and self-condemned sinner1 still hesitating to throw himself upon the mercy of ,god in ,christ1 let him hear the ,psalmist1 who has represented under the most striking and affecting images1 the love of ,god towards man3 8,the ,lord is full of compassion and mercy2 long-suffering and of great goodness4 ,he will not always be chiding1 neither keepeth ,he his anger for ever4 ,he hath not dealt with us after our sins1 nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses4 ,for look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth1 so great is ,his mercy also toward them that fear ,him4 ,look how wide also the east is from the west1 so far hath ,he set our sins from ,him4 ,yea1 like as a father pitieth his own children1 even so is the ,lord merciful unto them who fear ,him4 ,for ,he knoweth whereof we are made1 ,he remembereth that we are but dust40 #cg;a ,let him hear ,st4 ,john1 who has stated the full extent of ,christ's atoning and mediatorial power3 8,if any man sin1 we have an advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous1 and ,he is the propitiation for our sins2 and not for ours only1 but also for the sins of the whole world40 #cg;b ,let him hear ,st4 ,paul1 who has supplied a sure ground of unfailing trust in ,god3 8,he that spared not ,his own ,son1 but delivered ,him up for us all1 how shall ,he not with ,him also freely give us all things80 #cg;c ,should any one still hesitate to come unto ,christ as their ,saviour1 let him hear ,his merciful expostulation1 8,ye will not come to me that ye might have life40 #ch;a ,let him listen to ,his gracious enquiry1 8,wilt thou be made whole80 ,and if he still cannot persuade himself1 that there is mercy in store for such a sinner as himself1 let him at last draw comfort from the assurance1 that 8the ,son of ,man is come to save that which is lost10 #ch;b and seeks after perishing sinners1 as the faithful shepherd after the sheep which have wandered from the fold4 ,nor is this all3 not only does our gracious ,lord seek after guilty and lost sinners1 but 8likewise there is joy in the presence of the angels of ,god over ,,one ,,sinner that repenteth40 #ch;c ,what a proof have we here of the value of the soul in the sight of ,god6 ,his incarnate ,son dying to redeem it from eternal misery2 when restored to ,his ,father's right hand1 watching over it with constant care2 and seeking1 with tender gentleness1 to bring back the wanderers from the fold of grace3 and when the slave of sin breaks his fetters1 and through grace given unto him1 falls repentant and humbled at the foot of the cross1 then joy is felt in the court of heaven1 and the seraphic choir give praise1 and honour1 and glory1 to 8,him who sitteth on the throne1 and the ,lamb20 #ch;d because a poor sinner has been turned1 by the marvellous grace of the ,gospel1 8from darkness to light1 and from the power of ,satan unto ,god2 that he may receive forgiveness of sins1 and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ,christ ,jesus40 #ci;a ,the gracious and unmerited invitations of ,divine mercy are addressed to all sinners by 8,god our ,saviour1 who will have all men to be saved1 and to come unto the knowledge of the truth40 #ci;b ,let not therefore any one say1 my sins are too great to be forgiven2 this is to limit the atoning efficacy of ,christ's blood1 which is illimitable3 let not any one say1 ,i am not yet fit to come unto ,christ2 this is to mistake the nature of the ,gospel1 which is designed to remedy man's natural unfitness3 but let all betake themselves to ,christ for pardon of past sins1 through ,his blood2 and for strength against future temptations1 through ,his grace4 ,nor let it be thought that these observations apply only to gross sinners4 ,one description of man's natural condition1 and only one1 applies to the whole human race2--8,all have sinned and come short of the glory of ,god30 and one means of restoration to the lost favour of ,god1 and only one1 is offered to the whole human race2--the 8being justified freely by ,his grace1 through the redemption that is in ,jesus ,christ3 whom ,god has set forth to be a propitiation1 through faith in ,his blood1 to declare ,his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past1 through the forbearance of ,god40 #dj;a ,those who refuse to come unto ,christ as sinners1 stand self-excluded from all benefit of ,his atonement4 ,to such the ,saviour addresses the words1--8,because thou sayest ,i am rich1 and increased with goods1 and have need of nothing2 and knowest not that thou art wretched1 and miserable1 and poor1 and blind1 and naked4 ,i counsel thee to buy of ,,me gold tried in the fire1 that thou mayest be rich2 and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed1 and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear2 and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see40 #dj;b ,man's natural weakness and sinfulness is the fundamental truth on which the ,christian plan of redemption is built2 for if he had possessed inherent power to overcome his natural depravity1 and keep the commandments of ,god1 the sacrifice of ,christ would not have been necessary for the atonement of his sins1 and for his escape from eternal condemnation4 ,did we not know that pride1 based upon a poor and defective system of morality1 generally shows the most decided hostility to the humbling doctrines of the ,gospel1 it would hardly be believed that any would refuse to come to ,christ as sinners4 ,how much at variance are such self-righteous feelings with the spirit of the confession of our ,church1 in which1 under the appropriate and affecting figure of sheep wandered from the fold1 we are accustomed to entreat the pity1 protection1 and guidance1 of the great 8,shepherd of our souls40 ,there are two considerations1 however1 which may1 with the ,divine blessing1 if duly weighed1 bring such persons to the foot of the cross with deep self-abasement and acknowledgment of sin3 one is1 that in the ,gospel the motive determines the value of an action2 and the ,christian's motive is1 to do all to the glory of ,god3 the other is1 that man is accountable1 not only for his actions1 but for his omissions2 not only for every idle word1 but for every sinful wish2 nay1 more1 for every impure thought indulged and cherished4 ,let those who think their failings few and venial1 their merits great1 and deserving of reward1 apply to their lives these two great tests of ,christian holiness--praying1 at the same time1 to 8the ,father of lights10 for grace and knowledge3 and if they be not brought to admit1 that 8in many things we offend all20 #da if it be not the language of their hearts1 8,we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness1 which we1 from time to time1 most grievously have committed1 by thought1 word1 and deed1 against thy ,divine ,majesty1 provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us20--they are ignorant of the spirit of the ,gospel1 and far from the kingdom of ,god4 ,for1 like the ,jews of old1 8they have a zeal of ,god1 but not according to knowledge3 for they1 being ignorant of ,god's righteousness1 and going about to establish their own righteousness1 have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of ,god4 ,for ,christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth40 #db;a 8,that no flesh should glory in ,his presence4 ,but of ,him are ye in ,christ ,jesus1 who of ,god is made unto us wisdom1 and righteousness1 and sanctification1 and redemption2 that1 according as it is written1 he that glorieth1 let him glory in the ,lord40 #db;b ,to true believers1 8,,christ ,,is ,,all ,,in ,,all30 #db;c on ,his atonement they rest for pardon before ,god2 on ,his grace they rely for strength2 and to ,his merits they trust for salvation4 ,their truly ,christian hope is built upon a lively faith2 they believe 8that man is very far gone from original righteousness1 and is of his own nature inclined to evil1 so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit1 and therefore in every person born into this world1 it deserveth ,god's wrath and damnation40 #db;d ,that 8the condition of man1 after the fall of ,adam1 is such1 that he cannot turn and prepare himself1 by his own natural strength and good works1 to faith and calling upon ,god2 wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to ,god1 without the grace of ,god by ,christ preventing us1 that we may have a good will1 and working with us when we have that good will40 #dc;a 8,that we are accounted righteous before ,god1 only for the merit of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ by faith1 and not for our own works and deservings3 wherefore that we are justified by faith only1 is a most wholesome doctrine1 and very full of comfort40 #dc;b ,and 8albeit that good works1 which are the fruits of faith1 and follow after justification1 cannot put away our sins1 and endure the severity of ,god's judgments2 yet are they pleasing and acceptable to ,god in ,christ1 and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith2 insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit40 #dc;c ,such are the four ,articles of the ,church of ,england which declare man's natural corruption2 his just exposure to ,divine condemnation2 his means of restoration to ,god's favour2 the meritorious cause of his salvation2 and the inseparable union of faith and good works4 ,from which may be drawn these two fundamental principles of the ,christian faith--salvation1 alone through the all-sufficient merits of ,christ2 and sanctification1 alone through the renewing power of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,man is1 in every respect1 a dependent being3 the same ,almighty ,power which formed his body from the dust of the earth1 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life2 can alone enlighten1 renew1 and sanctify his soul4 ,thus faith--which is the rock on which the ,church of ,christ is built1 and without which we shall never believe the promises1 accept the offers1 or attain the salvation of the ,gospel--is the gift of ,god1 and wrought in our souls by the ,holy ,spirit4 ,united with faith is true repentance1 which is no less the work of grace2 for unless ,god enlighten the understanding1 there will be no just sense of sin2 unless ,he soften the heart1 there will be no contrition3 and from a true repentance there always springs holy obedience1 which is also produced by the ,spirit3 for the same blessed ,power which enlightens the darkness of the understanding and softens the hardness of the heart1 also rectifies the perversion of the will1 and sanctifies the corruption of the affections1 that the believer may know1 choose1 obey1 and love1 the way of godliness4 ,and thus we arrive at that blessed change in the life of a penitent1 when he becomes 8a new creature in ,christ ,jesus10 when 8old things have passed away1 and behold all things have become new20 when he has 8put on the new man1 which after ,god is created in righteousness and true holiness40 ,the renewal and sanctification of the soul is the only sure ground on which the ,christian can build his unfailing hope of salvation4 ,not that any may presume to limit the extent of the ,divine mercy1 or state a definite time for the operations of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the first is as boundless as it is unsearchable2 the second may be as instantaneous as it is incomprehensible4 ,thus much we know with certainty1 that when that most encouraging call to repentance was addressed to the ,jewish people1--8,let the wicked forsake his way1 and the unrighteous man his thoughts2 and let him return unto the ,lord1 and ,he will have mercy upon him2 and to our ,god1 for ,he will abundantly pardon20--there was added1 8,for my thoughts are not your thoughts1 neither are your ways my ways1 saith the ,lord3 for as the heavens are higher than the earth1 so are my ways higher than your ways1 and my thoughts than your thoughts40 #de ,still1 all who have time and opportunity must prove the sincerity of their repentance1 and the soundness of their faith by the holiness of their practice4 ,nor can it be too earnestly insisted upon1 that it is only by the gift of a new and holier nature1 man can rise above the pleasures of sense and things of time1 and set his affections on the joys of immortality2 and that the new and holier nature is implanted1 when the gracious promise is fulfilled--8,i will give them one heart1 and ,i will put a new spirit within you2 and ,i will take the stony heart out of their flesh1 and will give them an heart of flesh3 that they may walk in my statutes1 and keep mine ordinances1 and do them3 and they shall be my people1 and ,i will be their ,god40 #df;a ,it is to the use of palliatives much of the insincere repentance and imperfect reformation of men is to be ascribed4 ,when their fears are alarmed1 they set about correcting some flagrant sins1 and it may be1 become outwardly moral1 and even attentive to religious duties2 but the renewal of the heart1 through grace1 and the dedication of its affections to ,god1 are never thought of2 and yet they are satisfied with this condition4 ,such persons are only to be roused by preaching conversion or condemnation4 ,they must be taught to pray1 with repentant ,david1 8,make me a clean heart1 ,o ,god1 and renew a right spirit within me4 ,cast me not away from thy presence2 and take not thy ,holy ,spirit from me4 ,o give me the comfort of thy help again1 and stablish me with thy free ,spirit40 #df;b ,the great work of the renewal and sanctification of the soul is ordinarily accomplished by a progressive growth in grace2 during which1 the believer is gradually enabled to obtain the mastery over the corrupt affections of his nature1 to acquire the graces and perform the duties of the ,christian character1 and 8to set his affections on things above10 ever 8pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus10 #dg;a and endeavouring to 8come in the unity of the faith1 and of the knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 unto a perfect man1 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ40 #dg;b ,in the life of some of those who have been 8brought up in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord10 #dg;c and have never departed from serving their ,god1 there may be no clearly defined transitions1 no strongly-marked shades1 in the harmoniously-blended colours1 in which has been traced the even tenor of their way4 ,but such cases are probably rare--for those who attain to a very high degree of spiritual-mindedness1 can generally fix upon some definite period in their religious life1 when they obtained clearer views of their personal unworthiness1 and of the holiness of ,god's law2 of the insufficiency of the things of earth to minister to the wants of an immortal soul2 and of the inestimable value of the 8treasure in heaven10 than they ever possessed before2 and when they learnt to rely on their ,lord more confidently1 to love ,him more devotedly1 to advance ,his cause more zealously1 and to obey ,him more steadily and implicitly4 ,in the case of those1 who have either deserted the ,god of their youth for a 8world lying in wickedness10 but1 like the prodigal1 upon abandoning its vices and follies1 have been received and pardoned by a merciful ,father2 or who have been brought up in ignorance of religion1 but have been plucked like a brand from the burning1 by one of those afflictive dispensations which ,god often sends in mercy to awaken sinners2 the time and circumstances of their conversion #dh;a will be clearly marked and ever remembered3 8it is too momentous an event10 observes ,paley1 in writing of such conversions1 8to be forgot3 a man might as easily forget his escape from a shipwreck40 #dh;b ,the knowledge of the time1 however1 when conversion takes place1 is principally of importance1 as far as it goes to establish the fact1 the certainty of which must always be determined by the effects produced2 for it is easy in this1 as in every other particular of religious experience1 to be deceived4 ,but there can be no deception when the believer is at once conscious of a change in his heart1 and exhibits a reformation in his life2 for then he may say1 this ,i know1 that whereas ,i was dead1 now am ,i alive in the ,lord3 he possesses an internal witness to his being born of ,god2--8,whosoever believeth that ,jesus is the ,christ1 is born of ,god20 8,he that believeth on the ,son of ,god1 hath the witness--in himself20 and ,his life affords external proof of his sonship2--8,whosoever is born of ,god1 sinneth not40 #di;a ,he rejoices1 therefore1 in the glorious privileges of the ,gospel1 through which 8there is1 therefore1 now no condemnation to them which are in ,christ ,jesus1 who walk not after the flesh but after the ,spirit20 through which1 8as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 are the sons of ,god20 #di;b and through which1 8the ,spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits1 that we are the children of ,god2 and if children1 then heirs of ,god1 and joint heirs with ,christ ,jesus40 ,let1 then1 the reformed examine strictly into their lives1 as to whether they exhibit decisive proofs of a genuine conversion2 of conversion1 not used in its limited sense1 as implying a sudden or even violent change1 but in the more extended sense1 of a recovery from sin1 and of a full development of the ,christian character3--a conversion which1 in its completion1 is equivalent to the renewal of the soul in righteousness2 the progress of which may be1 in some1 so gradual1 as almost to be imperceptible1 but must be1 in all1 so certain1 as to be unquestionable4 ,let those1 who1 through the grace of ,god1 have endeavoured to live ever mindful of their baptismal engagements1 and duly sensible of the blessed privileges of the ,christian covenant1 institute a no less rigid examination into their lives1 as to how far they manifest a continued growth in grace2 an increasing in every good word and work2 a growing conformity to the example of ,christ2 a visible ripening for heaven2 and a gradual restoration of the lost image of ,god in the soul4 ,and what is to be said to those who have either never learnt1 or have wilfully violated1 their baptismal engagements2 and during a long course of sin1 have neglected1 disobeyed1 and forgotten ,god1 whose calls to repentance they still disregard8 ,the same language must be addressed to the habitual1 as was applied to the externally reformed sinner2--whose heart was still the seat of vain or impure desires1 of base or malignant passions2--,,conversion or ,,condemnation4 8,of the persons in our congregations10 says ,paley1 8to whom we not only may1 but must1 preach the doctrine of conversion1 plainly and directly1 are those1 who with the name indeed of ,christians1 have hitherto passed their lives without any internal religion whatever2 who have not at all thought upon the subject2 who1 a few easy and customary forms excepted 7and which with them are mere forms71 cannot truly say of themselves1 that they have done one action1 which they would not have done equally1 if there had been no such thing as a ,god in the world2 or that they have ever sacrificed any passion1 any present enjoyment1 or even any inclination of their minds to the restraints and prohibitions of religion2 with whom1 indeed1 religious motives have not weighed a feather in the scale against interest or pleasure4 ,to these it is utterly necessary that we preach conversion40 #ea;a 8,the next description of persons to whom we must preach conversion1 properly so called1 are those who allow themselves in the course and habit of some particular sin1 with more or less regularity in other articles of behaviour2 there is some particular sin1 which they practise constantly and habitually1 and allow themselves in that practice4 ,other sins they strive against1 but in this they allow themselves4 ,now no man can go on in this course consistently with the hope of salvation2 therefore1 it must be broken off4 ,the essential and precise difference between a child of ,god and another is1 that the true child of ,god allows himself in no sin whatever2 cost what it may1 he contends against1 he combats all sin2 which he certainly cannot be said to do1 who is still in the course and habit of some particular sin2 for as to that sin1 he reserves it1 he compromises it4 ,here then we must preach conversion40 #ea;b 8,in these two cases1 therefore1 men must be converted and live1 or remain unconverted and die40 #ea;c ,let then all those who are living in ignorance of the spirit1 and consequently in neglect of the obligations of the ,gospel1 lay this to heart2 and let them not imagine that it is only intended to alarm their fears4 ,the scoffer1 the profane1 the sceptic1 and the infidel1 can hope for nothing through a ,gospel which they ridicule1 despise1 or reject4 ,but the gay1 the thoughtless1 and the proud--the worldly1 the avaricious1 and the sensual--the malicious1 the censorious1 and the envious--all profess to believe the ,gospel2 and the lukewarm1 the self-righteous1 and hypocritical1 pretend to make it their rule of life4 8,to the law1 and to the testimony10 to see whether these must all be converted or condemned4 8,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven1 but he that doeth the will of my ,father which is in heaven4 ,many will say unto me in that day1 ,lord1 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in ,thy name1 and in ,thy name have cast out devils1 and in ,thy name done many wonderful works8 ,and then will ,i profess unto them1 ,i never knew you2 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity40 #eb;a ,it appears1 therefore1 possible to exercise some of the highest functions of ,christianity1 and yet to be cast away4 8,not the hearers of the law are just before ,god1 but the doers of the law shall be justified40 #eb;b 8,be ye doers of the word1 and not hearers only1 deceiving your own selves40 #eb;c ,hence1 then1 we learn the worthlessness of a mere profession of the ,gospel4 8,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world3 if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him40 #ec;a ,here we are taught the incompatibility of the love of the world with the love of ,god4 8,now the works of the flesh are manifest1 which are these2--adultery1 fornication1 uncleanness1 lasciviousness1 idolatry1 witchcraft1 hatred1 variance1 emulations1 wrath1 strife1 seditions1 heresies1 envyings1 murders1 drunkenness1 revellings1 and such like3 of the which ,i tell you before1 as ,i have also told you in time past1 that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god40 #ec;b ,this fearful catalogue of offences1 which exclude from heaven1 passes sentence of condemnation upon all who live in the indulgence of any known sin4 ,from these1 and many other passages of ,scripture1 as well as from its general tenor1 we arrive at the conclusion1 that the various classes of men which have been described1 are all exposed to the righteous judgment of ,god1 ready to be revealed at the last day4 ,they bear the ,christian name1 it is true1 but that is all they possess of a blessed dispensation1 which was ushered in by the preaching of repentance3--8,the time is fulfilled1 and the kingdom of ,god is at hand1 repent ye and believe the ,gospel20 #ec;c and which has always imposed upon its converts personal holiness1 as a universal obligation1 and inseparable from its promises and rewards2 8,wherefore follow holiness1 without which no man shall see the ,lord40 #ed;a 8,for the grace of ,god that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men1 teaching us1 that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts1 we should live soberly1 righteously1 and godly1 in this present world2 looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great ,god and our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ2 who gave ,himself for us1 that ,he might redeem us from all iniquity1 and purify unto ,himself a peculiar people1 zealous of good works40 #ed;b ,as being destitute1 therefore1 of the essentials of the ,christian faith1 the powerful writer1 who has already been quoted at such great length1 says1 8these persons are really in as unconverted a state as any ,jew or ,gentile could be in our ,saviour's time4 ,they are no more ,christians1 as to any actual benefit of ,christianity to their souls1 than the most hardened ,jew1 or the most profligate ,gentile1 was in the age of the ,gospel4 ,as to any difference in the two cases1 the difference is all against them4 ,these must be converted before they can be saved4 ,the course of their thoughts must be changed3 the very principles upon which they act must be changed4 ,considerations which never1 or hardly ever1 entered into their minds1 must deeply and perpetually engage them4 ,views and motives1 which did not influence them at all1 either as checks from doing evil1 or as inducements to do good1 must become the views and motives which they regularly consult1 and by which they are guided2--that is to say1 there must be a revolution of principle3 the visible conduct will follow the change1 but there must be a revolution within40 ,these observations are made by ,paley1 with reference to those persons 8who have hitherto passed their lives without any internal religion whatever20 with whom1 in short1 religion has not been the rule of life4 ,oh6 that the countless multitudes within this kingdom1 to whom this description applies1 and who are living regardless1 if not ignorant1 of the eternal condemnation impending over their unconverted souls1 8would be wise and consider their latter end40 ,oh that they would be persuaded to learn from the word of ,god1 what the holy name which they bear requires of them2 and consider what the vows made in baptism bind them to1 if they wish to be partakers of the precious benefits purchased for his faithful servants by ,christ1 at the costly price of his blood4 8,ye do err1 not knowing the ,scriptures10 is a reproof which applies to them all4 ,for1 unfortunately1 the generality of men are content to receive from others all they know of religion3 they do not enquire for themselves2 but willingly acquiesce in the most indulgent views of human duty4 ,and if they do sometimes read the ,bible1 yet they do not study it1 and pray over it1 with an anxious desire to be brought to a knowledge of the truth2 with a firm determination to receive the truth1 however unpleasant1 however opposed to their present opinions2 and with a resolution1 not suddenly taken1 but after mature and anxious deliberation1 and not formed in dependence upon themselves1 but upon ,divine grace1 to build their faith and practice on its holy doctrines and precepts4 ,to all such1 however1 we would say1 8,this do1 and ye shall live30 let the time past of your lives suffice to have past in ignorance or neglect of ,god's gracious revelation to man2 now delay not longer3 8,the night is far spent1 the day is at hand20 may the day-spring from on high visit you1 and the day-star arise in your hearts to give light to you1 who1 whilst the beams of the ,sun of ,righteousness are shining around you1 are still lying in darkness and the shadow of death4 8,search the ,scriptures10 and learn from them1 and not from the opinions and conduct of men1 what is the hope of the ,christian calling2 search the ,scriptures1 and from them learn1 that ye must repent or die eternally4 ,may the profane1 the scoffer1 and the sceptic1 have the veil of darkness removed from their understandings1 by which 8the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not1 lest the light of the glorious ,gospel of ,christ1 who is the image of ,god1 should shine unto them40 #eg;a ,may they not be left in wilful blindness1 until that terrible day1 when the enemies of the ,lord shall find1 to their everlasting confusion1 that 8the wrath of ,god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men1 who hold the truth in unrighteousness2 because that which is known of ,god is manifest in them2 for ,god hath shewed it unto them4 ,for the invisible things of ,him from the creation of the world1 are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made1 even ,his eternal power and ,godhead3 so that they are without excuse3 because that1 when they knew ,god1 they glorified ,him not as ,god1 neither were thankful2 but became vain in their imaginations1 and their foolish heart was darkened3 professing themselves to be wise1 they became fools40 ,may --8,the gay1 licentious1 proud1 ,whom pleasure1 power1 and affluence surround10 learn 8how hardly shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of ,god60 #eg;b ,for they too often forget they are ,god's stewards1 and accountable for all they possess4 ,the day will come when to all of them will be addressed the command1 8,give an account of thy stewardship20 and how terrible will be their lot1 should they1 8having been unfaithful in the unrighteous mammon10 lose 8the true riches10--treasure in heaven4 ,our ,lord himself has said1 8,no servant can serve two masters2 for either he will hate the one and love the other1 or else he will hold to the one and despise the other4 ,ye cannot serve ,god and mammon40 #eh;a ,they1 therefore1 who in their day of trial have forgotten that their rank or affluence are so many talents1 for which they are to give account to their ,master in heaven1 must expect fearful retribution1 unless1 while the day of grace remaineth1 they obtain pardon and peace through their long-neglected ,lord4 ,let them now learn that the friendship of the world--whose smile they have courted1 whose honours they have coveted1 whose pleasures they have enjoyed--8is enmity with ,god40 8,for all that is in the world1 the lust of the flesh1 and the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life1 is not of the ,father1 but is of the world4 ,and the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof3 but he that doeth the will of ,god abideth for ever40 #eh;b ,may the avaricious and the sensual1 whose grovelling1 sordid1 and impure minds1 have not a thought1 a wish1 beyond this earth1 where they would willingly live for ever2 see their sin and folly before it be too late4 ,let them hear the awful denunciations of ,scripture2 and may that ,scripture1 through ,god's grace1 bring conviction to their minds and repentance to their hearts4 8,go to now1 ye rich men1 weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you4 ,your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten4 ,your gold and silver is cankered1 and the rust of them shall be a witness against you2 and shall eat your flesh as it were fire3 ye have heaped treasure together for the last day40 #ei;a 8,they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare1 and into many foolish and hurtful lusts1 which drown men in destruction and perdition40 #ei;b 8,dearly beloved1 ,i beseech you1 as strangers and pilgrims1 abstain from fleshly lusts1 which war against the soul40 #ei;c 8,for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the ,gentiles1 when we walked in lasciviousness1 lusts1 excess of wine1 revellings1 banquetings1 and abominable idolatries40 #ei;d 8,let no man deceive you with vain words2 for because of these things cometh the wrath of ,god upon the children of disobedience40 #ei;e ,may those who now rise up early1 and late take rest1 and eat the bread of carefulness1 that they may increase their worldly store1 receive grace 8to lay up treasure in heaven10 not 8trusting in uncertain riches1 but in the living ,god1 who giveth us richly all things to enjoy30 #fj;a and may those who1 placing few or no restraints upon the appetites and passions of their animal nature1 ardently pursue impure1 debasing1 and guilty pleasures1 have their souls so sanctified1 through the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 that1 8cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit1 perfecting holiness in the fear of ,god10 #fj;b they may desire only 8the joys unspeakable1 and full of glory1 which are at ,god's right hand for evermore40 ,and may the envious1 the censorious1 and the malicious1 who cherish in their hearts hostility and malignity towards their fellows1 acquire the spirit of ,christian charity6 ,for 8charity suffereth long and is kind2 charity envieth not2 charity vaunteth not itself1 is not puffed up1 doth not behave itself unseemly2 seeketh not her own1 is not easily provoked1 thinketh no evil2 rejoiceth not in iniquity1 but rejoiceth in the truth40 ,there exist no passions in the human breast1 which in every age have excited so much scorn and reprobation amongst generous and noble spirits as envy and malice3 there is a meanness in them which renders them contemptible2 there is a malignity which makes them detestable3 the virtuous heathen1 therefore1 viewed them with contemptuous indignation2 but the ,christian must mourn over such bitter fruits of an unchristian temper2 he must admonish those who foster them1 that these sins of the heart1 as more difficult to be repented of1 are more likely to exclude from heaven than the failings which they gloat upon with secret pleasure1 and publish with malicious satisfaction4 ,the sins of uncharitableness cannot but be peculiarly odious in the sight of ,him1 whose religion inculcates the purest and kindest spirit of brotherly love1 and who has made our forgiving our brother his trespasses1 the ground of our asking the forgiveness of our own4 ,we are1 therefore1 strongly and repeatedly warned in ,scripture against anger1 envy1 hatred1 revenge1 and malice2 whilst the opposite virtues are urged upon us with equal force of exhortation and tenderness of entreaty4 8,i1 therefore1 the prisoner of the ,lord1 beseech you1 that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called1 with all lowliness and meekness1 with long-suffering1 forbearing one another in love2 endeavouring to keep the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace40 8,let all bitterness1 and wrath1 and anger1 and clamour1 and evil-speaking1 be put away from you1 with all malice1 and be ye kind one to another1 tender-hearted1 forgiving one another1 even as ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 hath forgiven you40 #fa ,let such1 therefore1 remembering that their only hope of forgiveness consists in their obtaining grace to overcome their uncharitable temper and habits1 hear also and obey the similar admonition of another apostle3 8,wherefore1 laying aside all malice1 and all guile1 and hypocrisies1 and envies1 and all evil-speaking2 as newborn babes1 desire the sincere milk of the word1 that ye may grow thereby40 #fb ,may all those who make a decided profession of religion1 but whose heart is not right before the ,lord2 the lukewarm1 the self-righteous1 and the hypocritical2 learn that ,god will never accept of a divided heart2 that ,he will never approve of a self-righteous spirit1 and will never receive the incense of feigned lips4 ,hypocrisy must be peculiarly offensive1 as it is peculiarly insulting1 to the ,majesty of an omniscient and omnipresent ,god4 ,that one of his creatures should dare to make ,his name or service a cloak to cover his selfish and worldly views2 should profess a great reverence for ,him1 only to secure the applause1 or procure the assistance of men1 is at once such a bold and impious fraud1 as must excite the displeasure1 and call down the vengeance of an insulted and offended ,deity4 ,what6 shall the weak and miserable creature who has been graciously allowed to approach his great ,creator1 and 8tell out his wants and unburden his sorrows to ,him in prayer10--shall he pervert to his base ends this high and holy privilege1 and 8make long prayers1 that he may be seen of men60 ,such a fearful profanation resembles that of ,belshazzar1 when he used1 at his unholy banquet1 the sacred vessels taken from the ,temple at ,jerusalem1 and with them gave honour to his false gods4 #fc ,for the hypocrite1 who worships in the sanctuary to advance his worldly interest1 is employing the holy ordinances of the ,lord in the service of ,belial1 who is his god4 ,it may be hoped that hypocrisy of this impious nature is rare2 but neither its criminality nor its extent are sufficiently regarded by men in general4 ,for what1 in reality1 are all who make merely an outward profession of religion8 they are all hypocrites3 they do not attend religious worship to offer their sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to their ,preserver and ,benefactor2 but they pretend to do so2 and perhaps might consider themselves unjustly stigmatised1 if the real cause of their being in the courts of the ,lord's house was stated to be1 either regard for reputation1 to set an example1 general custom1 or the force of habit4 ,but if men go not to the house of prayer for worship--and those who make merely an outward profession of religion cannot be sincere in offering up any prayers--it remains that some other motive must have drawn them there2 and whatever that may be1 as the real but not ostensible motive1 it stamps them as hypocrites4 ,there also are1 it may be feared1 other hypocrites1 of a very different description1 who lay claim to more religion than they possess2 and1 in the cause of the ,lord of ,hosts1 profess more zeal for ,his honour than they feel4 ,all such--more especially if they assume a character of which they know themselves to be totally unworthy1 seeking to gratify their pride or advance their interests2 for then they are hypocrites of the worst description2--expose themselves to the righteous displeasure of the ,lord4 ,may men1 therefore1 learn1 that the profession of religion1 without regard to its principles1 will1 sooner or later1 bring down upon them swift and sudden destruction2 for 8the prayer of the wicked is an abomination unto the ,lord10 when 8they take the law of ,god into their mouths1 but hate to be reformed in their hearts40 ,and whilst their principles must always correspond with their profession1 their practice must be in accordance with both4 ,the repentance of the hypocrite is extremely difficult3 he has profaned1 to his own ungodly purposes1 all the means of grace2 and sometimes1 so perfect becomes the delusion of lengthened deception1 he almost believes himself really to be the character he has falsely assumed4 ,nothing but ,divine grace can rescue him from his alarming state2 for he resembles one who has himself poisoned the wholesome aliment intended for his sustenance2 still the ,great ,physician of souls is a sure refuge4 ,may he1 through ,him1 obtain mercy and pardon1 and escape having 8his portion with the hypocrites1 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth40 ,amongst the ,pharisees it appears1 from the severe reproofs our blessed ,lord directed against them1 that both an hypocritical and self-righteous spirit prevailed to a great extent4 ,such will ever be the case where the forms are substituted for the spirit of religion4 ,it will then quickly degenerate into a number of lifeless observances1 and the shadow of the religion will remain whilst the substance will be lost4 ,self-righteousness1 in this day1 rests nearly upon the same foundation as in the time of our ,saviour4 ,amongst ourselves it is often built upon the groundwork of regularity and strictness in religious observances1 and of belonging to a particular sect or party4 ,it is often characterised by an appearance of much self-complacency and spiritual pride2 still it is at the same time distinguished generally by a correct standard of morals1 a due regard for decorum1 and a strict attention to religious duties4 ,alas6 every one must lament that the spirit is wanting which will give acceptability to these services in the sight of ,god3 for 8thus saith the high and lofty ,one1 that inhabiteth eternity1 whose name is ,holy3 ,i dwell in the high and holy place2 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit2 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones40 #ff;a ,there exists not in the heart of man a feeling more perfectly irreconcileable with his corrupt and fallen nature1 than spiritual pride4 ,in the first place1 8who maketh thee to differ from another8 and what hast thou that thou didst not receive8 ,now if thou didst receive it1 why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it80 #ff;b ,and in the second1 8,who can tell how oft he offendeth8 ,o cleanse thou me from my secret faults6 ,keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins1 lest they get the dominion over me3 so shall ,i be undefiled1 and innocent from the great offence40 #ff;c ,one of the first ,christian virtues is humility2 and he must be equally ignorant of his own heart and of the spirit of the ,gospel1 who prides himself upon his excellences1 instead of lamenting his deficiencies4 ,a deep consciousness of personal unworthiness2 a fearful sense of his little progress in holiness1 in comparison with the advantages which have been afforded to him2 a humble thankfulness that ,god has enabled him to advance some way in his ,christian calling2 and an entire dependence on his ,saviour for grace1 for strength1 and guidance1 for the time to come1 generally characterize those most favoured servants of the ,lord who have reached the highest attainments in piety1 and best served their generation4 ,may the self-righteous receive grace 8to learn of ,him0 who was 8meek and lowly of heart10 and then they will find present and eternal 8rest unto their souls40 8,how long halt ye between two opinions80 was the indignant enquiry addressed to the ,israelites by the ,prophet ,elijah3 8,if the ,lord be ,god1 follow ,him2 if ,baal1 then follow him40 #fg ,in every age there have been too many lukewarm in religion1 to whom the same enquiry might be addressed1 for there has ever been the same disposition to make a compromise between ,god and ,mammon4 ,they are unwilling to forfeit all hope of the fair 8inheritance of the saints in light20 they are afraid to encounter the awful terrors of the blackness of darkness for ever2 still the world1 with its seductive pleasured and engrossing cares1 takes a strong hold upon the heart1 and is like a withering blight upon the blossoms and fruit of genuine piety4 ,there is no vitality of religious principle1 and no consistency of religious conduct4 ,they profess the ,gospel1 it is true2 but they are desirous to accommodate it to their own views and wishes1 that it may not interfere with their worldly advantage1 not interrupt their present enjoyments4 ,but such a cold and calculating spirit1 which appears ever to ask1 8,how little can ,i do1 and yet get to heaven80 has nothing in it of the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,our blessed ,lord employs1 in the ,revelations1 terms expressive of the most contemptuous rejection of the works of the ,church of ,laodicea1 because it was 8lukewarm1 and neither cold nor hot40 #fh;a ,the whole tenor of ,scripture inculcates the duty of obedience to 8the first and great commandment0--8,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy mind40 #fh;b ,and they can know little of the glorious and blessed privileges of the children of ,god by adoption and grace1 who do not habitually look up to ,him as 8a reconciled ,father in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord20 who do not cry with humble but firm and confiding faith1 8,abba1 ,father20 and who do not obey1 with willing and joyful readiness1 the command1 8,my ,son1 give me thine heart1 and let thine eyes observe my ways40 ,there is a necessary union between adoption and grace1 between grace and holiness1 between holiness and love3 8as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 they are the sons of ,god30 8,ye are not in the flesh1 but in the ,spirit1 if so be that the ,spirit of ,god dwell in you30 8,the fruit of the ,spirit is love1 joy1 peace40 ,they1 therefore1 who do not manifest in their hearts and lives those blessed proofs of the indwelling of the ,spirit1 renewed minds1 sanctified affections1 and holy obedience1 cannot be said to 8walk after the ,spirit40 8,now if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his30 he is 8carnally minded20 and 8to be carnally minded is death20 8because the carnal mind is enmity against ,god1 for it is not subject to the law of ,god1 neither indeed can be4 ,so then they that are in the flesh cannot please ,god40 ,oh1 how does the faithful servant of the ,lord mourn over the lukewarm in religion1 a class which may sometimes embrace those dearest to him on earth--united to him by the closest ties of blood--by the sweetest bonds of affection4 ,he feels for them1 for he remembers the time when he had 8set his affections on things of earth30 ,he estimates fully the difficulties they have to surmount1 for he knows how hard it is to 8set the affections on things above40 ,for this world invites us1 through the medium of the senses1 with objects present1 visible1 and palpable2 but it is only by the power of abstraction1 and through the medium of faith1 we can even contemplate the future invisible and unpalpable realities of a spiritual world1 whose rewards and joys are covered with a veil which revelation has only raised so far as to show1 that whilst their nature transcends the power of human conception1 their extent exceeds the limits of human comprehension4 ,he fears1 therefore1 lest1 bewildered by the false glare of earthly attractions1 they may never be able to fix the steady eye of faith upon what human 8eye hath not seen1 nor hath it entered into the heart of men to conceive20 he fears lest1 still impelled forward in the broad way of destruction by semblances of happiness1 as alluring but as illusive as the mirage of the desert1 they may never enter upon the narrow and often thorny path of life1 which leads to the ,zion of our ,god4 ,how earnestly1 therefore1 does he entreat them not longer to linger in the outward courts1 but to enter at once into the temple of our faith2 not longer to starve themselves with 8the beggarly elements of the ,law10 to which they secretly cling1 but to refresh and invigorate their souls with the 8rich mercies0 of the ,gospel dispensation1 which supplies every want1 and satisfies every desire1 when fully understood1 firmly believed1 thankfully received1 and implicitly obeyed4 ,for it is not generally that they seek to escape the obligations to personal holiness1 for they are moral men3 it is not that they wish to avoid the observances of religion1 for they are regular in their attendance on divine ordinances2 but they will not submit themselves to the sole guidance of that ,holy ,spirit which can alone consecrate their prayers and sanctify their obedience4 ,their case is stated by ,st4 ,paul in a few words3 they have 8the form without the power of godliness20 and being destitute of its power1 they enjoy not its present consolations1--they will possess not its future rewards1 unless1 by the transforming influence of divine grace1 they are enabled to give their1 at present1 divided hearts to ,god4 ,a merely formal profession of the ,gospel never yet supplied comfort in the hour of affliction--never cheered the sufferings of the bed of pain--never took away the fear of death4 ,it may be1 that when the understanding is blinded1 or the heart hardened1 exhausted nature sometimes willingly seeks relief from present suffering in death2 but such is an awful sign of spiritual insensibility4 ,when the conscience is fully awake1 and the mind1 in full possession of its powers1 is conscious of the rapid approach of death2 the ,gospel of ,christ alone has power to divest the destroyer of his terrors by robbing him of his sting1 and the grave of its victory4 ,still it is only a heartfelt profession of the ,gospel1 in which the approval of the understanding1 and the desire of the heart1 accompany the utterance of the lips1 from which issue no lifeless words1 but the earnest prayer for mercy and forgiveness for faith and hope1 for sanctification and submission2 which1 proving that grace is employed in its blessed and holy work of the soul's renewal1 supports and comforts in that awful hour1 when the soul is preparing to meet its ,god and ,saviour4 ,oh that this consideration may have its due weight to rouse the lukewarm from their state of apathy6 ,can they imagine that their languid and lifeless services will be acceptable in the sight of that ,god1 who is ,himself love1 and whose motive1 in offering them eternal life1 is love8 ,can they suppose their weak faith in the ,saviour1 their cold reception of ,his inestimable blessings1 will satisfy ,him1 who referred the ignominious and painful death ,he endured to the greatness of ,his love1--8greater love hath no man than this1 that a man lay down his life for his friends40 #gb ,if1 in the various relations of social life1 the little services of affection are valued infinitely higher than the more costly benefits which spring only from a cold sense of duty3--if the willing obedience1 the watchful attention1 and the tender offices of love are prized1 beyond all comparison1 above the forced submission1 the reluctant compliance1 and the unwilling attendance of fear3--can we think for a moment that ,he1 who has admitted us to all the privileges of sonship1 and has allowed us to approach ,him in the endearing character of children1 and cry1 ,abba1 ,father1 will regard favourably the services which spring from slavish fear1 and not from filial love8 ,it might be thought that the consideration of the infinite love of ,god towards man1 and of the precious benefits conferred upon us by the ,saviour1 would fill every soul with gratitude and love3 to think that weak1 sinful1 and guilty man1 should be elevated to so exalted a relation to ,god as that of son2 to remember that his title to his high dignity was purchased1 by no less a sacrifice than the atonement made by ,him1 who is the brightness of ,his ,father's glory1 and the express image of ,his person1--present to the mind such an astounding1 and yet transporting view1 of 8the length and breadth1 and depth and height10 of 8the love of ,god1 which passeth knowledge10 that we are constrained to exclaim1 8,such things are too wonderful for me2 ,i cannot attain unto them40 ,and yet1 they affect not1 they influence not1 that large class of men1 the lukewarm in religion6 ,god now calls them by 8,his judgments1 which are in the earth10 to 8turn unto ,him with all their heart40 ,may they all receive grace1 to obey the call1 and seek forgiveness at his hands2 for there is impending over them a most terrible curse--a curse which repentance only can avert4 8,if any love not the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 let him be ,anathema ,maranatha40 #gc ,let1 then1 all the several classes of men1 who1 as constituting the leading divisions of those who believe not1 or practise not1 the truth as it is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord--have been exhorted and warned 8to flee from the wrath to come10 be now earnestly intreated to imitate the example of the ,bereans of old1 who 8were more noble than those in ,thessalonica1 in that they received the ,word with all readiness of mind1 and searched the ,scriptures daily1 whether those things were so40 #gd;a ,and may ,god accompany with his grace and blessing such study of the ,scriptures1 that they who have heretofore neglected1 perverted1 disobeyed1 or rejected the ,gospel1 may1 through 8its marvellous light become wise unto salvation60 8,all ,scripture is given by inspiration of ,god1 and is profitable for doctrine1 for reproof1 for correction1 for instruction in righteousness1 that the man of ,god may be perfect1 thoroughly furnished unto all good works40 #gd;b ,in the 8lively oracles of ,god10 therefore1 they will find instruction how to proceed in the difficult work of true repentance4 ,let them not1 however1 be dismayed at the difficulty of the undertaking1 for 8,he who worketh in them to will and to do of ,his good pleasure10 is ever ready to succour and omnipotent to save1 8all who come unto ,him0 through ,christ1 8who is the way1 the truth1 and the life40 ,let them not fear the power of the great adversary of man1 whose galling yoke they long willingly bore2 8for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal1 but mighty through ,god to the pulling down of strong holds1 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of ,god2 and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of ,christ40 #ge;a ,still1 at the same time1 let them underrate neither the difficulties nor the dangers which await them4 ,spiritual as well as worldly prudence is shewn in rightly estimating difficulties1 that they may be the more certainly overcome2 and real courage1 whether carnal or spiritual1 in learning the extent of danger1 that it may be1 as the case requires1 carefully avoided1 or manfully combated4 ,the prophet ,jeremiah1 to prove the difficulty of a late repentance1 has used a figure which places it in a strong light2 8,can the ,ethiopian change his skin1 or the leopard his spots8 then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil40 #ge;b ,the apostle ,peter1 to shew the extent of danger to the ,christian1 employs a simile not less striking1 8,your adversary the devil1 as a roaring lion1 walketh about seeking whom he may devour40 #ge;c ,and ,st4 ,paul accumulates the most forcible expressions to convey an adequate idea of the dangerous nature of our spiritual warfare1 8for we wrestle not against flesh and blood1 but against principalities1 against powers1 against the rulers of the darkness of this world1 against spiritual wickedness in high places40 #ge;d ,it is most true1 that when the corruption of man's nature has been increased in malignity by the long indulgence of its sinful appetites and passions2 when his habits have become confirmed1 inveterate1 and almost second nature through time2 and when his severe master1 the devil1 seeing him planning rebellion against his authority1 and escape from his power1 employs his subtle arts to retain his dominion over him3 we have a case in which unassisted human nature must despair4 ,passion is not tameable at the will of man1 appetite is not mortified at his bidding1 habit is not overcome at his command1 the devil is not vanquished by his power4 ,on the contrary1 they all reign and rule in the heart of the unconverted1 who have grown old in sin3 there passion is ungovernable1 appetite irresistible1 habit invincible1 the devil dominant and triumphant4 ,well may every sinner start at this appalling picture of human weakness and depravity1 and well will it be for him1 if1 through grace1 he be thence led to exclaim--8,oh wretched man that ,i am1 who shall deliver me from the body of this death60 #gf;a and if he be enabled to apply to his own case the answer1 ,i thank ,god through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 8,with man it is impossible0 to escape from the debasing and enslaving effects of sin1 8but with ,god all things are possible20 #gf;b and 8thanks be to ,god who giveth us the victory through our ,lord ,jesus40 #gg;a ,through ,him who loved us and gave ,himself for us1 we shall prove more than conquerors over the great enemies of our salvation4 ,by the transforming power of divine grace the will becomes renewed1 the passions subjugated1 the appetites mortified1 the habits changed2 and the devil vanquished by the great ,captain of our salvation1 loses his dominion over the sanctified soul4 ,such is the mighty change wrought in fallen and sinful man1 when grace has done her perfect work2 and 8renewed in the spirit of his mind10 he both 8proves what is the good and perfect and acceptable will of ,god10 and 8presents his body a living sacrifice1 holy and acceptable unto ,god40 #gg;b 8,,repent ,,ye1 ,,therefore1 ,,and ,,be ,,converted1 ,,that ,,your ,,sins ,,may ,,be ,,blotted ,,out1 when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the ,lord40 #gg;c ,repent ye1 who have heretofore put conviction far from you1 and have refused to receive the ,gospel as your standard of faith1 your sole rule of life4 ,it may be1 that to you1 8behold now is the accepted time1 behold now is the day of salvation20 it may be1 that if ye will not hear ,his voice1 but still harden your hearts1 upon you may be passed the terrible and irrevocable sentence--8it is a people that do err in their hearts2 for they have not known my ways2 unto whom ,i sware in my wrath1 that they should not enter into my rest40 #gh 8,,go ,,thy ,,way ,,for ,,this ,,time1 ,,when ,i ,,have ,a ,,convenient ,,season ,i ,,will ,,call ,,for ,,thee20 was the language of ,felix1 when he 8trembled10 as ,paul 8reasoned of righteousness1 temperance1 and judgment to come40 ,and such is the course adopted by thousands2 they do not violently repress the convictions of conscience2 but endeavour to lull them by that 8deceitful opiate--good resolves40 ,,not ,,now1 is still the cry1 when conscience warns them2 not now1 to-morrow1 next year1--and thus repentance determined upon1 but still deferred1 flits before them like the treacherous light which often misleads unwary travellers1 and lures them on with false hopes1 until they plunge into the black gulf of horrible anguish and despair4 ,this insane procrastination1 which is so common and so fatal1 that it has been said1 8hell's road is paved with good resolutions10 arises principally from man's natural wickedness1 indolence1 sinfulness1 and love of sin2 but it is much promoted by mistaken ideas as to the nature of repentance1 which1 by some1 is considered at all times in their own power4 ,this fatal error--the grand cause of which is ignorance of ,scripture--is much favoured by the various senses in which the term repentance is employed3 it is used to express simply sorrow1 sorrow and amendment1 change of heart and life4 ,now this latter sense exactly corresponds with conversion1 and the evil might1 in some degree1 be remedied1 if there were adopted1 in the case of habitual sinners1 the definition of repentance given by ,hammond3 8,a change of mind1 or a conversion from sin to ,god2 not some one bare act of change1 but a lasting1 durable state of new life40 ,for men would have a difficulty in resting satisfied with indefinitely postponing repentance1 if they knew that repentance to consist not merely in sorrow for sin1 not merely in external amendment1 but in a change of the heart1 in a renewal of the mind1 wrought by the ,holy ,ghost1 and which man possesses no inherent power to effect1 but which is the gift of ,god through ,christ4 ,,repent ,,ye1 ,,therefore1 ,,and ,,be ,,converted1 ,,that ,,your ,,sins ,,may ,,be ,,blotted ,,out3 all who have heretofore drawn your motives and rules of actions from the world1 and not from the ,book of ,life--and as you value your immortal souls1 consider no proofs of conversion to be depended upon1 except faith in the ,saviour1 and reliance on ,his merits alone for salvation2 love of ,god as a reconciled father in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord1 shed abroad in the heart by the power of the ,holy ,ghost2 constant study of the ,scriptures as the rule of life2 indulgence of no known sin2 and dependence on divine grace for spiritual guidance1 strength1 and consolation4 ,such an entire conversion of the whole man to ,god is generally not only a progressive1 but a slow operation3 during which partial relapses into old habits1 which conscience soon compels them to abandon2--unscriptural views of reconciliation with ,god1 in which the soul cannot rest satisfied2--and artful stratagems of the great enemy of man to win them back to wear publicly their badge of servitude1 or retain them in the camp of the faithful1 as in reality1 though unknowingly1 his deluded and secret followers2--all impede1 perplex1 and endanger their course4 ,as the heart only knows its own bitterness1 so each believer only knows the mode of ,god's dealing with him in bringing him to a knowledge of the truth as it is in ,jesus4 #hj ,but the following sketch may be received as presenting the outlines of a sincere conversion2 and may the future experience of those who are now earnestly and affectionately entreated to 8turn unto ,god with all their hearts10 fill up the details4 ,the conscience is first troubled through the grace of ,god accompanying some strong appeal2 fear is excited2 an examination is made into the state of life1 and the awful truth flashes upon the mind1 that he is in 8the broad way which leadeth to destruction10 and 8what is a man profited1 if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul40 #ha;a ,he now1 perhaps1 attempts to appease his conscience by a compromise1 by reforming1 in part1 his life1 but retaining his darling sins2 this unholy alliance between ,christ and ,belial may not be1 and he is ill at ease4 ,he examines1 therefore1 more carefully the word of life1 and feels satisfied he merits only eternal condemnation at the hand of a righteous ,god4 ,his alarm becomes terror1 and he sets to work in good earnest to effect an entire reformation of life1 but too much in dependence on his own strength4 ,he fails1 and again and again is betrayed into his old sins1 through the weakness of his nature1 the power of temptation1 and the want of spiritual strength4 ,the repeated failures at length convince him of his own weakness and utter helplessness1 and he begins to distrust himself1 and trust more and more in his ,saviour4 ,the dark prospect now begins to brighten by the dawning of a better day1 and slowly the sun of righteousness rising upon his soul1 dispels the mists of error1 prejudice1 and passion1 and reveals the ,saviour as 8,,the ,,way1 ,,the ,,truth1 ,,and ,,the ,,life40 #ha;b ,he sees his road more clearly1 he better understands how ,god 8made ,him to be sin for us1 who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him10 #ha;c and joyfully accepts the free1 unmerited1 and most gracious offers of salvation made in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord1 through whom1 8being justified by faith1 we have peace with ,god40 #hb;a ,he increases in faith1 he rejoices in his privileges1 he grows in grace1 but he is still watchful and sober-minded3 whilst he throws himself entirely on the mercy of ,god in ,christ in whom we are 8complete20 and relies on ,him for ,his 8grace1 which is sufficient for us1 for it is made perfect in weakness20 #hb;b he remits not his vigilance1 he relaxes not his endeavours1 but 8forgetting those things which are behind1 and reaching forth unto those which are before1 he presses toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus40 #hb;c ,he earnestly prays and labours to be enabled to adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour in all things2 to perfect holiness in his faith and fear1 and to have his conversation in heaven1 from whence also we look for the ,saviour1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ3 8who shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto ,his glorious body1 according to the working whereby ,he is able even to subdue all things unto ,himself40 #hb;d ,the combat which awaits the young convert is severe1 but not alarming1 if he take the whole armour of ,god2 8,wherefore take unto you the whole armour of ,god1 that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day1 and having done all1 to stand4 ,stand1 therefore1 having your loins girt about with truth1 and having on the breastplate of righteousness2 and your feet shod with the preparation of the ,gospel of peace2 above all1 taking the shield of faith1 wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked4 ,and take the helmet of salvation1 and the sword of the ,spirit1 which is the word of ,god3 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the ,spirit1 and watching thereunto with all perseverance40 ,clad in the full panoply of the ,gospel1 the ,christian warrior has nothing to dread3 for his armour is of heavenly temper2 the arm of ,omnipotence sustains him2 and the glorious shield of the ,saviour 8will cover his head in the day of battle40 ,but if the danger appear slight1 let him not presume2 if appalling1 let him not despair2 excessive confidence often risks1 and despondence often loses1 the battle won by undaunted1 but cool and cautious courage3 and of such a nature is ,christian faith1 by which the soldier of the cross is enabled to fulfil his baptismal vow1 8not to be ashamed to confess the faith of ,christ crucified1 and manfully to fight under ,his banner1 against sin1 the world1 and the devil1 and to continue ,christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end40 #hc ,let not1 therefore1 the penitent suppose the dangers and difficulties which await him to be so great as almost to be insuperable2 nor yet that they are so small as to be easily overcome3 it is sufficient for him to know1 that that ,master whom he serves1 and who appoints his lot1 will1 if he commit himself to ,him as a faithful ,creator1 supply him with strength equal to his trials1 and make those trials help him forward on his heaven-ward journey4 ,upon setting out1 however1 let him be admonished1 that there are three things which he ought to bear in mind4 ,first3 let him not mistake transient feelings for settled principles1 nor partial amendment for complete reformation3 the sanguine sometimes1 through natural temperament1 are unduly elated2 the desponding1 through the same cause1 unduly depressed2 and thus both form false estimates as to the degree of their advancement in spiritual life4 ,whilst it also sometimes unfortunately happens1 that after the first terrors of awakened conscience pass away1 the fervours of devotional feeling subside1 and there ensue listlessness1 negligence1 and a return to former evil courses3 8he that received the seed into stony places1 the same is he that heareth the word1 and anon with joy receiveth it2 yet hath he not root in himself1 but dureth for a while40 #hd ,let him1 in the second place1 be especially on his guard against partial or perverted views of the doctrines and duties of our holy faith3 some1 because we are saved through faith in the merits of the ,saviour1 have abused the grace of ,god1 by an unholy profession1 or have under-rated the value of ,christian graces and virtues2 and others1 because of the obligations to personal holiness1 and of the rewards held out to faithful servants1 in the ,gospel1 have depreciated the value of faith1 and have reduced the great scheme of salvation to little more than a moral obedience4 ,and lastly1 let him take care1 that when1 through divine grace1 he has surmounted the difficulties which attend his first entrance upon the 8narrow way which leadeth unto life20 and his ardent and confident spirit is full of eager anticipation of the eternal rest and peace which await him on his arrival at the 8city of the ,living ,god10 #he whose fair bulwarks the eye of faith may already have descried at an immense distance2 let him 8be not high-minded1 but fear30 enemies1 though invisible1 still surround him2 dangers1 though hidden1 still lurk in his path4 ,should1 on the other hand1 the journey prove toilsome1 and his spirit be often perplexed with doubts1 and alarmed with fears2 should no distant prospect of the mansions of eternal rest break upon his enraptured view1 solace his weary soul1 and brighten his cheerless path3 let him not be dismayed1 but hope3 a 8friend that sticketh closer than a brother10 #hf;a though unseen1 is near2 the city of refuge1 though undiscoverable by his anxious eye1 is nigh at hand4 ,if1 in the first case1 he 8persevere unto the end20 if1 in the second1 8he faint not20 he will reap an 8eternal and exceeding weight of glory20 #hf;b for1 on his approach1 the bright portals of the new ,jerusalem shall be thrown open1 and he will be welcomed by the ,celestial ,king1 with the transporting words1 8,well done1 thou good and faithful servant1 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord40 #hf;c ,,ii4 ,the ,christian's duty of labouring to advance1 as far as in him lies1 a national reformation1 under ,divine visitations4 ,the duty of personal reformation under ,divine visitations1 has been dwelt upon at considerable length2 at once from its private and public importance3 for it is thus only a national reformation can be effected4 ,the good ,christian will ever discharge equally faithfully all the duties and obligations which attach to him as an individual and as a member of society4 ,little is he acquainted with the ,catholic spirit and scope of ,christianity1 who supposes the believer to be occupied solely in securing his own salvation4 ,such conduct would defeat its own purpose1 as being incompatible with the very nature of ,christian duty2 which is not limited to the individual1 his family1 his friends1 his neighbourhood1 nor yet to his country1 but extends to the whole household of faith2 to the great family of ,christ2 to the whole world for which the ,saviour died1 and in which all should labour to promote the advancement of true religion4 ,whilst1 therefore1 the ,christian is striving in secret1 by means known only to ,god and to himself1 to 8enter in at the strait gate10 8to make his calling and election sure20 he considers it an imperative obligation1 the neglect of which would involve certain condemnation1 to 8labour to advance the glory of ,god1 and the present and future welfare of mankind40 ,if1 then1 the command1 8let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven10 #hg;a is to be obeyed under ordinary circumstances2 when 8,,god',s ,,judgments ,,are ,,in ,,the ,,earth10 extraordinary exertions must be made in the hope that1 through the ,divine blessing1 8,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,the ,,world ,,will ,,learn ,,righteousness40 #hg;b ,oh6 what extensive and blessed effects would arise if this holy principle of our faith were more generally acted upon amongst ,christians2 and all1 at the same time1 8walked worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called1 with all lowliness and meekness1 with long-suffering1 forbearing one another in love2 endeavouring to keep the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace40 #hh;a ,god grant that in times which require such perfect union and co-operation amongst ,christians1 they may receive grace to lay aside their rivalries1 their divisions1 their jealousies2 and as there is 8one ,lord1 one faith1 one baptism1 one ,god and ,father of all1 who is above all1 and through all1 and in all20 #hh;b so they may seek but one object1 the extension of the ,messiah's kingdom2 they may employ but one means2 the diffusion of the light of the ,gospel2 and they may know but one spirit1 the spirit of charity and brotherly love4 ,let then all ,christians be now very zealous for the honour of the ,lord of ,hosts1 and direct their combined efforts against the prevailing sins of the day4 ,true believers 8are the salt of the earth20 and the more abundantly they are sprinkled over the land1 the more effectually the corrupting effects of sin will be counteracted3 they are the 8leaven0 of the ,gospel2 and the more thoroughly they are diffused through the whole mass of society1 the more certainly a national reformation will be produced4 ,how great is the improvement which an active and pious individual sometimes effects in a neighbourhood6--an improvement which1 commencing in one place1 often spreads far around4 ,how extensive then might be the blessed effects of the true servants of ,god acting in full and unanimous co-operation6--,general alarm has caused much good to be done1 in cleansing the towns and villages of the kingdom from physical pollutions2 let there be shown the same zeal and energy in the removal of moral pollutions1 so much more pernicious and fatal1 as being destructive of both body and soul4 ,and then this visitation 8shall turn0 out--as does every visitation1 when duly improved--8to the profit1 and help forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life10 #hi;a thousands who might long have continued in a thoughtless and guilty neglect of ,god4 ,for how beneficial has the furnace of affliction been often found6 it is a certain assayer of religious principles2 it detects the base coinage of the world1 which bears indeed the ,divine superscription1 but is neither formed of the pure ore of the ,gospel1 nor stamped with the seal of the ,spirit2 and proves the intrinsic value of the unadulterated metal of the heavenly treasury which 8cometh forth as gold40 #hi;b ,the leading heads of the duty of believers1 as members of society1 under circumstances like the present1 have already been thus generally stated3 let them publicly bear testimony at once to the justice and mercy of ,god's dispensations2 and strive earnestly to rouse the nation to a sense of its guiltiness1 which has exposed it to the divine displeasure3 let them1 in dependence on the blessing of ,heaven1 labour to eradicate all infidel and heretical opinions2 to advance a reformation of public morals1 and to promote a general diffusion of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge4 ,upon these several heads it is proposed now to offer some brief observations3 ,and may ,,he1 who blesses the feeblest efforts made in dependence on ,his gracious aid1 and for the honour of ,his great name1 bless this humble endeavour to rouse some to a more active and faithful discharge of the duties of their stations2 and to excite in others a spirit of enquiry1 and draw forth from them a declaration of opinion1 as to the course which this ,christian people should adopt under the present ,divine visitation4 ,england has been long highly favoured and greatly blessed2 she has been placed as an ensign amongst the nations1 and as a city set on a hill2 she has been a depositary of genuine ,christianity1 and has been instrumental1 in the hands of ,providence1 in conveying the light of the ,gospel to nations 8lying in darkness and the shadow of death40 ,to her may our blessed ,lord's pathetic lamentation over ,jerusalem never apply3 8,and when he was come near1 he beheld the city1 and wept over it1 saying2 if thou hadst known1 even thou1 at least in this thy day1 the things which belong unto thy peace6 but now they are hid from thine eyes30 #ia;a rather1 in this our day1 may 8the ,father of ,lights10 #ia;b from whom 8every good gift1 and every perfect gift cometh10 impart to all that are in authority1 8the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of ,him40 #ia;c ,rather1 may ,he enable all persons to 8walk circumspectly1 not as fools1 but as wise1 redeeming the time1 because the days are evil2--to be not unwise1 but understanding what the will of the ,lord is2--giving thanks always for all things unto ,god and the ,father1 in the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 submitting themselves one to another in the fear of ,god40 #ia;d ,then may the storm now gathering1 prove at once a punishment and a blessing from the hand of ,god4 ,seasons of danger and suffering to churches and nations have often resembled the storms of the natural world1 which1 however alarming and destructive at the time1 are productive of subsequent good1 by freeing the atmosphere from the impurities accumulated during a long season of calm and sunshine4 8,what will ye do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which shall come from far1 to whom will ye flee for help80 ,such is the enquiry which has been already addressed to the nation at large2 to real1 and to nominal ,christians2 let the faithful servants of the ,lord throughout the land cause it to be sounded in the ears of a sinful nation2 and let each use the utmost extent of his individual influence1 in co-operation with others1 to endeavour to rouse1 through the ,divine blessing and guidance1 a people sunk into religious indifference and apathy4 ,they are 8visited10 and that not 8after the visitation of all men20 for a pestilence as new in character1 as fatal in its effects1 has overtaken them2 and their visitation has indeed come from far1 for it has travelled from the remote bounds of their colonial empire4 ,still we have too much cause to apprehend that there are thousands who have never considered the awful character of the visitation1 nor asked themselves the question1 to whom shall we flee for help8 ,an irreligious age is little inclined to recognise the hand of ,god in the course of events1 which are generally ascribed to natural causes and human means4 ,but philosophy as well as ,revelation will satisfy the mind of every impartial and deep enquirer1 that nature must work under the control and direction of the great ,author of nature4 ,it would be to practically deny that ,god was the great governor of the universe1 to suppose that nature or chance was allowed1 unchecked and unguided1 to produce the mighty results often referred to its sole agency4 ,sherlock has stated this with great force and clearness4 8,the same wisdom and power which made the world must govern it too3 it is only a creating power that can preserve3 that which owes its very being to power must depend upon the power that made it1 for it can have no principle of self-subsistence independent of its cause3 it is only creating wisdom that perfectly understands the nature of all things1 that sees all the springs of motion1 that can correct the errors of nature1 that can suspend or direct the influence of natural causes1 that can govern hearts1 change men's purposes1 inspire wisdom and counsel1 restrain or let loose their passions4 ,it is only an ,infinite ,mind that can take care of all the world2 that can allot every creature its portion2 that can adjust the interests of states and kingdoms2 that can bring good out of evil1 and order out of confusion40 #ic ,it would1 therefore1 be not less unphilosophical than unchristian to ascribe to any spontaneous operations of nature1 a new and terrible pestilence1 which has swept away more than twenty millions of human beings from the face of the earth4 ,nor may it be accounted for by an extraordinary combination of accidental circumstances2 for 8the most unexpected events1 how casual soever they appear to us1 are foreseen and ordered by ,god40 8,for can we think otherwise1 when we see as many visible marks of wisdom1 and goodness1 and justice1 in what we call chance1 as in any other acts of ,providence8 ,nay1 when the wisdom of ,providence is principally seen in the government of fortuitous events8 ,when we see a world wisely made1 though we did not see it made1 yet we conclude1 that it was not made by chance1 but by a ,wise ,being2 and by the same reason1 when we see accidental events1 nay1 a long incoherent series of accidents concur to the producing the most admirable effects1 we ought to conclude1 that there is a wise invisible hand which governs chance1 which of itself can do nothing wisely4 ,when the lives and fortunes of men1 the fate of kingdoms and empires1 the successes of war1 the changes of government are so often determined and brought about by the most visible accidents2 when chance defeats the wisest counsels and greatest power2 when good men are rewarded1 and the ,church of ,god preserved by appearing chances2 when bad men are punished by chance1 and the very chance whereby they are punished1 carries the marks of their sins upon it1 for which they are punished2 ,i say1 can any man in such cases think that all this is mere chance8 ,when1 how accidental soever the means are or appear to be1 whereby such things are done1 there is no appearance of chance at all in the event2 but the changes and revolutions1 the rewards and punishments1 are all as wisely done1 as if there had been nothing of chance and accident in it4 ,this is the great security of our lives amidst all the uncertainties of fortune1 that chance itself cannot hurt us without a ,divine commission4 ,this is a sure foundation of faith1 and hope1 and trust in ,god2 how calamitous and desperate soever our external condition seems to be1 that ,god never wants means to help2 that ,he has a thousand unseen ways1 a whole army of accidents and unexpected events at command to disappoint such designs1 which no visible art or power can disappoint1 and to save those whom no visible power can save40 #ie ,nor may we suppose that this fearful pestilence is merely permitted1 and not appointed and directed by ,god4 8,god's government of events consists in ordering and appointing whatever good or evil shall befall men2 for according to the ,scripture we must attribute such a government to ,god1 as makes all these events ,his will and doing2 and nothing can be ,his will and doing1 but what ,he wills and orders4 ,some men think it enough to say1 that ,god permits every thing that is done1 but will by no means allow that ,god wills1 and orders1 and appoints it1 which1 they are afraid1 will charge the divine ,providence with all the evil that is done in the world2 and truly so it would1 did ,god order and appoint the evil to be done2 but though ,god orders and appoints what evils every man shall suffer1 ,he orders and appoints no man to do the evil2 ,he only permits some men to do mischief1 and appoints who shall suffer by it1 which is the short resolution of the case4 ,to attribute the evils which some men suffer1 merely to ,god's permission1 is to destroy the government of ,providence2 for bare permission is not government40 #if ,we arrive1 therefore1 at the conclusion1 that this malady1 which has traversed nearly the whole of two continents1 is by the will and appointment of ,god4 ,and none need inquire wherefore it has been sent4 ,the dispensations of the ,almighty are to reward or punish1 warn and amend nations and individuals4 ,the fearful character of the pestilence proves that it is to punish and warn the offending nations1 and may it also amend and lead them1 through the grace of ,god1 to humble themselves under ,his mighty hand1 and bow with submission to ,his just judgments on a guilty world6 ,it is1 therefore1 the bounden duty of the servants of the ,lord1 every where1 privately and publicly1 to bear testimony to ,god's government of nations and individuals4 ,it is not sufficient that they believe1 act upon1 and inculcate in their families1 a trust in ,divine ,providence4 ,the great truth1 that 8,,the ,,most ,,high ,,ruleth ,,in ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,men10 #ig;a should be bound 8for a sign on their heads1 and as frontlets between their eyes40 #ig;b ,they should proclaim every where1 that upon this great fundamental principle1 rest the prayer and worship addressed to ,god4--8,this much is certain10 observes ,sherlock1 8that without this belief1 that ,god takes a particular care of all his creatures1 in the government of all events that can happen to them1 there is no reason nor pretence for most of the particular duties of public worship4 ,for most of the acts of worship consider ,god not merely as an ,universal ,cause1 7could we form any notion of a general providence1 without any care of particular creatures1 or particular events71 but as our particular ,patron1 ,protector1 and ,preserver4 8,to fear ,god1 and to stand in awe of ,his justice2 to trust and depend on ,him in all conditions2 to submit patiently to ,his will1 under all afflictions2 to pray to ,him for the supply of all our wants1 for the relief of our sufferings1 for protection and defence2 to love and praise ,him for the blessings we enjoy1 for peace1 and plenty1 and health1 for friends and benefactors1 and all prosperous successes3 ,i say1 these are not the acts of reasonable men1 unless they believe that ,god has the supreme disposal of all events1 and takes a particular care of us4 ,for if any good or evil can befall us without ,god's particular order and appointment1 we have no reason to trust in ,god1 who does not always take care of us2 we have no reason to bear our sufferings patiently at ,god's hand1 and in submission to ,his will2 for we know not whether our sufferings be ,god's will or not2 we have no reason to love and praise ,god for every blessing and deliverance we receive1 because we know not whether it come from ,god2 and it is to no purpose to pray to ,god for particular blessings1 if ,he does not concern ,himself in particular events2 but if we believe that ,god takes a particular care of us all1 and that no good or evil happens to us but as ,he pleases2 all these acts of religious worship are both reasonable1 necessary1 and just40 #ih ,the great duty of believers every where to declare and maintain1 that 8,,god ,,governeth ,,all ,,things ,,both ,,in ,,heaven ,,and ,,earth10 is dwelt upon more at large1 because a neglect1--if not a disbelief1--of a particular ,providence1 which constitutes practical1 and often tends to avowed infidelity1 has been already stated to be one of the most crying sins1--,i may almost say the most crying sin--of the day4 ,some openly disclaim all belief in ,god's government of the world2 others admit it1 but are not influenced by it2 and others acknowledge a general1 but deny a particular ,providence4 ,these latter appear not to be aware of the manifest contradiction which their belief involves4 8,to talk of a general ,providence without ,god's care and government of every particular creature is manifestly unreasonable and absurd2 for1 whatever reasons oblige us to own a ,providence1 oblige us to own a particular ,providence4 ,if creation be a reason1 why ,god should preserve and take care of what ,he has made2 this is a reason why ,he should take care of every creature1 because there is no creature1 but what ,he made2 and if the whole world consist of particulars1 it must be taken care of in the care of particulars2 for if all particulars perish1 as they may do1 if no care be taken to preserve them1 the whole must perish4 ,and there is the same reason for the government of mankind2 for the whole is governed in the government of parts2 and mankind cannot be well governed without the wise government of every particular man40 #ii ,we may hope that secret disbelief1 or open denial1 of a ,divine ,providence1 does not exist to a great extent2 but of this every observer must be satisfied1 that a practical disregard of ,god's providential care and government is gaining ground in this country4 ,nor are its effects to be seen only in the conduct of individuals1 they may be observed in the proceedings of public bodies4 ,nothing can bespeak this more strongly1 than the altered language of the day as regards society1 business1 and public transactions4 ,the time was when it was carefully framed in accordance with the apostolic injunction1 8for that ye ought to say ,,if ,,the ,,lord ,,will1 we shall live and do this or that40 #ajj ,now it is evidently dictated by that bold spirit of self-confidence1 which 8having not ,god in all its thoughts10 says 8to-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city1 and continue there a year1 and buy and sell and get gain40 ,nor do the actions of men in their public and private capacities contradict their language4 ,the time was1 when this nation1 sensible how highly it had been blessed by ,providence1 and deeply grateful to the ,giver of all good1 made it a rule to recognise the hand of ,god in all things4 ,when ,his chastisements were upon the land1 there was a fast2 when deliverance was vouchsafed1 there was a thanksgiving2 every visitation was received as a just infliction2 every escape as an unmerited blessing4 ,such was the conduct of the people and government1 during their late struggle of unexampled difficulty1 through which the ,providence of the ,almighty carried them in safety1 and during which the soil of ,england alone was untrodden by the foot of the invader1 unstained by the blood of her sons4 ,let1 then1 all the faithful servants of ,god1 who believe in the government and confide in the protection of ,his ,providence1 8be instant in season and out of season10 to counteract this evil principle which corrupts1 paralyzes1 and nullifies faith2 which produces pride1 self-confidence1 and self-complacency2 and exposes to the severe displeasure and heavy judgments of ,him whom it 8robbeth of the honour due unto ,his name40 ,history1 viewed by the aid of that light which revelation has shed upon it1 proves this incontestably1 by supplying both individual and national examples1 with the latter of which we are1 at present1 alone concerned4 ,all nations are under the government of the ,king of kings and ,lord of lords4 8,his kingdom ruleth over all20 all are instruments in ,his hand to accomplish the secret purpose of ,his will4 ,they may be rebellious and disobedient1 but they cannot harden themselves against ,god and prosper4 ,he exhorts and warns1 ,he threatens and visits2 but if they go on still in their wickedness1 they soon fill up the measure of their iniquity2 the messenger of justice speeds forth1 the sentence is delivered1 and they cease to be a nation4 ,it is thus great empires in succession have passed away2 human reason discovers in their rise1 their progress1 their decay1 and their destruction1 nothing more than the ordinary operation of natural causes2 revelation raises the veil which envelopes the records of remote antiquity1 and discovers the workings of a ,divine agency1 by which ,providence overrules the selfish and short-sighted policy of man1 to the development of the mighty and mysterious plans which embrace the government of the world4 ,and that blind and presumptuous man may have no ground to suppose1 that the fate of empires is dependent solely upon human causes1 the overthrow of the guilty nations of antiquity1 by the ,divine command1 was foretold1 and exactly fulfilled4 ,hence we may learn the sudden and swift destruction1 which neglect of ,providence1 disregard of the authority1 and disobedience to the commands of ,him1 who has said1 8,i am the ,lord1 ,i change not10 #ajb will1 at last1 bring upon any ,christian nation1 which long continues to refuse the overtures of pardon and reconciliation1 made by a gracious1 a merciful1 and long-suffering ,god4 ,predicted destruction overtook the ,assyrian and ,babylonian empires2 and the final desolation of their capitals was foretold4 ,the book of the prophet ,nahum opens with 8the burden of ,nineveh10 which abounds with the most powerful descriptions of the terrible overthrow of the ,assyrian empire1 and the utter desolation of its vast and splendid capital4 ,zephaniah looks still further into futurity1 and presents a sad but faithful picture of its final doom4 8,,the ,,lord ,,will ,,be ,,terrible ,,unto ,,them30--8,and he will stretch out his hand against the north1 and destroy ,assyria2 and will make ,nineveh a desolation1 and dry like the wilderness4 ,and flocks shall lie down in the midst of her1 all the beasts of the nations2 both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it3 their voice shall sing in the windows1 desolation shall be in the thresholds2 for ,he shall uncover the cedar-work4 ,this is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly1 that said in her heart1 ,i am1 and there is none beside me3 how is she become a desolation1 a place for beasts to lie down in2 every one that passeth by her shall hiss and wag his head40 #ajc;a ,so literally have these striking images of entire and lonely desolation been fulfilled1 that in the second century1 the very site of the once proud and famous capital of the ,assyrian empire was matter of dispute4 ,and as the ruin of ,babylon was equally complete1 so the language of prophecy is equally clear and descriptive of its entire destruction1 8,o thou that dwellest upon many waters1 abundant in treasures1 thy end is come and the measure of thy covetousness4 ,though ,babylon should mount up to heaven1 and though she should fortify the height of her strength1 yet from ,,me shall spoilers come unto her1 saith the ,lord4 ,oh ,lord1 thou hast spoken against this place to cut it off1 that none shall remain in it1 neither man nor beast1 but that it shall be desolate for ever40 #ajc;b ,nor was the fate of these empires and cities alone foretold3 the long degradation of ,egypt1 which has been so exactly fulfilled1 was predicted3 8it shall be the basest of the kingdoms1 neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations3 ,,for ,i ,,will ,,diminish ,,them1 ,,that ,,they ,,shall ,,no ,,more ,,rule ,,over ,,the ,,nations40 #ajd;a ,the evils impending over rich and proud ,tyre1 whilst still in the plenitude of her power and greatness were announced by ,isaiah in terms very applicable to that great emporium of commerce3 8,is this your joyous city1 whose antiquity is of ancient days8 her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn4 ,who hath taken this counsel against ,tyre1 the crowning city1 whose merchants are princes1 whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth8 ,,the ,,lord ,,of ,,hosts ,,hath ,,purposed ,,it1 to stain the pride of all glory1 and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth4 ,,he stretched out ,his hand over the sea2 ,,he shook the kingdoms3 the ,,lord hath given a commandment against the merchant city1 to destroy the strong holds thereof40 #ajd;b ,but it was reserved for ,ezekiel to foretell the full extent of the fearful ruin which was to overtake this renowned city3 and he has done so1 in terms so brief1 and yet so minutely descriptive of its present state1 as to have excited the observation of all modern travellers3 8it shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea1 ,,for ,i ,,have ,,spoken ,,it1 ,,saith ,,the ,,lord ,,god3 and it shall become a spoil to the nations40 #aje;a 8,i ,,will ,,make thee like the top of a rock3 thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon1 thou shalt be built no more2 for ,i the ,lord have spoken it1 saith the ,lord ,god40 #aje;b ,thus1 when ,maundrell visited the ruins of ,tyre1 he found 8its present inhabitants to be a few wretches1 subsisting chiefly by fishing1 who seem to be preserved in this place by ,divine ,providence1 as a visible argument how ,god has fulfilled ,his word concerning ,tyre40 ,nor were the predictive denunciations of ,divine vengeance upon sinful nations1 confined to times of a very remote antiquity3--the prophet's eye glancing through the long vista of coming years1 foresaw1 and his voice foretold1 the empire which the ,ruler of the destiny of nations had decreed to ,greece and ,rome4 ,but there is a people which remain unto this day1 at once a living testimony to the truth of ,divine revelation1 and a living monument of the certainty of ,divine punishment4 ,from the ,jews this country may draw a very instructive lesson2 for there are some striking points of agreement in their earlier history1 and would that there the parallel might stop6 ,the ,jews were the peculiar people of ,god4--8,thou art a holy people unto the ,lord thy ,god3 the ,lord thy ,god hath chosen thee to be a special people unto ,himself1 above all people that are on the face of the earth30 this kingdom has also long enjoyed an extraordinary degree of favour1 protection1 and blessing1 at the hand of ,god4 8,the ,lord did not set his love upon you1 nor choose you1 because ye were more in number than any people1 for ye were the fewest of all people3 in like manner the population of this country was small in comparison with that of many of the surrounding nations4 ,the ,jews were selected that unto them might be 8committed the oracles of ,god30 so also this country appears to have been appointed1 by ,providence1 to preserve the holy ,scriptures from misinterpretation or perversion4 ,the ,jews were employed to convey to the ,gentiles some knowledge of the one true ,god3 in like manner this country appears to have been raised up to diffuse amongst distant nations the light of the ,gospel4 ,when grateful for ,divine blessings1 mindful of the ,divine government1 and obedient to the ,divine laws1 the ,jews were abundantly blessed1 and their wealth and greatness were far more than commensurate with the extent of their territory2 and the resources of the kingdom3 in like manner ,god has elevated this country to a rank amongst the nations to which her native dominions did not justify her aspiring4 ,he has enriched her with the treasures of the world1 and has invested her with an empire upon which the sun never sets4 ,so far the points of agreement are striking on the bright side of the picture of ,jewish history2 but there is also a dark side2 let that also be examined1 to see if there can be discovered any shades of resemblance4 ,the ,jews were thus exhorted and warned3--8,when thou hast eaten and art full1 then thou shalt bless ,,the ,,lord ,,thy ,,god1 for the good land which ,,he ,,has ,,given ,,thee4 ,beware that thou forget not the ,lord thy ,god1 in not keeping ,his commandments1 and ,his judgments1 and ,his statutes1 which ,i command thee this day3 lest when thou hast eaten and art full1 and hast built goodly houses1 and dwelt therein3 and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply2 and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied1 and all that thou hast is multiplied3 then thine heart be lifted up1 and thou forget the ,,lord ,,thy ,,god1--and thou say in thine heart1 my power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth4 ,but thou shalt remember the ,,lord ,,thy ,,god1 for it is ,,he ,,that ,,giveth ,,thee ,,power to get wealth4 ,and it shall be if thou do at all forget the ,lord thy ,god1 and walk after other gods1 and serve them1 and worship them1 ,i testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish40 #ajg ,nor were they left in ignorance as to what would be the ministers of ,divine vengeance2 unfruitful seasons2 and deadly pestilence2 and foreign invasion1 with its fearful attendants1 the slaughter of the inhabitants1 and the devastation of their land1 were all declared to be instruments1 in ,god's hand1 to punish ,his ungrateful and rebellious people4 ,nor did the fearful enumeration of judicial inflictions stop there2 they were forewarned of lengthened sieges1 of the most frightful extremity of famine1 of long and weary captivity in distant lands4 ,still there was reserved for them1--if they would not know their day of visitation1--a heavier1 a more lasting and more terrible punishment4 8,,the ,,lord shall scatter thee among all people1 from the one end of the earth even unto the other40 8,and thou shalt become an astonishment1 a proverb1 and a by-word among all nations1 whither the ,lord shall lead thee40 #ajh ,the literal fulfilment of this prediction is matter of history2--nay1 more1 the accomplishment of the last and most terrible threat is matter of present experience2 we have1 unto this day1 the ,jews scattered amongst all people1 distinct in religion1 polity1 and customs2 unmingled with the population1 unincorporated in the institutions of the nations amongst whom they sojourn3 we see them a byword1 a proverb1 and an astonishment1 in every land3 and can it be that we do not discover in them a living memorial of the ,divine government of the world1 and of the ,divine justice1 which sooner or later overtakes every nation1 which does not recognise ,god's authority in all things1 and study to obey ,his laws4 ,the condition of the ,jew speaks to the ,christian the language of warning and admonition3 8you possess privileges ,i once enjoyed3 ,i forfeited them by trusting to my own right arm1 by forsaking ,god1 by not knowing the day of my visitation3 take heed lest ye come into the same state of condemnation2 for it is ,god who ruleth in ,jacob1 and unto the end of the world40 ,let not the warning be addressed in vain3 there are fearful points of resemblance between this country and the ,jews in the darker side of their national character1 when the chosen people of the ,lord4 ,we are too much disposed 8to say in our hearts1 my power1 and the might of my hand1 hath gotten me this wealth30 and there is a love of the world1 which falls little short of idolatry2--there is a trusting to fortune1 and an ascribing events to chance and natural causes1 which almost amount to deifying fortune and nature4 ,let1 then1 all the true servants of ,god1 by their prayers1 and their labours1 seek1 in dependence on ,god's blessing1 a remedy of these great and growing evils4 ,let them appeal to the experience of the past2 let them prove from sacred history that nations1 which exalted themselves1 have always been abased1 which humbled themselves1 have always been exalted3 let them shew from our own history how we have been blessed and preserved1 and how we have prospered and flourished1 when our trust has been in ,god1 who alone 8,,is ,,he ,,that ,,giveth ,,strength ,,and ,,power ,,unto ,,his ,,people3 ,,blessed ,,be ,,god60 #aaj;a ,let them bear public testimony at once to the justice and mercy of ,his visitations2 for whilst the pestilence speaks the language of wrath3 8,,woe ,,to ,,the ,,rebellious ,,children1 ,,saith ,,the ,,lord1 ,,that ,,take ,,counsel1 ,,but ,,not ,,of ,,me1 and that cover with a covering1 but not of ,my ,spirit1 that they may add sin to sin30 #aaj;b it speaks also the language of merciful warning and gracious exhortation3 8,as ,,many ,,as ,i ,,love1 ,i ,,rebuke ,,and ,,chasten3 ,,be ,,zealous1 ,,therefore1 ,,and ,,repent40 #aaj;c ,it has been stated1 also1 to be the duty of believers1 to employ every means in their power to eradicate all heretical and infidel opinions2 to advance a reformation of public morals2 and to promote the diffusion of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge3 which are all so dependent one upon another1 that they may be viewed in connexion1 when considering the course the faithful servants of the ,lord are called upon to adopt1 under circumstances of almost unexampled difficulty1 in this country4 ,once more1 let them be admonished1 that their lot is cast upon times which require the highest degree of energy1 activity1 zeal1 and fidelity1 in their ,master's service4 ,let no one imagine his station in life so low1 that he possesses no influence1 nor consider his talents so small that he can be of no use3 much would be gained if the friends of religion would all openly range themselves on the side of the ,lord2 for such a demonstration of strength would overawe the enemies of the faith4 ,but how great would be the triumph if all1 whose hope is in the ,lord's ,christ1 raised throughout the land1 their voice and hands in his most holy cause6 ,the fact cannot be mistaken--and to disguise it would be culpable--that up to this time that decided movement has not been made by the servants of the ,lord1 which the awful crisis at which we have arrived so imperatively demands4 ,some appear to look on1 whilst a furious assault is made upon the ,sion of our ,god1 with the heartless selfishness which says1 8it will last my time20 others gaze with a strange apathy2 others1 bewildered with fear1 know not how to act2 and others seek only to defend and preserve their own party and property1 forgetful that1 if the common cause fail1 they will be involved in the common destruction4 ,but the ,church of ,christ is built upon a rock1 8and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it40 #aaa ,if the alarm were only sounded generally through the kingdom1 the cause of the ,lord would not want defenders1 both numerous and powerful1 and the discomfited emissaries of ,satan would be driven from the field4 ,mankind are always disposed to close their eyes against unpleasant objects1--to shut their ears against unwelcome truths4 ,thus we are willing to be deceived3 if we see evils increasing1 we still hope they are only partial and temporary2 if alarming reports reach us1 we persuade ourselves that they must be false or exaggerated4 ,and if the danger become so near as to menace our personal safety1 such is the indolence1 weakness1 and timidity of many1 we often try to escape rather than to combat1 to avert rather than to overcome1 even when we know our only reasonable prospect of success is not in flight but in resistance1 not in making terms with1 but in vanquishing the enemy4 ,the announcements1 therefore1 which have from time to time been made of the increasing activity of the emissaries of infidelity1 and of the extensive circulation of sceptical1 profane1 and blasphemous publications1 appear to have been met by the public at large either with indifference or incredulity2 but the prospect is now so alarming1 the peril so imminent1 that all must rouse themselves1 and acquit themselves like men1 or they may too late have to mourn the folly of incredulity1 and the sinfulness of indifference1 when warned and appealed to in behalf of religion4 ,let not these observations be considered otherwise than as offered in the spirit of a faithful discharge of duty3 there is far from any wish to create unnecessary alarm2 there is a strong feeling that to give uncalled-for admonition1 would be presumptuous1 and to pass unmerited censure1 would be criminal2 but he who undertakes to state the duty of a ,christian people under a ,divine visitation1 whilst he entreats and exhorts with all meekness1 and love1 and reverence1 must fearlessly pursue an impartial and unprejudiced course2 for terrible would be his condemnation if he intentionally extenuated the evil or compromised the truth3 he would resemble the false teachers of old1 who 8healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly1 saying1 ,,peace1 ,,peace1 ,,when ,,there ,,is ,,no ,,peace40 #aac ,to prove1 however1 that these are neither the unauthorized representations of mistaken views1 nor the groundless creations of false alarm1 let the opinions of writers1 as to the dangers which threaten the cause of religion in this country1 be heard1--of writers1 whose station and reputation entitle them to respect4 8,the signs of the times10 observes the ,bishop of ,london1 in his ,charge of last year1 addressed to the clergy of his diocese1--8the signs of the times are surely such as to indicate to him who attentively observes the movements of ,god's providence1 the approach1 if not the arrival of a period pregnant with important consequences to the cause of religion4 ,the spirit of infidelity1 which at the close of the last century unhinged the frame of society1 and overturned the altars of ,god in a neighbouring country1 but was repressed1 and shamed1 and put to silence1 by the ,christian energies of this country1 is again rearing its head2 and the truths of the ,gospel are denied1 and its doctrines derided1 and its blessed ,author is reviled and blasphemed by men whom the force of human laws has been found unable to restrain4 ,and if it be said that these are few in number1 and insignificant in point of talent and learning1 there is a more numerous class amongst us1 who look upon religion merely as a necessary part of every system of government2 who would introduce the principles of a miserable political economy into its institutions and ministry2 and who take no personal interest in its consolations or its ordinances4 ,and there is also a powerful and active body of men who are attempting to lay other foundations of the social virtues and duties than those which are everlastingly laid in the ,gospel1 and to propose other sanctions1 and other rules of conduct1 and other rewards1 than those which are proposed in the ,word of ,revelation40 #aad ,the ,bishop of ,durham1 in his ,charge1 delivered during the autumn of the present year1 thus addresses his clergy3--8,yet while we would thus fain bury the past in oblivion1 can we shut our eyes to the existing dangers which beset us1 from whatever cause they may have arisen8 ,can we look around and see ,infidelity and ,atheism on one side1 ,fanaticism on another2 ,popery advancing in this direction1 ,socinianism in that2 dissent1 lukewarmness1 apathy1 each with multitudes in its train1 without perceiving such an accession of strength to our adversaries1 as none of the present generation have ever before witnessed8 ,to exaggerate these evils1 or to oppress the friends of religion and social order with excessive apprehensions of danger1 can never be the policy of considerate men4 ,but neither are we justified in saying #8peace1 peace1' when there is no peace2 or in holding out illusory representations which every discerning observer must perceive to be unfounded40 #aae ,and after stating the 8duties to which we are now indispensably called10 the ,bishop continues3--8that1 in a ,christian country like this1 and in so advanced a stage of mental cultivation1 as is the boast of the present day1 it should be needful to press these admonitions1 is indeed grievous4 ,and if we enquire how it has become needful1 the answer is but too obvious4 ,the main root of the evil lies in a want of sound1 sober1 and practical religious feeling2 operating steadily throughout the community1 and influencing the conduct in all the various departments of social life4 ,the want of this is discernible in attempts to carry on the work of popular education1 without teaching religion for its basis2 in the systematic and avowed separation of civil and political from ,christian obligations2 in the disposition to consider all truths1 on whatever sacred authority they may rest1 as matters of mere human opinion2 and in a persuasion that the whole concern of government1 of legislation1 and of social order1 may be conducted as if there were no ,,moral ,,ruler ,,of ,,the ,,universe controlling the destinies of men or of nations3 no other responsibilities than those which subsist between man and man1 unamenable to a higher tribunal4 ,so long as these pernicious sentiments obtain currency amongst us1 7and who will say that they do not fearfully prevail in every rank and every station87 it is impossible for any believer in a righteous ,providence not to look on such a state of things with unwonted misgivings40 #aaf ,the statements as to the number1 power1 and malignity of the enemies of religion1 made by these two ,prelates1 supply the powerfully sketched out line of a terrible picture1 which becomes still more terrific when filled up with the details which may be derived from other sources4 8,there is another subject10 says an able writer1 in the ,british ,critic1 8which gives us1 we confess1 more uneasiness1 and becomes every day more difficult and painful1 and that is the renewed and increasing efforts made by scoffers and infidels1 not only in our country1 but others1 to profit by the disturbed state of the public mind1 and to disseminate as widely as possible their infernal poison amongst the needy1 the ignorant1 and the profligate2 at once goading them to cruel disorders and excess1 and robbing them of all hope of an hereafter4 ,it cannot be known1 excepting to those who make it their business to enquire1 what pains1 and patience1 and ingenuity1 are now bestowed upon this accursed work4 ,infidel books1 and infidel teachers1 we have always had2 but certainly there never was a moment when the art of corrupting the minds of the people was carried to so high a pitch1 or exercised with so much effrontery2 nor ever were the fruits of it so frightfully conspicuous4 ,it is revolting to think of them1 and it were a task to make the heart sick to detail them2 but it may suffice to state1 that besides the public discourses which are delivered almost daily by the great masters of the school in the ,rotunda1 and in other places amongst the crowded outskirts of the metropolis1 for the avowed specific purpose of advocating the cause of infidelity1 it is a well known fact1 that blasphemous and profane lectures are delivered three times a week1 in the ,city itself1 to large audiences of labourers and artizans1 after their daily task is done1 from each of whom a penny a piece is collected1 under the head of infidel rent4 8,nor is the press behind-hand with them in their course3 for whilst numerous hawkers and other emissaries scatter unsparingly in lanes and alleys their pennyworths of profanation1 the great emporium blazons forth its more elaborate blasphemies with fresh spirit1 in characters which those who run may read--a standing monument of its interminable hostility to the ,gospel1 and of the utter hopelessness of all legal measures to restrain it40 ,such was the account laid before the public in the beginning of this year1 of a scheme1 skilfully planned1 and actively conducted1 for corrupting the religious principles of the working population of the country1 and thus paving the way for the ruin of social order1 and the subversion of civil society4 ,since then the strong arm of the law has seized upon the arch infidel1 but his murky den still remains3 the ,rotunda is said to be made the scene of more horrible impieties than ever2 and the great work of teaching and disseminating infidelity1 though more covertly1 is equally extensively carried on4 ,we possess1 then1 certain information1 supplied by these and various other distinguished writers1 as to the two facts--the progress of a secret undermining of the influence of ,christianity now going forward in the middle and higher classes of society2 and in the lower1 of an organized system of open and violent aggression1 not merely upon the principles of religion1 but the decencies of life4 ,surely this should fill with alarm and rouse to exertion all who fear ,god and love their country2 for the preservation of the national faith is essential to the continuance of national and individual happiness and prosperity4 ,before1 however1 examining further into these frightful evils1 and offering some suggestions as to the course believers should adopt1 let an enquiry be made as to their probable influence upon the moral state of the great bulk of the people4 ,degeneracy of public morals must always necessarily follow corruption of public principles4 ,as soon might you expect to draw pure water from a polluted fountain1 as virtuous actions from unsound principles4 ,remove the restraint of conscience1 and what does man become8 a fickle and wicked being1 of wild passions1 selfish feelings1 and ungovernable appetites3 he has lost the ruling principle which regulated and directed his actions2 and thus resembles a boat without rudder or oars1 tost upon a stormy sea1 which1 impelled in different directions as the winds1 tides1 or currents happen to prevail1 possesses neither certainty of direction nor steadiness of course4 ,it is true1 when the law of ,god ceases to be the rule of right1 men profess to substitute for it the law of honour and the law of the land4 ,but to ascertain the value of the law of honour as the guide of life1 let some of the cases of daily occurrence be observed1 in which the rights of hospitality have been abused with shameless unconcern1 the confidence of friendship repaid with base ingratitude1 and the dearest ties of life broken with base and heartless exultation1 by men of honour4 ,words cannot express the load of deep1 of agonizing woe1 which the partial substitution of the law of honour for the law of ,god has inflicted upon this ,christian land4 ,families1 through it1 have had to suffer privations from the extravagance1 and poverty from the gambling of parents2 to weep for the untimely death of a father by the hand of the duellist2 to mourn and blush for the indelible stain of a mother's shame4 ,such are some of the terrible effects of the law of honour1 as the guide of life1 which1 if it sanction not1 tolerates the betrayal of innocence1 the ruin of a family1 and the murder of a fellow-creature4 ,let an inquiry be now made into the value of the law of the land as a rule of right4 ,here the records of our courts of justice might suffice to shew1 that severe laws do not deter from the commission of crime4 ,this is as might be fairly calculated upon2 because the fear of uncertain or distant punishment1 will never operate as an effectual restraint upon an unprincipled mind3 it is not1 that the law is without its terrors to offenders1 but it is1 that under the influence of some powerful inducement1 the salutary effect of those terrors is lost1 from their being viewed at a distance1 from the hope of escaping detection1 and from the power of present temptation4 ,these observations regard principally more heinous offences2 but if the effect of the criminal code be found to be1 that it operates more for the punishment than the prevention of crime1 what would be the state of society1 if the civil law was our great guide in transactions between man and man4 ,if careful only to keep within its enactments1 we made inclination or interest our guide1 where would be all the kind offices of ,christian charity1 where the interchange of friendly services1 where the joys of ,christian sympathy4 ,sad1 indeed1 would be the change1 if1 making the law of the land his sole rule of right1 man1 naturally weak1 selfish1 and sensual1 gave the reins to his desires1 and sought only his personal gratifications4 ,there might1 indeed1 be some exceptions1 but the general rule would be1 8let us eat and drink1 for to-morrow we die40 ,in illustration of this view of the probable effects of such a system upon society1 let the case of a litigious man be supposed3 what annoyance1 what ill-will1 what animosities1 does his vexatious enforcement of the law1 in the most minute particulars1 often excite in a neighbourhood3 but if1 in addition to his being litigious1 he be also irreligious1--if he be without a belief in a future state1 a judgment to come1 and final rewards or punishments--what a fearful aggravation of the evils at once takes place3 suppose1 however1 further1 that it is not the spirit1 but the letter of the law he regards2 nay1 more1 that it is only its punishments he fears2 and that he breaks the law1 whenever secrecy affords hope of escape1 or the weakness of the party injured1 chance of impunity3 what a pest to society would he be6--,and yet1 however odious and disgusting the picture1 such would the great bulk of mankind become1 if they could be once brought to consider conscience a bug-bear1 and ,christianity an imposture4 ,what is it restrains appetites1 the indulgence of which produces so much misery8--,christianity4 ,what is it subdues the desire of revenge1 which thirsts for blood8--,christianity4 ,what is it arrests the course of secret crime8--,christianity4 ,what is it expands the contracted views and wishes of selfishness1 and unlocks the sympathies of cold uncharitableness8--,christianity4 ,have the law of honour1 or the law of the land1 power to produce such mighty effects8 ,they even lay not claim to such a power4 ,but the benefits of ,christianity stop not here4 ,it is true1 its transforming power1 when its hallowing influence is fully felt1 is the grandest phenomenon of the moral world3--8the wicked are like the troubled sea1 when it cannot rest1 whose waters cast up mire and dirt30 #abc but above the storm1 a voice is heard--the command is uttered1--8,peace1 be still60 the winds of passion are hushed1 the waves of appetite subside1 and a holy calm reigns in the mind and heart4 ,still1 the power of ,christianity1 heaven's best gift to man1 produces other benefits4 ,it heals all the wounds which physical and moral evils cause to poor human nature4 ,it soothes the pain of sickness1 it lightens the pressure of privation1 it cheers the sorrows of affliction2 and1 at that awful hour1 when human aid is unavailing1 and when the soul1 trembling on the brink of eternity1 can repose only on the firm stay of eternal truth1 it administers solid comfort1 supplies pious confidence1 and whispers holy peace4--,a dying hour is a severe test of principles2 and it is at that hour1 which unmasks hypocrisy1 and proves the weakness of philosophy1 the power of genuine ,christianity is clearly seen3--it is at that hour1 when all the world seeks for as happiness1 is found to be vanity1 all it calls glory1 fades into insignificance1 its value is fully felt2 it is at that hour1 when a recollection of past sins1 long forsaken and repented of1 is present to the humble and contrite1 and a consciousness of extreme unworthiness afflicts the soul which still confides in ,jesus1 its victory is complete4 ,well might ,bishop ,watson ask ,gibbon1 8,suppose the mighty work accomplished1 the cross trampled upon1 ,christianity every where proscribed1 and the religion of nature once more become the religion of ,europe2 what advantage will you have derived to your country or to yourselves from the exchange8--,i will tell you from what you will have freed the world2 you will have freed it from its abhorrence of vice1 and from every powerful incentive to virtue2 you will1 with the religion1 have brought back the depraved morality of ,paganism3 you will have robbed mankind of their firm assurance of another life2 and thereby you will have despoiled them of their patience1 of their humility1 of their charity1 of their chastity1 of all those mild and silent virtues which1 7however despicable they may appear in your eyes7 are the only ones which meliorate and sublime our nature2 which ,paganism never knew1 which spring from ,christianity alone40 #abd ,nor does this able writer1 in his ,letters to ,paine1 state less clearly and forcibly the evils which the infidel school inflict upon society4 8,in accomplishing your purpose you will have unsettled the faith of thousands2 rooted from the minds of the unhappy virtuous all their comfortable assurance of a future recompense2 have annihilated1 in the minds of the flagitious1 all their fears of future punishment2 you will have given the reins to the domination of every passion2 and have thereby contributed to the introduction of the public insecurity1 and the private unhappiness usually1 and almost necessarily1 accompanying a state of corrupted morals40 #abe ,would that the anti-christian school of this day could be induced to forego their unwearied exertions to make proselytes1 by considering the poor substitute they have to offer for an holy faith1 which is the hope of the prosperous1 the consolation of the afflicted1 the comfort of the sick1 and the support of the dying6 ,to man1 who feels his want of some holy light to guide his erring steps1 some blessed solace to cheer an aching heart1 in a world of perplexity and woe1 the infidel has nothing to offer but the laws1 for the guidance of his public conduct1 and for his internal monitor and comforter1--a poor philosophy4 ,but what to teach him how to die8 ,nothing3 for he has nothing to offer but the trite aphorisms of heathen philosophers4 ,what to take away the fear of something after death8 ,nothing3 for he who believes nothing which ,christianity has revealed can know nothing of a state of future existence1 uncognizable by unassisted reason4 ,miserable men6 the ,christian mourns over the wilful blindness which1 in the full blaze of the meridian sun1 continues in darkness1 a state which is but a faint emblem of 8the blackness of darkness for ever40 ,most guilty men6 the ,christian burns with holy indignation against their perverted and wicked zeal for proselytism1 of whom it may be said1 8,ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte1 and when he is made1 ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves40 #abf ,if the infidel reflects1 what must be his state of mind1 when he remembers1 how often1 whilst feeling the utter wretchedness of his dark and cheerless creed1 he has sought with artful sophistry to bewilder the understandings of the ignorant1 and1 with cold heartlessness1 to blast the hopes of the virtuous6 ,he who openly stabs or secretly poisons an associate1 incurs a less load of moral guilt than he who inflicts a wound or instils a poison1 which1 rankling1 causes misery in this life1 and in the next1 anguish unutterable and interminable4 ,fatal1 however1 as such a creed must be to the best interests of society1 wherever its influence prevails1 it assumes a still more alarming aspect as inculcated by those infidel teachers1 who1 disseminating their pestilent doctrines amongst our working population1 not only seek to destroy all the hopes and fears of an hereafter1 but to stimulate their evil passions1 and to produce a contempt not less for human than ,divine laws4 ,if once principles so subversive of the civil and religious obligations of man1 as a member of a ,christian community1 were allowed gradually to leaven the great mass of the population2 not only would the cause of religion and morals be deeply injured1 but eventually the altars of ,god would be overthrown1 the bonds of civil society broken1 and anarchy1 spoliation1 and bloodshed1 reign through the land4 ,with the great bulk of mankind1 the sense of responsibility1 present and future1 is the great restraint upon their evil inclinations4 ,philosophers may talk of the eternal fitness of things1 the beauty of virtue1 the value of the distinctions of rank1 of unequal divisions of property1 and the necessity of order1 subordination1 and industry1 for the well-being of society3 but once remove from the minds of the lower classes their fear of punishment1--by destroying all belief in a future state of retribution1 and all dread of the laws of the land1 the execution of which they overawe1 defeat1 or defy1 by their numbers1--and there will be confusion1 aggression1 outrage1 and a general attack upon property4 ,constituted as man is by nature1 and constituted as society is by law and custom1 in a ,christian country1 as soon as ,revelation is rejected by the great bulk of the people1 the work of disorder and disorganization must be rapidly carried on1 until the whole frame-work of society be broken up4 ,the grand principle by which society is held together1 in a free country1 is religious and moral influence controlling and directing physical force to the good of the whole community4 ,emancipate physical force from the salutary restraints and guidance by which its violence and turbulence are checked1 and its mighty energies beneficially directed and employed1 and the same results will ensue1 as would occur1 were that mighty engine1--the proudest boast of modern science1--the steam-engine1 deprived of the nice adjustments and counterbalances which have rendered its formidable powers of easy1 safe1 and useful application4 ,the frightful destruction which attends the explosion of a steam-engine1 would be more than paralleled by the sudden rending asunder of the bands of society1 when physical force1 released from the government of religious and moral influence1 bursts forth with the full sweep of its tremendous powers4 ,abstract principles1 and philosophical theories1 weigh not a feather with the great bulk of mankind1 who are far more under the direction of their passions than their judgment4 ,suppose the case of one man rich1--and it may be1 possessing more than he appears to require1--surrounded by many who are poor and needy4 ,what prevents the many from plundering the one8 not abstract principles of natural justice1 not a philosophical respect for the rights of property1 but regard for ,divine and human laws3 remove the restraints of conscience1 and the fear of punishment1 and the many poor will rush upon the rich few1 like a pack of hungry wolves upon1 scattered and defenceless sheep4 ,this admits of easy proof3 it is an undeniable axiom in morals1 that vice brings with it its own punishment2 how then does it come to pass that it abounds to such a fearful extent in society8 ,it needs not any very extensive acquaintance with life to return the answer1 which appears to be the true one1--that where there is not religious principle the truths of morality are less powerful than the impulses of passion1 and present gratification is willingly purchased1 even at the expense of much after suffering4 ,suppose1 then1 both religion and morals discarded2 and man left1 not merely to the unrestrained indulgence of his evil passions1 but those passions excited by intoxicating and maddening stimulants1 what then would be the consequences8 ,the heart sickens whilst the mind pictures to itself some of the frightful excesses1 the horrible enormities1 of which one man may be capable under such circumstances4 ,suppose1 further1 not one man only1 but a large proportion of the labouring population of a country exposed to the artful and wicked devices of infidel and seditious demagogues1 corrupting the principles1 by profane and blasphemous writings2 exciting angry and vindictive feelings by exaggerated or false tales of injustice and wrong2 fostering hatred and malignity towards the rich1 by representing them as the oppressors and robbers of the poor1 by whose labour they live2 and stimulating their natural cupidity and sensuality by hopes of plunder1 of ease1 and of enjoyment2 what1 then1 would be the consequences8 ,let the history of ,france return the answer1 for it is written in characters of blood1 in her annals1 when1 through the influence of a party1 at first small1 and apparently contemptible1 she became revolutionised1 demoralised1 unchristianised4 ,birth1 rank1 and wealth1 were alone sufficient to expose their possessors to democratic violence and fury2 when all laws1 human and ,divine1 broken1--all institutions1 civil and religious1 overturned1 regicide and apostate ,france subverted the throne1 and trampled upon the cross2 and the demons of disorder1 spoliation1 and butchery1 stalked through her land1 deluged with the best blood of her children4 ,the conclusion1 then1 at which the impartial and dispassionate enquirer will arrive1--a conclusion which has received the terrible sanction of experience1--is1 that the most horrible consequences will result to society when physical force is released from the salutary restraints of religious and moral influence4 ,when unchristianised1 man becomes a sort of demon3 he riots in the licentiousness of his assumed freedom from obligations ,divine and human2 and if leagued in a diabolical conspiracy against religion1 laws1 and property1--against all that is virtuous1 noble1 and praiseworthy1--he is involved as he advances1 deeper and deeper in danger and guilt2 as the crisis approaches1 he is impelled forward in his headlong career1 with a rapidity which allows no time for reflection1 with a force which defies resistance1 until at last he is swallowed up in the wide ruin of universal tumult and disorder3 like one who commits himself to the guidance of a stream1 ignorant or regardless of the distant cataract1 towards which it is flowing3 borne along by its powerful current1 he is1 at first1 delighted with his swift and unchecked progress1 but as he proceeds1 the rapidity and force of the stream fearfully increase1 until at last1 drawn within the full influence of the fall1 he is swept along with tremendous violence towards the verge of precipitation1 whence he shoots into the boiling gulf below--a gulf which is no unfit emblem of society1 heaving1 foaming1 and roaring1 under the domination of physical force4 ,let not1 however1 the useful and awful lesson which the ,french revolution teaches be thus hastily dismissed3 human nature is always the same1 and similar causes will produce similar results1 however modified by circumstances4 ,a length of time was required in that country to sow the seeds of infidelity1 but as soon as they had taken deep root in the public mind1 their effects were apparent2 their growth was as rapid as it was luxuriant1 and they bore such a deadly crop as fills the mind with disgust and horror4 ,nor was the field of operation of the antichristian conspiracy confined to ,france1 the great object of which was1 every where to accomplish the defamation and discredit of the ,christian religion1 where it could not effect its entire overthrow4 ,let the portrait1 therefore1 be examined which ,bishop ,horsley has supplied us with of those times1 which must be still fresh in the recollection of some2 it is drawn with the power and effect of a master in his art2 would it were only interesting as a vivid sketch by a contemporary1 of dangers passed away6 it speaks even now with a warning voice to this country4 8,the whole of ,europe1 with the exception of ,france only1 and those miserable countries which ,france has fraternized1 is yet nominally ,christian3 but for the last thirty years or more1 we have seen in every part of it but little correspondence between the lives of men and their professions2 a general indifference about the doctrines of ,christianity2 a general neglect of its duties2 no reverent observance of its rites4 ,the centre from which the mischief has spread is ,france4 ,in that kingdom the mystery of iniquity began to work somewhat earlier than the middle of the century which is just passed away4 ,its machinations at first were secret1 unperceived1 disguised4 ,its instruments were persons in no conspicuous stations4 ,but by the persevering zeal of an individual1 who1 by an affectation of a depth of universal learning which he never possessed--by audacity in the circulation of what he knew to be falsified history--by a counterfeit zeal for toleration2 but above all1 by a certain brilliancy of unprincipled wit1 contrived to acquire a celebrity for his name1 and a deference to his opinions1 far beyond the proportion of what might be justly due either to his talents or attainments1 though neither the one nor the other were inconsiderable2--by the persevering zeal1 ,i say1 of this miscreant1 throughout a long1 though an infirm and sickly life of bold active impiety1 a conspiracy was formed of all the wit1 the science1 the philosophy1 and the politics1 not of ,france only1 but of many other countries1 for the extirpation of the ,christian name4 ,the art1 the industry1 the disguise1 the deep-laid policy with which the nefarious plot was carried on2 the numbers of all ranks and descriptions which were drawn in to take part in it--men of letters first1 then magistrates1 nobles1 ministers of state1 sovereign princes3 last of all1 the inferior ranks1 merchants1 attornies1 bankers' clerks1 tradesmen1 mechanics1 peasants2 the eagerness with which1 under the direction of their chief1 all these contributed their power1 their influence1 their ingenuity1 their industry1 their labour1 in their respective situations and occupations in life1 to the advancement of the one great object of the confederacy1 are facts that are indeed astonishing40 #acd;a 8,the success of this vast enterprise of impiety was beyond any thing that could have been expected by any but the first projector1 from the littleness of its beginnings40 #acd;b 8,the apostacy of the ,french nation1 and the subversion of the ,gallican ,church1 however unexpected at the time in ,europe1 was not a sudden event3 it was not one of those spontaneous revolutions in public opinion which are to be traced to no definite beginning1 to no certain cause3 it was not the effect of any real grievance of the people1 proceeding as hath been falsely pretended1 from the rapacity and the ambition of their clergy3 it was the catastrophe and accomplishment of a premeditated plot--a plot conceived in mere malice1 carried on with steady1 unrelenting malignity1 for half a century40 #acd;c ,such is the account which one of the ablest writers ,england ever produced has left behind him1 of the origin and progress of a conspiracy against ,christianity1 the effects of which he also witnessed in this country1 but by the blessing of ,god on the labours of himself and others1 lived to see happily counteracted4 ,there is much1 it is true1 which does not correspond with the aspect of the present times2 with which1 however1 a very superficial acquaintance will satisfy every enquiring mind that there is also much which applies to them too well4 ,it is not likely that the operations of infidelity will be precisely the same at different periods1 though the object remains unaltered3 still even in their plans and machinery1 there will often be found great resemblance4 ,the infidel scheme in ,france was commenced by men of letters2 in this country at present1 its most open and fierce advocates are amongst the low and half-educated classes3 still we have seen that in the middle and higher classes there is gaining ground not 8a direct attack on the evidences of ,christianity or on the value of its doctrines20 but 8the distinctive character of modern unbelief is the attempt to supersede ,christianity1 and to make men moral without its guiding and restraining influence40 #ace ,there is here a much greater resemblance than might be at first supposed1 between the two plans of operation1 now and at the close of the last century4 ,the attack was then made with the most masterly skill3 care was taken that the prejudices of education1 as they were considered1 should at first be treated with tenderness2 and the way gradually prepared for the reception of opinions1 which1 if at once presented to the uncorrupted mind1 would have been rejected with horror4 ,to use an illustration in perfect accordance with their views1 the light of impiety was to be gradually let in upon an eye1 which had long been clouded by the cataract of superstition1 lest it should prefer the darkness of error to the full blaze of truth4 ,we find1 therefore1 no premature development of immoral and impious doctrines3 superstition1 bigotry1 intolerance1 were strongly condemned2 clerical abuses and exactions fiercely inveighed against2 but pure religion and morality were commended4 8,in this country10 writes ,horseley1 8,i believe they know very well that bold undisguised atheism1 proceeding directly and openly to its horrid purpose1 will never be successful4 ,they must have recourse1 therefore1 to cautious stratagem2 they must pretend that their object is not to demolish1 but reform3 and it was with a view of giving colour to this pretence1 that the impudent lie--for such ,i have proved it to be--has been propagated in this country of their reverence for pure ,christianity1 and for the ,reformation40 ,but there was one invariable feature of all their proceedings1 never lost sight of1 a rancorous and malignant hostility to the established ,church2 and unwearied exertions 8to alienate the minds of the people from the established clergy1 by representing them as sordid worldlings1 without any concern about the souls of men1 indifferent to the religion which they ought to teach1 to which the laity are attached1 and destitute of the ,spirit of ,god40 #acg;a ,here1 then1 we have a direct parallel between those times and the present1 in which1 indeed1 the balance of evil is against us1 for1 8the ,church of ,england10 observes a living prelate1 #acg;b 8never1 perhaps1 hitherto has had to contend with so great a number of open and avowed enemies2 who1 in their reiterated and persevering attacks1 stop short of no misrepresentations1 however flagrant1 which tend to hold it up to public scorn and indignation40 ,after making every allowance1 indeed1 for the popular excitement1 which may be of only temporary duration2 for the resentful feelings1 which may pass away with the occasion which has excited them2 still there remains sufficient to justify the worst apprehensions1 and to demand the most strenuous exertions at counteraction of the friends of order and religion4 ,it is not merely that there is a want of veneration1 love and value for the ,church2 but a rancorous hatred1 spurred on by eager desire of spoliation1 is manifested1 wherever infidel teachers have made proselytes to their wicked creed4 ,respect1 also1 for constituted authorities1 is destroyed1 by their inculcating the audacious falsehood1 that civil government has been framed1 to enable the few to rule the many4 ,value for the laws has been lessened1 by their declaring1 there is one law for the rich1 and another for the poor4 ,and the bonds of affection and kind offices1 which united the pastor and the parishioner1 the landlord and the tenant1 have been almost every where weakened1 and in some places broken1 by more than the base insinuation1 by the assertion1 that the forbearance and kindness shown1 originate not in friendly regard and ,christian charity1 but in the ignoble wish of buying golden opinions1--in the pusillanimous desire of propitiating men roused to a sense of their injuries1--of disarming of their angry passions men panting for retaliation and revenge4 ,thus the force of the public and social obligations of life has been impaired1 and those kind ties and sympathies1 which bind man to man in their several relations1 are converted by the poison of infidel principles1 into food for malignant feelings1 which inwardly rankle in the heart1 and which outwardly evince themselves by discontent1 distrust1 and dislike2 and when the opportunity presents itself1 by violence1 aggression1 and outrage4 ,the effects of such a state of things1 if not counteracted1 cannot be contemplated1 without the most painful apprehension1 for1 as it has been powerfully expressed1 8fatal must be the consequences1 if the monstrous fiends of blasphemy and disorganization now going about seeking whom they may devour1 and stalking openly through the land1 with menace and defiance1 be suffered to take undisturbed possession of our peasants and artificers1 or of those on whom they immediately depend for their support40 ,we have already seen the system of extensive combinations carried on in defiance of the laws2--organized bands and tumultuous assemblages of peasantry1 extorting money1 and enforcing their demands with threats of violence2--wanton destruction of property1 in the breaking of machinery1 in attacks upon private houses1 and in the far more horrible crime of the nocturnal incendiary2--violence and excesses in many towns2--and riot1 pillage1 and arson1 defying for some days1 in a great city1 municipal authorities and military force4 ,now when all these fearful evils are viewed in connection with the general increase of crime1 more particularly of juvenile delinquency2 with the abuse and profanation of the sabbath1 and neglect of the public ordinances of religion1 and with the unsound views in faith and morals which extensively prevail--the shades of the gloomy picture gradually darken4 ,but it is capable of receiving some further tints1 and then the moral state of the kingdom1 which has been studiously kept as far as possible distinct from the political1 will stand forth1 it is believed1 under such an appalling aspect as to satisfy men1 of all parties1 of the necessity of prompt and vigorous exertion1 of strong and efficient remedies4 ,amongst the great body of the people have sprung up contempt for antiquity1 disregard for established usages1 disrespect for rank1 love of innovation1 clamorous discontent1 and fierce desire of change1 which impel them forward with blind and presumptuous confidence in their own wisdom1 and with reckless indifference as to what may be the consequences of their precipitation and rashness4 ,the public press1 which exercises a fearful despotism--and political leaders1 whose authority is scarcely less absolute--urge forward an already over-excited people1 instead of attempting to allay the rising storm which threatens to involve all in the common ruin of social order1 public property1 and national credit4 ,the urgent importance of the question1 ,what is to be done8 cannot but force itself upon the attention of the most supine--of the most indifferent to their country's safety and welfare2 and surely only one answer can be returned--repair any injuries which time may have caused to the goodly edifice of the ,church1 or to the fair fabric of the ,constitution1 striving1 at the same time1 by a general diffusion of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge1 to secure the eradication of heretical and infidel opinions1 and the reformation of public morals2 and by the blessing of ,god1 the storm will pass away1 and leave the ,church and ,constitution unscathed4 ,true ,christian wisdom revolts from any concession of principle1 but not less so from any defence of error2 it yields not to popular clamour and threats in matters of duty1 but it thankfully receives the admonition given in the spirit of kindness1 and profits even by the warning of an enemy1 to remove any slight blemishes1 which1 affecting not the foundation of the ,church built on a rock1 appear externally1 and tempt the rash and rude hand of bold and unhallowed reparation4 ,it is the height of political wisdom to know when to refuse1 and when to concede popular claims4 ,to refuse just claims is equally wicked and unwise2 it is not only an act of injustice1 as debarring the people from their rights1 but it destroys confidence and respect--it produces fierce discontent1 exasperation1 and vindictiveness towards their rulers2 and1 in the end1 if the claimants be powerful1 that is extorted as a right which was first asked as a boon4 ,to concede unfounded claims is equally weak and unwise2 it stimulates the eager and grasping spirit of demand1 it rarely conciliates for the time1 but never satisfies2 it causes that unsettled expecting and excited state of the public mind so unfavourable to national contentment1 happiness1 and prosperity2 and if the system be long continued--and every new concession1 by weakening the strength of the yielding party1 will make it more difficult to change the system--security after security1 privilege after privilege having been surrendered1 the petitioners will become the framers of the laws--the claimants1 the dispensers of privileges--the governed1 the governing power in the kingdom4 ,at the awful crisis at which we have arrived it is the bounden duty of all men to forget party distinctions1 to divest themselves of party spirit1 to have no object in view but the honour of ,god and the general good4 ,let1 therefore1 the claims of the people be dispassionately and impartially weighed2 not1 however1 abstractedly1 but with relation to the general good2 and let these claims be conceded so far as they may be granted consistently with the rights of property1 the integrity of the constitution1 the interests of religion1 and the welfare of the empire4 ,and having made every concession which justice demands1 and which the real interests not only of the claimants1 but of society at large1 sanction1 let the whole energies of government and the nation be directed to crushing the seditious and blasphemous associations which are actively employed in exciting discontent and insubordination1 and in corrupting the principles of our agricultural and manufacturing population2 and let every means be employed to calm the agitation of the public mind--to restore it to that peaceful1 healthful1 and contented state1 which once so much distinguished the people of ,england4 ,to effect1 however1 this great object1 the co-operation of that mighty engine of good or evil--the public press1 is essential4 ,when the information1 the talent1 the eloquence1 which are so conspicuous in many of our leading journals are considered1 we cease to wonder at the immense influence they possess over the public mind2 for partly through indolence1 partly through ignorance1 a large proportion of men are disposed to adopt1 without examination1 opinions which come recommended by the authority of a name they have been accustomed to respect and value4 ,how beneficial1 then1 would be the consequences to society1 if the public press would use more moderation2 if instead of swelling the storm which is raging through the land1 it would pour oil upon the heaving and troubled waters2 if1 instead of advocating the interests of a party1 the public good was made of paramount importance4 ,it is melancholy to observe the pernicious influence of party spirit upon the public press of this country3 it is not only that it excites rancour and bitterness of feeling1 but even truth1 viewed through the medium of its jaundiced eye1 appears like falsehood--beauty1 like deformity--virtue1 like vice4 ,of this we have at present a too complete proof in the misrepresentations1 the misstatements1 the calumnies1 which have been directed against the ,established ,church4 ,the writers cannot be so ignorant as not to know the charges are substantially false1--they cannot be so dishonest as to give circulation to what they know to be untrue1 and therefore1 as they publish the most false and calumnious allegations against the ,clergy1 it can only be1 that the mists of party distort objects1--the prejudices of party misconstrue motives1--the spirit of party perverts facts4 ,let it not be said that the liberty of the press has degenerated into such licentiousness1 that many public journals have willingly and premeditatedly been guilty of the monstrous wickedness of traducing and vilifying1 and holding up to public scorn and reprobation1 the ,clergy of the ,established ,church1 but rather that1 under the delirium of a political fever1 they have unconsciously loaded with unmerited opprobrium1 and most unjustly held up to public odium1 the ,clergy1 who1 as a body1 are distinguished for their talents1 their learning1 their piety1 and their zeal in their ,great ,master's holy cause4 ,a deep debt of justice remains due to the ,established ,church2 and to the sense of right1 and to the good feelings of those who have joined in the cry against it1 this appeal is made4 ,there is not any disposition on the part of the ,clergy to ask for undue favour or commendation3--no wish1 that abuses1 if they exist1 should be spared1--that delinquency1 if any case occur1 should escape punishment4 ,but they protest against the manifest injustice with which they have been treated4 ,the most extravagant over-statements of a few valuable appointments have been industriously circulated1 as a proof of excessive and overgrown wealth1 whilst the poverty of some high dignities1 and a large proportion of benefices1 has been studiously kept back2 the failings and offences of a few individuals1 under every form of exaggeration and perversion1 have been dwelt and enlarged upon with evident satisfaction1 whilst no just meed of praise has been bestowed upon the body1 to which rather the censure1 due only to some few members1 has ingeniously1 but wickedly1 been made to attach4 ,all which misrepresentations apparently have in view one object1--that the charges of excessive wealth and extreme worthlessness may stimulate and justify spoliation and subversion4 ,and yet no angry recriminations1 scarcely any indignant remonstrances1 have issued from the injured party3 when they have spoken1 it has been in the calm language of conscious rectitude2 and the great body have forborn to reply to insult and invective1 relying on the goodness of their cause1 to which they feel assured the people of ,england will1 sooner or later1 do full justice4 ,if aught could soften the harsh severity1 could shame the cruel injustice with which the ,clergy have been censured1 vilified1 and persecuted1 surely it should be the ,christian meekness and patience with which they have borne the heavy load of wrong that has been cast upon them4 ,full many there are who1 unmoved by clamour1 unprovoked by injuries1 and unappalled by dangers1 are pursuing the even tenor of their way1 in the diligent and faithful discharge of their sacred duties4 ,but silence under grievous charges is often interpreted into an admission of their truth1 and meekness under heavy reproaches a proof of their justice4 ,there are times1 therefore1 when the ,clergy should raise their voice in self-vindication2 not merely for their own sakes1 but that of their flocks2 for if they allow their office to be degraded1 and their characters aspersed1 without maintaining the one and defending the other1 their influence will be seriously weakened1 and their usefulness1 in the same degree1 diminished4 ,hence it has ever been the artful policy of the infidel school to attack religion through her ministers2 and such is the course which is adopted now1 and those ministers will aid and abet the cause of the enemies of their faith1 if they repel not the darts which are meant to reach1 through their bodies1 the altars of their ,god4 ,and would that that portion of the press1 which has long assailed the ,clergy with much unmerited severity and abuse1 could be persuaded to make a tardy reparation for the wrong they have done1--for the injury they have inflicted on society6 ,the public journals now reach the remotest corners of the island2 and in many distant parishes1 in which the incumbent alone spends the income drawn from the soil1 alone dispenses his charity1 visits the sick1 instructs the ignorant1--even there the blighting influence of calumny extends1 and the work of ,christian benevolence and charity is neutralized by the splenetic effusions1 or foul and false charges of the public press4 ,oh6 that the awful circumstances of the present times would teach forbearance1 if not justice1--would induce silence1 if not commendation4 ,if they love not religion for its own sake1--if they respect not its ministers for their own sake1--let the value of both be admitted in stemming that fearful tide of sedition and infidelity which threatens to overturn the civil as well as religious institutions of the country4 ,and there is another consideration not to be forgotten3 in times of pestilence1 the ministers of ,god have ever proved faithful to their trust1 and a blessing to the sick and dying3 that scourge of the ,almighty is now upon the land2 let the press then seek to heal the breach they have made between the pastor and his flock1 lest by the baleful suspicions and hatred they have caused in the minds of the latter1 they may be the means of intercepting the stream of ,divine mercy1--of darkening the light of ,divine truth4 ,vain will be all the efforts of the friends of religion and order to counteract the present evils1 which endanger the best interests of society1 and to introduce a better order of things1 if a large proportion of the public journals continue not only to excite the public mind1 but to prejudice it against the ,clergy1 by imputing to them unworthy motives1 and by bringing against them heavy and unsubstantiated charges4 ,in many places at present1 the plans of the ,clergyman for the benefit of his parish are entirely frustrated2 a large proportion of his parishioners being like men labouring under a fever caused by injudicious treatment1--the wholesome aliment1 which would give nourishment and strength in a healthy state1 injures rather than benefits2 and even the medicines which should cure the disease are rejected1 through distrust of the physician who prescribes them4 ,but let those who have injured the patient1 by supplying stimulants when they should have administered sedatives1 by exciting suspicion when they should have inspired confidence1 endeavour to repair the evil they have produced1 and then the ministers of the ,great ,physician of souls will recover their proper influence1 and will be able beneficially to exercise their important functions4 ,it is impossible to estimate the advantage of the ministerial office to society1 until the aggregate of the services of men1 who have all their allotted field of action throughout the kingdom1 be well weighed4 ,let any one examine minutely into the benefit which one parish receives from a resident incumbent1 who faithfully discharges the duties of his office2 and if all do not so1 it is the fault of the individual1 and not of the system3--let him observe1 not merely the general advantage derived by all from the residence amongst them of a well informed and well conducted man1--at once the scholar1 the gentleman1 and the ,christian1--but of one who is the authorized medium through which abuses are to be checked and corrected1 vice discountenanced and reproved1 virtue encouraged and rewarded1 relief administered to distress1 instruction to ignorance1 comfort to sorrow1 and the light of the ,gospel diffused amongst all1--its offers addressed to all1 its consolation imparted to all4 ,then let him attempt to calculate the amount of instruction conveyed through 8the alacrity1 the zeal1 the warm-heartedness which the ,established ,clergy have manifested for the education of the poor20 #adi of comfort derived by suffering in its hour of need and sorrow1 from its faithful pastor2 and of benefit imparted to all1 either directly or indirectly1 either temporally or spiritually1 by the appointed and responsible teachers of the ,gospel1 throughout the parishes in the kingdom4 ,and then let him form a judgment as to what degree of confidence is to be placed in the wisdom1 what sense of obligation is to be entertained for the services1--not of those who are labouring with earnest diligence to 8feed the flock over which the ,holy ,ghost has made them overseers10--of those who by impoverishing the ,clergy would deprive them of the means of affording temporal assistance to the poor and needy2 and by calumniating the ,clergy would impede the discharge and frustrate the efficacy of their spiritual ministrations4 ,alas6 it is because the full value of the quiet and unobtrusive labours of all ranks in the ,church is so little known by those who are actively engaged in public life1 that plans are devised1 which1 possessing some plausibility1 and coming recommended with much eloquence1 are eagerly embraced by many1 who would indignantly reject them were they aware that1 if adopted1 they would injure the present and endanger the eternal welfare of millions4 ,as men1 as statesmen1 and as ,christians1 let all who have inconsiderately joined in the cry against the ,church forbear1 until they have ascertained for themselves1 by minute and impartial investigation1 whether it is as wealthy and proud1 as grasping and worldly1 as bigoted and intolerant1 as intermeddling and domineering1 as inefficient and corrupt1 as its enemies have represented it to be4 ,could it be proved to be such1 every sincere ,christian1 whether cleric or laic1 would at once say1 free it from the abuses which disgrace its character and impair its efficiency4 ,but of the charges brought against it1 the large proportion originate in the hostility1 hatred1 and malignity of its enemies2 there may be some defects1 but they are incidental1 not inherent1 and are at present occupying the deep and anxious attention of the heads of the establishment1 who are most desirous to correct whatever may limit the influence or lessen the usefulness of that pure and reformed branch of the ,church of ,christ established in this kingdom4 ,if the enemies of the ,church1 who profess to be the friends of mankind1 are sincere1 as we are bound to consider them1 in the expression of their wish to benefit their fellow-men1 they must not impede the operation of an establishment which every where diffuses a knowledge of that ,gospel1 the salutary influence of which extends through society1 as the only cure of the ills to which flesh is heir4 ,they may closely watch and severely scrutinize the proceedings of the ,church2 but1 as men and ,christians1 they are bound to do it justice1 and give it their support as a powerful agent1 in lightening the load of misery which too often exists in this commercial country to a frightful extent4 8,compare10 says the present ,bishop of ,chester1 8compare the ignorant and unreflecting peasant1 who moves in the same dull1 and too often sinful track1 with no ideas beyond the ground he treads upon1 the sensual indulgences which he gratifies1 and the day that is passing over his head2--compare him with his enlightened neighbour1 nay1 with himself1 if happily he becomes enlightened1 when he follows the same path of active industry1 but makes it a path towards his heavenly ,father's kingdom2--and then perceive1 by a visible example1 what the grace of ,god effects through the agency of man2 or take a case1 too common1 alas6 too familiarly known to many who hear me4 ,take the case of those who see their occupation sinking from under them2 their means of support annually decreasing1 and little prospect of its melioration4 ,suppose that the views of these1 and such as these1 are bounded by this present world1 what can they be but unhappy1 restless1 discontented2 defying ,god1 and murmuring at man2 distressing the philanthropist1 because he sees no comfort left to them2 distressing the statesman1 because he can devise no remedy for their relief2 above all1 distressing the ,christian1 who sees the future prospect far darker than the present gloom8 ,suppose the case of one thus circumstanced1 having no hope beyond this world2 and then contemplate the change which would be produced1 if any of the means by which grace is communicated to the heart should inspire the same person with the principles and the faith of the ,gospel2 converting him from whatever is evil in his ways1 and thus removing all the accumulation which sin adds to poverty3 reconciling him to hardships and privations as the intended trial of his faith1 the lot of many of ,god's most approved servants2 and lighting up the darkness of this world by the rays which precede that which is to come1 the earnest of a brighter dawn40 ,may those who have been so far misled as to become either hostile or indifferent to their ,church now do tardy justice to her1 which1 through good report and evil report1 is still true to her righteous and holy cause1 and dispenses through the land the light and blessing of the ,gospel of peace3 may those who love1 cherish1 and venerate the religion of their fathers--the ,church of their ,god--approve themselves zealous and faithful sons2 our ,zion requires active1 stanch1 vigilant1 and experienced defenders3 her enemies are numerous1 persevering1 powerful1 malignant1 implacable2 their attacks are sometimes open1 sometimes insidious1 but always skilfully planned1 and ably conducted2 still1 whilst the ,church continues true to ,god and ,his ,christ1 she has nothing to fear1 for 8greater is ,he who is for her than he who is against her40 8,the ,lord is her shield and buckler10 and ,christ has promised to be always1 even unto the end of the world1 with his ,church1 which is founded on the rock of faith1 and against which 8the gates of hell shall not prevail30 in humble1 but firm reliance1 therefore1 upon ,him1 of whose mystical body she forms a portion1 the ,church of ,england1 amid the strifes of political changes1 amid the distractions of civil contentions1 amid the storms of popular clamour and fury1 remains stedfast through faith1 and joyful through hope3 8,as some tall cliff that lifts its awful form1 ,swells from the vale1 and midway leaves the storm1 ,tho' round its breast the rolling clouds are spread1 ,eternal sunshine settles on its head40 ,whilst1 however1 we rely with firm and holy confidence upon the ,great ,author and ,finisher of our ,faith1 for the protection and preservation of ,his ,church2 zeal1 energy1 and discretion1 in defence of religion1 are not the less requisite in believers1 who labour under their ,heavenly ,master for the furtherance of ,his ,gospel4 ,as the ,almighty is pleased to employ human agents for the accomplishment of ,his gracious designs towards ,his creatures2 ,his faithful servants hoping to prove instruments1 in ,his hands1 of good to their fellow men1 must use every means in their power to frustrate the evil designs of the enemies of the ,lord2 and to induce a sinful nation1 suffering under a ,divine visitation1 to put away from them 8the evil of their ways10 which has called down the ,divine displeasure2 and humbling themselves before ,god to implore ,his mercy1 8that the plague may be stayed from the people40 #aed ,let1 then1 all the servants of the ,lord1 at this alarming and awful crisis1 8be very jealous for the ,lord ,god of ,hosts20 #aee and pray and labour incessantly for the defeat of the devices of unbelief2 which1 whether under the form of an irreligious spirit seeking to do without ,christianity1 or under the bolder aspect of open infidelity1 striving to subvert ,christianity1 is the main cause of the evils which now endanger the safety of the civil and religious institutions of the kingdom4 ,we have seen that1 in the case of the lower classes of society1 the tide of profaneness has been setting in with a force and fury which threaten to overturn all the defences of religion1 morals1 and laws1 which have long withstood their fierce assaults--their destructive ravages4 ,can it be that the emissaries of ,satan shall be found more zealous and indefatigable in disseminating the poison which is to destroy both body and soul1 than the servants of ,god are vigilant1 active1 and unwearied1 to prevent the bane or supply the antidote8 ,can it be that the slaves of sin and darkness1 under the galling yoke of him who is a hard master1 will manifest a more willing and prompt obedience1 than the servants of ,god1 in the cause of their blessed ,lord1 whose 8burden is light10--8whose service is perfect freedom80 ,we have seen1 also1 that in the middle and higher classes of society there appears to be an equally effective1 though less conspicuous1 agent at work--a deep and silent current1 which is gradually1 though secretly1 undermining that great foundation of ,christianity1 that the law of ,god is to be the rule of life4 ,this great engine of evil1 as more insidious1 is1 in reality1 more dangerous than the noisy turbulence of infidel assemblies1 or the open circulation of blasphemous publications2 the power of the spirit of darkness1 when1 8as a roaring lion he walketh about seeking whom he may devour10 is less to be dreaded1 than when he employs the noiseless gliding of 8the serpent10 which discovers itself only by the sting of death4 ,can it be that any of the friends of religion will shut their ears against these representations of great and alarming danger--delude themselves with the groundless anticipations of unjustifiable hope--deceive themselves with the distant plans of culpable procrastination--or shroud themselves beneath the covering of indolent supineness and heartless indifference8 ,too long palliatives have been employed instead of remedies1 expediency has been substituted for principle1 and worldly wisdom has encroached upon the province of ,divine ,revelation4 ,as a ,christian nation our laws and institutions should be all essentially ,christian2 the foreign and domestic policy of the ,state1 and the public and private conduct of individuals1 should be all animated by a ,christian spirit1 and guided by ,christian rules and precedents4 ,let us1 therefore1 enquire by what means is the predominance of ,christianity to be restored1 when it is threatened with still further depression2 when it has great and powerful enemies all plotting its destruction in this country8 ,there is one mean--to which reference has been already made1 as being the great object the believer should have in view--which would1 with the blessing of ,god1 upon whom alone dependence must rest for success against ,his enemies1 be effectual in accomplishing this great end1 and that is the zealous and unanimous co-operation of all ,christians for the general diffusion of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge4 ,a very brief examination into the cause which has contributed largely to the present state of things1 so unfavourable to the interests of genuine ,christianity1 may suffice to place this in a clear point of view4 ,religious error generally receives its distinguishing features from the literary character of the age3 and an age which abounds with sciolists is very fertile in sceptics4 ,for it has been always found that the effect of superficial knowledge is rather to unsettle1 of profound knowledge to confirm1 belief in ,revelation2 as was well observed by that mighty master in philosophy1 ,bacon1 who says1 8a little philosophy inclines us to atheism1 and a great deal of philosophy carries us back to religion40 ,and the reason of this is obvious2 there are certain difficulties of every subject which lie upon1 or nearly at1 the surface2 slight labour and research1 therefore1 put the enquirer in possession of little more than those difficulties2 whilst if the spirit of patient and accurate investigation had carried him further1 he would have found them gradually disappear before the light of truth breaking by degrees upon his mind1 and leading him to just and certain conclusions1 drawn from a long series of proofs4 ,now the present age appears to be characterized by a wide diffusion of elementary knowledge amongst all classes of society2 by a preference of an extensive1 though necessarily superficial1 acquaintance with general literature and the elements of modern science1 to an accurate and profound knowledge of a few leading branches of study2 and by a tendency to elevate the pursuit of physical above that of moral and religious truth4 ,from the proposition laid down1 of the ordinary effects of superficial knowledge upon the mind in the investigation of religious truth1 we should conclude1 that such a system of popular instruction is calculated to indispose towards the full reception of a ,divine ,revelation2 that the mind1 either bewildered by a variety of pursuits1 or dissatisfied by diversity of opinions1 will consider all knowledge uncertain1 and all theories unsatisfactory2 or influenced by that intellectual pride and presumption which are amongst the most bitter fruits of defective knowledge1 deem itself competent to decide summarily upon whatever passes under its observation4 ,for if it has been found--as it has been too often found--that minds1 otherwise highly gifted1 but destitute of religious principles1 when long accustomed to demonstration1 are apt to underrate the value of moral proof2 and when long familiar with natural causes1 sometimes forget the great ,architect1 who formed and put in motion our globe2 sometimes forget the great ,first ,cause1 which gave nature her powers and properties1 and now preserves and directs them to a beneficial end3 what must we expect when far inferior minds1 without mental discipline and profound knowledge1 those happy results of laborious and patient study2 but with vanity flattered by appeals made to its judgment1 and with pride fostered by the acquisition of a poor modicum of science1 deem themselves competent not merely to decide upon the most difficult questions of government and legislation1 but upon the most profound truths of natural and revealed religion8 ,the result may be easily anticipated2 if this empty vanity1 this presumptuous pride of intellect1 reject not ,christianity at once1 it ordinarily takes an heretical direction1 and assuming the specious guise of love of investigation1 and value for the powers of reason1 it makes the deep and awful mysteries of our holy faith the subject of crude theories and daring speculations2 and with powers confessedly unequal to the explanation of some of the lowest wonders of the material world1 seeks to penetrate within the veil drawn around the ,godhead1 and reduce to the level of human comprehension the very nature of the ,divine essence4 ,should it1 however1 take one step further1 and that an easy step1 it rejects the truths it had long distorted1 it resigns the shadow of which it had never known the substance1 and declaring ,christianity to be 8a cunningly devised fable10 it becomes the advocate of heartless1 hopeless infidelity4 ,this is no imaginary picture1 but one1 of the reality and fidelity of which the present state of society affords too abundant proof4 ,not that superficial acquaintance with science is a thing of new occurrence2 not that pride of intellect--ever a luxuriant weed in rich but ill-cultivated soils1--is a growth peculiar to our times2 not that heresy and infidelity1 its bitterest fruits1 never till now spread their poison through our land2 but never before was the field so large1 the weeds more rank1 and the crop so abundant4 ,formerly1 science flowed in a few deep and noble rivers1 of whose copious waters the nation at large sparingly drank2 we still have many rich streams which fertilize the land1 but in addition to them there is an infinity of small rivulets1 some of which1 like mountain torrents1 after a thunder-storm1 are brawling and turbulent1 covered with much foam1 mixed with much impurity1 often rising over their banks1 and spreading havoc and barrenness1 where all was fertility and beauty4 ,such streams may serve to illustrate the effects1 upon society1 of the violence and turbulence of those1 whose imperfect acquaintance with science has first shaken their own belief1 and has then been made instrumental to the spread of infidel doctrines1 amongst those who had lived in happy ignorance of 8science1 falsely so called40 ,but would any one1 therefore1 be so unwise as to endeavour to keep these turbulent brooks pent up8 ,the destruction would be only wider and heavier when they at last burst over the mounds that restrained them3 but it is at once the course of wisdom and of humanity to confine them within their banks1 and give them a due direction1 and then1 as they descend towards the plain1 gradually the brawling ceases1 the froth disappears1 the mud subsides1 and you have a pure and quiet stream diffusing the riches1 refreshment1 and beauty of science over the land4 ,no calumny has1 perhaps1 been more frequently repeated in the present day than that those who expose the perversion1 are the enemies of science4 ,but in spite of interested clamour and unjust censure1 the ,christian is bound to maintain1 that knowledge is valuable in the degree in which it makes men not merely wiser but better3 and that however he may approve of literary and scientific pursuits1 however ready he may be to extol their value1 for great indeed is their value1 still their highest value is in proving subsidiary to the acquisition of ,christian knowledge4 ,whilst1 therefore1 he recommends their attainment1 because they are calculated to enlighten and invigorate the mind1 correct and refine the taste1 exalt and dignify the character1 to supply a rational and unfailing source of relaxation and enjoyment1 he must ever maintain1 that unless hallowed with some portion of that 8wisdom which is from above10 they will be useless to their possessor1 and may1 by a mischievous perversion1 not only be fatal to his present and future happiness1 but injurious to the best interests of a community4 ,that the extension of education has contributed to the production of such evils is true1 but it is not less true1 that education is not fairly chargeable with accidental and separable consequences4 ,the fault has been1 that the provision for the religious instruction of the age1 notwithstanding the zeal and activity shewn to accomplish this great object1 has not increased in the same ratio with that for its advancement in literature and science4 ,the supply of the mental wants of the middle and lower classes of society1 which have received this powerful impulsion towards knowledge1 has been too much in the hands of those who avowedly exclude religion from their system of popular education4 ,thus1 a much neglected soil has been broken up1 and prepared for cultivation1 but 8whilst men slept1 the enemy came and sowed tares in the field20 the ,lord's labourers1 however1 are not therefore to desert the field1 but to employ1 for the future1 more watchful vigilance1 more earnest zeal1 and more assiduous labour4 ,there is no benefit nor blessing which is not capable of perversion and abuse2 but it would be a strange act of folly to refuse a manifest advantage1 through fear of contingent evil1 both the prevention and correction of which are in our own power4 8,the almost universal diffusion of elementary knowledge furnishes the enemies of revealed religion with abundant materials to work upon3 but then it also furnishes the friends of truth with the obvious means of counteracting the influence of erroneous doctrines1 and of instilling sounder principles into the bulk of the community4 ,any attempt to suppress1 or even to check1 the spirit of inquiry1 which is abroad in the world1 would not only be a vain and fruitless attempt1 but a violation of the indefeasible liberty of the human mind1 and an interference with its natural constitution4 ,to impart to that spirit a right direction1 to sanctify it with holy motives1 to temper it to righteous purposes1 to shape it to ends which lie beyond the limits of this beginning of our existence1 will be the endeavour of those who desire to make the cultivation of intellect conducive to moral improvement1 and to establish the kingdom of ,christ at once in the understanding and affections of mankind40 #afd ,let1 then1 all the friends of religion employ some portion of their time1 their influence1 and their wealth1 in zealously labouring to promote a general diffusion of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge4 ,let them be assured that the mental cultivation of the population of a country1 when properly conducted1 will1 by elevating the moral character1 always have a beneficial influence upon society2 that it can only be properly conducted when religion forms the basis of the system of instruction2 and that the present ardent thirst for knowledge will be productive of lasting evil or good to the best interests of ,england1 accordingly as it is1 or is not1 directed as to an object of paramount importance1 to that fountain of 8living water0 which floweth for our salvation4 ,when religion has been made the basis of education1 and the principles of revelation have been clearly understood1 and cordially embraced1 a slight acquaintance with science not only ceases to have any injurious effect upon the mind1 but benefits it1 as the acquisition of useful knowledge must always do3 in the humility1 faith1 stability1 and knowledge of true religion1 there is a safe-guard against the evils usually attendant upon a superficial acquaintance with natural philosophy in minds ill-disciplined and ill-informed4 ,nor is it only that physical science benefits minds early imbued with religious principles2 a knowledge of many of its departments opens a new and unfailing source of high and pure enjoyment2 it supplies1 as it were1 a new sense3 before1 ,creation presented a beautiful and varied picture1 delighting the eye1 and filling the heart with gladness4 ,but it was in a degree like the picture of a great master1 to one unacquainted with painting2 the general beauty1 and happiness of effect1 were discoverable1 but there was not the full satisfaction which the connoisseur derives from his knowledge of the art2 upon the former1 the general effect principally makes an impression2 with the latter1 not only the general effect1 but all the variety of details1 all the happy combinations1 which have united to produce that effect1 are seen1 understood1 and appreciated2 and there results the high gratification felt by a cultivated mind1 when the eye is pleased1 the understanding exercised1 and the judgment satisfied4 ,however inadequate every illustration1 drawn from art1 must be to convey any just conception of the impression which the works of nature are calculated to make upon the enlightened mind2 still this may afford a faint parallel of the advantage which scientific men possess over those who have never studied the book of nature4 ,for physical science improves the perception of the beauties1 whilst it unfolds the wonders1 of creation3 not only do the great results of nature's works become1 through it1 better understood2 but the causes and modes of operation1 by which those results are accomplished1 are discovered3 and the student becomes more full of delight and admiration1 the further his researches extend2 he traces the nice connexion1 which every where exists between causes and effects2 and surveys1 with wonder and praise1 the beautiful contrivances1 the admirable adaptations1 the perfect harmony1 which reign throughout the creation of ,god4 ,his mind thus becomes deeply and powerfully impressed with the uniform perfection visible in the works of the ,deity3 if he observe with his telescope a planet1--one of those bright bodies which gem the canopy of heaven1--or examine with his microscope an insect1--one of the minutest beings which sport in the summer's sunshine1--he still sees the same perfection2 8those rolling fires on high0 perform their appointed revolutions1 in their several orbits1 directed by unvarying laws2 and the tiny insect1 equally complete in its organization1 exercises1 with an instinct as unerring1 its allotted functions4 ,the whole material universe supplies the student of nature with a rich field1 at once1 of investigation and enjoyment3 the mineral1 the vegetable1 and the animal kingdoms1 all disclose their treasures to his inquiring mind2 which is not1 however1 limited by the narrow bounds of our terraqueous globe1 but ranges through the fields of ether1 far as the eye can penetrate into the distant regions of illimitable space4 ,throughout he is delighted to trace the hand of the ,creator2 to observe every where design and arrangement2 nothing superfluous1 nothing in vain1 but the mighty machinery of a stupendous system2 in the great principles of which there is sublime simplicity1 in their operations unvarying accuracy and matchless contrivance1 in their details endless variety and infinite combinations1 and in their effects utility1 beauty1 grandeur1 and magnificence4 ,the works of the ,almighty far exceed the full comprehension of finite intelligence1 but much further do they transcend adequate description in uninspired language3 man feels all his feebleness of intellect and of expression1 when he attempts to penetrate deeply into1 or to describe accurately1 the mighty works of ,god2 he is then constrained to confess1 8such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me2 ,i cannot attain unto it40 #afg 8,oh ,lord1 how manifold are ,thy works6 in wisdom hast ,thou made them all3 the earth is full of ,thy riches2 so is the great and wide sea also40 #afh;a 8,the heavens declare the glory of ,god1 and the firmament sheweth ,his handy-work40 #afh;b 8,by the word of the ,lord were the heavens made1 and all the host of them by the breath of ,his mouth4 ,he gathereth the waters of the sea together1 as it were upon an heap1 and layeth up the deep1 as in a treasure-house4 ,let the earth fear the ,lord3 stand in awe of ,him1 all ye that dwell in the world4 ,for ,he spake1 and it was done2 ,he commanded1 and it stood fast40 #afh;c ,and he breaks forth in the devout hymn of the ,psalmist2 8,praise the ,lord1 oh my soul3 oh ,lord my ,god1 ,thou art become exceeding glorious3 ,thou art clothed with majesty and honour4 ,thou deckest ,thyself with light1 as it were with a garment3 and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain4 ,who layeth the beams of ,his chambers in the waters1 and maketh the clouds ,his chariot1 and walketh upon the wings of the wind40 ,when philosophy is thus sanctified by ,christianity1 the volume of nature presents1 after the volume of inspiration1 the most instructive and delightful study of man2 in both he can read1 as if written by a sun-beam1 the power1 the wisdom1 and the goodness of the ,most ,high4 ,would1 then1 any wish to debar others from the high intellectual feast which nature bountifully spreads before all1 and of which she pressingly invites all to partake8 ,such would be to limit or to divert the streams of ,divine bounty1 whilst flowing in their proper channels3 such would be to make a monopoly of one of heaven's best and freest gifts to man1 whilst a pilgrim in this world of woe1--the admonitions which nature addressing to the enlightened and thoughtful mind1 8,leads it upward to a brighter day40 ,would any say1 ,gaze as long as you like upon the beauties and wonders of nature1 but attempt not to explore its hidden secrets--to examine the latent springs of its vast and complicated machinery8 ,such would be1 as if a man possessing a curious and exquisite piece of mechanism were to direct the observers to remark the beauty of the material1 the regularity of the movements1 and the certainty of the results1 and yet to forbid them to examine into the principle of construction and the mode of operation1 on which those movements and that certainty depend4 ,for the proportion1 in which he who has studied the structure of the globe1 the wonderful mechanism of the universe1 as far as ,revelation and reason have enabled men to go1 derives from its contemplation greater enjoyment and instruction than he who treads the earth1 traverses the seas1 and gazes upon the heavens1 ignorant of all philosophy can teach1 is the same as that in which he who understands mechanics receives greater pleasure and information1 than he who understands them not1 from examining the process of a masterly application of the powers of that science4 ,let1 therefore1 the knowledge of physical science be widely diffused1 but let the basis of ,christian principles be first laid2 for thus not only may the evil of scepticism be provided against1 but the field of moral and intellectual enjoyment and improvement will be enlarged to the student2 for never does the study of the material universe more elevate the mind1 and expand the heart1 than when we are accustomed to refer every thing to a great and gracious ,creator1--to look habitually 8,through nature up to nature's ,god40 8,we know that there is a superficial philosophy1 which casts the glare of a most seducing brilliancy around it2 and spurns the ,bible1 with all the doctrine and all the piety of the ,bible1 away from it2 and has infused the spirit of ,antichrist into many of the literary establishments of the age3 but it is not the solid1 the profound1 the cautious spirit of that philosophy1 which has done so much to ennoble the modern period of our world2 for the more that this spirit is cultivated and understood1 the more will it be found in alliance with that ,spirit1 in virtue of which all that exalteth itself against the knowledge of ,god is humbled1 and all lofty imaginations are cast down1 and every thought of the heart is brought into the captivity of the obedience of ,christ40 #aga ,the first great principle1 therefore1 which all must steadily keep in view and strenuously advocate1 is that the ,bible should form the basis of education4 ,it is not sufficient to say1 that education is to be conducted on religious principles1 for on the subject of religion there exists1 in this day1 a most unfortunate and mischievous variety of opinions1 which would be much diminished if the ,holy ,scriptures were made the real1 as they are the professed1 groundwork of every system of ,christian instruction4 ,two other great principles1 which the true servants of ,god should strongly recommend and enforce1 as being intimately and necessarily connected with the first--that the ,bible is to be the basis of education1--are1 that the ,bible is to be the rule of faith1 and the guide of public and private life4 ,from a neglect of these three great principles of ,christian conduct1 it is hardly too much to say1 that almost all the evils which afflict society have arisen3 for they all reciprocate1 and mutually contribute to their common perpetuation4 ,the man of the world educates his son in the way best calculated to promote his temporal advancement3 and that son1 in his turn1 when he becomes a father1 is regardless of the eternal interests of his child1 which he has never been taught to value4 ,for the system begun in childhood is continued through all the stages of life2 and 8the spirit returns unto ,god who gave it10 having been occupied almost to the last moment of human existence with the pursuit of worldly advantage and enjoyment4 ,here we have1 consequently1 only the name of ,christianity2 for neither do its motives influence1 nor its rules guide the conduct3 there may be the external form1 but there is not the power of godliness2 there may be the cold and lifeless statue1 there is not the living ,christian1 possessed of intelligence1 volition1 and motion1 and animated by faith and hope1--the origin1 exercise1 and direction of which belong to the ,spirit of ,god4 ,this is a necessary consequence of that neglect of the ,bible1 which has been already noticed as being such a prolific source of error4 ,there is very general in the world a standard of faith and morals1 which ,scripture does not recognize1 and a reliance upon ,divine mercy1 which ,scripture does not sanction4 ,thus the world calls vices venial1 which ,scripture says shall exclude from heaven2 and the world speaks peace1 where ,scripture pronounces woe4 ,take1 however1 the life of a large body of men1 trace it from the cradle to the grave2 observe in childhood its toys1 in boyhood its sports1 in youth its pleasures1 in manhood its occupations and enjoyments1 and in age its employments2 all in succession deemed of supreme importance1 and the excessive indulgence of which has never been considered criminal3 then take the ,bible1 and compare the survey you have made with what it reveals of the nature and object of man's probation2 and the conclusion will force itself irresistibly and painfully upon you1 that as life is to be a state of moral discipline to fit the heir of immortality for his bright inheritance1 the life1 which has been depicted1 is not that which will lead to the blessed mansions of heaven4 ,against this spurious ,christianity1 let the friends of true religion every where raise their voice1 for like a currency of base coin1 it is not only without value in itself1 but deludes its possessor with the false idea of possessing wealth4 ,let them point out the folly and the danger of receiving religious opinions from the world1 instead of from ,god's book2 for as the light of the sun is coloured by the stained glass through which it passes1 so the rays of ,divine truth1 being tinged by the perverted medium through which they are received1 may deceive those who imagine they are enjoying the bright beams of the ,sun of ,righteousness4 ,and let them warn all against walking by another's light1--though he may appear 8a shining and a burning light0--instead of searching for themselves the lively oracles of ,scripture2 it may be1 as in the case of a party in a dark and dangerous cavern1 where few only possess lamps1 that the whole may proceed in safety2 but surely the security is not so great as if each possessed his own lamp2 and great would be the folly of him1 who warned of the danger1 and assured of the necessity of having a lamp of his own1 rejected the friendly offer of assistance1 which would guide him in safety1 and trusted to the uncertain light of another1 which1 falling on broken and uneven ground1 deceived the eye1 and risked his precipitation into some deep abyss1 from which extrication was impossible4 ,let them every where teach and impress1 as a duty of paramount importance1 that not only the education of all classes1 from the prince to the peasant1 should be conducted on the principles of the ,bible2 but that all should acquire that knowledge of the evidences as well as doctrines and duties of ,christianity1 which may fit them in their several stations to overcome1 through the grace of ,god1 the temptations to unbelief or immorality1 which are likely to assail them4 ,it is a painful reflection1 how many youths of bright prospects1 great talents1 and amiable dispositions1 have made shipwreck of their present and eternal hopes1 from a want of early religious instruction4 ,how many are less ashamed of being found ignorant of the ,bible than any other book1 and whilst they would blush not to be acquainted with some new1 though unimportant1 discovery in science1 feel no shame in never having learnt the important discoveries made by ,revelation to man4 ,and how many1 in an evil age1 want courage to admit a knowledge of the ,bible1 with the great truths of which they have been made imperfectly acquainted1 but have neither learnt their value nor imbibed their spirit4 ,let1 therefore1 the true servants of the ,lord labour diligently to counteract the rationalizing spirit in theology1 the neglect of ,divine ,providence1 the ascription of every thing to natural causes1 the endeavour1 in short1 to do without ,christianity in the affairs of life1 which so extensively prevail4 ,and let them discountenance and repress1 and1 when fitted by previous education and study1 refute the objections which scepticism and infidelity now advance in society1 not only unblushingly avowing their unbelief1 but attempting to spread its poison in private families4 ,it would not be for the advantage of religion to commit to inexperienced hands the weapons of controversy1 for the great strength of infidelity lies in perplexing subtilities and ingenious sophisms1 which are calculated to puzzle an ill-read and illogical disputant4 ,but every ,christian should 8know the certainty of those things wherein he has been instructed40 #age 8,and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in him1 with meekness and fear40 #agf ,the neglect of instruction in the evidences1 in the general system of religious education1 is at once most unwise1 and most calculated fearfully to promote the spread of unbelief3 in the first place1 it is like attempting to build a house without laying a good foundation3 the winds and floods of infidelity assail it1 and it falls1 because built on sand3 in the second place1 the fall of one house generally more or less injures those adjoining3 thus the cause of unbelief is advanced1 not only by the accession of every new convert1 but by the shock which his fall occasions to the faith of his friends and acquaintance4 ,let1 therefore1 the friends of religion at once secure to the evidences their proper place in every system of education1 and also take care that their own principles be fortified by that sound 8knowledge which maketh not ashamed40 ,let them never suffer the cause of ,god to be blasphemed1 or the truth of religion denied in society1 without entering1 at least1 their protest2 and let them never suffer the questions and doubts of scepticism to be propounded in their families1 without at once silencing the dangerous inmate1 who seeks to spread his secret poison1 by inviting enquiry and provoking discussion4 ,it is true many of the objections urged in society are of a nature which little learning1 in addition to good common sense1 may suffice to answer4 ,as1 for instance1 the existence of mysteries in ,christianity2 whilst1 in truth1 the absence of mysteries in a ,revelation would be a strong argument against its ,divine origin3 the terms employed in creeds and articles1 the form of worship and the discipline of the ,church2 for all of which ,christianity is not strictly liable1 as1 though in perfect conformity with1 some of them have been engrafted upon1 ,revelation3 and the sins into which believers1 who disgrace their profession1 are betrayed2 for which ,christianity cannot be to blame1 as it would be most manifest injustice to visit upon a ,revelation1 the offences of unworthy members1 of which their own sinfulness is the sole cause4 ,but such is the mode of warfare of the light troops of the infidel host1 who dare not attack directly the evidences1 doctrines1 and precepts of the ,gospel2 and yet from their numbers1 activity1 and malignity1 have deeply injured the cause of religion1 by insinuating doubts1 and instilling suspicions into ill-informed and inexperienced minds4 ,if those who bear the ,christian name and believe the ,christian faith would unite against this legion of evil spirits1 and employ their rank1 influence1 talents1 and learning1 in bringing them into subjection to ,him1 whose easy yoke they have thrown off1 for the service of ,satan1 the cause of religion would be immensely benefited4 ,not only because many unbelievers would probably be converted1 but because the work of proselytism would be checked3 at present1 from the culpable supineness and indifference of many ,christians1 even in private families1 infidelity is sometimes heard1 unblushingly1 to avow its detestable principles2 but if the ban of proscription was placed upon its creed1 the ears of believers would not be shocked1 and the principles of the inexperienced endangered by direct or indirect attacks upon the great truths of our most ,holy ,faith4 ,to effect a general co-operation of the great body of ,christians1 in the cause of religion1 would be1 necessarily1 a work of immense difficulty and labour4 ,much1 however1 might be accomplished1 if more of those1 whom ,god has blessed with power and influence1 set an example of labouring zealously to promote ,his glory and the advancement of ,his kingdom4 ,how often1 amongst the higher and middle classes of society1 has the influence of a single individual1 of talents and learning1 but of still more eminent piety1 been employed with the most beneficial effects4 8,a word spoken in due season1 how good is it10 #agh has been fully proved1 in the case of many1 who1 vibrating1 as it were1 in such perfect equipoise between good and evil1 that a feather would almost suffice to incline the balance1 have been led to 8choose that good part1 which shall not be taken away from them20 #agi;a by having books recommended or supplied1 by receiving friendly advice and encouragement1 or by that most eloquent and attractive of the modes of conveying instruction--the winning grace and beauty of ,christian example4 ,if1 therefore1 even a few individuals or families1 in any place1 resolved that1 by ,divine grace1 8as for me and my house1 we will serve the ,lord20 #agi;b ,i will not be 8unequally yoked with unbelievers20 #agi;c as far as in me lieth1 no one shall blaspheme the ,holy ,name by which ,i am called1 nor malign the holy cause which in baptism ,i have sworn to defend2 infidelity would be much put to shame and silence4 ,and it is the duty of all sincere ,christians to adopt this course1 for they are bound to use every means in their power1 to discourage infidelity2 they must not admit it into the intimacy and confidence of domestic life2 the sacrifice may sometime be painful1 but it must be made2 there may not be any compromise of ,christian obligations1 which forbid every unholy alliance3 8for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness8 and what communion hath light with darkness8 and what concord hath ,christ with ,belial8 or what part hath he that believeth1 with an infidel80 #agi;d ,believers must warn1 exhort1 entreat1 and1 if in their power1 instruct the unbeliever2 but1 if in vain1 then the divine command applies1 8come out from among them1 and be ye separate30 if both parties be sincere1 the contrariety of habits1 feelings1 sentiments1 and even of enjoyments1 which exists between them1 must render familiar intercourse little agreeable or profitable to the servant of ,god2 who1 if he be a weak or wavering disciple1 may receive much injury1 where he cannot benefit2 and1 if he be a firm and established disciple1 when he finds his efforts to convince the gainsayer fruitless1 however ready he may still continue to be to lend assistance1 to admonish1 and to observe all the courtesies of life2 yet he cannot assign a place in his heart1 or receive as a chosen and favoured associate1 one who is not united with him in the sweet bonds of ,christian fellowship3 there exists a bar1 for the present1 insuperable1 why such may not be addressed in the affectionate language of the ,psalmist1 8thou1 my companion1 my guide1 and mine own familiar friend20 and that bar is1 they cannot 8take sweet counsel together1 and walk in the house of ,god as friends40 #ahj ,to defeat1 however1 the devices and to frustrate the labours of the emissaries of infidelity amongst the labouring population of the country1 religious associations should be formed3 for an evil of such magnitude will never be remedied1 until there are the more extensive and effective results of well concerted and combined operations1 in the place of the desultory movements of partial or individual zeal4 ,this it may be said is already done by societies1 amongst which the venerable ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge has stood forward with the most praiseworthy zeal and activity to stem the tide of infidelity1 which has been1 during the last year1 spreading poison and death4 ,but increased efficiency would be given even to the labours of this valuable ,society1 by associations of the nature proposed2 the object of which would be1 not only the present remedy1 but the prevention of evils so dangerous to the best interests of society4 ,and how great might be the blessed effects1 in checking the secret and open enemies of the ,gospel1 if its true friends stood forward1 and united heart and hand with their appointed pastors--giving them all the aid of their rank and influence1 and acting1 under their superintendence and direction1 in the discharge of duties1 which may with propriety be delegated to laymen6 ,a writer1 who has been already quoted at considerable length1 to shew the deep devices1 the bold effrontery1 the unwearied zeal1 and the alarming success of infidel teachers in the metropolis1 asks the important question1 8what is to be done in a state of things like this8 ,shall we look calmly on1 and say1 let them alone2 the authors and propagators of the mischief are profligate and worthless men1 whom nobody will trust2 and1 therefore1 too contemptible to be noticed4 ,alas6 we should only deceive ourselves1 and be led to neglect others1 by taking this flattering unction to our souls4--,it is clear1 therefore1 that some active and present remedy must be brought to meet the evil2 and there is none which presents itself so readily and so naturally1 as that which may be derived from the arguments1 and the testimony1 and the advice of the true friends of ,christianity1 particularly of the ministers40 ,but the whole labour must not devolve upon the clergy3 not from any wish to spare them1 whose duty it is ever to be found in the van1 in every attack upon the enemies of the ,lord1--and ever to bear the brunt of the battle2 but because the active co-operation of the laity is essential to the success of the undertaking4 ,it has been the artful policy of the infidel teachers to endeavour to persuade their ignorant auditors that our holy religion is a system of priestcraft2 in the preservation of which its ministers will always1 necessarily1 be actively engaged1 because they are deeply interested4 ,the deluded followers1 therefore1 of this satanic school1 may look with more than a suspicious eye upon the anxious labours of their pastor to undeceive them2 they may read in it a direct confirmation of what they have heard1 and ascribe solely to self-interest what emanates from the pious zeal and sense of duty of him who 8watches over them as one that is to give account40 ,but when they see associated with the minister1 in the work of ,christian charity and instruction1 laymen1 whom they know to have no inducement to support a system of fraud1 and whom they may believe to be too honest and honourable to promote the cause of error1 they are more likely to banish the suspicion of unworthy motives1 which1 in the present distempered state of their minds1 opposes an insuperable bar to the reception of religious truth4 ,we have had in all our towns1 and even in many large villages1 boards of health formed to visit and enquire into the state of the poor2 let similar religious boards be established under the direction of the parochial clergy1 to promote their spiritual health4 ,numerous and great are the evils which have arisen from the population of many parishes having increased beyond the means of accommodation in the parish churches and almost beyond the personal visitation and superintendence of the parochial clergy4 ,it has given rise to much almost compulsory secession from the ,church1 has weakened the influence of the ,clergy1 and has been productive of the still greater evils of immorality1 irreligion1 and impiety4 ,plans1 therefore1 have been drawn up and acted upon with the most happy effect in some places1 for the formation of visiting societies4 ,these have already received the sanction of two prelates1 who preside over populous dioceses1 the ,bishops of ,london and ,chester1 who have both recommended them in their ,charges to their ,clergy4 8,the vastness of the field10 observes the ,bishop of ,london1 8which demands their exertions1 and their own insufficiency to meet that demand according to the promptings of their conscience1 and the impulse of a truly ,christian charity1 are matters which lie heavily upon the mind of many faithful zealous clergymen4 ,in the discharge of those duties which1 in a populous parish1 far exceed the physical abilities of the strongest and most devoted minister1 great assistance may be derived from parochial visiting associations1 acting in subordination to the ,clergy4 ,by kind1 yet not intrusive enquiry into the wants1 both temporal and spiritual1 of the poor2 by well-timed aid1 by encouragement1 and counsel2 by exhortations to the duty of reading the ,scriptures1 of public worship1 of sanctifying the ,lord's ,day1 of regulating the behaviour of their children2 by directing them1 in cases of sickness1 or of ignorance1 or of troubled conscience1 to their appointed pastor1 such an association may work incalculable good1 and become powerfully1 though indirectly1 instrumental in preaching the ,gospel to the poor4 ,but it is incumbent on me to caution the parochial ,clergy against relinquishing the superintendence and direction of these auxiliary labourers2 and against delegating to them their own peculiar functions and duties1 as the commissioned interpreters of ,scripture1 as the ,lord's remembrancers for his people1 and as the appointed guides of their devotion4 ,there is a special promise of blessing annexed to ministerial service2 and the sense of that specialty ought not to be effaced from the minds of our flocks1 by the permitted intrusion of laymen1 however pious and zealous1 into that which belongs to our own peculiar office4 ,if this be not attended to1 you must expect that tares will spring up in the wheat1 and that your visiting societies will become so many nurseries of schism40 #ahe ,the ,bishop of ,chester1 after giving a striking description of the transforming power of ,divine grace1 thus continues--8,and can these things be8 #8,o ,lord ,god thou knowest4' ,earnestness1 disinterestedness1 simplicity1 godly sincerity1 patience in teaching1 watchfulness in seizing the favourable moment for counsel1 are known to overcome even that which seems most hopeless2 the effects of natural corruption1 inflamed by evil example1 and strengthened by habits of wilful disobedience4 8,it will be asked1 however1 #8,who is sufficient1' physically #8sufficient for these things8 ,certainly in our larger parishes it is not possible for the strength or activity of the ,clergy alone to provide for such individual instruction4 ,but1 there is a resource at hand3 when the population is moderate1 nothing is wanting but resolution and contrivance2 and in the case of a denser population1 the bane and the antidote1 the evil and the remedy are found together4 ,the same population1 which presses so heavily1 affords also that variety of ranks and degree of superior education1 that many fellow-workers may assist the minister1 and diminish his labours4 ,in this manner the ,apostles were enabled to execute the manifold concerns which lay upon them40--8,they have left us an example4 ,let the minister of a populous district1 using careful discrimination of character1 select such as #8are worthy1' and of #8good report1' and assign them their several employments under his direction3 they may lessen his own labour by visiting and examining the schools1 by reading and praying with the infirm and aged1 by consoling the fatherless and widows in their affliction1 and pursuing the many nameless ways by which it is in the power of one ,christian to benefit and relieve another4 ,such charity1 even more than any other charity1 is useful to the giver as well as to the receiver3 it occupies minds1 which1 for want of engagement1 might otherwise prey upon themselves3 and it occupies them in a way which better fits them for eternity3 in religion1 as in worldly matters1 we often learn our best lessons by teaching4 ,what image more exemplifying the reality of pastoral care1 what more truly ,christian picture can be presented to our contemplation1 than that of a minister uniting with himself the best disposed and the most competent portion of his parishioners1 and superintending counsels1 and directing plans which have ,god for their object1 and the eternal welfare of his people for their end2 seizing every opportunity of general and individual good1 correcting mischiefs at their first rising1 providing for the spiritual wants of every different age and class1 and thus striving1 as far as may be allowed1 to #8present every man perfect in ,christ ,jesus8'0--8,nor is this any visionary notion2 pleasing in idea1 but impracticable in reality4 ,numerous parishes1 of different degrees of population1 have been brought under such discipline with more or less success4 ,and ,i feel convinced that whoever is anxious to promote the glory of ,god1 to assist the most important interests of his fellow-creatures1 to confirm the security of his country1 or maintain the stability of his ,church1 can ensure none of those great objects more effectively than by means like these4 ,without them1 in some of our crowded districts of dense and extended population1 the ,church is lost sight of1 parochial distinctions are obliterated1 and the reciprocal charities and duties of the pastor and the flock are forgotten by the people1 because it is physically impossible that they should be satisfactorily discharged40 ,the awful visitation which has fallen upon the country renders such societies at this time of increased value and importance4 ,they are calculated powerfully to assist the labours of the ,clergy in endeavouring to improve1 to the religious advantage of their flocks1 the apprehension which is so general4 ,seasons of alarm and affliction are often peculiarly favourable for the reception of ,christian instruction3 8the fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdom20 and when men look around them and see or hear of death under its most terrible forms1 and discover the insufficiency of human means to prevent or remedy the evil they dread1 they may 8fear ,him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell20 #ahh;a and thus be led to flee to ,him who is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto ,god by ,him4 #ahh;b ,immense might be the benefit1 which would1 through the blessing of ,god on their labours1 accrue to the cause of religion1 if parochial visiting associations were established generally throughout the kingdom1 under the direction of the ,clergy4 ,they might form channels through which the valuable tracts against vice and infidelity1 which the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge is now circulating1 might be more widely distributed2 through which short addresses1 and strong appeals to the conscience1 and earnest calls to repentance1 in direct reference to the pestilence1 might be brought home to every family4 ,they might constitute a medium through which the parochial ,clergy might communicate with every part of the most populous and extensive parishes regularly and frequently2 through which they might diffuse much bounty1 kindness1 instruction1 and exhortation to their poor and ignorant parishioners4 ,it is impossible not to see at once that such associations might be so framed as to be productive of the most extensive and beneficial results to the ,church and people of ,england2 they are calculated to restore the influence of the ,clergy1 and extend their sphere of usefulness amongst their flocks4 ,notwithstanding all the arts of the enemies of our ,establishment1 the people of ,england always have loved1 and still love their ,church3 wherever a contrary feeling subsists1 it may be always traced to a local or temporary cause2 but still it must be admitted1 that the immense population of some parishes1 under existing circumstances1 is likely to produce estrangement from the appointed pastor2 an evil1 which the visiting societies are admirably adapted to remedy4 ,some may object to such associations as being likely to encroach upon the separate and peculiar duties of the ministerial character3 such would be an evil of the most serious nature1 for no one must presume to intrude himself uncalled upon the priest's office3 but1 though it is true every good is capable of abuse1 this is an abuse which may be always especially guarded against by the clergyman who selects and controls the visitors1 receives their reports1 and superintends their operations3 whilst as a further security against the perversion of such associations to party or sectarian views1 it might be made a standing rule1 that no tract should be circulated in any parish1 which had not received the sanction of the incumbent or his curate4 ,to arrange the machinery and frame the laws of a general system of parochial visiting societies1 must be a work of time2 but experience has already proved that they may be so framed and conducted as to be productive of great and unmixed advantage4 ,and never could such aid come more opportunely than at the present time3 we have already seen the number1 fierceness1 and malignity of the enemies1 who beleaguer our ,zion1 8and cry1 down with her1 down with her1 even to the ground40 ,the assistance of the laity1 who are faithfully attached and devoted to the cause of true religion1 will1 therefore1 be invaluable1 at such a time1 in defeating the designs of those who seek to alienate the minds of the flock from their regular pastors1 to corrupt their principles1 and make them ready instruments for the execution of their deep and wicked schemes3 nor will the co-operation of pious laymen1 with the clergy1 in using every means to bring the great bulk of the people to humble them selves before ,god1 in the day of their visitation1 be a less important service4 ,the ,christian minister resembles a beacon on a dangerous coast1 which warns against sand-banks1 sunken rocks1 and precipitous shores3 in fair weather1 its single bright and steady light1 which1 shining through the darkness1 guides in safety the passing vessels1 is alone sufficient2 but when the tempest rages1 when fogs obscure its brightness1 when some vessels1 having struck on sunken rocks1 are foundering2 when others have grounded on sand-banks1 and others are stranded amid-- 8,the impervious horrors of a lee-ward shore20 then other1 and most prompt assistance1 is required2 signal guns are to be fired1 the life-boat launched1 and the various life-preserving apparatus prepared4 ,god has seen fit to cast our lot on troublesome times2 the storms of passion howl around our ,church1 and her light cannot penetrate the mists of prejudice3 the barks of thousands1 therefore1 committed to the stormy ocean of life1-- 8,youth at the helm1 and ,pleasure at the prow10 are in danger of striking on the sunken rocks of secret doubts1 or of being wrecked on the exposed and rugged shore of dark despairing infidelity3 gladly1 therefore1 will 8,god's watchman10 who looks with alarm and distress from his watch-tower1 on this scene of imminent danger1 avail himself of the friendly hand which offers to aid him in affording rescue from the impending destruction4 ,oh6 to the ministers of the ,gospel1--who feel how much the value and responsibility of their sacred office is increased in times like the present2 who are almost overwhelmed by a sense of what is required of them as 8overseers over ,god's heritage10 as 8watchmen in ,israel10 as 8ministers of ,christ1 and stewards of the mysteries of ,god10--assistance from pious1 zealous1 and discreet laymen1 acting under their direction1 must be peculiarly valuable and acceptable4 ,oh6 only those who 8have always in remembrance into how high a dignity and to how weighty an office and charge they have been called1 to teach and to premonish1 to feed and to provide for the ,lord's family2 to seek for ,christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad1 and for his children who are in the midst of this naughty world that they may be saved through ,christ for ever10 #aib can fully estimate the value of any aid1 however feeble1 which comes to them at a time1 when maligned and vilified1 they find the difficulty of a due discharge of their sacred duties immensely increased by the impediments thrown in their way by the enemies of the ,gospel4 ,perhaps there never was a time which more than the present required zeal blended with discretion1 firmness tempered with meekness1 and faithfulness softened by charity1 in the ,christian minister3 well does the admonition of our blessed ,lord to his disciples apply to those whom1 in this day1 he has called to be pastors under ,himself--8be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves40 ,there are two other passages of ,scripture which appear to present a striking view of an important duty of the clerical office in times like the present1 and of the mode in which it is to be exercised3 the command addressed to ,isaiah1 8,cry aloud1 spare not1 lift up thy voice like a trumpet1 and shew my people their transgressions1 and the house of ,jacob their sins40 #aic;a ,and the instructions given by ,st4 ,paul to ,timothy1 8,the servant of the ,lord must not strive2 but be gentle unto all men1 apt to teach1 patient1 in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves2 if ,god1 peradventure1 will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth40 #aic;b ,it is the duty of ,christian ministers to exhort and console each other in the difficult work they have to perform2 8to put one another always in remembrance20 to 8bear one another's burdens20 to 8admonish one another in the spirit of meekness and brotherly love40 ,how high is the dignity of the ministerial office6 8,let a man so account of us1 as of the ministers of ,christ1 and stewards of the mysteries of ,god40 #aid;a 8,now then we are ambassadors for ,christ1 as though ,god did beseech you by us1 we pray you in ,christ's stead1 be ye reconciled unto ,god40 #aid;b ,how awful its responsibility6 8,son of man1 ,i have made thee a watchman unto the house of ,israel2 therefore1 hear the word of my mouth1 and give them warning from me3 when ,i say unto the wicked1 thou shalt surely die2 and thou givest him not warning1 nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life2 the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity2 but his blood will ,i require at thine hand40 #aid;c 8,take heed1 therefore1 unto yourselves1 and to all the flock over which the ,holy ,ghost hath made you overseers1 to feed the ,church of ,god1 which ,he hath purchased with his own blood40 #aid;d ,how great the satisfaction1 how sweet the joys of a successful ministry6 8,for what is our hope or joy1 or crown of rejoicing8 ,are not even ye in the presence of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 at his coming8 ,for ye are our glory and joy40 #aid;e 8,therefore1 brethren1 we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith3 for now we live1 if ye stand fast in the ,lord3 for what thanks can we render to ,god again for you1 for all the joy1 wherewith we joy for your sakes before our ,god80 #aie;a 8,therefore1 my brethren1 dearly beloved and longed for1 my joy and crown1 so stand fast in the ,lord1 my dearly beloved40 #aie;b 8,holding forth the word of life1 that ,i may rejoice in the day of ,christ1 that ,i have not run in vain1 neither laboured in vain40 #aie;c ,and how rich its reward6 8,let him know1 that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his ways shall save a soul from death1 and shall hide a multitude of sins40 #aie;d 8,and they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament1 and they that turn many to righteousness1 as the stars for ever and ever40 #aie;e ,many distinguished bishops and pastors1 who have shone as bright lights in our church1 have strongly recommended that every clergyman should have his appointed seasons in which he 8communes with his own heart1 and in his chamber1 and is still20 meditates deeply upon his important1 responsible1 and sacred office2 reads1 studies1 and prays over the ordination service2 and diligently1 strictly1 and impartially examines into how far he has been1 through ,divine grace1 enabled to keep his ordination vows--to perform his ordination obligations4 ,such a practice is of such manifest propriety and use1 that doubtless it prevails extensively3 and high indeed1 is the standard of duty1 and strict the requirements of service1 which our ,church imposes upon every minister3 8,see that you never cease your labour1 your care1 and diligence1 until ye have done all that lieth in you to bring all such as are committed to your charge unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of ,god1 and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in ,christ1 that there be no place left for error in religion1 or for viciousness of life40 #aif;a ,the prophet ,isaiah thus prays to the ,lord3 8,yea1 in the way of ,thy judgments1 ,o ,lord1 have we waited for ,thee2 the desire of our soul is to ,thy name1 and to the remembrance of ,thee4 ,with my soul have ,i desired ,thee in the night2 yea1 with my spirit within me1 will ,i seek ,thee early2 ,,for ,,when ,,thy ,,judgments ,,are ,,in ,,the ,,earth1 ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,of ,,the ,,world ,,will ,,learn ,,righteousness40 #aif;b ,how 8instant in season1 and out of season10 must all the ministers of the ,gospel be1 that through the blessing of ,god1 they may make the ,divine visitation1 which has fallen on the land1 conducive to the religious improvement of their several flocks4 ,the very fear of the consequences of intemperance1 as being considered to predispose the system towards this dreadful disease1 has1 in many places1 operated to the production of a great external reformation of the habits of life2 let then the favourable moment be seized1 and every means used1 that the inner man may be converted to ,god4 ,it is not sufficient1 that the pestilence should be considered as a judgment1 and thus made the occasion of private and public exhortation2 the press should teem with tracts on this most important and engrossing subject2 and there should be diffused throughout the country1 under every form1 and adapted to every rank in life1 admonition and entreaty for all to improve to their soul's health the spread of a pestilence1 which so often destroys the body which it attacks4 ,every clergyman has his own sphere of influence within which1 at least1 his labours may be beneficially exercised2 and if1 by publishing1 he benefits only those who are principally dependent on him for religious instruction1 he should consider himself well repaid3--but who know how far they may be instruments in ,god's hands for good to their fellow men8 ,the ,almighty often selects feeble agents to accomplish great results1 that it may be seen1 that 8neither is he that planteth any thing1 neither he that watereth3 but ,god that giveth the increase40 #aig ,and oh6 what a source of joy there is to the true believer in hoping he may be an humble instrument in ,god's hands of 8winning souls to ,christ40 ,the excellent ,doddridge1 in the preface to his 8,rise and ,progress of ,religion in the ,soul10 says1 he should consider his labour far more than amply compensated1 if his work1 through the ,divine blessing1 be made instrumental to the conversion of one sinner4 ,what a field is now opened to the ministers of the ,gospel1 in which they may hope1 through ,god's grace and blessing1 8to turn many to righteousness20 for in times of great national apprehension and danger the cause of true religion often advances and flourishes4 ,and oh6 how sweet in such seasons1 how doubly blessed--blessed both to those who minister1 and to those who are ministered unto--is the faithful and zealous discharge of the duties of their high and holy calling1 who are commissioned to pour the balm of consolation on the wounded spirit1 to bind up the broken-hearted1 to sooth the terrors of affrighted conscience1 and to lead the humble1 and contrite1 and heavy-laden1 to the ,saviour1 that they may take ,his yoke upon them1 and find rest unto their souls4 ,archbishop ,leighton1 the bright ornament of ,scottish ,episcopacy1 has forcibly stated the nature and obligations of the ,christian ministry1 in commenting upon that most instructive passage in the ,first general ,epistle of ,st4 ,peter1 8,feed the flock of ,god1 which is among you1 taking the oversight thereof1 not by constraint1 but willingly2 not for filthy lucre1 but of a ready mind2 neither as being lords over ,god's heritage1 but being ensamples to the flock4 ,and when the ,chief ,shepherd shall appear1 ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away40 #aii 8,the duty enjoined10 writes the ,archbishop1 8is1 ,feed the flock of ,god4 ,every step of the way of our salvation hath on it the print of infinite majesty1 wisdom1 and goodness2 and this among the rest1 that men1 sinful1 weak men1 are made subservient in that great work of bringing ,christ and souls to meet2 that by the foolishness of preaching 7or what appears so to carnal wisdom71 the chosen of ,god are called1 and come unto ,jesus1 and are made wise unto salvation2 and that the life which is conveyed to them by the word of life1 in the hands of poor men1 is by the same means preserved and advanced4 ,and this is the standing work of the ministry1 and this the thing here bound upon them that are employed in it1 to feed the flock of ,god that is among them4 ,jesus ,christ descended to purchase a ,church1 and ascended to provide and furnish it1 to send down his ,spirit3 ,he ascended1 and gave gifts1 particularly for the work of the ministry1 and the great use of them is1 to feed the flock of ,god40 8,not to say any more of this usual resemblance of a flock1 importing the weakness and tenderness of the ,church1 the continual need she stands in of inspection1 and guidance1 and defence1 and the tender care of the ,chief ,shepherd for these things2 the phrase enforces the present duty of subordinate pastors2 their care and diligence in feeding of that flock4 ,the due rule of discipline not excluded1 the main part of feeding is by doctrine1 leading them into the wholesome and green pastures of saving truths1 revealed in the ,gospel1 accommodating the way of teaching to their condition and capacity2 to be1 as much as may be1 particularly acquainted with it1 and suit diligently and prudently their doctrine to it2 to feed the sheep1 those more advanced2 to feed the lambs1 the younger and weaker2 to have special care of the infirm2 to learn of their ,master the ,great ,shepherd1 to bind up that which is broken1 and strengthen that which is sick1 #bjj;a those that are broken in spirit1 that are exercised with temptations1 and gently to lead those that are with young1 #bjj;b in whom the inward work of grace is as in the conception1 and they heavy and weak with the weight of it1 and the many difficulties and doubtings1 which are frequent companions and symptoms of that work4 ,oh6 what dexterity and skilfulness1 what diligence1 and above all1 what affection1 and bowels of compassion1 are needful for this task6 ,who is sufficient for these things8 #bjj;c ,who would not faint1 and give over in it1 were not our ,lord the ,chief ,shepherd2 were not all our sufficiency laid up in ,his rich fulness1 and all our insufficiency covered in ,his gracious acceptance80 #bja ,animated by a high sense of duty1 and enlightened1 strengthened1 and guided by an abundant outpouring of ,divine grace1 may all the 8pastors and teachers10 who have been ordained1 8,for the perfecting of the saints1 for the work of the ministry1 for the edifying of the body of ,christ20 8,preach the word1 be instant in season and out of season2 reprove1 rebuke1 exhort1 with all long-suffering and doctrine20 8,till we all come in the unity of the faith1 and of the knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 unto a perfect man1 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ3 that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro1 and carried about with every wind of doctrine1 by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive3 but speaking the truth in love1 may grow up into ,him in all things which is the ,head1 even ,christ3 from whom the whole body1 fitly joined together1 and compacted by that which every joint supplieth1 according to the effectual working in the measure of every part1 maketh increase of the body1 unto the edifying of itself in love40 ,god grant that none of ,his servants may faint or grow weary under the increased weight of duty laid upon them by the circumstances of the times6 ,may they all labour1 and 8pray without ceasing for the church and people of ,god1--remembering that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much60 ,when faithful to their great ,master1 they have high encouragements to excite1 holy consolations to cheer1 and heavenly aid to direct and bless their unremitting exertions in ,his service1 whose weak and 8unprofitable10 but still faithful and attached 8servants0 they are4 ,let not any such fear but that they will obtain a blessing on their labours1 an answer to their prayers1 from that gracious ,being whose ministers they are1 and the advancement of whose kingdom they seek4 ,never did the ,lord fail his servants2 ,his 8exceeding great and precious promises0 are all sure and steadfast1 are all 8yea and in him1 ,amen40 8,for ,he hath said1 ,i will never leave thee nor forsake thee2 so that we may boldly say1 ,the ,lord is my helper1 and ,i will not fear what man shall do unto me30 #bjb;a ,he hath said1 8,lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even unto the end of the world1 ,amen40 #bjb;b ,may each individual pastor of the ,church of ,christ have grace to receive and act upon1 as addressed to himself1 the concluding admonition of ,st ,paul to ,timothy3 8,watch thou in all things1 endure afflictions1 do the work of an evangelist1 make full proof of thy ministry30 then 8,the ,lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light1 and thy ,god thy glory40 #bjb;c ,and when the time of his earthly stewardship is on the eve of completion1--the period of his allotted ministry about to expire1 then he may hope that upon his last hours will be poured some portion of the joyful testimony of an approving conscience2 some measure of that blessed assurance of confirmed faith1 which cheered and supported the dying ,hooker2 8,i plead not my righteousness1 but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness through ,his merits who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners4 ,let not mine1 ,o ,lord1 but ,thy will be done6 ,god hath heard my daily petitions2 for ,i am at peace with all men1 and ,he is at peace with me4 ,from such blessed assurance1 ,i feel that inward joy which this world can neither give nor take from me4 ,my conscience beareth me this witness2 and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful40 ,then he may hope that the approach of the dark shadows of death will be illumined by some beams of that light from above1 which1 with the full blaze of triumphant faith1 shed a holy flood of radiance and glory over the close of the ministry of the great ,apostle of the ,gentiles3 8,i am now ready to be offered1 and the time of my departure is at hand4 ,i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith4 ,henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous judge1 shall give me at that day3 and not to me only1 but to all those who love his appearing40 #bjd;a ,let the laity also be reminded of what they owe to ,god and society at this eventful time4 ,there are various modes by which they can advance the cause of religion4 ,the value of their services in co-operation with the ,clergy in forming visiting societies1 has been already stated4 ,but as their situation and engagements in life preclude many from taking an active part in any work of ,christian charity1 it must be a high satisfaction to them who are humble disciples of that blessed ,lord1 8who went about doing good10 #bjd;b to have an opportunity of endeavouring at once to follow ,his example1 and obey ,his commands1 by means of public societies and institutions4 ,the best interests of man would be much promoted1 if the noble1 and great1 and affluent in the land1 who fear ,god1 would make a more decided demonstration of their sentiments2 and give the full weight of their rank and influence1 and contribute liberally1 to the support of societies1 the object of which is the advancement of true religion4 ,in such times as the present1 it is awful to witness the apathy1 supineness1 and indifference in the cause of the ,lord1 which prevail so extensively in the world1 amongst those who profess themselves to be ,his servants4 ,but disregard for the spiritual wants of others1 at all times highly sinful1 is doubly so now2 and unwillingness1 through fear of ridicule or misconstruction1 to manifest a warm zeal for the honour of the ,lord and a decided devotion to ,his cause--at all times a wretched weakness--must1 when ,his enemies are active and powerful1 be peculiarly offensive to ,him1 who has said1 8,whosoever1 therefore1 shall be ashamed of me1 and of my words1 in this adulterous and sinful generation1 of him also shall the ,son of ,man be ashamed1 when he cometh in the glory of his ,father with the holy angels40 #bje;a ,let1 therefore1 all lukewarm professors of religion be addressed in the words of ,joshua1 8,if it seem evil unto you to serve the ,lord1 choose this day whom ye will serve30 #bje;b let them be warned in the words of the ,saviour1 8,he that is not with me1 is against me1 and he that gathereth not with me1 scattereth abroad40 #bje;c ,it is the high and peculiar distinction of our country1 that we have not only charitable institutions for the prevention and cure of many of the physical evils1 and for the relief and solace of many of the moral evils of life2 but we have societies for the supply of the religious wants of our home population1 of our colonies1 and of the whole family of man1 wherever ,british commerce1 and1 with it1 ,british influence1 extend4 ,this is not the place to enter upon the subject of all these societies2 their bare enumeration1 with the most brief statement of their several objects1 would fill many pages2 perhaps1 therefore1 to particularize any1 where all have merit1 may be deemed unjust towards others2 but every consistent member of the ,church of ,england is bound strenuously to support1 and every clergyman zealously to advocate1 societies1 whose professed object is the inculcation of doctrines which he firmly believes1 the use of a ritual which he fondly loves1 the observance of ordinances which he highly values and reverences4 ,of these it may be right to make some brief notice1 not only because some of them have not received that encouragement and support to which their importance entitles them1 but because they are peculiarly calculated to remedy the existence1 and to prevent the recurrence1 of many of the evils which at present endanger our civil and religious institutions4 ,first in order stands the ,national ,society for promoting the education of the poor in the principles of the ,established ,church4 ,then1 ascending to a higher grade in society1 we have an institution1 ,king's ,college and ,school1 to supply the youth of the middle classes1 in the metropolis1 with a liberal education1 founded on the basis of religious knowledge4 ,this institution is only in its infancy1 but if properly supported1 it might extend its ramifications throughout the kingdom1 diffusing every where the beneficial fruit of true religion1 sound learning1 and useful knowledge4 ,it is much to be wished that similar colleges and schools1 in connexion with ,king's ,college1 were established in all our great towns1 in like manner as schools every where throughout the kingdom have sprung from that prolific parent1 with which they are in union1 the ,central ,school in ,baldwin's ,gardens4 ,our ,national ,schools are well calculated early to train children in the path of godliness2 to accustom them to habits of cleanliness1 neatness1 and order2 to excite them to industry and application1 to habituate them to proper restraint and discipline1 to supply them with the knowledge suitable to their station in life2 and1 above all1 to impress deeply the mind with the great truths of the ,gospel1 and to store it richly with passages of ,scripture1 which1 once thoroughly learnt1 are rarely forgotten1 but may1 in after life1 prove in the hour of temptation a safeguard1 and in seasons of sickness or of sorrow1 a sweet and never-failing solace4 ,if the minds of our manufacturing and agricultural population had been fortified with the principles which are now instilled in these schools1 into the children of the poor1 the success of the teachers of infidelity and sedition would have been far different from what it has unfortunately proved4 ,the system of instruction adopted in ,king's ,college is precisely the one which has been recommended as alone affording any security that education will be rendered conducive to the advancement of the best1 the eternal interests of man4 ,every facility is afforded for the acquisition of knowledge1 but the relative importance of its several departments is steadily kept in view1 and the balance of studies is carefully adjusted1 that1 if possible1 none may be pursued to the neglect of others1 but all receiving their due degree of attention1 religion and morals1 literature and science1 may occupy their proper place in the plan of education4 ,this institution1 through the ,divine blessing1 may be of great value in checking the progress of unsettled and unsound opinions amongst a class of men which is daily becoming more influential in society2 whilst there will be also a better safeguard for the future1 in the foundation of sound religious principles1 which is designed to be laid2 and which should ever be a primary object1 for not only is the prevention easier than the cure1 but the poison may spread where the antidote is never1 or fruitlessly1 applied4 ,if we view then in connexion1 our ,infant1 ,national1 and ,sunday ,schools1 in full operation2 ,king's ,college adapted to branch into similar institutions in our great towns2 and our old-established ,grammar ,schools and ,universities continuing to flourish2 we shall see that these are calculated to form one vast chain1 which1 in its concatenation1 would unite the great bulk of the population of the country with the established ,church4 ,nor is the attention of the ,church confined to the education of the youth of her communion4 ,she has a ,society also to afford the poor adequate accommodation when attending religious worship1 of which1 in some places1 the great proportion of them were long deprived1 from the increase of population1 and want of free seats1 in the parish churches4 ,parliament1 with proper liberality1 has at different timed placed certain sums at the disposal of ,commissioners2 to assist in remedying this great evil1 which has inflicted the severest injury on the moral and religious character of the lower classes in ,england4 ,much has1 therefore1 been done1 but still more remains to be done2 and though perhaps the least regarded1 still the ,society for building and enlarging churches is of great importance to the interests of religion1 and therefore well deserving of the support of the friends of the ,establishment4 ,the valuable and venerable ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge completes the work of ,christian charity and instruction1 by accompanying1 as it were1 the poor man to his home1 supplying1 either gratuitously or at very reduced prices1 the ,holy ,scriptures1 the book of common prayer1 and tracts and works designed to correct erroneous opinions and immoral habits1 and to promote soundness of faith and holiness of life4 ,nor is this the utmost limit of the ,society's labours among our home population3 parochial lending libraries have been also established by it2 that in every parish where the desire of knowledge has been called forth by the national schools1 works which combine amusement with instruction--works which inform the head and improve the heart--may be accessible1 free of all cost to the poor man1 in his hour of leisure4 ,it is thus these two most valuable ,societies1 acting in co-operation1 aid in the due and effective discharge of their important duties the parochial clergy1 who are thereby enabled to diffuse amongst the indigent and ignorant of their several parishes--to a degree far beyond what the exertions of individuals1 however pious and wealthy1 are likely to effect--the blessings of ,christian education and ,christian knowledge4 ,great are the claims1 therefore1 of these societies upon the members of the ,church of ,england1 for their support1 that all of her communion may be educated1 nourished1 and preserved in those principles of saving faith and holy obedience1 which1 drawn directly from ,scripture1 are summed up in the articles1 embodied in the liturgy1 and explained in the homilies of our pure and reformed branch of the church of ,christ4 ,the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge extends her operations beyond our home population3 in co-operation with the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts1 it has laboured most diligently and with very encouraging success1 in the wide and waste field of our numerous colonies4 ,missionaries1 catechists1 and schoolmasters1 are sent into every land where we have possessions2 and congregations have been formed and churches built where the glad tidings of the ,gospel had never before been heard4 ,but1 however cheering what has been done and is doing for the spread of ,christianity may be1 the painful confession must be made that this country has never yet1 in any adequate degree1 discharged the religious obligations she owes her colonies4 #baa ,the sceptre of ,great ,britain rules over one hundred millions who are said to be ignorant of the ,gospel4 ,great and splendid have been the instances of individual liberality1 but as a nation we have not made those strenuous exertions1 those sacrifices which duty requires3 we have been unmindful of the heavy debt of gratitude and service which we owe to the ,ruler of nations4 ,why are we to suppose that ,divine ,providence has bestowed upon us such a vast colonial empire8 ,not to swell the pomp and increase the power and wealth of a little island1 which has been proudly styled1 8,the ,island1 ,empress of the ,sea30 but that we may be instruments in the hands of the ,great and ,gracious ,lord of the whole human race in benefiting mankind4 ,and how can we best accomplish this great end8 ,a ,christian nation should make it an object of paramount importance to diffuse the light of that ,gospel1 in which it has itself for ages rejoiced as the best gift1 the holiest privilege1 it enjoys at the hands of ,god4 ,has then this ,christian nation so acted8 ,alas6 there is one circumstance1 which painfully occupies at this moment the attention of the friends of ,christianity1 here and in ,india1 which may suffice to answer in the negative4 ,bishop after bishop has been allowed to go forth1 with the spirit of a martyr1 and to meet a martyr's death in ,india1 where the diocese is admitted by all to be so extensive1 that the strongest constitution must1 from the effects of the climate1 sink under even an imperfect discharge of the overwhelming load of duty4 ,and yet repeated applications for the appointment of bishops to the several presidencies1 by which the cause of religion amongst the ,christian1 and the spread of the ,gospel amongst the ,heathen population1 would be very greatly advanced1 have been up to this time refused1 it is much to be feared1 from an unwillingness to incur the expense of further episcopal appointments4 ,may ,bishop ,turner be the last1 who1 humanly speaking1 is to be thus sacrificed6 ,for it would inflict a heavy load of sin upon a ,christian people to be not only lavish of life1 of talents1 and of piety1 but to prefer to the cause of ,god1 who has so abundantly blessed us1 an economy1 which1 however wise and proper when rightly practised1 becomes miserable and wicked when allowed to operate to the hinderance of the ,gospel4 ,an appeal is never made in vain to the good feelings of the people of ,england1 and the present is an occasion1 on which all who value not merely the cause of religion1 but of humanity1 should make a declaration of their opinions2 and come forward liberally to the support of ,societies whose object is so important and praiseworthy1 and whose means are so inadequate to several claims upon them4 ,the reports of the ,societies for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge1 and for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts1 for the year #ahca1 cannot be too strongly recommended to the attention of the public4 ,the comparatively small support which the latter receives from annual subscription must be mainly ascribed to the nature and extent of its labours being so little known2 for it is not the character of the ,english people to allow a valuable ,society to languish from want of funds4 ,and yet1 during the past year1 the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts must have suspended in some places the great work it is carrying on1 if it had not allowed its expenditure to exceed greatly its receipts4 ,such is the sad truth we learn from the report now before the public1 which pleads the cause of ,christianity in distant lands1 so powerfully1 and yet so meekly1 that it cannot fail to awaken sympathy in every religious breast1 and call forth assistance from every liberal hand4 8,according to its power1 yea1 and beyond its power10 it has opened the hand of ,christian bounty in answer to the numerous and pressing calls that have been made upon it3 and the consequence has been that the means of meeting such calls have become every year more insufficient4 ,even on the supposition 7a supposition1 however1 which benevolence will not allow to be entertained for a moment71 that all new applications for its assistance are to be disregarded1 the ,society will require an addition of at least #aj1jjjl4 to its yearly income for the fulfilment of engagements into which it has entered4 ,its deficiencies for many years have been supplied by large reductions of its capital4 ,the single fact that it has been compelled to sell nearly #gj1jjjl4 stock must fill its friends with serious uneasiness4 ,for unless its funds are very largely increased1 it is manifest that they must soon be exhausted4 ,but1 surely1 so sad a result can never be allowed6 ,there is too much benevolence in the ,christian public of this favoured nation1 to permit the abandonment of so great a work as that by which the light of the ,gospel1 in its purity1 is communicated to the benighted nations of the ,east4 ,who among us will be wanting1 in most earnest efforts1 to save our brethren in the colonies from so sad an injury as the loss of that religious instruction1 and those means of grace which are to be regarded as their birthright8 ,who will allow the many excellent men who have left their native country as missionaries1 with the purest zeal1 and the most earnest desire to promote the spiritual welfare of their fellow-creatures1 through incessant toil in distant lands1 to be deprived of the moderate but necessary support1 that has hitherto been afforded by this ,society8 ,who will allow the no less valuable persons1 who have been diligently trained in the colonies1 almost from their cradles1 to carry forward the same ,christian designs1 as missionaries1 and catechists1 and school-masters1 to be now cast upon the world1 and exposed to all the miseries of want8 8,what shall be said1 if it fail of attaining its full measure of good1 through the indifference of those whom ,god has not only #8blessed with all spiritual blessings in ,christ1' but to whom ,he has also largely afforded the temporal means of imparting those blessings to others8 ,what shall be said if they1 who by the abundant mercy of ,god are themselves supplied with the bread of life1 suffer their fellow-creatures1 whose necessities are plainly pointed out to them1 to perish with hunger8 ,your committee will not contemplate the possibility of such a deplorable case as this4 ,grateful for the support which the ,society has already received1 and through which it has been enabled to effect so much1 they will not allow themselves to doubt1 but that ,providence will now1 and from time to time1 raise it up friends who will furnish it with more ample and effectual means for the continuance and extension of its #8labours of love4'0 ,every friend of religion must earnestly pray that a hope so humbly and devoutly expressed may be fulfilled1 and that the ,lord may bless and prosper these ,societies1 in sowing the good seed of the word1 in a field of immense extent1 and1 in many parts1 of the most unpromising barrenness4 ,for they embrace--to particularize only the most important missions--the widely dispersed population of ,nova ,scotia1 ,new ,brunswick1 and the ,canadas2 the numerous islands of the ,west ,indies2 the great ,peninsula of ,india2 and the various settlements in ,australia4 ,and it is gratifying and highly satisfactory to be able to quote the impartial testimony of a distinguished individual1 the late ,governor of ,nova ,scotia1 to their efficiency and value3 8,in countries in which ,i have resided1 and which ,i have visited--in remote and almost desert places1 ,i have witnessed the blessings and comforts of our holy religion1 dispensed1 by your servants1 to persons who otherwise might pass from the cradle to the grave1 without the blessings or benefits1 the comforts or the consolations of any appropriate holy office1 to sanctify their entrance into life1 to receive them into the ,christian family1 to solemnize those connexions1 on the proper observance of which the moral constitution of society essentially depends1 and finally to perform the last sad offices over departed humanity4 ,in my own person--in my own family--in visitations the most awful--in severe domestic affliction1 ,i have partaken of those blessings and consolations1 administered by your servants40 ,let1 therefore1 the parliament and people of the ,united ,kingdom contribute liberally1 not merely towards the continuance1 but the extension1 of the important labours of a ,society1 whose only fault has been1--if it be a fault1--that it has so shrunk from any appearance of obtruding its wants1 that it has not sufficiently made known its claims upon the friends of religion2 who must be at once desirous that our countrymen in our distant dependencies should not be debarred from the exercise of religious worship2 and that the light of the ,gospel may be shed upon those1 who1 though living under the government of ,great ,britain1 are lying in darkness and the shadow of death4 ,and if there be any whose hearts expand not with that diffusive spirit of ,christian philanthropy1 which ardently desires to promote the spiritual welfare of the whole human race2 let them at least be sensible to the religious wants1 and alive to the religious improvement of their countrymen1 who are established in some of the numerous colonies of this vast empire4 ,in this great commercial country1 in which the spirit of enterprise or the calls of duty lead so many forth often at an early age into distant lands1 there must be an immense number of influential persons1 who have a direct interest in this provision for the religious instruction of the residents in our several dependencies4 ,and oh6 how consolatory must it prove to the heart of a parent1 or even of a friend1 who sends forth a youth to seek his fortune far from friends1 kindred1 and home1 to know that he will not be deprived of the public exercise of those religious duties in which he has been early trained4 ,oh6 how immeasurably would the pain of separation1 which may be for life--which may be for ever--be increased1 if there was a melancholy certainty1 that at the most dangerous period of life1 when the passions are strong1 the judgment weak1 and the principles often unsettled2 and where the temptations to sensual indulgences abound1 and the restraints of parental authority are removed2 there was no religious monitor1 no duly ordained pastor1 to instruct in health1 to cheer in sorrow1 to strengthen in sickness1 and1 it may be1 to support and console in death1 those who are pursuing an useful and honourable course far from their dearest earthly ties1 far from what is ever dear to the heart of all--their native land--the land of their fathers4 ,in entering thus more at length on the subject of the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts than on any other ,society1 an exception has been made in its favour1 because it has never yet received that encouragement and support to which its most important object and valuable labours so well entitle it3 but imperfect as the notice of other ,societies has been1 it would be still more so if concluded without any mention of the ,church ,missionary ,society1 and the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society4 ,the first of these is formed with the design of endeavouring to obey to the fullest extent the parting command of our blessed ,lord1 8,go ye into all the world1 and preach the ,gospel to every creature30 #bai it is not confined by any limits1 but wherever the opening presents itself1 thither the indefatigable1 zealous1 and faithful missionary is sent3 and the ,lord has greatly prospered their labours4 ,the latter1 whether we regard its scope or its machinery1 is a mighty and wonderful engine1 capable of producing immense benefit to the whole human race3 its scope is not merely the supply of the inhabitants of the ,british dominions with the ,scriptures1 but their translation into every language1 their dissemination in every land2 and its vast and complicated machinery has been put into operation in every quarter of the globe4 ,it may suffice to state1 that the grand1 the beneficent1 and most ,christian end1 which these two ,societies have in view1 is to evangelize the world3 the one sends its missionary either instructed1 or to be instructed1 in the language of the country where is to be his field in which he is to sow the good seed of the word of life2 and the other supplies the sower with that seed of the word of life translated into the language of the country4 ,the difficulties they have to encounter are immense2 and the danger of the neglect of the legitimate object1 or of perversion of the power and means of these ,societies1 may be considerable2 but still the enterprise of ,christian love is not to be abandoned1 because it is difficult2 nor the means of ,christian usefulness sacrificed1 because they are capable of abuse3 rather let those who rejoice in the light of the ,gospel1 and thank ,god every day of their lives for having the high privilege of reading ,his ,book1 labour to provide missionaries so well fitted for their office1 as to afford reasonable hope that through ,him1 on whose assistance and blessing they alone depend1 they may surmount the many and arduous difficulties which impede their progress3 rather let them exercise increased vigilance1 and employ greater care and attention1 that if any error exist1 it may be corrected1 that if any abuse has crept in1 it may be reformed4 ,let these ,societies be only faithful to their trust--true to the one great object they are ever to keep in view1 and they may fully rely upon ,him1 whose kingdom they labour to advance1 whose word they seek to publish--to bless their work and ensure their success4 ,but let them remember that no unsound principles of expediency1 no unworthy means to excite popularity1 or to gain support1 must be had recourse to2 such would be to apply to their goodly edifices the 8untempered mortar10 which would end in their destruction3 let them go forth in the strength of the ,lord1 and in his strength only2 let them seek the extension of ,christ's kingdom1 and of ,his kingdom only2 and then all who love the ,lord's ,christ1 honour ,his name1 and seek to promote ,his glory--if they can do no more1 will at least say1 we 8bid you ,god speed40 ,the increasing exertions which are making1 in this country1 for the diffusion of vital religion amongst ,christians1 and for the spread of the ,gospel amongst the heathen1 will form one of the brightest pages in its history4 ,and truly at this moment it presents almost the only subject on which the ,christian's anxious eye can rest with unmixed satisfaction and with joyful hope4 ,the prospect around is in many parts dark and discouraging1 but in one direction is illumined by a bright and holy light--8the sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings10 upon the 8nations which sit in darkness and the shadow of death40 #bba ,england appears to be selected by ,god for this great and glorious work4 ,as the ,roman ,empire was raised up and employed by the ,great ,governor of the ,universe for the first promulgation of the ,gospel2 and as the ,greek language was made the medium through which that ,gospel was extensively diffused3 so we may hope that the ,british ,empire1 so greatly increased1 may be employed1 and the ,english language1 so widely spread1 be made a medium1 for that final promulgation which is to take place1 and the result of which is to be thus complete--8the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,lord1 as the waters cover the sea40 #bbb ,but however this may be--for ill does it become short-sighted man to speculate on the unfulfilled prophecies of ,holy ,writ--our line of duty is plain3 we must make the most strenuous exertions1 trusting to be instruments in the hands of the ,almighty in the conversion of the heathen4 ,the labour of love1 which springs from gratitude to ,god1 which is directed by faith in ,his promises and animated by hope of ,his blessing1 will never be fruitless3 if it please not the ,divine ,providence to give it a prosperous issue to those for whose benefit it was designed1 it will return as a blessing--8good measure1 pressed down1 and shaken together1 and running over0--into the bosoms of those1 who planned1 supported1 and conducted it1 with a sole view to ,god's glory and the salvation of men4 ,this physical pestilence has travelled from ,india to ,england3 does it not in awful terms reproach us1 for having1 as a nation1 done so little to arrest and heal the moral pestilence which rages throughout that great ,peninsula8 ,oh6 let every means be used by the friends of religion to rouse a sinful people to a due sense of what they owe to their home population1 to their colonies1 and to the world at large4 ,whatever be the channel in which an individual may wish the stream of his bounty to flow1 he will find ,societies through which he will best accomplish the good he has in view4 ,let1 therefore1 all be active1 liberal1 and zealous1 in the cause of religion3 let all1 according to the ability which ,god supplieth1 endeavour to promote the present and eternal welfare of all mankind6 8,charge them10 says ,st4 ,paul1 8who are rich in this world1 that they be not high-minded1 nor trust in uncertain riches1 but in the living ,god1 who giveth us richly all things to enjoy3 that they do good1 that they be rich in good works1 ready to distribute1 willing to communicate3 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come1 that they may lay hold on eternal life40 #bbc--8;,but this ,i say1 he which soweth sparingly1 shall reap also sparingly3 and he which soweth bountifully1 shall reap also bountifully4 ,every man according as he purposeth in his heart1 so let him give1 not grudgingly or of necessity1 for ,god loveth a cheerful giver4 ,and ,god is able to make all grace abound towards you2 that ye always having all-sufficiency in all things1 may abound to every good work40 #bbd;a 8,let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity30 let all in their several vocations endeavour to improve1 to the spiritual advantage of themselves and others1 this ,divine visitation2 that thus its great object being accomplished--for the language of ,god's chastisements1 whether national or individual1 is 8be zealous and repent10--we may humbly hope that our gracious ,lord ,god will be pleased to withdraw ,his heavy hand from ,his humbled and contrite people2 the duty of each of whom has been shown to be1 to effect1 through the ,divine blessing1 a personal reformation2 for the sins of each individual form fractions of the immense integral of national guilt1 which has called down the ,divine displeasure2 to employ their rank1 influence1 and a due proportion of their wealth1 in labouring to advance1 by their personal exertions1 and through the medium of societies1 a national reformation2 and to diffuse throughout the world the knowledge of the ,saviour1 that 8the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of ,his ,christ40 #bbd;b ,and how are they to be addressed who are the enemies of the ,lord and of ,his ,christ--who trample under foot his cross1 and1 at present1 stand excluded from all benefit of the great atonement by 8counting the blood of the covenant an unholy thing0--how are they to be addressed who deny the ,lord who bought them1 and secretly maintain1 or openly espouse1 the doctrines of infidelity8 ,in the language of friendly warning and exhortation4 ,sometimes the ,christian advocate has erred by employing a tone of conscious superiority1 of cold severity1 or of keen satire3 the first offends1 the second hardens1 the third irritates the proud spirit of unbelief3 the voice of remonstrance is often listened to1 when authority commands in vain4 ,let1 therefore1 whatever has been said1 in these pages1 be considered1 not as intended in the least degree to wound or insult the feelings of any one1 but as written in the honest and faithful discharge of ,christian duty4 ,and in the spirit of meekness and charity let me entreat those1 who reject ,christianity1 to pause1 reflect1 and examine deeply into the grounds on which they have come to a decision which involves their eternal destiny4 ,let me ask them whether they have ever duly considered1 first1 the possibility of ,revelation being true2 and1 secondly1 the consequences of ,revelation being true4 ,surely a creed1 which numbers amongst its defenders laymen1 who hold the highest place in ,england's proud annals of science and philosophy1 is not lightly to be rejected by ordinary minds3 surely where ,bacon1 ,milton1 ,boyle1 ,locke1 and ,newton1 have been believers1 there is room to admit the possibility of the creed being true4 ,when intellects of the most powerful grasp1 disciplined by the most arduous studies1 and stored with the richest fruits of human knowledge1 have received with humility1 gratitude1 reverence1 and faith1 the ,bible1 as the inspired ,word of ,god1 some doubts may flash across the mind of the infidel1 as to whether he has arrived at a just conclusion1 in refusing to believe that ,bible4 ,and oh6 if there do arise a doubt1 let him now be entreated to re-examine this most important subject1 on which the interests of eternity depend2 to reconsider the grounds on which he denies a faith in which1 during eighteen hundred years1 millions have lived and died4 ,there is1 however1 a second point of consideration1 and that a very important one1 which ought not to be lost sight of1 the consequences of ,revelation being true1--the unutterable anguish of hopeless1 endless despair and torment4 ,infidels often speak with much levity1 and sometimes with profaneness1 of the awful punishments of a future world1 denounced in ,scripture against impenitent guilt2 but1 if they searched deeply into their own hearts1 they would find not only that they were less happy than they were before they shook off their belief in ,revelation2 but some might discover1 almost1 the commencement of the gnawing of the undying worm4 ,in health1 this may be scarcely perceived1 but when the hour approaches1 which generally tears away the mask which has concealed internal feelings long kept secret1 the hideousness of infidelity is fully seen4 ,some appear to have acted their part to the last2 thus ,hume was said to have spent some of his latter hours in reading 8the ,dialogues of the ,dead10 of the ,apostate ,lucian2 but what an employment for one who professed to be a philosopher6 ,at a time1 when the eyes are about to close for ever on all that the heart has held dear in life1 8drollery1 in such circumstances1 is neither more nor less than ,moody madness1 laughing wild ,amidst severest woe40 #bbg ,but such cases are1 generally1 of rare1 occurrence3 as the sombre shades of the evening of life gathered around ,gibbon1 this melancholy confession escaped him1--the past is gone1 the present is but for a moment1 and the prospect of the future is dark and doubtful4 ,paine1 who had vauntingly proclaimed1 that1 during an illness1 expected by himself and those around him to be fatal1 he had rejoiced that he had published his ,age of ,reason1 when the hour of death really arrived1 endured all the agonies of remorse1 evincing a horrible combination of awakened terror and blasphemous despair4 ,and that renowned champion of infidelity1 ,voltaire1 who was smitten1 in his hour of pride and triumph1 suffered in his last hours such intolerable anguish and such overwhelming terror1 that the alarmed physician declared1 that the furies of ,orestes could not equal the horrors of such a death-bed4 ,should the consideration of the possibility and consequences of the truth of ,revelation1 and of the certainty of the present wretchedness of infidelity1 awaken in some readers feelings of apprehension1--lest1 whilst in imagination they have been releasing themselves from the trammels of superstition1 they have in reality been fastening round their own necks the heavy yoke of that hard task-master1 the great enemy of the human race2 let them be entreated to institute now a strict enquiry as to the unanswerableness of the objections against ,revelation1 on the strength of which they have withheld their belief2 and as to the certainty of those conclusions of unassisted reason1 on which they have been content to build their opinions as to an hereafter1 unmindful that1 8,dim as the borrowed beams of moon and stars ,to lonely1 weary1 wandering travellers1 ,is reason to the soul40 ,alas6 it is melancholy to think how many reject ,christianity without due examination3 but let the infidel be assured that1 whether he is involved in the mazy labyrinth of metaphysical subtleties1 perplexed with the false conclusions of materialism1 startled by the apparent extent of physical and moral evil1 or offended1 with the multitude of sceptics1 at mysteries1 creeds1 and articles2 he will find answers to all his objections and difficulties in the various treatises which have been written on the evidences of ,christianity4 ,but let him not enter upon the subject with a prejudiced mind1 in the pride of human reason1 or under the influence of human passions4 ,is it likely that the ,great ,author of light and life will vouchsafe to illuminate understandings1 which prejudice darkens1 and pride renders presumptuous2 or convert and sanctify hearts1 which sensuality debases and pollutes8 ,they who approach the ,great ,governor of the ,universe to be instructed1 in what belongs to their everlasting peace1 must come with humility1 reverence1 and awe2 they must strive to divest themselves of prepossession1 prejudice1 and passion2 and pray to be guided unto all truth3 and if they persevere in patient and dispassionate examination of the evidences of ,christianity1 and in an humble and careful study of the ,scriptures themselves1 accompanied with sincere and earnest prayers1 in ,god's good time1 the light of ,divine grace will break upon their darkened understandings2 they will see how wonderfully the conflicting attributes of justice and mercy have been reconciled in the ,divine plan for the restoration of a guilty world to the favour of its offended ,god2 they will be filled with devout admiration of that love of ,god1 which passeth all understanding1 which has provided for the most heinous offenders a means of escape from eternal condemnation2 and they will thankfully and joyfully embrace the offers of salvation through the ,saviour1 published in the ,gospel4 ,but if there be any who refuse to return to the ,god of their youth2 any who close their ears against every admonition to examine1 deeply1 into those principles of infidelity1 which they have adopted1--principles too dear to man's natural pride1 too favourable to his natural corruption1 to be willingly or easily resigned--let them at least be persuaded not to attempt to make proselytes to their creed4 ,the time may come when they shall be convinced of the truth of ,christianity2 and oh6 how will the weight of guilt1 which1 in the sad and dark hour of a late repentance1 almost overwhelms the soul1 be increased1 if they have been instrumental in destroying the belief of others1 which they have not the power to restore6 ,there is no crime of so deep a die as the ruin of an immortal soul2 none which subjects to the same dreadful remorse2 none which presents the same terrible impediment to our obtaining pardon and peace3 for what present peace can there be to him1 who sees one soul exposed to eternal condemnation1 through his means8 ,what to him who sees many8 ,what to him1 who has the agonising conviction ever present to his mind1 that he has no longer the power to attempt to repair the evil he has done1 for they have been summoned to judgment1 whom he had led astray8 ,there is also another consideration which may have some weight with those who promulgate infidel doctrines1 which is1 that they blast the present as well as eternal happiness of their miserable converts4 8,perhaps our modern sceptics are ignorant1 that without the belief of a ,god and the hope of immortality1 the miseries of human life would often be insupportable4 ,yet this ,i must suppose1 or ,i must believe them to be the most cruel1 the most perfidious1 and the most profligate of men40 ,it is most true1 that if you rob a man of his religious principles1 you deprive him of what 8has both the promise of the life which now is1 and of that which is to come10 his peace of mind1 his trust in ,god's protection1 his faith in the ,saviour1 his hope of glory1 all that consoles1 improves1 elevates1 and ennobles our nature--all are gone1 and in their place are substituted lawless passions1 disappointed hopes1 and bitter regrets4 ,if1 therefore1 no other consideration will avail to induce the infidel school to forego their plans of proselytism1 let regard for their philanthropy1 of which they make such boast1 be urged to prevent their rendering men less happy than they are at present1 under the mild and benignant rule of ,christianity4 ,may that blessed ,lord1 who 8willeth not the death of a sinner1 but rather that he should be converted and live1 have mercy upon all infidels and heretics1 and so fetch them home to ,his flock1 that they may be made one fold under one shepherd1 ,jesus ,christ our ,lord40 ,the duty of a ,christian people1 under ,divine visitations1 however feebly1 has been faithfully stated1 according to the conscientious belief of the writer3 may ,he1 in dependence upon whose blessing1 and to promote whose kingdom it has been written1 make it instrumental to the production of a religious improvement of the afflictive dispensation sent upon the land4 ,the nature of the disease has ceased to be doubtful1 and the pestilence which has been so long advancing towards us is admitted now by all to have reached our shores4 ,once more1 then1 let the question be asked1 8,what will ye do in the day of visitation when your desolation shall come from far1 to whom will ye flee for help80 ,oh that one simultaneous cry would respond from the inhabitants of this kingdom--8,,we ,,will ,,trust ,,in ,,the ,,lord ,,for ,,ever1 ,,for ,,in ,,the ,,lord ,,jehovah ,,is ,,everlasting ,,strength60 ,when ,solomon1 on the dedication of the temple1 prayed1 8,if there be in the land famine1 if there be pestilence1 or whatsoever sickness there be3 then what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man or by all thy people ,israel1 when every one shall know his own sin1 and his own grief1 and shall spread forth his hands in this house2 then hear ,thou in heaven1 ,thy dwelling-place1 and forgive1 and render to every man according unto all his ways1 whose heart ,thou knowest1 for ,thou only knowest the hearts of all men40 #bcc;a ,the ,lord returned the gracious answer3 8,i have heard thy prayer1 and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice4 ,if ,i shut up heaven that there be no rain1 or if ,i command the locusts to devour the land1 or if ,i send pestilence among my people3 if my people1 which are called by my name1 shall humble themselves and pray1 and seek my face1 and turn from their wicked ways1 then will ,i hear from heaven1 and will forgive their sin1 and will heal their land40 #bcc;b ,prayers1 set forth by authority1 are offered up to the throne of grace1 throughout the kingdom1 and it has pleased the ,almighty to deal graciously with ,his people1 in mitigating the virulence of the pestilence3 let a fast be proclaimed1 that on an appointed day the whole nation may 8humble themselves1 and pray1 and seek the ,lord's face30 let associations be formed to assist the ministers of ,god's ,word and ,sacraments1 to exhort and entreat the people to 8turn from their wicked ways30 and if 8the ,lord's people1 which are called by ,his name10 humbled and contrite turn unto ,him1 with all their hearts1 and with mourning and fasting1 and cry1 8,spare us1 ,o ,lord1 spare ,thy people1 whom ,thou hast redeemed with ,thy most precious blood2 turn us1 ,o ,god of our salvation1 and cause ,thine anger towards us to cease20 8,righteous art ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 and just are ,thy judgments30 if they 8cease to do evil1 and learn to do well10 then in ,god's good time the gracious promise will be fulfilled1 for 8the mouth of the ,lord hath spoken it10--,i ,,will ,,hear ,,from ,,heaven1 ,,and ,,will ,,forgive ,,their ,,sin1 ,,and ,,will ,,heal ,,their ,,land4 ,oh may it not be1 that the wickedness of the land shall avert from it the mercy and blessing of the ,most ,high6 ,may it not be1 that the fearful words shall become applicable to us1 8,thus saith the ,lord ,god1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 in returning and rest shall ye be saved1 in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength2 and ye would not60 ,oh6 rather may 8the spirit of grace and supplications0 be poured upon the people1 for 8,will the ,lord wait that ,he may be gracious unto you1 and therefore will ,he be exalted1 that ,he may have mercy upon you3 for the ,lord is a ,god of judgment2 blessed are all they that wait for ,him40 ,then shall the ,lord's people derive joy and peace from those transporting words of comfort3 8,for a small moment have ,i forsaken thee1 but with great mercies will ,i gather thee4 ,in a little wrath ,i hid my face from thee for a moment1 but with everlasting kindness will ,i have mercy on thee1 saith the ,lord ,thy ,redeemer40 8,god's judgments are in the earth40 ,in many places there has been a literal fulfilment of those terrible predictions1 the application of which is not to be considered limited to any time or nation3 8,all joy is darkened1 the mirth of the land is gone3 in the city is left desolation1 and the gate is smitten with destruction40 #bce;a ,truly in our case it may be said1 8the isles saw it and feared1 the ends of the earth were afraid40 #bce;b ,oh6 without experiencing the extreme severity of the scourge1 may this nation learn the lesson it is meant to teach6 8,they shall lift up their voice1 they shall sing for the majesty of the ,lord1 they shall cry aloud from the sea4 ,wherefore glorify ye the ,lord2 even the name of the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 in the isles of the sea40 8,trust in the ,lord1 for with the ,lord there is mercy1 and with ,him is plenteous redemption40 ,proclaim every where 8,god is our hope and strength10 a 8sure refuge in the day of trouble40 8,then shall the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness40 ,then shall they know that 8the ,lord is a very present help in trouble2 blessed are the people whose trust is in ,him40 ,then1 ,god grant that it may be said of this land1 long favoured and blest of heaven1 thou 8hast glorified ,god in the day of visitation20 #bcf;a therefore1 thou shalt 8obtain gladness and joy1 and sorrow and mourning shall flee away40 #bcf;b 8,then shall thy light break forth as the morning1 and thy health shall spring forth speedily3 and thy righteousness shall go before thee1 the glory of the ,lord shall be thy rere-ward4 ,then shalt thou call1 and the ,lord shall answer2 thou shalt cry1 and ,he shall say1 ,,here ,i ,,am40 #bcf;c ,may ,god1 whose gracious and never-failing ,providence orders all things both in heaven and earth1 of ,his infinite mercy1 accomplish this great end of all ,his visitations1 that we may become a 8righteous nation unto the ,lord40 ,may those who are slumbering in the fatal lethargy of sin 8awake to righteousness and sin not30 alarmed by the judgments impending over them1 may habitual sinners seek for grace1 8to turn from the evil of their ways10 before 8the ,lord be revealed from heaven1 in flaming fire1 taking vengeance on the wicked1 and those who know not ,god40 ,may the lukewarm1 who1 even in the hour of danger1 still 8halt between two opinions10 cleave to the ,lord1 lest their souls should be required of them1 whilst yet balancing the claims of ,god and mammon4 ,may the faithful trim their lamps1 8have their loins girded1 and their lights burning1 and be like unto men that wait for their ,lord3 blessed are those servants whom the ,lord when he cometh shall find watching40 ,and may ,god pour ,his especial grace and blessing upon the nation at large3 that all may recognize ,his hand1 submit to ,his will1 depend on ,his protection1 profit by ,his chastisements1 and endeavour to promote ,his glory here and abroad1 now and for ever4 8,now the ,god of peace that brought again from the dead our ,lord ,jesus1 that ,great ,shepherd of the sheep1 through the blood of the everlasting covenant1 make you perfect in every good work to do ,his will1 working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight1 through ,jesus ,christ1 to whom be glory for ever and ever4 ,amen40 #bcg ,a ,,prayer ,,in ,,times ,,of ,,pestilence ,,or ,,great ,,sickness4 ,o ,,almighty and ,everlasting ,god1 whose gracious and never-failing ,providence orders all things1 both in heaven and earth2 we1 ,thy unworthy servants1 most humbly beseech ,thee1 to look with an eye of pity upon thy afflicted people4 ,we have sinned1 ,o ,lord1 and done wickedly2 in the days of our prosperity we have forgotten ,thee1 the bounteous ,giver of all good3 but ,thou dealest not with the sons of men after their sins1 nor rewardest them according to their iniquities4 ,have mercy1 therefore1 upon us1 ,o ,god1 according to ,thy loving-kindness3 according unto the multitude of ,thy tender mercies1 blot out our transgressions4 ,we know1 ,o ,lord1 that ,thy judgments are right1 and that ,thou1 in faithfulness1 hast afflicted us4 ,but1 ,o ,lord1 rebuke us not in ,thy wrath1 neither chasten us in ,thy hot displeasure4 ,let mercy rejoice against judgment4 ,and turn ,thee unto us1 and have mercy upon us3 for we are desolate and afflicted4 ,the troubles of our heart are enlarged3 oh bring ,thou us out of our distresses4 ,look upon our affliction and our pain1 and forgive all our sins4 ,o ,heavenly ,father1 our only dependence is upon ,thy compassion4 ,thou art merciful and gracious1 slow to anger1 and plenteous in mercy4 ,for ,thou knowest our frame2 ,thou rememberest that we are dust4 ,we come before ,thee1 therefore1 trusting in the multitude of ,thy mercies1 and encouraged by the abundance of ,thy great and precious promises4 ,incline ,thine ear1 ,o ,lord1 and hear the supplications of ,thy people4 ,turn us1 ,o ,god of our salvation1 and cause ,thine anger towards us to cease4 ,of ,thy only gift it cometh that ,thy people can do unto ,thee true and acceptable service4 ,pour1 therefore1 we humbly beseech ,thee1 upon this land1 the spirit of grace and supplication1 the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the ,lord1 that it may know1 in this its day1 the things which belong unto its peace2 and may flee to ,thee for deliverance from the floods of immorality1 profaneness1 and infidelity1 which threaten to overflow its borders4 ,o ,almighty ,god1 who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men1 shed abroad1 in the minds and hearts of this people1 the enlightening1 renewing1 and sanctifying influence of ,thy grace1 that1 recognising ,thy judgments1 submitting to ,thy will1 and profiting by ,thy chastisements1 we may humble ourselves under ,thy mighty hand2 and putting away from us the evil of our ways1 may turn unto ,thee with all our heart1 and with fasting1 and with weeping1 and with mourning4 ,and then1 ,o merciful and long-suffering ,lord1 who willest not the death of a sinner1 but rather that all should repent and live2 spare us1 good ,lord1 oh spare ,thy people1 whom ,thou hast redeemed with ,thy precious blood2 and hear from ,heaven1 we implore ,thee1 and forgive our sin1 and heal our land4 ,furthermore1 we earnestly address ,thee1 ,o gracious ,god1 whose kingdom ruleth over all1 in behalf of the whole race of mankind4 ,be pleased1 of ,thy great goodness1 to grant1 that now1 when ,thy judgments are in the earth1 the inhabitants of the world may learn righteousness3 and in every land they may receive grace to glorify ,thee in the day of visitation4 ,oh bless and prosper1 we pray ,thee1 the means employed for the spread of the light of ,thy ,holy ,gospel1 here and abroad1--for the promotion of ,thy glory1 and the extension of ,thy kingdom4 ,that1 in ,thy good time1 the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of ,his ,christ4 ,finally1 we beseech ,thee1 of ,thy goodness1 ,o ,lord1 to comfort and succour all them1 who1 in this transitory life1 are in trouble1 sorrow1 need1 sickness1 or any other adversity2--more especially those who are set in the midst of so many and great dangers1 by reason of the pestilence which it hath pleased ,thee to send upon the land4 ,oh be ,thou unto all ,thy servants a refuge and strength1 a very present help in trouble4 ,be merciful unto us1 ,o ,god1 be merciful unto us1 for our souls trust in ,thee2 yea in the shadow of thy wings will we make our refuge1 until these calamities be overpast4 ,thou art our hope and our stronghold1 our ,god1 in ,thee will we trust4 ,o ,lord1 who art rich in mercy and goodness1 suffer not1 we entreat ,thee1 any evil to happen to us1 neither any plague to come nigh our dwelling4 ,and graciously produce in us such firm trust in thy mighty aid1 amid all the trials and dangers of this mortal life1 and such a blessed assurance1 that1 under ,thy divine control1 all things shall work together for our eternal good1 that we may not be afraid for the terror by night1 nor the arrow that flieth by day2 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness1 nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day4 ,but that filled with joy and peace in believing1 we may rest with humble and firm dependence1 ,heavenly ,father1 upon ,thy sure protection1 ,thy blessed guidance1 and ,thy tender mercies1 now and ever4 ,so that when the hour of our departure shall come1 we may humbly trust1 through ,thy grace1 to meet death without fear or amazement2 and stedfast through faith1 and joyful through hope1 to commit our souls to ,thy safekeeping1 ,o blessed ,lord1 as unto a faithful ,creator and ,redeemer1 when ,thou1 in ,thy infinite wisdom and goodness1 shall see it fitting to take us unto ,thyself4 ,vouchsafe1 we earnestly implore ,thee1 ,o ,almighty and most merciful ,god1 to receive favourably these our humble petitions for ourselves and for all mankind1 offered with deep humility and self-abasement to ,thy divine ,majesty1 in the name and through the mediation of ,thy ,son1 our most blessed ,lord and ,saviour1 to whom1 with ,thee1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 be ascribed1 as is most due1 all honour and glory1 dominion and power1 thanksgiving and praise1 and humble adoration1 henceforth and for evermore4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,prayer1 which may be used in ,health or in ,sickness4 ,o ,,almighty and most merciful ,god1 who so loved the world1 that ,thou gavest ,thy only-begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in ,him should not perish1 but have everlasting life1 grant unto us1 ,thy weak and sinful servants1 we most humbly beseech ,thee1 sincere repentance and lively faith2 that coming to our blessed ,lord1 as the ,way1 and the ,truth1 and the ,life1 we may1 through ,his infinite and most precious merits1 obtain pardon and peace4 ,we are sensible1 ,o ,lord1 of our natural corruption and hardness of heart1 of the number and heinousness of our offences1 and yet we are little acquainted with the extent of that corruption and guilt2 for who knoweth the deceitfulness of his wicked heart1 or who can tell how oft he offendeth8 ,we deserve at ,thy hand1 ,o ,god1 nothing but condemnation2 and should utterly despair1 were it not for the gracious assurance given in ,thy ,holy ,scriptures1 that ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 waitest to be gracious1 and that the blood of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 cleanseth us from all sin4 ,we know that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves1 but that our sufficiency is of ,thee1 who workest in us both to will and to do1 of ,thy good pleasure4 ,we beseech ,thee1 therefore1 ,o ,god1 to be graciously pleased1 for ,christ's sake1 to enlighten1 by ,thy heavenly grace1 the natural darkness of our understandings1 to rectify the perversion of our wills1 and to sanctify the unholiness of our affections4 ,we deplore1 ,o ,lord1 our deadness to spiritual things3 oh6 of ,thy great goodness1 strengthen1 we pray ,thee1 our faith1 quicken our zeal1 increase our love1 and improve our obedience4 ,oh6 grant us1 according to the riches of ,thy glory1 to be strengthened with might by ,thy ,spirit in the inner man2 that ,christ may dwell in our hearts by faith2 that we being rooted and grounded in love1 may be filled with the fruits of the ,spirit1 may adorn in all things the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour1 and may know the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,that1 having received the adoption of sons1 the ,spirit may bear witness with our spirit1 that we are ,thy children1 ,o gracious ,god1 to whom looking as unto a reconciled ,father in ,christ ,jesus1 we may cry1 ,abba1 ,father4 ,and we may have our conversation in ,heaven1 from whence also we look for the ,saviour1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 who shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto ,his glorious body1 according to the working1 whereby ,he is able even to subdue all things unto ,himself4 ,o ,lord ,jesu ,christ1 the ,lamb of ,god1 that takest away the sins of the world1 have mercy upon us1 and cleanse us by ,thy precious blood1 from the defilement of our past offences3 ,oh6 enable us to come boldly unto the ,throne of ,grace1 that we may obtain mercy1 and find grace to help in time of need4 ,o ,almighty and merciful ,god1 who art faithful1 and who wilt not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able2 but wilt with the temptation also make a way to escape1 that we may be able to bear it3 we cast all our care on ,thee1 who carest for us3 ,and oh6 mayest ,thou1 ,heavenly ,father1 who hast1 of ,thy free and unmerited mercy1 begun a good work in us1 perform it until the day of ,jesus ,christ4 ,of ,thy tender mercy1 we beseech ,thee1 shed abroad in our hearts the consolations of ,thy ,gospel1 and enrich us with ,christian graces1 that we may be supported under whatever afflictions ,thou mayest be pleased to send1 and receive them1 and seek for grace to benefit by them1 as being sent1 gracious ,lord1 by ,thee1 in mercy and for our profit4 ,that1 under ,thy most mighty protection and blessing1 we may fight the good fight of faith1 lay hold on eternal life1 and finish our course with joy2 by ,him and through ,him1 to whom has been given a name that is above every name1 that at the name of ,jesus every knee should bow1 of things in heaven1 and things in earth1 and things under the earth3 and that every tongue should confess1 that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father4 ,amen1 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,end4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,gilbert ,,rivington1 ,,printers1 ,st4 ,john's ,square1 ,london4 ,,footnotes4 #c;a ,rev4 xvi4 #a4 #c;b ,luke xxi4 #be1 #bf4 #e;a ,joel ii4 #ab4 #e;b ,joel ii4 #ae-ag4 #e;c ,james i4 #g4 #e;d ,heb4 xiii4 #h4 #e;e ,rom4 xv4 #d4 #e;f ,psalm cvi4 #f4 #e;g ,psalm lxxxvi4 #e4 #f;a ,isa4 lix4 #a4 #f;b ,psalm lix4 #ac4 #f;c ,isa4 i4 #aa4 #f;d ,isa4 i4 #af1 #ag4 #f;e #a ,sam4 xv4 #bb4 #g;a ,service for the ,sick4 #g;b ,luke xix4 #dd4 #g;c ,psalm cxix4 #ge4 #g;d ,isa4 lv4 #f4 #g;e ,jer4 xviii4 #cj4 #h;a ,prov4 viii4 #ae4 #h;b ,psalm lxxxix4 #ai4 #h;c ,psalm cxxvii4 #b4 #i;a ,gen4 xviii4 #cb4 #i;b ,jonah iii4 #aj4 #i;c #b ,sam4 xxiv4 #af4 #i;d ,jer4 xviii4 #g1 #h4 ,psalm xci4 #f4 #aj;a ,it is much to be desired that the prayers set forth by authority1 or others of a similar character1 should be generally used in family worship4 #aa #a ,pet4 v4 #f4 #ab;a ,isa4 i4 #d4 #ab;b ,zech4 xii4 #aj4 #ac;a ,isa4 xliv4 #ba1 #bb4 #ac;b ,psalm cxix4 #gc4 #ad;a ,luke i4 #gi4 #ad;b ,isaiah x4 #c4 #ad;c ,isaiah xxvi4 #d4 #ad;d ,heb4 xi4 #f4 #ae;a ,sherlock on ,providence4 #ae;b ,heb4 xii4 #aj4 #ae;c ,bowdler's ,remains4 #af;a ,heb4 xii4 #f4 #af;b ,psalm cxix4 #ga4 #af;c ,jer4 xvi4 #ai4 #af;d ,psalm xxv4 #ag;a ,phil4 ii4 #ae4 #ag;b ,luke xviii4 #ah4 #ag;c ,matt4 xiv4 #cj4 #ah;a ,titus ii4 #aj4 #ah;b ,col4 iii4 #b4 #ah;c ,titus ii4 #ac4 #ah;d ,psalm cxix4 #ge4 #ai;a #b ,cor4 iv4 #ai;b ,heb4 ii4 #af4 #ai;c ,deut4 xxxiii4 #be4 #ai;d ,matt4 x4 #bi4 #ai;e ,rom4 viii4 #bh4 #ai;f ,isaiah xxvi4 #c4 #ai;g ,rom4 xv4 #ac4 #ba;a #b ,cor4 iv4 #ba;b ,psalm xci4 #bb;a ,isa4 xli4 #aj4 #bb;b ,sherlock on ,providence4 #bc;a ,rom v4 #c4 #bc;b ,heb4 vi4 #a4 #bc;c #a ,john iv4 #ah4 #bc;d ,heb4 xii4 #ab4 #bc;e ,acts xviii4 #ag4 #bd #b ,tim4 iii4 #d4 #be ,psalm x4 #d4 #bf ,proverbs i4 #bh;a ,jonah i4 #f4 #bh;b ,daniel v4 #bg4 #cj ,acts xx4 #ba4 #ca ,luke xvi4 #bc4 #cb;a ,matt4 xxv4 #da4 #cb;b #b ,cor4 v4 #aa4 #cb;c ,ibid4 v4 #bj4 #cc;a ,the ,task4 #cc;b ,rom4 ii4 #d1 #e4 #cd;a ,ezek4 xxxiii4 #aa4 #cd;b ,ezek4 xviii4 #bi4 #cd;c ,isa4 i4 #ah4 #ce;a ,exod4 xxxiv4 #f4 #ce;b #a ,john iv4 #h4 #ce;c ,john iii4 #af4 #ce;d ,john iii4 #ag4 #ce;e ,john vi4 #dg4 #cf;a ,matt4 xi4 #bh4 #cf;b ,matt4 i4 #ba4 #cf;c ,matt4 ix4 #ac4 #cf;d #a ,tim4 i4 #ae4 #cf;e ,luke ii4 #aj4 #cf;f ,john vi4 #cg4 #cg;a ,psalm ciii4 #h4 #cg;b #a ,john ii4 #a4 #cg;c ,rom4 viii4 #cb4 #ch;a ,john v4 #dj4 #ch;b ,matt4 xviii4 #aa4 #ch;c ,luke xv4 #aj4 #ch;d ,rev4 v4 #ac4 #ci;a ,acts xxvi4 #ah4 #ci;b #a ,tim4 ii4 #d4 #dj;a ,rom4 iii4 #bd1 #be4 #dj;b ,rev4 iii4 #ag1 #ah4 #da ,james iii4 #b4 #db;a ,rom4 x4 #b1 #c4 #db;b #a ,cor4 i4 #bi4 #db;c ,col4 iii4 #aa4 #db;d ,article ,,ix4 #dc;a ,article ,x4 #dc;b ,article ,,xi4 #dc;c ,article ,,xii4 #de ,isa4 lv4 #g1 #h4 #df;a ,ezek4 xi4 #ai4 #df;b ,psalm li4 #dg;a ,phil4 iii4 #ad4 #dg;b ,ephes4 iv4 #ac4 #dg;c ,ibid4 vi4 #d4 #dh;a ,the term conversion is here employed to express that change of will1 heart1 and life1 wrought by divine grace in those1 who1 when living in ignorance or neglect of ,god1 are brought to believe1 obey1 and love the ,gospel1 the spirit of which they had never before truly known1 the power of which they had never before really felt4 #dh;b ,sermons1 p4 #abe4 #di;a #a ,john v4 #a4 #aj4 #ah4 #di;b ,rom4 viii4 #a4 #ad4 #ea;a p4 #abc4 #ea;b p4 #abf4 #ea;c p4 #abh4 #eb;a ,matt4 vii4 #ba4 #eb;b ,rom4 ii4 #ac4 #eb;c ,james i4 #bb4 #ec;a #a ,john ii4 #ae4 #ec;b ,gal4 v4 #ai-ba4 #ec;c ,mark i4 #ae4 #ed;a ,heb4 xii4 #ad4 #ed;b ,titus ii4 #aa4 #eg;a #b ,cor4 iv4 #d4 #eg;b ,mark x4 #bc4 #eh;a ,luke xvi4 #eh;b #a ,john ii4 #af4 #ei;a ,james v4 #ei;b #a ,tim4 vi4 #i4 #ei;c #a ,pet4 ii4 #aa4 #ei;d #a ,pet4 iv4 #c4 #ei;e ,ephes4 v4 #f4 #fj;a #a ,tim4 vi4 #ag4 #fj;b #b ,cor4 vii4 #a4 #fa ,ephes4 iv4 #fb #a ,pet4 ii4 #a4 #fc ,dan4 v4 #ff;a ,isa4 lvii4 #ae4 #ff;b #a ,cor4 iv4 #g4 #ff;c ,psalm xix4 #ab4 #fg #a ,kings xviii4 #ba4 #fh;a ,rev4 iii4 #af4 #fh;b ,matt4 xxii4 #eg4 #gb ,john xv4 #ac4 #gc #a ,cor4 xvi4 #bb4 #gd;a ,acts xvii4 #aa4 #gd;b #b ,tim4 iii4 #af4 #ge;a #b ,cor4 x4 #d4 #ge;b ,jer4 xiii4 #bc4 #ge;c #a ,pet4 v4 #h4 #ge;d ,eph4 vi4 #ab4 #gf;a ,rom4 vii4 #bd4 #gf;b ,matt4 xix4 #bf4 #gg;a #a ,cor4 xv4 #eg4 #gg;b ,rom4 xii4 #b4 #gg;c ,acts iii4 #ai4 #gh ,psalm xcv4 #aa4 ,acts xxiv4 #be4 #hj ,ephes4 iv4 #ba4 #ha;a ,matt4 xvi4 #bf4 #ha;b ,john xiv4 #f4 #ha;c #b ,cor4 v4 #ba4 #hb;a ,rom4 v4 #a4 #hb;b #b ,cor4 xii4 #i4 #hb;c ,phil4 iii4 #ac4 #hb;d ,tit4 ii4 #aj4 #hc ,baptismal ,service4 #hd ,matt4 xiii4 #bj4 #he ,heb4 ii4 #aj4 #hf;a ,rev4 xviii4 #bd4 #hf;b #b ,cor4 iv4 #ag4 #hf;c ,matt4 xxv4 #ba4 #hg;a ,matt4 v4 #af4 #hg;b ,isaiah xxvi4 #i4 #hh;a ,ephes4 iv4 #b1 #c4 #hh;b ,ephes4 iv4 #e1 #f4 #hi;a ,service for the ,sick4 #hi;b ,job xxiii4 #aj4 #ia;a ,luke xix4 #db4 #ia;b ,james i4 #ag4 #ia;c ,ephes4 i4 #ag4 #ia;d ,ephes4 v4 #ic ,page #d4 #ie ,page #df4 #if ,page #fa4 #ig;a ,dan4 iv4 #ag4 #ig;b ,deut4 vi4 #h4 #ih ,page #ga4 #ii ,page #fi4 #ajj ,james iv4 #ae4 #ajb ,malachi iii4 #f4 #ajc;a ,zeph4 ii4 #ac4 #ajc;b ,jer4 li4 #ac4 #ajd;a ,ezek4 xxix4 #ae4 #ajd;b ,isaiah xxiii4 #g4 #aje;a ,ezek4 xxvi4 #e4 #aje;b ,ibid4 xxvi4 ver4 #ad4 #ajg ,deut4 viii4 #ajh ,deut4 xxviii4 #cg4 #aaj;a ,ps4 lxviii4 #ce4 #aaj;b ,isa4 xxx4 #a4 #aaj;c ,rev4 iii4 #ai4 #aaa ,matt4 xvi4 #ah4 #aac ,jer4 vi4 #ad4 #aad ,page #h4 #aae ,page #ae4 #aaf ,page #dd4 #abc ,isaiah lvii4 #bj4 #abd ,apology for ,christianity1 p4 #abb4 #abe ,apology for the ,bible1 p4 #b4 #abf ,matt4 xxiii4 #ae4 #acd;a ,charges1 p4 #aag4 #acd;b ,ibid4 p4 #abh4 #acd;c ,ibid4 p4 #acd4 #ace ,rose's ,prevailing ,disposition towards ,christianity1 p4 #gg4 #acg;a ,page #ade #acg;b ,bishop of ,durham4 #adi ,lord ,brougham's speech in the ,commons1 on the ,education of the ,poor4 #aed #b ,sam4 xxiv4 #ba4 #aee #a ,kings xix4 #aj4 #afd ,bishop of ,london's ,charge4 #afg ,psalm cxxxix4 #e4 #afh;a ,psalm civ4 #bd4 #afh;b ,ibid4 xix4 i4 #afh;c ,ibid4 xxxiii4 #h1 #i4 #aga ,chalmers' ,revelation viewed in connexion with ,modern ,astronomy4 #age ,luke i4 #d4 #agf #a ,pet4 iii4 #ae4 #agh ,prov4 xv4 #bc4 #agi;a ,luke x4 #db4 #agi;b ,joshua xxiv4 #ae4 #agi;c #b ,cor4 vi4 #ad4 #agi;d #b ,cor4 vi4 #ad1 #ae4 #ahj ,psalm lv4 #ad4 #ahe ,page #ba4 #ahh;a ,matt4 x4 #bh4 #ahh;b ,heb4 vii4 #be4 #aib ,ordination ,service4 #aic;a ,isaiah lviii4 #a4 #aic;b #b ,tim4 ii4 #bd4 #aid;a #a ,cor4 iv4 #a4 #aid;b #b ,cor4 v4 #bj4 #aid;c ,ezek4 iii4 #ag4 #aid;d ,acts xx4 #bh4 #aid;e #a ,thess4 ii4 #ai4 #aie;a #a ,thess4 iii4 #g4 #aie;b ,phil4 iv4 #a4 #aie;c ,ibid4 iii4 #a4 #aie;d ,james v4 #bj4 #aie;e ,dan4 xii4 #c4 #aif;a ,ordination ,service4 #aif;b ,isaiah xxvi4 #h1 #i4 #aig ,cor4 iii4 #g4 #aii ,pet4 v4 #b4 #bjj;a ,ezek4 xxxiv4 #af4 #bjj;b ,isaiah xl4 #aa4 #bjj;c #b ,cor4 ii4 #af4 #bja ,commentary upon the #ast ,epistle of ,st4 ,peter1 p4 #bhj4 #bjb;a ,heb4 xiii4 #e4 #bjb;b ,matt4 xxviii4 #bj4 #bjb;c ,isaiah lx4 #ai4 #bjd;a #b ,tim4 iv4 #f4 #bjd;b ,acts x4 #ch4 #bje;a ,mark viii4 #ch4 #bje;b ,josh4 xxiv4 #ae4 #bje;c ,matt4 xii4 #cj4 #baa ,barbadoes has1 at this time1 most urgent claims upon the ,british nation for assistance3 it is estimated that the injury sustained by churches1 schools1 and the buildings of charitable institutions1 during the late hurricane1 cannot be repaired under a less cost than #dj1jjjl4 ,a subscription has been opened in ,london for rebuilding the churches and school-houses4 #bai ,mark xvi4 #ae4 #bba ,mal4 iv4 #b4 #bbb ,isaiah xi4 #i4 #bbc #a ,tim4 vi4 #ag-ai4 #bbd;a #b ,cor4 ix4 #f-h4 #bbd;b ,rev4 xi4 #ae4 #bbg ,bishop ,horne's ,letter to ,adam ,smith4 #bcc;a #b ,chron4 vi4 #bh4 #bcc;b ,ibid4 vii4 #ab4 #bce;a ,isaiah xxiv4 #aa4 #bce;b ,ibid4 xli4 #e4 #bcf;a #a ,pet4 ii4 #ab4 #bcf;b ,isaiah li4 #aa4 #bcf;c ,ibid4 lviii4 #h4 #bcg ,heb4 xiii4 #bj4