:^ *f

4 5l*^

- ^.if fe ¥ v^ >^wwrw^^''

t* 1^ fp 1* ^» i

1^.1**' 10 1«^ ** •>

^ i* *^ *^ ■

igK ^ «(^. tis' ** *.

li^ «^

if #

^. >

i(^ .*

%■ * %

¥ * f* ^«^. *. i' ,

^ -^ .> j^ (r j.^" ^-

'?^ *k •*|^ tj^ .^^ „

*■ .* ? ]r H' '%■ I

*^ > V 1^ * is *. ■*■ % ^ ir V, ft

# !*• ^' y Jt 3fe^ ¥' t"jr . *^ i0 * 'ft #'

>. ^

¥> I'l

'i^ r

' ?*' % 'm> Sif

it; >' >: > v

¥ IF.

*v >..

\' r

>- > % *

t I

,*' iV' 'W

* *■■ V y

e ■!!»

V '»

■ V p V w

:»V !«.; ;»•_ V !»■■

■*' ^' H

• 1^ tmi ■

^ ifpi' fl <* <# .V

r'l^ J|f l» !*■■ *' *»■ 4»' .

In ft If. r- -^^ "J-i- -1 '.' •-. • ■;■ • fct* •»

I**: I* It: l»' i| .-.

l« I* I* . . ,'*

•4' :k' *'

■' >-■ >

■*.' *■ %

■■ '^ <► V '

. «, i*, ^' > > i,». * ^' •)i *" } ' ■>

^^^^^^^^^-^TT-^-^

Gass^LAlA Book ■^ I"

L^^

.r97^^.

■J^.G'yt

^T ^/-/^'a-s^A-.

THE SIN AND DANGER

Cr

INSENSIBILITY

Sunder the calls of god to repentance

TWO SERMONS,

DELIV£RFD IN THF. REF0R>IED DUTCH CHVRCH, AT GBEEN-WICIT, ;tN THE CITT or -rrAV-YOHK,

ON THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1812,

THE DAY SET APART BY THE JOINT RECOMMENDATXOH OF TJBE

GENERAL SYNOD OP THE R. D. CHURCH,

AMD or

HIS EXCELLENCY DANIEL D. TOMPKIJfS, GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE,

A3 A DAY OF

FASTING, HUMILIATION, AND PRAYER.

BY STEPHEN N. ROWAN, A. 31.

— ' ' ■■ ■■ »

NEW-YORK : 'published BT whiting and WATSON, NO. 96 BROADAVVy. {^\

\ I. sr.YMOURj PRI

1812.

'r^^^

Conyregational Thpological Library.

WHITIXG & ^VATSON,

HAVING directed their exertions, almost exclusively, to the publishing and vending Theological and Classical books ; and l)aving received that patronage from the religious public ■which, in their judgment, warrants them in pursuing the same plan, upon a more extended and systematic scale, and in compliance with the advice and solicitations of some of the most distinguished Divines of the present day, propose to republish, in a neat and uniform style, a series of the most valuable, scarce, and necessary works in theoretical and practical Divinity. They intend, if suitable encoviragement be afforded, in this way to furnish a general Theological Library, for Clerergymen, Biblical Students, Religious So- cieties, and Individuals, who value the interests of Religiou and Science.

The plan of forming Congregational Libraries, in every Religious Society, for the use of its ministers., but to remain for ever the property of the congregation, has long been a fa- vourite object with the friends of piety and learning ; parti- cularly as relates to Country Towns, where the scanty sup- port which ministers of the Gospel receive, will not enable them to purchase even the most essential books. A learned and pious ministry, is indeed the greatest ornament, the higl»est privilege, and the richest blessing of a Christian country ; and no plan can be devised so sure., so convenient^ and so chca/i, to attain this important object, as the one now proposed.

In most cases, v/here a Religioua Society is organized, the insignificant sum of one cent fier month., from each indivi- dual, would, in a few years, furnish a very genei-al and valu- able Library, for the use of their Pastors and Teachers, through generations yet unborn ! and thus afford the means, \o those Pastors and Teachers to become, that, wliich olhcr- wise they never will, nor ever can become, (except in a very liubordinate degree,) learned, interesting, useful workmen, in their great Master's service ; who need not be ashamed ; rightly dividing the word of truth ; giving to each his por- tion in due season.

Ye who prize tlic mercies of the sanctuary, above the gold that pcrisheth ; ye who value sound doctrii^c in those that watch for souls; ye who reverence learning, talents, and piety when consecrated to the service of Jehovah ; yc whose ;;oulb desire to see the triumphs of the cross multiplied on the cailh, to have the mouths of gainsayers stopped, and the igitoruncc of foolith men put to silence ; — ponder ye this sub- ject ; coanl the cost up to its utmost cent; and then wcigli it in the balance, the balance of Ltcrnily, against your own personal interest in its success, and the heritage you will leave to your children.

A prospectus, with a more detailed view of Uic.p.laa. ^nrlr subjects of the publication, will shortly be given to the pub- lic.

•Vfw-rorJl, .J;.'ri/«, 181C.

/

THE SIN AND DANG15R

or ....7i III I

7 i" y

INSENSIBILITY ^

UNDER THE CALLS OF GOD TO REPENTANCE :

TWO SERMONS,

DELIVERED IN THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, AT GREENWICH IX THE CITY OF NEW-YORK,

ON THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1812,

THE DAY SET APART BY THE JOINT RECOMMENDATION OF THE

GENEUAL SYNOD OF THE R. U. CHURCH,

AND OF

HIS EXCELLENXY DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE,

AS A DAY or

FASTING, HU311L1AT10N, AND PRAYER.

BY STEPHEN N. ROWAN, A. M.

NEW-YORK : PHBMPHED BY WHITING AND AVATSON, NO. 96 BnOXDWAV

J. SEYMOUR, PRINTER.

lHl-2.

^Tg-i

•7-

ADYERTISE3IENT.

A NUMBER of persons, who heard these Sermons prcaclied, have requested me to give tliem a copy for publi- cation. From granting this request, much as I respect the source from whence it came, 1 should most certainly have ex- cused myself, had it not been for the manifest injustice which has been done me, in representing them as partial, anti- administration prodnctions. / have never yet inlrodiiced par- ly politics into the pulpit. Whenever 1 have spoken on the affairs of the nation, it has been from broad Scriptural princi- ples, which I supposed both parties would acknowledge to be just. And if either of them, on reviewing these principles, find themselves aggrieved, I can only say, what was once said by the learned Howe, they "save me the most difficult part of a discourse, the application.^' The fault is not mine ; it is their own want of conformity to Scripture truth, and whatever party does not regulate its principles by tJie sacred Scriptures, " have no light in them." This is the Standard by which I desire to be judged; and it is that I may be judg- ed by this judgment, and consequently prevent misrepre- sentation, that I now consent to let the public see these pa- pers. And may the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name J have spoken, so far as they arc agreeable to his will, ac- company them with his blessing.

STEPHEN N. R0^^ AN.

Grecnnich, Nrn'-Yorh-, Avcrvsl Mli. ini-2.

SERMON I.

Isaiah xxii. 12, 13, 11.

" And in (hat day did the Lord God of Hosts call to weep- ing; and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding n^ith sackcloth : and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating Jiesh and drinking ivine : let ns eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die.... And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts. Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die,saitk the Lord God of hosts.

OoD is the Sovereign disposer of all the events which take place in the world. His providence pervades the universe. Nothing- can possibly take place without his will ; nor in any manner that does not exactly correspond with his design. "He doth according to his will in the army of lieaven, and among the inhabitants of earth ; and none can stay his hand, or sayimtolnin, What doest thou*?" This truth, \Ahi(h masoa legitimately infers from a contemplation of the perfections of God; and which revelation firmly establishes, is replete witli instruction ami consolation. And yet no truth is more liable to cavil, to misconception, oi- abuse. The majority of men in the pride and unbolicf of llicir h( aiis, conduct as if God was

• Dan. iv. 25.

( « )

not the moral Governor of the universe ; and they were under no obhgations to him as their Sove- reign. And, even among' those who acknowledge his superintending care, there are multitudes, who either atheistically contemn, or presumptuously rely upon it. Some, in the madness of their presump- tion, rely upon God for safety and protection, with- out any reference to the means he has put in their power to secure these ends. And others, are con- tinually trusting- to means, while they are utterly regardless of his blessing, "who works all things after the counsel of his own will."

Among this last description, were the Jews in the days of Isaiah. The Assyrians, under Sen- nacheril), had invaded their country ; dismantled manv of then* fortiried cities, and threatened the siege of .lerusaitin itselt. Under these circum- stances, the .lews, instead of looking to God for aid, contiMited themselves with examming' ttie state ot thnrarmounes and fortitications; making various pre[iarations tor the nth nee of their city; and living as secureh as if they had no reason to apprclKiid danger . Thussaitlilhc Prophet, " ye have number- ed tiu> lioust's of .Irnisaiem, a. id the houses have ve broken down to lortifv tlu^ wall : \e made also a ilitch !)« Iwct II thr two walls fur the water of the old (>uul : hilt \cli;nriiot looked unto the IMaker there*

" Sec Scotl's Commentary on this passage.

( ' )

ot, neither l)ad respect unto liini that fasliionrd it long- ag-o*." This profane contemj)t of Ins np- lifted scourge so provoked the Lord, that he de- termined to inflict upon them his heaviest ven- g'eance ; and accordingly it was revealed in the ears of the Prophet, " surely this iniquity shall not be purged away from you till ye die."

How far the denunciation in this passage may be applicable to the American people, we cannot at present say, because that is yet to be ascertained from the result of God's dealings with them. But there is a remarkable coincidence between the state of our country, and that of Judah, before this sen- tence was pronounced. The hand of God is upon us; his judg-ments have not only gathered over oiir horison, but they have actually burst on our guilty heads : and there is too much reason to fear, that, thongh God's voice is citing unto as, yet few hear the rod, and him who has appomted it !

That the "rodof hisindig-nation," is smiting* us,has been determined by his Church, the only legitintate interpreter of his providential dispensations ; and the inter[)retation has been considered just by our civil rulers. Under the influence of this sentiment, they have set apart this day, as " a dcnj of jastiny, humilialion, and prayer^' to "make acknmvledff- mrnt of o}ir ,nm; and beseech thr dirinc Majcstif,

* Ver. 10, n.

( 8 )

thai in the midst of deserved wrath he ivoidd remem-' her merct/'.

TJiat we may then, as far as possible, accom- plish the desig-n of oiu* present meeting, we shall, from the passage read, consider,

I. What there is in this dat/ that specially calls for the duty of " neepiny and mourning.''

II. The state in which we continue, notwith- standing" these calls. And,

III. The sin and dang-er of that state.

1. What is there at the jiresent day that specially calls for the duty of weeping- and mourning- ?

In that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weepimj, and to jnourni)if/, and to baldness, and to girding" with sackcloth.

The day here alluded to, w as a dav of abound- ing- iniquity, and of sore rebuke. W' hoever will take the trouble to peruse the lirst clraplers of this hook, will tind tjie most melancholy tkscription of

* Sec the printed Circular of the General Synod of the Ueformed Dutch Church, on this subject.

( y )

the slate ot" the Jews at that period. They are re- presented as ha\ iiig' been " noui islied and brvii(jlit vp like chililrcu, and yd as having rebelled against God : as a sinful nation, a people laden with ini' fjnitg, a seed of evil doers ; children that are cor- rupters ; wlio had forsaken the Lord, wlio had provoked the Holy One ot" Israel to anger, w ho had gone away haekward*." As they abounded in ini- quity, so they were partakers of heavy judgments. And hence the Prophet, at the 4th verse of this chap- ter, breaks out in a most pathetic lamentation : — ** Look away from me ; I w ill weep bitterly : la- bour not to comfort me ; because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity, by the Lord God of Hosts, in the valley of vision."

In this day of iniquity and of judgment did " the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and mourning ; to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth," that is, to the deepest humiliation, and the most unfeigned repentance for then- sins ; for these terms are used in the text to express repentance. In every age and everv country, weeping and mourning are the spontaneous expressions of internal sorrow : and in different countries they are usually accom[)anied with diHerent signs. In the eastern countrias, and

• Chap. I. S

( 10 )

especiallv amonsr the Jews, tlie teavsof their lamen- tation were accompanied with rending* tlieir clothes, sliavino- the head, cutting- off the beard, and co- vering themselves with sackcloth. " They shall," says the prophet Ezekiel, speaking* of this custom, " make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth ; and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart, and bitter wailing'*."

This then being- the import of the call, what is there in the day in which we live, that affords us crround for the belief that this call is addressed to us ? we answer, the state of the world, and the state of the Church.

1st. The state of the norld.

The judgments of God are abroad in the ear^h. From the foundation of the world, there never was such a })eriod, as the present, known. Events are evei^y day taking place, which past ages never wit- nessed ; which the nations that have gone before us, if they had been previously told of them, would not have believed, and which we should not credit, if we had seen tluni only on the }iage of history. The universe is in commulion : almost all the nations of tlie earth are in arms. In looking over the map of

* xsvii. 31.

( 11 )

the g\ohe we can scarcely place our iing;er on u xspot thai enjoys the blessings of peace*. The rage ot" man is contendiirg with tliat of the elements, to see whicli shall produce the greatest degree of mise- ry on the earth. We hear tlie wailing of afflict- ed Islands, and the cries of nations in distress. Poland h disnieml)ered, and her scattered fragments remain unsrathered, only to show us what was once her power. Holland and Smtzerland are mourn- ing over the ruins of their republics. The states of Italy no longer retain either their boundaries or "their names. Spain is struggling for her liberties, against the infamous deception, and the unrighte- ous invasion of T}ranny. liussia is rising in the defence of her rights. In short, all the civilized na- tions of the eastern continent, are in a state of con- sternation. And all this is owing, as the instriune7i- tal cause, to the rapacity and ambition of a single individual ; who is subduing kingdoms and sub- verting thrones ; trampling under his feet the crowns of kins^s ; endeavourinsf to bury in oblivion the distinctive names of the several nations ; and in his grasp at universal dominion, attempting to style them all, the empire o( Aapolcon. This Tyrant of France, and this scourge of the world, is now,, in the hand of God, scourging these nations for their

• It is melancholy to reflect, that the only exceptions to tills remark, arc found among heathen nations.

( 12 )

crimes; for tlieir rebellion against God, and for the blood of the Saints which they formerly shed. And in the blood which thus flows for blood, we see written in legiijle characters, the judf/ments of the Lord. The machinations of this worldly po- litician, arc daily working' together for the ac- com|)lishnient of Jehovah's desig'ns; though he DESERVES NO CREDIT FOR IT, bccause he only attends to the furtherance of his own. For what the Prophet Isaiah once said of the Assyrian, is literallv true of him. '* He is the lod of mine anffor, and the staff in his hand is mine in- dignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against tlie people of mv wrath w ill I give hint a charge, to take the spoil, and to lake the j)rcy, and to tread them down like the mire in the streets. Honhcit he meondh not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is iu his heart to destroi/ and cut off' NATIONS NOT A FEW*." And whenever Jehovah has performed by lum, the work of chastisement, he will punish his stout heart, and the glory of his high looks. He \\\\\ '' j)ut a hook in the nose, and a bridle in the lips" of this raging monster, and "lead him back 1>\ liie \\a\ in \Ahieli lie canief," an object of contempt to those very nations that now treml)lc at his power;|;.

• Chap. X. 5, 6. t Isaiali xxxvii. 29.

I Thu iiulhor would not be undeislood as deciding upon

{ l'> )

And what is tlir state of Enolaiul, that land of our Fathers ; iJtal abode of Gospel light ; that ex- ample to all other nations, in her attempts to dif- fuse the knowleds^e of the religion of Jesus Christ? She too is distracted. Her power is exerted against the parahjzing and dcmoraliziuf/ touch of French despotism ; and so far she has a claim on the grati- tude and tlie prayers of the friends of liberty, and the hap[)iiiess of man. But still she is in other respects unjust, selfish, and unmindful of her own interests, and of otliers' rights. If France is the tyrant of the land, England is the tyrant of the sea. It v\ould seem as if she cannot hciu* that the sails of any otiier nation should whiten the ocean, or that their com- merce should brmg back riches to their Siiores*. And therefore, no wonder that wlule unjust to others she should not prosper herself. No wonder that the council of her counsellors should come to nauoht: that she should now be convulsed and torn w itii internal dissentions ; that her citizens should rise in rebellion against the constituted authorities ;

the MANNER in which Bonaparte will be punished : only as expressing his firm belief of the fact.

* This was written under the impression, tliat the Orders in Council were not revoked. These Orders, the author has always viewed as a gross infringement on the rights of neu- trals. *"

( 14 )

and ihrealen tlie destruction of her political institu- tions*.

But, my hearers, Europe is not the only theatre, either of wickedness or of judgment. Our individual and national sins have long' g-one up to heaven, as a memorial against us. They have been gathering a mighty tempest around our horizon; and it has al- ready begun to beat upon our devoted country. And if the state of other nations calls upon us to drop the tear of symj)athy, the state of our own calls for tlie tears of lamentation and wo.

The Americans, like the inhabitants of Judea, are " a people laden with iniquity ; who have forsaken the Lord, and provoked the Holy One of Israel to anirer ;'* wlio have forfeited evei*v claim to a di- vine benediction; and have deservedly drawn down the righteous indiirnation of heaven. And were we now to attempt an enumeration of those sins, which constitute our national guilt, we might tind ourselves unequal to the task. We can only men- tion a few of the most prominent, for which the nation is atHictcd, and for which the nation ought to mourn.

• Reference is here had, to the late riots in the manufacp turirkg towns In England.

( 15 )

(1.) The elevation of men to offices of trmty " who have not the fear of God Ixfore their eyes'"

I am aware that the subject I now touch is (ieli- cate. I am aware that the people are willing- to be told their own faults, but that the moment we speak of the faults of their rulers, their sensibilities revolt. I am aware too that any thing- said on this subject, is apt to be put down to the account of party parti- ality. Such partiality, however, ON this point, I utterly disclaim. I am not now speaking for a party, but for the Lo»d of hosts: and should not only esteem this place unsuitable, but this day un- seasonable, to attempt an excitement of party feel- ings. And, we trust, that such feeliugs will not be excited, when we reflect upon the simple fact, that both parties are equally guilty, only witli this dif- ference, that one is more successful than the other.

If, after this declaration, " the prophets must, on this subject, prophesy smooth tin )gs, and the people w ill have it so," I can only observe, that you shall never have it so from me, and that I have no apologies to make to any man or to any set of men*.

* The author felt lumself constrained to take this stand in his own defence. Several persons, strange to tell 1 who do not approve the Scriptural sentiments contained in the fol- lowing paragraph, have arrogantly called him to account fov

( !<' )

It IS not tlieii party ground, but the (jroiind of Cods u nor im/ n'orfl, on wliich we stand, wIkmi we affirm that it constitutes national ouiU to put wick- rd men in national offices. For what are the scrip- tural qualiticalions of a ruler ? Da\ id, in 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. answers, " the God of Israel said, the rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth o\ er men must be just, 1 iihiij;- m the tear of God." — " 1 he ruler," says St. Paul, " is the minister of God for good ; a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth gyil*/' — " When the righteous are in authority," says Solomon, " the people rejoice ; Init when the w icked beareth rule, the people mournt-"

If, then, the magistracy is an iustitulioii of God, the magistrate bemg his minister ; if it is positively re(|uired of this minister, that he ru/e in the fear of (,o(l ; if he must do good and execute wrath upon tluni that do evil ; how can we presume to dispense with tluse (jualifications; or consider any other as aileipiate substitutes;' AV hat then has been the con-

thcm, as if tliey were liis Father Cotifcssors. He wished tlicm to undcrstaTid tliat lie has as good a riglit to his opinions us ihcv have, and tliat he has no idea of being taken to task, by every body that happens to differ from him. According to the Law and the Testimony, he desires to speak, witliout previously making the calculation, who it w ill please, aud who it will displease.

• Kom. y.iii. 4. t Piov. xxix. 2.

( 17 )

duct of the Aiucrican people in reference to the moral character of tlieir ruU^rs ? Has it been the inquiry, when a candidate has been propost dt *' is the fear of God before his eyes ?" And when this has not been the case, that you have conscienti- ously Avitliheld your su[)porti* Or ratuer, has it not been, *' is he one (f (he p(uli/, and ivill he adopt paiiff measures i^' and, when answered in tlie af- iinnative, have you not yielded hini both the influ- ence of your persons and your property ? And what has been the consequence of this mad derelic- tion of principle ? Has it not been that for years we liave scarcely had a ruler who was even suspected of having^ the " fear of God l)efore his eyes P" Atid that we have had multitudes who have been sus- pected of almost every thing- else ? Tiiese are alarm- ing facts ; facts, which are attributable, in part, to the jvant of relic/ious principle, but chiedv to the SPIRIT or rAHTV, aUiOng the people. Party considerations have, on this point, been para- mouiit to all others ; even to the author. ty of God's holy word, and to the bonds that have been wound round the conscience by the reception of his grace. The people in general, but professiiu/ christians in particular, have been too apt to think, that, in par- ty matters, they might dispense with all those rules of morality, \\hich, in every other case, they deem it their duty to observe. The very same persons, who, in ])rivate life, are considerate, reasonable,

c

( 1^ )

'd'H\ impartial, are too often, even in the choice of 'niched men for their ruUrs^ vehement, acrimoni- ous, censorious, and unjust. On what «jroun(ls they establish this stranoe distinction, and why they con- ceive the ohhgations of relig-ion to be binding* in one case, and not in the other, is to us utterly in- comprehensible. Sure we are, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes no such exceptions as these ; but lays dow n the saiue rules of conduct to all men, in all relations and circumstances of life.

The general prevalence, then, of that unscri]>tural notion, that a man, who has not the fear of God, can rule w ell, is a delusion ; and the alarming- ex- tent to which this delusion is cherished, in the choice of our rulers, is, we tirmlv believe, a national sin. As such, we, in the name of God, charnfe it to the consciences of the ofuiltv, as one of the sources of our present atllictions, and which, on this (lav, ought to be one of the chief subjects of national sorrow.

"2 The alarming prevalence of irrelig-ion and profaneness, is a call upon us this day to mourn.

Of lliis we lia\ e ample proofs, in our luxurv and e\lra\agance j our debauclier\ and intemperance; our profane swearing, and our wanton breach of the sabl>ath. •

( 19 )

All the creiitures oi God are cpood, if received with tluiiiksoiv ino- and used in iiiuderalioii. Bui it is the crime of the American people that they have not merely vsed^ but abused, the creatures of God. Our own soil ))roduces every thing necessa- I'y, both for the conveniences and comforts of lite ; and besides these, in the abuse of which we ha\c nof been sparing', we have revelled in the dainties and luxuries of every other clime. We " stietch ourselves upon our couches, and eat the lambs of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall ] We chaunt to the sound of the viol, and invent to ourselves inslruments of music ; we drink wine in bowls, and anoint ourselves with the chief oint- ments, but are not g-rieved for the allliction of Jo- seph*." Such, in fact, has been our abundance, th it we think of nothing- but ease and pleasure, mirth and feasting-. There are mUititudes whose god is their belly ; who indulge their sensual appe- tite to excess, both in eating* and drmkcg'; nho " rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, and continue until night, till w ine in- flame them." And how many are there of both sexes, but parlicularlv the female, who are sinfully extravagant in articles of dress ; and to whom the description of Isaiah, in the -'5(1 chapter, is strict- ly applicable! "The daughters «f Zion iire

♦ Amos vi. 4-^fi.

( 20 )

hauiiliiv, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go ; and indulging in the extravagant use of veils, ear- rings, bracelets, and jewels*." However light this may be esteemed, it was one of the crimes which went to make np the sum of national guiit amoiig the Jews, and against which God denounced a most huuiiliatnig doom. And let us remember, that similar causes, wherever they exist, produce similar eft'ects.

And to what an alarming height have the sins of Sabbath-breaking and profane swearing risen ! The day which God has set apart for himself, has, by all classes of men, been arrogated to themselves, as n day of pleasure, of anmsemeut, and of sin. And the holy and reverend name of G od is shameiully taken in vain. From the vollies of oaths, that are Uiiblushingly poured forth in our streets, we should be led to suppose, that all the checks of conscience were hushed, and that our citizens glory in their shame. IMerciful God ! ho\\ often have mine own ears been assailed with blasphemy, from the lips of children scarcely started in existence! how often have I heard them imprecating thy wrath upon Ihemselves and otlurs, wlule their lips should have been employed in celebrating thy praise ! Nor is

* ver. 1§ — 20.

( 21 )

Ellis characteristic of youth alone. I have heard aged sinners, whose tongues are ahiiost palzied in death, burstiiig, as it were, the ligaments of death, that they might utter lliose imprecations which are re-echoed in hell ! This sin curries with it the marks of liorrid aggravation ; and its great prevalence is matter of peculiar astonishment. For of all others it affords the least pretext for indulgence ; and is most inconsistent w ith the character of christians, and oi (jentlemen. It proves, however, among other things, the rapid progress of licentiousness, and that we have loud and repeated calls to humiliation and penitence.

3. Ingratitude for ovr national mercies, is a sin, which this clay calls for repentance.

The American people have been blessed above all other nations. When we were groaning under o) pi-ession, God gave us emancipation ; and estab- lished our civil liberties. When we were poor, he opened to us sources of wealth, and blessed our citizens in their basket and in their store. And when we were in bondage to sin and satan, he offered us deliverance in the Gospel of his Son. These things were, on our part, \v holly unnierit(d, and have laid us under the strongest obligations to gratitude. J3ut these wonders of the Lord, are either " forgotten as a dead man out of mind," or

( 2-2 )

at best remfTnbered with cold indiftcrence. As we have prospered, we have gTo\Mi proud; as pro- vidence has interposed for our relief, we have pre- sumed; as we have heen delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we ha\ e become secure ; as we uere established in peace and pleni\, we have grown dissolute and profane ; and as the liglit of the glory of God, m the face of Jesus CUnst, has shone upon us, we have loved darkness i-ati.er than light, because our deeds are e\il. — Like " Jeshurun, w hen we have waxed fat, we have kicked ; we have forsaken the God that made us, and lightly esteemed the rock of our salvation." — We have not preserv- ed u[)on our minds a grateful remendjrance of his mercies, and have scarcely performed the for- malities of a thanksgiving ; we have been unmind- ful of all his g'racious benefits, and lived as if we were under no obligations to glorify him. — Do not these things prove that we are a j^copie la- den with iniquitv, nnd that we are the deserved ob- jects of Jehovah's displeasure .' Can we not in tlie lio'ht of these sins behold the reasons for which God is contending with u:» :* Why else, has Jehovah sent among us from time to time the pestilence, to sweep away our inhabitants from our cities? Why else, have tremendous storms spread desolation and death alono- our seaboard.' Win else, have earth- quakes been felt in every direction, and spread dis- mav and terror throughout our countrv ? anil why

( 2!t )

else, are we scourged with the curse of War*? These; things, might iiuleed be attributed to a varie- ty of seconci causes, but the great cause is our na- tional (juilf. Our sins, have separated between us and God; our sins\vA\G provoked tlie Holy Or.e of Israel to anger, and l)ronght down upon us, one af- ter another, his desolating judgments. And have we not abundant reason to mourn ? are not these the loudest calls to repentance .' and shall we still con- tinue hardened and insensible? O, let us rather lay our hands upon our mouths, humbly acknowledge our iniquities, and exercise g'odly sorrow ! let us rather kiss the rod which is shaken over our heads, and whose weight we have already felt, and return like repenting" backsliders unto the Lord our God. For " surely it is meet" at this day, to say unto God, " We have borne chastisement, we will not offend any more : that which we see not, teach thou us :

» The reason why the author did not enlarge, on the three first of these afliictive providences, in this place, was, that he formerly endeavoured to improve them, as they separately occurred ; and as to the War, it was not declared at the time the fast-day was recommended by the ecclesiastical authori- ty : he therefore felt himself at liberty to mention it without dwelling long upon it ; and he confesses that the relief was pleasant to his mind : for whatever politicians may say as to the justice or injustice of the measure, it gives him pain, as a professing christian, to reflect, that the only two comitries on earth where Jmre and undrjiled religion /irvvail, are at War j

( 2« )

and if we have done iniquity, we will," by thv grace, " do so no more."

2<L Tlie state of the church calls upon us this day to mourn.

It has been foretold in the records of tiiitli con- cerning- our J Old Jesus Christ, that " his dominion " should reach from sea to sea, and from the river <' to the ends of the earth; yea, that all kings "should bow down before him; and all nations " should serve him ; that men should be blessed in *'■ him, and all nations call him blessed." But it is evident that the extent of Christ's kin adorn doth not yet equal this magniricent description. There are still many dark corners of the earth upon which the sun of righteousness hath never ris- en:— many parts of the habitable g-lobe, which are yet the regions of death, liealhenism and Ma- hometanism, with their concomitants, ignorance and superstition, pievail over Asia, Africa, part of En~ ropCy and Western America. The inhabitants of these places are excluded in a great measure from all the means of religious information : for how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how can they hear \\ itliout the preachers of the Ciospell* The grossest darkness obscures their mental and spiritual horizon, and if they have any religion at all, it is the olispring- of ignorance and

( 2.-, )

blind superstition, wliich overwhelm genuine reli- gion, and instead of addino^ *J'g"'»it.y to iiunian na- ture, de^^rade it on the scale of creation. — Jii this melancholy state of thonsands of our fellow-men, the church ought this day to deplore

The want of Gospel Ministers.

" The harvest is truly great, but the labourers are few." There is abundant room in the gospel vine- yard, for the labour of additional thousands. Even in our own land, ni our own communion ; but particu- larly in the comnmnion of our sister Presbyterian church, there are a multitude of congregations who are mourning their silent Sabbaths! and in the vast continent of Asia, and throughout the vast population of India and China, how great must be the dearth of hearing the word of the Lord ! and compared with this extensive and growing field, how few are the labourers ! how few are found dedicating them- selves to the service of God in the Gospel of his Son! how few, even in this civilized, christian, land, are found willing to devote then- tnue and ta- lents to the good of souls ? and, alas ! how few are found, willing to forsake all and follow Clinst into the Land of Stranfjers! A few, a memorable few, fiave indeed left their country and their roniforts, to cany the glad tidings of peace to the benighted heathen; but in the present convulsed state of fhe

j>

world, it is lo ])e feared that their supplies will be cut off, and Ihey be left to perish for want : but if they do, they shall have throughout the Church the honour of martyrdoni, and in heaven the reward of eternal life. Christians, mourn this day, for this af diction of Zion*.

Zion calls upon us to mourn the want of Union.

The Church of Christ is but one. She has but one head, and all her members constitute one mystical bo- dy. And yet, if we were to view her as at present, distinguished by a variety of names, and cut up into iliffercnt sections, we would suppose that she was ma- ny ; that there was no common bond of union ; and that her interests were as various as her names. And this supposition is too much cherished by ignoraiice, by superstition, and by unsanctitied bigotry. We too often hear the different denominations, speak- ing with blintl zeal, for the interest of their churchy as distinct from the general interests of the Church of Christ. This want of union in the Church, like want of union in the state, weakens her councils, and palsies her efforts in promoting the

* Tlic persons here alluded to, are the Rev. INIessrs. Sam- uel Newell, Adoniram Judsoii, Samuel Nott, Gordon Hall, and Luther Rice, who left this country last February, as niis- •oionarics to the heathen in Asia ; under the direction of thr American board of commibsioncrs for foreign INlissions.

( 27 )

cause of Christ. AA lial iiiiolit not the Churcli of Christ do, in alleviatinL* the miseries and saving the souls of men, if, instead of turning- lier influence in- to difterent sectarian cliannels, it was all concentrat- ed into one, in Avhicli Christ would be all and in all ? Then Idols would indeed totter to the ground, and we might cherish the enra))turing hope, that the kin2;doms of this world would soon become the kino'doms of our Lord and of his Christ. TlilS

TNION MUST ONE DAY TAKE PLACE. The liamCS

of the difterent denominations, nuist be absorbed in the general name of the Church of Christ. Till then, \e\ us mouiTi over our present separation : bury our local prejudices ; and in our different stations, do all in our power to break down the wall of par- tition ; that thus we may dwell together as mem- bers of the same body, partakers of the same hope, and travellers to the same heaven.

The Church calls upon us this day to lament the prevalence of Heresy.

The word of God contains a perfect system of saving truth. The most perfect order, symmetry, and beauty, shines throughout the whole. One doctrine is connected with another, in such a mannei-, that if you deny one, the chain is broken ; and you are lost in a maze of uncertainty and error. The chain has been broken ; — the glorj' of God's word is tarnish-

( 28 )

ed j error has came in like a flood, and spread it- self like a rajving- torrent. " The floods have lifted up their voices; the floods have lifted up their waves." IMost of the pernicious errors, which for^ merly disturbed the church in other countries, are two eag-erly embraced in our own ; and what a venerable divine said on this subject nearly a centu- ry ago, may now be said with a little variation. " God's election of his people to gloiy, is arraigned as unreasonable," and his sovereignty as a proof of tyranny. " The fall of man is almost forgotten, and his original corruption is denied. Justification by the righteousness of Christ, is pursued with ran- cour and malice," and the filthy and polluted rags of our righteousness, are considered an adequate substitute. " The eflficacious grace of the Holy Spi- rit, in his sanctifying and comforting influences, is considered enthusiasm, and the power of man to convert himself, arrogantly contended for. The perseverance of the saints in holiness, is profanely ridiculed, and the doctrine of the wicked being re- served for eternal torments, is atheistically denied*^."

These are errors Mhich more or less ]>revail in all parts of our country, where the carnal mind con- tinues to be enmity against God. And ))esides

* See a Sermon of the Rev. Abiahani Taylor, on " The Causes of ilie Decay of Pi-aciical Religion." in the Lime- street Sermons, vol. 2d. pages 582 — 3.

( 29 )

these, there hnve been at the eastward, and parlicu- larly in the vicinity of Boston, the most bhisphe- mous attempts to rob Christ and the holy Spir t of the o'lory of tlieir Supreme Divinity ; to reduce them to the rank of mere creatures ; to deny their per- sonality, or to make them, at best, only attributes, powers, and names of the Father.

O, liow has the gfold become dim, and the most fine gold changed ! Pure and imdefiled religion, once prevailed there, as much as ever it did in any place on earth. They were the children of the good old Puritans, (as they were contemptuously styled by the foes to vital godliness,) and they continued for years to cherish and to practise the principles of the reformation. But it is now so no more ; a great proportion have abandoned the creed of their fore-fathers, and formed one out of their own car- nal imafriuation ! They have apostatized from the faith of Christ, and adopted the creed of Socinys f As we love and value the truth, then, let us mouni over this prevalence of error ; let us plead, that God would give the people " repentance to the acknow- ledgment of the truth as it is in Jesus : and that there may be no more false teachers among them, who bring in damnable heresies, even denvixg THE Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction*/'

* 2 Pet. ii. 1.

( 80 )

The Church oug-ht this day to mourn the want of the (jut-pourinfj of the Mohj Spirit.

Ill the days of the apostles, and primitive chris- tians, wheii the Holy Spirit descended, and accom- panied the word preached ; what shaking- was there among- the dry bones ! what quickening- of those that were dead in trespasses and sins! and what flocking- of Sinners to the standard of the cross, as doves and as clouds to tlicir wnidows ! AVhiie the apostle Peter was preachnig- repentance and remis- sion of sins, on the day of Pentecost, his liearers, by the influence of the blessed Spu'it, were pricked in then- hearts, and cried out, " Men and brethren, what shall we do lo be saved ? Anu the same day were added unto the Church about three thousand souls*." And while the same apostle was preach- ing to Cornelius and his company, that *' Clu'ist is ordained of God, to be tiie Judge ot tpnck and dead, and that whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the wordf." Such was the success of the Gospel, while accompanied b\ the power of the Spirit. But when God in his sove- reignty did not ^ive the increase, a Paul planted, and an Apollos watered, in vain.

• Acts ii. 37—41.

+ Acts X. 42—44

( -n )

In this wav alone, can we acconnt for the small success of th«^ Gospel at the present day. In many places the Gospel is preached in as nuich purity and simplicitv, as it was formerly ; and many nunisters of the word, according- to grace given, are propor- tionably as zealous and failhinl. Why then are they not as successful? AVhy arc they obliged 16 "hang- their harps on the wiUows, and to comj)hiin, Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ?" It is because the Lord does not bruig- home this report with power to the conscience, by tlie operations of his blessed Spirit. It is because we have done despite unto the Sj^irit of grace, and resisted his influence, that God has waxed a controversy with us, and declared that •** his Spirit shall not always strive with man."

This, my hearers, is far from being a subject of mere speculation and uncertainty. It is a solemn, serious, and alarming- fact. Though we, and a few other congregations, have no reason to •'des[>ise the day of small things;" yet it may be said with truth, of the Churches in general, and of the Ke- formed Dutch Church in particular, that tlu Com- forter is in a great measure departed ; and conse- quently, that the work of con% ersion is much at a stand. Few, very few, are now seen or heard in- quu'ing the \\ay to Zion, with tlieir facc^ thUiicr- waiii. I^ ev\, \erv few, are added unto the Cliurches

( 32 )

of such as shall be saved. Sinners often hear thun- ders from mount Sinai, and a still small voice from the palaces of Zion ; but they continue fear- less and stupid, senseless and unaffected. And even professing christians, often sit l^efore God as his people sit, and are found in tUe use of external ordinances ; and yet go away as full of formali- ty and deadness as if they had never been engaged in them. The reason is, the Holy Spirit does not accompany the word preached with his blessing, and does not clothe his ordinances with power. He withdraws from us, whose presence is the glory of our assemblies, and leaves us to mourn the ef« fects of our mad ingratitude in slighting his person, and grieving his operations* !

And is not this a loud call upon us to weep and to mourn, and to gird ourselves with sackcloth ? Is it a small thing that we have provoked the Holy One of Israel to hide his face from us ? That by our sins we have constrained him to withdraw his Hoi} Spirit, and leave us to barren, unprofitable ordinan- ces?— Oh! my friends, if we only realized the im- portance and absolute necessity of the Spirit — thai without him no saving benefit can reach our souls — that if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is- none of his — and that upon him depends all the e\-

* See note, page 28.

( '33 ) ercises of q;race in us; — all holy obedience to God, and rommunion with him, and all our spiritual hfe, comfort, and safety, both m time and in eterni- ty ; could we, I say, realize this, we would need no arguments to induce us to lament his absence — we would sigh and cry ibr his removal from our S'^emii assemblies, and our own souls!

And if this is indeed such a loud call to us to re- pent and mourn ; let us hear the voice, and answer it, with the fervent prayer of tlie Psalmist, " Cast us not a\^ay from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us ; restore unto us the joy of thy salvation, and uphold us with thy free Spirit. Thy Spirit is good, let hun lead us into the land of up- rightness."

SERMON II.

Isaiah xxii. 12, 13, 14.

" And in that day, &c. and behold, joy and gladness, slay- ing oxen, and killing slieep, eating Jietih and drinking nine : let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord' of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts.''

II- We proceed to consider the state in which we continue, notwithstanding these calls.

" And behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine ; let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die*." Astonishing ! that a people, whose country was in- vaded by a powerful army ; whose cities were sack- ed, and whose temple was in danger of pollution, should indulge so much levity and carnal security ! Would we not rather have supposed, that, while* God's hand was upon them, they would have felt: that while his voice spake, tiieir cars would have heard: and that, ad(hessing each other in the language of

*

vcr. 1.1.

( 36 )

contrition, they "woukl have said, " come, then, let us return unto the ^ord,for lie hath torn, and he will heal us; lie hath smitten, and he will bind us up !" And yet, instead of mourning, behold gladness; instead of fasting, behold eating and drinking, in the most riotous and luxurious manner ; instead of trembling at the tiu'eatenings of Jehovah, behold the atheistical scoff, " let us eat and drnik, for to- morrow we die."

We wonder, we stand amazed, at their conduct ! and yet, it is to be feared, that the evils of which the Prophet complains, are too descriptive of cm- own state.

The judgments of God have been abroad in the earth, but we have not noticed them. We have seen the nations in distress, but we have not svm- pathized w ith them. We have read of battles, and the effusion oi the blood of thousands of our fellow- creatures, with inditierence ! We have seen one kingdom after another, crumbling before the grow- ing power of a despot, and have gazed at the S])ectacle with as much a[)athy, as we would at the fall of so many trees ; and with as much proud and self-confident security, as if it were impossible for us to share the same fate. We have even presumed U])on the providence of God, by neglecting the or- dinary means of safety; and, as if that were not enough, 7ve have ruhnitarih/ ihrotvn onrsclves into

( 37 )

the arms of danr/er. Just like the Jews, who lived in carnal security, tnislinji^ to a few t'ortiHcations, and not in him who " rules in the armies ot heaven, and among- the inhabitants ot" earth."

The judgments we have already experienced, have been calculated to nuike every heart heavy, and every countenance sad. But we stiil live in ha 'its of conviviality and dissipation, and indulge an Unsuitable gayety and levity of nund. And there are multitudes in our country, who rejoice at the late war measure, as if it were the most glorious event that has happened since the revolution*. Just like the Jews, who indulged "joy and gladness, slay- ing oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drink- ing wine."

We have had one warning after another, that mi- less we repented and turned unto God, heavier judg- ments were still in store for us; but we have treated them with contempt and ridicule. We have pro- fanely scofled, saying, " these things come in the or- dinary course of human events, and therefore are

* To the honour of the citizens of this state, be it record- ed, that there are few such among us. With the reflecting, of both parties, the war is spoken of with regret. But the remark is fully applicable to the citizens of the Southern States. With what face will they observe the day of humiliation, recommended by the President of the United States ?

( '3« )

uo proof tlial we deserve them more tlian others; or if we do, they have as yet doi.e httle hann, and in future we need expect no more danger." Just like the Jews, who, ridicuhng- the idea of the near approach of their destruction, said, " let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die;"

Siich is our general character. But if we de- scend to particulars, we shall find that we are in a still more deplorable condition; not only stupid, in- sensible, and secure, under the dealing's of God; but actually and utterly insensible to the causes of his afflictive dispensations.

We have said, that the elevation of wicked men to offices, was a national sin ; and of course thai it is one reason, why the nation ought to mourn. But the people in general are far, very far, from being sensible of this. So far in fact are they from it, that they practically deny, and cannot endure to be told of it. Now as reformation must always be preceded by conviction of error, wv woukl expos- tulate with you on this subject. VVh\ are you iin- Aviiling to be iiddressed on this point . Is it because any of you have yielded your snj'poit, lo those who were not worthy of it, and there.uie, th..t lo be spoken to would look like reproof . 'I'his wih not satisfy ; because if you are convinced of having done NMong, candour obliges yon to ack.owledge it; •:\\u\ liunesty compels you to Uo so uo moi'c.

( =w )

Is it, because we are required " not to speak evil of the rulers of God's people:*" — Then all that a wicked man has to do, is to secure the favour of the people, and use this as a stepping- stone to of- fice, and his office will be a cloke to his crimes! — then virtue and vice cease to be distinct, and all the qualitications which God's word requires in a ruler, become nugatory. But let us examine this ob- jection. '* Thou shalt not speak evil of the rulers of thy people." We acknowledge this to be a binding prescription of God's word j but what is " evil speaking," the crime here prohibited ? It is " the using of Icniijuafje tither reproachful or un- true, respecting others, and therehg injuring them*^ To speak, then, either reproachfulbj or falsely of a ruler, is not only criminal, but dishonourable : but to speak the truth, m a respectful manner, is not im- plied in " evil speaking.'' But, even if the truth should be construed evil speaking, still it may be spoken of the man, as a man, while we respect him in the character of a ruler. The magistracy is an. ordinance of God, and ought uniformly to be spok- en of, with tenderness, deference, and respect. But it is no cloke for any man's crimes. The ministry of the Gospel is also an ordinance of God, though of a different nature ; and if we are not " to speak evil of dignities,'' much less of the ministers of the Gospel : for their office, of all others on earth, is

* Buck's TheoloGfical Dictionary.

( 40 )

the most dignified. But are you willing' to appl^ this reasoning to them ? If they are profane swear- ers, Sabbath breakers, adulterers, drunkards, or in- fidels, are you to say nothing' of their crimes, be- cause they are ministers? Is their office to be a cloke for their sins? You will one and all answer, No, Why then will you not adopt the same mode of reasoning- in the one case, that you do in the oth- er ? For the obvious reason, that it is absurd ; gross- ly, and irrationally, and unscripturally al)sin'd. And if absurd in one case, it is also absind in the other ; for the cases are exactly similar. The prevalence, then, of thjit strange disposition in both political parties, to blind their reason, and shackle their speech, on this subject, is a striking proof that they are not sensible of their sin.

But there is another proof of insensibillf}/ on this point; and that is, that many who acknowledge the principle, that we ought to have men for our rulers, who fear God ; and consequently acknowledge that they do wrong in supporting any others, justify themselves under the impression, that ihev caimot get pious men who are rjualitied for rulers. This is a delusion. As to qualification, e\en in the lax sense in which it is generally used, as imj)orling strength of intellect, and a knowledge of slate af- fairs, surely it is as likely to be found in the })ious, as the wicked part of tlie cominunilv. OtherxN ise we get into that dreadful dilennna, that piety and

( 11 )

intellect never go tog-ether, and consequently, that ignoruice antl weakness are essential ingredients in the character of a clnislian ! And as to the nnpos- sibility of obtaining tlieni, we aflirni, that this is so far from being the case, that ours is the onl^ conn- try on the face of the earth, where they can be ob- tained. In hereditai*y governments the people aie compelled to receive as their sovereign, the lawful heir, whether he be good or bad, a wise man or a fool. But here, where the people have a voice in the election of their rubers, tiuy can elect whom they please. And why not a man who fears God, as well as one who fears him not ? It is because this is never required, as it ought ahvai/s to be, as an es- sential qualitication ; or because there is not virtue ■enough in the people to support hini. In either case, the position is established, that we continue in a state of insensibility to one of tiie causes of our present atilictions, notwithstanding the call of God in it, to repentance.

We have been called upon to mourn for the pre- valence of irreligion and profaneness ; but what are the general sentiments resptctip.g them? Senti- ments of sorrow, or of mdiifeivnce:* As to those "who are guilty, there is too little hope of their cou- trition ; they continue insensible of their guilt, and of course mcapal^le of sorrow. There are few, Verv lew, syniptoins of abridginenl, in tlk- indul- gence of unlawful pleaNUies j ot increasing rever-

F

( 42 ;

fiice for the holy name of God ; or of g-rowing' respect to the institutions of the Siinbath. The same habits of extravagance and dissipation ; the same contempt af all God's commandments, that prevailed before Ave heard his warning voice, it is to be feared, prevail still. And as to those who profess to have escaped the pollutions that are in the world, they do not mourn as they ought over the prevalence of vice. Too few of them adopt the prater of the Psalmist, " Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faitliful fail from amoi.o; the children of men *«"

Our ingratitude is another source of 6nY present, afflictions ; and as such loudly calls for repentance. But is there any thing like a general conviction of our unthankfulness ? That we have been abundant- ly and distinguishingly blessed, since the Revolu- tion, all must acknowledge ; but will all as readily acknowledge the hand that has secured to us our civil and religious liberties, and enriched us with his blessings ? alas! we have forq;otten that the Lord has been gracious, and have been too ready to as- cribe our privileges to the military and jwlitical skill of men, instead of thankfully acknowledging the blessing of God upon their t-ndeavours! And do we not still continue ungrateful ? the proof is in our conduct : for gratitude to God is always accom-

* xii. 1^

( 43 )

panicd witli an a])iding sense of his goodness ; of our own unworthiness ; and of our oblig-atioiis to live to his glory. And is there not too much reason to believe, that we are not humbled under a sense of our unworthmess i^ that instead of seeking his glo- ry, we are eagerly pursuing- our own individual in- terests ? that God is not in all our thoughts, and of ihe rock that begat us we arc umnindful ?

But if such is the state, in whicli we contiime as a nation, notwithstanding our national calls to re- pentance, what is the state of the Charch ? Alas, many places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty ! the Heathen are enveloped in dark- ness, and bound in chains of superstition. They bow with melancholy reverence before the Idols of their own creation, or sacrifice themselves before their blood-stained Toivers*. But do christians pity, or do christians mourn ! They have, indeed, done nuich in other countries to alleviate the mise- ries, and save the souls, of their fellow-men ; but we can take very little of the honour to ourselves. The wealth of our citizens has not been dedicated to Missionary purposes. The talents of our youth have not been devoted to the service of God, in the Gos- pel of his Son. The tears of our christians have not watered the tree of the cross, nor their prayers as-

* The allusion is to the barbarous custom of the Hindoos^ in casting themselves under the wheels of the Idol Jugger- ijaut.— Sec Buchanan s Researches.

( 44 )

cended to hraven for its Growth. There is a general apathy, at the want of hibourers in the vineyard of the Gospel. There is a jj'eneral ai'd a sectarian in- difference at the want of union and of charity, among- dilferent tlcnoniinations of chiistians. There is little lamentation at the contagion of false doctrine ; and few expressions of grief at the departure of the Holy Spirit. Else why is it not the united prayer of God's peo})le, that he would raise up, qualify, and se:.d forth, »nore faithful Gospel ministers ; and that, A^hen tlipy are raised up, they do not meet with bet- ter support and encoura Jement in the discharg-e of their duties ? Else why is there so much blind, uiksanctilied zeal, among the diii'erenl sects, to build lip the separating v\ alls of their own Church, while they neglect to build up the mouldering walls of Zion in general i* Else why are there so few at- tempts to counteract error: and such a oTo^^i^o' connivance at that false maxim, *' that it is no mat- ter ^^hat people believe, provided tlic\ are sincere?" Else \khy do we not sigh and cry, that the heavens are as brass over our spiritual horizon ; that the dews of divine grace do not refresh our barren vine-» yards; and that the Holy Spirit iloes not descend up- on us in the intiuences of his early and latter rains; his early rain to convince of sin, and his latter rain to ripen our souls for glory ? Alas! we have reason to fear, that, notwithstanding the nfllictions of Josej>]i yet we arc not grieved ; that, though Ciod is calling upon us, yet we do not hear his voice. For, in the

( 45 )

jtangnag-e of a good old divine, " If a professing- peo-* pie are zealous for the truths of tlie Clospel ; if tliey are careful to regulat<^ their worship by tiie pattern given in the word, and if they abound in the works of righteousness, and shine in the beauties of holi- ness, it may be said that the glory of Christ resides among them, and that their blessings will be crown- ed with a desirable increase ; but, if they are hike- warm and indifferent, as to the great truths of the Gospel ; if they are negligent in attending on the worship appointed by their great Prophet and King, and if they act dissolutely, and, instead of denying themsehes, symbolize with a profane world, it may be said of them, that their beauty is tarnish- ed, that gray hairs, the tokens of spiritual decays, are upon them, and the glory is upon the depar- ture*."

And have we not too much reason to fear, tliat the latter is our case P Is it not a fact that luke- warmth and formality prevail in the Churches in general, but in the Dutch Reformed Church in par- ticular, to an alarming degree? That many, who have a name to live, are actually dead ; have onlj' the form, while they are destitute of the power of godliness? And what is still more alarmnig, that many who have named the name of Christ, have not even the form ; that heads of families neglect

* The Rev. Abraham Taylor.

( 40 )

the duty of prayer ; nncl that individuals, by their untoward walk and conversation, bring disgrace on the profession of religion, and contempt on the dear Redeemer himself? Such, alas! is the state of religion in the Church, and of morality in the community, though the dispensations of Providence are calling upon us to sigh and cry for the afflic- tions that have come upon us ! What then shall we say of these things? Will a righteous God sutler such iniquity ami insejiSibility to go unpunished i* Let us, in answer to this, consider,

III. The sin and danger of our state.

" And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purg- ed away from you, till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts*." The doom of the Jews, when this sentence was pronounced, was fixed. In this respect, their case and ours, we humbly hope, diftcr. But as similar causes produce similar effects, this de- nunciation may serve to teach us the sin and dan- ger of impenitenct', under the afflictive dispensa- tions of God. Tiiis was the sin of the Jews. Tlic Lord had dealt with them severely for their wick- edness, but they continued insensibie ; and this in- sensibility was " the iniquity which the Prophe* ^aid should not be purged away."

• Vcr. 14,

{ 47 )

Now the sins which liaxf provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger against usj are douhtless great; but what will be their additional agi^ravation, if under the manifestations of his an|;er, we continue impenitent ? what should we think oi' a cliild, that should manifest such a spirit under our chastise- ments? would we not view him as harde.ied and incorrigible ; and be tempted either to use more se- vere measures to produce a reformation, or leave him to the obstinacy of his own will ? — Now Jeho- vah has nourished and brought us up like children, but we have rebelled against him ; and dealing with us as chi dren, he has chastised us for our rebel- lion, with the merciful design of producing a refor- mation. But if we continue hardened and impeni- tent, will not his pure eyes behold in our former sins, accumulated aggravations, and blacker stains of guilt? But if impenitence under the severities of God be sinful^ it is also dangerous. What else constrained Jehovah to swear by his own existence and immortal perfections, that the " iniquity of the Jews should not be purged away from them till they died ?" — What happened to them then, afore- time, ought to be an ensample to us. li' the same characteristics of impenitence continue to be found on us, we have no right to expect any other doom. If we continue to be distinguished, by an utter disreirard to the moral and rehiiious charac- ter of our rulers; by irreligion and contempt of sacred things ; by licejitiousness, faction, luxuiy;

( 48 )

dissipation, and effeminacy, we may be assured^ that without a reformation, we are laving up in store, some more awful judgments, and preparing- the way for the execution of divine vengeance. Tiius saith the Lord, " I have smitten you with blasting and mildew ': when your gardens and your vineyards mcreased, the palmer-wonn devoured them : yet ye have not returned unto me, saith the Lord. I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain witli the sword ; and I have made tUe stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrib :■ yet ve have not returned unto me, saith the Lord. There- fore, thus will I do unto thee, O^ Israel ; and be- cause I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God*r " If ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, I also will do this unto you : I will even appomt over you terror ; that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart; and if for all this you will not hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more, for your iniqui- tiesf."

And if such is the sin and danger of the im- penitence of our country ; what may not the Church expect, if she maiufests a similar spirit? The Church is indeed buiit on a rock, and the

• Amos iv. 9. t Lev. xxvi. 16;

( 4!) )

g'ates of hell shall never prevail against it. But God has often dealt severely with its members for their abuse of Gospel privileges. Witness the Churches of Asia. They were once golden can- dlesticks, in the midst of which the Lord Jesus de- lighted to dwell ; but they are now groaning under the darkness and the tyranny of iMahonietanism. As they once were, so we arc now, distinguished for our privileges, our Gospel, and ovu" sabbaths ; but if, like them, we abuse our privileges, we have no reason to expect a better doom. It tlie Re- formed Dutch Church, like the Church of E>>iie- sub, does not remember from whence she is fal- len, and repent, and do her first works; she has reason to fear, that God will come unto her quickly, and remove her candlestick out of his place. If, like the church of Sardis, she continues to retain a name that she lives, while she is dead, and does not speedily strengthen tlie things which remain, that are ready to die ; she has good reason to fear that God will come upon her as a thief, and that she shall not know what hour he will come upon her. And if, like the Church of Laodicea, she continues luke- warm, and neither cold nor hot ; she has abundant reason to fear that God will yet spue her out of his mouth*. The same tokens of the divine displeasure ] the same foriiiality ; the same deadness ; the same coldness, that was found among them, are in aii alarming degree to be found among us ; and un- less we I'epent of our abuse of privileges, we mny

* Ilev. ii. 1. iii. 1 — 4.

( 50 )

expect that God will say of us, " I will cast you out of mij sifjht, as I have cast out all your brethren*.''

Thus you have heard the duty to \vhich God is calling- us, in the dark dispensations of his provi- dence ; the insensible and incorrigible state, in which we have hitherto continued, notwithstanding- these calls; and the a^fnl sin and danger of such a state. What then remains, but, that we exhort you, earnestly henceforth, to listen to the voice of God ; to hear the rod, and hiui who hath appointed it. Strive, O strive to be sensible of the true causes of our pre- sent aiilictions, and, being" sensible of them, mourn over them with godly soitow ; and do every thing; A\ ithin the compass of your power, to bring about a refoi-mation ! Ye citizens, abuse not your right of suffrage, by the election of men, who have not the fear of God before their eyes. Recollect, that though it is a distinguished privilege, to have the choice of your rulers, ^et that it is a privilege which increases yonr responsibility. Act, there- fore, one and all, in tiiis important concern.

• Jcr. vii. 15.

How rcnuirkably has tliis been verified uilh the Church of Holknul 1 She was for years chargeable wiih the sins of lukeuunmh and fomialily, and many of htr pious members predicted the darkness, ^^ilh which she is at present shroud- ed. May her children in America take warning; and while the) are strenuous in the regulation of foims and ceremo- nies, let them not forget " Jt'ciff/ider matters /"

( ^l )

as those wlio fVcl tlml you must oue day give an account to the Ruler of rulers. And especi- ally, pro/(Siiiii(/ C/nisti(ms, nuiuit'est, that in the dis- charge of this, as much as any oilier duty, you are governed by christian, and not by partj/ jyrinciplcs. And, therefore, whether you cat, or drink, or vote, do it for the glory of God, and the good of your coun- try. And could I, with the same voice of exhorta- tion, reach the ears of our rulers, believing them to be guilty, as well as the people, I would say, " Be wise, now, therefore, O ye rulers ; be instructed, ye judges of the earth: serve the liord \\ ith fear, and re- joice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be an- gry, and ye ]iei*ish from the way, when his wrath ig kindled but a little : blessed are all they that put their trust in him*." Them that honour him he tvill ho- nqur : but such as despischnw, shall be li(jhtli/esleciued.

And, ye votaries of pleasure, ye profane swear- ers ; ye sabbath-breakers ; and ye wanton transgres- sors of God's commandments; as your sins have con- tributed to till up the measure of our national guilt, it becomes you, for the sake of the nation, to repent and reform. But, on your own personal account, the duty is im[)erious and urgent. You are, by na- ture ana practice, the chiltlren of wrath. The sen- tence of condenuiation is gone forth., and unless it

* Ps. ii. 10.

( 52 )

be speedily 1)1 ot ted out, by the blood of Jesus, the king- of terrors will arrest, and bear you away to ex- ecution. Already his arrows are on the wing-, and vou know not how soon one of them may reach your heart. Therefore, speedily awake to rig-hteousness, and sin not. While time lasts, improve it in the bu- siness of your souls ; and while Christ is oftered to you in his Gospel, accept of him in the merit of his atonement, and the all-sufficiency of his grace.

Ye, who are ungrateful for the distinguished pri- vileges, ot your civil and religious liberties, mourn this clay over your sin of iiigiatitude. — Mourn over it this tlav, did we say? JMourn over it while vou live ; for it is iiot the contrition, the abstinence, or the supplications of a cknj, that will niamfest \our sincerity. Tiierelore, ever cherish in your lieart* and lives, a grateful remembrance of the goodness ot God, in castmg your lot m tins land of liberty, and " in crowning you with loving kindness and tender mercy."

And, ye professing Christians, mourn before God for the desolations of Zion; and plead with him, that, through the merit of Christ, he would lual lu r breaches, and advance her interests in the world. No doubt there are some, who can wtep when ihey rememi-er Zion ; and ^^llO do oiler up fervent prayers for her prosperity. But m ho of us here pre*

( 53 )

sent can sav, tliat we have been sufficiently aftected at the \ iew oi her state ? It' we are honest, we must each bring a charge against ourselves before the throne of God, for our coldness, our inditiereiice, and our sloth : — that we have not often enough re- membered the spiritual wants of the outcast Jews, and the benighted Heathen ; that we ha\ e not pray- ed for an increase of labourers in the Gospel vine- yard; that we have not done all that was in our power, to heal the divisions that exist among Chris- tians; and that we have not bewailed the departure of the Spirit fiom the Sanctuary ; nor frequently and fervently prayed for his return !

Conscious of guilt, then, let us abhor ourselves, and turn unto the Lord, with a true and unfeioned repentance. Let us " be afflicted and mourn, and weep ; let our laughter be turned into mourning, and our joy into heaviness. Let us humble our- selves under the mighty hand of God, and he will lift lis up* :" For thus saith that merciful God with M'hom we have to do, " Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil, learn to do well." " Come now, and let us reason together, saith the TiOrd : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool f." That our endeaA ours, tiien, niter repentance and relormatiou, may be suc-

* James iv. 10. f Is. i. 18

( 54 )

cessfu], let us pray for the Holy Spirit, to « break the rocky heart iii pieces, to cause us to remeuiuer our own evil ways which have noi been g"ood, a.id to loath ourselves for our iuKiuities and abomina- tions." And, in the grace of the same Spirit, let us seriously and solemnly resolve, in these courts of the Lord, that we will, in our several stations and relations, more earnestly plead with God, and more zealously deal with men, to promote the spread of pure and undetiled religion.

Then shall this be a Fast which the Lord has chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. Then shall our light break lorth as the niornmg, and the glory of God shall be our reward ; then shall we call, and tiie Lora siiall aiiswer us j then we shall cry, and he shall say, Here I am*.

Anie)i> * Isaiah Iviii, 6 — 9.

WHITING .§' WATSON

Will put to press in a few days, and publish, in one largi octavo volume of 600 pages,

I. Observations on the History and Evidences of the Re- surrection of Jksus Christ. By Gilbert West, Esq.

II. Observations on the Conversion of St. Paul. By the, Rip;ht Hon. G<;orge Lord Lytlleton.

III. The Trial of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus. By James Sherlock, D. D. late Lord Bishop of Lon- don.

The extraordinary merit of these respective treatises, must recommend them to the attention and patronage ol the public. They are the productions of men of the first talents and the highest respectability ; and enter most minutely into the investigation of the evidences of those great and sublime truths on which rest the whole fabric oI the Christian Religion, and the everlasting Hope of its dis- ciples. For, *' if Christ be not raised from the dead, their faith is vain, and their hope is vain : they ai'e yet in their

sms."

The fact of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a subject

, of the most interesting and solemn inquiry to every rational

being in our world ; and every attempt to ascertain the truth

^ -- ^ ' 'jood of this grand hjpothesis, must commend itself

man's conscience in the sight of God. And we

he opinion, that every honest and ingenuous inquirer

th, who may read this volume, will be constrained

tit with the disciples of old, " the Lord is risen

!"

Observations of Lord Lyttleton on the Conversion of If is a work of great and deserved celebrity; and lot professedly treaiuig of the evidences of the Re- surrection of Christ, yet all the reasonings and deductions of this masterly perfonnance, clearly and necessarily go to sub' stantiate this cardinal truth in the Christian system.

The price to Subscribers will be g 2 50 in boards, to be advanced to non-s\ibscribcrs.

The LiOndon edition, when it could be imported, was 4 75.

AN EXPOSITION

OF THE

Epistle to the Hebrews ;

V VITH THE FH£I.IMIi.ARV EXERCl TATXO>JS.

BY JOHN OWEN, D. D.

Abridged by Dr. Williams, 4 vols. 8vo g 8, in bds.

Vol. ni just published, .and ilic whole to be completed vi th» month cf August. Price to nou-subscribcrs, 5J 9.

MiW ANT) L.VLARGED EDITION- OT

DR. BUCHAINAN'S WORKS.

H'HiriUG '<sr WJTSO.V,

WILL. PUBIiISH ijY TBE ritTEEXTH OP AUGUST,

A new edition (being their tkird'miai months) of the works of the Rev. CLAUDIUS BUt;HANAN, D. D. In one lai-gc- vol. 12roo. g i 50. This cditi<'" *'" contain,

1. Christian lie.-.carches in Asia, enriched wKh additional notes, &c. as published in a late Loudon edition, revised by the author. — 2. Memoirs en an Eccleaiastical establishment for India. — 3. An interesting Appendix to do. — 4. Dr. Kerr's Report relative to the Syrian Christians. — 5. The Star ia the East— 6, 7. The Eras of Light, (2 Discourses.)— 8. The Li^t of the World.— 9. The Healing Waters of Bethesda, a Sermon latelj Vreachcd at Bu.vton, Hot Wells. — 10. A Speech delivered before the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jev/s, relative to the state of the Jews in the East The two last productions are scarcely known in this country; indeed one of them, the HeMlin? Waters of Bethesda, has but late- ly reached it.

The Researches and part of the other matter of this volume, have gone through fifteen editions, in England and this country, in the space of about one: j-ear. I'his edition is much the most complete of any before published, and contains nearly double the quantity of matter of any of the otliers, except- ing the jeco?id edition published by W. & W. and will doubtless claim the preference over all former editions.

The Sermon entitled The Healing Waters of Bethesda, and tlie Speech ou the State of the Jews, are published in a separate pamphlet, to accom-. Biodate those who have the other woi'ks of Dr. B.

AUo, just pubhsliedt a new and int&'esting work, cntitledf

THE MARTYRS;

Or^ the Triumjih of the Christian Religion.

iransLited from the original French of F. A. De Chateattbeiand ;. -.vith copietis Biographical, Historical, and Mythological Notes, by the trans iator ; in three volumes l2mo. price in extra boards, § 3 50.

The Jlartyrs is from the pen of one of the most celebratetl modem aU thors, and one %00, who dared, even in the darkest days of French atheism^ to step forth as an advocate for the christian cause.

Also, price C2 cents, half bound, and 75 cents in neat binding,

A CATECHISM FOR YOUTH,

(jOnWining a brief but comprehensive Summary of the doctrines and du- ics of Christianity ; translated chitdy from a work of the late reverend and \Rrned professor OsTERWALD. With some alterations and addition*, by ^AMV'EL Bayard.

The undersigned, a committee appointed by the Genrral assen\bly of the Presbyterian Church of the U. States, to examine an elementarj- subject of 'he doctrines and duties of the Christian icUffion, translate*! from a treatise of the late professor OsteRWALD in French, by Sa-Muel Bayard. having, agreeably to the saiil appointment, inspected the same, do certify, that thev fii»d nothing therein contrary to the doctrines of our Church, and th»t it promises to be useful as a summary of the principles of the Christian -cliirion SA.MUEL S. SMITH,

SAMUEL MILLER, J. B. RO.MEYN. A liberal discount will be given to clergymen pmcUasins for tlic use ^ heir own congrcgattoir^

^JJ^^Z	<^4^•5^4^
# ^ M \^
^ « ^' «	4 4^ « •!•
.< ^ -A > Jli ^ ^ mJ
A .«5 .* «i, ,■«. .*. .:• ^	< <f 4^ '«i:

■^ ft «^1

< ^ ^« '^ 'w

« % I

11 i. * I i[ _

#. ^•

-• # * * > t»

'*¥. if

.'«:<.*

«■ '.<: ■«■■

■», H

i 4

* i

< t

4. f * * 'i -4 \^ ^ «; » < ;< •« ■«■

< # .< « ♦ If *i

.♦. .* '■*: '

A. ■' ^ ^ 'M '4

i rt

^ A

^ n

^ 4

« *

mh

« < 4 # >

« -4 ■ ii: t « * '

^ "^""^ «

<. ^j * * »#• '•#: a i ^

:■ ^ C

[^ wm. II*. ^ ^- j^- J* ^ ,t* i^it.ff, iij; iip fe ^ '

\ V . '3^ . If I i«5^

^ . !^ i^

«. #

» k

]l *>.

* ft

*. *

V fc

.* * t u

« -n

¥' {4

Jr Ih if « IK

. .♦ . f u

*' >

n .*

i :« :i

^ i A

! ( I '^

< ^ « <

• J •/ ... v »

'^ i t « it '■/

^ i ^ » t' . k « ■'^ 'i '4

•f -i: ■*• '^^ i 'i

\i 4 i^ f i ^ . ■

■^ i

f '4

4 ■*

iH «^

* #

< . A

.'•% ■— . '■"■' «f' *

■*: .*: <« ■«; .<^ a

"* •

^« «.

^k m

* <•

<*- *

4 ■».

«. ■«■

4 * ft.

• 4 4 i

i *

4. \*

4 ,«

			# '^ 4 i* ; « f € %
ir *	i n	^ )(	i # # IT i
• - • ■	C 1^ 1
g '4' 4' '^l	i i