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I THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, | ^ Princeton, Nt^'O".
|l Case,, ^Division . . .-l-|i..
I ^-^' Sec. • ....r
U. Hook, I!)
t> ^ ^ _ ~ ._=- ,-N-D -.-^ .,^. , , . .^-. . . s*.
OC/
/i^?!.^
CJ^ o-r^^-^^^
DISCOURSES
ON
VARIOUS SUBJECTS,
S Y
THOMAS RENNELL, D. D.
MASTER OF THE TEMPLE.
THE SECOND EDITION.
LONDON :
PRINTED FOR F. AND C, RIVINGTON, NO. 62, ST. PAUL'S church-yard;
SY BYE AND LAW, ST. JOHn's SQUARE, CLERKENWELL.
1801.
EVER HONORED MEMORr
REVEREND, PIOUS AND PROFOUNDLY LEARNED
THOMAS RENNELL, A.M.
DEPARTED INTO THE JOY OF HIS LORD,
AFTER A LIFE SPENT
IN AN UNREMITTING STUDY OF THE RECORDS,
A POWERFUL INVESTIGATION OF THE EVIDENCES,
AND AN
EMINENT PRACTICE OF THE DUTIES OT CHRISTIANITY,
THIS VOLUME
IS,
WITH INDELIBLE GRATITUDE, AFFECTION AND VENERATION,
INSCRIBED
BY HIS ONLY SURVIVING CHILD,
THE AUTHOH,
^
CONTENTS
DLS COURSE I.
Page
The Confequenccs of the Vice of Gaming.
Preached in 1793.
Hef.. xii. 1. The Jin xvhich doth fo eafily befet you. S
D I S C O U R S E II.
On Old Age.
Preached at the Temple in 1799.
PsALM Ixxi. 9. Ca/t tUii not off in the time of old age, forjake me not when my jlrengtk faileth me. o%
DISCOURSE III.
Benevolence exclufively an Evangelical Virtue.
Preached before the Univerfity of Cambridge for the Beneiit of Addenbroke's liofpital in 1796.
John xiii. 34. A new commandment give I unto
you, that ye love one another. , . .73
DI S-
Vi CONTENTS.
DISCOURSE IV.
Page
The Services rendered to the Englifli Nation by the Church of England, a Motive for Liberahty to the Orphan Children of Indigent Minifters.
Preached at St. Paul's Cathedral, at the Anniver- fary Meeting of the Sons of the Clergy in May 1796.
2 Cor. viii. 23, 24:. Thei/ are the mejfengers of the churches, and the glory of Chrift : where- fore JJiew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love. ^ -109
DISCOURSE V. On the Grounds and Regulation of Na- tional Joy.
Preached before the Hon. Houie of Commons, on
Occafion of the folemn Thankfgiving for the ;
Naval Vi6tory by the Britiih Fleet under Lord NeUbn, at the Mouth of the Nile, November 29, . 1798.
Psalm ii. 11. Rejoice xoith trembling. 149
DISCOURSE VI.
On the Connection of the Duties of loving the Brotherhood, fearing God, and ho- noring the King.
Preached at St. Magnus Church, London Bridge, in 17;92.
fi PtTER ii. 17. Love the brotherhood, fear God,
honor the king. 161
DIS-
CONTENTS. vii
DISCOURSE VII.
Page
On the Guilt of Blood-thirftinefs. Occafioned by the Murder of the Queen of France.
Preached in the Cathedral Church of Winchefter, Oflober 26, 1793.
Jlzek. xxiv, 6. and part of 7. Wherefore thus faith the Lord God, woe to the bloodj/ citx) I to the pot whoft fcum is therein; and whofe fcum is not gone out of it! — bring it out piece h\) 'piece ; let no lot fall upon it. For her blood is in the midji of her ; JJie fet it upon the tfi^'"'^' of a rock. jt$^ '195
DISCOURSE Vlli'
On the Atonement. *\^^VxT
Preached at the Temple Church on the Fall of thi . Crucifixion, 1799.
Gal. i. 4. Who gave himfelf for our fins, that he might deliver us from the prefent evil world. 2H
DISCOURSE IX.
A Sermon preached at St. Paul's Cathedral, at the triennial Vifitation of the Right Rev. Beilby, Lord Biiliop of London, in May 1795.
2 Tim. iv. 5. Do the work of an Evangelif,
make full proof of thy miniflry. 225
DIS-
CONTENTS. DISCOURSE X.
Page
Great Britain's Naval Strength and Infular Situation, a Caufe of Gratitude and ^Thankfgiving to Almighty God.
Preached at Deptford, before the Right Hon. Wil- liam Pitt, Mafter, and the Elder Brethren of the Corporation of Trinity Houfe, on Trinity Mon- day, 1796.
Psalm xxiv. 2. For he hath founded it upon the feas, and ejlablijlied it upon the floods. 253
DISCOURSE XL
Ignorance produ6live of Atheifm, Anarchy and Superftition.
Preached before the Univerfity of Cambridge on Commencement Sunday, 1798, and printed by defire of the Heads of Houfes.
HosEA iv. 6. My people are dtftroyed for lack
of knoxdedge. 269
DISCOURSES XII, XIII, and XIV. On the Sting of Death ; the Strength of
Sin ; and the Vi6lory over them both
through Jefus Chrift Preached at the Temple Church in Eafter Term,
1800.
1 Cor. XV. 56, 57. The fling of deaths is fin ; and theflrength of fin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jefus Chrifl. 313, 329, 343
DISCOURSE
DISCOURSE I.
Hebrews xii. 1.
** JHE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BE- SET you/'
iO comprehend in any fyftem of religion or morality every deviation from the laws or rules which that fyftem prefcribes, is neither poflible, nor Ihould we upon reflec- tion find it even to be expedient. So vari- ous are, not only the natural difpofitions of individuals, but alfo fo diverfified thofe habits and pra^lices which the different ftages of manners, arts, and refinement produce, that an attempt to enumerate the vices growing eventually out of them would be inconfiflent with that fmiplicity and concifenefs which fhould accompany a colle6lion of precepts adapted to the purpofes, and dire6led to the
B inflruG-
2 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
inftruftion, of all mankind. Although there- fore in the revealed will of God we do not find every mode and degree of crimes to which language has affixed a fpecific name, yet a little enquiry will foon comince us that the morality of the Gofpel ilands beyond all comparifon on a broader, fmipler, and more pra6iical bafis than that of an}^ other body of inftruftion, which under any form was .ever propofed to the acceptance of mankind. Without the forced and artificial formality of a fyftem, it hath all that coherence and harmonious concurrence which the ablefi; conftru(5lors of human fyftems of morality have never reached. Though the Evangelical precepts appear to llight obfervers fcattered incidentally and occafionally, > yet have they -all mutual reference to each other, and an uniyerlal relation to the whole ,of that ftu- pehdous plan of mercy and reconciliation brought to light in the w ritings of the New Teftament. \^ hen^ in the , language of in- fpired wifdom the ze^hoh of man is difplayed before us, wheii his corruptions, and their caufe, and their remedy, are clearly difcerned, when his deftination in Time and Eternity diflindly appears, then is he railed'' to an
eminence
VICE OP GAMING 3
eminence from whence the profpe6l of his duty is exteniive and commanding indeed. Referred to fiich a view, the true nature of every a6tion, and the minuteft variation of it, is fo clearly difcerned, that even with re- gard to thofe habits and practices of which fcarcely the flighteft mention occurs, we are at no lofs whatever for a fafe and eafy de- termination. The grand Chriftian princi- ples are fo bold, diftin6t, and prominent, as to render them moft eafy in their conilruc- tion, moft fafe and exteniive in j;heir applica- tion. Though Chriftian cafuiftry lieth within a fmall compafs, yet there is no part of human conduct which Chriftian oblio-ation doth not reach, and where Chriftian motives do not operate. Sophiftry may evade, Care- leflhefs may negleft, Obftinacy may oppofe. Vice may fmother, both the precepts of the Gofpel, and the grace of God which gives ftrength and efficacy to them. But all mijiakes concerning our duty in judging of the confe- quences of our aftions are almoft invariably wilful, and this as much where the Scriptures are Jilent concerning particular offences, as where they direftly advert to them. In the relaxation of amufement, in the hurry of pub-
B ^ lie
4 THE CONSEQUEXCES OF THE
lie atid political occupation, a Christian is as much aeiuated by the motives of his religion, as in the prollrations of devotion, and in the ftillnels of retirement. To all and every part of human life, a new dire6tion is given by his acceptance of the Gofpel, nor is there a lingle thought of his heart, or a6iion of his hfe, concerning which, either in its caufes, dependencies, or coniequences, the will of God is not on Scriptural grounds moft clearly to be difcerned by him. To the tribunal of our Confciences, enlightened by his \'\'ord, and aided by his Grace, e\'ery a6t:ion ihould be fummoned by thofe ^vho have effeftual conviction that in lb doing tliey anticipate the judgment of that tribunal, from which no word, thought, or deed can be exempted.
Thefe obfervations, however plain and ob- vious, I have thought it pro])er to premife, in entering upon a fubje6l of the higheft, molt awful, and moft inftant importance, namely, the nature and coniequences of the prevailing habit of Gaming — becaufe if we may con- clude from daily obfervation, the operation of the plainelt Chriftian principles feems in the controul of this vice to4iave heen fit fpetided at lealt in many inftances where the autho- rity
VICK or C. AMIXG. 5
ritv of revelation is not openly diikvowed, or even lecrctlv dilcarded. I am fully con- vinced tliat if very many did not from the Jilence of Scripture derive Ibme glimmerings of hope, that their accountability in this prat:tice did not Hand upon the fame groimds as in other otfences .which are exprefsly named therein, they could not periift in a courle of prac'tilin.o-, cultivating, and ditfufmg a vice ^vhich is the parent of as extended guilt and mifery as perhaps the moil flagrant vices againfl which the indignation of God is no- minally threatened. — Anv out of thole crimes, to which EVEiiY gamelter in an advanced ftage of the vice is neceflarily and invaria- bly either an accomplice or principal, would, it might be fuppofed, either in their prof- pe6t, retrofpect, or commifiion, ilrike the molt obdurate heart with difmay and confu- iion. But here the calloufnels of cuftom, the llrength of habit, and the extended prevalence of example, feem to have nrade a I'yttem of the moft accumulated mifchiei' and atrocity coniiilent with an allumption of charafter, with an apparently unrullled recollection, nay a profeffion of moral, and at times even of religious obligation. With fuch ftrong felf- 13 3 delufion
6 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
delufion in fome, and fuch hardened repro- bacj in others, it is difficult to contend. Every circumftance contributes to increafe that diffi- culty. So indiftinft is it in its firft advances, fo combined by habit with every part of focial life, that it is difficult to mark the firft ftages of its malignity, and ftiil more difficult to feparate it from thofe various and extended objefts with which it is unfortu- nately blended.
To convert that which is the obje6l of your eagereft purfuit, the employment of all 3^our hours, the cement of all j'our fuppofed friend- fhips, into your horror and deteltation ; to eradicate tempers of contrajied depravity, to foften ferocity and to awaken indolence, to fix the frivoloufnefs of diffipation, and to pene- trate the gloom of defpair ; to fubftitute deep penitence into the place of the moft hardened reprobacy, is an attempt which thofe who know not that the " strength" of God is perfe6led in the " weakness" of his Mi- nisters, will perhaps treat with fcorn and mocker}^ : it is an attempt which thofe, who in defiance of every civil, focial, and facred obligation are fp reading and diffiifmg this vice, will treat with the mofl marked virulence.
But
VICE OF GAMING. 7
But the Minifters of the Gofpel have a duty to difcharge of moft important and aAvful urgency — of an urgency as preffing, as the ruin of every thing vakrable in this hfe, and every hope in the next, is in thefe calamitous times imminent and menacino:. In the dif- charge of this duty, notwitliftanding every obfi:ru6tion and difcouragement, they look for the co-operation of all good men, and humbly hope for that all-powerful afliftance which never fails to attend every iincere effort to leflen the guilt, the corruption, and the anguiili of mankind.
In endeavouring to fuggeft to my hearers fuch reflections as may be effeClual to awaken their caution and excite their abhorrence of the vice of Gaming, I propofe to examine its progrefs and ef!e6ls, as produ6live,
Ift, Of the corruptions, crimes, and mifery of individuals, and
2dly, As at all times endangering, and very frequently fubverting, the ftability of civil order — conlidoring it under the first of thefe heads as completely deflru6live of every principle of Christian" piety in INDIVIDUALS ; and under the fecond, of tlie falutary influence of social and
B 4 national
8 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
NATIONAL RELIGION, which fecures the fubordination, the peace, and the welfare of Communities.
Deeply I am convinced will every generous heart be fenfible, that the corruption of the Individual is the Mifery of the Individual ; and that fordid and feltiih habits not oyAj con- tra6t the compafs, but deftroy the fources of true happinefs. The more covertly thel'e habits infmuate themfelves, the greater is the danger. Now, I affert, upon fome obfervation, that in Gaming, the worft affedions that can contaminate the heart of Man, inlmuate them- felves gradually and (in their early flages) im- perceptibly, till the whole moral mafs is irretrievably corrupted. We may fay, that in efFe6ling the Mifer}^ and Ruin of mankind, the " Serpent" retains his Scriptural charac- ter of " Subtlety." The young and unwary have not in general the faintelt conception of the vilenefs of thofe habits to which their ESTABLISHED PRECEPTORS in this horrid career are forming and training them. The whole tenor of a Gamefter's life demonftrates that to the blacked iniquity he is conducted by the mofl degrading meannefs, and what is peculiar to this vice is, that the atrocity of
guilt
VICE OF GAMING. 9
guilt is rendered Ms ftriking by the fordid baleneis which accompanies it, and that Hor- ror is leiiened by Contempt.
\Vhen we are capable of cahii and moral reflection, when confcience can predominate over cuftom, what are the difpofitions which occur to us in examining the receives of a Gamefter's heart ? Firft and foremofl, an in- ordinate LOVE OF LUCRE — and that themoft fordid, fixed, and habitual, which, irritated every moment by renewed a6ts, in the end ufurps a fovereign authority. Thougli in ibme inilances thofe diforderly and licentious indul- gences which are necelfarily connecled with the vice of Gaming, may interrupt or difguife, yet they never overcome this darlino; and pri- manj propenfity. Hence, where Gain folicits, not only the remains of ever)^ valuable prin- ciple is annihilated, but the united force of every bad one is fufpended and fuperfeded : Let the profpeci of money Hart up to the Gamefter, not only shame and virtue re- treat from the unequal contefl; but even PRIDE (loops, and ambition^ dies.
Farther, to this Ibrdid habit the Gameiler joins a difpofition to fraud; and that of the mcaneji call. To thofe who foberly and
fairly
10 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
fairly appreciate the real nature of human ac- tions, nothing appears more inconliftent than that focieties of men, who have incorpo- rated themfelves for the exprefs purpofe of Gaming, iliould difclaim fraud or indirection, or affect to drive from their affemblies thofe among their aflbciates whofe crimes would retieCt'' difgrace on them. Surely this to a confiderate mind is as folemn and refmed a banter as can well be exhibited : For when we take into view the vaft latitude allowed by tlie moil upright gamefters, when we reflect that according to their precious cafuiftry every advantage may be legitimately taken of the young, the unwary, and the inebriated, which fuperior coolnefs, Ikill, addrefs, and activity can fupply, we mull look upon pretences to honefty as a moft fliamelefs aggravation of their crimes. Even if it were poflible that in his own practices a man might be a fair GAMESTER, yet for the refult of the extended frauds committed by his fellows he Hands deeply accountable to God, his Country, and his Confcience. To a fyltem neceffarily im- plicated with Fraud, to aflbciations of men a large majority of whom fubfift by Fraud, to habits calculated to poifon the fource and
principle
VICE OF GAMING. 11
principle of all integrity, he gives efficacy, countenance, and concurrence. Even his vir- tues he fufFei*s to be fublidiary to the caufe of vice. He iees with calmnefs depredation committed daily and hourly in his company, perhaps under his very roof. Yet men of this defcription declaim (fo defperately de- ceitful is the heart of Man) againft the very Knaves they cherifli and proteft, and whom perhaps with fome poor fophiltical refuge for a worn-out confcience, they even imitate. To iiich let the Scripture fpeak with emphatical decifion — " JVhe?i thou faweji a thief, then ^^ thou confentedjl zdth him." Awa}^ then with the mifchievous diftinclion between fair and unfair gameilers; a di{lin(Stion implying (in my poor opinion) only a very iniignificant ihade in the degrees of guilt, a diftin6tion invented and framed by the general enemy of mankind, to prote6l thofe who are doing his work and devoted to his fervice. In this inftance even Heathen wifdom judged foundly and ftrongiy. The moft profound and fagacious oblerver of human actions (as far I mean as the imper- feft light of Nature could carry him) affigns to Gamefters their true place and order in fociety (a). He confiders them without any
diltinc-
12 THE CONSEQUENCr.S OF THE
diiHnftion not only an plunderers, but afferts with peculiar jullice, that from more srefierous plunderers they are diltinguiihed by the pecu- liar ilUberalitii of their practices, and their JeiJiJJj (ind fordid lull: of gain. This gueat MAN had not learned the feeble and evafive cafuiftry which this age of apoftacy has adopt- ed, in oppofition to much ftronger light, and to much furer principles, than thofe which Providence had vouchfafed to him.
But I apprehend that men are not often To difinterejiedhj mifchievous. When thofe of high rank open their doors to men of this de- fcription, when they announce long before their invitations to fuch no6lurnal aiKbciations, they will not ferioufly claim to be diftinguifhed from the worji of thofe they alfemble. Thieves (b) they are all, all who harbour, all who cheriili them, not fparing e^-en what the Arabian robber holds facred — the tie of profeffed friendlliip, the confidence of un- fufpecting youth, and the facred rights of hofpitality. Therefore the unM'ary fhould be w^ell warned, that when Gamefters tender their friendfhip (c), they offer what they are radically incapable of. They may be made firft the dupes, and then the partners of their
bafenefs; .
T ; VICE OF GAMING. 13
bafent'fs ; but lucli an union utterly precludes that noble one formed on the principles and directed to the prac'tices of religion, virtue, and benevolence, it' thefc are excluded, as iurely they are by fraud and felfilbnefs, there remains neither bond nor ground of confi- dence, either to individuals or focieties. Let the young be alliu-ed, that when thny plunge into intimacy with Gamefters, they take treachery and abjection to their bofoms in EVERY instance: that whatever profef- fions of generofity, or iniinuation of addrels, or appearance of franknefs, fuch men may find it convenient to adopt, thefe artificial ap- pendages are but part of their deteftable trade ^ rendering them in the eye of reafon and re- flexion ten thoufand times more bafe, dan- gerous, and deftru(5tive.
But in addition to fraud and all its train of crimes, propenfities and habits of a very dif- ferent complexion enter into the compofition of a Gamelter; a moft ungovernable fero- city OF DISPOSITION, however for a time difguiied and latent, is invariably the refult of his lyftem of conduft. Jealouly, rage, and revenge exifl among gamefters in their worft ^nd Hioft frantic excelles, and end IVequently
in
14 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
in, confequences of the moll atrocious violence and outrage. By perpetual agitation, the ma- lignant paflions fpurn and overwhelm every boundary which difcretion and confcience can oppofe. From what fource are we to trace a very large number of thofe murders, fanc- tioned or palliated indeed by cuftom, but which ftand at the tribunal of God preciieiy upon the fame grounds with every other fpe- cies of murder ? — From the gaming-table, from the no6turnal receptacles of diftraction and frenzy, the Duelift rufties with his hand lifted up againft his brother's life ! — Thofe who are as yet on the threfhold of thefe ha- bits {hould be warned, that however calm their nfl^M7'«/ temperament, however meek and placable their difpoiitjon, yet that by the events, which every moment arife, they Hand expofed to the ungovernable fury of them- felves and others. In the midfl of fraud, pro- te6led by menace on the one hand, and on the other, of defpair ; irritated by a recollection of the meannefs of the artifices and the bafenefs of the hands by which utter and remedileft ruin has been inflifted ; in the midft of thefe feelings of horror and diflra6tion, it is that the voice of brethren's blood " aieth unto
« God 4
VICE OF GAMING. 15
*^ God from thegroumr^^' and now art thou " curfedfrom the earth which hath opened her " mouth to receive thy brother s blood from thy « hand,"— ^ot only THOU who aduadly fheddeil that blood, but thou who art the artificer of death — thou who adminiitereft incentives to thefe habits — who dilTeminateft the praftice of them — improveft the ikill ih them — lliarpeneft the propenfity to them — at THY hands will it be required, furely, at the tribunal of God in the next world, and per- haps in moil inftances in his diftributive and awful dilpenltitions towards thee and thine here on earth.
But w^hatever a6livity the malignant PASSIONS may derive from fuch habits, the BENEVOLENT AFFECTIONS, On the con- trary, are more impaired by gaming than it is poflible to conceive or calculate. The reaibns are obvious; the mifery which an habitual Gamefter fuffers, hazards, and occalions, miiit render him completely and fyllematically cal- lous. Without a lingle fentiment of remorfe or compaifion, he coolly and defignedly inflicts utter and irretrievable miichief on the greater part of thofe with whom he is converlant. What though every day he lives he wrings
the
l6 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
the heart of many a fond wife, many an help- lefs orphan, many an aged parent, by efFe6t- ing the rapid and inftantaneous ruin of thofe to whom they looked up for iupport and com- fort ; what though the wretched Suicide, una- ble to bear the complicated agonies of thofe whofeafteftions nature has wound clofeft round his heart, leaves them to deplore his lois in this world, and his d ester ate state in that into which he precipitated himfelf; what though cf all fuch horrors he is the *wit- nefs, the caufe, and the accomplice ; what though he is the patron and legijlator of the iyftem which diffufes them; yet, with all this, HE remains calm, eafy and colle6led. A fuperticial politenefs, an aflumed franknefs and good-nature, an acquaintance with the habits of what is commonly called the World, and an adroit application to the foibles of thofe with whom thefe men confort, may draw a thin veil over the Jixed relent le/fnejs of a Gamefter's mind, lie Tuai/ pretend (for human pretences are indefmite) to feeling, ho7ior,fentimenf, words coined for the pur- pofe either of concealing vice, or drelfmg it up in virtue's garb. But as I principally ad- drefs myfelf to thofe -who may be expofed to
fuch
VICE OF GAMING. 17
fach men and to fuch artifices, be afiTured that to human pangs Gamefters' hearts are effen- tially impenetrable. They recount, in all the callous flippancy of fafliionable converfation, the miferable fates of thofi^ whom they or their affociates have configned to mifery ; and language itfelf is diftorted and depraved in or- der to invent words to exprefs their diabo- lical cant and unfeeling jargon, and to inter- cept thofe emotions of indignation againfl the patrons, and of pity for the viiSiims, of this fyflem of crimes and calamities, which would naturally arife in the heart of man upon hear- ing thefe tales of woe and wickednefs told with ferioufnefs and hmplicitj^ If therefore you would preferve that beji part of your frame which peculiarly diftinguiflies you from the beafts which perifli, if you would retain even that wTeck of virtue which furvives in fome degree perhaps almoil every other courfe of iniquity, leaving ftill that kindly dil- pofition of " weeping with thofe that weep,'^ fly the haunts, dread the habits, and abhor the VERY LANGUAGE of Gameftcrs.
But it is not only general Philanthropy, biit
even that more powerful principle of Natural
AfFe6lion, which this vice ftifles in many
C inftances,
18 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
inllances, and injures in all. To be without " natural affeSiion' was one of the moil pro- minent features of thofe calamitous times of reprobacy and apoftacy which the prophetic fpirit of the great Apoftle fo diftin6lly fore- faw and fo awfully delineated. Where gaming is general, this is a conftant concomitant; for what pretences can a Gamefter make to the fmalleft degree of affection and duty to thof^ whom he expofes every hour he lives to afflic^ ^ioi>s worfe than death itfelf ? Were his- con-* jfcience for a moment to awake> how would he be reproached by the bare fight of thofe whofe hopes and intereils he embarks upon the fingle call of a die, from whom he fuffers the vilefi: of mankind to wreft even the bed upon wdiich they repofe, and the morfel of bread w hich fupports their exiftence ! whom lie not only expofes to fuch calamity, when it actually befalls them, but to the unljpeakable^ agony of a fearful cxpeBation of it every hour they live. But even this cruelty of the Gamefter is fmall in comparifon to that by which he communicates his guilt. The fud-» den ftroke of Poverty, bitter as it is, where- innocence accompanies it, may be foftened by the lenient difpenfations of an Almighty
Prote6lor.
VICE OF GATVIIKO* 19
Prote6lor. But what are the hearts of thofe Gamefters who train up their progeny in their GUILT, who accuftom their innocent, uncor* rupted minds to the daily fpe6iacle of fraud and pillage !
Let thofe who as yet only Hand on the brink of this milery, thofe who confider thefe meetings as amusements, or who comply with them merely that they may not be ex- cluded from faihionable fociety, think to what poor motives they expofe thofe innocent pledges which a kind Providence has en- trufted to them. Has entrufted to them for what ? — to be the joy of their youth, the pride of their maturer years, the comfort of their age, and their alleviation even in the pangs of death. To be trained up to what ? — to be the benefa6lors of mankind, fervants of the great and high God, and partakers with them of a glorious immortahty in Heaven.
To thefe purpofes I will boldly aflert that all tampering with the vice of Gaming, in every ftage of it, is always dangerous, and moft frequently deftru^tive. You will fay YOU do not GAME — that you mix only with fuch fociety that you may not appear ftrange C 2 —that
20 THE COK^SEQUENCES OF THE
— that, you can always reilrain yourfelf from hazarding more than your circumftances will permit. To grant all thefe pleas, which would be fufficientlj abfurd, yet are you fure that your children will have all this mo- deration, that THEY, when once habituated to fuch company, and introduced into fuch re- ceptacles, will not be corrupted, pillaged, and undone? Do you really expert that having early acquired the relilli and Ikill, which a repetition of thefe fcenes naturally produces, as they advance in years they u ill (top fliort of ruin and guilt ? Can you, for the poor ambi- tion of conforting with men of falhion, for thetinlel gratilication of exhibiting your tafte, prepare your dwellings for llie reception and harbour of that large mixture of privileged thieves, whicli I am crt dibiy informed con- iHtute a part of fuch afiemblies ? Do not think me obtrufive in appealing to that kindly virtue which is lafl eradicated from the liuman heart. Can you calmly deftroy all the part which you yourfelves have, all the part which God has, in thofe whom you now look on with the eye of parental rapture ? Are you reconciled to beholding them as " vessels fitted for destruction V
If
VICE OF GAMING. 21
If you cannot^ retreat inftaiitaneoufly from the brink of the precipice on -which both you and your beloved children ftand. Think that in all thefe fcenes which every day an- nounces to us as exhibiting in the pohter part of the Metropolis, when rank and elegance combine their powerful and fafcinating delu- fions, when every external decoration which art and fplendour can devife, is fubfidiary to them — think that in the midft of thefe leduc- tive fcenes, you fee Ruhi, Fraud, Beggary^ and imimiely Death — think that you fee the hand of the Suicide lifted againft himfelf, and that Suicide your own darling CHILD ! gone forward to the bar of eternal jufticeas a fwift witnefs againft the authors OF his existence, for having early fown in him the feeds of temporal deftruction and eternal death — and then, if poffible, think the faithful Minifters of Chrift too importu- nate when they exhort you to flee, in the earli/ Jiages of thefe calamities, ?i?, for your lives, when they warn you, even in thofe habits which to carelefs and unthinking minds appear of an indifferent tendency, not to fpurn the dictates of nature and conicience, and to expofe thofe %vhom God has conligned to your prote(5tion c 3 and
^3 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
aiid care to the floodgates of fuch wickednefs, anguifli, and defolation !
Shall we farther explore the complicated bafenefs of the Gamefter's mind, or does difguil recoil from the examination of that polluted manfion ? If this difgnji is excited, I Ihall by God's grace have difcharged no mean part of the arduous and difficult talk I have undertaken.
I will mention but 07ie more of thofe dif- poiitions which have appeared to me con- flantly to have been alfociated to the cha- ra6ler of a Gamefter — a quality which gives confiftence and permanence to all the reft, that is a fixed, calm, and temperate impudence, diffufmg itfelf over every part of his conduct and deportment. This qualification is thought of fo much confequence by the preceptors in this vice, as to be a matter of regular training and inftitution. And wile are they in their ge- neration, for SHAME is MORAL VITALITY;
where that furvives, every pollution is de- lible, and every habit recoverable. Conf&- quently with it every Gamefter is in a regular flate of warfare ; for was he capable of feel- ing his own degradation, the fight of an honeft man muft overwhelm him with into- lerable confufion. But to every internal feel- ing
irtdt OF GAMING. 2^
iflg of bafenefs, and every external circum- fiance of infamy, he is completely recon- ciled (d). Though he not only knows himfelf, but is convinced that every thinking man knows him likewife, yet under the protection of this peculiar qualification we iliall find him occalionally and familiarly ufmg the words Friendship, Benevolence, Pi- ty, and Philanthropy, and at times af- fuming a high perfe6tion of them, and what is flill more extraordinary, we may obferve the unthinkino^ multitude with a mifchievous and indolent acquiefcence admitting fuch a claim. But I heive hitherto coniidered only the efFe6ls which the habit of Gaming uniforml}^, and almoft without exception, produces upon thofe principles of moral virtue and natural confcience, of M^hich even Heathen wifdom was not devoid. But of all the distinguish- ing DOCTRINES, and all the operative pow- ers of the bleffed Gofpel of Chrift, the prac- tice of Gaming is in its m.oil: diftant ftages, and in every pra6lice which approximates to it, radically deftruftive. It is poffible for men to make fome cautious and Ikilful advances in it without ruining their foPvTUNes or repu- tation, but with their interefi and their c 4 hopes
24 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
hopes as Ch ristians, and -with every prin- ciple of inward piety, it is utterly irrecon- cileable.
Firit of all what is, or ought to be, the em- ployment of the time of a Chriftian, a crea- ture redeemed from fm and eternal death, and *' born again after the image of him who " created him" — carrying about with him (in the awful words of an eloquent Father of the Church) (e) the fenfe of mortality and tefti- mony of guilt — for whom " the Eternal Spirit " is making interceffions with groans zi'hich " cannot be uttered" — of a creature whofe prayers and penitence, contrition and charity, are to fill up the fhort fpan and precarious term of an earthly exiftence ? Surely he mult be guilty of a moft tremendous mockery of Almighty God and his Son's Gofpel who can affert, that with this ftate, with thefe views and motives, an employment of nearly the HALF of every day he lives in Games of fkill or chance is confident or compa- tible. Is it indeed thus that we are to pafs through a miferable and guilty world ! the GUILT of which, and the misery of which, every Chriflian's time and exertions are called forth to remedy. Remember this
STRO^sTG
VICE OF GAMING. 25
STRONG AND PREGNANT evangelical prin- ciple, that " ?/e are not your own, ye are bought " with a price." Now, with thefe views, look back upon your pail life, look forward to your future. If you have recorded your time, examine tliofe records. What do they exhibit — memorials of your alms and prayers, or your dedication and devotion by night and by day to occupations which can be in their heji ftages but trifling and unprofitable ? Look at your a6ls of benevolence and your labours of love — in inftru6ting the igno- rant, in relieving the afflided, in vifiting the prifoner, in endeavouring to lellen that fum of corruption and guilt with which this poor iliort ftate is deluged. From thefe duties, or rather from thefe confolations (f), and from thofe tears which conftitute an earned and anticipation of the blifs of Heaven, this miferable and frivolous employment of your time completely precludes you. No other pleafure, no other vice fo entirely ingulphs the life of a Chriftian as this — none is fo ac- ceffible at all times — fo adapted to every va- riety of age, fituation, rank, and underlland- ing. Let me befeech you to bear the word of exhortation and admonition, be convinced
that
26 THE CONSEQITENCES OF THE
that to the guilt of Gaming they are clearly obnoxious whofe hours alone are facriiiced to it. It is not only thofe who riik much of their property that deferve the appellation of Gamefters, it is not thofe only who defraud their guefts or companions — it is thofe alfo who cheat God of their time, their Redeemer of their afFe6lions, Man of their exertions, and riik their falvation on the iffue of fuch a miferable miffpent life.
But it is not merely that Time is wafted, and Thought withdrawn from Religion, but habits are acquired by thefe means which- generate an INVETERATE aversion to it. Aversion to Religion foon follows the NEGLECT of it in moll cafes, but in this in- Hance commences and is co-ordinate with if. I do not pretend to any very wide experience in human life, but I fcarcely ever knew any Jingle perfon who had made any Confiderable progrefs in games of ikill, but that in pro- portion to the exercife of that fkill, his dilin- clination and difguft to Religion grew with it. Not only is religious principle fupplanted, but a principle of the higheft llage of contraft is fupplied in its ftead. Examine (you that have calmnefs and capacity) yourlelves and
your
VICE OF GAMI?^G. ^7
youT neighbours — look not only at the haunts of profelied Gameflers, but at thole contemp- tible and mifchievous meetings, where indo- lence and vacancy find their daily refuge. In the midft of thefe, let the flightell mention be made of the real religious Hate of Man, of his redemption by Chrift, of his date of mifery and calamity prior to that redemption, of the awful looking-for of everlafting de- ftruftion to which every irreconciled finner is cxpofed, with what fcorn and mockery, what affefted banter and real difguft would any fuch mention be treated. Miferable deluded Beings ! do you think that the expreffion of " always bearing about in the body the dying *' of the Lord Jefus," of " pajfmg the time of ** your fqjoiirnmg here in fe ae,'' arc precepts, like thofe of the Stoicks of old, founded on impracticable paradoxes, or that they are the commands of God who fupplieth Power to all thofe who have the Will to praftife them ? But you will fay, Devotion and Prayer have their intervals. I readily admit it : but not intervals of doing mifchief, not intervals of fowing the feeds of vices, which in farther fiages of their progrefs fcatter deflruCtion and mifery, not intervals which every time they
occur
28 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
occur render you more and more indifpofed to the Word, to the Worfhip, and to the Dif- penlations of Ahnighty Gotl. But be fair with yourfehes — with what pain is it that you who are thus engaged, particularly as you proceed in thofe courfes, recur not only to SPIRITUAL, but even to formal devotion? The very few ftated decencies, thofe poor wrecks of Religion, which this age of Apof- tacy has left, are grown intolerable to you. I with to be underftood to fpeak of the em- ployment of Thought^ as I did of the employ- ment of Time., that this iliipwreck of our Chriftian principles commences at a period long before the generality of men will allow that they are at all tainted with the vice of Gaming. The mind of one immerfed in Cards foon becomes vacant, frivolous, and captious. The habits form a ftrange mixture of mock gravity and pert flippancy. The underftanding, by a perpetual attention to a variety of unmeaning combinations, acquires a kind of pride in this baftard employment of the faculty of thought, which is fo far from having any analogy to the real exercife of reafon, that we generally find a miferable eminence in it attainable by the dullefl, moil
ignorant.
VICE OF GAMING. 29
ignorant, and moft contemptible of mankind. The Gamefter however frequently miftakes this ikill for general acutenel's, and from that conceit either totally reje6ts the Gofpel evi- dence, or if political or profefiional confide ra- tions render this indecent or inexpedient, he harbours all that contemptible chicane, all that petty fophiftry, all that creepins; evafion, with which a lelfilli heart, and a contra6\ed under- ftanding, meets and embraces the pre^^iling herefy of Xhe times in which we live (g) ; degrading the dignity, enervating the mo* tives, and deitrovins^ the confolations of the Crois of Chrift. If therefore a Gamefter ever makes profeffion of Religion, it is with fuch teachers and with fuch doctrines that he finds his mind moft congenial. To real Chriftianity and its taithful jMinifters his enmitv is lafting and virulent, becaufe thefe are in ftrong and direct oppofition to his fa- vorite vice. But it is feidom that he ftops here. As the crimes with which Gaming is conne'5ted are deftru6tive of every detached portion of Chriftian piety, fo is the general ha- bit to the uhoh'fpirit of it. There is fcarcely a politive precept of Chriftianity which is not violated in the courfe of a Gameftcr's career.
Truft 4
so THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
Truft in Providence is expelled by a courfe of* a6lion, in which though he embarks perpe- tually his moil important intereft, he dares not look up in any flage to God for favor or protection. Can he '' fet God always before, " him ;" that God whofe name and whofe Gofpel are never mentioned by him but to give energy to imprecation, or zeft to mock- ery ? As contrary therefore as Dignity is to Bafeiiefs, Pity to Calloiifnefs, Cahnnefs to DiJiraBion^ Fraud to Integrity^ Revenge to Flacabilify, Hope to Defpair, fo contrary is Gaming to the fpirit and tenor of Religion in ALL its degrees and modifications. I am con- vinced that the juftice of thefe obfervations will not be contefted by the adepts in this vice, who would receive with a fmile of apathy any fuggeitions of their guilt as Chriltians.
But the point I wifh to labour, and the efFe6l I principally have in view in this repre- fentation, is to warn thofe who are in dijiant Jiages of the fame progrefs, and who have not yet calmly acquiefced in a furrender of every hope and confolation of Rehgion. To fuch I would fay in much affection, and in the face of the unpopularity which fuch doc- trines
VICE OF GAMING. 31
trines may occ^^fion, that all occupiitions of this kind render man guilty before God at a time when both fafliion and cuftom pronounce them innocent. That the very defign of thofe flip- pant miferable meetings is, to intercept all the awful viQws which it is the purpofe of Religion to difplay, and to annihilate the habits which a Chriilian ftiould fonn* I fliould further iuggeft, that with the incipient flages of this vice, all the fuhfequent ones are conne6ted. The (kill acquired, and the principles fown, while diverjion only is in view, foon expand themfelves, unlefs continual caution is exerted into the adult and vigorous growth of guilt and profligacy, which defies both God and Man. Againft all ecvcejfes you proteft, but for thofe excefles you afiimilate the foil, you trenph the ground, you fcatter the feed ; and are, you not anfwerable for the increafe ? Permit me to affure you, that if for the lake of a trifling and degrading amufement, you are prepared to difleminate this mifchief both temporal and eternal, you exhibit in your OWN PERSONS the molt overbearing infl;ance of that brutal and unfeeling texture of mind which thefe miferable habits foon produce, Kemember therefore the faying of him who
warn§
S2 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
warns you that between fuch practices and every religious obligation " there is a " great gulph eixed ;" and that in en- deavouring to reconcile a life addi6led to them with the fmalleji portion of religious hope, you are trifling with your confcience moil palpably and egregioufly.
Art thou a Christian then and devoted to thefe things ? (h) Be not deceived by the levity of thele meetings, but efteem them to be moft awfully and eilentially wicked. 'Look at the miferies of the latter end of a Game- fter's career, and dread them for Thyfelf and thy Children: For I can venture to aflure thee, that as no other courfe of crimes is attended with a more obftinate and obdurate fcorn and contempt of God's Word, his Wor- (liip and his Providence, fo there is none asrainft: which the vens;eance of Heaven is more keenly and vijibly exerted, nor any in which the punijhnient more quickly and in- variably follows the crime. A day, perhaps an hour, reverfes plenty, fecurity, and credit, into penury, ignominy, and defpair, aggra- vated by the unutterable anguilh of having drawn thofe whom they ought to have fup- ported and prote6led into the fame gulph of
de{lru6tion.
VICE O^ GAMING. S3
deftruftion. The" punifliment of the Game- fter, hke that of Cain of old, is " greater *' than he can hear." Either the paiigs of his recolle^Hon drive him to that lad: fatal aft forwliich " no place for repentance" is found, or he drags on a fordid exiflence, fupported by decoying others into the fame fnares by which his own ruin has been effefted, carry- ing about with him a moral wreck (for fuch is the bread of every Gamefter) till the meafure of his iniquity is full. O refleft; then in time ! " that which a man foweth, " thai Jliall he alfo reap." — Think how im- probable it is, that you who have carelefsly and Wantonly facrificed every principL of duty to Go(!, and benevolence to Man, to a poor wretched aniufement, ihould ^fc'ape his awful and tremendous jufcice. If for this thou canlt bra^e the fears cf final impeni- tence in this world, and of everlalting de- ftru6tion in the next, the Apoille only can fpeak with the energy of divine grace to thy feared confcience — " 0 wretched Man that " thou art, who fliall deliver thee from the " bodt/ of this death !"
I have now, with all ferioufnefs, endea- voured diftindtly to point to thofe effects. D which
34 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
which I have obferved to be produced by the vice of Gaming on I x d i v i d u a l s , it remains for me to coniider its confequences as they afteft the ftabihty and order of Civil Go- vernment, and the pubhc and focial influ- ence of the HOLY Religion we profefs.
In entering upon this part of my fubject, I would not be thought to acquiefe in that mifchievous diftinction, invented by Knaves and current only with Tools ; a diltinction I mean between p r i v a t e and public morals, as if any vice or mode of immorality could exift, which doth not by /owe clia nnel conxey its poifon to the body politick. In fome in- ftances the milbhief done is How and circuit- ous, not producing a vifible efteft till the ac- cumulated accellions of many generations have ripened and matured thefe deadly feeds. But the vice of gaming Itrikes inDiitdiately at the vitals of public virtue, public order, and pub- lic happinefs. The connexion between caufes and etfecls are here direct and palpable. It gives vigour, efficacy, and activity to every other public vice, communicating and receiv- ing reciprocal fupport. To the receptacles of Gamelters, luxury, debauchery, and extrava- gance, tiv for refuge and recovery froni that
rum
VICE OP GAMING. 35
fuln which unbridled Ubertinifm has entailed upon them. On the contrary, to drown the pangs of remorie and keen anguifli of con- fcience, the Gamefler plunges by intervals into the fouleft abyfs of fenfuality and riot. Hence follows the mofl deplorable corruption nmongfi: Thofe whole bias and determination to Good or Evil, is the protection or ruin of a WHOLE COM M UNITY. To the integrity and independence of men of rank and opulence, a free ilate looks for whatever is upright in conduft, found in determination, fafe in practice, and beneficial in confequence. The greater the number of fuch men w4io fill either the executive departments of a State, or who partake of the office of Legiflators, the greater the ftability of that country. Should it fall to the lot of fuch men to pro- ject political meafures, it will be done with forelight and refleolion — fliould it be their province to examine or even to oppofe thofe planned by others, that examination and op- poiition will be condu6ted with firmnefs, de- void of acrimony, and will be of fuch a mltio-ated nature as never to endantrer the lafety of the whole. The confciouihefs of integrity will fupply calmnefs, and the deep D 2 interefl
S6 THE CONS^EQUENCES OF THE
interefl they have in the welfare of their country, will enfure caution and difcretion in all their movements and defigns. But what is it that leflens the number of fuch invaluable members of fociety ? What is it that converts Tliofe dehgned by Providence to be the Guardians and Protectors, into the Bane and Curse of their Country? I will anfwer — the Gaming Table. The reverfes here every moment occurring, unite beggared fortunes, mortified pride, ca'llous bafenefs, and enflamed appetites, dire6ling their joint operations to the deftruCtion of that common mother which gave them birth. — And here I wifli to be rightly underftood — that with a frugal, aclive, dignified poverty, the difcharge of public duty is perfectly com- patible. Such a poverty was highly reve- renced in the beft ages of Pagan antiquity, as the nurfe of every great and ufeful exertion : but as diftant as light from darknefs is I'uch a poverty from that degraded, malevolent, ab- je(5t MENDICITY, the offspring of vice, the organ of fa6tion, and the parent of miiverfal proititution and venality. To preferve the moft venerable council of tjie nation from the mifchiefs and dilgrace accruing from fuch
members.
VICE OF GAMING, 37
members, was one of the mofl important func- tions of the Cenforian Magiftracy in ancient Rome (i). To thofe Magiflrates were com- mitted the power of removing thofe Senators who had reduced themfelves to indigence by profligacy or extravagance. Sunilar inilances of wife caution are to be traced in the Athenian pohty, which abundantly pro- vided checks againft thofe whofe prodigality and beggary might make their interference in public affairs dangerous or prejudicial. It is difficult indeed to conceive what intereft any one ruined by a courfe of vice can have in the welfare of his country: It ls ftill more difficult to conceive that this resrard fhould exifl in Gameflers. Any claim to •patriotifm in fuch men, furniflies perhaps one of the mofl: stupendous inftances of impudence in aflerting, and of dupery in admitting it, which the records of human folly and depravity any where exhibit. For not only do they, by the mifapplication of their own talents, and the operation of their own malignant palllons, deeply injure that country which they fo vehemently and loudly profefs to ferve, but by drying up the vital iburces of public integrity, and depriving it
D 3 of
38- THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
of that future harveft of virtue, to which its fondeft expeftations were dire6led. For it is ahvays obfervable, that the Principals in this vice foon enhft large troops of accomplices in their fervice, by fpreading among the noble and opulent youth their crimes, miiery, and defpondency, uniting them in fimilar \iews and affbciations for the fame deteftable ends. In viewing the defolation fpread by fuch men, in confidering the bafe incitements with which they pre-occupy the ingenuous hearts of the rifmg generation, and reconcile them to their trade and infection, the watchfulnefs with which they felecl their victims and dif- ciples in the earlieft flages of manhood, in beholding the riling hopes of our country lb blighted and blafted, well may we fay of our imhappy land — " In Rama there was a voice *' heard, lamentation and weeping and great ^' mowiiing ! Bachael weeping for her chiU *' dren, and would not he comforted becaufe *' they are not" More wretched ftill than that difconiblate mourner ! Happier they who w^eep the death of their departed, than they who feel the parricidal wounds infli6ted by their degenerate offspring !
It is only in fuch fchools that can be formed
that
VICE OF GAMING. 39
that true calloiifnels which can anticipate all the calamities of civil difcord with the fondell expe8ation, which having long dealt in prl^ vafe, can extend its efforts to national ruin and pillage. This tranlition is eafy and na- tural : fuch in all ages have been thofe by whom the peace of- flouriiliing and free com- munities have been difturbed, their properties invaded, and their liberties deftroyed. Thefe are they who, under the maik of patriotifm, pant for civil convuHion and profcription, for wdiich the whole texture of their habits have previoufly difpofed them. While therefore men of this defcription abound, it is utterly impoffible that any State can be in permanent fecurity ; it is impoflible that thofe principles of fubordination, which are ellential to the happinefs of Mankind, can be maintained while many in the higher orders are given to this dellru6live habit. Thofe who wish for anarchy and mifery, thofe to whom public profperity is a fource of defpair, and public confulion an obie6l of hope and exultation, a6t wifely and confiltently enough when they encourage and promote this horrible conta- gion. The beggary, the degradation, the de-
D 4 fpair,
40 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
fpair, the malignancy of thofe whom they aflemble and tiflbciate, are their natural wea- pons, and render them fit inftruments of their plundering and atrocious projects. The young men into whofe intimacy they infinuate them- felves, cannot be the organs of their pur'- pofes, till their habits are debafed, their pro- perty pillaged, and their confciences oblite- rated. This it is which has united fo many among us, in the furtherance of thofe aban- doned principles of anarchy and fedition, which are the natural confequences of that mafs of vices, of which Gaming is the corner ftone. This it is which has for many years pafl: been preparing the materials for that tre-» mendous conflagration which threatens every nation \n liurope, and has already overwhelm- ed the moft flouriihing, populous, and civilized of its kingdoms. Of ruined Gamefters we are told that the crew of Catiline was principally compofed(K); and recent obferva- tion, drawn from the bell attefted fa6is, will inform us, that amidft all the unparalleled crimes which tiie deplorable Revolution in France has pioduced, this has been in its turn the caufe, and in its turn the effect, of
them
VICE OF GAMING. 41
them all. To the Gaming Table, I am told by eye-witnelles, was regularly brought the fruits of public confifcation, cruelty, and pro- fcription,
Thofe therefore who have tlie fame views and deiigns, whom no experience of the guilt and milery which fuch principles have fpread in that de^ oted land which gave them birth, thofe who have fteeled their breails to the groans, the anguilh, and the deftru6tion of their countrymen, a6l conformably to their views and chara6ter in pra6lifmg and encou- raging that vice, which, alcove all others, afhfts their predatory and I'anguinary projects. BUT it is moft aftonilhing indeed, that thole who have a remaming intereft in the welfare of their Country, who have humanity unex- tinguiflied, who have loyalty to their Prince in their hearts, and love of order and conlti- tutional liberty yet unimpaired, fliould not fee and avow the abfolute necefhty of immediately withdrawing from every avenue to this ac- curled vice, and from thofe aflbciations which in the full order of legiilative and perceptive form teach the principles and arrange the pra6lice of it. Such fliould be well aware, that while this peftilence is in its vigour,
neither
J ^
42 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
neither the wifeft counfels can long protraCV, nor the moft a6live exertions finally avert the evils which threaten us. Here, therefore, ruin muji be refilled — here only it can be refilled. Before the lower ranks of men can be brouo-ht back to that refpecl for their luperiors which can alone enfure peace and happinefs both to high and low, they muft ceaie to render themfelves vile in the eyes of men by the degradation, the beggary, and the meannefs which the Gaming Table entails upon them. They muft abandon their bafe companions and no6lurnal haunts, and return to the na- tive munificence and generofity which in times of old endeared them to the poor and needy, and were the firmell barrier of their property and privileges. Oh that the Great could but *' in this their day of vijitation' hear the friendly voice of one, whofe labours have been moft difintereftedly and conlcientioufly exerted in the promotion of thofe principles of loyalty and fubordination which it is the purpofe of the enemies of this coun- try to vilify and fubvert ! That they could be aware how much, by their indulgen- cies in this favorite vice, they farther the defigns of thofe whofe malignant activity 9 is
VICE OF GAMING. 43
is evidently dire6ted to plunder, confifcation, and anarchy !
But in none of the effects of Gaining is a more deadly wound infli6ted, than by the ut- ter deftruction of that principle of National Reha'ion, without which the whole ftru^ture of focial order diliblves and perilhes. I know bow fertile this age of innovation in which we live is of new opinions and fentiments upon the connexion between Religion and Government : But whatever the pertnefs of paradox may obje6l, the voice of the moft venerable antiquity, both facred and profane, combines with the awful experience of recent and ftriking events in alliiring us, that when the chain which unites the creature to the Creator is broken and interrupted, w^hen Law is feparated from the Source of Legisla- tion, then union is impoliible, and diffolu- tion inevitable. Religion as it is the per- fe6;ion of individuals, fo it is the prefervation of communities. Whatever therefore coun- teracts its effects, and obftrufts its progrefs, itrikes at the very vitals of civil fociety. But neither the fophiiiry of infidelity, the refine- ments of luxury, or the lures of plealure, have contributed io much to wreft all awe of
God
44 THE CONSEQUENCES OT THE
God from the minds of men, as this fmgle vice of Gaming. I now fpeak of focial Rehgion, beginning with families, and extending itfelf through various gradations to more compre- hend ve aflbciations, till it embraces that moft enlarged community, which may be denomi- nated national or political.
And firft, what is it which has difturbed that beautiful appearance of family piety, which was of old the ornament of our Englifh nation, and conftituted part of its public cha- racter: when each morning and evening the mafter of a iamily afiembled with a patriarchal and primeval dignity his children and domef- tics, to praife the Author of the abundant bleffmgs fhowered down upon them ? How every relation and dependency derived reci- procal fanftity and force ! How this falutary pra6tice contributed through the channels of prival-o principle to augment the ftock of public happinefs and fecurity ! But now in- ftru6tion and admonition are no more ! Thefe pious exercifes are fupplanted by the occupa- tion of Cards and Dice ; in this occupation the NIGHT frequently clofes, while numerous trains of domefticsare abandoned to all the pro- fanenefs, debauchery, and corruption, which
the
VICE OF GAMING. 45
the ftreets of a liixiirious and profligate Me- tropolis exhibits. Thus is God delerted in the iirlt inltance. But who are they who break in upon his Sabbath, that laft bulwark of decaying religion which ftill remains ? I too well know the loofe and licentious doc- trines which have .been difleminated with regard to the obfervance of this facred day, which God (by the firft command given to Man) confecrated to his worfliip and the unin- terrupted meditation on his word. I have heard with inexpreffible pain, the ftri6l obfer- vation of this day (that peculiar glory of the Protestant RELiGiO]sr,that duty in which the Engliili Church has been moft eminent and examplary) cenfured as overftrained and puritanical. I have heard all abftinence from amufement reprefented as gloomy and melan- choly, and opinions broached on this fubje6t which would foon precipitate this nation into the fame depth of Apodacy in which a neigh- bouring country is plunged. With fuch an indifference to the mifery of mankind, and to the judicial difpenfations of Almighty God, it is in vain to contend : But to thofe whojiill feel for themfelves and others, I would with all eagernefs fuggeft, that of all habits which
withdraw
»^
46 THE COXSEQUEKCES OP THE
withdraw Men from the pubHc furtherance of Rehgion on this da\', Gaming is among the foremoft — I would fay, that as to dei'ert the worlliip of Ahiiighty God for fuch diver- lions, is a mark of the moft flagrant Apoftacy ; fo any attempt to reconcile an attendance upon the one, with a practice of the other, is a moft infulting mockery of the commands of God. It is to lap the foundations of all Religion in thofe who are within the Iphere of your influence ; it is to devote thofe who among the lower ranks are corrupted by your example to the pangs and ignominy of an un- timely death, which a violation of the Sabbath is well known in its confequences to draw down upon them. May Almighty God, by his preventing grace, bring it home to the hearts of all thofe in the higher ranks, who carelefsly or contemptuoufly devote theml'elves to this praftice on the Sabbath, how they will wifli, when their great account is to be given in the hour of death and the day of judg- ment, that they had been " innocent of the " blood of all men !"
But the greatefl; mifchief this accurfed vice can effe6l is when any conflderable portion of thofe whofe labours are dedicated to the facred
Miniftry
VICE OF GAMIXG. 4T
Minifti'J fliould ever be overcome by its con- stagion. With all the dignity, the power, the energy and efficacy of profeffional character, the vice of G aming is in every degree and in every mode utterly incompatible. To any of its encroachments the Catholio Church, through the whole current of pure and primi- tive antiquity, oppofed a moft dignified re- fiftance : It turned with an awful and averted front from thofe of its degenerate chil- dren upon whom the ilighteft contamination refted ; it prohibited under the fevereft pe- nalties even the prefence of its Minifters at fcenes where their virtue and fidelity were lb deeply endangered. Neither has that found and eminent part of it, our Englilb Church, which both in its doctrines and difcipline doth not want a true Apoflolical feal, been back- ward in its ceniures. To the large portion of pious and exemplary Eccleiiaitics, who really love thofe doctrines they teach, and the Maf- ter whom they ferve, I am convinced that God in his Scriptures, and Chrifl in his Church, will not, cannot fpeak in vain. At all times for Dice, and fuch like diverfions, even were they of a nature which did not derogate iVom the dignity of our high vocation and
miniftry
48 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
miniflry, we have, or ought to have very few intervals. We have in the bell ages much vice to reform, much calamity to com^ fort, much ignorance to enlighten, much wilfulnefs to fubdue — but, in thefe times, how is the arduous tafk increafed, how are our beft exertions called for — to recover from Atheifm and Anarchy a perifliing and fmking world, to countera6l thofe feeds of revolt from God, which have fliaken the founda- tions of civil fociety, and deluged Europe with feas of human blood — how intenfe ftiould be our charity, how fervent our af- pirations, how wakeful our condu6l, how in- celTant our prayers ! But I will leave it to the confideration of every refle6iing man, how by a perpetual devotion of our time to cards and amufements, we intercept thoie awful views of fm and calamity from ourfelves and others, which alone can give energy to our labours. It becomes us to be well aware that our habits Ihould be formed, our hearts pre- pared, our views enlarged, and our refolution ftrengthened, for all that we may be called upon to do, and all that Providence may def- tine us to fuffer^ in fupport of that faith we profefs, and that Gofpel which we preach.
In
VICE OF GAMING* 49
In particular, let not these sacred re- treats, the monuments of antient piety and munificence, be degraded by an ill-judged and dilguRing affectation of fafliionable man- ners and faQiionable vices, and peculiarly of " that Sin zokich doth fo eafihf befet us." — • Prayer and meditation, ftudy and retirement^ chanty and dignified hofpitalit}^, are eqiialhj excluded, by a conftant round of cards and diffipation. May thefe ori^a mental, thefe NOBLE, and when applied to their proper ends thefe useful inftitutions never be brought into difrepute by the folly and fault of a few. Let me not feem in this " ^'5 one " that mocketh," for I cannot but think that every ferious Miniiler of Chrift mufi: confider this awful paffage of St. Paul as exhibiting aflrong analogy to the prefent circumftances of himfelf and his brethren — ■" for I think " God hath fet forth the Apojtles laji, as it " were appointed to death. For we are made " afpeBacle unto the Worlds and to Angels, "' and to Men.'* I muft fuggeft, that to fuch a fituation even the dijiraciion of the generality of amufements is fufficiently un- congenial and indecorous — much more the prevalence of one, which I firmly believe'
E has
50 THE CONSEQUENCES 0^ THE
has contributed more in its confequences and dependencies to overwhelm the earth with confufion and bloodlhed, than the united force of all the other powers of Hell and Darkness.
To conclude. Happy they who havQ efcaped the pollutions of the w orld by fm in this Liaportant point I Happy they whom the powerful and controuling Grace of God (without which all moral precepts are but a dead letter) has arrefted in thefe co'urfes, convincing them of "■ the things appertaining " unto their peace before they are hid fronn " their eijesfor ever T
13ut thrice happy they whom elevation of rank,, fplendour of flation, and the poileffion of extend^fl property, have enabled to contri- bute a powerful and decifive influence ia checking this wTetched career of guilt and woe ! Who, in the fervice of God and of Mankind, have difcauateiKinced habits, and facriiiced amufements, a-pparently innocent, to this great, this glorious, this benevolent purpofe ! THIS will give them unfpeakabl© confolation and joy at thofe tremendous mo- ments, when all earthly diftinctions ihall eeafe, an&l all eartiily pleafures are for ever
palTed
VICE OF GAMllSrG.
51
paflTed and gone. " Theij (hall Jlilne as the " hrightnefs of the firmament^ and they that ^^ turn many to righteoujhefi as thejiarsfor ** eve)' and ever."
r>^
NOTES.
.*i.r^
NOTES.
(a) Ariftoteles in Ethicis Nicom. The fenti- ments of this illulhious fage are worthy of himfelf and of the attention of thofe who have proftituted their talents in the praife of Gamefters. Ariftotle jniift have entertained very different opinions of the nature of liberality from thofe which are now current, for he utterly excludes all Gamefters from the fmallejl portion of it, even from that degree of it which other plunderers are not without.
ff.nSt a, Sny aSi Kiyoi^iv ANEAET0EPOT2- oioi/ tou? Tupatva?, TToAfjj TropS'ouvTaf, x«» »ff« (TuAwi/Ta?, aXXoe. TTOvn^isq IX.XXX0V XXI ua-i^etg )ta» aJ'jxsf. O fjt,tv rot KTBETTHS «an 6 AnnOATTHS, k«i 0 AHZTHZ, Tuv ANEAETQEPriN etciy' ocKr^^^onepSetg y^P' XEpeJaf yoip i/iKX oifxipoTipoi irpxy^XTivovTOHy nxi oi/BiSri uVo- uivoviTi. xxi 01 fxm xiVdJ'utaf rovg fAiyio-rovg Ivrnx tow Xri[j,iJ.XTOi;' en Si xna ruu $IAflN mpSxivisa-H', oig Ssi SiSoyxi. AiAiporifQ\ Sy\ o^iv ov Sii KipSximiv (3ouAo-» f/.i]/oi ai<r)(^poxtoSng' kxi 7r«0"«t in at' toix-jtxi A)i\]/£i^ ANEAEY0EPOI.
(b) Defme ab iftis tuis, furaciffimis moribus,— f Cyp?ia?ms de J led.
(c) The
NOTES. 53
(c) The friendfhip of Gameflers is defcribed with great juftice and animation by Cyprian — *' Illic rabiofa amicitia, illic atrociffimi fceleris fraternitas difcordans." Ci/priamis ibidem.
(d) It was probably a convidion of the vile- nefs and contented infamy of Gamefters, which induced forne of the moft efteemed commentators on the Roman law to affert the inadmiffihility of tkeir Evidence in a Court of Juftice. This opinion is fupported with great ability and force of rea- foning by Mafcardtis de Probationibus, vol. 2. p. 262.
(e) Homo circumferens mortalitatem fuam, circumferens teftimonium peccati fui ! — Aiigiiftini Conjejiones.
(f) In the exquifite language of Bafil —
*' To Sxy.f\Jov TSTO oiouii cxipfAA XXI ^xi>iKry.x Tng
«<wn8 ;)^apa?." — Bcifdii HomiUa de Gratiarum Actione.
(g) The Connexion between the artifices of Gameftcrs, and the /liifting depravity of Heretical fubterfuge, is ftrongly marked by the Apoftle —
" TripicpspofAiuoi TTxili av£/>cw Trig Si$x(T)iaKiXi; iv
Tt7 KTBEIA Tuv av^pwTTcov." — Ephef iv. 14.
This fame Analogy was fo ftriking as to attra6l the notice of various commentators on thispaiiage
E 3 in
54 NOTES.
in the early ages of the Chrirtian Church. Thus Oecumenius in cap. iv. ad Ephefios —
KTBEYTAI Xoyuv Xsyovrcn et y-iv -Ton ralo, iron ^e tKHvo J'»J'a(rxoi'T£f nai fJHTx^xivouTsg urn airo raro fif Tare Troivspyu^t Toiovroi otAIPETIKOI.
(h) Aleator qulcunque es & Chriftianum tc dicis ? — Cyprianus ibidem.
(i) " Every Luftrum, i. e. at the end of every fifth year, the Senate was leviewed by one of the Cenfors, and if any one had rendered himfelf un- worthy of that high rank, or had funk his jortune below that of a Senator^ his name was paifed over by the Cenfor in reading the roll of Senators ; and thus he was held to be excluded from the Senate." Vide Adams & accurate and well digefted Sijjlem of Roman Antiquities^ p. 6. — Fide alfo JEfchines in Timarchum pajjim.
(k) This fufficiently appears from the invalua- ble account which Sallufl has tranfmitted to us of the Cati'inarian confpiracy, many parts of which unfortunately appear to be rather a defcription of prefent^ than a hijtorijo^paji events. " Quicunque impudicus, adulter, ganeo, a lea manu, ventre bona patria laceraverat quique alienum a?s grande conflaverat — Hi Catilinie proximi familiarefque erant," — De Bello Catilinario,
APPEN-
APPENDIX
THIRD EDITION,
A HE reception of this difcourfe, ulicn it was fiiil feparately publilhed, greatly ex- ceeded the author's expeftations. He can however aflert with much truth and lincerity, that though he is very far from being indif- ferent to the pubhc opinion, yet that a de- fu'e to preferve thofe who might be inchned to perufe it from a precipice of calamity and ruin was his leading and predominant motive. 'J o have been initrumental in refcuing any one victim from the power and confequences of the habits of Gaming, to have awakened in any one inftance, eitbe^-coujugal, parental, or filial affection, in the arrefting the pro- grefs of this deadly contagion, is of infinitely greater importance to him than any judgment
E 4) which
56 APPENDIX.
which may be paffed on its merits as a com- pofition.
Still, however, to the kind and candid conftruiStion of his readers, as well as to the judgment of ibme excellent and much efteemed friends, he owes fome little explana- tion upon a point on which fome objeftions, as he underftands, have been made. He is fuppofed to have involved in one common and undijiinguijliing cenfure thofe innocent recrea^ tions which terminate merely in focial artiufe- ment, and thofe atrocious pra6tices by which the formed Gamejhr deals havock and ruin around him. — To this he can only anfwer, that he has been mifunderftood — that nothing was farther from his intention. He meant not to affert that amufements of this nature where mere i^ecreatioii, properly regulated, is the fole obje8, were to be univerfally pro- fcribed ; but that extreme care was to be taken that the flendernefs of the partitions which pecuUarli/ in the prefent times divide the amufement of cards from the vice of Gaming, might SEB be moft diftinftly and awfully difcernible. He has advanced fuch leading principles upon this fubjeft as he is alllired are inconteftible upon every ground
of
APPENDIX. 57
of Holy Scripture, natural humanity, and political exigency. With 7iice and enervating diftinctions he thought it beyond his province to deal. If his principles are admitted, it is for the judgment and confcience of his readers to apply them to particular tifages and pra&ices, as that judgment and that confcience, aided by God's grace, may dire6l. That they may fo apply them as the fecurity and true interefl of themfelves and thofe who are neareft and deareft to them demand at their hand, is the author's honeft, hearty, and exclufive wifh ! He is far from putting in any claim, as far forth as he himfelf is concerned, to advance religious truths of extraordinary rigor or feverity. But things and aSiions muft be reprefented as they are, and what was formerly faid of virtue by an illuftrious heathen, is equally applicable to chriftian cou- rage and perfection : Non ex ahorum neque ex noftra fortaffe mollitie fed ex ipsa virtute de viftutis robore exiftiniandum eft."
DIS-
DISCOURSE II.
Psalm Ixxi. Q,
*' CAST ME NOT OFF IN" THE TIME OF " OLD AGE, FORSAKE ME NOT WHEN *' MY STRENGTH FAILETH Me/'
In this fhort and afFe6ling exclamation of the Pfalmift, the minds of men are led into an immediate conviction of the moft impor- tant of all truths, on the moft important of all fubjefts ; namely, that the only fupport of declining years, and all thofe various trials by which that period of our exiftence is ren- dered wretched to fo many, and fo com- fortlefs to almoft all, is a grounded confidence in the protection and providence of Almighty Ood, in the comforts of true and genuine
Religion,
60 ON OLD AGE.
Religion, and in the certainty of a glorious immortality hereafter.
The means of alleviating the burthens of age have we know fucceffively employed the attention of two of the moft eminent, and I believe the foundeft moralifts in the Heathen world ; one of whom has left us a profelled and regular treatife on the fubject, founded indeed upon, and confiderabiy dilated from, the hints he received from the other (a). Every refource which human wifJom could fiiggeft in order to enable men to anticipate Age with calmnefs, and to face the approach of death without terror, are abundantly ran- facked and explored. All that mere reafon, affifted by the moft tranfcendent powers of genius and eloquence could efFe61, is effefted ; but ftili arguments even fo enforced, and precepts fo delivered, when called forth to real ufe and applied to mens' bufmefs and bofoms, on this, as on every other topic upon which the Pagan moralifts have defcanted, are, relatively fpeaking, but of fmall avai], being calculated as was confefied even by Cicero himfelf, (whole extenfive knowledge of the principles of every fe6l enabled him to fpeak decifively) rather for the oftentation of Sci- ence,
ON OLD AGE. 6\
ence, than for the pra6tical ufes of human life (b). To grapple with thofe real evils, or rather trials, with wliich Old Age even in its moft profperous ftate is generally accom- panied, fomething far more fubftantial than heathen morahty muit be fought for. Our motives muft be ftrong, our opinions decifive, and our profpefts certain. That Christi- anity alone will produce thefe moft delirable eftefts for us in that period of our utmoft need, to which we all hope to arrive, unlefs the Sun of Righteouihefs be riien upon us in vain, will I truft fufficiently appear if we purfue the train of awful relieclion into which the w ords of my text are naturally calculated to lead us. •.,
I fliall then in the foUowino- difcourfe re- quell your attention to the two following plain and important truths. ,^
Firft, that to one forfaking Almighty God, or (what is nearly the fame thing) forfaken by Him, and deftitute of the fupports of real heartfelt religion, every other fupport, every other expedient in their declining years is vain, empty, and ineffectual. ■-,
Secondly, I fliall endeavour to fet before you, as forcibly as I am able, thofe fure and
fubftantial
loS ON OLD AGE.
fubftantial refources with which Chriftianity fupphes us in this laft and trying fcene of our Hves.
If the experience of every day and every place we are in did not contradi6l it, we could hardly be inclined to fuppofe that many men could be found who fought to alleviate the infirmities, the difeafes, the drearinefs of Age, hy a purfuit of what is ufually called plea- fure and amufement. Without laying dow^n the principles of a rigid and impra6ticable morality, we may iafely affert, that from a confideration of the whole frame and ftruc- ture of our, nature, in no age, in no period of our exiftence, were we made for the ex- clufive purpofes of fenfual gratification. Even in Youth, amidft the turbulence and vigour of the paffions, great facrifices mull be made of prefent gratification to profpe6ls of a more fubftantial nature. A life devoted to indo- lence or pleafure in the earlieft period, i$ thought an ill exchange even for the w^orldly view^s and advantages of ambition, riches, or temporal advancement. But if we have ret fpect to the formation of a virtuous and reli* gious character, the paths of pleafure will appear to this great and important undertaking 1 in
ON OLD AGE. 63
ia the lail degree dangerous and deftructive. Pleafure, ei'cn in the leaibn and foil which are moft congenial to it, foon palls upon the ap- petite, and leaves the higher faculties of the human foul unfatisfied and uncultivated. If this be true of Youths what can be faid of thofe to whom Ag^ hath brought neither Wifdom, Experience, or Self-government ? What fhall be faid of thofe, whofe Ible Tefource at that time, lies in the groffiiefs of fenfuality or the frivoloufnefs of diffipa- tion? Whom neither infirmitj^, nor dif- cafe, nor decrepitude can prevent from clinging to purfuits and plealures which their youth mull havie informed them are vain and unfatisfa<5lory. Even yming men, when they facrifice their religion to plealiire, facri- lice it, God knows, to a (liadow ; but the old^ if I may be allowed the expreffion, to the ihadow of a fhadow. They are diffipated without fprightHnefs, and vicious without temptation. An old age fo fpent, even heathen morahty difclaimed. Few arg-uments are necefiary to prove how far it is fhort of the perfeftion the Gofpel requires, and of the comforts and hopes it propofes to our views. it is diihonorable — it is not attended with the
efteem
64
ON OLD AGE.
efteera of tliofe around us — which though an inferior, is neverthelefs under proper regu- lations and rejirlciions, a laudable principle of a6iion. And though a momentary and faftitious popularity may fometimes be at- tained by the aged among younger men, by an affectation of gaiety, by mixing in their amufements, and by difclaiming that retired- nefs of manners, which alone conftitutes the dignity of chara6ler fo becoming in that pe- riod of hfe ; yet this popularity is of a- moft fleeting and tranfitory nature, and is loon fuc- ceeded by different ientiments and opinions. As foon as refleftion and reafon afiert their place, thofe only are viewed by the young with efteem and affeftion, by the mildnefs of whofe manners they have been taught to love virtue and religion, and by the auflerity and ftriftnefs of whofe examples they have been Ih^w^n, that its ways are neither unpleafant, nor its precepts impracticable.
But upon fuch a fubje6l to wave opinion. In that Iblenm interval which intervenes be- t^veen age and death, it furely becomes men to reflefl, that with this life they have, pro- perly fpeaking, done ; here nothing but dregs remain. Difeaie, infirmities, iofs of facul- ties,
ON OLD AGE. 65
ties, render them dead to every thing, except to the mere aflre'5i;ation of pleafure. What anfwer did old Barzillai give to David, when invited by the King to partake of the feiti- vity of his vi6tory ? " llie King /aid unto " Barzillai, come over with me and I wili " feed thee riith me in Jentfalem, And " Barzillai /aid unto the King, How lonfr " have I to live that I Jliould go vp with " the King unto Jerufalem ; I am this day ** four/core years old,'' (and permit me to fay that we muft apply this do6lrine, if at all, long before fourfcore years are arrived) " and can I difcern between good and evil, " can thyfervant tajie what I eat or what " I drink, can 1 hear any more the voice of " finging ?nen or finging women ; wherefore " thenJJiould thy fervant he yet a burthen " tinto my Lord the King ?" Upon the fim- plicity and propriety of chara6ler difplayed in this palFage it is fuperfluous to dwell. I cannot but obferve that it is a negleB of this falutary lelFon, which makes old age fo bitter to the luxurious and voluptuous ; fo that the very mention of the time of life they have arrived at, is intolerable to them, and it is
^ deemed
66 ON OLD AGE,
deemed a want of politenefs to converfe on any fubje6l which may remind them of it.
If therefore, /wc/« be the melancholy clofe of a life devoted to pkafure, ftiall we any longer live therein ? Iffuch the profpetSts it propofes to our latter end, doth it not become us to re-» fleet in time ; to make fome better provifion for our exigence in that needful period, by the pra6tice of piety and religion, by fobriety, by meditation, by prayer, by felf-denial ? Let fuch as have hitherto' negle6ted all this, con- fult their own hearts. If they find that they have a real grounded fatisfa6tion in thofe pleafures, amulements, and vices they have all their lives been purfuing, let them by all means adhere to them to the lateft moment of their exiftence. But if they find them- felves deje6led, difiatisfied, ailiamed to look back, afraid to look forward; fuch may upon refleclion learn, that their recovery at the latejt period, though difficult, is not impof- fible : that a late preparation for death, is better than no preparation at ail. But not ,a moment is to be loft; " the night is fav ." fpent^ the day is at hand;" wherefore let them " put on the whole armour of light,"
left
ON OLD AGE. 67
left we be hurried into tlie world of fpints^ unrefiecling, unrefbrmed, and reprobate.
But perhaps fome who agree with me in
rejefting pleafure and fenlUahty as a fupport
of old age, may ftill think that there are other
refources which, excluiively of religion, may
enable men to anticipate it with chearfulnefs,
and pafs through it with comfort. But what
are thefe when we view them near? Will
the purfuits of Ambition effect this ? If at
the clofe of an ambitious life we have been
fuccefsful in its obje6l, it is often found that
that very objeft, fought through fo much
hazard and labour, is utterly unworthy of
the anxiety beftowed upon it. We have in-
ftances in hiftory of fome few men who have
had ftrength of mind enough to a6l upon
this wife conclufion, and have quietly re-
figned that parade, power, and empire, which
it had been the work of their whole lives to
acquire. But fuppofmg the objeft ftill to
retain its power of pleafmg ; muft not the
refle6lion that we muft fo foon be feparated
from it, embitter all our enjoyment ? — Add
to this that competitors are perpetually ftart-
ing up, who by the vigour of their youth
are enabled to wreft from us. that power, that
r 2 fame,
63 Om OLD AGE.
fame, that rank, which conftitutes our fole and exclulive happinefs.
But what ihall we fay of the clofe of an ambitious life where we have miffed of our obje6l ? We know that in this refpe6l an earthly contention differs from an heavenly one, for many run, but one obtaineth the prize. Befides the perpetual agitation in which the mind is kept through the courfe of a long hfe fpent in the purfuits of thefe ob- je6ls, it acquires a certain fournefs and * anx- iety, which renders it utterly incapable of repofe, if a feafon of repofe ever occurs. From an experience (and I fuppofe it falls in the way of moft men converiant in public life to experience it) of the ingratitude of fome, of the perfidy and defertion of others, of the felfilhnefs of almoft all, the ambitious man loving no one and beloved by none, lofes all traces of benevolence, and defcends friend- lefs to the vale of years. Having been long habituated to confider religion as a mere Jiate engine, he is, as all men muft be from the moment they confider it in this light, utterly deftitute of all thofe joys and comforts with which it can enlighten this dark period of our exiftence. If fuch be the end of the
ambitious
ON OLD AGE. 6^
ambitious man, may we not fay, " that he ^* cometh in vanity and departeth in dark- " wc/s, and his name JJiall be covered zmth ** darhiefs"
But others again, perhaps convinced of the vanity of pleajure, and the emptinefs of am^ bition, have ibiight refources in literary and fcien tijic purfuits. That thefe, when coniidered as fubjidiary to the caufe of virtue, and /«5or- dinate to the heavenly wifdom contained in Revelation, will conduce much to the pur- pofe of lightening the burthens of age, and indeed many other of the calamities of human life, muft certainly be allowed. But ab- ftrafted from thefe, I fear a mere literary old age, though lefs turbulent than an ambitious one, and lefs contemptible than a fenfual and a diffipated one, is not attended with that fa- tisfaftion and comfort which it at firft pro- mifes. Philofophy at a diftance promifes much: but when we view the habits of their profelTors nearer we find their age fplenetic, peevifli, avaricious, pofitive, envious, vain, and dogmatical. We fee them as effeminate in facing the evils and infirmities which have overtaken them, as much alarmed by the ter- mors of approaching death, and as httle able
Y3 to
70 ON OLD AGE.
to fuftain the thoughts of it, as the moft illi- terate uninformed peaiant. An experience of this perhaps prevailed on the wifeft of hea- thens to give as his deciiive opinion, that hu- man wifdom is (in its moral effects 1 prefume he meant) of very fmall import. And indeed,- whoever is acquainted with the idle frivolous eontroverlies, the bitter and endlefs conten- tibns, with which every part of learning, is confufed and embarraffed, will in his old age be' rather inclined to view it m ith difguft, than expert to reap from it any fubftantial fupport and confolation. ^ If then every o?ze of thofe fupports, which the perverted ingenuity of Man can devife, will ultimately end in- mifery'and vexation, whither fliall we fly when our age apprcach- eth, " when our eyes grow dim and our ^' Jtrengtli fculeth?'' A fate and certain re- fuge is afforded us, if we do not forl^it it by our own folly. and oblHnacy. The great Fa- ther of Mercies hath not deferted us in this |>ortion of our lives, he hath abundantly pro- vided comfort and fupport for our age, as ivell as for every other trial, in the blefied Gofpel of his Son. But remember, that in this in^
ftance'3
ON OLD AGE» 71
iftance, aS in all the roil, " other foundation " can no man lay, than Jefus Chriji."
To a Christian then, we may fafelj and boldly aflert, that old age is fo far from be- ing a burthen of mifery, that it is the moft happy and comfortable period in his whole ex- iftence here on earth; and if men ever ihew or complain that it is otherwife, it is becaufe they are deftitute of real operative religion. In AGE a true Christian confiders that the danger of his trial is paft ; a feal is, as it were, fet to his charader, and his temptations have loft their force and danger; he has by the mercy of God, and through the merits of Chrift, made his " calling and ekBionfure.'' Is he interdifted by his religion from fenfu- ahty and diffipation ? — P leasures even yet await him; the exquifite pleafure of relievino- the indigent, inftru6ling the ignorant, com- forting the afflifted. — Ambition ftill re- mains to him, (if I may call fo great a work by fo ??iean a name) the great ambition of furthering the kingdom of the Redeemer here on earth, of recommending the praftice of piety and religion, by the comforts he de- monftrably deriveth from them; the noble ambition of bearing a deciiive teftimony I" 4. agaiiift
72 (5n old age.
againft vice, infiddit}', and all the refinement of modern profligacy, in the midft of an adulterous and fmful generation. — The moft valuable of all knowledge yet remains to him ; the knowledge for which the great Apoftle renounced all that human learning and human eloquence, for which he was fo eminently diftinguiflied ; the knoa\ ledge OF Christ and him crucified. There remaineth to him, firm faith, vigorous HOPE, and FERVENT CHARITY. — So far from looking upon Death as an evil, he longs " to he dijjoked and to be with ChrijL" Da the preffures of pain, poverty, and difeafe, comhine their force and poignancy in this laft trying fcene ? The Chriftian knows and re- joices that the moment is not far off, " wheii " hejliall hunger no more, nor thirji any more^ " neither Jh all the fun lighten him, nor any '' heat ; for the Lamb which is in the midft of *' the throne, fJiall feed andJhaU lead him unto " living fountains of waters,, and God fiall *' zvipe away all tears from his eyes for ever F'
Such conitoi'ts, fuch fupports, tranfcending all expreflion, and pafiing all underftanding, are known to await the aged and dying Chrif- tian, by tlioib whom chance or profeflional 9 dutj
ON OLD AGE. 73
duty have ever called to be witnefs of thefe edifying Icenes. What to the adherents of luxury, diffipation, ambition, and worldly wif- dom, clofed by the flippant reprobacy of mo- dern infidelity, is dreary and delblate, is to the Christian matter of fteady joy, and complacent triumph.. Let us leave then to the mercy of God, thofe who are refolved to perfev ere in worldly courfes to the end ; but may W'E live the life, enjoy the age, and ** die the death of the righteous, and ?nay our *' latter end he like his !'*
And permit me to end with this importai]t caution ; that thefe refources muft be pro- vided principally in our youth ; the onlif period w hen they may be acquired with en- tire comfort, eafe, and effeft ; before ill ha- bits are rooted in our frame, and the " God *' of this world hath blinded our eyes." And let me warn the young, that Age is at a much fmaller real than apparent diftance from every one of them ; that it fteals on with imperceptible rapid it}^ like a " thief in th^ " nighty" and comes upon the generality as little expe<5ling it, or prepared for it, as death to thofe who are cut off in the fulnefs of their health and the vigour of their years.
llierefore
74 ON OIsD AGE.
Therefore it is highly probable, that if your youth and maturer age, is licentious and dif- lipated, your old age will be dreary and defti- tute. Let me then leave imprefied upon the minds of the young, this important admoni- tion,— " Remember tky Creator now in the " days of thy youth, while the evil days come *' 710/, 7ior the years draw nigh, in which thou " Jlialt fay, I have no pleafure in them." And THEN, whether Providence intercept our courfe in the days of bur youth, in the vi'gour of our ftrength, or whether he permits us to decline gradually into the vale of years, an entrance will be abundantly miniftered to us, into the everlafting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift.
NOTES.
NOTES.
(a) Vld. Plato de Repub. lib. 1ft. & Cicero De Sene6lute.
(b) Qiiotus enim quifque Philofopliorum inve- nitiir qui fit ita moratus ita animo ac vita confti- tutus ut ratio poitulat? qui difciplinam fuam non ojlaitat'ioncm fcientias fed kgan vitce putet. Tuf- culan. Difp. 1. 2.
■J^
DISCOURSE III.
JoHif xiii, 34.
" A NEW COMMANI>MENT GIVE I UNTO you, THAT YE LOV£ ONE ANOTHER."
As far forth as human imbeciUty and blinclnefs can difcern the final caufes of the various operations of Ahnighty God, they Ihould appear ultimately refolvable into one iimple extended principle, "the commu- nication OF GOOD." To this every civine difpenfation, whether of juftice or mercy, of reward or even punishment, (a) when con- fidered as affefting the zvhole fyflem of cre- ated beings, evidently points. The natural world, as far as defign reaches, exhibits and confirms this concluficn, to thofe whofe views are not intercepted by thofe grand
obftacles
78 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
obftacles to all moral truth, pride and con-* ceit. Whether the more obvious appear- ances of the objefts which furround us are forced upon us by ordinary and alpiofl in- voluntary obfervation, or whether we are enabled by the powers of fcience to difcern the texture of the minuteft, the ilru6lure of the moft complicated and organical, the or- der, motions, and extent of the fublimeft w^orks of the creation, the difplay of bene- volence appears to be unequivocally the intent 6f the great caufe and archite6l. No other conceivablef ^nd of thefe his creatures can be traced ; no other, where this has been daringly denied, has, in the licentiaufnefs of the moft unbridled {peculation, ibe'en even fa'mtli/ conjeB lived (b).
If then, in the fubferviency of the inani- mate parts of . the univerfal fyftem of nature, to the moral and rational part of it, we trace the beneficent deligns of the Deity, the con- clufion (hould appear to be ineVitahly forced upon us, that man, and all his nobler parts, were formed for the fame gracious end ; — that as the objeds of nature appear clearly as means to the difpenfation of good, to beings capable of participating it, fo in the con* , templation
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 79
templation of caufes and efte6is, it is mucli more powerfully to be inferred, that man is an indrument in the hands of God for the good of his fellcw-credtures, at once the reci- pient and conummicator of divine beneficence. If fuch a procefs were as ealy to thofe on whom the beams of the gofpel never ihone, as it appears to us on whom the " day-ftar hath arilen," it might i^eemfirange that our bleiled Lord fhould have laid his claim to have been the first and e x c L u s i v e teacher pf benevolence and reciprocal love. But to thofe who h^ve ever directed their fludies to that moil important part of the fcience of morality fo unaccountably overlooked in modem fyftems of it, naniely, its progrefs, variations, and extent, as they have been aftually exhibited in the difterent ftages of fociety, manners, and cultivation, particularly before the appearance of our Lord on earth, this his claim will not appear extravagant or unfounded, but ftri6tly warranted by fa6l and experience. We are too well apprized how flattering it is to the pride of the human heart, to recur to the indefinite and. fiia- dowy regions of Natueal. religion for thofe lights which RevQlation, only can fup^
80 BENEV-OLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
ply. But had Chriftian bencA olence, in its fpecific motives and principles been dilcovera- ble, either in that, or in any other human code or fyftem zi}hatev€r, our Lord could not with propriety have allerted, in fo diftin6l and unambiguous a manner, "a new com^ " mandment give I unto you, that ye love " one another."
To convince ourfelves of the juftice of this important declaration of our Blefled Lord, it may not be unexpedient, I trufl, before this audience, to confider thofe other motives and grounds for mutual love and benevolence ivhich may be fuppofed distinct from thofe propofed in the Gofpel.
< And, fecondly, to enquire how far, and in what degree, evangelical charity ftands in a ilate of feparation from all of them ; peculiarly in regard to its motives and dire6tion.
Laftly, and very briefly, to requeft on thofe motives and principles your kind affiil- ance and fupport, in behalf of the benevo- lent inftitution whofe caufe I am delegated to plead.
Of thofe who would reft the do6lrines of benevolence on what is commonly called natural religion, a teim iifed by many, but
undei'Jiood
AK EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 81
imderjiood by few, we may with all deference be permitted to enquire, whether they dif- tin6tly underftand the term itfelf. We have a legitimate claim to be informed, firft, whether is meant by it fuch a knowledge of God and our relative duties refulting from it, as might have been, or acluaHy has been, obtained in thofe countries and nations to which the knowledge and influence of reve- lation have never been extended. If the lat- ter, I will boldly affert that no man who has taken an accurate, fyftematic, and extenfive furvey of the opinions and pra6lices of the heathens concerning divine things, whether as exhibited in the opinions of their philofo- phers, or exhibited in that state engine, their mythology, will be inclined to difpute the affertion of the great Apoftle, that " their ** fooUJh heart was darkened" any more than the confequences of this darknefs upon their affe6lions, namelj^, that they were ^^ full of *' envij^ murther, debate, deceit, malignity T And yet to thefe muft the advocates of na- tural religion refer us for that benevolence which they alfert to he Juperfluoiijh/ enjoyed in the Chrillian Revelation.
G If
83 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
If it be averted that their ignorance of the nature of true benevolence was wilful, and that jufter views of it might have been reached than thofe which actually were obtained in the heathen world, fuch a pofition will bring natural religion to a poj/ible fyftem only; a Hate fo very faint and precarious as to reduce it, in point of influence and energy, nearly to 71011 eaijience. For we have no reafon to fuppofe that the unafQfted powers of the hu- man mind, as exerted in the inveftigation of virtue and happinefs, coniidered as refulting from our natural apprehenfions of God, can at any time be carried to a greater pitch of perfection than among the two polilhed and knowing nations of Pagan antiquity. And yet, among the mofl: favage hordes, a greater ferocity is hardly exhibited than in the tri- umphs, games, and gladiatorian fports of ancient Rome, and in the expofition of chil- dren, cruelty to ilaves, and various limilar practices among the G reeks.
However we may determine on either of thefe two fuppofitions, natural religion is furely nothing more than natural pride, fen- fuality, and difeafe, and a vain attempt to
eltablifli
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUl:. 83
eftabliili fach an intcrcourfe between the Creator and creature as is confiftent with every earthly and niahgnant propenfity. Man is therefore reprel'ented, under the Goi- pel, not as reformed, but recreated ; notmerely different from, but coiitrojled to, what he is from nature ; by which infideUty itfelf is obhged to confefs that " man is the greatcji enemy of man,'' (c).
It is not at all my preferit purpofe or pro- vince to examine on what balis the religion of 7iature refts, in what region it is to be founds or to what obje6ls it extends ; or to purfue any of the corollaries ariiing out of a con- fideration of its precariouiiiefs and uncer- tainty. This would be indeed in the prefent times, and coniidering the tenor and tondeiicy of fome prevalent and popular opinions, a ipeculation of great importance in its illue ; particularly if we could have the refolutioii to diveit terms of their ambiguity, and to prefent the naked truth to the impartial view of thofe who fenouiiy feek for it. We il ould then difcern what extreme caution and referve are to be ui'ed in founding any doctrinal con- clufion on what is looiely and negligently called the connexion between natural and re-
G 2 vealed
84 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
vealed religion ^ and how extremely wary we Ihould be in liimmoning the latter to the trl» bunalofthe former, (d)
It is now limply my intention to aflert, that, to Chriftian benevolence we find fcarcely any habit, fentiment, or precept, which bears even a dijiant analogy in thofe fyftems which can, with any tolerable propriety, come under the name of natural i^eligion ; that is, " in any fyllem of moral truth,* derived from man's natural conception of God and his attributes, and the deductions concerning his relative duties derived from them," For we cannot admit any fyftem to bear the name of natural religion, y^ri^/?/, which has originated in countries where the truths of the Gofpel are known and received, and where its ftrong and pervafive principles are tranfplanted into thofe very ly ftems which too commonly fu- perlede it. But in heathen antiquity, where natural relio-ion is beft inveftisrated, how was it pojible that fo leading a duty as benevo- lence from man to man, founded on their mutual relation to the Creator, could exift, even in au}^ well-founded theoiy ? Of Al- mighty God, fome denied even the exiftence,* very many reje6ted all providential fuperin-
tendance;
AS EVAXGELICAL VIRTUE, 85
tendance; (e) and thofe whofe opinions were foundelt, built them on mere conjetture, which, when it had reached (as it ibmetimes did) any great or luminous principle, fuffered it to elcape in the gloom of the iurrounding dark- nels. The importance ot benevolence, in the ORDER of moral truths, was never difcerned or acknowledged. AVhenever it came under confideration, it was ncA er held as the end of human action, but as a means to an end, and that generally mean and felfifli. Beneficent exertion was recommended merely as a road to 'political importance^ the acqiiijiiion of friends, or the attainment of more extended reputation in hfe, or what they pecuharly panted for, a fame furviving death. And this may very fairly be prefumed to have been the cafe for this plani reafon : — every religious duty, founded in an inveftigation of God and his attributes, cannot poliibly reach a greater perfection than the fource from whence it is derived. — If their knowledoe of God, therefore, was imperfect, in the fame exa6l proportion mult have been their con- ception of thofe duties which were founded upon it.
G 3 The
86 EEA^EVOLENCE EXCLUSIV^ELY
The great Apoflle did not very widely miftake when he declared " that the world by '* wifdom knew not God." To the heathens, knowing as they were on other fubje6ls, it rmiji have been a nezD propofition that " God " is love" and a nexD commandment " that " we Jliould love one another as Chriji has " loved us"
But it may be, and has been alTerted, that in order to know and praftife the virtue of benevolence, we have very little need to have recourl'e to any opinions or Ipeculations con- cerning the divine nature. Benevolence, we are told, is- implanted in our breaft by nature, difcoverable by realbn and philolbphy, called for by public utility, enforced by intereft, de- manded bv patriotifm, the child of civilization and refinement, and the neceflary confe- quence of well-ordered civil polity.
Without examining into the w^aknefs of the pofition, " that any virtue can exift in- dependent of God," or how far nature, which is in itfelf merely an effect, can be- come a primary caufe, we may fairly doubt ; nay, I conceive we may ahfolutely dem/, that the frame of man naturally conducts him to
fentiments
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 87
fenliments of benevolence. The tendency of ]inman pafllons, as they are diicoverable in inftances \\here leait aheration is made by artiticial and fupeiinduced habits, and by the occafional rettraints of law and civil polity, certainly acts in an oppofite direc- tion.
Man is declared, with juftice, by the pro- foundeft thinker in Pagan antiquity, to be the Jierccji of ail animals, (f) It is well known that,, as tar as the records of hiftory, or the intimations of tradition can carry us, legillators have recovered men from flaugh- tering and devouring each other, like the beafts of the field. The fame difpofition, among uncultivated hordes, is traced by modern difcovery with almoft uninterrupted uniformity. To men in this ftate, furely the command of mutual love is a " new com- " mandmcnt."
But to reafon and philofophy it will be afierted, that fo obvious and lelf-evident a duty as benevolence can never be llrange — can the guide of life, the medicine of the foul, that which lays open the univerfe to our view, with the bearings and dependencies of its various parts, leave us in ignorance of the G 4 Jirji
88 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
firji and nobleji principle of human aftion ! This muft be determined by an obfervation of thofe tendencies which, what is commonly called phiiofoph}^ has, in all ages of the world, been calculated to excite. The Stoics and Epicureans who were but reprefentatives (as has been well obferved) of every divifion of philofophy, (g) in every age of the world, founded themfelves on two principles of cor- rupted nature, pride and sensuality — principles in as high a ftage of contrail; as can poffibly be conceived to a principle of bene- volence. By both of thofe fe(5ls was compaf- fion formally difclaimed and reprobated — by the one it was defpifed as a weaknefs, by the other difcarded as an interruption. Could HE, who prefumed to call himfelf a mortal god, complete and confummate in himfelf; gifted with every perfection ; viftor over every calamity ; who denied either pain, dif- eafe, captivity, or death to be evils ; could HE ha^e the humility to dcfcend into the for- rows of another? could he weep with thofe that weep ? could h e be forward in relieving that anguiili which he afferted the powers of the fufferer were fufficient not only to combat and overcome, but to annihikite and defpife ?
On
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 89
On the other hand, could the voluptuous Epicurean, relaxed by indolence, diflipated by gaiety, and furfeited by leniliality, could H E enter the houfe of mourning ? could h e attend to the '•'' Jorrowful crying of the pri- " finer?" could he take the gage of human woe ?
AVithout either prefumption or paradox, we may aflert, that the doctrines of benevo- lence, as underftood and felt by Chriflians, did not at all enter into any fcheme of Pagan philofophy — and that for this obvious realbn : that philofophy, in all its varieties and mo- difications, nourilhed thofe very pajjiom which rendered men either acceflary to the calamities' of others, or at bell: indifferent to them.
But it may be faid, that what antient wif- dom never could reach, the progrefs of reafon in thefe later times may effe6l, by improved and enlarged views of the moral ftate of man, by refinement in arts, by foftnefs and poliili of manners, by the perfeftion of civil polity, modified and regulated by the light of phi- lofophical refearch.
Firft, that moral truth (independent of the light of revelation) has been progreflive,
may
90 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
may be fairly queftioned. For we need not helitate to affert, that none of the received fyftems of moral philoibphy, either in our own times, or thofe immediately preceding them, are, either in depth of refearch, fym- metry of parts, comprehenfion of views, deep infight into human motives and paffions, energy and dignity of ftile, at all comparable to thofe delivered down to us from the moft eminent of the Pagan moralifts. We may hazard the afiertion, that they will not for a moment ftand the tell of fuch a competi- tion (h). If therefore, the do6lrines of he- nevolence feem in certain refpe6ts laid in founder principles in modern fyftems than in thofe of old, it is a fuperfeded, neglefted gofpel, from whence every found principle is covertly transferred, to which fuch improve- ment is owing.
Much is now, I know, expefted from that ideal perfeftion of government, and that ex- tenfion of political liberty, which is founded on the natural and civil equality of man. But I know not that equality, could its ex- igence be proved, is the fource of peace or benevolence. If it is productive of pride and contention, it furely a6ts in a dire6iion totally
oppofite
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 91
oppofite to thofe blefled ends. But " by its ^ fruits it is known." — After the oceans of blood flied in purfiiit of this factitious principle of mock Ibcial philanthropy, it is now abandoned by its wretched martyrs them- folves.
But further — to the flighteft obferver it is evident that no refinement whatever of civil government, laws, or policy, can reach the ieat of benevolence — the heart of man. Laws depend much more on morals^ than morals on laws ; a fentiment which the phi- lofophy of antiquity did not think it pru- dent to overlook or defpife. To expe6l, therefore, that degree of melioration, in the human affections, which is now fo fondly expeCled from any theoretical perfection of civil polity, is an expedlation which experi- ence, to this very day vifible and palpable, warrants not.
Muft then the pride of philofophy, the dignity of our rational nature, the fagacity of the politician, refort to the doctrines of a cru- cified, rejected Saviour for fo plain a do<5lrine as that of mutual love and benevolence "^ It is my hearty wifli that calm refle61:ion on the arguments propofed, aided by matured ex- perience.
93 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSlVELr
perience, ma}^ be the arbiter of this impor- tant queftion to thofe who have it ftill to deterniiue. But thofe by whom the autho- rity of the facred oracles is admitted, cannot but acknowledge that Chriftian benevolence is fo far different even from the moft fpe-^ cious fubftitutes for it, as to exhibit nearly a contraft to any other tendency bearing the fame appellation. *' As is the earthy fo alfo " are they that are earthy, and as is the hea- *' venIy,Jo alfo are they that are heavenly." It is moft ftriking and peculiar that throughout all the New Teftximent every injun^lion to benevolence and reciprocal love is founded on reafons drawn from the very effence of Chrif- tianity. The exhortations of our bleflbd Lord himfelf to thefe duties, are derived uniformly from confiderations arilino- out of his ozcm miffion and character. Any argument of an extraneous nature we trace not, I believe, in any iingle inftance. " This is my command- '* ment, that ye love one another as I have hved " you. Greater Jove hath no man than this, *' that he lay dozen his life for another!* Again, and ftriftly to the fame effecl, we read, '^ If I, who am your Lord and Mafier^ *' have wafJied your feet, hon' ought ye to waJJi
" one
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 93
*' one anothei-'sfeet." On thefe principles are the iame dudes exclusively enforced by apoftolical authority. Their afieftion to their crucified Lord was of too high and heroic a natiu'e to lofe fight, for a moment, of the Author and Finilher of every good and per- ie&. gift. St. Paul exhorts the Ephefians to " zmJk in love as Chri/i hath loved ns, and " hath given himfefffor m an offering, and a " faerifice to God as afweef-fmelling favourJ* We will, then, moft powerfully infer, that in benevolence, of which every Chriftian virtue is but a modification, " other founda- *' tion can no man lay than J e/ us Chri/i!' Far from that inflated and empty boaft of the dignity of human nature, Chriftian charity takes its origin in humility. " It is /'own iu " weaknefs, it is raifid -in pozc^er ; it is fown in *' dijhonmir, it is raifed in glory" Inftead of vain, empty, metaphyfical ab{lra6lions, it prefents to us the perfon of a fufferino- Sa- viour. Therefore, as charity is the peculiar and appropriate end of the commandment, {o the ONLY bafis of charity is ikith iTi Chrift, In whatever view we contemplate his perfon and cham^ler, whether divine or human, SACERDOTAL or MEDIATORIAL; whether
we
94 BENEVOLE^*CE EXCLUSITELV
we adore him as our God, repofe in him as oup interceiTor, fly to him as the great object of our hope and confidence, from HIM, as from acENTiiAL POINT, every ray of charity that warms our hearts and expands our affections muft neceflarily emanate. Let our concep- tions be directed for a moment to that ftate of glory in which our Lord was entiironed with his Father before the exiftence of the higheft created being — let us view' him in his humi- liation, contempt, and poverty, here below, bearing the concentered poignancy of every human trefpafs on the accurfed tree — fee him, in the ultimate ilKiie of this awful pro- cefs, victorious over death, fm, and hell — once more exalted above " all principalities " and powers, and might and dominion, and *' everi/ name that is named, not only in this " woi'ld but in that which is to come."
Turn we then our eyes to the earth — look we upon the beggar at our g^tes : worn with ficknefs, penury, and woe, in fquallor and nakednefs, in anguiih and dereliction, loath- fome, iliunned, and deilitute ! HecoUeFt, that for this poor, neglefted, abjeft brother, the eternal Son of God was incarnate ; that even for HIM the tremendous facrifice upon the
crofs
AX EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 95
crofs was confummated, when, aniidft the pangs and groans of an expiring Saviour, the rocks were rent, the earth quaked, the graves were opened, and the vail of the temple was divided in twain. Think we of the ties of a COMMON Redemption and a common Redeemer, and then re fort we, if we can, to fo poor a fource as philofophy for motives of love and tendernefs towards him !
In the name, then, of that di\ ine Saviour, without whofe merits and atoning blood none, however high in rank, affluent in riches, or profound in fcience, can hope to lee light or life ; in the name of that Re- deemer who has declared himfelf ready to accept, as done peribnallj to himfelf, every a6i of beneficence done to the leait of.thofe whom he, in the unutterable depth of his condelcenlion, has called his brethren, even in HIS name, we implore the continuance of your generous contributions to the benevolent Inftitution we are this day met to fupport ; an inftitution of which it would be fuperfiu- ous to report in detail the nature and ufeful- nefs. Many are the afiliiStions the poor en- dure, even in the days of their health and vigour ; but on the bed of licknefs, except
the
96 BENEVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
the hand of Cliarity interferes, anguilh and defpair is their inevitable portion. Their difeafes are not the efFe6t of luxurious and bloated living, of unbridled licence, or of dronilh and enervating indolence, but either of unforefeen accident, the conlequence of exhaufting labour, or the fcantinefs of poor, and perhaps unwholefome, diet. We aik 3- our affiftance for the poor village PEASANTRY, (of wliich the obje6ls of this Inftitution principally confill) the mojt dcfcrvbig and leafl corrupted of any de* fcription of men in this age of wickednefs and apoftacy, by whofe honeft natures every artful incitement to the principles of revolt, plunder, and violence, have been refifted and reje6led in a manner that muft for ever endear them to every friend to his King and Country. We are perfuaded that, by this moft judicious exercife of your charity, you will continue to demonflrate to them that it is not to the atrocious codes of anar- chy, [i) which are fo induftrioufly recom- mended, that they can hope for rehef fj-om the preffures of calamity, but from the energy and efficacy of that Gofpel, which it is the unvaried tendency of fuch ieffons to vilify
and
AN EVANGELjlCAL VIRTUE. 97
and eradicate. I am perfuaded that they- are, and ever will be, convinced, that every attempt to tear up the foundations of pro- perty and focial order, is to deflroy their own beil refources in the time of their utmoft need.
But, above all, may a confideration of the general calamities of human life foften down your hearts to the meeknefs of Chriftian wifdom ! How loon may Providence vilit you with licknefs, pain, and agony! How foon may the youngeji man who hears me, lie down in that bed from whence he fhall rife no more till the general refurre6lion ! In thefe tremendous moments, when neither rank, affluence, or reputation for the higheft intel- le6lual endowments, can afford the fmalleft hope or refuge, it will then be a treafure of unfpeakable confolation to you, that you have vifited the poor in his ficknefs, and the pri- foner in his calamity. Let then neither the conceit of any thing that is great, nor the confidence of any thing that is wife or ftrong in you, intercept your ferious meditation on thefe words : " BleJJed is he that coiijidereth " the poor and needy, the Lord will deliver " him in the time, of trouble ; the Lord mil 1 H ^^ Jiren^them
98 BEN^EVOLENCE EXCLUSIVELY
" Jirengthen him upon the bed of langvi/Jiing ; " the Lord will make all his bed in hisjick- *' nefs."
I truft that, in thefe days of calamitous de- fe6lion, all who wear the badge, and bear the reproach, of Chrift, will Ihew themfelves his difciples by that fign of mutual love by which alone HIS CHURCH and HIS DISCI- PLES are, according to his own express DECLARATION, known and diftinguifhed ; and without which all other' marks of apoftoli- Cal miffion in the miniftry, and of Chriftian profeffion in the laity, are " but as founding ^* brafs or tinkling cymbals."
I truft this FAMOUS and ancient Uni- versity, eminent as it is for the cultivation of every ufeflil and ornamental art, for the profoundefl inveftigation of truth and fcience, for the long and unrivalled lift of iiluf- trious Names which it has added to the annals of learning in this moft civilifed portion of the globe, will not look upon this humble but Chriftian Inftitution as the meaneft of its well-earned triumphs. I am confident that what its munificence planted, its foftering hand has nourifhed, and its care and prudence fg fteadily fuperintended, will ever continue
to
AN EVANGELICAL VIRTUE. 99
to be the objeft of its anxious and parental affedion ; that, having brought every thought into the captivity of Chrift, it will c^nfider this, though the leaft fplendid, yet the mod permanent of all its diftin6\ions ; that it will, in the depth of Chriftian humiliation, prefer the exercife of qhakity to all myf- teries and all knowledge — anticipating tliat bleffed ftatc w here fauh fliall be loft in vifion, and hope in fruition; but charity, liks ITS GREAT Author anij FoundjuIj
SHALL BE eternal!
H 2 NOTES.
NOTES.
(a) The procefs of Divine Benevolence, with regard to the individuals upon whom puniiliment is inflided, is inveftigated in the Gorgias of Plato with a depth and comprehenfion of thought, and with an avvful infight into the moral laws of the creation, which feem to predominate over the Jfcantiuefs of the materials with which natural re- ligion fupplied him. This, however, placed an. infurmountable barrier to his progrefs in this- im- portant fpeculation. The necelTary connection between crime and punijhment he clearly faw ; he afferts, and J5er/i«p5 with juftice, th^t even pardon itfelf could not relieve the oflfender, from what he emphatically calls the '* sixfAom tou xikkou." Therefore, in his laudable attempt to " vindicate the ways of God to Man," he confiders all pu- nilhment as medicinal to the fufferer. To affume tl)i5, however, as a general principle, applicable to every degree of punifliment, would be, I fear, to go farther than fa6t and experience will warrant. It however brings us, as the philofophy of Plato generally does, to the very ^^re/Xo/^? of revelation: to the acknowledgement not only of the neceffity of that GREAT VICTIM who " bare OUT fins on his
Qwn
NOTES* 101
own body on the tree, " but alfo of that moral and medicinal purification, which his grace alone-can eflPe6t in the human heart.
Cb) Mr. Hume, in bis Pofthumous Dialogues on Natural Religion, exhibits a very different fpedacle from that of tbe illuftrious heathen juft adverted to. We perceivd the latter through the dimnels of natural light and the wildernefs of conjetlure, labouring by every painful effort, to reach and communicate the confolations of divine benevolence. The former we find endeavouring, with the calmeft determination, to fmother that full convidion of it, which the providential fyftem of Almighty God, when unfolded and illuilrated by evangelical truth, fo undeniably exhibits. And, when henetolent defign is excluded, with what are we prefented in its ftead ? Let the infulted reader judge, and let all ingenuous young men be early aware to what poor fpeculations they facrifice their confidence in God, and the hope of their Chriftian calling. " Man is able, perhaps, to ajjert, or con- jecture, that the unvcerfe, fometime^ arqfe from fomething like defign : hut beyond that pofition he cannot aj certain one (ingle circumflance ; and is left aftenvards tojiv every point of his theology by the utmoji licence of fancy and hypothefis. This worlds for aught he knows, is very faulty and imperfeBy compared to a fuperior ftandard ; and was only the firft rude eff'ay of fome infant deiiy^ who after-
H 3 ivards
102 NOTES.
^ards ahandofied it, ajhamed of his lame per- frrmance : it is the zvork only of fome dependent inferior deity ; and is the object of derifmi to his fuperiors : it is the production of old age and dotage in fome fuperannuafed deity ; and^ ever fince his deaths has run on at adventitres, from the firji impulfe andaStive force which it receinedfrom him.^'' See Dialogues concerning Natural Reli- gion, p. 1 1 1. — Surely fuch conjectures are, in the emphatical language of Cicero, " vix digna lucuhratione aiiicularwn.^'' And j-et they are the beft which the ahlejl of all the adverfaries of Chriftianity could fubftitute for that vilified, re- je6led Gofpel, which hath brought " life and im- mortality to light."
(c) " Man 19 the greateft enemy of man."-— Hume's Dialogues on Natural Religion, p. 179.
(d) If the province, limits, and defeats of natural religion, were to be afcertained not from fpeculation but fa6t, its beft conclufions would appear to be not unfrequently negative. And therefore juftly did Cicero, that nioft accurate ki/loriari of philofophical opinions in the moft poliflied age of Pagan ifni, after a full and dif- tincl enumeration of the fentiments of all the preceding teachers of wifdom in antiquity con- cerning the nature of the Gods, juftly did he call them '' non philofophorum judicia, fed delirantiiim
4 fomnia. '"
NOTES. 103
fomnia. " And very rationally, after recounting the ravings of the ftoical Spinofifts, and the ab- furdities of the Epicurean Anthropomorphites, did HE profefs himfelf unable to find refuge ex- cept in total fcepticifm and fufpenfe. Turn demum mihi procax academia videbiturfi aut confeiiferint omneSj aut erit inventus aliquis qui quid fit verum invenerit. " De Nat. DeoV. lib. I. If experience then is to guide us, inevitably inuft Christians infer that the " things ofGodknowethno man, but '' the fpirHt ofGod;'' and therefore if natueal RELIGION be the religion of the natural man, it ^'receiveth not the things of the fpirit of God ;''^ and we may fafely admit Mr. Hume's principle as founded in fad:, however diftorted and malig- nantly mifapplied by him, " that religious
FAITH IS TO BE ERECTED ON PHILOSOPHICAL
scepticism;" or on an honeft and fair flate- ment of thequeftion, *' that man's ignorance
can only BE ENLIGHTENED BY THE WISDOM
OF God." — The author of the *' Age of Reafon'^ is pleafed to alTert, that " the Bible of the Crea- tion is inexhauftible in texts." Yet fo ill was it underftood by Cicero who kyiew not, and Mr. .Hume who rejeBed, the Gofpel, that they both confeffed that utter doubt and uncertainty was the refult of the beft philofophy.
(e) Of the Divine Nature, Cicero aflerts, ''Res nulla eji de qua tantopere non folam indocti, H4 ' f^d
104 NOTES.
fed etiam docti difjhitiant ;' and a little before, *' Qid Deos ejfe divet^unt tantd funt in varietateei dijjhitiouey lit eorum molcjiumjit dinumerare fen- tentias.'" DeNat. Deor. This citation will en- able the moft fuperficial reader to difcern the broad, vulgar, and elementary ignorance of the following pofitions of Mr. T. Paine in the above- mentioned tra6l : — " Deifm, then, teaches us, without t\\t pqffibUity of being deceived, all that is necefiary and poffible to be known. The crea- tion is t\\t Bible of the Deift." " Inftead of Undying theology, as is now done, out of the Bible and Teftament, it is neceffary that we refer to the Bible of the Creation. The principles we dif- co'cer there are eternal and of divine origin ; they are the foundation of all the fcience that exifts in the world, and muft be the foundation of theology.'''' AfTertions fo grofsly ignorant may be expofed, but fcarcely need confutation. Nothing can give them a momentary importance or currency but the growing negledt of ancient learning, and the fop- piOi indolence of the age. But let it be remem- bered, that if men of high rank zyf// embalm the memory, and fpread the pofthumous fneers of Gibbon, the vulgar, corrupted by their example, will fwallow the atrocious blafphemies of Paine. Let them, therefore, look to the confequences.
(f) Ariftotle juftly enough confiders 2, flat e of nature, prior to the fandtion of laws, and the
reftrid;ion
IfOTES. 105
reftii6lion of foclal fubordination, to be a ftate of the utmoft depravation, and therefore aflferts,
«Tw HXi p^w^ktOek vojtAou xaj (^iK»)f, yiioiorrov •uyot.VTUv.—— im otvocrniTaTOv hxi AFPinTATON ocuv ccPiTng. — He then fhrewdly adds, H AE AIKAIOZTNH nOAI- TIKON. Polit. 1. 1.
(g) Mr. Hume.
(h) If the Memorabilia of Xenophon, the Offices of Cicero, the Enchiridion of Epi^tetus, the writings of Antoninus and Hierocles, Arrian and SimpUcius, are not thought futiicient to warrant this aiiertion, the Nkhomachean Ethics of Arif- totle will, above all, prefent an overbearing proof of it Thefe laft afford not only the moft perfe<3; ipecimen of fcientilic morality, but exhibit alfo the powers of the moft compaft and befi con- ftru6ted lyftem which the human intellect ever produced upon any fubjecl; enlivening occafion- ally great feverity of method, and ftrid: precifion of terms, by the fublimeft, though fobereft, fplen- dor of diction. Ariftotle had the fmgular art of infufing eloquence even into a definition — of this his definition of happ'mefs affords a marvellous inftance: " ESTIN ETAAIMONIA KAT' APETHN ENEPFEIA." The fixth and feventh chapters of the laft book of this great work are unrivalled in grandeur either of language or conception. If
moral
106 NOTES.
moral philofophy, I mean fpecificalli) and properly fo called, without an incongruous mixture of theology and politics, (iVom either of wliich it is entirely diftinft,) is to be ftudied as a fcience, in fuch fources it is to be fought. Thenee will be formed a manly intellectual vigour, an ingenuous modefty and dignity of habit, an energy of thought and didion, and a reach of comprehen- five knoM'ledge, which diftinguifhes the true Eng- lifli fcholar. On the contrary, it is to be feared that the feeble fpeculation which ahnoft all mo- dern SYSTEMS of morality (fuch I fairly and frankly own as Dr. Paley's Principles of Moral Philosophy) encourage, and the fuper- ficial information they aftbrd, fuperfeding the neceffity of all a6;ive and real employment of the faculties, have operated more fatally upon the mental habits of the rifmg generation than total ig?iora?ice could poilibly have done. What ren- ders men fuperficial, renders them pert ; and I hardly ever knew an inftance, either in men or communities, where benevolence is not anni- hilated by per tnefs. Let it be remembered, as an important document, that the moft fuperiicial and foppilh nation of Europe has, in every change and modification of its habits, whe- ther of SUPERSTITION or Atheifm, of ty- ranny or licentioufnefs, been uniformly and no- torioully the moft cruel and relentlefs.
(1) The
NOTES. 107
(i) So the French have at laft been obliged to call every preceding fyllem of Equality and the Rights of Men, except only the laft precious modification of them, under which they now groan. (This was preached in the year 1795.)
DISCOURSE
DISCOURSE IV.
2 COR. viii. 23, 24.
" THEY ARE THE MESSEJfGERS OF THE " CHURCHES, AND THE GLORY OF *' CHRIST : WHEREFORE SHEW YE TO " THEM, AND BEFORE THE CHURCHES, " THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVe/'
1 H E reciprocal love which exifted between the Minillers of the Gofpel and their recent converts, conftituted one of the prominent features of the Apoflolic age. The fpirit of focial religion feems to have been never lb well underftood, nor its practice ib generally diffufed. Mutual dangers and mutual dif- trelfes were, perhaps happily for them, the only portion they could expe6t in the king- dom of Chrift upon earth ! They proved beyond all controverfy, how necellary the ■ fpirit of Chrillianity is to a right under-
Itanding
110 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
ilanding of its nature, principles and polity. The conflni6tion of the component parts of the Church, the gradation of its orders, the obje6ls and limits of its difcipline, the duty and regard attaching to its Minifters, the reciprocal charities between all its members^ feem both from the facred records, and thofe nearly co-eval with them (fcanty as they are) in thofe early times to have been moft clearly imderftood. Without thofe cumbrous vo- lumes upon Ecclefiaftical regimen, without the exafperation of difpute, without the pro- lix decrees of Synods or Councils, without the folemn decifions of Canon Law, without the tedious procefs and uncertain ifllie of me- taphyiical abftra6lions, which the worldly wifdom and ambitious craft of fucceeding ages produced, the primitive Chriilians well knew both how to command, and how to obey. The abfolute neceffity of religious order and fubordination, as arifmg out of the very nature and eflence of Church commu- nion, they abundantly felt and acknowledged. Not only between the members of each fepa- rate Church did there exift a principle of aflfe^tioi) and concord, but between diftinft and independent Churche:s the kindeft com- munication
FOR THE SONS OT THE CLERGY. Ill
munication and correfpondence. An infolated Chriftian was a chara\:ler unknown anion<2r them, and of whom they recognized not even the exiilence. Their love to their crucified Lord was combined with a love of *' his body the Church/' It appears uniformly, that its authority was Itrenuoufly inhiied upon, and obligations of obedience to its rulers eagerly inculcated. And yet by us it may be thought fufficiently lingular, that though in the Apoftles and their fucceflbrs we find no receffion from the high claim of authority, no mitigation in the rigid per- formance of duty, no perfonal fear or par- tiality in the intiiftion of thok fpiritiial cen- fures which the Church fo boldly and yet fo charitably denounced againft oiienders, yet the principal excefs which they had to con- troul and contend with, was the exuberance of the affection which their children and converts bore them. They feared left the overwhelming inftances of affe6lion they ex- perienced {hould too much foften down their refolutioh for thofe ftern trials of their faith and conftancy which they knew ultimately awaited them. This was the comphi'mt of a Paul, this was the apprthenjion of an
Jgnatius,
112 rOR THE «ONS OF THE CLERGY.
Ignatius, (a) Correfpondent to this recipro- cal love were the hberal contributions by which the common caufe in thofe times was fupported both in the fupply of the wants of the Miniftry, and the rehef of the necef- fities of the poor Saints. For we find there " was not among them any that lacked, for as *' jnany as were pojjeffors of lands or hoiifes, " Jbld them, and brought the prices of the " things that were fold, and laid them at the " Apojiles'feet" Nor was the return to thefe and fimilar inftances of unbounded confidence, lefs confpicuous or exemplary. The great Apoftle, after his ready abandonment of every worldly intereft, of all thofe envied diftinc- tions to which his exuberant eloquence, his comprehenfive mind, and his mafculine un- derftanding, aided by the adventitious privi- lege of Roman citizenlhip, might juftly have entitled him in that knowing and civilized age ; after having facrificed what to him, perhaps, was a more precious oflfering, all that renown to which his confcious fupe- riority, and (as far as we can trace it) his natural temperament fo ftrongly inclined him ; after, I fay, laying down all this at the foot of the crofs, and taking up in its ilead poverty,
reproach,
FOR Till! SOXS OF TIIF CLERGY. 113
reproach, ignominy, and perfeciition ; after all his watchings and failings, his journey- ings and imprifonments, his labours and con- flicts, his tears and prayers for his beloved children, even HE utterly declined to avail himfelf of the common bounty, but tells us, that " his own hands .miniftered unto his neceflities, becaule he would not be charge- able to any of thofe to whom he preached the Gofpel of God \"
But in recurring to thefe early ages for examples of thefe, or any other precedents for our Chriftian conduct, we need a fteady, difcreet, and temperate judgment, equally preferring us from two extremes. On the one hand, fome from comparing paft with prefent practice and principle, from indiffe- rence, from indolence, from affeftation, and more from the mere effeminacy of the times, maintain an abfolute and perfe6l exemption from propofing fuch patterns to their imita- tion. 'I'hey feem to think that the laborious exertions in thofe times made, the magnani- mous refolution then dilplayed, the fraternal intercourfe and communication of benefits then interchanged, are in the prefent day per- fectly vilionary and impracticable. That not I only
114 rOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
only fuch principles may be abandoned, but in many important inftances ihofe direftly contrajied to them may be adopted. The few, I trnft the very few, among the Clergy, who are degraded by fuch opinions, may hold themfelves jultiiiable in thmking that the public provilion for their maintenance may be difpofed of and employed like all other propert}^, to which no i'pecilic difcharge of duty is attached ; and in return the Laity whofe fentiments are limilar, may efteem themfelves juftitied in conlidering a Church eftablilhment as a burthenfome though ne- ceflary appendage to a State Police, and its moft faithful Minifters entitled for all their labours, to no other return of regard and liberality than fer vices merely ftipendiary demand.
How oppofite fuch a judgment is to all the duties, all the confolations, all the influence of the Gofpel, as well as to the purpole of this day's kibour of Love, it Icarcely need be proved, or that the very end of an eflabhihed Church is not to alter or enervate r but to prefer\e, to cheriih, and to continue the iital principle of Chriftian Faith, Hope, and Charity.
/ . The
FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. 115
The other extreme alluded to, is that of fpeculative and I'ometimes fplenetic obfervers, who take into no confideration whatever the neceiiary conieqiiences of the civil eflablifli- ment of Chriftianity ; who in reading of the hig-h and heroic zeal which animated the apoftolical age, are apt- to imagine that all exertions /7/or^ of thefe are mean and infigni- ficant. Thele men picture to themfelves de- pravity which exifts not, and overlook in- Itances of virtue and piety which are imme- diately before them. They peeviflily, paf- fionately, and fometimes malignantly indulge themfelves in trite and vague declamation -againft civil eftabliiliments as the grand ob- llacles and hindrances of all Chriftian influ- ence in the heart of man ; they cannot or will not dilcern that it was as much in the inten- tion of the Divine Founder of our religion, that at a ftated period of its growth it fliould be incorporated with the civil government of Chriftian nations, giving and receiving reci- procal fupport, as it was that it (hould, be^ fore fuch a period, found and maintain itl'elf without fuch fupport ; and who prefumptu- oully, by fo perv-erfe a train of reafonirg, reftrict Infinite Wifdom in producing the I 2 fame
Il6 roB Tin: sons of the clkrgy.
fame end by different inftmments. If men of this caft ever refer to Chriftian antiquity* it is witli a view of invidious and malignant contrali ; it is more with an intention to indif- pofe the minds of men to the Clergy of the eftablifl-jment, than with a view of regulating the practice of themfelves ai7d others, by the bright and ihining lights which primitive ages exhibit.
Upon principles equally remote from either of thefe extremes it is, that men of candid, calm, and charitable minds, will derive their meafures of thinking and acting with regard to the Chriftian Church, and the members of whom it is compofed. In eftimating the fervices rendered, and the return of liberality and kihdnefs exj)e6led, they will confidcr the nature of the various trials to which they are called forth. They will take into their view the cliverfified circumftances either of prol- perity or adverfity in which the Church may be placed. They will reflect upon the varied confequences which neceflarily arife from the commercial, the literary, the focial relations and bearings of the nation in which the Pro- vidence of God has planted it. They will combine the degree of the ejfhrts cjei-ted, with
the
ITOR THE SOXS Of THE CLERGY. ll7^
tlie ohfiades oppofed to tlieni ; the proportion of peribnal virtue, with the pecuhar tempta- tions and trials to which it ftands expofed. In tracing the faults of individuals, in mark- ing the imperfe6tions of difcipline, they will not fliiit their eyes to the refult of the good obtained, not only in the. times which are bn- inediatdif before them, but in thofe w hich arc pajl. xlbove all they will remember, whenever inclined to too great a feverity of animadver- fion, that our great High Frieji himfdf is touched with a Jenfc of human infirmity.
It is to men of a judgement fo balanced, of an underilanding i'o informed, of affec- tions fo combined with a love tor the blefled Gofpel of Chrift, and the common country in which we live, that the Church of Eng- land with a firm, but ihe truits a modeit confidence, prefers her petition for thtr con- tinuance of the kindneis and generofity of this ancient, great, and renowned nation, in behalf of Thole, who in a peculiar fenfe are near and dear unto her. The Church of ExGLANP implores it in conlideratien of her own dignity, rank, and importance, in the order of Proteltant and Cln*iltian Churches ; of the faithful dilcharge of duty, of a clofe I 3 fellowliiip
118 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
fellowfhip of interefts and benefits, both fpi- ritual and temporal, with the Laity of thefe kingdoms ; die implores it in behalf of Thofe, who in the efficacy of their labours are not a whit behind the chiefeft of any who " are the Meffengers of the Churches and the glory of Chrifl/' Concerning the grounds upon which flie requefts the con- tinuance of your liberality on her own ac- count ^vho afks, and the ments of Thofe /or whom fhe implores it, {lie prays that by the unworthieft of her Sons and Minifters it may be permitted her to /peak for herfelf.
And firft, the rank and dignity ilic has ever held among reformed Churches, may well entitle her to this mark of your regard. When Almighty Cjod, in the depth of his merciful decrees, was pleafed to diffipate the long dark night of Papal Superflition, to burft thofe bonds of cruelty, perfecution, ig- norance, and impofture, which had for fo long a facceflion of ages triumphed over learning, piety, antl even the common feel- ings of natural humanity ; when in order to ^ccomplilh that his gracious defign, he had given his chofen inllruments Luther (b) and Calvin with an intrepidity, an energy,
a manly
lOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. 119
a manly deciilon of character, a contempt of eafe, danger, and intereli:^ proportioned to the high talk he had affigned them — then it was that amidft the goodheft of the Struc- tures which were founded on the ruins of the Roman domination, the Church of England arofe. Her original was truly primitive, it was watered by the blood of her Fathers. Their faith and ^!rmnefs were very early called forth by the Papiits to a iliarp and fiery perfecution. To her firil Bifhops, among whom was her venerable Primate, theiv pre-eminence was a pre-emi- nence oi\fufferi/ig, and their high dignity, a crow^n of martyrdom ! 'J 'hey prophecied in die midft of the flames by which they were confumed, that their fufferings would not be forgotten by the Englifh nation, but that a light would be kindled which the darknefs of Antichrift would never again extinguiili or overcome.
The origin of this Church then ha$ the impreflion of a feal and chara6ler truly pri- mitive, both in the rank, the courage, and the confcancy of its Martyrs. From them was tranfmitted to us,- by the Providence of God, and to this day is prefer ved to us a I 4 Chiu'ch
120 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
Church founded on the Apoftles and Mar- tyrs, Jefus Chrift hhnfelf being the Corner Stone.
Nor doth this Church come recommended to us by its foundation only, but by its fuper^ ftruBure alio. Its doctrines are Evan- gelical, AND ITS DISCIPLINE APOSTO- L I c A L. Firm temper, true moderation, great fkill in the word of God, extenfive view^s of primitive antiquity, gave a moil beneficial direction to that fervent piety by Avhich the firft reformers were animated. In confe- quence of their provident labours, we may boaft a - profefiion of faith founded on the Holy Scriptures, to which alone our Church appeals for the truth of every principle ihe afierts, and every conclufion ilie has deduced. Pier Theology ihe lias laid in the deepeit and firmeft foundations, the ma jeity of the Crea^ tor and the humiliation of the creature. In her fublime, iimple, and animated Liturgy, ihe has colle6ted and diifuied all that is ftrong mid Jpiritual in Rehgion, carrying to the huarts and bolbms of men every Evan- gelical grace and confolation, in the daily fervice of her Temple.
And
FOR THE SONS OF THE CLrr.GY. 121
And be it permitted us to iay, that not only in its origin und fuperjiriili are, but in its adual exertions may it jullly urge its title to your attachment.
Eirft, as I have before oblerved, as the Church of England was raifed in oppofition to Papal power, craft and cruelty, lb has it ever fmce been a firm bulwark againfi: their return into thefe kingdoms. So far is it from there being the fmalleil; ground for that inali- cioiis and idle, calumny of its approximation in any principle or practice to Popery, (c) that the Church of Rome is known by thofe who have either by reading or converfation an opportunity of learning the ientiments of its leading agents, to conlider the exiftence, the prolperity, and the itability of the Eiigliih Church, as the Ofili/ impregnable barrier to its revival in this kingdom. The Papifts well remember that it was not the Sectaries, but the Church of E^vTGLand, which ftood in the gap, near the clofe of the laft century ; nor uill the honourable teftimony of the firft Houfe of Commons which aflembled after the grand Revolution, recording, in a folemn vote of thanks the grateful fenfe of the na- tion, for the exertions of the Englifh Clergy
in
122 rOR THE SOXS OF THE CLERGY.
in the time of clanger and calamity, ever be eraied from tlieir recollection, (d) Of courfe the antipathy of either natke or foreign Pa- piits, while Popery is what it is ellentiall}-, and what it ever has been, cannot be (e) fojt- ened by (nuj benefits^ or dilarmed by an exten- fion of immunities, (as we have recent, wide, and UNDENIABLE experience). The fubver- fion of the Church of England is their hrit, their darling obje6t ; and till this can be ac- compliilied,an invincible obftacle is oppofed to every defign they can form, and every eftbrt they can make. Nor will this oppolitio.n be the lef'^, we truft, from the charity, the tem- per, the humanity, the unexampled Chriftian .munificence which our Church has exhibited to thefe her radical and inveterate foes. That without ever fuffering her zeal to degenerate into violence^ or, what in thefe times is more to be apprehended, her moderation to be lulled into indifference, the Church of Eng- land will continue to ad up vigilantly to this high deftination of Providence, in con- trouling the power, and countera6ting the wiles of Antichrift, we may confidently anti- cipate. On the ground then of this invaluable fervice rendered to the Proteftant caufe, with
which
TOR THE SONS OF THE CLEPxCY. 123
which the charitable inftitution we are met to liipport bears a clofe conne6tion, may be refted one of our moft juit claims to your favour and bounty.
But not only in her oppoJJtion to Vopery is the praife of our common Parent conlpicu- ous in every ftage of her progrefs, but alfo in a firm adherence and conftancy to thole Evangelical doctrines which the venerable reformers delivered as their befl legacy to her guardian care. Thole fame doctrines which were to Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley, Hooper, Jewel, their glory, their joy and their crown of rejoicing, ftill are (we are ready to fubmit to the reproach) to this t'er?/ day the do6i;rines of this Church. No fediic- tions of worldly wifdom, no taunts of her adverlaries, no artifices and infmuations on the one hand, or menaces on the other, has fliaken the conftancy of the Church of Eng- land to the orthodox doftrine of the Gofpel. To her it is owing that the energies of Chrif- tianity have not been abated, nor its confola- tions enervated by Arian or Socinian re- finement. ( f) If this is indeed a reproach, it is the reproach of the Cross, and long may it remain with her ! Her conflicts with her
adverfaries
134 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
adverlaries in this great caufe, a large ma- jority of the Eiiglifh Laity have witnefied and approved. Nor need we recur to former times for examples of this fame prudence, vigilance, and conftancy. We find no age in which peevifh, petulant, and precipitate innovation in thefe great and effential points, has been more firmly and more charitably oppofed, than by the prefent Governors and Fathers of the Church. Nor has this been an oppofition oijieadinefs only, but of ai'gu- menf^ learnings and conviBion. Polemical ikill and erudition, which would have done honor to the beffc ages of the Church, have been difpiayed on thefe fubje6is by Thofe who have been called to its higheft ftations. And we cannot but glory, and this glorying can no man make void, that in no Church has Scriptural learning in every branch, cri' tical or explanatory, elegant or didactic, been purfued with more unremitting a6tivity, or cultivated with more fignal fuccels. And, above all, I believe that in inveftigating, in illuftrating, in arranging the various evi- dences of our common faith, in oppofition to the multifarious and verfatile cavils and fophiftry of Infidelity, which for this lafl
century
rOR THE SOXS OF THE CLERGY. 125
rentury has been in unwearied a6livity in different parts of Europe, the writers of the Church of England ftand unrivalled by mo- dern or even ancient apologifts. I think we may hazard the afiertion that in eftablilh- ing the proofs of revelation, whatever is juft in ftatement, orderly in method, perfpicuous in illuftration, copious in difcuflion, power- ful in inference, has in the immortal writinirs of the Clergy, and with peculiar fati.sfaclion we add, the Laity of the eftablifhed Church, been fo exhibited as not to be equalled by the colleftive labours of the wliolt Clirijtlan Church fmce the Apoftolic age. (g) And happy are we that the lateft defenders, whom Cjod has raifed among us, have diljplayed an ability, fpirit, and a<5ti^ity which proves, that even in tliefe days he hath not left himfelf without witnei's.
Neither among the dire6t fervices done to the fociety in which Hie is planted can we, or ought we, to overlook the confcientious obedience to the conititutional government of this country, which the Minilters of the Church of England have both preached and enforced. Knowing that the wifdom from above is firft peaceable, then gentle, they \i3.ve Jcorned to court a momentary popularity
by
12G FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
by flattering and fomenting the licentious pafllons of men, to their mutual deftruction, confufion, and de valla tion. To the conftitu- tional and limited monarchy of the country, they have felt it their duty to promote a warm attachment at all times, and in none, more than in thofe of its grcatefl calamity and depreffion. Theirs, we truft, is not the friendfliip and adherence of profperitif only : in the moii; turbulent and tempeiluous fea- fons they enjoined, and we truft will boldly continue to enjoin, fear to God and honor to the King. Their leffons ill accord with thofe delufive profpecls ofperfeftion in ci\il go- vernment, which while they pretend to fecure the rights and to advance the liberties of man- kind, promote that fpirit of ferocious con- tention and proud turbulency, which threaten utterly to annihilate both. While therefore the bleffmgs of order and fecurity are felt and acknowledged, while the miferable efiPefts of uncontrouled paffions, and licentious the- ories, are vifible and palpable ; while the Eng- lifli conftitution diffufes protection, plenty, and i'ecurity, the uniform conduct of the Englifli Clergy in founding the duty to Kings Qn the word of Him by whom Kings reign,
will
Foil THE SONS OF THE CLERGV. 127
■will be thoLiglit by all good men a beneficial dilcharge of duty both to God, their countiy, and to pofterity ; a duty never more called for than by the awful exigency of the times in which we are thrown ! Of this Church then we may furely fa}', " for our Brethren and companions lakes we will wiili Thee profperity."
I'o clofe all, it might be added, though upon a fubject on which the Church of JMigiand from every principle is leafl inclined to glory, it might be added, I fay, that in no province of learning or ibience, by w hich the national chara6ler has been raifed in every country in Europe, have advances been made, but that the Englilh Clergy have been in the ten) foremoji ranks. Nay, farther, by the eloquence of her preachers the ftandard of the Englilli language has been railed and fixed. From the majeftic circumfcription, and overwhelming pathos of a Barrow ; the vehement, eager, artiefs impetuofity of a TiLLOTSON ; the ornamental, copious, flow- ing elegance of an Atterbury; from the mafculine preciiion, and the nervous gravity of a Sherlock, the beauty, the variety, and ilie refources of our native ton2;ue have been 9 moll
1^1 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
moil tranfcendently exhibited and explored. Theie, and iucli like illuftrioiis models both the Senate and the Bar have, we well know, not difdained to coniider as the moll exube- rant fources of thofe ftreams by which they are enriched and fed. And we confidently hope, that not only the fiyle and diction of thefe illuftrious mafters have been the object of their imitation, and the foundation of their eminence, but that alio the principles thefe venerable men profeiled, and that nurf- ing mother the Church, which bore them, will have their fupport, affection, and ad- herence, till time (hall be no more.
But neither in this, or any other human ac- quifition, is (he inclined toboaft. " God forbid " that {he should glory save in the " CROSS OF OUR Lord Jesus Christ !" But at a time when her enemies are many, and her conflicts various; when invidious comparifons are inftituted between her fifter Proteftant Church eftablilbed in this* ifland, (to whom, however, flie is proud to profels her warmed veneration, not as a rival of her fame, but as a partner of her labours, and a helper of her joy, and a joint bulwark of the Proteftant faith in thefe kingdoms); when
fuch
roil TiiE SONS of the clergy. 129
fuch comparifons are inftituted in the highe/i places, and by men of exalted rank,- flie may realbnably claim to havej not her panegyric, but her apology heard ; (h) and that at this folemn feafon, when the tribes as it were go up in the center of this great metropolis, and when in the prefence of fo many of her venerable and apoflolical Fathers, the national bounty is eagerly requefted for thofe fo nearly related to her; at fuch a time, I fay, it might be juftly and reafonably per- mitted to her fons (in the beautiful language of one of her moft able apologilts, who lived to witncfs her fad downfall in thefe nations) " to remember Jerufalem, and call " to mind the pleafures of the Temple, the *' order of her fervices, the beauty of her ** buildmo's, the fweetnefs of her fon^s, the •** decency of her miniftrations, the afiiduity " and economy of her Priefts and Levites, " the daily ikcrifice, and that eternal fire of " devotion that went not out by day or by " night ; thefe were the pleafures of our " peace, and there is a permanent felicity in " the very memory of thofe fpiritual de- " lights which we then enjoyed as antepafls K " of
130 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
" of Heaven, and a conlignation to immor- " tality of joys '^."
If then the Church of Chrift eftabhflied in thefe kingdoms, has in the difcharge of her duty in an eminent degree contributed to the wehare, the order, the temporal profperity of her country ; if in the formation of the national charafter her leifons have contributed to the growth of that integrity, good lenfe, good nature, and benevolence, which difcri- minate the habits of Enghihmen; if by her means the everlafling Gofpel has been preached pure and entire to you ; if the galling yoke of Roman bondage has by her means been twice averted from 3-ou ; if in the bofom of her communion fo many of our forefathers have died in the hope of Chrift, then fhe requefls to be heard in be- half of thefe poor orphan branches of her family, which are now prefented to your pity and regard.
Expanded as our hearts muft be with that holy flame of charity which the fight of this crowded and augufl: aftembly, met for fuch a purpofe, muft naturally excite, I will not fuppofe that any who hear me wdll be difm-
clined
* Bifhop Jer, Taylor.
FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. 131
clined to further our bleffed undertaking by any of thofe petulant and contra6led objec- tions which are urged againft the inequahty of rank and emolument in the Church of Chrift eftabliflied among us. Trials of va- rious kinds muft under every pojjihle modifi- cation of Church revenue await the Minifters of Chrift in this their militant and proba- tionary ftate. Both profperity and adverfity may in the Clergy, as well as in other Chril- tians, be the gauge of their fidelity to Chrift, or the occafion of their fallinsi: from him. "We feel no relu(5lance whatever in admitting that all ecclefiaftical dignity, rank, revenue, and patronage, are not the inftruments either of private luxury, felfiftinefs, pomp, and con- fequence, but a moji folemn and facred triift, for which a ftri(5l account muft be given when all our accounts are rendered up before the great Judge of all men, and from the abufe of which, efFe61s of the moft extended, lamentable, and malignant nature to learning, piety, and morals, muft be felt by the whole flock of Chrift. But as they afford (and what does not afford) grounds for abufe, fo do they on the contrary open the faireft field for the exercife of every Chriftian grace and K 2! virtue.
132 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
virtue. Humility is brought forth by pof- feffion of rank, munificence by weah;h, ab- ftinence by plenty, meeknefs by exaltation, forbearance by power. Caution, we admit, is neceilary, and a poietratmg and conjiant .conviction that for all thefe things " God " will call the pofleiTors into judgment ;" but alfo that " if they are faithful unto " death, He will give them a croMn of life." However, in the mod flourilhing ftate of the Church, /e^z^^ can be called to this envied and dangex'ous fuperiority . 1 1 is through the fafer, though iharper conflict of tribulations and afflictions that perhaps a major ifi/ of Chrift's Minilters juu/t pals through the wildernefs of this world, to " fhat reft uhich mcaiteth the *' people of God".
Precious, therefore, in the fight of God, of their country, and of all good men, will be the labours and perfons of thofe whom his providence has deftined to what in this world only will be confidered the fubordinate offices of the Cliurch of Chrift. For be it w'ell and conftantly recollected, — that all external and apparently more magnificent parts of the eccleliailical fabric, — all the gradations of its orders, — all the authority and dignity of its
hierarchy,
rOR THE SONS'OF fllE CLERGY. 135
hierarchy, — all the decent fplendour of its ceremonies, — all the llibiidiary exertions of the learning, the acutenefs, and the ability of its a^dvocates, are but as means to an end, to which if they contribute not, they are in truth the moft infignificant things which can be con- ceived. The end and purpofe of all is, THE
ADVAlSrCEMENT OF CiIRISt's SPIRITUAL INWARD KINGDOM IX THE HEARTS OP
MAN ; the efFe6tual operative difplay of this elementary, conftituent propofition, on which hang all the law and the prophets, the Church and the Gofpel, namely, "That God was " IN Christ, iiEcoxciLiNG the w^orld
" unto himself, not IMPUTING THEIR
TRESPASSES UNTO THEM.
In the immediate exercife of this miniflry of reconciliation, and an application of it to the hearts of men, were thefe holy perfons, for whole orphan progeny we now requeft your bounty, aSilveh/ employed. Theirs it was to preach the Gofpel to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, not fo much to rejoice with thofe that rejoice, as to weep with thofe who weep : to be partakers of the tribulations of the Gofpel ; to carry the triumphant ban- kers of tlie crofs into the chilling penury and K 3 defolation
134 FOR THE SONS OF THE GLERGY.
defolation of a cottage ; theirs to bear the terrors of the Lord to rough, fiillen and boif- terous offenders ; to fnatch the moment of pain or danger to perfuade men ; theii's to open the welUfpring of comfort to eager, anxious penitents, trembUng between the two ftages of exiftence in time and in eternity ; to intercept defpair, and to reprefs prefymption ; to fupport the dying, and to warn the hving ; theirs in this work to face the inclemency of the feafons, to brave the contagion of pefti- lential maladies in prifons and lazar houfes ; theirs to perform all this to the poor and friendlefs, and by the unremitting exertions of body and mind, foul and fpirit, through the might of Chrift, to abate the bitternefs of the curfe by which " Sin came iyito the world, and " death by Sin." Still more, theirs it is, to difcharge fuch duty in the midft of ob- fcurity and retirement, where no obfervation of the Great follows, no earthly hope en- courages, no human applaufe cheers or deba/es their labors. Their only witnefs is God, and their confcience, and their only return the prayers of thofe they comfort and ferve, and the expe6lation of that recompence which awaits them at the refurre(5lion of the
juft,
FOR THE SONS Of THE GLEPwGi. 135
juft. Surely iuch men " are the messen- " GERs OF the Churches and the *' GLORY OF Christ."
Of theie men, lively muft be the confola- tions in life, and when they themfelves lie clown on the bed of hcknefs or of death, great muft be their hope in God, and unfpeakable thofe fupports which they have fo often mi- niftered to others : an anxiety ftill however remains with them ; an anxiety connected with the moil heavenly affections in the hu* man frame. Surrounded as they are by their widow ed partner and their weeping progeny, on them they caft their laft earthly regards. They lament not that their lot, like that of their parent, is humble and obfcure, but an agonizing thought intervenes, left in this chequered world of woe and temptation, the preffures of want iliould bear too hard upon tliem, and that they ihould for any pains of poverty tall from God. They fear for the dangers of youth and deftitution, and in the laft parting look they caft upon them, they tremble for thole nameleis and numberlefs dangers to which the unprotected innocence, particularly oi female orphans, ftands expoled. Of fuch men, in fuch moments, recollect
K 4 every
136 FOR THE SONS OF THE CLERGY.
every donation of 3'oiirs muit foolh the ago- nies. They will be encouraged in life, and comforted in death, by knowing that there is no decay in this charitable intlitution, and that after all their affli^lions which ftill re- main behind in the flefh are confummated in them, that they have left thefe their deareft legacy in the hands of a merciful God, pity- ing benefa6iors, and a grateful country,
May the protection of Almighty God be for ever with his Church, uniting all orders and degrees in thefe kingdoms in one com- mon link of faith, hope, and charity ; by his good providence may it be tranfmitted to the lateft pofte'rity ; and when it is deftined to pafs from its militant to its triumphant ftate, jnay every foul who hears me, by their ex- panded charity beftowed on this occafion, through the grace, and in the name of the Saviour of the world, " Jiiid mercy i)i " that daij."
NOTES.
NOTES.
HxpS'imv' iyu yxff a [xci/on ^i^riuxi aXXot, v.xi uiro^xvuv nz
jaaJpofi. c. 21. V. 13.
$o§8joiai yxp J|Uwv AFAITHN f/.n auTJi j(/.£ a^jxtia-ij. 'T[Aiv yap iv^ipig itrriv o ^iXetb Tiroivtrxiy {[xoi ^e S\j<Ty.oKov (anv T8 0£8 £7r»TUp(^£»i' ixv Trip UjM.£ij ^£J0"£6£ /lAa. Igncitii
Epijiola ad Romanos,
(b) Of the firft of thefe great men, IMartyn' Luther, Bishop Atterbury gives the follow- ing mallerly character, for tranfcribing* which few of my readers will think any apology neceffary, particularly as the tra6l from whence it is taken is very fcarce, and in ^ew hands.
" IVIartin Luther's life was a continual warfare, *■ he was engaged againft the united forces of the '* Papal world, and he ftood *the fliock of 'em ** bravely, both with courage, and fuccefs. Af- " ter his death, one would have expected, that " generous adverfarics fliould have put up their ♦* pens and quitt.ed at leaft fo much of the quarrel ^* as was perfonal. But on the contrary, when *^ Ihs doctrines grew too flrong to be Ihook by
" hi.';
138 NOTES.
his enemies, they perfecuted his reputation ; and by the venome of their tongues fufficiently convinced the world, that the rehgion they were of allowed not only- prayers for the dead, but even ciirfes too. — He was a man certainly of high endowments of mind, and great virtues : he had a vaft underftanding, which rais'd him up to a pitch of learning un- known to the age he liv'd in : his knowledge in fcripturcs was admirable, his elocution manly, and his way of reafoning with all the fubtilty that thofe honeft; plain truths, he deli- vered, would bear: His thoughts were bent al- ways on great defigns, and he had a refolution fitted to go thro' with 'em : The alTurance of his mind was not to be fliook, or furpriz'd ; and that '7rxppri(not of his (for I know not what elfe to call it) before the dyet at Worms, was fuch as might have become the days of the Apof- tles. His life was holy, and, when he had lei- {"ure for retirements, fcvere : his virtues active chiefly, and homilitical, not thofe lazy fullen ones of the Cloylter. He had no ambition but in the fervice of God : for other things, neither his enjoyment, nor willies, ever went higher than the bare conveniencies of living. He was of a temper particularly averfe to covetoufnefsy or any bafe fni ; and charitable even to a fault, without ref])e6t to his own occafions. If among 2 '' this
XOTES. 139
" this crozcd of vh't lies a. failhig crept in, we mull *' remember that an Apoille himfelf has not " been irreprovahk : If in the body of his doc- *' trine, ouejiaw is to be fecn ; yet the greatell *' lights of the Church, and the pureft times of *' it, were, we knoM', not exa6t in all their opi- *' nions. Upon the whole, we have certainly " great reafon to break out in the phrafe of the ** prophet, and fay — Hoxv beautiful upon the " mountains are the feet of him that bringetfi *' glad tidings /"—Vide an anfwer to fome cou- fiderations on the fpirit of Martin Luther, printed at the Theatre, Oxford, 1687.
Such was the affedionate zeal which defended, and the matured eloquence which illuftrated the chara6ter of the patriarch of the reformation, M'hen Atterbury had not compleated his twen- ty-fourth year ! It can only ceafe to intereft us when the memory of the reformation itfelf, the principles on Avhich it was effedted, and the eoii- fequences which flowed from it, are, with every otheV valuable confideration, obliterated in our hearts, beyond the poilibility of revival or re- covery.
(c) That any fuch reproach iLould have been ever call upon the Englilli Church, feems almoft incredible to tjiofe who have confidered the grand principles of its conftructiouj or the general and
almoft
140 NOTES.
almoft unvaried tenour of the fentiments of its- moil diftinguiOied writers. Before we give up the idolatjy and antichnjtiamfm of Popery, we muft unlearn all the lelfons v/e have been tauaht hy TiLLOTsoN, Stillingfleet, H. ]\Iore, Mede, Clarke, Warburton, IIurd, Town- son, and above all the illuftrious Sir Isaac Newton. Nor indeed, (as it is vaguely and vain- ly alTerted by fome) has Popery undergone the fmallejl alteration either in its do<5lrines or tem- per, as might be fulhciently proved from the writings of the Papifts of the prefent day, if any one has time and patience to examine them. And God knows that recent events mark as difthicllif as thofe of any preceding period, the nature and confequences of a fuperftition, to which it is im- poffible not to trace th6 greatefl part of all Eu- rope now feels and fears. The cruelty, abfurdit}?-, bigotry and wide extent of Popery, generated that Atheism to which, in the opinion of the great Chillingworth, it is conftantly allied and perfectly congenial. Thefe abufes difgufted fuperficial obfervers with that holy religion of which the Romilli faith bears the name only, and to which it exhibits the moft compkat and con- trafied oppofition. Be it well and conftantly re- membered, that it was not the decay and downfall of Popery which produced the principles of the Infidel Philofophy and Jacobinical Anarchy, but
that
NOTES. 141
that it was the abfurdity and barbarity of Papal luperilitioii which engendered that baleful and tremendous pcftilence. Let the following obfcr- vations of the President Montesquielf, in his Jingular letter to Bishop Waiiburtox, be well weiglied, and deeply confiderecj. '' Je fais ** qu'un hommc en Efpagnc, ou en Portugal, *' que Ton va bruler; ou qui craint d'etre brule, *' parcequ'il ne croit pas de certains articles de- " pendans ou non de la religion revelee, a uii ** jufte fujet de i'attaquer, parcequ'il peut avoir *' quelque efperance de pouvoir a fa defence '' naturelle." Vide Bifhop Warburton's Works, by Hurd, 7th voL If farther proof of this is re- quired, let the reader turn to the article In- qidjUion, in the Encyclopedic of Dideeot and d'Alembert, and there let him obferve what oc- cafion was given to revile the faith of Chrift, by its worft enemies to its artful and implacable op- ponents. The Abbe Barrjel, in his late Hif- tory of Jacobinifm, has flrongly and juftly de- picted the nature and confequences of the Atheiftical Syftem of Phibfophy ; but he has prudently declined pointing to its caufes. Thofe who have carefully read any authentic Hiftory of the Maflacre of St. Bartholomew, the revoca- tion of the Edid of Nantz, and the longr tiliue of fliarp and favage perfecution of the Protef- Unts in France, continued down to a period
not
142 • IfOTES.
tiot far removed from the commencement of the Revolution — thofe who learn tliat this perfecution was not only promoted in practice, but calmly and diftinclly defended in principle, by the mod diftinguiflied of the Gallican Prelates in their writings, (and particularly by Bossuet and theBifliop of Agen) — whoever is informed of all this, will not wonder that thofe to whom the blelfed Gofpel of Chrift came only through the medium of Poper}^ fliould loofe all traces of hu- manity, *' and ihut the gates of mercy on man- *' kind." God be praifed, what we receive is not from Man, but from God ; we read it in his in- fp'ired word, genuine and uncorrupted, enlighten- ing the underftanding, and foftening the affec- tions of man. Notwithftanding therefore the turbulence of the times, and the miferable delu- iion into which part of our nation has been fe- duced, I truft that the principles of firm loyalty, Chrillian mercy, and focial benevolence, will never be eradicated from this Protestant land. It is a matter of fnigular fatisfaclion to every true Proteftantj that a fubje6t, from a variety of caufes, too long out of view, has been recalled to our attention in an epifcopal charge of uncom- mon a^bihty, by the prefent Biiliop of Lincoln, (Dr. Peetyman). His Lordlliip moft juftly at- tributes the cruel excefles of French Atheifm to the genius of the antecedent fuperftition.
His
NOTES. 143
His LorcKhip obferves, "There is one material " difference between Popery and Proteftantifm, ** which I am willing to think furniflies fome " ground for hope, that Engh'linncn can never be ** guilty of fuch enormities as have been com- " mitted in France. It is among the maxims of " Popery, hy forbidding the reading of the Scrip- *' tares, and by perf (tinning the religious /ervices in ** an unhwxcn language, to keep the lower 7Ytnks " of maiikind in extreme ignorance : hence their •' minds, enflaved by a blind fuperjiition, arepecit" *' Uarly liable to receive any evil impreffioiis; and *' they become, in the hands of ill-defigning men, ** fit injtrumentsfor the wojft of purpofes. But, " can it be believed that perfons, whofe minds " have been enlarged and improved by the niild ** and benevolent fpirit of the Gofpel, who have *' been accuftomed to join in the truly devout *^ prayers of our admirable Liturgy, and who " have imbibed a juft fenfe of their duty from " the unerring Word of God ; can it be believed^ •' that men brought up in thefe habits, and blef- " fed with thefe advantages, will ever diveft *' themfelves of the common feelino-s of huma- *' nity, fet at defiance the IMajefty of Heaven, *' and trample upon all the facred obligations of " morality and religion?" — ^Thefe are indeed fentiments truly becoming a Proteftant Bifliop, and worthy of the fnigular penetration, the ma- ture
144 NOTES.
ture judgment, and refle6ling habits of that ex- emplary and highly efteemed Prelate.
(d) Two days after the Commons voted "That *• the thanks of the Hoiife fliould be given to " the Clergy of the Church of England " who had refufed to read in the Churches the " King's declaration for toleration." — Rapins Hijl t'oL 2. p. 786\
(e) The titular Cilhop of Waterford, in Ire- land, (Dr. Hussey) has lately publilhed a paftoral letter, addrelTed to the Popifli Clergy of his Dio- cefe, (printed for Coglan, Duke-ftreet, Grof- venor-fquare). I make no obfervations upon it, and only earneftly recommend it to general pe- lufal. I leave the readers of it their own impar- tial and inevitable conclufions. Political men may learn 7Jiuch from it ; and I think Protejlants cannot but adopt the conclufion of the very learned, able, and pious Mr. R. Churton, in his preface to Archdeacon Townson"s poft- humous trails. " In regard to ourfelves, the " fingularly favoured inhabitants of thefe iflands, •' few periods in our annals feem to have called " for vigilance more loudly than the prefent ; ** when exiles humanely foftered, and natives ** juftly tolerated, the common fons of one and *' the fame idolatrous, infidious, and fanguinary " Church, are exerting, in fupport of a declin-
NOTE S. 145
** Ing caufe, all their ufual art, and more, if pof* ." fible, than their ufual induftry. When the *' enemy is awake and adive, thofe within the *' fortrefs ought not to flumbcr."
(f) The fyfteni of modern Socinianiftn, as no\y refined and fublimated by Dr. Priestley^ MeffrS. LiNDSEY, pVANS, &c. &c. confift$ merely of a train of whimfical paradoxes, which are in truth, (as I have once before had occafion to obferve) mere abortions of the mind ! ftrangc without originality, dull without fobriety, flippant without wit, and contagious without allurement. Nothing perhaps, but its (ingular and almoft in- variable combination with the fadtious principles of a political party, could have prevented it froni tranfmigrating quietly into profeifed Deifm, of dying away by its own exility and decay.
(g) That this is no exaggerated ftatement will be fully admitted when we recolle6l the names of Bifhops Butler, Chandler, Sherlock, Cony- bear, — of Bentley, Clarke, SkeeTon, Ad- dison, West, Littleton, Powel, S. Jenyns, &c. Nor will pofterity forget the labours of the Ihmg defenders of Chriftianity, the Right Re- verend and acute author of the Criterion *, the Horcn PauUnie of Dr. Pa ley, and perhaps above all, the original vein of thought, and ftupcndous
* Dr. J. Douglas, Lord Biihop of Salilbury*
L erudition
146 NOTES.
erudition of the venerable Jacob Bryant. This jlJuftrious LAYMAN has in his Analysis of An- cient Mythology exhibited fuch a con fpi ra- tion of evidence in confinnation of the Mofaick Hillory, drawn from the moft recondite receffes and moft widely diftant regions of antiquity, as I beheve cannot be equalled in the beft and mofl flourifliing ages of facred literature,
(h) I have no hefitation in acknowledging that fome reflexions caft by a noble Lord, (the Earl of Lauderdale) a fhort time before this Sermon was preaclied, in a very high alTembly upon the profeffional exertions of the Englifh Clergy, and the diftribuiion of its revenues, as compared and contrailed with the Scotch Churchj ^ave rife to this obfervation. But in truth fucU ComparifonS; at no time judicious or charitable, are peculiarly jnifplaced at the prcfent moment, when the temper of thefe two Protellant Churches have long been growing to a perfect and mutual amity, efteem and affection. I am perfuaded there are few (very few) Minifters of the Englifh Church who are not moft ready tio exprefs the Ti)o(i unqualified regard and refpe6l for the eflablifljed Church of Scotland. L^pon their own principles^ the Englifli Clergy cannot but lament that the Church of Scotland has receded from the epifcopal regimen, a feature of Chrif- tjan antiquity, fo permanent, unvaried, and
uniform
NOTES. 147
uniform from the earlieft apoftolic times, down to the very dawning of the reformation. A feature which Dean Swift m oft admirably and tcmps.ratdy alTerts to be '* abfolutely neceflary to the pcrfec- *' tion {not to the exifienct) of a Chriftian church." But though we find not this, yet other ftrong marks of excellence we gladly difcern, and freely ackno^\'tedg•e. The Qiurch of Scotland is Pa- TiENS OPEBUM PARvoQUE ASSUETA. Primitive marks furely ! And indeed when we confider the vigilant exertions, the conftant refidence of her laborious clergy, the effectual and general diffu- (ion of religious knowledge among the lower ranks of the people, the regular inftitution, well directed courfe of lludy, and the public and folemn ex- amination, and previous profeffional knowledge which is indifpenfibly required in thofe who are admitted to the facred Miniftry, we cannot but hold fuch a Church as worthy of the higheft refpe6t and veneration ; we cannot but highly efteem and embrace our brethren in one common Lord, and hail them, in the language of the pureft antiquity,
AfTTra^flat J^oia:? ij hyxTTn ruv aJ'fXf wv— Xapjf vuiv
J.§ PISGOURSE
■-'■' ■ -■■■-'. ■ t ^ .'] i. 111. .Luirfcr
DISCOURSE V.
riMM
PSALM ih IL
" REJOICE WITH TREMBLING.
I N the difpenfations of Almighty God to the national communities of the earth, when compared with his dealings with 'particular fnen^ although we find a fufficient degree of analogy to enable us to refer them to their genuiile fdurcej yet notwithftanding, circum*. (lances of ftrong diffimilarity are to be traced* Undoubtedly the movements of God's Pro- vidence are fteady, uniform, and confiftent to man in his individual as well as in his col- le6tive capacity. No event can t9.ke place in either of thefe, but according to the operation of caufes fixed and predetermined in thi^ Divine counfels, and directed to ends of con- L 3 fummats
150 REJOICE WITH TREMBLING.
fummate wifdom, mercy, and goodnefs. Ife is fuperfluous to obferve, that what is gene- Tally called chance^ accident^ fortune^ dejiiny, can have no place whatever in the life and concerns of man. No chafm or fpace for them occurs even for a moment. The admif- iion of thefe empty and unmeaning names, into the language rather than the opinions of -various feds among the- Heathen philofo- phers, was moll juilly expofed, and repro- bated by one of the moft animated and poig- nant of the fatirifts of antiquity (a). But in the infinite variety of circumftances in Avhich individuals are placed, the fecret hand of the Almighty, however eafily traced by re- flexion and confideration, is often hid from the eyes of men. Not unfrequently indeed, by the intoxication of ambition, the delufion of paffion, the flutter and debility of felf-con- ceit, and above all, by the obduracy of guilt, the mercies and judgments of the great moral .Governor of the Univerfe are entirely over- looked, even by thofe who adually experience them. The marks fet by him upon private men, are with their bodies call into the grave ; and their crimes or virtues (even when they .are fo recorded) are written only in the
memories
^■^
REJOICE -^Virir TREMBLING. 151
tnemories of thofe who lived with them, or regiflered iii the ** fleftily tables" of each man's confcience. But the great features of the Divine adminiftration to communities are incomparably more diftind and prominent. It is not to the Jewish nation alone, that the " arm of the Lord was revealed" in the tem- poral efFe6i:s of obedience to his will, or re-^ volt from his government. The whole courfe of hiftory ihews, the unbroken tenor of events demonftrates, all experience irreliftibly evinces, that the efFe6l3 of hisjufticeor mer- cy, are as regular and determinate, as the movements and laws of the material fyftem. Whether by the undifturbed progrefs of na- tural caufes, or by the miraculous interpofi.- tions recorded in Holy Scripture, his purpofes are equally fulfilled. In both thefe cafes, in Almighty God there is " np variablenefs or " fliadow of change/' One fmiple and uni- verfal law flretches through the wideft ex- panfe of his moral creation, " all tilings wor-k " together for good, to thofe who love and ''fearHi?n"
The reafons of this diverfity of the Divine
difpenfations to Nations and Individuals,
would, I am perfuaded, if we followed the
L 4 train
151 RtJOICE W-rtH TREMBLING*
trai^l of thought the fubjed fuggefts, appeaf to be founded in the deepeft wifdom. Itwould be evident, among various other confider- ations, that without the vifible and palpable exertions of his might, the frenzy of man, when augmented by concert, and inflamed by reciprocal example, would exceed all the bounds which the prelervation of his crea- tures demands. " At divers times" therefore, *• and in fundry mminers,'* his power has ob- ^ fervably interpofed, that " the nations of the *' earth may fee<i and know, and conjider to- •' gether, that the Lord hath done this, and ♦* the Holy One of Ifrael created it" ■' But we truft that the general inveftigation of this important fubje6t is fuperfluous to thofe before whom I am now called to fpeak. By the very a6t of aflembling themfelves by pubHc authority, they admit the general prin- ciple adverted to, and acknowledge the general duty founded upon it. It therefore appears expedient to endeavour (for I fear it can be Only an endeavour) to confider the magnitude of that particular interference, which the mercy of the Almighty has fhewn in behalf of thefe kingdoms, as a juft foundation of na- tional joy, and to mark the diredion of it
which
ItfijblCE WITH TREMBLING. 153
which the Holy Pralmifl (who had abundantly experienced both for himfelf and his people ib many providential interpofitions) points out to us, -namely, that it (hould be exhibited " in trembling,"
The calamities and diftra6llons, which the French- Revolution -has for many years paft fpread over the greateft part of Europe, have extended their operations, and confequences, far beyond the limits to which former experi- ence could point, or ordinary fagacity could predi6l. It is true indeed, that very fanguine, though indefinite, hopes were raifed in the brealls of thole, who faw in the very germ of the plaufible and metaphyfical abflradions, by which this tremendous moral peftilence was ulhered into open day, that it promifed fuch a rich harveft of mifchief, that its prin- ciples were at all hazards to be fupported, and its pra6iices, by every poffible exertion and artifice, promoted and defended. Men of iharp wits and beggared fortunes early faw, that under the thin difguife of liberty and fraternity, fuch confufion would enfue, as might probably lead to their real and favourite ^roje6t; that is, to a repartition of property in jevert/ nation in Europe, Add to this, that
the
154 UEJ-CICI: M'lTH TRESfBLT^J'a.
relaxed and morbid ftate of morals through* out Europe, incalculably aided and accelerated .the progrefs of the evil. The debility, the difcord, the private and felfiih views of many of thofe Continental Powers, who attempted to countera6; this revolutionary fyftem by force of arms, and the treachery of many of the inftruments in whom they confided, fo baffled and enfeebled every effort to oppofe the common enemy, that a train of the moil unprofperous events enfued ; and in the ifluc of the conteft, the moft flouriihing, fertile, and opulent countries, in very diftant regions of the world, became in their turns the vie* tims of infult, violence, and depredation. Of French principles, and of French force, it may feelingly be faid, " the land is as the " garden of Eden before them, and behind " them a defolate wildermfs/'
It is fufficiently obfervable, that thofe who begun their career by hypocritically difclaim* ing every deiign of increaiing the territorial acquifitions of France, have proje6led, and in no fmall degree actually compaiTed, a plan and fyftem of foreign fubjugation, of which the dominion of ancient Rome, the incurfion of the barbarous hordes upon its decaying
empire.
KJEJOlCt WITH TREMBLING. 155
empire, and even the wide fweep of Oriental conqueft, exliibit but a faint idea, and a dif- proportionate refemblance.. Convulfive force has been aided by the moft refined artifice. The pohcy of Jefuits has been combined with the frenzy of Maniacs. From craft and vio- lence fo dire6ted and exerted, effe6ls have flowed moft fignally deplorable. The Scrip- tures alone can fupply us with language ade- quate to a deicription of the condition of the wretched countries ravaged, fubdued, and oc- cupied by tlie French armies. " Behold the *' tears of fuch as were opprefled, and fheif " Iiad 710 comforter ! and on thejide of their ** opprejfors there was power, hut they had " no comforter, IV Iter ef ore I praifed the *' dead which are already dead, more than the *' Uvino' which are yet alive. Yea better is *' he than both they, which hath not hee7u *' who hath not feen the evil work which is " done under the fun!"
Let it not be forgotten, that by the utipro- voked aggreflion of the enemy this country was originally involved in the prefent conteft, the moft ftridly jufiifiahle and legitimate, m the eyes of God and man, of any which hif- tory has recorded : and it has been marked ' . in
lo^ nzJOlCt WITH tRB^^BLIi^^J-
in its progrefs by ah honourable and nccef- iary endeavour to avert from herfelf, and the reft of the civihzed world, the moft difaftrous evils, and to counteract the principles in which they originated.
To thofe who did not obftinately reiift^ ot affeci to refill, the ftrongeft evidence of fa6ls^ the real charatiler of the French Revolution muft, from the moment it began to interpofe in the concerns of other nations, have com-* pletely developed itfelf. This fpeciiie and precife form and lliape, under which it now appears, it affumed at a very early period. Yet dekifion upon this head was every where attempted, and even in this country was fof a fhort period not without fome profelytesl- The effefts of thefe events were reprefented to teem with the moft kindly and beneficial confequences, extending to all nations, and languages, and people. Ear other views of this unparalleled iyftem were adopted even itl its incipient ftages, by the wifdom and fore- fight of the Britifh iegiftature, and with fomtf inconliderable exceptions, very generally ap*- proved by that found and ftrong fenfe^ which chara6terifes the great body of the Commonalty of this jland. It is now
placed
REJOICE WITH TREMBLING. J57
placed by recent events, out of the power even of fa6lion to controvert, that we have contended even from the beginning, for no lefs an objed than ou-- national exist- ence ; and that we have been difcharging a high and indifpenfable duty to ourfelves, our relatives, our pofterity, and to the whole hu- man race. If the world, in its moft diftant quarters, has been preferved from one over- whelming tyranny and ruin, it muft be afcribed to the firmnefs, the magnanimity, and conftancy, which it hath gracioufly pleafed Almighty God (from whom alone is every good and perfeft gift) to impart to the counfels of this nation, and to the courage, enterprize, and a6livity, with which he haa fo largely endowed thofe who have been called to defend it in arms. Our ftruggle hath afliiredly been iharp, our perils immi- nent, and our facrifices great and many. Yet amidft all we have fuftained, and all which may ftill remain behind to be fuftained by us, it cannot but be moft legitimately grateful to an Englifh heart to recolle6i;, that amidfl the humiliation and difcomfiture of every Ally originally engaged in this conteft, amidft the yarious reveries and overthrows which have 5 been
I$8 REJOICE WITH TEEMBirjTG.
been experienced by moil of the furrounding nations, however varied in their circum-» fiances and diverfified in their forms of go- vernment, that although this nation was left jtngly to fupport a conteft to which the reft of Europe was found to be unequal ; yet, that in eteiy region of that element on which the power of Great Britain, its riches, and its greatnefs are founded and eftablilhed, the viftories wrought for us during the prefent confli6i, {hould, in fplendour, magnitude, and importance, exceed the moft fignal of thofe which preceded them in our annals. But if in giving fcope to our thoughts, and carrying them forward to a contemplation of the peculiar circumftances which belong to one of the leading events we now devoutly comme- morate ; if in confidering, that near that very region famed from the moft remote anti^ quity — vifited by the Patriarchs — the long fojourn of God's chofen people — the witnefs of his divine power, difplayed in figns and wonders and an outftretched arm — and above
allj HONOURED BY THE INFANT PRE- SENCE OF THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
— rendered venerable by the origin of letters, arts, and fciences — fignalized by the moft im^
porta nt
31EJ0ICE WITH TREMBLING. 159
portant tranfa6iions and confli6ls in Greek and Roman ftory ; if in recollc6ling that even there., within the view of that ancient
RIVER, THE RIVER NiLE, the prowcfs of
the Britifh Navy ftiould perhaps have decided (I hope I do not prefume in iaying) the fate of the univerfc ; that it Ihould there have curbed the furioufncls of an exuhing Heathen, *' who imagined a vain things' — ^whb had broached his commiffion in blaiphemy, and, as ufaal, marked his way in blood (b) — who had vinted cities, for centuries pad embofomed in peace, with indifcriminate mafracre and pil- lage— If, I fay, if in contemplating of all this, w^e ihould be fondly inclined to glory, to ufe the language of the great Apoftle, we
ihould " BE POOLS IN CILORYING.'* Let
us carry our thoughts to the foot-ilool of that throne, where the conihmmate Christian Hero, who was the inilrument of this great deliverance to his country and mankind, car- ried his afpirations. Nurfed in hereditary piety, and trained by the early leilbns of a venerable parent, whom God has graciouily preferved to an extended period of life, to be the wit- nefs of his fon's atchievements, he has been foond ia the very fluili of vi6tory, to have
fully
l60 REJOICE WITH TREMBLINa,
fully afcribed the glory unto God. Therefore " Let the Lord alone be exalted in this day,'* Let HIM whofe God is dejiini/, and whofe fword has made fo many women childiefs^ beware, left " the days of recompence ftiould " be come ;" left, in the language of the Prophet, " Egypt gatlier up his armies^ and " Memphis bury them '^ J'
Nor can we, in grateful recollection, omit a confideration of the other great deliverance, which under the fame kind and .watchful Providence, Almighty God has operated, by the intrepid a6tivity of our naval commanders and the valour of our feamen, upon the coaft; of Ireland. Into whatever quarter we di- Te6l our views, the Britilh Navj- prefents it- felf as our appropriate and appointed bulwark. Had not the unwearied vigilance of our fleets intercepted the liiccours, with which our fo- reisjn eneni}' had intended to aid the progrefs of revolt, our liiter illand muft have experi- enced horrors to which all it has already pre- vioully undergone, would have been but flight precurfors. Scenes equal in extent and .atrocity to thofe which our forefathers wit- ^efled m that kingdom, in the middle of tlie laft century. But I hope and truft, that it
has * Hofea ix. 6.
JIEJOICE \VITH TREMBLING. l61
has pleafed God to " JJiorten the tribulation *' of fhofe days, without z^hich nofleJJi could *' have heenfavedy Liberty muft have been buried under (tern republican defpotifm, and an infoient ufurpation muft have overwhelmed our laws, government, and religion.
Grateful then fliould we be, that Almighty God appears to have raifed and compacted ■a confederacy of all good men, in defence of all that is dear to us ; that thofe who endea- voured to millead, delude, and diftra6l their fellow fubje6ls, and to deliver them over, through the medium of anarchy, as a prey to foreign fubjugation, have been bafiied in all their efforts, and ciilconcerted in all their pro- je6lsj by the wifdom of our counfel, aided by the difcernment and fortitude of the people.
Grateful are we, that God has continued "to us for fo long « period, during thefe tre- mendous contli6fs, a Sovereign who reigns BEYOND EXAMPLE, I believe, in the hearts of his people ; who, to a moft merciful, mild, and paternal difpofition, has united the firm-* 'nefs, courage, and magnanimity which could alone have preferved the liberty and inde- pendance of the Britifh nation at this arduous^ • conjun6lure ; to whom the language of the k M facred
l02 REJOICE WITH TREMBLING.
facred Scriptures may without exaggeration be applied ; " like unto him there was no king " before him, that (in an age of decay and " apoftacy) turned to the Lord zmth all his ** foul, and with all his might, according to *' all the law of his God"
In revoking all thefe, among various other mercies of the author of all good, for his mercies to us are on everi/ lide, it be- comes us to beware, that this our facrifice of praife be performed with ferioufnefs and with trembhngi The mercies of God, if duly reflected on, are the moft awful of all his difpenfations ; if flighted, or defpifed, or abufed, they are converted into the moll Iharp and iignal punifliments. Great are the dangers we have ftill to encounter, and llupendous are the obftacles we have yet to furmount, calling for every refource of cou- rage, Ibbriety, patience, energy, and activity. There is much awe which arifes from a con- fideration, that the deliverance of our native land has not been efFe6ted without the lofs of fo many of our brave and beloved country- men. It is our fpecific duty fo " to rejoice " with thofe .that rejoice," that we " weep " with thoje that zceep." That the aged pa-
rents^
REJOICE WITH TREMBLING. l6S
rents, the widows and orphans, who cannot joy in the general joy, do receive from us not only the cafual confolation of the moment, but every kindly office in the general inter- courfe of focial life. " Our right handjhould " fooner forget its cunnings' than that we fliould ever forget, that it is owing to the re- latives of thefe poor widows and orphans that our wives are not widows, and our children fatherlefs, and that the progrefs of an in- fulting and pitilefs foe, is not marked in this favoured Ifland by blood, rapine, and delb- lation.
Lailly, the virtues of fuch men, either of thofe who have fallen in the arms of victory, or thofe whom the providence of God has preferved for farther glorious exploits, fliould warn us in our refpe6live fiations, how high a duty we feverally are called to fulfil. By conlidering the bravery and refolution of thofe " who have refifled unto blood,'' who have CHEARFULLY facrificcd even their lives to the fervice of their country, we Ihall be furely inclined to fuftain thofe burdens, and to make thofe meaner facrifices which the country loudly demands at our hands. To promote and fupport with zeal, fearleflhefs, and ac- M 2 tivity,
l6ri? REJOICE WITH TEEMBLIN'G.
tivity, thofe principles by which alone the dehverance we now commemorate can be made beneficial to us ; we (liall furely engage in our Chriftian and civil warfare with equal zeal, courage, and conilancy. But above all I truft, that neither the conceit of any thing that is wife, nor the confidence of any thing that is ftrong in us, will any way withdraw us from the moft proftrate acknowledgement of God's goodnefs to us, and from a convic- tion that " all the inhabitants of 'the earth " are nothing" in his fight ; — " from praifing '' and honouring him who liveth for ever and " ever,,whofe dominion is an everlafting do- " minion, and M^hofe kingdom is from genera- . " tion to generation ;" who " doeth according '" to his will in the army of Heaven, and " among the inhabitants of the ear.th." " Blessed then," (in the name of the Britiih nation) " be the Lord God of
" ISRAEL, from everlasting to EV'ER-
" LASTING ! May he, the God op ouA *' forefathers, be our guide unto ** death!"
NOTES.
NOTES.
(a) ^TSIS xon EIMAPMENH otuwoffroiTOty naV
OiAOSo^nN sTnvon^iuToc. Luciaii Deorum. Synecl.
(b) Of the favage cruelties committed at Alex- andria, without diltiiiclion of age or fex, the in- tercepted difpatchcs exhibit moft ftriking and im- portant documents.
m3 DIS-
DISCOURSE VI,
2 ST. PETER ii. 17«
•* LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD, FEAR GOD, HONOR THE KING/'
XT is very certain, that the only foundation of true benevolence, and all the long trairi of comforts connected with it, is to be found in the Gofpel. Man is there bound to man by real, genuine, and fubftantial obligation. Other principles of brotherly love, which have been propofed by thofe who never heard of Jefus Chrift, or having heard, neverthelefs have reje6led him, are fhadowy, vague, and ineffe6live. This would be abundantly evi- dent, if I were to lay before you the miferable artifices, and poor plauiibihties, of thofe, who Vinder a pretence of promoting fentiments ^l 4» of
l68 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES OF
of benevolence, have only pandered to thoio* wretched paffions, and promoted that de- plorable Jicentioufnefs, which has in its ope- ration carried difcord, havock, and htilery among mankind, (a)
On the contrary 5 the inspired Apostle when he fpeaks of brotherly love, lays it upon fuch foundations as cannot be moved. He connects it with social subordination and RELIGIOUS principle. " Love the ^' Brotherhood — What follows; '" fear^ •^ God,'' " HONOR THE King?" A con- nexion which the prefent pofture of affairs, and the artifices of wicked and delionino- men, render it the peculiar and moft binding duty of every faithful Minifter of Chriil, to bring to the ferious confideration of thofe conimitte4 to their charge.
When the peace and order, nay the exift-s ence of all legitimate government is menaced by Sedition, conne6led with and founded on Atheifm ; furely the Minifters of Chrift have a duty to perform to God and their Con« fciences, their King and their Country. Great muft be their condemnation, if, from profligate indifference, from fenfual indolence, from fear of obloquy, of violence, or ever*
death
LaVING THE BROTHERHOOD, <Scc. 1^5
death itfelf, they '\/Inai to declare to you the ^« zi^hole counfel of God."
That the voice of God in his revealed word is fufficiently decilive, both with re- gard to their duty and yours, I hope and truft you will recolle6t that 1 abundantly proved in the difcourfe which I felt it to be rny duty to deliver to you foon after the if-» fuing of his Majefty's gracious Proclamation. The unparalleled eourfe of events which have fince that period arifen, the defigns and opi- nions to which they have given birth, per- fuades me that your bell interefts, both in time and eternity, are if pofiible more con- cerned in the fentiments you may adopt, and the meafures you may follow at the prefent moft awful crilis, than even at the period when I laft addrefied you. 1 am neverthelefs periuaded, and the late public declaration of your fentiments gives me the comfortable af- furance, that my talk is rather to confirm the honeft and the upright, than to confute the deluder, or to recal the deluded.
To point out then to you the ncceflaiy con- nexion of the duties of LOVING THE BRO- THERHOOD, FEARING Cod, and honor- ing THE King, with an ufeful application
to
170 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES of
to the prefent times, is the purpofe ofthefoU lowing Difcoiirfe.
i That alt Chriitians are bound, from the higheft to the loweft, notwithftanding any dif- tinftionofrank or property, TO love as bre- THREX, is moft certain. Brotherhood is a term conftantly ufed throughout the whole New Teftament as expreffive of the connexion fubfifting between Chriitians. Thus St. Paul to the Romans. " Be kindly affectioned one V" toward another with brotherly love." And to the Thefialonians, " As touching " brotherly love, ye need not that I " write unto you, for ye your/elves are " taught of God to love one ano-» *' THER.'' The tenor of the Scriptures is fo uniform, that it is ufelefs to cite many partis cular texts to this purpofe. But on what is this brotherly love founded ? Let us care- EULly obser VE. It is founded on the fol^ lowing particulars.
That we are all equally the offspring of Ahnighly G od : As St. Paul quotes to the Athenians from one of their own poets-— " For ice are alfo his ofiprino" That w^e are all, equally permitted by his unutterable condefceniion to call him " Our Father which
" art
LOVING THE BROTHEUIIOOD, &C. 171
«^ art in Heaven.'* That we are all,whateveF may be our ftation and condition, doomed to die, and to return again to our dull. That after death we are all, high and low, rich and poor, fubje6l and magiftrate, to ^'ftand before " the judgement feat of Chriji, to receive the " things done in the body, zvhether they be " good or whether they be evil." That we are all fellow travellers and pilgrims through a world of affli6lion, and a valley of tears, to an eternal repofe and reft in Heaven, That the precious blood of the Redeemer was equally fhed for all, without favor or partiality^ (for in this refpe6l God is truly no refpe6ler of perfons). That this redemption, and the fenfe of it, binds us to a6ls of unceaf- ing, perfevering, inflamed aflfeftion to the pooreft, the meaneft, and the loweft of our brethren.
On THESE particulars is founded the true Chriftian do6trine of Brotherhood; a doclrine produftive of virtue, peace, order, benevo- lence, and comfort ! But it becomes us moft carefully to obferve, that the very fame Gof- pel which inculcates this kind and ftate of Brotherhood, rejefts and condemns in the moft pointed terms thofe extravagant notions 3 of
X7'Pi CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES OF :
of Equality and Fraternity, tvhich fome meft have attempted to diiiule and propagate anion o' the inferior ranks of men in tliefe kingdoms.
Refpec"^ to the perfons of fuperiors, raifed either by the dignity of Rank, or invefted with the powers of Magiflracy, was one of the FIRST PRINCIPLES which the iVpoftles taught their converts, antl through them de- livered down for the infl:ru6lion of every fuc- ceeding age of' the Church. Thefe holy men would have re je6led with abomination the title of Apostles of Liberty, blafphemoully bellowed on certain feditious preachers of the prefent day. On the contrary, under the firm fafeguard of Religion, property and per- fonal fecurity was placed. " Let him thai *' Jiole, Jieal no more ; hut rather let him la- " hour^ working with his hands the thing " which is good, thai he may have to give to " him that needeth." Farther, not only aU fraud and violence with regard to property, but a confcientidus fubmiffion and reipecl due to our Brethre2V' in the higher ranks is moft DISTINCTLY, moft absolutely, moft REPEATEDLY enjoined. *' Render there- " fore" fays St. Paul to the Romans, *' to all
, " their 3
LOVING THE- BROTHERHOOD, 6cc. 173
" their due : tribute to u horn tribute is due,; " cujiom to zcliomcujiom; fear to whom fear;
'**• HONOR to Zo/wm HONOR. '
Chriftians, in addition to a convi6tion of the civil advantages arifing from this fpirit 'of fiibordination, are ftri^tly bound by poli- tive rehgious precept and obhgation. ^' Sub- •** 7nit yourfelves to everij ordinance af Man^ ** for the Lords fake." A moft remarkable and pointed inltance of this fubmiflioii we find in the example of the great Apoftle : When the unjuit and imperious High Prielt had ordered him to be fmitten on the moulh, Paul, with emotion, faid, " God finite thcc, " thou whited u'ull." But, upon being ad- moniflied, " Revileji thou God'sHighFrieji?" St. Paul, with the high recollected dignity of an infpired Apoftle, banilhed all human paf~ lion ; and with an immediate correction of himfelf, laid, " I zi'iji not, brethren, that hs .'*' was the High Prieji; for it is written, " Thoufialt not f peak evil of the Ruler of *' thjf People."
Here let me appeal to your underftandings •and confciences, how different are such pre- cepts and SUCH examples from thofe wild and frantic doctrines of Modern Equahty,
calcu-
176 CONNEXION OF THt DUTIES OF
calculated to level all ranks, to annihilate all property !
The doftrine of Equality, which is now by fome made the foundation of all civil govern- ment, is not only mifchievous in its operations, but completely falfe in fa6l. At no time were men born equal, at no time did they BECOME, or if they were, could they con- tinue equal. Even previous to the exiftence of civil government, this inequality exifted. It is afferted, and with the utmoll truth, by the profoundeft reafoner and matureft thinker (b) in Pagan antiquity, that man brought not Equality, but Subordination, to political fociety. The family diftinclipns of Ea- ther and Child, Husband and Wife, Master and Servant, exifted before, and prepared the way for the civil relation of Subject and Magistrate. The fame in- equality which fubfjfted in the origin, is elientially neceffary to the contimiance of the political machine. The inequality of pro- perty is the foundation of all honeft induftry and exertion ; the prote6tion of property once acquired is the only preventive of never- ceafmg bloodllied, violence, and confufion. The commoneft fenl'e muil inform us, that
the
LOVING THE B Rot HER HOOD, &C. 175
the contrary do6lrine is equally deftrii6tive of poor as well as rich. Deprive the Merchant of his opulence, and where can the numerous manufa<5lurers and their families find that plentiful and comfortable maintenance, which lies open to honeft induftry in every com- mercial town in thefe kingdoms ? Take from the Landholder his eftates, and where will the Farmer, and much more his Labourer, fly for refuge ? Where will be thole im- provements and operations of agriculture, which fuppofe, and necefiarily infer, a much larger portion of landed property than can come to any man's ihare upon an equal divi- fion ?
But it may be afked. Do not thefe inequa* lities frequently bear hard upon the lower ranks of our brethren ? Are not the means, even of the fcantiell {libfiftence, in fome cafes inacceffible to the induftrious and labouring part of the community ? and is it not an unfpeakable addition to their calamities that thole, whofe affections nature hath wound clofeft round their hearts, partake of them ? Thele, alas ! are , tiie defects not fo much of civil govtrnment^ as^ of that imperfe6l Itage of our exiflence, in,wUithi;.it hwth pieafed tiie
pro-
176 CONNEXION' OP THE DUTIES OS
providence of ^ilniighty God to place -us. Againft thefe, no form of government, how-^- ever perfect, nor civil regulations, howeve? well contrived, can provide. But Here (praifed be God) we have no abiding city, hut we feek for one which is io come. A Chriftian's perfe6l Citizenjhip (c) is properly in Heaven. There indeed (but there only) lliall men hunger no morcj nor thirjt any more — there only lliall there be no more curj'e • — there, and there only, fliall God wipe away all tears from your eyes — there only Jliall there be no more death, nor forron-, nor cry- ing; for the former things JJiall have pafjed away. But in a ftate when Sin entered intff ihe world, and Death % Sin, a Chriftian, with the enlarged views which the Gofpel alone can give him, will not, cannot expeqit a perfect fyltem of civil polity here on earth.
Undoubtedly every protection which can be afforded to the lower ranks of our bre- thren, every preventive of their diftrefs, every alleviation of the calamities which may aftually overtake them, ought to be, and will be an obje6l of primary importance with every Chriftian community. -C.J But
LOVING TIIll BROTHERHOOD, (Sec. 177
But after all mifeiy must and will remain j which can be efFettually lellencd and alle- viated, not by vilionary fchenies of ci\'il equali- zation, and of unattainable perfection, but by adiffalion and cultivation of thofe Evangelical principles and habits, which it is the direft end of the modern friends of the people to ridicule, decry, and to fubvert. Diminifli or deftroj the principles of genuine Chriftianity, and I will venture boldly to aflert, that in the fame de2;ree vou will diminifh the refources of confolation to the poor, and the motives to benevolence in the rich. It is not the doc- trine of the Rights of Man, or abfolute Equality, but it is the Precepts of THE Gospel, it is the Grace of God, carrying thole precepts into application and energy in the breaits of men, that can ani- mate the Samaritan to bind up the wounds of his neighbour ; that can arreft the luxurious, the diflipated and fenfual ; and that can con- ftrain them w ith penitential tears and foftened hearts to penetrate the receifes of miibry, to enter the poor man's hut, and to admiihlter comfort and relief to the drearineis and defo- lation of fmking humanit}^ under this irre- filtible conviftion, " That in as much as they
N " have
175 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES OF
" have done it to the leajl of their brethreif, " theif have done it unto Chriji." (d) It is from the influence of fucli habits and fuch doctrines, and not from the leilbns of faction and civil diforder, that the poor can hope for fubftantial alleviation and help. How little the lower ranks have gained from the conti- mied convulfions in France, is evident from the moll authentic accounts daily brought us of the unpitied famine, nakedneis, and diftrefs which is the lot of the induilrious poor in that devoted land.
Still LESS has been gained by the lower ranks of men in thofe miferal)le counU'ies, into which the French armies have penetrated. Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood, Was their profefiion ; T y r a n n y, Pl u n d e r, and Massacre their pmftice. Under a pretext of delivering the deluded people from the opprefiion of the nobles and the rich, thefe invaders have feized all the corn, and all the currency of thefe nations, and (topped <even the clamour of hunger by the point of the bayonet. Their wives and dauohters hav6 been fubjeft to the barbarous jail of ftrangers ; and all who had the crime of poflefiing pro- perty, are condemned to e^:lle, arbitrary im-
prifonment.
LOVING THE BROTIIERHOOr), &C. 179
prifonment, and death itfelf. Like the Ro- mans of old, where thele plunderers and tyrants bring famine, the fword, and de- ftruction, they infalt the unhappy vi6tims of their cruelty, by calling this ckfolation a flate of Libert ij.{e)
Wretched, indeed,, thofe nations upon whom God, zn'ho difpcnfethjorrow in his aiiger, has fent this dreadful Icourge ! Unutterable the guilt of thofe men who, from diftrefs of circumftances, political enmity, or that most
PROFLIGATE OF ALL PASSIOXS, THE SPLEEN OF DISAPPOINTED AMBITION,
would league with fuoii invaders for the fub-* ^erfion of this happy government, or would at leaft mifreprefent the deiigns and coun- tera6t the effeGt of thofe meaiures which are ablblutely neceilary to ward off fuch accu- mulated calamity from thefe kingdoms ! Let it be well remem bered the very existence of what is now called Government in France, depends upon the furtherance of bloodfhed and difcord over the whole face of Europe. Thefe men are formidable, hot by their ex- ternal efforts, but by their connexion with the fa6lious and feditious among thofe nations who are the objed of their enmity. Think N 2 well,
180 COXNEXION or THE DUTIES OF
-well, my brethren, on the probable conle- .quences of fuch fraternity ! Be convinced -of the folly of facrificmg every political and every commercial bleffmg, which God has fo richly ihowered down upon you, to fuch poor, fuch palpable, fuch deitructive delulions, as are now difieminated. Reflect that the French, notwithftanding their vain and boaft- ing exultation, are fuftering a punifliment, if poffible, equal to their crimes : In their Me- tropolis, that center of Mafiacre, Atheifm, and Anarchy, each recent event furpafhng in horror all that have preceded, fpeaks loudly and awfully, " that except the trUmlation of " thefe daijs Jhall he Jhortened, noflejlican ** be faved."
But this leads me to a confideration of the fecond precept contained in my text, namely, the Fear of God,
To a virtuous Heathen philofopher and hillorian it appeared perfeftly incredible, that a nation could exift in any ilage of fo- ciety, rude or civiUzed, without a fenfe of religion and the fuperintending Providence of Almighty God. Such a Hate he denied to be within the experience of the records of mankind. " It is eafier to conceive, (fays
this
Lovi^ro Tiir, BrvOTiiKRiiooD, &c. 181
this grave and mature obferver) (f) that a building can Hand without foundation, than that a political Ibciety can receive coherence and durability, if a conviction of the exiftence of God is once removed." This great truth broke even through the gloom of Pagan fuperflition, and the glimmering faint light of M-hat is commonly called Natural Reli- gion. But if fuch a circumltance appeared UNNATURAL and incredible to an Heathen, with what feelinirs of horror and awe mult we hear of thofe who, in full pofleffion of the revealed will of God, notwithftanding have proceeded in regular and deliberate order from one gradation of impiety to another ; of thofe who, after ereciing Itatues, and decree- ing funeral honors to the avowed authors of blafphemy and obfcenity, have crowned the whole, by receiving, with unbounded apr plaufe, in the very bofom of the legiflature, a propofdl to make Atheifm a part and prin- ciple of the public education of youth !
But I will not farther dwell upon a hdt fo fhocking and revolting to every virtuous mind, than juft to obfene, that they have left this moil momentous truth to fucceeding genera- tions : Tiiat where the fear of God is baniihed, N 3 the
1^3 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES OF
the love of man foon foilows ; and that the fame moment which withdraws man from his allegiance to his Creator, turns hmi out a beaii of prey, leekmg whom he may devour. Then the licentious aud depraved p^ffions fpurn and overwhelm every boundary which reafon, humanity, and pity can oppofe. Then it is that the prmciple of moral vitality is loft, and man becomes in every thing but the commiffion of fm, and the perception of mifery, a dead and putrefying carcafs ! When at the creation of the world order and harmony arofe, " the Jpirit of God moved " on the face of the waters." To him aeone is owing the fame order and harmony in the civil concerns of men. " He openeth his " hand, we are Jilled with good ; he hideth " his face, we are troubled; he taketh away " our breath, (and in a focial as ^ye\\ as natu^ " ral and religious view) we die, and return " agaiji to our duft." It is therefore no matter of furprize to a Chriftian, that after this infatuated people had difcarded all regard to the providence of Almighty God, that the dagger of the affaffin was armed, not only agaiiift all virtuous and honeft men, but alfo in a manner which it is impoffible for lan- guage
LOVING THF, BROTHERHOOD, &C, 183
guage (o aggravate, againft the unprotec-ted itate of womtii, venerable age, and the inno- cence of childhood ! From a participation of fiich crimes and Ihch calamities, may the fear of God protect us ! May this truth re- main as a principle indelibly engraven in the heart and afiei:tions of every Englifliman — - " Verily there is a God zchich rezcardeth the " righteous; doubt Icfs there is a God who " judgeth the earth. "
Laitly, by the joint refult and elte<5l of the two principles of the Love or the Bro- therhood, and the Fear of God, will be cheriilied and cultivated the indifpeniable duty of honoring the Ikcred Perlbn and Office of the Monarch, in our free and excellent Conftitution.
Brethr en ! our forefathers were efteem- ed men in their generation of great wrfdom, piety, and virtue. They were diltinguiihed among all the nations of the earth for an hatred of oppreilion, and for an unlliaken love of fober and rational liberty. Bre- thren! they underftood and polielKed hber- ty, both ci\il and religious, while that con- ceited and unprincipled people, ^¥hich modern reformers hold up as your guide and mafteri N 4 in
184 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES OF
in civil polity, lay under the bonds of the mod abjeft flavery, and in the utter darknefs of Romifli fuperftition. Brethren ! this liberty our forefathers, who had full and con- vincing experience of the tyrannical anarchy of a Republican government, wifely fecured, by continuing and perpetuating the power and office of a revered, though limited Monarch ; they wifely tempered the exceffes by which liberty hath in all other countries deftroyed itfelf, by the wifdom and prudence of an an- tient, venerable, and hereditary Ariilocracy. Under this government, notwithftanding every flight defe<5l neceflarily incident to every far brie of human conftru(5lion, the profperity and happinefs of this nation has been for the coLirfe of a century unparalleled in the re? cords of mankind.
The defeats of this noble fyllem muil bear a fmall proportion indeed to its excellencies, when they have not prevented this favoured iiland from becoming the central point where nearly the whole of the wealth, commerce, l"e- curity, and true liberty, which exifts through- out the world, have met. Let it not be forgot- ten that to thefe kingdoms the French Exiles fled for (belter from Regal opprejjion and
Papal
LOVING THE BROTHERHOOD, 5cC. 185
Papal per fecutioii, on the revocation of the ediS. of Nantz, at the clofe of the laft cen- tuiy. At the clofe of this, equal prote^ion is afforded to thofe of the fame nation, whom a vindiftive, farioiis populace, the organ of relentleis demao-oo-ues, has driven to leek a hmilar refuge on tl-tefe hofpitable Ihores ! HtTe, as far as the imperfect condition of Immanity will permit, (and may it be fo till time Ihall be no more !) " here the Kicked " ceafe from frouhlitio', here the weary are at *' rejt r Here mild and equal laAvs render the cottage of llie labourer as fecure as the palace of the noble. Here juftice is difpenfed in a pure and unpolluted ftream. And fliall all thefe ineftimable bleffmgs, all thefe pre- <:ious privileges, be endangered by fchemes of vifionary reform, projected by thofe whofc fole refuge from the ruin in which their vices aiid debaut^hery have involved them, lies not in the reform, but in the fubvcijion of the Gonltitution ? Reform is in truth a fpe- t:ious word ; but I truft every honeft man, before he gives encouragement to fuch pro- je6tors, will reflect how much may be loft, and how little can be gained, by fuch inno- yation- But if this reform, (be it of what
nature
186 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES OF
nature it may) extends to the weakening the power and influence of the Monarch, dire6lly or indirectly, will not all the advantages which arife from the nice equipoise of our admirable Conflitution be endangered with them ? At leaft, before we truft the reform of the ftate with any projectors, we have a right to expect that they fliould have extended their zeal for reformation to their own morals and habits.
Surely then all thofe who love the Bro- therhood and fear God, will feel how much it is their intereft as Citizens, and duty as Chrillians, to honor the King. I am farther perfuaded that all honeil men are fully convinced, that in addition to the value of a limited Monarchy, abftraCledly conlidered, the Perfonal Virtues of our gmcious Sovereign moft powerfully claim the united attachment and duty of his fubjecls. His mild and mer- ciful difpofition, his warm and paternal love of his people, and above all his exemplary piety and holinefs in the midft of an apoftate and adulterous generation, have fcarcely ever been equalled, and never exceeded, by the moft virtuous of his predeceffors on the throne of thefe kingdoms.
It
LOVING THE BROTHERHOOD, &C. 187
It is againlt ibch a Monarch, and againft fuch a Government, that a fcheme ot* the blackeit and mofl extended treachery had cer- tainly been laid. A deciliv e blow was nearly ftruck againlt our liberty, proiperity, and na- tional exiflence ! But thanks to Almighty God, the timely and « judicious meafures of his Majefty's Minifters, the united fpirit of loyal Alibciation, affilted by the unfliaken courage, warm patriotifm, and fuperior ad- drefs of the Chief Magilirate (g) of this Me- tropolis, have for the prefent checked and de- feated the defigns of our foreign and domeftic enemies. To the manly exertions of this laft mentioned diftinguilhed peribn it is greatly owing that your property is fafe from plun- der, the honor of your wives and daughters from brutal infolence, and your lives from the daggers of foreign affaffms. It is a mean recompence to fuch merit, that it will cer- tainly defcend to pofterity. Far more im- portant to this excellent INIagiftrate I am per- fuaded is the warm gratitude of every honed citizen, the filent, ftrong teftimony of con- fcience, and the hope of thofe rewards, end- lefs in duration and unfpeakable in value, which the Almighty has ftored in Heaven for
the
188 CONNEXION OF THE DUTIES, Scc.
the benefafilors of mankind in their genera- tion here on earth !
It remains then only for me to exhort you as Englishmen, refolved to preferve your liberty and property from domoftic treachery and plunder, and your national independence from foreign infultand attack — as Fathers and Husbands, bound to prote6lyour deareil relatives from mifery and ruin — as Chris- tians, acknoM'ledging the providence and adoring the majefty of Almighty God — to cherifli and diffufe a love and veneration for the Laws, the Conftitution, the Religion of this land; and to requeit you to join me in hearty, fervent praj'^er, that if in vindication of the juft rights of his allies, and the
DEAREST INTERESTS of his fubjects, OUr
PTacious Monarch fliould be eniraiied in a ne- ceffary conteil with our antient and bitter foes, that the Omnipotent Prote6tor of all who call on his name, may go forth as in former ages with our fleets and armies; and- that the fpeedy iffue of this conteft may be, that peace, order, piety, and good government, may not only be perpetuated in thefe kingdoms, butbcr come univerfal over the face of the earth !
NOTES,
NOTES.
(a) Of this tendency, above all others, are the WTitings of J. J. Rouffeau. The mifchief done to morality and religion by this man are beyond all calculation. The paflions in their worft excefles are painted by him in the garb of virtue, and by this means the progrcfs made in vice is moft art- fully rendered imperceptible to the unwary mind. Confcience is fiibverted, and mock principle, a thoufand times worfe than none, is fubftituted in its place. The pureft philanthropy is the profef- fion of this writer ; but the rert/purpofe and cffecl of his- writings is to diffufe a principle of ft^iti- mcntal profligacy, and canting libertinifm. And yet, notwithftanding tlie enervated languor of his ftyle, and the meannefs and poornefs of his arti- fices, his influence over the minds and habits of the age has been ftupendoiis. Thofe whofe prin- ciples have been proof againft the acutencfs of HoBBES, the fubtlety of Hume, the bombaftic farcafm of Gibbon, and the buffoonery of Vol- taire, have fallen before the effeminate and fac- titious tendernefs of Roufleau.
Viftique doHs LACRlMi^qjJE cozOl Quos neque Tydides nee Lariflaeus Achilles, Non anni domuere decern hon mille carinse.
The late Mr. Burke delineated the chara6ter of this writer with the truefl moral and political difcernment, aided by all the vivacity and fplen-
dar
190 NOTES.
dor of di6lIon, which he fo enihicntly poffefTed. The whole of his obfervatlons on the elfe^is of Rouffeau's doctrines, in his " Second Letter to a Member of the National Affembly,'' is fuperior to all praife.
(b) E« |3a(^^Xll)0jM,f^M^ yacj^ (7vvr,X^ou' Traca yap omix ^x(nhtviToii VTTO Tuv ■arpeo-QiVTOi.Tcov, Ariji. PoUt,
L 1. c. 1.
This important principle was afferted by Aris- totle,, who has developed the origin of civil fo- ciety, and traced it to its elementary principles, with an ability and reach of thought, which in my poor opinion has never been attained to fnice by any fubfequent writer on thefe fubje6ts. , Having had opportunity of long and deep experience, from obfervingtheprai^ical eifecls of the different principles of civil government in the numerous free dates of Greece; he tried Theory by Faft, and became the moft able experimental Po- litician either of ancient or modern times. ]\Ii-. Locke, on the contrary, in his Treatife of Go- vernment, is as fcanty, defective, and confined in his references to hiflorical fact, as the Greek Phi- lofopher was copious, accurate, and extenfive. This polition is maintained with peculiar fuccefs by Dr. Gillies in his Introdu6lion to the Ari- •ftotelic Philofophy, of which he has exhibited a moft valuable abftrad. — The very able, truly -learned, ai^d impor-taiit work to which I allude, v^ is
NOTESV 191
is intitlcd '^ Arlftotle's Ethics and Politics, com- prizing his Praftical Philofophy, &c. &c. by J. Gillies, LL.D." in 2 vols^ 4to. London, 1797. — ^The introdu6lion of this birX)k into our Englifli Univcdities would be attended, I am convinced, with the mod beneficial efte^ls.
(c) Phillippians, c. <iii. v, 20. The word •sToXiTux is weakly and erroneoufly tranflated in the common verfion Converfation ; by which the noblencfs and aptnefs of the metaphor are to- tally loft.
(d) Here, indeedj is the true principle 0^ love and bj'otherhood which lighted up the holy flame of charity and fervour of eloquence among the primitive Chriflians. " lia^/m y«p Iv ic^iv »
XV^Jy, £«Tf WXOUO-JO?, flTE tD-£V7]?, £»T£ J^OUAo? £JT£ fAfU-
flou^of, Ka* j(A»a x£(paAri izuvruv £^ ou rx "csokvrot XPIZT02. K«» oTTfp iT^v ciXXriXoig tx [j.iXn^ touts tKitfog £)carw, xxi ziraa-iv xttxptis.'" GvegOV, Naz.
Orafio de Pauperum amore.
(e) Although I am unwilling to degrade the niemor}^ of the Roman . people, by a comparifon with the French, except in rapine and tyranny, yet I cannot help obferving, how exa(5lly the re- femblance is in thefe circumflances as defcribed by Tacitus. I have therefore cited the pafTage at full lenoth.
" Nos
192 NOTES.
" Nos terrarum ac libertatis cxtremos, rccefflis ipfe ac finus famae in hunc diem defcndit. Nunc terminus Biitannioc patct, atque omne ignotum pi'o magni/ico eft. Sed nulla jam ultra gens, nihil nifi fluclus : Et interiores Romani, quorum fu- perbiam frufira, per obfequium & modeftiam cf- fugeris, raptores orbis, poftquam cundla vaf- tantibus defuere terra?, & mare fcrurantur : Si locuples hoftis eft, avari : fi pauper, ambitiofi : quos non oriens, non occidens fatiaverit : Soli omnium opes atque inopiam pari affeclu concu- pifcunt, auferrc, trucidare, rapcrc flilfis nominibiis imperium, atque ubi folitudincm faciunt, pacem appellant. Liberos cuiquc ac propinquos fuos natura cariffimos effe voluit ; hi per dele6lus alibi fervituri auferuntur. Conjuges fororefque, etfi hoftilem libidinem effugiant, nomine amicoruili atque hofpitum poluuntur. Bona fortunafque in tributum egerunt ; in annonam frumentum.'" — Tacitus de Vita Jgrkolce.
(f) Plutarchus adverfiis Coloicm. The whole paffage is well worth referring to.
(g) This fer'mon was preached in the year 1792 ; Avhen the exertions of the late Sir James
^Sa^dErson during his mayoralty were moil emi- nent and exemplary, and gave him a juft title to the gratilade of the prefent age, and the me- mory of pofterity.
DISCOURSE
%
DISCOURSE VII.
<(
(I
EZEKIEL xxiv. 6. AND PART OF 7.
WHEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD, WOE TO THE BLOODY CITV ! TO THE POT
'' WHOfiE SCUM IS therein; AND WHOSE
SCUM IS NOT GONE OUT OF IT ! BRING
IT OUT PIECE BY PIECE; LET NO LOT FALL UPON IT. FOR HER BLOOD IS IN THE MIDST OF HER; SHE SET IT UPON
'' THE TOP OF A ROCK."
1 HE threatenings of God which we find dire6ied againft Nations in the Holy Scrip- tures, are if poffible more awful and alarm- ing even than thofe againft Individuals. Individuals indeed, when once abandoned to their own ways, are not often recalled to righteoufnefs ; but Nations ftill more rarely. We have fame inftances in the Scriptures, in which particular men have been by God's O grace
I9i ON THE DEATH Off
grace happily alarmed and arrefted ; but Nineveh is almofl the only inftance of the warning of Almighty God operating upon a community fo far as to bring it to re- pentance. Babylon and Tyre among the Heathens perfifted in their crimes 'till their punifhment overtook them. Nay, God's own peculiar people and city could be warned by no inftruftions, examples, or threatenings. They refufed to edify a fmful world by their repentance ; therefore their 'iittcr dejiruction vindicated the ways of God to Man.
It is the peculiar duty of the Minillers of the Gofpel, under the fever eft ^penalties, to bring, as often as occafion fliall require, thefe threatenings home to the hearts of their hearers. Tliofe that indeed love their flocks, tliofe who feek not theitis but them, will find this fenfe of duty quickened by Affec- *rioNj in dangerous and difficult times. They will have no refl to their ej- e-lids while they have omitted to warn their hearers to "^e.e ^ from the wrath to come.'*
The prefent times, which are more awful than any iince the deftru6tion of Jerufalem, iibfolutely require, that watchfulnefs on their
part^
THE QUvEEN OF FRANCE. ig5
part, and attention on yours, fliould either avert tliofe national calamities which hang over us, or if we fhould perilh in them, that we fo deport ourfelves " as to be found zvorthy *' tojtand before the Son of Man."
Let us enquire then in the following Dif- courfe into the nature- of the £n of Blood- guiltinefs in a Nation or Community^ the Confequences which are attached to it, and the Principles and Doftrines from which it
orisijmates.
Man undoubtedly was created to love, cherilh, and comfort his brethren. This he would undoubtedly have done, if he had not fallen from God — if our firft parents had not rebelled againft their kind Benefactor, in re- turning the rich bounty of the Almighty by an acl of foul and dire6l rebellion. Had they and their pofterity remained in the pa- radifiacal ftate, Death and Sin would never have had exiftence. The prefence of God would have flied perpetual comfort, and the. love of each other Iprung Ipontaneous in every child of Adam. No human Laws, or Magiftrates, or Pnni/Iiments would have been necellary, had God been obeyed, and his law kept. But after man had fallen, his wicked o 2 appetites
19^ ON THE DEATH OF
appetites broke loofe, difcord enfued, and the firll crime upon the catalogue is Murder^
From this time the exiftence of Magilhacy and Laws became neceflary. It is upon compidfion only that man, collettively conli-^ dered, is prevented from being the enemy of his kind.
But God Almighty even here did not de- fert him. Though by fin he was degraded, yet even this ftate of degradation was not meant to be a ftate of perpetual bloodfhed and diforder. God inftituted Laws and Civil Government. By him Kings reign and Princes decree jujiice. This ordinance who- ever rai"hly reiifts, rejijis the ordinance of God. When men refift Civil Governors, I am bound to tell you, that they take a moft AWFUL CHARGE upon themfclves. That Government muft be corrupt indeed which will warrant this ; and fhould any motives of private intereft, of private paffion, of diftrefs of circumftances, lead men to fubvert law and order, thele at the dread tribunal of God muft ftand under the deep die of Blood- guilt inefs. And if the guilt of the blood of one man is enough to plunge us into irre- trievable mifery, what muft be the ftate of
thofc.
THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. 397
thofe, whofe conducl, whofe principles, and whofe deiigns have led to the death of tliou^ fands and tens of thoiifands !
I am ready to admit that the very fame awful caution extends to Kings and other Civil Governors, as well as to SuhjeSts, and that in the fight of ' God the life of the pooreft Peafant is equally precious with that of the proudeft Monarch. By God's law Monarchs will be judged as well as the lowed of their fubjects, before that dread tribunal, to which we muft all be fum- moned.
But the fm of Blood^guiltinefs, as we have moil INSTANT and lamentable experience, may be likewife attached to Subjects. When men from indireft motives withfland ajufl and equal Government — when they fpread gi'oundlefs difcontents — when they vilify the perfons and mifreprefent the motives of Kings, and thofe in authority, they then refill the powers that be, and Ihall receive unto themfelves danniation. The word, in fpite of every palliative, is ftrong and em- phatical ; but not more marked and di{tin6l than the crimes of fuch men. To ahfohde perfection neither Civil Government or
o 3 . Civil
19^ ON THE DEATH OF
Civil Governors can poffibly be brought ; and if the i?)ijjerfcBions of thefe are to be the caufe of tumult and infurreclion, af- furedlj bloodibed and dilbrder muft be uni- verfal and perpetual over the vrhole face of the earth. By God's bleffmg we live un- der a Government nearei' to perfection, con^ feffedly and avowedly, than any of which record has reached us. But yet perhaps a more perfect form of polity may be imagined by fpeculative men, although, if the experi- ment were tried, it would not practically be obtained.
To ftimulate then men to acts of refiftance to Magiftrates, becaufe imperfections remain in any form of Government, is furely to re- fill the ordinance of that God, who never hitended to beftow ahfolutc perfection on any fyftems of laws here below. So many circumitances muft concur and confpire to render a fabftantial change falutary and be- neficial to a community at large, that a wife nian will heftate, and a good man •tremble, in taking any part in the fubverlion of the Government under which the provi- dence of Almighty God has placed him. A man who really fears God, and who efteems
himfelf
THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. 199
himfelf accountable to him, will, if lie ever confents to meafures of the flighted innova- tion, take good heed to his ways. Not only his a61ions, bat even his words will bo guarded. lie will confider, that for every ftep he takes, not only originating in paffion and fraud, but even in . precipitation and in- advertency, he ftands accountable for every confequence which may refult from them. His prayer to God will be, early and late, public and private, " Deliver me from Blood- " guiltinefs, O Lord."
Nor will this caution and tendernefs of confcience be exercifed with regrard to him- felf only, but likewife to all thole with whom he communicates his aftions and deflgns. He will moft diligently watch, that neither Mendicancy, Malevolence, or Grafp of Powder, conftitute any part of THEIR motives, any more than his own. He will be little inchned to think, that profligacy, profanenefs, and fyfl;ematic li- bertinifm, can work out political purity and reformation. He will recolie6l that Rebellion is as the fin of Witchcraft — that it comes in its firft origin in very plauiiiile o 4 fliapes,
200 ON THE DEATH OF
lliapcs, but that its progrefs is marked in diforder, blood, and defpair. He will never lofe light of this important trath, that the Beginners of thefe fpecious meafures of re- form and renovation are anfwerable for all thofe atrocities to which the w^oril men, who have intrenched themfelves under their au- thority, character, and influence, may, in the ufual and natural progrefs of fuch events, afterwards proceed.
But, alas ! how widely different from fuch conicientious circumfpe6tion do we find the condu6t of thofe who have been in all ages inftrumental in proje6ting fyflems of innova- tion and change !
Pride and Petulance, Rancour and Spleen (a), Luft of Lucre, and Fear of Juf- tice, the Preffures of Poverty and Reftlefliiefs of Guilt, have, to compafs their ends, in- duced men to let at nought the groans, and tears, and agonies of the numerous victims of focial difcord and civil commotion. Such have been, I repeat it, in all ages, the fcourges of mankind, fcattering dciblation and deftrucT tion over the moral creation of God,
If we may truft the uniform tenor of hif-
torical
THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. 201
torical record, no defcriplion of men ever cx- ifled, in whom all pity for the fufferings of mankind, all fear of the retributive juflice of Almighty God, have been more com- pletely and invariably extinguillied, than in thofe who have affumed the characters of po- pular leaders, and peculiar allertors of the rights and privileges of their fellow citizens. Who have been lefs fcrupulous of the means by which they accompliflied their ends ? AVho have w^aded through more blood, either to obtain or to preferve their booty, their power, their elevation ? What Tyranny more im- placable in the facritices with which it gorged itfelf, than the ftern ferocity of Marius, the mock clemency of Cj^sar, the profcriptive libertinifm of Antony, or the cool, digelled, murderous determination of Cromwell ? Every one of thefe in their day pretended to be lovers of their country — they duped, they plundered, they oppreff'ed it.
Let us then beware how the plaufible pre- tences of any fet of men i'o operate upon our paffions, as to render us infenfible of the ilain o{ Blood-Gidltinefs — of the crime of being ac- ceflary to a fubverfion of thofe laws and that ofder in this land, which are at this moment,
as
203 ON THE DEATH OF
as for above a century pall, our ornament, our diItin6tion, and our fafeguard. Nothing can lurpais the Guilt of fuch an attempt, ex- cept the Folly of it.
The FoUif of it is prominent indeed, but in none more than in the firft authors of delu- lion and difcord — becaufe hiilory proves, and recent experience moft awfully confirms that proof, that in this fyltem of crimes, the fii*ft pei^petrators, by the juft deiignation of Al- mighty God, are invariably the firft and fevereft fufferers (b). Thei/ incur the guilt, but others rea^ the fruit of their machinations. Nor is it enough for the well-intentioned to anfwer, that they only intends Reformation of the Go- vernment, and not its Subverfion — from fmiilar pretences all inilirredions have originated.
I'he Guilt of it, permit me to fay, is at the prefent criiis of a deeper and more aggra-^ vated complexion, than at any former period in the annals of mankind. To difclaim, with ftudied fcorn, all reverence for the fuperin- tending Providence of Almighty God — to re- ject with mockery every apprchenfion of a judgment to come — to harden the murderer, by telling him by public authority, that after death his crimes and confcience will be buried
in
THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. 203
in eternal fleep — all this has not been the accidental Confequence, but the Bajis and ejfential Principle of (what the poverty of language obliges me to call) the political fyf- tem of thofe wretched regicides, who are al- ternately threatening mankind with the con- tagion of their principles, or appalling them by the horrors of their crimes.
God knows, that in this ftate of fm and mifery, of change and calamity, the page of hiftory (hews how much man has corrupted his ways before God, and with what violence the earth has at all times been filled. But to the fcenes which have been exhibited, and are ftill exhibiting in France, no parallel occurs to the aftoniihed mind ! Whether we view the extended fcale on which this fcheme of maflacre was proje6ted, the Iteady and relent- lefs feverity with which it has been purfued, the principles and paflions from which it ori- ginated, or the fpirit of calm Jporlive inven- tive barbarity, with which it has been in thoufands of inftances executed, experience, language, and even conception fail us ! " The " Angel of God hath poured out his phial on " the rivers and fountains of waters, and they *' have become Blood/'
Surely
204 ON THE DEATH OF
Surely thefe Horrors, however made fa- miliar to us by recitals, to which for nearly four years we have been accuftomed, re- ceived their ultimate confummation in the laji Act of their atrocity, which has juft reached us. As they before furpaffed all former Hecorded Fa&ors in Blood, they have here outdone f hem/elves. They have left their former guilt flirunk and contra6ied in its dimenfions. The long avenues of mifery, through which her perfecutors con- duced this defencelefs Royal Sufferer, the fucceffive gradations of mifery fhe under- went, exceeding the former infliftions of it by nicely adjufted proportions — the skilful barbarity with which in every ftage of her conflid they contrived that the anguifli of the mind fliould keep pace with that of the body — the ufe they made of thofe blcffed Natural Af- feci ions which God has implanted in the breall of a Wife and a Mother, to give poignancy to every pang, by the fpe6lacle of the length- ened fufferings of a murdered Hufband, and Children torn from her to calamities ten thoufand times worfe than to death — the horrors of a dungeon, clofed by a mock pro- cefs, and an execution accompanied with the
bafeil
THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. 205
bafeft infults and indignities — above all, one unutterable inflance of agonizing cruelt}^, which the records of her trial exhibit ! — all thefe combined circumllances leave but one fe ntiment of confolation to an E n g l i s ii m a n and a Christian — That her Affliftions ARE ENDED ! That fhe is now arrived at that peaceful haven, " where the rmcked ceafe " from troubling, and where the weary are at " rejt, where the prifoners rcji together, and ^ they hear not the mice of the opprefjor ; " where God Jliall wipe away all tears from *' their eyes, and there Jliall he no more death, " neither forrow, nor crying, neither JJiall " there he any more pain ; for the former " things are pa fed azaay."
But let it be well remembered, that it is not at Royal Dignity that this deftruc- tion ends ; the fame week, I believe the fame day, which confummated the afifii6lions of this lamented vi6lim, produced a decree from this fame ruffian horde, for the razing to the ground of the fecond * city in France in popu- lation and commerce, and the deftru^lion of man, woman, and child, under the dirccTtion ot Conmiiffioners deputed by the Convention
to
* I.
vons-.
206 ON THE DEATH OF
to direft and regulate this fcene of malTacre. Surely of this nation we may fay, " Her " blood is in the midji of her ; Jlie hath fit it " on the top of a rock."
May Ahuighty G od prote6l this favoured land from fuch Horrors, and the Principles which lead to them ! Cherifli this falutary truth ! — That the caufe we are now engaged in, is the caufe of God and our Country, our Liberties and Property, our Wives and Children. It is the caufe of the lowest, as much as the highest ; for upon the iffueof the prefent conteft it muft depend, whether " Ji rangers /hall eat up thine harvcjt and thy " bread zi:hich thy fitjis and daughters Jhould *' eat — whether theyjliall eat up thy flocks and *' thine herds — whether they fliall impoverijlt *' thy fenced cities zvherein thou dwelleji with " the fworcV — whether bloodfhed, fire, and fword fliall be brought among us by a relent- lefs, vindiclive foreign foe, afiifted by the moft abandoned of our own countrymen, whofe efforts have long been united for the reduc- tion of this free and happy nation to a beg- gared, degraded, plundered province to theie me rcilefs enemies. Should they, (which God in his mercy avert !) fucceed in this en-
terprize.
THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. 207
terprize, the voice of England would be like the " voice of the daughter of Sion, uhich " hewaileth herfelf, that Jpreadeth her hands, " fil/^^^S ^^^^ ^ ^^^ now^ for my foul is wea^ " ried becaife of murderers !"
Be warned then in time my brethren and fellow-fubjefts — think of our common coun- try, which holds forth its imploring arms to you ! think of the dangers and horrors to which every ftage of thefe deteftable doftrines expofes thofe whofe aifedion God has wound clofeft round your heart — think of the me- mory of your forefathers, who have delivered down to you the fpirit of firm loyalty and rational liberty, as infeparably and effentially united — think of that holy Religion you profefs, the fole refuge and confolation of defponding humanity, and the only cement of that mutual compaflion and benevolence which can make this fhort and precarious life for a moment tolerable — think of that heavy unguifli and guilt, which in the Hour of Death and Day of Judgment any partici- pation of principles leading to a reje6lion of God, and the incalculable deitruftion of his creatures, muft accumulate upon your heads — tliiiik ct the fgnal 'dwd fj)eedy vengeance
>Tith 3
208 ON THE DEATH, <S:C*
with which Divine Juftice hath mod diftin^lly and fucceffively vifited moft of the individuals who have been forwardly employed in this diabolical work — Then, if you can fet thefe moft awful objects in array before you, I doubt not your determination and conduct will be that of Chrijtians and EngUJJmien ! I fear not then the artifices by which thefe pretended Apoftles of Liberty, and Apolo- gifts of real MalTacre, are endeavouring to pave their way to Plunder, Ufurpation, and Atheifm.
Brethren, let your interceflion be frequent and fervent, that the great and tremendous God, whofe Providence we acknowledge, whofe Mercy we adore, whofe judgments we dread, in whofe Gofpel we repofe, may grant Succefs to thofe Councils, and Vi6lory to thofe Arms, which have no other object in this defenfive War, than to reftore peace and order in France, and to fecure and perpetuate the bleffings and comforts of civil fociety to every nation in Europe.
NOTES,
NOTES,
(a) In the flroiig' and pregnant language of Tacitus — " Libido Saxguixis atque uiails FK.EMIORUJf." — liift. L 4.
(b)To this purpofe it was pertinently obfcrved by one who w'lih great Ihrewdncfs and powers of genius deteded and expofed the mock patriotiliu of his own times — " ^I'fic e.vperlcncc of all agea ^' might let tkcm Imoic, thai thcif xcho trouble iha *' xcatcrs firjl have fc Ida m the bcnejil of the ffi- '' ing: as thei) zclio began the late rebeU'uni en- ^^ jojjed not the fruit oj' their undertaking, but *' xcere crujhcd then f elves b\j the ufurpation of '' their own injh^ument," DuYDiix.
DISCOURSE
a
DISCOURSE vm.
GALATIAXS i. 4,
WHO GAVE HIMSELF TOR OUR SIXS,
((
a
THAT HE MIGHT DELIVER US FROM THE PRESEXT EVIL WORLD."
j^OTIIIXG is more ftriking to a man of oblervation and reliection, than the fimple* tliftincl, and intelligible manner in which the lubiimell truths of Religion are unfolded in the Holy Scriptures. I'he nature, the end, the efficacy of the fuTerings of the Redeemer, are in the words of my text fo clearly fet forth, that one would imagine it to be aimoft impoffible for the fophiftry even of modern metaphyfics, to em])arrafs or perplex the meaning of them. However myflerious iho grounds and reafons of the great do6lrine of
V 3 Redunrj-
212 ON THE ATONEMENT.
Redemption through Chrift, may, and muft for ever remain to us, while we are taber- nacled in flefli, yet as far as our praBice and affect Ions are concerned, nothing can be more clear and determmate. But neither the un- fpeakable and awful importance of it, nor the plainnefs with which it is revealed, has pre- vented various attempts to elude its force, or diftort the dire6t language in which it is con- veyed. In all ages of the Church there have not been wanting thofe " who have denied " the Lord who bought them." — In none more, than in thofe unfortunate times into which the providence of God has thrown us : whether fuch fuppofe that mere afte6tation of paradox raifes them from iniignificancy, or that they cannot bear to face thoie truths of the Gofpel, which ftand in fo awful a con- traft to the habits of a luxurious, frivolous and apoftate age, is not for me to determine. To endeavour to Hate to you the true Scrip- tural doctrines of the Redemption pur- chafed for us by the death and futlbrings of Him " zi'ho gave liimfelfj'or us, that he might »* deliver us from the prefent evil world ^' Ihall
be the defign of the following difcourfe,
To
on ^iiE ATONEMENT4 213
To thofe who have confidered the effects of Sin and Tranigreffion, either from the na- ture of things themfelves, or from the dif- order and mifery flowing from them, which daily experience points out to us, in various events of human hfe which happen wathin our notice; fomey?/'o;?«- interpodtion will ap- pear neceffary to relieve us from the guilt of Sin, the power of Sin, and the praSiice of Sin. If we view Sin abftra6ledly, and con- fider it as a violation of the commands of the great Author of Nature, the benevolent Source of Order and Ilapolnefs difiUfed over infinite ly items of created Beings, the giver of every faculty both of ioal and body, " in Zi)]iom zee live, and move, and have our bc- " ing;' we cannot but think that every act of difobedience to fuch a Lord and Governor leaves the foul of man m a moft degraded, corrupted, and difeafed condition : It reduces the linner to a Itate of alienation from the Creator, and hoitility to the Creature. Be- nevolence to Man, and enmity to God, are totally irreconciieabie to, and deilra6tive of each other. The end and deiiiin of God is order and happinefs ; that of the Sinner, con- fuiion and mifery. Add to this, that the., p 3 contagious
214 ox Till: ATOXEME^vT.
contagious nature of tnuiigreffion, fprcading ruin and defolation by various channels through the moral creation of God, calls upon him, as the great Governor of the Ufiiverle, to prevent the progrefs of offences. If we admit and apply the grand luminous doctrine of analogy between every part of God's go- vernment, whether in his natural, moral, or revealed fyftem, this will appear to us in the Itrongeft and moil diftin6l point of view\ We all know the fanftity and reverence which necelTarily attaches itfelf to LAW and order in every well-regulated government. How effential it is for every civil Magijirate care- fully to guard the obfervance of leiws once laid down, by tlie ftrifteft and fevereft penal- ties ; hoAv rarely can thofe penalties be dif- -penfed with, coniiftently with the ends of government, even mjlight and inconjiderahle inftances of difobedience. But where ohjii" nate, habitual, flagrant tranfgreffion appears, not only j/z/iict', but even mercy to the inno- cent, requires an exa^ion of the peinalty in its ilmrpeft rigour and utmoft extent. Even the fevered and moil fuicere repentance will not juftify the pardon of offenders in numberlefs iniiances of tranfgreffion. The mifchicf done.
can
7
ox THE ATONEMENT. $15
can only be remedied by the pimiJJiment to be endured, and the fole quellion with the Ma- giitrate is, whether the pangs of the luifer- ing criminal can be difpenled with, at the hazard of the difiblution of all law and order, and its baneful effefts upon the found and unoffending portio-n of his fubje^ts. It will not be difficult for us to apply this, with due reverence and abatement, to the moral government of Almighty God ; who feems to bear to the whole Jjljiem of his created beings a relation analogous to that which a Magiftrate bears to thofe over whom he is invefted with authority. The effefts of an iinpunijlied tranl'greffion of the divine laws, may extend in their confequences far beyond the limits of our narrow and bounded ima- ginations, and fpread the feeds of mifery and diforder, as widely in proportion to the iini- 'verfe, as vice evidently doth over corrupted civil communities on this our earth.
What then mufl be, by nature, the help- lefs and defperate it ate of thofe \Vho have ex- pofed themfelves to thefe fevere penalties of the righteous judgements of God !— who have rendered it inconiiftent with his juji ice to ex- tend his rnerciu or to ftate the queftion more p 4 clearlvj
2l6 ON THE ATONEMENT.
clearlj, have rendered merci/ to us inconfiilent with merc}^ to the reft of his moral creation. When we reflect upon the corruption and the canker with which SiN overfp reads the heart, the deep defpair to which, by the law of Nature, or of Mofes, the offender is left ; Wiien we anticipate the extended eftects of God's wrath againft habitual fmnners in ajio- ilur world, by comparing them with the baneful confequences even of thofe fms, which our loofe cafuiftry reprefents to us to 'be of a lighter nature in the prefent Jiate ; when we coniider all this, may we not well exclaim in the abrupt and eager language of the Apoftle, ^' Wretched man that I am, who JJiall deliver *' me from the hodij of this death /"
It is to thofe who have brought their con- dition home to tliemfelves by reflection, that the Chriflian do6trine of Redemption opens all its glorious and vivifying profpe6ts. When we coniider how abje6t, how defpe- ratp, the condition is of thofe who have fub- jefted tliemfelves to fuffer temporal death by a breach of the laws of their country; how even their friends and nearelt relations flirink from them in thofe trying moments which intervene between their fentence and the exe- cution
ON TilE ATONEMENT. 217
cution of it ; we fliall then attain a faint and dilhmt idea of his love " wlio while we were " finners ijet loved us." Let us fuppofe to one in this deferted flate, the doors of the prifon were opened, a free pardon proclaimed upon condition of future amendment ; what would be the fentiment of gratitude towards the perfon by whom it had been procured l But flill farther, if fuch an offender could be informed that he who had procured this re- miffion had done it upon the condition of fuftering the fentence of the law in his ow?t perfoji in its fulleft extent and fliarpeft rigor, in the place and in the Jlead of the offender, could the tongues of men and angels exprels his gratitude ! — As fure as the word of God is true, as fure as there is meaning in lan- guage, this is the fituation in which every foul who hears me is reprefented to be placed. Thus St. Paul in his epiille to the Romans tells us, that " death had pajjed upon all men, " for that all have finned.'' — " That as in *' Adam all die, even fo in Chriji Jliall all *' he made alive." Temporal death was en- tailed on us by the confequences of the fm of our firit progenitor, eternal death by our own a6lual tranfgreffions, and by our giving way
td
218 ON THE ATOXEMENf.
to thofe corrupted tendencies we derived frofti him. To heal the one, and to atone for the ofheVy was the great end of the mifiion of the Son of God. Both thefe pur|X)fes were ne- cefiarilj connected in thti Gofpel dii'penfation, Without the one, the other woukl have been of fmall efficacy. Little would it hare availed to the finner tluit a right fpirit could have been renewed within him, while he re- mained obnoxious to the guilt of his former trefpaffes ; little would this ftupendous fcheme of mercy and redemption have ferved the gracious purpoi'es of its benevolent Author, unlefs it had ihpplied us with fuch difpofi- tions and motives, as might, unlefs through our own perverfenefs, prevent us from a Tclapfe into lin and miiery. — To give then full fatisfaftion to the majelly of an offended God, and to reconcile the honor of his laws in the pardon of repenting finners, was the primari/ deiign of the incarnation and fuffer- ins of the Son of God. It is not enouph to fay that he fuiTered ybr us, he fuffered in our Jiead. A diilinflion not of a metaphyjical, but of a moft important and praBical nature ; a diftinclion the more necelfary to be inliiled upon, as the great do6lrine of vicarious fuf- ' ferine
ox THE ATOKEMEXr. 21<?
fering has been attempted by this means to be evaded and explained away by the ableft and Ihrewdeft of tlie Arian writers of our days, (a) But an attention to the various ex- preflions in which this do6irino is conveyed to us in the Scriptures, will abundantly fruf- trate this attempt, which is indeed in the original language of the New Teftament, marked by terms more di{tin6t and precife, if polhble, than even in the common tranflation. If it were admitted that Chriit' only loft his life in the caufe of virtue and benevolence, this would fcarcely diftinguiili His death and luiferings, from that of the Apoiiles and Martyrs : a diftin8ion which the great Apoftle infilled upon with an eagernefs ade- quate to its importance. " JVas Paul" faid he, " crucified for you ?" fo fearful was lie that an over attachment to himlelf ihould make his converts lofe fight of the merits of fhat Saviour, whole fervant and inflrument he took every opportunit}^, in all the depth of felf-humiliation, to confefs and proclaim himfelf.
As our VICTIM then, and our substi- tute, Chrift fufFered : to Htm, all the train of facrifices pointed, from the earlieil patri- archal
220 ox THE ATONEMENT*
ai'cbal times, all throupji the ISIofaic difpenfa* tion, (lo^Yii to that a^^fal moment, in which the redemption of Man was completed, in which) amklit the agonies and torments of an in- carnate God, " the fun teas clarlened^and " the vail of the temple icas rent in tziain!* Glimpfes of this great deliverance broke in even upon the dark night of Pagan antiquity, among whom the Providence of God kept alive the doclrine of vicarious fufFering (b), by thofe ex- piatory rites of which Natural religion, truly fo called, exhibited a faint fliadow and type, in the various attempts to fubftitute victims, which men poorly imagined of fufljcient worth to avert the merited vengeance of their offended deities. The power of Sin upon their confciences the heathens fuily felt : nor could their bell philofophy deviie any fuffi* cient means of purification or deliverance. However (fays Cicero) the ftains of the Bodv may be cleared, the pollutions of the Mind by guilt, can be cleanfed by no ablu- tion, nor obliterated by the longeft fucceffion of ages (c). Deeply therefore founded, and flrongly evinced, is the doctrine of the necef- fity of a Victim, a Redeemer, and a Sanc- titier, firft, by the confeilion of the beft
Philo--
ox THE ATONEMEXT. 221'
Philolbphersjwho acknowledged and lamented the dearth of their refbiirces for the recovery of man from the abandoned and defolate Hate into which Sin had plunged him ; and fecondly, by the frivolous attempts which the vulgar liad recourfe to for the purpoies of expiation and deliverance.
When then we reflect upon the tranfcen- dency of that Victim which was offered for us, — of the dignity of the Great High Priest which offered it, of the infinite price of the iiaxsom paid; when we con- fider, how things in their own nature feem- jngly incompatible are reconciled, infinite Juftice with infinite Mercy — the pardon of Sin with the promotion of A^irtue, — how is our pride and leli-conceit abafed, and gra- titude, love, and veneration towards the Author and Finifher of this ftupendous fcheme lightened and inflamed ! — how is every thought brought into the captivity of Chritt ! — how comfortable the doctrnic of that redemption whereby w^e appear with boldnefs before the throne of grace, " not " having our own righteoiijhej's, but that '' which is of faith in the Redeemer." God fqrbid then that the pride of underftand-
222 ON THE ATONEMENT.
ing, tlie foppiOinefs of an apoftate age, con- iicience m onr ov.n lliort-figlited realbn, (vvliicli I cannot but obferve is icldom weaker than in thofe who afiect the largeft portion and coolcit exercife of it) fliould indine the Mi- nifters of tlie Goi'pel to derogate from the dignity, and explain away the efficacy of that tremendous facrifice w-hich the Redeemer of- fered. God forbid that " w f, Jliould ghrif ^\fave hi the crqfs of oijn Lohd Jbsu* ♦« Cjihist/'
K'OTES.
IS^OTES.
(a) The late Mr. H. Tmjlor, Reaor of Craw- ley, in Hants, in his Apology of B. B. Mordecai,
is here alluded to. — I know of no fyftem whieh ftands lefs fupported I)y Seripture than that mode of Arianilm adopted by him. The texture of his Tlieology is fuffieiently amufing and plaufible, but his \'iews of Clififtianity are, in the language of Cicero, tofa commtntltia.
(d) This fentiment was too Jlrong to be over- come by the cavils of their philofophers. — '' Tu autem etiam DECionn^r devotionibus placatos Deos efie cenfes — Qwcd fuit eorum tanta iniquitas tit placari pvpido Romano nun pojfcnt nifi viri tales occidiifent." The grounds of this impoflibility are to be looked for in the fubfequent citation.
(c) *' Inceftumvel afpcrfione aqui^ vel dierum nunicro tolHtum : anoii labes nee diuturnitate evanefcere nee amnibus ul!is clui poteft." — Cicero de Natnra Deorum. 1. ir.
DISCOURSE
DISCOURSE IX.
2 TIMOTHY iV. 5i
*' DO THE WORK OF AN E VANGELIstj MAKE FULL PROOF OF THY MIN^ISTRy/'
These words are part of that awful and afFeftidftate charge which St. Paul gave to Timothy, when he fent him forth to preach the Gofpel of Chrift. Throughout the two epiftles which were dire6led to this his beloved Son, the leading features of the mind and cha- ta6ler of the great Apoftle every where ap- pear moll prominently and diftindlly. In Paul of Tarsus were combined tempers and difpoiitions which we feldom find compa- tible with each other, all confpiring by their very contraji to give efficacy to his efforts in the great caufe he was called to fupport. An Q exube**
026 VISITATION sER3io:?r
exuberancy of afIe«^lion joined to a mafculin& underftanding,— a fpiendid eloquence aided by the mofl vigorous argumentative powers, — an heroic zeal directed rather than bounded by the niceit dilcretion, — a conicious and commanding dignity foftened by the meekeft and moft profound humihty, — a feverity and even lliarpneis of reproof in which the ten- dered regard to the objeft of it was clearly difcernible, — a pure, fifed, and apoflolical fc' renity, joined to a fenid and even impetuous temperament, defpilmg every danger and bearing down every obflacle; — -all ihele rare gifts and graces, as they rendered this chofen veflel the great inftrument of the converiion of the Gentiles in that hh day, fo do they ex- liibit to all thole who are dedicated to the fame miniftry, the moft fublime and capti- vating pattern for their imitation, and the moft pregnant documents for their inltru^lion.
It would be very prefumptuous in me to fuppofe that thofe whom I am now called upon to addrefs myfelf, have not made them the objeiSf of their long and ferious con- templation, and from thence derived awful views of the unlpeakable importance of the character which they have taken upon
them- .
i'REACliEiD AT ST. PAUL's. ^^t
ihemfelves, and of the duties they are 'ap- pointed to difcharge. To do the work of Evangehlls, to give full proof of our Mi- niitry, let it be faid with the ftri6teft truth and fincerity, we have not wanted either en- couragement, direction, or example* Con-* cerning therefore the nature of the office we bear, the obligations attached to it, and the confequences refulting from the fidelity with which we difcharge it to ourfeives and our flocks, it is not my intention to offer any general obfervations farther than as they are iipplicable to the very peculiar and unparal* ieled complexion of the times in which we live.
Though the virtues we are bound to culti* vate and the do6lrines we are enjoined to deliver are of a permanent and unvarying na- ture, though the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift be indeed the fame yefterday and to-day and for ever, yet the mode and direBion of our exer^ tions muft have a reference to the peculiar circumftances in which the providence of God has placed us. In one grand point of' view all times and all fituations upon which the Minifters of the Gofpel can be thrown, refemble each other, namely, that they are q2 all
228 VISITATION SERMai^r
all a " warfare/* Labour to be undergone^ affli6lion3 to be borrie, contradictions to be endured^ danger to be braved, intereft to be defpifed in the beft and moft fioiiriiliing ages of the Church, are the perpetual badges of far the greater part of thofe who take up their crofs and follow Chrift. Even where the lead caution feems neceffary, the greateft is required of us. It is perhaps in the mcft profperous times that thofe feeds of deftruc- tion are fown, which in further ilages of their progrefs perpetuate and difFufe the deadly poifon of profligac}", herefj, and apoftacy. — But, Gocl knows, the prefent times do not admit the fmallcfl palliation for inadvertency or negligence. The figns of them (as dif- playing the anger of the Almighty) are une- quivocal, and their dangers moft inftant and menacing. It is furely then not foreign to the occaiion and purpofe of this meeting to conlider the duties incumbent upon the Mi- nifters of the Gofpel, both v/ith regard to their doStrines, their majiners, and their ?«o- rals at the day in which they live, and the circumflanees in which they are placed.
We live in an age in which the ferment of political di{lra6lions, originating in princi- ples,
PREACHED AT ST. TAUL's. 229
pies, and attended by events, completely un- analogous to any -which has hitherto been traced in hiflory, has produced a reRlefii and fretful eagernefs in the minds of men. That ftrange predileftion for paradox, which feems to have difturbed the civil tranquillity of al- moil every country in Europe, has extended itlelf to their reafonings and fpeculations upon every fubje6l which is at all conne6led with reUiiion. So far is it from beino; true, accord- ing to affertions which are now every day raihly made, and as raflrily received, that reli- gion and politics are fubje6ls perfeftly cf?*//Z- 7nilar and unconneBed; fo far is this from truth and fac^, that I am firmly perfuaded that no inftance of relio-ious innovation can be found which did not communicate its influ- ence to focial order, nor any change in the political principles of men, which has not in fome degree affefted their meafures of think- ing and afting in the concerns of religion. AVhatever field for fpeculation this might open with regard to prefent events, it is not my inten- tion to enter upon, being contented with point- ing fmiply to that duty which we are called to difcharge, in arrefting the progrefs of thofe errors which either the artifice of fome may Q 3 covertly
230 VISITATIOIS" SERMO?}'
covertly introcliice, or the direct and open violence of others may boiileroaily obtrude. Of thefe fome are entirely new and appro-> priate to the times, othsrs are only different ilages of opinions long ago exiiting, . To thofe who are verled in the hiftory of the various controverlies agitated between the Church of England and its Proteltant ad-. verfaries, from the time it iirft refifted the claims and reformed the errors of Papal Rome, it is fufficiently curious and -not en-« tirely unfatkfactory to mark, that they are now reduced to a moft Jimple iffue. The queftion is not between Calvinifts and Armi^ nians — it is not between Epifcopalians and Prefbyterians, — it is not between the fup^ porters of Liturgical forms and the advocates of free and extemporaneous woribip, — from all thefe controverlies men have in a great meafure retreated, either from indifference, wearinefs, or faliety. With regard to thefe, the differences M^hich rerxiain among Protef-r tants are unaccompanied with either the ea^- -gernefs or exacerbation which generally attend upon religious difpute. Upon all thefe difr. ferences true Chriftians, both within and without the eftablifhment, are much nearer a
recon-
PRIjACHED AT ST. PALLS. 231
reconciling view of thefe fubjeftsf, than they have ever been at any former period. The onhj boundary which feparates the Church from thofe Proteltant adverfaries that retain any virulence in their oppoiition to her, is the per-
f eve ring, dijlinSt, refoiiitt avowal of the pro- per Deity of the eternal Son of Cxod, con- ceived in fuch terms, and fenced by fuch bul- warks, as neither violence can overthrow, Ib- phiftry undermine, or equivocation explain
.away. The only queltion therefore which, is
aiow agitated between us and out opponents, to the abforption of all others, is limply this,; " Shall we dilcard thofe doctrines which our articles allert relative to the peribn of the lledeemer, and the union of tlie three pejr-
" ioi\i ni the divine natuile, as expreisly laid down in the Baptifmal form enjoined by ef^^r Lord him/elf, by the unequivocal teftimony
nof the whole current of antiquity, and hitherto preferved in common by evej'ij eJiahUjhed
■ Chtirch 171 C/ir?JIeiulo?n, or ihall we give up this depofitum, and admit the tenets of modern Socimans in their ftead ?" — Whatever other propolals of innovation are made, from what-
- ever quarter they may ariie, either more
openly or covertly, lead to T h i s : and accord-
Q 4 ingly
232 VISITATION SERMOIf
ingly as we may be inclined to determine this quef^ion, we fhall give or refufe countenance and concurrence to them. The patrons of thefe doftrinesare not entirely unaware of the repugnance of their fyftem both to the plain declarations of Scripture, and to the genuine native Chriftian difpofition of the Englilh nar tion. Various opinions therefore have been ilarted, and various artifices ufed to make an opening, by oblique and indire6t means, for the introdu6tion of thefe tenets into* the na- tional creed. Liberality of fentiment, the un- obftrufted courfe of free enquiry, the rights of private judgment, have been pretexts by which attempts have been made to feduce the fidelity of the Mlnifters of the eftablifhment, and the affe61:ions of the Laity, from the lincerity of that faith of which every genuine Church of Chrlft is the appointed guardian and repoiii tory. Strange as it may appear, in the vio-» lent furtherance of this defign J cepticifin h^s ]:)ecome dogmatical and licentioujnefs arbi-i trary (a). But I am perfuaded that no true Son and Minifter of the eftabliiliment will be deterred by an invidious application of high founding and opprobrious epithets, from aA ferting the principles of that Church, to
whicl)
PREACHED AT ST. PAUL's, 233
which he has folemnly and voluntarily dedk cated his talents and exertions. I am con- vinced that we lliall well weigh the meaning of words, under a convidion of the mifchief w^iich in all ages has accrued from the de- figned or precipitate abufe of them, to the beft intereil of mankiud, civil and religious. Thus in what is called Liheralify of Jeriti- meiit, we too often difcover either a mean compromife of all religious principle, or a flale pretext to lull the vigilance of thofe whofe duty it is to contend for " the faith once " delivered to the faints." — In a pretended regard to the rights of private judgment, w-e trace a contempt of very folemn and facred obligations, — under the guife oifree enquiry, difpofitions to idle and mifchievous paradox, which is much more frequently the efFe6l of fpleen and peevijhnefs, than of a refineinent of genius, or exuberance of imagination. As we are confident that the difcernment of the efta- blifhed Clergy will eafily detect and fteadily withftand fuch pretences, fo may we be af- fured that they will be as little inclined to countenance that invidious and indeed o-round- lefs oppolition, which has been attempted to \}.e held forth betv^ een the Church of England
and
234 VISITATIOX SERMON"
and the Church of Chrifi^ (b) — that thej wiU difdain thofe mahgnant infinuations that a warm aiTe6iion for the one., was irreconcile- able with the more extended obhgation due to the other. But of what is the Church of Chrift compofed, unlefs of a collection of particular Churches profeffmg each of them the fundamental verities of the everlafting Gofpel, each of them dire6ling the judgments and regulating the practices of individuals, by the united wifdom and prudence of the whole commumty ? By every fuch com- munity the right of interpreting Scripture may be moft juilly and reafonably claimed, and that right which no religious fociety can be without, of prefcribing to its members the terms of admiffion into its pale. Than fuch a claim nothing can be more confiftent with true Proteitancy, or the deligns of the primitive reformers, who never meant by their refolute and meritorious refiftance to Papal encroachments, to leave the diftin6l integral branches of Chrifl's flock a prey to internal anarchy, diftraclion and confuiion.
If either the temper, the do6lrines, or the difcipline of any particular church, be of fuch a nature as to interfere with the temper
and
PRdEACIIED AT ST. PAVl's, 235
and ipirit, and confequently the intereils and progrei's of Chriltianity at large, in I'uch a, cafe no one will alTert that a regard for npart is to fuperfede a regard for the whole. But what will be the condu6l to which confcience and integrity point on fuch an occaiion? Not moft alTuredly to countenance fuch cor- ruptions by a longer continuance in that Church which retains them, much iefs to fan6lion them by a difcharge of the minif- terial office in a community fo degenerate and depraved, leaji of all to confound all the rules of iincerity hitherto admitted among men, by holding and retaining high Jtatioiis ^nd large emoluments, to which a profefiion of thofe exceptionable and unfcriptural doc- trines is decidedly attached : but to choofe fome other community where a greater purity of doftrinc may make your i^eal and formal creed one and the fame ; to which your adhe- iion is neither unfmcere or fiipendiary . This would be indeed to exercife duly and nobly the right of private judgment, and however ill founded the obje6tions to the tenets of the Church from which fuch a feceder departed might be, yet the praife of confiftency and integrity could never be juftly withheld from 6 him.
^56 VISITATION SERMON
him. Even the fociety which he left muft fay of him, with that reverence and affeftion which no truly confcientious difference of re- ligious opinion ihould impair,
♦' Talis cum fis utinam nofter efles !'*
But to remain a member or minijler of a Chrif- tian Church, is not only to declare (while a6lions have meaning) that this fociety pro- pofes no Jinf id terms of communion, but that of all the various communities which exift around, you give it 2ijincere^ decided and un-* qualified preference.
Ileje6Ling then the palpable fophiftry of the opinions before adverted to, we may fafely conclude, that a temperate and decided zeal for the peculiar and diflinguifhing doftrineg of the Church to which we belong, is not only reconciieahle to our duty as Chriftians, but injeparable from it in this its hour of danger and difficult ij. Well may this chafte Ipoufe of Chrift exclaim with affe6lion to her true fons in thefe days, " Ye have continued " with me in my tribulations/'
But as I have made mention of fome of the opinions which by dijiant approaches and indireSt paths lead towards Sociniani/m, it
PICEACHED AT ST. PAUl's. ^Sf
may not be improper juft to advert to pro- pofals for various innovations, the generality of which have, when we view them carefully, the fame tendency and deiign.
To the views of men who are attached either fecretly or avowedly, to the Socinian hypothecs, and willing to further thefe opi- nions by the fanStion of national forms, we all know the Liturgy of our Engliih Church oppofes an insurmountable barrier. The fpirit of primitive piety which animates every part and portion of it, that beautiful and moft aifefting (implicity which renders it at the fame time intelligible to the rudeft, and acceptable to the higheft capacity — the natu- ral and infpiriting fublimity by which it raifes our hearts to God — the fober fervor with which it mounts our afpirations to the foot- ftool of his throne — and the admirable man- ner in w^iich the diftinguifliing do6lrines of the Gofpel are intimately interwoven with its texture, all confpire to produce that high ve^ neration in which the bulk of the Laity of all ranks and profeffions hold this moft per- feft of all human compofitions, as the facred legacy of the primitive Reformers of our Church. It is furely a fli'onger mark of aa
elevated
233 VIS^'^ATlo^^ sermO:)?
elevated mind, a pious intention, and a found judgment, to acknowledge and admire its perfe6lions, than with a captious, pragma- tical and peevifti minutenefs to inveftigate its fmaller errors and inconfiderable flaws. But, it is not either inaccuracy of expreffion, or what fuch I'crupulous judges may be pleafed to call obfoletenefs of language, or lefifer mif- takes, which excite the induftry and attra<!^ the notice of the generality of objeclors.- — The DOCTRINES which are incorporated with it, and from which its tone and fpirit are de« rived, are the real caufe of complaint and averiion.
The prayers occafionally directed to the Redeem.er of mankind, the confidence raifed in his merits, the devout proftrations before the high majeity of his tranfcendant nature, communicating a principle of pious and Chriilian vitality to the whole, are the ftrong bulwarks which it is the real purpofe of thefe affe6led, feeble, and fophiftical cavils to un- dermine and deftroy. The fame fpirit and the fame views have given rife to thofe va- rious propofals for either the bold proje6l of a new tranjlation, or the more fpecious one of a revifal of the prefent veriion of the Holy
Scriptures.
PREACHED AT ST. PAUl's. 239
Scriptures. From either of thefe fcliemes there can be io I'd tie gained^ and may be fo ^iich hazarded, that the probable good bears ho manner of proportion to the threatened danger. We have indeed i'pecmiens of new perjions both of tlie wiiole, and various parts of the Old and Nt;w Teltaments. Some of them, particularly of the Old Te/iainenf, clearly intended as a vehicle for loofe and licentious fpeculation. (c) The language of the New Tejiament (d) is diftorted in viola- tion of all analogy of fenfe and diclion, to fpeak the opinions of Socinus, But even the BEST of thefe fpecimens, executed by men of acknowledged talents and foundnefs of opinion, recommend moft ftrongly by their avowed inferiority m every effential point, an adherence to that we are already in poffeffion of. With regard to a revision, it is of little importance that a few particles be adjufted, a few phrafes poliftied, if the whole fabrick of that faith which was once dehvered to the faints is thereby fhaken to its foundations. For the extent and prof^refs of fuch a revifion, or the objefts it may embrace, no man who is acquainted with the ordinary courfe of theological proceedings can at all calculate.
With
^40 iaSITATTON gERMOI>f
With regard to the New Tejlament I am fare we may confidently affirm, that in a (e) well known inftance the induilry, learning, and abilities which have been feduloufly exerted in collecting the miftakes and inaccuracies which are faid to exift in the received verlion^ have fcarcely been able to produce a single JERROR by which any material faB or doSirine is afFe6ted. Add to this^ that the grandeur^ dignity, and fimplicity of it, is confeffed even by thofe who willi eagerly to promote a reviiion, and by the moll eminent critics and mafters of ftyle it is allowed to exhibit a more perfe6t fpecimen of the integrity of the Engliib language, than any other writing which that language can boaft(F). But the grounds on which thefe proje6ts are to be refilled, are much more ferious and im- portant. For when we fee men of the moft latudinarian principles uniformly preffmg forward this dangerous propofal, when we fee the molt unbounded panegyrics bellowed on thofe who have converted the Mofaic hif- tory into allegory, and the New Teilamenit into Socinianifm, when we fee thefe attempts ftudiouily foilered and applauded by the ad^ VQcates for this proje6led revifion, we muft
conjecture
PIIEACHED AT ST. PAULS. 241
feonje^liire that fomething more is meant than e correclion of miltakes, or an improvement ©f diction. Thole doctrines, the demohtion of which we know to be, in late inllances, the- grand objecSl of luch innovators when they propofe alterations in articles of faith, or cor* rection of liiturgicah forms^ are i'urely in Hill greater danger when attempted by the fame men under the diftant approaches of a revijion of our Englilli Bible (g).
But I fear I have too long trefpaffed on your patience, not to hailen to a conllderation of thofe duties which the exigency of the times moil awfully demands in the forming of our manners, and the regulation of our morals.
To thofe who have confidered with due attention, the progreis of real religion and the caufes which contributed to check or promote its influence, PiOthing appears of greater im- portance than the regulation of the manners of the Clergy. By manners I w ould be un- derftood to mark thofe habits and ufages, which in focial life, though not perhaps ftri6tly virtuous or vicious, yet have a power- ful indirect influence to further virtue or pro- mote vice. Thefe, however, in other pro- feffions may be, comparatively Ipeaking, an R object
^4^ Visitation sermon
objecl of lels attention, they are in the Clergy, of incalculable importance : Though I am perfuaded that even among the Laity^ be- tween manners and morah there is in aeneral a much nearer connexion than is by fuper- iicial obfervers fuppofed. I would not be underftood To recommend either formality or '{)recifenefs, in averting that to the energy, and efficacy of our profeffioiral chara6\.er, a pai'ticipation of the uncommon le\ itj'^ of the age is very unfavourable. A marked con- tempt of formSj an indolent affectation of po- litenefs, and an ungovertiable appetite for amufements, conftitute fome of the predo- minant features of the times. Hence a light- nefs and flippancy of manners has beea fpread, too nearly refembling the habits of that wretched nation which has almoft buried the whole moral world in its fall and ruins, Thefe habits, however uncongenial to the fobriety and lerioufneis of tl^e native Englifh character, have been diflufed by a perpetual round of pleallires, in Mhich for a long time, we degraded ourfelves by an ambitious imitation of that frivolous, conceited, and abandoned people. Their mifery was pre- ceded and accompanied in every ftage of it
by
pheached at st. pauI's. 243
by a perpetual iucceffion of public diverfions* The moll: foppiili levity and the molt appall-* ing cruelty went hand in hand. From the kill I trufl we are^ and ever fliall be far, . very far removed.— But if a ipe6tator were to come into this metropolis uriacquainted with the a6lual circumftaiices in which we are at this moment placed, would he fuppofe that \ve were in a juft alarm for a continuance of the very exigence of civil order .^ — Could he conjeciare that we had fo lately been called together by a molt pious and religious Prince to a public national acl of the deepeft and moft contrite humiliation^ to deprecate the impending judgments of Almighty God? Would he not fee day turned into night* and night into day, the opulent and gay- rolling about in recklefs unconcern, focieties of delperate gamelters plying their no6lurnai trade, new theatres ariling from the ruins of old ones, and with ajbipendous and iiif'amotis magnificence, towering above the temples of God himielf, as if pleafure and profanenefs wei'e to be our future and eternal idols. Surely, however ///cA a ilranger might judge of thele fpeftacles, he would be Utile in- clined to think that a participation of them R 5i fuited
244 VISITATION SKI13I02J
iiiited either the general character, or prefent Jituation of tlioi'e, whofe profeflion it is in the midii: of every variety of human Avoe, follv, frenzy, and mifery, to in^•aken the minds of men to a conviction of this moil awful truth, " iltnt fni came hio the zcorld, " and death hi/ Jin /"' In the prelent duy it is perhaps a Wcint of abftinence from amufe- ments, (which as far as my obfervation can carry me) has contributed more to diminifli the power and ciiect of our labours," and to lower the dignity of our character, than it is poiTible to conceive or calculate. Nor doth it refi; here — Levity of manners jnuji affect our doctrines, Tlieie, it will be necefliiry for us in mere felf-defence, to lower down to the Itandard of our practice. But to be drowned in fafnionable amufements, to go flown the iull tide of pleafure and diflipation^ Is not to difcharge our duty to our Flocks, our King, and our Country, in this moment of their greateft need. It is furely to cheat man- kind of thofe exertions, by which alone peace, j^^irtue, fubordination, and hap pine Is can be reftored and perpetuated among us. At a time when the foldier is undergoing his temporal warfare, courageouily Itruggling
agaiiifL
PREACHED AT ST. PAULS. 545
Q<j:aln{l the fatiirue ^f his labours and the anguifli of his wounds, it ill becomes us foldiers of Chrift to (lacken our activity, refolution, and fidelity in this our fpiritual career.
Men in fach circumitances fliould be aware, that every approximation to tlie manners of the world, lets us nearer to the morals of it. And woe be to that Miniiler of the Gofpel who by a flagrant a6t of known pro- fligac}', at any time, adds by his conduct to the triumph of the wicked, to the affliction of the virtuous, to the fedu6lion of the in- nocent, to the perverfenefs of the captious, and to the general furtherance of tlijs powers of Hell and of Darknefs ! But at this tre- mendous criiis, what can be faid of fuch a condu6l I It is to tear open thofe wounds which we fliould be binding up with the ten,- dereft affection, — it is to ftrike a deep and deadly blow at the vitals of our fainting country, — it is to difpenfe poijbn inftead of medicine to a languifliing and confiding pa- tientj^t is to ftifle all natural aftection forr thofe of our neareft relatives, who muft par- take of the temporal effe6ts which our exam- ple occalions ! If fuch there be, not I truft R 3 many
546 VISITATION SERMON".
many in number, well may the Apoftle ex-« claim, " Wretchechnen that they are, whoJJiall *« deliver them from the hpdi/ of this death''? From the edification I have recei\ed fron> moll: of my brethren who are employed in the minifterial office in this metropolis, than whom I believe no body of Clergy in thefe latter times have exhibited a more fteady, fm^ cere, and confpicuous piety, — from the per-? ibnal knowledge I have of fome, who hy the purity of their conduct, and the fervor of their zeal, woqld have been an ornament to the bell ^nd moft primitive ages of thQ Church ; from the eminent virtue, zeal, an^ piety, of that excellent Prelate whoir^ God has called to the goverriment of this Diocefe, I am convinced that in thefe fenti-? ments I fhall meet with the cordial cour currence and agreement pf thofe who now he^r me. All in this venerable affembly >vill join me in fervent afpirations to the great Shepherd of the Sheep, that he will give his heavenly proteftion to his faithful ejvpefiting Church, and that after all our trials, ftrug-? gles, anxieties, temptations, and affli6tiong fire ended, we may have fo fought that good fjghtj and fq hniffied our courle in this our
^arthlu
PREACHED AT ST. PAUL's. 247
earthly and militant ftate, that we may be thought worthy to be admitted to that tri- umphant Church above, where, in the pre- fence of God and of his Chrift, " the tears " Jhall he for ever zfipedjrom everi/ ei/e/*
Hi NOTES.
NOTES.
(a) Thofe who are acquainted with the tone and temper in Avhich the Confessional is written, and who are converfant with the van rious pubhcations Mhich fupport the fame opir nions to this very day, will recognize the juftice of this obfervation.
(b) In this oppofition it is fufficientlv fmgular that both Popery and Sociniaxism agree: and contrafted as they may appear, this is not the onli/ point of fimilarity, which is to be traced between them,
(c) Vide Dr. Geddes's New Tranflation of the Pentateuch.
(d) Vide Wakefield's Tranflation of the ^ew Teftament,
(e) Vide *'ObfervationsontheEng]ifli Verfion of the Gofpels and Epiftles," by John; Symoxds, LL. D, Profeffor of J\Iodern Hiftory in the Unin verfity of Cambridge. For this learned and ex- cellent perfon, I am proud to profefs the greateft pubhc refpe^l, and private regard. But I muft be permitted to fay, that if hi^ talents a^d acutenefs
5. (;ouId
could find fo very few material errors or defe6U 111 the common verdon of the New Teftamcnt, there is i'mall occafion to refort to a new tranfla- tion or a revlfion of the old.
(f) Thofe who indulge themfclves In precipitate objc('^ions to> the language, and Avhat they term the ohfoiete phrafeology, both of our tranllation of the Scriptures, and our Englilh Liturgy, \\^ill do well to attend to the fentlments of Dean Swift, in his Letter to the Eaul of Oxford, then Lord Jligh Treafurer.
*' It is your Lordfliip's obfervation, that if it *^ were not for the Bible and Common Prayer ** book in the vulgar tongue, we fliould hardly ^' be able to undertland any thing that was writ- *' ten among us an hundred years ago; which is ^' certainly true : for thofe books being })erpe- *' tualiy read in churches, have proved a kind of ^' ftandard for language, efpecially to the com- " mon people. And I doubt whether the altera- *' tions fince introduced, have added much to the *' beauty or ftrength of the Englillx tongue, *' though they have taken oif a great deal from * ^ tlmt Jmplicitj/, which is one of the greateil ^' perfections in any language. You, my Lord, ^' Avho are fo converfant in the facred writings, ♦* and fo great a judge of them in their originals, <^ wiU agree, that no tranllation our country ever
"yet
250 NOTES.
** yet produced, hath come up to that of the Old *' and New Teilament : and by the many beau- *^ tiful paffages which I have often had the honour " to hear your Lordihip cite from thence, I am " perfuaded that the tranflators of the Bible were *' mailers of an Enghih flyle much jitter for that ** work, tlian any wc fee in ouv pre/en t 'ciriti/igs; " which I take to be owing to the Jinipliciti/ thsit ** runs through the whole. Then, as to the *' greateft part of our Liturgy, compiled long bc- *' fore the tranflation of the Bible now in ufe, and *' little altered iince ; there feem to be iYi it as *' great ftrains of true fublime eloquence, as are *' any where to be found in our language, which " every man of good tafte will obferve in the *' Communion Service, that of Burial, andothe?" '* parts."
With this opinion the late Lord Monboddo, whofe eminent and profound critical fkill in an- cient languages rendered him a confummatejudge of the ftru61;ure and beauties of our own, entirely coincides — " I hold (fays he) the Engiyk Bible to '•'- be the hejljtandard of the Englifh language wc " have at this day." Vide *' Origin and Progrefs of Language." Vol. IL p. 141.
(g) Having both in this difcourfe, and that before the Sons of the Clergy, unrefervedly de- clared my fentiments of the principles of various
propofe4
NOTES. 251
propoftd hmovations of our Liturgy iincl Articles, I truil it will not be improper here incidentally to advert to a mode of objection, not unfrequcnt vath thofe who have been t-i'^'iined in the fchool of the ConJ'effional.
It is frequently demanded, with an air of much triumph, whether the primitive Reformers of the Englilh Church have clelivered to us fo perfe6l a fyitem of do<5lrine, and fo faultlefs a liturgical form, as that po fubfequent improvement can be made by men of judgment and ability fraught with the accumulated advantages which the pro- greffiye advancement of learning and fcience af-^ fords. That fuch a period may never arrive, or that fuch was the infallibility of our firft Re- formers, it is very far from our intention to affert But whether the prefent time is the propereft for the work of farther amendment and corre6tion, and whether thofe who fo confidently and loudly pall for it are the properelt perfon^ to undertake it, may be fairly doubted. Our liturgy and arti- cles ^yere frarned by men in Avhom religious prin- ciple exifted in its full vigour — in an age of dig- tiified fnnplicity both of thought and language — ■ in times when the exertions and fufferings con- comitant to the reformation had given an elaftic activity to the human mind— times furely far inore favorable to fuch undertakings than the ^refititj when indolence, refinement, and luxur}',
and
252 NOTES.
and that ibphiftry Mhlch arifes from them, is Co fl^enerall}^ prevalent. However fafliionable it iiiay he to decry the labours, to depreciate the talents, and forget the ferrices of our firft Reformers, yet from the truly eminent in piety and learning they have received, and ever will receive, that tribute of praife and veneration to which they are juftly entitled. To thofe who inconfiderately and conlidently pronounce that our articles im- pofe upon us the doctrines of dark and ignorant ages, the late acute and learned Dr. Thomas Balguy direds the following poignant and juft reproof: *' One might be tempted to aflt fucli *' objeftors, of what ages they fpealc, I hope ** they do not fpeak of the times of the Reforma- <* tion, The age of Ridley, and Jewel, and ^* Hooker, will be reverenced by the lateft pof- ?*terity." — Vide " Charge delivered, in 1772^ by T. BalguY; Archdeacon of Winchefter*"
DISCOURSE
DISCOURSE X.
PSALM xxiv. 2.
^ FOR HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THfi Ci'-i^ SEAS, AND ESTABLISHED IT UPON" ^l^« THE FLOODS."
^7 HAT was formerly faicl of moral pliilo* foph}^, is more jufiJy Applicable to oiir holy jeligion : namely, that there is no fituation in which man can be placed, no relation in which he iiands connected either with the works of the creation around him, or with individuals or communities of his own fpecies, to which its duties, its principles, and its obho-ations, Ji]o not extend.
Without reference to the Great Author and Architect, all the lublime objefts by which MQ are furrounded lofe their fplendor and
relilli.
254 i»REACHED BEfOtllE THE
relilli. Thofe^ therefore, who have alban^ doned the idea of an all-wife, powerful, and benevolent, Firft Caufe, as the primary pu- nilhment of this depravation of their zcIII(a) (for never yet was it a miftake of the under" Jianding) are depri^^ed of all thofe blefied and lively emotions which the confolatory convic- tion of a fuperin tending Providence inevitably ini'plres. Neither the order, motions, and magnitude, of the heavenly bodies, the earth on which we live, or the wide and vaft ocean by which it is environed, if afcribed to a blind totality or a necefiiiry feries of caufes and ef- fects, ftrike an obferver by their magnificence, beauty, and fublimity. A difavowal of the conne6lion between the creature and the Creator is the death of the moral MAN, and of all thofe fatisfactions and de* lights which are, by the moral fenfe, alone perceptible. An Atheiit, therefore, either fpeculative or pradical, muft view the objefts of the creation around him with a dreary fullennefg and Itupor which differs from that of the beafts that periili, only by the malignity which is invariably attached to it.
But the moment the greatnefs, the good* nefo, the niercv, the bounty, of Almighty
God
CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE. 255
God breaks in upon the mind, then it is that a fenfe of beauty, proportion, and coherence, is fuggefled by a contemplation of final caufes. Hence, in that fchool by which alone the heart of man can be regulated or its movements directed to a moral end, the works 'of God are conftantly connected with their author; and the beneficial effects flowing' from them, are afcribed to Him, and the ope- rations of his hands. " Who hath hardened " himfelf aQ-ainJt him (fays holy Job) and ** profpered — zvhicJi alone fpreadeth out tlie ** heavens, and treadeth upon the reaves of the *' fea ; zphich makeih ArFturns, Orion, and •* Pleiades, and, the chambers of the foutU; ** zihich doeth great things, pajl finding out ; *' i/ea, and wonders zvitliout number (n)."
Nor is this obfervable only with res^ard to thefe his creatures, by which the individual neceffities of men are fupplied, but alfo to thofe bleffings by which civil communities are cemented and upheld. All the variety of benefits which, by the different proportions and modifications of external and adventitious circumitances are diitributed to different na- tions of the globe, are referred, in the holy Scriptures, to God alone : " God^ that made
" the
S56 ^KExVCHED BEFORE tHE
*' the world and all things therein^ is Lord of " heaven and earth, and hath made, of one " blood, all nations of men, for to dwell on all " the face of the earth ; and hath determined *' tlie times before appointed, and the bounds ** of their habitations"
I have a comfortable afTurance that, upon- an occafion fo connected with our national profperity and welfare as that which now aflembles us, we fhall be inclined to follow this train of thought ; that we Ihall, for an in-» terval, fufpend thofe contracted views which a confideration of meaner and fecondary caufes fuggelts, and that we Ihall, with expanded thoughts and purified aft"e6lions, acknow* ledge the blelfings which arife^ and the du-* ties which refult, from the fmgular circum-* itances in which the providence of God hath placed us.
That it hath pleafed tjie Supreme Difpenfei* of national as well as individual lienefits to allot to Great Britain fo high a pre-eminence in the order of commercial nations, not only above thole w^hich exift in our days^ but even thofe recorded iu hiiforj^, is furely a token of his peculiar bounty and favQur. Neither* Tyre, Carthage, or Alexandria, in ancient
times,
CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE. 257
times, or in more recent ones, Venice, Hoi- land, or the American States, have either in extent, a6tivity, or enterprize, if taken at their moft flourifliing periods, equalled, colleStivehj, the ftrength and growth of our prefent power and exertions, e^ en amidft the turbulent in- terruptions and wdld calualties of a mofl ar- duous and extended conflift.
Great are the real bleffmgs, if rightly ap- plied, which arife out of this his gracious dif- penfation towards us. And furely that com- merce is ultimately conducive to individual and national happinefs can fcarcely be denied, except where reafon is outweighed by fpleen, and truth by paradox. By this means not only are the neceffities and conveniencies of life amply fupplied, not only many of the various medical aids, without which human nature muft fmk under hopelefs difeafes and agony, are diftributed among wddely diftant nations, but an elafticity is communicated to the mind, and an enlargement to its views, which, if rightly regulated and directed, muft be highly conducive to the progrefs of virtue and humanity. I know^ of 710 iituation more unfavourable to morals, and confequently to religion, tlian that torpor and (tagnation, that S' ftlfifli
25S PREACIiED BEFORE THE
felfiili pride and fullen ferocity, -which a flate of national feckifion neceffarily generates, and which an extended commercial intercourfe with other nations, is beft calculated to pre- vent, or to corre6l.
To be infenfible, therefore, of fuch a blefs- ing, or, from a view of the abufes only, of an extended commerce, (and which of God'a bleffmgs may not be abufed ?) to depreciate its beneficial influence, is to reje61; the bounty of the Almighty with a malignant fullennefs and ingratitude. I fliould not have thought it ne- ceflary to have made this obfervation, had I not been aware that declamatory Jiatements of the incidental inconvcnicncies to which a com- mercial fyftem, like every other human good, is neceffarily fubjeft, are frequently among , the topics by which an attempt is made to in- tercept the views of the happinefs and prof- perity of this nation from thofe upon whom the goodnefs of God has bellowed it. From the formation of the globe on which we live, from the nature and properties of the ocean by which it is encompafled, opening a ready ' and rapid conmiunication between the dif- ferent and diftant communities of its inhabi- tants, and (for which communication it feems
to
CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE. 259^
to have been fpecificalli/ formed) a commercial intercourfe between nations, appears to have been in the dire6t dejign of God's wife and gracious decrees. And furelj, in this order of his providence, " the Lord loveth the gates " of Zion more than all the dwellings of " Jacob." For whatever advantages the ex- tended traffic of the En2;h{h nation has Dro- duced, thefe he has made permanent by its impregnable infular iituation. " He hath " founded it upon thefeas, and eJiahUJlied it " upon the floods;' a gift of which it is fcarcely poffible to calculate the magnitude, or exprefs the importance ! Through the fur- rounding waves God fpeaks to each hoftile invader, " Hitherto flialt thou come, and no " farther" Hence it is that, even amidft the raging of war, our native land is un- ftained with blood — hence it is that thofe dif- aftrous events which affeft continental ftates, are, by this providential deftination, warded from us. Even while the thunder of the bat- tle is within our hearing, our wives and our children are in fecurity, and our fields bring forth their increafe. — This, furely, is a fovrce of gratitude to Him who hath '^ fowided'' s 2 this
260 PREACHING BEFORE THE
this favoured land " itpoii ihe/eas, and ejla* " bllflied it upon the foods"
But not only in out pknti/ and fecurity, but in that unrivalled form of civil polity, un- der which we live, do we Hand diftinguiftied above even the happiejl nations now exifting, or recorded inhiflorj. Whatever benefits are difpenfed by our maritime and commercial lyftem, whatever proportion of them is feve- raliy divided among the lower as well as higher orders among us, the free and un- difturbed enjoyment of them is fecured and afcertained by the moll equal laws and the freeft government with which God, in the utmoft prodigality of his bounty, ever bleffed any people. So conftru6led is civil fociety among us, that the great maffes of wealth and property operate as the heart doth in the human frame, conveying the fources of vitality and vigour in efficient circulation to the moft diftant and rem^ote ramifications of the political body. So that, according to the apt metaphor of the apoftle, " the whole fitly joined together, aiid compared by thai ichich every joint fupplietii, according to tn\ effeStual zcorJcing in the meafure of *' ei'cn( pV(/'^ makeih increafe of the body."
But
CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE. 26i
But to all bleffings, national as v/ell as in- dividual, correfponding cautions and duties are annexed, left, in the awful language of holy writ, " the things zchich Jliould have been " for the wealth'* of the poffeflbrs, '* be iintd " the?n an occafion of falling^'
When, then, we expand our thoughts to a fober refledion on the majeftic fcenes of opu- lence and power which this day's fpe6tacl8 has exhibited — when the vaft refources which brace the finews of the Britifh arm arife in contemplation before us, we fliall furely not think fcorn of this pleafant land — we (hall, doubtlefs, kneel in humble gratitude before that Almighty Prote6lor who hath hitherto fruftrated all the efforts, and defeated all the artifices, of our enemies, foreign and domejiic^ to proftrate her glory in the duft. If, when we contraft; our prefent ftrength, however alfailed, our prefent fecurity, however threat- ened, with the lot of many of the furrounding nations in Europe, groaning under the favage insurfion and relentlefs defpotifm of a plun- dering and infulting foe, by whofe plaujible and hypocritical prof ejjlons they were lulled into a ftate of fatal inactivity and torpor-^ when, I fay, we find them wakened in the s 3 loaidft
% .
25^ PREACHED BEFORE THE
midft of blood, ruin, pillage, and famine, "with fetters rivetted upon them, and, perhaps, their |)Q{terity, how ought WE to blefs God that a difcerning fpirit inclined a large ma.jority of our people to an early infight into the motives and defigns of the French nation, and the tremendous operation of the principles they had adopted ! — Our fhips, our ports, our arfenals, our merchandife, and the majeftic river on which we have this day pafled, are ALL, through the might of Him Who hath founded this illand " on the feas, and ejia" « bliJJicd it on the floods;' STILL OUR OWN. We have not, like Carthage of old, or our former allies the Dutch in the prefent moment, been reduced to the fliarp humilia- tion of delivering up all the inheritance of our anceftors, and the rich acquifitions of our own valour and induftry.
But we muft remember — that " Jerufaleni " is as a city which is at unity with itfelf:'' what no eaternal effort can compafs, internal treachery, difcord, and revolt, may effecl. To ourfel-ces we mufl be true ; true to our God, our confciences, our King, and our pofterity !
Whenever, therefore, we think upon the
mighty
CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE. 263
mighty and equal flake we all of us, high and low, rich and poor, manufafturers and merchants, pealknts and nobles, have in the termination of the prefent arduous confli6t ; if we recollciSl that the wars preceding the prefent were for dominion and empire, but this for our very national. ex ijlence, for " our wives^ " our children, and the cities of our God" — if we reflecl upon the fteady perfeverance with which the favourite object of Eng^ land's ruin is purfued by our vindii'Riive fe- rocious foe, whofe hatred to this honeft and generous people feems to be an hereditary principle of aftion under every variety through which they pafs, either of Royalty or De- mocracy, of Despotism or Anarchy, of Atheism orSuPERSTiTioN — an enmity which no benefits can foften, and no time ob- literate— who, whether oppofed by our arms or FED BY OUR BOUNTY, uniformly exclaim of this nation, Down wjth her, down with her, even to the ground— then fliall we learn to appreciate the worth of that order of Men to whole exertions and fervices we owe, under Providence, all we poiTefs, and deliverance from all we fear, By the manly intrepidity of the SEAMEN OF ENG^ s 4 LxlND,
•*
264 PREACHED BEFORE THE
LAND, by their a6live enterprifing fpirit, by their contempt of death and danger, the me- naces of oar foes have invariably recoiled upon them — by their means, amidft every other viciffitude, our naval fuperiority is at this moment confpicuoiis and complete beyond all former precedent — by thefe men " the " Lord hath caiifed our enemies that rnfe up " againji ns to be fmit ten before our face" — by their inftrumentality He hath made us high abov^e all nations in praise, in NAME, AND IN HONOUR. In them (and perhaps in them alone) the virtues of our fore- fathers have undergone no diminution or abatement. Their hardy courage, melting hu- manity, and vitSlorious proweis, is as in the daj^s of old and the years that are paft (c).
Being afiembled, I trult, with one heart and one mmd, in ardent affeclion for our King and Country, you are prepared to vene- rate the memory of our forefathers, who have delivered down to your guardian care this ANCIENT Establishment for the relief and refuge of thefe meritorious men, bulwarks of our ftrength and pride of our glory ! A Foundation fo connefted with national grati- tude to its iiluilrious defenders, fo calculated
to
CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE, ^65
to promote flvill, to encourage enlerprife, and to animate the courage of Britiih Seamen, and to fecure and perpetuate our naval fupe- riority and dominion, well deferves the Ibh- citude and fuperintendance of the higheft cha- rade rs in this kingdom. Such it hath hi- therto gloried in as its patrons and protestors ; and we trull that, as it has grown with our growth and llrengthened with our ftrength, fo that it will be coeval with the Britiih name and nation, till time Ihall be no more. We are confidently affured, that at a period when in different parts of Europe Peace can fcarcely find room for the fole of her foot, the fpec- tacle of fo many objects of the national mu- nificence and gratitude as are here before us, provided with a calm retreat for their declin- ing years, and with liipport for their deareft relatives, will foften down our hearts with love to our common country, and piety to the Author of every good and perfe6l gift. I ftand affured that neither dan2:ers or reverfes will deter us from a manly adherence to thofe principles, and a cultivation of thofe Chrif- tian virtues, which are the birthright and difi:inciion of Englilhmen — that our fouls will never come into counfel with the hidden
worker*
266 PREACHED BEFORE, &C.
workers of confufion and revolt, or "witli the avowed enemies of our ftrength, wealth, and commerce. But we rf/ entertain a confola- tory anticipation that British courage, loy- alty, humanit}' , ' and generolity, will be fixed on that fame impregnable fortrefs which the arm of Almighty God has " founded
'' UPON THE SEAS, AND ESTABLISHED
" ON THE FLOODS." In HIM our fore- fathers truited ; they hoped in HIM, and were never i/et confounded. May HE de- fend the heritage uhich he hath chofen, and fend us help from his holy place !
AMEN! AMEN!
NOTES.
NOTES.
(a) The words of St. Peter are emphatically defcriptive of the philofophy, and the calamities, of the prefent times — " For this they willingly '* are ignorant of, that by the word of God the '* heavens were oj old, and the earth ftanding out " of the water and in the xvater : zuhereby the " world that then was, being o-verjiozved by zvater, '' perijhed:' 2 Pet. iii. 5, 6,
(b) Jobix. 8, 9, 10.
(c) This Sermon was preached before the vic- tories obtained by Earl St. Vixcext, Lord DuNCAX and Lord Nelson. Such an accelhon of national ftrength and fecurity as thefe heroes have earned for their country within fo iliort a fpace of time, even the moil fanguine enthiifiarm could not have anticipated. May the glory be afcribed unto God !
DISCOURSE XL
HOSEA IV. 6. '^ MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED POR LACK
OF knowledge/'
j[ HE mifery of ignorance and the benefits of knowledge all mankind agree in confeffing, and therefore on this head it fhould feem we have no need to have recourfe to Prophetical illumination. But in many obvious conclu- fions, difficulties occur, or queftions involving difficulty in a proximate ftage of enquiry. When our blefled Lord declared unto Pilate, "^/br this cmffe came I inio the world, that I '■'Jhoidd hear witnefs of the truth," Pilate propofed a queftion fufficiently embarraffmg to one not inftru6led in the wifdom which the Redeemer of Mankind came from heaven
tQ
270 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
to teach — " JVhat is truth f A quellion cer-. tainly not put captioully or fopliifticaliy, but with fuch a deftre of information as the ftate of opinions at that time rendered highly ra- tional and juftifiable in the Roman governor. Tiius, with regard to a fubje6t fo congenial to truth as Jcnoickdge, if a fimilar queftion were put, before an anfwer could be returned, much thought would be requifite, even among thole who are habituated to reflection and difcuflion. Thofe poffibly leajl qualified to return an anfwer, would be moil forward and precipitate in attempting it. Surel}^, without any defire to defcend to the meaneft employ- ment of the underllanding, a cavil upon the definition of a word, it might be aiked, whether the nature of knowledge, general or particular, primarij or fuhordinate, was en- quired into ? If the exiilence of a knowledge, to which all other is inltrumental and fubfer- vient, which points to the end, which regu- lates the acquifitioR, which afcertains the boun- daries of all other branches of learning and fcience, can be proved, and is admitted, what is it, and where is it to be found ? I can hardly bring myfelf to imagine tliat in the mod in- formed aflembly, the refolution of this quef- tion 3
PREACHED AT CAMBHIDGE, 1798. 2?^
iion would be either immediate or uniform — Farther, if there is a knowledge, on which not only the improvements, and the refine- ments, but the very being of fociety de- pends, the flate of this muft be in its nature mofl deeply awful and interefting. It was the language of Pagan Philofophy that fuch a knowledge did exift (a). The tranfcendent powers of natural genius, which the Almighty, for purpofes infinitely wife, vouchfafed to fome of the high architefts of heathen wif- dom, enabled them to difcern, that all fcience, as exercifed in its inferior provinces, required fome principle of a fublimer nature, which might afford cement, confiftence, and bafis to every fubordinate effort and exertion of the human intellect. In exploring this principle, they how^ever failed — and inftead of fubftan- tial truth, were lofl in the delufive twilight of a magnificent though ineffectual and perpe- tually baffled metaphyfical fpeculation. But thofe upon whom the " T)ay-ftar" of revela- tion, either Patriarchal, Mofaick, or Evan- gelical arofe, found in the diflin6t difcovery of a moral Governor of the univerfe, and the full and unequivocal difplay of his attributes, that kno\^ledge which marks the. origin, the
limits.
273 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
limits, and deftination of every facultj^ talent, and acquifition.
When then we are inftru6led by Ahnighty God tiiat there is a knowledge, " for the~ " lack of which a people is cleft rGJjed" we mull infer both from the reafon of the thins;, and the concurring teftimony of revelation, that it is the knowledge of himfelf, his nature, his providence, and his power. There are very few inftances w^iere a people poffeffmg this knowledge is deftroyed, even by external violence, none I believe by internal caufes of convulfion and ruin. When therefore the ftate of man is^difordered, not only in one nation, but " as the lightning that lightenethout of one " part of the earth Jliineth even to the other" fo a fliock and conflagration is communicated to every civilized nation under the Sun ; when, iti fome. Ruin has had its perfe6l work in its moft hideous forms, and in almoft every other the tempefl feems ripe for burfling, — to fearch for this in any other than in the di- vine counfels, is to be blind indeed to the operations of Him whofe working is from everlafting to everlafting. If it be true that " knowledge and wifdon are the Jiahility of *' profperoiis times" the converfe will equally
claim
pheaciied at Cambridge, 1798. 273
claim our attention, that " /or lack of know-- *' kc/ge a people /.s deflroi/ed." To enquire, with as much concifenefs as poffible, into the moral caules in both thefe fcriptural propo- fitions, as they appear to exifi; in our own country, to mark their operation and efFefts in the events taking place within our obferva- tion, cannot be in times of common danoer and alarm, alien either to the occafion on which we are aflembled, or unfuited to the attention of thofe to whom it is my immediate province to addrefs myfelf.
I am extremely aware that ftrong exception be made to a ftatemeht which reprefents any deficiency in Wifdom in an age calling itfelf knowing and enhghtened beyond all former example. That fuch is the character of the prefent times in any branch of learning might fairly be doubted. But it is not my intention, to inflitute a regular comparifon between the various acquiiitions and exertions of ourfelves and our predecellbrs. In compafs and com- mand of language, in fimplicity and energy of diction, in orderly and comprehenfive thought, in profoundnels of learning, and in the detail of accurate and patient inveftiga- tion, I cannot help thinking that we fliould T be
274 COMMEXCEMENT SERMON
be unwife in contefting the fuperiority. But it is more to my purpofe to mark thofe intel- le6liial habits which interfere with the cuhiva- tion of that knowledge which direfts, fuper- intends, and fanctifies every portion of wifdom we can acquire. The kmguage of the ancien.t Theology of the Engiilh Church is, that (b) " we are capable of God both by Underftand- ing and by AV^ill : by Undei'ftanding, as he is that fovereign truth ^shicli comprehends the rich treafures of all wildom ; by AVill-, as he is that Sea of Goodnefs whereof whofo talleth Ihall thiril no more." A^'ith f'uch principles of wifdom predominating in their intelle^f, and reigning in their affections, did oui- pre- deceffors in thefe feats of learning, for a long courfe of time fubfequent to the Reformation, proceed in tlieir literary career. Whatever was the region of fcience which they ex- plored, whatever branch of learning they cul- tivated, they lleadily kept in ^'iew the G reat Source of every good and perfeft gift, in whom, by whom, through whom, for whom are ail things. Not only in treatifes where Theology was the profefied obje6f, was di- vine knowledge diffufed, but in thole where the connections were lefs vilible and direifl.
The
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 275
The divine adminiflration was perpetually pointed to by the Hiftorian ; the paffions of men were coniidered by him as mean and fub- ordinate inftruments to the fleady difpenfation t>f juftice or mercy, of reward or puniftiment, to communities of men either acknowledging the hand of the Almighty, or prefumptuoufly oppoiing his counlels and commands. In ex- amining the moral fyftem of man, and his powers, inclinations, and habits in the attain- ment of happinefs. Religion was confidered as the polar Itar of morality. With ftill greater diligence in Natural Philofophy was the finger of God, whether in the ftrudure of the human body, the laws of the mate- rial world, and the motions of the hea- venly bodies perpetually pointed out and defignated. Every work was in fome mea- fure a fchool of divine knowledge ; and j^et no man alive will, if converfant in the works of thefe men, prefume to ^-dy that their efforts were cramped or confined by their piety. Was the political fagacity of a Hooker the lefs confpicuous for the perpetual eagernefs he exp relied to found every maxim, and the foundnefs of all regimen, on the love and ad- miration of Almighty God ? Was the wiftiom T 2 of
276 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
of a Bacon, in difcerning the provinces, in marking the Umits, and in pointing to the advancement of moral and fcientific truth, the lefs fubhme for his reverential avv'e of the Deity, and his zealous and orthodox profef- fion of the faith of Chrift, in all the magna- nimous humility of Chriftian abafement ? Is the hiilory of a Clarendon lefs grave, fplendid, inftru6live, and dignified, for that fpirit of conflant piety which pervades and upholds every fentiment and refleftioh ? Are , the refearches of thefe men lefs profound, their intelle6l lefs penetrating, their know- ledge lefs exuberant, their genius lefs lighted, and their eloquence lefs enflamed, than that of thofe who are now employed in the fame provinces of learning and fcience ? Be this as it may — certain it is, that the channels by which the knowledge of religion was com- . municated, are neither fo numerous or abun- dant as in the days of our fathers ; and rarely it is indeed that, except in works direftly treating of Theology, any pious reference, even when the fubjeft moft points to it, is made to the difpenfation and moral govern- ment of Almighty God. In a variety of caufes will this be traced : in none more than
in
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 5277
in Pride, or in its abortion, Vanity. The obftruftions which thel'e have interpofed to the general acceptance of the Gofpel, are greater than expreliion can reach. There is a knowledge ''for the lack of which a people " is clejtroyed ;" and there is, on the contrary-, a knowledge by which " every man is hnitijh, " every founder is confounded hy his graven " image, for his molten image isfalfeJiood, and " there is no breath in them. They are va- " nity, and the works of errors, and in the " time of their vifitation they fliall perijli." Such idols are the high prerogatives of hu- man nature and human reafon, which modern philofopliy call upon its ^ difciples to afiert. This engenders a fondnefs for paradox, than which nothing can be a greater obflru«5tion to all knowledge, and particularly to the know- ledge of God and his difpenfations. All paradox, even in its moft ingenious forms, is mere debility, and in no inftance a mark of enero'V or ftrenoth of mind. And it is ob- fer\able that in proportion to the love for this, the intellectual appetite is palled and vitiated for the perception and inveftigation of genuine truth. Hence thole miichievous ab- ftraftions, which when introduced into Reli- T 3 gion,
278 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
gion, Morals and Politics, have from cauft's comparatively mean, produced the moft ex- tended and tremendous effects. It is a truth, to which I believe very few exceptions occur, that paradoxes are but the panders and fatel- lites to the paffions. Rarely indeed do we find a paradox which isfnendly to virtue or moral obligation. i\ll of them, by different modes, tend to enflame this principle, which expelled our firft parents from Paradife, " ye ^^Jliallhc as Gods." They tend to difinchne man to \\ hat an eminent Theologian (c) call- ed, with a pregnancy of wifdom and pietj^ " a creature flate." From this fource a cer- tain ftrange compound of fiercenefs and pe- tulance is generated : Modefty, and the of!- fpring of Modefty, patient Induftry, is anni- hilated. Man " by his knowledge becomes truly hrutijh ;' he is inclined to overbear the humble, annoy the ftmple, and opprefs the weak. But when to this ilrong predifponent principle, the indolence of an efieminate, and the luxury and diflipation of a fenfual age is added, the evil becomes radical and inveterate. In a fliort time tliere will (we have reafon to fear) remain but two kinds of perlbns among us, either thofe who think not at all, 9 or
PREACHED AT CAIVIBCIDGE, 179B. 279
or thofe whole imaginations are a6ti\ e indeed, but " coiitinualhf evil." In the fonner, the fountains of knowledge are choaked up by indolence, fenfuality, and llupor ; in the lat- ter, the inebriation of pride, and the incen- tives of ambition, have entirely intercepted a view of the dependencies of Laws, hu- man and di\ine, and thole connected rela- tions by which man is bound to nuifi, and the creature to the Creator. Their '' fooUJh heart" in the language of the iVpoftle, " is darkened." They are " zc'dftdhj ignorant" of the necelliiry imperfections of that polity which embraces a very limited portion of our exillence ; which imperfe6tions, in truth, a reference to the civil records of all ao-es and countries, and a confideration of the very na- ture of the o-overnment of a Beins; difordered by guilt, di{lra6ted by paffion, and darkened by ignorance, point out as inevitable and in- vincible. If man liadt\mt knowledge of his own nature, which can never be underflood w ithout a difcernment of his dependency upon the Cause of his exiftence, his deduclions and conclullons in moral and political truth, would exempt him from the operation of that dupery, to which the frenzy of the paffions, T 4 and
280 COMMENCEMENT SERMON"
and the artifices of thoie who are flailed to turn that frenzy and that dupery to their own - bafe purpofes, renders men in the early Itages of life, and in the rude flioot and flrong exuberance of the faculties, pecuharly liable. Of the principles^ I do not fay of the clef ail, of political fcience, a sound Th e o lo g y is the only fare and (teady bafis (d).
Having in a manner, perhaps fbmewhat too general, though I truft not inapplicable to the opinions, events, and circumflances of the prefent times, adverted to the caufes of that " lack of knozeledge" by w hich " a people is " cicjiroi/ed," 1 proceed to trace the operations, by which a deftruction fb extended in its confequences, has been eftecled.
It has been already afferted that the mafter- fpring of every principle vrliich can perma- nently fecure the liability of a people, is the fear and knowledge of Almigh ty G od , 1 am greatly inclined to think that had the different foreign Potentates in Europe fuiricientl}^ difcerned the value of this knowledge, the events we now deplore would have never taken place. The flrft operation of a principle of Atheism, and perhaps one of the moft formidable in its confequences, is that which leads political
men
PREACHED AT CAMBUIDGE, 1798. 281
men to conceive of Christianity, not as of a fyftem deeply involving the perfonal and individual interell of mankind here and here- after, but as of a mere auxiliary of theftate(E). This was, I fear, a very prevalent opinion in various nations upon' the Continent, even to that "Ccry day when the flood-gates of defola- tion were opened upon them. But no fuck \iews of the Gofpel will either be beneticial to man, or acceptable to God. Religion was not inftituted (in the divine counfel I mean) for the purpofe oi' fociefi/ and government, but focieiy and government for the purpofes of religion. That zcitJiout rehgion, government cannot permanently exift, is fufTicientiy evi- dent : but we fliall do well to obferve, it is not only the cement and bafis of focial order and regimen, but its fixal cause. This fublime view the fcripture exhibits to us in the " Lcunh that was /lain from the foiinda- " tion of the zcorM." This is that " dete}^- " mined cGunfel and foreknordedge of God,'* which direfts and adjufts the various revolu- tions of civil affairs, the rife and fall of em- pires, the progrefs, maturity, and decay of arts and learning, the impctuofity of human
pafllons,
282 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
paffions, the refinement of politicians, and every movement of the national communi- ties of the earth, to the ultimate advance- ment of the Gofpel of his Son. Had a foli- citude to profefs Chriftianity in its purity, and to dilleminate it with zeal by various channels amons: the different orders of thofe committed to their charge, been more pre- valent among the civil governors of Europe, all the doctrines of anarch}', all the abfurd opinions, which have caufed this accumulated deitru^lion and ruin, would have flirunk from the luftre of divine truth, as the ftars from the rihno; fun. When men admit or embrace the doctrines of the Sovereignty of the Peo- ple, of the Duty of Ltfurreciion, the Natural Equality of Man, his imprefcriptihle and un- alienable Ilight to he his own Legijlator, it is not that their underftanding is deceived, but their paffions enflamed. Thefe fliallow fophifms are in no degree believed by thofe who difieminate them, whofe meaning is to found upon them the fevereft and moft re- lentlefs tyranny under which the human race ever yet groaned (g). From fuch mifemble artificers of fraud, Christian principles can
alone
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 283
alone proted us. They, by referring all go- vernment to its heavenh/ original, enlarge the views, purity the paflions, and by conibniing confcience with expediency, derive the niea- lures of obedience from their true and pe-
o
nuine motives. Plow flrong an obitacle true Religion intergofes to, the defigns of the fac- tious, and the partilans of anarchy, is fuffi- ciently evident from the inveterate malice which they uniformly bear to the fmalleft ap- proximation to its genuine principles or prac- tice. And wife are they in their generation. When a principle of dependency upon God is removed, there is no longer room for the operation of be.neficial laws, equal juftice, or fociul lubordination. It is impoffible to erecl genuine rational liberty on the ruins of con- fcience, or to reft coijfcicnce on any other bafis than the word and the fuperintendance of a moral Governor. All the boafted liberty, founded on maxims of litigious pride, is pal- pably and undeniably found to be nothinp- more than the domination of passion
OPERATING BY PHYSICAL FORCE. To
the plaufible delufions of fraternity and equa- lity, which were exhibited and propagated in France, had counlel been taken of God,
other
284 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
other nations would not have lent a willins: ear, but would have in time dilcerned, in the extravagant do6lrines of unmeafurable licen- tioufnefs, that germ of piratical depre- dation from without, and fevere inter- nal DESPOTISM, which that ferocious and devoted nation is infli6ling and fuffering.
But in other effefts of the want of divine knowledge are we to trace the origin of the calamities which have overfpread the earth, and fpecifically thofe which have lately me- naced the (lability and unity of the Britifli empire. From an inadvertence, amounting nearly to, judicial stupor, there has of late prevailed an obitinate repugnance to trace and acknowledge the fimilar fources and con- genial effe6is of Atheifm and Superftition. Great furelyis the ignorance of moral caufes, which can fuppofe that the o?ie of thefe con- trouls or counteracts the other. As Atheifm prefumptuoully attempts to difcard a moral government, in order to open a fearlefs un-^ reftrained indulgence for the impetuofity of paffion, fo Superjiition adminilters, upon a principle of commutation, to thofe fame in- dulgences. It is utterly Ibbverlive of the two grand pillars of the di\ ine adminillration, hi^
Juftice
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 985
Juftice and his Mercy. It neither fuppofes unriahteoufnel's to render men obnoxious to the former, nor that real contrite reformation Mill, throii<j;h the mediatorial covenant in Christ, place us within the abundant ex- tent of the latter. Without an abjeft venera- tion for priefts, and a pun6iual and a mecha- nical performance of idle Ceremonies, the view oF the placability of (lod is precluded and intercepted by Superflition : and li-ith them, unlimited confidence and fecurity to every excefs is fraudulently exhibited. Thus are both Atheifm and Superjiition inltruments of the general adverfary of mankind. Their on^in is in the wilful io;norance of God, and their operation in the mercilefs deltru6lion of his creatures. So clofely are they joined, that they a6b reciprocally as caufe and effeB : the one^ in the order of divine juftice, is frequently inflicted as a punilliment of the other. That this connexion iliould not be more clearly and generally difcerned, fufficiently evinces, that however men may pride themfelves upon their fagacity, there is a great lack of that know- ledge which is the " {lability'' of a people. Paoan wifdom has in this inftance far fur- palled us, who might borrow hght from bet- ter
286 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
ter fources, and has confidered, in one of its moft mafterly treatiies, the origination of the one of thefe principles from the other, with a foundnefs of judgment, and a depth of obfer- vation, which even modern experience could have fcarcelj improved (ii). Surely there- fore we may conclude that where Atheifm abounds, Supcrjtition is not far removed, and that the coiwerfe is equally true. Thofe who have duly and maturely wT'ighed tliefe im- portant truths, whofe philofophy has been tempered v^iih. a reverential awe of the dif- penfations of Providence, will not be at all iurprifed that after the wide ravages which Atheilin and Anarchy have committed in va- rious parts of Europe, when theij, as it were, feemed tired, though not fatiated with car- nage and deiblation, that in a Sifter Kingdom, Popish Superstition fhould have ftarted up, as an organ and auxiliary, in completing the work of confuiion and devaftation. It will not in the leaft ftartle the experience of thoughtful men, that after a fevere conflift. be- gun in France between Infidelity and Popery, after the complete devaftation of the property, and the moft favage cruelty inflicted upon the perlbns of the Romilh Ecclefiaftics, that un- moved
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 287
moved by all this, Popery flioiild in Ire- land join its machinations with thole of its furious antagoniil againft that Proteftant efta- bliiliment, which had fo tolerant a fpirit to that religion, and had in this kingdom exhi- bited fuch unbounded liberality and kindnefs to its exiled and dilVelfed miniiters, the vic- tims of Atheiitical ferocity — this, I fay, w ill not at all ftartle tliofe whofe fentiments of Po- pery are derived from its autlientic records, the ellential principles of its conltruction, the invariable tenor of its conduct, and from the lellbns of the moll penetrating, profound, and judicious of our Theological prcdeceffor^. Neither, on the other hand., will thofe who have ftudied the fprings of human aftion, be lurprifed that in both thefe kingdoms the moll turbulent demagogues, and the loudell aifertons of unbridled liberty, Ihould lend ever}^ afliftance, and hold forth every incentive, to extirpate the Proteftant rehgion, and rivet the moft abje6t fyftem of moral and mtelleftual llavery on the Irilli nation. We, however, Iball not, I truft, be fo far deceived, as not to be aware that the power and predominancy of Popery, (for tliis is the true meaning of Ca- tholic Emancipalion) in amj part of the em- pire,
288 COMME^'CF.MENT SERMON"
pire, is iilterly inconiittent with the quiet, order, and I'ecurity of the whole (i), and per- fectly irreconcilable to the principles of that Revolution, of which it was the united glory to deliver us from Popery and arbitrary Power. To the principles of iliat Revolution they can furcly lay fmall claim, who are la- bouring to further the very project which the virtue of our Proteftant anceltors rendered abortive, in the hands of the infatuated James the Second, and l)y the affiflance of that I'cry ??a^/o/i which co-operated with him in his un- warrantable deiigns. — From fuch affertors of civil and religious liberty, may Almighty God in his mercv defend us and our pofterity !
Of thefe calamities, the true and permanent remedy will not be foimd in farther extenfion of civil privileges to the Papiiis, which expe- rience has Ihown to be of fo linall avail ; a continued feries of concefiion, conferred even to a blind and precipitate prodigalitj^, un- known to the ri'ifdom of our anceftors, feems to have inftigatcd revolt, rather than pro- duced conciliation, gratitude, or obedience. Neither can the application of /brce, folely I mean and ultimately, produce' this dehrable eilecl. Force canaot reach opinion : while
the
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 289
the principles of the fiiperjtif ion which had fo large a fliare in this revolt continue to be widely extended in Ireland, while they are en- couraged by public fauciio?i, and perpetuated by the erection and even Parliamen- tary ENDOWMENT OF PoPISH SEMINA- RIES, the embers will for ever, under all circumftances, be ready to burft forth into wide and deftru6tive ruin and conflagration. The true and radical remedy is to be Ibught in the vigilant exertions, conjiant T'ejidence, and pious zeal of the Protestant Clergy, in the recovery of the lower ranks among the Irifli from that ignorance and barbarifm in which they are defignedly kept by the Romilli Ecclefiaftics ; in the careful, perfevering, and zealous difl'emination of that fcriptural- and proteftant light, for " the lack of which a *' people is deJiroyed{K)."
To conclude. — If the prefent difaflrous ftate of human aflairs, in all its extent and in all its bearings, and if the various foes by which civil fecurity and focial order is befet, are brought into review before us, we can afcribe it but to one fource, a corruption of j/wrak, produced by a previous depravation of the opinions of mankind. Under every external U lemblance
290 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
femblance of civilization, amidfl the higheft refinement of every ornamental art, a grofs ignorance of Almighty God, of his difpenfa- tions, of the foundations of his revealed word, as laid in our own nature and corruption, and even in the moral hiflory of man, has widely prevailed. And what furely conftitutes a great, and perhaps remedilels aggravation of this ignorance, is, that it has been affociated in the fuperior ranks of the various countries^ of Europe, with the affe6lation of" worldly wifdom, and the high boaft of intelle6fual light ; it was not the pitiable ignorance of poor uncultivated favages, but a wilful ignorance generated by calm prefumption, folemn mocker}^ and contemptuous pride. Politicians, in the hardened refmement of their hearts, were weak enough to fuppofe that the civil purpofes of religion would be anfwered by Superjiifion ; and with an ex- ternal reverence, and an internal contempt clofed in with all the corruptions, idolatry, and bigotry of the Roman Church. But this fuperftition was a broken reed ; it inter- pofed not a lingle obflacle to this ruin and convullion, but incalculably in many inftances accelerated its progrefs. It rendered the minds
of
PREACHED AT CAMBRIt>GE, 179B. 29l
oif its poor fenfelels votaries a proper re-* ceptacle for the dodrines of Anarchy and Atheifm. It is utterly falfe to fay, that Re- ligion was deftroyed in France and Italy by the fuccefs of revolutionary arms and prin- ciples. That very Revolution was effefted by the PREVIOUS deliruclion of all real Rehgion. Upon the ruins caufed by political refinement and Romifli fraud and tyranny, was founded that fierce, fuperficial, and contemptuous fyf* tern of Infidelity, dignified by the name of Philofophy. Hence have flowed thofe effe6ts which have carried with them unexampled havock, and threaten httle fliort of univerfal extermmation to the moft flourifliing and ci- vilized communities of the world.
But I am perfuaded that it will be the wif- dom of this and limilar ancient inftitutions^ to difcern the feat of the difeafe, and to apply with immediate induftry what I firmly be- lieve the only eflPeclual remedy. If the events we deplore and deprecate arife from igno- rance, error, and falfe opinion, it is only in an early knowledge and correction of thofe errors that this peflilential malady can be counteracted. If this deflru6tive ignorance is fpecifically the ignorance of Almighty God
u 2 and
292 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
and his difpenfations, to revive and diflemi- nate with a6livity the principles of a found, Chriftian, and orthodox theology, will, I am convinced, be thought our beft intereft, as it is our bounden duty. This cannot be done without rendering Theology, in its grand leading principles (I do not fay in its detail) a fubftantial, integrant, and indifpenfable part of education in this and other great prepa- ratory feminaries. And indeed, in addition to the obligation we are under to God and our country to diicharge this duty, I have no hefitation in afferting, that without combining the fludy of the facred records with our other purfuits, we Ihall very imperfeiStly fulfil our oflice in the general promotion of learn- ins: and fcience. With Ikill in the learned lansuao^es, with hiftorical and chronolooical refearch, with the fludy of the moral and metaphyfical philofophy of Greece and Rome, and even the more elegant arts of poetry and eloquence, advancement in this fludy is clofely connected ; neither can any of thefe be car- ried to their /'«// perfe6lion, if this connexion is broken and diffblved. I cannot but add, that to do this we have great encouragement, as the mofl eminent examples of mafculine 9 eloquence,
PTxEACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1789. 293
eloquence, profound thought, and vigorous argumentative powers, exhibited by our Theo- logical writers, are luch as to lay the founda- tion of eminence in every profellional de- fig nation of the talents of the riling genera- tion. I am perfuaded that it will be needlefs for me to fuggeft to this venerable bod}^, that it is our duty to dire6l thefe refearches, not in the fpirit of that floating fcepticifm which alfumes the fpecious name oifree enquirif^ but according to the tried, found, and evangelical faith of the Enghfli Church, to which our moll zealous adherence is folemnly, volun- tarily, and perfonally pledged, and which, notwithftanding the deplorable decay and apoftacy of the times, is ftill moft dear to all that is virtuous and honourable in the Englifh nation. Well may it be Ir.id of our ecclefiaftical and academical eftabhfliments, as of Saul and Jonathan of old, " in their lives " they zoere lovely and pleafant, and in their " deaths they zmll not he divided J' It will be our wifdom likewile carefully to check thofe habits of indolent diffipation which are a moll ferious and infurmountable obliacle to the fubilantial and fyftematical acquilition of all knowledge, but peculiarly diiqualify the mind u 3 for
294 COMMENCEMENT SERMON
for the cultivation and perception of divine truth. In thefe retreats it is a confiderable point gained, if ignorance and indolence are here rendereduncomfortable. The manners of our venerable predeceffors might be con^ fiderably removed from the artificial elegance and the feeble politenefs of what is com- monly called the world, but they were like- wife removed from its follies, corruptions, and affeclation. Though frequently impelled by duty to controul the licentioufnefs, and to enfoi^ce the induftry of young men, even by an apparent fternnefs of difcipUne, yet they never loft then' affections, for they never for- feited their efteem. Thofe committed to their charge looked up to them as their parents in religion, virtue, and wildom, and retained a filial and reverential attachment, both to them and the inftitutions of which they were guar- dians, to the lateft moment of their lives,
1 Ihould feel myfelf greatly deficient in the high refpe6l which is due from me to thofe before whom I now fpeak, if I were to appeal to the meaner motives of the perfonal intereft they all have in thefe eflablifhments, nor would it be decorous in me to fuppofe an inadvertency to that maxim of anciept wifdom,
♦* that
PREACHED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1798. 295
" that all inftitutions are preferred only by an adherence to the principles and end for which they were initituted (l)/' But we will anticipate that from a fenfe of facred duty, the aftiA'e exertions of this venerable body will correfpond with the awful exigencies which demand them ; and that in the fupport of learning, religion, and loyalty, its condu6l will be fucli as might be expelled from its ancient character, its original inititution, and its high dignity ; and that through your inftrumentality, the torrent of Siipeijiition and i\theifm, Faction and Anarchy, will be efte<51ually and maturely Itemmed : that the clouds of ignorance will be difpelled, and the knov/liedge of God and his Chrift will be once more the liability of our times. " Then " Jliall OVR fields bring forth their increafey " and God even our oun God n:iU give us his " hleffingj'
u 4 NOTES,
NOTES.
(a) This is marked out by Plato, in what he
terms the *' B'iupix iruvlo^ i^iv p^poi-ou 7ra(ni? $t oi;(7<af.'*
De Repub. lib. vi. Both he and the other great luminary of the Pagan world, Ariftotle, were equally defirous, though with fome difference of method, to carry up this fublime ftudy into The- ology. Vide Jrijiot. Metaphif. lib. iv, chap. iii. An inveftjgation of the final caufes of the vari- ous difpenlations of Almighty God in the moral world, is, if condu6led with calmnefs and humi- lity, one of the moft ufeful employments of the human intelle6i:. Extremes are certainly to be avoided, tliat of fcepticifm and inadvertence on. the one hand, and of dogmatical prefumption on the other. Under thefe principles I know of no fubje6l fo pregnant in important confequences as a confideration of the extremes of ftrength and weaknefs exhibited by the ancient Greek philo- fophers. At the very moment that the dawn of Divine Truth opens upon them, and the day feems burfling in full fplendour, in that very mo- ment (as thofe who are converfant in their writ- ings well know) they are replunged into the pro- foundeft abyfs of intene6Kial night. This is particularly obfcrvable with regard to the three
foundell
NOTES. 297
founded and nobleft feds among them, the Stoicks, the Platen ifts, and the Pythagoreans. After difcerning and laying down the nobleft principles concerning the moral and providential difpenfations of God, they generally clofed their refearches in a mere metaphyseal abftra6lion, in which even the perfonality of the Firfl; Great Caufe, and the obvious diftinftion between the creature and the Creator, was Idil in what is now denominated Spinozifm and Fatalifm. Their phi- lofophy refembles the courfe of the Rhine, which, after traverfmg in a full, wide, and noble cur- rent, the fineft countries in Europe, empties itfelf into the Ocean, in an obfcure rivulet, which can fcarcely be diftindiy or detinitely traced. Thefe circumftances, if duly weighed, will point out to the wifdom of this Univerfity the extreme impor- tance of combining the ftudy of the ancient Greek philofophy with our Theological refearches. The foundations of the evidences of Revelation will be greatly ftrengthened by obferving with accu- racy the light the Pagans actually obtained, and in difcerning the infurmountable boundary which interrupted their farther progrefs. I have ever confidered the works of Plato, Ariftotle, and the moral writings of Cicero and Plutarch, as an avenue and portico to Chriftianity. I am con- vinced, from fome experience, that minds im- bued with the precepts of thefe men, ftrength- ened
29B NOTES.
ened with their wifclom, and elevated with their dignity, will be ftrongly predifpqfedy both from a review of their excellencies and defe6ls, to clofe in with the evidences of that Gofpel which brought life and immortality to light. The minds of our young men, fo formed, would be inaccefilble to the filly and ignorant fophifms of Voltaire, Rousseau, Condorcet, D'Alembert, and VoLNXT. They would confider them, not as ieduclions to their virtue, but as infults to their underftanding. Their rejeclion would be accom- panied with an honourable difdain of the fliallow- Befs of tlie impofture oifered to them. If to the ether ftudies purfued in this Univcrfity, thefe were added, if an inveftigation of the laws of God in the moral world were combined with that of his wifdom in the material fyftem, the courfe of our education would then be confummate. The writ- ings of Butler, Plato, Bacon, and Newton, yfowld jointly lead us to this inevitable conclu- iion, that " Christ is the wisdom of Gob
*' AND THE power OF GoD."
(bj Hooker.
(c) WiCHCOTT.
(d) To the heavenly origin of laws and go- vernment we are dire6led by Pagan as well as Spixiiuctt authority. As a necelfary preliminary ' to
NOTES. 299
to all legiflation, Plato thus propofes and thus rcfolves this important queftion. ©E02, r 7if
«i/9pw7r«:/, w ^ivt, n\n(pe rnv ocmav t»i? tcov vofAuv iiAh<nu}q J 0EO2, w ^tvf, ©EOS.
P/f//o i/e Leg! bus, 1. 1.
In this opinion Cicero concurs. " Hanc igitur vides fapientiffimorum fuiffe fententiam, legem neq; hominum ingeniis excogitatam nee fcitum aliquod efle populorum, fed ajternum quiddam quod univerfum mundum regeret imperandi pro- hibendiq; fapientia. Ita principem illam legem & ultimam menteni effe dicebant omnia ratione aut cogentis aut volentis Dei. EX QUA ilia lex quam Dii kumano gemri dederunt re6l6 eft laudata." Cicero deLeg. 1. 11. In this affertion, therefore, I have ventured to make, we may think ourfclves fully warranted, by very high authority, as well as by the reafou of the thing.
(e) The reprobation of fuch fentiments is cx- preffed by Cicero, in very remarkable terms, worthy o^ peculiar notice : — " Quid dii qui dixe- runt totam de diis immortalibus opinionem fidtam effe ab hominibus fapientibus reipublicce causa, ut quos ratio non polfet, eos ad officium religio duceret, nonne omnem x^YigionQm funditus iwi- tulerunt?"
Cicero^ de Nat, Deor. 1. i.
(f) Surely
300 NOTES.
(f) Surely a more jDalpable fophifm \vas never attempted to be impofed upon mankind than that.whic]i is held forth in the expreffion of the Sovereignty of the People. It is no prin- ciple of ("ommon fenfe, or what is the beft fenfe reduced to praclice, the Englifh Conftitution, as fettled and defined at the Revolution. The Englilh Laws call, the King our Sovereign Lord; if fo, can any man obey trvo mafters? can any man be at the fame time the Governed and the Governor? The very purpofe of civil government and of all laws, is to take the /ore- reignty out of the hands of thofe, who by the very nature of the thing can never exercife it, and in whom, even in tht fmcdleji Jlates^ the at- tempt to exercife it has terminated in the extremes of violence, murder, and confufion, ending in the tyranny of thofe who inculcated this precious maxim. We read in Holy Scripture of " the "' madnefs of the people^'' but never, I believe, of the fovere'ignty of the people. The ^v^hole progrefs of demagogues to defpotifm, through fach prin- ciples, as it was fenfibly felt, fo was it moft elo- quently defcribed by the political writers of anti- quit}^ Scholars would do well to attend to the full difcuffion of this fubjed in the eighth book of the Republic of Plato, from whicli I have fele6led a few paffages, in order to promote a perufal of the Avhole.
NOTES. 301
*H y*p uyoLv EAET0EPIA fsixtv oxjy. si; aWo ti n ii^ fiyocp AOTAEIAN [xiTa{iaKKnv icat i^Kcrri x«» rrt woXfi, EixoTW? ToivvUy oux £^ (zAAr? 7roA»T£»aj TTPANNIS xa9«r- T«Tat n tK AHMOKPATIA2. E^ (o»|oiai) T»f axporar^s
op(^Aou^, x«Xa?, tpuuxg xat fAtyaXocg y.ai Trt^siua; [Aic^ootyx-
jUfKJI, £J? TVpXifVl^tX; Tf H«i ^rifAOKpOiTUX; iXKOVTi T«5
7roAtT£<«?. M«i'6(;ei'Co ot» o ^r;^oq o yimna-ocq tou
rvpoiVi/ov, 0p£»|>£i auTOi/ t£ KXi STOcipovg. tovto irj
e[ji.o?s.oyoviJ.Evri o.v JiJ^r, Tu/)an/jj £*»], Ha«, to Kiya^tvov^ o ^i^l^og^ <pivyuv ocv Kixnuov J'ouAEia? £A£b0£o«i', ng -rvvp SovKov ^e<nroTtKxg a,v {[/.TnTrTUKug sirty ocuti tj]J ttc/AAj]? £K£t>>!ff x«< axajpou £A£u0£pi«? tj51/ j^^aAETrwramv t£ xa» iriKO-
Plato, de Rep. 1. viii, /;er i]/<^
(g) Plutarchus. Tiipi ^£Kri^xi(jt.ovK3ig. — Con- cerning the connection and reciprocal action of atheifm and fuperjiition, the fentiments of the cahneft and profouncieft thinkers have been uniform and decifive. The fuppofition that the one was exclufive of the otlieVy and that the prevalence of the one precludes the clanger of the other, is one of thofe prominent inftances of lack of knowledge for which a people is deftroyed. The generation of Atheism bj Superstition is thus Itrongly and empliatically marked by Plutarch, in the above-mentioned invaluable
treatife.
302 NOTES.
trcatife. 'H AEI2IAAIMONIA m A0EOTHTI xai ysvicr^ai Trxpicr^v ecp^rivj y.x\ yi'yoti.i)/'!) ^tSooffiv avoXo- yiotVy ovH. ot,Xr\^r\j ov^t xa-Xnu' vpoipxcrtiig ie nvog ou« auoipav oviTHV.
Chillingworth afferts to the fame purpofe, that " Experience juftifies that, when and where Popery has moft abfolutely commanded, there and then Atheifm hath moft abounded."
Preface to Chariti/ j\Ia'mtai}ied.
Of the reprodudlion of SuperjUtion from Atheifmy the following fentiments of* Bishop Butler may convey very feafonable admonition. " The danger of Superftition cannot but be hi' creafed by the prevalence of irreligion, and by its general "^rtvdXtnce, the evil be unavoidable. For the common people, wanting a religion, will take up with almoft any Superftition which is thrown in their way : and in the procefs of time amidft the irtfinite vic'iffitiides of the political world, the leaders of parties \w\\\ certainly be able to ferve themfelves of that Superftition, whatever it be, which is getting ground, and will not fail to carry it to the utmoft length their occafions require.'* Bijhop Butlers Sermons, xli. p. 339, 340.— God grant that fuch oracles of wifdom, as I have juft cited, may not be ** Dei juffu non unquani credita Teucris I"
g (h) How
NOTES. 303
(h) How juftly and fagacioufly BISHOP SHERLOCK thought in his day upon this fub- je6l, appears from the following paifage, which occurs in the l!2th of his occafional chfcourfes. *' The pre fe?it Government and the Protestant *' llehgion muft (land or fall together ; Papists " are by Principle enemies to both ; tlie more *' igjiorant they are, the more determined and *' defperate enemies they will be ; as being free *' from the reftraints of confcience and refle6lion, " to yield blind obedience to their diredors. — " Whenever the public has been d'lfireffcd by *' internal commotions, the ftrength of Popery '* in Ireland has been fatally experienced. The *' fituation of aifairs in Charles the Firft's time, '' brought them to take arms, and the general " majjacre of the Froteftants is ftill frefh in me- " mory, in which thoufands periihed by cruel- " ties unknown even among barbarous nations. *' At the Revolution, the Popery of Ireland en- *' dangered the Proteftantifm of the three king- ** doms, by finding employment for the arms of " England, when they were wanted elfe'wher& *' to fupport the caufe of Liberty and Rehgion; ** and fliould we ever be fo unhappy as to fee " our Religion and Liberty put again to the *' chance of War, there can be no doubt which ''fide the Iriih Papifts would take."
(i) HoMT
504 NOTES.
(i) How large a fliare Popish fupeiftition had in producing the deplorable and fanguinary fcenes, which lately laid Ireland wafte, it is im- polhble for thofe who are relu6lant not to admit, and mud by all impartial men be immediately difcerned and acknowledged. The active part which fo many of their ecclefiaftics have taken, the oaths of Proteftant extermination fo gene- rally adminiftered, the exemption of Papifts from the murders and ravages infli6led on the perfons and properties of Proteftants, the confeffions of the leaders in the revolt, as reported -by the Committee of both Houfes of Parliament, leave it beyond a doubt, even to thofe who are igno- rant of the practice, hiflory, and principles of that fuperftition. The Reports of the Secret Committee of the irish House of Commons diftin6tly ftate, *' that the Catholic priefts had ceafed to be alarmed at the calumnies which had been propagated of French irreligion, and M^ere iall well afFeded to the caufe." Vid, Appendlv to IriJJi Committee, No. 30, p. 229- It is not denied that other caufes might confpire with the Popifli influence. I am ready to admit, that in the early flages of this infurre6lion, many among the Dilfenters might, with a view of deftroying the eftabliihed Church, co-operate with the ge- neral enemy of Proteftants. Atheifts, and the patrons of French politics, ftrongly faw in the
pre-
NOTE Si S05
predominance of fupeiftitlon, fewer obftaclcs to their purpofes, than in tlie found fcriptural and loyal religion of the eftabliilied Church, and there- fore heartily courted the aUiance of theRomanifts. But I am perfuadedthat the combined force of all the other C2iui'cs could not have produced thefe deplorable events, unlefs it had been alTifted by the ftrength, extent, and'malignity of the Popiili religion. The Diffenters in the North of Ire- LAND, I have been credibly informed, alarmed by the fears of extermination, which their new affociates fo liberally denounced againft all Pro- teftants, had thejudgment to difcern the precipice to which they were hurrying, and to withdraw themfelves in time from this nefarious combina- tion. It is greatly to be wilhed that this their difcretion may lead them to difcern their true in- tereft in both kingdoms better than in times paft ! Thofe who are acquainted with the authentic re- pojitories of Popifli doClrines, which they them- felves admit to be the indifputable and irreverfible flandard of their faith, will not want the inftruc- tion of prefent events to inform them how precari- ous, and I had almoft faid, how chimerical it is, to expe6l that Roman Catholics lliould be fubftan- tially or permanently loyal to a Proteftant go- vernment. As a body I mean, for that there are individuals whofe humanity and loyalty would be fliocked at the barbarous practices to which tJicir PRINCIPLES lead, I am fully ready to acknow-
X ledge.
S06 NOTES.
ledge. But the enquiry is not what refiftance a feto minds endued with good nature and huma- nity will make to their ozvn creed, but what will be the influence of the fyftem upon the ma- jority of its adherents. — The hiftory of all ages demonftratcs what it has aftually been.— The tenor of events is uniform. The rebellion and maflacre in Ireland in 164-1, and that of St. Bartholomew in France, and the commotions in Ireland during the late rebellion, all exhibit the fame features. SCIRES E SANGUINE NATOS ! They are equally difcernible in the ferocious decrees of the council of Lateran or Constance ; and in the overbearing and in- flammatory menace in the Paftoral Letter pub- liihed in the name of Dr. Hussey, titular Biiliop of Waterford, or in the difcreet, ecajke Pafto- ral InftruClions of Dr. Troy, printed in Dublin, and reprinted in London, in the year 1793. — It is greatly to be wiflied that our Theological ftu- dents would read not what is A\^ritten cigamfi Po- pery, but what the Papifts write ihemfehes. It is to be wifhed that they iliould fearch for their doctrines where the Papifts themfelves tell us they are to be found. " We wifli (fays Du. Troy, the prefent titular Archbiiliop of Dublin, in his Paftoral Inftruclions, p. 103), that Proteftants and others may judge of our civil and reli- gious principles by our catechifms, by our books of devotion and religious inftru^lion, by the Paftoral Letters of our Bifliops, by the dogmatical
I alii-
NOTES. 509'
Inftltiitions of Popes, b}' the doctrinal deci- 6I0NS OF OUR GEXERAL COUNCILS, and by our uniform condlift." We agree jDerfeclly witb Dr. , Troy, and wiili that they were rrcV/ knoMii. I particularly recommend to thofe who have accefs to them, the Bullarium Romaxum, and above all, becaufe it is the higheji authority known to the Roman Catholics, the Concilia Gene- RALiA. The decrees of a legitimate general council are infallible and irreverfible. In this all parties among the Papifts agree. I leave them to fpeak for themfelves, and requeft Proteftants to judge what degrees of mercy to their Pro- ' teftant fellow-fubjefts, or loyalty to an hfretical prince, is to be expected from them, when their powers or numbers enable them to a6l. I have made large extracts from the 3d chapter of the 4th council of Lateran, held under Innocent III. in 1215, one of the inoft efteemed, and undeniabli/ formal and legitimate.
" Excommunicamus et anathematizamus om- nem hasrefin, extollentem fe adverfus banc fanc- tam, orthodoxam, catholicam fidem, quam fupe- rius expofuimus; co\\{\em\\m\tQs imiverfos hcereti-^ cos, quibufcunque nominibus cenfeantur ; facies quidem habentes diverfas, fed caudas ad inviceni colligatas, quia de vanitate conveniunt in idipfum. *' Damnati vero fascularibus potellatibus pnr- fentibus, auteorum baillivis, icWiKiu-dutur an imad- *ocrJxonQ debita punkiidi, clericis prius ^ fms ordi- >'. 2 • nibus
SOS Notes.
nibus degradatis, ita quod bona hujufmodi dam- natoruni, fi laici fuerint, confifcentur : fi ver6 clerici applicentur ecclefiis a quibus flipendia percepeiunt.
*' Qui autem invent! fuerint {oXb. fu/picio7ie no* tabiles, nifi juxta confiderationes fufpicionis, qua- litatemque perfonjE, piopriam innocentiam con- grua purgatione monftraverint, anathematis gla- dio feriautiir, et ufque ad fatista6lionem condig- nam ab omnibus evitentur; ita quod li per an- num in excommunicatione perftiterint, extunc velut hieretici condemnentur.
*' Moneantur autem et inducantur, et, fi ne- cefTe fuerit, per cenfaram ecclefiafiicam com- PELLANTUR lasculares poteftates, quibufcunque fungantur officiis, ut ficut reputari cupiunt et haberi iideles, ita pro defenfione fidei pra^ftent public^ juramentum, quod de terris fucE jurifdic- tioni fubjeftis univerfos imreticos ab Ecclejia dc- 7iotatos, bonafidepro mribus extermin are Jiude- hunt J ita quod amodo, quandocunque quis fuerit in poteftatem five fpiritualem, five temporalem af- fumptus, hoc teneatur capitulum juramento fir* mare.
" Si vero dominus temporalis requifitus et mo- nitus ab Ecclefia, terram fuam /;zfro'd^re neglexerit ab hac fueretka folditate, per metropolitanum et coDteros comprovinciaks Epifcopos excommu- iiicationis vinculo innodetur. Et, fi fatisfacere contempferit infra annum, fignificctur hoc fummo
Poiitifici;
NOTES/ 509
t^ontlfici ; ut extunc ipfi mfallos ah ejus fideli^ tate dcnuntiet abfolatos, et terrain exponat catholi- CIS occupandam, qui earn extermimtis Imreticis fiie iiUa contradifiione pq/Jideant, et in fidei puritate confervent, falvo jure domini principalis, dum- modo fuper hoc ipfe nullum prceftet obftaculum, nee aliquod impedimentum opponat, eadem ni- hilominus lege fervata circa eos, qui non habent dominos principales.
" Catholici ver6, qui crucis alTumpto cliarac- tere ad hsereticorum exterminium fe accinxerint, ilia gaudeant indulgentia, illoque fanao privi- legio fmt muniti, quod accedentibus in Terroe fanftce fubfidium conceditur.
*' Credentes ver6, prtetere^ receptores, dcfen- fores ttfautores h^reticorum, excommunicationi decernimus fubiacere, finniter ftatuentes, ut poftquam quis talium fuerit excommunicatione notatus, fi latisfacere contempierit infra annum, extunc ipfo jure fit fa'5lus infamis, nee ad pub- lica officia feu confilia, nee ad eligendos aliquos ad hujufmodi, nee ad teftimonium admittatur. Sit etiam intcftabilis, ut nee teftandi liberam ha- beat faeultatem, nee ad ha^reditatis fueceffionem accedat. Nullus pra?.terea ipfi fuper quocaiique negotio, fed ipfe aliis refpondere cogatur. Quotl li fort^ judex extiterit, ejusfententia nullam obtineat firmitatem, nee eaufce aliquae ad ejus audientiam perferantur. Si fuerit advoeatus, ejus patroci- nium nullatenus admittatur. bi tabeilio, eju^ in- ftrumeuta contecla per ipfum nullius penitus fmt X 3 moment},
5l0^ KOTES.
momenti, fed cum au6lore damnato damnentur* Et in fimilibus idem pra;cipimus obfervari. Si ver6 clericus luerit, ab omni officio ct beneficio deponatur, ut in quo major eft culpa gravior ex- erceaturvindifta.
" Si qui autemtalcsj poftquam ab Ecclefia de- notati fuerint, evitare contempferint, excommu- nication is fententia ufque ad fatisfaclionem ido- iieam percellantur. San^clerici non exhibeanthu- jufmodipeliilentibus ecclefiaftica facramenta, nee eos Chrijiiame pi^mfumant fepulturce tradere, nee cleemofijnas aut ohlationcs eorum accipiant. Alio- quin fuo priventur officio, ad quod nunquam re- fdtuantur abfque indulto fedis Apoftolicce fpeciali.
*' Adjicimus infuper, ut quilibet Archiepifco- pus vel Epifcopus per fe, aut per Arch idiaconum fuum, vel idoneas peribnas honcftas, bis aut fal- tem femel in anno propriara parochiam, in qua fama f uerit hixireticos habitare, circumeat, et ibi trcs vel plures boni teftimonii viros, vel etiam, H expcdire videbitur, totam viciniam jurare com- pellat, quod fi quis ibidem hcereticos fciverit, vel aliquos occulta conventicula celebrintes, feu a com muni converfatione fidelium vita et moribus diffidentes, eos Epifcopo ftudcat indicare. Ipfe autem Epifcopus ad priefentiam fuam convocct accufatos, qui nifi fe ab objeclo reatu purgave- rint, vel fi poftpurgationemexhibitam inpriftinam fuerint relapli pertidiam, canonic^ puniantur. Si qui vero ex eis juramcnti religionem obftina-
tionc
NOTES, 311
tlone damnabili rcfpuentes, jurare forte 7iolacr'uitf ex hoc iplb tanquam hceretici rcputentur."
We fee the tejct, and have not far to look for the comment. I leave them both to the judg- ment of my readers. What Popery was, it is—r fo they themfelves tell us. Experience ihews us that their doftrines are not antiquated. I need not obferve, that my time would fail me if I were to cite all the paiTages to this effect from their councils and canon law — ac uno piscE OMNES. " The religious principles OF Roman Catholics being unchange- able, THEY are applicable TO ALL TIMES."
Dr. Troy's Paftoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, 1798.
I cannot but obferve that this fubje6l has been treated with great force, courage, and perfpicuity by Dr. Patrick Duigexan, a member of the late Irifh Parliament, in a moft mafterly addrefs to H. Grattan, republilhed in London for Wright, Piccadilly. Dr. Duigenan defervesthe thanks of every loyal Proteftant throughout thefe king- doms, v.'ho has the fenfe to difcern and the virtue to vindicate that genuine ftate of civil and reli- gious liberty which has been fubftantially fecurcd by the eftablifliment in church and ftate for above a century. — Man}' Ihallow and fuperficial notions are corre6ted in his moft fcafonable and manly produclions, and the fagacity and vigi- lance of Proteftants directed to objects which x \ from
5l2 NOTES.
from an unfortunate coincidence of clrcumflance^ have been too long out of view. His obfervations (in p. 127) upon the neceffary conne61ion of Popiih fupremacy m Spmtuals, with its Tyranny in Temporals, are ftrong and convincing. And in controverting the ordinary and groundlefs no- tion, that the pov/er and principles of the Ro- man Catholics are lefs operative and obnoxious from the downfal of tlie Pope's Sovereignty in Italy, even if luch an event were ultimately to take place, we find a very popular and general, though a very radical error, moft pow^erfully and ably combatea. But in truth the hollility of Republicanifm and Popery is not (nor was it ever) fo great as fome men reprefent it; for it appears every day that between the advocates for t\\G fupremacy of the Pope and the /over eigfiti/ of the People, a clofe alliance is forming. Iil our own country this is growing very confpicuous.
(k) Tmperium facile iis artibus retinetur qui- bus initio partum eft. Salluft. de Bello Cat.
DISCOURSE
DISCOURSE XII.
1 COR. XV. 56f 57'
•* THE STIIS^G OF DEATH IS SIN^; AND " THE STRENGTH OF SIN IS THE LAW. " BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHICH " GIVETH US THE VICTOTY THROUGH <« OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."
1 N the words of my text, St. Paul combine* and concentrates nearly the whole fubftance of the Chriftian dodrine, in a manner equally diftinft, refolute, and decifive. The warm affedion which he bore both to the mailer he ferved, and the caufe which he was called to fupport, would not fuffer him to take refuge in abatements and mitigations, which, how- ever palatable to the inchnations, would have been deadly to the interefts of his converts.
He was little inclined to amufe the inhabi- tants of a voluptuary and opulent city, fuch
as
314 SIINT THE STIXG OF DEATH.
2kS Corinth is from the earlieft times re-i corded to have been, with that artificial difplay of rhetoric and fophiitry to which then* habits Itrongly difpol'ed tiiem, and to the relilh of which their talte Mas early formed. Litera- ture and Philofophv, as at that time cultivated in Greece, were rather fubiidiary to, than corrective of licentioufnefs, vice, and luxury. The refined occupations of the inteile6l and the elegant exhibitions of art, offered to the jaded and exhaufted fenfes of men a kind of paufe and interval, from whence they might recruit themfelves for the ftated recurrence of debauchery and riot. With the invete- racy of fuch habits, rendered ftill more dege- nerate by the feebknejs of the moral frame to w hich they adhered, the great Apoftle well knew that nothing fliort of the full energy of Evangelical doctrine could enable him with any profpecl of fuccefs to contend. He fpeaks therefore " ziuth the demonjiration of " the fpirit and zdth pozoer." In difcourfing upon the refurreftion of our Lord from the dead, proved by the moft irrefragable tefti- mony, and illuitruted in its principle by the firongelt analogies of natural objects around us, he takes occalion to lead us into the in-
moil
SIN TUE STING or DEATH. Sl5
mod recels of Chriflian Tlieology. He points to all we tetl, and all we fear. lie opens to us with allea^ly and fevere, but with a reme- dial hand, the true condition of human na- ture, and the ftrength of the malady by which it is beiet. To reprefent this to be other than it is, hath ever bcx^n the darling and incciiant effort of every fyilem of falfe philo- fophy, and of plaufible and accommodating morality. From a co-operation of thefe with the fenfual and ambitious parts of our frame, in certain itages of focietv, and in certain cafts of poliilied manners, Chriftianity {lands blafted and dinted in all its influencing mo- tives, and all its genuine and confolatory energies. It is changed from its high cha- racter of being a fpiritual, perfonal, and pre- dominant lav/, to a lUbordinate engine of civil polity, to a circinnitance of external decency, or a fubjeCl of literary curioiity. Politicians, fciolifts, fophiits, and all thofe various tribes which fwarm amid ft the hurry, the fenfual ity, the dilfipation, and the foppery of a luxurious metropolis, are feduloufly endeavouring to bound it to the compafs, the ufes, and even to the amufement of this Ihort and precarious ftate.
Againft
Sl6 SIN THE STINC OF DEATH.
Againft conceptions of the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift, fo derogatory to its dignity and fo dangerous to thole who entertain them, I know no means of fortifvins: ourfeh'^es more efficacious, than by giving full fcope to our reflections in a connected confideration of the propofitions advanced in the words of my text. They are every one of primary im- portance, and if planted in a flrong theolo- gical foil, may, if God give the increafe, have '* their fruit unto holiuefs, and the encl ever^ ** lajling life"
' The propofitions brought forward by the Apoftle, are three :
Ifl:, That the fting of death is fin.
2dly, That the ftrength, or efficacy im- parted to it, is by the law.
3dly, That a vii^ory both over the fear of the one, and the ftrength of the other, is fupplied by the Chriflian difpenfation eiclu- fivelij.
In the firft proportion, two points offer themfelves to our confideration — that death has afiing, and that that fting isfn.
That the fear^ or, in the emphatical lan- guage of the Apoftle, the fting of death, is in feme fenfe a natural principle, mufl be
admitted.
SIN THE STING OF DEATH. 317
admitted. No propenfity fo common to wife and tbolifli, to learned and ignorant, to the wretched and profperous, to the rude and civilized, can be with juftice confidered in any other point of view. Nothing is more flriking than the radical ignorance of the human frame, which jthe philofophers of old difplayed upon this fubje6l. Indeed, concern' ing the final cause of the various tenden- cies and difpofitions of our common nature, .they fcarcely formed a conje6lure. Hence the fear of death was falfely confidered by one leading feci, as a feeling they were able to evade ; and by another, as one they had Jirength to annihilate. But the power of God is as diflicult to be grappled with in the movements of our moral frame, as in the flux and reflux of the tides. I am there- fore y^eaJi/z/ of opinion, that men can no more expe6t to fubdue the fear of death by the fe^ of philofophi/ they may profefs, than from the fliape and fafliion of the garments they wear. The Poets, Mythologifts and Legiflators among the ancients reafoned much more jufl;ly concerning death than their Philofo- phers. IlXiq former exhibited it invariably in gloomy and delpondent colours. The firit
great
518 SIX THE STIXG OF DEATH*
great and coiifummate mailer and hiftorian of human paffions and afle<?tio.ns, lived at a period far prior to all that we call Philofophy. He reprefents tlie njolt abje6b and fervile itate here on eartli, to be far preferable to the highell pre-eminence m the llage of our ex- illence beyond the grave (a). — And here, I truft, I may be. permitted incidentally to ob- ferve, that his works, above all others in the Pagan world, inform us of the real flate, com- pafs, and obligation of natural law, and na- tural religion. Of thefe they are, properly: fpeaking, the region and depolitory ; and with regard to the exiiience or prevalence of any particular opinions, they, in point of fact, ex- hibit moft valuable and conclufive evidence (b). If therefore we reibrt to authority, to be in- formed that in the heathen world the fear of death was a predominant and irrejijiihle prin- ciple, we might .thence collect it. This great Patriarch of heathen morality admits, and even ifwulcafcs, that if we could efcape this our laft enemy, every object within the grafp of ambition, the ftrength of which he fully appreciated, and moft graphically defcribed, would be a cheap facrifice for fuch an exemp- tion and indemnity (c).
I with
elN THE STING OP DEATH. 319
I wifli here that my intention may not be fniftaken. I am by no means attempting to fortify a chriftian fentiment by the obvious authority of an heathen poet ; but to fhew how exaftly the doftrines of holy writ are coincident with the u?ifoph/Jt(cated experience of man. When therefore the Apoflle repre- fents death to be armed with a fting, does he fpeak in unifon with the beft founded and moll genuine obfervation of human nature ? or are we to have recourfe to the Epicuremi, who fuppofes that that fting derives its effi- cacy from lupei-ftition, or to the Stoick, who afcribes it to the untutored weaknefs of our habits and difpofitions ? I fpeak not here of modern Phiiolbphy, in any of its moral mo- difications. It is not fufHciently definite to admit even of a divifion into fe6fs. It is in all its varied forms little more than a mere rejection of the Gofpel, and frequently a de- nial of more or fewer of the truths of na- tural religion connefted with it. It propofes neither a legitimate end to our a6fions, nor any diftinct regulation of our motives. It neither informs us what we are — why we are — or whither we are deitined to go. Its code is ]yuYe\y negative. And it is not with- i^J out
320 SIN THE STING OF DEATH*
out confidence that we may afk any ifian who a6i:s under its influence, or its infeBioni whether it has fupphed him with a Jingle moral truth to which he can truft, and by which he is determined to virtuous conduct. It is not then to be reafonably expe6led, that the Apoftle's polition ihould be very forcibly encountered by any principle which modern infidelity may oppole to it. For we cannot poffibly think that mere blafphemy, farcafm, and profanenefs, or a few folitary inftances of the hardened and unrelenting deaths of its leading profefibrs, even if they were more credibly and lefs vainly attefted than they have hitherto been, can in theory or practice fufficiently overcome the ilrong current of natural religion, the clear dictates of uniform experience, and the exprefs declaration of the great Apoltle.
Whatever fceptical doubts may, by our OTmi co-operation, perplex and confound o^Aer arti- cles of our Chriitian creed, this cannot be af- fe6ted by them. Philofophy may lead us to deny outwardly, but the invincible feelings of our nature muft oblige us inwardly to con- fefs, that death has affuredly a venomous fting, that the wound is deep, and the anguiih , poignant.
SIN" THE STING OF 13EATIT. 321
poignant. Many of us in the early and pro- tracted decajs of our frame, feel iKrfonalhj that we ha\ e death in our members. — During the fmall point of time in which health and vigor may exempt us from immediate fear for ourftlves, we mult itill participate of the bit- ternefs of death by the - fuffe ranee of thole, whole pangs the alie6tions of nature have made our own. Either by fi/mpathij with others, or a?iticipafio7i for omfelves, there is fcarcely a moment in the lives of any of us in which it may not ftridly befaid, " that in themidji " of life zsc are in death.''
But after having difcerned and acknow- ledged that " Death has its Iting," it will, I truft, not be more difficult to afcribe it, as we propofed, to its true cauie, and to conclude with the Apoftle, " that the Jiing of death is
The fages of antiquity piqued themfelves much upon their acutenefs in inveltigaling the caufes of the various moral appearances around them. It \^as alierted, " that no- thing w^as more degrading to a Philolbpher than to iidmit an eiiect without alligning a caufe." But m the m.oral lyitem of God's government, how frequent was their humi- Y iiy^tion 1
322 SIN THE STING Of DEATH.
liation I Of man's original defignation to im- mortality they were not aware ; — of his fall from God they knew nothing defaiitel}^ Though tradition feemed to have preferved fome diftind and inconteftible veftiges of the Paradifaical ftate among the Gentiles, yet they brought none of thofe documents to bear upon their opinions and judgments con- cerning the ftate and deftination of man. Human mifery they fliarply felt, and unre- fervedly confeiled. To fome of them, parti- cularly upon occafions of perfonal fufterance, it appeared in fuch lively colours as to extort from them, amidil their loud wailings, im- pious and blafphemous impeachments of the juftice and benevolence of the great Author of the Univerfe (d). The forrows of life, and the pains of death, they drew to their laft dregs. But this luminous principle, the foundation of all our reafonings, and the grand aphorifm, which above all others enlarges the Chrif- tian's view, they knew not : namely, that *' hy *' one mans offence judgment came upon all " men to coiulenmation." From this ignorance proceeded all their wanderings, miftakes, and falfe judgments ; all the proltrate panics of their fuperfiition ; and all the poor groveling
pride 4
SIN THE STING OF DEATH. 325
pride of their philofophy. In the inftance before us they erred racUcalli/, in reprefenting death to be the mere natural termination of the exiftence of man, either in this prefent ftate, or in the whole of his being. They knew it not as a forfeit, or as a puniJJiment. In the hours of their frolic, profperity, and literary luxury, they vainly and fiftitioufly endeavoured to paint it as the laft a6l of a drama— the concluding part of a banquet, from which a wife man might retire with fa- tie ty, chearfulnefs, and tranquillity (e). Thefe views may ferve to amufe us^ as they did tliem^ when this our enemy is at a great ima- ginary diflance ; but thofe are grievoully mif- taken who flatter themfelves that its approach will juiliiy fuch conceptions of it. " I^ear " with me, and indeed hear with 7n€," if I re- peat it, that Scripture declares death to be the INFLICTION OF A PENALTY, and that found experience, by which Scripture is inva- riably corroborated, teaches the fame mo- mentous truth. It is not othenvife to be ac- counted for, that this our lafl period, under its moil favorable circumllances, Ihould be accompanied with fo much bodily pain, and fo much mental fmking and deftitution. — Y 2 But,
324 SIN THE STING OF DEATH.
But, in faft, its true fting is eafily diicernible. The coniequeiice of our forefathev's trelpals inevitably remains upon us. " Sbi hath " reigned from Adam unto Mo/es, even to " thofe zcho have not Jinned, according to the " fimiUtude of Adam's tranfgreffion."
My fubjecl doth not here call upon me to prove, but to afferf, upon the authority of Scripture, the connection between death and Iin, as between caufe and eft'efct. If the po- verty and impotency ot the cavils which are fet up againfc it were the objecl of our prefent confideration, it would not be a difficult talk to vindicate the dealings of God to our firit parents, upon every principle of retributive juftice which can attach itfelf to the idea of a moral Governor of the Uni\ erfe. A mode-, rate de2:ree of reflection would convince us of the goodnefs and hountif againft which they offended ; of the exact adjuitment of the inflance of obedience required of them to the natural and moral circumftances in which they are recorded to have been placed ; of the. wickednefs which fuggells, and of the pre- ci])itate ignorance and inconfideration which adopts an allegorical interpretation of the Molaic hiitory of the fall, or of thofe modern
and
SIN THK STING OF DEATH. 325
and ftill more proffigate attempts of foreiga infidels^ to refer thele awful events to the region of mythological fidtion. Neither would it be matter of greater dilFiculty in the depravation^ the niifcry and mortaUty of the poderitv of Adam, entailed upon them by his primaival fall, to' trace au evident and imdeniable analogy with the dealings of God in the ordinary courfe and tenor of his provi- dence here on earth. By what links our perfonal corruptions and lufterings are con- nefted with and occafioned by thole of our forefather, till we know our llru6lure, na- tural and moral, as well as he that made us, we muft at prefent be contented to remain ignorant : — but, that difeafes, incapacities, poverty, infamy, malignity, are under the moral government of God every day entailed from father to fon, we see, and KN0W^
Feeling then into what Hate the effeSts of the original fm of Adam has reduced us ; that it hath given calamity its eflicacy, and armed death with its iting, I prefume that with regard to actual fin, our confciences do not fuffer us ferioii/h/ to doubt, that to every one of us, m different degrees, the " stixg '^ OF X)£ATH IS sin/' I am well aware how y 3 incefiantly
S26 SIN THE STING OF DEATH.
inceffantlj this truth is refifted, how bitter a draught it is for human pride and petulance to fwailow — and if we fuffer our obfervation to take a calm and fteady courfe, we may alfo trace the evident marks which the contemners of this great do6lrine exhibit, of the righte-^ ous judgments of God in their own perfons, and in the fpeedier infliction and more aggra- vated poignancy which death,, haftened, or precipitated by vicious habits, almoft inva- riably occafions. To ufe the words of one of the moft awful as well as profound of our Englifh theologians, "Things are what
THEY ARE, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEM WILL BE WHAT THEY WILL BE.''
It is in vain for us to contend either againft God, or his laws, in our moral frame. That death has its fting — that this fling is derived from ojigi?ial, and incalculably aggravated by a&a/ fm, are truths which muil be ac- knowledged and felt, before any alleviation can be afforded to that defpondency and alarm which embitters life, and renders death into- lerable. This will appear more clearly, if we proceed to a confideration of the fecond claufe of the Apoftle's declaration, that " the ^' Jirength of Jin is the law J' But the ex- tended
SIN THE STIXG OF DEATH. 327
tended and important difcuffion into which this opens, inchncs me to defer it to my next diicourfe. In the mean time I will leave j^ou with this ferious admonition of the fame holy Apoftle —
" Behold the goodnefs and thefeverity of " God; on them zchich itfeU,feve7'ity\ hut " towards thee goodnefi^ if thou continue in " his goodnefs ; other wife, thou alfo fialt be " cut of."
y4 DIS«
\
DISCOURSE XIIL
1 COR. XV. 56, 57'
a
THE STIXG OF DEATH IS SIN; AND " THE STRENGTH OF SIN IS THE LAW. " BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHICH " GIVETH US THE VICTORY THROUGH " OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."
In my lafl difcourle upon thefe words I endeavoured to juftify the Apoftle in the firll propofitions contained in them ; namely, " that death has its Iting," and " fin Ls tiiat fting." I attempted to confider how far the opinions of ancient wildom coincided with his doctrine, and w\mt farther corroboration an obfervation of the firuclure of man, and an attentive view of i\ie final caiffes of human paffions, and the courfe of events in human life, might fuggeft and afford.
The
330 THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIK.
The next claufe which offers itfelf is, '* that thejirength of Jin is the law." In a confideration of this propofition, I am more than ordinarily fearful that what I fliall ad- vance may not reach its awful importance and its wide extent.
Various have been the grounds of moral obhgation, which the ingenuity of metaphy- ficians has devifed and inculcated. But ad- mitting the exiftence of a Being, who has created all things by his power, and "fuflains them by his providence, who fuperintends the a6^tions of men in this flate, and will judge them in the next, in whofe hands avowedly are the greateft benefits which infi- nite goodnefs can beilow, and the fharpeft penalties which infinite juftice can infli6i:, there can be no other motive of action ulti- mately reforted to, but his will fufficiently and diilin6lly promulgated and announced. All human legiflation muft be derived from fomething eoctrinjical to itfelf The perfons to whom it owes its earthly origin are then^- felves frail, blind, mortal, perifliable : they are evidently in fubjection to laws arifing either (according to the impious jargon of fome philofophers) from the neceffity of na- ture.
THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF STIST. 331
ture, or a moral governing power, which ahvays controuls, and frequentl}^ blafts and enervates their llrongeft elibrts. There is
NO LAW therefore BUT OF GoD, nOF
any that can be obhgatory but in concurrence with, and in lubordination to, his high and fovereign will and authority. From hence ALL LAW, moral and ibcial, public and pri- vate, natural and revealed, derives its beneficial ftrength, its remedial ftrength, its difpenhng ftrength, and its damnatory ftrength. Upon this principle, law, under all thele circum- ftances, and modifications, becomes the Jlrengfh of God, becaufe in its ultimate origin It is the ordinance of God. Inftead of this, to propofe either the beauty of virtue, 'public utility, the Jit nejfes of tliiiigs, or any fucb like ahjirattions, as ' a governing rule of a6lion, is in fa6l to fuppiant that motive which fets be- fore us the awefulnefs of our p?'0^a^io?ian/ ftate in the ftrongeft point of view. It is to rebel againft the fovereignty of our proper Lord, ' and to give other lords dominion over us — It is to fet up feeble, (lender fyflems of morals, depending not upon J atiBion, but caprice — It is to render virtue a matter of tajie, of feel- ing, a factitious 3 variable, inconftant, debili- tated
332 THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN.
tated principle. — It is to change reality into romance — It is, fundament ally to fubvert the ftrong declaration of the Apoftle now before us. For, according to my apprehenfion, in acknowledging that all obligation, or if you pleafe, all moral motive arifes out of law, and that of all legiflation God is the fource, we are enabled to difcern the energy of this
CiREAT TRUTH. The WILL OF GoD can
never be feparated from any action, properly fpeaking, 7noral : and I know of no a«5tion in which individual or fecial happinefs is con- cerned, which is not of a moral nature.
In bringing forward thefe pofitions, we truft that we not only illuftrate the meaning of the proportion under confideration, but we convey a caution againft that principle of SELF DEPENDENCY,which it is the perpetual flruggle of the falfe philofophy of all ages to inculcate and eftablifh. Whatever aftion, oxfyjiem of aftion is in fubordinaticn to the will of God, and in obedience to his com- mands, approves itfelf to the unadulterated confcience of man. Whatever other motives we may adopt, however plaufd:)le and pala- table they may appear, yet, when brought to the teft of experience, " zve doubt not,'^ (in
the
THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN. 333
the flrong and warranted language of the 13th article of our Church) " that for aj much as they are not done as God willed and com- manded them to he done, that theij have the na- fiu^ of fin (r)." When therefore ///? is confi- dered, not as a deviation trom an abjiract principle, but as a dirtLn6i a6l of revolt againft an Omnipotent Legislator, we then difcern the true fource of ilia Jh' en gth im- parted to it, the genuine atrocity of its nature, and the contagious malignancy of its effects. God is the fource of all happinefs, and all his righteous commands lead to the henejit of his creatures. Perhaps the molt aweful confidera- tion ^vhich can arife in the human heart is, that even hisjajiice is ultimately refolvable into be- nevolence. From the Itupendous links, Avhich every part of the material world exhibits to our view, in wliich movements apparently inconfiderable are, upon clofer obfervation, feen to be connected with the moil important and fublime, each in its place contributing to the defignated fun6lion of all the others ; we mu(t inevitablt/ infer, that in the moral con- Ititution of things, to which the material is clearly fubiervient, that order is the dcjign of its tranfcendant A u T H o r a N D A R c h i t E c t .
To
334 THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN.
To enquire why the perverfity of the CREATURE fmftrates the purpofe of the Creator, is to endeavour to pierce through the " clouds and darhnefs" which God has fpread around that " throne" of which " light eoufnefs and judgment are the ever-' " lajiing habitation." Sufficient is it to us to know, that from breaches of the divine law, diforder and death enfue, and that the main ftrength with which fm is endowed, arifes from its being an offence againft a law, which is not bounded by the confined compafs of hu- man legiflation, but which embraces the uni- •verfe(G); that it difturbs that order, and chokes up thofe channels, by which infinite Benevolence diffufes his benefits to his crea- tures. No man fins againfi: his own foul only. In the confequence of our offences, our rela- tives, our neighbours, our country, are clearly involved. One fin gives rife to others, very different both in kind, degree and complexion, both in the offender and all around him, each in his turn multiplying and varying its de- plorable effe6ls. And in carrying on this confideration to the utrnofl bounds of the moral creation of God whatever fyftems it may compreh^fid in its aweful expanfe, we
fliould.
THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN. 335
fl^iouid, I conceive, be fully warranted, by every conclufion which the fertile region of ANALOGY fupplies.
I cannot therefore but fuggeft, that if sin were ferioufly confidered in this point of view, we fliould more juitly appreciate the malignity of thole difpofitions from which it originates, and the enlargement and ftrength of which it is capable. Every a6l of fm is in different degrees an a6l of cruelty, as fober experience will fufficiently verity. Great part of thofe fms which we reprefent as merely ter- minating in the corruption of the individual are, if duly confidered, aiSts of extreme cruelty to our fellow creatures. No tranfgreffor there- fore of the revealed law of God, can reafonabiy afifume the chara61:er of that philanthropy, to which the modern political and philofophical infidels of the day are making the moll dif- gufting and naufeous pretences. Strong (if thefe views are warranted by experience) muft be the power which countera6ls fuch robuft evil, fevere the penalty to which it Hands obnoxious, and juft the judge which intli6ls it. Hence sin, if armed with a fting commenfurate to its extent, mufl acquire a moft formidable force, — Aiid farther, when we confider the tremendous capacity for
fuffering,
336 THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN".
fuffering, with which the moral frame of man is endued, an eftimate of the strength of iin mufl: fill the flouted heart with alarm and difma^^
If then fuch be indeed the ftrength of fin, imparted to it by the law, it may be afked zcliat law the Apoflle adverted to ? To which I anfwer, the natural and revealed law of God, from both of which, that ftrength arifes. Thofe perlbns can have but little information in the moral hiftory of man, who do hot dif- cern amidft all the deficiencies and indiftinft- nefs of natural religion, (which no man is more ready than myfelf to admit) the predominancy of the fame truth. Concerning natural reli- gion, I need not inform my prefent audience of the diflerent opinions that have been en- tertained. Some we knov/ have, in the teeth of facl., and in utter ignorance of the con- fedions which the wifeft heathens have left upon record of their blindnefs and uncer- tainty, afferted that its fuf!iciency and clear- nefs fuperfedes the necefiity of Revelation. Others, on the contrary, have precipitately denied its very exiftence. But furely God never left his creatures without a lar^:. With- out a law, communicated and promulgated,
fin
TUB LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN". S3f
.{in could not have had ftrength, or even exift- ence. To the ian^lions of the law of nature, and to its obligatory force, St. Paul bears the moit dechive unequivocal teitimony. " JFe *' have before proved" (fays he in his epiille to the Romans) " both Jews and Gentiles to be " under Jin." He reprefents the heathens not as originallij deftitute, but as corrupters of divine knowledge, " becaiife that when they " KNEW God, they glorified him not as God, " neither were thankful, but became vain in " their imaginations, and their foolijh heart ** zms darkened." Thofe who are converfant in their writings well know that they did, in the words of the fame Apoftle, ^^ Jhew the *' work of the lazi) in their hearts, their con- *' fcience alfo bearing witnefs, and their " thoughts alfo the inean while accujing or " excujing one another." Of many of the relative duties they entertained very adequate notions, and conceived the vengeance of heaven to be directed againft a flagrant viola- tion of them . Conscience evidently exerted its high and imprefcriptible prerogative over tliem; and an aweful dread of its verdi6t was not overcome by the moll refined volup- tuary among them. Inltances are not unfre- Z Quent
3SS THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN,
quent where the anguifli of their crimes drove them to frenzy, and where the fe verity of their pangs, in this ftage of their exift- ence, derived unutterable poignancy from a tremendous though indefinite anticipation of future judgment (n). Vain, therefore, are the efforts of thofe amongft owfehes, who, to avoid the ftrength of the revealed law of God, attempt to efcape to the regions of Natural Religion as to a fituation of refuge, pro- tection, and amnefty. Miftaken and un- happy men ! " 11 hither can they go from " GocFs fpirit, or whither can they fly fj'om his " prefence ? If they fay, peradveiiture the. " darknefs fliall cover them, then fliall they '''find their night turned into day." The hea- then, who certainly deferved luch a refuge better than modern apoftates from Chrift, found it not. The fanGtions of divine law were not to be efcaped by them, even in the inde- finite gloom of natural religion. Ev'en tlicy ' found the ftrength of iin in the law.
If we turn our eyes to the law of Mofes, it is to be obferved, that though the compafs of its ian6tions is confined to temporal penal- ties, 3'et that its ftrength in exacting thofe penalties was conlpicuouily fevere. Moft
ftriking
tllE LAW THE STREISTGTII OP SIX. 339
ftriking doth the perverfity of the Je\vi{h na- tion appear, who in the face of benefits be- ftowed, of privileges conferred in the im^ mediate prel'ence of God, obftinately and repeatedly preferred the idolatrous corrup- tions of the furrounding nations to his pure worfliip, and his righteous commands. They defpifed and maltreated the long order of prophets whom he vouchfafed to fend among them, and filled up the meafure of all their rebellious iniquity, by the rejection and cru- cifixion of the promifed Melllah. Againffc them therefore the law always was, and flill remains^ the flrength of fm. Its fliarpefl penalties were inflicted, in the various natural calamities which befet them, in the fig-nal judgments which were fent upon them, even to the flaughter of thoufands and tens of thoufands by peftilence and war, in theiir long banifliment under the tyranny and infults of the Babylonian and Aflfyrian monarchs, and in the utter deftru61:ion of their city by the Romans, with circumftances of aggravated mifery, (of which even the age we live in fcarcely exhibits a parallel ;) and laftly, in the total extermination and difperfion among all the nations of the earth, with a mark let z 2 upon
340 THE LA^V THE STRENGTH OF SIN.
upon them, like Cain of old. Whoever col- le6is and combines thefe circumftances, part of which are upon undoubted record, and part of which are now pafling immecUatelif within our own obfervation, will fcarcely be of opinion that the privilege of the feed of Abraham has enervated the law, or afforded the Imalleft pretext to that imputation of par- tiality, which the petulance of infidels has at times prelumed to charge upon the equal and common Lord and Father both of Jews and Gentiles. Indeed, the inconfiftency of infide- lity is, in this initance, fufficiently prominent : it at one time arraigns the feveriii/ with which the Jewifti nation was treated, and at others profanely reprobates the bountiful hand which granted unmerited and ejcclujke benefits and favoui's to fo obftinate and Itiff-necked a people. Steady oblervation upon the hiitory, condition and cu'cumftances of that infatuated nation, would irrefiftibly evince that God is not in his dealings capricious or unequal. But the vindication of his righteous deahngs in this particular, is not the immediate i'ub- jeft to be purfiied. It is merely our purpofe to (hew, that God hath concluded all men, both Jew and Gentile, under /m — That /iis i laws,
THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN^. 541
laws, either under the Ught of nature, or the Moiaic difpenlation, dfjiincilij indicate that they are armed with penalties, the iharpnels of which is inevitable and intolerable — that thefe penalties being connected with the or- der and happinefs of the universe, cannot, with regard to all that 'pafles under our ob- fervation, in the common courfe of the moral government, be difpenfed with ; that without foiiie interpofition beyond our power to efFe6t, or our wifdom to devife, tribulation and an- guifii is, without exception or mitigation, in the order of things deftined to every foul that doeth evil, of the Jew lirlt, and the Gen- tile afterwards.
If therefore a confideration of the ftate to which fm has reduced us, has its due influ- ence,— if the paji courfe of human affairs, —
if the PRESENT AV/EEUL STATE OF THEM
has ever been attended to by us, — if in the invefligation of religious truth we have pro- ceeded one lingle ftep beyond the beggarly elements of metaphyfical fpeculation, of poli- tical expediency, or of external decorum, — if we fpiritually dilcern that life is gloomy, that confcience is importunate, that calamity is imminent, and death defperate, — if we have z 3 any
342 THE LAW THE STRENGTH OF SIN.
any moral apprehenlion of thefe things, either for ourfelves, or our relatives, we (hall have no fmall intereft in inquiring what is that viftory over the fting of lin, and tlie ftrength of the law, which God has given us through Jefus Chrift our Lord. — But this will, by his blefs- ing, be the fubje6t of our doling difcourfe pn the words of the text.
DIS-
DISCOURSE XIV.
I COR. XV. 56, 57.
((
THE STING OF DEATH IS SIN; AND " THE STRENGTH OF SIN IS THE LAW. " BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHICH " GIVETII US THE VICTORY THROUGH " OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."'
WPIOEVER would judge completely and diltiniStly of Chriftianit}^, fliould fre- quently bring it to the tell of experience. The Gofpel profelfes to deliver us from evils of the greatell extent and malignity, and to confer benefits of the higheft value and im- portance. Tiiefe have both of them refer- ence to a prejuppofed ftate of man, and to the whole of the moral condition in which we are reprefented to be placed. If therefore the fcriptural defcriptions of this ftate and condition, do not appear to be warranted by z 4> an
344 VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH
an examination of what palles within out notice, both with regard to ourjelves and others, we might be juitiiied in concluding, that a iyilem founded upon falfe and delufive views of human nature, could not proceed from him who created, and therefore knew what was in man. If, on the contrary, by defcending into ourfelves, by turning the eye of refle6iion on our frame, we there behold as in a faithful mirror all that the Gofpel reprefents us to be ; — if our fears and hopes, our happinefs and milery are theix appreci- ated with a truth and exa6tnefs, which can no where elfe be found, then are we bound to a ftrong prefumption at leaft, that it is proport ion a bli/ entitled to our confidence, when it exhibits to us " the evidence of things not " /eew, the fuhjiance of things hoped for." To this fdfe and moft rational teft Chriftianity may affuredly be brought, and it is greatly to be wiflied by all who have its interefts and influence at heart, that by this it may be calmly and fully tried. Thus, with regard to the fubjecl before us, if the courfe of human life is fuch as to prefent but moderate fuffer- ance or forrow to our obfervation, if we dif- cern in it hut Jk?ider obftructions to our hap- pinefs,
THROUGH JESUS CHllIST. 345
pinefs, if our anxiety in profpe6t, or pain in re- trolpe6tbe mconjiderable, then indeed might men be lefs iblicitous in providing fuch re- fouvces as the Golpel graciouily oiFers to our acceptance. Or — if, in the language of an- cient philofophj, the fum of what we are deftined to " bear and forbear," however great in itfelf, is not beyond the meafure of our own una[jijied efibrts ; even tlien might the rejeeiion of fucli offers be fup- ported, by a recurrence to our own powers and exertions. — But if what has been ad- vanced in my tw^o former difcourfes is in any degree fupported by fa6l ; if fm has its fting, and the law^ its ftrength ; then will the grave alfo its viftory, and the captivity and mifery of man be confummated ! If death be the penalty of fin, and human life merely an entrance and an avenue to it, then will its horrors poifon every portion of fatisfaftion which any human fuccefs can offer to us. If death be an introduction to an infliction of mifery, of which the degree is not to be calculated, and the end is not to be reached, even by the utmoft ftretch of imagination ; if the univerfal feelings of mankind, even under the light of nature, anticipated this,
and
346 VICTORY OVER SIJT AND DEATH
and revelation confirms it — then the firft queition to be determined by us is, whether we have any thing ultimately to (land by in a rational learch after happinefs and com- fort but a vigorous effort, to avoid the pe- nakies, and obtain the promifes of the GofpeL'
That a remedy for the pains of death, the guilt which occalions them, and the anxiety and mifery by which they are preceded, can be fuppUed by owfolves, may in fh*i*6l con- formity with that E X p E ii i e n c e to which we profeis to appeal, be pofitively denied. That from difeafe, decay, and death there is no deliverance, either from Iniman ftrength or wifdom, it is fuperiiuous to afiert. But as to their influence upon our peace and comfort, their virulent operation upon our moral frame, their irruption upon our nioft exulting mo- ments, upon our moft intrenched fecurity, we are equally helplefs, (however relu6lant men may be to acknowledge it) either in fuftaining or even alleviating them. The Stoick afferted, " that man's repofe was dif- " turbed not by things themfelves, but by his " opinions concerning them.'" But what, in the name of common fenie, is gained by this ?
All
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 347
All human liappinefs we know depends upon opinion. But of our opinioiu, or the influ- ence they have upon our happinefs, we are no more mafters than we are over events themielves. How poor a refonrce the higheft heroilm of ancient philolbphy aiFords us, may be judged by- the weaknefs of this vaunting aphorifm, which merely afierts the fact of whicji Ave complain, inftead of pro- poiing a remedy againft it. The true point of enquiry is, what can alleviate or counter- aft thofe opinions and impreffions, which the conicioufnels of fm, and the approach of death make upon the human heart ? The Sensualist, by his firil principle, admits that he cannot. " Eat and drink, for to- " morrow we die." The very paraphrafe of this is its confutation. Thele enjoyments to which 1 cling are of fuch a nature, that I can- not promife myleif a day's i'ecurity in the pof- feffion of them. Nor (permit me to oblerve) do the higlier and more apparently dignified objects of pur fait, confer upon us any right to gainfay this poor and juHly delpifed Sen- fualiit. Men mm/ be ftrongly fortified in underftanding, in fame, in wealth, in rank, in honor ; they may fix. the ilandard of ambition
on
348 VICTORY OVER SIN" AND DEATH
on its higheft eminence; they may inherit, or what is perhaps more intoxicating, they may acquire rank, power, and wealth by the exer- cife of fuperior talents ; they may view their domains and dwellings with the fame eye of unhallowed exultation, which broiioht on the fubfequent humiliation of the Eaftern Monarch — " Is not this great Baby- lon THAT I have built ?" But I entreat 3'ou to confider, what atom of real fufficiency doth all this confer in allaying the apprehend iions of death, and theflate confequent to it? Is the tenure of men a whit more certain, in fuch acquifitions, than in the frivolous obie61:s of mere fenfe ? Difeal'e raav in a moment, or the ftill more painful fenfe of decay, gradu- ally blight and blaft every efficient effort of thofe intelle6iual powers, which were once the fource of their confequence and diftinction, and the pride and joy of their undifciplined hearts, lifenfualitij effeminates the mind in bearing the reverfes which muff occur, ambi- tion renders its votaries ftill more miferable, by an irritating remembrance of the towering elevation from which they have fallen. It is to be feared, that the wile in their generation, and the long-fighted, in their views, have not
even
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 349
even the lozi) portion of wifdom of the Epi- curean they delpife. Theif do not go the length even o^ Yi\\{\ngdidehijhe fuperrtrii^tiire upon a right foundation. Their boafted wif- dom does not carry them fo far as to fay, *' Let us raife our confequence, heap up riches, accumulate honors, extend our influ- ence, FOR " to-morrow we die" Poor, mi- fcrable man ! whofe very wifdom is weaker than his folli/, and whole captivity is effe6ted by his prefumedy/rewi^f/i /
If then " the lu/i of the eye, and the pride " 0/ lifC'' will not bear us out in any relift- ance to the incumbent weight of our mortal and calamitous fituation, much lefs will that fhilofophj, which is compounded of both of them. Even before God vouchfafed his re- velation by Jefus Chrift, the attempts of men €0 refcue themfelves, were confeiiedly vain and impotent ; they notorioufly built upon principks which the courfe of human aftairs would not warrant ; they had recourfe to motives as fafititious as the principles on which they were founded. Some denied death or adverlity to be evils. They grap- pled with truth and faft, and reprefented the general tendencies and fenfations infeparable
from
350 VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH
from the human frame, to be incidental Meak- neifes, which it was in the power of the wife man to conquer. If death took from him the deareft obje6l of his affe6tions, the fug- geftion of this philofophy • was, that thefe his relatives never properly belonged to him, — ■ that they were extrinfical and adventitious pofieffions, — that his affection was attached to mere mortals (i), — and that reflection would perfecllj relieve him from the pangs which fuch lofles occafion in vulgar, uninitiated minds ! From this fpecimen, we may con- clude what victory over fm and death, the fterneft and ftrongeft fyftem of ancient mo- rals, could fupply.
But whatever were the errors, the vaunt- ings, and the tveahieffes of Pagan philofophj^, to God's righteous and merciful tribunal alone it Itands amenable. We take not upon us to mark the degree of guilt, which was both the caufe, and, in its turn, the confe- quence of their opinions. One high pitch of crime it certainly did not reach — that of reiilting and reje6ting the light of the re- vealed will of God. Concerning its utter impotency, and radical miilakes, we have a clear right, and it is our undoubted duty to
determine.
THROUGH JESUS CIiniST. 351
determine. But we prefume not to break in upon the hallowed and tremendous fanetuary of his dealings and decrees, fatisfied that to thofe who were " zcHthout," juflice will be adminiftered according to confiimmate mercy, by him who will judge men both according to their decch, and the light voucliikfed to them.
But of modern infidel Philofophy, I know no conclulion that can adminilter a lingle ray of comfort. We mult be guite certain that death is everlafting fleep, before the miferable refuge of infe^ilibility and ftupefaftion can be reforted to. Even aJlJght conJcBure that it may ?wt be fo, will utterly defeat our pur- pofe. . Sceptlcijhi cannot fecure us, even though the aro-uments in favor of death be-
o o
ing the final deltra^tion of body and foul, had a real preponderance. Much lefs is the Imner finking with morbid debility, amidft the namelefs horrors and throes of approach- ing diflblution, enabled to appreciate fuch a fuppofed preponderance, or nicely to weigh the moral evidence by which it is coun- terbalanced. On the contrary, the lion'ors he already feels, Vv'ill incline him to antici- pate, ftili farther and more terrible degrees
of
S52 VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH
of them, and to infer that what he now ex- periences, is but the beginning of forrow. * This I conceive to be the leaji aggravated ftatement of the deftitution of an infidel death. We have reafon to fuppofe, that mifery feldom flops at this point ; but that the hght which we have during our whole lives obftinately re- jefted, burfts in upon us to our unutterable- difmay in thele tremendous moments. The defpifed long fuffering of God, the fanftity and benevolence of his laws, the gracious mild- nefs of their adminiftration in Chrift Jefus, the ■\aolated interefts of our country, the mifchief done to our neareft relatives by the example of our apoftacy, will then overwhelm us with irrefiftible conviftion and defpair 1
" J f retched men that we are! whojliall " delivtr us from the bodi/ of this death?"' Doth it not become us, as realbnable and reiieaing beings, " to lift tip our eyes lo the. *' hills from whence cometh our help^ for our *' help cometh even from the Lord, who hath " made heaven and earth."
I believe that there is no evil with which human life is affli'Sled, but what is connefted more nearly or remotely with the confcioulhefs of unpardoned fm. Thofe chagrins, difap-^
pointmcnts.
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 353
pointments, heartburnings, envyings, com- petitions, which ieerafarfheji removed from this Iburce, are in fa6l to be derived from it. Till we are reconciled to God, death mull he the final clofe of all that our eyes can look after, or our hearts defire. The ob)e<5ls, therefore, which are now prefent with us, acquired an inconceivable value, and thole are held our bittereft foes, who are competitors with us for them. Thofe fears and apprehenlions, which render us fo formidable to one another, are to be re- ferred to the fame origin. If death be the beginning of our miferj^, and the end of our joys, then muft the favor of thofe, who can beftow all that is widied for in this fliort precarious ftate, become of migliti) concern. We will not obey God, and therefore we are captive one to another : the opinions of men fuccefsful in their advancement, confpicuous for their talents, elevated in rank, powerful in influence, become a fearful and domineer- ing tyranny. And why ? — Becaufe this world is our ALL, and they can ob{t:ru61: our inte- refts in it. Were our confidence flrona; in God, he would be equally our hope and re- fuge in e\ery itage of our exiitence to which A a his
S54 VICTORY OVER SIX AKD UEATif
his power might remove us. Whatever wo dread, arifes from our hoftihty to him. And how can we render ourfelves acceptable to him, who lor oiu- lins is moft juftij dif- pleafed ? Perlecl innocence, I prefume, none- can offer. Different are the degrees of our offences ; bttt if the fum of the crimes of men is to be eflimated by their m[fery^ (and colkctively it cannot be brought to a Hirer teit) it mult be great indeed ! Few are thofe who have not made a tremendous addition to this mals of hn and forrow. The favor and blefling of God is therefore viithdrawn from us ! Where then is our hope } By nature, penitence, even attefted by reformation, can- not difarm the juftice, or allay the anger of the areat moral Governor of the univerfe. To beings thuscircumilanced, Chriftianity opens its grand leading principle, dra^ ing an j: v j: r - lasting boundary between natural and re- vealed religion. " God teas in Chriji reco7idl- " ing the world unto hinifeJf, not imputing *' their trefpojjes toito them." This is our ROCK and fortress , — This is .the badge of oar profeffion. Though the Gofpel has indu- bitably brought life and immortality to light> yet before thefe can be looked to as a blefling.
tHiiotfeii JESUS cUftisti 35.5
tlic curfe of the luw, and the fling of fin muft be removed. Otherwife, where would be the benefit and privileoe of exiftence protracted under the wrath of God, and the infliclion of the punifliments denounced againft tranf- greffion ? I^y the s a c r i f i c e of hmifelf on the crofs, Christ has-e&^ied that remiffion of fins, which no other iacrifice was worthy to obtain. Here our anxiety and captivity endsj— Here our victory commences. *' He hath borne our forrows, and God hath *' laid upon him the iniquities of us all/' In this truth is contained the very ESSENCii of the GofpeL We mufl; therefore, if we wiili for dehverance from mifery and thraldom, beware of every opinion which countei'a6ls or enervates it* Its adaptation to our wants, ita adju(tmenttoourcircumfl:ances, is confpicuoits* In contending therefore for this^ we contend for all the fubfeqiient triumphs of our faith, and privileges of our profeffion. If Christ IS OUR PEACE, then is our aiTurance of the mercy of God imJJiaken. This is a well- fpring of Hope, and wdthout Hope* the very name of Religion is nugatory. This well*grounded expe6tation of our acceptance A a 2 with
556 VICTORY OVER SIK AND DEATH
with God through Chriit, will ditfule a vi- vacity of obedience over our whole moral conduct, \\ hich no oilier principle can fup- ply. — Sin being thus conquered, and the hand-writing of ordinances againft us abo- liflied, all the fubfequent aftions of the Re- deemer exhibit a continued courfe of victory. By an a6l of power, of greater fublimity than any which the human annals exhibit, attelled by evidence ftronger than any which they record, the barriers of the tomb were burft, and by the refurretlion of our Lord from the grave, " Death was swallowed up " IN VICTORY." Bv his Horious afcenfion into heaven, (an event to which our truly primitive and apoltolick Church at this time directs our view) his triumphs and the evi- dences of hi'^ miffion were completed, and confummated. By this event he is " Jet down *' at God's right hand in heavenly places, " far above all principality, and power, and " might, and dominion, and every name that ** is named, not only in this world, but alfo in " that zohich is to come." And it is with joy unfpeakable that we refleft, that as thefe fuf- ferinos, and this humiliation of the Redeemer were not undergone on his ov> n account, io
neither
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. SdJ
neither do his victories and triumphs termi- nate in himi'elf, but reach in their effefts to the meaneft and pooreft of the fons of men. In him we " a?-c more than conqueror's." Through HIM our confcience is healed, and peace and comfort is reftored, — fni hath no more dominion over us. I'hrough him the prifon of the tomb is opened, — through him we coniio-n with affectionate confidence our dear and venerable relatives to the grave, and, in the inimitable and overwhelming language of the great Apoflle, " we for row not as men " without hope for thofe that Jl.ecp in him." And when the valley of the fliadow of death is to be trod perfonally by ourfelves, we trull that through him our agonies will be foftened, and our (inking fpirits fupported, and that he will not fuflfer us in our laft hour for any pains and pangs of impending difiblution to fall from him. By him we expe6l (in the tranf- cendant (train of our Engliih liturgy) through the grave and gate of death to pafs on to our joyful refurrection ; we afpire to afcend with hmi to thofe blifsful manfions, where in the midft of the fpirits of juft men made perfect, and thoie holy persons whom we moft tenderly loved here on earth, and in the A a 3 prefence
358 VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH
prefence of God the judge of all, and this tli^ Mediator of the new covenant, fni, forrow, and death, lliall be no more, and the tear^ ihall be for ever wiped from every eye !
In recollecting therefore this Jji/le?n of be-^ jiefits, this uninterrupted career of victory over our moil cruel enemies, furely the fir/i fentjments which occur, are thofe of deep hu^ miliation on our parts, and exuberant gratinr tude to its great author and finiilier, Here Faith andPjiiLOSOPH y for ever feparate, — Here Chriftianity takes it ftand — " JVe gahi *' not this viSiori/ through our o\v>i /word, *' neither zms zVoz/rowN arm that helped us, ** hut it is God's right hand, n];s arm, and *' the light of Ills countenance, hecaufe he *- had a favor uf it 0 us." Eut to our exulta- tion we are to add ^eal, caution, energy, ex- ertion. My prefcnt audience are, I truft, little inclined to forget, with the miferable enthu- iiafts of the day, (who every where fwarm • firound us, difgracing and disfiguring the Gofpel they pretend to honor) that after all the unfpeakahle extenfion of mercy which Chriftianity holds forth with overflowing be- peficence, Christ ftill departs not from his
HJP|I ;.IlGIS;.ATiyE DIG^flTY, AND JU-
PJCJAJ-
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 359
biciAL AUTHORITY. — We lliall not affur- edJj difmiis from our minds, that he has pro- pofed LAWS to our obedience, and will ftill, for an obllinate contempt of them, condemn US inevitably and irretrievably. May the in- ference which the great Apoftle immediately fu})joins to the words of my text, be yours and mine — " Wherefore^ my beloved brethren, " bejiedfaji, immoveable, cdzoays abounding " in the work of the Lord, forafmuch as " ye hiow that your labour is not in vain in *' the Lord:'
Aa4 NOTES.
NOTES.
(a) The reply of Achilles in the fliades below to Ulyfles, who fuggefted to him the high pitch of honor he had attained while on earth, is one of the moil feeling documents M^iich could be offered to pride and ambition, under the light of nature.
Ai/^pj Trap' UKXvp'j!) o) |U>] SjoJoj ttoXv; ecn
Odyff. A.
(b) The works of Homer are in this point of mew (in which I cannot help thinking that they are not fuiiiciently confidered) invciluable. His Moral Philofophy is declared by no mean judge to be tlie beft extant —
quid fit pulchram, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non,
Planius ac melius Chryfippo ac Crantore dixit.
And I own I conceive his theological fentiments, when divefted of the thin integument of the my- thology in which they were enveloped, are more juft and true, and correfponding to reality and fact, than thofe which Zeno, Ariftotle, or even
Platq
N,OTES. SGl
Plato himfelf have delivered down tons. Are there abiurdities in Homer on thefe lubjedsr — What fliall we fay on the other hand of that Phi- lofoph}', which is declared by him who was beft acquainted with all its varieties, (Cicero I mean) to exhibit, on fubjecls of Theology merely, the " delircuitium fomn'ia f' Are there, on the con- trary, any ftrong and prominent theological truths, in the writings of thefe fages ? I think we may produce paffages from this great poety which will confiderably /i/?yw/s' them. On the derivation of. all virtue from God as its founda- tion and cement, in the 1ft Iliad; — on the ftrong eftecl oi prayer, and the placabUUy of the divine nature, in that moft fmgular and arrefting palfage in the 9th, from the 49 'M to the 510th hne; — on the Origin of erif, in the 3 1 ft, 32d and 33d verfes of the 1ft Odyft'. — he leaves Philofophy far behind him.- — Thofe who are deftrous of fee- ing this fubjeft fully ilhiftrated and exemplified, will confult two excellent works, replete with very curious and valuable information, — Homeri Gnomologia, perDuport. Cantab. 156'0. 4to. and Homerus EBPATZnN, five Comparatio Homeri cum Scriptoribus facris, perZach. Bogan. Oxon. 165S. 12mo. Any Scholar who might re-edit the firji of. thefe works, would render a fubjiantial fervice to morals and tlieoiogy.
(c) Vid.
552 NOTES.
(c) Vid. Iliad M. v. 322 to ^25.
(d) How much upon a level in this deplorable deltitutign, their 7i-i}yi mm were placed with the meaneft vulgar, the two following declarations of their greateft writers fufficiently indicate ; to which it would be well if thofe who look for com- fort in Philofophy would attend. Tacitus, in recollecting the mifer}'' of the calamitous events he relates, thus infers : " Ncv^^ue unquam atro- " cioribus popuii Romani cladibus magifve juftis " indiciis approbatum a^t non efle curas deis ^^ ftcur'itatcm noftram, effe ultiGnem.'"
Tacit. H'lft. L. i. What confolation Paganifm aiforded, even to a virtuous mind, in the fevere trial of the lofs of near relatives, let the following well known cita- tion decide; and iiiay it convey awful i"efle<Sion to every fcholar !
*' Quis enim bonus parens mihi ignofcat, fi " lludere amplius poffum? ac non oderit banc " animi mei firmitatem, fi quis in me eft alius *' ufus vocis quam ut inciifem Deos. fuperftes ** omnium meorum ; nullam terras defpicere " Providentiam tefter? fi non meo cafu, cul *' tamen nihil objici, nifi quod vivcwi, poteft, at *' illorum cexth quos utique immeritos mors ** accrba damnavit."
Quintilian de Injl. Orator. L. VI.
(e) "Cut
NOTES, , 363
(e) '' Cur non iitpleiius vitx co)2vka recedis}"
LiicrethiSr
And after him his imitator : —
'* Inde fit ut raro qui fe vixiOe beatum ** Dicat, et exaclo contcntus tempore, vita *^ Ce4at, lui convl'va faiur^ reperire queanius,"
(f) This pofition, among- others in our 39 ar- ticles, has often been precipitately objefted to — See the Bifliop of Lincohi's mo^ fatisjaftory tin-* cidation of it.— The Student in Divinjty will find great advantage in inveftigating the genuine doc- trines of our Church, in that eminent work of this Prelate, entitled, " The Elements of Chriji mil Theology ;" where wc 6nd a rare uuioii of per- fpicuity, judgment and decijion, ancl of that Chrif- tian calmnefs and charity^ which Should accom- pany all Theological refearch,
(g) In the celebrated Hymn of Cleanthes, the exprelhons of this philofophical Poet feem to indicate a fimilar caft of thought.
Ka]£i;9£um? KOINON AOrON Jc §icc vxiHuv
^Oi\x i^iyi/viJiivog ^lyocXQii y.iKpoig1e (pas<T<Tiv,
(n) Among various inftances of this truth, which occur to the mod curfory reader, that of
Nero,
$64^ ^ NOTES.
Nero, after the murder of his mother, flands moft awefully prominent, as recorded by Sueto- nius:— "Nequetamen Sceleris conscientiam, quanquam et militum etfenatus populiquegratu- lationibus confirmaretur, aut Jiatim aut imquam poftea ferre potuit ; faspe confeffus exagitari fe matern^ fpecie, verberibus furiariim, ac tsdis ardentibus. Quin etfado per magos facro, evocare manes et exorare tentavit. Peregrinatione qui- dem Grccciae, Eieufiniis facris, quorum initiatione impii et fcelerati voce prseconis fummoverentur, interefle non aufus eil."
Suetonius in vita Neronis.
It is extremely fingular that the power of this internal judge and monitor ^vas admitted even by the Epicureans and Atheifts oi antiquity.
Sed metus in vita poenarum pro malefaftis Eft infignibus infignis, fcelerifq; luela Career, et horribilis de faxo jadlu', deorfum ; Verbera ; carnifices ; robur j pix ; lamina ; taedae : Quae tamen et fi abfunt, at ?nensjibi confcia faBi , Praenietuens adhibet ftimulos torretque fiagellis. Nee videt interea qui terminus efle malorum Poflit ; nee quae fit poenarum denique finis. Atque eadem metuit 7nagis hisc ne in morte grave/cant, Lucretius de Rer. Nat. Lib. III. v. IQ27.
(i) The pafl^ige already cited from Quinti- Li AN (in Note d) will throw irrefiftible light upon
the
NOTES. S65
the folly of the Stoick ])recept. K(p* ixxf^ tmv
T^V'va.yui'yH'^ai^ J v\ ^ifyo^jt-ivitiv, jwe^v^xto nriKiyeiv onotov
ANGPnnON xal«^i?.«{* aTroS-avo^Jof yap ctvfa oulaf*- ;^S"«o"w ! ! !
Epidetus.
FINIS.
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