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PRINCETON, N. J.
S^ A MUEL AaNE^V,
OK PHILADELPHIA, PA.
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LECTURES
O N
Primitive Christianity :
I N
iD<ft£TRiNE, Experience, Worship^ Discipline, and Manners, as it appeared in the Church at 'Jeriijalem^ .^^^'^''^ in the Time of the Apoflles.
ALSO
On the Epistle to the Church at Sardis. And on the Faithful in the Days of MalacM,
INTERSPERSED WITH
if^OTES, REFLECTIONS, and ADDRESSES.
With a View to awaken a becoming Zeal for the Com^
munion of Saints, in Order and Love.
* '' \ 'I , ' li' ' 'f \^-/ » \ i .1, Li ,
By BENJAMIN WALL EN.
•——And exhorted them all, that with Purpofe of Heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Acts xi. 23.
LONDON:
Printed for the Author;
And fold by MefT. Robinson, Keith, Gardiner, Tomkins»
DiLLY, BucKLAND, and Johnson.
PiU§ bgwnd Six SMlUngs, or Five Si^lli.ngs fewsd,
PRE F A'^e^-E:"
THESE Ledures are the fubflance of what I delivered fome years ago ; many of which were compofed oh a rcqueft for pub- Jifhing two Volumes on a vari-.ty of fubjeds, containing thofe hefe prefented the Reader. I Toon found the undertaking interrupt me in the more important duties of my office, and there- fore laid it afide, with little or no expeftatioil of reaffuming the deflgn ; but laft Summer, being called off, for a feafon, from my ftated miniftrations, I revifed the manufcript^ and ' went forward with the work, which providence gave me a further opportunity of purfuing, by laying me under a partial confinement, through a cafualty, under which my life was mercifully fpared -, thus it was finifhed. And if my at- tempt to improve this occafional leifure fhould in any degree promote the kingdom of God, I
a 2 Ihali
iv PREFACE.
fliall have reafon to rejoice in the afflidionv and adore his wifdom and power, whofe plea- fure it is to. bring good out of evil.
Thanks be to God, the churches have reft, and liberty of confcience is preferved by our gracious fovereign the King, and his Parlia- ment, v.'ho are over us under the mofl High, unto whom we are more efpecially indebted, who vievv the doctrines and precepts of fcrip- ture in a light different from the popular opi- nion, and are obliged to practice accordingly. May this invaluable privilege be improved, by walking in the fear of the Lord, as the primi- tive difciples, in Judea and Samaria, after the firft perfecution, that in like manner, through the comfort and operations of the Holy Gholl, we may abundantly increafe»
The profane and immoral condufl: of maa^y of every rank, in the nation, may juflly alarm us ! We are notorioully given to pleafures, at a time when providence calls us to mourning
and
PREFACE. V
and falling; witnefs the cries of the induflrious poor, under a long continued fcarcity of almoft every kind of provifion, &c. but the ignorance and diforder of many, who by their holy pro- feffion, fhould be as lights of the world, and the fait of the earth, is ft' 11 more threatning. What intercouric wini heaven is held in private, f leave-, but, in all appearance, family-devotioa is much negledted, nor will it comport with the manner of lite in fafnion with moil •, and with refpc(5b to focial religion of a more public na- ture, it is notorioufly flighted ; the pious, of eve- ry name, lament a growing negle6l of particular chriftian communion in the land. The multi- tude, whofe god is their belly, and who break the fabbath continually, in purfuit of fenfual delights, more and more fill the roads and pub- lic-houfes, inftead of attending the houfe of the Lord, v»'hile the hearers of the word, in general, regard not the peculiar inflitutions of Chrill. In the nationalchurch, every native, who is fprinkled by her miniiter, is confidered a member, and as fuclr, on a teftimony of
a 3 com-
vi PREFACE.
competent knowledge, faith and fobriety, enti- tled to confirmation by the bifhop, and through his hands to the table of the Lord ; yet how few claim the privilege! And what excufe can be made for Diflenters, who feparate under a no- tion of zeal for the purity of worfliip, and at the fame time negled: ordinances they allow to be of divine authority j neverthelefs their num- ber in cornmunion is comparatively fmall ; yea, in fome inftances, it is melancholy to fee how little a church is covered with a large congre- gation or audience! It may be queftioned, with grief, what people under heaven, fo generally omit the principal difiinguifhing rites of their religion, as thofe who call themlelves chriftians, not excepting them who pafs under the vene- rable and glorious name of Proteftants ; ftridl- Jy fpeaking, there is but little fellowfhip among them, in gofpel-order, according to their own particular fentiments. The Lord's-fupper, that criterion of fellowihip, in which we commemo-^ rate the fufferings of the Saviour, whofe atone- ment is the ground of our hope ; a feaft which
he
PREFACE.
vu
he has commanded his dL'liples frequently to keep till he comes j alas, how is it in a manner laid afide ! Can we think ic was thus when a law was enafted to difqualify perfons, who had not taken the facrament at church within a few months ? Surely the communion-table was then more frequented in the nation than now, and, can we reflect: without blufhing, on the ihameful omifllon of this principal teil of our obedience to Chrilt ?
But, why do I trouble the Reader about the communion of faints, in this or the other parti- cular form ? We are fallen in a day when ma- ny devoutly difclaim it. It is now very com- mon to make light of ordinances, and even for ferious perfons to talk as if they valued them- felves on being of no denomination of chrlftians ; if a man, fay they, loves Jefus Chrifr, or a pr-eacher fets forth the mercy of the Father in him, we have no concern about his form of religion ; yet they cry up the martyrs, many of whom might have faved their treafure and a 4 blood,
VUI
PREFACE.
blood, had they made no confciencc of the au^ .thority of Chrift in his houfe. The upright will deprecate a me e name, under any form, how- eyer agreeable to the didlates of fcripture, but if a man intends by his being of no denomina- tion, that he regards not the manner of fervice appointed by tne Lord ; where is his religion ? They who blame an adherence to peculiar niodes, and boafl: in their freedom to a variety in religious fervice, do well to conlider, that there is certainly a right way of worfliip, pre- fcribed by the fole King of faints. I may inno- cently miflake the fenfe of his order, but indif- ference about it can be no proper evidence of my devotion to his will. Indeed if it' be a mat- ter of no importance how God is worOiipi^ed, the voluntary fufferings, exile, and ruin of in-» numerable perfons and families, who gave am- ple proof of their real piety, and alfo of their good uiiderftanding, was the height of folly and madnefs; yea, and ftill more, the orders of the fanduary by our Lord and his infpired apoftles^ in his name, are impertinent, which no fober
perform
PREFACE. U
perfon will admit. The truth Is, that to wor» ihip God in the way that he hath appointed, is an abfolute duty under every di^penfation. Je- hovah alone is the objed of worfhip, and it is his prerogative to direct the manaer in which his fervants lliali wait upon him j this is left with Jefus, the head of the church, who before his afcention, charged his minifters with teach- ing the people to obferve all things whatever he hath commanded them, to the end of the world, which includes, if not principally intends, the orders of his houfe; fo that while the world ftands, his difciples are to be taught to worfhip in the particular way he has prefcribed, and no other, but how this confifts with an indifference about the mode of religion, is hard to conceive. Some reprefent the order of fervice as only the garb or drefs of religion ; be it fo ; it fhould be remembered, that there is a uniform eflablifhed by the infinite wifdom of our divine lawgiver, which belongs to the obedience of faith, and which cannot be defpifed, without affronting the Majefty of heaven, pouring contempt on the
authority
X PREFACE.
authority of the Son of God, and danger of fuperftition.
It is an allowed criterion of piety, that we efteem thofe who fear God of every name, and take pleafure in the fpread of his gofpel. If Chrift is preached, and the power of godlinefs prevails, by whomfoever, or in whatever parti- cular form of profeflion, his minifters and peo- ple rejoice ; yet, if judicious ; not fo but that wherein a man appears defective, in any doc- trine of the gofpel, or article of inftituted wor- fhip, they mull wilh him to know the way of the Lord more perfedly, and confequently, ra- ther in meeknefs point out his raiftake than join him in his error ; and, furely, my love to thofe who differ from me in fome points of chrillianity, may confid v/ith a confcientious re- gard to every appointment of my Lord. Cha- rity and truth are effential, and never to be fe- paraced. That love which abounds in know- ledge and in all judgment will be fincere, in- oficnfive, fruitful and abiding, and is much to
be
PREFACE.
XI
be dtfired. In a word, that notion of charity, that renders the fubjed indifferent about any- thing which he is perfuaded to be the will of Chrift, is falfe and pernicious ; it tends to cap- tivate the minds of men from the authority of God, and lap the foundation of all true reli- gion, it is therefore dangerous when, under any pretence, perfons are taught to be un- concerned about the appointed form of wor- ftiip ; it fhould rather be commended to every one to fearch the fcripture, and keep to that which his confcience direds, and regard not the cenfures of men.
Another thing which eclipfes our glory, is this, namely, the little concern of many, •who have a name in the churches, to under- ftand the nature, or pradice the duties of their facred covenant with one another in the Lord ; hence they cleave not together, but are rather averfe to the unity and order which are ap- pointed, and needful to anfwer the purpofe of particular fellowHiip j this deflroys the founda- tion
xii PREFACE.^
tion of godly difcipline, from whence alone can be expected the purity and mutual advan- tage to be hoped fox in chriftian fociety.
It is gratefully acknowledged, that notwith- ftandingthefe defe6ts, there is one thing prevail- ing, efpecially in the capital cities, which is highly- commendable ; many copy after the firft difci- ples at Jerufalem in a rich liberality, on every occafion •, this bountiful fpirit is not confined to any particular kdc, but reigns among all forts of people, to the honor of the age, but to the fhame of thofe who are not to be moved by the mod flriking and popular example -, may this hopeful fymptom, under all our juft com- plaints, continue and become univerfal, that a bleffing in flore from on high being poured our upon us, we may revive and flourilli again ! but at prefent \ye have to bewail our many backflidings in other refpeds, with the tokens of the divine difpleafure upon us ; alas the fear- city of able and acceptable minillers ; how few the inftances of convcrfion ! and how little com- fort
PREFACE.
Xlll
fort and joy in our aflemblles •, wh^e many wander, or mourn as fheep without a fhepherd, the ordinances of the fandiuary are but in too many inftances as dry breads and a mifcarryino- womb! Under thefe fad circumftances, ihall it be thought unfeafonabJe that we advert to the fimplicity and zeal of the firft chriftians, with whom the Lord dwelt, that following the original pattern of piety and brotherly love, we may in like manner rejoice in his prefence and blefling ?
To thefe valuable ends, and for the help of young and ordinary chriftians, I drew up the following papers, in accomplifliing which I have confulted feveral writers in this and the century paft, from whom I hav? found myfclf obliged, with due refped, to differ in feveral in- ftances, for I write to pleale no man, and at the fame time would give no juft offence to any who are otherwife minded, nor will it offend the ingenuous, that I have freely declared my
thoughts
xiv PREFACE.
thoughts on every point, as it fell in my way j this liberty is granted, when the rules of decency are not tranf^reffed.
My title will, I hope, be allowed, and not deemed a magifterial air, to which I have as litde inclination as pretence. What led me into this choice was the manner in which thefe pieces were exhibited before they went to the prefs, namely, by reading them over to fome chriftian friends in ftated or occafional aflem- blies , fo that they are truly and properly leSiures. I wilh they were more corrcdt ; but, having difcovered no capital error, I rely on the fenfe and goodnefs of the Reader to reflify miftakes, which are not very numerous. As to the contents j it is at leafl highly probable that fome will find their fentiment, fpirit or condu(5l difapproved, but I am unconfcious of introducing an article with a defign to refledl on a fingle perfon or particular fociety, much lefs have I rejoiced in myfelf, on the con- trary.
PREFACE.
XV
trary, my own great deficiency has been the occafion of feveral rebukes to be found in this piece ; and, permit me to fay, that if my own foul is not warned by thefe meditations, it will come (hort of the defire of one, who is deeply convinced of the importance of taking heed, left after having preached to others, he himfelf fhould be a caft-away.
I SHALL only add further, that I have en- deavoured to diftinguifh the things which are peculiar to the church, before her order was compleated, an imitation of which is a mark of ignorance and impofture, from thole in which llie is an example to future generations. I have likewife attempted to point out the caufe of the declenfions we mourn, and the motives and means of recovery, together with the difpofition, and duty of thofe who fear God in a degenerate age ; with what fuccefs the Reader will judge ; his prayer, hsi^^y^Yi is defired, that this imperfei^ eflay
may
XVI
PREFACE.
may not be in vain, on which I prefume, and fubfcribe myfelf his friend and fervant in tht Lord.
THE
THE
CONTENTS.
BOOK I.
Containing refleftions on the death, refurreftion, afcention, and exaltation of the Lord Jefus Chrift.
LECTURE I.
/I N IntroduSiion to the apojiks difcourfc. The murder "^^ of Cbriji imputed to the Jeius : His death foreknown
and determined P^gc i
LECTURE n. Notes and reJie£lions on Peter'' s addrejs to the men of fudea
LECTURE in.
The refurre^ion of Chriji^ by whom. What is implied in hofening the hands of death 3^
LECTURE IV.
What to he underflood by a witnefs. Who ate witnejfes of our Lord^s refurreofion : Their credibility ^ i
LECTURE V.
The Holy Ghoft a iviinefs to the refurreSiion of fefus : His teftimoiiy in the believer appealed to by the apoftle^ i yohn V. 10. conftdered and proved 6;/
LECTURE VI.
The afcention of Jefus : His fejfion at the right hand of God
LECTURE VII. 77?^ Father'' s concern in exalting his Son^ who immediately re- ceives the Spirit at his hands ; with the noble end of his €07itinuancs «n the throne. Reflexions loi
li BOOK
CONTENTS.
BOOK II.
Being fome thoughts on the apoftle's improve- ment and application of his difcourfe to the Jews on the day of Pentecoft.
LECTURE yill.
Containing the Jpo/iU's a(ld7~efs to his audience in general: His pwitiunl dtfiripticn oj the Saviour. Ihe charge of his tnurder on the Jews repeated. An earneji exhortation io confidcr him as the Lord's Chriji ; and the coKvi6iion^ •which naturally rejult from fuch a perfuafion page lib
LECTURE iX.
Notes and refcPAcns on Petei 's proclamation and audrefs in the Ciofe of his Jtrmon to the 'Jeivs 130
BOOK TIL
In which the wonderful fuccefs of the apoftle's firft fermon at Jerufalem is particularly con- fivdered and improved.
LECTURE X.
Shewing the fiaie of their hearts who fell under conviSilon.
By what means they Were awakened j and the method they
■ took for relief ' 143
LECTURE XL
An irnprovemsnt on the cafe of thoj'e who were convinced by the preaching of Peter ^ on the day of Pentecofi 156
LECTURE XIL
the rature of evangelical repentance. IVhat it is to be bap- tized in the name of Jejus for the remiffion of fins ; and in zvhai refpcii the Holy Ghofi is given to them that believe
169 LECTURE XIII. 'The pro mi fe on which Peter raijes the expe^alion of the awa- kened Jews, upon their obeying the gofpel, briefly and fairly examined., with notes and reflexions on the whole if his reply io their anxious quejiion 188
LECTURE
CONTENTS.
LECTURE XIV. The converted Jews tejVtfy their reception vf the gofpel^ In be- ing baptised ana j'Aning the church. Notes on their vifibls 'obedience to the faith paa;e 2p8
LECTURE XV.
What included in a fa<uing ' reception of the tvord, and the manner in zvhich it is embraced 221
LECTURE XVL
The fource and jyrnptoms of that pleafure vji:ich attends a cor- dial acceptance cf the gofPel. The duty of thofe zuho em- brace it to an immediate external obedience , and the joy of true faith compared with that which may he found vuith an hypocrite 233
BOOK IV.
Being an hiflory of the church in her infant ftate. LECTURE XVn.
The confiancy and faithfulnefs of the firjl difciples in their communion together y under a prof effton of chrifiianity 252 LECTURE XVIIL
The manner in which the primitive difciples lived together in the church at Jerufalem 277
LECTURE XIX.
How the difciples at Jerufalem were employed ^ with praSlical notes on their conduSi 287
LECTURE XX.
The daily increaje of the primitive church 305
BOOK V.
The early declenfion of the church from her • original fimplicity.
LECTURE XXL
JntroduSlion. The Lord's tefiimony againjl the difciples at
^ardis. In what re[pe£is a chmch may he dead\ notwith-
Jlanding fhe hath a name that fhc liveth. The occofvms and
fymptoms of this dreadful fiate. Motives to zvalch againjl
. '^^ page 337 '
I.KCTURK
C O N T E N T 1
L E C r U R E XXII. The difc'ipks at Sard'is exhorted to repent : Their zuorh are impeached. How the Lord appears a judge of what a people perform in his name. The me a fur es to be taken to rejiore a church when declined, Reafons for attempting it^ mtwithflanding her things may he dying away page 357 LECTURE XXIII. A repetition of the Redeemer s call to repentance, with particu- lar direSiions ; and a threatning in cafe of difoledience 377 LECTURE XXIV. Tloe faithful diftinguijhed in a time of general defeSlioi^^ with the promife of a glorious reward 389
LECTURE XXV. The honors decreed the believer in the day of Chrift ; being a dejcription of his white raiment, the book of life, and like- zvife what is implied in not having his name blotted out of that book 404
LECTURE XXVI. The univerfal obligation of chriftians to attend to the voice of the Spirit 425
BOOK VL
The conduct of the faithful in the days of Malachi.
LECTURE XXVII.
The degenerate Jiate of the fews. IVhat implied in the faints Jpeaking often one to another ; topics of dijcourje. Reflexions
440^ LECTURE XXVIII. What included in thinking on the name of the Lord. His heark- ening to his peoples difcourfe, and book of remembrance ex- plained, RefeSlions 458 LECTURE XXiX. Lord of hofts ; whence that magnificent title ; the day when he will make up his jewels ; and what implied in Jo doing
474 LECTURE XXX.
Chrift^s people comparable zvith jewels ; their difperfton in time \ the certainty of their accompHJhment at his coming. ReflWwns 489
PRIMITIVS;
LECTURES
O N
Primitive Christianity, &c, BOOK h
CONTAINING
Refle<5lions on the Death, Refurre<5lion, Afcenfion,' and Exaltation of the Lord- Jesus Christ.
LECTURE I.
An Introdudllon to the Apoftle's difcourfe — the mur- der of Christ imputed to the Jews — his death foreknown and determined,
IT is pleafant and ufeful to behold the power and faithfulnefs of God in fetting up the kingdom of his Son. It began under a famous fermon by Peter the apoftle at Jerufalem, on the day of Pentecoft, o£ which we have a full and particular account in the fecond of the Adls. On this part of fcripture fome following Ledlures are grounded; which I hope, by the bleffing of God, will entertain and comfort the chriftian who reads them ; and if they (hould fall into the hands of any one in a ftate of unbelief, I heartily ^ifh they may prove a means of convidion.
A Pente-
a LECTURESON
L Pentecost, it is known, was a feaft of the Jews, on which they offered the firft-fruits of the field, Exod. xxiii. i6. It is called, Deut. xvi. lo. " The *' feaft of weeks," being feven weeks from the pafT- over; and it is ftiled Pentecoft, which fignifies the fiftieth, becaufe it fell on the fiftieth day after the feaft of unleavened bread , the ufual diftance be- tween our Eafter and Whitfuntide. It has been re- marked, that this feftival* happened on the firft day of the week; for this^ year it began on Saturday evening : So that on our Lord's-day morning, it might properly be faid " to be fully come," ver. i. This was the day on which Chrift- rofe from the dead, '' and became the firft-fruits of them that *' flept," I Cor. XV. 20. And on the fame chofen day the Spirit was poured out on the difciples, who immediately fpake in a variety of tongues, as he gave them utterance, to the amazement of all who heard them. And thus the Holy Ghoft bare witnefs to the glory of their afccnded Mafter, and enabled them to publifli his name in the vi'orld. In this manner it pleafed God to make way for the fpread of the gofpel; not by' a miraculous alteration in the hearers, but by furnifliing his minifters, who were chofen from illiterate men, with an extraordinary power of fpeaking his wonderful works to all peopl« in their own native language : this they did in a very large audience, compofed of perfons providentially colleded at Jerufalem from every nation under heaven, ver. 5. Thus, as hath been often obferved,
as-
• Thus as Chtlft fufFered at the feaft of the paffover he was glorified en the neift great feftival of the Jews, which being in ths fummcr, waf attended by numbers who othefwil's would iiave t)«ca abfeati
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 3
as the confufion of language at Babel divided man- kind, and feparated the world in general from the means of grace, whereby the true knowledge of God was loft; this vail was deftroyed, and the nations turned from darknefs to light, through the gift of tongues in the c]iurch.
One might have expelled, that every one who faw the aftooifhing faft, would have afcribed it to the power of God ; but alas, what are the greateft mira- cles with hardened unbelievers ! It is not uncommon for fcepticks to plead, that they have never feen the like wonders performed which are produced in favor of chriftianity, but experience hath fhewn, that no' kind of evidence, however ftriking, can remove the inveterate prejudices of men who oppofe themfelvej to the truth : *' If they hear not the fcriptures, nei- *' ther will they be perfuaded, though one rdfe frorn ** the dead," Luke xvi. 31. And accordingly iti the inftance before us the multitude marvelled ; " they ** were amazed and in doubt, faying one to another^ " What meaheth this ?" But we read of none whoi Were truly convinced ; on the contrary, many of them mocked, and were even fo bafe as to impute this pre- ternatural volubility to the force of new winej fome have thought it incredible that any fhould be fo ex- tremely abfurd as to imagine that an excefs of drink- ing could enable the difciples to fpeak with tongues they underftood not before, and therefore fuppofe that thefe fcofFers, being native Jews, as the next verfe declares, and not acquainted with any diale(5t tut that of their own country, the apoftles feemej A % ii$
4 LECTURESON
to them as bablers ; but, why fliould any be fur- prized that a generation, who had been taught to re- proach our Lord with calling out devils by Beelzebub, and who had afterwards cruciiied him as an im- poftor, fhould be ftupid and malicious enough, thus to apprehend, or mifreprefent this wonderful energy of the Holy Ghofl ? However, this is their charge ; *' Thefe men are full of new wine."
To this flander, Peter, fcanding up with the eleven, and having intreated a hearing, replies, that it was but *' the third hour of the day," or nine in the morn- ing : this was the time of the daily facrifice, at which the Jews in general came falling, and at thefe fefli- vals they were accuflomed to abftain from wine till noon ; it was therefore mod unreafonable to imagine that thefe men were drunken. From thia pertinent remark the apoftle haflens to obferve, that what they faw and heard was no other than what Joel the pro- phet foretold, by whom God faith, " And it fhall '* come to pafs in the laft days, I will pour out my «« Spirit on all flefii." By the laft days the prophet intended, and the Jews themfelves underftood, the days of the Meffiah, when " all fiefh fhould fee the *' falvation of God;" for it is written, "that who- *' foever fhall call on the name of the Lord, fhall " be faved." The apoflle having explained this ap- pearance from fcripture, in faithfulnefs turns on thefe Jerufalem-finners, and with a view to their repen- • tance, boldly charges them with the murder of Jefus, and points out the light againft which they fmned in fhedding his blood, and alfo that their end was not
obtaine4
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 5
obtained without the counfel of heaven, ver. 22, 23. " Ye men of Ifrael, hear thcfev/ords; Jcfus ofNa-" *' zareth, a man approved of God among you, by ** miracles and wonders and ligns, which God did by *' him in the midfl of you, asye yourfelves alfo knov/: *' him being delivered by the determinate counfel " and foreknov/ledge of God, ye have taken, and *' by wicked hands have crucified and flaln." Thus, from a general report of certain falvation in Chrift to every one that believes, which is the tenor of the gofpel, his miniflers are without refer^'e to lay before fmners their evil and danger, that obtaining mercy they may repent and be faved.
From this introduction it appears that the apoflle ciireds himfelf to the Jews who dwelt at Jerufalem, and that they were prepared for his alarming remon- ftrance, by his reafoning out of fcripture relating to Jefus whom they had crucified, and alfo concern- ing the efFufion of the Spirit at which they had igno-- rantly fcoffed ; and this no doubt was fubfervient, by the blefling of God, to thofe painful convictions under which many of them hereafter cry out.
Peter might have upbraided them as Stephen did on another occafion, chap. vii. 51. *' Ye fliff-necked *' and uncircumcifed in heart and ears, ye do alv/ays « refift the Holy Ghofl !" They deferved to be ftiled a perverfe and abfurd generation, who had no regard to reafon or truth; but behold he accoRs them as the people of God, and under a title which was to their lienor, "Ye men of Ifrael." In Ifa. xli. 14. the A 3 Lord
6 LECTURESON
Lord thus addreffes his people, " Thou worm Jacob:** Not in contempt, but in compaflion he fpeaks in this manner, to let them know, that though in themfelves, and according to their own apprehenfion, they were, as Jacob their Father, greatly afflided and threatned, helpleis and mean as a worm ; neverthelefs he, their tnicrhty Redeemer, would help them, and their adverfarieg fhould be as nothing: But Peter's defign wasto {hew the regard he had for the Jews, while he fpared not to cen- fure their folly and wickednefs, and accordingly he ftiles them " men of Ifrael." And under a more refpe^lful character he could not bcfpeak them ; yet what could more highly reBe£l on their condu61"? Great was the honor ^nd advantage of being a defcendant from Ifrael, that renowned patriarch j in this 'they mJght have gloried, had they behaved as became their eminent anceflor-j on the other hand, their bafenefs in the crucifixion of Jefus, and biafphcming hisdifciples, who were endued with the Holy Ghoft, appeared in proportion to this their high charaftcr, and the privilcdges they enjoyed : They were Ifraelites, and many of them, it is proba- ble, leaders of the people, to whom were committed the oracles of God, and who profefTed to be waiting for the Meffiah, and the effufion of the Spirit, which aggravated t|ieir condu£l ; and no doubt this manner of addrefs was defigned the more deeply to afFccSl: them \vith a fenfe of their guilt : V/ith the fame view the prophets frequently, under the Cziv.e charaiSer, call on ^hc degenerate Jews to repent, Hofea xiii, 9. " O Ifracly ?* thou haft dellroyed thyfelf." And again, chap. xiv. I. <f'' OKr^iel, return unto the Lord thy God ; for thou S^ hgft fallen by thine iniquity." lii thefc, and ether-
like
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 7 like places, this backfliding people are ftiled Ifrael, as I apprehend, at leaft among other things, to ftiew how unworthy they a£led iri departing from the Lord ; and it muft be acknowledged that this was an excellent means of conviction.
The apoftle proceeds, and craves their attention, «* Hear thefe words ;" which, in connexion with what went before, runs to this purpofe, q. d. ' O ye ' men of Ifrael; you fee how unreafonable it is to
* fuppofe, that thefe perfons are drunken, or to ima-
* gine that the excefs of new wine fhould enable ' them to fpeak in this variety of tongues : this abi-
* lity proceeds from the Spirit, which the prophet ^■foretold fliould be poured out in the days of the ? Mefiiah 5 now I have fomewhat to fay which nearly
* concerns you, I befeech you therefore patiently
* to hear me.' Note, it is the univerfal and earneft defire of minifters, who feek the falvation of their hearers, that they attend without prejudice, that un- der a divine bleiling, they may convince them of error, and bring them to repentance.
But, what are thefe words ? They are words, the hearing of which would make their ears tingle j yea words which hereafter appear to make their hearts tremble : Words by which the divine Spirit raifed thofe convictions that pierced and punctually wounded their confcience. The apoflle might well be anxious for an hearing, for there was reafon tQ expert that thefe bold tranfgreffors would flop their sars againft the heavy charge he was about to lay A 4 01^
8 LECTURESON
on them. For what impenitent criminal will liften to the voice of his accufer ? but with God all things are poflible ; he can draw the ear of the moft obfti- nate fmner, as a means of convincing his heart, at his pleafure, and his hand is evident in the prefent cafe, fmce, otherwife, why fhould they not behave in the fame manner as with Stephen the martyr, men- tioned before ? However, what Peter delivered in gene- ral, related to their having crucified the Lord, not- withftanding they had feen the fulleft teftimony of God in his favor. It contains his defcription of the Saviour, the ftriking evidence afforded thefe Jews of his divine miflion, their concern in his death, and the counfel of God in refpedl of this amazing fcene of iniquity and blood ; from whence may be drawn a variety of ufeful obfervations.
In defcribing our Saviour, whom thefe men had {lain, the apoftie ftiles him " Jefus of Nazareth." Now Nazareth we know was a poor and fmali city on the borders of Zebulun, and held in the utmoft contempt. Hence faith Nathaniel to Philip, " Can there any good " thing come out of Nazareth?" John i. 46. But that which men difefteem is frequently honored by God : This poor defpifed city was the place where Jofeph and Mary refided, and confequently where the incarnate Son of God dwelt a confiderable part of hi? time in the flefh ; yet, alas ! what are the moft dif-,. tin2;uifliing external advantages ! There was no con- l^exion between the place of our Lord's abode and ^ participation of his grace : This city was no lefs noto- rious for its perverfe infidelity than its very great mean»
nefsj
PRIMITIV.E CHRISTIANITY. 9
nefs; fo hardened were the inhabitants, that on our Lord's preaching to theai, and upbraiding them with their incredulity, they rejected him with the utmoft indignation, ani in wrath attempted to deftroy him, Luke iv. 28, 29. And accordingly he foon left them becaufe of their unbelief; fo that there is reafon to fear that the generality of thofe among whom the Saviour of the world lived more than thirty years, perifhed in their fms. Thus perfons may be highly exalted in an early enjoyment of the richeft means of grace, and in the pride and wickednefs of their heart fmk deep into hell, under a fatal oppofition to the counfel of God !
• But to return : It may feem flrange at firft, that Peter, who appears at this time to have a realizing profpedl of the Redeemer now exalted at the right-hand of God, fhould mention him under this diminutive charadler; but when we confider to whom he was fpeaking, and the defign he was upon, we fliall admire the propriety of this chofen defcription. He is addrefiing the Jews, v/ith a view to convince them, that this fame Lord, of whom Joel prophefied, and in whom alone falvation is to be found, was no other than that very perfon whom they had unrighteoufiy flain. Now what pould be more to his purpofe than to fpeak of him under |:he identical terms by which he was defcribed in the writing over his head when he hung on the crofs r Which is known to run thus j *' Jefus of Nazareth the King " of the Jews," John xix. 19. q. d. that fame Jefus, jvhom ye in contempt call Jefus of Nazareth, is no Other than that great perfon of whom the prophet
fpeakS|
10 LECTURESON
(peaks, in calling on whofe name the fubje61: fnall be faved. Befides, in defcending to this defcription of the Saviour, the apoftle is not. aftiamed to own his Lord in that very charaiSler under which he was defpifed and pcrfecuted to death ; and he likewife afccnds with the greater advantage to his glorious ftate in heaven. An inftance of courage and wifdom we may juftly admire !
The next thing which Peter rcnionftrates is, th? ample and undeniable proof offered the Jews of our Lord's divine miiTicn. This was admirably calculated to affe6l them with a fenfe of their folly, which was a main thing in view; it was as full and as ftrong as could poffibly be given : *' A man approved of God." Jefus was approved, and fometimes applauded by men ; his mighty works and holy converfation rendered him, for a feafon, admired and followed as an extraordinary perfon; but the Jews are called upon to reflect on the undeniable and glorious teftimony they had received from heaven j " A man approved of God f, by miracles, *' wonders and figns :" The wonderful works br which the Father teftified of his Son in the courfe cf his miniftry were many, and known to thefe men, Thefe miracles were not done in a corner, or at a diftance, but openly and among them ; *' which God f did by him in the midft of you," faith the apoftle, j. e. in your fynagogues, in the temple, apd in places
o£
■f ^vv:-i:/.i:Ti ri^aai a a-yijj.iloii; are words nearly of the fame fignifica- tion ; and, however critically diftindt, feem in this place each to convey the i^ea of works or tokens above or contiarj'to the cotsrfe of nature, and ma^ be confidered as a redundancy of exprefiion, to fliew the number and variu'-jr,
fif thofe amazing tsflimonies of a divine power nianifsfl by Chrift,
PRIMITIVE CPIRISTIANITY. u
of public refort. They were not lying wonders, but miracles indeed, the reality of which no man could decently quefiion : figns which were evident, and of which his enemies themfelves were convinced ; and ac- cordingly he adds, " Ye yourfelves alfo knowj" q. d.
* O ye men of Ifrael, ye are witnefies to the truth
* of what I declare, for thefe divine works were per- ' formed in your prefence I Did ye not daily behold,
* in Jerufalem, many wonders and figns wrought by ' Jefus, by which God approved him ? You cannot ^ deny it.' Thus he appeals to their confciences, and many of them were deeply convinced on refledion, and forely wounded uilder a fenfe of their guilt, as will hereafter appear.
Having reprefented their perverfe incredulity iii Vvithftanding fo clear divine evidence to the characler of Jefus, the apoftle proceeds to the concern Virhicii the Jews had in his death. It was his great defign to convince them that they were guilty in (bedding the blood not only of|an innocent perfon, but of killing the Mef- fiah, fnat being awakened, they might repent of this hainous tranfgrefiion and all other fms, and call on his name and be faved ; he, therefore, fpares not to pharge them diredly with crucifying and flaying the man whom God had approved, in which he is very circumftantial.
He firft obferves that they took him. *' Him have ^^ ye taken." Now this may include their laying hands on him as upon a malefaftor, with all the iUr ■ireatmeiit they gave him from his being apprehended
to
12 LECTURES ON
to their nailing him on the crofs. Our Lord himfelf faid, Matt, xxvi.55. *' Are youcomeoutas againfta thiefwith *'• fwords and ftaves?" In this manner they came with Judas their guide, and when they had, by means of the execrable traitor, found our Saviour in the garden, " by his own permiffion, they feized him, and led him bound to his judges to be condemned, in order to vhich they fubborned falfe witnefs againft him ; and when he was delivered into their hands they Impi- ©ufly infult and curfe him for an impollor ; they Block, fpit upon, and crown him with thorns, and, having unmercifully fcourged'him, thus mangled, they fering him with bitter revilings up to mount Calvary : In a word, they treated the divine Jefus with all the contempt and cruelty which the malice of earth or Jiell could invent. In this vile manner the Jews ap-r prehended and dealt with our Lord ; and there is rea- fon to think that while Peter exprefled thefe words, ♦' Him have ye taken," fome individuals prefent began to reflecSl with fhame on their own concern in this wicked tranfadiion.
Then comes the charge of his death, " Him ye *' have crucified and flain." Crucifixion is known to be a manner of punifhment ufed by the Romans ; it was infli(9:ed only on flaves, and that for crimes the moft infamous ; He that fuffered this kind of death bore t his crofs on his fhoulders to the place of exe- cution, - where, being ftripped of his clothes, he
was
f Not the whole crofs, but the Patibulum, or piece of timber that Uy crofs the eredl part which Hood fixed in the earth, and on which the armi^ •t" ;ije criminal were ftretched.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 13
was faftened naked unto it, and this was ufually, if not always with nails, attended with the caufe of his death written over his head, in capital letters. Now we know that this exadlly agrees with the manner in which our Lord was treated by the Jews ; fo that they dealt with him as with the bafeft of men and the vileft of criminals ! Such was the rage and envy of thefe Jerufalem-fmners ; they thirfted after his blood ; their malice prompted them to fhed it in a manner the moft 'ignominious and painful. He was crucified and flain indeed under a form of law, and by the hands of the civil magiftrate, which had a fpecious appearance, neverthelefs the holy and innocent Jefus was unjuftly cut off out of the land of the living, and his crucifiers are truly faid to kill him, and charged with his murder. Ails iii. 15. chap. vii. 52. com- pared.
^
The means by which they fhed the blood of the Saviour, is the next thing which the apoftle remarks ; namely, " by wicked hands ;" for the underflanding of this, we are to remember the civil ftate of the Jews at this time; they were now in fubjedlion to the Romans, under whom they enjoyed far greater pri- vileges than a conquered people might expeili but it was the well-known policy of that famous ftate to proteft the nations they fubdued in the free exercife of their own religion, and accordingly the Jews were in this refpe6l remarkably favored, infomuch that they were allowed to kill a Gentile, even though he were a Roman, who prefumed to enter and defile their temple. On this pretence it was that fome went
about
t4 L E C T U R E S O N
about to flay Paul, as appears by comparing A^s 3cxi. 29. v/ith chap, xxvi. 21. So highly were they indulged by their heathen mafters ; they had alfo A power to judge petty offenceSj and to inflicl lefTer pe-«' nalties by their counfel where the high-prieft prefided in chief, but they could not judicially purtifh any cri- minal with death. This paint indeed, like moft ochef articles hath been difputed, but it feems evident from the inflance before us, the Jews had not the power of life and death ; as a learned and laborious writer % obferves. If in any cafe they had this authority, it muft have been in the cafe of our Lord, whofe fole" charge tvas blafphemy, in afluming the charadler oftheMef- fiah : it was therefore a point of religion in which the Romans, who, as hinted, gave their conquered fubjedls full liberty, would not have concerned thenifelves, had they in any cafe allowed the Jews the authority of capital puniftiment, nor would a people fo fond of power, and I may fay, fo enraged againft Jefus, and determined to take away his life, have committed a caufe within their own jurifdifhion to a foreigner, or left his execution to the will of the Romans j but that which one fhould think would fet it beyond all difpute is their own declaration to Pilate, John xviii. 31* V/hen the governor bids them take Jefus and judge him according to their law, which indeed they had already done, for they had brought hiili in guilty of death, fee Mat. xxvi. 66. John xix. 7. but it was
not
% Dr. Lardincr's Credibility, vol. I. page 77. Sea alfo page 97, 154. Whether the Jevvt had this power taken from them, or Idd by their own negligence, as Dr. Lightfoot afferts. It is, I think, generally allowed, that they enjoyed not this priviUdge forty yeiri bafore tbc templa wa» dtllroysd, Lardiner, yol. I. 201,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY, i^ not in their power to execute this fentence. Hence the anfwer is this ; " It is not lawful for us to put any " man to death j" and accordingly they brought him to the judge, who though he was convinced of the inno- cence of Jefus, and knew that for envy the Jews had delivered him, j^et fo bafe was this magiftrate, that through fear, or with a finifter fend, he yielded to the pomjlar cry, and gave up this holy perfon to the will of^efe wretches, fee Matt, xxvjii. i8 — 24. Thus the Jews crucified and flew our Lord, not by their ov/n, but by the hands of the Romans ; thefe hands were thofe of Pilate that wicked man and unjuft judge, and the officers and foldiers under him, who, being ftimu- lated by the voice of the multitude, ftirred up by their leaders, were but too eager in the execution of his unlawful fentence. The Jews themfelves took Jefus, with their own hands into which he was be- trayed, and did unto him fpitefully as they could, but they could not put him to death; this they brought about by means of the Roman civil power, who moft unrighteoufly crucified him as a malefa6tor; it is therefore truly declared, that with wicked hands, that is, of others, they flew him, which the facred hiftorian moft accurately placeth in his account, be- tween the apprehending and crucifixion of our Lord, according to the fail. Thus the fcripture was fulfilled, PC ^, 2. " The kings of the earth fet themfelves, and *' the rulers take counfel together, againft the Lord ** and againft his anointed.'* And as Chrift came into the world to fave Jews and Gentiles, they were both ^oncqrned in putting him to death.
But
•j6 l e c t u r e s o n
But there is nothing in the whole of the addrefs more inftrudtive or important than the divine hand in this afFedling event. The death of Chrift was no pre- carious or cafual thing, but fettled in the counfel of God, whofe underftanding is infinite, and who de- elareth the end from the beginning j this the apoftle afferts j " Him , being delivered * by the determi- *' nate § counfel and foreknowledge of God." The fame is confirmed and explained by Peter and John on another occafion, A£l:s iv. 27, 28. " For of a truth *' a^ainft thy holy child Jefus both Herod and Pon- " tins Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of *' Ifrael, were gathered together, for to do whatfoever *' thy hand and thy counfel determined before to be *' done." The word determined J, in this proof in- deed differs from that in the paflage we are upon, but the idea is the fame, and they concur to afcertain the predeftination of this great event. It was determined, i, e. fay fome it was- written, which no doubt is a truth ;
thus
* It has been fuggefted, that for particular reafons the Jews voluntarily furrendered Jefus, though they might thenofelves have put him to death, but we have already feen they had not this power, ^and Dr. Lardiner has proved that the word eyMiov in this place does not carry in it a yield- ing any civil authority or right, and Ihewn that it is ufed in the New- Teftament fer the aB: of private perfons who profecute, or bring any one before a court of juftice in order to be condemned, and I think he haj alfo entirely removed the moft plaufible pretence for this opinion, See Lardiner's Credibility, Vol. I. page 86.
§ ufirjAevn a ofiQci} to declare, as by definitive fentence, Rom. i. 4. of to ordain, or decree, as in Ads x. 42. where it is ufed to exprefs the divint ordination of Chrift to the office of judge.
X 'o-foufla-B to foreordain gr predeftlnate, Rom. viii, 30, i Cor, il, J* Iph. i. 5.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 17 thus faith our ^Lord, Luke xxii. 22. " The Son of " man goeth, as it is determined ;" and in Matt, xxvi, 24. in relating the fame, the facred hiftorian ufes the phrafe " it is written; " for the fame was both deter- mined and written ; but we are not to refolve the de- termination of Chrift's death into a fimple predidlion, as if it was determined in no other fenfe than as de- clared in the fcripture : things are not properly deter^ mined becaufe declared in^God's word ; on the con- trary, they are foretold becaufe predetermined. The de- cree of God is the ground of prophecy, which is no other than a revelation, as providence is the execution, of the divine will. Nothing can be plainer than that the blood-fhedding of Jefus was not only foreknown, but truly and properly predetermined by the mofl High who worketh all things after the counfel of his own will. And what Peter now preacheth concerning this point he afterwards wrote in his firft epiftle, chap, i, 20. ** Who," fays he, meaning Chrift, " was ve- " rily fore-ordained,"i. e. to his fufferings and death, as appears from the context, " before the foundation of *' the world." To which agreeth Rev. xiii. 8. where he is ftiled, " The Lamb flain from the founda- •' tion of the world." And this is the current of fcrip- ture. So then the delivery of the innocent Jefus into the ]hands of the wicked to be crucified, as 1 may fay, according to the known idea of the terms, was fettled in the definitive counfel of God from everlafting ; it was all fixed before in that adorable conftitution, the covenant of redemption, of which the Son of God is the Mediator and Surety j and indeed his being deli- vered was in confequence of his undertaking jjj that B hc>ly
i8 LECTURESON
holy and gracious compa6l, to be the Subftitutc of the people; by which a juft and legal foundation was laid, for his bearing their fins in his own body on the tree.
This is the addrefs of the apoftle to the men of Judea, who killed our Lord. After befpeaking their attention in a manner moft refpedful, he plainly and faithfully remonflrates their aggravated guilt, in pre- fuming thus to ftied the blood of the innocent and holy Jefus, in defiance of all the miracles which God did by him in the midft of them, as a teftimony of his charadter ; he pofitively charges his murder upon them, though they could not themfelves perpetrate this horrid fa6t, but did it by the hands of other wicked men, who put him to death, and then he declares that he being thus delivered into their hands to be crucified and flain, was determined before in the counfel of God; which might juftly alarm them, and made way for a further account of Jefus in proof of his being the MelTiah ; an addrefs which, by the bleiling of God, proved a means of the converfion of many who .heard him, and Vv'ho, as it afterwards appears, cried .out in diftrefs, under a fenfe of their perifhing condi- tion, and being inftru6ted, gladly embraced the word of the gofpel. Many other glorious things are fpoken of Jefus who was crucified ; but, before we proceed, it may be ufeful to paufe, and refleft on feveral points which {land fupported by this remonftrance of the apoftle . to the Jews ; and this will be attempted in the fol" lowing ledure.
LECTURE
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 19
LECTURE II.
Containing notes and reflections on Peter's addrefs to the men of Judea.
THE foregoing Ledlure, contains the apoftle's high charge on the Jews with the murder of our Lord, in prevailing on the Romans to crucify him, and the foreknowledge and counfel of God, in refpeCt of this fcene of iniquity and blood, in the prefent the Reader is defired to confider the following articles, which appear from the account, and nearly concerns us !
I. The Infufficiency of every kind and degree of evidence to convince the unbeliever, and bring him to repentance. This has already been hinted, and is a point fully proved in the inftance before us. The ab- furd light in J, which the fcornful and prejudiced Jews placed the wonderful effects of the Spirit, in their un- fair, if not malicious imputation on the difciples, who fpake by his influence, evidently fhews their infuperable pervencnefs ; and their crucifying Jefus, notwithftanding the repeated and undeniable teftimony from heaven in his favor, is no lefs a proof that all external means whatever are in themfelves infufficient to open the eyes, or turn the hearts of men enflaved to fin and unbelief. What could be more ftriking, or more adapted to con- vince the Jews that Jefus was the Chrift, than the JB 2 variety
20 LECTURESON
variety of miracles and wonders, by which God [^ap- proved him in their fight ? Yet, behold ^this feries of fupernatural works are in vain ! thefe men were filled with envy aad malice againft our Lord, for no other reafon than that of his alTuming the character of Mefliah ; and, being left to their own will, nothing could prevent their fhedding his blood. In like man- ner all unbelievers are hardened ; however their cir- cumftances may differ, fuch is the power and deceit of the flefh, that thofe who are in it, are proof againft every means of conviction, even miracles themfelves cannot turn them. The carnal mind is enmity againft God, and wHl ever find an excufe for perfifting in op- pofition to his will j it is not fubjedt to his law, and defpifes his grace ; and he that is under its dominion, if left to himfelf, will withdraw from the cleareft light J he will either prevent, or by fome means ftifle convictions, for he is a rebel in heart, and in nothing is he more determined than againft a fubmiflion to God and his righteoufnefs : fo ftout is corruption in the unregcnerate mind that nothing can remove it; mere moral fuafion is by no means fufficient ; yea, if reafoning out of the fcriptures is attended with miracle on miracle and prodigies without number, unlefs a divine power is exerted in the finner, even this, or whatever elfe of an ^Jcternal nature, can be conceived, will certainly fail of Winging an Infidel to repent. Again,
II. We fee that the condemnation of thofe who finally rejeCl the Lord Jefus Chrift, willbe in proportion to the evidence afforded them of his divine miffion, and the means of grace they have enjoyed. This
awful
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY, tt awful truth ftands confirmed by the inflance before us. The abundant teftimony God gave to his Son, in the midft of Jerufalem, is urged by the apoftle on the 'Jews who crucified and flew him, to fhew the ag- gravations of their guilt in that murder. Let him that in wantonnefs defpifes or negleds the falvation of God beware I Think, O carelefs and fcornful tranfgreflbr, ■what a judgment awaits thee, if thou die in unbelief 1 The Impenitent man, unto whom the gofpel has been preached, and in whofe days it hath flouriflied, fhall hereafter find that every fermon he has heard, and every inllance of converfion he hath feen, will rife up and witnefs againft him, at the tribunal of Chrift ; and how wilt thou endure the wrath of the Lamb, when he is revealed from heaven in flaming fire, to take vengeance on them who obey not the gofpel ! But,
III. How aftonifliing is it that the lufts of men, fhould be overruled to fulfil the purpofe of God ! To make evil anfwer a good and valuable end, is a noble effeS: of infinite wifdom. A moft illuftrious inftance of this appears in the gofpel of Jefus, in which we behold the chofen redeemed to life cver- lafting by his fufferin^s and death. Herein is the wifdom of God in a myftery indeed ! He hath taken oecafion, from the moft fhameful and hateful evil, to yield the brighteft difplay of his love, and of all his perfedlions j for in no point of light doth the glory of God fhine with that fplendor as it doth in Chrift, in whom the Father hath righteoufly magnified his grace, in advancing his people to a bleflednefs , in
B 3 fome
%% L E C T U R E S O N-
fome refpeds fuperior to that which would have re- fulted from innocence itfelf. The fame adorable wifdom is feen in accomplifhing this great defign, by the crucifixion of Jefus. Behold, the vileft paffions of men fulfil the counfel of God ! their lufts prompt them to do what no one could with reafon expeft ; for by the moft flagrant inftance of wickednefs , they ftrangely bring to pafs the defign of him againft whom they rebel. How unlikely was it, that Jefus of Naza- reth, who in every tittle fo plainly anfwered the prophecies of the MefBah, or that he who was fo cir- cumftantially pointed out in the fcripture, fhould be put to death by the people, to whom were committed the oracles of God ! It is wonderful indeed, that the men, who had feen undeniable teftimonies from heaven to the authority of Jefus, fliould neverthelefs fet themfelves to prove him an impoftor, and be fatisfied with nothing lefs than his blood ; and, flill more aftoniftiing, that In this bafe attempt they fhould put him to death, in the very manner the prophets de- fcribe ! It had been eafy for the Jews to have taken away the life of our Saviour in a method contrary to the account given of the MefiTiah, and thereby thrown a doubt on his character j but behold they are diligent to do to this Jefus whatever the fcriptures declare fhould be done to him they expected, as if they defigned to prove him that very Chrift he profelTed himfelf to be. Who could have thought that the injuftice, folly, hatred and cruelty of thefe v/icked men, was fubfer- vientto thejuftice, wifdom, love andmercyof God ! " O ^' the depth of the riches, both of the divine wifdom and f' knowledge!" "How unfearchable are God's judg-
f' ments^
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 23
<« merits, and his ways paft finding out !" Surely his counfel ftands, whoever fins, or whoever fufFers ! If the vileft of lufts and a conduft againft all humanity and righteoufnefs, in a people profeflTing the fear of Jeho- vah, could have defeated the purpofe of lieaven, it had now been the cafe; but lo, Jefus is " delivered by the *' determinate counfel and foreknowledge of God. "Could not the Almighty have reftrained the wicked tlia't they might not have found their hands ? No doubt he could have interpofed and defended the innocent from blood : it was therefore his will to permit it, but for an end v/orthy ofhimfelf, that grace might reign through righteoufnefsin the falvation of finners through the death of his Son. And indeed it is unworthy of God to fuppofe that he v/ill fuffer any kind of evil which fhall not prove an occafion of good to his glory. But then,
IV. We are to note, That the decrees of God, which are infallible in their event, entirely confift with the free agency of man who ails under them. All things arepoflible, yea, and certain in confequencc of the divine counfel. Thus there was a neceffity of infallibi- lity in the death of Jefus; i.e. it could not but fall out as God had determined, that Chrift fhould be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and be cruci- fied and flain in the manner defcribed ; neverthelefs there was no neceflity of compulfion, whereby the freedom of their aiSlion who killed him, was interrupted. The decree of God is not properly the caufe of any thing that comes to pafs, but of the futurition of its fubjedl : And his decree of permiffion, in refpeil of the fin of the Jews, had no phyfical or moral influence B 4 on
24 LECTURESON
on any of the people concerned, each one a6led freely, and of choice. The pretence fome have againft the divine decrees, as being inconfiftent with man's free agency, is groundlefs, and no other than a cavil, -iince nothing is clearer on record, than that our Saviour was delivered and crucified according to the determinate counfel and foreknowledge of God, and at the fame time it is equally plain, that the Jews moft freely and wilfully flew him. And thus it is always in refpedl of the finful actions of men, as one obferves, *' they firi
* as freely as if there was no decree, and yet as infal-
• libly as if there was no liberty,' fo then God is not the author of fm, though men fm according to the divine foreknowledge and counfel. In a word, on the one hand, there is not the leaft colour for the impu- tation of evil to the Almighty, who decrees to permit fm as the occafion of good for his own glory, nor, on the other, of excufe for the tranfgreflbr, who, when he fmncth, afis freely, not to fulfil the will of God, but to gratify his own. It follows,
V. That the moral evil of thofe finful actions, which are permitted by the counfel of God, are juftly impu- ted and involve the tranfgreflbr in guilt. The wicked- nefs of a criminal is not the lefs, becaufe his unrigh- teous adl was foreknown, or fell in with the divine purpofe, fmce his ailion was free, and committed to fatisfy his own carnal inclinations j his wicked c»ndu<3: is no other than wilful rebellion, and deferves to be punifhed. It was a rightepus thing with God to pcfur out his long threatened vengeance on the rebellious Jews, who in that generation filled up the meafure of their iniquity, in crucifying his $on. Sinners may
n ov¥
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 25
now prefume, imploufly to blafpheme the decrees of the Almighty, or thiwk to fkreen themfelves under them, but their mouths will be flopped, when God fhall judge the fecrets of men ; then, alas, too late they will be convinced, and fee that they have deceived their own fouls, and that the reward of their doings is juft ; when they fhall go away into everlafting pu" nifhment ! And further,
VI. It fhould not be omitted, that men are charge- able with the evil that others commit at their inftir gation. The aflafiine is not more truly worthy of death, than he that procured him to take away the life of his neighbour, i Sam. 22. 21. Saul, faith Abi- ather, hath flain the Lord's priefts. Uriah the HIttitc was flain by the fword of the enemy, yet David who ordered him in the front of the battle, with a view to his death, is juftly charged with fhedding his blood. In like manner, thefe men of Ifrael, though they did not, for they could not with their own hands, put to death the Lord Jefus Chrift, yet having condemned him by falfe accufation, and procured the power by which he was crucified, are truly declared his murder- ers. The Jews were no lefs guilty than the Romaas, and under the imputation of that guilt, each one con- cerned perifhed, who obtained not remillion through faith in that blood which he fhed. Thus we have rea- fon to conclude, that many will be condemned in the great and laft day for crimes which they had not in their power themfelves to commit, but which, to gratify their lufts, they prompted others to do. O let us take heed that we are not the occafion, efpecially fhe luilfiil occafion of other mens fms, for he that is fo
fhalj
26 LECTURESON
fhall not be clear, but is juftly liable to the punifhment due to the evil committed. Once more :
VII. Note, It becomes the minlfters of the gofpel, to be bold in reproving fmners, and faithfully to re- monftrate all the guilt that is evident upon them. Mankind are far more fmful than they can apprehend, while in their natural flate, fo that moft hearers lie under vain conceits , which, if not removed , will prove their deftruftion, and therefore, however it may be dlfrelifhed by many, there is need of infixing . much on original and heart-corruption, the curfe of the law, and the certain and everlafting perdition of him that dies in his fms, left the blood of fouls is required at our hands : but, befides the general ftate and condudl of men fmce the fall, which calls for plairi dealing, there are often many particular evils in praftice to be fet home on the confcience ; when thefe become notorious and habitual, we ought after the example of the apoftle in this cafe, with all due refpe<51: to their perfons, to tell the guilty of their crimes. It requires great wifdom and courage duly to warn them who prefume, efpecially thofe who are of a diftinguifhed character : we are not to be rude, nor yet on the referve. Peter, you fee, accofls thefe Jerufalem-finners, as men of Ifrael, yet fpares not to charge them with the murder of Chrift. : in like manner a minifter may be civil, and, at the fame time, fmcere ; he may be decent, yet faithful. Men are not to be flattered in their iniquity to their ruin, but, in love to their fouls, minifters fliould cry aloud, and plainly remopftrate to fmners, hardened in their way,
tht
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 27 the whole of their wickednefs, with a view to awaken and convince them, that obtaining mercy to believe on Jefus they may be faved. He that lives after the flefh, under any form of religion, may be pleafed with the minifter who difturbs not his courfej but, in^the day of judgment, he will not look on that man as his friend, who hath covered his fm and foothed him to the lofs of his foul. Is any man tempted, through fear or 'private advantage, to connive at tranfgreffors, let him confider the heavy charge that will lie on every unfaithful teacher, when thofe who have deceived themfelves under him are finally condemned, and configned to the everlafting fire prepaced for the devil and- his angels !
These notes on the apoftle's remonftrance to the Jews deferve our ferious attention. The greateft mi- racles are infufficient to convince the unbeliever ; his prejudices are not to be removed, by any kind or de- gree of evidence whatever, fo that objeftive grace or mere moral fuafion will never convert him ; yet the condemnation of them who obey not the gofpel, will be in proportion to the evidence afforded them : It alfo appears, that the lufts of men are wonderfully over- ruled by infinite and adorable wifdom, to bring about the purpofe of God, whofe holy and unchangeable decrees, though they infallibly infure the event of what is determined, perfedlly confifts with man's free agen- cy. A tranfgrefTor therefore is juftly charged with the evil he commits, however foreknown to the Almighty, and fettled in his immutable counfel, feeing his aftion ^s free: It is further to be remarked, that men are
accountablea
28 LECTURESOM
accountable, not only for the evil which they them- felves do, but likewife for every wicked a£l per- formed by others at their inftigation ; and finally, from this example, minifters of the word, are led to confider, that it becomes them to treat their audience with every kind of refpedl due to their character, and, at the fame time, on no confidcration whatever, to flatter any man in his iniquity, but freely to lay open the perveifenefs and crimes of the guilty, with a view to their being converted and faved.
And now, my dear Reader, art thou not aftonifhed at the popular prejudice againft the dodlrine of predcftina- tion ? At this many ftumble through unhappy miftakes, and fee not the confequencc ; but confider the current of fcripture, and is it not ftrange that any perfon, above the character of a Deift, fhould be offended at a doctrine fo well fupported by divine revelation ? And how can a man read and credit what is declared on the the death of Chrift, and with reafon rejed it ? I fup- pofe fome, who are fo unhappy as not to endure this clear and fundamental truth, would ftartle, if it (hould be aflerted that it becomes them only to blafpheme it, who would exclude the throne of the Almighty from under the heavens ; yet the obfervation is juft, for pre- deftination is the ground of providence. If the decrees of God exift not, or his counfel fhould fail, his govern- ment in the world would be at an end.
And what fhall the end be of them that obey not the gofpel of God ? Wo be to him who finally rejeds the Lord Jefus Chrift ! If Jefus of Nazareth was ap- proved
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 29 proved of God to be the Saviour of the world, moft certainly God will difapprove and caft away the man who believes not on him. He that defpifeth this glorious Saviour, reje£kth the counfel of God to the lofs of life everlafting, and to the eternal ruin of his immortal foul. O carelefs fmner, who art tempted to content thyfelf ftiort of an intereft in Chrift ! was it determined that Jefus fhould be delivered, and by wicked hands crucified and flain ? It is no lefs the determinate counfel of God, that the man fiiall be delivered into the hands of the judge, and be punifhed ^with everlafting deftruftion, who is found an unbeliever in the day of the Lord. Think not that Jerufalem-finners alone were obnoxious to the venge- ance of heaven becaufe of unbelief J for " except you " repent, you fhall likewife perifti." You are not guilty with the men of Judea, or like them chargeable with the blood-fhedding of Jefus ; but is not your un- J)elief as hainous as theirs ? Yea, and more fo, if, as we have feen, the condemnation of unbelievers will be meafured by the evidence offered them. Since our Saviour was crucified he is rifen from the dead, and hath fent down the Spirit of promife from the Father ; and in token of his power at the right-hand of God, his gofpel hath taken a marvellcus fpread in the world ; which, with the ruin and difperfion of the Jews, and the appearance of antichrift, events clearly foretold by Chrift and his apoftles, adds greatly to the evidence given of Jefus, for they amount to a ftronger proof of his power and glory than even all the miracles per- formed in the midft of Jerufalem confidered by thera- felves -. So that unbelievers, in the prefent day, refift,
cr
30 LECTURES ON
or newleil flronger evidence of the Mefliah, than the men of Judea themfelvesj and fhall not their guilt ex- ceed in proportion ? It is an alarming confideration ! Unbelief in them who crucified our Lord, was lefs aggravating than it is in thofe who now believe not, and it will be moretolerable for the men, of that generation who rejected the only Saviour, than for thee, O Rea- der ! if thou art difobedient. Take heed then that thou fall not into' this fore condemnation i
But I hope my addrefs is to one that has embraced the gofpel. And haft thou, my Friend, received Chrlft Jefus the Lord, and fubmitted thyfelf unto him? Adore (jiftinguifhing grace. The beft of means, or the moft able inftrument, are incapable of producing this faith which is unto falvation ; much lefs is it owing to any previous good difpofition in thyfelf that thou haft obeyed. Be not offended when I fay, the Jews were not more averfe to Jefus of Nazareth than thy heart, through pride and unbelief, was naturally fet againft the righte- oufnefs of God in him. Since *' the carnal mind is *' enmity againft God," where is the man who can fay, that left under the fame prejudices and tempta- tions with them who crucified his Son, he fhould not have beenjguilty of his blood ? Therefore boaft not, but remember thou art indebted to grace, and let God have the glory. Shun the appearance of thofe apofta- cies, whereby fome, who, after a fpecious fhew of chriftianity, " have cruified to themfelves the Son of *' God afrefh, and put him to an open fhame /' and ftudy to (hew that thou art not of them who draw
back,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 31
back unto perdition, but of them which believe to the faving of the foul.
Anx> fliould not this remonftrance of the apoflle to the Jews in Jerufalem, refpeding the teftimony of God unto Jefus his Son, embolden thee, O believer ! under thy profeflion of his name ? What folly and madnefs muft have been imputed to Peter, thus openly in the city where our Lord was crucified, to call thofe very men whom he charged with his blood, to witnefs the wonders by which he was approved of God in their fight, could the fa^ have been denied ! Yet we fee he did thus appeal, even to his murderers, and no one gainfayed : Yea, fo evident was the truth, that, as we afterward find, thoufands were convinced and brought to the obedience of faith ; but was this morally poffible had they queftioned the evidence re- ferred to ? How confirming then is this to the chriflian ! Hear ye captious Infidels, who defpife the Lord's Chrift ! If God did bear witnefs unto him by evident miracles, no doubt he is the Meffiah ; and, admitting the truth of the hiftory, which cannot with reafon be refufed, we are as certain that thefe real and great miracles were indeed done by Jefus, as if our own eyes had feen him perform them. Blufh then, ye Deifts, and repent J but let the faithful blefs God and rejoice, and not be aihamed of their hope.
From the example before us there alfo arifeth com- fort to the poor and afflidled, who truft in the name of the Lord. Art thou fmall and defpifed, look unto Jefus } behold he was defpifed of men, but honored of
God!
32 LECTURSON
God'! It appears from the cafe of our Redeemer him- felf, that no contempt in life, or aggravating circum- ftances in death, will impeach the charadter of the righteous, or leflen them in the eyes of their heavenly Father. Art thou trampled upon and reviled ? See in thy Lord, O believer ! a man may below in this world, and little efteemed, yea he may be treated as the ofF- fcouring of all things, under the vifible tokens of a divine approbation : but hath the man any reafon to fear or to be afhamed, however obfctire and rejedted by others, who hath a witnefs from above, and is ex- alted in the favor of the Almighty ? Chriftian, this is thy lot i wait on thy Redeemer, and be of good courage, and think it not ftrange that thou art partaker of his fufFerings : Fear not, he will ftiortly bring forth thy righteoufnefs as the light, and thy judgment as the noon- day.
In one word, What then remains, but that every man fee to it, that he is accepted of God ? This can be attained alone in Chrift Jefus, whom the Father approved by a variety of miracles, wonders and figns, his enemies themfelves being judges, and who was de- livered, according to the decree of heaven, to be cru- cified and flain, " that he might put away fm by the " facrifice of himfelf.'* Wilt thou, my dear Reader, be happy ? Truft in this Saviour ; Bleffed is the man who is wafhed from his fins in his blood !
LECTURE
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 33
LECTURE III.
The refurreilion of Chrift, by whom. What is implied in loofening the bands of death.
THE manifeft defign of the apoftle in imputing to the Jews the blood of our Saviour, in a perverfe oppofition to the teftimony of God, was to awaken. them to repentance, that they might believe and be Caved; and accordingly, as a further means of con- viftion, he proceeds to fhew, that this fame Jefus whom they had crucified, was rifen again from the dead^ This glorious and important event, on which depends our hope in Chrift, Peter declares with a freedom becoming a man who had feen with his eyes, had looked upon, and whofe hands had handled of the Word of life : he declares it on his own teftimony, with the reft of the apoftles, who were all prefent, ver. 32. and with a boldnefs which fliews that he feared no con trad idlion even from the Jews themfelves. And is not this a proof that the refurre6tion of Jefus was in fa6l believed by the inhabitants of Jerufalem, notwithftanding the abfurd ftory by which their leaders had ftiamefuljy attempted to deceive them r The account Peter gives of this won- derful and interefting fa<Sl runs in thefe words, *' Whom *' God hath raifed up, having loofed the pains of C ''death J
34 LECTURESON
" death, becaufe it was not poflible that he (hould be " holden of it,'' Ads ii. 24. They contain the author of our Saviour's refurredion, who is God ; a peri- phrafe of this divine a£t, " having loofed the bands of *' death ;" and a remark by which this blefled truth ftands confirmed ; " becaufe it was not poflible that *' he fhould be holden of it."
These particulars will lead us into the fublime myfteries of the gofpel ; in attending to which I fhall purfue the following inquiries, namely. Who is that divine perfon unto whom the refurredtion ofjefusis afcribed in this place? what is implied in his loofening the bands of death ? and in what refpefts it was im- poflible that he fliould be holden by it ? And,
Firjiy This adorable and important event is afcribed to God. The refurrc£lion of the dead is a fupernatural work, but it is not impoffible. The Gentiles indeed, who were without a written law, difcerned not this truth ; they were therefore without this hope in the world. Death was not in the original conftitution of things, it came in by fin ; a deliverance from, its power mult therefore arife from the fovereign will of the offended Majefty of heaven, v/ho might juftly have held apoftate man in the bands of eternal death. So that the knowledge of this truth depends on divine revelation: And it muft alfo be confeffed, that to an eye of fenfe there are unfurmountable difficulties in the refurredlion of the dead. If we view a corpfe, there is nothing in the nature of the object adapted or
difpofed
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 35 difpofed to revive, nor is there any created power that is able to raife it again.
Nevertheless, the very heathen vrould be with- out excufe, who fhould fay that it is not in the power of God to quicken the dead. Thus Paul reafons with Agrippa, *' Why fhould it be thought a thing incre- " dible with you that God fhould raife the dead ?" That man's notion of a Deity muft be exceeding low and abfurd .who can quefrion the pofTibility of a refurredlion with God J it implies no contradidtion, nor is it the leaft unworthy the divine Being to efFedt it. To the Al- mighty, whofe power and knowledge are infinite, it furely cannot be impofTible ; nor is raifmg the dead in- confiflent with his juflice, good nefs and truth, or with any of his adorable perfedlions *, BlefTed be his name, life and immortality arc brought to light through the gofpd ! It is elTential to the faith of God's eledl to give him the glory of raifmg the dead. Thus Abraham our Father, when heofFered up Ifaac his fon, Rom. iv, 17. This was a noble inflance of faith, it being before any C 2 example
* The immediate and vifiblp confequence of natural death on its fub- jeft, which is the body, vvherccf we have daily ocular demon flration, may juftly rebuke the unbeliever. Who, that furvtys the human frame in a living and healthful ftate, could difcern or imagine that this curious tabernacle of flelh, with all its members and powers, was formed of the ground ? This indeed is the dodtrine of the Bible ; but it is no lefs myfte- rious and incredible to an eye of fenfe and to unaflifted reafon, than the refurreftion itfelf. Men, who fet up their underftanding againft the tefti- mony of God, cannot but own that the natural body is principled in the duft, it being vifible to all : But why then do they deny a true and proper refurreftion of this body from the ftate of the dead, no lefs plainly revealed, merely becaufe the manner is not to be defcribed, and thereby deftroy the foundation of the gofpel ?
36 LECTURESON
example of a refurreftion. Indeed Enoch was tranf- latcd, which might be an hint to the church that the power of death would actually be deftroyed by the feed of the woman, but as yet no man had been raifed from the dead : And may it not with reafon be concluded, that the father of the faithful, who believed that the dead "might be raifed, who faw Chrifl's day and was glad, John viii. 56. was animated in his obedience from a believing profpedl of the Mefliah's future refur- reftion ?
However, Chrift is rifen, and God raifed him up. But who is intended ? The refurreclion of the dead is indifferently afcribed to Father, Son and Holy Ghoft ; and accordingly the raifing'up the body of Chrift is men- tioned as his own z&:. " Chrift both died and rofe," faith the apoftle, Rom. xiv. 9. And again, i Cor. XV. 4. " He rofe again the third day j" and indogd he affumes it to himfelf, John ii. 19. "In three days I ** will raife it up ;" meaning, as the facred hiftorian declares, " the temple of his body." Thus the Son, who quickeneth whom he will, laid down his life, and alfo took it up again. Neverthelefs the fcriptures fhew that the divine Spirit is the agent in the refurredtion ; it is he that quickeneth from fin and the grave; and by him, as the immediate efficient caufe, both the body of Chrift and thofe of his faints are revived. *'Ifthe " Spirit of him that raifed up Jefus from the dead *' dwell in you, he that raifed up Chrift from the dead " (hall alfo quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit " that dwelleth in you," Rom. viii. 11. And in chap. i. 4. he is faid to be declared *' to be the Son of God with
*' power
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 37
" power, according to the Spirit of holinefs, by the re- *' furredtion from the dead." So that this glorious event is afcribed to the Holy Ghoft. But in the oeconomy of falvation, both the Son and the Spirit a6l in ofRce un- der the Father ; who is generally defigned in the gofpel wher-e God is ufed diftinfl: from the Lord Jefus Chrift, and it is obvious that the Father is here intended j it was the Father, whom David refers to, that was fworn to raife fup Chrift to fit on his throne, to whom he afcended, and at whofe right hand Jefus is now exalted with power : And that this is the divine Perfon referred to, appears from the current of fcripture, to whom alfo is afcribed the refurredlion of the dead, and the raifing of Jefus. The Father raifeth the dead at his pleafure, John v. 21. And in Rom. vi. 4, we are told, '* that *.' Chrift was raifed by the glory of the Father." And again, Eph. i. 19, 20. it is declared, that *' the Father *' of giory wrought in Chrift> according to the work- ** ing of his mighty power, when he raifed him from the '* dead." This is a certain fa6t of the utmoft impor- tance, that the hand of the Father was feen in the re- furreilion of his Son ^ an article of faith which lies at the foundation of our hope in the blood of Jefus, and enters deeply into the myftery of Chrift, as will ap- pear from the next enqi^iry, to which I proceed.
Secondly^ What is implied in God's having loofed the pains of death ? This in general is a periphrafe of Chrift's refurre6tion, or at leaft contained in it. And here I cannot fall in with thofe, who, as I humbly apprehend, have inadvertently given into a myftical fenfc, and applied it to the agonies endured by our C 3 Redeemer*
3« - LECTURES ON
Redeemer J and accordingly have taken occafion from this pafTage to expatiate on the fpiritual fufFerings of Jefus, which are ftiled " the travail of his foul."
It is far from being agreeable to differ from perfons of fuperior charadter and abilities, nor would I by any means difcourage the jud application of a fingle paffage to the forrows of our Saviour ; but whether it is proper to fay, that God, who inflifted the punifliment of fin, delivered him, our Surety, from the pains which were upon him, may be decently queftioned. The divine Father ceafed not to afHi£l him till he had poured out his foul and yielded up the ghoft : And his not being the fubjef^ of eternal death, was in no degree owing to any favor fhewn him by his judge, who in this righteous and awful tranfatStion " fpared not his own Son ;" and fmce he made ample fatisfaclion to juflice for our fins, and trampled over his enemies in his crofs, may it not rather be afierted, that, like Sampfon, by his death he delivered himfelf from the bonds he was under ? How- ever, to apply this fentence unto our Lord's delive- rance from dolorous fufferings, either inward or out- ward, is intirely againft the fcope of the place. Peter is evidently treating on the true and proper refurredlion of Jefus, agreeable to his quotation out of the Pfalms, which relates to the raifing up the body of Chrift from the grave ; this he urges in proof of his being the Meffiah ; So that to take death here in 3|figurative fenfe, and a diflblution of its pains of a deliverance from fpiri- tual forrow, is to depart from the fubjeiSl in hand. The apoftlc had no view to fenfible pains of any kin4 whatever • tVoin all thele Lhe Redeemer wss certainly
releafed
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 39
releafed the moment he expired, but the pains of death, fpoken of in this paflage, were evidently loofened at his refurredion.
There is another paraphrafe I cannot approve : hav- ing loofed the bands under w^hich he lay, i. e. fay feme, ' when the pains of death had done their work upon ' him ;* but fenfible grief is not the intention of the place, nor is the idea efTential to the word rendered pains. Death is a flate of confinement in which the fubje£l is held or tied faft as with bands ; and in I Kings XX. 31. the expreffion is ufed for cords or ropes, with which captives are bound ; and fome critics note, that the allufion is to cruel creditors> who will be fare to tie their debtors faft, which agrees with Prov. XX. 16. where the fame word is rendered a pledge, which we know is held faft till redeemed with a price.
Now he that underftands the myftcry of Chrift in his death, will fee the term pains in this view, exadlly correfponds with the circumftances of Jefus when he became obedient to the death of the crofs. Was he not taken in judgment for his people's tranfgreffions, and bound as their Surety ? Our debts were upon him, juftice feized him, and he died as a criminal ! And furely he that was thus caft under the power of death, when de- livered therefrom, which is the thing recited, may well be faid to have his pains or bonds loofed. Thus our Re- deemer lay in the grave for a feafon, while his foul wa» rejoicing in paradife ; not that I apprehend he was now fufFering the penalty of the law^ which was infli<Sted C 4 and
4iO LECTURESON
and fulfilled in his death; *' but having;, in the death *' of the crofs, put away fin by the facrifice of himfelf,'* his body was thus laid under the pains or confinement of the grave, in order to an open and glorious' releafe, tvhereby a public and undeniable proof was given of his having made a righteous and honorable peace by his blood.
This opens to our view the importance of what is declared, namely, that God^ i. e. as we have feen, God, even the Fathei:, raifed up Jefus : He is that divine perfon who laid our iniquity on Chrift, in co&fequence of his voluntary fubftitution in our ftead in the cove^nant of redemption. The Father adled as judge and redlor in his demand of fatisfaftion to lav/ and juftice for our offences; he ftretched forth his omnipotent avenging arm, and his fword awoke againft our heavy-laden Surety, and flew him. Thus the Father brought the Lord Jefus under the power of death ; His bringing him again from the dead is an a£l of the higheft con- lequence, and full of encouragement to the faith and joy ef his people. O what a comfortable and glorious fjght is this ? Chriilian, behold God raifed up Jefus ! See the Father as judge, who had juftly bound him as thy Surety, releafe him. The righteous and fin-hating God, who confined thy Bondfman, and required at his hands whatever was due unto thee as a finner, in order to thy redemption from the curfe of the law ; lo, this fame divine perfon fets him at liberty ! Thus glorioufly was thy Redeemer delivered from his confinement in the grave, into which he was caft for thy fins ! Was it to the honor of the apoftles, when falfly imprifoned at
Philippi^
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 41
Philippi, to be fetched out by the magiftrates them- felves, and thereby declared to be innocent, A£l3 xvi. 39. What glory muft arife on thy Saviour, O chriftian, when he was brought again from the dea<;i by the righteous Father himfelf, after he had made fetisfsition to juftice ! and how well grounded thy hope in him !
This is the beauty of our Lord's refurreftion. We are to confider, that it is not merely Chrifr's being raifcd from the dead, or fimply that God raifed him up j the gofpel of this intereftir.g event lieth in this, name- ly, that tne Father, who, as judge, had laid the Re- deemer under the power of death for our fins, did, under the fame righteous charadler, adlually and volun- tarily releafe him. This is gofpel indeed ! the glory of which, no doubt, the angels beheld with reverence and joy: and fhould it not fill us, who truft in this Jefus, with triumph? But of this more hereafter; we have fomethingftill further to excite our admiration and hope. It is declared, '* that it was not poifible that he fhould *' be holden of the bands of death :" So that the body of our Saviour could not be detained in the grave ; he muft be difcharged, nor could any thing hinder it. This is a glorious truth ! a truth which reflefts un- fpeakable honor on Jefus who was flain, and muft yield a proportionable fatisfadlion to his people, who are re- deemed with his blood, and truft him for life. And this brings,
Thirdly, To fhew the impoffibility of Jefus being held under the power of death and the grave. Now> on
reflection;,
42 LECTURESON
reflection, it will appear that it was impoflible in the following refpetSls : As,
I. It was naturally impoflible, both on account of hisdcitv, and the victory he had obtained by the blood of his crofs. In order to clear up this point, we are to confider whofe body it was that lay in the grave from which it was raii'ed : It was the body of him who is the Son of God. To this confideration, the term ufcd in the pallage direCIs us. The apoftle doth not fa}'', becaufe it was not poflible that it, but that he fliould be holden ; thereby leading our thoughts to that di- vine perfon who took thisflefh into union with himfelf. This " great myftery of godlinefs, God manifeft in the ** fiefii," runs through every branch of the gofpel, and lies at the foundation of the truth we are upon. Before this body was conceived in the womb of the virgin, it was declared by the angel, " That holy thing (hould " be called the Son of God," Luke i. 35. Now this holy thing, I apprehend, chiefly intends the natural body of Chrift ; and this is.fo called, becaufe being an effen- tial part of his whole human nature, it is united with deity in the perfon of the Redeemer, who i« God's own Son, equal with the Father : For this reafon the body of Jefus continued under the fame divine charac- ter when it lay entombed in the earth j and accordingly it is faid, Rom. i. 4. that he was " declared to be the *' Son of God with power, by the refurreition from *' the dead." This ineffable union of the human with the divine nature in the perfon of the Redeemer, having taken place by the counfel of God, fubfifts for
ever :
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 43
ever; What could diflblve it ? Ifanything, the fufFer- rings of Chrift muft caufe the feparatlon ; but this can- not be fuppofed, feeing this body was prepared and afTumed by the Son of God, that he nn'ght therein fufFer and die, and fo " become a facrifice for fin," Hcb, X. 5. If any period could be pointed out in which this union was diffolved, our hope In Chrift would be loft, fince the infinite merit of his obedience and blood as a fatisfadllon to juftice, on which we de- pend, refults from his deity ; but thanks be to God, we know, that the man Chrift Jefus was truly his Son when he expired on the crofs ; nor could any change jn his flefti, no not by death itfelf, in the leaft afFedt, much lefs deftroy a union which is fpiritual and divine ; and therefore far above the reach of any natural caufe. The condition of our Saviour, while in the ftate of the dead, was like that of his brethren deceafed ; his foul and bo- dy were feparate for a feafon, but neither body nor foul from the divine nature in the perfon of the Son : this union fubfifted through every change, and will be eter- nal. And was it poflible that this body, thus united ia the perfon of the Mediator unto Deity itfelf, fhould be finally held in the grave ? Could not the Son of God have rifen at his pleafure ? How then could he be a moment confined againft his own will? We may therefore be certain, that the pains of death, which God loofed when he raifed up Jefus, " could not detain him.
As it was naturally iir.poffible that Jefus fhould be Jield under death on account of his divine nature; this jikewife appears from his glorious vidlory over fatan and
death
44 LECTURESON
death on the crofs. We are told, that " through death " he deftroyed him that had the power of death, that is, *' the devil." Heb. ii. 14. And again, " He fpoiied princi- *' palities and powers, and made a ihcv/ of them openly, *' triumphing over them in it," Col. ii, 15. If Jefus by himfelf, through the blood of his crofs, deftroyed the power of fatan, and confequently triumphed over death and the grave, by removing the guilt of fm, how is it poflible that the pains of death fliould confine him ? It cannot be imagined that an enemy, however terrible or deftructive toothers, fhould be able to keep under that perfon by whom he is taken and deftroyed : Shall the vanquiflied detain his conqueror, or bind him at his plcafurc ? Who can fuppofe it ? But thy Saviour, O chriftian, obtained a vidlory over death and hell j it was therefore not poiTible, in the nature of things, that they fliould detain him. Thus it was naturally impoflible that Chrift fhould be held in the grave, both on account of his glory and power as a divine perfon, and alfo as the mighty conqueror of death and the devil, who had gained a dominion, through the curfe of thelaw, over the guilty race of apoftate Adam. Either of thefe confiderations apart, and much more when united, abundantly prove that ^efus could not be held by conftraint under the power of death ; no, not a mo- ment. I do not deny that the Redeemer's lying in the grave for a feafon is a point of his humiliation, but rather think it was in refpe£l: of his bodyj yet this jTuiy be foberly affirmed, that our Saviour's continuance in the ftateof the dead, after he had made fatisfa(ftion fo.r fin, and thereby deftroyed the power of death, was
voluntary,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 45
voluntary, and fubmitted unto for ends of his glory. Again,
11. It was morally impoflible that Jefus fliould be detained in the grave, in refpeiS: of the divine decrees, the prophecy of fcripture, and the end for which he was delivered unto death. That the refurre<Stion of Chrift was determined beforehand, will fcarcely be doubted : It was no lefs the fettled counfel and fore- knowledge of God, that Jefus fhould be raifed from the dead, than that he fhould be crucified and flain. Hence our Lord fpeaks of taking up, as well as of laying down his life at the commandment of the Father, John X. 18. And, indeed, this is included in that glory of which the Spirit teftified in the prophets, and which was fpoken of by them from the beginning : So that the railing up Chrift was predetermined in the coun- fel of heaven, fmce prophecy is no other than a reve- lation of the divine decrees. But again, Thefe prophe- cies themfelves (hew it morally impoflible that the body of Chrift ihould be holden by death. The veracity of God is engaged for the accomplifhment of his word ; it is therefore an undeniable maxim, that the fcripture cannot be broken, but they contain the promife of the Father to raife up his Son : and this is the very thing which Peter infifts on, namely, that God had fworn to raife up Chrift and fet him on the throne of David, which could not be accomplifhed without his refurre(Slion from the dead j and accordingly he (hews the Jews that the Pfalmift fpake of this in the prophecy <juoted,ver. 25. and following: So that by the connexion •f the difcourfe and argument of the apvftle, he more
efpecially
4^ LECTURE SON
efpecially intends, by its being impoffible, this moral impoflibility ai iiing from the faithfulnefs of God to his word, in which he had declared he would raife up Jefus. As Chrift muft fufFer and die, in like-manner there was a neceflity for his rifmg again from the dead, for this rea- fon among others, that the fcripture might be fulfilled, it being impoffibic that the word of the Almighty fhould fail. And this moral impoflibility of detaining our Saviour under death, is ft ill further confirmed by the defign of the Father in delivering up his Son to fufFer and die, namely, that his"people might live through him, I John iv. 9. The defign of God in delivering up his Son could not be fruftrated ; and this was to deliver his adopted fons from death and hell, arid to bring them to glory, Heb. ii. 10. But how could this come to pafs if the Saviour himfelf had continued in the grave ? Had Chrift our Surety been held in thefe bands, we could not have beenjuftified in himj Co argues the apoftle, '/' If Chrift be not raifed, your faith " is vain; ye are yet in your fins," i Cor. xv. 17, But blefled be God, he " whowas delivered for our *' offences, was raifed again for our juftification," Rom, iv. 25. And further,
III. I may fay it was kgaify impoffible that our Lord fhould be held in thefe bands, on account of the latis- fa(5tion he had made to the jufticeofGod. Having be- come the voluntary fubftitute of finners, in the cove- n.^nt of redemption, he died by the hand of the Father, under the righteous imputation of all their iniquity; and in this his obedience unto death, he fully anfwered the demands that were upon him, *' for he put away
" fin
PRIMITIVE CHRSTIANITY. 47
** fin by the facrifice of himfelf," Heb. xi. 26. This fatisfadion, which appears from his being releafed, entitled him to a deliverance. It would have been un- righteous to have continued our Surety in prifon, who had fully difcharged our debts, yea and made a glorious reparation to the honor of the law, under which he was held in our ftead. But is there any unrighteoufnefs with God ? It was therefore not poflible, becaufe it was unlawful. With God all things are poflible that agree with the divine perfecStions : It is therefore pof- fible, however wonderful, that God fhould raife the dead, for ends of juftice or mercy, or for a difplay of his power; but for the divine Father to hold the inno- cent as guilty, or to detain our Surety in the grave, into which he was caft for our fins, after he had completely atoned them, would be to con trad i 61 his cflential righte- oufnefs, and to impeach his character as a judge; Jefus having finiflied his work, and made a full end of fin, juftice required that he fhould be fet free, it not being equitable for that perfon to be held under death who had merited life, or to have with-held the vi6tori- ous Captain of our falvatlon from the reward of his fufFerings. Thus it was naturally, morally and legal- ly impoflible that the Son of God fhould be holden by his bands, which were loofed by the Father when he raifed him up.
How glorious then is the tomb of a crucified Savi- our ! Look, O believer ! into this grave j confider who it contains, and the end for which it is there ! Iris the body of him who is able to rife at his pleafure. O aftoniftiing fight ! here lies the Conqueror for a fea-
foQ
48 tECTURESON
fon in the arms of his captive, and the Lamb in the jiaws of the lion, unhurt, for the deftroyer cannot con- fume him ! The grave of thy Redeemer, O chriftian ! is full of myftery and grandeur. Here lies the man in whom no fm was found, though death is alone the wages of fin ! yea here lies dead the Surety, who, in the ranfom he hath given, had delivered his people from the fting of death, and condemned the laft ene- my to a final deftrudion ; for *' death itfelf fhall be *' call into the lake of fire and fwallowed up in vi6lory.'* This is he that faid, " O death I will be thy plague, « O grave I will be thy deftrudion !" And *' who, *' through death, had defi:royed him that had the pow- ** er of death, which is the devil." " He laid down " his life that he might take it up again : " and lies thus confined, not by conftraint, but willingly, while, ac- cording to the fettlement in the counfel of peace, in or- der to his being openly raifed by the glory of the Father, to his immortal honor, and the joy of his faints. This, this truly was lying in ftate ; not like the gods or princes of the earth, in a vain pomp of funeral decora- tion over their corpfe, already corrupted, to be gazed at by a thoughtlefs multitude of furviving mortals, and then covered in the earth till the refurreftion of the dead : No ; the Prince of life lies in death like himfelf, that juftice having loofed his bands he may arife. He accordingly rofe, and as it were ftiook ofF his duft and afcended to his throne, to be viewed with adoration and praife by the heavenly hofi-, who continually afcribe to him everlafting dominion and glory.
And
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 49
And was Jefus raifed up by God, it being not poflible that he (hould be holden by death ? then v/o be to them who refift or defpife him ! Nothing can be more dreadful for unbelievers and impenitent finners, than the deliverance of Chrift from the grave. The refurre61:ion of Jefus proves the righteoufnefs of God, and judgment to come, Adts xviii. 31. By this he is proclaimed Lord of all, and him by whom God will judge the world in righteoufnefs. Reader, if thou haft not fubmitted to the Saviour, I befeech thee to confider that he is exalted at the right-hand of the Father, till all his enemies are fubdued. Chrift is rifenj what then muft become of the man who doth not obey him ? The evidences of his refurre6lion abound, as will hereafter be fiiewn, yet he is preached in vain to men dead in fins. Well faid our Lord, " They will not believe though one rofe from the dead." We have ample external proof that Chrift is rifen, yet alas how few to whom the gofpel is preached believe on his name ! But know, thou carelefs hearer, that this fame Jefus, whom God hath railed up a Saviour, is appointed his Judge. And as it was not poflible, for the reafons affigned, that the pains of death fhould hold him, in like manner, it fhall not be poflible for the heavens to detain him, when the fet day is come ; then (hall he be " revealed in flaming fire, and take " vengeance on them who know not God, and obey *« not his gofpel, 2 Theff. i. 8. And be perfuaded, that from the exquifite pains of this death, which he will infli(9:, thou fhalt never be loofed, if thou art caft in judgment, for they who fall into the bands of this living
D God,
50 LECTURESON
God, as the avenger of fin, will furely " be punifhed ^' with everlafling deftru£tion from his prefcnce and " from the glory of his power," ver. g. O then> I befeech thee, deceive not thyfelf, but take warning, and may the Lord convince thee, that, repenting of thy fins, thou mayeft flee to this only Saviour, who hath delivered us from wrath to come !
But, with what fatisfadion and joy may you, my dear friends, who truft in the Redeemer, reflcfl on his glorious releafe from the grave ! to you this grand evtnt is no lefs interefting than wonderful. Behold, O chri* flian, thy Surety raifed and difcharged by the fame, hand vi^hich bound him for thy fms ! Herein thou art juftified, and here is a pledge of thine own refur- redlion. What a ground of triumph is this I " Who *' fhall lay any thing to the charge of God's ele£t ? It " is God that juftifieth." He juftified thy Saviour, believer, and it is God that juftifieth thee in him ; thou art therefore righteoully acquitted. And with rcfpe<Sl: to judgment to come; haft thou any thing to fear ? " Who is he that condemneth ? It is Chrift that *' died, yea rather that is rifen again." Unfhakca IS thy confidence, O man, in the blood of Chrift for the remiffion of fms. With boklnefs come to thy hea- venly Father, in the name of this Jefus he hath bimfelf raifed up ; and be alTui^ed that the end of thy faith will be thy complete and eternal falvation. If Chrift is rifen, and it was not poffible that be iliould be holden, ;ro man fliall perifh for whom Chrift died, neither can death have -final dominion over him. Jefiis is rifen, and become the firft-fruits of them that fleep in him.
Hence
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 51 Hence, fays he to his difciples, " Becaufe I live, ye *' fhall live alfo," John xiv. 19. The members of a living head muft a fhort fesfon, for valuable ends, fall into a ftate of natural death, but they fliall furely re- vive. May this ftrengthen thy faith, enliven thy hop5, and increafe thy joy in the Lord. Finally, O chr'ftian, is there not the higheft reafon for thee to give thanks to the Father? Behold his faithfulnefs, juftice, power and love, illuftrioufly difplayed in raif- ing up thy Saviour ; and confider the infinite oblip-a- tions thou art under to him, that this important and ,interefting fail ftands confirmed by fo many credible teftimonies. But of this in the follow^ing leilure.
LECTURE IV.
What to be underftood by a witnefs. Who are wit- neffes of our Lord's refurrediion. Their credibility.
THE natural prejudice' againft a refurreciion- in ge- neral, and the particular ftrefs laid in the gofpel on the raifmg up Chrift, requires the mofl ample and undeniable proof of that glorious and important event; and, blefled be God, this is not wanting. He hath abounded in every kind of evidence, v/hich the nature of the thing and the circumftances of the cafe will admit, among which the teftimony of his difciples hath a principal place, and is now to be confidered.
D 2 Tki:
52 LECTURESON
The apoftles having declared, A£ls xi. 24. that God had raifed up Jefus of Nazareth, and pointed out the neceffity of his refurreiSlion, to the glory of his name, proceeds to fhew, from the prophecy of David, that thus it was determined, vcr. 25 — 31. And in ver. 32, repeats his alTertion vv'ith a punctuality and boldnefs becoming a man who could prove what he faid, " This Jefus hath God raifed up." In evidence of this he produces the teftimony of many, including, his own ; " whereof, faith he, we are all witnefTes." The like declaration is made on another occafion, chap. iii. 14- And likewife again, before the high- prieft and Sanhedrim, Peter boldly declares, that he and others were his, i. e. God's witneffes of thefe thinf^s, meaning among the reft' that of the refurredlion of Jefus that .was flain. In attending to this article it may be ufeful to ftate the notion of a witnels, confider who arc defigned by the witneffes of Chrift's refur- reclion, and then (hew their credibility, or rather that their teftimony cannot with reafon be queftioned.
A WITNESS in the Ample and common idea of the word, is one that beares open teftimony to the truth; it fignifies clearly to affirm the thing that is true. And thus it is applied to a man's profefllon of his faith in Chrift, by an open confeffion of his name, and a per- fonal fubje«5tion to him before men ; in this fciife to confefs is to witnefs. Hence our Lcrd himfclf is faid to witnefs a good confefTion before Pontius Pilate, when he flood to the truth and denied not his cha- rader, i Tim. vi. 13. compared with John xviii. 37. And the word l^af\vl^;i martyrs, here ufed is more parti- cularly
^ ^T T D 5f.J PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 53
cularly applied to them who, being called to it, fcal their profefllon with their blood. Hence Saul pleads, faying to the Lord, AcSls xxii. 20. *' And when the *' blood of thy martyr Stephen was fhed I was ftanding; " by, &c.'* And we read, Rev. xvii. 6. of the blooJ of the martyrs, i. e. according to the text, of the wit- neffes of Jefus. The fame chara6ter is lilcewife eivcn to the mlnifters of the word, who are employed to affirm and declare the truth : thus of the prophets, who by fpecial untSlion from heaven teftified beforehand of Jefus, it is faid, that they all gave witnefs to him who rofe from the dead, concerning remiffion of fins through faith in his blood, ASis x. 43, Hence alfo John the baptift, is faid, John i. 7. to come for a wit- nefs, to bear witnefs of the light, i. e. to teftify unto Chrift the true lightj and the witnefles mentioned. Rev. xi. 3. as fome apprehend, feem rather a number of gofpel minifters than any two individual perfons. However our Lord was a witnefs, as he bore witnefs, to himfelf ; which was no other than bearing witnefs to the truth, John viii. 18. And in the fame fenfe all his faithful minifters, who teftify and declare the truth as it is in Jefus, may be ftiled witnefTes of the fame.
But this falls fhort of the fenfe in which Peter and others were witnefles of our Lord's refurredlion. A witnefs properly fpeaking is one who, being called or appointed by authority, to afcertain any fail, gives good and fufficient proof of the fame ; he is one that tefti- fies a thing upon his own knowledge as certainly true. Such are the evidences required in relation to facts by the world in general or fpecial focieties, and particu- D 3 larly
54 LECTURES ON
larly In courts of juftice. Thus every thing by the law was to be eftablifhed in the mouth of two or three witnefies, and the fame rule is adopted under the gof- pel, Dcut. xvii. 6. compared with 2 Cor. xiii. i. And it is in this fenfe that the apoftle declares concerning himfelf, and many others, that they were all witnefies of the refurre£lion ofjefus. He intends nothing lefs than their being appointed of God the true and pro- per witnefTes cf the adorable and interefting faft, and which they accordingly teftified upon their own knowledge, having feen the Lord after he was rifcn, and before whom he faid and did fuch things as amounted to a full demonftration that God had indeed raifed up this fame Jefus who was crucified ; of which more hereafter. Thus as Peter, James and John, were eye- witnefles of the majefty and glory ofjefus in his tranf- figuration on the mount, in like manner all thefe v/hom the apoftle refers to and joins himfelf with, were eye and ear-witneffes of his being rifen from the dead.
Now, who are thefe witnefies, or from whence sre they chofen ? from angels ? No : Indeed he was feen of angels after he rofe, i Tim. iii. 16. And we read that angels laid to the women. Matt, xxviii. 6. " Ke is not here, for he is rifen." So that we find g.ngels waited at the fepulchre, and report the Sa- i'iour's refurrediion ; and we lil<ewife are told, a glo- rious hoft of thefe illuftrious fpirits attended our Lord when he afcended on high, Pfalm Ixviii. 17. But an- gels were not appointed of God, to bear witnefs to jhs world of bis SoHj that|-s hath raifed him fronts
th§
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 55 the dead. Neither are thefe vvitneiTes t^ken from the body of the Jews, or frocn any of their rulers. Chfifl: did not appear unto the^-n afi.er he was rifen. At this unbelievers have frequently cavilled. If Chrifl:, fay they, indeed rofe again, why did he not fhcw hiipfelf openly to the Jev/s and their rulers ? It has been juftly replied : This would not have confifted with the ftate of the Jews, nor vyith the deAgn of the wit- nefles, which was not to be a teftimony only to that nation, which was foon to be dertroyed, byt that all the world might know th^t God had riiifvd up Jefus a Saviour. The Jews, through unbelief, had rejected the Meffiah as a people, and thereby filled up the ineafure of their fin. Hence they were under an awful dere- liction. Our Lord had fonie time before his death pronounced their doom, namely. Matt, xxiii. 38, that their houfe was left ,unto them defolate*, 1. e., de- voted to de{l:ru6lion as the. reward of their iniquity. And in^the next verfe hs folemnly declares, faying, " Ye fh-all not fee me henceforth, till ye fhall fay, ^.' Bleffed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." And it doth not appear that cur Lord once after ad- drefled the Jews in the courfe of his miniflry, in order to their conviction, but only warns his hearers of their approaching deftruftion, and declares the many awful figns that would forerun it. There is reafon to ap- prehend that fome crafty fceptics are aware, that if in thefe circumftances our Lord, had acStually appeared D 4 to^
* To be defolate is fometimes to be underftood of being left under fin and
J the punifliment thereof. Thus in Pfalm xxxiv. 2I, 22. it is faid
that the wicked dizU be defolate or guilty as the word C L!^'K f.gnifics,
from which they who truft in the Lord are fecure, being juftiucd
ift> him.
56 L E C T U R E S O NT/ T H^
to the Jews, he had furely falfified his own prediftion j in which cafe no doubt they would have availed them- felves againft him, but they have not this advantage* Chrift did not fhew himfelf to the Jews after he was^ rifen, and the reafon is plain ; he had profefledly left them, fo that his immediate concern with them as a, body was long fmce at an end ; nor was it probable that a people who had, in the hardnefs of their hearts, withftood the evidence of fo many miracles, and even that of his raifing the dead, as in the inftance of Laza- rus j I fay, it is not likely that a people, who againft all this divine tefiimony had reje6ted Chrift as an im- poftor, and as one that had a devil, would have re- pented and received him, upon feeing him after his re- furredion. However, we are toconfider that Jcfus was to be the Saviour of the world, and his refurredion to be publiftied in every nation under heaven. The ru- lers of the Jews could be no better evidence than the perfons chofen ; for, as one well obferves, ' What
* greater fatisfadion would it have been to the world
* in general that Chrift appeared to the Jews, or to ' the magiftrates at Jerufalcm, than that of his ap- ' pearance to his difciples, provided their witnefs is
* credible?' Any unprejudiced perfon may fee that the feleded witnefs of Ch;ift's own difciples, duly quali- fied to give their tcftimony, was the moft rational and convincing, and confequently the fitteft external evi- dence that the world could receive. It is therefore perverfe and manifeft prejudice to complain that the witnefTes of our Lord's refurredion were chofen from his own difciples.
Put
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 57
But to return. Neither are the witnefles referred to every one wh© faw and converfed with the Saviour af- ter he rofe from the dead ; he vi^as feen of five hundred brethren at once, i Cor. xv. 6. And it is at leaft highly probable that each of his difciples faw him be- fore he afcended j and that as they had opportunity de- clared his appearance unto them. But to be a witnefs of Chrift's refurre6lion includes a fpecial cemmiffion and authority, by divine appointment, to teftify this wonderful and glorious event in the world. Thus Pe- ter declares that they were " witnefTes chofen before ** God, who did eat and drink with him after he rofe " from the dead," A6\.s x. 41. It was effential and peculiar to the character of an apoflle to bear this tefci- mony of Jefus ; and therefore when the number of the apoftles was to be completed by the filling up the place of Judas the traitor, it is faid, Acls i. 21, 22. *' Of thefe men which have companled with us all the ** time that the Lord Jefus went in and out among us, *' beginning from the baptifm of John, unto that fame ** day that he was taken up from us, muft one be or- " dained to be a witnefs with us of his refurreclion." And accordingly when Saul was converted, and called to the office of an apoftle, the Lford faith j " For I *' have appeared unto thee for this purpofe, to be a ** minifter and a witnefs both of the things which thou " haft feen and thofe things in the which I {hall ap- " pear unto thee," Adls xxvi. 16. One of which was that of the refurredion, which he not only preached, but likewife bare witnefs of having feen Jefus Chrift, D5 1©
58 LECTURESON
to which he appeals in proof of his apoftlefnip, i Cor. ix. I. And in chap. xv. after aflerting that Chrift; rofe again the third day according to the fcriptures, and ap- peared to many in teilimony of the fanie, he declares, ver. 8. " and laft of all he was feen of me alfo." So then thefe witnefles are no other than thofe firfl and great miniftcrs, the apoftles of Chrift, v/ho being qualified by their own converfe with him after he was alive from the dead, were chofen and or- dained before God to teftify, by undeniable evidence, to all the world that he raifed up Jefus ; and ac- cordingly they went forth in his name, with figns and miracles attending, in proof of their miiTion from heaven.
It remains to confider the credibility of thefe chofen witneffes, which is by no means to be taken for grant- ed, nor is it defired. For though the enemies of chri- ftianity have prefumed to queftion the evidence of the difciples, it hath largely been fhewn by many excel- lent writers, and will be found on trial that their cha- rafter, under the notion of a witnefs to this glorious and important event, will bear the niceft fcrutiny, to the abundant fatisfaflion of every impartial enquirer ; nor do I know of any thing that can be added to what has already been urged on the head, the fum of which I fhall prefent to the reader. In general it appears that they had every qualification eflential to a credible witnefs. They had knowledge, peripicuity, and upright- ncfs; but more particularly,
Firft,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 59
First, they v/ere corhpetfeht judges. The thino- to be proved was level to any man's Gapaeity*. Unbe lievcrs may attempt to raife difficulties and pretend Breat danger of being deceived in a cafe of this nature, but they have been told, and every man's reafon will tell him, that evidence is -eafily obtained v.'here the thing in queilion, as in the cafe of the refurreclion, is mani- fcftly an object of fenfe. The body of Chrift is a fenfi- ble obje6t, and the apoftles had fenfes to difcern that object. It has been juftly pleaded, nor can it be mo- deftly denied, that the refurreclion was to be fup- ported by the evidence of fenfe; now, as a celebrated writer obferves, * it requires no more ability to be a ' witnefs to a man raifed from the dead, than a per-
* fe6l: knowledge of him before his deceafe, and a ca-
* pacity to diftinguifh between a dead man and a man
* alive } and what living man doth not think himfelf
* a judge in this point ?' As to a pretence that the body of Jefus was not truly and properly a body, feeing he often appeared to the difciples and withdrew from' them in a fudden miraculous way, it is without any foundation, fmce at Nazareth before his dleathj when his body is allowed to be real, and ia .othei; places, fee Lake iv. 30. John viii. 59. he withdrew from the midft of the people, when in danger, in a manner no lefs wonderful. Befidesjthe apoftles had undeniable tefti*
mony
• It is the fubtlety of a deiftical writer to infinuatc that the credibility of a v/itnefs can at mod be only presumed ; for if it may not be certainly known, there can then be no dependence on any hiftory, facred of prophane, snd in confequence the gofpel itfelf is incapable of proof. But it is hoped that the feader is not to be moved by any fuch fo- phiftry, and that the charadler of ihs apoftles who teftified that Jef« j§ rifen will appear undeniable.
6o LECTURESON
mony concerning the reality of our Saviour's body, as appears from Luke xxvi. 39. " Handle me and fee, *' for a fpirit hath not flefli and bones, as ye fee mc " have."
The knowledge thefe witneflfes had of our Lord's refurredion depended not on occafional or tranfitory yifits ; they had fufEcient opportunity to examine his body, and to be fatisfied it was Jefus himfelf, which, in connexion with their capacity forjudging, demands our credit. Mary Magdalen, the firft who faw the Lord after he rofe, was forbid to detain him for a rca- fon afligned, yet it doth not appear that flie touched not his body ; however it is plain that fhe had fuffi- cient proof that it was the Lord fhe had feen, and ac- cordingly makes her report, John xx. 18. And with refpedt to thefe chofen witnefles we have already feen that they eat and drank with him, yea, faith Luke the facred hiftorian, A6ls i. 3. *^ He (hewed himfelf ** alive after his paflion, by many infallible proofs, ** being feen of them forty days, and fpeaking of the ** things pertaining to the kingdom of God." Thus God (hewed his Son, whom he had raifed openly, chap. x. 40. i. e. clearly as the fun fhines, in the mod confpicuous manner, {o as to leave no doubt on the minds of his followers, for as the apoftle acquaints us, I John i. I. " They heard, they faw with their eyes; ** they looked upon, and their hands handled of the ** word of life." A pleonifm or redundancy of ex- prefTion which implies the fullefi: opportunity for trial by their fenfes, which, as hinted, were the pro- per, judge of the hd:. In a word, had Chrift lived
with
PRIMITJVE CHRISTIANITY. 6i
with his difciplcs an hundred years after he rofe from the dead, they could not have obtained a more cer- tain proof that he was rifen indeed.
In confequence of their full fatisfaiiion on fufficient evidence that Jefus was rifen, the apoftles declare it without hefitation, which is another credible circum- ftance ; they fpake of it boldly at Jerufalem, as in the inftance before us, and even before the high-prieft and council of the Jews, Adls v. 33. Now it is not cre- dible that they fhould thus freely and conftantly de- clare that Jefus was alive on the fpot where he was crucified, and among a people that had feen him laid in the grave, and this to the magiftrates themfelves, who wanted not for means to deteft, nor power or inclination to punifli them, if the fa<Sl had not been notorious.
Integrity alfo is cfiential to the credit of a wit- nefs, and of this the difciples had every poffible mark. And here I might infift on their morals, the miracles they wrought, their faithfulnefs in recording their own infirmities and fins, their many and great fuffer- ings for the teftimony of Jefus, and when called to it, their fealing this teftimony with their blood. Thefe are more than fufficient ; and efpecially the laft is an undeniable proof, if proof can be had of human up- rightnefs. Men corrupted with infidelity have not fpared an attempt to fet afide the force of this argu- ment, by comparing it with that of a criminal under fentence of death, who denies the fa<St for which he is condemned, which hath frequently been the cafe.
But
fy2 1/ E C T U R E S O N
But to this it has been juftiy replied, that ' thefe i« ' no comparifon between a criminal denying the truth
* to fave his hfe, and a perfan expofing himfelf to fuf-
* ferings and death by attefting a known falfliood.' And indeed, who cannot fee that this is rather an oppo- iite than a parallel cafe ? The apoftles might at any time have quitted their teftimony, and faved their Jives, but they refiftcd unto blood, ftriving againft Cm ; which, joined to the wonders they performed, is fuch evidence, that to refift the fame is to refolye againft believing either God or man.
Thus if we confider that thefc witnefTcs were ca* pable of judging the matter in queftion, the fufficient means they had of knowing the fa£t, the open manner in which they declared it, and the ample proof we have of their integrity, nothing but prejudice can hinder our pronouncing them credible, and receiving their tefti- mony of our Lord's refurreclion ; they are certainly true wtineiles of God who teftified to the world that he raifed up Chrift.
But, befides their being poffefled of every qualification required in a witnefs, there are many other things which tend to corroborate their evidence, which are not to be pafTed over in filence. Their own incredulity, for which they ftand juftly reproved; their being never called in queftion, in relation to the fa£lj which, to- gether with Gamaliel's advice, A«S^s v. 34.. aii4 f aul'p anfwer to Agrippa in the court of Csefaria, chap. xxvi. are more than Sufficient to lliew, that the Jews them- selves
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 63
felves Were far from being convinced that Chrift was • not rifen. The teftimony of unbelievers themfelves is another ftrong circumftance in favour of the apoftles credibility. The foldiers who guarded the fepulchre, though bribed to conceal it, at firft, in their fear, fcru- ple not to report the aftonifhing event. Matt, xxviii. 1 1, By fome apologies of the fathers it appears that even the Roman fenate denied not the refurreQion of Jefus, and it is very remarkable that Jofephus the Jewifli hift- crian fpeaks without hefitation, that Chrift rofe again on the third day. But ftill greater is the teftimony of God by the mouth of his prophets who foretold the refurre£lion of his Son ; this will confirm the credi- bility of his witnefles with them that believe. To this purpofe the apoftle pleads, Ads xxvi. 22, 23. that he faid ** none other things than thofe which the pro- *' phets and Mofes did fay. fhould come : That « Chrift ftiould fuffer, and that he fhould be the firft *' that fhould rife from the dead." It certainly adds to the -credit of perfons every way qualified to be wit- nefles, that in what they report, however wonderful, they declare nothing but what God had foretold fhould come to pafs. The amazing fpread and efficacy of the gofpel might alfo be urged, and likewife the number of thofe who attefted the fame ; not one or two, but twelve ; and afterward the apoftle of the Gentiles, who once thought it became him, and therefore to his utmoft de- ftroyed the faith ; fo that he cannot be fuppofed to join in their teftimony without the moft convincing evidence; together with all the other difciples who faw the rifen Saviour, befides the witnefles themfelves, fo that many hundr-ede confirmed their report. Thus it was the wifdom
of
64 LECTURESON
of God by a great variety of circumftances to eflablifli the vvitnefs of his chofen fervants to the refurredion of our Lord.
As to the popular obje£tions of infidels, they are trifling and perverfe. Some cavil that he was not three days and three nights in the earth, as priedifted, for v\^ant of admitting the known manner of reckoning the nights into the day, when we reckon by fo many days. Three days and three nights are expreflions equi- valent to three days, or in three days. And three days inclufive take in the firft and the laft in the account, however fmall a part of either is employed, which an- fwers exactly to the time of our Saviour's lying in the grave. The Jews plainly underftood the next day, which was the fabbath, to be the fecond day, and the pains they took to fet a guard on that day, left in the night the body of Chrift ftiould be ftolen away, fliews that in their account, the next, i. e. the third day was the day on which he, whom they call a deceiver, faid, " I will rife again," Matt, xxvii. 63. The predi6lion was that he fhould rife again the third day, which he actually, truly, and properly did, as we learn from the teftimony of the angels, Luke xxiv. 7. alfo from his ap- pearance to the women, and the difcourfe of thedifciples ■with him as they walked to Emmaus, " To-day, fay *' they, is the third day fmce thefe things were done," ver. 21. which was the very day on which Chrift rofe, as appears from the context. Others deny that a refurrettion is poflible ; this is exceeding bold if not impious ; it is moft unreafonable to doubt whether the Almighty who informed this curious veffei
of
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 65 bf duft with a principle of life can revive it from the ftate of the dead at his pleafure ; and, as hinted alrea- dy, there is no contradi£tion in raifing a dead body, nor is it in any reipeci unworthy of God to perform it ; and if the dead may be raifed, the refurre£lion of Jefus is not to be fcruplcd under a notion of its beiiig im- poffible. In a word, the ftory told by the Jews, of our Saviour's body being ftole in the night by his difciples, notv/ithftanding all their precaution, is too ridiculous and abfurd to be received by any fober un- prejudiced perfon. The difciples were at this time in the utmoft fear and jeopardy, were themfelves dif- couraged at the death of their Lord, and had no ap- prehenfion of his rifing again, and therefore had no motive in themfelves to attempt the removing his 'body; but if they had, they were utterly incapable of performing it; could they roll away the ftone fronn the fepulchre, or do it without awaking any of the guard r but if the guard continued afleep, how came they to know that his body was ftolen ? or if it was, that his difciples were concerned ? they neither heard nor faw any thing ; and, as a late ingenuous vy^riter * obferves, * was it ever heard fmce the world began
* that evidence was admitted to a fa£l: that took place
* while the parties attefting were confeiTedly afleep ?* Befides, who in their fenfes, on fuch an enterprize, would have flayed to fold up the cloths, and lay them apart in the manner they were found by Peter and John ?
E So
* Trial of the witnefles of the refurreftion of Jefus, -wherein moft of the arguments mentioned in favor of the apoilles credibility are intrcdu»;ei » ith great propriety and force.
66 LECTURESON
So then it appears that this glorious and important event, the refijrre6tion of our Lord Jefus Chrift, ftands fully attefted by proper witnefles chofen before God, whofe credibility is not to be queftioned, being con- firoied by every poflible mark of truth, and againft which every objection of the adverfary is groundlefs and vain. Unbelievers are therefore inexcufable j their folly is manifell, fince nothing can be more cre- dible ; nor was any fail in the world more abundantly proved, than that Jefus was raifed from the dead. May fuch obtain mercy to repent ; for fmce Chrift is rifen, wo be to the man who fhall be found to have denied him v/hen he comes to judgment !
To conclude, he that believeth hath the witnefs in himfelf, and may be afTured from his own expe- rience that Jefus is rifen. The efficacy of the gofpel unto faving faith in the heart Is owing to the fame di- vine power which wrought in Chrift when God raifed him from the dead, Eph. i. 19, 20, And the death of Jefus is the procuring caufe of fuch divine operation ; fo that the faithful have an internal evidence, whereby the veracity of thefe chofen witnefles is confirmed to themfelves. O chriftian, thine own refurre6lion from the grave of fin is a fure teftimony to thee that thy Sa- viour is rifen ! Had not thy Surety rofe from the dead thou hadft been yet in thy fins, but now God hath quickened tliee, who wert thyfelf dead in tref- pafies and fins ; he that died for thee is certainly alive ! Under this teftimony of the Spirit rejoice in thy hope, give glory to the Father, who raifed up his Son, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God,
LECTUR E
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 67
LECTURE V.
The Holy Ghoft a witnefs to the refurre^lion of Jefus : His teftimony in the believer appealed to by theapoftle, ift epiftle John, ch. v. 10. confidered and proved.
WE have feen that nothing can be more credible, than the open and united teftimony theapoftles gave to the refurre6lion of Chrift; yet there is one objeftion boldly advanced, which if admitted throws a dead weight on all that can be faid in proof of this point, namely, the fa6l is fo extraordinary, it being, fay the objedtors, contrary to the laws of nature for the dead to arife, that no human evidence can be fufficient, fmce the voice of nature outv^eighs the utmoft that can be faid againft her. To this fome have juftly replied, that the ideas men form concern- ing nature are governed by prejudices they have re- ceived and not by reafon : and this is at leaft fre- quently the cafe. But furely, however above or con- trary to the law of nature it may be fuppofed, God is able to raife the dead j and who can fay that he will not ? and if he doth, will any deny that the fenfes are competent judges of the fa£l ? Now it is alTerted that God did raife up Jefus, who fhewed himfelf openly to his difciples, whofe convidlion and knowledge of E 2 their
is LECTURESON
their rifen Lord were inconteftible ; which, together v/ith the uprightnefs of their charaiSler, and the man- ner of their teftimony, and efpecially as their report was confiriried by undeniable miracles which they wrought, rerider unbelievers without any: excufe. Neverthelefs the credit of our Saviour's refurreftion doth not altogether reft on human evidence : Not only the apoflles but God alfo bare witnefs to his being raifed up : Not to infift on the teftimony of the Father by the prophets from the foundation of the world, or that of the Son himfelf, from the throne in the heavens. Rev, i. i8. which will have their weight with them that believe, to eftablifii their faith in this point ; it is exprefsly declared that the Holy Ghoft alfo did witnefs with the difciples to this interefting event, whcfe divine teftimony we are now to confider. It ftands recorded. Acts v. 32. where the apoftle, upon declaring that he and the reft were witnefles that God had a6lually raifed up Jefus, and exalted him with his right-hand, adds this remarkable claufe, " And fo is alfo the Holy Ghoft, whom God hath *' given to them that obey him." I ftiall briefly touch on the divine perfon here faid to witnefs, as the apo- ftles, to the refurre6lion of Chrift ; the view in which he is confidered in thispaflagej on whom he is be- ftowed ; and then fliew how, or in what manner he teftifies of this bleficd and important event.
The Holy Ghoft, or Spirit, for they are the fame, is no other than that glorious divine perfon who defcended, as a dove, on our Lord at his baptifm, in the relating of which the apoftles indifflsrently ftile him
th«
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 69 the Spirit, or the Holy Ghofl, Matt. ili. 16. compared with Luke iii. 22. This adorable Spirit is joined with the Father and the Son, in the name into which" chrif- tians are baptized, under the famecharadler by which he is defcribed in the text ; and it is remarkable that he is fpoken of under this character near fourfcore times in the New-Teftament. His proper deity and diilincl perfonality are clearly fet forth in the facred writings, and particularly in the cafe of Ananias, A6ls v. 3, 4. to whom the apoftle faith, *' Why hath fatan filled " thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghoft ? thou haft not *' lied unto men, but unto God." He muft be greatly prejudiced who would attempt to evade this plain and ftrong proof of the true divinity, and proper perfonality of the Holy Ghoft ; and the fentence before us evinces the latter, for to bear witnefs is a perfonal a£l. He is ftiled Ghoft or Spirit, not in refpedl of his fpiritual eflence, which is common to each divine perfon, but neither the Father nor the Son are the Spirit; there- fore this diftinguiftiing chara6ler has regard to his per- fonal fubfiftence ; and however fome may difapprove it, the ancient opinion has not been fuperceeded by a better account. The real ground of this divine cha- ra£ter feems to be this, namely, the manner of his eternal proceflion, which is by fpiration j and accor- dingly in Job xxiii. 4. the Spirit of the Lord, and the breath of the Almighty are the fame ; and as for the epithet holy, it ftands fupported by his elFential purity, and alfo by his being the author of hclinefs in them that believe. This divine perfon, we are told, *' proceedeth from the Father and the Son," which may be applied to his manner of fubfiftence in the E 3 ^^''t/*
^o LECTURESON
deity, as hinted already, or to his goings-forth in the execution of his office, in which he quickens, fandli- fies and comforts the hearts of the redeemed, and hke- wife is a witnefs to their eftabhfliment and joy ; and particularly as he was, and continueth to be an evi- dence or witnefs to the refurreftion of Jefus.
The Holy Ghoft is declared to be the gift of God. As Chrift, fo is his Spirit the gift of the Father, whofc office and operations are needful to accomplifli the di- vine purpofes in the falvation of finners. He was therefore provided in the counfel of God, for he hath chofen us through fan6lification of the Spirit. Hence the Spirit is promifed, and hath been fent forth in all ages, but more plentifully in thefe laft days fince the coming of Chrift, in the variety of his gifts and the plenty of his grace ; fo that this is eminently a dif- penfation of the Spirit, under which the faithful have been large partakers of his power and goodnefs, where- by they obtained a freedom or boldnefs unknown in general heretofore, " For ye have not received the " Spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have re- ** ceived the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, *' Abba, Father." Rom. viii. 15.
Now it Is further declared, that God hath given the Holy Ghoft to them that obey him ; that is, who obey either God the Father, or his Son Jefus Chrift, it amounts to the fame, for in obeying cf Chrift we obey the Father who fent him : but in gofpel-obedience Chrift is the rnore immediate objedlj and to obey Je- fus Chrift is cordially to truft him, Rom. x. 16. ** They have not all obeyed the gofpel, for Efaias f? faith^ Lord, who hath believed our report?" Hence
^he
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 71 the Son is faid, Heb. v. 9. to have become '" the au- ** thor of eternal falvatlon unto all them that obey ** him," i. e. that believe him ; " for he thatbelieveth " and is baptized, fhall be faved," Mark xvi. i \ To obey God, or Chrift, or the gofpel, are the fame in the language of fcripture. The expreffion ufed in this place literally fignifies to fubmit, and conveys the idea of a voluntary obedience: And it is well known that a free fubmiilion to Chrift and his righteouf- nefs is included in the faith of the chofen. The apoftle reprefents the unbelief of the Jews by their not having " fubmitted themfelves to the righteoufnefs of God," Rom. X. 3. Chrift is exalted a Prince and a Saviour ; he is preached Lord and Chrift ; or, as Peter afterward proclaimed him at Casfaria, A6ls x. 36. " Lord of " all." As fuch his people receive him; they receive Chrift Jefus the Lord, Col. ii. 6. They willingly fubmit themfelves and furrender to him as their Lord, to be ruled by him, who hath redeemed them with his blood. Thus true faith in Chrift as a Saviour encrao-es the fubjeil to him as his fovereign ; and accordingly unbelievers are defcribed to be fuch, " who would not *' that Chrift fhould reign over them," Luke xix. 27. But they v/ho are made willing in the day of his power are the voluntary fubje6ls of his kingdom. Now to them who thus obey Chrift, the Holy Ghoft is faid to be given of God, they are all partakers of this di- vine Spirit, of whom they are born again and brought to believe, being effedlualjy called through the power of this omnipotent agent of the covenant ; and believ- ing on the Lord Jefus Chrift, they receive the gift of the Holy Ghoft, A£ls ii. 38. Even all that are called, E 4 whether
72 LECTURES ON
whether Jew or Gentile, are " made to drink into one *' fpirit," I Cor. xii. 13. Each believer hath a mea- fure of the Spirit in his gifts and graces, according to the will and wifdom of our heavenly Father. So then to obey is to believe ; and thofe on whom this divine witnefs is beflowed, are all and only them who through grace are brought to the obedience of faith. Thus our apoftle declares concerning the Gentiles in general who were called, Aits xv. 8. *' That God ^' bear them witnefs, giving them the Holy Ghoft:"
But the main point is the teRimony of this glorious perfon unto the truth, th^it the Father raifed up his Son Jefus, and hath exalted him with his right-hand ; for, though the fubje(51: in purfuit is the refurrecSlion of Chrift, yet thefe cannot be feparatcd in the teftimony of the Holy Ghoft. The witnefs of the apoftles could reach no farther than the infallible proofs they had of Jefus being alive after his paffion, or at farthcft that after the moft convincing evidence that he was truly the felf-fame perfon, and no other than the Lord who was crucified, fome of them faw him afcend towards heaven ; but the Holy Ghoft came down from heaven in confequence of his a£lual feUion at the right-hand of God, as will hereafter be {een from chap. ii. 33. So that the witnefs of the Spirit neceflarily includes a teftimony of the Saviour's exaltation, which neve.the- Icfs terminates flrll: on his] refurreclion from the dead, v/ichout which he could never have been received into glory. The queftion is, how the Holy GhofI: became ii witnefs of this wonderful, but certairi and interefting f;i£l: ? And^ according to fcripturcj the Holy Ghoft
may
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 73 may be faid to witnefs as a fpirit of prophecy, Hcb. X. 15. The Holy Shoft is ftiled a witnefs of the death ofChriftas a fiicrificefor fin, and the efficacy thereof to the putting it away, according to the fcope of the place, on account of his having fpoken by the prophets concerning the remiilion of fins : he is therefore called a witnefs, even becaufe he foretold what implied a fatis- fa£lion to be made for fin by the blood-ftiedding of the Meffiah, through which alone forgivenefs could be ob- tained ; but this h not fo diredtly to the purpofe; our bufinefs is to confider in what way the H!oly Ghoft did actually teflify after the afcenfion of Chrift, that he was rifen from the dead ; and this he did both exter- nally, and alfo in an internal manner.
/vr/?, We may confider his external evidence, which extended to all v/herever the gofpel was preached in the primitive times; it lay open to the view of every fpedlator, or hearer of the word, called or uncalled, and was given more efpecially as a fign for the con- vidtion of unbelievers. The miraculous operations of the Holy Ghoft were doubtlefs one kind of teftimony he gave to the refurrecftion of Chrift. Thefe confifted in extraordinary powers communicated to the apoftles for the fpreading of the gofpel, as by the gift of tongues, together with that fpirit of wifdom, utterance and boldnefs with which thofe nrft and great minifters were infpired ; this aftoniftied their enemies, A6ls iv. 13. and tended to convince the world of their di- vine raiffion, and to promote the credit of the dodlrine they preached ; befides the miracles they wrought, (u^k as healing the fick, cafting out devils, and con- veying
74 LECTURESON
veying miraculous powers to others, by the laying on of their hands in the fight of all men: fo that with great power or ability, as the word fignifieth, gave the apodles witnefs to the refurredion of the Lord Je- fus, A£ls iv. 33. Add to this their amazing fuccefs> which was not by their power or might, but by the Spirit of the living God. Thus the Holy Ghoft in a variety of inftances attended the apoftles in their mini- ilrations in every place, and it might truly be faid, on account of his wonderful operations, that great grace was upon them all ; and this was one way in which the Holy Spirit became a witnefs with thefe chofen dif- ciples of the refurredion of Jefus. I fee no room to queftion that this external evidence of the Spirit is what the apoftlc chiefly if not folely intends in this place, lince he is fpeaking to the high-prieft and other unbe- lieving Jews ; befides the evidence of them who are properly witnefTes of our Saviour's refurredlion, and of the Holy Ghoft confidered under that character, was to be laid before the world y and confequently muft be by fomething external and vifible; fomething adapted to, and level with the capacity of men as reafonable crea- tures, and fuch as natural men can receive. Such were the wonderful v/orks wrought by the power of the Spirit referred to. Indeed, as hath been truly ob- ferved, a miracle proves nothing immediately; but that there is a caufe equal to the eifed : but fmce a real miracle is unqueftionably the finger of God, it is a manifeft proof of his integrity, by whofe hand it is per- formed, and confirms his veracity in the atteftation he makes of a fad upon his own knowledge, and confe- quently of the fad itfelf J for it cannot with decency be
fuppofed
PRIMITIVE CHRSTIANITY. 75
fuppofed that the omnifcient and faithful Jehovah would fet his feal to an impoftor or a lie : we may there- fore juftly efteem the extraordinary and miraculous works by the apoftles, and their amazing fuccefs through the efficacious operations of the Spirit, where- by they triumphed over the inveterate prejudices of Jews and Gentiles in every place, as a glorious proof of the divine Spirit with them to the world, that Jefus was rifen again : which proof ftands recorded to the condemnation of unbelievers ; for herein, beftdcs the abundant and fufficient teftimony of men, they have fet before them alfo the witnefs of God. But,
Secondly, There is another way in which the Holy Ghoft anfwers this chara6ter, namely, by his internal witnefs, which is peculiar to the faithful, and refults from his work and abode in their hearts j thus it is de- clared, I John V. 10. " He that believeth on the Son " of God, hath the witnefs in himfelf." Nothing is more defpifed by many, as foolifh and enthufiaftical, than the work and witnefs of the Spirit in his faints, on which vital religion depends. I fhould rejoice in the conviction of any fuch ignorant fcoffer ; but my view is principally the eftablifhment of them that be- lieve ; it will therefore not be impertinent, and I hope it may be ufeful, that I attempt to clear this paf- fage from the cloud drawn over it by the falfe glolTes and bold contradictions of fome. It is afFedting to fee men who have employed their fuperior talents with fuc- cefs, in ftating the external evidence of chriftianity, as if they were ft rangers to the power of the gofpel ; pod knowethj on every occafion bending their utmoft
force
76 LECTURESON
force agalnft the operations of the IJoly Spirit on the heart, whereby he becomes a witnefs in the faithful ! Some deny that the apoftle here appeals to an inward teftlmony of the Spirit, and infinuate that he fpeaks of the extraordinary powers which believers obtained, who could not but credit the reality of thofe powers of which they were coiifcious. According to thefe gen- tlemen therefore when the apoftle faith, ,*' He that " believeth hath the witnefs in himfelf," he appeals to the powers of the Spirit which the believer had re- ceived, manifeft in their efFedls ; and this they would have to be that witnefs of the Holy Ghoft whereof Peter fpeaks: So that in reality this inwardj witnefs depends on an external evidence, and comes to no- thing more than a certain confcioufnefs of extraordi- nary powers received ; which being exerted, witnefied to the fubje(3: that Jefus was rifen from the dead. And who cannot fee that, according to this, it is the vifible cffcEt of this] miraculous power, and not the power itfelf, which is truly and properly the tefti- mony a believer receives, but can this be ftiled *' a wit- ** nefs in himfelf? Befides thefe very men allow, yea they infift, that thefe extraordinary gifts of the Spirit hath long ceafed in the church. Thus we are at once fecured from any enthufiaftlc notion of an in- ward teftimony of the Spirit common to the faithful, and every believer is cut ofF from any expeftation of finding this witnefs in himfelf, fo plainly aflerted by the apoflle. It is well for the chriflian that the fcrip- tyre cannot be broken.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 77
But a little reflection may (hew this confined inter- pretation unjuft. The apoftle John is not diflinguifh- ing the faithful one from another; he is confidering mankind as children of God or children of the devil : and with refpedt to the former, he does not fay this or the other believer hath the witncfs in himfelf ; on the contrary the individual pronoun Ke, determines the fenfe to be univerfal and particular, and confe- quently that every renewed perfon hath this teftimony in his own brcaft. And as to the pafTage in the A6ls we are upon, Peter fpeaks indefinitely of them that obey the gofpel of Chrift ; nor fhould any man take the liberty as fome prefume, to confine the text by paraphrafing the fentence thus, ' them that obey him ;* i. e. fay they, ' the apoftles and many others who have * fubmitted to his government,' there being no fuch limitation in the fcope or words of the infpired writer. That the witnefs which the believer hath in himfelf, aflerted in this claufe, is to be underftood of a tefti- mony, which arifeth in the heart or confcience of every one that is called, and not to be confined to the miraculous powers of the Holy Ghoft, with which fome only were endowed even In the primitive times, is clear from the obvious defign of the apoftle. He wrote his epiftle with a view to eftablifh the difciples in the doftrine of Chrift, relating to his appearance in the flefh, and that each one born of the Spirit might know that he believed on his name ; to this end he aflerts that '' the Son of God was manifefced to take *' away our fins ;" and then declares the infallible proof which he and others had of this truth, even after
his
78 L'E C T U R E S O N
his refurre(Elion from the dead. He declares, chap. I. •* That they had heard, feen, looked upon, and handled •' of the word of life ;" and goes on to certain criterions of the regenerate, among which this is one, namely, *'he " that believeth hath the witnefs in himfelf." The wit- nefs of what ? Why doubtlefsof this, that Jefus who was God manifeft in the flefh, having aftually made propitia- tion by the blood of the crofs, rofe from the dead, afcend- cd to glory, and lives with the Father to interceed for his people. Now of this, faith the apoftie, the believer *' hath the witnefs in himfelf j" i. e. he hath by the work of the Spirit in his own heart an undeniable proof that Jefus is rifen ; which exadlly correfponds with the nature of that hope unto which the regenerate are begotten, i Pet. i. 3. It is a lively hope grounded in the refurreclion of Jefus Chrift from the dead, raifed by the agency of that Spirit which the Father beftowed in confequence of the exaltation of his Son, who died for our fins and rofe again : So that whoever is quick- ened by the Spirit of life in Chrift, hath a witnefs in himfelf that Jefus, whom he trufteth, is raifed from the dead. And is there any thing abfurd in this tefti- mony ? Is it not clear and moft certainly true, that if quickening grace, regeneration and faving faith are of the Spirit, fent down from the Saviour, who fits at the right-hand of God, as the fcriptures declare, then every one that believes hath this witnefs in himfelf, the Holy Ghoft, in the execution of his office, and by thefe efficacious influences of his grace, muft be an infallible witnefs in the called, that Jefus who fends him Is rifen and exalted. This divine operation is truly
myfterious.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 79 myfterious, and what the world cannot receive, and it is no caufe of wonder that natural men fhould contra- did the things of the Spirit they are not able to dif- cern. But admitting this work in the foul, which, would to God he that oppofeth himfelf to the truth, might experience, the reafon of this evidence to the happy fubjedt, for this kind of proof is purely perfonal, is fo obvious as fcarce to be denied ; the chriftian in- deed hath not always a practical fenfe of this joyful aflurance of his Saviour's refurre£tion, the ground of his hope, which refults from the quickening of the Spirit J this greatly depends on his frame j but he that is the fubjecSt of a divine change by the power of the Holy Ghoft, whofe miffion is from the exalted Re- deemer, muft needs be poflefTed of a virtual proof in his own experience that Jefus is alive from the dead. How is it poflible that a man begotten to a lively hope, by the refurre6tion of Chrift from the dead, which belongs to the charadter of every chriftian, I fay, how can it be that this man fhould be deftitute of a witnefs in himfelf that Jefus is rifen ? it is therefore moft ra- tional, and confequently without any the leaft tinc- ture of enthufiafm, that the apoftle in the paflage re- ferred to, is underftood of that inward teftimony which refults from the work of the Spirit in the faithful to the refurre<5lion of him in whom they believe ; but whe- ther it is becoming in any one to wreft the fcripture, in order to contradict an appeal of this nature, and to deride the witnefs of the Holy Ghoft in his people, the Reader will judge.
But
8o L E C T U R E S O N
'.*BuT this teftimony of the Spirit in the faints unto their Lord's refurrecSlion is not confined to his general work on their hearts, whereby they are quickened and efFeilually called. It likewife appears in the fame man- ner it does in refpeit of the divine authority of the fcriptures, namely, by urging on their mind the wit- nefs of the apoftles and other external evidences of the important event, whereby they are powerfully con- vinced and fully perfuaded that he is rifen indeed. Till the Spirit doth thus as it were join vvitnefs with the confcience of a man, and thereby renders effectual the arguments or motives arifing from the evidence given, he is not eftabliihed in this foundation of God. ]^ow as a judicious writer* obferves, on the like illumi- nations or efficacious imprellions of the Spirit, in con- firmation of the fcriptures, it may juftly be noted, that the inward witnefs I aflert, or rather which is af- ferted by the infpired apoflle, is by no means enthu- fiafm ; for it is a difcovery or confirmation in the mind and confcience by means and inftruments ; whereas every one knows, that enthufiafm, in our common ac- ceptation of the word, is mere imagination and con- ceit, without any reafon or motive grounded in evi- dence, and that the deluded fubjeil pours contempt on thefe, and indeed, for the moft part on all other moral caufes whatever. Thus without rejeilino- external evidence as a reafon or motive to believe any h6t that
concerns
* Dr. John Edwards, a man of lingular piety and learning, whofe ■works are tjo full of ftrong reafoning and folid arguments, on every point, to be charged with enthufiafm, without manifelt prejudice j fee him oi»- the autiioriry, ftije and perfc-(5lion of fcripture. Vol. 1. page 48. 1693.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 8t concerns our falvation, we may boldly declare, that the divine faith, proper to a regenerate man, is fupcr- natural and not mere moral fuafion, but as the apoftle exprefles, it is in the demonftration of the Spi- rit and with power ; or in other words, that the faith of the chofen doth not ftand in the wifdom of men, but in the power of God, i Cor. ii. 4, 5.
We live in a day of prevailing infidelity, wherein fceptics abound, and fliould be furnifhed with argu- ments to ftop the mouth of a fcornful unbeliever ; nor was the church ever fo amply provided with means ^or, that purpofe. The bold libels of deifts have pro- duced many learned and folid anfwers in defence of revelation ; but Sir, I am forry the caution is needful ; when you read fome of thefe ingenuous and able au- thors, who have well defended the external evidence of chriftianity, with all due refpe£t to their character, you muft beware, left you are ftumbled in relation to points of chriftian experience, for it is melancholy to obferve, that a deift cannot more oppofe the authenti- city of fcripture, than fome men who plead for it feem averfe to the notion of an efficacious work of the Spi- rit of God in them that are called. Thofe treatifes on the veracity of the facred writings, which occafionally ftrike at the operations and witnefs of the Holy Ghoit in believers, appear to me the moft dangerous means of flattering men who are deftitute of the life and power of godlinefs to their ruin. But I hope the Reader is convinced, that there is no reafon for rejedling the notion of an appeal to the inward teftimony of the Spirit in the claufe abovementioned ; for if the pri- F mitive
82 LECTURES ON
mitive chrlftians, as thefe writers urge, might be faid each to have a witnefs in himfelf of the refurre^lion of Jefus, arifing from his being confcious of extraordinary powers communicated to him, much more muft the quickening and comforting influences of the Holy Ghoft, which proceed on a convicStion of the Redeemer's being raifed from the dead, be a teftlmony of this glorious event in the fubjeil of his grace. In one word, the apoftle exprefsly declares, that " he that " believeth hath the witnefs in himfelf." And is it not ftrange, that any who pretend to the faith of the gofpel, ftiould prefume to aflert, that he doth not ap- peal to an inward teflimony of the Spirit, and to make way for the credit of this confident affertion, endeavour to fix an odium on the notion of fuch a teftimony, by ftiling thofe who avow it * modern enthufiafts !' But furely this can never be taken for reafon or argument; it only fhews that men of great ingenuity and learning in other refpecls, may be under ftrong prejudices againft a fupernatural work and witnefs of the Spirit in the hearts of God's people, however clearly revealed to be the experience, not only of modern, but alfo, of ancient believers, even of all the faithful from the be- ginning of chriftianity. Refie6t then, O Chriftian, on thine own experience, and be not afhamed to own, but gladly rejoice that thou haft from the Spirit that dwel- leth in thee, a fure and {landing teftimony of thy Sa- viour's refurreilion !
Thus not only the apoftles, but the Holy Ghoft alfo witneffed the refurrection of Jefus from the dead. He did fo by the miraculous powers with which the
apoftles
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 83
apoftles and others were endowed in the firft ages of chriftianity J and likewife by the operation of his grace in them that believed. The vifible efFctfts of thefe ex- traordinary powers were a fign to the world for the convi6lion of many, while his work and teftimony in the hearts of them that were called pofleflVd each happy fubjedl of his grace with a witnefs in himfelf, that God had indeed raifed up Jefus who was crucified and flain. And truly, fmce this work in the hearts of the redeemed, proceeds on the certainty of Chrift's refurre£lion, which lies at the bottom of their hope, it is fo far from being enthufiafm, modern enthufiafm, as fome modern advocates for revelation have been pleafed to call it, that nothing can be more rational, for on a fuppofition of fuch a work of the Spirit, it is impoflible it fhould be otherwife.
How undeniable and fatisfai5lory then is the evidence of Chrill's refurre£lion ! " If we receive the witnefs •* of men the witnefs of God is greater," i John v. 9. And efpecially as this witnefs of the Holy Ghoft ter- minates in the heart of every chriftian by the work of his grace. Then enquire, my Friend : Hath he quick- ened and begotten thee to a lively hope by the return of Jefus from the dead? Without this experience, a fimple credit of the fcriptures, and this wonderful fait they relate, will leave thee fhort of falvation : But with this divine hope be not afraid, thy redemptior^ draweth nigh, only let thy converfation be in heaven, whence thy Saviour is coming ; thou muft fliortly fee death and corruption, but thy dead body like his fhall
F 2 arife.
84 LECTURESON
arife, " according to the working whereby he is able " to fubdue all things to himfelf."
What a fearful condition muft unbelievers be in, when Jefus fhall be revealed from heaven to take ven- geance on them wht* fieny his refurreftion ! At his tri- bunal feat, how will they ftand it, when all thefe cho- fen witnefles fliall rife up in judgment againft them ; and the Holy Ghcft alfo, whofe teftimony they have rejefled, and it may be blafphemed ! O that thofe who fcornfully fet themfelves againft the truth and power of chriftianity, were awakened to conuder, that they would hearken to the voice of the Spirit they at prefent defpife ! " -To-day, faith the Holy Ghoft, " even while it is called to-day, harden not your " hearts." And againft the difobedient he himfelf will be a Vv'itnefs to their everlafting confufion ! On the other hand, how dcfirable are the renewed teftimonies of the Spirit in the heart. Every fenfible operation of the Holy Ghoft and fealing of that divine Comforter, is a frefh witnefs in and to the believer. O that under the powerful influences of his grace we might daily more and more, by our faith, love and fruit, hold forth a rifen Saviour, and manifeft to all, that indeed we are rifen with him ! In a word, let us earneftly plead for this Arm of the Lord with the preaching of the gofpel, that many who are now dead in fin, being quickened, may believe on the Son of God, that being burled wiih Chrift in baptifm unto death, like as he was raifed up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even fo they alfo may walk in newnefs of life, to the praife of his grace.
LECTURE
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 85
LECTURE VI.
The afcenfion of Je'us. His feffion at the right-hand of God.
rXAVING confidered the v/itnefs of the Spirit, v/ith ^ -L that of the apoftles to our Lord's refurrecSlion, we now return to the famous firlt fermon which Peter preached at Jerufalem. That interefting point being manifeft, he proceeds to (hev/ how it came to pafs that the difciples were endowed from on high in the won- derful manner his audience had feen. This glorious part of his difcourfe is recorded, A£ts ii. 33, 34. and 35 verfes, in the following terms, *' Therefore being " by the right hand of God exalted, and having; re- " ceived of the Father the promife of the Holy Gh:)fl-, *' he hath fhed forth this which ye now fee and hear : " For David is not afcended into the heavens j but " he faith himfslf, The Lord faid'unto my Lord, *' Sit thou on my right-hand, until I make thy foes thy ** footftool." Note here in general, that the apoftle doth not barely affert, but makes it evident that Chrift was to afcend to the throne in the heavens, in which he is an example to preachers in every age. His call and furniture as a minifter were both extraordinary, yet he afiumes no dominion over the faith of his hearers, but proves his dodrine from the oraclea of God, and F 3 endeavour.
86 LECTURESON
endeavours to perfuade the Jews, by an appeal to the writings of David, whom they all owned a prophet : In like manner the minifters of" Jefus are to convince gain-faycrs, and to feek their converfion, not by dog- matic aflertions,' but by reafoning out of the fcrip- tures, there being no other method adapted to affe6l the confciences of men with the authority of God, with- out which they cannot be faved.
But to return. In this paffage a door is opened in heaven; and O how illuftrious and delightful the fcene ! Behold, Chriftian, thy Saviour fits there, crown- ed with glory and honour, to pour out blefllngs on his people, and reward them that hate him ! The follow- ing particulars are to be noted in this divine profpe£l:, namely, the afcenfion of Jefus, his feflion at the right- hand of God, the hand of the Father in placing him there, what pafled between them on his being exalted, and the period of his prefent fituation ; all which afford nourifhment to the faith of God's people, and are a ground of their joy in the Lord : Let us then briefly attend to each in its order.
That Chrift lives exalted in the heavens, is a truth of the utmoft importance to the faithful, for we are faved by his life with the Father ; but this is impoffible if he afccnded not to him ; the apoftle therefore argues the point and proves, that he whom God hath exalted, and confequently who is afcended, is not the Plalmifl but Chrift. His reafoning ftands thus, ver. 34. '* For ?^ David is not afcended into the heavens j" for he had
before
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 87
before obferved, that his body remained in the flate of the dead; but he, David, faith himfelf; " The Lord *' faid unto my Lord, i. e. the Meiliah, Sit thou on " my right hand." Not David therefore, but Chrift is afcended. Can any thing be more conclufive or juft ? The prophet lay buried in his fepulchre with the Jev/s, and therefore could not be afcended ; but he fpake of the Meifiah, whom God would raife up to fit on his throne, even Jefus who is now alive from the dead, and fits at the right hand of God, which im- plies his afcenfion ; and accordingly Jefus is gone into heaven.
From this reafoning of the apoftle it appears, that the afcenfion of our Lord has refpedl to his human nature, and is no other than his going or being carried up in the body from earth into heaven j a local remove, by which a change of place is inferred : fo that Jefus no longer corporally refides in this lower world, but is retained in the heavens, in which he is received. This is varloufly expreffed : It is declared, he was parted or taken up from them: At other times he is faid to go : And again, that he went up to heaven, for he was a6live in afcending by his own power and right ; and at the fame time in reality, as will here- after be ftiewn, the Father exalted him. Oi this af- cenfion of the Mefliah the Old Teftament faints were not unacquainted. It has been thought that the tran- flation of Enoch, and the ^flumption of Elijah, were fhadows of this great event ; inftances which at leaft fhew a credibility of a bodily entrance into the hea- F 4 venly
88 LECTURESON
venly ftate *. However Noah's ark will be admitted a figure of Chrift, out of which the patriarch afcend- ed, as Jefus from the grave, i Pet. iii. 20. And the returning of Mofes's ark to Mount-Sion, and placing it In the tabernacle, after many years dwelling in the houfe of Ahimelech, fome confider in the fame point of light, which feems favoured by the prophet, who referring to that joyful feafon, cries out, " Lift up *' your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye ever- " lafting doors, and the King of glory {hall come in. " Who is this King of glory ? The Lord of Hofts," Pfalm xxiv. 17. And further, it is manifefl from Heb. ix. 24. that the entrance of the Jewifh high-prieft within the veil, on the day of atonement, typified that of our forerunner Jefus into heaven, the true holy place. Thus there have been feveral types or emblems of the afccafion of our Saviour into the heavens.
There are likewife many fcripture tcflimonies, befides the paflage before us, which plainly refer to this grand and important article of faith. Daniel faw in a vifion ! '* The Son of man coming with the *' clouds of heaven to the Ancient of days, and they *' brought him near before him, and thei-e was given *' him dominion, glory, and a kingdom," chap. vii..
* Note, Not that any natural or corruptible body can be fuppofed capable of the heavenly glory : " Flefli and biood cannot inherit the kingdom of " God," I Cor. XV. 50. Hence they who fliall be found alive at the coming of Chrift, and thprefore fleep or die not, " fliall be changed in a *' moment:" In like manner, no doubt, the bodies of thefe faints were inftantaneoufly transformed into a fpiritual incorruptible ft?te : Nor is there any diflkulty in conceiving this fudden and wonderful change by the Al- jniehty, though in an atom, or the fmalleft article of time that can be jn Rgi fjed J which the apoftlc finely ilhulrates by the " twinkling of sn eye,"
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 89 13, 14. which cannot refer to his fecond appearance. Since then he will come, not to receive^ but to deliver up a kingdom to the Father, i Cor. xv. 24. Yea thefe ancient prophefies go farther than barely to point out that the Mefliah fliould afoend ; they likewife enter into the glorious circumftances in which he was to go up. The Saviour did not afcend alone, and in fijence, as when he defcended to his ftate of humilia- tion, but in a magnificent manner, with a fhining retinue as became him, who having by the death of his crofs, triumphed over principalities and powers, was entering into his glory, to fill all things * for the completing of his mediatorial kingdom. It feems no vain conjedure that the faints who came out of their graves after our Lord's refurredlion went with him to glory ; for is it reafonable to fuppofe that they return- ed to the earth ? If not, they are doubtlefs received into heaven, and why not with the Saviour ? But of this we are certain, that Jefus afcended with a multi- tude of the heavenly hoft, Pfalm Ixviii. 17. *' The " chariots of God are twenty thoufand, even thou- " fands, or many thoufands, of angels ; The Lord is *' among them as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou *' haft afcended on high." And again, Pfalm xlvii. 5. " God is gone up with a fhout, the Lord with the " found of a trumpet." Thus we are told, i Thefs.
iv.
* Eph. iv. 10. " To fill all things," i. e. all things needful to the per- fc'fting his body the church ; as appears from what follows ; for in refpe£l of the omniprefence eflential to his divine nature, he filled all things before his afcenfion, and they who understand and confider the nature of corporal fubftance, which cannot be infinitely extended, will rejeifl the notion of the ubiquity of our Saviour's natural body as entirely falfe and iibfurd.
90 LECTURESON
iv. i6. " The Lord himfelf (hall defcend from heaven *' with a fhout, with the voice of the archangel and *' v^Ith the trump of God;" which agrees with the report to the difciples, AtSts i. ir. From whence it appears, that the afcenfion of Jefus was in like manner as hereafter his coming from heaven (hall be, namely, local, vifible, and glorious.
To the witnefs of the prophets we have our Lord's own predi»Slion that he fliould afcend j of which he Is thought to give early intimation in his difcourfe with Nicodemus, John iii. 12. but in that with his dif- ciples on the night in which he was betrayed, he is plain and exprefs, John xvi 2. " I go to the Father." And again, chap. xvi. 28. " I came from the Father, *' and am come into the world : again, I leave the ** world and go to the Father." This they well under- ftood, as appears from the following verfe, " Lo, now " fpeakeft thou plainly, and fpeakeft no proverb." And in chap. xiv. 29. after repeating the fame thing, Jefus faith, *' And now I have told you before it '* come to pafs, that when it is come to pafs, ye " might believe." And accordingly, on the morning he rofe, he fays to Mary Magdalene, " Touch me not, " for 1 am not yet afcended to my Father, but go to *' my brethren, and fay unto them, I afcend, &c." Had the difciples never underftood that the Lord was to afcend, this meffage had been ftrajige and perplex- ing; but he reminds them of what he foretold, for this reafon among others, left they fhould flatter themfclves that he would tarry with them henceforth^ and fet up a kingdom on earth, now he was ri fen from the dead,
which
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 91
which they ftill fondly expe6led, and that at his de- parture they might be fully perfuaded that he was indeed gone to the Father, as he declared before "his deceafe.
It has been very properly noted, that there was no r.eceffity for the difciples to fee their Mafter rife out of his grave, fince he was to abide many days, and to afford them repeated and undeniable proof of his bein» alive from the dead, but the article of his afcenfion is very differently circumftanced. After he Vv'as taken, up into heaven, he was no more to be feen in this World, it was therefore requifite that they fhould be- hold him afcend to their full fatisfadion, that they might teftify on their own knowledge whither he was gone, and accordingly we find them eye-witnefTes of the fa6l in the moft perfe£l manner that can be con- ceived.
On the credit of fcripture nothing can be more certain or plain than that Jefus did truly and properlv afcend, or go up into heaven bodily in the fight of his difciples: They afford a particular account of this important event, relating to the time, place, and man- ner of its accomplifliment. It was forty days after his refurrection, on Mount-Olivet, in the confines of Bethany, near if not on the felf-fame fpot, to which Chrift often retired, and where once under dreadful apprehenfions of wrath, being in an agony, he fweat drops as blood : So that from the very place in which he was heretofore (cen in the utmoft diflrefs, defcending into an hell of darknefs and fufferings, we
now
92 LECTURESON
now behold the Redeemer alive from the dead, with gladnefs, afcending to heaven. How different the fcene ! — A dying'Saviour filled with horror and anguifh, and covered with fhame ? — A rifen Jcfus, with joy and triumph, advancing to his glory I
But the manner in which our Lord was removed is ftill more punctually recited. The evangelift Mark thus relates it, " So then after the Lord had fpokea *' unto them he was received up into heaven !" Mark xvi. 19. And Luke in his gofpel, chap. xxiv. 50, 51. declares, that " he led them out as far as Bethany, " and he lift up his hands and blelled them j and it *' came to pafs while he bleffcd them he was parted " from them and carried up into heaven." But in A61s i. 9, 10. he is very particular and ftriking, " And when he had fpoken thefe things, while they *' beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received *' him out of their fiahr, and while thev looked fled- *' fallly toward heaven as he went up, 5:c." This was the manner in which Jefus was parted from his difciples j not by didippearing at once, or vanifli- ing out of their fight, as on fome other occafions j No, it was not a fudden or hafty tranfport, but he moved up before them while their eyes were fixed upon him ; fo that they faw him, and fledfaftly looked as he advanced to the vifible heaven, till at length they beheld the cloud receive him.
To underfland this cloud metaphorically of angels, as f<)me have fuggefted, fccms rather to prejudice the account, and to weaken the apoftles evidence : who
need
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 93
need be fold that it is not the part of an hiftorian to deal in figures? And the evangelift exprefsly declares that a cloud received the Lord ; the fight of which was a natural and evident proof to them that beheld it, that he was taken up into heaven. Neither Luke himfelf, nor any other prefent on the occafion, appear to have the leaft apprehenfion of angels ; and if their teilimony is at all to be regarded, no doubt they were in the perfedt exercife of their natural fenfes, and could not be deceived, but in reality favv what they relate ; We may therefore conclude it was truly and properly a cloud diftinguifhed in the vifible heavens ; a cloud pre- pared to enclofe the body of Jefus, in which he was conveyed to the higher regions by myriads of angels, who, though unfeen by the difciples, we know at- tended the vi£lorious Redeemer to his palace in glory.
It is with reafon fuppofed, tliat this cloud was at a confiderable diilance from the earth, and it is plain, that from the moment Chrift began to be lifted up, his difciples had their eyes upon him ; fo that they beheld him gradually mount in the air, higher and higher, till he reached the bright cloud, into which, as fometimes the natural fun, they faw him enter, loft fight of his body, and faw him no more. And that they were not miflaken is clear from the teftimony of the angels, " Ye men of Galilee, why ** ftand ye gazing into heaven ? this fame Jefus which *' is taken up from you into heaven (hall fo come in " like manner as ye have feen him go into heaven," ver. II. Upon the whole it appears that the apoftles were not under a deception, neither was it a vifion but
a real
94 LECTURESON
a real fa£l. Chrift was indeed taken up into heaven, and they faw him go up in the manner defcribcd ; there is therefore no colour of reafon for any hefita- tion concerning the truth of this grand and important affair ; and accordingly we find that the difciples fo far from doubting, or even regretting their Lord's being parted from them, that fully perfuaded he was gone to the Father, they worfhipped him unfeen, and exalted, " and returned to Jerufalem ; and how? ** with tears and lamentation ? No, but with great " joy, praifmg and blefling God," till endowed from on high, and then proceeded to preach him every wliere, with boldnefs, and with amazing fuccefs. Now, who that confiders this account, and efpecially in connexion with the efFufion of the Spirit on the apoftles, can a moment queftion whether that this fame Jefus who defcended is likewife afcended to the Father ? O my foul, turn up thine eyes with grati- tude and joy ; let thy afFedions afcend like pillars of fmoke to thy blefied Redeemer : Behold he is gone, he is gone up before thee to prepare a place for thee !
IS
From the afcenfion of Chrift we proceed to h feflionat the right hand of God. This glorious fubje6t hath been frequently handled ; nor have I any thing new to offer upon it, but fhall attempt only a brief explication of this joyful affurance the gofpel affords. The defign of Peter is not barely to fhew that Jefus is afcended, but alfo to reprefent his exalted ftate in the heavens ; and this is contained in the quotation from David, verfe 34. " Sit thou on my right hand." Of this exaltation our Lord bare witnefs before Pontius Pilate, Luke xxii.
69*
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 95 69. ** Hereafter fhall the Son of man fit on the right ** hand of the power of God." And accordingly we are told, Mark xvi. 19. that when Jefus was received up into heaven, he fat on the right hand of God : And indeed the paflUges which teftifie the fame, are more than can now be recited ; I (hall therefore only fubjoin the remarkable witnefs of Stephen the martyr, *' Be- " hold, faith he, I fee the heavens opened, and the *' Son of man {landing on the right hand of God," A(£ls vii. 56. It cannot with decency be fuppofed that this holy man uttered a falfhood in the view of eter- nity, or would have prefumed to have committed his foul into the hands of Jefus, as he inftantly did, had he been doubtful of the truth of what he declared.
But how is Chrift at the right hand of God ? And what is implied in this fituation? We are not, with fome, to imagine that the Father has bodily parts: God is a fpirit ; and the Father never was clothed with flejfh. Here is therefore no comparifon between the right hand and the left, as when thefe expreUions are ufcd of corporal beings % : And that the phrafe is in
this
I From Stephen's declaration to the Sanhedrim, admitting that the heavens were properly opened, as at the baptifm of our Lord, and that the martyr aftually faw Jefus ftanding at th« right hand of God, it appears that there is a vifible d'fplay of the glory of the Father in the heavenly temple, adapted to the corporal fight of thofe, who, like the Saviour, dwell there in a fpiritual and glorified body as Enoch, Elijah, &c. Now in refpeft of this, Jefus m^y be truly declared, in a literal fenfe, at the right hand of God. The objecflion to the heavens being really dividad, becaue then it would have been a miracle if all that was prefent had not feen it, with fubmiflion, feems of no force ; for why (hould a miracle be thought rtrange in this age, and on fo extraordinary an occafion ? Befides, in the cafe «f Siul, when approaching Damafcus, there wal ijideed a bright
ihining
96 LEG T U RES ON
this place purely metaphorical, is evident in that the prophet, foon after the words quoted in our text, re- prefents Jehovah the Father at the right hand of his Son whom he had exalted, Pfalm ex. 5. " The Lord *' at thy right hand fliall ftrike through kings in the " day of his wrath." Now the Son's fitting at the right hand of the Father, confids not with the Father's fitting at the right hand of the Son, if the words are literaliy taken, but in a figurative fenfe they are eafily reconciled. The allufion here is to the cuftom of princes, who, it is known, on certain occafions have dif- tinguiflied their favourites by placing them at the right hand of their throne; which anfwers to the account we have of our Saviour's fituation in heaven : He is faid to be at the right hand of the throne of God and of the Majefty in the heavens, Heb. viii. i. compared with chap. xii. 2. This however is far from implying, that the Man Chrift Jefus is made equal, much lefs that he is fuperior to him by whom he is exalted. Among men this place is frequently given in token of their fupe- rior rank; but no fuch thought can be admitted, even of the Mefliah himfelf, in comparifon with the Father, whofe fervant he is : nor is this to be underftood of a local limitation, which would reduce the words to a li- teral fenfe; the impropriety of which has already been
fhewn
fliining light his companions beheld, but they heard not diftin£lly the voice, neither did they fee him that fpake, both which the pcrfecutor did ; and that his fight of the Saviour was bodily, which necefiarily implies the opening of the heavens, is clear from I Cor. xv. 8. AAs ix. 17. and chap. xxii. 14. The heavens therefore might aiTlually be open to this holy man, notwitkftanding it was fcen by Eone but himfelf: Ncverthelefs the phrafe of Chrift's being at the right hand of God, in the language of prophecy, js rather metaphorical than literal, as in the paffage quoted by Peter from David,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 97
(hewn. It is true, that the afcenfion of Jefas in the body implies a change of place ; in confequence of which, his corporal prefence is locally confined in the heavens, and will continue fo till the reftitution of all things ; but the phrafe in the text hath no refpedt to place, but is purely expreflive of his ftate in the heav- enly world, denoting,
■ !♦ The honor and dignity to which he is advanced. Some pretend, that in the Eaftern countries the left hand is efleemed the moft honorable : But will any imagine that Solomon placed his mother, the queen, on his right hand to difgrace her? i Kings ii. 19. And certain it is, that we fee Jefus, who defpifed the fhame when fufFering for fin, '' crowned with honor *' and glory," Heb. ii. 9. Into this he was to enter after his fufFerings, as foretold by the prophets. Hence in his difcourfe with the difciples when rifen from the dead, as they were walking to Emmaus, he faith, *' Ought not Chrift to have fufFered thefe things, and to *' enter into his glory ?" Luke xxiv. 26. Thus dignifi- ed he now fits at the right hand of the throne in the heavens, receiving the honor due to his Majefiy and merit, in the high praifes and adorations of the an<rels and faints, who fl:and before and round about the throne crying, " Salvation to our God which fitteth on the " throne, and unto the Lamb," Rev. vii. o, lo. Again,
2. The power with which our Saviour is inverted,
is another thing implied in this fentence. Thus Jefus
faith, " Ye fhall fee the Son of man fitting on the
G «* right
q8 lectureson
** right hand of power," Markxiv.62. We ha veal ready ieen, that Daniel beheld in a vifion, dominion and a king- dom given him by the Ancient of days, chap. vii. 14. This powerof the Redeemer isfupreme, univerfal and unfpeak- ably great, to the glory of his name, and the joy of his people, as may hereafter be fc^'n. Before his afcenfion the Lord faith, " All power is given unto me in heaven and in (^arth,"Matt. xxviii.18. And weareto]d,Phil.ii.g. that "[God hath highly exalted him, and given him aname ** which is above every name." " He is over all ; yea, *' far above all heavens," Eph. iv. 10. The Father of gloiy hath fet him at his o\\'n right hand in heavenly places, " far above a); principality and power, and might, " and dominion, and every name that is named, not only " in this world, but alfo in that which is to come," Eph. j. 21. Thus, O Chriftian, thy Saviour is ex- alted, "King of kings and Lord of Lords, and made higlier than the lieavens," Heb. vii. 26. This is the real ftate of the afcended Jefus, "who became obe- " dient unto death, even the death of the crofs." And further,
3. His fitting at the right hand of God may denote the fatisfa6lion, joy and pleafure which Jefus has ia communion with the Father. This fituation implies nearnefs, fellowfhip and reft. If the ranfomed find fati&fa6lion and joy in beholding their Father's face in righteoufnefs, and when they awake in his likenefs,Pfalm xvii. 15. how much more muft the Redeemer himfelf be rejoiced in the throne of his glory f This the pro- phet refers to, Pfalm xvi. 11. ** Thou wilt fhew me *' the path of life: In thy prefence is fulnefs of joy:
" at
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 99 ** at thy right hand there are pleafures for ever « more."
Finally, The phrafe ilill further implies his con- tinuance in this glorified ftate. Sitting is a pofture of reft ; and Chrift will remain on his throne till he rifes up and comes forth unto judgment, as the fcriptures abundantly fliew, and our text in particular. So then the feflion of Jefus at the right hand of God imports his illullrious ftate in the heavens, as crov/ned with glory, invefted with power, and filled with fatisfac- tion and joy in the fruition of his Father's ^prefence, and the honors that are paid him on the throne, in which he fliall abide till his fecond appearance. Thus exalted is the Man who died at Mount Calvary, and who, being raifed from the dead, afcended from earth, into heaven. Great is this myftery of godlinefs: Still God manifeft in the flefli is the perfon of our ado- rable Mediator, in whom, at the right hand of the Father, we behold the human nature, indeed in- finitely below the nature of Deity, and unfpeakably in* ferior to that of the angels ; yet wonderfully dignified in honor and power, even far above the heavens them- feives ! Glorious reward of the cruciating forrows and fhame endured on the crofs, when he made his foul an offering for fin ! And how full a vindication is this of the wifdom and juftice of God, in ordaining the flefh of his Son to thofe bitter fufferings, in anfwer to the cavil of unbelievers, who prefume to find fault with the fovereign good pleafure of him who worketh all things according to the counfel of his own will, to the praife of his grace ?
G 2 From
100 LECTURES ON
From this fituation of our glorified Redeemer with the Father, every pretence of his bodily prefence on earth is entirely excluded. The notion of a corporal prefence in the facrament, as the Catholics teach in their dodlrine oftranfubftantiation, is not only abfurd and fhocking, but it is in every fenfe and view abfolutely inconfiftent v/ith the perfon ofChrift, in and by the human nature, being feated at the right hand of God, in the heavenly world, as the fcripture aflerts, for " the heavens muft ** receive, i. e. retain him until the times of the refti- ** tution of all things," Afls iii. 21. From whence he is ready to be revealed ; till then, a conceit of his bodily prefence on earth in any feafon, or under any cirrumftances whatever, is plainly a groundlefs and vain imagination. Neverthelefs, Believer, his promife is fure : This local circumfcription of our Saviour's body, interferes not with that fpiritual prefence he hath encouraged his people to expe£t in his church, and with his minifters to the end of the world. He is God and man ; and as, while on earth, he was in heaven, in refpe^t of his deity, John iii. 13. in like manner he is now, in virtue of the fame divine nature, able to be, notwithftanding the prefent detention of his human nature in the world of glory, with his faints below ac- cording to his word. Wherefore, O Chriftian, whilft thou art looking to Jefus, the author and finiflier of thy faith, now on the throne in the heavens, ex- pert the vifjts of his love. " He is faithful that hath " promifedi" and biefled are they who wait for him.
. LECTURE
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. loi
LECTURE VII.
The Father's concern in exalting his Son, who imme- diately receives the Spirit at his hands ; with the noble end of his continuance on the throne. Re- flexions.
NOTHING yields the believer more fatisfadllon than the glorious ftate of his Redeemer in the heavens ; and his joy is enhanced v/hen he confiders by whom he is placed on the throne. Now it is with this the apoftle begins his account : " Therefore being *' by the right hand of God exalted," A^Sts ii. 33. This he hkewife afierts in another difcourfe : " Him '* hath God exalted with his right hand," chap. v. 31. So then Jefus is crowned by the Father himfelf : He is not only at the right-hand of God, but advanced to this dignity and power with or by the right hand of the Father ; a myftery that demands our peculiar at- tention. We have feen in the preceding ledlure, that the right hand of God is a phrafe metaphorically ufed by the prophet ; and this further appears by the various applications of it in the fubjedl before us. And here I apprehend it denotes the exertion of his power accord- ing to his oath. The right hand of the Lord is his glorious power : *' Thou hafl a mighty arm, flrong ** is thy hand and high is thy right hand," Pfalm G 3 Ixxxix,
102 LECTURES ON
Ixxxix. 13. And from Eph. i. 19, 20. it appears that Jehovah the Father exerted the might of his power in Chrift when he raifed him up to his throne, as he fwore with an oath to David his fervant, ver. 30. And this figurative fentence may alfo allude to the well-known ancient form in fwearing, by a folemn elevation of the right hand to heaven. Thus John faw the angel in a vifion " ftand upon the fea and upon *' the earth, lifting up his hand to heaven, and fwearing " by him that liveth for ever and ever," Rev. x. 5, 6. In like manner it is declared, " The Lord hath fworn " by his right hand and by the arm of his ftrength," Ifa. Ixii. 8. Thus Jefus was railed and placed at the right hand of God far above every name that is named. It was the Father's own a^, in the charadler of judge, by which the triumphant Kedeemer, having made reconciliation for iniquity, was exalted, as agreed on in the covenant of peace : An article df no Jfrnall importance with them who believe. This, allow the expreffion, is the glory of the glorified Saviour. He afllimed not the throne in the heavens, which he fills, but afcended and fat down at the call, and by the power of the moft High. It is true, Chrift is thus highly exalted as the reward of his obedience to death, Phil. ii. 9. His dignified ftate hath a meritorious caufe in himfelf, and is no more than the ftipulated andjuft return for the labour and victory of his crofs, by which he finifhed the work of redemption. Herein our glorious King far exceeds all principalities and powers in heaven or on earth : Who, O thou Prince of life and Lord of glory, is like unto thee ! Who among the fons of the mighty to be compared with
thee I
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 103 thee! Nor gods on high, nor gods below, whether angels or men, have any prerence to this claim ; not the moft illuftrious feraphini, whofe exalted domi- nion in the celeftial world, is neareft o t'eDe'-.y, « an b'oaft his dt f.-rt of the crown that he wears j but Jefus hath an equitable right in the dignity I'.nd pewer he holds; and the honors of his throne proclaim the merit of his blood ! Neverthelefs, we fee he exa'ted not himfelf, but is cloathed with majefty by Jehovah the Father, whofe fervant he was, and in whom accord- ing to the fettlements of infinite wifdom, in the ceco- nomy of man's falvation, the divine right of inveftiture remained. Hail, O Chriftian, thy King and Saviour is" not an ufurper ; he is crowned by authority ; his throne is eilablifhed in righteoufnefs, and it cannot be moved ! This fpreads a joy among his fubje^ls, under which they are ready to triumph, in the lan- guage of the prophet, and fay, " The Lord is our *' judge, the Lord is our law-giver, the Lord is *' our King, he will fave us !" Ifa. xxxiii. 22.
From the authority by which our Saviour is exalt- ed we are led to another inflance of grace. On his appearance in the heavens, a mofl grand and intercftinp- tranfadlion, immediately takes place between him and the Father. This deferves our particular notice. When we confider the mutual complacency of thefe divine perfons each in the other, the infinite delight of the Father in his Son as his eleft fervant, with the fatisfaclion he had in his finifhed work on the crofs, and efpecially if we add, how greatly the Redeemer longed after his glory which he had with his Father, G4 as
104 LECTURES ON
as Mediator, before the foundation of the world, we fhall have reafon to apprehend, that the honor and joy of their meeting in the throne, is not to be fully con- ceived. No doubt, as hinted before, when the King of glory entered, and was faluted by the Father, the heavens refounded with the acclamations of their bleft inhabitants, fhouting the honors of God and of the Lamb. But we are here called to obferve a frefh occa- fion of triumph and praife. No fooner is the great Interceflbr and Head of the church placed at the right band of God, but behold the Father delivers the Spirit into his hands, by whom he is poured forth on the difciples, according to the promife of the covenant, long fince revealed, and engaged for by Jefus him- felf befce he afcended. " Having received of the *' Father the promife of the Holy Ghoft, he hath fhed '* forth this which ye now fee and hear." Adorable fcene ! See how the facred Three are united in fulfilling their covenant-engagements for the falvation of the church ! Here, in a meafure, is unfolded the methods of infinite wifdom : the Father is firft in order and operation in this myftery of grace ; from hence, as from the fountain and head, the Son is fupplied with the Holy Ghnft for the propagation of the gofpel and the gathering in his ele6t. Paufe, my dear Reader, and admire. O this wonderful condefcention and love ! How unfearchable are the judgments of God and his ways of mercy with finners ! " Lord, what is man *' that thou fhouldft be mindful of him, or any of the " fons of men that thou fliouldfl thus vifit them !'■ This is no other than the good pleafure of him who \\'ork.eth all things according to the counfel of his own
wilit
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 105 will. Adore then his fovereign grace ! One branch of Chrifl's glory is his mediatorial fulnefs ; this includes a difpenfation of the Spirit, as a Spirit of grace, for the quickening thofe who are redeemed with his blood. Hence the cholen have been called and fanftified fmce the world began, yea, and the Holy Ghoft, who moved and infpired the prophets of old, was the Spirit of Chrift, I Pet. i. 11. But that which is exhibited in the paffage before us is, the fending forth the Spirit from on high, by whofe operations and miraculous gifts, the laft feai was fet to the authority of Jefus, for the convidlion of the world and the fpread of his king- dom. Glorious fight ! Lo the captain of falvation, of whom it was written in the volume of the book, *' I *' delight to do thy will, O God," being made per- fc£l through fufferings, appears in heaven the advocate of his people ! See him advance in robes of righteouf- nefs, to the Father, as it were with the roll of the cove- nant in his handi ratified in his blood! Behold how he pleads at the throne, and with authority demands the promife of the Holy Ghoft, who immediately proceeds from the hands of the Father into thofe of the Son, and from him to the waiting difciples at Jerufalem ! The effufion of the Spirit was the wonder of thofe who beheld it on earth : »But with what aftonifnment and joy muft the heavenly hoft view the ground and amazing proceiTion ! On this blefled occafion we may reafcnably fuppofe, that the innumerable company of angels, who pry into the myilery of redemption, and rejoice in the converfion of a fmner, with the thoufands of faints who compaffed the throne, wdre filled with admiration, and ready to unite in that new fong, faying
with
io6 L E C T U R E S O N
with a loud voice, " Worthy is the Lamb that was •' flain to receive power, and riches, and wifdom, and *' ftrength, and honor, and glory, and bleffing !"
Thus Jefus fits enthroned in the heavens, having fent forth the holy Spirit of pron^ife. But, how long iball he continue in this glorious fituation ? Now this is declared in ver. 35. " Until I make thy foes ** thy footftool :" Which opens to our view the defign and period of that dignity and power with which the Father hath inverted his Son, our blefled Redeemer. It may be proper here to remark that the glory of Chrift, as head and lord of the eled is eternal, nor will theManChrirt Jefus ever again be humbled or degraded j The Mediator Ihall reign on his throne in the ultimate ftate of happinefs : And indeed whatever difficulties may attend a paflage or two, relating to this divine myftcry, tor inftance his " deliverijig up the king- ** dom to the Father," i Cor. xv. as one juitly obferves, it is ftrange to think that Chrift fhould lay afide his rule as foon as he has fubdued all his foes; befides his people are aiTured of reigning with him for ever in glory, Kom. v. 17. compared with R.ev. xxii. 5. Agreeable to this is* his prayer to his Father, John xvii. 24. *' I will alfo that thofe whom thou *' haft givcii me be with me where I am, that they *' may behold my glory." Neverthelefs the prefent form of his government and kingdom will be altered i the manner of which is not particularly revealed, but from this and other fcriptures, it appears that he will not ever continue in the fame circumftances in which he now fits at the right hand of God ; but that when t|ie end fpecified ia the text is anfwered, he will rife
from
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 107
from his throne and come forth to judgment, with unfpeakable power and glory. The exaltation of Jefus is not alone for himfelf, or merely as the reward of his fufferings, but alfo to apply the vidory of his crofs, to accomplifh the number of his eledt, and to bring down his enerriies under his feet, that he may finifh the myftery of God in the falvation and happinefs of them that obey him. In the phrafe, " Until I make '* thy foes thy footftool," there is a manifefl reference to a well-known cuftom of conquerors ; an example of which we have in the captains of Ifrael, who, at the''' diredion of Jofhua their commander, put their feet on the necks of the five kings they had fubdued at Gibeon. Thus (ball the Captain of falvation tread down all his enemies, and trample them under his feet, as the mire of the flreet, into fliame and everlafting contempt.
But it may be ufeful to enquire, v/ho are the foes pf our bleffed Redeemer .'' Can any one be fo ftupid and bafe as to oppofe his glorious perfon, the grace of whofe office, and whofe condefcention and love in undertaking for finners, with the triumphs of his crofs, challenge our highefc regard ? Sure it muft argue a vile dTpofition, to hate and cppofe the Son of God, " who is the brightnefs of his Father's glory and the ^' exprefs image of his perfon 5" or to reject that Al- mighty Saviour, who is poiTefled of every perfeftion as God and Mediator, and whofe nature and power demand the obedience and love of every creature in heaven or in earth ? An oppofitioii to one fo divinely great, and fo immenfely good, is the height of folly and fnadnefs, and mull proceed from a mind moft wretch- ly depraved ; yet, alas, the enemies of Jefus abound both
on
io8 LECTURESON
on earth and in hell. The fpiritual enemies of Chrift, as the fubftitute of his people, were fin, the curfe of the law, the malice and power of fatan, this evil world, and death and the grave ; thefe arrayed themfelves agalnft him, when, through death, he deftroyed the devil that had the power of death, having put away fm by the facrifice of himfelf ; he overcame them all in the blood of his croG, and virtually put them under his feet ; and accnrding'y the prophet Ifaiah, chap. xiii. reprefents the Meffiali coming from Edom, in dyed garments from Bozrah in apparel, fpkndid and red, as a mitrhty conqueror from the field of battle after a glo- rious victory, ftained with the blood of his enemies. Thus a fure foundation is laid for what follows; when the day of his redeemed is come, then will he tread down the people in his anger, and make them drunk in his fury, and bring down their ftrength to the earth ; then the laft enemy fhall be utterly de- ftroyed, never to wound or hurt any more, but death and hell fhall be caft into the lake of fire.
But the foes more immediately intended, feem the wicked, who finally oppofe the authority and grace of the Redeemer, whether men or devils. It is a hum- bling truth, but all mankind are enemies to Chrift, the ele6l not excepted, though they are chofen by the Father, and the ranfomed of his Son, yet while in an unregenerate ftate, they are enemies in their minds to the way of God's grace in Chrift Jefus to finners ; of wnich S^ul is a remarkable inftance, who, though a chofen veflel of mercy, was before his converfion a deftroyer o( the faith he afterwards preached. And
truly
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 109
truly the oppofition of a vain world to the pure gofpel, is more owing to the natural averfion of the carnal mind than feems generally apprehended j and fome who are called, bewail the pride and obftinacy with which in the time of their ignorance, they oppofed it j but, being enlightened, and made willing by the power of God, they, freely fubmitted themfelves to Jefus as their Lord, and obtained mercy and life at his hands. In like manner all real penitents, even though they have formerly blafphemed the Son of man, {hall be fpared and received, when they who perfift in oppofuig him fhall not efcape his juft indignation, but be miferably abafed under his feet; but the righteous (hall be exalted in his favor.
And if on earth, much more in hell, are to be found inveterate, though impotent foes of the glorious and omnipotent Saviour. It has been fuggefted, that the fall of angels was owing to the envy of fatan againft the throne of God's Son, to which he impioufly afpired. Hence that apoftate fiend, with all the principalities who joined under him in the fatal rebellion, were hurl- ed down to hell by that divine Prince, at whofe glory they prefumed to ftrike. This may be thought a bold conjecture, beyond the line of revelation, and not to be indulged : But we may foberly conclude, that no- thing (hort of an infolent tranfgreflion againft the Ma- jefty of heaven could be an occafion of fo fearful a doom : And we are certain that pride was the con- demnation of the devil and his angels ; but how this curfed root of moral evil took place in the celeftial an- gels, fo highly exalted in the creation, is a myftery ;
we
ito' LECTURES ON.
v/e know they were originally glorious and blefTed, but that now thefe once illuftrious and happy fpirits are moft vile and miferable, infomuch that they are held under chains of darknefs unto a future judgment, by which they fhall be configned to the torments of ever- lafting fire. But it is vain to imagine the way in which thefe apoftate angels were defedled ; be that as it may, we learn from the tremendous fa£l, that no creature is or can be impeccable, and alfo that fin jQiall not go unpunifhed. But what is intimated is, an oppofition to the Son of God, in the charader and work of Mediator : Under which confideration hell is full of his foes. The malice and oppofition of fatan, and the infernal hoft that are with him, are obvious ; nor is it ftrange, fince the Son of God was manifefted to deftroy the works of the devil, and the whole bufinefs of Chrift is to overthrow his kingdom of darknefs; this feed of the woman is to break the ferpent's head, in bringing many fons to glory, whofe de{lru£lion he had conceived. Thus faith the fcriptures, " I will put enmity between thee and the " woman, and between thy fe'fed and her feed ; it «' {hall bruife thy head, and thou fhalt bruife his heel," Gen. iii. 15. There is therefore an eternal enmity be- tween Chrifl: and the devil, an irreconcileable hatred ; and whence arifeth perpetual unwearied and violent attempts, againfi: the authority and kingdom of Jefus; and no doubt thefe are Chrift's foes, whom the Father will fubdue and bring under him ; but the prophet feems to have more immediately in view, thofe his enemies, the children of men, whether of high or low degree, who obftinately perfift unto a final rejedion of
his
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY, in
his authority and grace. However all the powers ia earth or hell, that fet themfelves againft the Re- deemer, (hall be brought down under his feet. This indeed is gradually performed, for judgment v/ill not be finifhed till his people are gathered : 2 Pet. iii. 7. ** The Lord is not flack concerning his promife, -as *' fome men count flacknefs, but is long-fuffering to ** US-ward ; not willing that any fhould perifh, but *' that all fliould come to repentance." But no fooner are the purpofes of grace anfwered by this divine pa- tience, but all things fnall be put under Jefus ; inclu- ding the moil haughty and powerful who now exalt themfelves againft him ; then fnall come to pafs that faying, " Aflc of me, and I will give thee the hea- " then for thy inheritance, and the uttermoft parts of *' the earth for thy poffeflion." Not to f^ive by the efficacy of his gofpel, to which the paiTage is often applied but to deftroy, by the arm of his vengeance, all the difobedient who oppofe him ; as appears from the terms of the prophecy itfelf, Pfalm ii. 9. " Thou " fhalt break them with a rod of iron, thou (halt dafti ' *' them in pieces like a potters vefTel !" See alfo Rev, ii. 27.
Review the profpedl, dear Reader; lo, an afcend- ed Jefus fitting at the right hand of God, crowned with glory and power by Jehovah the Father hlmfelf, from whom we behold him receive the Holy Ghoft, and pour him forth upon his difciples, whofe miracu- lous gifts were feen at Jerufalem, in teftimony of his exalted ftate, in which he will abide until all^ who oppofe him are under his feet j then fliall the Son deli- ver
112 LECTURES ON
ver up the kingdom to the Father, having put down all rule and authority, and prefent his church fauklefs before the prefence of his glory with joy. Thus fhall iflue the prefent adminiftration of his mediatorial work on earth, and he fhall commence the vifible head of the glorified creation in the heavenly world, and con- tinue the medium of communication between God and his people, who will be happy in their union and feliovvriiip with him for ever !
And is Chrift thus exalted ? What then will become of thofe who reject him ! It is impoffible to conceive the diftrefs and confufion that muft attend them who are made his footftool, when he takes vengeance. O the contempt and anguilh of infidels, who finally reject or obftinately rcfufe the Redeemer and his gofpel. Their fhame and mifery will certainly be in proportion to his glory and power as a Saviour and judge. It is the wrath of the Lamb ; wrath infinite as his love, his fufFerings and his merit ! flrange and intolerable ! who can defcribe or endure itj when the Lord fhall defcend from heaven, and the trumpet fhall found, ** Our God fhall come, faith the prophet, a fire fhall *' devour before him, and it fhall be very tempefluous " round about him ; he fhall call to the heaven above, *' and to the earth, that he may judge his people; ** and the heavens (hall declare his righteoufnefs, for ** God is judge himfelf." Hear then, O unbeliever, canfl thou fland before his indignation? canft thou abide the flercenefs of his anger; when his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him ? art thou trampling under foot the blood of
the
PRIxMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 113
the Son of God, or afraid or a(hamed to truft and con- fefs him now before men ? How wilt thou endure to be dragged forth in the prefence of God and his angels, and trodden down among the wicked in the day of his wrath ? No rocks or mountains fhall be able to cover thee. O it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God for defpite of his grace !
But I fpcak to him that believes, and unto whom Jefus is precious. And is it not matter of unfpeakable joy, as an excellent v/riter remarks, to one that loves Chtifl:, * that he is now exalted, glorified, and en- ' throned in an everlafling and immoveable kingdom?' View, O Chrifcian, thy afccnded and glorified Sa- viour I The fcene is opened in fcripture for thine eyes to behold. Contemplate the dignity and power of him that endured the crofs and defpifed the {liame for thy fins. In vain the difciples continued on Mount Olivet, gazing with their natural eyes up to the vifible heavens, through which their Lord was taken out of their fight, and placed on the right hand of God 3 and for this they were juftly reproved: But it is the wifdom, duty and privilege ,of the chriftian to ufe the eyes of his fpiritual underftanding, and through faith behold him that is invifible, crowned with glory and honor, the Fore- runner, Advocate, Prieft and King of his people.
The advantages that arife from a becoming attention to thefe things are many and great. The exaltation of Chrift is to the glory of the Father. If we are duly afFefted with this divine profpeil, it will excite our praifes to him, whofe infinite power, faithfulnefs and H love.
114 LECTURES ON
love, are illuftrioufly difplayed in raifmg up his Son Jcfus Chrift. It will likewife pofTefs us with reverence and efteem for the Saviour himfelf, and make us bow with adoration, as in heaven they caft down their crowns, before his prefence. This alfo refle£ts a glory on the Chriftian profeifion. What an honor to be a difciple of Jefus ! Shall any refufe to own him be- fore men, who is thus highly exalted with God ? Muft not the man who claims a relation to fo dignified an head, have reafon to glory in his crofs, and with Mofes efteem even the reproaches of Chrift, yea and rejoice if he is counted worthy to fufFer for his fake ? Blufh then, O Reader, if confcious that through fear of the fcornful, or of any other trial, thou art neglefbing his orders, and avoiding the open confeflion to his name required in the gofpel ! See Jefus crowned on the throne in his heavenly kingdom ! Behold the thoufands of thoufands that minifter unto him, and the ten thou- fand thoufands that ftand before him. And canft thou be aftiamed of him and his words in the face of his ene- mies, who are foon to be trodden under his feet ?
Again, fhould not this confirm and enliven our hope in a dark and threatening feafon ? God raifed up and glorified his Son, that our faith and hope might be in himfelf, i Fct. i. : i. Since Jefus fits at the right hand of the Father, until his foes are his footftool, fear not, O Believer, he is able to fave thee ! And however the enemies cf Chrift and his gofpel may feem to prevail, and be ready to infult, their triumph is Ihort, thy exalted Redeemer is daily advancing sigainft them. It is indeed a cloudy day when the de-
lufions
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 115
iufions of Mahomet, or heathen idolatry, and grofs fuperftition, fpread over (o confiderable a part of the earth; and efpecialy if we add the abominations of Popery, the infolence of Deifts, and the abounding difor- ders, and many unhappy divifions where the name of chriftianity is known : but in thefe fad circumftances we have this to comfort us, that the adverfaries of Zion are doomed to deftrudion. The Lord reigns, and they who oppofe him muft repent or be ruined, Thefe veffels of wrath are permitted a while, but the day of vengeance is at hand, when all the enemies of Jefus fhall be covered with fhame and perilh for ever.
■ l^iNALLY, Beloved, is the Saviour raifed to this dignity in the heavens ? With what freedom ftiould his people come to the throne of grace for every bleffing, and particularly for the Holy Spirit of promife he hath received of the Father ? Remember that he is thus exalt- ed in public charadter, and in the name of his faints and that his blefTed ftate, is the earned and example of thine, who art virtually raifed and fet together with thy glorified Head : Therefore be of good courage in purfu- ing the vidory given thee. " He is faithful that has *' promifed," faying, " To him that overcometh will I ** grant to fit with me in my throne, even as I alfo *' overcame and am fet down with my Father in his ** throne," Rev. iii. 21.
The End of the Firjl Booh
Ha PRIMITIVE
[ ii6 ]
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. BOOK II.
BEING
Some thoughts on the apoftle's improvement and application of his difcourfe to the Jews on the day of Pentecoft.
LECTURE VIII.
Containing the apoftle's addrefs to his audience in gene- ral. His pundtual defcription of the Saviour. The charge of his murder on the Jews repeated. An earnefl exhortation to confider him as the Lord's Chrift; and the convictions which naturally refult from fuch a perfuafion.
PETER having largely proved, by undeniable teftimony and reafoning out of the fcriptures, the afcenfion and glory of Jefus, clofes his excellent fer- mon v/ith a lively application which Hands on record, and runs in thefe terms, " Therefore let all the houfe *' of Ifrael know afluredly, that God hath made that *' fame Jefus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and *' Chrift," Aas ii. 36.
The
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 117
The words are plainly an inference by v/ay of re. flection, in which this great preacher manifeftly calls upon his audience, without exception, to conuder what he had been faying, and to apply the fame for their conviilion, that they might no longer reje6l the counfel of God againft themfelves, but believe and be faved. Thus the apofilc winds up his difcourfe. And this is the end and method of preaching, owned of God, for the converfion of fmners, A glorious inftance of which is before us. It appears from ver. 14, that the apoftle flood up and delivered himfelf in an earneft and audible manner becoming the occafion ; and there is rea- fon to fuppofe that his fervency rather increafed than de- clined. No doubt, in proclaiming thefe words^ he lift up his voice like a trumpet, and with great boldnefs and zeal ftretched forth his hands and prefled home the confide- ration of the Lhings he had fpoken, on the hearts and confciences of his hearers. The particulars to be noted in this facred paragraph are, the objects addrefTed, the truth which the apoftle advances, and his earneft exhortation to lay it to heart. I ftiall confider each in its order; point out the convi£lions that muft arife from a cordial perfuafion of what is aflerted, and then clofe with a word or two by way of improvement. And,
F'lrJ}^ The proclamation is to the houfe of Ifrael,
i. e. the people of the Jews, fo denominated from their
anceftor Jacob, firnamed Ifrael j the Lord's people,
whom he brought out of Egypt, a chofea feed from
H 3 the
iig LECTURES ON
the loins of Abraham, by Ifaac and Jacob, with whom God eftablifhed his covenant. This people, whofe number was great, are ftiled the houfe of Ifrael, Jacob or Ifrael being the ! immediate parent of the twelve patriarchs from whom the multitude fprang ; who at length profpered into a kingdom, a peculiar trea- fure unto the Lord. Many and gr?at were their privileges; and for a feafon their renown went forth among the heathen for beauty. Unto them be- longed the oracles of God ; and with them were the ordinances of the fan<Stuary, in the midft of whom Jehovah dwelt, while they obeyed his voice and kept his covenant. But, alas, being a flifF-necked and per- verfe generation, they foon and frequently corrupted themfelves to their ruin. And at this time they were in a moft deplorable condition j for being left of God, svhofe wrath was impending, they became vain in their imagination, and were in a manner univerfally blinded ; but ftill there was among them a remnant, ac- cording to the election of grace, Rom. xi. 5. And God had not caft away his people whom he foreknev/ : Neverthelefs we find that Peter's addrefs is to all this houfe of Ifrael , This affords an example of preaching to the end of the world. If a minifter's idea of the Father's ele<3:ion ftraitens him in his report of the gofpe], fp that he cannot moft earneftly befeech every hearer of the word, with an ardent defire aftey his faying acquaintance with Chrift, he feems ynder fome unhappy miftake about this glorious doc- trine of grace. Secret things belong unto God ; and ^her§ is nothing revealed concerning hig counfel, which
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 119
is ajuft exception to our addrelTes and prayers, yea and our warmeft pleadings with each individual, that he receive not the grace of God in vain. Not the unknown eleSi^ but known finners, are the immediate ob- jects of a gofpel-miniftry, in refpeit of its general report. It is true, the great end of this commiflion from heaven is the gathering the chofen and redeemed of the Lord : And this will be the view of him that is employed. Conftraiued by the love of Chrift, his mini- fters are animated to patience and diligence, and, with the apoftle, " can endure all things for the eledl's fake, " that they may obtain the falvation which is in him^ " with eternal glory," 2 Tim. ii. 10. Neverthelefs, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And a fervant of Jefus hath not, nor can he have any rational or war- rantable ground for refpedl of perfons in his miniftry, but is to preach the word indefinitely j and labour, if by any means, every one may repent and receive re- miffion of fins, and by fubmitting himfelf to the Lord, obtain life eternal. This is the example of Peter. Indeed he was the apoftle of the circumcifion, and fent to the loft ftieep of the houfe of Ifrael, and there- fore applies himfelf direflly to the Jews, among whom he knew there was a chofen feed ; yet his exhortation is univerfaly extended : " Let all|the houfe of Ifrael know." Nor have we any reafon to doubt but that his heart's de- fire,like that of Paul for Ifrael was, (without exception) that they might be fa ved. Thatman who doth not fincerely defire, and earneftly endeavour after the final happinefs of all who attend him, and accordingly direct his dif- CQurfe to the heart and confcience of every hearer, feems H 4 under
120 L E C T U R E S O N
under a prejudice, and comes fliort of the fample given
of thole who preached the word from the beginning.
Secondly f The truth the apofde remonflrates to thefe unbelievers for fubftance is this, namely, that Jefus was the Chrift, the Son of God, and the King of Ifrael j or, as he himfelf on a certain occafion confeiFed, faying, *' Thou art Chrifl the Son of the living " God," John vi. 69. He declares and urgeth it upon 'them, that "God hath made that fame Jefus whom " ye have crucified, both Lord and Chrift." Note,
I. His punflual defcrlpticn of the Mefliah, "That *' fame Jefus." It is of great importance to know the perfon of the Saviour, not indeed in a natural v/ay or after the fleih, as the Jews knew him when they cruci- fied and ^,Q\Y him, or as the apoflles difcerned him alive from the dead, and thereby becan e qualified, as we have feen, to witnefs his refurreclion. Henctk^rth Chrift is no more known after this manner ; but a fpiritual knowledge of his perfcn is needful to a cordial depen- dence upon him. A man may trufl; him that is v.nfeen^ but no man can depend on an objev5l unknown: And accordingly we {\\\^ that an underftanding in the per- fon of ChriiL is given to them that believe : " He hath *' given us an underPianding in him that is true," John V. 20. The apoftle's dchgn is not only to con- vince the Jews of their guilt, but likewife to fhew them, that in this fame Jefus, and in no other, falvation is found, and this with a view to their converfion. In like planner every true believer knows who the Lord's Chrift
is;
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN ITY. 121 is ; he hath a true underftanding in the perfon of his Redeemer j nor will any faith fupport its fubje6l in an hour of temptation, and efpecially in the views of eter- nity, but that which is accompanied with a certain knowledge of him in whom his confidence is placed ; But the chriftian is abundantly fatlsfied in this, and there- fore can rejoice, as the apoftle, when his departure is at hand, and fay, " I know whom I have believed, and *' I am perfuaded that he Is able to keep that which 1 ** have committed unto him againft that day," 2 Tim. i. 12. The faithful are not alike in the degrees of their knowledge, but each believer hath a true acquaintance with him whom he truds j he is fo far enlightened as to know and be perfuaded that his Saviour is the Son of the living God. If the experience of the faints in this point of knowledge Is fubflantially the fame, which cannot with reafon be doubted, then according to the pafiage in John before mentioned, they all know that the Son of God is ccme, I. e. was manifcited in the flefh, and that this his Son Jefus Chrill Is the true God and eternal life. This knowledge Includes a true Idea of theconflitutionof his wonderful perfon, as God-man; for though an ordinary chriflian, at leaft fomefuch, may not be clearly led Into every circumftance relating to the ineffable union of thefe infinitely diflant natures in the perfon of the Mffliah, or be capable of difcourfino- with judgment on this fublime fubje6V, yet the faith of God's people Is fo grounded in the perfon of their Re- deemer, that it cannot exiil without a true acquain- tance therewith. His deity and humanity are therefore known to believers, the leaft of whom is perfuaded that Jefus is Immanuel, " God with us ;" and he is like- wife
122 LECTURES ON
wife confident of this, that his Saviour is that fame Jefus who fufFered without the gates of Jerufalem, even the felf-fame perfon who was crucified at Mount Calvary. This is what Peter points out in the ftrong- eft manner to his hearers, that he, whom God hath made both Lord and Chrift, is that fame Jefus, even that felf-fame individual perfon whom they had flain on the crofs, and no other. And this knowledge is con» tained in the faith of the chofen. But,
2. Observe with what freedom he repeats his charge on thefe- Jerufalem finners ; *' Whom ye have cruci- *' fied." This indeed may be confidered as a part of the defcription given of the Lord's Chrift ; but I ap- prehend that the apoftle had a further view. He feems to be exceedingly earneft after their repentance ; and therefore to awaken them, takes the opportunity of rehearfing their crime, that being deeply convinced of their horrid and inexpreflible guilt, they might on due encouragement be prepared to look on him whom they had pierced, and mourn. This gofpel-minifter longed after the converfion of his hearers, and would fain have them fee their wretched condition, and the eternal mifery before them, that they might flee to Jefus, and efcape wrath to come. And in this he purfued the counfel of God with refpeft to many that heard him, as appears by the fequel, to the joy and furprize of this faithful fervant of the Lord, who, it is highly prooable, little expedled the glorious harveft he reaped in the end ; but of that in its place. Sinners are for the moft part hardened in unbelief, and have weed to be told again and again of their evil ; and
affedionate
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 123
affe6lionate minifters, who watch for their fouls> will repeat their remonftrances with a view to convince them J they will cry aloud, and fpare not to fhew unto them their tranfgrefiions and their fins, that if God peradventure fhould awaken them to a fenfe of their folly and danger, and give them repentance unto the acknowledgement of the truth, they may recover them- felves and be plucked as brands from the fire. Thus Peter having fet forth the glory and power of the exalt- ed Saviour, fixes the attention of the Jews on him, whom they had crucified, as the Lord's Chrift, fhew- ing that he was no other than that felf-fame perfon whom they had defpifed and wickedly murdered. This their blood-guiltinefs he repeats, and as it were rings in their ears, that, being duly and deeply alFe£led with their ruined ftate, they might repent and be faved. We may juftly admire the wifdom, faithfulnefs and compaflion of this great man of God. How worthy the imitation of all unto whom is com- mitted the gofpel of peace, and the care of immortal fouls ! O that fuch preachers abounded ! Once more,
3. We are to note the pofitive manner in which the apoftle declares the authority of Jefus. He aflerts it with the utmofi: boldnefs and confidence. This is no conjecture, however probable, but a certain unde- niable fadl. He, that fame Jefus whom ye have cru- cified, is made, and made by God, both Lord and Chrift. To be made is to be created or conftituted hf authority. So was Jefus to the office of Mediator, wnto which thefe charadters belong. He was made \>y the Father from whom he received his authority ;
it
124 L E C T U R E S O N
it was he called and created him in the eternal counfel of peace. Hence Il'a. xlii. i. *' Behold my fervant •' whom I uphold, mine ele6l in whom my foul de- *' lighteth," And again, " I was fet up from ever- *' lafting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." Prov. viii. 23. And accordingly our Lord, John xvii, 5, fpeaks of a glory v/hich he had with the Father before the world was. So then Jefus was ordained and fet up in the high office of Mediator, not upon his incar- nation, but from the beginning, even from everlafting was he made, by a fpecial conftitution according to the infinite wifdom of God, that he might accomplifh th? purpofe of his grace in bringing many fons to glory; and wiih this {lands connected his appointment to a kingdom, unto which the Father flood engaged to exalt him when he had finiflied his work upon earth. Thus was he created to this dignity and power in the covenant of redemption befc^re the foundation of the world. But to be made fignifieth more than to be appointed, ordained or conftituted : it may intend alfo his being manifeft or openly invefted with autho- rity; and from the fcope of the place, we are led to confider it here in this fenfe. The apoflle plainly de- figns that God had ai^iually and evidently invefted Jefus with the majefly and power which belonged to the MejTiah, as prophefied of old, and that now he was undoubtedly and vifibiy both Loid and Chrift. It remains to confider.
Thirdly, The apoftle's folemn andearneft exhortation to receive the truth in their heart. " Let all the houfe <* of Ifrael know afTuredly." To know afTuredly is
to
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 125
to be perfuaded without hefitation : And by this phrafe, Peter doth not fo much report the truth as ftir up the Jews to embrace it. When tlie princes of the earth fend forth their heralds with a * be it known unto all
* men,' every man is called upon, not barely to hear or credit the report, but alfo and chiefly to confider and obey it; it is an authoritative fentence demanding the aflent, perfuafion and conformity of their fubje(3:s: In like manner, this gofpel-minifter, having proved that Jefus was the Chrift and Lord of all, in his name calls with authority on thefe men of Ifrael to a furc belief and full perfuafion of what he had declared him to be, and a fubmiflion to him as fuch. q. d. * O }'e '" men of Judea, and all ye that dv/ell at Jerufalem,
* harden not your hearts, do not perverfely rejefl this
* word of falvation. Lo, that fame Jefus whom ye
* crucified, God hath raifed up, whereof we are all
* witneffes, and fo is the Holy Ghoft, in this which ' ye now fee and hear. He is therefore doubtlefs exalt-
* ed. No longer queftion his power in heaven and « earth, but aflure yourfelves that this fame Jefus is « indeed both Lord and ChriH.'
This practical knowledge and credit, demanded by the apoftle on the evidence given, is of the operation of God. It is not indeed truly and properly or at leaft not the whole of faving faith, by which the fubjefl: as a loft finner, encouraged by the promife of free and rich grace, being affifled by the Spirit, trufts his foul in the hands of the almighty Redeemer, and relieth upon him for life; yet furely this perfuafion cometh ©f him that calleth the faints, and is owing to a divine
agency
126 L E C T U R E S O N
agency. When the gofpel comes not in word only but in power, and in the Holy Ghoft, then it comes, faith the apoftle, in much afTurance, and ifTues in converfion, i ThelT. i. 5. The native blindnefs and perverfe unbelief, under which the natural man is held, will not permit him to entertain this full perfua- fion of the authority of the glorified Jefus : and with refpe<a: to the Jews, who had been guilty of his blood, they were highly prejudiced, and under the ftrongeft temptations, to difown him whofe vengeance they had reafon to dread, if invefted with power; fo that all the force of the apoftle's reafoning muft have been infuffi- cient without the intervention of his divine arm, who can open the heart at his pleafure; and accordingly we find that, though many believed through grace, yet it feems the far greater part of his numerous au- dience remained unperfuadeable and obeyed not the truth. Many are convinced from external evidence, that the fcriptures are true ; they are morally perfuaded of their veracity, and credit what they relate, and confequently believe in this fenfe, that Jefus of Naza- reth who was crucified, revived, afcended to glory, and fits at the right hand of God ; but, alas, what is their knowledge ! It is all fuperficial and heartlefs ; they dread not his wrath, nordefire his falvation; they are not afFe£led with the gofpel-report, " He that be- ** lieveth ftiall be faved, and he that believeth not *' ftiall be damned." A general notion of being faved by Chrift, without any regard to an experience of fincere repentance and faith, tends only to prove the fubje£t under a fingular and dangerous hardnefs j but where a full and cordial perfuafion ©f the power of
Jefus,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 127 Jefus, as the Lord's Chrift, to fave his people and to deftroy his enemies takes place, the fubje£l will feel a painful concern about his own eternal welfare, and be ready to cry out, as in the inftance before us. What mufti do? or "What /hall I do to be faved ?" And this will appear when we confider, as propofed, the convictions that muft arife from fuch a perfuafion. And,
I. A perfuafion of this will convince the fubje£l that Chrift is a Saviour indeed. On the birth of Jefus, you know, the angel declared to the fhepherds, faying, *' Unto you is born in the city of David, this day, 2 *'" Saviour, which is Chrift the Lord," Luke ii. 11, To the fame purpofe faith Paul, *' Of this man's, i. e, " David's feed, hath God, according to his promife, " raifed unto Ifrael a Saviour, Jefus," A6ls xiii. 23. Thus if God hath truly made this fame Jefus both Lord and Chrift, he is furely a Saviour mighty and great: His power, dignity, and all-fufficiency are not to be queftioned. It is for want of believing from the heart this divine authority of Jefus, that any diftruft or defpife him. If a man is poffefled of this knowledge of faith, that God hath indeed invefted Jefus Chrift with all power in heaven and earth, he muft be convinced that he is able to anfwer his charaCler. And under this convi«5tion, he would certainly either fear his in- dignation or truft in his name. Where this conviflion takes place, there can be no difpute, no, not a mo- ment's hefitation, but that Jefus is able to fave them that come to God by him, and that all others, who obey
not
128 LE C T U R E S O N
not the gofpelj fhall be accounted his enemies and made his footftool. Again,
2. This perfuafion will alfo convince a man that Jefus is the only Saviour. There cannot be two of this fupreme dignity. If this fame Jefus is Lord and Chrift, there can be no other. Some modern Jews, being prefTed with the evidence of the fufferings and death of Jefus of Nazareth, as exactly and fully anfwering the prophefies concerning the MelTiah, in order to uphold their vain expe61ation of one yet to come, have in- vented to themfelves a norion of their being two of that charader, one to fufier, another to reign, or to fave and deliver them. This vain conceit, as one juftly ftiles it, fhews their, perverfe unbelief, and how miferably blinded and hardened they are ! O when fhall the veil be taken away ! but nothing can be more falfe and abfurd, being deftitute of reafon and contrary to fcripture : " There is but one Mediator between " God and man, the man Chrift Jefus," i Tim. ii. 5. And whoever confiders that office, and the manner in which it is executed, will find that there can be only one of this diftinguifhing charafier. He only who being made perfect through fufferings, became the author of eternal falvation, lives at the right hand of God, to deliver his people and bring them to glory. In the nature of the thing there can be but one whom God hath exalted to this dignity : He therefore who afiuredly knoweth that Jefus is that perfon who fuftains this power by divine authority, muft be convinced of what Peter declares, A£ls iv. 11. namely, "that fal- " vation is in no other, neither is there any name
under
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 129
*' under heaven given among men whereby we muft be *^ faved." It follows,
3. That from this knowledge in the heart, there will arife a convi6lion that every man muft either perifh under the adminiftration of Jefus, or be faved by his blood. He that is afTured in his mind, that God hath made Jefus both Lord and Chrift, and that confequently he is the all-fufficient and only Savioyr and judo;e, be- ing confcious of his own guilt, cannot fail of feeing, that without a fubmiflion to and intereft in him, he fhall cer- tainly perifti. Hence this knowledge will prove efFe61ual torender the fubjedl anxious about his eternal ftate, fo as to become an earneft enquirer after obtaining this falvation, being fenfible of his danger, anddiftrefled in his foul while in a ftate of uncertainty. Thus the word coming with power unto many of thefe Jerufalem- finners, they were immediately convinced of their mifery and danger; and being pricked in the heart, with the utmoft eagernefs and anguifti of fpirit, they fay unto Peter, and to the reft of the apoftles, " Men •' and brethren^ What fhall we do ?"
LECTURE
I30 LECTURES ON
LECTURE IX.
Being notes and refle^iions on Peter's proclama- tion and addrefs in the clofe of his fermon to the Jews.
IN the foregoing letSlure we confidered the winding up of the apoftle''s difcourfe at Jerufalem ; It con- (ifts in a remonftance, by way of refle(3:ion, in which he excites his audience, the Jews, to confider the refult of what he had proved concerning Jefus of Nazareth whom they had crucified ; and calleth upon them, in a moft folemn and earneft manner, to " know afluredly" that God had made that fame Jefus both Lord and Chriftj, A perfuafion of this, we have feen, muft needs con- vince the fubje<5i: that Chrift is a Saviour indeed^ and the only Saviour of finners j and confequently that he is undone without an intereft in him. Such was the cfFedt of Peter's exhortation, by the blefling of God, on many of his hearers. Now this being the firft fer- mon publicly preached in the name of the Lord after his afcenfion, it is doubtlefs the moft primitive pattern of preaching ; we are therefore naturally led to turn our thoughts on thofe points which more immediately concern that divine inftitution j in refe- rence to which the following particulars deferve our attention.
I, That
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 131
I. That the conftitution and authority of Jefus, in the character of Mcffiah, is a principal fubjea of the gofpel-miniftry. The divine authority of Jefus is of the utmoft importance ; without a full fatisfaclion here- in no man can truft him: The leaft hefitation in this point leaves the fubjea: incapable of embracing a cruci- iied Redeemer J for he that is in good earneft about his falvation, will never confide in one whofe authority is doubtful. Our Saviour declares, concerning his difci- pies, faying to his Father, " I have given them the " words which thou gaveft me, and they have received *' them, and have known furely that I came out from *' thee, and they have believed that thou didft fend " me," John xvii. 8. A full afilirance of his divine miilion was the ground of their confidence in him : In like manner he that receives the word of the gofpel into his heart, and comes to Chrift for life, comes to him under a full perfuafion that God hath invefled this fame Jefus, whom he trufts, with the power of a Sa- viour ; without this there can be no faith, it being need- ful to awaken in the mind a due concern about an intereft in Chrift, and to engage a finner's dependence upon him : the apoftle therefore, with great propriety, urges this point on the Jews, to convince them of their danger, and of the pov/er of Jefus to fave, that they might not, through unbelief, perifh in their fins. This example fhould be followed by the minifters of the o-of- pel ; they are to be much employed in opening thofe fcriptures that relate to the Father's appointment of his Son to the office he bears, that their hearers, knowing that Jefus is the Chrift, and that he is exalted by the I 2 right
132 LECTURES ON
right hand of God, to fave or to deftroy, may fee the the infinite importance of an intereft in him, and be erxouraged to truft him. In this way faith comes by hearing, through the power of the Holy Ghoft, by pofleiTing the fubje£^, with an evidence to his confcience that Jefus is indeed the Lord's Chrift, and able to fave to the utermoft them who come unto God by him : In want of which convi6iion, fome hearers of the word, with their heads full of orthodox nouons, feem carelefs, and are little ccncerned about repentance unto life; but where this knowledge reacheth the heart, a man will not content himfelf fhort of being fare in this only and almighty Lord and Saviour of finners. This being the ilate of the cafe, moft certainly it is a capital branch of a preacher's bufmefs, to lay open the counfel of God in the conftitution of his Son.
Again, we may note, that it becomes the mini- flers of Chrift to exhort and excite them that hear, unto a believing application of the things that are fpoken. Peter, you fee, having proved from fcripture the dignlry and power of the afcended Redeemer, clofes his fermon in a warm and lively addrefs to the Jews ; wtiereby he labours to convince them of the glory of Chrift as Lord of all, and as the anointed of God, that being duly afFeded with his authority and grace, they might believe on him unto life everlafting. If this may be deemed an example, it is not unbecom- ing the minifteis of the word to go farther than a bare, however judicious report of the things which belong to the gofpel of Chrift, and proceed to open the counfel of God, and to excite their audience to
confider
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 133
confider the reality and importance of what they have heard, that being fully perfuaded, they may believe and be faved. The fcriptures abound with the like famples of preaching; and indeed, fo duli are man- kind, that the warmeft addrefles to the heart and con» fcience are needful as a means of awakening perfons to apply the word to themfelves : and accordingly we find this account from the great apoftle of the Gentiles, ** Now then, fays he, we are ambaffadors for Chrift, *' as though God did befeech you by us ; we pray " you in Chrift's flead, be ye reconciled to God," 2 Cor. V. 20. Nothing I think can be more evident, than that thefe firft and great preachers did not leave the people in a cold and lifelefs manner, or without ■ attempting to afFedt their hearts with what they de- livered.
I am fenfible, that while fome have little regard to the judgment of their hearers, and make the paflions a firft and principal objedl of addrefs, fome others have condemned all endeavours to touch the afFe6lions, and would confine the preacher to a naked expofition, or bare report of the truth, with its evidence from fcrip- turej applications are reprefented as favouring of the creatures ability, yea and as intruding on the work of the Spirit, whofe office, fay they, is to apply his own grace. To obviate this prejudice, I fhall endeavour briefly to (hew the propriety of addreffing the con- fciences of men, according to this original pattern, and its confiftency with the fpiritual impotence of fallen man, and confequently with the abfolute need of a di- vine agency, in order to his faving advantage,
I 3 T«
134
LECTURES ON
To ftir up the hearers of the word by way of re- flexion, and to ufe every fober means of perfuafion, whereby, under the blefling of God, their hearts may be affe£ted with the truth, to the profit of their fouls j is not only fuited to the nature of man, but alfo exa£tly agrees with the method of our Lord and hisapoftles; and if, as hath been complained, any are unguarded^ and feemingly inconfiftent with ajuft idea of the truthj in attempting to copy the example, can this be a fuffi- cient excufe for laying afide or rejetfling the natural and ancient means of edification ? nor is the agency of the Spirit, in an effeftual application of the gofpel, a cogent objeilion to the preacher's addrefling the con- fcience of his hearer ; unlefs it be admitted againft ex- pounding of the fcriptures to enlighten his under-^ irandino^ ; for except a man is taught of God, he is in- capable of difcerning the things of his Spirit: So that f)n this pretence, all kind ©f preaching may be cenfured as ufelcfs, and indeed every means of knowledge and convidtion refufed, fince there is no branch of the mi- nfftry^ the fuccefs of which doth not abfolutely depend on the power of the Holy Ghoft : But moral endea- vours to inform the judgment, and to touch the hearts of a chrillian audience, are equally juft, agreeable to the tefiimony of God, and perfectly confident with the office of the Spirit, who alone cap efFedtually teach the children of men.
Vap.ious are the talents of preachers, and alfo the occafions and circumftances which may occur in the courfe of their miniftry, Thefe, with their difpofition
under
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 155
under the guidance of the Spirit, who directs the hearts of his fervants at his pleaiure, hath a prevailing influ- ence in the method they take in difcourfing on the kingdon^ of God ; nor do I more than recommend the iuftance before us as, what I apprehend, a genuine ftandard of preaching ; I hope this may be allowed, and efpecially fmce it pleafed the Lord to honor the pattern with fo great and wonderful fuccefs ,
The example is clear. Peter preaching to the Jews, proves from the fcripture, that he whom they had crucified, and who was raifed from the dead, Vi^as indeed the Meffiah foretold by the prophets; and hav- ing fo done, though his audience confided of the mod: hardened and guilty perfons, who, in all appear- ance, were held under the power of fin and unbelief, he winds up h's difccurfe in an affeiSiionate addrefs to this obftinate and perilling multitude, calling on all, and every one to reflect on the things he had fpokent In this clofing application he evidently points out a plain truth, which refults from the confideration of what he had alledged, namely, that this fame Jefus was manifeftly both Lojd and Chrift, and earneftly be- feeches them to receive it. In like manner our Lord himfelf, and the difciples he fent in the courfe of hrs life, laboured to convince thofe who attended their miniftry. It appears from the facred hiftory, that they went forth expounding the fcriptures, to open the underftanding and rectify the judgment of their hearers; and from thence proceeded to infer, exhort and excite them, that, through grace, the dodrines they taught, being mixed with faith, might be duly I 4 applied
136 LECTURES ON
applied and reduced to experience and practice. This method alfo runs through the whole apoftolic mini- ftration ; and though, as obferved, there will be a great variety in the manner of preachers, I cannot but think that way which confifts with this general plan moft agreeable to the defign of a gofpel-miniftry, which is to irradiate the underftanding, and likewife to affedi the heart, both which are needful. To aim at moving the pallions, without informing the judg- ment, or a full perfuafion of the truth ; and on the other hand to reft in a bare report of the doftrines revealed in the bible, in a ne2^1e£l: of perfonal applica- tion and addrefling the confciences of men, that they may be fuitably impreffed with the things that are fpoken, feem equally wrong; the one has a tendency to flatter perfons with an hope grounded in their own imaginations rather than the teftimony of God, which is vain ; and the other to fill them with a conceit of themfelves, on account of their notions of the gofpel, without any regard to the fruits of that faith which is of the operation of God : In each cafe the fubjedt de- ceives himfelf J and therefore whatever tends to che- rifh either, fliould be avoided as unfriendly to the inte- reft of real religion. In a word, from the ftate of the natural man, and from univerf^l experience, it is clear, that the moft judicious explanations or fervent addreffes, which the ableft preacher on earth can deliver, are in- fufficient of themfelves to enlighten or enlarge the mind of a hearer. And with me it is no lefs certain, that from the beginning, the minifters of Chrift, by reafon- ing out of the fcriptures, and by a particular and ear- ned
MITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 137
neft application to their audience, fought to convince them and bring them to the obedience of faith. Once more,
3. This inftance proves that gofpel-minifters fhould, under no pretence whatever decline their utmoft en- deavours to convert any perfon or people, however notorious their infidelity and wickednefs. It may be ufeful to confider this point, left by any means our own carnal reafon and foolifh miftakes give the enemy advantage, through a negle6l of the fouls committed to cur charge in a private or public capacity. If fingular hardnefs, infidelity and guilt, rendered the fhameful fubjefts unmeet for the attempts of a gofpel-minifter, Peter had never taken fuch pains to awaken and con- vince thefe blood-guilty fmners. Men, who, in con- tempt of all the miraculous and undeniable teftimony from heaven, in favour of the holy Jefus, notwith- ftanding the light and convI£lIon they had received concerning his being a man approved of God, yet for envy in malice betrayed and murdered him ; men that were hardened in their infidelity, and had ,no remorfe for this great wickednefs, but contiimed to refift the Holy Ghoft, infomuch, as that many of them had been mocking at his extraordinary gifts ; I fay, the apoftle would not have laboured to convince thefe feemlngly abandoned tranlgreflbrs, if the vileft of men were to be left in defpair. When the defcendents of thofe who fear God, caft away the cords of a religious education, or when fuch, in .vhom convictions have been raifed, quench the light they have received , and become openly licentious and wicked, having turned
their
J38 L E C T U R E S O N
their backs on the ways of God, or it may be fet their months and face s againft heaven, their confciences fecm to be fi.-arcd, and their condition is truly deplorable and dano-erous, we may well tremble for them, left, being given up of God, they finally rejedl his counfel to their ruin I Neverthelefs their cafe is not defperate, jicither are even fuch to be excluded from the means of falvation. ^
Christ came to favc firlners ; nor is any finner be- yond the reach of hio arm. The miniftration of his word therefore waits the pleafure and power of God without refpe£^ of perfons. A defpifed gofpel indeed hath been taken away, and the candleftick removed out of his place. Hence a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and the people perifh for lack of know- ledge, which is awful to confider; but where the kingdom of heaven is continued, no degree of infide- lity or wickednefs fl:iould difcourage or prevent the mi- nifters of Jefus from ftrivlng after the converfion of men. No nation under heaven was ever more cor- rupt and guilty than the Jews at tliis time, and efpe- cially the inhabitants of their capital city; and yet we find the difciples went forth, as the Lord had com- manded, and preached repentance and remiiTion of fins in his name, beginning at Jerufalem, as in the in- flance before us. And foall it ever be thought that any man's wickednefs can render him unmeet for the miniflry of the gofpel ?
It is wrong then to fay of this or the other perfon, be is fo hardened in unbelief, and a wretch fo abandon- ed
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 139
cd to his lufts, that it is in vain to reafon with him on fin, or righteoufnefs, or judgment to come, or to de- clare unto him the power and glory of Jefus. This favours of ignorance, felf-fufficiency, and a diftruft of that power which alone can fubdue the tranfgrefTor : Is the divine arm fhortcned that it cannot fave ? Shall man determine the counfel of God, or fet bounds to his grace ? When under any temptation we think or fpeak thus, do we noc forget the fuccefs which attended the preaching of the gofpel, even among thofe who murdered the Saviour, that the vefiels of mercy zre unknown to us, and that the converfion of a finner is by the power of God, accompanying the perfuafion of the preacher ?
In fhort, the miniftraticn of the gofpel proceeds on thofe principles which warrant and oblige, yea, and encourage thofe who are employed therein to preach to, and plead with the greateft tranfgreffors, and moft: perverfe unbelievers, if peradventure God will grant them repentance to the acknov/ledgement of the truth. The vileft finner, or the moft obfcinate infidel is within the reach of omnipotent grace : The Lord's people fliall be willing in the day cf his power^ and his fer- vants fhall find their labour fhall not be in vain in him. But if any are permitted to harden thcmfeives to their defl:ru6lion, faithful minifiers are unto God a fweet favour of Chrift in them that are faved and in them that perifh. To the one they are *' a favour of " death unto death, and to the other a favour of life " unto life. And who is fufficient for thefe things ?'* 2 Cor. ii. 15, 16.
Thu8
140 LECTURESON
Thus then, by the manner in which Peter fmiflsed his famous and ruccefsful difcouric to the Jews, we Jearn that the conftitution and authority of Jefus, in the character of the Mefiiah> is a princjp^a fubje^l of a gofpel-miniftryj that it belongs to that miniftraiion carnelliy to exhort and flir up all that hear, unto a believing application of the things that are fpoken. And further, that the minifters of Chrift are not to withhold their endeavour after the converfion of the moft notorious tranfgrefTors.
And now, my d<!ar Reader, permit me, after this iioble example, to exhort and befeech thee. Art thou carelefs and unconcerned about the falvation publifhed in the gofpel ? Know thou that this fame Jefus whom we preach, and who was crucified without the gates of Jerufalem, is alive from the dead, and is made of God both Lord and Chrift. O that thine heart was polFeffed of this affurance, and no longer capable of a moments eafe without an intereft in this only and almighty Saviour ! Satan Waits to fuggeft thofe imae;i- nations which may prevent the important convidtion ; and when it takes place, thy own carnal reafon, .and the feeds of infidelity, which grow in thy flefh, will if poffible extinguifli it. But there is not the leaft ground to hefitate that the Father hath indeed raifed up his Son Jefus, and fet him at his own right hand, until his Uxs are his footftool. The efFufion of the Spuit, the fprtad of the gofpel, the fearful deftrudlion of the city and temple at Jerufalem, and the prefent ^ifpcrfed ftat€ of the Jews, are ifjconteftible proofs that
Jefus
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 141
Jefu3 is exalted ; and as fure as he ever exlftied on earth, and is paffed into heaven, fo certain it is that 'he is the only Saviour, authorized of God to judge the quick and the dead at his appearance and icir^gdom. How miferable then muft thou be, if in the end thou art found among them who obey not the gofpel t k availed not thcfe Jews to be of the houfe of Ifrael, neither will it ftand thee in ftead to be a nominal chriftian,' if thou art not a true worfhipper ofChri'fl: as thy Lord and Saviour. Deceive not thyfelf; the wrath of the Lamb will furely come down on all un- believers and tear them to pieces. There is none t^ deliver. Thou wilt therefore find it a certain and €t-ernal truth ; it is the fum of the gbfpeL, Mark xvi. 16. " He that believeth and is baptized fhall be " faved, but he that believeth not fliail be damned."
But haft thou, Beloved, feen the Lord's Chrift ? and is he the object of thy trufl: ? How precious this truth ! With reverence and joy behold this fame Jefus who died for thy fins, and who defpifed the fname of the crofs, now openly inverted and highly exalted univerfal Lord, thy Lord, and thy God ! Fear not, though "in many temptations, thy King is able to fave thee ; he lives to defend thee in life, to preferve •thee in death, and to bring thee fafe to his heavenly kingdom. And is he thy Lord ? Then worftiip thou him. Nothing can more loudly demand thy profciTed fubje^lion to gofpel-appointments. Haft thou never yet publicly devoted thyfelf to Jefus and confefled to his name ? How canft thou believe him made of the i^'atber Lord and Chrift, and withhold thy obedience,
or
142 LECTURES ON
or omit what he hath commanded ? Doth thy con- fcience accufe thee of this ? Blulh and repent, think how ungrateful and prefumptuous it is to negledl the orders of thy Redeemer who is enthroned in the heavens, and before whom thou muft fhortly appear ! Alfo hear what the Father faith, " Yet have I fet my " King on my holy hill of Zion," Pfalm ii. 6. And attend to the honor he pays him, " Thy throne, O " God, is for ever and ever; a fceptre of righteouf- *' nefs is the fceptre of thy kingdom!" Heb. i. 8. And wilt thou not bow in the name of this Jefus ? or wilt thou refufe to own his authority in the fight of the world ? Surely it becomes thee my Friend, to adore and ferve thy dignified Saviour, " who is over all *' God bleffed for ever. Amen." #
Tilje End of the Second Book,
PRIMITIVE
[ H3 1
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY, BOOK IIL
IN WHICH
The wonderful fuccefs of tke apoflle's firll fermon at Jerufalem, is particularly confidered and improved.
LECTURE X.
Shewing the ftate of their hearts who fell under con- virion. By what means they were awakened ; and the method they took, for relief,
ISAIAH complains, in reference -to the Jews, faying, " Who hath believed our report ?" Yet it was not in vain that the word of the Lord was preached at Jerufalem. Peter had no fooner finifhed his difcourfe, but, !o, many of his hearers appeared deeply affected, jnfomuch that they cry out in the midft: of the afiembly. Their acclamation was not like the found of enthuftafts, who, under a falfe impreffion, have been fornetimes found to fcream and tofs in a wild and frantic manner: No } but being awakened to a juft fenfe of their mifery, they make a fober, though an earned and anxious en- quiry fuited to their deplorable condition. The ac- count
144 LECTURESON,
count is as follows, and is recorded, A(fts ii. 37. *' Now when they had heard this, they were pricked *' in their heart, and faid unto Peter, and to the reft *' of the apoftles, Men and brethren, what fliall we « dor"
In this hiftorical paflage an amazing fcene is prefent- cd J thoufands of finners awakened in an inftant, alike fmitten, as the Ifraelites in the wildernefs ; every one wounded, lifting up their voice, as one man, in the prefence of a multitude who attended the apoilles. How aftonifhed the audience, to behold and to hear fo many perfons, in the utmoft diftrefs, befeeching his minifters whom, but a few weeks before, they had crucified as an impoftor ! Here then is another external evidence to the men of Judea, proving the divine miflion and glorious ftate of Jefus, in whofe name the difciples appeared. An extraordinary event this, at- tended with peculiar circumftances : But the eJfFe<5bs of God's grace are fubftantially the fame in every fubje6l of his power. One convinced fmner may be more and longer terrified under a fenfe of his guilt than another; but no real penitent is altogether a ftranger to the dif- trefs which filled the hearts of thefe Jews ; he is not without a tafte of this forrow : And every convert has been compelled, as it were, to the fame enquiry : in anfwer to which, he has by fome means been led to the Saviour, and found reft for his foul. May no one, employed in reading thefe papers, be finally unacquaint- ed with that fpiritual trouble which is needful to
bring
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 145
bring him to Chrift, and to prepare him for a jo}'ful [ reception of the gofpel !
It may be ufeful to confider the painful ftate of thefe awakened tranfgreflbrs j by what means they were con- vinced and became thus diftrefTed ; and the method they took for relief: particulars which lead to the experience and practice of thofe in whom the word is the power of God to falvation.
Their condition was truly deplorable: " They " w/ire pricked in the heart." A fore cafe indeed, and grievous beyond all expreflion ! The heart taken fpiri- tually, and it cannot here be underftood in a natural fenfe, is often comprehenfive of all the powers and faculties of the foul, as when it is faid, "Truft In the " Lord with all thine heart." And again, " With the " heart man believeth unto righteoufnefs." But in this pafTage, as in many other places, it feems confined to the confcience. Thus it is written, 2 Sam. xxiv. 10. that ** David'sheart, i.e. hisconfciencefmotehimwhenhehad " numbered the people," as appears from his confefHon : ** He faid unto the Lord, I have fmned greatly in that ** I have done." And the word is thus taken, I John iii. 21. " If our hearts condemn us not, i. e. " if we have the teftimony of a good confcience, we *« have boldnefs, &c." In like manner fays Job, chap. xvii. 6. " My heart fiiall not reproach me as " long as I live." Confcience in the foul of man is a kind of vice -judge ; and, except in an obdurate ftate, it is ever accufmg or excufing the fubjedt, Rom. ii. 15. It may lie dormant a feafon, but will furely awake, and K with
J46 L E C T U R E S O N
with a terrible voice bear witnefs againft the tranf- grefibr. Thus, in the inftance before us^ Peter having charged upon the Jews the murder of Chrifl, through a divine power it entered the confcience of many, who were touched to the quick, infomuch, that while he reaibned with them out of the fcriptures, his words became as drawn fv/ords, and pierced through their fouls. Thus the word of God, however unafFeded men hardened in unbelief may be, when it comes with the energy of the Holy Ghoft, " is quick and power- " ful, (harper than any two-edged fword,, piercing «« even to the dividing afunder foul and fpirit," Heb. IV. 12. So thefe Jerufalem-finners found it, whofe wounds are mofl emphatically exprefled by a word no where elfe ufed in all the New - Teftament, KJ}srjy.-:c-a.ii, it fignifies to vex, rend, or pun£lually wound, as if a man was pierced to the centre of his heart with an arrow or fpear ; yea fome illuflrate the term, by fuppofing the fharp points of many poifoned daggers or fcorpion-ftrings all at once faftened in the heart, in the moft cruel manner that can be devifed. Thus forely and punctually wounded were thefe finful men : and this flriking expreflion imports the follow- ing articles :
I. That their convictions were deep and eiFe(5iuaI. It was no fuperficial or tranfitory impreflion, neither were they merely cut to the heart, as the Pharifees wcie under another fcrmon by the fame apoflle, chap. v. 33. or like thofe at the reproof of Stephen the mar- tyr, chap. vii. 54. in both which pla(5i?s, ^nTr(toflo, a -very different wor^l is u^ed, in which there is an allu-
flQfl
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 147 iion to a favv that tears and hacks rather than pierces, and fitly reprefents thofe convidions, which, how- ever painful while they continue, leave the fub-. je£l under the power of fin, and rather irritate than mortify the flefh. There is a material difference between being cut io^ and pricked in the heart j the one fets the fubjedl a raging, whereas the other en- gages him to repentance. And accordingly we find, that thofe affected in the former way, fought revenge on the apoftles who reproved them ; they took counfel to flay them, gnafhed with their teeth, and even ftoned righteous Stephen : On the contrary, in the in- ftance before us, we fee that thefe men, felf-condemn- ed, and perfuaded of the authority of Jefus, with the higheft efteem of his minifiers, unanimoufly addrefs them as the fervants of God to fhew them the way of falvation. They were deeply and painfully convinced, but they were not offended, as fome, with their teach- ers : No J they appear humble and contrite; fenfiblq of their own vilenefs, they were ready to perlfh under a fearful expedlation of the wrath of the Lamb they had flain : and if they had any indignation it was againft themfelves, and not againft thofe that were the infl:ru- ments of poffeffing them with a fenfe of their guilt. This was their cafe : they were pricked in the heart—? the arrows of the Almighty ftuck in them — the words of the preacher, by the power of God, entered deep and faftened in their confcience — under which they cry out for diredlion how they Ihall efcape. No wonder that,
K 2 a. Their,
148 ^ L E C T U R E S O N
2. Their pains were exquifjte. Anguifli arofefrom thefe deep and powerful conviiSHons. This, we have feen, is a principal idea of the word. No language can fully defcribe the torments of being wounded in the manner implied in this term. The acute fenfations that arife from being pierced in the vitals, or moft ner- vous parts of the body, are not to be told. How in- tolerable then are the pains of a wounded confcience, a heart fpiritually and throughly wounded, when every faculty of the foul is tortured, under a fenfe of guilt, accorrpanied with a fearful apprehenfion of approach- . ing vengeance! Yet this is not all : for, '
3. It further conveys this idea alfo, that their wound was deadly. It was not only deep and cruciating, but no lefs than mortal, and left to its natural courfe muft have been fatal. This, however dreadful, is clearly laid up in the phrafe. It is well known, that an en- trance into the natural heart, is at leafl certain, and for the moft part prefent death to the body. Hence the foldier who pierced the body of our Saviour, while it hung on the crofs, confirmed his deceafe. For the natural body may feem to be dead, when, in reality, it is alive, the vital principle being only retired out of fight } but it is impofTible that a man fhould furvive a wound that is truly and properly in his heart.
But our fubjeft is fpiritual. He that is pricked in
^he heart, as thefe men of Judea, dies immediately,
i. e. a fentence of condemnation and death enters his
confciencei and being felf-convi^led, under a fenfe of
his
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 149
his guilt and pollution, all hones of being juftified in and from himfeJf are vanifhed away. Thus faith Paul, " When the commandment came fin re\riYed and 1 " died; and the commandment which was ordained « unto life, I found to be unto death," Rom. vii. 9. A human body, into the heart of which a dagger has been thruft, i« not more certainly dead, in a natural, than the man whofe confcience hath been pierced with a due convidion of fin is in a fpiritual fenfe. Thus, dead in himfelf, he may be truly reprefented as having received a mortal wound, fincethe terrors of death are fallen upon him; and unlefs relieved, through faith in the blood of Chrift, and by the remiffion of his fins, he would certainly die in defpair and perifti for ever. In a word,' - convinced finners are not unlike the terrified Egyptians, when they haftened the Ifraelites out of the land, fay- ing, *'We be all dead men," Exod. xii. 33. But blefled be the Lord, " he is nigh unto them who are of *' a broken heart, and faveth fuch as be of a contrite " fpirit, he healeth and bindeth up all their wounds, *' according to the riches of his grace," Pfalm xxxiv. 18. xlvii. 3. compared. ,
But what pierced the heart of thefe mourning tranf- greflbrs ? Their guilt, even the guilt of all their fins in general, as appears from the apoftle's reply : Firft feized with a tormenting fenfe of their horrid and ao-o-ravated evil in the murder of Chrift, whom they now were convinced was exalted to glory j then fol- lowed a fenfe of their vilenefs by nature, and their wianifold tranfgreflions, from the puniftiment of which K 3 they
150 LECTURES ON
they faw no way of efcape, fince they had fhed the blood of the only Saviour ; their fears therefore ran high, and they were under a dreadful apprehcnfion of the vengeance of heaven. This was their wretched condition; and thus they were ready to perifh. To which mufl be added, that this was in fome degree the cafe of each individual: it was not fympathetick but radical ; that is, one did not cry out for another, but each for himfelfj they might be fome more and fome Jefs diftrefTed, but every one was cordially, deeply, painfully, and mortally wounded.
But how came they thus forely diftrefTed ? It was by the preaching of Peter: "When they heard this." The v/hole of the apoftle's difcourfe had a tendency t& awaken them ; and it is reafonable to fupoofe, that they were much moved under his preaching ; but our tranflators, by fupplying the particle this, feem to ap- prehend, that the clofmg addrefs was what mofl affect- ed thefe men, and particularly when they heard that this fame Jefus, whom they had crucified, was ad- vanced to the throne in the heavens. Yet I apprehend it is to be referred to the fcrmon in general. But was the hearing intended that of the outward ear only? Cer- tainly No; this indeed was included. They doubtlefs heard in a natural fcnfe. But if this was all, how comes it then that the atidience in geiieraj, in like manner, were not afFcdled ? Peter, we have ken^ lifted up his voice, and though the aflembly v.'as large, there is re.ifon to conclude that everyone heard him diflinilly. If natural hearing had been fufEcient, not a foul of
the
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 151
the thoufands prefent would have remained infenfible : but thofe who cry' out in the text, though many inf number, are manifeftly diftinguifhed from the reft of the . multitude, which proves it was not the cafe univerfally.
It was in this affembly, as in moft congregations where the gofpel is publifhed with fuccefsj fome hear the word, under the preaching of which others, who fet with them, are convinced and converted j yet, alas, they themfelves feel no remorfe, but remain hardened, as if they had never fmned, or ftood in no need of a Saviour ! Thus, when Paul preached at Rome, " fome " believed the things that were fpoken, and fome be- " lieved them not," A£iS xxviii. 24. Truly, bare hearing, however diftin6t and exact, or long continued, is altogether infufficient to produce this effect. No preaching whatever is capable of poffefiing the hearer, who is left in his native blindnefs, with a due fenfe of fin, fpiritual forrow, or earneft concern to be faved. In vain are the weapons of our warfare employed againft the power of fm in an unregenerate man, un- lefs the omnipotent arm of Jehovah is exerted, and the fmner is changed 3 the ignorance, unbelief, pride and enmity of his carnal mind, renders it invulnerable, like Job's leviathan : Thefe fcales, under which he is {hut up, feals him clofej nothing (hort of a divine power can penetrate his flefli and quicken his foul j he is proof againft any argument, how ftrong and con- vincing foever: The comparifon is but toojuiV, * his ' heart is as firm as a ftone, yea as hard as a piece of K 4 * a nether*
152 LECTURES ON
' a nether mill-ftone; daits are counted as flubblc, and * he laugheth at thefhaking of the fpear.'
But the Spirit of the Lord had wrought e(Fe<ftually in thefe Jerufalem-finners, and prepared their minds for the reception of his word ; he had taken away the heart of ftone and given an heart of flefh. Hence fhey heard with underftanding, faith and attention, as in Lydia, v/hofe heart the Lord opened, A6ls xvi. 14. Convidlions prevailed, and they felt what they heard ; and being fully perfuaded, they were not difobedient, but believing, afllired themfelves that God had made Jefus of Nazareth both Lord and Chrift: ^et their faith did not rife to an appropriating view of the Sa- viour; from this they were prevented by a fearful ap- prehenfion, natural in their circumftances, of being excluded from an intereft in his undertaking and death, whofe blood they had wickedly {ht&; A thought which throv/s light on the fenfe of their queftion, and leads to the method they took for relief. They did not as fome, give up all hope, or rejedl the counfel of God againft themfelves. Convictions, which leave the fubjecSt under the power of fm and unbelief, either excite their natural averfion to the wifdom of God, or iffue in defpair. Such is the fatal tendency of legal conviifiion on the difobedient. Very different the fpirit and condu6t of thefe mourning fmners. Unde^r a deep fenfe of their guilt and a full perfuafion of the authority of Jefus, they are indeed in the utmoft con- fternaticn and anguifh of foul, and even ready to perifti, yet have fome diftant hope. They could not difcern how they could be faved by him they had mur- K 4 dered ^
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 153
■dercdi neverthelefs they apply to his minifters la a manner that proves a deep humiliation of foul, and an earneft defire, if pofuble, to obtain the falvation of God ; yea and fonie expedlation, at leaft a peradven- ture, that his fervants could diredl them. They hear- tily believed that Jefus was the Chrift ; and their open and earneft application to the apoftles, who preache<i in his name, in the prefenee of all who crouded the temple, was an acknowledgement of him as far as their condition could poflibly admit. Hopeful penitents in- deed I to Peter and to the reft of the apoftles, thefe awakened and wounded tranfgrefibrs betake themfelves for advice in their dangerous ftate ; and to whom fhould they go, but to them whofe preaching had been a means of convincing them of the glory and authority of Jefus, as the only Lord and true Meffiah, thoiigh that very convidion, under their prefent circumftances, fubjedcd them to the moft painful diilrefs ? It is wif- dom, in this fenfe, to turn unto him that hath torn us for an healing, it being often the pleafure of the Al- mighty to bind up with the fame hand by which be hath fmitten. Thus direded by the Spirit of wifdom, thefe diftrefTed finners apply to the apoftles for relief, and that with the higheft refpedl ; " Men and bre- *' thren." Unbelievers are prone to defpife the mini- fters of the gofpel, but they who ftand in need of fal- vation greatly reverence and efteem them. Thus the jailor fied to Paul and Silas, though his prifoners, faying, " Sirs, what muft I do to be faved ?" Ads xvi. 30. An enquiry for fubftarxe, the fame with that which is made by thefe awakened Jews of Peter and ^hofe that were with him ; " What fhall we do ?'*
154 LECTURES ON
This qucflion fuppofes a (enfe of their guilt, and implies a confeffion of the Time, with a painful appre- henfion of impending wrath and deftruftion : It like- wife intimates a perfuafion of the apoftle's authority and fkiil in the methods of falvation, and alfo fome hope of their compaflion and roadincfs to direcft them in this fearful dilemma: *' WJiat fliall we dor" I am fenfible that there is a pronencfs in man, under legal convidion, to feek after righrcoufnefs by his own works, hence it is remarked by fome, on this claufe, that awakened finners are generally at firfl upon a covenant of works j but, with fubmifiion, I apprehend the purport of the queftion, under the circumftances of thefe convi<3:s, convey quite another idea. Tlxe difFerence between the perfons in the text, and that of the jailor is obvious : His confcience was awakened by an alarming providence, Vv'hich filled him with guilty fears, and the terrors of wrath v/ere upon him. He might indeed have fome general notion that Paul and Silas were fervants of God, and no doubt he thou'^ht they could inftrudt him ; but there is reafon to conclude, that he was an uttrr Granger to the fcripturcs, and to Chiift as the Saviour of finners; hence the word of the gofpel was fpoken to him and his houfe. But thefe men of Judea knew the prophets ; and their conviaion took place under the preaching of Peter, and arofe from a perfuafion that Jefus whgm they had fiain was the Chrill:. The queftion w^ith them, was not who was the Saviour, nor how finners are to be favcd by him ? It feems chiefly, if not alto- gether to tur!i on this point, namely, whether there vas any hope for them, feeing they had crucified him
wha
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 155
who alone had power to {:ive, q. d. * O Men and
* Brethren, we are now perfuaded that Jefus of Naza-
* reth is truly the MeiTiah, what then fhall we do ?
* Our tranrgrelfions are innumerable, and our iniquity
* great ! We are vile and Tinful beyond all exprefllon, 'and are verily guilty in (bedding the blood of that
* holy One, whom God approved among us. Is there
* any hope for us in this fame Jefus God hath made ' both Lord and Chrlft ? What fhall we do ? We ' that have crucified the only Saviour ? How fliall we
* efcape his righteous vengeance r Is it pofTible for us
* to be faved by him we have murdered ? Alas, for
* us, blood-guilty tranfgrefibrs I O tell us,, we befeech ' you. Sirs, tell us what we fhall do!' Thus they were forely perplexed but not in defpair, though in- deed very near it, for being convirced of fin, ofrigh- teoufnefs, and of judgment to come, and of the au- thority of that Jefus they flew, to fave and to deftroy, they could not fee how it was pofEble they fliould be faved : It was truly a very dark cafe, and extremely dangerous, infcmuch, that if any awakened felf-con- demned finncr had reafon to defpair, thofe men moil certainly had : but, adored be the riches of fovereiga mercy, repentance and remiffion of fins was preached in his name, and even began with fuccefs at Jeru- falem. It appears in the following account, that many, who were more or lefa concerned in killing the Prince of life, were faved through faith in the blood they had fhed. Aftonifhing grace! O the confufiori ^hat will f-i^e thofe, who perifii under the report of the gofpel, when finners, who crucified the Son of God, {hall appear to inherit life €verlafting ! The fearful
impenitefit
156 LECTURES ON
impenitent will have no juft ground of complaintj or be able to plead, in judgment to come, that there was not fufficient encouragement for his hope of being faved on repentance. Thefe examples of rich and fu- perabounding grace will then redound to the honor o( God, and the unbeliever fhall be covered with fhame. Art thou dcfpairing, dear Reader, becaufe of thine aggravated guilt? think on the mercy thefe tranf- greflbrs obtained, whofe fins were as fcarlet and crim-- fon, but were waflied in his blood whom they cruci- fied. Look unto Jefus and be faved ; thou fhalt not be confounded, but iland with his faints before hin> at his comins:.
LECTURE XI.
An improvement on the cafe of thofe who were con- vinced by the preaching of Peter, on the day of Pentecoft.
^JT AVING taken a view of their forrowful cafe ^ _L who were awakened under Peter's difcourfe, and the method they purfued for relief, it may be ufe- ful to make feme remarks on this firft .Inftance of fuc- cefs by the gofpel publiilied in the name of a rifen Sa- viour. Thefe, with propei reflections, will compofe the enfuing leClure.
And the firft thing deferving our notice is this, n^elyj that from the beginning fainers have been
convinced
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 157 convinced and awakened to a concern about falvation by Chrift, under the hearing of the word.
The fovereignty of God may be difplayed, in open- ing the heart, without the intervention of a preach- er; nor is it becoming to fuppofe that the Lord hath limited himfelf in the difpenfations of his grace ; Other means are fubordinate to this appointment of heaven for theconverfionof men, fometimes, as with the jailor, ftriking providences have been fubfervient to the purpofe of God in the call of his chofen ; alfo prayer, reading, and the fpiritual difcourfe of the faints; and above all, ., the holy, loving and fruitful lives of profeilbrs, havecon- duced to the convincing of others : thefe, I fay, are ofteii the means of promoting the faith, infomuch that many date their firfc av/akenings from one or more of them ; neverthelefs, the principal ftated, and ordinary method in which the Almighty turneth fmners to himfelf, is the word preached, as in the inftancc before us. Peter expounded the prophecies, reafoned out of the fcriptures, and applied to the confcience of his hearers with earneft addrefs ; by this means many were pricked in the l^eart, and moved to enquire, what they mufi: do ? the confequence of which, as hereafter appears, was that, on due encouragement, they embraced the gofpel, obtained remiflion, and were faved. In this way we are to attempt the con- verfion of men to the end of the world ; " for it pleaf- " eth God, by the fooliflmefs of preaching, to fave " them that believe." The preaching of the crofs may be efteemed foolifti by an ignorant ind periihing world, but to thcHi that are faved it is the wifdom and
power
I58 LECTURES ON
power of God: Thus faith conies by hearing, Rom. X. 17. Hence, beautiful are the feet of them who publifli the gofpcl of peace ! This being the cafe, we are not to wonder that Satan fliould, by every means in his power, fet at nought, or difcourage the miniftry of the word, which he fometimes, when permitted, attempts, by pcrfecutions and fiery trials, to terrify and difhearten men from the fervice ; but at other times, by feducing men into error, diforder, and li- centioufnefs, under the prevalency of which, thei^e may be much preaching, and at the fame time but little preaching of Chrift ; while thofe few, whofe miniftry and converfation anfwer to the word of the Lord, are under fore difcouragements, yea and the very office itfeif in a manner defpifed. Whether there are no appearances tending this way in the preferit time, is left to the confiderate Reader; but this is cer- tain, that the enemy will attempt to difgrace and turn afide men from that fort of preaching, of which we have an example in Peter; the old ferpent well knows, that reafoning from the authority of God, unto the confciences of men, or argum.ents from fcrip- ture, are proofs againft him, and fatal to his intereft, being an appointed and effedual means, through the energy of the Spirit, for pulling down his ftrong holds, and refcuing poor captive finners from his kingdom of darknefs. And is gofpel-preaching the ordinary means of falvation ? How melancholy their cafe, who, under any temptation, withdraw themfelves from, or negled the hearing of the word ! Such are in the utmoft danger oi ruin ! Nothing is impoffible with God j bat
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 159
we have no promife or other gi"ound of hope, that he will follow after that man who fcrfakes the means of grace. Art thou tempted, my Friend, to turn away thine ear from the found of the gofpel? Beware, thou haft no reafon to expcit that the Lord will prevent thee; and if thou an. left in thine impenitence and hardnefs, thou fhalt die in thy lins, and perifli for ever ; but this God forbid !
Another thing deferving our notice, is the pun- gency of guilt in the confcience. We have feen how cruciating the pains endured by thofe awakened tranf- grefibrs. Thus every one truly convinced, is more or .lefs pricked in the heart. Thefe wounds by convic- tion are deeper, and of longer continuance in fome than in others ; but no quickened finner is an utter ftran- ger to the torment of guilt, and fome are grievoufly wounded indeed : fuch are ready to crv out, as ia Job, chap. vi. 4. " TJie arrows of the Almighty arc " within me : the poifon thereof drinketh up my fpi- *' rit, the terrors of God do fet themfelvcs in array againii ** me." It may be ufeful to remember, that con- victions are fometimes like (harp arrows oi' the mighty, with coals of juniper, piercing and burning the fpirit, till it is in a manner confumed with death. Thus David gives his experience, Pfalm xxxxii. 3, 4* *' When I kept filence," i. e. from confefling my fins, " my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day *' long ; for day and night thy hand was heavy upon " me," i. e. preffing him fore with the weight of hjs iniquities, which now went over him as an heavy l^urthen, too heavy for him. Pfalm xxxviii. 2, 4.
■«• Thus
i6o LECTURESGN
Thus the wrath of God was like fire in his confcience, and as it were burnt him up, for he adds, " my moif- * ture is turned into the drought of fummer." Heman is another inflance of this, he who crieth out, " while *' I fufFer thy terrors I am diftraded," and again, " thy fierce wrath goeth over me, and thy terrors have *' cut me ofF," Pfalm Ixxxviii. 15, 16. And how painful a cafe muft that heinous backflider be in ? who with deep humiliation for his vilenefj, thus befeeches the God of all grace : *' Make me to hetr joy and ** gladncfs, that the bones which thou haft broken '* may rejoice," Pfalm li. 8. One broken bone, often 'gives the patient inexpreflible pain : how exquifite then muft the forrows of that heart be, wliich isjuft- ly compared to many broken bones, or rather to a body the multitude of whofe bones are broken to pieces, which feems.the allufion of the Pfalmift ? Take heed, Sirs, of fin, and abftain from the appearance of evil ; for you fee what dreadful havock it makes in the foul, when the wrath of God is let into the con- fcience. Thefe indeed are extraordinary inftances, but he that is duly afFefled with the evil of fin, muft be fenfible of the curfe of the law, in proportion to which the terrors of the Almighty are upon him, and the wound is grievous ; many are foon healed by the application of gofpel-grace, but fome continue long under an afflldting fenfe of their defert as finners, without any comfortable view of their intereft in Jefus the only Redeemer, which is truly deplorable ; blefled be God their cafe is not defperate, he that wounds alfo can heal, and a fountain is opened in
the
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. i$f
the gofpel to him who is ready to perifh : but the pains which arife from the fling of death in the cnnfcience, are fcmetimes fcarce to be born ; and he that lies under them, being as yet without an appropriating view of the Saviour, is an obje£l of great compaflion, for his forrows are not to be told.
We may further remark, that the moment a man's confcience is fmitten with guilt, he is anxious for relief. Slight impreflions may be foon taken olF, by the prefumptuous and carnal reafonings of the flefhly mind, and the difturbed finner may be able by fome means to ftifle convidlion within himfelf ; but thofe fenfations of fm, which are not effedlual to make the fubje£i: cry out to God or man, or to both, fcarce deferve the name of convi6lions, at leaft, they are very fuperficial, and come ftiort of thofe that arife from a full difcovery of the law of death in the confcience j under which a man muft die in himfelf, be felf-condemned, and as it were flee from himfelf to another for relief. Hence awakened fouls are enqui- ring fouls. If thy convidlons, dear Reader, have not obliged thee to cry for direflion and help, thou art yet unacquainted with thy danger, and incapable of feeling the joy of falvation in Chrift,
In one word, if the condu£l of thefe Jerufalem-fia- ners was becoming or worthy the imitation of others under the like circumftances, it is natural and pro- per for them that are pierced with conviftion, to open their cafe unto others. Indeed, if I may be al- lowed the expreffion, God is our only Father-confef-
L for.
i6« LECTURESON
for, and by his Spirit alone can the heavy-laden finner be led unto Chrifl, and find reft for his foul. Neverthelefs, the L )rd operates by means and inftru- ments, and many are held under terror, and expofed to the temptations offatan for want of revealing their caf'-. And there is fuch a thing as fuffering in confe- quence of hiJing our guilty fears from m^n, as vi^ell as from God. O affliiSled Sinner, conceal not thy trou- bl! Art thou diftrefled about thy fpiritual eftate? Or duft thou labour under fearful apprehenfions of wrath for thy fins, and knoweft not what thou fhalt do to be favedi* Come, follow this early example, an exam- ple which fo well fucceeded — apply to lome chriftian friend or minifter of the gofpel — be not afraid or afha- med to unbofom thyfelf to thofe who fear God — and efpecially feek diredtion of them by whom he hath awakened thee. This frequentl) proves a means of fpeedy relief; an inftance of which is before thee. To thefe obfervations it may be ufeful to add a refle(5tion or two.
And firft, Beloved, review the wonderful fcene! How aftonifling the grace and power of God ! It was rich grace indeed tl at the gofpel {hould be preached, and mercy lay hold on Jerufalem-fmners ; that God fhould extend his kindnefs to men who had pre- funied thus wickedly to crucify the Son of his love f Yet fuch was his abounding grace! And no lefs mar- vellous that power by which the hearts of fo many obftlnate rebels were changed, and in an inftant re- duced from the utmoft blindnefs and infidelity unto a fenfc of their Jpiritual condition, a belief in the Mef-
fiah.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 163
flah, and an unfeigned concern about their falvation from wrath to come. _ O the omnipotent arm of the Lord! When that is revealed, the report is believed; and when he worketh, who ftiall let it ? Well faith the prophet, " Thy people fhall be willing in the day of '* thy power.''
And what muft be the torments of hell ? If fin in the confcience is fo painful, and the heart of a con- vinced tranfgreflbr is expofed to fuch horror and an- guifh under the apprehenfions of wrath, how mife- rable muft they be who are drinking this cup of the damned ! Is a wounded conlcience fo tormenting in this world, where the gofpel is preached, and a mind, pierced with convidlion, liable to be fo deeply afFe6ted, as to ba juftly the compared with an heart wounded by poifoned daggers or fcorpion-ftings, how dreadful the avenging hand of the Almighty in a ftate of judicial fuffering ! Far be it. Lord, that any perufing thefe papers, fhould hereafter be numbered with thofe wretched fpirits, who are too fadly convinced by what they now feel of their eternal mifery, to flatter them- felves that they fhall ever efcape ! Thus, in the parable of Lazarus, the rich man lifts up his defpairing eyes, from the bottomlefs pit, without hope or defire of being delivered from thence : He pleads for the warn- ing of others, after being denied the leaft drop of wa- ter to cool his own tongue, but not a word of his releafe from this place of torment : No ; alas, fuch know that they are referved in everlafting chains un- der darknefs unto the judgment of the great day ! Fearful ftate, where hope never comes, where juftice L 2 reigns
i64 LECTURESON
reigns without mercy, and whert no finner has a ra- tional ground to enquire, " What muft I do to be " faved r
From this inftance we may alfo infer the hideous cries of unbelievers when Chrift the judge fhall appear. If a perfuafion that Jefus is exalted and made Lord of all, occafioned thofe who crucified him to cry out as perfons undone, how will they wail and lament who finally reject him, when they fee him revealed from heaven to take vengeance on thofe who obey not the gofpel ! " Behold, faith John, Rev. i. 7. he cometh *' with clouds, and every eje fliall fee him, and they '* alfo which pierced him j and all kindreds of the *' earth fliall wail becaufe of him." Then fhall the finally impenitent, who have ftifled their convidlions, and defpifed or negledled the falvation of God, fee and know that Jefus is the judge who is able to de- ftroy ; they fhall then cry to the mountains and locks, faying, '* Fall on us, and hide us from the face of " him that fitteth on the throne, and from the wrath " of the Lamb," alas but in vain ! Now the hearts of unbelievers are ftout, they refufe to fubmit j and many of them fet their mouths againft the dignity and grace of the glorious Redeemer ; they deny the won- derful conftitution of his perfon, blafpheme his deity, trample under foot his blood of atonement, and would laugh his difciples to fcorn; but their tongues will then be otherwile employed, when they behold him cotring to judgment; then will they, too late, be convinced, and cry out of their mifery and ruin, in the awful manner defcribed by the prophet, " Who
" among
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY, 165 *' among us fhall dwell with the devo'-'rin^ fire ? Who, *' amongft us {hall dwell with everlafting hun^In^s ?" Ifa. xxxiii. 14. Alas I aLis! who indeed ! And what fhall they do? The queftion is vain: They are un- done J nothing can be done to prevent their immediate and everlafting deftruftion ; the trumpet of the gofpel will not then found: No, but the trump of God as at Sinai, with thundering and lightenings, will fum- mons the workers of iniquity to his awful tribunal; from whence being openly condemned, they fhall be turned into hell, with that tremendous fentence, " De- ** part from me, ye curfed, into everlafting fire prepared *' for the devil and his angels. Then fhall they call *' upon him whom they have defpifed, but he will not " anfwer j they fhall feek him early, but fhall not find *' him," Prov. i. 28. Thus, when trouble and anguifh feize the difobedient, they will cry and call, but alas the Judge, whom they have defpifed as a Saviour, *' will laugh at their calamity and mock at their fear," ver, 26. If the Reader is flighting this Jefus, let him beware left deftru^lion come upon him as a whirlwind, there will furely be none to deliver.
But is any man afHi6led and ready to perifh ? How great is the mercy to have the word of falvation near to that foul ! What muft have become of thefe men had there been none to inftru£t them ? But happy for them, that in their diftrefs they knew where to flee, and had thofe at hand whom the Lord had appointed to fhew unto men the way of falvation. Their bones were broken, and their hearts grievoufly fmitten, but a fkiiful phyfician is near to bind up and comfort. The L 3 impenitent
i66 LECTURESON
impenitent and carelefs make light of the gofpel, and account it no favor to dwell where the faithful fervants of Jefus abide; but the man who is -anxious about being faved, will rejoice that the word of the Lord and his minifters are nigh : this often proves a means of fpeedy relief, as in the cafe of thefe Jews. However, fmce the pains of a wounced confcience are exquifite, and are not to be healed, but through faith in the blood of Chrift, the advantage of being under a gof- pel-miniftry, when in fpiritual diftrefs,' is obvious. Nothing is more precious to thofe who enquire after life, than the word of the Lord, or more amiable in their eyes than the feet of thofe who publifh his name. Then prize your happy fituation, who dwell in the midft of the churches of Chrift, and conftantly fit under the found of his gofpel, that you receive not this grace in vain. But again,
Were fo many converted through a divine blefling on the preaching of the apoftles? Who can forbear though it be with reludtance, the melanchtjly re- fle£lion, I mean the afFeding difference between the primitive times and thofe in which we live? How in- fenfible are the generality of hearers ? What reafon to be grieved at the prevailing hardnefs and unbelief of the multitude ? Where are any now crying out, under a fenfe of their guilt, what fhall we do ? Do not men for the moft part, hear as if they had no need of a Sa- viour, or as if preaching was a form, and minifters at beft appointed to entertain with a fong ? Now, inftead of many being pierced under one fermon, as in Peter's aflfembly, are not many difcourfes delivered, and, in
appearance
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 167
appearance not a fingle heart moved ? ' Lo-d, where
* is thine arm ? are thy bowels reftraincJ ? hear out « groans, who labour [in thy vineyard, and long a''ter '* the falvationof thy chofen ? It is thy work, O Lord of
* hofts thou Icnoweft them that are thy peouJe ; thrcueh
* thy power, make the gofpel efFedual to fdve them ? O ' letnot thy faithful minifters be afhamsd ! Sharpen di ne
* arrows in the hearts of thine enemies, that being » pierced through the foul, they may look untojefus and ' be healed !'
And now, my dear Reader, art thou altoo-ether unacquainted with the evil of fm and a confcience fmitten v/ith guilt ? haft thou never faid, at leaft in thine heart, what muft I do ? Permit me as one who feeks thy felicity : Whence is it that thou art fecure and whole, while others are broken and wounded ? Why fo indif- ferent about falvation, when many, ready to perifh, are with anxiety and zeal crying out for direflion how they fhall efcape ? Haft thou no caufe of diftrefs on account of thy fin ? Art thou exempted from the wrath of God, or not equally expofed to his juft in- dignation in common with other tranfgrefTors ? Aad canft thou be eafy ? O thy aftonifhing hardnefs 1 would to God that this heart of ftone was removed I Soon, very foon will thy confcience open and witnefs againft thee; and how wilt thou endure the curfe of the law which thou haft broken ? It will make thee as a fiery oven when judgment takes place ; unlefs found in Chrift it will burn to the loweft hell. Indeed, as obferved, the cafe of the Jews was peculiar, and for the moft part, the anguifh of an awakened finner is in L 4 pre portion
i68 LECTURESON
proportion to his guilt. So that the diftrefs of true penitents differ much in point of degree; nor is the evidence of a faving change to be meafured by the pangs of the fubjedl : It is pofllble, yea it feems evi- dent from experience, that one who falls fhort of the obedience of faith, may endure (harper and longer convictions than, in fome inftances, attend the con- verfion of another. Neverthelefs, every one will fooner or later be ftinged with the evil of fin ; and though the convinced are not alike grieved, the man who taftes not the bitternefs of death, is incapable of apply- ing to the Saviour for life.
In a word, may the faithful, for Chrlft's fake, and in love to precious fouls> ftrive in their prayers for the power of the Spirit : Under his divine agency the ftout- hearted are reduced to obedience ! O that this hand of the Lord, being with us, as in the primitive times, numbers believed and turned unto him ! And if any man is pierced with a fenfe of his abounding iniquity, let him know that with the Father is mercy, and with him there is plenteous redemption; for thefe men of Ifrael, who even crucified his Son, on a convidtion of their folly and danger, cried not in vain, as the fol- Ipwing lecture will fhew.
^.ECTURi;
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 169
LECTURE XII.
The nature of evangelical repentance. What it is to be baptized in the name of Jefus for the remiiEon of fins ; and in what refpeft the Holy Ghoft is given to them that believe.
WE are now come to the counfel of God by his infpired minifter unto the enquiring Jews, wherein the riches of his grace is opened for the relief of a fenfible linner. The Lord refpedleth not any man's perfon ; It is therefore a ftanding direction to every one, who, in like manner, is convinced of his evil and danger, and would efcape the vengeance of heaven. This feafonable reply is recited in A£ls ii. 38. and runs in thefe words : " Then Peter faid unto them, " Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the " name of Jefus Chrift, for the remifiion of fins, and " ye fliall receive the gift of the Holy Ghoft.'* A kind and falutary anfwer, in which we are to mark the apoftle's diredtion, and the motive on which he would engage thefe mourning tranfgreffors to obe- dience.
His dire6lion is twofold ; to repent, and to be bap- tized. The common notion of repentance is forrow fpr fm: and there is reafon to apprehend that fome de- ceive
170 LECTURES ON
ceive themfelves by refting in a fuperficial tranfitory conviction ; which, however grievous, falls fhort of the genuine forrow of a contrite heart, which alone js acceptable to God. No doubt repentance includes a convidion, yea a painful convidion of fm i and it muft be allowed, that, confcious of guilt, a man is afhamed and afflicted. But, properly fpeaking, repen- tance is a change, the fubje£t of which, is not only filled with a fenfe of his error, and grieved for his folly, but alfo is bent againft the evil that hath enflav- ed him, refolved to flee from it and amend. So that according to the nature and degree of real repentance, a reformation enfues. The confcience of fome aban- doned tro-T.fgreffors, or hypocrites, may be incapable of feeling, as the flefti of a man when feared with a hot iron> I Tim. iv. 2. Yet few are totally ignorant of lemorfe, fmners for the moft part have at tiriies an afflicting fenfe of their guilt ; yea, and in fome in- ftances very fharp convidtions may pierce the heart, and produce ftrong cries and tears, refolutions and promifes of amendment ; at the fame time, as it af- terwards appears, the man is unacquainted with godly forrow, and repentance unto life.
Evangelical repentance is the gift of God by Jcfus Chrift : It flows from a principle of divine life in the foul of him that is born of the Spirit ; of which the convinced finner alone is a capable fubjeil. In the e;:ercife of this grace a man beholds the evil of fin, is affected with its turpitude, and abhors it ; and, being deeply fenfible of his own vilenefs, abafeth himfelf before God with an open confeflion, in profpe6t of
pardoning
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 171
pardoning mercy. This repentance admits of no al- lowed I'm, and is ever accompanied wi'.h a purfuit after holinefs, and a converfation becoming the gofpel.' One infallible criterion of genuine repentance is faith, ■ i. e. adivcly confidered j for though repentance and faith may be diftinguifhed, they are radically the fame, being the exercife of^^p renewed foul under the influence of divine grace, with a view to fa'vation. Faith, in its prime ad, is truly exprefied by an excellent wri- ter *, to be the flight of a penitent fmner to Chrifl: for falvation. Certainly the repentance defcribed, which is of a fpiritual and faving nature, is not without faith, whereby the fabjedt hath a difcernment of fpiritual things : And the firft efFe6l of being thus truly peni- tent, in the views of that free remilHon preached in the name of Jefus, is obedience to the gofpel. A fin- cere penitent lays hold of the promife, and flees for refuge to Chrift. Thus repentance, under the call of the gofpel, is compleated by the obedience of faith. The penitent man comes to Jefus confefling his guilt and pollution ; he heartily renounces all merit in him- felf, and believing the promife, refls on the Redeemer as the only and omnipotent Saviour. So then, to re- pent, to be converted, and to believe in the Lord Jefus Chrifl:, are fynonymous phrafes, at leafl: the repentance Peter intends, and vi^hich is the fubjedl of a gofpel-miniftry, ifiTues in nothing fhort of truft in Chrifl-, or a turning to him as the ftrong-hold and hope of them who are ready to perifli : And according- ly we find, Mark i. 15. the difciples were fent forth to preach, faying, " Repent ye and believe the gof-
" pel." * Owen on juftlficatlon, page 95,
172 LECTURES ON
•' pel.** It is repentance from infidelity and rebellion againft God, as he is revealed in his word, which Is accompanied with faith and holy obedience, according to the ufe of the expreflion in Luke xvi. 30. where the rich man is fpeaking to Abraham concerning his furviving brethren, who like himfelf lived in infidelity and fin, faying, " But if one went unto them from ** the dead, they will repent;" i. e. of their unbelief, as appears from the fcope of the place. In like man- ner evangelical repentance is nothing fhort of believing and turning to the Lord.
This idea of repentance in the text is confirmed by the circumftances of the objects addrefled : they were deeply conviriced of their guilt, and in the utmoft diftrefs. A true penit-ent indeed hath an habitual fenfe of the evil and bitternefs of fin ; it is exceeding finful in his eyes, and dreadful in its efFe£ls under the curfe of a broken law, and ftill more heinous in the light of the gofpel 3 but where is the propriety of exhorting perfons to mourn over fin, whofe hearts were already overwhelmed under a fenfe of their great iniquity, and with the fears of vengeance to come ? Nor can repen- tance here fignify a change of mind or opinion con- cerning Jefus, and in confequence an alteration in their conduct, fo as no longer to oppofe him as an im- pofter, under which pretence they had taken away his life, fince a convi£lion of his divine authority was a principal occafion of their diftrefs and confufion j nor doth the apoftle ofter a word more in vindication of his charader, or to prove him the Mefliah. In fhort, thefe men ftood in no need of being called upon to be
forry
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 173
forry for fin, or to be perfuaded that Jefus was the Chrift; they were deeply wounded under a fenfe of their tranfgreflions and fully convinced of his miflion from heaven, but this they needed, namely, a per- fonal application to, and reliance upon him as the Lord's Chrift, without which no man's forrow for fin, or opinion of Jefus will fave him; and for this thefe felf-condemned finners were prepared on due encou- ragement, as appears in the iflue : but, at prefent being ignorant of the extent and riches of his grace, they feem fearful of being excluded the hope of the gofpel, and at their wits-end ; and accordingly the apoftle fends them to Jefus for pardon and life, with a joyful aflTurance of mercy, and he urges it upon them as needful to an efcape from the wrath they de- ferved. This fenfe of repentance in the text corref- ponds not only with the circumftances of the perfons addrefled, but likewife with the motives ufed by the apoftle, and the direction he gives them ; for no re- pentance fhort of faith in Chrift, ftands conneded with remiflion of fins, or entitles the fubjedt to baptifm; and, though there is reafon to apprehend that, in the primitive times, feme were partakers of the Holy Ghoft, in his extraordinary gifts, who neverthelefs were deftitute of faving faith, yet a profeftion of this faith was requifite to a vifible claim in the promife, *' Thefe figns ftiall follow them that believe," Mark xvi. 17. Nor did John, the forerunner of our Lord, in the courfe of his miniftry, admit any to baptifm for the remiflion of fins, without a confeflion of their belief in him that ftiould come after him, whom he declared would baptize his difciples with the Holy Ghoft,
Matt.
174 LEGTURESON
Matt. iii. II. compared with A6ls xlx. 4. And that a divine faith or holy truft in Chrift is contained in that repentance unto which the apoftles exhorted their hearers, is evident from other paffages of fcripture. Thus, Peter fays, " Pepent ye therefore and be con- *' verted, that your fms may be blotted out." A<£ls iii. 9. And again, chap. viii. 37. When the eunuch propofed himfelf to Philip for baptifm, he replies, "If *' thou believeft with all thine heart, thou mayeft." And further, chap. xvi. 30, 31. on the jailor's ap- plication to Paul and Silas under the like diftrefs, fay- ing, " WTiat fhall I do to be faved ?" their anfwer is the fame, " Believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift." Upon the whole, it appears that nothing lefs than a cordial faith is required in baptifm with hope of remiflion, and that therefore this faith is included in that repen- tance the apoftle intends j in the exercife of which the Jews are directed to be baptized in the name of Jefus.
I Have been thus particular in fettling what I appre- hend the juft idea of the expreffion repent, as it throws a light on many exhortations in the New-Teftament, and is more efpecially needful to a right underltanding and improvement of the pafTage before us. Peter is plainly dire£ting thefe awakened tranfgreflbrs, who were anxious to know what they fhould do, notwith- ftanding their aggravated guilt, to believe on Jefus and fubmit themfelves to him, and publicly own their dependance upon him as Lord and Chrift. To repent, therefore, muft carry in it faith in the Redeemer ; and this exhortation feparate from the encouragements exprefsly fubjoined, was adapted to relieve thefe dif-
treflcd
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 175
trefled fouls from the tormenting fears of being abfo- lutely excluded from the grace of God in his Son ; and is a noble inftance of the fkill and faithfulnefs of the preacher, and alfo (hews that the minifters of Chrift are warranted to encourage every fenfible fmner.
Nor is it fuppofed in this exhortation, thus under- ftood, that thefe Jews, or any other under the like circumftances, are able in and of themfelves to believe in Jefus ; this diredlion and encouragement is given to them only who are called, ver. 39. " to as many as " the Lord our God fhall call." By this the apoftle fufficiently guards againft any undue afcription of power in the creature, and leads our thoughts to the energy of the Spirit, in quickening grace, as needful unto faving repentance or faith. An heart or ability fo to repent is undoubtedly the free gift of God, difpenfed from the King of grace, wrought in the fubje6l by the power of the Holy Ghoft, under whofe divine agency alone this and every other fpiritual a£i is exerted ; all which is clearly fhewn in different parts of the facred wri- tings} thus it is declared, " God hath exalted Jefus *' to give repentance and remiffion of fins," A£ls v. 31. And again, " Then hath God alfo granted to the " Gentiles repentance unto life," chap. xi. 18. " And " we know that it is God which worketh, in his " called ones, both to will and to do of his good plea- " fure," Phil. ii. 13. Hence they repent and believe: It is therefore no other than cavil, in oppofition to the exprefs counfel of God, to argue from fuch-like ex- hortations to the power of man without fpecial grace to repent and turn unto the Lord. Moft certainly
"no
176 LECTURES ON
*' no man can come to Chrift, except the Father •* which fent him draw him," John vi. 44. Yet awa- kened fmners are to be dire£led and exhorted to repent, and to fubmit themfelves to Jefus for the remiflion of fms ; and the moral ends of fuch exhortations are ob- vious to any unprejudiced perfon ; they are to convince men of the neceflity there is for repentance unto life, and a means, in the hand of the Spirit, to lead, en- courage, and animate perifhing fmners to believe and be faved. And this anfwer may fuffice to fhew the perverfenefs of them who will reprefent this method, in a gofpel-miniftry, as inconfiftent with the impotency of man, or the goodnefs of God, fmce it is evident that thefe exhortations are adapted to excite con- vinced tranfgreflbrs to repentance and faith, and the Almighty is pleafed to render them efFecSlual thereunto in the hearts of his chofen : therefore no man need fcruple to follow the example before us, in the courfe of his miniftry, when fmners enquire, what fhall we do ? But freely and earneftly recommend them, even every one, to repent and believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift i nor ftiould any be offended at this, fmce it is manifeftly rational, all things confidered, and a means owned of God for the falvation of men.
To repentance the apoftle enjoins fubmiffion to baptifm ; " And, fays he, be baptized every one " of you in the name of Jefus Chrift for the re- *' miflion of fms." I fhall not enlarge on the form of this divine inftitution, which I am forry to fay, like fome other appointments of the Redeemer, is more known than pradifedj but the defign I am
upon
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANtTY. 177
upon, and the exhortation of Peter, will not permit me to be totally filent on an article eflential to primitive worfhip. Nothing is more my averfion than the fcorn and anger, which is but too often feen in debating this point. It may be pleafmg to the fleih, but this is not by manifeftation of the truth, commending ourfelves to every man's confcience in the fight of God ; ^ it is unfeemly and vain. I vi^ould therefore in meeknefs and fobriety, with a cordial efteem for thofe brethren who aie otherwife minded, ufe a becoming freedom on the fubjed, on which it may be difficult to offer any thing which has not for fubftance been urged, or at leaft hinted already by others.
Jt is notorious that a change in the modeof th's o-of- pel-ordinance, from dipping to fprinkling, hath obLamed ; and in thefe and forre oiher parts of the world, called chriftian, become a! .Tiofl: gentral^ ncverthclefs they are plainly quite different, and cannot be made one and the fame, or fpoken of as fuch withuut a violation of lan- guage and fenfe. Sprinkling was a rite of purif cation un- der the law, but manifeftly and ever di{lin£l from that of bathing or immerfion, which was alfo appointed, Numb. xix.13,19. compared. To confound thefe different modes, or to ufe the one inflead of the other, feems highly un- reafonable, and not to be juftifiedj and indeed, with becoming refpedt to thofe who can ufe this liberty, I take leave to fay, that, in my opinion, to csW fprinkling baptifm^ is truly no better. To baptize, is to wafh the fubje<3: by bathing or dippings and not to wet a part only by ajperfion or fprinkling. Nor let the reader think that •ur practice of dipping is confined to a few, becaufe it
M is
178 LECTURES ON
is by many iiegleiled or defpifed in this ifland, and fome other countries j not to infift on the thoufands who confcientioufly adhere to this mode in our own native country, and efpecially in our American colonies. Dr. Wall, a zealous and learned writ r in favor of infant- baptifm, obferves, Part II. page 309. ift edit. ' All ' chriftians in the world, who never owned the pope's
* ufurped power, do and ever did dip their infants in the ' ordinary ufe.' And he adds, ' If we take the divifion ' of the world from the three main parts of it, all the
* chriftians in Afia, all in Africa, and al^out one third ' part of Europe, underftand by baptifm hhmerfion^ and ' fo prailice.' Every attempt to deftroy or remove this native and genuine idea of baptifm is vain j and I may venture to fay, that it will never be in the power of man to fhew that baptizing is not dipping, or that this was not the mode in which the apoftles and firft mini- fters performed this chiiftian ordinance. Baptifm is ftiled the counfel of God ; a religious rite fet up with divine authority, firft by John the forerunner of our Lord, whofe miffion from heaven was clear. Hence Wi.en Chrift put the queftion to the elders concerning his baptifm, they feared to fay it was of men. The Jews were ftartled when they faw him baptize and de- mand his authority, " Why baptizeft thou, if thou be not *' Chrift nor Elias?" John i. 15. jFrom whence I am con- vinced, the notion fome propagate concerning the Jew- ifti cuftom to baptize profelytes is without any founda- tion. And it fecms unworthy our divine Law-giver, to fuppofe that a main inftitution of his kingdom is borrowed from a fuperftitious cuftom of the Jews, which muft be the c«ife if it really was in pradice, feeing it is
plain
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 179
plain that Mofes never enjoined it, but it feemed a new thing to the Jews. However, hut this harbinger of the Meffiah baptized by in-.merrion is evident by the name he acquired from his prachce, viz, Jvhn the iia, uft or Dipper. Baptizing ' nd ("ipp'ng is !o clearly t .e lame, that it would have beta impertinent, efpecially m a country where it was dailv in ufe, to have attempted a defcription of the manner in which it wr^s penormed ; and had no prejudice taken place in favor of d (O'trary practice, the circumftances related of our LorJ's bap- tifm would fw.ffice to f^^^lisfy every ferious enquirer. We are told, that " when he was baptized he went up " ftraightway out of the water." Dr. Whitby, and other eminent authors, who plead for the baptizing of infants, notice the j uft obfervation of the Greek church on the palTage, which is this, namely, * that he, who ' afcended out of the water, muft firft defcend down ' into it.' And it is remarkable that the infpired apoftle Kfes the fam.e argument in reference to the afcenfion of Chrift, which prefuppofes his refurre<Stion from the dead, fhadowed forth in baptifm by immerfion, Eph. iv. 9. " Now that he," i. e. Chrift, " afcended, what *' is it but that he alfo defcended firft into the lower *' parts of the earth ?" i. e. died and was buried; and the inference is too natural not to be difcerned by the plaineft capacity : But, adds the Doilor, ' Baptifm,
* therefore, is not to be performed by fprinkling, but
* by wafhing the body ;' and ftill further, fays he,
* Indeed it can only be ignorance of the Jewifh rites in
* baptifm, that this is queftioned.' His teftimony I hope will not be altogether difregarded.
Ma Oa
i8o LECTURES ON
On a fiippofition that the apoftks, who wrote th« New-l'tft.iment, ufed the terms of the feptaagint, which is generally allowed, and (eems clearly the cafe, it is fubmt ed to the learned of the pasdobaptifts them- felves, '* Whether it was pofuble for them to fix on two words in all that Greek tranflation that can rnore piecifely determine this particular manner of walh- ing the body by immerfion diftindl from all other pu- rifications, than ihofe they have a£lually chofen, viz. BaTrlnTw t> ^"<i ^w«^ >' ^"^ the i?.me mode of baptifm is confirmed by every inftance, and particularly the place chofen for the adminiftration of this divine ordi- nance; nor doth any other rr.anner of wafhing agree with the manifeft reference we have therein unto the burial and refurrediion of our Saviour, and to that of the fubjecls being raifed frcm the death of fm to walk in newnefs of life, fo clearly pointed out in Rom. vi.
and
• Letters to a Right Rev. Author, &c. Part I. Letter IV. page 29.
•f- Dr. Gale hath abundantly (hewn fnm the critics and alfo from the Grecian poets and historians, that Bw^il^u always fignifies to dip, which every one who is capable may coniult with advantage ; befides, as that learned writer juft y obferves, if the expreflion was otherwife ever fo ambiguous, yet, as it relates to bapiii'm, the dottrinc a d pradtice of John and the apoflles fufiiciently determine the fenlt unto dipping. Gale on baptil'm, Letters III, IV and V. And fiom the fame letters it appears that Mr, Wall himfelf, who is the hiftorian they refer 10, intimates that the clergy would gladly levive the anc ent practice, and defired, according to the direction of the rubric, to baptize by dipping all that are willing to receive it in that manner, and are able to bear it j and I prefume, that notwithftanding the continuance of fprinkling in the national church, with fcarct any exception for half a century more, muft rather have in- Creafed the popular prejudice in favor ot the pradlice, theie arc ftili not a few of that communioa who are fufficiently convinced to wifh a return t# the good old waj.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. i8i
and Col. ii. This alfo correfponds with every allufion , in fcripture to baptifm, and the general conceflion or teftimony of the moR: reputable advocates for bapiizlng of infants, fince the pra6tice exiftcd, which is in favor of dipping. Among thefe, which are a multitude, the known wi(h of the above learned author, in his note on Rom. vi. 4. is much to the purpofe, ' Immerfion,
* fays he, was religioufly obferved by all chriftians for
* thirteen centuries.' And he laments the change of it into fprinkling without any allowance from the author of this inftitution, or any licence from any council of the church; of which the reader will fee more at large in confulting his paraphrafe. And truly the cuftom of afperfion, however prevailing at prefent, is compara- tively modern in England, and is even now only per- mitted by the governors of the national church, as ap- pears in their liturgy. Some fpeak of the fuppofed danger of dipping in thefe cold climates, and think this may be a very good reafon for changing the form of baptifm to fprinkling, but experience proves the fafety of dipping, and this mode is ftill ufed in countries many degrees colder than ours ; witnefs the Ruflias, and even Muf- covia itfelf, in fome parts of which it is extremely fe- vere ; nor hath it in any inftance appeared injurious to dip the body, even of infants the moft tender, in water. But admitting there feems a danger in dipping a weakly conftitution, or in a very cold feafon, fhall we not truft the Lord in the way of our duty? Shall we reafon from thence in oppofition to the wifdom of God, un- to a negledl of his fovereign and gracious appoint- ment ? Or will this juftify a change in the mode of a divine ordinance? It is a truth that hath been
M 3 frequently
i82 LECTURESON
frequently urged, that ' on a mere pofitive inftitution ' we cannot argue as in matters of natural or mora,! ' duty.' It therefore becomes us to obey with humi- lity and reverence, and confcientioufly adhere in our practice to every circumftance prefcribcd in the word. This method of reafoning therefore is not to be defend- ed, nor fhould any prefume to acSt thereupon contrary to the exprefs will of the Lord whom we ferve. Upon the whole, it is truly aftonifning, and an afieding in- ftance of human weaknefs, that in a country where the cuflom univerfally prevailed fo many centuries, and where the pradlife ftill flands exprefly directed in the public inftrument of the national church, that this form of baptifm fhould be counted ftrange, novel or indecent. Is it not ftrange, that, under thefe circumftances, a people who cannot but perform this appointment of the Saviour by dipping, fhould, for that reafpn only, be derided or cenfured ? Alas, how fickle mankind ! To what amazing prejudices are we expofed ! That the pencra! and ordinary way was to baptize by immerfion or dipping the fu'^jeiSl * into the water, is fo plain and
* clear, faith Dr. Wall *, by an infinite number of ' pail'ages, that one cannot but pity the weak endea-
* vours of luch psedobaptifls who would maintain the ' negative.' And 1 am ptrfuaded that mofl:, v/ho do not think it abfolutely neceflary to the eflence of bap- tifm, and therefore remain in the popular way, will, on ferious reflection, with that learned writer, difown and fliew a diflike of the profane feoffs vi'hich feme people o-ivc to theEnglifh aiuipsedobaptif^s merely for their ufc of dipping; and certain 1 am, that if any are otherwife
mindedj
* Vol. II. 3d edit. p. 351.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 183 minded, their zeal againft this ancient mod^ of bap- tizing is not duly tempered with knowledge and cha«" rity.
Now this baptifm is to be performed in the name of Jefus Chrift. The commiflion of our Lord to his dif- ciples is plain and exprefs. Matt, xxviii. 19. " Go ye, *' therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the *' name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the *' Holy Ghoft." Nor are thefe words of Peter, *' in *' the name of Jefus," to be otherwife taken than con- fifts with this order of the Saviour. No doubt this f »rm is facred in the ordinance of baptifm ; for fo, as hinted already, is every article prefcribed in a pofitive infl.tu- tion, which entirely depends on the fovereign will of the law-giver. It has been fuggefted, that the Jews, being already believers in the Father and the Holy Ghoft, had need only of being baptized in the name of Jefus J but there is not the leaft intimation in fcrip- ture of this difference in the baptizing of Jews from that of the Gentiles, nor is the name of either divine Perfon to be omitted in the adminiftration of this ordi- nance, feeing that would come fhort of the exprefs di- re(5lion of our Lord. Neverthelefs chriftian baptifm may well be defcribed in the name of Jefus, as here and elfewhere, chap. viii. 16. x, 48. xix. 5. Since the authority of Jefus is the ground of proceeding, and the iubje<5l not only confefles his faith in, and adores Jeho- vah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, the Three that bear record in heaven, but likewife in an efpecial manner confeiFeth Chrift as his king, and fubmits to him as the Son of God and Lord of all. Baptifm is an a6l of M 4 foler.in
i84 L E C T U R E S O N
folemn worfhip and perfonal devotion to the Redeemer, in which the parties own his authority, and Surrender unto the Lord as his God. Hence it is ftiled " calHng *' on the name of the Lord," A£ts xxii. i6. A phrafe which indeed includes prayer after the example of Jcfus himfelf, of whom we read, Luke iii. 21. " that being *' baptized and praying, the heaven was opened." But it likewife extends to the whole obedience of faith, Rom. X. 13, 14. where the apoftle refers to the fame prophefy quoted in Peter's difcourfe, ver. 21. " And *' whofoeverfiiall call upon the name of the Lord, (hall *' be faved." He that fubmits to this ordinance with underftanding, is baptized in the name of Jefus, call- ing upc n his name in the prayer of faith, and actually owns and fubmits to the authority, of Chrift, who will fave him.
It is added, " for the remiffion of fins ;" which {hews what troubled the heart of thefe awakened tranf- grefibrs ; it was guilt, their fins were fet in order before them, a fenfe of which pierced them. But will water- baptifm cleanfe us from fin ? No, no more than the tears of the penitent. Nothing is the meritorious caufe of pardon but the atonem- nt of the Saviour : His blood alone, applied to the wounded confcience, can heal it. Thus Peter declares, " Through his name, whofoever *' believeth in him, fhall receive remiflion of fins, " A61s X. 43. And again it is written, " Whom God ** hath fet forth a propitiation, through faith in his ** blood, to declare his righ:eoufnefs in the remifTion of *' fins," Rom. iii. 25. And further, " In whom we 5' haye redemption through his blood, the forgivenefs
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 185
* ** of fins, according to the riches of his grace," Eph.
i. 7. Thus the fcriptures abundantly (hew, that not • baptifm but the blood of Jefus, in whofe nihie we are baptized, is that which cleanfeth from fin. This man- ner of freaking, " be baptized for the remiflion of *' fins," IS by way of encouragement and dire6lion to thefe afHi£led enquiring fouls, and fliews that there was remiilion even for them, and that they fhould fubmit to baptifm in the exercife of faith on Chrift, who, by the facrifice of himfelf, obtained eternal redemption, and whofe fufferings, death and refurre<5lion, are fha- dowed forth in the appointed form of this gofpel-infti- tution. In a word, the exhortation is univerfal and without any exception, '* every one of you j" to fhew that not one perfon, among the thoufands who were pricked in the heart, and who flood in need of pardon, was excluded from the hope of God's mercy In Chrift; and that likewife not a Tingle believer, who laid hold of this mercy, was excluded from a profeffed fubje£lion to the gofpel, or public acknowledgment of his divine authority, and devotion to his will in the fight of man- kind.
To this obedience of faith the apoftle annexeth a prcmife, *' And ye fhall receive the gift of the Holy *' Ghoft ;" not in his quickening or regenerating in- fluences, whereby the fubje6l is truly convinced of fin, and engaged to believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift. A participation of his grace, in this refpe6l, is previoufly required to baptifm. Thus, as before, Philip faith to the eunuch, " If thou believeft with all thine heart, *' thou mayeft." This promife may be underftood in
a fenfe
i86^ LECTURES ON
a fenfe peculiar to the primitive times, or accommo- dated to the hope of every baptized believer in ail ages and places to the end of the world. It may refer to the extraordinary gifts which the Holy Ghoft diflributed among the apoftles, who had alfo, by him, a power of conveying the fame to others, by which the gofpel was then confirmed among the difciples ; many of whom were enabled to Ipeak with tongues, and to perform great things in teftiraony of the refurredtion of Jefus, and for the edification of his church, A£ts xix Many, I fay, for we are not to fuppofe that every one who was baptized was thus miraculoufly endowed, but only fome, as c rcumftances required. Thus Cornelius and others received the Holy Ghoft at Cefarea, A6ls x. 47. In this view it is an afTurance or their being confirmed by further inftances of his wonderful operations which came to pafs, when, as we are told, " Many wonders *' and iigns were done by the apoftles," Ails i. 43. and likewife that many of themfelves ihould partake of bis extraordinary gifts for the fpread of the gofpel. Hence we read, chap. viii. 4. that a perfecution being raifed at Jerufalem, by which the diiciples in general were difperfed, " they that were fcattered abroad went '* every where preaching the word." So that the wife was taken in his own craftinefs, and the malice of fatan overruled to the increafe of the kingdom of God, which that enemy fought to deftroy. Neverthelefs, if believers now have any intereft in this promife, it is not to be confined to thefe extraordinary gifts. The promife is given to every one : And 1 cannot help thinking that Peter includes, if not chiefly intends, thofe operations of the Holy Ghoft, whereby the faith-
fia
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 187
ful are more aburadantly enlightened, fanftified and confirmed, even that Vv'orking of the Holy Spirit, by" which the chriflian is fealed to the day of redemption, and made meet for communion with God and his glo- rious inheritance, compare 2 Cor. v. 5. Eph, i. 13, 18. and chap. iv. 30. Certain it is that the Comforter, as a Spirit of adoption and a witnefling Spirit, is more or lefs given to them that obey the gofpel, and that, in waiting on the Lord in his appointments, believers may expe£l to be eftablifhed with grace, and to increafe in the knowledge of him unto a meetnefs for glory.
Thus Peter excites thefe awakened tranfgreflbrs to evangelical reper.tance, which includes faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift, and to witnefs the fame by being openly baptized in his name, in a certain profpeft of full remiflion of fmsj yea though they had wickedly flain the Redeemer, he aflures them notwithftanding, that on confeffion they fhould be fealed with the Holy Spirit of promife. Joyful tidings, which, through a divine energy, became life from the dead, and healed the wounds that had otherwife proved mortal. When they heard this, they gladly received the word, and de- layed not to yield themfelves to the Lord. In like manner the gofptl is fent to bind up every broken heart, and to comfort every finner who mourns. And therefore, dear Reader, if thine heart is wounded re- ceive the confolation, for a reconciled God is no re- fpeiter ©f perfons.
LECTURE
i88 LECTURES ON
LECTURE XIII.
The promife on which Peter raifes the expectation of the awakened Jews, upon their obeying the gofpel, briefly and fairly examined. With notes and re- fledlions on the whole of their reply to their anxious queftion.
THE apoflle having encouraged the men of Judea, finful as they were, with a certain profpedl of remiifion on repentance, and having afTerted that, on being baptized in the name of Jefus, they fhould re- <;elve the Holy Ghoft, proceeds to the ground of this blefled affarance. And his argument is this : *' For *' the promife is unto you and to your children, and *' to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord *' our God (hall call." The promife is remiffion of iins, and the gift of the Holy Ghoft unto them who repent and are baptized in the name of the Lord ; and the paflTage would be eafily underftood, -had there been no difpute among chriftians concerning the fubje(£l of baptifm. But fmce fome who plead for the baptizing of infants, have prefied this text into their fervice, it is needful to clear up the fenfe, and to confider whether it affords any foundation for that pradlice, which I (hall attempt with candor in a very few words. In general, the promife is limited to them that are called. The word rendered children is not frequently, if at all, ufed for infants ; and a right to baptifm, as hinted al- ready, is not the thing promifed.
One
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. ,89
One might have thought that the laft claufe In this verfe would have efFedually fecured it from being ap-, plied in favor of infant-baptifm, fmce while it extends its comfort to all that are called, it limits the obje6is of the promife to them. Now this call muft be either the external call in the miniftry of the word, or that which is internal and efficacious unto repentance and fath. If we underfj-and of it the former, what infants are ca- pable of that ? Can babes and fucklings, in a natural fenfe, hear and underftand the word of the gofpel ? Or are the minifters of Chrift fent to preach unto them? No fober advocate for their being baptized will anfwer in the affirmative. An unprejudiced Reader will there- fore eafily admit, that the call here intended is that which is effeiSlual unto repentance, a teftimony of which is given in baptifm. This call is of God by Jefus, and wrought through the power of the Holy Ghoft in the hearts of the regenerate, and confcquently peculiar to them who are born of the Spirit. Far be it to infmuate, that infants are incapable of the fanc- tifying operations of the Spirit, but how or when the almighty King of grace worketh in any fuch, accord- ing to the counfel of his will, is a fecret to us; but we are fpeaking of what is revealed, and the rule of our duty in the admmiftration of a divine ordinance, and we may, and muft with freedom aflert, that infants neither are nor can be the vifible fubjedls of this divine work, but the promife, whether of the Holy Ghoft, or the remiffion or fms, or of falvation, verfe 21. which feems rather intended, is certainly limited to thofe who are called of God, and to their children as fuch ; and
accordingly
190 LECTURES ON
accordingly the learned Dr. Whitby himfelf, whore regard for infant-baptifm is not to be queilioned, ex- prefly and juftly declares, that thefe words will not prove a right of iafants to this gofpel-inilituiion. See his annotations on the place.
But that none fhould be mifled, or carried away by the found of the word children in this pafTage, it may be proper to note, that it is not -cra^lt , whereby young children or infants, when diftinguilbtd from men and women, are exprcfTed ; for inflance, that which is ufed in defcribuig thofe who were miraculoully fed, Matt. xiv. 31. and chap. xy. 38. from which the term psedobaptifl is derived j but the word is texcoj, quite another word, and which fignifieth poflerity rather than little children or infants. This is fo obvious, that Dr. Hammond *, another zealous advocate for infant-baptifm, hath thefe remarkable words on the place : ' If any hath made ufe of that very uncludent ' argument (fo he fliles it) " the promife-is made to
• you and your children," I have nothing to fay in < defence of them j I think the word children there is
* really the pofterity of the Jews.' So then, in the opinion of this learned paedobaptift, no good argument can be drawn from this palTage to the right of the infant-feed of believers unto chriftian baptifm j and in* deed it is IVrange that wife and good men fliould infmuate the notion, much more that they ftiould, in any degree refl the validity of infant-baptifm on an expreflion that is well known to have no refpedl to the infantile Itate. Befides, the promife as hinted, has no
relation
* Refol, 6, 34. Edit, izvao, p. 256,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 191 relation to baptifm. Peter exhorts believers to be bap- tized, as incumbent on as many as the Lord fhall call, upon which they are entitled to claim the pron^fe, and encouraged to look for its accomplifliment in the'r own experience, to their fatisfadtion and joy ; of which, by the way, infants are incapable ; nor can the baptizing of infants be inferred with any colour of reafon from this declaration of the apoftle.
The propriety of Peter's exprefllng himfelf in this manner will appear, if we confider that the Jews were " the children of the prophets, and of the covenant *' God made with their fathers, faying to Abraham, " And in thy feed fhall all the kindreds of the earth ;^e *' blefled," A6tsiii.25. To them belonged the promifes, Rom. ix. 4. It was their peculiar honor and advantage to have the promife of the Melliah, and of the blefUngs of life and grace, which come on the called through faith in his blood. Hence the gofpel was firft preached to them : " Unto you firft, God having raifcd up his *' Son Jefus, fent him to blefs you, in turning away ** every one of you from his iniquities," A6ts iu. 26. And in chap. xiii. 47. we read it was neceflary that the word of God fhould firft be fpoken to them. Indeed the promifes afcertained the pardon of no one while in a ftate of unbelief; nor was an Ifraelite, who firft enjoyed the means of grace, better entitled to claim remiffion on repentance than the Gentiles who were originally void ot the privilege ; but it is eafy to .fee the propriety and force of the apoftle's argument with thejfe awakened Jews, who were now convinced that
fal ration
192 LECTURES ON
falvation was in no other than in that fame Jefus whom they had crucified. The promifc being unto them and to their children *, even to as many as the Lord their God fliall call, muft needs encourage their hope as partakers of this calling, notwithftantiing their aggra- vated guilt, fince it fhewed there was mercy even for them, nor could they defpair under fuch a perfuafion. How feafonable and juft was this reafoning of the apo- ftle with the people who had not only murdered the Prince of life, but had likewife imprecated his blood on themfelves and on their children, and thereby, as far as in their power, bound their blood-guikinefs on their lateft pofterity I O the tormenting diftrefs that muft attend a convidion of having deftroyed both themfelves and their children. Dreadful will be the cafe of parents who fhall hereafter, as fome through a neglect of their fouls or their ill example, be found acceflary to the damnation of their offspring. Thefe Jerufalem-finners were verily guilty in binding their pofterity under a curfe for their own wickednefs, and no doubt it lay with weight on their confcience, and they were terrified with the apprehenfion of having excluded themfelves from the meicy of God by flaying his Son, and alfo by expofing their feed to his wrath. No, as if Peter fhould fay, though you have been thus guilty, guilty of the blood of the Lord, and guilty in curfing your poftcrity9 and deferve everlafling deflruftion, yet God, who fore- faw all your wickednefs and knows the extent of his own grace, hath diredled his promife to you; he has prom4fed remiflion of fins on repentance to you and to your children, even to as many as he fhall effectually
call, * Matt, xxvii. 25. ra rUvx, the fame expreflion ufcd in the promife.
PRIMIT'IVE CHRISTIANITY. 193 call, being convinced of your evil, fear not to flee unto this fame Jefus, whom you have crucified ; neither ye, nor your children, not one of you are excluded from the report of falvaticn in the Redeemer. Therefore, O ye men of Judea, truft in the Lord and be faved ! ** Repent and be baptized every one of you, for the " remiffion of fins, &c." Thus Peter, fkilful in the word of righteoufnefs, heals and animates the afflided Jews, who lay bleeding under a fenfe of their guilt and ready to perifh, with an affurance of obtaining mercy, according to the promife made to them, and to their pofterity, agreeable to the golpel-report, which declares that " whofoever fhall call on the name of *' the Lord, fhall be faved." And the following things are manifeft from the whole of this reply to thefe en- quiring finners,
I. That a perfonal and cordial repentance is of in- finite moment. Repent every one of you. No man fhall receive remiffion of fins, or be faved from wrath to come, without that repentance unto life which leads the fubje<ft into a reliance on Jefus, and is accompanied with a fubmiffion to him as the Lord's. Chrift and an all-fufHcient Saviour. It is of univerfal concern, to repent in the fenfe of this pafTage ; and every one who is pricked in the heart and enquires, what he fhall do ? muft be exhorted fo to repent. Dear Reader, it is not thy hearing the word, nor any convictions of fin, under which thou art troubled ; nor is it barely a perfuafion that Jefus is the Chrifl, that will fufiice thee. '* God hath fet him forth a propitiation, through faith ** in his blood, to declare his righteoufnefs in the re- N '• mi/Soa
J94 L E C T U R E S O N
*' miffion of fins," Rom. iij. 25. This faith thou muft have. He only that believeth in Jefus, fnall obtaia pardon and life at his hands. The fcriptures afford no ideas of remiflion and juftification, exclufive of a per<- fonal faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift. The promife is to him that believeth, and they only, " which be of *' faith, are blciTed with faithful Abraham," Gal. iii. 9, Many are the opinions and diftindions which even great and good men have advanced in the world, acr cording to their different conceptions of the methods of grace, which are hard to reconcile ; but they muft all be reduced to this certain truth, moft clearly revealed in the gofpel, namely, that without repentance there is no remiffion. And, what lefs can be the concern of a wife and faithful preacher refpe£ling each of his hearers^ than that he fhould obtain mercy thus to. repent and be faved ? But,
IT. Note the indifpenfible duty of every believer to be baptized. This evident truth is contradicted in the practice of thofe who wjll not be perfuaded tq fubmit themfelves to the Lord in this divine ordinance. Art thou of this number, my Friend ? Serioufly con- fider ! Repentance and baptifm in the name of Jefus, are infeparably connected in the charaiSler of him to whom an affurance of falvation is given in the gofpel. *' He that believeth apd is baptized, fliall be faved," Mark xvi. 16, This is the fubftance of preaching from the beginning; and thefe God, who knoweth all things, hath joined together in the proclamations pf his grice, and it becomes us to unite therri \n practice. The man that would boldly claim re-
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 195
miflion of fins and the gift of the Spirit, is no more ex-, cufed from baptifm than from repentance ; not that the one or the other is in any fenfe or degree the merito- rious caufe of pardon, or of the beftowment of fpiritual blellings, but they are both exprefly and abfolutely in- cluded in the defcriptlon of him that is an heir of the promife. And doth not this deferve thy moft ferious attention ? A perfon may doubt his own real character, and fear he is not a believer in Chrift, in proportion to which his comfort is lofl:, and he is prevented from chearful obedience ; or he may think that what his pa- rents did with him when an infant, is fufHcient to an- Iwer the demand of the gofpel on them who would hope to be faved, and on this perfuafion be eafy in his confcience, yea and be even bold in his profeflion ; but what man can modeftly fay or foberly think, in a perufal . of the promife, that he ftands aflured of pardon and life, while he negledls or refufeth to fubmit to the au- thority of Jefus, by being baptized in his name ? It is truly aftonifhing, that any one who confcientioufly holds a good hope, through grace, of being juftified in the Lord, can a moment delay his conformity to this plain appointment, and thereby exclude himfelf from a vifible claim in the promife of life, through his blood ! Far be it to urge on difciples any opinion or dodlrine of men, however pioufly defigned, but the counfel of God is not to be fhunned; nor could I count myfelf pure from the blood of all men, if I fpared to infift on this great command of my Mafter. It is true ordinances are no faviours ; but, my Friend, if thou art tempted to jndifFerency about them, remember they are facred, and likewifc binding on all Chrift's difciples, and that fal- N 2 vatioa
196 LECTURESON
vatlofi is to be obtained in a way of gofpel-obedience. Take heed to thyfelf. Indeed a man may conform to this external appointment of the Saviour, and never- thelefs, like Simon the forcerer, remain in the gaul of bitternefs and bonds of iniquity ; therefore truft not to any profeflion whatever, but at the fame time confider that no man can fufficiently prove his repentance or fubjedlion of heart to the Redeemer, who refuses to be baptized in his name. In one word, baptifm is a plain, eafy and exprefs inftitution of our Lord, in the negleft of which no man can yield a compleat evidence of his faith in Chrift; neither will any works, however ufeful ;ind excellent in their kind, without this work of righ- teoufnefs (for fo our Lord ftiles it) prove that we are his difciples indeed. " Repent and be baptized every *' one of you," is the language of heaven to the end of the world, wherever the gofpel is preached : And a fkil- ful and faithful minifter, however this ordinance may be negle£led or defpifcd in his day, will not be fatisfied without putting every one of his hearers not only on trufting in Jefus, but likewife on being baptized in his name, as he tenders the glory of Chrifl and his own future joy. But again,
III. It is further to be noted, that in the mlfjiftra- tion of the gofpel, there is a free and open proclacnation of pardon hi the name of Chrift to every penitent fin- ner. This known and joyful truth is confirmed by the inftance before us. Here is no exception or difference. The moft: guilty of thofe Jerufaleni-tranfgreflbrs is af- fured of remillion on his repentance ; which may fervc to prevent the malicious and cruel defign of the enemy
PRIMITIVE CHP^ISTIANITY. 197
in his attempt to difhearten a foul deeply fenfible of abounding iniquity. Multitudes defpif^ or negledt di- vine grace, from light apprehenfions of guilt. The power of fatan in the minds of the unregenerate lies much in a fubtil extenuation of fm ; the enemy puts a falfe glofs on the evil thereof in thought, word and deed ; thus covers its bafencfs and eafily obtains on apoftate man, through the deceitfulnefs of his flefh ; infomuch that, being hardened, he continues unafFeded with the glory and importance of falvation by Chrift. But v/hen this flattering peace or fecurity is broke up, by powerful convi£tions from the Spirit, the old ferpent turns the tables upon him ; he takes occafion from his knk of guilt to difcourage his hope in the mercy of God, and to drive him Into defpair: Now he transforms himfclf into an angel of light; he magnifies the divine juftice and holinefs, and the righteoufnefs of the law, which is broken, and its rigor as a covenant of works, that men under convi6tion may apprehend their tranf- greffions have exceeded the extent of God's mercy in Chrift. The afflicted, felf-condemned fmner too readily- Jiftens to thefe infinuations, and thereby often becomes reduced to the utmoft extremity. But if any man is under a temptation of this fort, be it known unto him, that the devil is a liar. Thefe fuggeftions direflly contradict the counfels of heaven, which declare that *' where fm hath abounded, grace doth much more *' abound," Rom. v. 20. There are none fo aban- doned and vile in their ftate of ignorance and unbelief, but, feeing themfelves loft and undone, they are invited to Jefus for life. God is faithful ; and the merit of Chrift is fufficient to illuftrate his righteoufnefs in the N 3 pardon
LECTURES ON
pardon of fin. '* Ho every one that thirfleth, come " ye to the waters," Ifa. Iv. i. And again, ver. 8. *' Let i.he wicked forfake his way and return unio the *' Lord, and he will have mercy upon him j and to *' our God, for he will abundantly pardon." And, is not this correfpondent with Peter's encouragement to the Jews on repentance ? The Infidelity, prophanenefs, Injuftice and cruelty, which attended their murder of the Son of God, and their treatment of the holy Jefus as an impofler and blafphemer, in oppofition to the moll: ftriking and miraculous evidence from heaven of his being the MefTiah, was a crime the aggravations of which are not to be exprefled j yet we fee that among the thoufands charged with this guilt, who were con- vinced of their wickednefs, and flood in need of a Sa- viour, every one is directed to fubmit unto him they had crucified, with a promife of fuccefs. What a pat- tern is here of the long-fufFerance of God, and the riches of his grace ! Say not, O mourning tranfgreflbr, my fins, which are gone over my head, are too many and great to be forgiven ! This is the language of curfed unbelief, and the devil j it makes God a liar in the proclamations of his grace, and is a virtual denial of this amazing inftance of fovereign mercy, by which it appears that the diyine purpofe in Chrift is equal, yea exceeds the moft accumulated guilt of him that xe- pents. Therefore under whatever fpecious fhew the enemy would infinuate defpair, rejeft the temptation as contrary to the truth of God and his Son. It is ut- terly inexcufable to defpair of mercy after thefe decla- rations and examples of full and free pardon. Unbe- lief in them tg whom the gofpel is fent, is horrid and
fatal ',
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 199
fatal ; it admits of no excufe, but juftly expofes the , impenitent fubje£t to the forefl: condemnation. And further,
IV. The premifes fhew that no real penitent is to be refufed the ordinances of the gofpel, however bad his former convefation may have been. Some plead for open communion, and make light of baptifm itfelf. If any man appears to them pious, though he is not conformed to that divine inftitution, they em- brace him, and cenfure their brethren who cannot dif- penfe with an ordinance of Chrift under any confidera- tion whatever, while they applaud themfelves as per- fons of a truly catholic fpirit ; but in fa6l, a right to chriftian communion is not entirely grounded in the piety of the fubje£l, but requires an open confeflion of Jefus, and devotion to him in baptifm. A man, being called, will hereafter fit down with the faints in the kingdom in heaven, who, yet remaining unbaptized, hath no place in the church on earth. The Lord knows them that are his, and accepts them ; but he has commanded his difciples to be baptized in his name. And, is it the perfe6lion of charity to prefume againft his exprefs will and pleafure ? But then, on the the other hand, no man, who proves his repentance, is to be denied baptifm, or being baptized, the privilege of the faithful, merely becaufe he was a notorious tranfgreflbr before converfion. The men of Judea, though guilty of the blood of Jefus himfelf, on con- vidlion, were directed to baptifm; and we find them afterward admitted to the fellowfhip of the church. Alfo at Corinth, perfons who had formerly lived in a N 4 moft
ICO LECTURES ON
moft ftiameful manner, being fandlified by grace, are numbered with the faints in that city, i Cor. vi. g. Yea 2nd fome, who once in ignorance, like the apoftle of the Gentiles, would have deftroyed the faith, after they were called became (hining inftances of holinefs and zeal, to the praife of the grace they received. I hope none will abufe this mercy to their ruin ; and far be it hence to infmuate that churches are not to be careful whom they receive. A profligate fmner, or one who hath openly oppofed the truth, if a genuine penitent, will of himfelf afford every poflible evidence of his converfion ; the fruits of which are to be waited for. And a man may be juftly fufpe£ted, who would intrude himfelf on others, who are not fatisfied of his repentance. But to ftand ofF> or to refufe the right hand of fellowfliip, to one that is truly and vifibly hum- bled for his fins, and who gives proper evidence of his faith in the Redeemer, becaufe of his former evil con- verfation, left it (hould offend or bring a difgrace on religion, as fome apprehend, or indeed on any other pretence, however piaufible, favors of ignorance and pharifaical pride. This at beft is no other than carnal reafon, and contrary to the counfel of God. Chrift Jefus came into the world to fave fmners, and they who would rejedl fuch when penitent, forget that they themfelves were once the fervants of fm, they run counter to the manifeft defign of the miflion and incar- nation of the Son of God, and the example of all fcrip- ture-hiftory. But to proceed,
V. Upon the fame principle, no repenting finner fhould be afraid or afhamed to confefs the Lord Jefus
Chrift,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 201 Chrift, becaufe of his paft rebellion and w.'ckednefs. It is probable that Saul, while he lay at Damafcus, feared to own his converfion by putting on Chrid, be- caufe he had blafphcmed his name and perfecuted his people in the time of his ignorance. We know that this was his obje<5lion againft going to Jerufalem : " Lord, faith he, they know that I imprifoned, and *' beat in every fynagogue them that believed on thee ; *' and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen v/as flied, " I was ftanding by, confenting unto his death, and *' kept the raiment of them that flew him,"A6cs xxii, 19. Certain it is that a view of his fmfulnefs occafioned his delay, as appears from the exhortation of Ananias: *' And now why tarried thou ? arife and be baptized, *' and wafh away thy fins, calling on the name of the *' Lord," ver. 16. So then a view of his aggravated guilt hindered him awhile, from a public acknowledg- ment of the Saviour in baptifm. For the like reafon many decline a confeflion of Chrill. They have been guilty of fuch and fuch heinous tranfgreflions in life, and therefore they are afhamed or afraid of making a profeflion of their faith, but without a caufe; for as no man is to be refufed by others, fo neither fliould any man himfelf delay baptifm on account of his noto- rious bad life in time paft. If not only Saul the blaf- phemer and perfecutor, but alfo every convinced Jew, even though he had been actually concerned in cruci- fying Chrift, is direfled and encouraged, on repentance, to be baptized in his name, what colour of reafon can there be for a penitent to decline an open con- feffion of the Lord, or to abftain from the privileges of the gofpel, becaufe of his vilenefs before conver- fion ?
202 LECTURESON
fion ? And is this thy temptation, dear Reader ? Bring forth the fruits of repentance, and fear not to glorify thy Redeemer by a public devotion to his name. He that plucked thee as a brand from the fire, and took away thy filthy garments, hath beftowed this mercy upon thee, that thou mayeft appear a monument of his grace in the fight of the world to his praife. Be of good courage : why tarrieft thou ? arife and be baptized without further delay. Once more.
Note VI. It is fufficient encouragement to awakened Jlnners, that unto them the word of falvation is fent. This is the argument, and the only argument of the apoftle with the Jews, to encourage their hope of re- miffion and the gift of the Spirit, on their being bap- tized. O it is an unfpeakable mercy and joy to a con- vinced tranfgreflbr who is ready to perifti, when he finds the word of the gofpel directed to him, that he is fo far from being excluded from the promife of life, that Jefus invites him ! This is the firft ground of hope to the awakened finner. Hence he is induced to flee, under all his guilt and unworthinefs, unto him that is able and willing to fave him ; and with the higheft reafon, for furely a true penitent may fafely venture on the faithfulnefs and power of God to glorify his righ- teoufnefs in the pardon, fanftification and eternal fal- vation of his foul, according to his word. And indeed the only folid foundation of hope is the teftimony of God. '* I wait for the Lord, and in his word do *' I hope," Pfalm cxxx. 5. That hope which is not grounded in the divine word, will never prove an an- chor of the foul in an hour of temptation. But the
perilhing
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 203
perifliing finner laying hold of the proclamations of grace in Chrift Jefus, as dire6led to him, will not fail, through the affiftance of the Spirit, to hope in the Redeemer, and none ever truftcd in him and were afhamed.
These are the truths which clearly refuk frcm Pe- ter's reply to the earneft queftion of the Jews, wh'> ap- plied in diftrcfs under a conviction of their fins, rj^ime- ly, the infinite importance of being found among thofe who repent and believe, and their indifpenfible duty to be baptized in the name of Jefus. It likewife proves that a free and full pardon is opened in the miniftration of the gofpel to every one that repents, and tnat no real peni- tent is to be refufed the ordinances of Chrift merely on account of his former had conduit j neither fliould he for this realon fhun a profeffion of his name. And finally it appears that the confideration of the divine promife of life in Jefus being diredfed unto him, is a fufficient ground of encouragement to the awakened fmner, who is ready to pcrifh, to truft in the Lord, and be baptized in his name, in a certain expectation of being faved through. grace.
This is the fum of the gofpel. And thus our Sa- viour taught his difciples, that *' it behoved Chrift to " fufFer, and to rile from the dead the third day, and " that repentance and remiffion of fins fhould be " preached in his name among all nations, beginning *' at Jerufalem," Luke xxiv. 46. The report of this grace, in rhe form of an exhortation, was from the he- ginning addrefled to every enquiring hearer of the
word.
204 LECTURES ON
word. Thus Jefus hlmfelf " came into Galilee preach- *' ing the gofpel of the kingdom of God, — faying, " R.epent ye and believe the gofpel," Mark i. 15, 16. And unto the Jews in their blindnefs he falih, " Ex- *' cept ye repent, ye fhall all likewife perifh," Luke- xiii. 3. And again, " If ye believe not that I am he, " yp {hall die in your fins," John viii. 24. This in- deed includes a credit of him as the AiefTiah, but car- ries in it more, even that repentance which ftands con- nefted with remiflion of fins, as appears from the terms of the threatning in cafe of impenitence. Nor is it becoming or fafe, to leflen the importance of the repen- tance and faith univerfally enjoined in the miniftration of the gofpel, on any pretence whatever. And as Chrift himfelf, fo did his apoftles preach the gofpel to every one wherever they went. This account Paul gives of his miniftry in his appeal to the elders of Ephefus, Adls XX. 21. teftifying, ^iap,«p%po/^£>':^ ; not fimply pub- liftiing the do(5trine, nor barely fhewing the neceffity of '* repentance towards God and faith toward our Lord *' Jefus Chrift." The word fignifies to call upon or charge the obje£l addrefi'ed ; and thus it is ufed by the apoftle to Timothy, 2 epiftle iv. i. "I charge thee *^ therefore before God, &c." This Paul did both to Jews and Greeks, not only (hewing them that repen- tance was needful to the remiffion of fins, but ftirring them up to repent; which agrees with what he declares to Agrippa in the court of Cefaria, chap. xxvi. ,20. namely, that he *' ihewed firft to them at Damafcus, *' and at Jerufalem, and throughout all the coafts of ** Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they fhould *' repent and turn to God, and do works meet for re-
" pentance."
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 205
'* pentance." In like manner, in the inftance before us, Peter's exhortation indeed was occafioned by the enquiry of perfons convinced of their need of a Saviour ; and no one without fucji conviilicn can pofiibly truft in the Lord Jefus Chrift; yet the apoftle's addrefs ex- tends to the whole of his audience, and his argument comprehends every Jew to-whom the promife belonged, even all the houfe of Ifrael, and every one in particular, prefent or abfent, under the like convidlion, is exhorted and encouraged by thefe words of Peter, to repent and be baptized in the name of Jefus for the remiflion of fms. It is the office of the Spirit to convince men of Hn J neither will any turn to the Lord, who are not ready to perifh, and faith itfelf is the gift of God ; hence they only in whom a divine power is exerted, will obey this external call in the gofpel ; yet every one is called, and ought to be intreated and charged to repent and believe, that is, as a perifliing fmner to flee unto Jefus, who is the only and all-fufficient Saviour, according to ancient prophecy, Ifa. xlv. 22. " Look *' unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be faved." Thus to the end of the world the gofpel is preached to every creature, that the Lord working efFedtually in the hearts of his chofen, may grant them repentance nnto life, and bring them to the obedience of faith.
And nov/, my dear Reader, what doft thou think of thefe things, or thyfelf ? Haft thou long fat under (he report of the gofpel unconcerned and impenitent ? how hard is thine heart, and how great is thy danger ! thou ^rt yet in thy unSj fenfual in thy ftate, and void of
the
2o6 LECTURESON
the Spirit; and if deith overtakes thee in this fad con- dition, thou art forever undone ! Confider, I befeech thee J the Judge is at (he door, and this night thy foul may be required at thine hands. The foul out of Chrift muft perifli ; in which dreadful cafe thy blood will be upon thee, the weight of which v/ill fmk thee in the bottomlefs gulph of perdition ! O then repent and fiee unto Jcfus ; there is no other name under heaven whereby thou canft be faved. Precious and wonderful are the bkllings of pardon and fan6lification fet forth in the gofpcl : To be a partaker of thefe is of the utmoft confcqucnce to every man; yet alas, how lightly efteemed, how greatly neglected and defpifed ! Whence is it that the Icaft profpecl of temporal riches and pleafure, or earthly enjoyments, things compari- tively trifling and vain, immediately ftrike thy atten- tion ; while alas, the unfearchable riches of Chrift, rcminion of hns, and the Holy Ghoft, (gifts of infinite value in themfelves, and of no lefs importance) are To obvioufly and fhamefully flighted ? The moment the things of this world are reported in the ear, and pro- pofed to a man, he feels in himfelf a dcfire, perhaps an unlawful defirc, of the obje£l; and in proportion to the confidence he hath of obtaining it, he is prone to an excefs of joy ; whereas the report of thefe fpiritual blelhngs, necelTary to the fruition of God, are heard by moft v/ithout any emmotion of heart, or even the le^ft concern about a pcrfonal intercil in them,
Strange and lamentable this ! yet perfe6tly natural to a mind that is bliiidcd by the god of this world, and
hardened
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 207
hardened through the deceitfulnefs of fin. The con- fcience of an unregenerate man is not duly if at all af- fe<Sed with his native guilt and pollution, or the righ- jteoufnefs of God, or judgment to come. Hence the grace of the gofpel cannot raife his attention or engage his purfuit. If this is thy cafe, may the Lord open thine eyes, and grant thee a fight of thy real condition. But if thou art now faying in thine heart, under a deep fenfe of thine iniquity, What fhall I do ? To thee this word of falvation is fent. It is the word of the Lord which abideth for ever, and the voice of God to every one by the miniftration of his gof- pel; " Repent and be baptized in the name of Jefus ^* Chrift, for the remiflion of fins." And, as God ig true, " he that believeth and is baptized, fhall be " faved."
To conclude. Remiffion of fins, and emiffion of the Holy Ghoft, are the two capital bleffings of the gofpel. To procure thefc the Son of God was manifeft in the ilefh, and became obedient to the death of the crofs. Thy Saviour, O Chriftian, fufFered and died a facrifice for fin, that juftice being fatisfied by his complete atonement, the divine holinefs might be vindicated in befiiowing grace on the chofen. Hence, as we have feen, the Redeemer having finifhed his work, afcended to the Father ; and upon receiving the promife of the Spirit, he fhed him forth on the difciples, that repen- tance and remiffion of fins might be preached in his name, for the converfion and joy of the redeemed :imong men. And, art thou a partaker of this heavenly
callinp; ?
20g LECTURES ON
calling ? give diligence to prove it > *' be of good chear, " thy Tins are forgiven thee." But remember that *' to whom much is forgiven, the fame loveth much." Abound then in thefe fruits of Icvo, that tliy faith may appear, and grace may be magnified in thine eternal falvation.
LECTURE XIV.
The converted Jews teftify their reception of the gof- pel, in being baptized and joining the church. Notes on their vlfible obedience to the faith.
THE further we advance, the more we have reafon to admire ! It was truly aftonifhing that remif- fion of fms fliould be preached in the name of Jefus to them who had been guilty of his blood, and that any of them, in diftrefs, fliould apply to his apoftles for ad- vice; but ftill more extraordinary is the real converfion of a multitude, who had defied every kind of external evidence to his charadter as the Mefliah, and even glo- ried in having procured his execution. To behold thoufands of thefe murderers of the Lord take up the erofs in an open confeffion of his name, whom they had lately put to death as an impofter, may juftly ftrike us with wonder ; yet this was, through the power of God, the efFeit of Peter's difcourfe j for we read, A£ts ii. 41. *^ Then they that gladly received the word were bap- *^ ti^ed 3 and the fame day there were ^dded unto them
*' abou^
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 209
** about three thoufand fouls." Thus the omnipotent arm of fovcreign grace is ever vidorious, and it came to pzL ^as the prophet foretold, " Thy people fh?ill be " willing in tlie day of thy pcv/er." The particulars of this remarkable account being opened, will lead us to feveral points efiential to the experience and du'y of them who are efieilually called.
First, We are tdJ that t'.ey r^c.hcd his word, i. e. believed ihe-gofpel he preached. In believing there is a reception of the word and of Chriil revealed in it. And accordingly in John i. j2. they who re- ceived him, are t'ie fame with thole who believed on his name ; which agrees with what our Lord fays in his addrefs to the Father concerning his difciplcs : ** I *' have given them rhy words, and they have received *' them," John xvii. 8.
Unbelievers rejc£i: the word of falvation, and like many at Antioch, A6tb xiii. 46. put it from them, and thereby judge themlelves unworthy of everlafting life. But thefe men, being awakened and convinced, be- lieved the report, and accounting it a faithful faying and worthy of all acceptation, embraced and applied it. They were helped, through grace, to " receive the ^' engrafted word, which is able to fave our fouls." And that to receive the word in the fenfe of this place, carries in it nothing lefs than the obedience of faith, or z receiving Chnft Jefus the Lord, appears from the event.
Note again. The manner in which they embraced the gofpel of Chrift, namely, with pkafure. " Then
O *' they
210 L E C T U R E S O N
*' they that gladly received his word." They received it with all readinefs of mind. As Zaccheus, when call- ed by the Saviour from the fycamore-tree, " he mad« ** hafte and came dov/n and received him joyfully," Lukq xix. 6. Thus the people of Galilee, who waited for Je- fus when he returned from the country of the Gadarenes, gladly received him again : So when the word is mixed with faith, it is attended with joy in the Holy Ghoft, I ThefT. vi. i. Some joy of heart hath been felt by that man who knows the found of the gofpel, which is joyful tidings to the perifhing fmner. Thy frame, chriftian Reader, may at prefent be forrowful j but once, when firft the promife of remiflion was re- ceived, it gladdened thine heart. And this was the experience of David : *' Thy teftimonies have I taken *' as my heritage for ever, for they are the rejoicing *' of my heart," Pfalm cxix. iii. And again: "I ** rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great fpoil," ver. 162. which agrees with Matt. xiii. 44. " The " kingdom of heaven is like unto a treafure hid in a ** field ; the which when a man hath found he hideth, " and for joy thereof goeth and felleth all that he hath, " and buyeth that field." Such is the efiedl of the gofpel, Vv'hen it is the power of God unto the falvation of a, man that believes j he gladly receives it,
IS'ow they who indeed thus obey from the heart this form of dodtrine, are naturally willing to tefrify the faxne in every a6|: of external obedience j and accord- ingly thefe Jews yvere immediately baptized, and thereby openly and readily acknowledged Chrift Jefus the Lorcj. Baptifm is one part of the counfel of God, v>'hich the
apoftlq
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 2ir
apoftle had declared. The minifters of Chrift are to teach not barely repentance, but the baptifm of repen- tance for the remiffion of fins, i. e. it becomes them to diredl all who repent, to be baptized on a confefTion of their guilt and their faith in the Mefiiah. In this manner John baptift began in the wildernefs, " bap- *.' tizing with the baptifni of repentance, faying to the *•• people, that they fnould believe on him that fliouM " come after him, that is, on Chrifl Jefus," Adis xix. 4. And after the Lord "was rifcn, he fent forth his apoftles, faying, " Go ye into all the world, and *' preach the gofpel to every creature. He that be- " lieveth and is baptized, fliall bs faved," Mark xvi. 15, 16. This agrees with the hiilory of the eunuch, in "which it appears that Philip had, in his difcourfe treated on the do6lrine of baptifm, on a profeflion of faith. Hence he takes the firft opportunity to propofe himfelf, and this is the reply of his fpiritual guide : " If thou believeft with all thine heart, thou mayeft," A6ls viii, 36, 37. Thus they who receive the word are to call on the name of the Lord ; *' for with the *■' heart man believeth unto righteoufnefs, and with the *' mouth confeffion is made unto falvation," Rom. X. 10. And this evidence thefe Jerufalem-converts gave of their having received the gofpel they had heard ; they furrendered to Jefus, and owned themfelves his difci- ples ; " for as many of you as have been baptized into « Chrift, have put on Chrift," Gal. iii. 27.
From their baptifm the apoftle proceeds to their union with the church ; " there were added unto \\ them," i, e. to the church, as appears from vsr 47.
O 2 He
412 LECTURES ON
He that is baptized in the name of Jefus, is become his vifible fubjeft, and is formally meet for the communion of faints in his houfe ; he is as it were now openly in the kingdom of God's dear Son, and a difciple of the Redeemer ; but no man commences a member of a chriftian church, in which alone the feat of govern- ment and gofpel-crder is found, purely by his being baptized. Indeed every one thus prepared, whofe cha- rafter anfwers to his holy profefiion, and who is capa- ble of the duties and ends of this fpiritual communion, is to be received ; but there is no necefTary connexion between a man's baptifm and his relation to any parti- cular church. He that is baptized is both entitled and obliged to chriflian 'communion, but in order to this, an union is needful ; the manner of which is dear from 2 Cor. viii. 5. " They firft gave their own felves unto *' the Lord, and unto us by the will of Gou." To the fame purpofe is Rom. xv. 7. " Wherefore receive ye " one another, as Chrift alfo received us, to the glory *' of God." So then the formal bond of church- fellowfliip is mutual confent. No baptized perfon, who in the judgment of charity is a believer, is on any account to be refufed ; neither his poverty, nor the weak- nefs of his faith, nor his being a babe in fpiritual underftanding, nor any other circumftance whatever, may hinder the acceptance of him who hath learned Chrift ; and, being baptized in his name, has a compe- tent knovv'ledge of the nature" and defign of chriftian pommunioii : This is manifeft from John i. 12. men- tioned already. " But to as many as received him, *' to them gave he power (or privilege) to become the •* fons of God," What lefs can be intended by this
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 213
power than a right to fhare with the difcip'es in every privilege of the gofpel ? Therefore as many as believe on his name are entitled thereto. But ftill the confent of the parties is required to cpnftitute a perfon a mem- ber of a particular chriftian fociety ; he muft propofe, and they mull accept, in the name of the Lord. While therefore we avoid the pride of Diftrophes, and by no means rejcd a brother in Chrift, or caPc him out of the chuich ; on the other hand, let us take heed that under a notion of charity we do not countenance diforder." No man can be conftrained againft his own will unto this relation in any gofpel-church ; and a pretence of right to intrude into the fociety of the faithful without a full f?.tisfa£lion as to a meetnefs for communion, is againft the didlates of reafon and fcripture, and parti- cularly the example of Saul, that eminent inftance of fovereign and omnipotent grace : After his calling and baptifm he was not joined to the difciples till they, be- ing perfuaded of his converfion and character, gave him the right hand of fellowfhip. And if this was required in the primitive timesj and among the apoftles, who were to feparate and go into difi'erent parts of the world for the fpread of the gofpel, much more ought believers, who are to continue together in the order of Chrift, to be fatisfied in them whom they lay into their bofom. So then you fee that there muft be a joining by mutual confent, in order to the communion of faints in a chri- ftian church-ftate. And in this manner, no doubt, thefe Jews, when baptized, were added to the church.
The apoftle having noted their admiffion, goes on to mention their number > not indeed precifely, but a
O 3 few
214 LECTURES ON
few more or Ici's ; about three thoufand fouls. A very large ga.hering indeed ! Now came to pafs what our Lord told Peter and John, when he called them from their nets. Matt, iv. 19. " Follow me, and I will make " you fifhers of men." The miraculous drau'^ht at the fea of Tiberias, which the difciples could fcarce drag to fhor?, was but a fhadow of this, taken up by the net of the gofpel. The fields were now white, and the reaper foon rejoiced with his (heaves ! What an harvefl of fouls was here colleiled into the kingdom of heaven ! May we not juftly admire, and efpecially when we confidcr that all thefe were gathered and join- ed to the Lord the fame day ? This is a marvellous circumftance, but it was the Lord's doing ; and who fliail limit the power of God ? It is eafy with Jeho- vah to cf nvert any number, in whatever fpace, at his pleafure. Lt a day or in a hour, yea in a moment, the victorious arm of his grace can fubdue the heart of a firmer, and even turn the difobedient in thoufands to the wifdom pf the juft ! Had the change depended on the preacher, this extraordinary account might have been quefiioned ; but fiiicc the work is divine, if any man doubt, the anfwer is ready.; it is the fame as in the cafe of the refurre61ion. Why fliould it be thought a thing incredible with you that God fhould quicken {o great a number of fouls in a day ? Is any thing too hard for the Almighty ? Cannot he at his will, in an inllant, reduce a multitude of unbelievers to the obe- dience of the faith ? Surely with God all things arc po/Hble. Some, indeed, have queried whether fo many ^erfons could be baptized in a day; though it appears not improbable to them who confider the number of baths
at
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 215
at Jerufalem, and that the apoftles had hands more than fafEcisnt to accomplifli this work from eleven in the morning, by which time it is reafonable to fuppofe Peter had finifhsd his feirmon. But whatever difficulty is made about the baptizing thefe perfons, there can be no room to hefitate concerning the power of God to convert them within the time abovementioned.
Once more, obferve ; this account Is univerfal and particular : They all "and every one gladly received the word ; none but thofe v/ho received the word were baptized ; and no one baptized in the name of Jefus ort this teftimony was refufed a place in the church, but was freely admitted. Such is the order of the gofpel ; nor can it be fhewn from the New-Tefcament that any perfon was admitted to baptifm who received not the word of the Lord, or that an unbaptized perfon was at any time joined to the church. This is the fum of the account. A number of fmners at Jerufalem, to the amount of about three thoufand, hearing from Peter the good tidings of remiffion of fins, were enabled to believe j arid in teftimony of their cordial acceptance of the gofpel, openly conFefTed Jefus Chrift, and being in his name baptized, they were immediately added to the church by mutual confent. Here it may be ufeful to paufe and refledl.
In this glorious event we have a wonderful difplay of the fovereignty, power, grace and faithfulnefs, of God. Here is diftinguiftiing mercy, they and not others. Thoufands were converted ; but there is rea- fon to conclude that many more thoufands, who heard
O 4 the
2i6 LECTURES ON
the farre fermon remained in unbelief. Again, how adorable the power of God in the fuddcn converfion of fo many ftubborn unbvhevers, who hsd ?.6ted aoajnft the mod ftriking teftimonies of the Father to his well- beloved Son ; and to call home and pardon thefc daring and bloody tranfgrefibrs, who had murdered the Prince of life and crucified the Lord of glory ! This was alfo rich nrrace irdced. Nor can we too much admire the faith- fulnefs of God in thus accomplifliing the promiffs he had j.iven to his church. Now it came to pafs that in ev^n-tide it was light. How did he mukiply the na- tion and increafe their joy ! Their joy before him was truly accoiding to the joy of harveft; and they tri- umphed in Chrift a:> men rejoice when they divide the fpoil, Ifa. ix. 3. Alas, how different is the face of things now ! Now a minifter of the gofpel can truly mourn with the prophet, Micah vii. i. and lament, faying, " Woe is me, for I am as when they have ga- *' thered the fummer fruits, as the grape-gleanings of *' the vintage I" Here and there an inftance, for the Lord hath not utterly forfaken us. And if any judg- ment is to be formed by the example of thejfe converts, how few gladly receive the word ! Few inflced, com- paratively fpeaking, arc baptized and ajiided to the church ! In this refpect theie is buriittle even of the form of godlinefs arnong us. The generality of hearers feem to have no inclination to obey. O that they had hcarVb to turn their fc;et unto the tefiimonies of the Lord, and would glorify Chrift in a profelFed fub- jediion to his gofpel ! But in vain do minifters now wifh and pray ; in vain are ftrong arguments and ear- neft intrcaties with many who would be thought chri-
ftians ;
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 217
ftians -y they regard not the order of th» gofpe], as if chriftianity could be promoted without a church-ftate, or there was neither authority, wifdom or grace, in the appointments of the Lord ! Ncverthelefs God is able and faithful to revve vts again. Let us not dtfpond and fay, our bones are dried, our hope is loft ! 1 he divine power and grace, manifeiled in the coiiverfioii of this multitude, fliould encourage us to hope and wait for the pouring out of the Spirit from on hi^h; then fhall our v/ildernefs become as a fruitful field. Many will then embrace the word with joy, and be- come obedient to the faith, to the glory of God, and the increafe of his vifible kingdom.
But for the dirediicn and cncourao-ement of thofe who are doubtful of their ftate, or negligent of their duty to Chrift, I fliall attempt a more particular im- provement of this original example, which manifeltly prefents us with the following truths, namely,
I. That a faving reception of the word is accom- panied with joy.
,11. It becomes every one, who hath obtained mercy to believe and embrace tiie goipel, to be immediately baptized in the name of Jefus. And,
III. He that gladly receives the word, and is bap- tized into Chrift, is obliged and entitled to the com- munion of faints, and ihould accordingly be joined to the church. *
We
2i8 L E C T tJ R E S O ^
We have feen that thfe example of thefe convert^ agrees with many other inftances on record, which abundantly fhew that a reception of the word is at- tended with joy, and prove the firft proportion ; and indeed, in the nature of the thing, it cannot be other- wife. The tidings of peace, pardon, liberty, falvation^ and vidory, mud convey joy to the fubjetSl; but alJ thefe are included in the vo.ke of a reconciled God to perifliing fmnerb by the gofpel of his Son. The man who is unacquainted with the evil of fin, and his own fad condition under its power and curfe, may take up with a notion of evangelical truth, and be a ftranger to the gladnefs felt by thefe converts; but he that has been laid under adeep conviction of his mifery and guilt, and, like the men of Judea, pricked in the heart, un-* der a fenfe of his heinous iniquity, cannot fail of re- joicing in the knowledge of falvation by the remiflion of fins. Gan a proclamation of liberty to the captive, pardon to the condemned, and glory to them who are covered with fhame as children of wrath, be received without joy? it is utterly impoffible. They who are ready to perifli cannot but rejoice in a profpeCt of deliverance, in proportion to the danger apprehended, and the cer- tainty and compleatnefs of the falvation revealed. In one word j it is gofpel that is received, and eflentially a joyful found, and therefore it rauft in fome degree rejoice thofe who embrace it.
And as to the other obfervations, they are no lefs confirmed by the teftimony of fcripture. It is implied in the general report of the gofpel, '« He that believ-
« eth
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 219
" eth and is baptized fliall be faved." And the commif- fion of our Lord to teach and baptize, proves the obliga- tion of baptifm on them that are taught. And it is plain from the exhortation of Ananias to Saul when he lin- gered, Adts xxii. 16. that no enlightened perfon, under any pretence, fhould delay his fubmiffion to Chrift, or be refufed his facred appointments. And, however fome may excufe themfelves, and are not to be perfuaded unto this obedience, it appears from the readinefs of thefe men at Jerufalem, and the jailor and his houfe on the like occafion, and efpecially when joined to that of the eunuch, A6ls viii. 36. I fay, it appears but natural to thofe who receive the word gladly by a cor- dial faith, to be forward in prefenting themfelves as the fubje6ls of baptifm. Nothing can be more evi- dent than that he who receiveth the engrafted word fhould immediately conform to this divine inftitution. And that it becomes a baptized believer to be joined to the church the firft opportunity, is not to be doubted, fmce he is baptized in order to this communion of faints, and the obfervance of whatever the Lord hath commanded ; fo that a man who, after he has fub- mitted to this ordinance, neglects the facred fellow- Ihip, defeats one end of his baptifm, and comes fhort of his engagements in that folemn devotion of hjmfelf to the Lord, as well as to the uniform pra6lice of the primitive chriftians.
Since therefore it cannot be modeftly qiieftioned that it is the exprefs will of God, and agreeable to the condu6l of fuch who were enlightened from the beginning, that they who embrace the gofpel fhould
without
220 Lectureson
without delay be baptized and added to the church, it may be prefumed that few will controvert thefc points, but at the fame time, as obferved, the far greater number of hearers obey not the truth, among which we may hope there are many to whom the word of the Lord is precious ; fuch perfons are for the moft part fearful of their m.eetnefs for thefe holy appoint- ments. When one and another is afked why, upon a good hope through grace, he remains without practi- cal and vifible fubjedtion to Chrift, whom he efteems as his Lord ? The common reply is, I fear I am not fufEciently qualified ; I am unworthy, and not duly prepared for thefe inftitutions. And here, it muft be owned, that men fhould take heed that they do not precipitate into any form of religion. A formal pro- feffion, without the life and power of godlinefs, avails not the hypocrite ; nor will a blind devo- tion, however exatt and externally regular, fave any man ; yet under this pretence, fhall any true chriftian omit the appointments of his Redeemer ? And fmcc we have before us a criterion of real chriftianity, kand confequently of an undeniable fitnefs for gofpel- ordinances, I beg the fcrupulous believer to credit me awhile till I have an opportunity of purfuing the in- terefting point in another lecture or two ; in his atten- dance on which, I truft, by the blefling of God, his doubts may be removed to his full fatisfadion.
LECTURE
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 221
LECTURE XV.
What is included in a faving reception of the word^ and the manner in which it is embraced.
FROM the ftriking example of the firfl converts at Jerufalem, and Other like inftancts, it appears that the word is embraced with joy, and that every one who receives ir, fhould be imaiediately baptizrid, and joined to the church. Points which are fcarcely debated. Neverthelefs, how rarely are the waters of the baptiftery ufed ; and how few, in connparifon, ap- pear before the Lord with the facrifice of praiie, and fit at his table ! Now this muft be owing, either to a negledi: ot' the gofpel, or to fome ground lefs fcruple in them that embrace it, whereby they are prevented from conforming to this holy pro'^cilion. But the inftance of the Jews, who were baptized at the direc- tion of Peter, is a fufficient reply to the ferious en- quirer; It reduces the point to this fingle queftion, namely, Have I in like manner received the vvord ? If confcience anfvvers in the affirmative, every jufr ob- jefiLion is removed, and the fiibjedl muft find relief from his fears, and a warrant to appear under that form of godlinefs which becomes the dilcrples of Jefus. With a view, therefore, to aflift thofe who are doubt- ful, and to animate the fincere penitent unta a chearful obedience, I Ihall particularly conf.der the pharadter and experience of thofe who were baptized
and
222 L E C T U R E S O N
and joined to the Lord at Jerufalem, and fliew the obligation of them who have obtained the like mercy to copy this original pattern.
The principal and interefting branch of my fubjecSl is the defcription of thofe who willingly offered them-f felves, and were added to the church. He that finds himfelf anfwer to this, will readily follow their ex- ample, and cfpecially when he confiders the obligations upon him, which are hereafter to be named. Now thefe primitive difciples are reprefented as having glad- ly received his word. To a full difplay of which it may be ufeful to fliew, what is included in a faving reception of the truth, how or in what manner a per- fon gladly receives it, the fource of that joy which they feel. And, as a further illuftratiop of the point, I {hall mention the genuine fymptoms oi this bleffed experience. Now a cordial reception of the gofpe^ carries in it,
I. An underflanding in Chrift, and the things which belong to his kingdom. *' He that receiveth " the feed into good o-round, is he that heareth the *' word and underftandeth it," Matt. xiii. 23. Such is the profitable hearer, who embraces the gofpel in his heart. This was the experience of the faithful of old. Hence faith David, " The entrance of thy word giv- " eth light, it giveth underflanding to the fimple," Pfalm cxix. 130. And in verfe 25, he prayeth, fay- ing, " Give me underflanding that I may know thy *' teftimonies." Some are greatly offended that man in his natural flate is reprefented void of underfland-r
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 223
^•no-. Yet thus faith the fcrlpture, which cannot be broken, Rom. i. 31. *' Vv-ithout underftanding." And again, chap. iii. 11. " There is none that underftand- *' eth. " To the fame purpofe is Ephef. iv. 18. ** Their underftanding is darkened." Yea faith the prophet, Pfalm Ixxx. 5. " They know not, neither *' will they undeiftand." A natural man may know all language, and be a profound critic in the letter of fcripture : He may alfo attain to an accurate know- ledge of every docStrine therein revealed ; neverthelefs, darknefs hath blinded his eyes, he is fpiritually blind ; for with all his natural advantages, he cannot difcern ordiftinguilh the glory and ^importance of the gofpel; he hath ears but heareth not ; and is in the fame fi- ti^atjion w^ith the Jews, to whom our Lord thus de- clares, John viii. 43. *' Why do ye not underftand *' my fpeech ? even becaufe ye cannot hear my word." Thus the mind of the unregenerate hearer labours under infuperable prejudices, infomuch that he is in- capable, without a change, of beholding the glory of the Lord, and the wifdom of God in his gofpel. To v/hich impotence, in refpedl of divine knowledge, the apofcle is as plain as words can exprefs it. " The *' natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit " of God, they are foolifhnefs unto him ; neither can •' he know them, becaufe they are fpiritually difcern- *' ed," I Cor. ii. 14. This is the fad ftate of ihi carnal man ; he heareth the word oi the kingdom, but our Lord expiefsly declares, he underilandeth it not. So that in whatever fenfe unp'ofitabie hearers may be faid to receive che word, or to have it fowa p. their hearts, they are certainly deditute of a capa- city
224 LECTURESON
ci'y of difcerning the things of the Spirit. But this is the criterion of him who receiveth he v.oid to Hfe cverlafting, that he underftandeth itj and by ihis he llands difiinguiflied from all other hearers. He huih v„hat is ftiled. Col. i. 9. a fpiritual underftanding, which is effential unto a faving reception of the gofpel, and is the efFe£t of divine illumination. Hence the prayer of the apoftle, 2 Tim. xii. '], *' And the Lord give thee '* underftandina; in all things." In one word, God hath given to him that is calUd, an underftanding to " know him that is true." Without this gift o\ God, no man can receive the word in the joyful manner thefe converts did.
Again, faith is eflential to this blefled experience. Concerning thofe who perifhed under the former dif- pehfation we read, Heb. iv. 2. that " the word " preached did not profit them, not being mixed with '' faith in them that hca'd it." The allufion is to a mingling two or more things until they incorporate. In like manner, when the word is mixed with faith, it is not only received into the underftanding, but ex- tends to all the powers of the foul, fo that the heart is confojmed and united therewith. Thus runs the margin of many copies, " becaufe they were not *' united by faith." A fimple idea of the truth, how- ever clear and diftin6t, yea and though attended with the higheft credit of its veracity. Is not fufficient. The heart inuft be deeply imprefled, and as it were trantfcrmicd into the do6trine of Chiift. Indeed this fuppofes an enlightened underflantling, and a perfuaiion of the exiftence and glory of the things which are re- vealed
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 225
Vealed, without which it is impoflible to receive them into the heart. But a profitable reception of the word, by faith, implies more than a bare underftanding, which in itfelf cannot produce a fufficient alteration in the fubje6l. The whole heart is concerned in this divine exercife, as appears from Rom. vi. 17. *' Ye *' have obeyed from the heart that form of doilrine ** which was delivered unto you ;" or as k is read, ** unto which you was delivered." Where much the fame idea is conveyed by an allufion to metal caft m a mould, which receives the impreflion of its type, and comes out with its likenefs : So is the heart tranf- formed when the word is united by faith ; yea and ftill more, it as it were incorporates with it, fo that the things of the gofpel hath an exiftence in the fub- je6l, as the great Dr. Owen obferves on Heb. xi. i. . " It is the fubftance of things hoped for." Faith, mixing with a preached gofpel, gives a kind of fub- fiftence of what is promifed in the heart of the be- liever J it is alfo, faith the apoftle, " the evidence " of things not feen." The fubje£l hath the witnefs in himfelf, and a fubftantial evidence of the truth in his own experience. So then the word thus re- ceived, under the influence of divine grace, becomes united with, and transforms the fubjedi: in a manner not unlike that of natural food, which by incorpo- rating with the body, is a means to fuftain and in- vigorate animal life. It is true, this divine operation is wonderful, the modus of which is not to be ex- plained ; but this is no jufl objedion, fince the like muft be owned of the manner in which' the food of the body unites and fuftains it. The learned
P may
226 L E C T U R E S O N
may defcribe or dilate on digeftion, fecretion, repara- tion, nutrition, &c. with more or lefs certainty ; yet after all it is allowed that nature is a myftery in re- fpe6l of her adual incorporation of food as it were into herfelf, but ^that the body is fuftained in this manner, will fcarce be denied. And the fame idea is conveyed by the word being mixed v/ith faith in the heart, as likewife when the gofpel is compared to food, and Chrift to the bread of life, and alfo when faith in him is reprefe-nted under the notion of eating his flefh and drinking his blood. Spiritual and natural eating are indeed efTentially different, and to compare the former in every circumftance with the latter would be abfurd ; but if In any particular they agree, it is in this, that each invigorate the life to which it is adapted, by being received into and incorporating with the fubjecSl ; and this feems the purport of that remarkable palTage, 2 Pet. i. 4. where, fpeaking of the exceeding great and precious promifes which are given us by the gofpel, he faith, " that by thefe ye *' might be partakers "of the divine nature." Thefe promifes, embraced with faith, became a means, under the agency of the Spirit, of transforming the foul into the divine image. Hence holinefs, humility, and the love of God, appear in the fubjeit, to the praife of his grace who hath called him,
It follows, that the afFedions are included in re- ceiving the word, as obfervcd ; it reaches the heart. * Faith (fays an excellent divine) fets love to work ' upon the objedls propofed to be believed.' And the apoftle gives this criterion of the chriftian faith,
that
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 227
that it worketh by love, Gal. v. 6. It th refore touches the inward fprings of the foul, and draws out the afFedions towards God and Chrift, and the things of the Spirit. This is the faith wh c!i, be- ing mixed with the word, renders it efffectual to promoting the divine life in the foul. Thus all the powers of the mind are engaged, and the believer receives the love of the truth that he might be fav- ed, 2 Their, ii. 10. And, indeed, love to the truth and to Chrift is infeparable, from a tafte of his grace. There is no receiving the word with a due fenfe of its glory and importance, and mixing it with faith, which implies fome degree of hope in the bleffings revealed, without a fincere, unlverfal and fuperlative afFe6lion, which every one more or lefs feels on embracing the gofpel J fo that the religion of a real chriftian is rooted and grounded in love from the beginning.
And further, this includes a fincere and univerfal obedience. Hence believers are defcribed as obedient to the faith, A6ls vi. 7. And Peter, i epif. i. 21. thus exhorts the difciples : " Seeing you have purified " your fouls in obeying the truth, thro' the Spirit, fee " that ye love one another, &c." On the other hand, they who reject: the counfel of God are pj^onounced difobedient, and are complained of as not obeying the gofpel. In receiving the word there is not only n fubmiffion to the righteoufnefs of God, but the per- fon refigns himfelf unto Jefus as his Lord, and be- comes a willing fubjeft of his kingdom. Thus in Col. ii. 6. it is ftiled, receiving Chrift Jefus the Lord, i. e. to be difpofed and governed by him in all things.
P 2 ' He
228 LECTURES ON
He that cordially embraces the gofpcl furrenders him- felf unto Jefus, and the language of his heart is with Saul, who, when converted, cries out, " Lord, what *' wilt thou have me to do?" And I need only fay, that in the natural courfe of things this devotion of foul to the Redeemer will iffue in external obedience. Thus when the word is the power of God to falvation, it is received into the underftanding, mixed with faith, engages the heart of the fubjecSt, and is attended with an unfeigned obedience to Chrift.
Now he that has obtained mercy thus to believe the word of the gofpel, will appear, on refledlion, to have received it in the following manner :
First, with a full perfuafion of its true and pror per divinity : " For our gofpel came not unto you " in word only> but alfo in power, and in the Ho- *' ly Ghofl", and in much affurance," i TheiT. i. 5, j. e. of its divine original and authority ; " becaufe '* ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, " ye received it not as the word of men, but as it " is in truth the word of God," chap. xi. 13.. And this they did not barely from any external evidence whatever, but from an inward experience of its power, for the apoRle adds^ " which e{ie6l:ually workcth in " you that believe." The word comes with a divine authority into the heart, and commends itfelf to the confcicnce. Hence though the preaching of the crofs is to them that perifli foolifhnefs, yet " unto them " that are called it is the wifdom of God and the " power of God." They receive the word as from
the
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 229
the Lord, and every do£lrine is embraced in his name ; ,7; ,;ts being thus apprehended, is the very ground :. .Mw-" laith, affection and obedience, which ftand, iioL in the wifdom of men, but in the power of God, It is this div'ine voice they hear, and this alone con- quers the foul and compels the heart to obedience. So that the believer has an eye to the ''upreme au- thority of God ; and in receiving his word he fubmits to and relies upon him as the all-perfe£t Jehovah and Sovereign of his creatures, who has a ri^hi to demand his obedience, and whofe faithtulnefs never can fail. In a word ; this reception of the gofpel we are fpeak- ing of, carries in it that abfolute dependence, and that unrefcrved fubje6lion, which is due to God only, and therefore muft be grounded on his authority ; for it would be unlawful to yield in this manner to any mere creature. But again.
The word thus received is alfo embraced inftantane- oufly. " The kingdom of heaven (faith our Lord) *' is like unto a merchant-man feeking goodly pearls, ** who when he had found one pearl of -great price, " he, went and fold all that he had, and bought it," Matt. xiii. 45, 46. The truth of God is not like the opinion of man, to be deliberated upon and cau- tioufly received j what comes with a divine authority to the confcience, admits no debate. No fooner doth the entrance of the word enlighten the mind and poffefs it with the knowledge of the glory of God in the perfon of Chrift, but the heart is fubdued and ©beys. And the reafon is plain j for if a man could ^oubt a moment whether or not he fhall obey divine P 3 truth.
230 L E C T U R E S O N
truth, he would prove himfelf perverfe, and in a fiate of rebellion againft God.
And further. The word is embraced in an eager and refolute manner, with the utmoft willingnefs* of heart. Such is the nature and importance of the gofpel, that it cannot be duly received with indifference- A re- ception of the word in the fenfe we are upon, as hinted before, terminates in faith, and includes that coming to Chrift or receiving of him, which is the fame with believing on his name. The truth is re- ceived by thofe who are ready to perifh, and to fuch it muft be as life from the dead. The frame of the penitent finner towards the word, when he layeth hold of the promife and fleeth to Chrift for life, will in fome degree anfwer to the importance of that con- cern he has in it, which is no lefs than that of being delivered from wrath to come, and the obtaining of life everlafting. This good news is as cold waters to a thirfty foul ; and he muft be thirfty that drinks it. Nor are the invitations of the gofpel given to any other. So then the word is received with a longing heart, and wit-h a holy refolution to renounce every thing for the fake of Chrift and the righteoufnefs of God in liim.
M0R.E0VER, the gofpel is received with unfeigned contrition of foul. Indeed when it enters the heart it relieves from the forro'A^s of a guilty confcience ; it heals the fubjedt of thofe wounds which the terrors of the Almighty have made under legal convidtion,
and
* scJlj.il/Ui libentcr, the word rendered gladly in the text,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 231
and fills him with peace through faith in the blood of the Saviour, but at the fame time it opens the fluices of evangelical repentance. Remiflion is received with the profounceft humility; for the fubjedl being melted under a fenfe of divine love, is deeply afFe<3;ed with his own unworthinefs, and mourns with felf-abafe- ment for the evil of his many tranfgrellions , v/hich are freely forgiven him. Hence alfo he is filled with admiration at the rich grace of God bellowed on him.
In a word, it is plain, from the inftance in hand, that an acceptance of the gofpel is attended with joy. Thefe Jerufalem-finners gladly received the word. In like manner do all who embrace it, which, as hinted, agrees with the nature of the gofpel-report, it being efientially good tidings of joy. Nor is evan- gelical forrow, which belongs to a broken and con- trite heart, at all inconfiftent with this. The mercy of God, conveyed through the blood of his Son, is adapted to both ; for furely the man, who hath re- ceived remiflion of fins, may well blufti and mourn on account of his vilenefs, and his having offended that Lord who hath pardoned him, and at the fame time fincerely and gladly rejoice in the grace he has re- reived.
In this manner enlightened finners mix the word with faith, and obey the truth from the heart. They receive it as the word of God, in an inftant, without hefitation, and with ardor and refolution, as moft defirable in itfelf and important to them. They hke- P 4 wife
232 LECTURESGN
wife embrace it with a contrite frame, under a d^p fenfe of their own unworthinefs and the aboundiHg grace, which they alfo admire ; and further, it is at- tended with gladnefs, as it was with the Jews. Ar- ticles, which, I am perfuaded, will find a teftimony in the confcience of him, who has been called out of darknefs into marvellous light. It is certain that the experience of the faithful differ much in degree; fome are not fo deeply fenfible as others may have been ; and I would be far from infifting on any thing not quite efTcntial, and thereby ftumble the weak ; but it appears to me that thefe are genuine criterions. And 1 cannot but think that the leaft of all faints will difcern, on refleilion, that the authority of God is at the foundation of his faith j that however long he may have been doubtful and held back, through ignorance and fear, from refting his foul on Chrift, the moment he faw his fulnefs and the mercy of God held forth unto him, he yielded to the fceptre of his love; and that in fo doing he humbled himfelf as unworthy the blefling, and admired the grace of his pardon j, and, in a word, that at this feafon he felt fome degree of joy in believing. I appeal to the experienced Reader, and heartily wifh thefe hints may prove an occafion of his eftablifhment, that he may rejoice with them, in whom the word of the Lord abideth a feed of life cverlafting ! ' ' '
LECTURE
PRIMITIVE CHRTSTTANITY. 233
LECTURE XVI.
The fource and fymptoms of the pleafure which at- tends a cordial acceptance of the gofpel. The duty of thofe who embrace it to an immediate external obedience. And the joy of true faith compared with that which may be found with an hypocrite.
THE laft lefture clofed with obferving that a faving reception of the gofpel is attended with joy. We now proceed to the fpring of this facred afFeftion peculiar to them that are called ; which, to- gether with the attending fymptoms, the obligation on the fubje6t to incorporate himfelf among the vifible difciples of Jefus, and a word for the relief of en- quiring fouls, will finifh our defign on the increafe of the church by the firft fermon preached after our Lord's refurreftion. This enquiry is the more needful, fince it appears from the parable of the fower. Matt, xiii, that there is a joy felt by fome who are void of fpiri- tual underftanding, and who have no root in them- felves, and therefore, however induced to a formal pto- feflion, under which, for a feafon, they may boaft; they are at length offended, and perifn. Every con- fiderate perfon would deprecate being deceived in a matter of fo great importance. And it may be, my Reader is wifhing to know that his joy is fubftantial and good. May this attempt to affift his enquiry be
fucceeded,
234 LECTURES ON
fucceeded, and prove a happy means of our mutual fatisfatStion and comfort ! But let it be remembered that it is not eflential to the character of a believer, that he has been enabled to diftinguifh th;' bottom of his heart, or that he fhould vew things in his own experience in the p.-ecife order laid down in the following obfervations. It is fufficient, dear dear Friend, that thou findeft in thyfclf the fubftance of what is defcribed. This premifed, I go on to the enquiry propofed.
And here I cannot but apprehend, that the grand and original fource of this divine joy is the glory of God, as it fhines forth in Chrift. This apptars juft, both from fcripture and experience. That which is firfl: prefented to the mind, by the light of the gofpel, to engage a man to the obedience of faith, may I think be properly confidered as the leading fpring of his joy in the Lord ; and what is this but '' the glory of God ** in the face of his Son Jefus Chrift ? " 2 Cor. iv. 6. In the fame profpedl a believer perfeveres. " We all *' with open face, as in a glafs, behold the glory of " the Lord, &c." chap. iii. 18. The enlightened Cnner has a direct and true fight of the moral excel- lency and beauty of the gofpel. It is a reconciled God, whofe righteoufnefs is declared in the remiflion of fins, that fixes the heart and fills it with gladnefs. He that has been troubled for fin as an offence againft God, finds his reft, on a view of the harmony of all divine attributes in his redemption ; and it affords him unfpeakable fatisfadlion and delight, to behold the Al- Hiighty a juft God and a Saviour, and that pardon and
life
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 235
life everlafting are fet forth in a confonance with the ma- jefty and glory of God and his government. Now t is joy is more or lefs felt antecedent to and irrefpecStive of his own intereft in this grace. So that the joy of a chriftlan is rooted in the love of God, whofe glory is feen in his recovery from ruin. The word is received under a full perfuafion of its conformity to the d;vine wifdom and righteoufnefs ; and though the joy of the awakened finner is not without fome hope of perfonal intereft in the Redeemer, or at leaft of obtaining this falvation, yet the glory of the Lord, and the divine excellency of the things of the Spirit, is the firft and immediate fource of his gladnefs. Thus the joy of faith arifeth from its objedl. It is God in Chrift, who is the image of the Father, and in whom mercy and truth, and righteoufnefs and peace, unite and mu- tually embrace, that yields him delight. And accord- ingly the joy of believers hath always centered in God. Hence David fliles him, Pfalm xliii. 4. my exceeding joy ; or, as it may be read, the joy of my gladnefs. He that is juftihed by faith " rejoices in " the Lord, and his foul is joyful in his God," Ifa. Ixi. 10. And in Rom. v. 11. the apoftle, fpeaking of the general experience of the faints, faith, " We alfo *' joy in God through our Lord Jefus Chrift, by *' whom we have now received the atonement." The center of joy is its fource. Joy naturally terminates in that out of which it originally arofe. Now the joy of the chriftian is in God reconciled by the death of his Son ; the firft fpring of which was a profpedt of peace by the blood of his crofs. A chriftian may not be able to diftinguifh this order of his affe(Sions in a
life
236 LECTURESON
life of faith; but, on examination, he will find in proper ion to his light, that it takes its firfl r,T? from a view of the glory of God in the pe'! >' of Chrift, and the dilplay there is in the goCpe', of the divine perfedlions in the deliverance and falvation of fmners.
The next fource of gladnefs in receiving the word ' is the hope of the fubje6l for himCeif. The called are begotten to a lively hope of perfonal intereft in the falvation revealed; for the illuminations of the Spirit correfpond with the word of the gofpel, in which" every fenfible finner is invited with an aflurance of mercy, as in the inftance before us, ver. 38. Appro- priation is effential to faith, infomach that however weak in Its degree, there is no a£l of believing, pro-' perly fpeaking, from the firfl: motions of the quickened fmner towards the Saviour without it. Believing is trufting; but there can be no trufting without hope. In receiving the word by faith, there is included an application to Chrift, and of the peace he hath made; ' and confequently the fubjedl applies to himfelf the grace and glory which are the purchafe of his blood. And accordingly, from [the beginning, the gofpel is treafured up or hid in the heart. He that receiveth the word of the kingdom receiveth it for himfelf, and layeth it up as his property, riches and life. Hence fprings his joy; this God is his God; this Jefus is his Saviour; and that he hath a right to claim in the promife of grace. At leaft without fome degree of hope there can be no joy ; but gladnefs attends a re- ceiving of the word, in proportion to the intereft
and
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 237
and advantage the called apprehend themfelves to have in the glorious gofpel of Chrift; and unfpeak- • able is his advantage ; for, " of him are ye in Chrift *' Jefus, who of God is made unto us wifdom, and righ- *' teoufnefs, and fandification and redemption," i Cor. i. 30. In this profpe6l, may not the believer well ex- ult, and, like the eunuch who was converted by the preaching of Philip, having put on Chrift, proceed in his way rejoicing ?
Another fpring of this facred afFeiSion in the be- liever, is the happy difference which he finds and feels in himfelf. A ftranger intermeddles not with this joy ; nor is it in the power of a carnal mind to conceive the blefled alteration which a received gofpel makes in the foul. While a fmner lies under convi£tion of guilt, felf-condemned and ready to perlfh, his troubles arc great, he is filled with darknefs, and diftrefs j and in fome inftances the tormenting fears of wrath have been exquifitely great, like thofe Jerufalem-finners, whofe hearts, we have feen, were pierced as with dag- gers or fwords. Their cafe indeed was fomewhat pe- culiar ; but the evil "of fin in the confcience will ever break the peace of the foul ; and for the moft part, the terrors of a broken law, and the apprehenfions of ruin, for a feafon greatly difturb the awakened tranf- grefTor. And with refpecl to thofe who are feeking relief for their fouls ftiort of Chrift and his righteouf- npfs, their minds are ftill diftatisfied : If they flatter themfelves awhile, fome frefti excurfion of fin, or de- fe^ in duty, plunges them into the ditch, and they ^fe again in diftrefs. But when God fhincs into the
foul.
238 LECTURES ON
foul, and gives the light of his glory in Chriflr, O the liberty, peace and courage, that poflefTes the mind ! This binds up the heart, comforts the mourner, and fets the captive free. Now, juflified by faith, the fm- ner hath peace with God. He is follaced with divine love; and, being thus healed and reftored, finds that reft, which a faithful Saviour has promifed to all who are weary and heavy laden, on coming to him, and feels himfelf chearful.
Finally. A certain profpecSt of glory enhances the joy of the faithful. The falvation in Chrift, which a believer apprehends, includes a glory to come, in the fruition of which he fiiall be happy for ever. Hence we are faid to be " called unto eternal glory," and *' begotten by the refurre£tion of Chrift from the " dead, unto a lively hope of an inheritance incor- *' ruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away." Chriftians in this are conformed to their head, the Meffiah, who in prophecy fays, " Therefore my heart *' is glad and my glory rejoiceth," Pfalm xvi. 9. And, whence this joy of the Redeemer? He adds, " ThOu '* wilt fhew me the path of life." In like manner the believer is infpired. A view of his glory with Chrift fills him with gladnefs. Nor is this at all inconfiftent with the believer's joy firft arifing from a fight of the glory of God, and terminating in the Lord, fince that glory in the hope of which he rejoices lies in his being with God, to behold his face in righteoufnefs, to be filled with his love, and to celebrate his praife. Such was the expectation of the MeJHah himfelf, in the paflage laft
mentioned ;
PRIxMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 239
mentioned : " In thy prefence is fulnefs of joy, and *' at thy right hand are pleafures for evermore."
These are the fprings of gladnefs in the heart of him who receives the word, or believes in the Lord Jefus Chrift. It takes its rife from a view of the glory of God in him, the beauty of which attracts the beholder ; for, however ftrange or difagreeable the gofpel may be to a natural man, nothing is more glo- rious in itfelf,* or more fuited to the tafte and defire of him that is fpiritual. He rejoices in the divine wifdom, holinefs and righteoufnefs, which fhine in his juftification, through faith 'in the Redeemer. Thus the gofpel is firft received as it is in itfelf, glorious and excellent. And though this Is not without hope of an intereft in the falvation revealed, yet a difcovery of the divine glory in this provifion of grace firft ftrikeg the mind of him that is called, whofe pleafure increafes on a view of his perfonal advantage, which together with the fweet alteration the peace of God makes in his heart, lately troubled with fin, and the profpe<5l of life everlafting fills him with joy. Now all thefe are more or lefs experienced by the faithful. No wonder, then, that the word is gladly received. Can the man be otherwife than glad, who beholds the glory of God difplayed in the falvation of his foul ? Or fhall he who is relieved from the forrows of a wounded con- fcience, and the terrors of divine wrath, being cleanfed with the blood of Chrift, who is now formed in him the hope of glory, fail of rejoicing ? Certainly no. May this joy in the falvation of God, my dear ^Friend, be the ftrength of our heart, that, perfevering
in
240 LECTURES ON
in the fruits of holinefs, we may attain to perfe6tion in the world to come !
Now whoever has found this joy arife in his heart, to him the word of the gofpel is precious ; he efteems it as excellent in itfelf, and as the means of his own falvation. It is therefore more than his neceflary food. Job xxiii. 12. more to be defired than gold, yea than much fine gold ; fweeter alfo than honey or the honey- comb, Pfalm xlx. 10. Hence young converts give themfelves to reading and meditation, and delight in the company of thofe who are ready to difcourfe on fpiritual fubjeds. They alfo take every opportunity of hearing, to be deprived of w^hich would be as a famine to their fouls. This delight in the law of God is frequently feen to abate, yea and, it may be, that very foon, which is juftly lamented ; and they who have forgot the love of their efpoufals, do well to look back to the kindnefs of their youth, and remember how they firft received and heard, and hold faft and repent, Rer. iii. 3. But if any man defpifes the word of the Lord, or thinks its miniftration needlefs for him, under a conceit of what he hath already attained, he is proud, knowing nothing, and hath need to beware that he de- ceives not himfelf among thofe who receive not the love of the truth ; for where that abides in the heart, the preaching of the gofpel is highly efteemed, and the preachers in confequence, which is another fymptom of gladly receiving the word, as it is written, *' How ** beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gof- *' pel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things !" Rom. X. 15. Faithful minifters of Chrift are hated
and
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 241
and defpifed by the enemies of the truth ; but it is the property of thofe who beHeve to efteem them. And however they are treated by fome who pretend to this faith, it is certain that they are highly acceptable to them in whom it prevails. And this is perfeilly natural, fmce befides the pleafure and advantage they themfelves find in hearing, it is a genuine, and indeed one of the firfl: and mofl fenfible fymptoms of embracing the gofpel, to wifli it might be the power of God to the falvation of others. The fame difpoHtion is feen in every one in whom God has fhined, which difcovered itfelf in the woman of Samaria ; having found Chrift, and been enabled to truft him, he would rejoice at his being revealed to all with whom he is connecSled, that they might alfo believe. In a word, un- der the influence of this divine joy, believers are bold to confefs the Lord Jefus, and to declare their experience of his love. This joy is as the light of the morning, which difperfeth-the clouds ; the fears which overfhadow and intimidate the mind through ignorance, unbelief and carnal reafon, vanifh before it, and a freedom and courage poflelTes the fubjecl, who no longer will confult fiefh and blood, but refolves to obferve every gofpel-in- ftitution. Thus no fooner did thefe difciples embrace the gofpel, but they openly and joyfully joined to the Lord, though it called for the immediate and certain expence of all that they had, and was even at the hazard of their lives.
This leads to the reafons for an immediate and chearful compliance with the appointments of the Re- deemer. Obedience to Chrift is of infinite importance. Q^ There
242 LECTURESON
There is falvation in no other ; nor any other way of being faved by Jefus but through faith in him. We hope that many who are not in a profefled fubjec- tion to his gofpel, yet believe on his name. But how uncomely in a chriftian not to be conformed to the undoubted will of his Lord ? Indeed this is fo againft the natural tendency of faith, and the genuine influence of divine love, in the remiffion of fins, that one would be apt to conclude that the fubje6l: could not allow himfelf, on any confideration whatever, to fall fhort of the leaft command of his Saviour; yet, alas, we have reafon to lament, that, in all appearance, many who have tafted that the Lord is gracious, through one un- happy occafion and another, prefume to live in the omiffion of what is enjoined them ! And, Reader, art thou in this way ? Allow me to prefs thee; examine thyfelf, and obey thy Redeemer in all things ; remem- ber what Peter declares, *' This fame Jelus God hath *' made both Lord and Chrift." It is not the forgetful hearer of the word, but the doer of the work : *' This *' man, fays the apoftle, {hall be blefle j in his deed." Faith without fruit will as furely deceive thee as an heartlefs obedience : A general flight of that open confef- f:on of Chrifl: before men, among thofe who fit under the word, may render thee indifferent about it ; but it will be found a thing of the greateft importance when the Son of man fnall confefs his faithful difciples before the angels of God. And it fhould further be noted, that a perfonal fubjedtion to Jefus is, by the tefl:imony of God, cflTential to the chara6ter of him that may hope for the falvation revealed in the gofpel.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 243
It is a glorious truth, that the gofpel is the " power • ** of God unto falvation to every one that believeth :" But then we are to remember that chriftian baptifm, and a conformity to the order of the gofpel, belongs to the obedience of faith, which indeed comprehends more, but not lefs, than a regard to every external a£l of homage to the Saviour. From this, and many other confidera- tions*, the folly of negleiling divine appointments is ma- nifeft. An attempt to convince men of this may now feem abortive and vain ; but certainly he who in the end is found to. have defpifed, or fhuned the Redeemer's commands, will have no reafpn to glory at his appear- ance and kingdom. The man whofe confcience tells him that he has wilfully omitted and lived in a negleft of any known inftitution of Jefus, will find his hearc fail him at the approach of his judge ; but he that abides in Chrift may have ^confidence, for he ftiall not be afliamed before him at his coming.
»
As a further inducement to be found in the way of
obedience, I intreat the Reader, who trufts in the Lord Jefus Chrift, will allow me to urge the following par- ticulars upon him :
I. Thou art certainly qualified for this gofpel-fer- vlce. Is the queftion whether thy years, condition in life, or attainm^ent in knowledge, faith and love, come up to what is required in the difciples of Chrift? The anfwer is at hand : " If thou believeft with all thine " heart, thou mayeft," A6ts viii. 37. A meetnefs for
Q_ 2 thefe
* Folly of negledting divine inftitutions, publlflied 175S.
244 L E C T U R E S O N
thefe holy appointments depends not on any particular age or worldly circumftances, no nor on fingular advances in a ftate of grace. All that they require, is a new heart, and manifeft repentance and faith, without which no man can be faved. And if thou art qualified through grace, muft not thy confcience condemn thee for omitting thy Redeemer's commands ?
2. It is abfolutely required at thy hands. *' Re- '* pent and be baptized," is the voice of Chrift in his gofpel to the end of the world. No man that trufts in the Lord is on any accoulit e;ccepted from an obli- gation to confefs him. All and every one, who looks to Jefus for life, is enjoined in his word to be bap- tized in his name, and wilt thou withftand the united demand of his authority and love ?
Moreover, the example of the faithful call for thine obedience. It was the univerfal practice of tha primitive difciples. Of the multitude converted in the apoftles time, not one appears to delay this profeflion, Saul only excepted, and he ftandsjuftly reproved. It becomes thee to imitate their zeal. We are to follow them in the path of duty as well as of fuffering. And indeed no kind of fufPerings endured otherwife than under this profcfTion, hath a direil tendency to glorify Chrift, or to prove our faith in him. But, we have feen that when the gofpel firfl prevailed, converts were manifeft by their immediate recourfe to the minifters of Chrift, they willingly offered themfelves for bap- tifm, and to be joined with the church, and did not, as many now do, linger and halt year after year, as
if
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 245
if a profeffion of Jefus was a matter of indifFerency or prefump6ion, but they made hafte and delayed not, and and in all appearance thought a day loft not fpent under Chri.ft, and this they did in the midft of temp- tations and fiery trials. Now, if it became them thus, at the hazard of every thing dear in this world, to put on Chrift, fhall any in the prefent day, who in the general, run no fuch danger to the flefh, with decency negledl it ? But, alas, the fcepticifm and lukewarm- nefs that abounds, more effectually and fatally quenches our zeal for the ordinances of the Lord, than the fevereft perfecutions for confcience fake. This the experience of all ages hath too plainly verified j which fhews the perverfenefs of our natural fpirits, and may juftly fill us with blufhing, while we blefs God for the external peace and liberty we enjoy. But again,
4. It is thy honor and advantage to be under this holy profeffion. However defpifed by the world, can any thing be more truly praife- worthy than to be a dif- ciple of Jefus ? If relative honor in any chara<Sler is in proportion to the dignity of him with whom we are connedled, as moft certainly it is, who can vie with the chriftian, or what more honorable than his pro- feffion ? To be a real and vifible difciple of the Son of God J and a follower of the Lamb, who is exalted in the midft of the throne in the heavens, far above all, muft be an honor indeed, infinitely furpaffing the moft noble alliance or connexion on earth. It is for want of difcerning the glory of Cnrift, that any are back- ward to give the moft evident proof of their fubje6lion to his authority. A due fenfe of this in the heart will
Q. 3 make
246 LECTURES ON
make a man count it an honor to be vile in the eyes of the world for his name's fake. No man need be afhamed of the gofpel of Chrift who is not a fhame to it, but adorns the doctrine of his Saviour. And fur- ther,
5. To be baptized into Chrift is as it were to have his Father's name written in our foreheads. Rev. xiv. i. for we are all the children of God by faith in Chrift Jefus, the honor of which is not to be exprefled. Nor is it lefs an advantage to be walking in Chrift. This right or privilege is profitable to him that believes, and therefore to be highly efteemed. If we may credit the fcripture of truth, and the declared experience of the faithful, there is a leward in walking blamelefs in the ordinances of the Lord ; it is fo in point of knowledg-e, protection, comfort and joy, in communion with God and his people; all which muft be exceeding precious to him that is fpiritual. And are not thefe motives fufficient to engage thy chearful fubmiffion to Jefus ? If any thing further is needful to convince thee, con- fidcr,
6. On the contrary, the many difadvantages that attend a non-conformity to the evident and undeniable appointments of the Redeemer. In this ftate, as hint- ed already, the fubjcdl can yield no fufficient proof of his faith. A man may believe j but no man can fhew that he believes in a ne^le£t of the Saviour's inftitutions, which are grounded in his authority, and a teft of the foul's obedience unto him. By this omiffion alfo a perfon falls fhort of the charader of him unto whom
the
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 247
the promife of falvation is given, which, one would think, fhould ahrm the man who defires to be fay- ed. And further, he that lives out of this order ex- cludes himfelf from other precious promifes, and is not in the ordinary way of communion with God, and confequently it affedls his peace, holinefs, joy and love, all which are greatly promoted in this divine fellowfhip. In a word, he is much expofed in an hour of temp- tation. One fpecious excufe which feme make for fliunning a chriftian profefilon is this, that they are afraid they fliall prove a diftionor unto it. But, rot to infift on the power of Chrift to keep his faithful difciples from falling, which is hereby overlooked, the obje6tion 'fuppofes that a perfon is obliged by this holy order to walk with greater circumfpedion than him who is not under the fame; but, is this an argument with one that fears God to juftify a negleft of his precepts ? Shall the man who follows after holinefs, deprive himfelf of this facred guard by refufing to comply with the plain inftitutions of his Lord ? Or, fliall he not readily come under every poffible obliga- tion againft fin ? Reafons for a believer being bapr tized and added to the church might eafily be multi- plied, but thefe may fufHce : He is qualified; it is required at his hands : This was the univerfal prac- tice of thofe who were called from the beginning ; and the honor and advantage of walking under this profeflion is great and unfpeakable. On the other hand, no lefs are the di fad vantages of not being con- formed to this order. If thefe prevail not with the Reader to to be found in this duty, what hope can f have of fuccecding ? I muft leave him to the mercies 0,4 of'
248 LECTURESON
of the Lord, whofe people fhall be willmg in the day
of his power.
But perhaps the Reader is doubting his ftate, and ready to fay : True ; I cannot but own that the word of the Lord has come with fome power into my heart. My afFe£tions have fometimes been raifed, and I have felt a joy in hearing the gofpel; but, alas, I am ftill fo carnal 2nd fenfual, and find fo little of the love of God in my foul, that I fear my tranfitory delight is no other than may be found with an hypocrite. This may alfo be the fear of one who has already made a profefTion, in confequenc^ of which he is fometimes filled with diftrefs.
To relieve the enquiring foul, I fhall clofe thjs ledlure with a criterion or two, by which we may diftin2;u!fh between the joy of the hypocrite, and that of a true believer.
And from what has been faid, it appears that the? hypocriie's joy is in himfelf ; whereas we have feen, that the firit fpring of joy in him that receiveth the word is in God. The joy of the hypocrite primarily arifeth from a confident and high conceit' of his good ftatc, without any reafon froqi fcripture, but purely from his own imagination. He is unacquainted with forrow for fin, and pot duly affeded with the v/ifdom and ri-lueoufncfs of God in our redemption by the blood of his Son. Ke is taken up in felf-adm.iration, and continually boafting of his great experience, and how religious he is. Not fo the man in whom the
word
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 249
word is efFecSual unto the obedience of faith. The love of God is at the bottom of that man's profeflion," which is in proportion to the abundance of grace he has received in the remiflion of fins. And as the nature of fin is more his averfion, than the punifh- ment thereof} fo, as hath been ftiewn, he delights firft and chiefly in the glory of God, the excellency of Chriil: and his gofpel, while he rejoices in the faving advantage he obtains from this provifion of infinite wifdom and love. Again,
Hence the joy of a falfe profeflbr is attended with felf-exaltation, and renders him light and prefump- tuous ; he is proud of his attainments j and while he thinks that he ftands, the man whofs foot is ready to flip, is as a lamp defpifed in his fight j thus he is haughty, carelefs of his own conduft, cenforious of others. On the contrary, the chriftian's joy, which proceeds from a view of the righteoufnefs of God in the pardon of his fins ; the evil and bitternefs of which he hath felt in his confcience, is attended with humility, reverence, and an holy concern for the ho- nor of God, His joy is mingled in his heart with evangelical forrow. He is low in his own eyes ; has compaflion for them that are out of the way, is fober in his account of himfelf, and in this ftate of fin and temptation rejoiceth with trembling.
And further, in the midft of all his vain glory the hypocrite is barren. " But (faith our Lord) he ^' that receiveth feed into the good ground, is he that f heareth the word and underftandeth it, which alfo
" beareth
250 LECTURESON
<' beareth fruit," Matt. xiii. 23. He that rejoiceth in his own attainment is an empty vine, and brings forth fruit unto himfelf. But the chriftian's joy, which fprings from the love of God, naturally yieldeth fruit unto him, as it is written, '* But now being *' made free from fm, and become the fervants of *' God, ye have your fruit unto holinefs, and the end *' everlafting life," Rom. vi. 22. which leads to ano- ther criterion, and the laft I fhall mention, which is this:
The joy of the hypocrite is tranfitory, whereas that of the chriftian abides. I mean in refpedl of its principle and habit in the foul, for his frame is liable to change. Nothing is more uncertain and fleeting than his joy who has no root in himfelf. The man, whofe profeffion is not grounded in the love of God, will furely be offended. But he that has received the gof- pel into his heart by faith, though in heavinefs for a feafon through manifold temptations, has an un- failing fource of joy in the immutable counfel and fa- vor of the Almighty, and may always rejoice in the Lord. In a view of the glory and importance of the divine word, and his own intereft in the bleffings of grace, he fiiall not be moved, but will hold out to the end and be faved. " The water (fays our Lord) *' that I fiiall give him, fhall be in him a well of *' water fpringing up into eternal life," John vi. 14. This is the joy of faith j it centers in God ; it makes a man humble and fruitful ; and it abides in the foul. But carnal rejoicing, though occafioned by the word, ariftth from fome other confideration than di-
vina
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 251
vine grace and righteoufnefs, and terminates in felf; it pufFs up the fubje(5l, who is unfruitful, and will " fail in an hour of trial. Dear Reader, examine thyfelfj "for who is wife and he fhall underfland " thefe things ? prudent, and he fhall know them ? ** For the ways of the Lord are right, and the jufl ** fhall walk in them, but the tranfgreflbrs fhall ** fall therein." Having this teftimony that thy joy is in the Lord, fear not, though now thou mayefl have forrow, thine heart fhall rejoice, and thy joy po man taketh from thee ; for " light is fown for the .*? righteous, and gladnefs for the jupright in heart.'*
PRIMITIVE
[ 252 J
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. BOOK ly.
BEING
An Hiftory of the Church in her infant State.
— ' ... ^
LECTURE XVII.
The conftancy and faithfulnefs of the firft difciples in their communion together, under a profeffion of chriftianity. -
OF all hiftories that of the fcripture juftly claims the pre-eminence. Its undoubted veracity, with the importance of its various and w^onderful events, and efpecially when joined to the noble and gracious defign of its glorious Author, which is to promote the honor of God, and the falvation and happinefs of man, challenge our higheft regard *.
SCRIP-
* Properly fpeaking, the Author of fcripture is God, and particularly the Holy Ghoft, by whofe infpiratjcai the prophefies were fpoken, and un- der whofe infallible direftion both the hiftory and prophecy of thofe facred writings were penned, and committed to the church. This, no doubt, is the prevailing fcntiment, notwithflanding it is fo much the cuftom to give this charaftcr to the apoftles and others, who were the emanuenfis of the divine Spirit, or writers rather than authors of the books and eplftlcs to which their names are affixed.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 253
Scripture may te confidered as an univerfal hiflo- ry of the world, and the church, but efpecially of the latter, in which the dodrines, precepts and ordinances of God, and the prailice of men are faithfully recited. Thus the Old-Teftament is the beft hiftory of the world from its creation, including the fall of man, the counfel of God relating to the recovery of his chofen by the feed of the woman ; alfo the methods of divine providence in raifmg and preferving a godly feed, amidft the corruption and defolations of man- kind, till the Mefliah came. It is therefore likewife a hiftory of the church, which is carried on in the New-Teftament, beginning, in the four evangelifts, with the incarnation of the Son of God, whofe life, miniftry, fufferings, death, and refurredion from the dead, are concifely, but fully fet forth, and with this view, " that ye might believe that Jefus is the Chrift: *' the Son of God, and that believing ye might have *' life through his name," John xx. 31.
The fame defign is purfued in the remaining part of the fcripture to the end. Now of this divine nar- ration no part is of greater importance to the church than the Ails of the Apoftles, which contain an au- thentic account of the rife and progrefs of chriftianity in the world; fo that thefe writings, with the addi- tion of the epiftles, and the book of Revelation, which clofes the facred canon, alone afford a genuine and compleat hiftory of the purity in dodlrine, worfhip and difcipline, which prevailed among the firft chri- flians , who are the faireft example of fecial religion.
This
J54 LECTURESON .
This then Is the true ecclefiaftical hiflory, to which all others wrote after the days of the apoftles muft be fubordinate, and an acquaintance with which is to be efteemed one branch of a chriftian's attain- ment, as a conformity unto it is a part of his cha- radler. And it were heartily to be wifhed, that every one, who profefleth himfelf a follower of the Lamb, made it his diligent ftudy. In all probability we (hould then be more united in faith and worfhip, and animated to a more holy, fpiritual and orderly temper and condudl, and alfo love one another more than at prefent in all appearance we do. I fhall therefore count it a mercy if this little fketch Ihoul i be an oc- cafion of promoting the knowledge of To ufeful a part of divine revelation, or a means of reviving the true fpirit of primitive godlinefs.
The paragraph on which I have planned my defign is contained in the laft fix verfes of the fecond of the A£ts, which run in the following words :
" And they continued ftedfaftly in the apoftles " dodtrine and fellowfhip, and in breaking of bread, " and in prayers. And fear came upon every foul, " and many wonders and figns were done by the " apoftles. And all that believed were together, and " had all things common. And fold their pofleflions *' and goods, and parted them to all men, as every " man had need. And they continuing daily with " one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
" houfe
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 255
" houfe to houfe, did eat their meet with gladnefs ** and finglenefs of heart, praifing God, and having ** favor wath all the people. And the Lord added ** to the church daily fuch as fhould be faved."
Here then is a concife hiftory of the primitive church in her pure infant ftate, before her members were fcattered by perfecution, or thofe errors, divi- fions and apoftafies took place, which hath fmce dif- graced and defiled her. Indeed (lie was not yet ar- rived to maturity, in refpedl of that order the infinite wifdom of her Lord foon after faw fit to eftabllfh for her edification. At prefent the apoftles fupplied the part of bifliops and deacons, officers who are, fince become needful to a perfe£l church-ftate. We view her as a lovely child, in her firft appearance in the world. There are alfo fome circumllances peculiar to her then prefent condition, a pretended conformity to which would be ridiculous or worfe, yet fhe is the original pattern of piety and love. Thefe are the lively features of a neat gofpel-church, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft ; and however fome may plead for another manner, the fame fpirit and behaviour will be found when and where genuine chriftianity prevails, for re- ligion is fubftantially the fame in all ages and places to the end of the w^orld.
The account divides itfelf naturally into three ge- neral branches.
I. The
256 L E C T U R E S O N
I. The conftancy and falthfulnefs of the primitive difciples in communion together, , under a profelTion of the gofpel.
II. Their manner of life. And,
III. Their daily increafe.
The enfuing part of the le£lure will contain a review of the firft of thefe articles. We are told that they continued Jledfajlly ; and the particular inftances are given in which they perfevered with fo great re- folution and zeal.
It is faid that they continued. Some nominal chiiftians, like feed fown in ftony ground, hear the word, and receive it with a kind of joy ; but, having no root in themfelves, their religion is foon at an end. Indeed, fluftied with a conceit of their know- ledge, they prefume they belong to the kingdom of God, and haftily fpring up in a promifmg blade of external obedience, in which they are zealous awhile, but alas they abide not ; their goodnefs is as the morning-cloud, and as the early dew it paffeth away ; thus tranfvent is their form of chriftianity. Here and there one who fets out with a {hew, foon ftumble and recover, or falling, rife up again j but from the pa- rable of the fower, and from general experience, it appears that few are reftored, whofe fhining profeflion jprefently iflues in a fhameful departure from God.
For
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 257
For the moft part they feem given up to the delufions of fatan, and being hardened through the deceitful nefs" of fin, become final apoftates ; fo tnat however in fome inftances fuch may have grace to repent, for their cafe is not defperate, we have reafon to trem- ble for them who quickly throw ofF the name of Chrift, and return to their fins, as iii the higheft dan- ger of ruin. Not fo thefe difciples; they continued in the ways of ihe Lord, and proved the fmcerity of their love. Again,
They continued Jiedjajlly. If feme foon apo^a- tize, many more, who begin with a flaming zeal, are quickly lukewarm, loofe and diforderly, under the profefTion they hold. Hence they become inactive and barren; and, in their fpirit and behaviour, fall flnrt of the charader they bear. A man may prefenily take up the name of a chriftian, with whom it may not be eafy to drop it, in a country the inhabitants of which are confidercd as chriftians, except thofe who exprefly and openly deny the very name, as Turks, Jews and Deifls, to which boldnefs but fev/ comparatively attain. It is difficult to throw off the garb of religion ; and rarely fcen that he who hath put himfelf under a form of chriftianity, and join- ed to any particular church, is fond of yielding up his character, though alas he may be far from aiming at a converfation becoming the gofpel of Chrift, but in many refpe£ls behave unworthy his heavenly call- ing, infomuch that it may be fcarcely tollcrable for him to be continued in the communion of faints. But the difciples at Jerufalem not only made a profeflion, R but
258 LECTURESON
but conUnued Pedfnfily there'n : 'a-poc-y.upitfaHe; one word in the original, and very emphatical, which carries in it an inv'nc'ble conftancy, alluding to hunter^ who ceafe not to f(.llow till they have got their piirfuit: it fignifies not barely perfcvcranc:, bat to perfevcre with ftrength, fo as to increafe in their attendance, zeal and courage in the ways of the Lord. Thus, inllead of declining and becoming lukewarm, thefe primitive chriftians waxed bolder and ftronger, and exerted theml'clves ftill more and more : for the expreflion here ufcd, regards not only the time, but alfo the temper, with which they adhered to their profeflion, and points out their importuni y and defire in this per- feverance : So the word is ufed, Rom. xii. 12. continuing injlant in prayer; where if refpefts not barely the time of praying, but likewife and chiefly, tht fervent manner in which it becomes us to wreftle with God. Thus thefe d.fciples continued ; they applied themfelve* with carneftnefs to every branch and duty of their proleffion, and held fail the fame without waver- ing ; being patient, watchful and adlive, they prefled forward, and made daily advances towards a perfection in the things which pertained to the kingdom of God. How noble the examp'e ! and what a reflexion on them who are unfruitful and fickle, and who, being led away with the wicked, fall from their own ftedfaft- nefs I But blefled and honorable are thofe who cleave to the Lord with purpofe of heart.
The particulars in which thefe chriftians perfevered in fo Liudable a manner are recited as follows ;
First,
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN-ITY. 259
First, In the apojiles do^rine, i. e. the docElrines they taught, which were truly the doctrines of Chrift, and not of the apoftles invention. The gofpel is not the word of man, but of God. The apoftles were ojily minifters of Chrift, and fpake the wholfom words of Jefiis their Lord, nevtrrhe'efs it is Ri'eJ the apoftlcb do6trine ; as Paul, who aflumed nothing to himfelf, but was ever deeply afreded vvith his unwor- thyncfs to preach it, calls it his gnfpcl, becnufe the miniftration thereof was committed to him : And it may alfo be ftiled their do6trine In opposition to the falfe notions fpread abroad by fomc w.,o perverted the grfpel ofChrift. Dodlrine here is no otiier than the faith once delivered to the faints, under which all the pre- cious truths of the gloriou.': goi'pel are included; in general it was Jefus and the refurretSlion ; a new and ftrange do£trine to the world, yet it was no other than Mofes and the prophets did fay fhould come. Ads xvii. 19. and chap. xxvi. 22. compared. The fubftance of this gofpel was publiihed of old, though, not being mixed with faith in many that heard, it did not profit or fave them, and they periflied in their fins ; which awful account is to warn us that we receive not the grace of God in vain. Since the coming of Chrift", this grace has been more fully manifefted by his own preaching, and that of his infpired apoflles, whofe dodlrine included every thing revealed concerning the eternal purpofe of the Father, and the covenant of re- demption, wherein is laid out the methods of divine wifdom and love in the falvation of the chofen, throuprh faith in Chrifl Jefus : So that the apoflles dodrine takes R 2 in
-260 C E C T U R E S O N
in whatever relates to the Redeemer's perfon, media- tor'al character, facrifice, righteoufneis, grace, and obedience of faith, which includes the office of the Spirit, and in a word the whole counfel of God. Ma- ny errors were foon introduced, as hinted already, by which not a few were deceived and corrupted i but the apoftles adhered to the truth, and united in their report without variation. Their dodrine was fimple and pure ; it was not divers, as among the falfe teachers, not yea and nay, but uniform, confident and one; which may be another reafon for its being thus Itiled : They one and all preached the fame gofpel in every place. Now it is declared that the primitive chriftians continued ftedfaftly in this apoftolic doctrine : And this" denotes in the firft place, their open and bold profeffion of the fame. When lound do6b"ine falls into difgrace, and becomes oppofed and defpifed, many are unwilling to own it, and are tempted to hide their convidlion of its reality and importance; but thefe difciples were not afhamed of the gofpel of Chrift, it had been the power of God to their falvation ; they therefore held faft this profeffion of their faith without wavering, and perfeve- red in their witnefs to the truth. Again, it may intend their diligence in hearing this dodrine, which indeed ftands connected with the former. Hearing the word is not only the means of increafmg in fpiritual know- ledge, but al'o one manner of teftifying a regard for the gofpel : So that the man who negleits it, not only betrays a conceit of himfelf, but hereby, in fome meafure, drops his profeffion. Not fo thofe difciples, they continued with conftancy under the preaching of the word, as became them who would attain to all
riches
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 261
richer of the full aflurance of underftanding, to the ac- knowledgment of the myftery of God, and of the Fa- ther, and of Chrift, that they might be built up and eftablifhed in the faith, as they had been taught i by which example they condemn all thofe who are in- different about hearing the word of the Lord, and are not ftudious to grow in grace and in the knowledge of. Chrift: If fuch have the love of God in them, they are not likely to beftedfaft or fruitful in their proreiTion, but rather to be carried about with every wind of falfe doctrine, and vain imagination of them who lay in wait to deceive; fuch are in very great danger of falling, and have need to beware. Thus they continued fted- faftly, i. e. fwerved not from their profciTion of the truth, or attendance on the miniftration of it, but confefled and purfued after a further eftablifliment in the dodrlne they had been taught by the apoftles, not giving place to the herefies that abounded in oppofition to the gofpel of Chrilt-, or abating in their zeal for its honor and fuccefs.
From this article I would note one thing by the way, that demands our attention, which is this, namely, that it is part of the chriftian charader to maintain a confcientious regard, and ftriftly adhere to found doc- trine. They who would leffen the concern of the. faithful about purity in dodtrine, depart from the ori- ginal pattern, and flrike at the foundation of real chriftianity. To be found in faith in this fenfe, is of the utmoft importance j for truth is the ftandard of ex- perience, and the fole rule of pra6lice ; and without knowledge neither the heart nor the life can be good ; R 3 it
262 LECTURES ON
it is the true grace of God or true dotSrine of the gofpel, wherein believers ftand, and become fruitful, I Pet. V. 12. And accordingly it is written, Col. i". 6. that the gofpel which came unto the Coloffians, as it did in all the world, bringing forth fruit, as, faith he, " it doth alfo in you, fmce the day ye heard 6f *' it, and knew the grace of God in truth," i. e. the true grace of God or doftrine of Chrift, in the ex- perience and power of them through faith. Errors in <Jo£lrine lead to errors in practice. Hence, though a mere fpeculative knowledge of the gofpel has no fay- ing or abiding efFeft, yet it is needful to guard againft any corruption from the fimplicity that is in Chrift; and therefore Paul and Barnabas, Ails xiii. 43. fpeak- ing unto the people at Antioch, " perfuaded them to *' continue in the grace of God," i. e. the word of God, which they had been preaching unto them. It is therefore becoming the chriftian character to buy the truth and fell it not, but, after the example of thefe difciples , to be ftedfaft in the do£lrine _of the Lord preached by his apoftle, and on no consideration whatever, in any degree, depart from them. But to return.
Another inftance in which thefe primitive fhri- ftiaiis perfevered, is felioivfiip. By fellowfhip we fometimes underftand an union v/ith the iaints, or place in their fociety, which was our fubjedt in a preceeding lecture ; and I confefs that the fame word is ufed in Gal. ii. 9. for the right hand of fellowfhip, given by Cephas and others to Paul and Barnabas, in token of their hearty acknowledgment of them
in
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIA^NITY. 263
in the character of fellow-communican's. We have alfo fhewn that it is the duty of every believer to be found in the communion of faints, which fome ne- gle<ft, who, while they boaft in their knowledge of doftrines, have not learned to obferve this nohle di- vine inftitution. But we have already feen t'.efe dif-r ciples added to the church. They were joined to^ie- ther in the Lord previous to this ; (o that their con- tinuing ftedfaftly in this fellowlhip muft re!^r to fome particular branch of duty therein, diftincl from other articles mentioned ; and 1 apprehend it more efpecially regards their forwardnefs to communicate*. In the fociety or fellowfliip of the church there is a com- munication of all goodnefs from one to another, ac- cording
Koivuvix, an obligation to this free and faithful communication of all •iir talents perfonal and relative, which may conduce to the advantage of the body and its members, refults from the nature of that covenant chri- flians are under in a church ftate, which hath refpeft not only to the Lord as our common head, and to all his appointments and ofScers in his houfe ; but it alfo has a mutual refpeft to every one in communion, for in this confederation the difciples clave together, fo as to be no longer their own, but the property one of another. The fcriptures are plain, 2 Cor. viii. 5. " They gave themfelves to us by the will of God," Again, Rom. xv. 7. " Receive ye one another." And further, i Pet, V. 5. " Yea all of you be fubjeft one to another." See alfo Col. iv. 9 — 12. I Cor. xii. la — 27. Rom. xii. {. Col. ii. 19. and Eph. 20, 21. So then in church-covenant, by the wili of God, his people give them- felves each to the other, and are as it were the property one of the other. A felfifh felf-willed fpirit is direflly againft the principles of this facred union in the Lord. And if chriftians united with underftanding, accord- ing to the gofpel of Chrift, and were faithful to their folcmn engagements, they would abound, to their power, in all liberality and good orfcr, which would turn to their mutual comfort and edification. But there is reafon to fear that many prefeflbrs are ignorant of the foundation of this holv com- paft by divine appointment, asd therefore without remorfe walk after their •wn imagination.
R4
264 LECTURESON
cording to the ability which God giveth, in things natural and fpiritual. With refpetSl to outward good things, we fhall find in this infant church an univcrfal community of their fubftance for the benefit of the whole J a circumftance peculiar to the then ftate of chriftianity in the world, as I fhall endeavour to (hew in its place. If this is at all referrtd to here, it may intend their continuing from time to time, as addi- tions were made of new convert's, or any others who might have property come into their hands, to throw it into the common ftock, as at t'le beginning. How ever a free contribution of temporal good, for the fupport of the miniftry, fupply of the poor, and other recefiary expences for maintaining the. worfliip of God in the communion of his faints, is an efiential branch of chriftian fellowUiip in the prefent ftate of the church, and will be fo to the end of the world, unto which, exhortations abound in the New-Tefta- ment, which fome regard nor, being fadly deficient in their duty to the L^rd and his people. But many are of another and a better fpirit, or the vifible intcreft of Chrift would fink in the world, which, blefied be God, who has the hearts of men in his hands, fhall never come to pafs. But this is not to be reftrained to liberality, it extends to other inftances of brotherly love, and takes in fpiritual communications, fuch as admonitions, advice, yej and vifiting the fick, or thofe who are in diftrefs; for however thoughtlefs, or little exercifed, fome may be in the laft mentioned office of love, to the grief of their affli6lcd brethren, it is a confiderable branch of practical godlinefs and chriftian communion, and they who negledt it do well
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 265
to confider what the apoftle James declares, chap. i. ulto. *' Pure religion and undefiled before God and " *' the Father is this, to vifit the fatherlefs and the widow ** in their affliction." In (hort, when it is faid they continued ftcdfaflly in fellowihip, it carries in it their conftancy and diligence in every a£l of endeared friendfhip, and mutual and earneft endeavour by love to ferve one another, as they had opportunity, and as occafion required. Thus thefe primitive chriftians abounded in every focial virtue, each one ftriving to his utmoft for the comfort and edification of the church, and- the members in particular; fo that their religion did not reft in purity of doctrine, but, like thofe who have an experience of its power, and the Icve of God in their hearts, they were fruitful in every good word and work.
The next article, by which their continuing fted- faftly under their profeiTion is fpecified, is that of breaking of bread. A phrafe which, however fome- times ufed for common and natural meals, as I ap- prehend in verfe 46, yet here, I think, it plainly in- tends that fpiritual repaft, or divine ordinance in the church, the Lord's-fupper. On this table of tiie Lord, are placed by his dire«5tion, bread and wine, which are appointed figns or figures of his body ar<i blood, the conftituent parts of that flefh in which he fufFered, when he became a facrifice for the fins df his people. One end of this fupper being a com- memoration of our Saviour's paflion on the crofs, as fpecified by himfelf, when he inftituted the fame/, and .accordingly it is faid, that " in eating this bread, and
• " in
266 LECTURES ON
•' in drinking this cup, ye do fliew forth the Lord> " death till he come," i Cor. xi. 26. But there is another fign of ufe iji this ordinance. We are taught chap. X. 17. of the fame epiftle, which is this, name- ly, that hereby we teftify our union with Chrift, and with one another in him: " For (faith the apoftic) «' we being many are one Bread *, and one body j
" for
* Dr. Dodderidge notes that many ynluatle manufcripts read, " and of " one cup." And we find in the preceeding verfe, and indeed in all ether places in fcripture, vhe cup in the fupper is mentioned in the hngu- lar niimbei-, which anfvvers to the idea our Saviour himfelf gives us of his bloody luffcrings, reprefcnted by the cup in the facrament. When in an agony in the garden he I'upplicates his Father, he fays not, Let thefe cups, as of mar»/, but as of one. Let tbh cup pafs from me. But, in refpeft of the bread, it is exprcfly faid to be one, i. e. as expofitors generally agree, one loaf. It is well known thnt the order of the words are as follows : ViiTi *K acT^ tv c-uiJ.ot. o\ tJot^Xoi eo-jiaei/] " Becaufe the bread is o»e, " we, being many, are one body." Which Dr. Whitby paraphrafes thus : ' The loaf or bread is -one ; and we all partalie of one loaf, and ' therefore are one body,* This he improves againft the pra£tice of the Church of Rome, who diflributes to her communicants feverally an un- broken wafer; fo that, as the Doftor obfcrves, they neither are partakers of one bread or loaf, or of bread broken, as faith he, it was the cuftom both of Jews and chriftians to do, i, e. the one at the paflbver, and the other at the fupper. But then, why do proteftants break feveral loaves, the pieces of which are received by the members of the fame church ? If they partake of bread broken, is it of one bread ? The bread and one Irejdare fynonymous phrafes, and fignify one lump or loaf. And Dr. Gill lias given us from Dr. Lightfoot a very pertinent paflage of a writer of note, whence it appears that the Jews thought it needful, in order to an iiffociation of this kind, that the bread whereof the members partake Ihouid be originally in one loaf; and en the like principle do chriftians commune at the table of tjieir Lord. I am fenfible that many have the following glofs on this paiTjge, namely, " As bread confifts of many " grains of corn, which being grousd and kneeded together make up *< one lojf, fo bcHcvers being many are one body of which Chrift is the " head." Thus they fpc k, as if the apoftle alluded to the compofition •f a loaf ef corn bread j but 1 humbly apprehend this is not his defign.
Hs
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 267
<* for we are all partakers of that one bread." This idea of the facrament feems now little regarded ; but,, allowing the paflage refers to the flipper, which will fcarce be denied, is not this as truly the counfel of God as the other ? The firft and principle defign of this holy ordinance, is to exhibit the natural body of Jefus in a figure, and to manifeft his fufferings and death, yet we are not to exclude from our view the defign alfo of reprefenting the myjlical body of Chrift, and our profeflion of a union in him, by partaking together of one and the fame bread, which is broken and divided in the communion of the faithful. This idea of the fupper is adapted to holinefs, love, and that practical union, if I may fo exprefs it, a great deficiency in which is too juftly lamented in the pre- fent time. I mention it now on occafion of this peri-
phrafe
He is arguing, not from the comp fition of a loaf, but from the original unity of thofe pieces in one lump, which are diftributed to the fcveraj communicants in this gofpcl-feaft. And, in my opinion, it is not fuffi- cient to fay, that the members of a church, all partake of bread, whicii is of the fame nature or kind. Nothing lefs will come up to the argu- ment of the apoftle than this, that the bread whereof chriftians partake in that divine ordinance, is at firft or before it is broken, in one mafs or lump. And I think we cannot be too exa£l in the manifeft clrcum- fiances of a pofitive inftitutlon of our Lord Jefus Chrift. And I hope there needs no other apology for detaining the Reader v.'ith this long note, which J conclude with the following lines of that celebrated poetical expofjicrj the late Dr. Watts :
* We are but fevVal parts
* Of the fame broken bread ;
* One body hath its fev'ral limbs,
* But Jefus is the Head.
Watts's hymns, book 3. hymn 2. See alfi? the fcveral learned authors on the place abovcmentioned, and likewifc Dr. Hammond, and the continua- tors of Mr, Henry, Arc,
268 LECTURES ON
phrafe of the eucharift breaking bread, which manifeftly correfponds with the defcription of the maniier in which this ordinance is adminiftred, one branch of which lies in breaking a fingle loaf or lump of bread ; for the abovementioned paflagc would be diverted of all its propriety and argument, if the ancient cuftom was not to have one lump only divided among the communicants, there being no other tolerable fenfe in which thofe who partake in this ordinance may be faid to participate of one brtad, but that of the feveral pieces of which each receive one, being originally united in one lump and fo prefer ted on the table, and broken afuncJcr, as the Lord hath (hewn us. And this is the foundation of the apoftle's reafoning from the communion, unto th6 union of them who partake m it, as members of one body in Chrift. If a ftranger was to form his notion of the manner in the facra- ment from this place, he might juftly be furprized, on bcinf' a fpeciator at this ordinance in the ufual method, to fee a number of loaves divided on the oc- cafion, and at a lofs to reconcile it with the idea con- veyed by the apoftle in the paflage referred to. How far this may deferve confideration, I leave to the Rea- der ; but if it be lawful to conform in our practice to the reafoning of a pafTage, which manifeltly re- fers to this inftitution, why iliould we not ? and efpecially as it may eafily be done. But to pafs this; breaking of bread bcins; thus a conftituent branch in the adminidration of the fupper, no wonder it is men- tioned under this phrafe ; and that in fpeaking of the difciples aflembling to eat it, it is faid they came to- gether to break bread, as in Ails xx. 7, |i. And
again.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 269 again, i Cor. x. 16. faith the apoftle, " the bread *< which we break."
Now it is declared of thefe chriftians, that they continued ftedfaflly in breaking of bread ; they did not, as fome, decline this branch of their holy pro- feflion, but were conftant and univerfal in a frequent attendance on the Lord at his table. In this precious inftitution of the Saviour the fum of the gofpel is colleded, and fometimes the fweeteft communion is found ; it exhibi-s a crucified Jefus, and is moft wifely adapted to promote the life and power of godlinefs, and to fatisfy and rejoice the believer, who is looking for the bleffed hope of his glorious appearance; and fad is the fymptom of a growing negleft of this holy ordinance among nominal chriftians I But thefe firfl difciples were zealous, and frequent in their attendance upon it ; how frequent is not recited ; fome have thought daily, or at leaft in every meeting, but the account we have of their coming together to break « bread feems rather to fuppofe they had other meet- incrs of a religious kind, in which that ordinance was not adm.iniftered ; however this is certam from 1 Cor. xi. 26. that they often eat this bread, and drank this cup. And from other accounts it feems to have been at leaft: every firft day of the week ; to which agrees the pafiage in Jchn before mentioned, and alfo the pradfice of the church for centuries after the age of the apoftles ; for writers, both chriftian and heathen, fpeak of the biftiop giving the eucharifl: on Sunday, when they were aftembled to praife Chrifi: and bind themfelves by a facrament, as the heathens
obferved j
270 L E C T U R E S O N
obferved ; but the learned and impartial author of the conftitution and dilcipline of the primitive church, page 19, obferve?, * that in thefe days they comrau- * nicated at leaft three times a week, viz. Wed- ' nefdays, Fridays, and Lord's-days.' It was cele- brated in the evening at Troas, on the firft day of the week, v.'hen Paul preached till midnight ; and from the above-named writer, page 103, it appears, this fupper was adminiftred at the conclufion of their fo- lemn fervices, i. e. after they had read, fung, preach- ed and prayed, which folemnities were held either morning; or evening, as beft fuited in the times of perfecution. However this eucharift was given not yearly, or once in a quarter, which by no means an- Iwers to the frequency hinted in fcripture j no, nor did thefe zealous difciples content themfelves with a monthly commemoration of their Saviour's paflion, which feems much too often for many nominal chri- ftians in this day; for, being full of love to Jefua Chrift, and to each other, as members of the fame body in him, they afiembled every week or of.ener, to join in this communion. They gloried in tha crofs, and delighted in their union in Chrift ; and, as pcrfons longing after the prefence and honor of their . JLord, and their mutual refreftiment and joy, they continued univerfally to come up together in his name, to eat at his table ; thus they glorified their Saviour, «nd encouraged one another ! An example worthy the imitation of all who profefs chriftianity.
It remains to confider the laft inftance in which jthefe difciples perfevcred. The apoftle adds, and in
prayers.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 171
prayers. All pr.iyer becomes the charader of a chrifti.m, but here is intended particularly the prayers ot the chujch. The houfe of the Lord is an houfe of prayer J and the fecial worfhip of his people lies much in their uni.ed and carneft fupplications at the throne of grace. Prayers attend every folemnity, but many are ihc O'Xafions of the chuich in this change- able and militant ftate for folemn feafons of prayer; and, indeed, in the beft of times there is need of thefe opportunities in which the faints may *' build up one ** another on their moft holy faith, praying in the Holy ** Ghoft." Now the primitive chriftians applied thcm- felves earneftly to this part of their duty in the houfe of God ; they were conftant, early and zealous at the appointed feafons of prayer; and not like fome who are excufing themfelves on every occafion. On per- fons firft fetting out in the ways of the Lord, it is generally feen that they are difpofcd to thefe meetings, and read)- to come where prayer is wont to be made ; but it often appears that fuch are foon drawn afide, and decline their attendance. It may lilcewile be obferved that when prayer -meetings are newly fet . up, people flock for awhile j but, as if they came out of mere curiofity, in a very little time, many ne- gte£l or for fake them. Nor fliould we be furprized that the carnally-minded are not to be held to thi« fpiritual exercife ; for the fiefh cannot bear the circum- fpe£tion, felf-denial, and holinefs, needful to a con- tinuing inftant in prayer ; but, hearken, ye nominal chriftians, who defpife thefe appointments in the com- munities to which you belong ! can you read this ac- ^ *unt without blulhing ? See how the love of Chrift
conilrained
\
2^^ LECTURES ON
conftralned thefe difciples ! They continued ftedfaftly in prayers, being univerfally forward to fill their af- fembiies ; and, are you confcious of negledting the prayers of the church in which you have a place, and of a difinclination to join them ? How dwells this love in your heart !
Thus (lands divided a chrlftian profeffion under four diflindl branches, do61:rine, fellowfhip, i. e. fecial and mutual communications, breaking of bread in the fupper of the Lord, and ftated or occafional aflemblies for prayer : In each particular the primitive chriftians, infpired with zeal for the glory of Jefus, and love to one another, were conftant and a£tive, purfuing every duty of their calling and communion in Chrifb, with zn increafmg boldnefs and ardor; an illuftrious fpeci- men of that faith by which alone a man is juftified, receives remiflion of fms, and is entitled to a claim among the children of God. It is a faith which work- eth by love, and will certainly influence the fubjefk to a fleady and fruitful behaviour as becomes the gofpel.
That many come fhort of this noble example, it is necdlefs to prove; but we may juftly lament the little appearance there is of a general aim at the like perfedlion in obedience and love. The manner of living among the difciples at firft in Jerufalem, to be confidered hereafter, will further explain, illuftrate and confirm the articles we have now been upon, and na- turally induce to fome remarks which would otherwifc be pertinent here, I Ihall therefore, referving them
for
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 273 a more fuitable place, clofe this leflure with a re- fle<5tion, or rather an excitation to refledt, and la- bour after a conformity to this primitive fpirit and condudt.
Permit me, my dear chriftian Reader, to put you in remembrance, and to ftir up your zeal. How different this behaviour of the primitive difciples to that which appears among us at this day ! Jnftead of continuing ftedfaftly, what numbers, through love of the world, or diftruft of the power and faithfulncfs of God, warp and foon turn afide ! Look round and confider, who are they tiat continue and increafe in a becoming boldnefs for the truth — that delight in the fellowfhip of the faints, freely communicarinw of their talents, natural and fpiritual, for the edification of the church — that are frequent at the table of the Lord — and that are zealous in promoting afiemblies for prayer? Bleffed be God, there are fome ; but, muft it not be owned that among nominal chriftians, the generality content themfelves with bare hearing, and that in a manner uncertain and carelefs ? But, among thofe who have feparated themfelves to the ordinances of Chrifb, and are joined to his church, what lukewarmnefs, floth and inftability is fecn ! How carnal, worldly and felfifli I Do not earthly cares, af- fections, and pleafures, openly engrofs the time and attention of many, to a general negle6l of the duties and privileges which belong to a chriftian proreiTicu ? In a word, how few are the inftances in which men io withftand the^ temptations they are under, and ollow after righteoufnels, as to come up in any to!e-
S lable
274 LECTURES ON
rable degree to this ftandard of pure and vital chri* ftianity ! Witnefs the manner in which, by accounts, the folemn appointn^ents of the churches are in com- mon regarded, or rather in all appearance defpifed, to the increafe of licentioufnefs, and the grief of all who are heartily concerned for the faith and order of the gofpel ! O that we confidered the dignity and ho- linefs of the calling we prolefs, and lived up to our obligations and hope, and to the light we have receiv- ed ! Then fhould we vie with, yea, and in fome re- fpe£l:s, exceed thefe worthy believers ; but, alas they condemn us ! They thus cleaved to the Lord with an holy fortitude, amidfl: perfecutions and fiery trials j but as for us, though we pretend to the fame divine chara6ler, and call ourfelves the difciples or followers of a Captain, who overcame the world, and was made perfecl through fuffcrings ; yet alas, how vain are the trifles that amufe us from his precious appointments ! What flight afflicStions, and little fclf-denial, will in- timidate and flumble us; and, to fay no more, what fiiameful excufes are made by many profeffors for their no lefs fliamcful habitual negleil of their ftation in the houfc of Goil ! I hope this is fpoken to him that can by no means allow himfelf in a lukewarm and fruitlefs profeffion : But, if any can read this account of the primitive chriftians, and be carelefs and difor- dcrly ; if he can, through floth, love of pleafure, or from any other caufe whatever, neglect the ordinances of the Lord, pour contempt on the folemn appoint- ments of his church, and refufe to join in her prayers, he betrays an obduracy and' perverfnefs, yea and that want of love to Chrifl and his ways, which lays hitn
undey
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 275
mider a juft fufpicion of being the fervant of fin; at the thoughts of which who would not tremble?
No one can doubt, but that the deportment of thefe firft difclples is written for our imitation ; let us then not be flothful, but followers of them, who thus after having axlorned their chriftian character, through faith and patience inherit the promifes. Remember it be- comes us to hold faft our profeffion in every branch : To be found in the do6lrines of grace, to be filled with the fruits of focial virtue in our fellowfhip with the faints, to be frequent in a commemoration of the Lord at his table, and to continue inftant in the pray- ers of his people, are things of the utmoft importance to the glory of God, the advantage of thofe with whom we are in communion, and the joy of them that watch for our fouls, whofe faithful account moft nearly con- cerns us. By a ftedfaft adherence to thefe things, the world will know that we are the difciples of Jefus, and we may expect an increafe in knowledge and faith, and to enjoy communion with God. Our bold- nefs, both now and hereafter, depends much on our thus abiding in Chrift, Pfalm cxix. 6. i John ii. 28. Unlefs we thus cleave to the Lord, we fliall not be able to face the enemy with courage, nor can we ufe freedom in prayer ; for how (liall a man look up to Jefus, who is a prieft on his throne, when he is con- fcious of negleding his precepts ? It is likewife of importance in our lateft moments, if they are at- tended with reflection. What comfort can there be in a review of an unftable and fruitlefs profeffion ? Di- yine forgivenefs may fupport the heart under this for- '"'*- S 2 rowful
276 LECTURES ON
rowful profpe£l; but in proportion to a juftfenfeof this grace, the penitent will be filled with fhame, and bitterly mourn his ungrateful backflidings : Whereas he that ftands fail hath this rejoicing, the teftimony of a good confcience, and many fweet promi fes to en- courage him, particularly that capital one: ** Be thou *' faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of *' life." Nor fhould it be omitted that the real cha- ra6ler of the righteous muft hereafter be manifefted and confirmed, by the inftances of their love to Chrift and his people, and how that will appear in their con- du£l who are flothful and carelefs, fuch do well to confider ; therefore " abide in Chrift, that, when he *' fhall appear, ye may have confidence, and not be *' afhamed before him at his coming."
In one word; nothing fliort of this will poflefs mankind with a reverence of the Lord and his church, or induce renewed teftimonies of the power and grace of God, whereby it may be known that he is in the midft of a people to blefs them. When perfons united under a profefTion of the gofpel are lukewarm, diforderly and licentious, they are left of God, whofe Spirit ii griev- ed, and become contemptible; but if they keep up to the temper and conduit of thefc firft dlfciples, and walk in love ; as fear came on every foul around this chriftian church, fo it will be in a meafure with them ; for a church fo walking together may be truly admired in the language of Solomon's Song, chap. vi. lO. with which I conclude, " Who is fhe that looketh forth as " the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the fun, and *' terrible as an army with banners ? "
lecture;
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 277
LECTURE XVIII.
The manner in which thefe primitive difciples lived together in the church at Jerufalem.
IN this conclfe hiftory of the primitive church, we have already feen the conftant and earneft pur- fuit of her members in every branch of their profeffion. Impartiahty and zeal are genuine fymptoms of real piety, in which they abounded, and became an ex- ample' to the faithful in every age. We now pafs to the fecond general divifion of the account, which con- tains their manner of living, comprehending their pleafant fituatiwn, how their tiir-e was employed, the fpirit or temper which prevailed among them, and the influence ii had on thofe who b?held them. The whole prefents us with a beaudful fcene of brotherly love, and delight in the ways of the Lord !
As to their fituation, we are told, ver. 4^. that *' all that believed were together." Etti to avTo, i. e. literally in the fame ; this may be vari -ufly applied; they were in the fame judgment, ^nd the fame in point of experience and worfhip, they had one Lord, one faith, and one baptifm ; but this is included in ver. 42, already explained. They were alfo united in their affe(9tions one towards another , minding the fame S 3 thing,
278 LECTURES ON
thing, and, being knit together in love, as one man, they ftrove for the faith of the gofpel, following the . things which make for peace and mutual edification. Satan had not yet excited thofe finful pa.Tions, too often feen among chriftians, whereof come evil fur- mifings, contentions and divifions, to the difturbancs of their peace, and the diigrace of their heavenly call- ing. The malicious and fubtle adverfary indeed foon found means to ftir up a vain-glorious difpofition, and occafion fchifms among them, witnefs at Corinth ; one was of Paul and another of Apollos, infomuch that in 2 epift. xli. 20. the apoftle faith, ** I fear, left '' when I come I fhall not find you fuch as I would— " left there be debates, envyings, wrath, flrife, &c." But at prefent and for awhile this church at Jerufalem was free from thefe corruptions and diforders, and the difciples, as new-born babes, defired the fincere milk of the word, and were perfectly united in an harmo- nious purfuit after the glory of Chrift and each other's comfort, having no party-views, or different aims in their communion together, but were of one accord and of one mind. Thus, Ads iv. 32, we are told, that " the multitude of them that believed, were of " one heart and of one foul."
This may alfo refer to the frequent meetings they held, which perfectly agrees with the account of their practice ; " they were daily in the temple, and from *' houfe to houfe," of which more hereafter. ]n this view it fhews that they did not forfake the afTembling of them (elves together, as the manner of fome is, but
aflbciaied
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 279
aflbciated with conflancy and delight, fo that they were in a manner always in company.
Again, they were together in one church-ftate. The learned Dr. Lightfoot underftands it of their keeping together in feveral companies or congre_a- tions, according to their languages, nations, and other connexions, &c. But I humbly apprehend, that if feparate congregations were needful for thefe or any other reafons, as here among Proteftants of different nations, for inftance, the Dutch, the French, &c. yet it is evident they were but one church, even he fame unto which the converts were added j nor do we read of any other in this famous city. On the contrary, we arc told, chap. v. 11. that " great fear came upon " all the church," on account of Ananias and Sap- phira. And ftill further, chap. viii. i. it is faid, that after the death of Stephen the martyr, " there was a *' great perfecution againft the church which was at ** Jerufaltm." Still but one church at Jerufalem ; and therefore, I fay, if the difciples did on any occa- fion, or for any purpofes, at times meet together in feparate congregations, as obferved, they were all in the fame individual church -ftate, there being no other then fubfifting ;. nor was the order or offices needful to form and organize particular churches, as after- wards, fettled by the authority of Chrift, through the hands of his apoftles ; and indeed it doth not appear that there ever was in the age of the apoftles more than one church, at Jerufalem, or in any other city •r place whatever.
S 4 An'»
28o LECTURESON
■ And here it may be ufeful to paufe, and reflecSt on, the wide difFcrcnce there is between the condu61: of chriftians in refpedl of church-communion in this day, and that of thofe in the primitive times j then they continued together in every place, in one body, and that univerfally, fo far as we learn, at leaft this was the cafe, while they had gifts fufficient, and were capable of doing it; but now alas, almoft on every occafion profeiTors divide, infomuch that there is fcarce a little town where perfons of the fame efTential faith and order, arc not divided into what they call feparate church-ftates, each of which are fcarce able to per- form the duties efTential to their own well-being. It is nei her my inclination nor province to cenfure any foci'='ty whatever ; but, may I not decently move for a ferious confideration, whether it is agreeable to the fpirit of chriftianity, or for the intereft and glory of the church thus to divide on every occafion ?
Particular congregations of believers incorpo- rated in the order of the goipel arc cel^tainly of divine ihftitution, and needful for the exercife of difcipline, ind Other relative duties in the communion of faints on earth j accordingly there were many fuch focieties in the apofcolic age in the fame country. Thus we read of the churches in Afia, Macedonia, Galatia, and Judea ; but when the difciples in Jerufalem, Corinth, Philrppi, &c. are mentioned, it is always in the fm- gul.ar number, to fhew they continued together in one bhdy in Chrift. It is true in thofe days there were extraordinary gifts and helps ; and if four, five or fix
thoufand
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 281
thoufand believers inhabit a city or populous place, a minifter of common abilities will fcarce be able to dif- charge the paftoral office among them, nor would the people be capable of knowing, loving, and performing their part to one another as members of a particular church ought to do. If therefore the number of chri- ftians united in judgment is too many for the ordinary ends of communicn, it is fit to fcparate with mutual confentj neverchelefs it is moft for the honor of the gofpel, and fafeft when the faithful, who dwell in one place, can commune together in cne churchy and when this cannot be attained, through fome difFerence in point of docStrine or order, or by reafon of the multi- tude of profeffors, great care (hould be taken to preferve unity of afFeil;on and harmony, and to avoid every mean and low pradlice, whereby fome have defpifed, or at leaft fliown but too great forward nefs to dif- courageand lefTen neighbouring churches andminifters, for if there is not brotherly love, a cordial friendfhip, and focial converfe maintained between gofpel-minifters and churches, who thus as it were refide together, it is a fad reproach to our holy profeffion, and fatan will furejy get an advantage. When therefore a carnal, private, felfifli fpirit prevails among minifters, and the members of feparate congregations are not encouraged to correfpond with one another in the fight of the world, in any place whatever, it is very unhappy and threatening. This was the opinion of the great Dr. Owen, in the preface to his Efhcol, he fays, 'It ' is convenient that all believers in one place fhould ' join themfelves in one congregation, unlefs, through ' their being too numerous, they are by common con-
* fent
282 LECTURES ON
' fent diftinguifhed into more ; which order cannot be ' difturbed without danger, ftrife, emulation, and * breach of love.' I apprehend there may be other reafons, of diftin£l congregations in one place, be- fides that of numbers. But the danger from caufelefs reparation, as noted above, is too plainly verified, and fhould induce him that fecks peace to unite, as far as he can, in fellowfhip with thofe of another particular communion. And the primitive difciples thus keeping together, notwithftanding their vaft increafe, moft cer- tainly condemn thofe divifions and fubdivifions on every different opinion, which is fo frequently feen in a day of lukewarmnefs and declenfion ; whereby, in fome places, the vifible church is crumbled into pieces, to the grief of good men. In a word, the divifion of any chriflian congregation, who can join together in the ordinances of the gofpel, under whatever fpecious pretence, may gratify the lufts of men^ but has no tendency to promote the truth of God, and is not to be encouraged by any who wifh well to Zion.
But to return. This phrafe of the difciples being together, is by fome underftood of their aflbciating in one place. It appears from Acts iv. 31. that even after a further increafe of the church they met in one place, which was miraculoufly fhaken while they were aflerabled. Hence it was an ancient defcription of a particular church, that it is a * fociety of chriftians* ' meeting together in one place, under their proper
* pallors, for the performance of religious worfhip, and
* the exercife of chriftian difcipline:' which is, by the
way,
• Si\guiry into the conftitution of the primitive ch«rcb, p. 7.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 283
way, utterly againft the popular notion of a national church in any form whatever j but, as hinted already, I apprehend that we have in this claufe their manner of life J they were together in a civil as well as in a religi- ous fenfe ; a fociety that communed together in natural, no lefs than in fpiritual things : We fhall prefently fee that they had all things common, and lived on one ftock. This continued awhile. Thus we read, chap, iv. 34. that *' as many as were poffeflbrs of lands or ** houfes, fold them and brought the price of the things ** that were fold, and laid them down at the apoftles •' feet." Some have t'iought it incredible that any fingle houfe fhould accommodate fo many thoufands, particularly with lodging; for as to an apartment in one of the towers of the temple, as fome have fugo-efled, Jofephus indeed aflerts, that they made up an hundred beds. What is that to the number of difciples ? Be- fides, is there any reafon to imagine that the defpifed and perfecuted chriftians ftiould have leave to dwell there ? Nor is it at all needful to fuppofe that they dwelt in one houfe ; perfons maybe in one family, and yet have apartments at fome diftance from each other ; and it is certain, the firft chiiflians lived in different habitations, for we are told, ver. 46. that they **^ broke " bread from houfe to houfe :" neverthelefs they were plainly one fociety, fupplied out of the fame capital ftock, which was raifed from the free-will furrender of the fub- ftance belonging to them who joined the church as de- fcribed ; the depofiting and difpofition of which, are recited ia the fifth and fixth chapter of the Ads. And here I cannot but vindicate the charader of thefe noble chriftian* from the unworthy conceptions of fome.
It
2^4 LECTURES ON
It has been infinuated *, that one reafon of the dif- cLplcs freely parting with their fubftance was this, namely, * that being refolved to cleave to the apoftles, ' and apprehending the approach of the de{lru£i:ion of ' Jerufalem, when they knew they muft flee and leave ' all to the enemy, they therefore were willing to part ' with their eftates for the benefit of the church/ This I think is a groundlefs conjedlure, and rather un- generous : If It was certain that the Romans were inftantly coming, and would feizc on the country of the Jews, it would have been natural, in them that believed it, to have parted with their eftates; and fmce the multitude gave no heed to the prediction of our Lord, there would doubtlefs have been many to purchafe, for under thefe circumftances they mufl: be fuppofed to have bought at a very low price; but the deftru6lion of Jerufalem was near forty years diftant, and there is no reafon for imputing the con- du£l of the primitive difciples to any fuch motive; their manifeft zeal for the gofpel, and love to each other, was more than a fufficient inducement to part with their houfes and lands for the relief of their brethren; they therefore not only fold them, but (except in the cafe of Ananias and Sapphira) they every one delivered up the whole of their produce to the apoftles ; and this they did not without caufe, for it appears, that after all the generofity of thofe who had pofleflions among them, in a time of perfecution they foon flood in need of the contribution of others. Upon the whole, I fay it
feems
♦ Dr. Whitby's" annotation on Afts ii. 45. and E>r. Dodderidge's note on the fame place.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 285
feems unworthy the charadter of thefe noble followers of the Lamb, to fuppofe that a confideration fo low and carnal fh uld in any degree move them to their feafonable and rich liberality.
Some afFe6l to imitate the primitive chriftians, by attempting to live in the manner they did ; and it is probable that the above fiiggeftion was with a view to prevent this vain-glorious pretence ; but we are not to. have recourfe to conjedtures that detradl from the faithful in their becoming zeal on an extraordinary occafion, to obviate the defigns of crafty men, who under a fpecious fhew of religion, decoy the fimple out of their property and freedom, againft reafon and fcrip- ture. It is plain from the facred hiftory that this manner of communion was owing to the peculiar cir- cumftances the difciples were in at prefent^ and, as has been frequently and juftly obferved, that it was never intended to be a precedent in a fettled ftate of chriftianity, fmce it appears from the current of the epiftles, that members of churches are fpoken of as rich and poor, and many exhortations are given which Gould have no place, if it was the duty or excellency of chriftians in fociety, to have all things common, as they had at this time in Jerufalem. The inftitutions of the gofpel are not advanced on the ruins of mO" rality. ' Chrift's gofpel (fay the continuators of Mr* ' Pool's annotations) does not deftroy the law; and
* the eighth commandment is fiill in force, which it ' could not be if there was no property, or meum and
* tuum now.' And indeed, however fome may boall in this notion, or practice of fecial religion, it has a
natural
186 LECTURES ON
natural tendency to deftroy the foundations of order and government, both in the world and in the church, and accordingly to be fhunned and rejeded, as a de- lufion and unworthy the gofpel of Chrift.
This was the fituation and manner of the difciples in the infant ftate of the church, all that believed were to- gether^ i. e. they were fupplied out of one common ftock, which arofe from the fubflance of thofe who had pof- feflions, which they fold ; a condu£l by no means fuited to the manifeft duties of believers in an ordinary church-ftate, all pretence to which is abfurd and un- fcriptural, if not downright immoral. Neverthelefs it was a wife and noble inftance of charity in the primitive church, by which every covetous or ftraight-handed per- fon, who affumes the name of a chriftian, ftands con- demned to the end of the world. And however difagree- able to fome the obfervation may be, this example of love proves that, in a right ftaie of things, the difciples of Jefus, conftrained by his grace, will be as much as polBble together, in order to a mutual and free com- munication of their talents for the fupport of his king- dom and the good of each other i and confequently that a narrow and felfifli fpirit, and a roving difpoii- tion, will never anfwer the end of chriftian com- munion.
LECTUIIE
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 287
LECTURE XIX.
How the difciples at Jerufalem were employed, with pradlical notes on their condudl.
WE are now to confider in what manner the primitive chriftians filled up their time in the fituation we left them. Idle profefTors might find an occafion, and there is reafon to fear that fome would abufe a communion circumftanced as that at Jerufa- lem, in favor of the flefh, but great was the grace he- flowed on thefe difciples ; they feem one and all to be infpired from heaven to a diligent proof of their calling and election of God, in purfuit of which they divided their time between religious exercifes and thofe which are civil.
The immediate defign of their union was religion, «nd to ferve God through Jefus Chrift j according- ly it is firft related, that " they continued daily with *' one accord in the temple." They were now of the true circumcifion, who worfliipped God in the Spirit, and knew that in every place where his people were gathered in his name, his prefence and blelfing were infured ; neverthelefs the temple, as an houfe of pray- er, was not yet totally abolifhed j they therefore for- foolc not the public aflembly, but daily reforted unto it at the appointed feafon. Thus we read, chap. iii. Jihat at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour, or
three
288 LECTURES ON
three of the clock in the afternoon, the time of the daily facrifice, and the hour when Jefus the Lamb of God expired on the crofs, Peter and John went into the temple. Some nominal chriftians would think it a burden to be called upon an hour in a week, or per- haps in a month for focial prayer, except on the fab- bath ; but it was the daily practice of thefe primitive chriflians to attend in the temple, befides many private meetings among themfelvcs. What a wearinefs would this be to fome profcfibrs ! Indeed prayers may be fol- lowed feveral times in a day, in a vain and fuper- ftitious manner, yet there is no fuperftition in the dai- ly prayers of the church ; nor are they inconfiftent with other duties in life, if things were rightly managed, perfons in common might find time to wait upon God, without being ranked among the idle who negleil their civil occupation, or to provide for their families ; nei- ther are the prayers which in many places of worfhip are now day after day for ihe mofl part literally and properly read to empty pews, within the bare walls of our churches ; thefe, I fay, are not the relics of popery, as fome may imagine, but the contempt thrown upon them a melancholy fymptom of our fad declenfion from that piety, and delight in focial pray- er, which fmce the reformation once prevailed in the land I Indeed we are not held to fet hours under the prefent difpenfation, but it is a gofpel-precept to pray without ceafmg; and it furely then becomes us to be frequently, if not daily, uniting in our prayers to the Lord, for which feafons muft be appointed, a neglecSl of which difcovers want of inclination to this divine fcrvice j and the truth is that fome, being eager in a
purfuit
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 289
puiTuit after the bufinefs and pleafures of life, their manner will not admit of a regular and conflant at- tendance in the church, or the family ; and it is to be feared that there are but too many prayerlefs peo- ple among us of every denomination, againft whom, if they repent not, Papifts, yea and Mahometans, who perform their devotion five times a day, and efteem prayer* the pillar of heaven and key of paradife, will rife up in judgment.
But again j as thefe difciples were daily in the temple, it is likewife declared they were fo in " break- ** ing bread from houfe to houfe." This is explained in the next claufe, by its being faid, " they eat their *' meat ;" a phrafe no where applied to that fpiritual repaft, the fupper of our Lord, and therefore muft refer to their natural meals. Some underftand it of friendly entertainments, which they apprehend was made at each others houfes ; but, if as many of them as had houfes or lands, made fale of the fame and fur- rendered the purchafe, as defcribed, I pray, who could provide thefe feafts for their friends ? Hofpitality is one fruit of brotherly love ; but it ftems inconfiftent with the ftate of this fociety, in which all things were common, to fuppofe that they treated one ano- ther in this manner. I am, therefore, of opinion that this breaking of bread from houfe to houfe, was no other than their commons, prepared in different apartments or houfes, in which provifion was made by agreement, as fuited their flate, and the pur- pofes of their communion together, which may eafily be conceived in a body fo compacted as thefe chri-
T flians
* Sales's preliminary difcourfe to the koran, p. 142.
290 LECTURESON
ftians. Thus they went on from day to day, joining in the worfhip of God in his temple or in church- afTemblies, anJ liicewife at home, for they had houfes to eat and to drink in, where they partook of the bounti-s of providence together.
Now this focial communion, in refpedt both of natural and religious enjoyments, v/as maintained and carried on in a fpirit and temper every way fuited to their holy profeflion. In the firft place, we are told they did it with gladnefs. A fad countenance is no prcper fymptom of unfeigned piety; and I fee no rea-' fon why this fhould not include a natural chearful- nefs, which will be felt in proportion to bodily health, and a juft fenfe of the divine bounty. " Go thy *' way, (fays the wife man) eat thy bread with joy, *' and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God *' now accepteth thy works," Ecclef. xviii. 7. Who fo fit to take a fober and moderate joy in the crea- ture as the chriftian, whofe God is his portion ? In this fenfe, the man whofe fins are forgiven him, may be of good cheer ; but no doubt a fpiritual joy is principally intended. 'AfaPiAjao-st ; the fame word in Jude ver. 24. is rendered exceeding joy, and fignifies not meerly a gladnefs of heart, but a vifible exultation, and fuppofes external fymptoms, fo that it may refer to their fpiritual difcourfe, faying, as the difciples after the Lord was departed, " Did not our heart burn *' within us while he talked with us by the way, and <' while he opened to us the fcriptures ? " Luke xxiv. 32. Thus might they enquire of each other, and communicate of their experience, and, being filled
vvitiii
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 291
with joy, fing praifes together ; for, however ftran^e it may now feem, there is reafon to conclude that the primitive chriftians rarely parted at any time vv^iih- out prayer and Tinging. However religion is in a flourifhing ftate, when from the houfe of pra)er the faithful come rejoiced in the loving- kindnefs of the Lord, and fatit-fied in the riches of his grace, they fit down together at thL* table of providence in their own houfes with a fingular chearfulnefs , while feeding their bodies their fouls are feafted in a remembrance of his favor. Thus their joy is double, of which {Gran- gers to real piety can form no adequate idea.
Again, with fmgknefs of heart. The term, aips^oTrJIt .here rendered Jingknefs is ufed no where elfe; it fig- nifies plain, upnght and honefl, and moft emphati- cally exprefles the utmoft fimplicity. It is the tefti- mony of God, who fearchfth the reins, and a glorious part of the character of thefe difciples, that they con- tinued together without any finifler, private or felfifii view, being free from carnal motives in their felloW- fliip ; no crafty defigns, or mean underhand doings, were praiticed among them. here might be hypo- crites, but in general they aflbciated with a pure heart, and unfeigned love of the brethren, and their condu(5l was frank and open, like thofe who had a fingle eye to the glory of God, and their mutual honor and comfort. This flands in a natural connexion with the trhearfulnefs that fpread through their company ; '* for *' (faith the apoftle) our rejoicing is this, the tefti- " mony of our confcience, that in fimplicity and " godly fincerity, not with flefhly wifdom, but by T 2 '* the
292 LECTURESON
** the grace of Gtd we have had our converfation in *' the world, and more abundantly to you wards," 2 Cor. i. 12. Thus upright and fincere were thejfe primitive chrift.ans, without oftentation or covetouf- nefs. O that the like teftimony could be born to the fpirit and condud^ of all who bear the name of chri- flianity, and are in communion with the faithful ! But, alas, fome are of a contrary difpofition, and but too plainly difcover on every occafion their private views. Flence ftrife and vain -glory, animofities and divifions, whereby the church is fometimes torn and defaced, and fore difcouragements are laid on the hearts of them that truly love God.
Once more ; It is further declared that the difci- plcs went on in thefe afibciations praiftng God, As obferved, the term rendered gladnefs carries in it a joy exprefled by fome bodily exercife, fuch as leaping, dancing and fingino;, 5cc. Now here we learn the nature of that joy which poficfled the hearts of thefe chriftians, and how it appeared ; not by the ranting noife of fenfualifls, who fmg and roar like madmen and fools ; their joy, like themfelves, is carnal and impious, blazing with a noife, and tranfitory as the crackling of thorns uader a pot; nor was it like that of thefe degenerate and ihameful Ifraelites complained of in Ifa. V. I2. " The harp, the viol, the tabret " and pipe, and wine are In their feafls : but they "' regard not the work of the Lord, neither confider " the operation of his hands." Not fo at the table of the faithful at Jerulalcm, their rejoicing was holy and fpiritual, and terminated in the honor of their
heavenly
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 293
heavenly Father, whofe abounding mercies, temporal and eternal, infpired them with gratitude. To God they lift up their voices together, with adoration and praife, to celebrate his love. Now they might praife God in their meetings at thefe repafts of a na- tural kind, as well as in thofe more immediately ap- pointed for religious fervice in feveral ways; by their application for a blefllng, with thanks, for the food of the body; which however fome make light of, or fcruple, is due to our bountiful Father, and a means of fan£lifying the creatures we receive, i Tim. iv. 5. an example of which we have in our Lord, who, when he fed the people with the meat that periflaeth, firft gave thanks unto God, John vi. 11. which is alfo no- ticed by the evangelift Matthew. And thus faith the apoftle, " He that eateth to the Lord, giveth God " thanks," Rom. xiv. 6. In fhort, it is unworthy the knowledge of God, and much more of the gofpel of Chrift, to fit down to our food, and ] ife up, without giving thanks. But to return, the difciples praifed God in their difcourfe; their Mafter had fhewn them to improve their meals by entering on fubje(R:s that are fpiritual and divine, Luke vii. 40. xiv, 7. and on other occafions. Chriftians lofe much by oniitt- ing this manner of edification. Hence the tongue of thofe who talk much and do nothing, are noto- rioufly proud, licentious or diforderly in their con- dudt, condemn them ; it may be juft to caution againft an affeded loquacity on religious fubjeds, v/hich is odious and vain ; but this appears not to me a prevailing evil in the prefent generation; the table- talk of moil chriftian families, as far as I can
T 3 learn,
294 LECTURES ON
learn, rarely turns on any fubjecl that {hould give the leaft difgufl- to thofe who are ftrangers to the power of religion ; at leaft in general, we feem little to be charg- ed with this kind of imprudence, but are much more polite, or rather flow in our difcourfej yet it is certain that when perfons are affeited with the love of God, and a fenfe of divine things, they are very much dif- pofed to mention them. And if, as our Lord ob.-» ferves, Matt. xiii. 34. " out of the abundance *' of the heart the mouth fpeaketh, " of which, no man can doubt, is it not reafonable then to ex- petfl that believers, on returning from the enjoyment of God in his fanftuary to their ovv'n houfes, for the refrefhment of nature, fliould remind one another, and praife God together for the fpiritual benefits they have received ? Was this the pratflice, we might hope to fee more fpiritual ity among us ; our children, fer- vants and friends, who Hand round about us, might be edifi:d thereby, and he ready to blefs us in the name of the Lord. And further, God may be praifed by his people even at their ov/n tables, at lead before they feparate from thefe entertainrnents, in pfalms, hymns and fpiritual fongs, in which manner we are direcSled to teach and admonifli cne another. Col. i'.i. 16. and, v/Iiy not in our own houfs:-, or family- aiiemblies ? Is the Tinging an hymn confined to the fandrur.iy, or forbid elfewhere ? Should not every chriiti::n fan~.i'y be as a little church? and may not thofe who love God take any fit opportunity to iiir up each other and to join in his praife ? And fnall the ignorant and malicious reproaches of worldly men, who are not afliamed of their empty, if not filthy and
impious
PRIiMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 295
impious ballads, intimidate chriftians from the enter- tainment and profit of united fongs to the honor of God, and their bleffed Redeemer?
This then is noted of thefe primitive chriftians ; they were not only joyful and upright, but chearful and grateful, praifing God. They might decently praife the food which they eat, as delicious and good in rts kind ; this is proper and ufeful in its place ; but, doth it not rather look fenfual to confine our difcourfe to this fubjed? However they pralfed God, i, e. their converfation in general turned not on felf-applaufe, or any thing trifling and carnal ; but in all their meet- in<ys, both in the church and at home, they com- muned on things adapted to edify the foul, and to quicken one another in glorifying their Saviour. How different are they whofe converfation is full of flan- der and backbiting, filthy difcourfe or vain jell- ing, which is very oifenfive and finful ! I hope the Reader is far from indulging a pradice fo (hameful ; fuch table-talk is hateful and fcandalous j but, have we not too much reafon to blufli on rcfleiStion ? How little proceeds from our mouth in ordinary con- verfe which is good, to the ufe of edifying, that it may minifter grace to the hearers ]
It remains to obferve, the influence this manner of life had upon the world about them. And it appears that this harmony, afFediion and faithfulnefs among themfelves, which it is reafonable to fuppofe was at- tended with an affable and courteous behaviour to others, the genuj.ne fruit of vital religion, gave the
T 4 difciples
296 LECTURES ON
difciples an high reputation, for we are told, they had " favor with all the people." Some underftand this of the favor (hewn by the difciples to all people, i. e. fay they, their charity was not confined to themfelves, but ex- tended to others who were not of their own community. And it muft be owned, that we are taught to do good unto all, but efpeciallv to the houfhold of faith, which catholic fpirit is fuited to the genius of the gofpel, yet this interpretation feems drained. Thefe chriftians in- deed were kind and condefcending to every one, but they had little opportunity of helping others, being themfelves, as a fociety, often in need, as hinted before, notv/ithftanding the generofity of thofe who had pro- perty among them, which we have reafon to think were comparative'y few ; it is therefore mofl natural to apply the pafllige to the refpeiEl fhewn them by the people in general. This ami^ible fpirit and con- duct gained the good-will of the multitude, however reproached and vilified by fome malicious unbelievers, who' envied their union and fuccefs, and afterwards raifcd bitter perfccution againfl: them. Neverthclefs, at prefent, their {ledf. ftnefs in cleaving together in the Lord, and their holy converfation in other refpeCls, manifefted their excellency to the confciences of thofe who beheld them, who could not but admire, as in future periods it is recorded they did, infomuch that it was common for the heathens to fay of the chriftians, with aftonifhment. Behold, how they love one ano- ther ! Thus thefe difciples, hke Jefus himfelf, being made wife, increafed in favor with God and man. The Lord was vifibly with them, by the figns and V/onders that were done by the apoflles, fo that " fear
** can>e
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 297
*' came upon every foul," and their lovely deportment rendered them in a manner univerfaliy grateful. In this way fhould all who are feparated by a profefied fubje£tion to the gofpel adorn it, and by a favor of its divine influence in the whole of their condudt, gain the efteem of mankind ; for a loofe and light beha- viour in perfons who pretend to the high calling of God, is Ihameful, and ufually brings them into con- tempt : So true is it, " that they who honor God " fhall be honored, but they Vs^ho defpifc him fhall be *' lightly efteemed," i Sam. ii. 30. Thus it is fre- quently feen that a m.an whofe coiverfation is un- comely under a religious charadler, is defpifcd even by the world ; and he alone may expect to have efteem who ails up to his pro.feflion ; it is the holy, juft and friendly behaviour of a people united in the fel- lowfhip of the gofpel that convinces mankind of their fmcerity, and is likely to induce that refpedl, which may, under a bleffing, promote the faith of cur Lord Jefus Chrifl in the world.
Such, I apprehend, was the manner of the firft dif- ciples at Jerufalem ; they cleaved to the Lord and one another with purpofe of heart, and were together^ as we faw in the preceeding lecture, not only in point of afFe£lion and judgment, and in one church-ftate, but they lived together as one family ; though on account of their number they were divided into feparate apart- ments or houfes, yet the) had all things common, be- ing each as they lacked fupplied from one ftock or fund, raifed in the manner defcribed. And now it appears that in this extraordinary fituation their time
was
2^8 LECTURES ON
was employed in daily afTembling themfelves m the temple for divine fervice, from whence they returned to partake together of the bounties of providence, breaking bread from houfe to houfe; with an holy chearfulnefs and unfeigned fimplicity, they mingled their common meals for the refrefliment of nature with thofe communications of a fpiritual kind, where- by they were mutually excited to join in praifmg the Lord; thus they lived a life of devotion to God and mutual affection, which procured an unlverfal efteem. O happy and honorable fociety ! How plcafant and blefled the communion, when the difciples thus walked together in the fear of the Lord, with integrity and' brotherly love ! Thefe were halcyon days, when there was nothing to diflurb the public tranquility, or dif- quiet the hearts of the faithful, but all fair and ferene, to the glory of God and the joy of his people ! But, alas, how tranfitory this beauty and gladnefs in Zion ! It was not to laft ; the faints muft be tried ; and fatan, who is the prince of the power of the air, foon obtained permiffion to blow up a tem- peft, and threaten the ark of the Lord. In a fhort time, as he hath ever fmce more or Icfs, did the ene- my, by a variety of cruel perfccutions, foul apofta- fics -dud. damnable hercfies, tear and mangle the vifiblc body of Chrift, if pofnble to dcftroy it; but we know the church ftands fecure; the gates of hell fhall not prevail againfc her, to her ruin, or even fo as to pre- vent ksr pcrfe£lion in the end, yet this primitive glory of the church is in a meafure gone oft' tor awhile, and her members have not that futisfa6iion and joy in her
commu-
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 299
communion the difciples had, when in the iimplicity of her infant ftate.
But now, my dear Reader, it may be proper to obferve, that you are not to expert, or even wifh for a communion fo circumftanced, in every refpeit, as that in which the difciples were united before the gof- pel was fpread, and chnltian churches eftabliflied. It is plain, as obier.ed, that a community of goods, and Jiving together as thefe chriftians did, is now contrary to the word of God, and inconhftent with the duties of our holy profeffion, in the church and in the worid ; fo that, as I have fhcwn, every pretence of forming ourfclves in this manner, under a notion of comino- near to the original pattern of chriftianity, is unfcrip- tural and vain ; neverthelefs, the union, aftcdlion, fim- plicity, and manners, of the firfl difciples, 10 far as they confift with the plan laid down in tlie New- Teftament, are certainly much to be defired, yea and to be hoped for in waiting on the Lord ; at leaft, keep- ing himfelf in the love of God, each one may expedl a conformity in fome good meafure to this amiable flandard, and the fpirit of religion being invariably the fame, 1 (hall clofe the lecture wiih a few brief remarks by way of refle£tion.
And firft we may note, that it is the inclination and the intereft of the difciples of Jefus, as much as may be, to afibciate together. It is in the nature of intelligent creatures to be focial ; fo that they who, being called, have cafl in their lot, as heirs together of the grace of life, fliould naturally cleave to each
Other
300 LECTURESON
other in the Lord. The believer can truly appeal to his God and declare, in the words of the Pfalmift, " I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of ** them that keep thy precepts," Pfalm cxix. 63. His heart's defire is to the fellowfhip of the faints, the ex- cellent of the earth, in whom is all his delight; and while brotherly love continues, the faithful are mani- feftly glad of each others company, infomuch that whatever appearance there may be of indifFerency to this among nominal chriftians, in a (late of lukcwarm- nefs and fonowful divifions, it is certain that this holy and happy inclination or defire keeps pace with the life and power of godlinefs ; a decay from this, which is the fame with a defeilion from the love of God, Is a principal fource of that dangerous, and for the moft part fatal drawing-back, the forfaking the aflembling of ourfelvcs together. Frequent aflemblies are abfolutely needful to fupport a church-ftate, and the building ourfelves on our moft holy faith, without which a peo- ple cannot keep themfelves in the love of God, as di- rected Jude ver. 20, 21. Nor can believers in a focial or private capacity, expe£l: to flourifli without them, but in keeping together on every cccafion they knit faftcr in love, and become endeared to one another in confequence of reciprocal acSls of kindnefs and friend- fhip. It therefore is of great advantage to the intereft of religion, w^hen they who fear the Lord are feeking every fit opportunity to convcrfe together : And this will be the cafe when perfons are in good earneft, feeking firft the kingdom of God and the things which are Chrifl's. I'hey may be providentially in- terrupted from afTcciating j but, being conilrained by
divine
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 301
divine love, they are no fooner at liberty, but, like Peter and John, when let go from their confinement by the Jews, they joyfully return to their own company, which is no other than their brethren in Chrift.
Again ; this example proves that they who aflb- ciate in the fear of God, are difpofed, and will ftudy to improve their meetings together to their fpiritual ad- vantage. In the temple or aflemblies of the church, this is dire6lly and profelTedly in view ; but I princi- pally refer to chriftians when met in their own houfes, or occafionally from time to time in any other place ; particularly their vifits one among another, in which they have an hofpitable intercourfe, and chearfully partake of the bounties of Providence as relations or friends ; fuch opportunities may be employed to the purpofes of religion, without infringing on a becoming regard to things of the world. I am far from cenfuring difcourfe on fubjedls which re- late to civil and natural life, which is fometimes becoming and ufeful ; but then, fliould they fpend their whole time on temporal things ? Is there no opportunity on fuch occafions to communicate fome- thing for the foul, and which relates to eternity ? And, is it not decent and profitable for them who are heirs of falvation, if poffible, to make every feafon. fubfervient to their meetnefs for glory ? We have feen that there is the higheft reafon to conclude that the firft difciples, at their common meals, refrefhed one another with fpiritual things. And it is certain, with this expedlation Paul defired to have an interview with the chriftians at Rome : " For I long to fee you, (faith
" he)
302 LECTURES ON
' he) that I may impart fome ipiritiial gift unto you, *' to the end that ye may be eftablifiied ; that is, that . " I might be comforted togethfr with you, by the *' mutual faiih both of you and me," Rom. i. ii, 12. In which place, I apprehend, the', apoftle doth not fo much intend his imparting extraordinary gifts, or what he might communicate in the exercife of his office, as their conferences in relation to fairh and experience, fince their communications v/ere mutual, at leaft I think there is no reafon to queflion that thefe are included ; and it would tend much to a revival of a fpirit of religion among us, if it was the ftudy of chriftians to accommodate their vifits in this manner to the promoting of their fpiritual intereft. But permit, my dear Reader, a word of advice. la order to carry on this pious defign two things are need- ful : Firft, that thefe friendly entertainments at home are fo contrived as not to interfere with the appointed^ feafons of the fan61:uary. Is it becoming a chriftian to fay, I have a friend on a vifit, and therefore cannot come up to the houfe of the Lord ? This is fometimes the cafe, through companions who fear not his name, or it may be through careleflhefs, which arc both to be avoided by him who would profit in religion. No appointment for focial entertainment in thy own habitation, fhould ordinarily take place againft ftated and known feafons fet apart for alTembling in the church. This may be thought by fome rather too ftri6l ; but a man, who thirfts after God, will (o or- der his affairs, and when he can, deny himfelf at home rather than be deprived of an opportunity in the houfe of the Lord. And then it is further necelTary to ob- tain
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 303
tain this advantage, that our civil and friend'y ea- tertainments be mingled with exercifes of a fpintuai kind, which confift with thofe meetings, fuch as praying together, and ic me ferlous and heavenly dif-- courfe ; fureiy this might give life and joy to a com- pany of believers, when reo;al!ng themfelves in mode- ration with the good things of life, without abating a defirable relifh in their natural enjoyments. Certaia I am that this is the way to be filled with each others, company, as it is exprefled in Rom. xv. 24. Whereas,, through a total negledl of thefe things, we often empty one another in cur vifits, and come together, not for the better, but for the worfe, at leaft in refpecl of the foul.
■ It may further be noted, that one fruit of that faith which worlceth by love is an hofpitable and liberal fpirit. The primitive chriftians are a noble e»<ampla of the power of the gofpel in this rcfpeiSl ; it enlarged their hearts to be generous in parting with their fub- ftance for the common good, without any referve to themfelves j this, indeed, in ordinary circumftances, is. not required, but the love of God will certainly purify a man from covetoufnefs, and promote in him a boun- tiful difpofition. Thus, no fooner was the heart of Lydia opened, but the doors of her houfe were open to receive the minifters and difciples of Jefus, Ada. xvi. 15. The apoftle James afferts, that faith with- out works is dead, and likewife fhews that works of mercy and love are eflential to that which is faving : nor can any thing be more contrary to the real fpirit •f. chriftianity than a raorofe, narrow and felfiih tem- per.
304 L E C T U R E S O N
pcr. That man who is not willing to Caew kindnefs, and do good to every one, but efpecially to his bre- thren in the Lord, as directed in the gofpel of Chrift, fhould look to himfclf. If we do not as it were wafti the faints feet, and minifter to their neceflities accord- ing to our ability, yea and alfo delight iw fhewing all manner of refpedl to the people of God, we want an efl'ential evidence of grace in the heart. Let no tin profit:.' ble proftllor flatter h'mfelf, for pure religion is love ; not in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
■ Moreover it appears that the fruits of faith are abiding. Thefe chriftians continued in their harmony and ]bve J they were not, as fome, unftable as water ; nei- ther is true religion a fickle or tranfitory thing, nor is it partial. He that fears God, is habitually conftant and univerfal in obeying the truth ; and this will ap-' pear in his behaviour under a profeflion of the gofpel. To which maybe added, that the believer finds un- speakable delight in the ways of the Lord j they are ways of pleafantnefs, and paths of peace to his foul. Strangers conceive not the gladnefs and joy that attend the faints who walk together in love, in the order of Chrift. Their communion is fweet, who can fay, '* Have fellowfhip with us ; truly our fellowfliip is "^ with the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift.
Finally, we fee that the vifible and clofe union of chriftians, and their mutual offices of kindnefs, is a flriking evidence to all around them of their real reli- gion. By this faith is ken, and the world is convinced.'
Whereas
PTIIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 305
Whereas fhort of this teftimony, the greatefl attain- ment in knowledge and gifts, or the higheft profeifion of zeal for the truths and ordinances of ihe gof- pel, is vain; it fails of proving a man under the do- minion of grace. He is nothing who hath not th^s char'.tv, in the exercife of which the dodlrin? of God our Saviour is adorned; but, in this prailice of pieiy and goodnefs, the ca'ling and eledion of the chriliian appears. Thus faith the 1 ord, *' By this fhal] all men " know that ye are my difciples, thar ye love one ano- " thcr," John xiii. 35. May the Spirit of love and of a found mind be poured out from on high on all that call on the name of the Lord, that, being thus found in the faith, th^y may abound in every fruit of righteoufnefs, to the conviiSlion of gainfayers, and to the praife of the glory of him that hath called them out of darknefs into his marvellous light I
L E C T U R E XX.
The daily increafc of the primitive church.
AMONG all the extraordinary and entertaining things related of the faints at Jerufalem, it is none of the leaft that the Lord was with them. He crowned his gofpel with continual fuccefs, and the number of difciples multiplied greatly ; for we are told, that " the Lord added to the church da.ly fuch ' V "as
3o6 L E C T U R E S O N
" as fliould be faved." It was their glory and hap- pinefs to be in perfect harmony and love, and in favor with man, but ftill more fo to enjoy the vifible pre- fence and bleffing of Jehovah ; the beauty of the Lord their God was upon them, and he eftabliflied the work of their hands. In this pleafing account the followino- particulars are included, namely, the denomination under which the difciples are mentioned, their daily increafe, by whom thefe additions were made, and the peculiar defcription of thofe who were joined. A re- view of thefe articles, with brief notes upon them, and ibme rcilcftions, will be the fubjedl of this lecture, and finifh our defign on this ufeful part of facred ecclefiafti- cal hillory.
The EiTglifii term churchy under which the faithful here fir ft ftand dcfcribrd, an expreflion often repeated in the New-Teftament, is derived from two words, which may be rendered, ' the houfe or habitation of the Lord.' Thus the temple at Jerufalem is frequent- ly filled ; and a like phrafc is ufed of the fplritual tem- ple, " the houfc of God," i Tim. iii. 15. over whom nov Chrid, who is the true God, prefides fole law- giver and king, as it is written, Heb. iii. 6. ** But " Chrift as a fon over his own houfe, whofe houfe are " we." But {iy.y.Ma-ia.) the word ufed here, and in all other places where church intends a fociety of believers in order, is of another import, and fignifies to be called out; fo that theifimple and native idea of a church, is a company of called perfons alTembled together, which cxaiflly correfponds with the true notion of a chriftian
or
* KTPIOY OIKOS, which form the word kirk.
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 307
or gofpel-church, which is no other than a company of faiiitb), who, oeing called by grace, acc.jrding to the divine purpofe, are built tOL,ether, by a fprcial CQ- venant, and alTociating themfelves in one time and p'ace, for a mutual enjoyment of the appointments of their Lord and Redeemer.
Custom has rendered it tolerable ; but, however early or common the word has been app led to a houfe or place of aflembly, as frequently to this day, it is neverthelefs very improper; and though it might at firft be innocently introduced, and is now ufed by many, who are far from intending any thing unwor- thy the fpirituality of gofpel-worihip, this liberty has been abufed ; iniiead of an ordinary houfe or apart- ment, as at firft, ftately piles have been raifed, framed and adorned in a peculiar manner, under the name of a church, by which the vulgar have been captivated to a fuperftitious veneration for material buildin2;s ; it is therefore to be wifhed, that this undue application of the word was renounced. Though fome refpedtable perfons have been otherwife minded, 1 take leave to fay, that I apprehend the meeting-place of the faithful for divine fervice is no where in fcripture certainly called a church. The paflage in i Cor. xi. 18. is thus interpreted by fome, " v/hen ye come together in the " church," i. e. fay they, into the place of meeting, which is thought to be confirmed by what follows, ver. 20. *' when ye come together therefore into one *' place. " But, with fubmiflion, coming into the church is eafily underftood, and may fignify no other than a/Tembiing together in a church-meeting j and
U 2 though
3o8 LECTURESON
though it is true that fuch meetings muft be held in a particular place, yet the original words do not deter- minate it topical, but rather refer to the unity of the perfons who met, than to the place in which they aflembled ; they are the very words* ufed in Adts ii. 44. already confidered in leiSture XVIII. Alfo in chap, iii. I. And again, in the ivth chapter and 26th verfe. Now it cannot in either of thefe pafl'ages defign a place or houfe of meeting. And as to the church the diforderly Corinthians are fufpedted of defpifing, men- tioned ver. 22. it can by no means be applied to a ma- terial building, unlefs we fuppofe it con(eCrated by di- vine authority, and therefore holy as the Jewifh fanc- tuary of old ; but however fome may plead for it, no fcripture-v/arrant has yet, and, I prefume, never will be produced for this relative fan^Stity in material build- ings under the gofpcl-d:rpenfation. The church of God, whom thefe wanton profeflbrs are fuppofed to contemn, and thofe whom they put to fhame, by the indecent and uncharitable pra6lice reproved, appear to me to be one and the fame; they are defcribed as *' having or pofTefTing nothing," i. e. the poor, who may well be ftilcd the church, fmce they were a part, yea and it is reafcnable to fuppofe the major part of ihe church i for, " hath not God chofen the poor *' of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the king- '' d^tn ? "
THii exprefilon is ufed of different forts of aflem- blies; for inftance, the town-clerk of Ephefus fo ftiles the muititude of crafts-men who gathered againft the
apoftle,
at -, / \ \ n\
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 309
apollle, at the motion or call of Demetrius the filver- fmlth, A<Sls xix. 41. And in verfe 39, of that chap- ter, the fame word is ufcd for an orderly court of juf- tice, in which he tells the feditious, their caufe, if they Tiad anyjuft complaiiit, might le legally determined ; other applications of the term may be produced, but for the rnoft part, as here, it refers to the church of God; fometimes to the invifible and catholic church, which comprehends the whole eleition of grace, who are orfhall be faved, and may be confideredas called in the divine purpofe. This is the church which is the body of Chrift, over whom he is given to be head, the fiJl- nefs of him that filleth all in all, Ej)h. i. 22, 23. even that church whom Chriil loved, and gave himfelf for, and ranfomed with his blood, out of every kindred, tongue and nation, whofe nam.es are written in heaven, and who, being completely gathered, fhall at laft ap- pear in one general and glorious aflembly, and together poflefs the kingdom prepared for them fioni the foun- dation of the world.
Some number the pafTage before us with thofe that fpeak of the church in this general fenfe j but it is plainly hiftorical, and refers to the faints in order at Jerufalem. It is frequently taken for the vifible church on earth univerfally, or, as the fathers exprefied it, ' the church difperfed through the world to the ends * of the earth *.' Thus we read, Adts xii. i. that Herod, that bloody man, vexed certain of the church. And again. Gal. i. 13. fays Paul, *' I perfecutcd the ** church," i. e. the difciples of Jefus, wherever he
U 3 fwUfid
• Enquiry into the primitive church, p, 3.
310 LECTURES ON
found them, A£ls ix. 2. So then it is taken for all that call on the name of the Lord in every place, 1 Cor. i. 2. But the word is mo.e frequently applied to a particular community, as in tue inftance before us. 'Ihe difciples were now a body corporate, afiem- bling themfelves for chriftlan worlhip and difcipline, under the immediate direction of the apoftles ; the firft chriftian church exifting, and v/iiich, though not yet compleatly organized, (extraordinary circumftances ex- cepted) which the ferious enquirer may eafily diftin- guifh, is the original pattern of fellowfhip in the gof- pel. Thus as the difciples were firit called chriitians at Antioch, fo in a focial capacity they were firft iHleda church at Jerulalem. Henceforward, bemg thus united, and walking together in every place, they were called a church. Of thefe churches, we have feen, there were many in the time of the apoftles. And accordingly we read of the churches of Judca, Galatia, Maccdo- donia, and Afia, and likewife of all the churches of the faints. Thefe churches were originally ot the fame faith and order ; they each held the lame dodirme, and the ordinances were the fame in every community, 1 Cor. vii. 17. and they maintained a relpecttul and af- fectionate correfpondence with each other, by melic-n- gers, letters of commendation and advice, with every office of love in their power, as circuuiitances required j thinf^s too little rctrarded in a (late ot lukewaimnefs and diyificn, being always difcouraged by covetous and diforJerly perfons, who fer\e their own belly, and not the Lord Jelus Chrift, but in which the firlt dilciples abounded, as the fcnptures declare; neverthelels each congregation or incorporated focicty of chriftians was
inde-
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 311
independent, in which alfo the feat of government, and a fufficient means of perfonal edification was found, under their proper paftors and guides, in the exercife of whofe different fundtions the ordinances were duly adminiflred. This is the denomination which the aflbciated difciples came under from the be- ginning, the church ; and this Is the proper character of chrirtians joined in the order of the gofpel, they are a church, or an afiembly, called out and gathered from the world ; not that the members of this facred fociety can always be together in one place, but the propriety of this appellation is evident in that, as in all bodies corporate, their appearance and operations depend on ftated and frequent aflembling themfelves together, which was the daily praftice of the faints at Jerufalem ; and the forfaking of which, in every age and place, i$ the firft ftep, and an high-way to ap(.R.icy ar.d ruin, both of communities and particular perfons.
We are now to confider the increafe of this church at Jerufalem. There were continual additions unto it : " added to the church daily." A church is a change- -able body, compofed of individuals who are mutabie. Many are the viciffitudes in providence, by which the members of a particular gofpel-church are removed, and at beft the perfons who compofe them, like the priefts of old, continue not by reafon of death ; befides, they are liable to be corrupted, in confequence of which it is too often feen, they make (hipwreck of faith, or behave fo unworthy their profeffion, that it is needful to put them away, or to purge them out as old leaven, for the prefe'rvation of the body, the honor
U 4 of
3ia. L E C T U R E S O N u/ I « ^
of religion, and the convi£lion and fafety of the delin- quent himfelf. On thefc, and on other accounts, churches are often diminilhed, and for want of addi- tions brought very low, yea and in fome inftances en- tiiely diflblve ; but the church at Jcrufakm was in a thriving and prrfperous condition, the word of God grew exceedingly, and multitudes gladly received if, and joyfu'ly fubmitted themfelves to the name of Jefus. They can^e da !y to the apoftles, and were baptized and added to tlie Lord. Indeed difciples were not multiplied evety day equal to the number of the firft gathering, in which the incrcafe of one day was three thoufand, yet the go.'pcl had fiee couife into the hearts of many, ar.d biaught them to the obedience of faith, infoiTiuch that every time the difciples met, at leaft in general, there were fome inftances of the power of God in a vifible fubjedtion of Tinners to the Saviour, as their loveieitzn and kin;2:.
But, who made thefe additions? The hiftorian de- clares, " it was the Lord." It is the Lord's doing, and to him it ought to be afciibcd. ]\'liniiiers are in- ftrunients for the corividlion and perfuafion of men, , that they m;iy believe and be favtd j they preach the word of faiih, and it pleafeth God by the fooliftjnefs of, preaching to i'dvc them that believe; but faith is the gift of God. " Who i,s Paul, and who is Appllos, *' but minifters by whom ye believed, even as the *' Lord gave to every man ?" i Cor. iii. 5. Again; th(-fc who are called, being made willing in the day of God's pow-r, freely cttcr themlelves J and aifo the jdifciplcs with whpm they are cejiieiued jiaye iWn cop-
CeiA
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 313-
cerft in this union, which takes place, as we have keu, bymutual confent. Thus all parties are aiStive tov/ards^ the addition of perfons to any particular church, after the example '; efore us. Ptter and John preached the word, who, with the afliftance of others, baptized the penitent, and were inftrumental of joining tht'm to the church ; the members of which in refpetSt or' their recep- tion of them into their bod)', may be looked upon as adding fuch perfons, and alfo the party received is con-' cerned in this union, who, on account of his voluntary furrender and adherence to Chrift, is declared in prophe- cy to have *' joined himfelf to the Lord," Ifa. Ivi. ■■^. Neverthelefs, when a church is increafed in the number of the faithful, and built up a fpiritual houfe for divine fervice, it mult be ultimately referred to the grace and power of God. Which leads,
Finally, tc the remaining article in this facred ac- count, namely, the peculiar defcription of thofe who were joined by the Lord to his people. It is declared that they were " fuch as Ihould be faved." Some would con- fine the fenfe of this phrafe to their obtaining the means of falvation, but then all who heard the word fliouk! have been united to the church, whereas it is manifeft that fome only, thou_h a great number, even they only were added, who received the gofpel, and were bap- tized -in the name of Jefus. The miniflration of the word is a diftinguifhing favor, and wo be to them w'ho negle(5l or defpife it ; and he that is thoughtful ?ibaut his falvation may juftly encourage himfelf from the enjoyment of the means, in a hope that, the Lord will have mercy upon him ; for though many indulged
314 LECTURES ON
in like- manner, perifli in tlieir fins through unbelitf, yet this grant fruni heaven is a leading ftep towards the fal- vation of the ele«5t ; therefore great is the privilege of a gofpel-niiniftry, and to be highly efteemed ; but it is die thing to be of them to whom the falvation of God, i, e. the word of falvation is font, Acts xxviii. 28. and another thing to be oi fuch as Jhoiild be faved. The Javed'xs a phrafe which (lands oppofed to the loji or the perifhed, to both which the gofpel is evidently preached : It is ufed only in two other places, which may ftrve to illuilrate the point. In i Cor. i. 18. we read, " The " preaching of the crofs is to them that perifh foolifli- *' nefs ;" "but (fays the apoftlc) unto us that arc *' faved it is the power of God." And again, 2 Cor. ii. J 5, 16. fpeaking of the acceptance vi'hich faith- ful minifters fnid with God , however fome to v.'hom they preach may treat their report, and re- ceive or reject it, he faith, " We are unto God a *' fweet favour of Chrift in them that are faved, and in *' them that perifh." Now in bcth thefe pafTages we fee that the faved and the loji are cppofed to each other, and that both the one and the other fat under the report of the gofpel. It is therefore plain that thefe perf( ns, of whom it is declared that they arc fuch as fhould be fa\'cd, are not thus defcribed, becaufe they enjoyed the means of filvation, but to diftinguifh them from thofe who, notvvithftanding they were thus favored, periflaed in their infidelity. iSo then, the loft, or them that perifii, are the difobedient, who, being left to themfelves, pcrverfely rejed the counfel of God j and though they may take up a formal profefTion of Chilli, yet having no root in themfelves they fall
away
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 315
away and come fhort of the promife : and the faved, in oppofition to t'lefe, are fuch, who, beizig effeciua '^y called, are truly obedient to the faith, and will per- fevere unto life everlafting, being, as it is exprefled, " not " appointed to wrath, but to ohtain falvation by « our Lord Jefus Chrift," i ThefT. v. 9. This phrafe therefore amounts to the fame with that ufed of the Gentiles at Antioch, A£l$ xiii. 48. of whom it is faid, " That as many as were ordained to eternal *' life believed." Such who {hall be faved are fuch who are ordained to eternal life, and accordingly obtain like precious faith with God's e]e6i-, and having openly fubmitted themfelves to Jefus, " are not of thetn ** who draw back unto perdition, but of them who be- " lieve to the faving of the foul," Heb. x. 39. Thefe are the faved, '' faved and called with an holy calling, " not according to their works, but according to his own ** purpofe and grace, which was given them in Chrift *' Jefus before the world began," 2 Tim. i. 9. iuch are *' faved by grace, through faith, and that not of *' themfelves, it is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8. In a word, fuch are faved, i. e. "• being called they are " juftified by his grace, and made heirs according to " the hope of eternal life," Tit. iii. 7. nor fhall their ** hope make them afhamed, for whom he juftified *' them he alfo glorified," Rom. viii 30.
This then is the fum of the account, that the Lord fo abundantly owned the preaching of the gofpel, and profpered his church at Jerufalem, that there were daily additions, not barely of nominal chriftians, but they were multiplied with the chofen of God, who
were
'3i6 LECTURES ON
were called according to his purpofe, being ordained to eternal life : Their increafe was of fucli as fhould be faved in the day of the Lord. To be of this nunibef, my Reader, will hereafter be found of infinite impor- tance to each individual, and it is the glory and hap- pinefs of a church to be filled with fuch members ; therefore "give diligence to make thy calling and *' eledlion fure,'* and let the Lord have no reft till he thus beautifies the houfe of his glory, '* and makes *' Jerufalem a praife in the whole earth, an eternal ** excellency, and the joy of many generations."
In refle<5ting on this true and delightful hiftory of *the firft chriftians in their communion together, wc are led into a view of the following truths :
Note I, That the communion of faints is clearly a divine inftitution. It was under the diredion of the apoftles who received their commiilion from the Lord, and who were infpired by the Holy Ghoft, that the difciples at firft were gathered into church-order, and continued fo to be in every place where the gofptl ob- tained.
Man by the excellency of his nature, as an intelli- gent being, is formed for fociety, and by his relation to others obliged to aflbciate with them ; he cannot exert his utmoft capacity, nor anfwer the end of his exiftence, or find compleat happinefs, but in afocialftatej and fince the end of his being is to glorify God and enjoy him, religious fociety has been argued from the laws of nature i and it mull be acknowledged^ that church-
fdlowfliip
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 317
fellowfhip is agreeable to natural light, but the obliga- tion of believers to this facred union arifes from the authority of God in his word, who has direded our worfhip through Jefus the Mediator, in whofe name we gather together. Chrift is king of faints, a fon over his own houfe, and he has not left his people without a plain direction, and a promife fufficient to encourage them in waiting upon him. The motive, form, rule, and ,end of th'S fellowfhip depend entirely on his will ; nor is it in the power of any man , or fet of men, to make laws of government or terms of communion, which are not founded in the word of the Lord, but every thing muft be done as he has ordained, according to the commiflion he gave his apoflles. Matt, xxviii. 18. So then a church is not barely a fociety, nor meerly a fociety of believers, with a religious view, but a fociety formed on the order and difcipline which Chrift hath appointed ; and for the faithful to incorporate and walk together in church-relation, is no indifferent matter, for it is not of human invention, however prudent and ufeful, but an appointment from heaven, as appears from the conduct of thefe primitive chriftians, under the guidance of their authorized and infpired leaders, who taught them to obferve all and only thofe things which the Lord had commanded. If the authority of this holy covenant ia the Lord was duly confidered, it would not be fo gene- rally negledted ; for fmce it is of God, certainly every believer is called upon tojoin himfelf to fome congrega- tion, on whom he difcerns the true notes ofagofpel- church, without which no man can difcharge his duty to Chriftj to his fellow-chriflians, or to his own fouL
We
3iS LECTURESON
We may therefore juftly lament the growing omiflion of this divine order. But again.
Note II. The proper and authorized members of a chriftian church, are fuch only, who, in all appear- ance, are of them that fhall be faved. Indeed the Lord alone is certainly acquainted with thefe ; he only knoweth them that are his, and for wife ends, permits others to intrude : but they who are in the gall of bitternefs and bonds of inquity, notwithftanding they have a notional faith, and are baptized, have no part or lot in this matter. This fpiritual houfe and holy city muft be built with holy and fpiritual perfons, and care fhould be taken that none but thofe whofe calling proves their election of God are admitted into the facred fociety. He that yields not the fruits of evange- lical repentance, and a found and lively faith in Jefus, has no claim to a place in his church : An ignorant, ungodly, proud, or felf-righteous man may impofc himfelfon the company, but when the King infpe<Sls thofe who are at his table, the man who is not inverted with the wedding-garment, will be turned out with fhame. That th6 Lord hath determined that his church in this ftate of trial fhould be liable to hypo- crites, appears from many fcriptures, and from the inftances in whith fome fuch turn apoftates, and be- come roots of bitternefs, whereby many are troubled and defiled : fo that while it is meet we fliould think well of each in our fellowfhip, and pray for him as one of the chofen of God, there is ftill but little reafon to expedl that none fhall be added to his vifible church but fuch as fhaM be faved j neverthelefs the divine de- cree
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 319
cree to permit others to mingle with his faints, gives them no right to his fanduary, neither will it juftify his piofefling people in receiving any into their com- munion vv^ho appear deftitute of that grace which be- longs to the heirs of falvation. This privilege of be- coming the fens of God, is given only to them who are born of the Spirit, John i. 12. And we fiiould be careful that lively ftones are placed in this temple of the moft High, i Pet. ii. 3, 5. And as no other than quickened fmners are appointed, or authorized to a place in the church of the living God ; fo none but fuch (can anfwer the end of this divine fellowfhip, which is to offer up fpiritual facrifices acceptable to God by Je- fus Chrift, and to build up one another on their moft holy faith unto eternal life : But are thefe things pofTiblc with him that is dead in trefpafles and fin ? Can a carnal or natural man offer up fpiritual facrifices ? Can he that is in the flefti, and out of Chrift, be acceptable to God who is a fpirit, and who Is well-pleafed alone in his Son ? Or, can the dead nourifh the living ? No more can dead finners nourifh that living body the church, but this Is effentlal to the end of chriflian com- munion. A formal and lifelefs profefTion, In Itfelf confidered, avails not to the glory of God, nor to the falvation of Its fubjeft : and however the Lord may render unconverted perfons, who join themfelves to his people, fubfervient to the purpofes of his grace, they are utterly incapable of fpiritual communion, or pro- perly and truly of fpiritual fervice, neither will it turn out to their advantage in the end. Befides, though fuch are permitted, ftrid^ly fpeaking, they are not added by the Lord. Our Saviour hath ihewn who it is
that
326 L E C T U R E S O N
that (oweth the bad feed : hence tares grow up with the wheat, Matt. xiii. 39. the enemy that fovved them is tSe Devil. Is an ungodly perf-n or hypocrite found in the church ? fiehold the hand of the Lord hath not plant- ed him there * No, Friend, all his works are according to i.he counfel of his will. Jefus is the fame, he adds none to his people but fuch as fhould be faved. But then.
Note TII. The hand of the Lord is in every ad-. dition of faved and fpiritual members to his vifible church. It is by him alone a community is inriched with thefe chofen veflels of mercy : and when one fuch is added, it may truly be faid, * God gave ' the increafe.' Ry his Spirit they are regenerated and quickened fwr the fcllowfhip of his faints, as the ftones were prepared for the temple, they are fitted to his fpi- ritual houfe, and by him they are drawn to the obedi- ence of faith. However minifters and churches, and the fubiedls themfelves, as we have feen, are adlive, and have their voluntary concern in ecclefiaftical union, it is alone by the will and power of the moft High that his ekcl are formed and difpoled for his fervice; and as the arm of his grace is revealed in preparing, fo the hand of his providence is nearly concerned in fixing one and another in this or that particular church. If the bound of our habitations is fixed, in refpedt of na- tural and civil life, how much more will our heavenly Father lead his children unto a fituation in his houfe for the prote<Slion and nourifhment of their foul .' In fome inftances the word and providence of the Lord ap» patently concur in fettling his faithful in this fpiritual
relation j
PRIxMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 321
Irelation ; this affords them mattef of joy and thankf- giving J but his concern and guidauce in this refpetSt in every cafe is not to be doubted by thofe who truft him, for he is their (hepherd, who muketh them to " lie down in green paftures, and leadeth them befide •* the ftill waters," Pfalm xxiii. 2. Yea, many a child of Gud hah. feen reafon to a ore and blefs him Lr the leadings of his providence, though by affliiSling changes in. life, unto a place in his houfe, in which they have- found fweet communion, and r ft for the foul. So then, whc n a church is increafed by the union of one that is called by grace, and an heir of glory, flie may rejoice and fay, alluding to Rachel's prophecy when Jofeph was born. Gen. xxx. 24. The Lord hath added to me another fon ! And, it may hereafter be the v/on- der and praife of thj general aflembly and the church- cf the firft-born, which are written in heaven, to be- hold the wifdom and grace of thofe difpenfations, whereby the chofen have been diftributed in Zion on earth. However, each living member in a church is a fpiritual Jofeph — an addition from the Lord ; and h.ip- py it is when the difciples receive one another as Chrift alfo received his apoftles, as the gift of the Father; then .would the name of the Lord be magnified, and 3 mutual eftcem prevail among his people, to their un- fpeakable honor and advantage ! O that it was thus more frequently feen ! Lord, when wilt thou again pour out the Spirit from on high ? when fhall the houfe of thy glory be filled, and converts come up to thine altar, each one prefenting himfelf a facrifice of joy ? and when (hall thy faints with admiration and
X gratitude
322 L|:CTURES ON
gratitude fay, *' Who aie thefe that fly as a cloud, ** and as the doves to their windows ? " Once more.
Note IV. That additions from the Lord are of great importance to a chriftian community. An in- creafe of fpiritual and fruitful members, whofe temper and condudl manifefl their calling and e!e£lion of God, are alone from himfelf, and a vifible token of his pre- fence, which is one chara£i:erifl:ic of a true gofpel- church. Chrift walketh in the midft of the golden candlefticks, Rev. ii. i. yea and faith, " Where two *' or three are gathered together in my name, there I *' am in the midft of them," Matt, xviii. 20, The Papifts vainly boaft in their number, and proudly ftile themfelves catholic^ as if their profeflion was univerfal, which, blefled be God, is far from being truej but numbers are not the note of a church. The true church is exceeded in number by the world in general, and in feme periods by antichrift in particular, fo that there can be no dependence on meer popularity -, but this is certain, that the Lord is prefent with his peo- ple ; and, fmce his adding unto them is one proof that he is with them, though he hath other kind of mani- feftatlons of his prefence to fatisfy his faints, when for a feafoii an increafe is fufpended, thefe additions are to be prayed for. Bcfides, the church's edijfication de- pends on the Lord's adding fuch to her number. For- mal profeflbrs may be an occafional advantage, but properly fpcaking, this fpiritual houfe is built up by them that are alive unto God, Eph. iv. 15, 16. They are fuch who " grow up into him in all things, v/hich
" is
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 323
*' is the head, even Chrift ; from v/hom the whwle *' body fitly joined toget'^er, and compacted by that *' which every joint fupplieth, according to the efFec- ** tual vv^orking in the meafure of every part, maketh *' increafe of the body, unto the edifying itfelf in *' love." From this fine defcription ot the myftical body of Chrift, it appears that a particular church is conducive unto the' edification of his real members, in proportion to the number and vigor of them who are vitally in him ; the leaft of whom are of advantage in his grace, prayers, fpiritual affe6i;ion, and gifts, and may be helpful to the-greateft particular member, and the body in general, for " the head fhall not fay to the *' feet, I have no need of thee," i Cor. xii. 21. Thefe additions are therefore much to be defned, fee- ing no fpiritual fruit can proceed from natural men, but the increafe of them who are in Chrift Jefus, will add to the life and beauty of a church. And further, the importance of having fuch added will appear, if we confider that without this a gofpel church-ftate cannot exift, but muft foon be broke up. As hinted already, it is meet to think well of all who profefs the gofpel of Chrift, and who do not by their unworthy behaviour lay themfelves under fufpicion ; neverthlefs there is but too much reafon to conclude, that in every church there may be fome who are not of the chofen and faithful ; nor would I pronounce it impoffible that vital religion may be fo funk in a chriftian fociety, that her members in general may be ho better than formal profeflbrs. God forbid J but I apprehend this may be the cafe; yet confidering the end of this divine fellow- fliip, it feems unreafonable to call that fociety a church
X 2 of
314 LECTURES ON
of Chrift in which not one true chriftian remains; but this may, yea it muft be the cafe uith a nominal church through the viciffitudes of providtrce in this nnorra] fVate, and that in a very {ew years, if the Lord doth not add fome real difciples. So then this fpiritual building, like all other ftiu£lures on earth, and even the world itfelf, for reaf ns mentioned before, is fubjeft to decay, and would fall into ruin, unlefs repaired by the hand of the Lord. It appears from 2 Pet. iii. 9. that the world iifelf is TufFered to continue for the fake of the chofen, that they may be faved, through the knowledge of the truth. By the reafoning of the apo- ftle in that place, when the number of the eledt are accomplifhed, the conflagration will immediately enfue, and the univerfe d.flblve in the devouring flames of that fire, in which the Judge (hall be revealed from heaven. In like manner, a particular church is maintained for the communion and edification of the faints; and fmce the purpofe oi divine wifdom and grace can be no lon- ger anfwered in a focicty who are utterly deflitute of living members, or hath no one quickened by grace left amo.ig themj what reafon is there to hope for their continuance as a people r But if any are otherwife :mlnded, of this we are certain, that if fuch a commu- nity cou'd be pointed out, fhe would be no chriftian church, but on the contrary of the fynagogue of fatan ; a company of hypocrites and importers under a facred profeflion i So then it amounts to the fame, whether a fociety may or may. not fland under this form. Ad- ditions from the Lord of his faved-ones is needful to the continuance of a true gofpel -church, and therefore of the utmofl importance.
These
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 325
These are the particular do^rlnes that refult from this facred h ftory of the firft clilciples, and which ftand confirmed by the clofing fent- nee of the evangeiift's account; than whch no part is more interefting and pleafing. The fellowfliip of faints is an ordinance of God, that the called only, who are fuch as fhall be faved, are meet for, or entitled to this divine privilege, that thefe are added by the Lord, and that the addition of fuch by him is needful to the character, edification, and continuance of a true gofpel-church.
It follows that a chriflian church is a fociety di- ftindl from the world. Thus flie is defcribed by her Lord, Cant. iv. 12. "A garden enclofed is my fifler, *' my fpoufe, a fpring fhut up, a fountain fealcd." Nothing can be more contrary to the nature of a gof- pel-church than a fociety laid open and common. It is further evident, that in a particular vifible church alone, enclofed as the Lord hath directed, the feat of government is found. Indeed, through the carelefs ha- bit of profefTors, difcipline may decline under any form of chriftian communion ; and truly there feems now little reafon for boafting in the order of many who fe- parate from national eftablifhments, which is not to their praife ; but it has been found, by forrowful expe- rience, that a godly difcipline cannot be maintained in an open church-ftate, the want of which is to this day juftly lamented by thofe who fear God of every deno- mination. It likewife appears from thefe premifes, that in taking up this fellowfhip a perfon joins himfelf to the church j and the relation which refults from this X 3 union
326 LECTURES ON
union to any mlnifter or particui^.r perfon depends on his connexion with the body j and alfo that every thing done or fufFi-red in this order, is an ail of obedience to the Lord, in whom the chriflian rejoiceth under the fruition of his privileges in the houfe of God. A due confideration of thefe points would check the prevail- ing fondnefs of popular conflitutions, and reclaim ma- ny from the diforders they indulge, which betrays an ignorance of the nature, and fubvcrts the defign of this facred inftitution.
And here again let me intreat the Reader to con- fider, fince this is the appointment of heaven, who can deny the propriety and obligation of every believer to fubmit to his Lord, and to walk before him in union with his people. If the communion of faints was no mo.e than a lawful and prudent afibciation, adapted to the honor of God, and their mutual advantage, would it be any inflance of piety, wifdom or goodnefs, to de- fpife or negledl it ? But, feeing it as a divine inftitu- tion, muft not the confcience of every chriftian diclate his obedience ? The great Dr. Owen lays it down as an allowed maxim, and i fee no exception, ' that every ' believer is bound, by virtue of pofitive precepts, to
* join himfelf to fome fuch fingle congregation, hav-
* ing the proper m'irks of a true church of Chrift/ All rep'itable and orderly perfons, however they may differ in th;ir opinions about particular forms, agree in this : That the ditciples of the Redeemer are bound to his ordinances, without delay or exception; nor will any lefufe it who feriouily ponder the commiflion given by our Lord to his apoHleSj to baptize in his name,
and
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 327
and teach thofe who have been baptized to obferve all things whatfoever he hath commanded them j yet how many linger and fcruple to tlie end of their days, and thereby lofe the opportunity for bearing their teftimony to the name of Jefus in the world !
To this facred fellowfhip every faint fhould be ad- mitted on a credible teftimony of his repentance. And here it is proper to confider in what way it becomes a believer to teftify his faith to the fatisfaclion of the church. The propriety of chriftians being fully per- fuaded of a meetnefs in thofe whom they receive into communion, as obferved in a preceeding lecture J, is fo obvious that it will fcarce be difputed ; the queftion is, in what form this fatisfa6tion ought to be g-iven ? Far be it to infill on terms of com.munion net pre- fcribed by our Lord^ and for which we have not the example of his infpired apoftles ! But my opinion on this article of focial religion, in favor of an ancient cuftom too much negledled, will, I hope, be received with candor ; and that if my Reader is convinced that it correfponds with the fcripture, and the nature of that divine fellowfhip on which we are difcourfing, he will hot defpife it.
And here I truly acknowledge that this teftimony
may be given in writing, or even by figns only * ;
X 4 the
X Page 16S,
* An inftance of which not long fince turned out, in the cafe of a young man born deaf and dumb, but whofe heart the Lord opened, in confequenie of which he was enabled by figns to give full fatisfaftion to the church meeting in the Pithey, Erjlkl, and continv.es an honorable member of the fame.
328 L E C T U R E S O N
the fenfe of hearing, and the faculty of fpeech, are not eflential to the obtaining of faith j and no believer who can by any poHible method convey an idea of his con- verfion, and a defire of walking in gofpel order, whofe behaviour bears witnefs to the fincerity of his profeflion, which ii ever to be regarded ; I fay, no fuch perfcn is to be refufed the ordinances of Chrift, on any confide- ration whatever j neverthelefs, a folemn, exprefs and verbal declaration of faith in Chrift, and the power of his grace in efFeftual calling, appears to be natural and fcriptural, and likewife agreeable to the practice of the faithful in all ages when the fpirit of religion pre- vaili-d. See Ifa. xliv. 5. A profeflion of faith is uni- verfally approved f. One Ihall fay, 1 am the Lord's. The term oi^oy^ayix^ ufed for this chrift ian profeflion, throughout the New-Teftament, carries in it an open and frank acknowledgment of any perfon or thing as our own ; and what is the chriftian profeffion but an acknowledgment of Chrift as the Son of God, and our dependence upon and devotion to him as our Saviour and Lord ? This no doubt is to be done by particular adb of obedience to his declared will, and by an habi- tual courfe of external conduct, whereby, having put on his name, we bear a conftant witnefs to his autho- rity and grace j but he that looks to Chrift for falva-
tion.
f The Psdobaptift DlfTenters, yea and even the Church of Englir.d it- felf, are not without foirte tdtimony to this; the latter require a perfoa to rehearfe the commandments, creed and Lord's-prayer, and likewife to an- fw^rt he queft ons in the catechifm, antecedent to his being confirmed, without which he cannot be rcgulaily admitted to the table of the Lord,, which is effential to a full communion of feints j and, what lels h tbij- than a verbal confeiTion of faith ?
PRIMITIVE CHmSTIANITY. 329
tion, and is brought to this obedience of faith, has a reafon for his hope, and fhould be ready to give itj which is neither more or lefs, in other words, than h-is experience of the power of God difplaycd in cniighl- ening his mind, convincing him of fin, engaging his heart to truft in the MefTiah ; and why fliouid the man that has obtained this mercy make a difficu'ty of de- claring it to the f^iithful, or even to an infidel, if re- tjuired ? But it fhould be confidered, that a confeflion or verbal declaration is an efTential and leading ide.i in that profeflion which the gofpel requires ; and accord- ingly Chrift Jefus is faid, in 1 Tim. vi. 13. " to have *' witnefled a good confefiion before Pontius Pilate." And this we know was an open and free declaration of his charafler, John xviii. 38. where the fame word is ufed: . ** Beloved, Chrift is highly exalted, and hath a name *' above every name, that every knee ftiould bov/, and " that every tongue fhould confefs unto him." A man may talk of his faith in Chrift in a loofe and general way, which comes not up to a folemn reverend con- feflion of his name ; or, after having made a confef- fion, he may be tempted to negleft his ordinances, and fo fall {hort of the engagements he is under ; but bow- ing the knee is a diftin(Sl mode of worfhip from that of confeffing with the tongue. They are neither to be confounded nor feparated in gofpel-obedience, which demands the facrifice of the lips in a confe/Tion of Je- fus ; and though fome will fubftitute the hand inftead of the tongue in this branch of duty to the Saviour, they may as foon prove that thefe different members of '.the natural body arc one and the fame, as that there is «,,(:n.$ efiVntial dift'e.rence in the manner of writing or
fpeaking.
330 L E C T U R E S O N
fpeaking, or that the Holy Ghoft intended the former when he exprefies the latter.
Our Lord infifts on our confefling him before men on earth, Matt. x. 32. where it is urged from a confi- deration that one might expedl fhould awaken every chriftian to fiiun the appearance of evading the point. The Pharifees are condemned for not coiifcffing Chrift, John xii. 42. And it appears from the inftance of the eunuch, and others, that the firft (lep in a chriflian profeffion, is to declare cur knowledge of Jefus, and faith in him as the fon of God. And to the fame pur- pofe u^e read, Rom. x. 9, 10. " that with the heart *' man bjlieveth unto righteoufnefs, and v/ith the *' mouth confeiTion is made to f:ilvation." A man's own lips is the proper arid natural inftrument of con- feflion J and indeed to introduce any practice under a notion of confefling wliere the mouth is not uied, ap- pears to me no lefs prepofterous than unfcrlptural. In a word, a fair and clofc rcafoning out of the fcripture, we fhall find that a verbal acknov/ledgment is included in that profeffion of the name of Jefus, under which the primitive difciples were found ; and therefore I cannot but think it incumbent on every believer in Ghrift, and am forry that it fnould be even difpenfed with, much'm.ore difcouraged, where it may be obtained. There is nothing in a ferious and humble declaration of a perfon's experience in the church of God but what is decent and horiorable, or to offend the moft tender and modeft conftitutlon. Nor doth it appear that the laying it afide has increafed the number of thofe who join in communion 3 on the contrary, church-fellow-
fliip
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 331
fliip among nominal chrlftians never was more negledl- ed than in the prefent day, fo that it is much to be wiflied that we returned to the good old way pointed out by reafoir and fcripture, and that the faithful were encourage' to f.iy with David, " Come and hear, all " ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath *' done for my foul," Pfalm Ixvi. 16.
Finally; fince it is plain that the communion of faints is of divine inftitution, and that from the begin- ning the called were joined by the Lord to the church, have we not reafon to conclude that this is the general method of God with his people ? The pious Mr, Henrv, n his remark on this verfe, has the following note : Thofc, faith he, that God hath defigned for eternal falvation, fhall one time or another be effectually brought to Chrift; and thofe that are brought to Chriit are added to the church in a holy covenant by b:iptirm, and in a holy communion by other ordi- nances.' This indeed is to be taken in a qualified fefife, but may it not juftly be inferred from this ac- count, and from the general report of thegofpel, " He *' that brlieveth and is baptized, fliall be faved ;" that this is the high-way to heaven, and that, at leafl un- der the gofpel-difpcnfation, however there may be ex- ceptions, for the grace of God is not to be limited ctlierwife than according to the revealed counfel of heaven, for the moft part, fuch who fhall be faved will her, after appear to have been added to the church ? A confideration that fhould awaken all who live in the negled of this fellowHiip, to examine into the ground
' Bf
332 L E C T U R E S O N
of that hope, which is not eitcctual ro bring them un- der this pleafant yoke of their iveaetmer.
On a review of this authentic and interefling hiflory of the primitive church, wh.> can but fee, ana be charmed with her beauty ! How lovely is her counte- niance in her infant ftate, when a conilant and tauhful fpirit univerfally prevailed! Witii what unity, zeal, brotherly love, hoipitality, honor and fucce(i>, did fhe :ippear in her aflemblies, daily increafing and flounih- ing out, ftill more and more, from the bofom of her Lord, who was continually faluting her with the to- kens of his power and love, and cauling her members to " fuck and be fatisfied, and to milk out and be de- '* Ijobted' with the abundance of her glory ! " O that it was v/ith us as in thefe days and months, when Zion v/as a crown of gl(^ry in the hand of her Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of her God ! Thanks be to God, he will never forfake his people. There afe daily additions to his church, and wc have reafon to hope that they are of fuch as fliall be f.ived j yet, is there no caufe to bewail the pref. nt ftate of the vifible kingdom of Chrift, and the melancholy d fference when compared with what we have feen ? how unftable, corrupt, divided, and lukewarm ! how covetous, loofe and unprofitable; yea, and in many inftances, how un- charit .b'e are profeffors in their behaviour one toward another, infomuch that in fome places there is need for applying the caution. Gal. v. 13. " But if ye bite t' and devour one another, take heed that ye be not »' confumed one of another." For tl'iefe things let us
. humble
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 333
humble ourfelves, and fc^ck for the return of the Spirit, who is grieved by this fad difpofrion and ccndudl ; but he waits to be gr'cious, and will heal our backflid.ngs if we return un.o him. Rerr.cu.ber, Beloved, the con- nexion there is between a lively, faithful, fpiritual and fruitful behaviour, and the divine prefence and bleffing. The wnd bloweth where it iifteth ; fo is the work of the Spirit, amon^ a profelling people, his operations are acccrdii g to the good pleafure of' his will, but he work^. by the appointed means of grace. Order, har- mony and zeal in a church are needfu! to warrant an expectation of its increafe; fo that when thiS is abfent the afpe<5t is threatening. Nor let it be forgot that the defi-n of our fellowfhip in Chrifl is nothing fhortot eter- nal falvation. This is the end of our faith. With this view the Lord adds his chofen to the church, namely, that they (hould be faved ; and this {hould be the aim and endeavour of his minifters and people in commu- nion. May this therefore be our earneft purfuit under a profeflion of his name, that Vv^e may together appear with our Redeemer in glory at his coming !
And now, my dear Reader, I finifh this lecture and fubjedl with an earneft intreaty that thou wouldft carefully furvey and ponder the whole fcene of tranf- a6l.ons reprefentcd in the foregoing pages. What fo- ber unprejudiced perfon can refle£l on thefe things without admiration and praife ! How confpicuous the fovereign love, wifdom, grace, power and faithfulnefs of God, in fending his Son to die and fave finners, as he fpake by the mouth of his prophets from the foun- dation of the world ; and in fealing his miflion and
charafter
3J4 LECTURES ON
character by fo great a variety and number of miraples, unbelievers themfelves being judges ! And, how hard- ened their hearts, who rejedt the Redeemer, or ne- gle£l his falvation ! Behold and be allonifhed : His re- furrcdion from the dead ; and confider the atTipIe fatif- , fadion, by undeniable v/itnefTes of a fa£t equally inte- reftino- and glorious, w^hofe tefiimony is confirmed by the Spirit of truth ! How amazing the methods of grace, that reigns through righteoufnefs to the par. on and life of the mod flagrant tranfgreflbrs, vi'ho repent j not excluding the murderers of Jefus himfelf ; but that *' in his name remiffion of fms (hould be preached to *< all nations, beginning at Jerufalem." Yea, and that fo great a multitude of thefe blood-guilty wretches ftiould be converted in a day, and obtain a pardon from him, whom, but a few weeks before, they had unjuftly condemned, and, by the hands of the wicked, crucified and flain I And finally, that the faithful ftiould be called into a fellowfhip fo adapted to the honor of their Saviour, their mutual advantage, and the conti- nuance of the gofpel to the end of the world, is greatly to be admired ! Who that attends to this wonderful difpenfation of mercy from an holy God to finful men, can forbear to cry out with the apoftle, *' O the depth " of the riches both of the wifdom and knowledge of *' God : How unfearchable are his judgments, and his *' ways pafl finding out ! "
Iv thefe things are certainly true, as doubtlefs they are, then the gofpel is true, and wo be to them who defpife it. It is highly unreafonable to queftion thefe fafts, fince it is not credible that the apoftles would
have
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY. 335
have openly appealed to the Inhabitants of Jerufalem concerning thefe things if they had been faife, or that fuch prefumption and folly fhould not have immediate- • ]y met with its reward, to their ruin; and ftd] more incredible, yea it vi^as even impolTible, on a fuppcfitioii of any impofture or deceit, that a few plain perfons, whofe fimplicity and moral behaviour was never dif- puted ; without learning, riches, power, or any other weapons, than reafoning out of the fcriptures, com- pared with the external evidence given from heaven to the doitrine they preached, fliould perfuade fo great a multitude, who lived on the fpot where Jefus was cru- cified, to become followers of him, through a fcene of fufferings and felf denial. In a word, had there been the leaft hefitation concerning the fa^ts referred to by Peter in his difcourfe, and on which the apoftles pro- ceeded in their miniftry, chriRiaaity muft have been cruflied on its firft appearance, and its votaries fcat- tcred with fliame and jufl: indignation: But fmce the contrary is evident, how daring and perverfe is the op- pofition of deifts who openly contradidl and blafpheme the name of Jefus, and the revelation of his grace ! And indeed fmce Jefus is the Meiliah, and there can be falvation in no other, how unhappy and dangerous the {late of all unbelievers ! If thefe papers fall into the hands of fuch who neglect or defpife the true grace of God, and prove a means of convincing any one of them, the name of the Lord will be praifed, and I (hall have joy in the day of revelation. However, this attempt is humbly committed to his bleffing, in hope ©f its finding fome acceptance in the heart of the true
chriftian
336 LECTURES ON
chriftian Reader; and with refpeft to thofe who arc yet difobedient, I know of nothing more fuitable than the exhortation of the prophet, Pfalm ii. 12, with which I conclude : ** Kifs the fon left he be angry, *' and ye periih from the way, when his wrath is <« kindled bat a little : Blefled are all they that put " their truft in him."
The End of Primiti^t: Christianity.
A DIS-
f 337 ]
A DISSERTATION
ON. THE
EPISTLE TO THE CHURCH AT S A R D I S,
FOR
The Warning of thofe who are fallen into the like threatning State of Religion.
BOOK V.
The early declenfion of the church from her original fimplicity.
LECTURE XXI.
Introdudion. The Lord's teftimony agalnft the difcl- ples at Sardis. In what refpedls a church may be dead, notwithftanding {he hath a name that (he liv- eth. The occafions and fymptoms of this dreadful ftate. Motives to watch againft it.
THAT the church foon declined from her primi- tive purity, order and zeal, is notoiious, and a fubjedt more needful than pleafing. On the fpread of chriftianity tares grew up with the wheat, infomuch that the worft of errors and moft fhameful apoltacies appeared, evei\ in the days of the apoftles ; this their Y writings
338 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
writings in general (hew, but no where more plainly than in the epiftles to the feven churches in Afia, con- tained in the revelation of Jcfus Chrift by his angel to his fervant John the evangelift. Some writers of note have fhunned an explanation of this myfterious book, as though an attempt of this kind was prefump- tuous and vain j on the contrary, fome others, no lefs- eminent for piety and learning, feem to have ventured too far and mifcarried : Time hath fhewn them greatly miftaken in what, like prophets, they have been bold^ to afiert, concerning the accompliftiment of its feveral predictions. This temerity fliould warn us againft in- truding into things not mentioned in fcripture, but it is no reafon for laying afide the fludy of a divine pro- phecy, unto which we are encouraged with an afTu- rance of a bleiling, chap. i. 3.
There are thofe who contend that thefe epifllcs arc prophetical of tl)e vifible church in different periods, fucceeding each other to the end of time, and fome go about to affign them precifely, to which others make confiderable objedlions ; but it anfwers my prefent de- fign that it is generally allowed that a chriftian church did really exift in each city mentioned, and that thefe churches were actually in the circumftances feverally defcribed at the time the apoftle John wrote, for he is exprefly dire£led to write the things which are, as well as thofe which Jliatl be hereafter.^ chap. i. 19. So that, if a myftical fenfe may be admitted, a literal one cannot be refufed. The fads then related of thefe churches are doubtlefs hiftorically true, and the exhor- tations.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS, 339
tations, promifes and threatnings, and ^liktwif© the re- : proofs and commen lations, are of univerfal m{lru<^ion» ' Indeed there are fome articles in every eptftJe peculiar to the community unto whom it is fent, but wc It-arn from the clofe of each, that what is faid to one is fpoken tc^all, and therefore. the contents ard'^^tS be applied TE^' the churches of Chrift under fimilar circumftanceSj iiji every age, to the end of the world. "'-
- The prefent ftate of religion, which is juftly la- mented, feems much to refemble that which appeared in the church at Sardis, which is the fubjedt l have chofen, and accordingly fome who take it prophetically apply it to the period we are in; if their notion is juft, the epiftle to her very nearly concerns us, and demands our moft ferious atrention ; however, on comparifon, the likenefs is but too vifible, fo that a diflertation up- on it cannot be unieafonable.
The plan of thefe epiftles Is uniform. After an or- der to write, they are each directed to the angel or mi- nifter of the church from Jfu Chrift, whom the apoftle at large in a vifion, as defciibed chap. i. and from which uefcription this divine fptaker aflumes feme diftiigu (hing charadier adapted to the pecu- liar llate of the community, which being laid open, with proper rebukes and exhortations for the awaken- ing of backfliders and comforting the faithful, is fol- lowed with a gracious promife unto him that p-rfe- veres , and a folemn excitation to hearken to the voice of the Spirit.
Y 2 • CoN'
34.0 LECTUP.ES ON THE EPISTLE
Conformable to this plan our epiftle to Sardis runs thus :
1. " Unto the angel of the church in Sardis writer « Thefe things faith he that hath the feven fpirits of ** God, and the feven ftars : I know thy works, that *' thou haft a name that thou liveft, and art dead.
2. " Be watchful, and ftrengthen the things which « remain, that are ready to die ; for I have not found " thy works perfect before God.
3. '' Remember therefore how thou haft received " and heard, and hold faft, and repent. If therefore " thou (halt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, *< and thou fhalt not know what hour I will come up- " on thee.
4. *' Thou haft a few names even in Sardis, which *< have not defiled their garments ; and they fhall walk ** with me in white : for they are worthy.
e. ** He that overcometh, the fame fhall be clothed <* in white raiment ; and I will not blot out his name ** out of the book of life, but I will confefs his name ** before my Father, and before his angels.
6. *' He that hath an ear, let him hear what the " Spirit faith unto the churches."
I SHALL
TO THE CHURCH ;.T SAUDIS. 34.1
I SHALL endeavour to open and apply this divine meflage from Jefus to his people, in a leciure oBCich verfe, in the order it {lands; tlie fiiil of whiqh con- tains the follovi'ing particulars, namely, the direcSlion of the epiftle, the character which our Lord affumes, and his account of their {hameful and dangerous ftate.
The fuperfcription runs : " Unto the angel of the " church in Sardis." Sardis was the metropolis of Lydia in Afia minor, formerly an important city of great magnificence, where the celebrated Crcefas once kept his court, but it is long fince reduced, there being now only a village of this name a fmall diftance from the ruins of the former, which fome think was the feat of this chriftian church ; but all thefe churches were fi- tuate in capital cities, and there is no reafon to queftion but that Sardis was famous in the apoftles time. A po- pular and opulent city, the riches and luxury of which might be one occafion of the fad declenfions complain- ed of, for experience {hews that the bufinefs and plea- fures which abound in fuch places are often deftructive of vital religion ; however, unto the angel or minifter of the church, as it is explained chap. i. 20. this epif- tle is dire(5led ; not that it concerned him only or prin- cipally, he might be to blame; fometimes a minifler is tempted by the perverfenefs and ill-treatment he meets with on account of his faithful reproofs, to let men alone in their folly, or he might be fallen into the fame carnal frame which prevailed in the church ; or if chofen into office fmce fhe declined, no v/onder that Y 3 , his
342 LFCTURES ON THE EPISTLE
his fpirit and condu£l was conformed unto theirs, for in a f^ate of lukewarmnefs people naturally feek cut for one like themfelves, whofe miniftration and conduct fhall give them no difturbance in their difordcrly walk, and there are but too many in every age who are ready for their puipofej hence the old proverb, ' like peo- * pie, like prieft.' Be this as it may, the paftor or el- der is not charged with negleiEl of his duty. 1 he let- ter is dirc£led to him as her principal officer for the church, and manifeflly concerns every member v^'ho is commended or reproved, and exhorted with a promifc or threatni ig, according to his integrity or deRdl, in whatever ftation or charader he flood.
To engage their attention the divine Jefus prefcribes himfelf in termS "under which he appears in a grand and moft important light : " Thcfe things faith he that hath " the feven fpirits and jhe (even ftars." They are not the di(Si:ate of any creature, however dignified in na- ture or rffice, but of tl-.e great Son of man, who is the Alpha and Omega, the true God and eternal life, the exalted Head of the church, who, being alive from ■the dead, hath al! power in heaven and earth. *' Hq *'• that hath the feycp fpirijs of God j" under whom not only the angels of heaven miniOer to the heirs of Yalvation, but the Spirit Limielf procecdeth, the fulnefs and variety of wh^fe gi'^ts and graces are difpcnfcd in ChriR .1 fus ; vca, and the feven flars, thofc angels in pffice, or niiniflers of the word, who are appoii'ted to fdify the church, thefe ate all in his hand, to he con- tinued or removed at his pleafure. Tiiis character of t\\p Saviour hath a twofold afpeit j it carries in it a
threat-
TO THE CHURCH AT SAJIDIS. 343
threatning if they remained difobedient, and a promife of his bleffing in cafe of repentance, unto which they zte called ; q d. * O ye, the minifter "and people in
* my church at Sardis, unto whom I now fend, confi-
* der who it is that faith thefe things unto you ; it is .* he that haih the difpofmg of all fpiritual gifts and
* graces, means and inftiuments, vyhertby y( u can
* flourifli or even cxift : If you hearken not to me, or
* defpife my counfel, remetnber I am he, at wh .fe in-
* fl:at^ce the Spirit of life and grace withdraws, and the
* ftars difappear, in conftquence of v/hich churches ;* decay, and at length entirely diflblve; on the other
* hand, if you take warning and repent, under a fenfe
* of your backflidings, behold I am ready to furnilh
* you with every needful fupply for the continuance of *- ray gofpel with fuccefs among you, that you may re-
* vive, and that your beauty be reftored to the glory ,
* of my name.' And now who cannot fee the pro- priety of this introdudlion to the reproofs and exhorta- tions which follow ? Could any thing be more adapted to awaken them out of that ftate of fupinenefs and ne- gligence into which they were funk, and to encourage their return to the Lord ?
Many are the works to be performed in a church- ftate, to a due dlfcharge of which it is needful that each member fills up his flation, according to the meafure of grace he hath obtained. The work or bufmefs of a church is to maintain the dodrines and orders of the gofpel in their fimplicity and glory, to hold forth the word of life, for the converfion of fmners and the edifi- cation of faints, to oppok fatan and his kingdom, and Y4 to
344 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
to promote the knowledge of Chrift, and cherifh the members of his body, to the utmoft of their power; this requires that dligence and an expence of mind and body, which a flothful or felfifh profeflbr will not ex- ert. By this labour and felf-denial frequent affem- blies are to be held for preaching the word, admini- ftring the ordinances, ftriving together in prayers, an holy watch over one another in the Lord, and all works of charity, fuch as brotherly admonition, vifit- ing the fick, and i'elieving the poor, with every office of kindnefs as occafion requires, in which the faints are to abound in love to God and each other. All thefe works are required in a church ; to be zealous in which becon'ses the difc'ples of Jefus, though they feem little regarded by fome who pafs under that name, but every communiiy is eftablifhed in proportion to her diligence and faithrulnefs in thefe things which are in a degree efleiitial to the form of a community, and accordingly that at Sard is had her works, the knowledge of which is the firft thing afferted, " I know thy works." It is a pert'eit knov\led^'e which Chrifl here aflumes, fuch as men obtain of an objecl within the compafs of their undeiftanding after the moft careful infpe61ion, and accordin;'ly he declares, " 1 have not found thy works *' perk£l, &c." Thus he whole eyes are as a flaming fire, difcerning the thoughis of the heart, declares bis exacTr and univerfal acquaintance with the works of his church, v/hich fhews that his eye is upon the ways of profefl'ors who come fhort of their duty, how little fotvcr they tliink of it, and that his judgment is ac- cording to truth. What Chrifl fays againft a people he fays not on the report of others, but on his own
know
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 345
knowledge, and the fads are not to be difputed ; he is himfelf a witnefs againft thofe he condemns, there- fore wo be to them who will not repent.
Now what report doth the omnifcient Jefus give of the ft.>te of this church ? No doubt a juft, but alas it is a m lancholy account ' This is the teftimony he bears againft her : He declares it to her face, " that thou *' haft a na.ne that thou liveft, and art dead." ' This
* is thine appearance and charader ; thou wouldeft I* feem a church of the hving God, in whom he is ■' worfhipped in ftmplicity and truth, and haft a name ' that thou thus liveft; but this character which thou ' beareft is f^lfe, 1 know thy works ; and this is thy
* true but (hameful condition, thou art in reality dead.' •Thus the church at Sardis ftands charged by the holy
- Jefus himftlf.
But was fhe abfolutely and totally without any life ? Certainly no ; (he was yet alive, her church-ftat(; exifted, nor had (he, as hinted already, wholly ceafcd from her works ; feme things remain, though they are ready to die ; thefe {he is exhorted to ftrengthen. Indeed the gen.ralitv of her members fcem very defec- tive, and it is probable many of them were hypocrites, . neverthelefs there were a few names in Sardis of a dif-
- fercnt charader, as will hereafter appear ; and while any who live unto God , and hold their inte- grity, remain in a church, though their number are few, and they are incapable of withftanding the tide of corruption, it cannot be faid that flie is totally dead. This charge. muft therefore be taken in a quali- fied
346 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
fied fenfe; our Lord plainly intends that fhe was con>- paratively dead, i. e. liJelefs, unprofitable, and very imperfect; dead in comparifon of what is required^ her vigour and fruitfulnefs fell ftiort of what fhe pro- feffed and the chaia£ter fhe bore, and, in a word, that {he was fadly declined from her primitive zeal and faithfulneis, and that, under thefe circumftances, fhe was in a dying condition, and if fhe did not repent, would certainly come to a fpeedy difTolution. This, I fay, was the fhameful and dangerous flate of the community referred to, and to the like fad condition the moft famous chur«.he3 are liable, and are for the moft part reduced before they dilTolve. What appear- ances we have of a fimilar declenfion in the prefent day, I fhall not here ftay to enquire, but that we may be warned and improved by this affecting example, I propofe briefly to ccnfider in what refpedt a church may have a name to live and yet be dead, fhew whence it is that a chriflian community, although dead in thjc fenfe of our text, may neverthelefs have a name that (he liveth, point out the fymptoms of this flate of things, and then offer fome motives to be watchful againft it.
Anb firfl, a church may have the charafter of be- ing found in the faith and zealous for the dodlrines of grace, and yet be (o izx degenerated as that on ex- amination it will be found, that thofe in her commu- nion have no jufl regard for them, or it may be arc fond of vain notions which dire£tly oppofe them. Thus in feveral of the Afian churches, who are flilgd golden candleHiclcs, as in Pergamos and Thyatria, the
hateful
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 347
hateful clo£lrines of Balaam, the Nicolations, and the fubtleties of J^zt-bel, were connived at; dodlrines which tended to idolatry and unclernnefs ; and if, as " fome think, thefe are typical of ; ome, her abomina- tions are notorious ; fhe alFumes the name of the apo- ftolic church, but is far from being fttdfaft in the doc- trine of Chrift, for (he is not built on the foundation of the apoftles and prop ets, of which Chiiil Jefus is the corner-ftone ; her foundation is not in the fcrip- ture, but in human traditions, fo that her tenets are befide the authority of God, whofe precept in many 'inftances fhe difann l!eth, te:iching for dodlrines the commandments of men, and particularly in the article of juftification ; human merit, and the works of the finner, are made a caufe of his accept?nce with God, ' and a title to life, againft all reafon and fcripture, for, fince " we are altogether as an unclean thing," moft certain it is that *' all our righteoufnefles are as filthy **rags,"Ifa.lxiv.6. And the gofpel-dodrine in this point makes the obedience of Chrift and his perfe<ft righ- teoufnefs, imputed and received by faith , the fo'e ground of glory in the fight of God, declaring that be- lievers are "juftified freely by his grace, through the *' redemption which is in Chiift Jefus," Tit. iii.7. But if, as hinted, the Sardinian church-itate under her de- "clenfions was a figure of the reformed churches, who earn t fee too great a likenefs ? The very name of a Proteftant is oppofed to the doftrines of Fore, and thofe of the reformation were levelled dircdtly againft that root of all popifh inventions * the merit of works,* but alas how are many Proieftants, both at home and abroad, fvveryed from the true grace of God ! Thofe
precious
34« LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
precious truths,, by which, through the power and blef- iing of the Almighty, antichrift was expelled, and this and ot'icr nations were refcued from popifh fupeiftition and tyranny, are now fet at nought, and in a manner uni- verfally denied ! May not a church be fa:d to have a name that fhe liveth and at the fame time is dead in refpe£l of her do£lrine, when her public confeflion and Iworn articles are full and ftrong, for inftance, for the Holy Trinity, the Deity and fatisfadtion of Chrift, the deplorable ftate of man who is born under the guilt and dominion of fin, his total impotence in himfelf, and the neccfilty of the regeneration of the Spirit, to- gether with jufLincation alone by the merits of the Re- deemer, and at the fame time the generality of her mi- niflers and members contradict: thefe great and impor- tant truths of revtlation, and to liieir utmoft promote a fet of notions in direct oppofiiion unto them ? And need we go far for an inftance fo amazingly perverfe and afFecting ? Nor is this confined to any particular denoininaticn of Proteflants. it is fad to relate, but even among Frotefcant Diifenters, whofe feparation from the public hath a form of zeal for the purity of the gofpel, it is notorious that there are fomx even among them moft fhamefuily corrupted with the leaven of thcfu vi'ho fubvert the truth as it is in Jcfus, info- much that in all appearance they have fcarce any thing of the gofpel of Chrift to Le found with them.
Again ; this mny be the cafe with a church in refpedf of her difcipline. It belongs to a church to watcli over the life of her m.embers, and to warn them of errors in dodtriiie and pra6lice, to admonifli them
that
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 34.9
that go aftray, to cenfure the diforderly, and if re- quired, as in cafe of perverfenefs, to put the offender away; and this is fo reafonable in itfelf, and fo plainly revealed, that no one denies it. Indeed it is needful to the purity and prefervation of every corporate body to exercife difcipline, the objects, manner, and end of which, in a chriftian community, are defcribed in the word, with many exhortations to be faithful in this truft, yet alas it is but too much ncgleded even among thofe who feparate from others under a pretence of a confcientious regard to the authority of the Lord in the order of his houfe. At Thyatira they are condemned for fufFering that woman Jezebel, and in Corinth the difciples are blamed for not putting away the incef- tuous perfon j and if he that fearcheth the hearts and trieth the reins was to examine his churches in the pre- fent day on this head, there is reafon to fear he would have many charges againft them for fuffering thofe who ought to be dealt with. If Proteftants, who have a name for order and purity, were truly adlive and faith- ful, we fliould not find erroneous, proud and loofe perfons walking about with their names in the churches es of Chrift, as they do in fome inftances, to the grief and fcandal of many. But, when a people profefs a holy difcipline in the houfe of God, and at the fame time connive at fin, are they not dead notwithftanding they have a name that they live ? And this was the cafe among the churches in Afia at the time when thefe epifiiles were wrote, and it will ever be thus in propor- tion to our decay from the life and power of godiinefs.
And
350 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
And further ; this may be the cafe in reference to the af}'e<flion which is required in the communion of faints. A people may have a name for love to each other, when at the fame time, on due examination, but little may be found of that goodnefs, fympathy and delight among them, which is the genuine fruit of true chriftian charity. Love is the leading grace to the works of faith, a defedl in which is manifeft where contentions and divifions abound, which is fometimes the cafe ; but where things are not come to this pafs, the members of a church may be far from continuing in that defirable harmony and intimate afFedion which belong to their charadter : At a diftance it may be thought that they are in a ftate of cordial friendfhp and union of foul, when alas to them that are within, there appears an unhappy fpirit among them, or at leaft, that inftead of cleaving together as choien com- panions, and being kindly afFedtionate in their beha- viour, they fcarce know one another, and through an unnatural diftance and {hynefs are incapable of that mutual affiftance and comfort which becomes iheir pro- leflion. This ftrange conduft among chnftians ui fel- iowfliip, is fometimes owing to a corruption from the fimplicity of the gofpel, the dodlrines and ordinances of which are adapted to unite the difciples ; but when errors take place, iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxeth cold. However, brotherly love is not always anfwerable to the fame of a chriftian fociety; and when this is the cafe, in proportion to her defi- ciency, fhe is truly ftiled dead under a name to live, to the grief of thofe who fcek her profperity.
Once
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 351
Once more ; (he may have a name to live and yet be dead in refpedl of her aflemblies. Frequent and general aflemblies are eflential to the performance of the works v/hich belong to a church, in a forfaking of which, their fall is inevitable. Now the gatherings of a fociety may be defeiSlIve, and far fhort of what they feem to fpe(Slators, or are reported to be. It may be thought ftrange, but experience hath fliewn, that a church ftate may decline, and in a manner dwindle to nothing, in the midft of a popular audience. Many may attend the ordinary mea is of grace in a chriftian community, the members of which are very remifs in thofe fpccial meetings, on which depend that difcipline, and works which are needful to her welfare and increafe ; and when this becomes ha'^itual among a people who are of repute in the churches, they fall under the de- fcription before us, are in very great danger, and do well to take warning.
These falfe appearance and threatning declenfion in any community no doubt arifes from the bad difpofition and condu£l: of thofe who compofe it, for this lifeleft ftate is inconfiftent with the order and zeal of her members, fo that even fuch who, by their future re- pentance may appear to be difciples ind ed, muft at, prefent be in a fleepy and carnal frame, while there. ii reafon to apprehend that fome, and thofe not a few, are meer formal profeffors, of whom it may be truly faid that they are fpiritually dead, notwithftanding their name among the living in Jerufalem. However the re- putation of a church fo different froiti her real condi- tion
352 LECTURES ON THE^PISTLE
tion as -at Sardis, may be owing to one or more of the follow in 2: occafions :
1. To the gradual manner in which {he declined from her original perfedlion and vigour. When a church is firil gathered her members are for the moft part lively and adive, they are full of zeal and good works ; hence they have a name among the brethren, and this their chara6ler may remain after they have left their fiift love, from whence they go ofF by flow degrees, even almoft imperceptably, at leaft to others. Or again,
2. It may arife from comparing their Hate with that of another community ftill more declined. By this falfe rule of comparifon both particular perfons and bodies of men, fometimes flatter themfelves to their ruin ; but it fliould be confidered that in fome refpedl or degree v/e may be better than others, and at the fame time be in a very bad fl:ate, yea and even nigh to deflrudtion ; fo dangerous is that deceitful line by which we are but too much inclined to meafure ourfelves and others. And,
3. The character of a church, even after (he is greatly declined, may awhile be fupportcd, at leaft with fome, by the favor and good converfation of a few be- longing to her who yet maintain their integrity, for per- fons at a difl:ance judge of the whole by the part they are converfant with, which fliews, by the way, how much the reputation of a community depends on the good behaviour of her members, and fhould be one mo- tive
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 353 tivc to virtue in every one who ftands in the facred re- lation. On the other hand, it is not impoffible but that fome may be deceived by the mifreprefentation of vain glorious pcnons vi^ho are diforderly themfelves, yet boaft of the community to which they belong. Thefe are the ordinary occafions or means by v/hich the good name of a church for purify and zeal may in fome de- gree prevail, although in reality {lie is very much funk, and her things v^^hich remain are dying away j namely, the gradual manner of her declenfion ; the ftill more deplorable flate of fome other communities, with whom ihe is compared, the reputation fhe receives by a few of her members whofe walk is agreeable ; and the like falfe idea may alfo be promoted by the deceitful talk of fome men.
But from whatever quarter the deception may arife, in this fad hypocritical ftate, a church is in the utmoft danger of being difTolved, for in proportion to her deadnefs fhe is barren j a principal means of fruitful- nefs is wanting. It is true, the uprightnefs and zeal of a church, or the vigor and fpirituality of its mem- bers, are not the efficient caufe of increafe j it is alone by the power of God that finners are con- verted, planted and flourifti in the houfe of the Lord, yet the promife of the Spirit is to be expedled in the way of our duty, both in a foclal and private capacity ; and accordingly the Laodiceans are threatned with the lofs of the candleftick, and even to be caft out with abhor- rence, if they did not repent of their lukewarmnefs. Befidesj it appears from example, that the livelinefs and
354 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
adtivity of faints in communion, is a means fubfer- vient to the work of the Spirit among them, for many are indebted to the earneft prayers, the godly dif- courfe, and to other inftances of piety and zeal in the faithful, as a means of their converfion, which is often confeflcd in the church by them that are called. The prder and ftedfaftnefs of a people like wife engage the godly to join them, but it cannot be expeded, and it is rarely feen that fuch unite or continue with a church in a like ftate with that at Sardis ; and indeed where diforders and hypocrifies prevail the Spirit is grieved and departs, whofe divine agency, as already obferved, is needful to any degree of fuccefs. In a word, the analogy between natural and fpiritual things is obvious, and though I am far from apprehending that they are in all refpefts the fame, yet that the Lord in his ordi- nary courfe, works with and by the graces of his peo- ple, and renders their falthfulnefs and zeal a means of converfion and a flourifhing ftate of his church, can- not be modefl:ly denied, infomuch that Abraham had as good reafon to hope for a child by Sarah, when her body was dead in the courfe of nature, as the moft: able and a<Slive minifter in the world has to expedl an in- creafe of fpiritual feed, from a people funk into the for- mality and coldnefs defcribed.
Another melancholy fymptom of this fad and fliameful condition, is an unperfuadable obftinate fpi- rit. It is exceeding difEcult to convince a people in thefe circumftances of their danger, for the mofl part they are infenfible and fecure, yea, and often fo con- ceited
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 355 celted of themfelves, that, in a manner, it is vain to exh^'it them; a remonflrance of their folly and pre- fiimption they impute to an uncharitable jealoufy, and are difpleafed, or it may be treat their faithful monitor with contempt ; they reply in fuch language as this : The former times were not better than thefe, others are ftill more deficient, and in fhbrt we are as well as can be expected, and thus they excufe themfelves from amendment till they become incapable of bearing re- proof, but are immediately ofFended with every attempt to reclaim them ; fo that, like Ifrael in the days of Amos the prophet, being fet on their own ways, they hate the man that rebuketh in the gate, and abhor him that fpeaketh uprightly unto them.
And now, who that fears God will not deprecate being in any degree the occafion or fubje£l of this odious and threatning ftate of religion ? May it never be a general cafe in our land I But, have we no alarm- ing fymptoms which call for a fpeedy reformation, left we fall in like manner? To awaken our indignation at every thing which tends to this fhameful condition, remember, that though the Lord is mercifully pleafed to call fuch a people to repentance, their hypocrifies are hateful in his fight. To reft in a formal communion and be carelefs and unfruitful, is to affront our holy Redeemer, who is jealous of his honor. By allowed partiality and negleft in his houfe, a people defpife his authority, abufe his love, difgrace his name, and in a word, as it were provoke him continually to his face; and who can ftand before him when he is angry ? If Z 2 he
356 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
he is offended that hath the feven fpirits and the feven ftars, 'n whofe pov. er is every gift and divine operation, on vvhicli the welfare and even the exiftcnce of a church-j^are depends, what le^s cnn be expected but difiblution and ruin ? \vo be to them whofe finful condu(Sl and long provocations, bring down his judg- ments ; they mufl anfwer the confequence ; for when the kingdom of heaven is removed from a land, many temporal miferies attend the unfpeakable lofs, of which there are awful inftances; but we fhall have occafion to fpeak of the punifliment that awaits thofe who fm away the gofpel, and leave their pqfterity in darknefs, in the following leflure. I conclude the prefent with a prayer, in which the ferious Reader will certainly join me :
* Lord, fend down thy holy Spirit to purify and
* quicken our hearts, that thy love may conftrain us ' to a becoming zeal for thy glory, and that as we
* have a name that we live, we may Ihew that we are
* alive indeed unto God, and abound in every good
* work, to the promoting ^thy vifible kingdom in the ' world ! '
LECTURE
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 357
LECTURE XXIT.
The difciples at Sardis exhorted to repent ; their works are impeached. How the Lord appears a judge of what a people perform in his name. The meafures to be taken to reftore a church when declined. Rea- fons for attempting it, notwithftandmg her things may be dying away.
THE omnifclent and holy Redeemer, having warn- ed his church of her hypocritical and dangerous /late, goes on to exhort and rebuke her, the particu- lars of which, with proper refledlions, are now to be confidered. This part of his meflage is contained in the following words : " Be watchful, and ftrengthen *' the things which remain, and which are ready to *' die; for I have not found thy works perfect before *' God." We are told. Matt. xiii. 24. that " the- *' kingdom of heaven is like to a man that fowed good *' feed in his field, in which while men flept the enemy " fowed his tares." Decays in a church originally fpring from a defe6l in herfelf, and the adverfary gains his firft advantage by the inattention of her members. If chriftians were on their guard, fatan could have no opportunity of introducing thofe poifonous errors, and formal profeflbrs, which are the bane of religious fo- ciety. Thus it appears that thefe difciples were very remifs. Hence temptations prevailed, and they were Z 3 daily
358 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
daily declining j they are therefore admonifhed to return to their watch. The firft ftep towards a recovery is to renew that difcipline which, in the fad ftate complained of, muft have been greatly negleded j a watch is to be fet over ourfclves, and againft the enemy, that no fur- ther place may be given him, without which we can- not v/ith reafon expe6l to reform; and accordingly we fee a guard is placed at the door of this church, and at the hearts of her members, by way of prevention, and, this done, all hands are required to repair the houfe of the Lord, in the following words ; " Strengthen the *' things which remain and are ready to die."
It has been thought by fonie, that the things re- ferred to are the graces of the Spirit, from the exercife of v/hich, no doubt, there muft have been a general decay among thefe dlfciples ; nor could they hope to revive as a church unlefs they were reftored to a more vigorous habit of faith and love in Chrift Jefus ; but they are v/rong who would infmuate from hence that a principle of grace may become extinil, or ceafe to exift in the heart of a regenerate man, for it is exprefly de- clared, that " vvhofoever is born of God, his feed re- *' maineth in him," i Johniii.g. And again, that the grace, or water of life, given by Chrift to him that is call- ed, " fhall be in him a well of water, fpringing up into *' everlafting life," John iv. 14. So that nothing can be more certain than the final perfeverance of the faints; and therefore, however the vifible intereft of religion may be on the decline, and particular churches decay or dillblve, yea, and a child of God be found dead in his frame, the man that hath root in himfelf fhall en- dure
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 359
dure to the end ; fuppofing therefore that the graces of the chriftian are here intended, it cannot be juftly in- ferred, becaufe he may in this imperfed" flate feem to languifti awhile, and partially fail in his fruits, that therefore he fhall totally fall from grace, and perifii at laft. All that can be fairly concluded is this, that the real faint is liable to decays, againft which it becomes him to watch, or that, when he is fallen, means are to be ufed for his recovery, which are truths univerfaily acknowledged.
They feem nearer the purpofe who undeiftand by thefe things backfliders among them, who, in appear- ance, were on the point of cafting cfF their faith. In this view it is a feafonable exhortation to the church to admonifli and reprove them, and, if poffible, prevent their total apoftacy and ruin. But I apprehend that the works of this people, on which the Lord hath an eye, and which he declares to be imperfeft in the very nextclaufe, are the things chiefly, if not folely intended. And the things or works, which belong to a gofpel church- ftate, are recited, Adts ii. 42. namely, doctrine, fellowfliip, breaking of bread and prayers, which com- prehend the whole of the faith, worfhip and difcipline effential to chriftian communion. Now it feems there remained fome works among this backfliding people, they were not totally departed from the truths of the gofpel, nor had they entirely forfaken the aflembling of themfelves for the worftiip of God, and the difcipline of his houfe ; their united prayers were not wholly ceafed, neither were they utter ftrangers to thofe offi- Z 4 ces
36o LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
ces of kindnefs and love which are the genuine fruit of a cordial feilowlhip in the Spirit. Plad there been no-^ thing of this found among them, they had not exifted as a church ; but alas, they were flothful and partial, and fcarce faved appearances; tliey were fo back- ward and unftable, that thcfe things were hardly main- tained ; they were fmking daily, and feem almoft ex- piring and gone. Under this fhameful and dangerous declenfion they are called upon to reftore and con- firm their feeble and dying ftate, each one to return to his duty, and to exert himfelf in repairing thofe decays that were found in the houfe of the Lord.
As one means of awakening thefe backfliders to re-^ pentance, the holy Redeemer makes the following re-, port, which might juftly alarm them, " I have not *' found thy works perfect before God ! " q. d. 'I
* that fearch the heart and try the reins, have ex-
* amincd thy works, and rcje61: them as unfound and ' imperfect in the prefence of God ; they are fuch as
* cannot be pleafmg to him, nor will he accept them.' Thus the ferviccs of thefe degenerate people are as it were thrown back in their faces, or returned upon them as naught. But, can we look for perfe6lion in the works of a community compofed of imperfedt and falli- ble men, which is the caf; with the purcft focicty upon earth ? No church ever yet prctenJed to infallibility, except that apoftate one, whofe errors, fuperftition and idolatry, notorioufly contradict her arrogant claim } what then is intended by a want of perfedlion ? Thip native idea of the expreiiion here ufed, is fulnefs, and
this
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 361
this complaint manifeftly intends a criminal * defefV, or that fhe did not exert herfdf with the integrity and diligence required. We are told that at Corinth they came behind in no gift; but, alas, at Sardis they are charged with not coming up to their ability, which amounts to no lefs than a charge of hypocnfy itfelE, and anfwers to the character already giveii of this church. The works of a church are imperfeiSl, when her members deal deceitfully one with another, and are each making idle, it may be falfe pretences for not fup- plying his part; fo that her aflemblies are fmall, and her works, however comparatively tolerable, come fhort of the power fhe hath, and what is required at her hands. In a word, when a people can do more and better than they do, and are (hort for want of ex- erting the gifts they have received, then their works are not perfe6l ; they may feem fo to men, and to the de- linquents themfelves, who, like thofe of Laodicea, ver. 17. may boaft that they are rich and increafed in goods, but to the Lord, whofe eyes are as a flame of fire, their fmful imperfeiSlion appears, and on which account they are highly difpleafmg in his fight, and though he is gracious and long-fufFering, yet he is jea- lous of his honor, and will one day condemn thofe who
trifle
* In like manner the Ifraelites who periflied In the wilderners, are charg- ed with not having fuliy followed the Lord, as Caleb and Jofhua did. ■ See : Numb. xiv". 24. The word t^/D there ufed fignities compleat, or rather filled as a fliip under fail carried ftrongly with the winds, as if flie feared neither rocks nor fands. Leigh's Crit, And much the fame idea is fixed ty the late excellent Mr. Hervey to 'BiT?:(JVC-,<iii on 2 Pet. i, 11, Th's flack- nefs and deficiency tljrough negleft is highly provoking to the Lord, as ap- pears from the above avvful inftance of his difplcafure ; an enfample to warn us againfl Ccth and unfaithfulnefs, in what concerns our holy pro- fcflion.
362 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
trifle with his name, and negle<Sl the facred inftitutions of his love. Thus, as in the hand-writing of Bel- fhazzar, T£kel is infcribed on this fallen church, fhe " is weighed in the ballances, and found wanting," by the Iving of faints. This charge is the more afFedting, as it is laid on her works without any exception — *' I have not found thy works perfect before God." Awful fentence indeed ! and the rather as it is a fen- tence confirmed by the infallible truth of him that pro- nounced it. Had this charge proceeded from the lips of a creature, it might have been falfej but who will difpute what Jefus, the Amen and faithful witnefs, de- clares ? Many are the falfe accufations which are laid againft the righteous, by the world and fatan, from which they fhall hereafter be cleared, but that people are certainly guilty who are charged by the Lord him- felf; their mouths will therefore be flopped, neither fnall any plead for them, no, nor fave them from his juft indignation, for as this rebuke implies his abhor- rence of their floth and hypocrify, it likewife befpeaks his coming upon them in judgment unlefs they repent, according to a fubfequent threatning.
From this account it appears that the Lord is judge of thofe works which arc performed in a gofpel church- ftate, and that when his people are fenfible of threat- ning declenfions, they are required to exert themfelves in order to recover ^ and it may be ufeful to confider in what points of light the Lord is a judge of his peo- ple, the meafures to be taken to revive an intereft that is dying, and the reafons there are for attempting it.
AN0
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 363
And firft, the judgment of Chrifi: In his church is tnanifeft in lefpe^l of his omnifclence. He is a God of knowledge, by whom a6^ions are weighed, i Sam. ii. 3. This was the refort of Peter in a time of diftrefs, *' Lord, thou knoweft all things," John xxi. 17. And in Heb. iv. 13. Aiys the apoftle, *' All things are na- *' iced and open unto the eyes of him with whom we *' have to do." An excoriated beaft, flain of old for a facrifice, hung up and opened to view, or even the anatomized body, doth not lie fo expofed to the eye of the fkilful beholder, as our v/orks to the Lord Jefus Chrift. He difcerns the thoughts and intents of the heart, and hath an exadl: and intuitive knowledge of their number, nature and fprings of adlion in his peo- ple, -fo that nothing efcapes him. Again,
This charafler our Lord fuftains in refpeil of his office. He is not only Judge as a divine perfon, but alfo as Mediator. It belongs to him as the great Shep- herd of the ilieep to inipedl and judge his people ; to this he is appointed by the Father, who hath committed all judgment to his Son j fo that Chrift is inverted with this power in his paftoral capacity, being feated on the throne in his church. Every community under a pro- fefiion of his nam.e, and each particular member there- of is fubjecS to his examination, and mufl fland before his judgment-feat. And further, the Redeemer is judge of his people in a pradtical fenfej i. e. he actually and conflantly infpe£ts their work in the charafter of a judge. We cannot v/ith decency fuppofe that the holy Jefus doth not execute the commifTion he hath received,
or
364 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
or exert this authority in the midft of his churches; and the inftance before us proves that he is active in judgment upon them, for when he faith, " I have not *' found thy works perfe6l," he fpeaks as one that had examined and proved them ; fo that his eyes are on his people, not only as their Saviour to preferve them, but alfo as their judge to try them ; he has a ballance or mea- fure in his hand to weigh and adjuft all they profefs to do in his name, and thofe which are not perfect or full according to their ability he will furely rejed, and re- gard not the perfuns of any. In thefe rcfpeils our £ord is judge of what is done in the character of a church ; in refpecl of his eflential omnifcience as a divine perfon, in refpedl of his office, and in refpe£l of his certain adual infpection into their fpirit and con- "duft. It is therefore of the utmoft importance when thin'^s are dying away in any community, that they hearken to his voice and repent, as will hereafter more particularly be feen.
But, what are the meafures to be taken in order to revive an intereft that appears on the decline ? Before we enter on particulars here it may be proper to note, that when things are come to this pafs, and a church is funk fo low, through long and repeated backflidings, as to be ready to diffolve, her awakened members are prone to defpond, and may be tempted, through guilt and unbelief, or from floth and felf-love, to leave her, which is mean and ungrateful j yet this has been the conduct of fome, in regard of the community to which they belonged, v/hen fiie feemed to be going ; as a fhip in diflrefs is left by her company, who appre- hend
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 365
hend (he wiU fink or be otherwife loft, fo hath a church in danger been forfaken by her members, till broken to pieces and ruined ; they could not endure the pains and felf-denial which peradventure might have .faved her, but this is unbecoming a dlfciple of Jefus, and againft his diredlion before us. It mult therefore be highly difpleafing to him, when any thus evade their endeavour to preferve and revive his declining caufe; therefore let thofe who would have boldnefs at his coming fee to it, that nothing Is wanting on their part to rellore the finking intereft of religion in their hands, and the meafures to be taken in order to effeik it are as follows :
I. A STRICT and impartial enquiry into the ftate of the community, and the condition of its feveral members. In exhorting the difciples at Sard is, to ftren^then the things which were ready to die, there feems an allufion to a natural body, which having long languiflied under a threatning diftemper, is, in all appearance, nigh unto death : And every one knows, that when a phyfi- cian is called in this dangerous cafe, he firft examines into the nature of the difeafe, the parts affected, the time, occafion, and p'rogrefs which the diforder Hath made, with every other circumftance relating to the patient's complaint : In like manner, when a people find themfelves on the decline, in order to their re- covery, they muft difcern what errors and ill habits prevail, and confider who are defective, and in what degree, under what temptation, and In a word, how far the corporation is degenerated from Its natural and primi- ,rtive ftate. Without ajuft idea of her real condition, in
thefe
366 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
thefe particulars, the means of reftoration cannot be applied, and things vWll grow worfe, till a diffolution enfues, if not timely prevented. To this method we are dire6led In the following words : " Remeinber *' therefore how thou haft received and heard, and re- *' pent." Of which in its place ; for the prefent it may fuffice, that in general this certainly implies a reflection on her fallen ftate, that flie might be fenfible of her declenfions, and even know the worfl of her cafe. This enquiry among a people fufficiently awakened, ' who are in the way of recovery, will be perfonal, each afte£led will examine his own fpirit and conduct, and fay, " What have I done?" Jer. viii. 6^ And the fame will be carried on in public, by the infpecSlion of the paftor and other officers, and likewife by the church herfelf, who, as a body cor- porate, will, in her difcipline alTemblies, be lodkihg diligently, that by her feafonable admonition, and even cenfure, if needful, fhe may prevent a further fpread of diforders, and at length be perfedly re- ftored. Again,
2. Another means required, is united and earneft prayer to the Lord to heal our backflidings. We have deftroyed ourfelves, but our help is in him. The cha- radler Jefus allumes, when fpeaking to this people, im- plicitly directs them to himfelf, as poffeft of all thofe gifts, and that grace which are needful to a flourifliing ftate. When the Lord is as the dew on Ifrael, then fhe will revive as the corn; but for this he will be fought unto, without which his bleffing cannot be ex- peded. Befides the fervent prayers of the faithful, are
in
TQ THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 367 jn themfelves a means of reftoration : in prayer the graces of the Spirit are exercifcd and ftrengthened. prayer in the Spirit is of an edifying nature j by this the heart is humbled, melted, purified and refreflicd : Hence, Jude ver. 20. the brethren are diredled, in a time of falling away, to " build up one another on their " moft holy faith, praying in the holy Ghoft." 1 he declining (late t)f a church, appears in nothino; more than in a negled of her prayers : in proportion to this the love of God moft furely decays, infomuch that there is little or no hopes of recovery : When a people are not to be induced to wreftle at the throne of grace, they muft grow more and more formal and lifeleis, and be in the utmoft danger of ruin.
3. When the things of a community are thus re- duced, they are not likely to revive, unlefs there is a mutual activity and diligence in her members, in their feveral ftations ; every man to his poft, and all hands employed in the work. As the recovery of the natural body from a threatning diforder depends much on a due circulation, and each member perform- ing its fundion, fo is Chrift. It is not fufficient to behold our declenfions, or to bewail them, either to the Lord or to one another : Like Ifrael of old, I Chron. xxii. 16. w^e muft arife and be doing, in hopes that the Lord will be with us. " Why ftand ye cry- ** ing ? faith the Lord to Mofes, fpeak to the children •' of Ifrael that they go forward." In a v/ord, infpec- tion and prayer are vain without a refolution in the ftrength of the Lord to hold faft and repent. If prayer- raeetmgs are ever fo frequent or full, they will come
Ihort
368 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE '
fhort of a remedy, unlefs Individuals fill up their places; for the works of that church can never be perfedt", whofe members fail of their duty : To complain of de- fedis without endeavouring to fupply them, is highly abfurd, a conduct which tends flill more to weaken the caufe. Now it any man would know his particular duty, under declenfions in the fociety to which he belongs, his confcience will tell him ; and the fcrip- ture is fo plain, with refpecl: to that nobleft of focieties, a church, that no one can plead ignorance. He that will not attend her aflemblies, and exert his ability in theilation he holds, turns away his ear from the voice of Chrift, and will not regard the welfare of Zion.
One motive in them who love God and his people, for exerting themfelves in reftoring the affairs of a church when gone to decay, is her imminent danger. Hence the Lord notes to this people, that the things which remained were " ready to die;" q. d. confider how near you are to a total lofs of thofe things which belong to your ftate ; if they fhould entirely ceafe you are utterly ruined. Now the more threatning the cafe of a difordered conflitution, the greater the concern of him who defires to preferve it, and his diligence after its recovery will be in proportion : In like manner when things are ready to expire in a chriftian commu- nity, an argument is drawn by her prudent and afFedtionate members, from the danger apprehended, for being fpeedy and a£tive to revive her. Again,
A PROSPECT of her recovery is another inducement. This alfo is fuggefted in the warning before us. A
command
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 369
command from God to repent and return to duty, im- plies a promife of remifiion and fuccefs to them that obey. This call on the chuich at Sardis was a kind intimation that the might be recovered, and a feafon- able encouragement to arife for her help, and efpecially as the Lord revealed himfelf to her under charafters expreffive of his power and grace. This was a token for good, and an argument with every wife and confi- derate perfon to do what in him lay to reftore her, it appearing that however dangerous her cafe, it was not yet defperate ; yea, there was the higheft reafon to con- clude that his labour fliould not be in vain, fmce he that called him to this fervice is able to render it ef- feftual. While there is life, we fay, there is hope. The animal frame may be in a laiiguifhing ftate ; through a prevailing difeafe, or a complication of dif- orders, it may be brought very low, fcarce any pulfe to be difcerned, yea, and the vital principle fo retire as to be out of the view even of a fkilful phyfician, and at the fame time it may exift, and recover its vifiole force, fo that it is not always eafy to determine whether or not it is a£l:ually dead ; but this we know^, that as long as any fenfible warmth and motion remains, there is hope that in the ufe of means the fpirit may revive, and a vigorous circulation return, whereby the body (hall again be ftrengthened for the a£lions of life. In like manner the fymproms of fpiritual life and the love of God, in which true religion fubflantially confifts, may, through a prevailing carnality and corruption, be reduced very low, and fcarcely perceived in a chri- ftian community, of whofc recovery we are not to defpairj there may yet be life in hcrj many of her
A a members.
370 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
memberSj who feem formal and dead, may be concealed in darknefs, difcouragcd and fearful under various temptations, who on due application may be animated and fhew themfelves alive; their graces may yet be drawn forth into exercife, by whofe adtivity and dili- gence the church will be reftored and flourifh again. Thus, though things are apparently dying, they may Hill revive; and there is always ground to hope that a people however declined, being fenfible of their condi- tion, on return'ng to their Lord and their duty, ftiali not be difiblvcd or deftroyed ; and is not this an argu- ment for feeking to revive her again, even in the moft dangerous circumftances ?
And fuither; the excellency and ufe of a chriftian church-{late, is another flrong motive to an endeavour after its prefervation and welfare. We are fallen in a time when the yoke of Chrift feems rather grievous to feme, whofe pretence of knowledge runs high, and have reaion to lament that the communion of faints fuits not the popular taile of the day; yea, fome even prefumc to plead a liberty from it, and, as it were, gloiy in their negle£l: of gofpel-appointments, as if it v/as the privilege of a chriftian to live free from the orders of his Lord, or becoming his charailer to defpife rhem ; but that notion of chriftianlty, which includes not a perfonal fubjcclion to the ordinances of the Re- deemer, is prepoflerous and vain, and a more threat- ning fymptom cannot appear among nominal chriftians, than a prevailing omiflion of that divine fellowfhip in which the called bind themfelves to walk together in the Lord. If this becomes general in a nation, where
the
to THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 371
the gofpel is preached, the kingdom of God will foon be removed, and along with it departs liberty, civil and reli- gions, in confequence of wnich a country is debafd and enflaved ; witnefs all Afia, and other parts of the earth, formerly the feat of fiourifhing churches, like the city of Sardis, once famous, while the golden candleftick adorned her, but, as already obrerved, flie r.ow appears a poor contemptible village. So then gofpel-churches are the glory of a land, with which ftand connecSted all that is dear, and this will be an argument with every fenfible perfon to exert himfelf in refloring the church to which he belongs, when her things are declining. Indeed the continuance of the gofpel doth not depend on any particular congregation, yet every fociety of be- lievers, in which the do6lrine, difcipline and worfhip of Chrift is maintained, is a part of his vifible intereft in a nation ; it muft therefore be a grief to thofe who lay to heart the glory of God, and the good of man- kind, when they behold fuch a fociety in danger of diflblving.
The importance of maintaining a gofpel-church will alfo appear, when we confider the piomife fhe hath of the Redeemer's prefence and bleffing, which is a fur- ther motive to preferve it: By a diiliilution of an orderly fociety of believers, who are entitled to this gracious afTurance, we are deprived of one precious means of communion with God , the manifcftative glory of Chrift, the converfion of ftnners, and the comfort of them that believe ; who then that hath any regard for the honor of Jefus, or the welfare of fouls, can fail of A a 2 beinff
372 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
being excited, on reflexion, to ufe his utmoft endea- vour to prevent it ?
Besides, it will be an argument with the awakened backflider to a fpeedy and vigorous attempt for reftoring a church that is near a difiblution, if he himfelf hath contributed to her threatruns: declenfions. Things ne- ver come to this pafs in a community without the de- fect and folly, at leaft of many individuals ; it is proba- ble that few, if any, are entirely free from being in fome meafure the occafion of this deplorable ftate ; however in proportion to a fenfe of the injury dene a fociety by a man's own condudl, muft his readinefs be to repair it. If we behold a natural body languifhing under pain and ficknefs, and in danger, will not hu- manity itfelf demand our immediate afliftance, if pofli- hle, to revive it ? But if, as may be the cafe, we are con- fcious that our own, neglect, or abufe of this body, has been the (hameful caufe of its perifliing condition, are we not ftill more obliged to lay out ourfelves with a view to its recovery ? The application is eafy. Every ingenuous perfon will be careful about reftoring an intcreft, the tlecleniion of which is in fome degree owing to him- ftlf. And if they who feem liitle concerned at the dy- i;ig flate of a community to which they belong, and who are practically faying, Let the caufe fink, were duly f:jnC.b!e of their own conduit, they would fee it highly iiicunibent on themfelves, more than on others, to arife At its help. Add to tliefc, the reward which is in- fiired to thofe who feek the honor of God, which is another juft motive for reftoring the beauty of his
houfe.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 373
houfe. This is exprefled in a following claufe : " He ** that overcometh, the fame {hall be clothed in white '* raiment;" of which in its place. It requires felf- denial and courage to ftand up for the purity and order of the gofpel when it is generally neglected or defpifed. A man muft exert his ability, and it may be endure the refentment and fcorn of thofe who, wedded to their lufts, will oppofe a reformation ; and if he has heretofore, in any degree, complied with the evil of the time, or been ofFfrom his watch, which, as hinted, Is probable, it will be ftill more difficult for him ; he muft firft cleanfe himfelf, and forfake every fmful in- dulgence that hath turned him afide, and may expe6t many refled ons to difliearten him from uniting in the work, but the man need not fear whofe repentance is evinced by a return to his duty ; he fhall not only be forgiven, but likewife (hare in the recomperce pro- mifed ; for no man's labour fhall be vain in the Lord.
It appears then that the chriftian ought not to forfake his ftation in the church, when things are declined and feem ready to vanifh away ; no, by no means. The members of a community in decay have reafon to mourn, and it may be, to be covered with fhame for their own backflidings, but can have none to defpair ; however threatning the danger, if they awake and re- pent, and diligently follow the things they have ne- gledled, there is ftill a profpeiiitof recovery, which, with the excellency of this gofpel-conftitution, and efpccially when the fubjedl is confcious of being acceftary to the declenfions lamented, and the certain future reward of A a 3 the
374 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
the righteous, are cogent arguments for an attempt to reftore a church-ftate, even under the loweft circum- llances that can be fuppofcd. And, can the love of God dwell in that man, w'. o is not to be engaged by cither or all of thefe motives, unto a zeal for the wel- fare of Zion ?
While we mourn the dying intereft of Jefus among 'US, may we not juftly admire his love and patience, thus to warn his backfliding people, and gracioufly meet them with a promife on r.epentance. But, Reader, forget not that religicm is a perfonal thing, and allow me to fay, that in whatever flate the particular com- munity may be with whom thou art connefted, as an hearer or member, thou thyfelf may be in a fimilar condition with that of this church ; in thy own re- ligious experience and pra£lice the things which lemain may he on the decline, and almoft expired. Permit me, with freedom, to afl<: thee. How {lands it with the frame of thy foul ? It may be thy cafe. In time paft fin pierced thy heart, and thou waft then anxious ior repentance and pardon ; thy breathing was earneft after an intereft in Chrift, and the inheritance of them who are fan6lified by faith, in order to communion with the Lord and his people, but now, alas, thefe convi61ions are worn oft', and, through the cares of the world and the pleafures of life, thy former defires are abated or gone, thou art ready to quit all concern about the kingdom of God and his righteoufnefs, and to lay afide the thoughts of living to the Saviour, under a pro- feflion of his name. Doth confcicnce tell thee that thou
art
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 375
art in this manner gone backward, and that thine heirt is almoft a ftranger to this holy concern and afll'clion ? Great is thy delufion and danger ! i befeech thee to hear what Jefus faith by his Spirit to this fallen church, *' ftrengthen the things which remain." It is of the utmoil importance, therefore icpent in- due feafon, for if thou art not conforined to this ex- hortation, behold, he cometh to judgment, when thou and thy religion, fuch as it is, will perifli to- gether.
But again, my dear Friend, how is thy private de- votion maintained ? Enter into thy clofet,'true religion firft. appears there, and there a decay from its power is firft to be difcerned. Once every opportunity of re- tirement was embraced, to pour out thy foul unto God, to contemplate his law, and for fcif- exa- mination ; then it was thy cuftom to come forth from thy chamber into the family, thy children and fervants were aflembled for prayer, reading, and other exercifes of{ a fpiritual nature. Thus fome begin, and it may be go on for awhile, till worldly bufmefs and carnal company interfere; alas, they cannot withftand the temptation, their goodnefs is as the morning-cloud, and as the early dew it pafleth away. And are any like fymptoms on thee, chriftian Reader ? are thefe things omitted, or are they attended in an uncertain, cold and indifferent manner, infomuch that there is danger of their being utterly forfaken? O be wife, and confidcr, arife from the dead, flee from thofe lufts that have enticed thee, A a 4 and
376 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
and return immediately unto him from whom thou haft foohflily departed.
Finally, Is there a fenfible and vifible alteration for the worfe in thy public or fecial religion ? P'ormerly thy feet were prepared for the temple, and hearing the word of the Lord was delightful, it was a pleafure to fit at his table, and his ordinances were highly efteem- ed, infomuch that the return of his fabbaths was the joy of thy foul : But haft thou loft thy relifh for thefe facred' and precious enjoyments ? are they become wea- rinefs to thee ? and doft thou excufe thyfelf on every occafion, and of choice abfent from the fanfluary, or make light of thy deficiency in the relative duties of communion ? It is indeed a fad cafe to become thus unfruitful, and for the leavs of thy profeffion to fade and fall off in this manner. Thus hypocrites often Aide away and turn apoftates to their ruin. Far be it the Rt^ier ftiould have in the end his portion with un- believers ! but I would hope better things, even things that accompany falvation. And haft thou efcaped or overcome the temptations by which many are caft down and deftroyed, and in a flourifhing ftate, in thefe points of religion ; thou art highly favoured of heaven ? Adore the grace by which thou haft flood, be ftiil on thy guard, and whoever draws back, cleave thou with purpofe of heart unto the Lord. In one word, may all who call upon the name of the Lord hearken unto the words of Peter, in the clcfe of his fe- cond epiftle, and with which I conclude this lecSture. '* Ye therefore, beloved, feeing ye know thefe things
" before,
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 377
*' before, beware, left ye alfo, being led away with the *' error of the wicked, fa! J from your own ftedfaftneCs; ** but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our " Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift : To him be glor\', *' both now and forever. Amen."
LECTURE XXIII.
A repetition of the Redeemer's call to repentance, with particular diretSlions; and a threatning in cafe of difobedience.
OUR Lord having called upon the church at Sardis, to reftore the things that were* dying away, gracioufly dire«Eis her how to proceed, but at the fame time threatens her if Ihe did not repent: *' Remember therefore how thou haft received and heard, ** and hold faft and repent. If therefore thou flialt *' not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou " flialt not know in what hour I will come upon thee." An awakening meflage, by which they who are on the decline in their religious character are inftrudted and warned, and which may be applied to chriftians in every age, in a private or fecial capacity.
The principal thingtobe confidered is that which ftands firft, an exhortation to look back and review paft experi- ence and ccndudl from the beginning: " Remember there- " fore how thou haft received and heard." Hearing is the
means
378 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
means of the obedience of faith ; and this degenerate peo- ple are diredleu to refle6t on the manner in which they embraced the truth, or the fpirit and behaviour which prevailed among them at the beginning. It is a call on the church, or on her members in particular. In re- fpe£c of fociety, it refers to their original fimplicity and zeal in the faith and order of Chriff, from whence fhe was fallen : " Remember how thou haft received and " heard ;" call to mind the manner of entrance the gofpel had when firft preached among you, with what readinefs and joy ye received it, on what foundation the church-ftate was raifed, how watchful, ddigent, and lively her members, and compare it with her prefent fecure and lukewarm condition.
Some apply this to the prefent flate of theProteftant churches, who are in general but too much gone off from that purity in doitrine, worfhip and difcipline, for which they were famous, when they firft renounced the errors of Rome, asobferved in a preceeding lecture, and particularly in refpe<5l of the grand and capital ar- ticle of juftification by grace, in oppofition to the merit of works. It cannot modeftly be denied, but that the religious fentiments and practice, which now prevail in Geneva, Holland, and other foreign Proteftant ftates, differ wide from thofe that were avowed on the reforma- tion : And, O that our native country could be excepted ! But,- alas, the pulpit, the prefs, and the popular tafte, unite in declaring our fhameful departure. Thisalfo appears when we compare the tenets which are in a manner univerfally fpread, with the inftruments of ori- ginal union and articles of faith, which, notwithftand-
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 379
ing the contempt caft upon the truths contained in them, are fliil extent by publig authority, together with the writings of the firft reformers in every place ; all which loudly teftify againft us !
But, pafllng this, the people at Sardis were greatly corrupted, infoniuch that few had efcaped the general pollution ; fo fad was their departure from the f'lmpli- city and holinefs which originally adorned the church in that place, the remains of which glory was fading away. In thefe difgraceful circumftanccs Ihe is bid to remember. In a difordered ftate of body, no faculty is. fooner impaired then the memory; and a chriftian fo- ciety, when funk and depraved, are forgetful of their forrrier zeal and good works ; a fcrious refleiftion on which might ^bring them to repentance. The precife date of the epillle is uncertain, but doubtlefs this church, with others in Afia, had fubfifted a conlider- able time; fo great a declenfion could hardly obtain in a few years only, yet fome aged perfons, as the cvange- lilt himfelf, might remember her gathering, and wit- nefs the melancholy difference.
Under thefe decays the fame refledlion becomes in- dividuals; every perfen fhould examine himfelf, and en- quire, how did I come under a profeffed fubje6lion to the gofpel ? Was it from a deep convicStion of my miferable ftate as a Tinner, and a perfuafion of the authority and grace of Jefus, as the only and all-fufEcient Saviour, that I trufted in him, and furrendered myfelf to his will ? O my foul, now fo unfavuory and carelefs, call to mind the love of thine efpoufals, and the kindnefs of thy
youth ?
38o LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
youth ! How didft thou receive Chrift Jefus the Lord, and hear the tidings of his mercy ! how precious then was the word of his grace ! with what fweetnefs and power did it come to thy heart ! O the readinefs and joy with which thou laid hold on the hope fet before thee ! thou waft then impatient for feafons of commu- nion with the Lord and his people; but now, alas, how indifferent towards them, the new moons and fabbaths are almoft a wearinefs to thee; confider how thou art fallen ; the danger thou art in, and how pro- voking thy condudl, and repent ! When a backfliding chriflian is enabled thus to refle6l on his firft fetting out in religion, there is hope of his recovery, and that he will be ftedfaft in every branch of his holy pro- feflion, which is the next thing required. " And hold " faft," i. e. keep diligently * the precious dodrines and ordinances thou haft received, with a watchful eye, that they be not loft or taken away, which agrees with the following fentence, and implies the danger they were in through the fubtlety of fatan, to whom they had already given place, and likcwife that it re- quired their utmoft folicitude and ftrength to preferve them. It is added, " and repenf," i. e. be wife and turn from your evil, as perfons convinced of their folly, return unto me. The word fignifies afterwit, and alludes to the' madnefs of thofe who depart from the Lord. Thus the prodigal, who is an emblem of a penitent finner or backflider, is faid to come to him- felf. When men wander from God and the order of the gofpel, it may truly be faid that a deceived heart hath turned them afide, they are as it were infatuated
througlv
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 381
through the deceitfulnefsoffin ; and when fuch are re- ftored to their fpiritual fenfes, they will be covered with fhame, and thankful for the grace that has prevented their ruin, and their change will be attended with fu- ture diligence in every duty.
As a further means of awakening this church, fhe is threatned in cafe of difobedience : " If therefore thou ** flialt not watch;" if, after all my patience and warning, thou contiiiueft fupine and carelefs, and will not awake and be on thy guard, " I will come upon *' thee as a thief. Many are the chaftnings in ftore for a loofe and hypocritical generation of profefTors; fometimes they are hewed by the prophets of the Lord, and flain by the words of his mouth, Hof. vi. 5. He animates his fervants to cry aloud and fpare not, but fhew them their tranfgreflions and fms, who are fure to meet with their refentment, unlefs they are reclaimed. At other times the hand of his providence is againfl them, and they are diminifhed by ficknefs and death, as at Co- rinth. Again, he hides his face that they cannot behold him, or itjnay be his Spirit is with-held, and the dew is not on their fleece ; they are barren and comfortlefs, their breads are dry, and a mifcarrying womb is their por- tion, Hof. ix. 14. Or, once more, when joined to their idols, as Ephraim, he lets them alone. Thefe are tokens of his difpleafure, which a fenfible people will deprecate ; But the threatning before us is ftill more alarming, it is not to corredl but to deftroy ; a threatning of vengeance, the terror of which will ap- pear, if we confider.
■d:.
I. That
382 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
I. That the Lord himfelf was to come upon them* If an angel, or even but a man had been commiflioned from heaven to chaftize them in anger, they might juftly have trembled at the thought of his approach, but how fearful to fall into the hands of the living God, of Jefus himfelf, whofe power is infinite, and whofe face, as an angry judge, neither earth nor heaven can endure ! Every attribute afcribed to the Redeemer in that grand and awful defcription, chap. i. and e!fe where, is properly applied to this threatning, " I will come upon *' thee :" 1, whofe eyes are as a flame of fire, who fearcheth the heart and the reins ; I, whofe feet are as fine brafs, as if they burned in a furnace, to tread down Tmine enemies and trample them in my fury; I, whofe voice is as the found of many waters, as the roar- ing of the fea ; 1 that have the feven ftars in my right hand, and out of whofe mouth goeth a fharp two- edged fword ; I, whofe countenance is as the fun fhining in his ftrength, before whom no flefh can (land ; in a word, I, that have the keys of death and hell, and kill and make alive at my pleafure ; I, even " I will come upon thee." Awful expeitation ! Who among the guilty is prepared to meet this offended God in his anger ! But,
2. The comparifon ufed by our Lord to illuftrate his coming, is another confiderable aggravation, *' as *' a thief." This denotes the manner and the end of his vifitation. i. It implies that he would come on a fudden ; which indeed is contained in the phrafe itfelf, come on^ I Sam. ii. 34. but the idea is ftill more enlivened by
the
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 383
the comparlfon, the thief cometh unawares. Hence faith our Lord, Matt. xxiv. 43. " If the good man of " the houle had known in what watch the thief would ** come, &c." And that this is principally intended, appears from the following fentence, " Thou (halt not *' know in what hour I will come upon thee." In this manner the world of old was deftroyed, and thus it will be in all divine judgment, " the day -A the Lord " fo cometh as a thief in the night," i i'hefl'. v. 2. and particularly in removing the candleftick out of his place, for the fins of a backfliding people : " Behold I *« come as a thief. Blefled is he that watcheth and ** keepeth his garments," Rev. xvi. 15. which agrees with the condition in the text, already confidered. Be- fides this, 2. it alfo intimates the end of his coming, which is to deprive * and ruin the impenitent : ** The *' thief cometh not, but for to iteal, and to kill, and " to dettroy," John x. 10. Thus the wrath of the Lamb comes on wilful and ftubborn tranfgreflors, 1 ut with this difference, that, whereas the conduit of the thief is unjuft and finful, the judgments of the Lord are righteous. And,
3. This threatning is the more dreadful, as it leaves no hope of further warning or patience : It is the laft meflage, in contempt of which they are doomed to
immediate
* Chrift cannot be faid to come as a thief in an evil fenfe, morally fpeaking ; his effential goodnefs and righteoufnefs forbid our entertaining fo bale or unworthy idea of his coming, as that it is with any unjuft or cruel defign, but certainly the end of his judgment is the dertrudion of unbelievers and hypocrites, and the comparifon is only in refpeft of fuch; " for ye, brethren, are not in darknefs; that that day fliould overtake you " as a thief," i Theff. v. 4.
384 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
immediate deftrudlion ; nothing can be more abfolute than the terms of this awful declaration, *' If " therefore thou fhalt not watch, I will come upon *' thee." Wo be to them who are at cafe in Zion ; they are threatned with fudden deftrudion from the Lord, who w -i^ himfelf come upon them, except they repent.
See then, O chriftian, the difpleafure of thy Re- deemer with thofe who are unfaithful and fruitlefs under a profeflion of his name; he is a holy and jealous God, and cannot endure a lukewarm and deceitful condudt in them that approach him. He hath com- panion on the frames of his faints, yea, and when they f:n through infirmity, he is their advocate with the Father, as it were, to cover their involuntary failings, and to plead againft every accufation of the adverfary j but when a people, having the form of godlinefs, be- come habitually negligent and partial, it is an affront to ail his perfe6lions j fuch perfons provoke him to his face, and if after due warning, they prefume in this man- ner to defpife him, his anger will fmoke againft them, and utterly confume them !
Beware then of fettling on the lees, and reding in a name for religion; thou art under a profeflion and waft formerly adlive and fruitful, but art thou now be- come lifelefs and formal ? Remember the zeal and good works of this fallen church in her primitive ftate was no excufe for her prefent dcfc£tion and floth, (lie is threatned with the vengeance of heaven notwithftand- ing her former gocdnefs, and the fame (lie now had for
beins
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 385
being alive, thefe things availed not w^ith the Lord in whofe fio-ht fhe was talfe, and came fhort of her cha- rafter ; therefore be not fecure in the opinion of men, God is not mocked ; and when he comes on impenitent tranfgreflbrs, the works they have forfaken will witnefs agatnft them, rather than juftify their prefent hypocrify and negligence, or hide them from his wrath ; therefore, boaft not thyfelf, thou backfliding profeflbr, in what thou haft betn, or in what others now take thee to be ; arife from the dead, and repent, fo flialt thou be ap- proved of thy judj^e, and his ange: fhall not fall upon thee.
How deplorable the condit'on of thofe who are over- tak'.n by an injured and offended Saviour! The fug-, geftion is ftroiig with refpe£l to this church, that if Chrift came upon her, as he threatned, fhe would be miferab.y dettroyed : " 1 will come on you;" q. d. and what will you do ? wh ther can you flee ? Haft thou an arm lik God ? or canli thou thunder with a voice like him ? A' . am againft thee, who can be for thee, or fave thee ? 1 bis is th^ language of the threatning be- fore us ; it is the word of a King, and it comes with power, for he is able to dcftroy all thofe who hate him. If fatJn or the world come on a church, or the chri- ftian is attacked from any other quarter, the temporary fuffering and lufs may be great, yet a deliverer is at hand, but when the omnipotent Jefus himfelf overtakes the fmner in judgment, there is no efcape or remedy, deftrudion will enfue ^ he is terrible in righteoufnefs, when he comes to take vengeance on the workers of iniquity, and more efpecially on hypocrites in Zion. B b Hear
386 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
Hear what he fays when he uttered his voice and roared out of Zion : " I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and *' as a young lion to the houfe of Judah : I, even I will *' tear, and go av/ay ; I will take away and none (hall *' refcue him," Hofea v. 14. He is ftill the fame Lord, who will judge his people, and this will be the mifera- rable end of all who defpife him.
Nevertheless, the patience and grace of the Lord Jefus Chrift are difplayed, and demand our attention j he is flow to anger, and warns the generation that pro- voke him to jealoufy before he comes on them to their ruin. Thus he waited long in the days of Noe before the flood came upon them, and forty years was he tempted by them who fell through unbelief in the wil- dernefs ; alfo the like fpace was granted to Jerufalem after the time of our Saviour, and fince the fpread of his kingdom in the world. No nation or people was ever deprived of a gofpel church-ftate till after many warnings and great provocations. The language of Chrift in his word and providence, with refpe6l to a fallen people, is like that by the prophet to Ephraim, " How fhall I give thee up ? " as if his heart turned within him ; his repeated exhortations and much long- fuffering (hews that he delights not in the deftru6tion of a people, or in removing the candleftick out of his place J they fpeak againft the diflx)Iution of churches, and call loud on delinquents to repent and be faved.
It appears then, that nothing but a perverfe and im- penitent fpirit will bring down the wrath of God on a people i however long a church may have been on the
decay
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 3S7
decay or low fhe is funk, though fhe hath years been declining, and her works are very imperfed:, infomuch that, as a: Sardi-;, her things which remain are ready to die, yet, if it at length, by any means, her mem- bers are awakened, and return to the Lord, he will have mercy upon them 5 and the like' may be obferved in regard of any one perfon who is under declenfion; a penitent backflider is not cafl into defpair by the fe- vereft threatnings of Chrifl-, whofe love, grace and power are more than fufficient to reftore him, and who is ready to heal his backflidmgs and accept the calves of his lips. This {hould engage us when chaftned for our fmful departures, to excite one another in the lan- guage of Ephraim and Judah, Hof. vi. i. " Come, Jet *' us return unto the Lord j for he hath torn, and he *' will heal us ; he hath fmitten, and he will bind us " up." In this confidence every repenting finner, and backfliding people, may come to the Lord, and find reft for their fouls.
To conclude. Let this divine meflage be improved by the faithful in a way of prevention. This fallen church is direded to remember how (he had received, and heard; a ftep which was need iul towards her re- covery ; and the fame means will be of excellent ufe againft every temptation to fin, and of keeping up a lively fenfe of religion in the foul. Chriftian, let thy firft fetting-out in the ways of the Lord be ever before thee ; daily recolle6t the grace and power exerted in thy converfion j remember Bethel, where thou anointed the pillar, and began thy vows unto thy God ; when no eye faw thee, and thou gaveft thyfelf unto the B b 2 Lord 1
388 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
Lord J alfo frequently confider the manner and mo- tives of thy public furrender; with what reverence, hope and joy, waft thou baptized in the name of the Lord, came into his houfc, fat down at his table, and numbered thyfelf with his faints. O the grateful fenfe of his power and grace on thefe folemn occafions ! How did it melt thee, and caufe thee to pour out thy foul in fecret, with fervent fupplications, and holy re- folutions to cleave to the Lord with purpofe of heart ! A frequent review of thy experience in thefe gracious feafons hath a tendency to preferve thee in an hour of temptation, and prevent thofe backflidings which in many have made work for bitter repentaace j but if any man is already fallen into fin, this recolledlion will re- vive the evidence of his calling, and promote his re- covery, fince this is the language of a covenant God to his people, who mourn their declenfions : " Turn, *' O backlliding children, for I am married unto you." And again, " Return, thou backfliding Ifrael, faith the *' Lord, and I will not caufe mine anger to fall upon *.' you." Haft thou been thus mercifully reftored, my dear Friend ? it will appear in thy holinefs and lovej keep thyfelf unfpotted, and, notwithftanding thine un- worthlnefs, thou ftialt have honor with thy Redeemer at his appearance and kingdom.
LECTURE
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 389
LECTURE XXIV.
The faithful diftingu'fhed in a time of general defec- tion, with the promife of a glorious reward.
ITHERTO the epiflle has bore a gloomy and threatning afpe61; ; but to the upright there arifeth a light in darknefs ; an illuftrious ex- ample of this now appears for the encouragement of thofe who fear God in a degenerate age : " Thou haft ** a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled *' their garments ; and they fhall walk with me in " white, for they are worthy," ver. 4. Amidft the luke- warmnefs and hypocrify which in a manner univerfally prevailed, here are prefented to our view, chofen and faithful perfons excepted from the general indiitment, and owned of the Lord, with a promife. The names of God's people * are written in heaven, and ever be- fore him. This, no doubt is true in the moft literal fenfe, for it cannot with reafon be queftioned but the omnifcient Jefus, that great fhepherd of the flock f, calleth his own Iheep by name ; but, in the paflage be- fore us, names are evidently perfons, and the term thus applied conveys an idea of reputation and honor;
B b 3 for
* Luke X. 20.
•f- John X. 3. Accordingly fome perfons were prophefied of b3f name two •r three hundred years before their birth, witnefs Jofiah and Cyrus. Sec 1 Kings xiii. 2. a Kings xxii, xxiii, and lia. xliv. aS.
390 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE"
for inftance, Ecclef. vii. i. it is faid, *' A name," i. e. a good name, " is better than precious ointment.'' And again, Job, chap xxx. 8. fpeaks of bafe men, i. e. literally, men ivkhcut nanie^ ; not but the vileft of men are fometimes exalted ; as in the days of Malachi, chap. iii. 15. the proud were called happy, and they who worked wickednefs were fet up ; then the name of the righteous is rather a prey than a praife ; but, however defpifed or traduced by men, they are a fweet favour to God, and fhall be honored by him : So then thefe names are no other than eminent and honorable perfons of real charadler, and not of report only, as with the church in general, but good men and true, iri the fight of him who trieth the reins, and accordingly are efteemed and rewarded. This account contains a de- fcription of the perfons commended, their recompence of reward, and the propriety or fitnefs of conferring this honor^upon them. And they are defcribed,
I. By the fmallnefs of their number, a few. The flock of Chrift is little compared with the world, " Many be called but few chofen :" But the compari-: fon here is with the members of this church, the gene- rality of whom were fadly dec''ned, only here and there one, through grace, had maintained a good confci- ence, whom the Lord diftinguifnes from the reft. Numb rs are no certain note of truih, and the fmallefl part of a divided fociety may appear to be right; however, as we fhall prefently fee, the charaiter of the faithful, when religion is on the decline, is in proportion to the number of thofe who are defected ,
2. THEm
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 391
2. Their purity is another part of the defcription, " which have not defiled their garments." The allu- fion is obvious. Garments are what men inveft them- felves with, and in which they appear according to their rank and condition : Spiritually taken, they are the religious habit and courfe of nominal chriftians, in the light of God, angds and men. Thus we read, Ifa. Ixi. 10. of the " garments of falvation, and the robe *' of righteoufnefs." Thefe, at lead the latter of thefe, is no other than the righteoufnefs of God, v/hich is by the faith of Jefus Chrifl, with which al! true be- lievers are clothed and adorned unto their compleat and everlafting juftiiication ; but here it feems principally, if not folely intended, of the profeilion and behaviour, of thofe honorable difciples, and points to their order, the ftedfaftnefs of their faith, and tlieir holy converfa- tion : Thus holy Job declares, in vindication of his charafler, chap. xxix. 14. " I put on righteoufnefs " and it clothed me j my judgment was as a robe and *' a diadem." In like manner thefe upright fouls were not turned from the fimplicity of the gofpel, nor tainted with the common pollutions, but held faft, having nobly withftood the prevailing corruptions, and kept themfelves clean, " hating even the garment fpotted *' with the flefh," like the virgins mentioned, Rev. xiv. 4. who had *' not defiled themfelves with women." Thefe, I fay, as chafle virgins efpoufed to Chrift, were free from the fpots by which many had difgraced them- felves and his name ; not that we are to fuppofe they had no defedls to lament, or were totally free from Gccafional error : it is not faid that their garments were B b 4 not
392 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
not defiled, but that they had " not defiled their gar- *' ments." Whether the Reader fees a real difFerence between thefe forms of expreflion or not, I piefume he will readily admit, that this account (hews they had not wilfully corrupted themfflves, but preferved their integrity, and bore a teftimony, at lead in their pradlice, againft the difordcr and licentioufnefs which prevailed in the church, and had reduced her to fo threatning a condition. Thus they were without guile before God, and free from the general charge. And,
3. The integrity of thefe worthy perfons is further illullrated, by a glance on the exceeding degeneracy of the people with whom they flood connected, ivcn in Sardis. The particle is juftly fupplied; it being won- derful indeed that any ih luld be clean in fo degenerate a company, among whom the life and power of reli- gion was in a manner cxtinci J yet this was the fa6l, notwithdanding the community was declining apace, and even nigh to a diifolution, through the depravity of her members, there was a number, though but iewy who were enabled to retain a fpirit and conducl be- com.ing their holy profeiiion, with whom th'.- Lord was well-plcafed.
This report Is made to the angel or minifler of the church : '-'• Thou haft a {qvj names, he.'' I apprehend, not fo much to info»-m him, for can it be fuppofed that thefe luigular piofcflbrs were uiiknown to their paftor ? Not without highly impeaching his charader. Forma- lity and fin in a people are a fnare to their minifler; and when errors and diforders prevail, it requires pe- culiar
TO THE CHURCH AT SAUDIS. 393
euliar fortitude and grace to withftand the tide of cor- ruption, fo as not in any degree to connive at fome evil, and deferve reproof; but though I would not itift- nuate that pallors arc never, or even fcldom to blame, the contrary of which is notorious, nor would I cover or extenuate their faults, which are more heinous thitn the errors of perfons in a private capacity ; yet, as for- merly hinted, it doth not appear that the oliniiter at Sardis is particularly charged; it feems therefore natu- ral, in charity, to rank h m among thofe faithful fer- vants of the Lord who are grieved to the heart to fee thino-s dyinu under th-::ir hands: In the like furrowful cafe we fee fome have been overwhelmed, they have dwelt on the decienfions and apoftacies of the multi- tude, and overlo'ked the exceptions there are from ihc general decay, till they have almoft delpaircdofa re- covery: Thus Elias thought he was alone^ and that. true religion would expire with his bfe, when at the fame time a very large number were referved from the idolatry of the times. And this notice fiom the Lord to his fervant at Sardis feems to be to comfort him, and alfo to infpire him v/ith courage to attempt a reforma- tion; Be that as it msy, in this inftance we fee, and it mayjuftlybe admired, that the exalted S-iviour, the great and chief Shepherd, gracioufly florps from his throne, to give his under keepi^r an account of the flae of his flock, before whom, as thir judge, both he and his backfl.ding people were fliortly to appear.
Now the recompence infured thefe upright difciples, is not any prefent or temporary reward, but an honor and happjnefs far exceeding every thing to be enjoyed
in
394 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
in this world, and is couched in the following terms, " l^hey fhall walk with me in white." Some re- fp£lable writers * have thought that this of walking with, or before God, is peculiar to a pleafing admini- ftration of an office : Thus did Enoch as a prophet, and Isioah as a preacher of righteoufnefs. And i Sam. ii. 30. the Lord faith unto Eli, *' I faid indeed, that thy *' houfe, and the houfe of thy father, fhould walk be- *' fore me for ever;" i. e. as appears from the context, in the office of a prieft : But, with fubmiffi m, the phrafe is extended to the behaviour or walk of the faithful in a private capacity. Abraham, though poflefled of a promife that his feed fhould be multiplied, feems not invefted, properly fpeaking, with an office when the Lord faid unto him, *' Walk before me, and *' be thou perfedl," Gen. xvii. i. However, it is cer- tain that " to walk humbly with thy God," Mic. vi. 8. is not confined to perfons of a public charadler, but that it becomes every chrilliain to " walk worthy of the *' Lord unto all well-pleafmg," according to Col. i. 10. and other paflages in the New-Teftament, where the fame idea is conveyed. In this fenfe, they who defile not their garments, walk before God with an holy avve of his divine majefty and prefence, and an hatred of fin ; and in keeping his commandments they are often indulged wiih that fweet communion, and tliofe mani- feftations of his love, which greatly over-ballance every trial they meet with j but the reward here intended is manifeftly future; and accordingly it is laid out in terms, frequently ufed by the Holy Ghoft, to fet forth
the
* Aynfwoith on Gen, v. 24. ^nd vi, 9.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 395
the bleflednefs of the righteous in the world to come, which it may be ufeful to confider : And,
1. It is faid, " they fhall walk.'* In natural walk- ing the powers of the body are exercifed, and the fub- je£l makes a delightful progreffion to the end he is purfuing: it denotes life, ftrength, freedom aiid joy, and moft fitly reprefents their happinefs who are enter- ed into life, free from weaknefs and fm, and filled with joy in the prefence of God : This agrees with Ih. XXXV. 10. 1 he redeemed fhall walk there. And again, chap. Ivii. 2. it is faid of good men de- parted, that " they reft in their beds, each one walk- " ing in his uprightnefs." And further it is affirmed. Rev. xxi. 24. that " the nations of them which *' are faved {hall walk in the light of the heavenly " city." Again,
2. To be with God or with Chrift ; i, e. in their im- mediate prefence, is another known defcription of the faints in paradife. Thus in Phil. i. 23. Paul declares his defire " to depart and to be with Chrift." And our Saviour in John xvii. 24. prays to the Father, fay- ing, " I will that thofe whom thou haft given me be " with me where I am ;" namely, in heaven, " that they *' may behold my glory." And,
3. This honor of the faithful is ftill more ftrongly exprefled by their walking with Jefus in white', this Vvill occur in a fubfequent ledure, but it is needful to
touch.
396 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
touch on it here. White is an emblem of purity and glory: Thus appeared the angel that rolled back, the ftone from the fepulchrej we are told, that " h's rai- *' ment was white as fnow." In like manner when our Lord was transfigured on the mount, his vefture was white as light, a brightncfs more reCplendent than the meridian fun. It may allude to the garircnrs of the priefts, who were dreffed in white linen, to fignify their confecration and acceptance with the Lcird, who is holy, or rather to the v/hite robes which conquerors anciently wore in their triumphal proceflions ; both ideas are fuited to the charadler of the faithful " who overcome ** through the blood of the Lamb, being made kings " and priefts unto God, and his Father," Rev. i. 6. In a word, if it be enquired, Vthen this will come to pafs ? No doubt it will commence in a degree in the feparate flate of the righteous, but the reference is more direcSlly to the fecond appearance of Chrift, even to that grand proceflion of Jefus in the day of his revelation from heaven, when he fliall be glorified in his faints, and admired in all them that believe; or rather it ter- minates in the ultimate glory of the redeemed, which fhall be everlalling. Thus each member of the pro- miffary fentence correfponds with the language of fcripture, when it points out the future glory of the faints, and together they yield a full and mofl lively defcription of the reward which is laid up for thofe who maintain their integrity, and hold out to the end.
It remains to confider the propriety or fitncfs of con- ferring this honor on thefe holy men, and the reafon
affigned
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 397 afligned is no other than this, " for they are worthy." Now methinks the fincere believer is ready to blufii at this gracious expreffion : Can worthiness be juftly af- cribed to a finful creature, redeemed by the blood of Jefus ? O my foul, what is thy faith, or what are thy worki ? Suppofe thou haft not defiled thy garments, is it more than became thee ? Thou art then an unprofit- able fervant, and ft ill more indebted to the fovcieign mercy, and power of God, by whom thou haft flood, and thy boafting is for ever excluded. In this manner will the pureft faint upon earth, on the appre- henfion of there being any glory attributed to him, however comparatively perfect his works, in point of integrity, check the firft rifing thought of merit in himfelf, and with unfeigned humility and gratitude de- clare : " By the grace of God I am what I am." But the truth is, that no fuch worthinefs is intended. The labourer, we fay, is worthy of his hire ; he hath earned his wages, and it is his juft due; alfo the wicked righteoufly fuffer the vengeance of the Almighty, they ftridlly and properly deferve the punifhment they en- dure, Rom. i. 32. but worthinefs in this fenfe cannot be afcribed to the heirs of falvation by grace.
Nor will it fuffice to fay that believers are gra- cioufly accepted through the merits of Chiift; doubt- lefs the work which the Redeemer finifhed on his crofs, when he made compleat atonement for fin, is the de- ferving caufe of his people's fruition of glory, but thii does not come up to the terms in the text, for it ex- prefly declares that they are worthy j thefe very per- fons are the real, proper and immediate fubje<Ss of this
worthinefs,
398 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
worthinefs, whatever it be. To clear up this point we muft note, that a perfon may be worthy in rel'pe^l of merit or meetnefs, now, as already hinted, a worthi- nefs of merit is difclaimed by the chriftian, nor can it be decently afcribed to him in relation to his future in- heritance. All the works and felf-denial which attend the ftridieft proteflion of godlinefs, or the holieft con- v.erfation, however diftinguiftiing, exalted or valuable in its p ace, weighs not a fmgle grain towards the kingdom of heaven. A title to glory lies in the dona- tion of the Father, and in the purchafe of his Son, in and with whom the faints become heirs; it follows that thefe difciples are declared worthy in refpeil of their meetnefs for g'ory to come, which appeared in their faith and evangelical obedience. Thus the apo- ftle is to be underftood when he tells* the afflicted Theflalonians, 2 epiftle i. 5. that their tribulations were with a view to their being counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which they' alfo fufFered. And again, ver. 11. he faith, "We pray always for you, that *' God would count you worthy of this calling." But how ? by reckoning their fufFerings, however great, the meritorious caufe of their enjoying this kingdom ? God forbid we Ihould thus attempt to rob the Redeemer of his glory, in whofe obedience unto death alone this caufe is to be found ! How then ? The anfwer follows : " And *' fulfil all the good pleafure of his goodnefs, and the work " of faith with power." This counting them worthy, therefore, is no other than to finifli the good work be- gun in them, and thereby compleat the evidence of their efFedual calling, that their real charadler as faints may be manifeft. By this divine operation and in- fluence
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 399
fluence, the faithful perfevere, and even, if required, will refift unto blood ; and their fufFcrings for righ- . teoufnefs fake fhall manifeft that they are of thofe to whom the promife is given. Now this is the fenfe in which thefe men of Sardis are faid to be worthy, i e, they appeared by their purity in do6lrine and life, amidft abounding corruption, to be holy perfons, the fubje^ls oi like precious faith with God's ele£t, and con- fequently Abraham's feed, and heirs according to ^the promife. Thus in the laft and great day the righteous Judge will count, i. e. having compleated his work in his faints, he will fhew them to be worthy ; their works of holinefs fhall prove that they are his difciples indeed, to the glory of his name, and the fhame of thofe who accufe them.
Thus even in Sardis, when the church in that city was formal and lifelefs, and her members in general fadly corrupted, infomuch that her things were dying away, there was a remnant of excellent perfons, who, by the grace of God, efcaped the common pollution, and retained their integrity; of thefe the Lord moil gracioufly condefcends to bear witnefs unto his fervant, their paftor, pronouncing them holy, and worthy, or meet for the reward of the inheritance, and accord- ingly declares, that having finifhed their courfe and overcome, they fhould walk with him in white, or in robes of immortality and light. So then, like Enoch before he was tranflated, thefe worthies, even in the prefent ftate, obtain this witnefs that they pleafed God, which is at once a pledge and vindication of their being admitted to the glories of his everlafting kingdom.
From
4C0 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
From this example, we learn that apoftacy proceeds from conuption. It is ouiiig to the indulgence of the fleih that men turn afuie from the ways of the Lord. If the flc rts of thofe whofe works are not perfect are expofed, ^c will be foui-d that they thtmfelves are un- clean and the fou^ce of their {lumber and hypocrify will appear. The members of the natural body are not deficient or uftlefs but through fome prevailing difor- der, although for a fcafon it may not be difcerned : In like manner, however awhile, church-members may cover their defects with deceitful pretences, it gene- rally turns out that they are cold and unprofitable throup;h a fecret allowance of fm ; fome error or lull is harboured, which, Hke a worm at the root, eats out their ftrength. Hence they are flothful and partial, as it is written, " Men love not the truth, becaufe *' they have pleafure in unrighteoufnefs ;" " where- " fore he faith, Awake thou that fleepeft, and arife " from the dead, and Chrift fhall give thee light," Eph. v. 14. An alarm occafioned by the prefumption of fome of whom it is faid, " It is a fhame even to " fpeak of thefe things which are done of them in fe- *' cret." Accordingly fome error, in principle or prac- tice, lies at the bottom of an unfruitful behaviour un- der a profeffion of religion, and unlefs the old leaven is purged out, the hypocrite will jincreafe unto more un- godlinefs, till his iniquity is full^ and his end is de- ftrudtion.
At Sardis, as in every city, there was but .one gof- pel-church, which, confidering the popularity of the
place.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 401
place, and the fucccfs which had attended the preach- ing or the: word, muft be fuppofed very large, and when fuch a community became depraved in the de- gree reprefrnted, the danger was great, yet a few are preferved. Thus in the worft of times the Lord hath a people that fear him. In the old world, uhen vio- lence covered the earth, Noah was righteous in his fight; alfo in Sodom pious Lot dwelt; and, what faith the Lord to \r lias, when he thought himfelf alone ? as referred to before: *' 1 have referved feven thou land' " that have not bowed the knee to Baal." So in the days of iVlalachi, when facrilege and infidelity abounded in Ifrael, we fhall find perfons who thought on the name of the Lord ; and in ages fince, particularly when antichnlt fpread through the nations, and the world wandered after the beaft, witnelTes arofe who are famed in hiftory for the noble teitimony they bore to the truth, through fulFeiings, and even at the expence of their blood.
And Ihall the righteous be overlooked or forgotten ? Far be it ; Jefus remembers thefe fev/ names in Sardis ; he will ever be mindful of thofe who cleave to hitn, when others forfake him. 1 he Lord is a God of judgment, and feparates the precious from the vile. In an evil time the faithful may lie in obfcurity; they may he driven into corners, or obliged to conceal themfelves, but the eye of the Lord is on them who figh and cry for the prevailing abominations, and he will certainly mark them in love ; for a feafon they may be m heavinefs, but their forrows in the end fhall turn to their unfpeakable advantage ; in the mean time their C c fingulai-
402 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
fingular purity and zeal fliines the brighter, by reafon of the darknefs ot tranfgrelFors with whom they are co- temporary ; befides fuch are frequently taken from the evil to come, or hid in the day of God's anger, or it may be they are wonderfully preferved in the midft of bis judgments J but if he has allotted them to fall with the wicked in a general deftru£l:ion, which is fome- times the cafe, they are gathered to himielf, and his promife is fure.
What then is the lofs or fhame which may at- tend thofe who cleave to the Lord, compared with their reward ? Holinefs and zeal in a degenerate age, when a lifelefs profeflion is current, will expofe a man to contempt and ill-will j the ungodly will turn upon him, and on every occafion reproach him ; he will be fure to meet with the refentment of thofe who ?re con- tent with a name J this, joined to fatan's temptations, and the conflicts he has with his own flefli, together with his concern for the honor of religion, and in a word, what he feels for thofe whofe God is their belly, and who are haftening to ruin, may at prefent diftrefs him, but a joyful harveft of the tears which he fows to the Spirit is infured him, he fliall remember his for- rows as waters that pafs away, and find that reckoning, juft, that " the fufFerings of this prefent time are not " worthy to be compared with the glory that fhall be *« revealed in the faints."
But {hall everyone who is advanced to the king- dom of glory, hereafter appear a meet fubjedl ? fhall his works be found perfed, and prove his faith and true
holinefs
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 403
holinefs in the day of revelation ? Then the divine pu- rity and juftice, and every mora! p'=rfc6rion of Deity, will be vindicated arid honored, in crowning the faints wifi immortality and life ; but, what will become of the licentious profeflbr, who prefumes on his religious character, and holds the truth in unrighteoufnefs. Would God there were none of this appearance ! But alab, the fioots which are feen on the garments of fome who call themfelves chri^ians I How are they wander- ino- from God, and making provifion for the flcfh, to the-srief of thofe witii wh .m thev are in communion, while the enemy blafphemes ! Such rv.-iy hav'e a name that they live,, but in the fight of God and good men they are dead ; they |live in the pride and pleafure of life, and are dead while they live; yet they hope to be faved, and it highly offends them to queftion their ftate. Fatal delufion ; unlefs thev repent! The Lord convince fuch men of th?ir folly and deceit, left, overtaken as by a thief in the night, they fall fhort of the heaven they boafl, and are covered with fhame and everlafting contempt.
And now, chriflian Reader, dofl thou expe£l to join in the illuftrious procefTion, and to walk in white with the Lord at his cominy ? dofl: thou lock for this reward and for a place amons; the faints in the ren^ions of lio-ht? then hare and (hun the appearance o^ evil; let unbe- lievers and hypocrites, who have no hope or defire of this bleffed inheritai.ee, live as the\ li^; their diforders and licentioufnefs fuit their character and end ; but thou art a candidate for glory and honor ; the leaft ftain of fm is a difgrace to thy profefHon. In the pro- C c 2 fpedi
404 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
fpe£l of triumph with Chrift, at his appearance and kingdom, the believer is proof againft every temptation to iukewarmnefs and apoll^acy j it will infpire his foul with refoluiion and courage in a feafon of trial, and efpecially when he at-tends to the animating affurance which follows : " He that overcometh, the fame fhall " be clothed in white raiment ; and I will not blot out ** his name out of the book of life, but 1 will confefs " his name before my Father, and before his angels j" but this will be the fubjedl of another le£lure.
LECTURE XXV.
The honors decreed the believer in the day of Chrift ; being a defcription of his white raiment, the book of life, and likewife what is implied in not having his name blotted out of that book.
THE plan on which all the epiftles to the churches in Afia are formed, among other articles, con- tains a promife to him that overcometh j and in the lec- ture immediately preceeding, we have feen that a glo- rious reward is laid up for the righteous, an affurance of which is repeated with enlargement in the following proclamation, the fubjedl of our prefent difcourfe : " He that overcometh the fame fhall be clothed in " white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out " of the book of life ; but I will confefs his name be- •'* fore my Father and before his angels." A declara- tion
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 405
tion from the throne in the heavens, not only to ani- mate the few whofe garments were clean, but likewife for the encouragement of every convinced backflider to repent, in confidence of pardon and life : So wonderful is the patience and mercy of God. And the man who can be impenitent under this blefTed report, is manifeftly perverfe, and will in the end ftand felf-condemned, and juftly perilh with the workers of iniquity.
The promife is exceeding punctual with refpcft to its objedl. He^ the fame, that very identical perfon, under whatever age, charailer, or circumftances ■ he may fight the good fight, (hall be clothed v/ith honor and glory. Hence note by the way, that the eye of the Lord is on each nominal chriftian, and that he will not mifapply the rewards of his grace.
Faith is a warfare, and every believer comes under the notion of a foldier: he may not be an officer, who is flationed in the front, and thereby more particularly^- expofed to the fire of the enemy ; but I fay every chri- ftian is a foldier, under the Captain of falvation. This is the general characSler of the faithful : they are all fwordfmen, and fliould be expert in this war, that fub- duing their enemies they may triumph at laft. Thus we have the fituation, bufinefs and end of the be- liever in this militant ftate, he is one that overcometh. To overcome, fuppofes powerful and dangerous oppo- fition ; it carries in it an adlual and toilfome confli6l, confifts with many fears, and even temporary foils ; it requires a refolute perfeverance, and is perfected in final viilory. Our text, therefore, is as a trumpet blown in C c 3 the
4o6 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
the midft of an engagement, whi'e the em my is pufti- Jng, and threatens, that the believer may be infpired with courage, and conquer.
The powers againft •'horn rhe chrifliian is engaged, are known to be tie world, the fleth and the devil ; but, alas, in appearance this knowledge is often meer fpe- culation. Can a juft idea of thefe fubt'e and vigilant forces, admit of the wanton and carelefs manner which prevails in the conduct of many ? Surely, if we really apprehended danger from fo many quarters we fliould be more on our guard. Thefe enemies are uncertain and various in their manner, but there is no place, charaiSler, or circumflances, in civil or ri-ligious life, fecure from their attempt to injure and deftroy. Noiv the trial is more fenfible from one of thefe parties, and then from another, and frequently they are both to be difcerned in the attack; however their intereft is unit- ed, they are fiibfervient to each ether, and their view is the fame j to conquer and ruin. In moft temptations fatan is the principal, the ficfh gives occafjcn, and the world affords the materials. In a v.'ord, there is an endlefs change in the meafurcs taken by ihefe. rcftlefs adverfaries, as permitted, according to the dirFerent fituation of the believer, or {late of the vifible church in h''; f^ay. Someiimes faran ranges as a roaring lion, he com'is ciovvn, as in the daysofperfccution, i Pet. v. 8. At another time, like a ferpent, as when he enticed mo- ther Eve, he corrupts in a more imperceptible, but not ]efs effectual manner: Then his artillery are not depri- vation of goods, exile, file and fword, but by herifies, delufions, and fnares of this world, of which he is the
god I
TO THE CHURiCH AT SARDIS. 407
god ; he infinuates and deceives men into lukewarm- nefs and di-forder, till the example of formal profeflbrs are more than fufficient to anfwer his end. And thus it often comes to pafs, as at Sardis, that a people have a name that they live, when, alas, in truth they are dead, and are in danger of being overtake;n in judg- ment by an offended God, who is jealous of his glory, and whofe anger is more to be dreaded, than all the malice and power of men or devils, v/ho would turn us afide from his ways. Whether there are any fymp- toms of the like condition on the Proteftant churches, at home or abroad, in the prefent day, the Reader will judge: But when this is the cafe, the upright are un- der peculiar temptations, from the number of apoftates, fome of whom may have been famous for their feeming knowledge and zeal for religion : They are likewife in danger from the fpecious fhew of time-ferving men, who often make a found of liberty, charity, goodnefs and virtue, but at the fame time they are full of all fubtlety and mifchief, to captivate men from the faith, experience and order of the gofpel. Moreover, the ill treatment which the faithful fometimes meet with for their ftedfaftnefs, by thofe who fall in with the corrup- tion of the times, the burthen laid on them, through the deficiency of others, with whom they are con- nedled in fociety, their fears of being overcome, and it may be of a total diffolutioh of the church in [thes place where they dwell ; thefe, and other things that time would fail to mention, are a fore trial to them who love God, in a day of general declenfion. " Blefs- " ed is he that endureth to the end : He that "over- " Cometh, the iame Ihall be clothed in white raiment j C c 4. *' and
4o8 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
'' and I will not blot out his name out of the book of " life, but I will confefshis name before my Father and *' before his angels." A glorious pr^mife, which Je- fus him felf {lands engaged to fulfil! It is laid out; in, three diftinii: branches; they correfpond with each other, and together yield a mod: animatino' profpecl, of the honor of the faints, at the coming of the Lord, The two firfl: are highly figurative, and are explained by the laft, which runs in plain language,
T. It is declared, that the victorious faint " {hall *' be clothed in white raiment." The fame metaphor occurred in the foregoing ledure, in which it was noted, that white is an emblem of purity, glory, conqueft and joy. Thus, Rev. xv. 6. " the angels came out of " the temple with the vials of wrath, clothed in pure *' and white linen," in token of their holinefs and fplen Jor. For the fame reafon, chap, iv. 4, " the ** four and twenty elders fit round about the thrqne *' clothed in white raiment, with crowns of gold on " their heads." And further, as hinted, it was the an- cient cudom to make triumphal proceffion in white: To v/hich agrees. Rev. vi. 2. TheCap^ain of falvation, the Lord of hofts, is beheld "an a v^hite horfe, with *' a bow in his hand, when a crown was given him, *' on which he went forth conquering and to conquer." And in chap. xix. 14. the armies that followed him are alfo in veiled in w'lite. Once more, to the fame purpofe alfo is chap, vii 11. "John beheld, and lo, a " multitude flood before the throne and bcfpre the ^' Lamb, clothed with white robcf, and palms in their '? h,^ndsi" vyhich is another eftablilhed token of vic- tory.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 409 tory. Some indeed confine this to the martyrs, who, on account of their fufFerings for Chrift, may be faid to "have wafhed their robes, and made them white in " the blood of the Lamb," and ftile it the enfign of martyrs ; but, with fubmiflion, however the phrafe may be pecuHarly adapted to thofe who fealed the tefti- monyofjefus with their blood, it is not confined to them ; there is indeed a noble army of witnefles to the truth, who fhine in the kingdom of glory, and whofe crowns maybe of fingular luftre, but the vifion feems rather to comprehend all the redeemed who have attained the heavenly ftate. However, there is another way of being wafhed in the blood of the Lamb, befides that of martyrdom, and without which even the mar- tyrs themfelves could not ftand before God in his temple above J and it is certain, that the promife un- der confideration hath refpe<St to the faithful, whofe fufFerings aiid trials arofe from a different quarter than that of pcifecution.
If one ftate is Intended by the whole of the promife, which will fcarce be denied, it cannot terminate in any future period of the chuich on earth, as fome are of opinion ; the finifhing claufe manifeftly refers to the day of revelation, when the faints fliall appear with their illuftrious Head m a glorious manner, i. As in- verted with the robe of righteoufnefs brought in by the Mefliah, when he made reconciliation for iniquity by his obedience to the death of the crofs. This is fitly compared to white raiment. Rev. iii. 18. for its infi- nite purity and ineffable glory, being the righteoufnefs pf a divine perfon, though wrought in and by the hu- man
410 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
man nature, which he affumed, in order to redeem us. This fpotlefs robe is now upon every one thar believ- eth, Rom. iii. 22. in which he (lands juftified, and' perfedly comely in the fight of God, like Joftiua the pritft, Zech. iii. 4. his iniquity is pafledaway, and he is clothed with change of raiment, no charge can lie agalnft him, Rom. viii. i. Thus the church is de~ fcriled; " Her cloathing is of wrought gold, mafTy and *' bright," Pfalmxlv\ 13. And fometimes the chiiftian can rejoice in his God, beholding himfclf herein decked as a prieft, and adorned as a bride with her jewels ; yet this is not always the cafe, a believer may be in the dark, and doubt his ov/n (late, but when Jefus is re- vealed from heaven, his faints (hall be arrayed in this garment of falvation, and fhall find themfelves hono- rably acquitted in the preTnce of all. But, 2. Ano- ther branch of his glory will be the beauty of holinefs : *' The King's daughter is likewife all glorious within." A perfeclion in holinefs is laid up in the hope of the gofpel ; it is the earnefl: defire and expecl"ation of every true chriftian, and towards which fome make greater advances in the prefent ftate than others ; at beit he is deficient, but in the future worid his fpirit is made per- fe£l ; and when he comes with his Saviour from heav- en, his wiiole fpirit, foul and body will be wholly fan(5lified, he fhall appear blamelefs and without fault : fo that his righteoufnefs in this fenfe will break forth as the light, the fplendor of which will cover bis mali- cious accufers with fliame at the refurredlion. For, 3. The chriftian will be clothed with white in re- fpe6l of his glorified body. We have feen the raiment of Jefus on the mount was white as light j a figure and
earneft
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 411
carneft of his future glory, when rifen from the dead ; and to this we kno.v bis faints will be conformed, Rom. viii. 29. Phil. iii. 21. ''for we fliall fee him as *' he is," I John iii. 2. Of this blefied hope, the refur- reftion of Jefus is an infallible pledge, 1 Cor. xv. Now the chriftian may be faid to be clothed with vile raiment in refpedl of his finful and mortal body, but when it is fafliioned like that in which his Saviour fits- at the right hand oFGod, it will be an eflential part of his glory. Finally, The luftreof each believer will, I apprehend, greatly arife from his vifible union in the church, unto Jefus the head, and to every member of his glori- ous and myftical b '.dy, v/ho wil- then appear in their brighteft apparel before the Father and his angels ; then wiU the faint that overcometh, fit down v/ith his Lord in his throne, in exceeding white raiment, with all the en- figns of victory and triumph, and with him enter the kingdom, where the wife fhall Hiine as the fun in the firmament, and as the flars, for ever and ever. Thefe are the fliining garments which the fons of Zion ftiall put on in the day of the Lord ; they {hall be invefted with the righteoufnefs of their Redeemer, as with gold; the fine linen of perfect and fpotlefs purity fhall adorn them, their bodies (hall then be fpiritual and glorious ; and further, they fhall be clothed in robes of everlafting light, as members of Chrift and one another, who have gained a total and final vitSory over all their enemies, and are crowned with honor in the eternal kingdom of the Father. In one word, then (hall come to pafs that faying, " He will beautify the meek with falva- f« tion."
We
124 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
We now come to the fecond branch of the promife ; ** And I will not blot out his name out of the book of '* life.'* As hinted already, thefe are figurative terms, and they plainly allude in general to a well-known in- ftrurnent, in which things are noted down to be brought to remembrance as occafion requires, and par- ticularly to the ufe of books in a court of judicature, where caufes are tried and determined. Our concern in attending unto them, is to avoid every idea unworthy of God, or of divine revelation : With this caution I at- tempt to faew from the fcripture, our only fure guide, what may be underftooi by the book of life, and the im- port of this promife, namely, that Chrift will not blot out the believer's name out of his book.
Daniel, chap. vii. relates his vifion of the Father, who is ftiled " The Ancient of days;" by whom he faw all judgment committed to the Son of man, who alfo appeared with the clouds of heaven. A grand and awful vifion, which enters deeply into the myftery of God ! 1 he prophet declares, that *' the judgment was *' fer, and the books were opened." The like fcene is prefented to John in the ifle of Patmos, Rev. xx. 12. "I " law the dead, fr.all and great, (land before God, and *' the bouks were opened ;" not that we are to fuppofe that, properly fpcaking, books will be wanted, or ufed at the tribunal of Chrift; he is net like earthly judges, unto whom, as obferved, the allufion [is made, who, with all their fuperior ability, ftand in need of fuch means to affift and direct them : the infinite underftand- ing, and other perfe6lions of the divine Jefus, who is
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 413
judge, forbid this low conception; before him all things are prefent and naked from the end to the beginn n;^ ; no witnefTes, no records are needful, no ; he hjth abi- lity in himlelf to execute his impoitant commiffion, and not a man fiiall have caufe to complain of his judgment, or be able to appeal from his bar. Yet this is the repeated language of fcripture, the books fhall be opened, and fomething no doubt is referred to by this term, which demands our attention ; we may therefore foberly enquire. What are thefe books ? I an- fwer, in general, every objed fenfible or fpirituaJ, which the Holy Ghoft has thought fit, dire<flly or indi- redlly, to prefent to our view under the notion of a book, may be juftly numbered among thofe that fhall be opened in the day of judgment ; it will therefore be pertinent to mention thefe books, at leaft the principal ones, in our way to that exprefled in this promifeu And, I. In Pfalm xix. univerfal nature is compared to a book, which declares and fpeaks as it were, in words or lines, the exiftence, infinite wifdom, and other per- feiStions of its glorious Author. 7 his ^xtenfive volame contains the vifible heavens and earth, with all its amazing furniture and innumerable inhabitants; it lies open for the inftrudtion of man, and to put him in re- membrance, that, beholding the eternal power and god- head therein expreffed, he might adore and ferve his bounteous Creator and Lord ; by this the heathen ftand condemned for their idolatry and immoral be- haviour, Rom. ii. I. And again, Confcience is ano- ther thing reprefented as retaining to the view of man things pait or prefent; it generally fpeaks now to every mani but if, through the indulgence of fin, the tranf-
greflbr
414 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE '
grtffor is feared, or finally impenitent, and this book is fjuit, it will open at the tribunal of God to his coniulion and condemnation for ever. There is like- wife the book of fcripiure j that folemn guard on the facred writing, Rev. xxii. i8. ftiled the words of the prophecy of this book, is not to be confined to that which is commonly called. The book of the revelation of St. John the divine, but is to be extended to the oracles of God, without any exception. This code coiitains the books of Mofes, the pfalms, and the pro- phets, and likewife the evangelifts, the Adls, and every epiftle of the New-Teftament, out of which thofe {hall be judged who enjoy the benefit of divine revelation. Aud further, we read of the book of the law, 1 mean the covenant of works, which whether confidered as written in the heart, or exhibited under the difpenfation of Mofes, demands particular notice ; in this dreadful book every tranfgrtfibr is written accurfed. Gal. iii. lO. It is a miniftration of condemnation and death to every man who is under the law, and no doubt this will alfo be opened when the judgment is fet, when all that are in it (liall perifti with a miferable deftruclion : But, here is another book ftill, which is pointed to in the promife before us, namely, the book of life ; this book or roll, we are exprcfiy told, will be unfolded, and that it will appear diflincSl from, and after all the reft. Rev. XX. 12. " And another book was opened, which *' is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of *' thofe things which were written in the book, &c." Paul fpeaks of this book, Phil. iv. 3. and mentions fome perfons whofe' names he was pcrfuaded were in it. We alfo read, Rev. xiii. 8. of them that worfhipped the
beaft.
TO THE CHURCH AT S ARDIS. 415
beaft, that their names are not written in the book of life, and the fame is referred to in feveral other places; Now, what is intended in divine revelation by this im- portant and interefting book ? There is a record in heaven concerning the fpirit and conduit of the faith- ,ful, which is fl-iied in Mai. iii. 17. a *' book of remem- " brance," and faid to be ^vritten before the Lord for them that feared him ; of which in a fublequent lec- ture. God is not unrighteous to forget the love of his faints, but will remember their works in the day of ac- count ; but I apprehend this book of lite is no other than the roll of eleding love, or, in other words, the decrees of God concerning his chofen and redeemed among men ; in proof of this I Ihall fhew that the de- crees of the Almighty in general, and confequently thofe which relate to the counfels of his mercy in par- ticular, are mentioned under the idea of a book, and then point out fome circumftances revealed concernino- the book of life, which is the fubje£t in hand.
Nothing can be more clear than that the fecret purpofe or decree of God, in reference to nature and providence, are reprefented under the notion of being written in a book. In reference to our natural frame, fays David, Pfalm cxxxix, 16. *' Thme eyes did fee " my fubftance yet being imperfect, and in thy book " all my members were written," i. e. determined or decreed, before thou gaveft them adual exiftence. The fame may be obferved in refpecf of providence. Re- markable to this purpofe is the paffage in Daniel, chap. X. 21. to which I crave the Render's attention. The
angel
4i6 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE angel fays to the prophet, " I will fhew thee that " which is noted in the fcripture of truth." This agrees with the property of a book in which things are noted. Now the fcripture of truth in Daniel cannot be underftood of the written word in his time, for the prophet was well acquainted with all divine revelation then extant ; and it is manifeft that the angel refers to an event yet to come, and which hitherto lay concealed in the bofom of the Father ; here is therefore an un- doubted inftance of the fecret purpofe of God being re- prefented as it were noted before him in a book j and doth not this prove the doctrine of predeftination, which feme men blalpheme ? Indeed the election of God lies at the foundation of all the grace communi- cated to any of fallen Adam's race from the beginning, in time, and in the glories of eternity ; and if the de- crees of God may be confidered as a book which con- tains all his purpofe and counfel in reference to creation and providence, there is no reafon againft conceiving in like manner of the things which concern the ftili more wonderful work of redemption. In [this book of life are written all things relating to the falvation of the cleft, and particularly the certain objefls of that fore- knowledge, or love, which was difplayed in their ap- pointment to glory by Jefus Chrift j nor is it ftrange that he who recorded the various parts of the human body before it was formed ihould note, as in a book be- fore him, all the members of that myflical body, the church, who fliall enjoy him for ever ; they are " vef- *' fels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glo- " ry," Rom. ix. 23. Their names are in this book
of
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 417
of decree, yea, doubtlefs ftridly and literally, as hint- ed before *, the very names by which they are knoWli in this life are included, for in fome in- ftances, as in Jofiah and Cyrus, proper names of per- fons were exprefly revealed, even centuries before they "were born ; but this is nnt peculiar to the chofcn, nor infifled on here ; the phrafe is metaphorical, and it is enough that the heirs of falvat on are marked in this booic, and that, being found written therein in the day of judgment, they will then take poffeflion of the king- dom prepared for thofe whom the Father hath blefl- ed, from the foundation of the world.
Nor is fcr'pture filent or even fparing concerning this wonderful and interefting volume. We read in Luke X. 20. that the names of the faints are written in heaven; and again, Heb. xii. 23. that the church of the firft-born, i. e. the names or perfons that make up that general aflembly, are written or enrolled in heav- -en J, which is thought to allude to the enrollment of the firft-born of literal Ifrael, Numb. iii. 40. However it is well known that the ancients wrote on rolls of parchment; now this roll or book muft needs be ori- ginally in heaven, fmce it exifted from eternity, which is the next thing recorded; Rev.xvii. 8. the book of life is faid to be " from the foundation of the world." Moreover in chap. xxi. 17. it is ftiled " the Lamb's *' book of life." And in chap. xiii. 8, thefe criterions are united ; where we read of fome whofe names are not written in " the book of life, of the Lamb flain ** from the foundation of the world." A paliage which
D d throvvs
* Page 389. ;J Dr. Owen on the plr.cc.
4i8 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
throws a light on this divine code, and agrees with the current. of prophecy, the general fubjedl of this book is no other than the redemption of the eledl by the blood of God's Son, whofe name is at the head of the chofen, as the firft-born among many brethren, pre- deftinated to the adoption of children by him, and co- heirs with him in the heavenly inheritance, to be en- joyed on the completion of his furetifhip-engagements, one eflential branch of which was the expiation of fm. Hence, when the Redeemer appeared to put away fm by the facrifice of himfelf, he faith, " Lo I come (in the " Volume of the Book, it is written of me) to do " thy will, O God." In the volume y.s^aXiJ*, i. e. in the head of the book, or roll, it is written of me ; they who would confine it to the written word, or to the writings of Mofes, which is emphatically ftiled the book, by the Jews, apply this to the firft promife, Gen. iii. 15. But, I think this addrefs of the Son to the Father is julily confidered as ultimately referring to the cove- nant of redemption, in which divine compact he fo- lemnly engaged to die for the fms of the people; certain it is that the fufFerings and death of Chrift were particularly noted in this eternal volume of decrees, for we have feen that he was " delivered " according to the determinate counfel and foreknow- '' ledge of God." From this ancient record, trea- fured up in the archives of heaven, previous to the commencement of time, the book of revelation is drawn, even the whole gofpel, which is a record of eternal life, promifed in Chrift before the world began. So then this idea of the decrees of the Almighty is af- forded in fcripture, they are noted as in a book before ( him.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 419
him, and the book of life in particular appears to be the fame with the Lamb's book of life, which is fre- quently'mentioned, and which contains the names of the el'£l:, and the methods of infinite wifdom in bring- ing them to glory by the.fufferings of Jefus, the only begotten of ihe Father. And furely, my Reader, if the divine deciees in general are in fcripture compared to a book, as you have feen, thofe which concern the falva- tibn of the church in Chrift may well be ftiled fo, tvith this fingular and illuftrious epithet, the book of life.
Now the Lord declares concerning him that over- cometh, faymg, *' I will not blot out his name out of *' the book of life." It appears, in Rev. xx. 15. that, in the judgment to come, whoever ;s not found written in the book of life, will be caft into the lake of fire; this part of the promife therefore proves that an inte- reft therein is of the utmoft importance. I am fenfible that fome fay, that to have a name written in heaven, is only to have a prefent right to the inheritance by virtue of our faith, v/h.ch, they fuppofe, may be loft. This groundlefs and uncomfortable notion is induced from a prejudice againft the doctrine of ele£tion, and that of the final perfevcrance of the faints, but fuch do well to confider the following particulars ; i. That nothing can be more evident than it is from the fcrip- ture, that God hath a people chofen unto falvation in Chrift Jefus his Son, and that by this line of ele^lion all fpiritualbleflings are directed, and defcend on any of the children of men, Eph. i. 4. 2 Theft", i. 13. 2. A title to
D d 2 the
420 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE '
the inheritance of the faints, though it be received by faith, is not grounded in faith, but origina'ly in the donation of the Father; and the believer's right to the poffefiion ard enjoyment, is derived from the merit of the Son, through whofe blood it defcends to them who (hall be heirs of falvation, in a way of righteoufnefs ; this is the truth and the glory of the gofpel ; the inhe- ritance is by promife, as to Abraham, and the fruition of the faithful in time and eternity is not of debt, but of grace, Rom. v. 21. Eph. i. 14. Befides, 3. It is highly indecent to imagine that the immutable and eternal God fhall change his purpofe, or repent of his gift, or, to fpeak freely according to the figure of this palTage, that he fhould write any man in this book, and then blot him out again, and fo vice verfa> as he riles or falls in the obedience of faith, not to fay, that if the divine Advocate with the Father prevails, the faith of his people cannot totally and finally fail, Luke xxii. 32. Again, 4. This ftrange notion contradicts the word and oath of the moft High, who hath revealed unto the heirs of falvation the immutability of his counfel, which is their ftrong confolation, Heb. vi. ■ J", 18. And further, this conceit is inconfiftent with a full affurance of hope, and leaves no room for the be- liever's rejoicing that his name is written in heaven, which our Lord himfelf recommends to his difciples, Luke X. 20. In a word, this imagination directly op- pofes the tenor of the gofpel-report, which runs in thefe abfolute terms : " He that believeth and is bap- '< tizt d, fhall be faved." Thus it appears, that to af- ferc that an ele<Sl perfon, who is redeemed and called
according
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 411
according to the purpofe of God, is liable to an erafe- ment from the Lamb's book of life, or that the Lord will blot him out from thence, is to deny tlie teftimony of God, to impeach his perfedions, and to make an at- tempt on the foundations of the righteous ; but we know it is vain, for the counfel of the Lord (hall ftand. As to the phrafe in this place, that the Lord will not blot out the believer's name out of the book of life, it is purely figurative, and, according to the allufion, amounts to this, and no more, namely, that in the end, when this important volume is opened, he (hall cer- tainly be found written therein ; or in other words, that the man who overcomes will appear in the future judgment blefled of the Father, who hath given him the victory, and that he fhall accordingly be admitted to the honors and triumphs of the redeemed in that day : And, what more can the chriftian defire ? It is a glory which will infinitely furpafs his utmofl prefent conception.
The light in which we have confidered thefe meta- phorical branches of the promife, is confirmed by the following fentence, with which it concludes : " but I ** will confefs his name before my Father, and before *' his angels." This fettles the period of its accom- plifhment, namely, the laft and great day, when the Son of man fhall be revealed from heaven to judge the world, for it is manifeft from Matt. xxv. and many other parts of the New-Teftament, that then the righ- teous will be owned by the Lord ; and in thefe words to confefs his name, being fet in oppofition to his blotting it cut of the book of life, determines the {enie Dd 3 of
422 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
of that difficult phrafe, for by this antthefis it appears, that when Jefus fays, I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, he intends prerilely this, namely, thac he would acknowledge him ; t his appearance and kingdom. To be blotted out of the book of life when the judgment is fet, i> not to be found written therein, Rev. XX. 15. and pofitively confifts in being rejedlec^ and difowned by the Judge, as all the workers of ini- quity will be ; but, on the contrary, Chrift in this pra- mife engages to own and honor his victorious faint, he will not deny, but confefs his name ; he will de- clare his righteoufnefs, own him to be a fon, and an heir of falvation and life.
This is the fum ; every man that holds faft his pro- feffion, and overcomes in the end, as the real chriftia^ mofl: certainly will, the fame fnall be found writtn in the Lamb's book of life at the day of judgment ; Chrift will then own him to be chcfen and faithful, on which a glory fhall be revealed upon him anfwerable to a tri- umph ; yea, far exceeding the moft beautiful diadem placed on the head of the greateft conqueror or prince of the earth, even a crov/n ot glory which fadeth not away.
Now, the man muft be hardened indeed, who can queftion the importance of being in this book, or re- main indifferent whether or not his name is found there. But, Reader, dolt thou inquire for thyfeif ? Look ; hath the golpel reached thy heart, and reduced thee to the obedience of faith ? doft thou believe on the name of the Son of God, and hath his Spirit made
the
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 423
the word efFe^lual to thy repentance, and brought thee to rely on Jefus as thy Lord and thy God ? Thou mayeft then rejoice that thy name is written in heaven, I ThefT. i. 4. This ground is Aire. Think not, en- quiring foul, to afcend up to heaven and there enter the bofom, or fearch the eternal record of the Father, it is a fruitlefs attempt, and needlefs ; that book will not be fully opened to any creature till the day of revelation, but there is a tranfcript fufEcient on earth to fatisfy him that is conformed to the gofpel of Chrift ; defcend into thine heart, and compare thy experience with that divine ftandard. Dwells the love of God there ? Is his law in thine heart ? Fear not. A confcience purified from the love and allowance of fin, and pofT^fled of an hope, in the falvation of God, is an undeniable tffed: of that power of the Holy Ghoft, which leaves no room to doubt that the fubjecl is enrolled in the Lamb's book of life : " Whom he did predeftinate, *' them he alfo called," Rom. viii. 30. This is the only fafe rulej other methods of judging thy ftate may amufe but deceive thee; thy attainments, thy pro- feffion, thy name for religion are no certain criterions, much lefs doth this knowledge depend on vifions and private revelations, imaginary or real, but if the defire of thy foul is to the name of the Lord, and to the re- membrance thereof, thou mayeft fafely conclude that his defire is to thee, and that thou art numbered with his faints.
And, art thou acquainted with this power of the gofpel in thy heart, my dear Friend ? mayeft thou con- clude that, unworthy as thou art, thy name is written D d 4 in
424 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
in heaven ? then let me intreat thee, dwell much oq the glory contained in this promife ; be not conformed to this world ; and if thou art under fore trials, or fuffering for righteoufnefs fake, let the honor and tri- umph of the faints, whenjefus fhall appear, infpire thee with courage ^ fliun not a teftimony for the Lord in the way of his appointment ; remember that not to own Chrift is to deny him, and the man who will not confefs him lets go the promife of this glorious rewar4 unto them who obey him ; then be not afhamed of the name of thy Saviour in the figbt of an unbelieving world, or to live up to thy holy profefllon, in the midft of the diforders that prevail in a fmful genera- tion, this is unworthy thy charadler and hope ; there- fore caft off the works of darknefs, and put on the ar- armour of ligbt, in a certain expt<S|:ation of being crowned in the day of the Lord, when fhame fhall cover thine enemy, with all who forge^ God and defpife the Lord Jefus Chrift. " Behold he comes " quickly, and his reward is with him, tp give every *' man according as his work fhall be," Rev. xxii. 12, In a word, attend to the exhortation, wl^ich concludes this and the other epiftlcs to the difciples in Afia, *' He ** that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith '* to the churches." With the opening of which we ihall finifli our defign on this fubjedl.
LECTURE
TO THE CHUPs-CH AT SARDIS. 425
LECTURE XKVl.
The unlverfal obligation of chriftians to attend to the voice of the Spirit.
THE epiftle to Sardis clofes, like the reft, with a folemn excitation to hearken to the Spirit. " He *' that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith *' to the churches." A like exhortation is repeated by our Lord in the courfe of his miniftry, and is always needful, Tince they who are endowed with this diftin- guifhing faculty are liable to be dull, which is a cafe too frequent to admit of debate. Some take the paffage as exprefllve of the confequence of the word being preached, n?mely, that then, the man that hath an ear will certainly hear j but experience denies it.
Our text is a demand on him that hath an ear, who is directed to hear what the Spirit faith to the churches ; i. e. In his epiftles to the churches in Afia, which no doubt is to be regarded by the faithful to the end of the world, yet the phraie vvill admit of a more compre- henfive idea, and may be juftly applied to the whole of divine revelation.
The exiftence, office and operations of the Spirit, are fq much the fubjedl of fcripture, that one might have hoped for an unity of faith concerning him, but alas, Ri^ny are the fancies advanced againft the dignity of his
perfon
426 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
perfbn and grace. Some nominal chriftians intend by the Spirit no other than natural confcience, or the in- ward light of human reafon ; and if this is thy notion, my Reader, take heed, left ** the light that is m thee " be darknefs." Others conceive of the Spirit as a mcer q,ualky in the divine Being, and ftile him the virtue, influence or power of God ; but thefe are low and falfc conceptions, which contradi6l the fcripture-account of the holy Ghoft, whofe ptrfonality is fo fully fet forth in thofe facred writings, that even fome who ftumble at the adorable Trinity, overborn wrth the evidence thereof, are compelled to confefs it, and have recourfe to a ftupFd and vain imagination *, that he is fome em- inent angel or created fpirit, who on account of his highnefs and intimacy with God, was fingled out and fent from heaven to fandlify the church ; this ftrange conceit Ihews the wretched fhift to which men are driven when they leave the teftimony the Lord hath given of himfelf. The perfonality and deity of the Spirit are manifefl: in the word, in which there are afcribed to him, in numberlefs inftances, underftand- ing, will, power, and every thing eflential to an intel- ligent voluntary agent, which coropleat the idea of a pcrfon ; and his divinity is clear from his being joined with the Father and the Son, with whom he bears re- cord in heaven, i John v. 7. and alfo is worfliipped, particularly in baptifm, Matt, xxviii. 19. His proper deity and diftiniEl perfonality are clear in the inftance of Peter's rebuke of Ananias, who declares that he had lied to the Holy Ghoft, and that in fo doing he had' not lied unto man, but unto God, Ails v. 3, 4. Now
this
• Dr. Owen on the Spirit, p. 46,
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 427
this glorious divine Spirit, thus equal in nature wit : the Father and Son, from whom he procee is, appears to be the great gent of the covenant, whofe operations are need- ful and efFe<£lual to accompli fh the purpofe of grace in the falvation of the chofen, in a fubferviency to which he moved the prophets, 2 Pet. i. 21. who fpake by him the counfel of God. *' All fcripture is given by in- " fpiration of God ;" and this is never afcribed to the Father or the Son, but to the Spirit alone, by whom the Son himfelf prophefied when he miniftred on earth, *' He whom God fent fpeaketh God's words, for God *' giveth not the Spirit by meafure to him," John iii. 34. Thus the Spirit is the author of fcripture, when, or by whomfoever it was uttered, not excepting the Lord Jefus Chrift. So then the whole of divine revelation is his voice, which voice is to the churches, for though fome things were originally dire£led to particular per- fons, or to mankind in general, yet it was in the phurch the Spirit fpake by the mouth of his fervants, and whatever is written is for the univerfal learning, patience and hope of the faithful, Rom. xv. 4. And moreover to the church hath been committed thefe oracles of God, as of old 1:0 the Jews ; and fince the gofpel has been eftablifhed, fcripture, under a wife and wonderful providence by the will of God, has not been }eft in private hands ; and neither Jews nor Gentiles have been unfaithful to their truft ; the former, al- though fadly corrupted and funk fo low, through igno- rance and vice, that they knew not the voice of Mofes and the prophets, read in their fynagogue every fab- bath, A'fls xiii. 27. yet it is notorious that they fcru- puloufly adhered to the letter of fcripture, and are ne- ver
428 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
vei charged with altering it in any one inftance ; and with refpedl to the chriftian church, even the unhappy divifions, and oppofite fentiments of its nominal mem- bers, have been fubfervient to the keeping them entire, each party, having a jealous eye over the other j it has been out of the power of either to alter fcripture in favor of their own particular fcheme. Thus what the Spirit faith he faith to all the churches, even to every church and to each of her members, who are therefore every one required to hear ; for facred prophefy is not a dead letter, which is now filent and paft, but the lively ora- cles of God, even the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever, A,6is vii. 38. i Pet. i. 23. compared.
But what is this ear with which a man mufl; or can hear the voice of the Spirit? No doubt, as obferved, it is a diftinguifhing talent. If an ear, in the fenfe of this pafTage, was common or univerfal, the form of the text would be impertinent. What then is this ear? The fielhly ear, or organ of natural fenfe, is out of the queftion, being common to all who dwell in the body ; befides, the objedl to be regarded is moral or fpiritual, the faculty therefore muft be intellec- tual. It may be ufeful to note by the way, that to have an ear in a natural fenfe, is to have that ufeful member perfedt and clear, which, through one or ano- ther occafion, may be obftrudled. The ears of fome men are dull, they are in a manner flopped ; that curi- ous membrane is fo out of tone that the fubjeiSl can hear but little, yea it may be nothing at all, which is very difcomftting, particularly to them that have known
the
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 429 the pleafure of found. To be totally deaf, is inconve- nient and dangerous, and atrial to the chriftian, pp.rti- cularly on this account, that it deprives him of hearino- the word of the Lord, a principal means of his com- fort. Thanks be to God, there are other ways cf hearing the voice of the Spirit than that of attendirjg to the word preached ; neverthelefs it is a great aiflic- tion to him that delights in the teftimonies of the Lord to be prevented from hearing them publifaed in his name.
This ear is no other than an ability of foul <5r he-^rt to praife and embrace the voice of the Spirit, or a capacity for difcerning fpiritual objedis, v/hicli the natu- ral man hath not. It is not the natural underftanding of any man, however cultivated or enlarged. Man, as a reafonable creature, with proper afTiftance, may uti- derftand the words of fcripture, he may perceive the dodrines they contain, and alfo difcover the ju ft con- nexion and harmony of gofpel truth, and at the fame time fall fnort of this divine faculty : neither is it aa ability for difcourfing on points of faith to public edi- fication, which is a fmgular talent. The ear we now fpeak of is common to regenerate perfons, who being favingly enlightened, can diftinguifh the glory and importance of the gofpel, and cordially embrace it, as when the heart of Lydia was opened flie attended to the things which were fpoken by Paul. A certain writer, who is not to be fufpeded of undervaluing hixman power or attainments, thus defines it : 'It is, fays he, ' a good inclination to, and a good judgment and per- * ception of divine things, fo as thoroughly to weigh
' and
430 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
' and confider what is fpolce :' All which are certainly included, for we ftiall prefently fee, that in the ufe of the fpiritual ear, every power is engaged ; but, if the fcripture is true, it is impoflible that the natural man ftould thus know the things of the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. ii. 14. a vail of ignorance and prejudice covers his mind; nor is one man by nature b.ttrr difpofed or more capable than another of attaining to this: It is for wantofconfidering tbeb.;d moral ftate of fallen man, that any, in oppofition to the teftimony of God, con- ceit that the fine fenfe, liberal education, or any other comparative excellency, in an unregenerate ftate, brings the fubjedl a jot nearer to this divine fenfe, the wifeft and nob eft of the world are as far off from it as the foolifh and vulgar; there is no foundation for this capacity in the carnal mind ; and if the fmner cannot, with the greateft external advantages, attain the true idea or difcernment of fpiritual things, much lefs can he apply them to himfelf. What our Lord faid to the Jews, John viii. 43. may juftly be applied to natural men without any exception, *' Why do ye not under- *' ftand my fpeech ? even becaufe ye cannot hear my '* word." Carnal reafonings and pride blindeth the eyes of the fmner, and fill him with infuperable preju- dices againft the fpirituality and purity of the goipel ; till thefe are removed he is not able to diftingufti their excellency or relifti their fweetnefs. So then this ear is not any fpeculation or human attainment, however refined or exalted, but a fupernatural and experimental thing of the Spirit of God. The phrafe, even when applied to a capacity for natural hearing in the common fenfe of mankind, conveys an idea of fomcthing extra- ordinary.
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 4.31 ordinary, to have an ear for mufic : What is it lefs than to have a diftinguifliing judgrrifnt and taflre for the har- mony of founds, which yield the fubjcd unfpeakable " pleafure ? But will any deny that this is a peculiar ta- lent, a kind of perfonal fenfe, which is not to be ac- quired or defcribed, though it may be greatly improved ? A perfon muft be naturally formed for delighting in mufic : In like manner no man can kd the happinefs of knowing the joyful found till Chrift is formed in him, or he is a new creature. This heaiing ear is the fpecial gift and work of the Lord, Prov. xx. 12. which he beftows at his fovereign pleafure : Hence fays Mofes to rebellious Ifrael, " The Lord hath not given you " an heart to perceive, and eyes to fee, and ears to *' hear unto this day," Deut. xxix. 4. In a word, theneceflity of regeneration, in order to hearing the Spirit, is evident from our Saviour's declaration, ** He " that is of God heareth God's words ; ye therefore " hear them not becaufe ye are not of God," John viii. 47.
To hear in general, is to exert this diftinguifliino- faculty, in attending to the things of divine revelation; and it implies a diligent fearch into the mind of the Spi- rit. " Let him hear;" i. e. let him exercife his fpiri- tual fenfes that he may perceive the mind of the Holy Ghoft, and attain a juft conception of divne things, till he arrives to a full aflurance of underftanding in the myftery of God. Now he that doth this will embrace every opportunity for hearing, reading, meditation and prayer. It alfo carries in it a ferious refledion on the excellency and importance of what he difcerns, that
his
432 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLfi
his heart may be duly and conftantly afteded. Afi'd further, this hearing is to be extended to pradlice. The man who doth not ronform to the orders of his fupcrior, can in no proper or honor-jble fenfe be faid to hear him, nor can that man be efteemed a hearer of thr Spirit, whofe temper and conduft are not con- formed to his didates ; without aiming at this, or in- deed unlefs this is in a good meafure attained, all pre- tence to hearing the Spirit is vain : for a man to talk of heaimg what the Spirit faith to the churches, and live in pride and fenfual pleafure, or go on in a courfe of diforder and fm, is to mock the Almighiy, or rather to deceive his own foul, for God is not mocked. In (hort, to hear in the fenfe of this exhortation, comprehends the w^hole obedience of faith.
Some refolve this fpiritual ear into a holy defire, or purpofe of heart to attend to the voice of God, and give the fenfe in thefe words, ' Let him that has an ' ability and is defirousof hearing :' And moft certain it is, that to hear is freely to open the ear. A willing heart is eflential to the hearing of the Spirit. The people of Chrift are a willing people, and their will, being fandlified, is much concerned in hearkening to the Lord: they are alfo impartial, and open the ear without any refcrve. This is the language of the obe- dient foul, " Speak, Lord, for thy fervant heareth." And again, " 1 will hear what God the Lord will " fpeak," Pfalm Ixxxv. 8. Moreover he is conftant in this divine exercife, it is his habitual and daily pra6^ice ; and finally, it is that in which he delights. The wif- dom and goodnefs of our adorable Creator are wonder- fully
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 435
fully difplayed in fo conftituting the human body, that in a healthful and temperate flate, the ex-rcife of its fenfes is highly delightful. Thus, in the exercife of faith, that fpiritual fe;.le of tl.e new creature, in what- ever manner it is exerted, affords the fuDJfcSi: a fingular pleafure ; the very opening of uie e .r to the Spirit, though it call for great felf-d'-nial, is grj.icful to the chriftian ; his love to Jefus, and h.-. prolpec^ of glo y to come, yield him unfpeakable joy, even in fufFv:fings for the fake of Chrift and his gofpel.
Many are the motives which induce the believer to hearken to the Spirit j as for inftunce, his dignity and love. Doft thou find thyfelf dull, my dear Friend? Confider who fpeaks : the infinite majefty of this di- vine Perfon, and the grace and power difplayed in the execution of his office, demand thy regard ; it is the voice of God, of the Holy Ghoft, of that Spirit which proceedeth from the Father and the Son ; he is the almighty Agent that formed the body, thy Re- deemer alTumed, in which he bore thy fins away on the tree ; by his power alfo that body was raifcd from the grave, and thou thyfelf waft quickened wh.n dead in trefpailes and fins, and obtained the ear with which thou canft hear, and on whom all faints depend for the refurredlion of their bodies in the laft and great day. To turn a deaf ear to the Holy Gh(ift ; what is it lefs than to affront thofe divine Per(^:»ns by whom he is fent, and to defpifehim as a Spirit of revelation and grace ? But, far be the finful and fatal prefumption !
E e Again,
434 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
Again, another inducement is what the Spirit de- livers, which is important and glorious. There is no- thing fpoken by the Spirit to the chujrches that is fa'fe, impertinent, or trifling; all his fayings are true, they are holy and wife, and moft nearly concern us; he Ipeaketh great things, things deep and myfterious, which call for the utmoft attention to difcern, and the knowledge of which is of an interefting nature ; what- ever he faith in his word hath a real connexion with the believer's prefent peace, and will have fome in- fluence into his future happinefs, or promote the honor of God in his eternal felicity; yea, he is alfo a comforter in all that he fays to his people. There is no awful threatning, or felf-denying precept in the whole book of God, but, if rightly underflood and duly applied, imports fome confolation to the believer : *' He will fpeak peace to his people and unto his " faints."
It is alfo an argument with him that fears God to hear the Spirit, when he confiders unto whom his words are dire£led, even to himfelf. The voice of the Spirit, particularly in his exhortations to perfeverance, and promifes of falvation, vidlory, and glory to the churches, is to every difciple of Jefus. " He that hath *' an ear." If thou haft an ear, the Holy Ghoft fpeaks unto thee; and this is the argument of wifdom, " Unto you, O man, 1 call, and my voice is to the " fons of men," Prov. viii. 4. And befides, we are to remember that the Lord fpeaks in kindnefs and love,
Heb.
TO THE CHUPCH AT SARDIS. 435
Heb. xii. 5. faith the apoftle, *' Ye have forgotten,'* i. e. neglecfted, " and not hearkened to the exhortatioa ** which fpeaketh unto you as unto children."
And further, t\i<2 importance of obeying the Spirit, is not the leaft motive to hearing his voice. In the inftance before us, we fee, from the epiftle itfdf, how awful the expectation of thofe who would not hear, hold faft, and lepent ! On the other hand, the glory and joy of him that attended this divine mefTage is great beyond all expreffion. In like manner it is m refped of the whole of facred fcripture : The divine author is the Spirit of Chrift, that great Prophet, con- cerning whom, thus faith Jehovah, " Whofoever fhall *' not hearken to my words, which he fhall fpeak in " my name, I will require it of him," Deut- xviii. ig. i. e. punifh him with everlafting deftrudlion, as appears from Peter's difcourfe, A«5ls iii. 23.
The amount is as follows : The ear demanded in this exhortation, is a fmgular faculty, peculiar to the the regenerate; it is the ear of faith, which is a kind of fpiritual fenfe, by which the fubjedl is able, through divine affiftance, to difcern the things of the Spirit, and is duly affeiled with their importance and glory. The attention required is no other than the exertion of this ability in fearching into the mind of God, that he may be conformed unto it in heart and life. The mo- tives to which are, the majefty and grace of the divine Speaker, the excellent and interefting nature of the thmgs he declares, his din.61:ion to the fubjecl, and the infinite importance of obeying his voice,
E e 2 It
436 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
It appears then, that a new heart is needful to a fav- ing improvement of the gofpel. A man muft have an ear before he can hear. Without a faculty fuited to the obje6t, it is impoflible to difcern and embrace it. But of this the natural man is deftitute, in refpeft of fpiri- tual things, he muft therefore be born again, for, con- ceived in fm, his heart is corrupt and totally alienated from God, fo that he neither doth nor can delight in his lav/. In vain are the moft ftriking reprefentations of divine objedls from the vi^ord, to the carnal mind ; it is void of fpiritual fenfe, and the conceit is abfurd, that any fpiritual object, how glorious foever in itfelf, or however juftly or neaily prefented, or indeed finely illuftrated, Ihould properly afFedl it. Hence the moft fkilful and afFedionate preaching is frequently abor- tive, and the grace of God is faithfully preached to many in vain ; for until the Holy Ghoft is given from on high, and a new fpirit is put within the hearer, as promifed, he cannot difcern or relifti the things of God, fo then '' Paul may plant and Apollos water, but God " muft give the increafe."
I HAVE already hinted, and it (hould be remember- ed, that the chriftian himfelf ftands in need of frequent and earneft exhortations to hearken to the Spirit. No man can hear in any fenfe without an ear, but he that is cndoAcd with this faculty may be dull of hearing, yea, and fcarce hear at all to any advantage, hermit /ne, my Friend, to excite thee : Open thine ear to this divi/ie voice j let this be thy care when in private or in jpublic devotipn, yea and in every fuuation and concern
oi
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDTS. 437-
of life. Alas, our ears, how often are they turned afide to vain imaginations ! The fuggeftions of fatan and the fancies of men captivate, impoverifh, and darken our minds, and betray us into fin ; but, if our ears hung on the lips of the Spirit, with what reverence, delight and profit fliould we hear I
And wouldeft thou examine thyfelf, my dear Rea- der; the following criterions may affift thee. This hearing by faith is accompanied with the love of the Spirit, and his voice; his mouth is moft fweet; and no wonder, feeing it is the voice of thy Beloved who fpeaks by him; thou art alfo imploring his divine aids, that thine ear being opened may be perfe6l and found ; likevvife the preaching and the minifters of the word are highly efteemed ; thou wilt not, as fome, under a conceit of hearing the Spirit, defpife the means, an at- tendance on wi'iich he hath prefcribed to his faints ; moreover, the hearers of the Spirit, are thy chofen com- panions, and every notion or mventlon of man, con- trary to the teftimony of God, thy utter averfion. And further, thou wilt try whatever is propofed in the name of the Lord by the fcriptures, and adhere to nothing in refpedt of do<Slrine, worfhip or experience, but what they declare to belong to the faithful. And are thefe fymptoms upon thee, my Friend ? then, be not afraid ; whatever may be thy infirmities or involuntary defe6ls, thou mayeft foberly rank thyfelf with thofe who have obtained mercy to incline their ear to the Spirit of ho- linefs and grace,
E e 3 To
438 LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE
To conclude. This folemn demand from the ex- alted Redeemer, proves religion a perfonal thing, and that liberty of confciencc is every man's privilege and duty. Nothing can more effe6lually cut off every pre- tence of authority over another man's confcience than this exhortation ; we are not allowed to hearken to any who would arrogate to themfelves a power of im- pofnig upon us their i'cn(c of fcripture, or prefume to direft our faith, or the manner of our worfhip. He that hath an ear, which is requifite to vital godlinefs, and which, as we have feen, is the fpecial gift of di- vine grace, is called upon, not to hear what the churches didate, but what the Spirit jaith unto the churches. No man therefore, nor any body of men, however facred in their character, are at any time to be regarded, in p( int of religion, farther than they agree with the voice of the Holy Ghoft. Confcience is facred to the authority of God j yea, and by this demand of the Lord every man is not barely pennltted^ but tven commanded to hear with his o'Lvn ear ; he therefore that interpofes his authority between my ear and the voice of the Spirit, a£ls a ty- rannical and impious part, for every man by this word of the Lord is not only entitled^ but alfo ohliged to maintain the rights of his own confcience, as he will anfwer it to the Almighty. 1 hus liberty of private judgment, that firit and great principle of Proteftants, and of ail true religion, is fixed on a folid bafis, and never to befhaken to the end of the woild. Thanks be - to God, and cur excellent prince and conilitution,
TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS. 439
in thefe happy nauons, we f^njoy this freedom in its utmoft extent ; no po'nt of faith, mode of worfhip^ or whatever relates to that dear thing religion^ is at- tempted to be impofed upon us. O that we may lead peaceable lives in all godlinefs and honefty, and that our fenfuality, lukewarmnefs, unbelief, and carnal con- tentions, may never deprive us of the invaluable privi- lege, or prevent our improving the fame, to the glory of God, and our own everlafting advantage!
End of the Ep'tjile to the Church at Sardis»
Ee4 ADIS.
r 440 } DISSERTATION
O N T H E
CONDUCTOFTHE FAITHFUL IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI.
B O O K VI.
LECTURE XXVir,
The degenerate frate of the Jews. What is implied in the faints fpeaking often one to another ; topics of
difcourfc. RcHcdiions,
IT appears from the letter which we have opened and read, that a few remained upright amidft the threatning declenfions at Sardis. Thus in times of the greateft dcfe£l!on God hath referved a people for himfclf ; and it may be ufeful to fee the meafures they took, that, following their laudable example, we may in like manner preferve ourfelves in an hour of tempta- tion. l\o doubt thcfe worthy per Ions, who ftand com- mended of the Lox^D, were acftive in iheir duty; and, while they mourned the fad flate of Zion, ufed every means in their power to maintain their integrity and hope; of this indeed we have no particulars, but, from other like inllanccs on record, we may gather the in-
cl Illation
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 441
dination and pradice of the faints in a time of diforder, of which none is more diredlly to our purpofe than that of thofe in the days of Pylalachi, when religion and manners were funk to a degree, perhaps below the mark of any former period of the church, I have there- fore chofe to fubjoin a view of their condudl and the memorial taken of their zeal in the prefence of the Lord. It is written in the third chapter of the prophe- fy, the i6th and 17th verfes, as follows : " Then they *' that feared the Lord fpake often one to another, and '' the Lord hearkned and heard it ; and a book of re- f' membrance was written before him for them that ^' feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. *' And they {hall be mine, faith the Lord of hofts, in *' that day when I make up my jewels ; and I will *-' fparc them as a man fpareth his own fon that ferv- *' eth him." In this account we have the cuftom of the faithful, the regard which the Lord paid to them, and his gracious refolutlon In their favor; the firft of thefe is the fubjedt of this le<Sture.
The imagination of fome, that Malachiwasan an- gel in the form of a man, feems whimfical and ground- lefs; his narrie, though it fignifies an angel, will not fupport their conjecture, for the fame word is applied to the Melliah himfelf, chap. iii. i. where the Father ftiles him my mejfenger ; fo that we may as foon queftion the proper humanity of Chrift, as of this fervant of the Lord. We are told, 2 Pet. i. 21. that the prophets, >vith whom M^lachi is iiuir.bered. Matt. xi. 10. were holy men^ who fpake as they were moved by the Holy phoft. Some take him to be the fame with Ezra the
fcribe,
44-2 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
fcribe, who indeed was a prtacher, and expounded the lav/ to the people, but hath no criterion of a prophet in his chara£ler ; it is thought, with more colour of rea- fon, that he was cotemporary with ISehemiah ; this, however, feems plain, and is generally allowed, that he was the laft infpired mcfienger to ungrateful backfliding Ifrae!, nnd that from his death prophecy ceafed till the incarnation of the Son of God, being about the fpace of four hundred years, whofe appearance was the more confpicuous for this long night of darknefs and fiience.
But our concern is rather with the moral and reli- gious ftate of the Jews in his jday, and, as hnted al- ready, this was fliamcfully diflblute. Far be it that fuch a deluge of iniquity Ihould again fpread over any people or nation ! They indulged to all manner of evil, and v/ere funk into the very dregs of corruption and wickednefs. In ver. 5. they are charged with forcery, adultery, falfe-fwearing, oppreffion, injuftice, and cru- elty. It likewife appears that the moft daring infidelity raged, iniomuch that they impudently faid : " Every *' one that doth evil is good in the fight of -the Lord, " and he delighteth in them," which is in fome re- fpe6ls worfe than atheifm itfelfj and, taunting the prophets v/ho thre;.tned them with vengeance, they faid, *' Where is the God of judgment ?" chap. ii. 17. No wonder thefe fcofFers Ihould profane the holinefs of the Lord, and marry the daughter of a ftrange God, yet they called themfelves the children of God, and pre- tended to ferve the moft High ; but at the fame time were partial, hypocritical and prefumptuous ; like fome
nigardly
IN THF DAYS OF MALACHT. 443
liigardly chriftians whofe pitiful offering fail ihon of their ability as required, they deceitfully covered the altar v/nh tears, while they polluted it with their torn auu Ume facrifices, and fealkd themfelves w'th the lambs of the " flock, having plenty of males to anlwer the apptiiiu- ments of the law; but the table of the Lord was con-r temptible, ii \yas a wearinefs to ferve hiui, and thty fcornfully fnuffed at the provifion of his houfe; yea, the priefts themfelves were ignorant, flothful, meicenary, and dcfpifed the name of the Lord, for which chc v were rendered bafe in the eyes ot the people, a cnrfe which feems entailed on time-itrving and coTupr mi- fiifters in every age ; for mankind in gencial, however void of religion themfelves, feldom fail of heiut.ly dc- fpifing wicked men under a facied charaiter ; m ihort, the vilenefs of every rank in this depraved generation is fcarce to be parallelled, and almoft incredible ; and thoUj_,h they were ftiarply reproved they received r,oc corredion, but, inftead of repenting, were ftout, and with mfolence replied to the Lord: " Wherein have *' we robbed thee ? wherein have we defpiftd thy ^' Name ?" And, to conclude this melancholy fubject, fo wretched was the time that the more proud and wicked any man was the more he was carefTed and ap- plauded ; fuch was the hateful and dcp'orable condi- tion of Ifrael when Malachi was fent in the name of the Lord, and accordingly as a thick fpreading cloud clothes the heavens with blacknels, and as it were makes fackcloth their covering ; fo high and heavy charges on thefe heinous tranfgreflbrs , and fearful threatnings of divine vengeance, extend through all this prophecy, infomuch that Ihort of the account be- fore
444 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
fore us, (o dark is the fccne, that one might be tempted to think with Ehja'i, that not a faint was leK, as if the Lord had totally foriaken his people ^ but on a fudden darts for.h from this threatnirag cloud a ray iron; the Sun of RghteoLifncfs to chear us ; a remnai.t appears *' vhat feared the Lord, and that tiiought upon his " Name ! "
But what couM thefe p'ous fouls do? Their num- ber w.ib finall, ai)d it is prob.tbie alfo their outward condition co;rparatively mean, for it is feldom chat others efcapc the pollutions of the day; and, from the facrilege and prof^nenefs complained of, with what is declared in this prophecy concerning men of that order, it feems no breach of charity to fuppofe that not a pried was to be found in this little company, at leaft no one of dign ty or pcAver v/as am. n2; them ; what then was a few, poor and d.fpifed, though godly pcrfons, capable of, in oppoiition to thefe floods of impiety and vice ? Could they ftem the rapid tide of corruption, or be lii;cly to reform this abandcntd race? Or to what purpofe v/as it for them to open their lips to this fcorn- ful and hirdcned generation ? In fuch evil times the righteous are filent, they have no fafe or promifing op- portunity of fpeaking to the public in behalf of God and religion, yea, it may be, watch the door of their mouth againll bofom friends and relations, jVlic. vii. 5. What then could be done? muft each, like a folitary dove, tabring on his bread, bewail himfelf alone ? Jt is likely they mourned much apart, being greatly per- plexed, though not indefpair; they could find no fa- tibfaction or relief in popular affembliesj but one way
was
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHL 445
was left among themfelvcs, and ihough it was attended with trouble and danger, thi . way they took, a path liit'e trod in a day of licentioufneo and carnal fecuiity. This track is no oihcr than religious conference j they fre- • quenily difcouifcd together in u]^- ighinefs and Io\e: *' Tiien," when immorality, proLin<.nefs and inhdeiiiy fo much abounded, " they that feared il.e Lord, fpake " often one to another." And ihcir voice, ab we fhrill prefently fee, came into the earo cf the Lord of hi ils with acceptance. In like manner they who l.;ve God, without riches, power, learning, or any other fiiining gift of nature or providence, by their holy converie, in his prefence may greatly edify one another; an expe- dient more efpecially uilful in a feafon of general de- parture from the ordmanccs of the Lord, and the habit of life which becomes thofe who fear him. This was the cuftom of thefe pious ^fraelitCa, however inferior they might be in many rci'pedts, with hcariS full of concern for the glory of God, and a view to their own prefervation and comfort, they v. ere enabled by grace to confer together, to their unfpcakable honor and ad- vantage, as will hereafter be feen.
Now this pradlice fuppofes, i. That they had freguent c/pmbiL'S. It was impolTible to hold thefe conferences without meeting together, to which they who fear God have been always inclined, and particularly when they perceived aiiy remarkable danger. Man is focial in every ftate. " The companies of the wicked (fays " David) have robbed me; but I have not forgotten *' thy law," Pfdm cxix. 61. When the impious meet daily Lo countenance one another in their abominations,
and
446 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
and to upliold the wretched caufe of infiuelity, fhall the riohtei us, whom they hate and oppofe, forfakc- the af- fembling of themfelve'- together, and lofe the things they have gained ? John ii. 8. They certainly will not ; the faints, in t e exerclfe of grace, will aflbciate for tht ir mutual fupport, and in defence of the truth, when the enemy tomes in like a flood; and he that can allow himfelf to negle£l this natural and neceflary means of his own prefervation, and of promotmg the caufe of piety in the world, does well to confider how the love of God dwells in his heart !
Again, it implies that they freely opened their minds to each other, 7 he fcripture is unacquainted with filent meetings, which are really vain and abfurd. Religious aflemblies are for the glory of God and our mutual profit ; but, can thefe ends be anfwered where nothing is faid ? How can our united fupplications and praifes afcend to the Father, or infl:ru6lion and com- fort be conveyed to our hearts, in a meeting where a word is not uttered ? It is therefore highly unreafon- abie to plead for or pra£tice a total filence among the famts, when gathered together in the n::ir;e of the Lord. The faithful referred to were otherwife taught; they opened their mouths, no doubt, to the Lord, in prayer and thankfglving ; but the report we are now con- fidering is confined to their fpeeches one to another,which might be according to their ability from the word ; but here is not fo much a regard to the preaching of one qualified and called to that important fervice, which may be one means of eftabliftiing the children of God in their private aflemblies j it refers to conference- meetings.
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 447
meetings, in which they more freely and univerfally difcouifed, everyone bearing his part ; for inconverfa- tion, like a bank, each companion has or fhould hav^e his fhare; at thefe meet'ngs of the faithful all in gene- ral fpeak in their order, in a manner fuited to the oc- cafion and circumftances they were in, as the expreflion implies.
This leads to obferve, that we are not to imagine that this was a light or common difcourfe. The word "lli'i rendered [pake in the account, is very emphatical ; it points to the order of their conferr ng together, and the propriety of what they delivered. The term is applied to God when he fpake to xMofes, and it is alfo ufed to exprefs the e.oquence of Aaron, whofe lips were prepared to fpeak well, or in an excellent manner ; it is not barely to fay, but it figniiies an or- derly continued wife fpeech, fuch as may delight and profit the hearer, and (hews that thefe pious fouls were greatly affifted in this humble attempt, and endowed with a Spirit from on higii ; the confufed and rude way of fome, under a pretence of freedom in their afiem- blies, is carnal, indecent and vain, and no more to be compared with the conference commended in fcripture, than the babling of fools with the ferious and perti- nent difcourfes of the learned and wife, in the mod re- fpedable fociety. Thefe holy men met under a deep concern for the name of the Lord, and their mutual fafety and encouragement in his ways, which w.re de- fpifed ; and when the people of God come together in this frame and view, whether in a formal or more fa- miliar manner, the Spirit is often poured out from on
high ;
448 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
high ; hence their lips move fwettly and wifely. O the reverence, fervor and proprioty with which they who fear the Lord fomctimes fpeak. to one another, under the influence of his grace, which he hears with de- light !
It is neither prefumptuous nor vain, but may be ufeful to conjecSlure the topics or heads of difcourfe the faithful went upon in thefe meetings. Indeed no man now llviig was prefent, but, from the nature of the thing, and from univerfal experience under the Lke circumftances, we may eafily apprehend, and even ven- ture to affirm, that the following fubjeils had a place in their conference:
I. "The name of the Lord." This includes his na- ture, counfels and caufe, as we (hall have occafion to fhew when we enter on the character of the pious, Thefe Ifraelites fpake the truth in their heart, and no doubt their difcourfe turned on that which occupied their thoughts. They fpake one to another concerning the holinefs, juftice, power and faith fulnefs of the Lord their God. Every one in his temple fpeaks of his glory. Diifcourfes on the name of the Lord in this fenfe are very ftrengthening to the faith of God's people, and tends to engage their hearts towards him. Befides, we may fuppofe that they conferred on the prophecies, hiftory and promifes contained in revelation. Indeed, before the invention of printing, copies of the fcripture were fcarce j Bibles are now very cheap j but in thofe days a few leaves of that facred volume would fetch a con- fiderable fum j neverthelefs feme of the company might
furnifo
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 449
furnifh the reft, and others from their iremoiies affift theaflembly; hence they might fpeak to one another on the promifes of the Meffiah, God's covenant with Abraham, and his repeated engagements to fave them that fear him ; they might likcwife difcoune on the feafonable and wonderful appearance of the Almi^jhty for the prefervation of his church, and the reviving his caufe when in danger, by Noah, Mofes, and alfo in the days of Elias, when faith feemed to fail, and true religion was ready to expire. Tinefc confiderations, with the immutability of the divine counfel, which infures the completion of tl.e eled;, afford itrong con- folatiun to the faithful, and fill them with courage under the darkeft fcenes of prpvidence.
?. Their hearts were full of concern about the abo- minations by which the Name of the Lord was blaf- phemed, and therefore no doubt they dwelt upon the threatning errors and difoiders which prevailed. In this fad ftate of things, as hinted before, they might be rather dilcouraged from fpeaking to otiiers who, being hardened in their iniquity, would only deride and abufe them, and thereby add to their guilt; but to one ano- ther, in thofe conference-meetings they freely unbur- thened their minds on the melancholy fubjetl, which might be ufeful to excite a becoming indignation againft the provoking tranfgreflions of the times, to keep them on their guard, and to animate them in holding faft their profsffion. And further,
3. It may be prefumed that they fpake to one ano- ther concerning the fnares that were about them, and F{ the
450 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
the temptations they were under, at leafl in fome mea- fure, to comply with the finful cuftom of the day, and thereby to fail from their ftedfaftnefs. In a feafon of general defe(3:ion, men full of fubtlcty lie in wait, if poflible, to pervert from the ways of the Lord, and there are commonly popular arts in pra£lice, by which fome are overtaken to their hurt j thefe differ according to the tafte of the times, and are craftily adapted to the temper and circumftances of the objeiS; but whatever may be the form of the nets which are fpread, it is natural for thofe who are on the watch, to acquaint one another with what they perceive, and mention the in- ftances in which they prevail, that, being fufficiently warned, they may efcape the paths of the deftroyer. To this it may be needful, at times, to call to remem- brance their frailty, and how liable the beft are, through the deceit of the flefh, to be overtaken and fall into fm.
But, of all the fubje(9:s which may turn up in the conference of the faints in a time of apoftafy, there is none more common or ufeful than that of their own experience. By experience I mean the efficacy of the aofpel in the heart, which is through the operation of the Spirit, and that communion with God and fenfe of his love, which the believer may have found in his attendance on divine inftitutions. That the word comee not in word only but alfo in power, fufficient to inveft the fubjeft with an alTurance of the truth, and that. they who embrace it with love, and obey it from the heart, have enjoyed delightful fellowfliip with the Lord in his ways, mull be owned by thofe who pretend to
the
• IN THE DAYS OF MALACHT. 451
the credit of divine revelation ; and indeed, he who has felt nothing of this internal efFeifl: by the word unto re- pentance and faith, is a flranger to vital religion ; for we are exprefly told that the word thus " efF.vf aally *' worketh in them that believe," i ThefT. ii. 13. It is not barely a fa6t which has in lome decree once been found v^ith the chriilian, much Icfs is it confiaeJ to thofe who are ftrong in fa rh, this -^fFeSl: is common to them who believe j nor were the tauhul of old with- out this experience, the fymptoms jf which are, ha^ tred of fin, defires after holmefs, anr' joy in the Lord j now, however fome under a fpecious pretence of hu- mility, and the deceit of the heart, would take chri- ftians off from a regard to this as an uncertain and tranfitory thing, if any fuch exper'ence exifts, to hefi- tate which is to favor of deifm itfelf, let reafon judge if a remembrance thereof is not a natural and powerful means to eftablifh its fubjeil in an age that is loofe and prophane, for this man has the witnefs in himfelf to the truth from which he is tempted to depart ; he has r'elt the power of thofe do£lrines, vv'hich the wicked contradict and blafpheme ; and can a man be eafily moved from the truth which hath been efFeclual to his growth in grace, and communion with God ? He that doth the truth Cometh to the light, and will bring the feeiings of his heart, as v/ell as his external obedience, to tho» ftand- ard of fcripture, for he is concerned to manifeft its fo- briety, and that it is agreeable to the analogy of faith, and to the common teftimony of the faints, for even experimental religion is fubftantially the fame ia the called, and nothing can be more rational than to improve that experience, th^- reality of which is evident
F f 2 to
452 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
to his confcience, into an argument for holding faft his profeffion, for though no man's private experience is a proof to another that his religion is divine, yet to him- felf a more fohd evidence of this he cannot poffefs, mi- raculous teftimony or immediate infpiration alone ex- cepted ; even that bell of internal evidence which be- longs to the Bible, namely, the purity of its doctrines and precepts, is not equal to that of its fan6iifying ef- fects in the heart, of vi^hich the believer is confcious on refledion. This being the cafe, it is eafy to fee the advantage that muft arife to the faithful by a free com- munication of their experience to each other, to con- firm them and to animate their perfeveratice amidft the fcorn of unbelievers, or licentious pi ofeflbrs, for, what man who hath this evidence of the truth in his heart will defpife or forfake it ? The apoftle was animated by this effcd of the word upon others : " For I am not •' afliamed of the gofpel of Chrift, for it is the power '* of God to the falvation of every one that believeth,** Rom. i. 16. How much more fhall a man be encou- raged to abide in his profeffion, who finds himfelf the fubje£l of this divine power ? May the Reader manifeft his knowledge of the like teftimony by his walk, for I prefume that he is convinced that no article or topic of difcourfe is more profitable among the children of God, in a perilous time, than what relates to their acquain- tance with experimental religion. Other particulars might be fubjomed, namely, their infinite obligation? to Jefus, who was facrificed for them, the contradic- tions he endured, and the fhame he defpifed when he fufFered on the crofs ; they will likewife remember their folemn engagements to him and his people, the mife-
rable
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHT. 453
rable end of apoftates, and by every argument in their power excite one another to ftrive againft fin and to hold out to the end j and, to fay no more, they will not forget the grace there is in Chrift to fupport and deliver them, nor the glory they fhall obtain at his ap- pearance and kinydom ; but time would fail, and the Readei will think thefe hiato aie fufficient.
It appears then, that chriftians are not filent when together, for want oi fubjedts adapted to their comfort in this Itate of trial. The things of the Spirit afford a rich variety of matter for difcourfe ; yet, alas, how often is it feen that, being ftraitened in themfelves, they are dumb, or rarely converle on what relates to the kingdom of God ; but when they are enabled to open their bofom and fp^ak freely on thefe divine to- pics, they find comfort by the mutual faith of each other; it knits them together m lov, and has a pow- erful tendency to revive their fpirits when drooping, infomuch that fometimes they meet in heavinefs through manifold temptations, and return with thankf- giving and joy, being ready as it were to take >: ff their harps from the willows, and with melody tune them to the God of their life, fo that they who omit fuch oppor- tunities little think how much they lofe by their ab- fence, and lie out of the way of their pwn great ad- vantage.
From this inftance of piety it alfo appears that true
religion is focial. Indeed the godly man is obliged to
Ihun the vam multitude. He is in a manner fequeftered
from the world, and muft often retire, it may be fome-
F f 3 times
454 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
times from the beft of company, for, however fomC live, private devotion is needful to a clofe walk with God 5 to be unacquainted with this, is to be a ftranger to faith, or at leaft fuch are declining apace from its virtue, and will one day bitterly weep for their folly; now, on account of thefe neceflary withdrawments, the believer may be thought an unfociable creature, but this is for want of underftanding or confidering the nature and tendency of his life, which, while it induces him into his chamber to converfe with himfelf and his Lord, that the life of religion may be maintained in his foul, by that very means preferves an habitual fenfe of the love of Gcd to him, and his approaching falvation, which naturally cn^ate a defire, yea, and 'fometimes a lonp,ing after thofe aflemblies in which he may hope for a tafte of that joy, in the fulnefs of which the fpirits of the juft fing round the throne of God and the Lamb. Thus the believer's clofet fits him for the fandhiary, and his private iniercourfe with heaven pre- pares and dirpoffrs him for the communion of faints; ncr is any eflt'it of divine love in the heart more cer- tain, than that of a rtadinefs to meet them on &\cry proper occafior, and a delight in their prcllnce. Some iindi r a high profeffion of the gofpel may be cynical and relervcd, but it is unjult to charge their difagree- able temper on tne religion of Jelus, the genius of which is quite the revcrfe ; nothing can be more di- rectly oppofite to an evangelical Ipirir, to Vv'hich bro- therly love is eflential, than any thing that favours of a rr.onkifh life, which fome men, through weaknefs or defign^ plead for : rui practice. The gofpel leads its fulj-ds to airociate ofien, and to an open frank con-
verfatioi>
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 455
yerfation <me with another; f(» that it is no good fign, and far from being amia->le, when ptrf.>ns affe6l the unfociable habit which i nie men wear; a hah t v/hich as it is contrary to fcr [tur:-examp!e, is no hf- pre- judicial to tlie itU'-reit g1 religion, u r it tend*, to de- prive che faithful of one [.rincipal means of their con- firmation and joy.
It Is an observation grounded on univerfal expe- rience, that a man is known by his con pany. Thus the friends ot^ the believer are thofe who fear God ; his natural or civil connexions in life may expofc him to very unpleafmg fociety at times, but he that walks in the Spirit will not choofe to afibciate with the ignorant and prophane ; he is, with David, " a companion of all "them that fear God ;" and he delights in the faints who are the excellent of the earth ; hence he is earneft with the Lord in fuch language as this: "Let thofe *' that fear thee turn unto me, and thofe that have *' known thy teftimonics." Art rhou, Reader, a com- panion of the ungodly, thou art either ungodly thyfelf, or ftrangely feduced ; beware of rhe plagues that are coming on the wicked, but I would hope thy fellow- fhip is with the righteous ; be thankful for thy happy fituation ; it is a fingular advantage to enjoy their fa- vor and company, but a mercy fliU greater is an heart to improve it.
And, are the advantages of chriftian conferences fo
great and important ? may we not juftly lament that it
is fo much negledled, or rather laid afide ? That there
is now little of it in the ordinary difcourfc of believers,
F f 4 almoft
456 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
almofl- every one knows, a forrowful fymptom of their hearts being too feidom employed on heavenly fubjedls 5 her ce many are lean and unfruitful, but, as the per? fe£lion ot chriftian fociety lies in a gofpel church ftate, the intereft of religion is moft effedually promoted by the gatherings of thofe who are joined in the Lord, it is therefore melancholy indeed, when members of the fame church either fpeak not at all, or rarely fay any thing to one another about the things of God. Cafual and ordinary meetings of the faithful ought to be intir proved to their fpiritual profit, but the principal and only fufficient means of promoting the kingdom of God, is the fellowfliip of the faints in the order of the gofpel, to which every other pious endeavour muft be fubordinate ; hence the old ferpent, in every age, would entice mtn from a regard to this divine inftitution j in jfome inflancef, they who belong to this or the other community, omit the affemblies of their brethren, and {am to be religious abroad, which is ftrange ; but, from what we have feen, the advantage of conferring togehi-T is manifeftly great, it (hould therefore be en- couraged in every church, without which one confi- deic'ble end (>f conimunion and means of keeping up the power of godlinefs is loft. O that thefe ancient worthies were followed ! can any thing be more highly appro\ed t' an ihtir practice ? or can it with reafon be doubted whahcr iheir condu6t is tranfmitted for the imitation of po''eiity ? Why then. Beloved, is the laudi.ble cuftom difcouraged or forfaken ? Things are rot fo bad with us as in the time of thofe whofe exam- ple is before us 5 but, are there no appearances to awa- ken our concern for the Name of the Lord, and to put
us
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 457
us on every method to quicken one another in his wav ? why then do we omit this excellent means of promoting the knowledge and love of God ? will you fay thiit religious conferences have been abufed ? Be it fo ; what means of grace may not be abufed by vain and felf-confiJent perfons ? Shall the children of God be fiient, or refrain from fpenking one to another, be- caufe fome bafe hypocritical men have taken occafion from thefe exercifes to intrude and exalt themfelvesj againit the order and peace of the church ? This me- thod of edification is fo natural, that it is fcarce to be avoided by them who are earneftly feeking the things which are above, infomuch that whenever the work of the Lord is going forward, conference- meetings abound, and the enlightened gladly lay hold of every opportunity for fpeaking on divine fubjciSs, and the eonftant ufe of this pradtice in a church is of great fer- vice towards the mutual acquaintance and love of the members, difcerning of gifts for the miniftry, prevent- ing apoftafies, and promoting the power of godlinefs among them. O that the faithful were enlarged, and their lips circumcifed to fpeak to one another, that they were free to communicate their experience and knowledge, and to lay open the temptations, fears, hope and joy, which exercife their hearts in a life of faith ; nothing can be more rational or becoming their character. By this means many a church has been preferved, or revived, yea, and in fome inftances long fulhined without a ftated minifter, till one has been obtained, with a bleffing, under whom it hath flou- jifhed again j it is therefore to be wifhed that the ex- ample before us was univerfally followed, and fpiritual
confe-
458 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
Cinrerenc':' tncour^^^cd in every chriftian community. A pradlice lb high'y pleafing to the Lord, and condu- cive to the intercft of perfonal and fecial religion, muft fureK b? thf object of rh.-ir defire, wiio hope to be his in the day v/h(:u he makes up his jewels, which will abundantl recompence the lelf-denial that may attend their zca! for his Name,
LECTURE XXVIIL
What included in thinking on the Name of the Lord. His hec'rke.iing to his peoples difcourfe, and book of remembrance, explained. Refledlions.
^ r E have feen the righteous in conference toge- ' V iher at a time when the Name of the Lord was p'ofaned, and have heard, as it vi^ere, the fubjedls on whicln ihey dncourfed. Thefe exercifes are el}ecmed, in proportion to the increale or decay of vital godli- iiefs, infomuch'that we may in a meafure difcover the ft te of religion among any body of people, by their regard to fuch pious and needful affembiies. , When the work of the Lord is going forward, the afFedlions of his faints are raifed towards heaven, then they de- Ijoht in thofe interviews before him which tend to pro- mote his intercft, and iheir mutual acvantage. At firft converfion men naturally defire to tell what God hath done for their fouls, and to be further enlightened, and it is the joy of more advanced believers, when in a be-> coming frame, to affift tiieir young bre'Lhren. Hence
they
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 45Q
they gladly embrace every fit opportunity of comino- together. To this fome objeil and fay, that thefe meetings interfere with the chriftian's obligations in other refpe(3:s; but, however fome idle perfons rnay have negledled their duty, and given juft caul'e of com- plaint, it is far from b.ing impofiible for the difciples of Jefus, who are nearly fituated, to hold frequent^ I had almoft faid, daily*' aflemblies for fpiritual exercifej
this
* As hinted p. aSS, if people delighted in fpiritual exercifes, they might contrive freqiieiit meetings without a negledl of their civil concerns. The daily prayers, and other religious fervice in the Eftablifhed Church, and alfo among the Diflcnters, in almoft every market-tovi'n and citv in the Jcingdom, not excepting the metropolis itfelf, evidently prove that our fore- fathers found this to be faft, otherwife, what fhould be the occafion or motive to the many donations and voluntary fubfcriptions for the fupport of fuch"opportun!tis3 ? We may flatter ourfelves j but, for the moft pa:t, ab- fence from thefe appointments is not owing to neceffary bufinefs, but to a want of inclination, and the truth is, that we are too plainly now become lovers of pleafure more than lovers of God. I take leave further to obferve concerning thefe occafional meetings of the faithful, that, hov>'ever in the ge- neral they were promifcuous from the beginning, there are inftances recorded in which they were compofed of women only, who cxercifed, at leaft in pray- er, one among another ; in all appearance this was the cafe in the houfe of Mary, Afts xii. 12. At this meeting for prayer many were gathered, but not a man feen among them; and from what Peter fays, ver. 17. it fliould feem that neither James, nor any of the brethren were there ; but, that in whuh Lydia uas converted, an account of which we have in chap. xvi. is fti^i mote to the purpofe. We are told that Paul fpake to the women which --eforted thither ; and will any perfon fuppofe that the men with- drew on inp entrance of the apoftle, or that he fpake not to all who were prefent ? To fay that the greater part were women, or that Paul difcourfed with thufe women before worihip began, is at beft an improbable conjec- ture, and as it were begging the queftionj no tircumftance is mentioned J;hat would induce an unprejudiced perfon to conclude that a man, befides the apoftle and his companions, came to this meeting: And, why fhould not womviii endowed with grace exercife one among another in private? In- {leed their filence i? rcjuircd in open ard public aff:nib!ier, it being, as de-
rl^rcd
46o CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
this may cer.a nly be done without any imj)earhment of r heir character in civil and natural life, and it has always b^e the cafe in a flouriftiing ftate ol the church. Widely different from this, was the period 'n which the faith lul rcfened to were accuftomed to meet; there was then not h hare coldnefs or negledl, but an averfion to the way of the Lord, which is ever attended with a popular conttmpt of thofe who delight in waiting up- on him. Under thefe circumftances we may fuppofe that their mctt ngs were private, or that they who fol- Iov\-ed taem wen. expoftd to reproach and derifion ; but the God whom they lerved difdained not to own them, whofe record on high in their favor, infinitely over- balanced the difgrace and trial they met with from
men,
flared in I Cor. xiv. 35. a fliame for women to fpeak in the church; nor fhould any prcfume to encourage a praftice in dirtdt oppofiiion to the teftimony of God; but, if it is abfolutely unlawful for a woman to praj', or to o^jen ht-r mouth on points of religion, in any alTembly whatever, vhere is thi pt-u nercy or defign of the ap ftle's difcourfe in chap. xi. 5, 6? Stveral other paflages ihew that women were ernploytd in a spiritual way for tht benefit of the aifciplcs, namely, A£ts xviii. 27, Rom. xvi. i, Phil, iv. 3 Rev. li. ^o, &c. which me Reader may coniult at his leifure. In- deed it fccms uareafonable to reftrain chriftian women irom any manner of of e irymg one anoiher, in their power, that is dtcent, and that eonfifts with the Older of the church, prcfcribeu by the Lord, and his infpired miniftt-is. In one word, I fee nothing in nature or fcripture that forbids a woman the liberty of pr.iying, or otherwife exercifing her ability, in pri- vate or fpecial fociety, which I the rather mention, becaufe without this allowance, in feme circumftances, one means of religion is eratirely loff, particularly family-prayer, and that even where the rifiug generation is nearly concerned, and there is realbn to fear that this groundlefs prejudice againft a woman's b?ing exercifed in a foclal way under any confideration whatever. h-ii.h occafioned a fad negledl of that branch of worfhip ia fome, who might otherwife have l"d thofe under their c.^re to the throne of grace, with advantage, though, to their praife be it fpokv;n, a few of that fex are not ailiamed of their duty to God, and the fouls cominitttd to tbel^ charge.
IN THE DAYS OF MALACH^. 461
men, which we are n')W to confider. " And the Lord " hearkened and heard it j and a b'?ok of ixmembrance " was written before him for thdn ihat kw.^^d the *' Lord, and that thought iipm hi^ Nanr"." To think on the Name ot tht Lord i? a ci teruju <.f fje- nuine piety, it may tiiertiore br u!' tul to Oj.ea this critical notp, and fhew unio wliom it bt-h n_.->, and then fee the attention which Jehovah ^ave to the -o ]y m their meetings, and the tranfudfinn which euluctJ this graCiOus notice of their zeal tor lis glory.
The Name of the Lord, in this place, is h's publ'c authority, worfh'p and intereftj or in other words, it is his truth, ordinances, and vifible church, and com- prehends every thing that relates to rea) pitfy, in its power and form; it is the caiife of God and t uth, and ftands oppofed to infidelity, prophai enefs and vice, of every kind and degree, whereby the nioU High is dif- honored and blafphemed, as in the c<riupt and de- generate age of ]VIalac!".t: To this agrees chap. i. u. " My Name, faith the Lord of h( Us, fhall be great " among the Gentiles," i. e. as appears from the fen- tence immediately following, " in every pla..e incenfe ** (hall be offered to his Name, and a pure offering,'* which came to pafs through the obedience of faith, when the gofpel obtained in the world.
Now to think on this N ime, is not barely to have a thought about it, which the wicked may havej nor doth it preclude all conc.rn about civil and temporal things, without which no man can fill up hisftation in providence, or adorn a chriftian piofeJlion j neither is
it
462 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
it impofli lie for a man who is entitled to this charafter, through one occafion and another, to have the Name of the Lord out of his thoughts for a feafon : His expe- rience was rare, who laments in his diar)^, that on a cer- tain day, for the fpace of an hour, he was a ftranger to a thought of Jefus and his Name. Alas, hew many hours and days pafs away without an affcding fenfe of his love, and concern for his glory !
This regard for the Name of the Lord, lies, i. In an habitual concern for his honor, and the intereft of religion, which is inherent to a pnnciple of grace, and infeparable from the love of God in the foul. The new creature breathes after the glory of its divine Author ; fo that it is as natural for the righteous to think on the Name of the Lord, as the thought of foolifhnefs is to the wicked. This facred habit in the faithful appears to be univerfal from Ifa. xxvi. 8. " The defire of our . " foul is to thy Name and remembrance of thee." Herein lies a critical difference between the natural and fpiritual man's thoughts of God, that in one it is forced, difagreeable, againft the prevailing bent of his mind, and what he would gladly difmifs; whereas in the other it is of choice, accompanied with delight, and what he feeks after, as David, " iVIy meditation on him *' fhall be fweet," Pfalmciv. 34. Which leads, 2. To obferve, that the firft fenfible and adlual exercife of this divine habit is a fixed and deep intention of mind, contemplating the intereft and glory of God ; The word imports a clofe infpe6lion, as the ingenious artificer turns about a curious work, and views it on every fide, that he may finifh the fame : So that one obvious and
efTential
IN THE DAYS OF AlALACIII. 463 • efiential idea, is that of employing our faculties in rumi- nating on the Name of ;hc Lord. He therefore who is a ftrangcr to the Ituuy of ihofe things which belong to the kingdom 01 God, has no pi'.te re to this charac- ter ; nor is it merely to meui ..tt, but, 3, To th.nk, with a folicitude of mind, about its prv)fp rity, with contrivance how to promote it. This thou^htfuinefs turns not only on the excellency and importance of the Name of Jehovah, but alfo on the danger it is in th. ou2;h the declenfions ar.d apoftacies of the t'mes, and implies our chief care and ftudy to fave, revive, and incrcafe it. The word is fometimes rendered dcrnfe: and he that doth not lay to heart the welfare of Zion, and contrive what in him lies towards the intereft ol Chrift in his day, falls fhort of the defcription. In a wo.'d, it im- ports doing to our utmoft, whatever may tend to the honor of God, or exerting our talents of every kind for his glory. Some obferve from this claufe, that here is comfort for the poor and weak, who cr.n fcarce fay or do any thing for promoting the caufe of che Redeemer in the world ; the promife is not to them who ck^ but to thofe who think on the Name oi the Lord; but every one who anfwers this character will be adtive ac- cording to his ability. In vam do they pretend to a cordial regard for the caufe of God, who withhold any thing in their power to promote it; and what man is not capable of doing fomeihing ? who cannot pray for Zion, appear in her affembiies, and be more or lefs ac- tive for the peace or jcrufalem .?
Thus to think on the Name of the Lord is no fuper- ficial tranfitory or Iruiticfs thing, but a folid, perma- nent.
464 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
neni, and choice experience oF the faithful, and car- ries in it the utinoft folici'.ude and enHe^vour of the fubject for the g ory of God. Now whoever ib thus employed will find himfelf grieved, or rejoiced, as the, intereft of religion declines or ,Dioipcrs ; h^ will alfo deny himfelf, when needful, and, li called to it, fub- mit to the k^weil or lUKid difficah olTice of love, for the fake of Chnil and his people, riappy the man who hath this noble teftimony ot his confcien. e ! the Lord will think upon him in a time oi tr9uble, and great is his honor, as will hereafter appear.
And, hath the Reader a claim in this note of the righteous ? Is he confcious of a like folicitude tor the Name of the Lord, and concern for his intereft in the world ? Alas, fome nominal chriftians openly difcover a want of this regard for the welfare of Zion 5 they live in a fenfual manner, and are not grieved for the apoftafies of the times ; but awful is the threatening : *' If ye will not lay it to heart to give glory unto my •* Name, faith the Lord of hofts, I will even fend a •' curfe upon you." O that carelefs backfliders, who negleft the honor of God, could tremble at his word, and repent of their folly ' But, my Friend, is, *' hal- •* lowed be thy Name," engraved in thine heart f haft thou a cordial concern for tht caufe of religion in a de- • generate age ? Rejoice ; cheriih every thought which the love of God may excite in thy breaft for his glory, purfue it with vigour, and feize the opportunity for adtion ; it may call for much felf-denial ; the world may fcofF, and wanton profeflbrs reproach thee, but
the
IN THE DAYS OF MALACIII. 465
t"he eye of the Lord Is upon thee; dare to be holy, and zealous in his ways ; thou Ihalt net lofe thy re- . ward !
DECE^f'l' conceptions of Jehovah will prevent low and carnal ideas of this report of his grace ; when we fpcak of the Lord's hearkening to his people, we are to guard againfl- every conceit unworthy his glorious perfections, and not indulge a thought to the diflionor of his infinite mind. Far be it to imagine that the eternaJ God is at any uncertainty about what is fpoken in fecret, ox that his acquaintance with what p^^ffes in the mofb private alTemblies of his faints, depends on that formal attention, by which they attain to the knowledge of one anothers dircourfe; bodily parts and gefturcs are no doubt attributed to God by. way of allufion, and de- note a fimilitude in his dilpenfations with the conduit of men under the like circumftances ; thus his fupport- ing grace is defcribed by holding v^ith his hand, and putting underneath his arm ; his regard of the ftate and fupplications of his people, by opening his eyes and his ears; and when it is declared that he hearkened and heard v/hat thefe gracious perfons faid in their meet- ings, I apprehend the following ideas are included, I. That he is prcfcut. They who liflen to difcourfe are fupoofed to be in company, or near, at leaft with- in hearing : It is true the Almighty fiiis heaven and earth, and in ihis f?nfe is always at hand and not far ofr, Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. But we know that there is a fpecial and gracious prefence vouchfafed to them who fear God ; he is nigh unto all who call upon him in trut^i, Pfalm odv. i8. Of this there was a fymbol in tolo-
G 2 n;on'i^
466 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
mon's temple, and the promife is given to the fmalleft aflembly of his faints, Matt, xviii 20. And it is fre- quently found, that when two or three are gathered in his Name, they have :eafon to fay: Is not the Lord in this place! A^z\n ^ftleiKe is another idea conne<5^ed with hearkening. The Lord is faid to keep filence when he fpeaks not in judgment to the wicked, Pfalm 1. 3. Alfo Jer. viii. 6. it is faid, that he hearkened and heard, but they fpake not aright, no man repented him of his wickednefs, i. e. the Lord gave them fpace for repentance, but they did not improve his long-fuffer- ins; and G,race ; fo that this may intend, among other things, the forbearance of the Almighty, who could have looked on the proud and abafed them, but he faw meet, as it were, to (land ftill in the courfe of his pro- vidence, and fuffer the wicked to prevail, which, how- ever a trial to the righteous, gave them an opportunity of tefti Tying their zeal for his Name, which turned to their advantage. ltz[{o\vc\'^\\G.$\{\s peculiar attention. Men liften in order to obferve what is faid j and the Lord hearkening to the converfation of thofe who think on his Name, effentially includes his particular notice of whatever they fpake ; with this ftands connected an idea of his perfeSl knowledge of all their difcourfc; the end of hearing is to underftand the report; indeed among men this end may be lofl: ; through diftance, the lovvnefs of the fpcaker, or fome occafional obftruc- tion, a perfon may hearken in vain, but nothing can prevent the all-perfett Jehovah from an exa(fl and full acquaintance with every thing which pafleth in the conference of his people. Finally, it denotes his appro- bation and delight : " Let me hear thy voice, for fvveet.is
" thv
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 467
*^ thy voice," Cant. ii. 14. A melodious f^und en- gages the attention, and the Lord hearkens to the prayer and pious difccurfe of his faints, in their re- ligious aflemblies, as one who hath a tafte for mufic in- clines his ear to a found and good inftrument, played by a fkilful hand. Thefe are the natural and prin- cipal ideas contained in this wor.dcrful fentence, name- ly, the prefence of the Lord in the aflemblies of his faints, his fiience, his attention, his perfei^t knowledge of every thing they fay, and the pleafure he rakes in their concern for his glory : Their earnefl fupplica- tions, and afFe»3:ionate fpeeches one to another, out of love to his Name, afcend up before him, as pillars of Imoke, " with myrrh and franckincenfe, perfumed with. *' all powder of the merchant," Cant. iii. 6. All which is very inciting, ard may well induce us to fol- low this noble example of piety, and efpecially when we confider the honorable notice which is taken of thefe eminent faints, to v/hich we proceed.
" And a book of remembrance v/as written before *' him." It has already been {hewn chat there are ma- ny kind of books m.entioped in fcripture, to be opened when the judgment is ict. A book of remembrance is a regifler of names or events, to which recourfe may be had on proper occafions. The allufion is to the cuftom of princes, who order their fcribes or fecretaries to write down certain important events, in their pre- fence. Thus when the confpiracy of Bigthen and Te- refli, certified by Efther in Mordecai's name, was proved, it was written in the book of the Chronicles before the king at court, i. e. in the royal prefence, ' G g 2 which
468 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
which was afterward produced, and his faithful fervant, who difcovered the matter, rewarded, chap. vi. 3. In like manner the Lord is here reprefented, feeing, with his own eyes a true record of what he had heard with his ears from thofe who feared him, whofe pious affedlion, fidelity and courage, he determines to recom- pence, with a glory not to be fully exprefied. The eternal omnifcient Jehovah needs no memorial ; but this manner of fpeaking after the ufage of men, denotes his delio;ht in thefe faints, his everlafting: remembrance of their love, and the certain reward of his grace, as may be feen by comparing the paflage with Ifa. xlix. 16. and Hof. vii. 2. This memorial was written before him^ i. e. under his eye and infped^ion, to be conti- nually in his fight, or laid up in the archives of heaven, above the reach of ar,y who would erafe or deftroy it, that nothing might be loft, but that every inftance of their holy zeal might appear in that day, when the righteous fhall be ci owned in his prefence. Confide- rations of a moft enlivening nature, and admirably adapted to infpire them with an unfhaken refolution to the end of their courfe.
The particulars of the glory afllgned thefe advocates for God and religion, are at prefent referved, but in general we are told, that the record was for them. It was not like that which Ifaiah was dire6led to infcribe againft the degenerate children of Ifrael, in which was inferred their rebellion and ruin j no, this is a regifter highly in their favor 3 indeed it contained the names and conference of thefe holy perfons, but the phrafe expreffes more than its being meerly of or concerning
them,
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 469
them, and points at the tenor and defign of this wri- tino-, namely, that it was to their honor, and to fecure their future and eternal advantage. In a word, this, memorial is revealed not for their fakes only, who lived in Malachi's days, but a!fo for the confolation and joy of them who think upon the Name of the Lord in every place, to the end of the world ; and he that be- lieves will hold taft his integrity, however tried, and reckon that h'S prefent fufferings are not worthy to be compared with the dignity and bleficdnefs of his accep- tance with the Lord at his coming.
How much to be admired is the condefcention and grace of the moft High ! That the infinite and adorable God fliould thus bow down to his creature.^, or hearken to the feeble voice of his imperfe£l faints in their little aflemblies, is truly aftonifhing ! May we not juftly adopt the words of the royal confecrator, when, on his knees in the temple, and with expanded hands towards heaven, he draws back as it were with holy amazement, and fay, " But w;ll God in very deed dwell with men on *' the earth I " The thrones in heaven bend, to be- hold this wonderful kindnefs of Jehovah to his people ! That the glorious Lord of univerfal creation, who alfo, in his Itate as Mediator, is far above ail principali- ties and powers, and whofe ears are continually faluted with the adorations and fongs of the innumerable fpi- rits above, fhould ftoop, and be taken with the groans and tears, and broken conferences of them that fear him below ; this is wonderful indeed, and can only be refolved into that fovereign love which pafleth under- ftanding, and which firft brought him down fromi his Gg 3 glory
470 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
glory in which he fhone with the Father, to humble himfelf to the fhame and death of the crofs, that he might redeem us to God by his blood !
This throws a luftre on the conference of the faith- ful, and fliould engage them to be frequently fpeaking one to another. The prefence and ear of the Lord are a glory on the afT-mbly of his people, howeyer fmall or deipifed. The reputation of any fociety draws many after it ; and if men fought the honor which comes from God only, they would certainly delight in thofe meetings, which they too often Ihun. It is natural to frequent the afl'cmblies we apprehend to our credit and advantage ; how ftrange is it then that a good man can be unfociable in this refpect, or refufe to join in an exercife fo rational, fo approved of the Lord, and fo beneficial to himfelf, and to the deareft interefl he has !
Under a perfuafion of this divine 'prefence and no- tice, with what reverence and fobriety fliould we be- have in our aiTcmblieb ! \n a meeting where every thing that paflts is recorded in heaven, and the Lord is pre- fent himfelf, who can allow a vain thought or trifling exprellion ? Would a man of fen'fe or modefty behave unfetmly, or fay any thing difagreeable in the prefence or hearing of a wife and refpedlable governor or prince? woul i h ■ not be careful to avoid whatever might offend bis highiicfs, and lludy to honor and pleafe him ? Im- perci lent and foobfh difcourle among them who profefs to fear (jod, on any occifion, is /siC, and unworthy their character i yet, alas, if this book of remembrance
wag
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 471
was laid open before us; could we read without bl-iHi- in^ ? How many hours that are fptriu, even in the . company of chriftians, (land ready to accufe us ? Our fpeech fhou d always be good, that it may niinifter grace to the hearers, but in religious meet.ngs, more efpecially we fnoulJ keep! our hearts with all diligence, and behave in an orderly, decent, humb'e and cautious manner, as in the fight of the Lord. A due fenfe of the record taken in heaven of what is faid amona: the faints on earth, would c'leck th^ bo!dn'-fs of foT.e, who fpeak, or rather prate. Without thinking, and give juft offence. Beloved, we are not to be rafli with our mouth, but pray for a fpirit of v/ildom, that we naay know how to condu6t ourfelves in the houfe of God, who dwells in the midft of his people. This holy guard in the affemblies of the faints is perfe£IIy con- fiftent with a becoming freedom in expreinng our thoughts and experience, or whatever rr.ay tend to the promoting of vital religion.
But, thou art ready to object, my talents are mean, I can fay or do little or nothing for the caufe ; and on that account am tempted to abfent from the meetino-s of the brethren. Thou haft the greater need to attend them; they are an excellent means of flrengthening the weak, and increafmg the light and capacity of thofe who fear God, and, where is the upricrhtnefs of thy complaint, if thou art not feeking more grace? It is pofTible that pride may lurk at the bottom of this fpccious pretence ; is it decent to fay, I will not employ the capaci- ty I have, becaufe it is not equal to that which fome (-thers obtain ? Wilt thou refufe to acknowledge the fovereignty
G g 4 of
472 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
of God in the diftribution of his gifts? Or, canft thou, with reafon, expe£l to be further entrufted, if thou doft not improve the talent thou haft ? Be clothed with humility, and do not think thyfclf utterly incapable of icvviwy the intertft of religion. A perfonal appearance among the faints, is in itfelf a means of thofe affem- blics, in which they contrive and a6l for the Name of the Lord ; and, is not this in thy power ? Thou haft not the eloquenceof Aaron or the tongue of Apollos, yea, it may be thou canft fcarce fpeak at all, yet, if with real concern for the honor of God, you ailill with your prefence before - him, he knows thy delircs, and his ear is open to the voice of thine heart. It is an honor to be qualified for plead- in"- the caufe of God, and for edifying his church, but his gracious memorial in behalf of his people is not ccnHned to thofe who fpeak beft, or even to them whq do moft, but extends to all v.-ho think pn his Name. Upon the whole, it appears that there is no reafon to bo difcouraged on account of thy v.eakncfs, nor is that an exciue for t.y non-attendance with the faith- ful in their confercnce-meetinns.
And, vi'hat is the contempt, ill will, or reproaches of n^cn, or any other trials to be met with in thus fci'kins the kingdom of God ? The world may deem it u-cak and fup-rrllitious, and they who are addicted to pi.'.afure, and attend all aflem.biies but that of the faint?, may prom uncc it aftl-dled fingularity, or even divibt the iuK-eiity ot thofe v/ho follow them; they v/ill objecl: and lay every faimbling-blcck they can in thy way, if not malicioufiy watch for thy halting, and pia^nify every failing againflthee; yea and furthe/,
thoij
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 473
thou mayeii: be forfakcn by fome who were once thy ^zealous companions, fee little fuccefs, and even for a feafon be in darknefs of foul. Thus the Lord may h'de himfelf, and keep filence awhile, neverthelcfs thy name is written in heaven ; a bock of remembrance is th'.re ; not a thought, a figh, a tear, a word, or an paction, fnail be loft- or forgotten . Then be not aftiamed ; though out of the books of fome men, to thy prcLnt difadvantage, and the contempt of vain per- fons ; thou art noted in this book of God, precious in ^is fight, and fhalt receive at his hands a crown of glory which fadeth not away.
To conclude : Should not the gracious inclination and regard of the Lord to his faints when difcourfing together on his Name, excite their attention to him ? It belongs to the faithful to hear whatever the Lord God v/ill fpeak, and his hearkening to them is one mo- tive to this obedience of faith. " The companions " hearken to thy voice," Cant. vlii. 13. It is not only difobedient but ungrateful to neglect: his voice, whofe ear is attentive to ours. Blufh, Chriflian, if thy ccnfcience telis thee tliou haft at any time difcovered a want of regard to the authority and love of thy Lord, who is ever v/aitir.g to be gracious unto thee ! In a word, is a book of remembrance written before him for thee ? let a memorial of his free and wonderful grace be written on the table of thine heart ; bind it on thine arm, or rather let it be graven on the palms of thy hai.ds, to animate thy zeal for his glory, that thou mayeft appear to be his in that day when he makes up ]iis jev/els?
LECTURE
474 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
LECTURE XXIX.
LoKD of bolls J whence that magnificent title; the dzy when he will make up his jewels ; and what implied in fo doing.
TH AT a book of remembrance was written be- fore the Lord, in favor of his people, might juftly infpire them with courage under all their temp- tations, but he is gracioufly pleafed to make a further revclatiC)n of his will, and to unfold this facred memo- rial; not to indu'ge a vain curiofity, but that they irsicrht be fi kd with peace and joy in believing, and prcfs towards the mark of this glorious prize. This is the record ; *' And they {hall be mine, faith the Lord " of hofls, in that day when 1 make up my jewels ; •* and I will fpare them as a man fpareth his own fon " that ferveth h.m." Other pafTages intimate the no- tice God takes of the thoughts, affedlions, refolutions, prayers, tears and ferviccs of his faints, and they war- rai>t us to conclude that thefe are all punctually in- fcribcd in this book; but here we have an exprefs re- cital of its contents, from whence the faithful may cer- tainly know what is written in heaven concerning them . And , who can forbear with the pfalmift to admire and fay : ^^ O Lord, how great is thy '* goodnefs v/hich thou hafl: laid up for them that truft f' in thee before the fons of men ! "
This
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 475 .
^ This is not the corijefture cf man but the counfel . of God, on which alone that hope depends, which is the anchor of the foul; it is what the Lord of hofts fa'th ; a difcinguifning cha:a6tcr firft adopted by Han- nah, when flie vowed in the bitternefs cf her foul, I Sam. i. II. Jehovah is the Lord of hofts, as he ruleth in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabi- tants of the earth, in which refpecb the number of his forces are not to be told, they comprehend every crea- ture on whom his light fhines. Job xxv. 3. In this illuftrious character, are difplayed the majefly, power, and glory of the moft High over all ; but I apprehend it chiefly refpeds him as King of faints, and as the commander cf the people he hath redeemed ; it feems a title peculiar to Jehovah the Son, and to be originally derived from his conducing the Ifraelites out of Egypt into Canaan, of whom it is faid, Exod. vi. 26. that they were brought " from the land of Egypt, accord- *' ing to their armies or hofts." And again, chap, xii. 41. " In the felf-fame day it came to pafs that all " the hofcs of the Lord went out from the land *' of Egypt ;" and accordingly the ark on which ihe fhekinah rcfted was called by the *' Name of the Lord " of hoft?, who dwelt between the cherubims," 2 Sam. vi. 2. This agrees with the chara6ler under which he appeared to Jofhua, chap. v. 15. " The Captain of the *' Lord's hofts," to whom divine honor is paid, which correfponds with Ifa. Iv. 4. where the Father faith, '* 1 have given him — a leader and commander of the *' people." Now this fignificant and fmgular charac- jter is aftijmcd in the proclamation before us 5 and this
was
476 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
was the grand and flriking manner in which the -pro- phets came forth : " Thus faith the Lord, the Lord " of hojts^' from whofe mouth the report comes to the heart with authority, and being mixed with faith, pro- duces an affured expeiStation of the promife ; for who fli.^It queftion the word of the omnipotent and un- chaugeable God ?
Ani> what ear is not open when the Lord of hofts fpeak-s ? Who is not waiting to know what the King of heaven will pronounce at the head of his troops ? He will farely'declare fomething great 2xiA good ^X'^g. himfelf, t-^ the joy of his faints ; of this David was confident, Ff.lm ixxxv. 6. " The Lord will fpeak peace to his " Jieople and to his faints ;" nor was he miftaken : he utteishis voice from his heavenly throne, under whom rank, in order, the innumerable company of angels, arch- ai'.ge'.s, cherubiins and feraphims, with the patriarchs, ap()(lles, and a multitude of fpirits made perfe6t, who were redeemed unto God by his blood, all filent to Imw^ and fwift to perform his fovereign pleafure ; and lo his command is to infcribe this decree from his lip3 ! " And they (hall be mine, faith the Lord of *' hofts, in the day when I make up my jewels ; and " I will fpare them as a man fpareth his own fon that " ferveth him." No lefs honor is infured them who think on the Name of the Lord : it contains all their falvation and all their defire j lefs could not fatisfy them ; more is net wanting to render them compleatly h^ppy for ever.
Th^
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 477
The period referred to is the laft and great day ; for though the deftruitjon of the Jews is pointed at in this prophec}', on the credit of which, as confirmed by our Lord, many fled* and efcaped, whom fome count thefe jewels j yet this fearful inftance of vengeance, however Hke that yet to come, did not amount to the defcription given of this day of the Lord, which we are told, "fhall burn as an oven, and utterly confume all " that do wickedly," infomuch that it fliall leave them neither root nor branch : but this was not the cafe in the deftruclion of Jerufalemj indeed multitudes periftied in a terrible manner, yet their pofterity remain to this day in fm and unbelief; neither did the righteous then tread down the wicked as afhes under the foles of their feetj nor (hall we difcern between him that ferveth God and him that ferveth him not ; all which is de- clared of this day, till Jefus is revealed from heaven to judge the fecrets of men, and render to every one ac- cording to his deeds.
In this gracious declaration from the Lord of hofts, we are to note, whofe property the righteous fiiall be at his glorious appearance, the mercy they fhall then ob- tain, and how that folemn and interefting period is defcribed. It begins with the claim which the Lord will make in his people at his appearance and king- dom, " They fhall be mine." Every creature is the Lord's, who is the Maker of all things; he hath an abfolute propriety and univerfal dominion ©ver the works of his hands. All fouls are his, angels
and
* To PeJli, a city of Macedonu,
47S CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
and men ; nor doth the apoftacy and rebcliicn of either deprive the moft High ; but there is no cert.uh con- nexion between being the Lord's by creation and natu- ral right, and an efcape from his wrath, as a righteous judge, who will not acquit j but thi;, we fhall prefently fee, ftands connedled with being his in the ku(Q of the text, " They fhall be mine," to me, as it literally runs J i. e. my fons, each one fhall be to me as an own, dutiful, and beloved fon to his affectionate and generous parent : This appears from their being fpared as a fon, according to the promife; for the infinitely wife and unchangeable Jehovah cannot mifapply the bleffings of his love. He is undoubtedly a fon whom the Lord deals with as fuch . Again} *' They fhall be mine," i. e. my jeweh. Now the jewels of z man are his treafure, and 'his cbimi the Lord hath in his people, txod. xix. 15. " Thou fhalt *' be to me a peculiar treafure above all the people " of the earth." 1 he expreffion carries in it more than bare property, however valuable, it is an allufion to jewels purchafed and appropriated to a man's own ufe, and for the difplay of his perfonal glory on certain occafions, of which more hereafter. Thefe ideas cor- refpond with the relation fubfifting between God and his people, whom he hath chofen, redeemed, and fet apart for himfelf : " The Lord hath chofen Jac, b for " himfelf, and Ifrael for his peculiar treafure," or jew- els, for the word is the fame, Pfalm cxxxv. 4. " They " fhall be mine." But are not the righteous now his ? Doubtlefs they are } being called by grace, they ap- pear to be his ; under a perfuafion of which they may boldly fay, " I am the Lord's," Ifa. xliv. 5. or, as in
Cant.
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 479
Cant. vii. 10. "lam my Beloved's, and his deirc is *' towards me," 1 hus Gith the Lord to the leed of Jacob, " I have called thee by thy name, thau art *' mine" Ifa. xliii. I. This is the chara«3:erirt.c of them who fear God, by the teftimony of his word, and in which they can ibmetimes rejnice, when fealed with the Spirit of adoption ; and in many inftances the Loio hath owned his people in the difpenfation of his provi- dence, by which their enemies, who opprefTed them, have been made to know, to their coft, that he " that *' toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye ;" never- thelefs, in this ftate of imperfection and trial, they are .often obfcured in infirmities, affli£lions and perfecu- tions, under which they lie concealed, and their real character queftioned by themfelves and others. In this dark and doubtful fituation, the eriemy is ready to infult, and they are but too prone to fear that they are no: the children of God j but in the day when Chrift makes up his jewels, thefe dlouds fhall vanifh away, they (hall be manifeftly hisj and be filled with courage and joy whea he will confefs them before his Father and his an^ieis, '' They fliall be mine," faith the Lord of hofts, evi- dently mine : I will inveft myfelf with them^ and be glo- rified in them ; then fhall fmall and great know, and every creature, in that univerfal alTembly, acknowledge they are mine, when my glory is revealed upon them ; it fhall then be manifeft that they are mine, whom the Father hath given me, my (heep, for v/hom I laid down my life, my chofen, called and faithful ones.
With this honor and joy, ftands connected the mercy of our Lord Jefus Chrift, exprefled in thefe words, " I will fpare them as a man fpareth his own fon
" that
48o CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
" that ferveth him." Some refer this to the dealing^ of God with his children in timej q. d. they fhall hi mine in the day when I make up my jewels ; till then I will fp:ire, i e. have pity on them , 1 will not enter into judgment with them; but pardun.and accept them, nothwithftanding all their imperfediunsj and no doubt the believer is indebted to the fj.anng mercy of the Lord while in their natural ftate, till called into fellcwfliip with him; and in all his difpeitfations, even in his chaftenings, he corre6tcth them as a father a fon in whom he delights ; but it is realonable to refer both claufes to the fame period, even to that day of the Lord v/hen vengeance fhall be taken on the wicked. The Word* properly fignifies to be propitious, favor- able, or compaffionatc, even to fhew mercy to them who in juftice might bedeftroyed. " As I live, faith the *' Lord, I will not fpare, neither will I pity," Ezelc, V. II. i. e. I will execute juftice, *' becaufe thou haft ** defiled my fanduary." Thus God fpared not the an pels that finned, but ca/i them down to hell, nor the old -world, 2 Pet. ii. 4, 5. In this fenfe alfo the Father fpared not his own Son, but delivered him up to juftice for our fins, which indeed is the legal ground of that mercy which the righteous (hall obtain according to this promife. I will fpare them, fo as not to inflicSl the punifhment or evil their iniquities deferve ; as a prince fpares the life of a criminal, or traitor, which he might juftly have taken away, or rather as a par'?nt dealeth with his own fon, whom he will not punifh according to his defert. This fparing mercy is a kind of pity pro- ceeding from love, by which the fubjeil is faved from
deferved
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 4^i
iJeferved punifhmcnt ; and this ftiercy is looked for by them who think on the Name of the Lord, Jude xxii. In that awful day, when the righteous vengeance of a fm-hating God fhall confume the wicked as with fire, thofe devouring flames ftiall not kindle upon them, they (hall be wholly and perfectly fpared ; not a drop of vi/rath fhall fall on them ! yea, faith the Lord, " I will *' fpare them as a man fpareth his own fon thztferveib *' hiMf" they ftiall be treated as innocent, or as though tliey had never offended : wonderful mercy indeed ! They fhall not only be entirely fecure from the punifh- ment of fin, but they ftiall be jufl:ified and openly ac- quitted at the tribunal-feat, which juftification fl:ands infeparably connected with life everlafting. So then, to be fpared in the fenfe of this promife, is nothing ftiorC of compleat ahd eternal falvatioh,
. In this illuftratiori of the mercy which the righteous fhall obtain at the appearance and kingdom of their Sa- viour, we may note, the charailer under which this grace ftiall be brought unto them, viz. that of own fons.3 this befpeaks new covenant-relation, out of which co- venant no finner ftiall be fpared in that day. Chrift is the judge, by commiflion from the Father, and the mercy he difpenfes from his throne, terminates on thofe adopted fons, whofe fafe condudl to glory was the end of his fufFerings and death ; and accordingly we find that he inverts them in the following terms, " Come ye blefled *' of my Father." To which agrees Rev. xxi. ft. *' He that overcometh fhall inherit all things, and I *J^ will be his God, and he ftiall be my fon." We H h are
482 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
are , further taught by this allufitn, the pleafure and joy with which the Lurd will thus fpare thems that fear him. When a father corrects his own fon, he ftill delights in him, though his conduit requires chaftifement ; but if a parent, .n the charadter of a judge, is called to fentence and punifh condemned ma- lefadors, among whom his own child has been numbered, can in juftice acquit, or fpare him from the miferable deftrudlion of the guilty, with what tranfporting joy muft he difcharge and defend him ^ who can fay, or fully conceive, the delight an affec- tionate father muft take in thus fparing his beloved fon ? This is the time, O believer, when thy God will *' rejoice over thee," Ifa. Ixii. 5. " He will rejoice " over thee with joy ; he will reft in his love, he will *' joy over thee with fmging," Zeph. iii. 17.
This notable day is defcribed from a lingular and interefting tranfaiSion which is then to take place: " In the day when I make up my jewels." It has al- ready been {hewn, that the jewels of the Lord are no other than thofe who love, and think upon his Name; thefe are his dear and precious property, prepared and reffrved for his glory •, now thefe jewels he will mah Zip f . The firft and obvious idea of which is coUe^ion, It alludes to a prince or rich man whofe plate and jew- els, being depofued and difperfed in different places, are on fome grand occafion gathered together for the dif- play of his magnificence. Thus on fet- times the great men of the earth make up their vefiels of gold and of fil-
vffrj
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 483
i'er ; and likewife their diamonds and other curious ftones of beauty and value, v/ith which they adorn themfelves and make their appearance, oil marfiage-feafts, or ori other public occafions, to be admired in their affluence arid grandeur: In like manner the Lord will colledl his people, W'ho, as we have feen, are his pecuh'af treafure. " Gather my faints together unto me, thofe " who have made a covenant with me by facnfice," t'falm I. 5. And again, " And he fhall fend his angels *' with ; great found of a trumpet, and they fliall " gather together his elc«Sl from the four v/inds, froni *• one end of the heaven to the other," Matt. xxiv. 31, both which places evidently refer to the day of judg- fhent, when all the redeemed ftial! be together in one body) with their glorified Head.
But fimple collection is not peculiar to the faints, for in that day fmall and great, without exceptionj fhall ftand before God ; the v/icked will be gathered as well as the righteous. The exprelTion alfo imports their luftre and beauty, and points to the glorious manner in which the righteous £hall then appear together with Chrift ; " when I make up," i. e. when I finifh, polifli, br compleat them, that they may appear in the utmoft perfeftion. This is the gradation of the Lord's work on his people, Ifa. xliii. 7. " I have created him for my glory, I hnve formed him, yea, I have w^^^ him," or, according to the rendring before us, for it is the fame word, fnade up; and it is well known that in the making up of jewels, in order to a magnificent appear- ance, they are cut, fet and polifhed, that their bright- nefs may appear. Thus the faints fhall be glo^oufly H h 2 finifhed
4^4 CONDUCT QF THE FAITHFUL
finiflied at the coming of th' ir Lord, when called t^
the marriage- flipper of the Lamb, and fhine in th©
kingdom of thei. Father. They who- fear the LoR»
have the principle of glory and beauty in themfelves,
not indted by nature, in which refpeft the comparifon
fails J they are naturally polluted and guilty, naked
and bare, which is ihameful, but, being partakers-
of grace in Chrift, thty are the excellent of the earthy
and have a real- and fubftantial glory belonging ta"
them : Covered with the fpotlefs robe of his mediatorial
righteoufnefs ; their cloathing is wrought gold, and
their brightnefs as a bridegroom which decketh him-
felf as a prieft, and as a bride adorneth herfelf with her
jewels j but the finifhing thefe fpiritual jewels refpe£ls-
their internal holinefs and perfonal beauty, as renewed
in the image of God, unto a divine and eternal life,
which is the honor and happinefs of the creature, and
will extend to their whole perfons at the refurredlioHi*
Grace is the eflence of glory, which cannot be fully
difplayed in a ilate of fm and mortality, but when
Jesus makes up his jewels, they fhall not only be
compleat in their number, not one being miffing, but
each (hall be finifhed in the higheft manner. In that
day they who are the Lord's, whether found among
the quick or the dead, fhall be brought forth in his
likenefs ; then each faint will be wrought up to the
greateft perfection and bear his part in new Jerufalem,
when that holy city comes down from God out of
heaven, as a bride adorned for her hufband.
There is yet another thing implied, without which a number of jewels can never appear with advantage,
na,mely.
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 485
^namely, their due difpofitlon. The beauty of all precious ftones, however excellent in their nature, or polifhed by art. will be feen in proportion to the order in which they are placed ; a proper adjuftment in this refpeil is needful to a compleat view of a biilliant diamond, or other precious ftone, and accordingly fome read the words, I difpofe, i. e. order, my jewels, as the ftones of a crown, fet by a flcilful hand, "for a difplay of their luftre in every point of light, to charm the fpedlator; for then the faints, thus colleded into one ftately body, will be as a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of their God. In all bodies who make their appear- ance, individual membtrs fhine in their place, and the glory of the proceflion depends upon order ; a faint out of order, is like a loofe jewel that is fcattered or concealed in a corner j he cannot difplay the beauty of holinefs, the obedience of faith, or his love to the Lord Jefus Chrift, but lies as it were in obfcurity and contributes nothing towards the luftre of his Redeemer's kingdom on earth, which is greatly eclipfed by a neglecft of an orderly profeflion, or not walking in the Name of the Lord, as becometh his faints j but at the refurredlion every man will appear in his own oider, i Cor. xv. There will be no confufion or mifplace in that general afTembly and church of the firft-born, every jewel fiiall be in its place ; from whence it will appear in the moft ftriking manner to its own advantage, and the glory of all with whom it ftands in connexion.
This is the gracious afllirance from the mo^th of
the Lord, in favor of thofe who think on his Name.
Hh3 In
CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
In the laft and great day, when all the workers of iniquity fhali be rejedcd and punifhcd, and the ven- gea; ce of a fm-hating God, by the wrath of the Lamb, (hall come down on the wicked, to their eternal per- dition, thefe faints fliall appear to be his, his dear and valuable treafure, to his honor and glory ; he will then make them up as his jewels, gather them to- gether, perf'e6lly finifli and duly difpofe them in his illuf- trious'myftical body, when he fliall prefent her a glorious church to himfelf ; then fhall all his faithful fervants obtain mercy, be fpared from the juft defert of their manifold tranfgrefiions, yea, and treated as innocent, being juftified and accepted, as though they had never offended ; and in one word, as the fons of God, with joy and delight, the Judge, their Redeemer, in the name of, his Father, will polTefs them with life everlalling.
It appears from this account, that the Lord hath a people fet apart for himfelf, his peculiar treafure ; that thefe jewels are at prefent fcattered and divided, but that on the day of his appearance they fhall he, made up, or compleated, when they fhall obtain his mercy unto eternal life, in which they will find an ample reward for all their fufferings for righteoufnefs fake, and their love to his Name. An improvement on thefe points v/ill be the fubjedi of an other ledlurej which will finifh the defign we are upon^ for the preient it may fuffice to obferve, that the expectation of the believer is fure, it refts not on any uncertain conje£lure, however probable, nor is it a conclufion drawn from the moft plaufible reafonings of rnan i his
hope
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHL 487
hope is in the teftimor.y of God, and its foundations lie detp and ftcure in the immutability of his c lunfel, and guard' d by every perfeclion of deiry. ** I wait for the L RD, my f ul doth wait, in his word do I h' pe," Pfalni cxxx. 5. Nothing fliort of the exprefs declara- tion of the I.oRD hin.fclf, lies at the bottom of our hope in Chrirt, it holds in the promif^-, and centers in Jehovah, who abiderh faithful, for be cannot deny himfelf; *' In hope of eternal life which God that *' cannot lie, promi^^d b-fofe the v/orld began," Tit, i. 2. The Lord hatn fpoken, and v jio Ihall diffannul it ? His " word is forever ftttled in the ]ieavens, and *' his faithfulnefs eftabliihed above the clouds ;" he is the Lord of hofts, he fpeaks and it is done, he com* mands and it ftands faft j the foul that depends on his word may challenge the univerfe, and look upon every creature as an inftrument in the band of God, fo far as it may afFedt him, to bring about his €xpe(3:ation and hope ; "all things work together for good to them *' who love God," whofe purpofe, according to which they are called, fhall ftand, certainly ftand, " for if *' God be for us who can be againft us ?" This then is the chorus of the church, or the repeated fong of the faithful in fociety, " The Lord of hoils is with us, " the God of Jacob is our refuge, Selah." This hope is infallible; that every or>£ who thinks on the Name of the Lord fhall be his, in the day when he makes up his jewels, and that he " will fpare fuch, as a man *' fpareth his own fon that ferveth him ; for this is as the " waters of Noah, ifa. liv. 7 — 10. As the Lord hath " fworn that the waters of Noah fhall no more go over .« the earth, fgbath he fworn he will not be wiath with Hh4 his
488 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
"^^ his people, nor rebuke them in the day of his anger,? *' Surely in the floods of great waters they fhall not *' come nigh unto them. He will be their hiding-place, ** and will compafs them about with fongs of deliver^ f ance," Pfalm xxxii. 6, 7.
Nor fhall the happinefs of the faint be delayed ; his falvation flumbereth not. Under fome circumftance? he may now be impatient, not making the teftimonies of the Lord the men of his counfel, but rather leaning to his own underftanding, and efpecially when his enei- mies infult, and tauntingly fay, Where is the promife of his coming ? The chriftian may then be ready to cry, O Lord how long ! or in the mother of Sifera's words, in relation to her fon, " Why is his chariot fo long in " coming ? Why tarry the wheels of his chariot ?" But the Lord is not flack concerning his promife; the day is at hand when it fhall come to pafs that, as fure as the Lord brought forth the children of Ifrael, the felf- fame day appointed four hundred and thirty years before its commencement ; in like manner the falvatioa of God fhall not tarry ; *' of that day and hour no maa ** knoweth " it is a fecret in the bofom of the Father, Mat. xi. 27. and it will be fuddenly revealed ; but of this we are certain, that a time is fixed, and that it nearly approaches, when Chrift: will make up his jewels ; nor fhall earth or hell be able to procraftinate the hour of this bleflTed hope; he faith, " Surely I comip 5' quickly: Amen; even fo, come Lord Jefus.
LECTURE
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 489
LECTURE XXX.
Chrift's people comparable with jewels ; their difperfior^ in time J the certainty of their accomplifhment at his coming. Reflexions.
FROM the promife explained in the preceding lecSlure, it is evident that the Lord has a peculiar people, who are ftiled his jewels ; that at prefent thefe are difperfed, but that a day is at hand, when he will compleat them, and that then he will own and honor them as a father his dear and dutiful fon. The Reader's attention is once more intreated, while I attempt to improve the delightful fubjeft, by fhewing the pro- priety of the metaphor under which the chofen are defcribed, in what refpe6ts they lie fcattered abroad, and the r^afons there are to conclude that they (hall certainly be gathered and fpared, according to the word of the Lord j thefe particulars, with a glance on the ample reward the righteous will find in this grace, and fuitable refledlions, will finifli my defign.
In this glorious prophecy, the Lord mentions his jewels, which he will make up at his coming; now, that thefe are no other than his people, who think on his Name, appears from the aflurance he gives them. that they fliall be his at that time, which amounts to a. promife of being counted in his treafure in the day of revelation, and the aptnefs of the defcription before us will appear when we confiderj
I, That
490 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
I. That their nurrher is certain. The jewels of a prince or great nan, are known and determinate pMftionb or parts of his peculiai' treafure. For a man to r alee up his jewels, ws have feen, is to accomplifh their number or gaiher them altogether, but how can this be if their number is uncertain with the owner ? Can a r ch rr;an be I'uppofed unacquainted with thofc prtc'ous things whi.b h.- hath fet apart for himfclf, or his perfonul glory i Much lefs is it dLcent to imagme that there is any .uiicertainty with the Lord in ;-efpe<3: of the faints, the knowledge of whom is ffTentiil to the idea of nna.king them up, it being impollible to compleat an indefinite number of objedls : The peo- ple c,f God are a certain chofcn generation, whom the Father has adopted to himfelf in Chrift, who hath redeemed t^em with his blood, and is charged with their recovery and falvation ; thefe are vefTels of mercy afore prepared unto glory, being ordained to life evej*- lafting, whofe number cannot in the nature of things be increafed or diminiflied. I am fenfible this holy dof^rine of the Bible is difagreeable to the tafte of men who lean to their own underftanding ; but however they who fubmit not themfelves to the divine fovcreignty in the difpenfations of grace, may contradict and blafpheme, thisfoundatjon of Godftandeth fure; " the Lord know- *' eth them that are his :" This fober and rational truth, is fupported by many exprefs and flrong declara- tions, and indeed by the curient of fcripture, yea, it is infeparably connedted with the way of falvation opened in the gofpelj for take away the dodrine of
eledion.
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 491.
.e-ie(^ion, and the notion of a proper facrifice of atone- ment, and redemption by the Sori of God, as the fub- ftitute of finners, is not to be fupported but the /cripturcs declare that " Chrift hath redeemed us from *' the curfe of the law, being made a curfe for us,'' Gal. iii- 13. And again, " He hath made him to be " fm for us, who knew no fm, that we might be made *' the righteoufnefs of God in him," 2 Cor. v. 25, This idea of the faints, feems couched under the figure before us, which fhews its propriety. Jev/els are a cer- tain known number of precious veflels, which however depofited at prefent in different places, are to be col- lected, in order, on particular cccafions for the honor of thofe who pofiefs them. In like manner we have feen, " that the Son of man ihall fend Jiis angels '" with the great found of a trumpet, and they fhall '* gather together his elecSl from the four winds, froin f* one end of heaven to the other." But,
2. This figure flands illuftrated by the very high ejleem of the Lord for his people. Jewels are exceed- ingly valued by their owner ; and our Saviour hath ob- ferved what univerfal experience confirms, Matt. vi. 21. " that v/here the treafure," i.e. the peculiar portion and joy of a man is, " there will his heart be alfo." Now the Lord hath fet his afFeiSions on his people, and therefore he chofe them, Deut. vii. 7. They are fealtd on his heart, Cant. viii. &. They are the objedls of his fpecial unchangeable and eternal love, precious and honorable in his fight. This choice and efteem arofe not from any motive in them. Neither a forefight of ithfir mifery, or their faith, or any thmg comparatively
better
492 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
better or wprfe, properly and fimply, induced the AI- ijiighty to regard them above others ; no, they arc efteemed as his elc(3:, and he fet them apart, of his meer good pleafure, as the Sovereign of grace ; but, havino- thus chofe them for himfelf, they are dear to him, in- fomuch that he that toucheth them, " toucheth the ap- f pie of his eye," Zech. ii. 8. Again,
3. They rnay well be thus ftiled on account of the price he paid for them. Jewels are coftly, and ufually obtained with a very great fum. Thus of wifdom it is faidy *' She (hall not be exchanged for jewels of fine *' gold, and her price exceeds that of rubies," Job xxviii. 17, 18. To the fame purpofe we read. Matt, xiii. 46. of the having found one pearl of great price, went and foid ail that he had, and bought it. As hint- ed already, there was no fingular excellency in the people of God, in their natural or creation ftate, much l^fs as mvolved in the fatal apoftacy of man, to com- mend them in the fight of Jehovah ; but having fet his love upon them, and they being under a fentence of death, and children of wrath and difobedience as others, they were dearly bought out of the hands of juflice; redeenied, not with corruptible things as filver and gold, but with blood ; not with the blood of bulls or of goats, but yvrith the precious blood of the Son of God, who was manifeft in the flefh, and who, in re- fpedl of his innocence as man, and the defignation of the Father, was as a lamb without blemifh or fpot. ** Ye are, faith the apofcle, bought with a price," i Cor, vi. 20. No trifling or inadequate confideration ranfom- ed thefe veflels of pkafure and mercy i the expreffion is
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 495
ftrong, and carries in it tha' a full price was paid tor them ; it points to the equitable, yea to the unfpeakable value of that which the Lord laid down for his peo- ple. Ineffable indeed J he gave himfelf. for them and poured out his foul unto death, that he might poflefs and enjoy them ! No jewels, however comparatively immenle in their value, were purchafed at th" rate of Ghrift's people ; their price, on the higheft poflible com- putation, falls infinitely below that: by which the chofeH were redeemed. And fufth^r,
4. The allufion is juft in refpe^l of their virtue ana goodnejs. Jewels have an intrinfic worth, and are of real value to him that polleffes them. So are the faints, they are the excellent of the earth, Pfalm xvi. 3. In their apcftate ftate they are vile and unprofitable ; and fmce their converfion, their fiefh which cleaves to them is bafej yet being called, and chofen, and faithful, they are dignified in the righteoufnefs of God, which is by faith, " unto all and upon all them that believe.*, In this robe they are decked, as a prieft with his jew- els, Ifa. Ixi. 10. They are likewife choice in regard of their inherent righteoufnefs; there is fome o-ood thing wrought in them, by the Holy Ghoft j they znreallyy though in refpe6l of degree but imperfeSfly, fan6tified, and in proportion to their light, faith, love, and fruits, truly valuable, and accordingly. Lam. iv. thefe ftones of the fanduary, the precious fons of Zion, are com- pared to fine and pure gold. Moreover,
5. As jewels, the people of God are moft carefully preferved, Men lock up their treafure in a cabinet or
place
494 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
place of great fafetyj and the Lord preferves therf! that love him ; they are hid and preferved from being loft or deftroyed : They dwelt on his heart and wefft' fecurcd in the covenant, chofen in Chrift, who is the fecret place of the moft High, from everlasting. In the time of their ignorance, when in the world dnd iti the kingdom of fatar, they ^ere preferved in him, and, being called, they are fecure in his hands, his eye is con- tinually upon them, and he keeps them, as with a gar- rifon J, by his power, for *' as the motjntains are *' round about Jerufakm, fo the Lord is round about " his people from henceforth even for ever," Pfalni cxxv. 2. And,
6. This metaphor fs proper on account of ths glory they reflect on the Saviour. Jewels are fof ornament; in them, on certain occafions, perfons of rank make a magnificent appearance, agreeable tof «heir diftinguiftiing charadler. In like manner, Je- fus doth and will fhine in his chofen; he is novg' adorned by their obedience of faith and fruits of righ- teoufnefs, which redound to his honor and praife, and in fome periods the Lord has flione in the beauty of Zion in general, when his glory has rifen upon her,' then this flock of his people, whom he hath faved, are as the ftones of a crown lifted up, Zech. ix. i6. or, Ifa. Ixii. 3. as " a crown of glory or a royal diadem in " his band," but at his coming, when he fhall defcend from heaven, in the glory of his Father and his angels,' he will alfo be *' gloriiied in his faints, and admired m *' all them that believe." Once more,
7. A5
tjpfovpovy,imi I Pet. i. 5, compared with 2 Cov xi. 33.
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 405
y. As jewels he will poflefs them for ever. A no- tle perfon, who regards his honor, will part wi;h any thing rather than his jewels; for without thefe, on particular occafions, his appearance will fall fliort of his charader, and dif^race him. No man will difpofe of his peculiar treafure, but in cafe of neceffity ; nor will the a]l-perfe<S and blefled Jehovah, who hath fet apart the chofen for himfelf, fufFer them to be loft, or refign them to any, for he refts in his love, and will eternally rejoice in his people. So then they who fear the Lord may fitly be counted his. jewels; they are a certain known number, precious in his eyes, and which he hath purchafed at a very high rate; befides their real beauty and worth, confidered as faints, his care to pre- ferve them, the honor they do him both now and here- after, and, in a word, his determination to enjoy them forever ; thefe are fufficient to juftify, yea, and finely illuftrate the propriety of the metaphor.
Now thefe jewels are united in the purpofe of the Father; their names are together in the Lamb's book of life ; they are from the beginning, before Go 1, in a myftical union with Clirlft, who is the head of his body the church, and of the flock committed to the charo^e of Jefus, the fhepherd and b;fhop of fouls ; neverthelefs it appears that for a feafon they lie in a fcattered and di- vided condition, and that in the following refpedls,
I. In the period of their aftual exiftence. The a!I- comprehenfivemind of the infinite Jehovah, from eter- mty viewed the obje<as of his love, and chofe them at
once.
496 CONDUGT OF THE FAITHFUt
once, but they are produced by degrees, both in nature and grace j in refpedl of the former, which is thcf point before me, they defcend by ordinary generation - from Adam, and are brought forth, fome in one age and fome in another ; hence they are as it were difperfed in different ages and nations of the world, from the creation to the diffolution of the heavens and the earth. This natural divifion or fepa- ration in time, no doubt is under the condudtof Infinite wifdom ; and in the day when he makes up his jewels will turn out to the glory of God, and the fatisfaclion' and joy of his faints. Again,
2. These chofen, who are cotemporarles in this world, are fcattered abroad in the earth ; the bounds of their habitations are fixed in common with others, and it is probable in fome inftances, with a fpecial view, fubfervient to the purpofeof divine grace, for ma- ny have been called in confequence of their fituation ;' however the children of God are locally difperfed, fome in one place, and others elfewhere, infomuch that f<?w of them comparatively can aflemble together and havef perfonal and frequent interviews ; hence a particular church-ftate is appointed, and needful to the fupport of focial religion. The like might be obferved in re- fpedl of their different ftations and circumftances in the prefent lije\ but, in death they are ftill more divided. Under the dominion of this laft and great enemy, for a while, they are not only feparated from others, but each individual is in a ftate of difperfion ; his fpirit is gathered to the throne of God and of the Lamb, while the tabernacle of his body, having feen corruption, is
diffolved
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 49^
diflblved into aflies and duft ; and thus thefe bodies lie icattered in the grave till the morning of the relurrec- tion. In fhort, if we take a general view of the people whom the Lord hath fet apart for himfelf, and who are ftiled his jewels, as they appear in the glafs of the word, at the inftant period we fhall behold an innume- rable multitude already paffed through the revoliitions of time, who are through faith and patience inheriting the promifes. In the unfeen and eternal world, as al- ready obferved, they are in a kind of perfonal difper- fion, their bodies and fouls being at prefent in a ftate of reparation ; we {hall likewife fee many now living, who may be confidered as called, or in a ftate of nature, for though revelation doth not difcover the particular vef- fels of mercy, while in the kingdom of darknefs, yet they bear witnefs to a chofen feed who fhall be faved in every age and generation, fo that we have a general and certain knowledge of faith, that, befides vifible faints, there are fome of thefe jewels exifling on the earth, who furely fhall be gathered, though the number of fuch which remain in any period, or any in- dividual of them, is referved till the appointed time of converfion. And further, if we look forward, it appears from the word of the Lord, that there are children yet unborn, who fhall in fucceeding ages be a feed to ferve him, and that in the latter day a glorious harveft fhall be gathered, both of Jews and Gentiles. And, final- ly, that at the revelation of Chrifl, though the greater number of thefe precious faints will be gathered from their graves, fome will defcend with him in their glo-^ rified bodies from heaven, and at the fame time not a few will be found alive on the earth. Thus divided are I i the
498 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
the peculiar treafure of the Lord in time, under pros* vidence, through the unlverfe, in every generation, pad, preie-:t, and to comej fome dead, fome alive,, ibme yet rebelling in the kingdom of fatan, while others are reduced to the obedience of faith^ and are rejoicing in the Lord as their God ; and when the laft trumpet founds, the elel: ftiall be gathered from heaven, earth, and hell, or the grave j but, however difperfed, they are fecure and forth coming. The Lord will- certainly make up thefe jewels ; their num- ber fhall be compleated, and not one fliall be wanting, when he appears in his glory, of which bleffed hope the following particulars are a full confirmation ;
. I. It hath already been fhewn that they are his chofen dear property j he hath fet his love upon them, Ihed his blood for them ; they are his treafure and his glory as Mediator, and will he fufFer one of thefe to be loft ? What man would lofe a jewel of his treafure, or fufFer it to lie in a total and final obfcurity ? The de- light the Lord hath in his people, and efpecially when joined to his purchafe, is an abundant fecurity for their being gathered to himfelf in due time. And,
2. If thefe are not made up, the end of his choofing and redeeming them is lofl. It was to fhew the riches of his glory, that thefe vefTels of mercy were felefted and ranfomed j the ultimate view of all this grace, is the honor of God, in the perfedlion of his people j this was the end of the divine counfel from everlafling ; for this purpofe the Father chofe his faints in Chrift, and con- ttituted his Son the head of the church, and the Saviour
of
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 499
•of the body. Agreeable to this, Chrift having loved his church, gave himfelf for her, that he might prefent her to himfelf a glorious church, Eph. v. 27. But this will not be accompiifhed while a jewel is miffing, there would then be a defetSl or fchifm in the body, nor will the glory or happinefs of any one faint be abfo- lutely, and in all refpe<Ss compleat, till the whole elec- tion of grace appear united in one body, and each member fin jftied and fet in his place. In a word, Jefus ^ied " that he might gather together in one, the chil- *' dren of God that were fcattered abroad," John xi.52. Not only thoife of the nation of the Jews, but alfo the chofen among the Gentiles ; fo that if any one is left hehind^ Chrift died in vain j a notion to be utterly re- jeded. See Gal. ii. 21. But again,
3. Of this the believer hath an earneft in his effec- tual calling. Every chriftian may fafely argue from the beginning to the completion of a divine work in his foul, Phil. i. 6. Shall the Almighty forfake his own work, or leave it unfinifhed ? It cannot be decently fuppofed. What fiiould hinder the Lord from makino- up, or, as the word imports, finiftiing any one of his jewels, which he hath fet apart, redeemed, and called by his grace ! Not the unworthinefs of the fubjeil, nor any, however feeming unfurmountable, difficulties that lie in the way, feeing what he hath already done with refpeil to this chofen veflel of mercy, and efpecially in turning him from darknefs to light, and flaying the enmity of his mindj this I fay is no lefs, if not a great- er inftance of grace and power than is required unto the perfe<^ion of him who is already wafhed and fanc-
I i 2 t.ficd J
5C0 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
tified ; nor can any leafon be given why the unchange- able and hving Cjod fliould fufter his mercy to fail, contrary to his folemn engagements to maintain it for ever. He then who hath been gathered by the hand of the Lord out of the world, and is numbered with them who are fan£tified by faith, may be affured that they {hall be made up, and counted among his jewels at laft, and efpecially when we confider fur- ther,
4. The infinite perfecSlion and glorious power of the moft High, with whom all things are poffible. Thefe have already been difplayed in their exiftence and con- verfion ; it is highly unreafonable to queflion whether he that created his people, and redeemed them from the dominion of fm and the power of fatan, can make them perfe«51: in holinefs, and prefent them faultlefs, and finifhed, in the day of his appearance, and equally abfurd to imagine that any thing needful to compleat the faints, can lie out of the reach of unfearchable Wif- dom and divine Omnipotence ; nothing of thefe jew- els, however difperfed, is hid from the Lord, or be- yond tlie reach of his arm ; their being made up carries in it the refurrecSion of their bodies, which at prefent, as we have feen, are diflblvel and fcaitered in the grave, infomuch that to an eye of fenfe, their return feems im- poffible, yet reafon proclaims that God is able to raife the dead ; we are indebted to the gofpel for this light of life and immortality fi'om death, yet reafon is not jnore incapable of difcovering this redemption of the bodv, to which the faints are adopted, than it is for- ward to atteft its credibility, on the teftimony of God.
11^ THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 501
So then, the affection the Lord hath for his people, the end of his choice, his purchafe, and what he hath al- ready done for, and wrought in them, ami his almighty power, and other perfe£lions, leave no room to queftion but that he will make up his jewels, according to the word of his grace.
Nor is the hope of that mercy which ftands con- ne£ted with the glory to be revealed on the faints, in the day of Chrift, lefs certain. Its foundation is laid in the fubftitution and fufFerings of the Son of God in their ftead ; all their iniquity was laid on him, and he bore away their fms by the facrifice of h mfelf. If God fpared not his own Son, and Chrift died for them, the faithful may be affured that they fhall be fpared in the day of his wrath ; furely in the floods of great waters they fhall not come nigh unto them; the Redeemer is their hiding-place, and will compafs them about with fongs of deliverance j this may alfo be gathered from the pompaflion already exercifed towards them, when in aftate of death and condemnation ; he that patiently endured their enmity and rebellion, and plucked them as brands from the fire, will furely have mercy on them, and fpare them in the dny of his wrath ; befides, they are covered with the robe of his righteoufncfs, and wafhed in his blood j the righteoufncfs of God is upon them, and being now j uftified freely by his grace, they fhall doubtlefs be faved from wr^th through him, Rom. v. 9. Yea, and further, the experience of the chriftian con- firms it. Indeed the patience and goodnefs of the Lord in his providence, is no fecurity againft the vengeance oi the Almighty, who endures with much long-fufFer-
502 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
ing the veflels of wrath ; yet, alas, how often do Tin- ners prefi.me on an efcape, becaufe the execution of their fentence hath liOt taken place ; but the prefent mercy and favor oi God in a way of ipecial grace to his called, afcertains this bleffed aflurance, the gift of his Spirit, the light of his countenance, their commu- nion with God at any time in his ordinances, their freedom of accefs to him as their Father, and in a word, every infl;anc€ of fpiritual fupply, or promife ap- plied to their heart, is an evident token, or rather a tafte and earneft, of that mercy the righteous fhall ob- tain at the coming of Chrift ; fo that there is not the leaft room to hefitate their being fpared by the Lord in the day when he makes up his jewels, even as a man fpareth his own fon that ferveth him.
Now, that the honor and glory of being owned of the Lord, and fpared as a dear and dutiful fon, is be- yond all expreflion, and that it will turn out an ample reward for the tribulation and tears of his faithful diici- pies, in a time of general apoftacy, appears from the promife itfelf. No other confideration is oiTered to fa- tisfy and encourage his fuffering people under the fore temptations which befal them. The Lord doth not fay, I will now avenge myfelf on the ungodly who profane my Name, and defpife them who fear me ; or, I will immediately defcend as the dew on Ifrael, and remove the occafions of her forrow, which is fometimcs the cafe, at the interceflion of his mourners, but here is no abfolute promife of any alteration for the prefent, all that is propofed to animate and comfort thcfe gracious and aiflided fouls is, that they ftiould be
his.
IN THE DAYS OF xMALACHT. 505 liis, and that he would fpare them in the dav of his coming j but the divine Wifdom and Goodnefs would not leave the righteous without a firffi;cieiit rew^urd ; we may thererbre be alTured that in the accompliibnient of this promlfe they fhall find a full recompence for all the felf-denial a;nd grief to which their piecy may have exp.'fed them* To this agrees the exprefs declaration of our Saviour and his infpired apoft'es, and alfo the judgment of the faithful m all generations. M' fes chofe to fuffer aiflidlion with the people of God, and even efteemed the reproach of Chrift, greater riches than the treafures of Egypt, having refpedl to this re- compence of reward. And we read of many, who, be- ing tortured, would not accept deliverance, on the con- dition of refigning their hope, that they might obtain a better refurreilion, Heb. xi. If the honor and joy of the faints at the day of Chrift will not abundantly compenfate for all the fhame and forrow which they may endure in this vi^orld for his Name's fake, thefe worthies were certainly under a delufion, and of all men moft miferable ; but *' we know our light afflic- *' tion, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a ** far more exceeding and eternai weight of glory," (o that we may juftly " reckon that the fuffcrings of this *' prefent time are not worthy to be compared with the *' glory, which ftiall be revealed in us." Compare 2 Cor. iv. 17. with Rom. viii. 18. Of this reward many, whofe trials have been great, have had a joyful Carneft in the witnefs of the Spirit, and the (olace they have found in the houfe of the Lord ; they who have sndured the moft for the teltimony of their confcience
will
504 CONDUCT OF THE FATTHFUt
will acknowledge that the pleafures of fellowfhip witR God, and the fatisfadtion they have found in the com*- munications of his grace, and efpecially when they be^ hold themfelves in Chrift, through the Spirit of adop- tion ; their delight and joy in God have far over-bal- lanced the pain and difgrace of their fufFerings. Thus David, from his paft experience in the fanftuary, re- joices in this expCfSlation, faying, " My mouth fhall be *' fatisfied as with marrow and fatnefs," Pfalm Ixiii. 5. and many like inftances might be produced. Now if believers are fo abundantly fatisfied in what they at prefent enjoy, and find fuch ample return for the felf-de^- nial they are called to for the fake of religion in therr experience of the love of God in this world, what muft be their glory and joy on being made up and fi- nifhed in the laft and great day ? To be the Lord's, and to be numbered with his jewels, when he appears in his kingdom, muft be an honor and reward, of which they v/ho attain to the higheft degree of knowledge in the prefent ftate, can form no adequate conception. *' It *' doth not yet appear, faith the apoftle, what we fhall ' *' be," I John iii. 2. But we may foberly conclude that the reward of this inheritance will exceed the higheft expectation of the moft eminent faint on earth, and it may be of thofe who in a feparate ftate are al- ready admitted to the throne in the heavens, however it certainly pafleth the underftanding of every mortal, and will fill the happy fubjedls with triumph and praife " un- *' to him that loved them, and wafhed them from their *' fins in his own blood, and made them kings and *' priefts unto God, and his Father."
How
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHI. 50J
How melancholy and miferable the cafe of thofe, whom the Lord will rejed!, or leave behhd in the day when he makes up his jewels ? If it is the peculiar pri- , vilege of the righteous to be his, and to be fpared in that awful day of decifion and juftice, let th° Chriftlefs fmner beware j God will not fpare thec^ but will exe- cute the fiercehefs of his a'^tr^^r! O how unconcerned are many about an intereft in Chrift, and beirg gathered with his peciiliar treafure at his coming; they conrider not the vengeance he v/ill then take on them wiio dif- bbey him. It were better, Reader, thou hadft never been born or ex:ifted, than hot be found among the Lord's jewels at the feafoh referred to ; when they fliall fhine forth in their beauty, afcend up to glory, and poflefs the everlafting kingdom of the Father, ihame fhall cover unbelievers, who will be then, O tremble, ye carelefs ones ! caft into the lake of fire, and lie dovi^n in forrOw and darknefs for ever !
But, art thou, dear Friend, waiting for the hope of right^ouifnefs by faith ? Haft thou found the Pearl of great price ? Is Chrift thy dependence and delight, and exceeding precious to thy foul, fo that all things are as nothing compared v^ith his excellency and grace ? Is his name fo dear, that it occupies the thoughts of thine heart ? And art thou grieved at the contempt caft upon it by the ungodly, and when licentious profeflbrs dif- grace it ? Thefe are genuine fymptoms of that holy fear which belongs to the Children of God ; and they who thus think on the Name of the Lord, are entitled to ejrped the honor of being Ch rift's at his coming. K k And^
5o6 CONDUCT OF THE FAITHFUL
And, Reader, is this thine experience ? Doth thine heart re'oice in piofpedl of being found among the peo- ple of the LoRo, before the Father r.jid his angels, in the day of re\e!ation ? Manifeil this in thy profefled fubjc6tion to the gofp^-1 of Ciinft. Can any man, with rcafon, be looked upon as a fuccefsful candidate for the glory and joy oi b.ing thw Lord's, when he makes up his jewels, to whom it is an indifferent matter, whe- ther he appears to be his among men, or who will not confcfs him on earth. 1 he importance, credit, and advantage of a public acknowledgment and worfhip of Jefus, has been a principal dtCipi of thefe papers, how far they may fucceed w.li hereafter appear ; but I think it muft be allowed an awkard and inconhftent part, for a perfon to boad in the vicv/ of being numbered with the faints in the day of revelaMon, and at the fame time allow himfelf to be namelefs arnong them in the fight of m.ankind. Is it nqt (Irange, that he who expects to be owned, fpared and glorified, as a vilible member of Chrift, in the univerfal alTcmbly, at the tribunal of God, fhoulu not think it his duty and honor to be openlv joined to the Lord and his people, or that he fbould not be alliam.ed to live feparate from the vifible heirs of falvatlon ? One would think it almoft impoffi- ble that a m.an whofe heart is fixed in the hope of being revealed in the church triumphant, could reft fhcrt of appearlns in the church in her militant fiate- it is a conduct fo ungrateful, not to fay abfurd, a fenfible perfon wiil blufli to find jn fiimfelf, and it is hoped will repent; however, this is certain, that nothing can be more unreafonable than to prefume we faall appear with Chrift in glory, when he is revealed from he avcn.
J a
IN THE DAYS OF MALACHT. 507
m a negle6l of his honor on earth ; and It becomes thofe who amufe themfelves with this expedlation to fee if it ftands fupported by the teftimony of God, for 3n hope void of that foundation will furely deceive.
And now, Beloved, I take my farewel with an qar- neft exhortation to my own foul and yours. Picfs for- ward, and haften to the coaiing of ihe Lord. Blefled. is the hope of his fecond appearance ! A day awful. and fatal to the wicked, who fhail be utterly confumed, but, oh how delightful to the righteous who fear him. Then will their eternal gl; ry commence j when every jewel fhall be fin'ilied, difp/ed and fet in the moft' beautiful point of light, and, t'-e number of the eledl, being accompl idled, the adorable Rtdeemer will pre- fe-nt his beloved church, faultlefs b. fore the prefence of his glory, with exceedingjoy. Animated with this divine hope, may all my dear keaders, with their unwortny writer, keep themfelves in the love of God, looking for the mercies of our Lord Jefus Chrift unto eternal life; who is over all, God bleffed for ever. Amen.
FINIS.
Lately publillied, by the farrte Author','
I. rr^ H E Chriftian's concern that he may not be i JL caft-away, in two difcourfes, price 8 d.
2. A Sermon on the deceafe of his Royal Highneft the late Duke of Cumberland, price 6d.
3. The eternal exiftence of the Lord Jefus Chrilt confidered and improved, price 6d.
4. The Chrifiian's falutation, a far^wel - fermon^' price 6d.
5. The conftitutlon of a gofpel-church adapted t9 union and peace, price 6d.
6. Some thoughts on the indecency and danger ot the believer's refting fhort of the communion of faints. The third edition, price 3d. or 2s. 6d. per dozen.
6. An humble addrefs to the churches of Chrift, not to forfake the aflembling themfelves together. The fc- cond edition, price 3d, or 2s, 6 d, per Dozen,
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