Discourses on the depravity of the human family : particularly applied to this nation and these times

LIBRARY

PRI\1 ETO]V, ^. J.

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DISCOURSED

ON

THE DEPRAVITY OF THE HUMAN FAMILY ;

PARTICULARLY APPLIED TO

THIS NATION AND THESE TIMES

UWI)£K HIS DIVIKE MASTER t

SACRED HISTORICAL PAINTER, AUTHOR OF "THE MESSIAH," A POEM,
AND " THE soul's AID," &C.

" Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faitli prove your ownselves.—
Know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be repro-
bates 1"

[2d Coi. 13th chap., 5th verse.

HARRISBURG, Pa.

PRINTED BY R. S. ELLIOTT & CO*

1S39.

To the numerous descendants of Adam, who fell from
his high and holy estate, even from the Image of God his
Father, and thus brought the curse upon all posterity ; as in
him, all are subject to death, so in Christ, whom we preach,
all may hve. Therefore, to all who have immortal souls to
save these pages are respectfully submitted.

By the Author.

CONTENTS

DISCOURSE I.

Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your
ownselves; Know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus
Christ IS in you, except ye be reprobates?

[2(1 Cor., 1 3th chap., 6th verse.

DISCOURSE II.

Faith cometh by hearing, and liearing by tlie word of God.

[Romans, 10th chap., 17th verse.

DISCOURSE III.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from
Heaven, saying: 1 have both glorified it, and will glorify
it again.

[John, 12th chap., 28th verse.

DISCOURSE IV.

And we are his witnesses of these things ; and so is also the
Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to tliem that they obey
him.

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took
counsel to slay them,

[Acts, oth chap., 32d & 33d verses.

DISCOURSE V.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines ; for

it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace ;

not with meats, which have not profited them that have

been occupied therein.

[Hebrews, 13th chap., 8th &. 9th verses.

DISCOURSE VI.

If ye love me, keep my commandments ;

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you forever ;

Eve7i the spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye
k.now^ him ; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you..
[John, 14th chap., 15th, 16th & 17th verses*.

,v CONTENTS.

DISCOURSE VII.

As it 19 written, there is none righteous, no, not one :
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh

after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become

unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
[Romans, 3d chap., 10th, llth & 12th verses.

DISCOURSE VIII.

Then, said he, to the multitude that came forth to be bapti"
sed of him, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you
to flee from the wrath to come ?

Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and be-
gin not to say witlun yourselves, We have Abraham to
our Father ; for 1 say unto you, That God is able of these
stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now, also, the axe is laid unto the root of the trees ?
every tree, therefore, which bringeth not forth good fruity
is hewn down and cast into the fire.

[LAike, 3d chap., 7th, 8th &l 9th verses.

DISCOURSE IX.

Jesus Christ has become to us righteousness, wisdom, sane-
tification and redemption.

[1st Cor., 1st chap., 30th verse.

DISCOURSE X.

On the first resurrection and thousand years reign of Christ
with his saints upon earth.

[Revelation, 19 chap.

DISCOURSE XI.

The Judgment Morning.

DISCOURSE XIL

The New Heavens and Earth.

PEIHGfiTOH

THE0L,0GI01.L
P R E F A ^^B^limx^^^t^^

It may aot be encroaching too much on the reader's time^
nor altogether unedifying, by prefacing these Discourses with
a brief outline or sketch of my life, and the dealings of my
Heavenly Father with me; by the order of whose Provi-
dence I was born o» the 1 5th of October, in the year of our
Lord, 1 805, in the county of Dauphin, one mile from Hum-
melstown and about ten from Harrisburg, the Capital of
Penns3dvania. The farm-house stands about three-fourths
of a mile Irom the romantic stream called the " Swatara, "
the land bordering on the same, on which is a cave^ its spa-
cious entrance or expanded mouth within a few yards of the
flowing stream, which has been visited by many of the
surrounding country, and travellers from distant climes, as
one of ihs curiosities of nature, but formed probably by
the Almighty for higher and more useful purposes, to the
bodies and souls of men, than to be viewed as a mere show,
as in former times it sheltered nature's children, the untutored
heathen, from the ruthless wintry blasts and pelting storms,
and may yet answer a similar purpose. It contains several
apartments of various magnitude, thirty feet or upwards in
height ; a purling rill glides along the side of one of them,
with many other things worthy of note to the admirers of our
gracious God and bis works, such as icicles or fluted columns
of congealed water, many feet in height, and as hard as rock;
others somewhat in the shape of a human being, &c. &c,
A description may be fouad in one of the modern Geogra-
phies, published some years since.

My parents belonged to the Lutheran denomination: of
my mother I know but little, as she was called hence when
I was but about six years old ; but 1 hope she ended her
course with joy, and was received to the right hand of the
Majesty on High, through our beloved Saviour, to sing with

VI PREFACE.

the Angels and all the redeemed of the Lord, the song of
Moses and the Lamb, forever and ever.

My Father u^as beloved by his neighbors as an honest and
upright man ; his removal to another place of residence a few
years before his death, caused a general grief among his
nearest neighbors, althougii of different persuasions, some
of whom said they would never again have such a true
friend lo reside among them. He was a lover of and adhered
strictly to the truth ; his word was his bond in all matters of
importance.

He was at church whenever there v/as preaching, nor
scarcely ever missed; and I aui induced to believe, had great
refreshings from the presence of the Lord at sacramental
communions, which he attended regularly, and always
seemed to be renewed in the inner man ; which that divine
instituted feast of the dying love of our blessed Lord and
Saviour will so eminently impart, when partook of worthily,
in a proper state of heart, mind and soul, according to the
words of our dear Redeemer, and his Apostles. My Father
loved to read the bible and meditate ou the word of God,
and delighted to converse with his fi lends on the same
subject ; which 1 frequently listened to for hours with edifi-
tion. He was, doubtlesi, divinely supported under great
personal and family afflictioas, when laboring under partial
blindness, and during two separate operations, confined in a
dark room, which resulted, although nearly blind, in tolera-
ble perf'-ction of sight, under Divine Providence, by some
skill of the physician as a means. Probably, however, more
ia answer to fervent prayer, as he was a man of prayer; and
our blessed Father says, " when thou art in trouble call
upon me and T will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me."

Yes, he was a man of prayer, that blessed grace of the
true christian, which wafts the soul aloft to hold sweet com-
munion with our Holy Father, and brings his blessings down
upon our heads ; renovates the old man ; changes the heart ;
■casts out thedevil and his filthiness, and brings in Christ, with
the Father and Spirit, according to St. John, 14th chapter

PREFACE. Vlt

and 23d verse; and thus we become the temple of the Holy
Ghost. I speak of true, upright, ppiriiuai and well-directed
prayer; it will do all this. '' God is a spirit, and they that
worship, must worship hinri in spirit and in truth."

1 often heard my deceased father pray aloud, wrestle with
God on his knees in his chamber ; "when ye pray enter into
your closets and shut the door, and pray to your Father
which is in secret, and your Father which seeth in secret
will reward you openly;" which was also visibly fulfilled.
At meals he would always lift up his heart to the bountiful
§iver o( every good and perfect gift. He did not use family
worship according to method, but instructed his children
in Godhness; taught the oldest to pray, and made it their
duty when retiring to rest, to instrucL those younger in the
same exercise. He unfolded to ns the plan of salvation by
repentance to God, and through faith in a crucified Redeem-
er, and the consequent joys to be shared with the Holy
Angels in the kingdom of heaven.

He would suffer no sin upon any of his children, that is, to
live in a habit contrary to die word of God, but would re-
prove, and his words had to be obeyed ; there was firmness
of character about him, blended with mildness and affection.
His children were regularly schooled, according to the cus-
tom of the place, although he himself had but one month's
schooling; yet he could write, cast up accounts, keep his
own books, and read well; which shows what may be ac-
complished by application, in Leu of idling away the time in.
dissipation and wickedness, which an all-wise and gracious
God measures out for higher and nobler purposes. In due
time his children were disciplined in Godliness, according to
the rules of the church to which he belonged, instructed in
her catechism and according to scripture, to deny the world,
the flesh, and the devil; and live godly, sober, righteous and
holy lives; and to believe in Jesus the only Saviour and Me-
diator, and iSame given whereby sinners can become recon^
ciled to God, and finally live with him in all joy, glory, felici-
ty, and happiness, forever and ever.

VIII PREFACE.

I have been thus lengthy in memorialising on the character
of my father, for a good and virtuous man\« life will bear
examining, and is worthy of record, for the imitation of his
fellow creatures sojourning in this vale of tears. If his
children are not saved through Christ, the blame will not at-
tach to him, for he was certainly an enemy to the devil and
all his works, and dared to make his sentiments k nown for
the benefit of his family, and others also. He might have
had faults, but they were few, not living in any confirmed
sin, to my knowledge. And above all, 1 am persuaded in
my mind that he triumphed in the last scene, through re-
deeming love ; 1 was not present when his spirit took flight,
but had visited him at intervals during his combat with the
enemy of the souls of men, and therefore have every reason
to believe that he attained the victory ; that he even triumph-
ed through Jesus Christ our Lord ; for 1 heard him say that
our Heavenly Father permitted Satan to throw his fiery
darts at him, but that his hope was good and his confidence
sure ; he was much refieshed during his trial, by having the
scripture promises and similar hymns read to him, and which
aided also in repelling the devil's artillery levelled against
him. To the attending physicians he said, that he was not
afraid to die, for he had hope of a better life beyond the grave;
probably meditating on the words of our blessed Saviour, "I
am the resurrection and the life, he that belie veth on me
though he were dead yet shall he live ; and he that liveth and
believeth in me shall never die." The evening before the
day his soul took its departure, he told my brother to open
the shutters that he might behold the glory of the Sun for the
last time, as though he had a presentiment that his departure
was near — and was probably comparing his glory with the
glory of the Greater Sun of Righteousness, and the lustre
and effulgence of the Deity. The next day about one
o'clock his soul took its vleparture to another and a better
world, to sing with the holy hosts on high praises and Halle-
lujahs to our God and Saviour, through the countless ages of
eternity.

PREFACE. IX

1 come now to say more about myself. And why should I
write about myself, who am but dust and ashes, but to make
known to dying sinners the love of a crucified Redeemer;
to set myself forth as a living witness of the divine mercy ; to
testify that there is plenteous salvation through faith in Jesus,
and also to induce others to close in with the gracious over-
tures of mercy ere it be forever too late ; ere their earthly
course is ended, and they find themselves in the place assign-
ed to all apostate spirits, and those that die outoKJhrist>
that die under the law ; that die in their sins.

1 was the seventh child of my parents according to the
order of Providence, which some would consider in itself as
an omen of good •, but whether it is worthy of any faith, I
very much doubt, for with God all things are possible. 1
sometimes of late, have had it impressed on my mind, that as
Jeremiah, the good Lord had separate J me from my mother's
womb for useful purposes under Him, to my fellow beings ;
to suffer for them in His name and to glorify Him.

My disposition from childhood was sedate and retiring, and
somewhat romantic ; imbibed probably from the wild scenery
along the before-mentioned stream, on the banks of which 1
would often perambulate alone, and with others, and in ca-
noes on the water, one of which, by foolishness, was upset
at one time and the whole party, consisting of four, were
plunged into the water, from which, after struggling awhile*
the good Lord delivered us all, after having been repeatedly
called upon, *' God 1" " God !" whenever my head was
above water ; which circumstance I find thus in a verse of a
brief poem of my life :

" Thy love to me with shepherd^s care,
In childhood in thine arms did'st bare,
And smile upon this humble frame ;
As years advanced, thou still the same,
A God of Love and ever nigh,
To hear my moan and louder cry ;
" God ! 0 God ! !" thou wast near to save,
And rescue me from a wat'ry grave."

Thus in mercy 1 was spared; had it been otherwise,!

X PREFACE.

might not have fared as well as 1 am now certain of doing
when the Lord pleases to call nie from this earthly stage ;
as 1 had no assurance of acceptance through the "beloved,"
and consequently, would have perished body and soul. O,
the need of being at all times prepared, from even the cradle
to the grave, for an exit out of this world! May I ever be
thankful to my Holy Father for this deliverance, with all
previous, and those since: for His encompassing me with His
everlasting arms, both by sea and by land ; but above all,
for salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

My education was that of a common country school ;
reading, writing and arithmetic, all of which 1 could man-
age with considerable ease ; particularly the latter, in which
1 was considered an adept; having mastered two books by
different authors, together with Boneycasile's mensuration,
surveying and guaging. My genius developed itself in this
way, and also in drawing with pencil and pen and ink,
figures of various kinds ; the gift of painting, which I have
since brought to great perfection, was therefore, inherent
from childhood, and 1 may say I was born a painter, poet,
and man of genius. Endowed by nature, or more properly
intrusted by my Heavenly Father, with these brightest of
talents, if wisely employed — therefore, I am also more re*
sponsible than many others, for "to whom much is given, from
him shall be much requu'ed ;" as per the ten talents to one,
five to another, and one to a third, and their reward by the
Lord accordingly. No one is, therefore, excusable for bury-
ing His precious gift, much less for misemploying it — the
soul constitutes the man, yet every one need not be a paint-
er or a poet to be a man^ to be of elevated mind and refined
soul, but by having delight in the exalted things from above
and not ia those from Satan, contrary to holiness, which he
is required to shun and abhor.

As I hinted at already, at about the age of fifteen 1 attended
the village church with many others, to be catechised ; during
this period my mind was more serious, more abstracted from

PREFACE. XI

things below, more wrought upon and exercised in those of
a boundless elerniiy; of the Divinity; of Heaven's awful
hohness. I felt my heart elevated in love to the Saviour^ who
had undergone so much in I )ve to mankind — to me, yes to me,
one of the least ; yet notwithstanding, I felt the efficacy of his
love in the salvation of my soul, and had much peace, joy
and happiness in believing, comfort in prayer and sweet-
ness in meditation ; but nothing to what 1 now experience.
With delight and facility I could commit to memory the
portion from time to time assigned me, which caused our
minister to have a particular regard for me, and induced
him to speak frequently to my lather and others of my
abilities, and the delight 1 took in the exalted things of
Heaven ; which created a desire in one of my sisters that 1
should study for the ministry— at whose knees I was often,
in previous years, enraptured at the glowing picture she
would draw of the joy and delight of H»'aven, of Paradise,
of the Holy Angels and ol the Saints, the redeemed of the
Lord ; and while expatiating on the benevolence of our
blessed Saviour, the love which he bore toward us, which
constrained him to sojourn here below, which caused his
passion in Gethsemane and his death on Mount Calvary, of
his resurrection, appearance to his disciples, ascension and
second coming in transcendent glory with all the holy hosts
from on high, and that he would then raise our bodies and
glorify them, like unto the Angels, to live with and enjoy'
Him in the New Heavens and Earth forever and ever; in
short, she would expound the meaning of the New Testament
to me, and some times show me engravings of our blessed Sa-
viour and of Holy Angels, which aided to elevate my soul
and cause it to soar on high on Angels' wings; be charmed
and enraptured with the bh-ssedness of Heaven; the holi-
ness and divine glory of our God and Father. May all
young ladies do likewise, who have younger sisters and
brothers ; "as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." Verily, it
is the duty of all parents to instruct and have their children

XII PREFACE,

instructed in godliness ; in that which pertains to their eter-
nal welfare, everlasting life and happiness. But then some-
times they are called out of this world of trouble, as my
mother, when some of their children are yet ni tender years,
the very time to receive holy and lasting impressions ; then
the duty devolves more directly upon the older members of
the family ; and O how lovely ! how beautiful and Angelic!!
virtue and holiness combined in the female character. At
these seasons, at times when alone and looking over the
fields, I could almost see with my natural eyes, the Saviour
with His disciples passing along, my faith being so vivid,
which caused my heart to leap within, and be filled with
such heavenly emotions impossible to describe. The min-
ister looked about to find one to pray in public on the day
of confirmation, and selected me as the most suitable ; the
prayer, however, was not extempore, but committed to
memory out of a book — in which duty I succeeded pretty
well. I was confirmed with the others ; denied the world,
the devil, the lusts of the flesh ; took the sacrament, and thus
became a member of the Lutheran church ; 1 had true com-
fort and sweet peaci through Christ in God, but not such en-
raptured joy and rejoicing as I have experienced since,
within late years ; and probably not the perfect love which
casts out all fear of death and judgment ; " there is therefore
now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus." I
had now for some time much serenity of soul and peace af
conscience, but by degrees it wore off and 1 became more
worldly ; the passions within became more turbulent and
ungovernable, so that by the time of the next sacrament I
absented myself, under the fear of not being able to discern
the Lord's body, and thus drink damnation to myself; and so
it was the time following. 1 did not live or indulge in any gross
sin, but yet 1 would not deny myself to the extent 1 promis-
ed at confimation, and therefore knew myself unworthy.

The time now arrived that I was to enter on a trade, and
as the ministry, as 1 thought, required too much sdf-denial ;
for J had a high and an exalted opinion of the ambassadors

PREFACE. XIII

of Christ — those that are true shepherds ; so much so that
I shrunk whenever they broached the subject, on account of
the loftiness and responsibility of the office ; nevertheless,
to free my mind, 1 consulted the minister, v^ho would not
advise me either way, to undertake it or not ; but said it was
a high and desirable calling, and I should do according to
the dictates of my conscience ^ pray to and obey the will of
the Lord. 1 left him and went home, deeply exercised on
the subject, revolving and re-revolving the matter in my
mind, but could not at any time come to the conclusion that
1 could become qualified to discharge the duties of a faithful
preacher ; no doubt, lacking faith in Him who is the head of
the Church, with whom all things are possible, and who
could have been a mouth to me as he was to Moses. I
have mentioned already that I was of a sedate and retired
disposition, and therefore, as may be expected, of few words,
or one who tells things briefly and not fond of a multitude of
words without meaning ; this might have been in my favor^
as appropriate to a minister ; as an approach even to Christ
himself; but the devil made it a great stumbling-block, to-
gether with other things of more or less consequence ; and
I remained undecided whether the blessed Lord had really
called me or not, and began to think of some other occupa-
tion, consulted with some of my relations, and concluded to
stud)' the art of printing. I went myself to Harrisburg and
made an engagement with Mr. Wyeth, who agreed to take
me on trial for a few months to see whether I liked the
business, &c.; if so, I was to serve to the age of twenty-one,
I, therefore, in the beginning of the winter of 1822-3, began
my career with him, and after a short time was articled to
stay until I was of age. The first day it was late when I got
there, but I learned the cases and composed nearly half a
column of matter, long primer, for the paper ; thus 1 pro-
gressed rapidly in the profession — and he used to say I vs'as
a very good boy, and when my father wanted to purchase
a bible for me he gave me one as a present — he hid a large
book-store in connection with the printing establishment. —

XIV PREFACE.

Here was a young man who had but about a year to serve,
belonging to the Presbyterian church ; he attended to the
reading of his bible, and prayed thrice or oftener daily, with
other spiritual exercises, such as reading the bible, medita-
tions and singing, &c.; went to church regularly twice or
thrice on Sundays, and occasionally at night during the
w^eek. His name was Richard Cole; by his example and
conversation I was much edified and benefited, and took
likewise to prayer thrice a day on the loft, where he used to
retire to. I read the bible with more attention and profit
than I had for some time before; 1 also attended church and
prayer meetings regularly, and made more progress in the
divine life. I now again took the sacrament once or twice,
and had some relreshings from the presence of the Lord ;
for a while this new mode of lifo continued, but it gradually
wore off again, and from my having been a strict observer
of the Sabbat-li, I became a Sabbath-breaker ; and for money
would work all Sunday until night on the bills of the Senate,
which Mr. VVyeth had engaged to print. O, that the Legis-
lature would put a stop to having so much of their printing
executed on the hallowed day of the Lord! They must cer-
tainly be aware that a great amount of work is done, and
therefore, many hands employed on the Sabbath, who
might, and surely ought to be more usefully engaged, even
in the salvation of their immortal souls, and worshipping
and honoring the Lord of the Sabbath. " Thoy that honor
me 1 will honor, but they that despise me shall be lightly
esteemed," says the Lord of Hosts. There was no excuse
for me, as I had my free will ; only being enticed, I pre-
sume, by the devil, and not sufficiently confirmed and watch-
ful unto Godliness, 1 consented for filthy lucre's sake, but to
my shame and sorrow whenever I think of it, as my bad
example induced Mr. Cole also to take up his composing
stick and desecrate the sanctified day of rest. O, how
watchful young christians ought to be, lest the adversary
gains some advantage over themj and although they may

PREFACE. XV

repent and be forgiven afterwards, yet will cause them, at
times, sorrowful moments hours and days, all their lives.

The summer following the beginning of my apprentice-
ship, the holy L^ord laid his hand upon me and brought me
to the gates of death ; " whom the Lord loveth, he chasten-
eth/' I was taken by a fever and lay about four weeks ;
it set in with violence at the Ftart, but not without a pros-
pect of success to the attending physician, but towards the
four weeks he thought it might cause me to sink under it and
go the way of all flesh. All this while I was in a terrible state
of mind ; there was no peace for my poor miserable soul ;
Heaven seemed to be as brass, at least I could not now real-
ize its joys and happiness through a crucified Saviour, which
surpass everything here below, and consequently I was not
willing to launch forth; my soul clave to the earth and I want-
ed to live and enjoy the life of this world, and was, therefore,
in a dreadful way. O, to be always prepared for the dissolu-
tion of the body, to make a happy exit and ascend triumphant-
ly to the realms of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. I
made many a good resolution and vowed to live a holier life
should it please the good Lord in mercy to spare me, and
others also lelt concerned, and held prayer meetings in the
house, and sent for the minister of the church to which I be-
longed ; he kindly attended several times and prayed for me.
The blessed Lord was pleased to raise me up agairj at about
the end of four weeks, so that I could accompany my father
home 3 miles in a gig ; where 1 continued in a weak state, just
able to walk about the house, for nearly six weeks longer,
when 1 felt sufficiently recovered, blessed be God, to enter on
my engagement again. The scene is also described in the
poem alluded to, thus :

" And when this frame press'd with sickness,

Sore disease and deep distress ;

The groan of anguish thou did'st hear,

And lend'st thyself a willing ear ;

To defeat the grave of its prey,

Did'st thy Almighty power display ,

To health again for to restore,

That I might know thee more and more."

XVI PREFACE.

I now enjoyed pretty good health as long as I stayed with
IVlr. Wyeth, vviiich was until within six months of the end of
my contract. As he had but httle work to do that summer,
and hands sufficient, I compromised and paid him for the
unexpired term. A few weeks after I became a partner
in one of the first Jackson papers in the State, printed at
Reading, where 1 was concerned about six months, then
sold my interest, and visited Philadelphia and New York,
where T worked some weeks ; after which 1 returned to Har-
risburg, where, and at Lancaster, York and Liverpool, and
in divers visits to the different cities, my time was consumed
until I left for Europe in 1833. The greatest part of the
time 1 passed at Harrisburg, where 1 had much success in
business. Previous to this i studied medicine for about six
months at Liverpool, with an eminent physician, who of-
ten said that I would make a good physician ; but the
practical part was not congenial to my feelings, and there-
fore I left him with a good prospect of doing well in the bro-
kerage business, wherein 1 also had considerable success,
and accumulated a small fortune in a few years. xMy sole
object now was to make money — get wealthy — until 1 began
to study the divine art of painting, in the spring of 1 830. The
way this precious gift or blossom was brought to bud and
expand, is this : two traveling painters of a little home repu-
tation, from Marietta, came to town and took up their lodg-
ings at the house where I boarded. Now 1 frequently be-
fore had a hankering to know how the effect was produced —
a desire to see a portrait taken ; I was therefore, persuaded to
have mine taken, and to encourage them and get them into
business ; the delineations were made, but the finish did not
come up to nature ; 1 however, paid him, thinking he might
improve in time. In the meantime his partner arrived, who
also found it faulty, and after a week or so persuaded me to
let him tiy his hand, to which 1 also consented; he succeeded
somewhat better. 1 had been exercising in nr^y office with a
lead pencil, as 1 had done on many former occasions. Well?

PREFACE. XVII

seeing him one day copying from an engraving a landscape,
1 looked on awhile, then intimated that I thought I could
imitate it ; upon which some conversation followed in rela-
tion to drawing, &c. He requested me to show him one of
my pencil sketches. I did so ; it was a very correct copy of a
print of Gen. Jackson. As soon as he saw it, he said 1
would make a painter, and advised me to study the art. 1
agreed with him for fifty dollars, to give me some insight
in the mixing and use of colors, wiiich he did as per his abil-
ities, as he was merely medium in the profession. During
the two weeks he remained from this time, I was chiefly in
his room, and copied a few portraits that he had painted from
nature, and also one from nature, a lady, which was a toler-
able likeness. I now felt enraptured with this pleasing
study, and purchased very expensive works treating on this
accomplished art, for one of which, in two vols. 1 paid g28r,
another one vol. gl1,50; another one vol. $6,50, &c. &c.,
and in the purchase of engravings I spent a considerable sum,
being determined to excel in this exalted profession ; partic-
ularly when the painter, Raphael-like, chooses the most
sublime subjects, such as abound in the Old and New Tes-
taments. 1 therefore visited Philadelphia, New York, BaN
timore and Washington at different times, to examine the
best pictures from the Italian Masters to be seen in this coun-
try ; and also those of West, and other modern artists. —
Thus I imbibed new views and principles, and my genius
expanded more and more. 1 was now better able to proceed
with the vast design of Christ Preaching and Healing Dis-
eases; which] began the fall following 1 first used paint, and
was my fifteenth production; the preceding ones being only
single portraits, small things. I made a tolerable finish ot it
and had it exhibited in Philadelphia the succeeding summer;
it was favorably noticed in some of the papers, as " forcibly
illustrating the passages from which it was designed ; that
many of the heads were finely executed, and that it indicated

2

XVIII PREFACEo

an indubitable and high order of genius," &c. This pro-
duction was burned in the Lutheran Church of Harrisburg,
in October, 1838, when that building was consumed. I am
sorry for it ; it was my first production in the historic de-
partment, and had caused me a great deal of meditation and
study, but not in vain; although the painting is no more, it
caused my soul to be refreshed, to be nearer Christ than be-
lore, while engaged on it ; and it afforded me some comfort
to know that others who called to see it were likewise more
or less affected, particularly an old lady, who said, while tears
trickled down her cheeks, that from all the sermons she ever
heard, she was not made so sensible, or impressed so forcibly
with the divine goodness of our blessed Redeemer, and that
she often read and heard of his meritorious acts of mercy,
but now she saw them. She was really deeply affected,
and T hope that it was as seed sown upon good ground and
brought forth perfect love to our " Beloved^''^ whose serene,
divine, and heavenly appearance she so much admired; with
his acts of benevolence to the blind, the lame, the deaf, the
dumb, and to the possessed of devils, in restoring ther^i to
their right mind. It was a complex and great achievement,
not, however, handled and finished as I could now, had I
the same design under way. L executed a small one from
recollection of the same subject, with some variations for the
better ; less in figures, however, by fifteen or twenty. On
the large one were upwards of a hundred, on this not a hun-
dred. After this I designed another at Harrisburg, subject
"the head of John the Baptist," containing six or seven
figures, size of life^ length below the knees, besides the head
of John, which one of the executioners is handing in a
charger to the damsel. 1 afterwards finished it in London,
and it was exhibited in the Royal exhibition. Pall Mall.
The next design was the battle of New Orleans, an enor-
mous subject, which 1 arranged different from any other I
ever saw ; the canvass is 14 by 22 feet ; figures the size of
life ; the painting T could finish so as to be worth, consider-

PREFACE, XIX

able, but my time is of more value in this degenerate age,
when sinners are indulging in the most abominable vices,
and perishing all around. As that picture would show forth
the deeds of men, and consequently in these times they
would receive praise of men beyond their due, as the God of
batdes has given the victory, and caused this as yet to re-
main a separate nation ; therefore to Him belongs all the
glory. My next work was St. Peter's release by an Angel,
while sleeping between two guards ; figures size of life ; de-
signed in Philadelphia; which I also took along to London.
Another, Ezra the scribe, readmg the law of Moses to the
children of Israel, in Jerusalem, containing a number of fig-
ures size of life, but not v^ell executed ; there is, however,
something tolerable in the buildings and perspective — with
others of minor import; all previous to going to Europe.

During these five or six years the gracious Lord used his
rod frequently upon me, in love it was, I know, thanks to his
Holy name. One Sabbath morning I was dressed in an en-
tire new suit, with new boots ; it was in my head to go some
twelve miles down the country, which you all know was
contrary to the fourth commandment ; and to my shame 1
was not obedient according to the vows I had made while
sick, as stated already. " When thou vovvest unto the Lord,
pay thy vpws, for the Lord has no pleasure in fools." I hired
a horse hitched in a sulkey, got into it, and before I was prop-
erly seated the horse ran at a terrible rate down the street,
and in turning the corner of the square, the sulkey upset and
threw me against the curb stone ; the horse continued run-
ning with the vehicle upside-down. I got up and would
have been unhurt, had it not been that the heel or offset of
my boot caught someway or other, which 1 never could com-
prehend, and twisted my knee, not quite out of joint, but
disarranged it so as to cause me to be confined to , bed for
two weeks, and afterwards to go on a crutch for a few weeks .
longer. I felt the effects of it for some months. Thus the
devil stung my heel, as Sabbath-breaking and all wickedness-.

XX PREFACE.

is from him ; but through God 1 am bruising his head noW.
In the fall of 1830, while engaged on the large painting of
" Christ Healing Diseases," 1 was taken by the small pox,
and confined to bed, where 1 lay very sick for some weeks ;
during which time I had much joy meditating on the love of
Christ, which the above subject revived to my mind. I
thought 1 once saw the blessed Saviour standing at the head
of the bed, and also that I would die in peace ; but it pleased
the blessed physician and head of the church to restore me
to health ; having still greater work under his divine Provi-
dence for me to do. For change of air 1 went to Lancaster
and Columbia; between these places the linch pin came
out, one of the wheels flew off, and the stage went down;
in aiding to raise it up to replace the wheel, being weak, 1
sprained or rather prolongated the muscles of my right shoul-
der, which i deemed too trifling to notice at the time ; but
in returnirg from Columbia to Lancaster the same night, the
axle-tree broke down, and we had to take to a waggon, the
jolting of which was terrible, and reclining on the elbow of
my right arm, not aware of the injury I had received before,
by the time we arrived at Lancaster, was very bad, so
that the bone stood nearly straight out. I then returned
to Harrisburg and had to bandage all winter, and was pre-
vented from studying my picture.

As 1 had it in contemplation for some years, the time at
last arrived for my departure to Europe. 1 therefore left
Philadelphia the latter part of July, 18S3, for New York,
where I embarked on the 1st of August for Liverpool; trust-
ing that my Heavenly Father, who had until then supported
and delivered me, would still be with me, and b}' the work-
ings of his Providence, would enable me to land safely at the
latter place; notwithstanding the insinuation of my oldest
brother, sometime previous, " that 1 would never get there ;''
to whom I replied, " that if it was God's will 1 should. " I
merely relate this to show that although not unblameable
and holy enough, 1 still had some christian principle and

PREFACE. XXI

Ikith in my God and Saviour; '* cast all your care upon the
Lord for he oareth for you;"" thus, as before, He was with
me still. " If 1 take the wings of the morning and fly to the
uttermost parts of the sea. Thou art there, thy rod and thy
staff they comfort me." At times we were visited by gales
of wind, when the sea would roar, lash the vessel's side, leap
on board, and together with the wind would cause the ship
to groan, masts creak, spars fly, and the sails rend and flap
in the storm, and cause confusion and consternation among
the passengers and crew. At such times 1 would retire, cast
myself upon my knees before the throne of Him whom
the winds and the waves obey, and at whose words, " Peace,
be still," there follows a great calm. 1 implored my Fath-
er's protection, and if he permitted my body to descend into
the deep, to cause my soul to ascend through Jesus to his
own right hand ; and 1 felt his presence near, and great com-
fort, joy and peace, and a great calm within my soul, not-
withstanding the raging of the elements without. My Iwpes
and expectations were reahzed, after the exercise of much
patience, during a voyage of 42 days, by stepping, through
the goodness of God, on Brittania's luxuriant shore. 1 spent
a few days at Liverpool, then took stage for London, through
Birmingham and the most fertile part of the country. In
London, that great metropolis^ I located myself in the Wes-
tern part, where the streets are broad, cleanliness observed,
and where there are parks and promenades, conducing to the
health of the inhabitants. Here 1 pursued the study of my
profession and succeeded very well, as I have stated al-
ready. 1 had access to some of the best collections of paint-
ings belonging to this great nation, and thereby improved
myself, and made strides in this divine art towards perfec-
tion accordingly. Yet one thing 1 regret exceedingly when-
ever 1 think thereon, that is, of not having lived near enough
to God, asl sho^ild have done for his goodness to me; and as
I might have done, through a crucified Redeemer, and privi-
leged to do. Oh ! the abuse men make of this exalted

XXII PREFAX::«E.

privilege, and therefore remain strangers to all the blessings
and sweets thereof. I was not prayerful enough, although 1
prayed night and morning ; neither watchful enough to keep
out of my heart, and conquer at all times the enemy of my
soul, through the Captain of our Salvation, which is the duty
enjoined upon every christian. My affections were there-
fore, unhallowed and misplaced. I did not love God with
all my heart, and by consequence my eye was not single to
his glory. I was as a stray sheep wandering from the fold
of Jesus, whose compassionate bowels yearned for my return;
and somehow or other 1 became deprived of my personal
liberty, if not by the order, by the permission of my Heavenly
Father, " whom he loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
every one that he receiveth ;'' and who graciously overruled
all for my benefit and his glory. As 1 had committed no
crime against the law of the land, 1 did not suffer as an evil
doer, but innocently. 1 therefore warn all to clear their skirts,
ere it be too late, who made themselves guilty of my blood,
either directly or indirectly, aiding and abetting in ihe
dark, mysterious, and hellish plot, which 1 never could com-
prehend, but which shall be made manifest on the Judgment
day, when every work shall be rewarded by the Eternal
Judge, my Father. 1 may, and do forgive them, but without
repentance my Father will not forgive them. " It needs be
that offences come, but woe to him from whom they do come;
it were bettc that he had a millstone about his neck and were
cast into the depths of the sea ;" and this also applies to
those who now persecute me. Let all, therefore, speedily
repent lest they find themselves in a place of torment surpas-
sing all that men and devils ever invented, or can possibly
invent; even in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone,
where there shall be weeping and wa.iling and gnashing of
teeth forever.

With the inspired writer, I thank my God that I ever
have been afflicted; it learned me to know the foolishness of
loving the world and the vain things thereof, and to be rooted

PREFACE. xxul

and grounded through love in tlie tree of life ; to deny the
devil and all his filthiness, and love God with all the heart.
This perfect blessing of salvation 1 expeiienced shortly after
I v^^as imprisoned, and the great God supported me miracu-
lously during my confinement, and gave me, through the
instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, the indubitable assurance
of being through Christ born again, adopted a son and an
heir of Glory, joint heir v^'ith the blessed Jesus ; and of
having my sins washed away by his precious blood, which
cleanses from all sins, and my name written in the Lamb's
book of life, enabled to cry Abba, Abba, Father ; which
caused my heart to leap for joy, and 1 was all life, light,
love, joy, peace and happiness in Jehovah, my God and
Saviour. And 1 also trust that my faith, confidence and
patience under my sufferings, and perfect love to Him who
is essentially love; which casteth out all fear, may have
worked much good to my neighbors; my enemies and per-
secutors; it would afford me much joy were I aware that
it was so ; I shall know, however, for the day of the Lord
will reveal it. 1 was, at times, greatly harrassed by the
devil, and deprived of bodily comfort by his agents, his
children ; but thanks be to God, his word was not bound,
but had free course to rejoice my heart and glorify him ; to
impart that " peace which passeth all understanding, which
the w^orld cannot give or take away, and which shall endure
and increase evermore, eternal in the heavens ;" thus 1 was
happy in God, although I had tribulation in the world.—
" These things 1 have spoken unto you, that in me," saith
the blessed Christ, " ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer ; I have over-
come the world." At times, thank the Lord, I had more
kindness shown me, when I would read and write hymns, of
which I have upwards of 200 yet unpublished. 1 also com-
posed the latter part of the poem of the '^Messiah^^'' that is,
from the 77th verse, " Lo ! the Lord, the Lord of Glory," &a

XXIV PREFACE.

In this way it wrought for my good, my Father's glory, arid
if not for the welfare of men's souls, it will be their own
fault — be their blood upon them ; be my hands clean.

In all these complex trials the blessed Lord was with me.
1 grew in the divine and holy life ; Christ dwelled in me the
hope of glory, and I lived and moved in him ; in short, I was
emphatically the temple of the mystic Trinity — Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, according to St. John, Hth chapter.

Two years were fully passed in confinement, as were
also Vv'ith Joseph and St. Paul — my blessed Father arose in
his majesty to confound all hell and darkness ; the devil and
all his legions; spiritual and in the flesh, and with his Om-
nipotent Arm achieved my deliverance, and I came forth
from the furnace as gold seven times refined. Glory be to
his great name, who is perfect in glory and holiness, and
saith, " when thou cometh into trouble, call upon me and I
will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me," which I know
I have done, am doing, and desire to do to the end, so that,
through my blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, I may also reign
with Him in all joy, glory, happiness, felicity and bliss, for
ever and ever.

Incomprehensible Deity, thou art so highly exalted above
puny men, thy throne in the heavens is so far above the
earth, thy footstool, that thy ways are "altogether past
finding out ; but this we know, that thy promises are all yea
and amen to the believer in Jesus. O enable me ever to
adore thy long suffering mercy to me, and to praise and bless
thy ever blessed and holy name in time, and at thy right
hand in eternity, through Jesus Christ my beloved Lord and
Saviour. Amen.

Yes, the Lord's ways are above our ways, and his thoughts
far, far above our thoughts; therefore, as respects my two
years confinement, it will be fully manifest at his second
coming ; which in his own words, "will be speedily." Even
50 come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

PREFACE. XXV

The object of my being thus lengthy is to edify my read-
ers, to give some idea of the dealing of my Father with his
annointed ; to convince those, particularly, who deny his
intercession and guardian care and government of the uni-
verse ; and that if any of my readers should ever meet with
similar trials not to despair, but call upon the same Lord,
who is Almighty to save and deliver to the uttermost.

Wonderfully and divinely supported by my heavenly Fath-
er, I was enabled to embark from London, in iVIarch, 1836,
who upheld me by his Arm of Righteousness and Almighty
power, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. —
Nothing very particular occurred during the voyage. We
had some gales and much head wind, even for weeks ; one
morning, after some weeks of this untoward weather, and
having been out about seven weeks already, a^ 1 came on
deck one of the passengers entered into conversation with
me, during which he informed me that the provision was be-
coming scarce on board, and if the wind should continue
ahead, he knew not what might be the consequence. 1 re-
flected a moment, then descended to my berth, to implore
Him with whom are the issues of life and death, and who
holds the reins of the winds in his fist, and can change them
in the twinkling of an eye, and so he did ; for I was but a
few minutes on my knees praying for the same, when I heard
them tacking about and putting the ship in nearly a direct
course for our harbor ; when I came on deck the wind was
nearly aft, and the same breeze drove us into New York
nearly two weeks after. My Father is still a prayer hear-
mg and answering God, if approached in uprightness; with
full purpose of heart to forsake evil and follow after that
which is good ; know ye this ye double-minded who desire to
serve two masters, your prayer is an abomination, and there-
fore, not answered, and ye remain unconverted and in your
sins. Above all, God delights to hear his saints pray and to
answer their prayers, for his honor dwelleth with them, and

XXVI PREFACE.

he is glorified in them; therefore let us pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; bless his name and sing his praise;
Hallelujah, praise the Lord.

1 expected that as soon as I landed on the American shore
I should be free from persecution; but alas! I found it far
otherwise, the powers of darkness pervading all classes, and
I soon found that the land was mourning for the abomination
thereof; and alas! thought I, for my country; the just judg-
ments of the Most High are pressing thee sore. In travel-
ing along 1 discovered that the fields were almost barren as
the road; my heart was heavy, mourned within jue, and groan*
ed with the earth. I thought of ?s'oah's time, and of Sodom
and Gomorrah, and other mighty nations, which prosperity,
fulness of bread, and success in arms, had inflated so that
they becamp lifted up and went a whoring after their own in-
ventions, neither fearing nor acknowledging the sovereignty of
Jehovah, nor seeking to honor him, but rather by their filthy
actions to dishonor him, and that continually; at last God to
humble them brought them even low as hell, by an utter ex-
termination, to wit : the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah, &c.

When abroad I would often think if 1 once got back to my
brother, I w^ouid also find a brother in spirit and in truth and
in the spirit of Christ. But after landing I began to doubt of
it, and when I got there I found him contrary; his hand be-
ing against me; not having my Lord and Master, Christ's
mark on his forehead, but the adversary's, consequently there
was a great gulph between us, and which 1 am sorry to think
remains unto this day; and so it is with all my relations and
acquaintances, and strangers among whom I have sojourned
since; but yet notwithstanding the Lord may have some, be-
side myself, whose hands are free from the blood of all men,
either by persecution or otherwise, and who abstain from this
levelling abomination and wickedness, upon which I have
enlarged in the following discourses.

Having lived since my return in May, 1836, within four or

PREFACE. xxvii

five miles of this place, where I pursued my studies as histori-
cal painter, and occasionally composing hymns, and where 1
wrote the first part of my poem, the ^^ Messiah,'''' up to verse
77. Here I met with many trials and buffetings from Satan,
and persecutions from his children, but my God and Sa-
viour, my brother Jesus was constantly with me, and through
him I triumphed over them all, and know that I shall endure
unto the end and inherit all things, and with the Holy An-
gels and the redeemed from the earth, enjoy the Eternal
Father everlastingly.

Last March I came to this place, (Chambersburg,) and
have met with consideral)le success, which enabled me to
publish during the summer the " Messiah^''^ for the welfare
of my fellow beings, particularly their immortal soul's salva-
tion ; which work has "been welcomed and highly extolled,
by men of judgment, for which 1 feel thankful, as it may
draw the public to spend a trifle to possess it, and the amount
of good it may be the means, under God, of doing, will be
made manifest some future day ; in the meantime Glory be
to Jesus the King of Glory. The subject, the "Messiah," is
the most elevated and sublime that could be sung, and in my
humble opinion, the language is high, holy, and inspired ;
truly evangelical, and in keeping; harmonizing in every res-
pect to it. I have said before I published, and am still of the
same opinion, that parts of it have never to my knowledge,
been surpassed, if equalled ; but glory to whom glory belongs,
and may his blessing descend upon the readers thereof for
the salvation of their souls.

The painting of our blessed Saviour's appearance to his
disciples while they were praying in an upper room, the doors
being shut too, when and where he convinced unbelieving
Thomas^ St. John's gospel 20th chapter. It is a heaven-
born production; a superhuman serenity pervades the whole,
like the calm of the ocean after a breeze, its tiny waves skip-
ping and rejoicing; thus the terror of the disciples has subsid-
ed, and placidness taken its place with joy and rejoicing in

XXVIII PREFACE.

the heart of every one. The Saviour is an admirable figure,
full six feet high, and well proportioned ; his countenance is
sweet, divinely benign, and persuasive ; his eyes are cast up-
on St. Thomas, who is kneeling before him, recovering from
his weakness and confusion, and exclaiming '^ My Lord and
my God." The light which emanates from the Saviour's
countenance is well managed, partly shading some of the
hindermost figures. The draperies are ample and flowing;
ever}^ part is in keeping and aids to combine the subject and
form a sweet and pleasing effect, such as to refresh and edi-
fy the soul, and calm a ruffled and angry temper by behold-
ing it.

This subject was selected during the few last months of
my confinement, and began on a convass of about 1 4 by 1 1
inches, which I brought from London here, and have now^
enlarged it to the size of life on a suitable canvass, and more
to my satisfaction, and 1 trust to the benefit of mankind. It
must be seen in a proper room and light to be fully apprecia-
ted. Another began since; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and
Mary the mother of James, with other women, seeking the
Saviour at the sepulchre. They went in and found him not,
and after coming out two Angels stood by them, informing
them that he had risen, &c. St. Luke, 24th chapter. Fig-
ures, seven women and two Angels, rather above the size of
life; it remains unfinished as yet. Another is a sweet pic-
ture of the Saviour, with Cleopas on one side and another
disciple on the other, progressing towards Emmaus; they
have just ascended to tiie top of a hill; the sun near sinking
behind the distant mountains, shines full in their faces and
casts long shadows down the hill from their bodies, and from
trees. A luxuriant and wide extended valley lays before
them, bounded by hills on one side, interspersed by buildings
and vineyards. The village of Emmaus lies a little to the
right, about a mile ahead; with towering mountains behind,
and extended country to the left for miles farther; the fields

PREFACE. XXIX

are white to harvest, reapers are seen employed ; a plow-
man breaking up the fallow ground ; and shepherds watch-
ing their flocks on the hill, and the great shepherd and bishop
of souls, passes along with two of his flock, ploughing their
hearts, reclaiming his wandering followers to confirm their
faith, so that in due time he may gather them into hiS heaven-
ly fold. It must also be seen and understood to be benefi-
cial to the souls of men. Another is the nativity, on a smal
scale, &c. &:,c.

In the beginning of August last it pleased my Heavenly
Father to afflict or permit me to be afflicted with an out-
breaking on either leg; which prevented my painting almost
entirely for two months, during which time 1 wrote, through
the Holy Spirit's assistance, the following discourses, except
one which was written before, and another since, all which I
humbly submit to the serious and candid consideration of this
nation and people, for their temporal and eternal well-being.
Whether you will hear or forbear, I have endeavored to be
candid in pointing out the crimes committed in the dark:
pervading and levelling all classes, and for which the judg-
ments of the Almighty have been fell, as yet slightly; but if
not repented of, will end in the utter destruction of this na-
tion, and every soul estranged from God, for '* the soul that
sinneth it shall die;" therefore, repent as did Ninevah, and
be at peace v/ith your Maker; otherwise, if you persevere
in your rebellion you will find him an invincible enemy and
conqueror of all you can invent and achieve under Satan, and
dreadful will be your eternal state, if you fall singly or col-
lectively in the deviPs cause. This slight affliction may have
thus been overruled by divine Providence for incalculable
good to immortal souls, and his name may have likewise
been glorified, and may still be glorified in the conversion of
sinners. 1 have endeavored to cry aloud and spare not ; to
show you your sins and transgressions, and not suffer sin
by any means upon you. I trust my hands will thus
be cleared from the blood of all men, and may God add hip

XXX PREFACE.

blessing upon my humble endeavor, and in due time receive
me into His glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, be all the
honor and glory, dominion, majesty, and power, W'ith thanks
and blessings, now, henceforth and forevermore. Amen.

P. S. Since writing the above, 1 had, blessed be God my
Holy Father for havmg chastened me, another severe trial
to encounter for my folly; by stooping to listen to the degra-
ded devil's suggestions. Yea, having descended from the
high and exalted place in Christ; through his righteousness
having been seated in high and heavenly places, from
which, by giving heed to Satan, I fell, and departed partially
from God my Saviour, who is over all blessed forevermore,
and worthy to be honored, loved, and adored, with heart,
mind, soul, spirit and strength, and to be worshipped in the
beauties of holiness through Jesus Christ our J ^ord; whom
the blessed God has exalted a Prince and a Saviour, and
likev^ise a judge over the devil and his children.

I was through the wiles of Satan, deceived and brought
to grieve the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and offend my
Heavenly F'ather, Saviour, and Friend, and his rod for the
wicked, which shall not fall to the lot of the righteous, unless
they commit iniquity, was laid upon me, and the Good Lord
withdrew his countenance from me a little while and per-
mitted Satan to sift me as wheat, and I had much contention
and distress of soul for about four weeks. During this period
I was at times wonderfully and mysteriously supported by
Jehovah, at other times suffered to despond and to give heed
to the doctrine of devils, "that there is no God." At the
end of this time, however, the blessed Lord delivered me ful-
ly, so far as to be above all doubts as to His existence, omnis-
cience, and omnipotence, &:c. "Out of six troubles 1 will
deliver thee and in the seventh not forsake thee ;" saith my
Holy Father; which promise has been abundantly verified;
all thanks and blessings be to him, for having brought me

PREFACE. XXXI

mysteriousjy out of this furnace also, more refined and puri-
fied than from all his former deliverences. Yet Satan has
power still to buffet me, as all shall suffer persecution who
will live Godly in Christ Jesus, for his holy name's sake, and
for the testimony of his word; though heaven and earth be
destroyed, his word shall endure.

If I had the tongue of Angels 1 could not sufficiently praise
my blessed and beloved P'ather for having again honored
me by taking me into his perfect favor, through Christ to be
more and more in Him in one allied and more firmly estab-
lished in holy love divine on the rock of ages. Being now
altogether reconciled to God, and as Moses able to esteem
the reproach of Christ ol greater riches than the treas-
ures, not only of a part, but the whole world; counting all
things duofr, that 1 may win Christ, who is now more than
ever in me the hope of glory. In him, thanks to Almig-hty
God, I live, and move, and have my being; and through
whom Jehovah has again raised up my head; and blessed be
his holy name, 1 liave now more faith and confidence in
Christ than I had before. He is truly my wisdom, righte-
ousness, sanctification and redemption; my all in all; wealth
in poverty; health in sickness; life in death; and shall be my
joy and rejoicing in heaven forevermore. Therefore I desire
to know nothing but Christ and him crucified, duriug my
pilgrimage here below.

The glorious Jehovah has thus again through me, verified
his words, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee;" and
also counfounded the devil and his filthy legions in the air;
and those co-working with them in high places; the workers
of the spiritual wickedness of this world, of hell and dark-
ness, mysteriously showing forth his power; for God has de-
signs, and for their accomplishment can bring all things into
subjection, and to subserve thereunto; which may now be
veiled in myster3% but when all things are revealed shall be
abundantly manifest. INqw vye know only in part, but then

XXXII PREFACE.

we shall know more perfectly when this which is in part
shall be done away.

As the blessed Saviour's words to his disciples, so to me-.
'* Ye have not chosen me^ but I have chosen you, and or-
dained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that
your fruit should remain, and that none shall take you out of
my hands." "iVly sheep hear my voice and 1 am known of
them, and I know them, and give unto them eternal hfe." —
" I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me
though he were dead yet shall he live, and he that liveth and
believeth in me shall never die." These are sweet, precious
and glorious to all true christians, and now particularly to
me in these degenerate limes. May the blessed Jehovah my
Holy Father support me under all trials, deliver and finally
bring me into his everlasting kingdom of glory, through Jesus
Christ my beloved Saviour, that I may have my portion with
the Holy Angels and all the redeemed from the earth, in all
joy, glory, happiness, felicity and bliss, forevermore. And
unto the Triune Father, be all honor, dominion, majesty and
power, with thanks and blessings, now, henceforth and for-
evermore. Amen and Amen.

JOHN LANDIS.

l>I<!^€Ol]R8£ I.

ON FAITH.

Examine yourselves, whether ye he in the faith ; i^rom your
ownselves. Know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus
Christ is in you except ye be reprobates ?

2<i. Corinthians, 1 3th Chap, 5th verse.
The words of our text were indited by the Holy Ghost
through St. Paul, one of the greatest of the Apostles, who was
regenerated by the same blessed spirit in so wonderful and
miraculous a manner as recorded in the 26th chapter of the
Acts, The Lord J(^sus appearing to him in such resplendent
glory as to ved the Sun in his meridian splendour; ordainmg
him a minister to preach the gospel to the people, and par-
ticularly to the Gentiles ; and was thus, as he expresses him-
self, born out of due time; who suffered such great peril and
hardship for Christ and the gospePs sake, and whose faith
was frequently tried to the uttermost, but was as often de-
livered by our gracious Lord, from all his troubles, who long
since received him into mansions of bliss. 1 shall take oc-
casion to refer to his writings as we proceed in our discourse*
Let us, therefore, consider the subject under the three follow-
ing heads :

\st. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith,
^nd. Prove your ownselves, and

3d. Know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in
you except ye be reprobates ?

First then, it has become the imperative duty of every in-
dividual, as soon as he may be accounted responsible to the
Great Father of the human family, for every thought, word,
and deed, to pry into the inmost recesses of his heart, and seek
to discover the rubbish there concealed, wrapt in unbelief,

3

2 ON FAITH.

generating sinful thoughts, (which in too many has been ne-
glected, as they have been wilfully disobedient to the com-
mand to love God with all the heart, )which ripen to maturity,
explode, and inevitable dest^^uction is too often the conse-
quence; they are plunged into misery, hurried along by their
worldly passions, on the broad road leading to the chambers
of eternal death; their immortal souls plunged into the un-
fathomable abyss of outer darkness, the lake of fire and brim-
stone, where there shall be weepmg, and wailing, and gnash-
ing of. teeth. To avoid, therefore, this awful end, examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; for. by grace are ye
saved through faith and not of works, or yourselves; it is the
gift of God obtained through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. —
We therefore, preach the glorious life-giving gospel of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to turn you from the error of
your ways to the living God. Christ who was made a curse
for us; a sin offering was veiled under types and ordinances in
the Jewish dispensation, proclaimed by the ancient prophets,
those holy men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; the
assurance of salvation was even made immediately after the
fall, when God said the se3ed of the woman shall bruise the
serpent's head; alluding to the Messiah. The patriarch Abra-
ham heard and believed, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness. The illustrious Saviour, obscured and veiled in
mystery, under the title of the "Branch," "Plant of Renown,"
" The Lord our Righteousness," the prophet Isaiah styles,
and very justly too, " The Wonderful Counsellor, the iVJigh-
ty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." In
due time the Virgin Mary received a visit from Gabriel, an
Angel of God, exclaiming, " Hail, thou that art highly favor-
ed, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women;"
perceiving her trouble of mind, he said unto her, " Fear not
Mary, for thou hast found favor with God," and that the
power of the Highest should overshadow her, and telling her
to name the child Jesus, and that he would be great, and

ON FAITH. 3

would be called the son of the Highest; and that the Lord
God would give unto him the throne of his father David. —
As it was predicted, in due time the Glorious, Bright, and
Morning Star arose at Bethlehem, Judea, as it is written,
"Thou Bethlehem, though least among the thousands of
Judah, behold mighty works show themselves forth in thee."
Here then was the object of the christian's faith presented to
sight. His birth having been announced by an Angel of
the Lord to neighboring shepherds, no doubt to try their
faith, whose hearts were greatly elated by being thus
honored by those Holy beings, sent expressly as ambassa-
dors from the iMajesty on High, to inform them that the
long expected Messiah had appeared, commissioning them
to proceed thither, to worship the infant Jesus; the Alpha
and Omega, the beginning and the ending; he in whom they
lived, moved, and had" their being; the Eternal Father, iu
the character of his only begotten Son, Emanuel, veiled in
the human form, lying in a manger. O! what humility, mani-
fested by unbounded, boundless love. Nothing wavering,
but on the departure of the Celestial Host, the shepherds
left their flocks on the mountain side ami commenced their
journey to pay obeisance to the illustrious stranger, whom
they discovered wrapped in swadlii^g clothes, lying in a man-
ger; they fell down and worshipped Jesus, after which they
presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh;
according to the custom of, the East, on the birth of great
persons. They then returned, praishig and glorifying God.
At the circumcising of the child, Simeon, to whom it had
been previously revealed by the Holy Ghost, was led by the
spirit into the temple, and testified that this was the Lord's
Christ; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
Anna the prophetess coming in at the time, gave thanks
likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all who looked
for redemption in Jerusalem. Most certainly then, this was
he who was to bear our iniquity; to comfort the mourners;
to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning; the :

4 ON FAITH.

garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might
be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord,
that he might be glorified. John the Baptist, the forerunner
of our Lord, when baptising the multitudes that came unto
him, being in expectation, and musing in their hearts wheth-
er he were the Christ, said unto them, "I indeed baptise
you with water, but one mightier than I conieth, the latches
of whose shoes 1 am not worthy to unloose ; he shall baptise
you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, for to enter into the
kingdom of Heaven^ ye miist all he born again jrom above with
water and the Holy Spirit-^ whose fan is in his hand and he
will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into
his garner, but will burn the chaff with fire unquenchable.
After which Jesus himself came unto John to be baptised of
him, and lol the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost
descended in the form of a dove and rested upon him, and a
voice came from heaven, saying, " This is my beloved son in
whom 1 am well pleased, hear ye him," As therefore, God
our Creator acknowledged him as his son and was pleased,
ought not we his creatures hear and believe in him 1 for in
him dwelt the Godhead bodily. Let us examine what he
says. After having been tempted foity days and nights of
Satan, he was at length taken upon the pinnacle of the tem-
ple by the devil, who said unto him, " If thou art the son of
God cast thyself down from hence." Jesus answered and
said, " thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.'" Here is
confirmed what I have been seeking to establish, that he was
the promised Messiah in his human nature; and in the divine
equal with God from all eternity, who said unto him, " Thy
throne, O God, is from everlasting to everlasting; a sceptre
of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." It is also
said there are three that bear recoid in heaven, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.

Although in the sacred writings are many things hard to
be understood, and although we are unable to comprehend
the mystery of the Godhead, the ^J'rinity in the Unity, yet

ON FAITH. 5

nevertheless, we are to receive and believe the truth thereof,
for thereon depends the salvation of our immortal souls.
" Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.'' " He
that believeth and is baptised shall be saved, and he that be-
lieveth not shall be damned," are the words of our Lord,
delivered while tabernacling among men; going about heal-
ing the sick, raising the dead, and giving life to as many
as came unto him. " 1 am,'* says he, " the resurrection
and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead
yet shall he live, and he that liveth and believeth in me shall
never die." O glorious truth, to live forever with our Belov-
ed in a world too unchangeable! free from heat and cold, sin,
sorrow, and sighing; in a heaven of holiness, illuminated
by the effulgent beams of the Sun of Righteousness; to see
God as he is, face to face; who shall wipe all tears from our
eyes, and exalt us from glory to glory, forevermore. They
that were wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament,
and they that turned many to righteousness, as the stars
forever and ever.

While our Lord continued on earth, ministering to the
Saints, building them up in the most holy faith, he wrought
such stupendous miracles, and spake with such power, ac-
companied with the divine unction, that compelled many to
confess that he spake as never man spake, and that he was
of a truth the i\Jessiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus
Christ was not sent into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through him might be saved. Now he
that believeth not is condemned already, because there is no
other name given whereby men can or mnst be saved. Will
you, whatever your prospects may be, will you, I repeat,
continue in this awful state of condemnation ? if not, then
grasp the promises through faith in the Lamb of God; whose
blood cleanseth from all sin, and purifies unto himself pecu-
liar people, zealous of good works.

During our Lord's sojourn, many had their sick restored to
health, yea even the dead were raised; the lame were healed,

6 OIN FAITH.

and the blind restorod to sight; to the broken hearted balm
and oil were administered spiritually, and they were comfort-
ed, and the contrite spirits were revived. Thus he continued
dispensing his blessings, temporal and spiritual, although
contrary to the world and its ways; by which, notwithstand-
ing his great merit and virtue, righteousness and holiness, and
all that was advanced to prove that he was the Son of Godi
it rejected and would not believe on him; but persecute,
oppiess and revile him, and at length behold they crown
him with thorns, and scourge him; he is led forth to be
crucified! Tause, O sinners, and behold his suffering that
you might live! Yes, he is lead forth to be crucified : —

Lo ! the Lord, the Lord of Glory,

Behold him now on yonder road,
Leading to the hill of Calvary ;

The Lord, the Lord, Creation's God.

Surrounded by a ruffian band

Of soldiers, and miscellaneous crowd,
Who beset him on either hand,

Reviling and upbraiding loud.

Afar off are his -companions,

Lest they suffer for the same cause,
Of having been faithful -jhampions.

Under their Master, for the truth.

Forsaken by his intimate friends, betrayed by one and de-
serted by the others; it was the power of datkness. He was
nailed to the cross! became a spectacle to men and Angels,
heaven and earth. The enormous load of human guilt, be-
ing that of the whole world, for which he suffered, induced
God to withdraw as it were his countenance for awhile,
showing no signs that this was his son. During the suspen-
sion of the intercourse with the Father, in agony and agita-
tion of spirit, hi cried out: "My God! My God! why hast
thou forsaken me?"

Yet, notwithstanding liis great suffering he prayed for his
murderers, " Father forgive them, for they know not what
they do;" and to the women he said " weep not daughters of

ON FAITH. 7

Jerusalem for me, but for yourselves and your children;"
knowing their unbelief and depravity, to whom he had said
on a former occasion, " ye bring up your children ten times
more the children of hell than ye are yourselves."

O v.diat an astonishing mystery! he wlio formed all worlds
of nothing. The Father of Infinity, in whom all things
move and have their being. The Kmg of Power Omnipo-
tent, who could have called the ht'avenly hosts to subdue
and put to flight all his foes; this mighty, glorious and holy
being —

Han^s between heaven and earth,

As if unworthy of either ;
Suffers an ignominious death,

As though oiily a form'd creature.

The air resounds with cries,

And noise, as of distant thunder;
Earth quakes, the pillars of the skies

Tremble, and rocks burst asunder.

The temple is rent to the bottom;

The Sun flies the indignant sight,
And draws his golden beams therefrom,

The whole earth lays in gloom as night.

Satan with his force in hell shout.

Darkness re-echoes hideous yells,
The Angels of light weep aldud,

And all heaven in sympathy mells.

By the convulsion of the earth, and shaking the expanse
of heaven, God, with awful majesty, who is strict in justice,
executing judgment, answered from his throne of glory amid
transcendant holiness; thus testifying that this was he who
was one with, and came out from him to be man with man,
for the fulfilment of his promise and to atone for the sins of
the world. The quaking of the firmament and the com-
mingling of sounds which struck terror into his murderers
and caused them to tremble, and some to exclaim, "Truly
this was the son of God." The holy victim soon after ex-
claimed, " It is finished; Father into thy hands I commend

8 ON FAITH.

my spirit;" and bowed his sacred head and died. To one
of the thieves that was crucified with him, he said a little
before, " Verily, to-day thou shalt be with me in Paradise "
His faith saved him at the eleventh hour; the immortality
of the soul was thus again established.

Devout Joseph of Aramathea, and Nicodemus, with Pi-
late's consent, took our Lord from the cross, and laid him in
Joseph's own tomb, wherein never man had lain. His ene-
mies were on the alert, and as he had said he should rise
again in three days, they obtained Pilate's approbation to
secure the tomb with their seal and stationed a watch around
it. Every mind was in suspense, the Sun again resumed his
daily round through the heavealy expanse and sunk behind
the Western horizon; the sky all clear and serene, sprinkled
over by an innumerable host of stars; the moon coursed
between worlds and planets; day passed after day, night af-
ter night; death still held his sceptre over our Lord; still and
silent the hours passed on: his enemies exulted with one ac-
cord; his friends were sad and forlorn; the celestial hosts of
glory anxious to behold the event, and learn of the Almighty
how he would the mystery unfold. The guard stood at their
post, the rays of the midnight moon gleamed upon their hel-
mets and their spears; the Morning Star arose, and the East-
ern liorizon again resumed its resplendent hue; the golden
orb came apace, illumined and ushered in the dawn of the
third day. Lb! again the earth quaked, the powers of heav-
en shook, an angel of the Lord descended and rolled the
stone from the tomb; he seated himself upon it; his counte-
nance was like lightning, his raiment whiteassnow; the guards
were terrified, confounded, and fell to the ground. Lo! he
new comes forth from the tomb, the conqueror of sin, death,
hell and tiie devil. Who is this that comes from Edom
vvith dyed garments from Hozrah ? this that is glorious in his
apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength; to which
the illustrious Saviour replied, " I that speak in very right-
eousness, mighty to save." He arose triumphantl3% the first

ON FAITH. 9

fruit of nature's earthy womb, and subdued death of its
terror: —

Lo ! never was the creation,

Veil'd in splendour so glorious ;
Nor auspicious morn to ev'ry nation,

To inspire with hope and make righteous.

'Twas the Universe's jubilee,

Vallies and lawns lift up their voice,
There was melody 'mong the trees ;

The hills and mountains did rejoice.

The inhabitants of the air,

Were passing, warblmg to and fro,
The morning stars sang together,

And all God's sons shouted loud for joy.

The air resounded with songs of praise,

Re-echoed by the highest heaven,
Oe'r Oceans, deserts, and highways.

To our illustrious Prince of Zion.

Early in the morning came Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary, to see the sepulchre; the angel answered and
said, "Fear not ye, for 1 know^ that ye seek Jesus which
was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen as he said. —
Come see the place where the Lord lay." He then told
them to inform his disciples that Jesus had risen, and would
go before them into Gallilee. While returning with fear
and great joy, they met Christ, saying, " All Hail." They
fell down and worshipped him, who confirmed the words of
the Angel that he would go into Gallilee. He afterwards
appeared to Cleopas and another of the disciples on the road
leading to Enmiaus, their sight being held so as not to know
their former master; perceiving their grief, he inquired the
cause; they inform him of the crucifixion of Jesus and all
that had happened in Jerusalem, adding thai it was thought
he should have been Israel's redeemer; but it was the third
day since he died, and that certain women had seen a vi-
sion of Angels, who said he had risen. Jesus answered and
said, *' O fools, and slow of heart, to believe all that the

10 ON FAITH.

pmpbets have spoken." He then expounded the scripture
unto them, beginning at Moses, through all the prophets; how
that Christ ought to have suffered for to enter into liis glory.
They arrived at the village, and the disciples constrained him
to stay with them; he went in, (being towards evening) and
while at meat took bread, blessed it, and gave to them, and
their eyes were opened, so that they knew him, and he van-
ished out of their sight. They immediately returned to Je-
rusalem, and meeting the disciples and others assembled
together, they made known what had occurred on the way,
and how Christ was known to them by breaking of bread.
While they yet spake, Jesus appeared hi their midst, saying,
" Peace be unto you," but they supposing him to be a spirit,
were terrified and affrighted; he said unto them, " Why are
ye troubled, and why -do thoughts arise in your hearts ?" he
added that a spirit had not flesh and bones as he had, and
showed them his hands and feet to convince them of their
unbelief; and while they yet doubted and wondered for joy,
he demanded whether they had any meat, and did eat be-
fore them. He then confirmed his former sayings, that all
things had to be fulfilled which was written in the law of
Moses, in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning him;
and he opened their understanding that they might know the
scriptures; that Christ would pour floods of light into every
benighted soul, this day illuminate every one so as to obtain
a living faith, that the word of God might have free course,
and be glorified, that sinners would no longer suffer Satan,
the great enemy of immortal souls, to take the word out
of their heaits, and deprive them of the comfort they might
otherwise enjoy, l)y bringing forth fruit an hundred fold, by
believing with the heart unto righteousness. Jesus also said
unto them, as it was written, so it l^ehoved Christ to suffer
and rise from the dead ihe third day, and that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. It appeared that one of the
twelve, named Thomas, was not with them when Jesus

ON FAITH. 1 1

appeared to them-; ihey informed him of the fact, but his in-
credulity induced him to say, that unless he saw the print of
the nails and put his finger into them, and his hand into his
side, he would not believe. Eight da}s after, they were
again together, when Jesus appeared in the midst of them
saying, " Peace be unto you;" and to Thomas he said, reach
hither thy finger, and behold my har.ds; and reach hither thy
hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless but be-
lieve. Thomas then exclaimed, "My Lord, and my God!"
Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast sc en thou
believest; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe.
So shall it be to the end of time, as long as the earth re-
volves; the sun, moon, and stars continue in their courses in
the firmament, those that bt^heve shall be saved, and those
that believe not shall be damned. *^ Examine yourselves,
whether ye be in the faith."

Again Jesus showed himself to his disciples at the sea of
Tiberias, where Simon Peter, Thomas, and five others were
together fishing. Having toiled all night and taken nothing,
the darkness disappeared before the lustre of the morn, with
the Sun illuminating the surrounding scene, when a person
appeared on the shore, as if come from a Golden Beam, who
accosted them and said, cast thy net on the right hand side
of the ship; they therefore dropt it as he said, and were now
unable to draw it for the multitude of fishes. The disciple
whom Jesus loved, said unto Peter, it is Jesus the Lord. —
Peter immediately girt on his coat and threw himself into the
water, hastening to his adored; the others followed in the
ship, dragging the net. After landing ihey beheld a fire with
fish and bread thereon; they there dined with Jesus, who
gave them bread and fish; ministering unto them temporal,
as well as spiritual things; from whom, with the Father and
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end, cometh every
good and perfect gift. There was such holy awe upon them
that none durst ask, " Who art thou ?" knowing he was the
Prince of Zion. He did not remain with his disciples as he

12 ON FAITH.

was wont, but his visits were as those of an angel, at inter-
vals, to confirm, strengthen and perfect them in their most
holy faith, and to prepare them more fully for the ministry;
to be his witnesses wherever they should be sent by him,
ordaining them to teach all nations, and to baptise them in
the name of God the Father, and of God the Son, and of
God the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things he
had commanded them, and he would be with them always,
even unto the end of the world. He was afterwards follow-
ed by them, together with many others, in number about five
hundred, to Bethany, where he lifted up his hands and bles-
sed them, and immediately a cloud received him out of their
sight, and carried him up into heaven; the company fell down
and worshipped him; and as they were looking after him,
towards heaven, two men in white apparel stood by them
saying, " Ye men of Gallilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him
go into heaven." They then returned, praising and glorifying
God.

1 have now shown from scripture testimony, beyond the
power of contradiction, that Christ was bom; ministered here
on earth; accomplished his mission; and ascended up on high,
to assume his former greatness; and as mediator of the new
covenant which he has established, whom God hath also
highly exalted and given him a name above every other, that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven, and of things on earth, and of things under the earth;
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father: and also exalted him a Prince
and a Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins to
all that come unto him, believing that he is the Saviour, God,
and a rewarder of all who diligently seek him.

His apostles being endued with power from on high, and
fiUed with the Holy Ghost, spake with other tongues, testi-
fying to all these wonderful things, confounding the people

ON FAITH. IS

who heard them, every one in his own dialect, from various
countries, that were journeying in Jerusalem, and who heard
them speak the woriderful works of God; they were amazed
and in doubt, saying one to another, " What meaneth this?"
others mocked, but Peter with the eleven became more bold
and labored with more zeal, and preached more fervently to
convince them of the truth stated above, relating to our
Emanuel, whom thay had slain, whose soul was not left in
hell, neither did his flesh see? corruption; and whom God
raised from the dead, and exalted to his own right hand, un-
til he should make all his foes his footstool; and he also as-
sured them that God had made this same Jesus whom they
had crucified, both Lord and Christ; which caused some to
tremble, and to be pricked in their hearts, crying out to the
Apostles, " x\]en and brethren what sliall we do ?" To which
Peter replied, " Kepent and be baptised every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost;" and with many
words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from
this untoward generation. As many as received these im-
portant truths, were baptised, and the same day were added
unto the church about three thousand souls, who remained
steadfast in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and ♦in
breaking of bread and in prayers.

As Peter and John were going into the temple at the time
of prayer, they were asked for aims by one who had been
impotent in his feet horn his mother's womb; who lay daily
at the gate called beautiful, to whom Peter said, silver or
gold have 1 none, but such asl have give 1 thee; in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. Peter took
him by the hand, when he immediately received strength,
leaped and praised God. The multitude were again aston-
ished at w^hat they saw; Peter w ith his former firmness, among
other things, said unto them, ye have denied the Holy One
and the just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you,
and killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from

14 ON FAITH.

the dead, whiM-eof we are witriasse^i. And Me, through faith
in his name, h ith made the man strong, vvhoin they saw and
knew; yea the faith that is in him had given him that perfect
soundness in the presence of them all. We find that the
apostles continued to preach and persuade men to repent,
and confirmed their words by miracles, God bearing them
witness with signs and wonders, for whom they had the hon-
or to suffer persecution, and at different times imprisonment
for the benefit of men, and tlie salvation of souls; they pa-
tiently endured all things that their enemies might behokl
the wonderful mercy and goodness of God, manifested in
their behalf, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but
rather that all should repent and live. Out of all their per-
plexity and trouble the blessed L.ord delivered them, and
afterward received them to glory, according to the power of
faith which is in Christ Jesus^ '-Examine yourselves,, wheth-
er ye be in the faith.''

Jesus Christ sayeth, "Not every one that shall say unto
me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but
he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven." A
loose, worldly faith, therefore, availeth. nothing, for even tlie
devils believe and tremble, knowing that there is no possi-
bpility for them to repent, and be accepted through the merit
and blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, which was slain
for your sins, provided while you are yet in time, you attain
unto a lively faith; a faith which works by love and tempers
every unholy feeling to its own congenial nature; purifying
your affections, so that you may be able to love, reverence,
and honor God as you should; to warship him in spirit and
in truth and in the beauty of holiness; to delight mo^e and
more in God and every thing heavenly and divine; abhoring
at the same time all that has the least appearance of evil;
and to pant after the perfect love of God, as a hart panteth
after the water-brook; longing for it as for your daily foo^;
as it is written, the just shall live by faith, and whatsoever
is not of faith is sinful; you will then do all for the glory of

ON FAITH. 15

God, and shun every thing that is opposed to vital Godliness
and the spreading of true Christianity over the whole earth;
you will no longer seek after earthly things doomed to perish
as the grass, nor your own glory, which passeth away as the
flower of the field; but after the things above, where also
Jesus has entered into the holy of holies; your conversation
will be in heaven; you will feast in love with the Father and
the Son, through the instrumentality of the Holy Ghost; fore-
taste of the immortal sweets which the holy hill of Sion
yields to the true believer, whose trust is in simplicity, in the
goodness and mercy of God, with sincerity and uprightness
of heart, humbly laying Iiold on the Omnipotent Arm of Je-
hovah, and pressing toward the mark of their high calling
which is in Christ Jesus; always zealously affected in a good
thing; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; instant in prayer in
season and out of season; watching and supplicating to grow
in grace, in knowledge, wisdom and understanding, in heav-
enly-mindedness; to belike unto the Angels of God, pure and
holy; with whom you are certain if you endure unto the end,
to associate; you will therefore watch and pray, so that no
man take away yo u* crown; sing praises and make melody
in your heart unto God; whose temple you are, as our dear
Saviour saith, John, 14th chapter, 23d verse — " If a man
love me he will keep my words, and my Father will honor
him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with
him." You will also walk. in the spirit every day, so as not
(o fulfil the lusts of the flesh, for he that commiteth sin and
indulges in carnal pleasures to gratify his own passions, or
to please his neighbors, contniry to all revelation, and to the
will of God, is of the devil, who is the father of all evil, a liar
and murderer from tha beginning. I exhort you, young and
old, by all that should be most dear to you; by your immor-
tal souls, to dissolve all connection this day, with so foul and
cruel a master; no longer to be his slaves, remaining in bon-
dage to him, driven hither and thither in his abominable
cause; mark the result when persevered in — eternal death.

16 ON FAITH.

and the torments of hell and outer darkness, prepared for him
and his angels, as a recompence of reward; O poor com-
pensation, yet there is none other promised to those dying in
his service, who will never have known true peace and com-
fort in time, to be enjoyed by a life of Godliness, and in eter-
nity, as we have stated, everlasting contempt and banishment
from the presence of God, the Lord Christ, the Holy Angels,
and the just made perfect; living in resplendent glory, surpas-
sing the lustre of the meridian Sun, unutterable bliss, and in-
describable holy happiness. 1 exhort you once more to break
all ties with Satan, as you cannot serve him and God; there-
fore, if you desire to be saved through the atonement of
Christ, the mighty chieftain of our salvation, break, I say,
break the bonds of Satan, by which you are held captive at
his will — through the power of faith working by love, which
you may obtain without money and without price, at the foot
of the cross.

We shall now proceed to the second part of our subject.
Secondly. Prove your ownselves : —

As each and every one, seperately and collectively, as a
body, is and are responsible for all that is done here in time,
to our great Parent, the Autlior of our being, and every good
and perfect gift, our bountiful benefactor, and merciful provi-
der; whose promises to all true believers, are yea and amen,
everlasting lite in Heaven to all holy; and outer darkness
prepared for the devil and his angels, where there shall be
weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, to all unbeliev-
eis, the seed of the serpent forever. God through Christ,
the Almighty, the habitation of whose throne is Justice, and
Judgment goeth before him, will most assuredly fulfil his
words, although heaven and earth pass away, and doom ev-
ery impenitent sinner to eternal death: ah! were it a death
like unto the brute creation's, an annihilation forever, there
would be some excuse for sinners to live as they do, day after
day, and night after night, working iniquity with greediness;
but be it known to all you, that God, glory to his name, has

ON FAITH. 17

honored us far above the animal creation, which 1 need not
inform you, neither speak nor understand to any perfection;
they are incapable of arranging ideas; they are void of com. l
prehension, and therefore, not accountable to their Creator
for their actions, as are men who possess immortal souls; yet
notwithstanding, by their demeanor they often give the blush
to some of the doings of men performed in the dark, and too
often in the open day, in the face of High Heaven, and Him
that sitteth oa the throne, who is perfect in holiness. O th^
filthy odour ascending from the abominations committed on
the earth, instead of praises and blessings to mingle with the
heavenly strains of the celestial hosts, who unweariedly sing
" Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who wast, and
art, and art to come; just and true are thy ways, thou King
of Saints." iVIen, I say again, are accountable for their ac-
tions, because Adam and Eve, our first parents, came pure
and holy from the hands of the Creator, in his own hkeness,
with immortal souls and faculties to reason and understand,
to commune and hold conversation together for the consum-
mation of their happiness; in which state they might have
remained, being free agents, but through the subtilty of Satan
they fell from their high and holy estate, and awful was the
consequence; disgrace upon themselves, and expulsion from
Paradise, and sin and misery upon all their posterity, whence
it comes that men are all born in sin and prone to evil. —
However, God, whose mercy endureth forever, came to our
relief and provided a remedy to heal the breach and open a
way to glory, as 1 have stated in the preceeding part of my
discourse : — " Behold I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and
rock of offence, that whosoever believeth on him shall be
saved, and whosoever believeth not shall be damned." Men
and brethren you are called upon to prove your ownselves,
whether ye are not offended at this stumbling stone, and rock
of offence; pry into the secrets of your hearts, and see if you
have any inclination to undervalue the merit of this holy
Being, who is often made an object of ridicule by little

4

18 ON FAITH.

minds; or, do you openly profane and blaspheme his holy
name, as too many do, making light of divine things, taking
the holy name of God and his Christ into their polluted lips,
making puns upon them to amuse their hearers and appear
witty, not knowing that they are proving themselves desti-
tute of common sense; or are you building upon this founda-
tion, firm as eternal ages; are you through Christ purging
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God,
that will recommend you to the sight of all men. TaKe the
New Testament and prove your ownselves, whether your
hearts are right in the sight of God; be not deceived, for God
is not mocked; knowing his terrors we would fain persuade
you to turn fiom the error of your ways, turn, turn you, why
will ye die ? Vengeance belongeth to me, I will recompence
saith the Lord, the Holy one of Israel. And again, the Lord
will judge his people. Verily it is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the hving God.
Thirdly. Know ye not your ownselves^ how that Jesus Christ

is in you^ except ye be reprobates?

Now to know oneself is no small matter. The deprav-
ity and desperate wickedness of the human heart, who can
know it ? No one is sufficient of himself, without the aid of
the Holy Spirit, to attain to a knowledge of himself. The
deceitfulness of sin, and the subtle suggestions of Satan mix
with the corrupt nature almost imperceptibly, and those that
are not thoroughly awake, and under divine influence, will
be unable to discover the seed thus sown by the wicked one,
until they are overgrown with weeds and briars, thorns and
thistles, the pricking of which will at length rouse them from
their carnal sleep and unholy dreaming, when they will dis-
cover they have been deceived; but alas! for many it will
then be forever too late, having passed the rubicon of time to
appear before the inflexible bar of Christ. Would it not there-
fore, be infinitely better for every one to judge himself here,
and without delay, than to be judged beyond the grave; for
Christ saith, " He that judgeth himself shall not be judged,"

s ON FAITH. 19

SYieaniiig also of course, that he will depart from all iniquity,
and lead a new and holy life. But, say some, how can we
judge ourselves, without knowing that which is sin from that
which is holy ? True, you cannot, therefore, read and Be-
lieve the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life,
and they are they which testify of me, saith the Judge of all
the earth. Keep his words and commandments, which shall
judge you at the last day; to disregard them you are at once
guilty criminals in his sight, and his wrath abides upon you,
because you say in effect we will not have him to reign over
us. Who is he that should make laws for us ? It is indeed
lamentable to know that there are thousands, yea millions of
human beings in the world, called christians, who hve with-
out hope, and consequently a saving knowledge of God, and
trample his holy laws under foot with impunity, while at the
same time the commandments of men they will not presume
to violate! It is astonishing the hatred some bear towards
the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, with whose statutes
holy King David was so much delighted, declaring them to
be "just, and wise, and good;" and at another place he saySf
*^ Depart from me ye evil doers, for 1 will keep the command-
ments of my God." Who art thou O man, that darest to
magnify thyself and contemn the counsels of the Most Ingh?
to annul those laws that were given to Moses, the man of
God, with such terrible majesty, and awful solemnity on
Mount Sinai ? Read \t in Exodus, 20th chapter, when the
Lord descended in a cloud, wmd, fire, thunder lightning and
tempest, and the mighty soundings of the tmmpet; when the
Mount greatly quaked, the sight being so terrible that even
Moses said, " I exceedingly fear and quake;'' his whok^ host
trembled. Having been Ibrty days and nights with G' d on
the Mount, during which time he eat nothing, but received
and descended with the Divine Law of the Ten Command-
ments written upon stone by God himself, and which -r.re to
endure until time shall be no more; neither are they made
void by the new covenant which is by Jesus Christ. The

2a ON FArrH.

great apostle saith by faith we do not annul but establish the
law. Remember all that is written in the law and the proph-
ets shall be fulfilled; consequently no idolator, nor swearer,
nor blasphemer, nor Sabbath breaker, nor despiser of parents,
nor murderer, nor adulterer, nor fornicator, nor false accuser,
nor covetou'=, nor whoremonger, nor abuser of himself with
mankind, nor drunkard, shall enter into the kingdom of God,
unless they labor to know themselves, and that their practi-
ces are an abomination in the sight of heaven, and repent
of their sins at the foot of the cross, through our Saviour and
Me.li;itor, Jesus Chi ist — the Way, the Truth, and the Life —
and put on the new man, which after him is created in righte-
ousness and true holiness. Know this, O hardened sinners,
that he is constantly interceeding with the Father in your be-
half, to stay his avenging rod, that he would dig about you,
that haply you may bring forth good fruit, if ye are not al-
ready given over to hardness of heart and reprobacy of mind?
if not, that you shoukl then be cut down as dead trees and as
euviiberers of the ground, and cast into the unquenchable
fire.

2d. How that Jesus Christ is in you except ye he reprobates?
All you that have been born again, as our Lord said to
Nichodemus, of water and of the spirit, regenerated, passed
from condemnation into hfe, by a lively faith in Jesus through
his merit and righteousness, and being purified by his most
prec ous and holy blood, which cleanses from all sins, and to
whom Christ has become wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification and redemption, are the temple of God,
" Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that th^
spirit of God dwelleth in you;" 1st. Cor., 3d chap. IGth ver.
And if God, then Jesus Christ, who is God, dwelleth in you,
even the Mystic Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
pollute not therefore, so holy a tabernacle, by listening to
the Unholy suggestions of ^atan, to beguile you into your
old habits in which we used to walk, fulfilling the lusts o
the flesh, but out of which v\e have passed into the gJoriaus

ON FAITH. n

liberty which is in Jesus Christ, our master and pattern,
through whom we have attained unto the fulness of his blessed
stature in holiness; let it not therefore, be once mentioned
among you, that you desired to indulge in any carnal pleas-
ure, and thus lower the dignity of true Saints, and bring into
disrepute vital Christianity at the same time, and above all
doing despite to the holy spirit of grace whose temple we are,
being reconciled unto God through faith in Jesus Christ, our
Lord, and enabled to cry Abba, Abba Father, in the lan-
guage of the New Testament, and privileged boldly to ap-
proach him and hold sweet communion with him, as a child
with his father, by prayer and supplications, singing and
meditations, and devotional exercises. W'e also enjoy the
blessing of the direct witness of the Holy Spirit, testifying
with our spirits, that we are born of God, and adopted sons
a^id heirs, and joint heirs w»th Christ; and by remciining
faithful, shall soon be with him in Paradise, where he is en-
throned in indescribable Glory; eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to con-
ceive the joys prepared for his saints and peculiar people,
zealous of good works; and to keep under our adversary th«
Prince of darkness, and his force, our spiritual enemies, or-
ganized under him, and going about as roaring Lions, and
Wolves in Sheep's clothing, seeking whom they may devour,
combined with men in the shape of ourselves, who have the
form of Godhness but deny the power, building for themselves
cisterns, broken cisterns which can hold no water; their case
is lamentable in the extreme, as many of them come under
the conclusion of our text. St. Paul also terms them "men
of corrupt minds, reprobates, concerning the faith; ever learn-
ing and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth;''
creatures Vi^ho delight in pleasure: enemies to vital christian-
ty and holiness, consequently diametrically opposed to the
kingdom of heaven, and to God who dwelleth in the High
and Holy place, and saith, "Be ye holy as 1 am holy." Ex-
>amin€ and prove yourselves, your immortal souls are at

22 ON FAITH.

stake; heaven or hell for a recompense; eternal blisSy or eter-
nal torment. The righteous will be most certainly received
into glory, to live in great joy and rejoicing forever; and the
wicked with all the nations that forget God, will as certainly
be turned into hell and tormented forever. It is high time to
be men in understanding, and resist the adversary, your old
ma'^ter, and tell him you will no longer submit to his yoke,
to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for him, or, in
other words, that you will no longer serve him, be his slaves,
or fulfil criminal indulgences, the lusts of the flesh in va-
rious ways; resist I repeat; the devil resolutely at the foot of
the cross, with full purpose of heart henceforth to serve the
true and living God, and Satan shall flee from you, for
Christ hath spoken it. O that you would become believing,
obedient children. O that you would consider your latter
end ere it be too late. Where would your immortal souls
be most happy ? I presume you all admit that you have
souls, or am I addressing infidels? there may be some among
us, however, may they by the grace of God, be roused from
their unholy dreaming ere they awake in hell. Where
would your immortal souls be now, had God — do you believe
there is a God, or do I address atheists ? if you believe in the
Divine Being, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent,
why do you dare to disobey his words and dishonor him, and
also despise the inestimable treasure, when properly cultiva-
ted, in your possession; that spark which is to live forever,
either in heaven or hell; that portion of the Deity, your im-
mortal souls — had God called or would now summon you to
give account at his bar, had death overtaken or would do so'
ere to morrow's Sun; remember the time and the seasons are
in J hovah's hands; how do you think you w^ould fare in eter-
nity? would this discourse also ha v<^ availed you nothing;:
been as good seed sown upon hard, dry, and unpioductive
ground; repelled by the adamantine texture of your hearts;
or snatched away by Satan your cruel enemy, who hitherto
held you in bondage and slavery, kept your souls in darkness.

ON FAITH. 23

deluHing: you in various ways, making you believe that the
glorious gospel scheme of Salvation, through our blessed Lord
Jesus Christ, was all a chimera; and even succeeded in get-
ting some to believe there was no God, no heaven to gain
nor hell to shun, and that they had no immortal souls; level-
ling them, on this subject, to the brute creation, which neither
speak nor understand. I would fain caution you now to put
you on your guard foi the future; to beware of his subtilty;
he will keep you in his service forever, if you do not out gen-
eral him, through the merits of Jesus Christ, the King of Glo-
ry, and take refuge in the Rock of Ages, and repel him with
the christian's armor, with the shield of faith, the helmet of
hope, the breast-piate of righteousness, and the sword of the
Holy Spirit, which is also the word of God. Be therefore,
up and doing; work out your soul's salvation with fear and
trembling while it is day, ere the night comes upon you and
ye will then be unable so to do; if you persevere in your re-
bellion against God, instead of warring in his cause, for his
glory and also yours, as there is none other worth a straw,
you are liable to be given over, (having exhausted God's
mercy in your behalf) to hardness of heart and reprobateness
of mind, and thus come under the last clause of our text. —
Furthermore, they that have been often reproved and stiffen
their necks shall be cut off suddenly,and that without remedy,
and this may be to all of you. O self-secure, drowsy sinners,
in a few more revolving suns your bodies may be buried bej
neath the clods of the valley, or perhaps some with more
pomp and ceremony, in some temple or cathedral, with a
tablet over your mortal remains to secure your fame to
posterity, to live forever as the blind world calls it; while
your immortal souls may be in torments with the damned,
having been condemned at the bar of Jehovah, and dopmed
to a death that never, never ends. Now while it is yet this
side the grave, 1 would fain whisper it into every one of
your ears, yea, and also proclaim it upon the, house top»
that the only way to live forever, is through faith in Him

24 ON FAITH.

who saith, " 1 am the resurrection and the life, he that be.
heveth in mc though he were dead yet shall he live, arid he
that liveth and believeth in me shall never die." May this
be the portion of us all, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to
whom with Father and Holy Spirit, be all the honor, glory,
dominion, majesty and power, now, henceforth, and forever-
more. Amen.

DISCOURSE II.

ON FAITH.

Faith Cometh by hearings and hearing by the word of God,
Romans^ \Oth chapter,, 11 th verse.

These are the words of the great apostle to the Romans,
a people who had been, previous to his mission among them,
in a state of barbarism, worshipping strange Gods, birds,
beasts, and creeping things, and thus indulging in gross idol-
atries; they did notUke to retain the knowledge of the true
God in their minds, and consequently were given over by
the Ahuighty to commit all manner of filthy lewdness, to the
abusing their bodies between one another; even their women
left off the natural way and permitted themselves to be used
against nature and even savage decency, and if you allow
me the expression, civilization. He also describes them as
implacably unmerciful, full of eavy, hatred, malice, murder,
deceit, estranged from all natural affection and more akin to
the beasts, if not below them, than to say even a moral state
of human beings; and therefore, without doubt, worshippers
of devils, exercising themselves in their hellish inventions,
working in the black art with familiar spirits, with devils,
and committing all filthy abominations with these foul spirits,
and consequently stunk in the nostrils of Jehovah, as all have
done before them, and will to the end of time, that are so
far degenerated and sunk beneath the decency of swine and
dogs. When a nation becomes thus degraded, as mentioned
by our blessed Lord in his sermon on the mount, they may
expect little else than to be speedily judged from on high,
and that a holy God will avenge himself of such filthy, dis-
gusting creatures, and cleanse his nostrils of the stink; he
had done it in many instances before, and even the people
whom he chose to put iiis name upon did not escape his

26 ON FAITH.

judgments and avenging rod. He bears an inveterate ha-
tred ngaiiist all that live in such abominable filthiness, even
individually, and how much more w^hen a nation disregards
his smiles and frowns, and in all their proceedings think to
vex him, and to stink more and more in his nostrils. Verily
their career is hastening to a speedy close, their days are
numbered, their destruction is hastening on apace, and as
holy David says, "They are turned into hell." And so it was
also with this nation, he brought their pride down to the
dung heap, and what are they now as a nation ? only for
people resorting thither from other nations, they would be un-
able to get a temporal livelihood.

Thus the Omniscient eye of the Lord of Hosts dodges
after the ways of the wicked, and his Omnipotent arm strikes
them to the ground. He is a God jealous of his own glory,
and will never give up the earth to the devil, as some may
vainly imagine, but will always have a holy nation of Kings
and Priests, among all nations of the earth, a peculiar people
whom he delights to honor : —

"He looks 'mid circumvolving spheres,

Complaisant on his ransom'd heirs,
More dear than all his works beside,

Blest souls for whom the Saviour died."

Yea verily, God does in his saints delight; they are the ap-
ple of his eye, and as trees planted by the rivers of waters?
bringing forth fruit of a sweet savour; their leaves also shall
not wither, and they shall flourish as the rose and the lilly
under the light of his countenance. " The ungodly are not
so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." —
' Therefore tha ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor
sinners in the congregation of the righteous." " For the
Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the
ungodly shall perish."

I have been thus lengthy descanting on the prevailing sins
of the Romans, and for which also other nations were anni-
hilated, because I am among creatures of similar dispositions,

ON FAITH. 27

a nation of evil-doers, which do away from before their eyes
the fear of the Holy and Omnipotent God, and revel in
abominations similar to their brethren, the Romans and oth-
ers, and like them glory in their shame; therefore ] am con-
strained, yea I am enjoined by my blessed master, the worthy
Judge Eternal, to warn you to flee from the wrath to come.
" Spare not, but cry aloud, show the people their transgres-
sions, and the house of Israel their sins." Son of man. —
"These men have set up tiieir idols in their heart, and put
the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face; should
1 be enquired of at all by them?" Therefore thus saith the
Lord God, " Repent and turn yourselves from your idols,
and turn away your faces from all your abominations."
" For every one which separateth himself from me, and set,
teth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block
of iniquity before his face, I will set my face against that
man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and 1 will cut
him off from the midst of my people, and ye shall know that
I am the Lord." Son of man. " When the land sinneth
against me by tresspassing grievously, then will 1 stretch out
my hand upon it, and I will break the stafifof bread thereof, and
and will send famine ufjonit and cut off man and beast from it;
and if I brin^: a sword upon that land and say,sword go through
the land, so that I cut off man and beast from it; or if I send
a pestilence into that land and pour out my fury upon it in
blood, to cut off man and beast, though Noah, Daniel and
Job were in it, as I live saith the Lord God, they shall deliver
neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own
souls by their righteousness." [Read Ezekiel, 14th chap.
O how odius, abominable and disgusting a people can be-
come to a holy God, an utter abhorrence, and as dung in his
sight; so much so that in their general destruction his own
people are not always, through his mercy, spared from falling
in the overthrow, and should they even be as holy as JNoah»
Daniel and Job, yet however, their souls will be safe — will
be received into glory.

28 ON FAITH.

Faith Cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God ; which, by him was put into the mouths of his proph
ets, apostles and true ambassadors, and they spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost, and these words are now
printed in a book which w^e call a " Bible," so that every
one that can read may discover his duty to himself, to the
nation he belongs, to the whole human family, and above
all to his God ; or however, He who ought to be his God ;
the God that governs the heavens and the earth, who sits in
the high and holy place, and sees all that passes in the uni-
verse. And they that cannot read may hear others read,
and thus likewise, be informed of their duty; and all may
have frequent opportunity to hear a true messenger, a holy
man of God, sent to deliver his words to rebellious sinners.
I must however confess, that there are very few of this pre-
cious sort now abroad ; those that officiate in the sanctuary,
have nearly, if not all, sunk in the general degradation, and
have their delight in the prevailing abomination, and there-
fore, 1 have also a message to them.

" Son of man, prophecy against the prophets of Israel that
prophecy out of their own hearts, hear ye the word of the
Lord: "Wo unto the foolish prophets, they are like the foxes
in the desert; they have not gone up into the gaps, neither
made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the
battle in the day of the Lord. They have seen vanity and
lying divinations, and they have made othei-s to hope that
they would confirm the word." Therefore, thus saith the
Lord God, " Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies,
therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God ;
and my hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and
that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my
people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the
house of Israel, (the lambs book of life,) neither shall they
enter into the land of Israel, (the Paradise above,) and ye
shall know that I am the Lord God." " Because, even be-
cause they have seduced my people, saying; peace, and

ON FAITH. 29

there was no peace; building up walls and daubing them with
untenipered mortar; say unto them which daub it with un-
tempered mortar, it shall fall ; so will 1 break down the wall
that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it
down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be
discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the
midst thereof; and ye shall know that 1 am the Lord. Thus
will 1 accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them
that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say
unto you, the wall is no more, neither they that daubed it."

Thus will the Lord God avenge himself of his filthy ene-
mies, which have become stink in his nostrils, and that go
about glorying in their shame, when they ought to tremble
and quake and hide their dinnnislied heads. " Enter into
the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and
for the glory of his majesty." Yea, they ought ever to be
ashamed before the Angels and Saints of Heaven, if they
are not so of those on earth, — because they are so very, very
few — in consequence of their misdoing in not watching over
the souls of those over whom they preside or presided, until
the devil made them confirmed children of hell ; now they
can partake of their sins, work their filthy abominations
together, and go in and out among their swinish brethren ;
vide sermon on the mount — and say the Lord is such a one
as I am: thus with one accord trample the precious and
holy blood of Christ under their feet, and make his words of
no effect ; and if ever they were converted unto God, through
the blood of our blessed High Priest, and ordained by the
Holy Ghost to preach the gospel, they cannot possibly be
so now — as the} do not walk with him, nor seek to please
and honor him, nor strive to save their souls, nor those of
their fellow men. They draw nigh to God with their lips,
while their hearts are far from him ; and unless they become
converted, their faith becomes a living faith in Jesus, and
their righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Phara-
sees: they shall never enter into Jehovah's kingdom ; into his
rest ; into the home of the saints.

30 ON FAITH.

There may, however, be exceptions to the general de-
generacy of those that work among the holy things, but
where they are, God knows, 1 do not. Yea, verily, God
knows and standeth for his people who boldly fight un-
der the banner of Jesus, the captain of our salvation;
through him we shall overcome and bear off the prize.
He it is who treadeth down our enemies, although they
be as the sand of the sea, innumerable. Church, so cal-
led; no church out of Christ; in him is the true church,
whose head he is — church and state fighting against us, by
consequence fight against Christ, against God, the sovereign
creator and ruler of the universe; they cannot and shall not
endure when he speedily arises to shake terribly the earth.
" The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughti-
ness of man shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall
be exalted in that day." "In that day shall the branch of
the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth
shall be excellent and comely lor them that are escaped of
Israel." Yea, shall the Lord not arise to greater judgment
and avenge himself of a nation like this? O ye get:eration
of vipers, flee, flee from the wrath to come; repent ye, repent
of your sins and abominations, do away the evil from before
the holy eyes of the Lord; hear the words of life, *'confess
your sins with your mouth and believe in your heart unto
righteousness," even the righteousness of Jesus, that ye may
be able to stand in the judgment with the saints of God and
the Lamb.

As a nation hear ye the words of the Lord, not in vain but
to invite you to immediate action, the case will admit of no
delay — as also Ninevah heard and believed the words of Jo-
nah, and consequently immediately repented in sackcloth
and ashes, and the judgments of Jehovah were arrested, go
ye speedily and do likewise, that haply his judgments be
stayed and ye perish not in the gainsaying of Core; and be-
come an example to the rest of the world, like unto Sodam
and Gomorrah. " Wo unto them that call evil good and

ON FAITH. 31

good evil ; that put darkness for light and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter; which justify
the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteousness of
the righteous from him," therefore, "as the fire devoureth the
stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root
shall be rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust;
because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts,
and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."

These are terrible denunciations, even to individual sinners,
but when a nation becomes degraded in wickedness, wise in
their own conceit, proud, vain boasters, and exalt themselves
even to the very vault of heaven, and boast that through the
power which they act, (the devil's,) they would pluck even
God himself from his throne, if they could; it is something
that they recollect themselves a little and make this proviso.
Yes verily, but you will not succeed; you have seen lying
visions and they shall avail you nothing; but I say if ye will
not repent, but become more filthy and stiff-necked, then like
serpents "hide yourselves in the clefts of the rocks and in
the tops of the rugged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for
the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake terribly
the earth." Probably ye might thus escape so as to live on
the earth although dead, a little while longer, and kno'o good
between one another; (even good which ye esteem preferable
to that from above;) but surely at the general destruction on
the last day, when worlds shall be crushed and hurled to
atoms; nations be destroyed; churches obliterated; the earth
in a conflagration, and the very heavens passing away, rolled
together as a scroll; ye cannot escape by hiding in the dens
and caverns of the rocks and calling on the mountains to fall
upon you. No! my hearers, there are but few clefts that will
then avail, and those only who were wise and sought shelter
there betimes; these are the clefts of the Rock of Ages. He,
the ever blessed Jesus, will himself preside as judge, therefore
we who heard and believe his words to do them, to the sa-
ving of our souls, to the being found in him, through faith

32 ON FAITH.

which worketh by love, shall live with our blessed Father
and King, God and Saviour, and the holy angels, in the new
heaven and earth forever and ever. And you who would
have none of his holiness, from whom cometh every good
and perfect gift, the blessedness of heaven on earth, with a
certain promise of a final heaven through all eternity, but
would have your good, as you esteemed it, among yourselves
and the devils, you shall also now be cast into the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone, where there shall be weep-
ing and waihng and gnashing of teeth, prepared for the dev-
il, your father, and his angels, your brethren, and ye shall be
tormented through the endless ages of eternity.

Now that you are yet this side of that gulph of despair,
and as a nation, have your heads above water, (or brimstone,)
humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God ?
the words of Christ, which shall judge every one of you
on the last day. 1 address you individually and collec-
tiyely — 1 say again, have faith in Christ and his words, to
do them, to the saving of your souls; have faith and lay hold
on the Omnipotent Arm of Jehovah and make your peace
with him. Let every one of you consider and weigh this
matter seriously, and then conclude whether ye had not
better repent, believe the gospel and live holy and godly lives.
The domgs of every one of you contribute to make up the
sum total of this nation, whether of righteousness or wicked-
ness; righteousness exalteth a nation, but wickedness and
iniquity degradeth it, and is the cause of every evil and des-
truction at last. And therefore, why continue in this dread-
ful course of rebellion ? why not much rather repent one and
all, and be at peace with an offended God; and should you
even hold out as a nation a few years longer, hear the
words and believe, " It is given unto all men once to die and
after that the judgment." I refer you to what has been stated
on this subject. Therefore you may put away the thoughts
of death whenever they trouble and frighten you, but surely
when the messenger himself arrives you cannot compromise

ON FAITH. 33

with him; you cannot put him off until some convenient
timr; do ye not see clearly ye are dying mortals, liable to be
turned to dust every moment, as your hvesarr^ in the hands
of an angry God; and hear this, "the wicked shall not live out
half their days;" and "the Lord will avenge him of his ene-
mies." His honor must be vindicated, his justice satisfied,
and his name glorified. 1 impress it on you again to repent,
believe the gospel, live holy lives; if ye value your s'>uls re-
pent; if you value your wives and children or any thing else
according to Godliness, repent; if you value this land, the in-
stitution- thereof, and (his nation, repent; and above all if
ye value the joys of heaven, repent and believe the gospel,
"for there is more joy in heaven among the holy angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine
just made perfect." And will ye not do something for the
joy of others, particularly such lovely beings, and at the same
time be bsnefited so greatly yourselves, be sucli infinite gain-
ers as to b'^ reinstated to the Rivor and exalted to the holy
imdge of our blessed Jehovah; and then the sweet peace which
ye shall have which passeth all understanding, which the
world cannot give nor take away, and which shall endure
and increase in heaven forever more.

If ye thus turn unto God through faith in our blessed Sa-
viour Jesus Christ, and put on the new man of holiness,
show respect and reverence to the Deity, he will return unto
you and honor you, and "set you on high because ye know
his name;" and ye shall have trus peace, joy, and happiness,
for out of God it is not to be found; this I know by experience^
and many holy men have testified to the same before me,
even Solomon, the wisest of men, after having indulged him-
self in the pleasures of the table, wine and women, horses
and chariots, building of cities, and many other things to di-
veit the mind; ] say, after havmg experimented upon, and
proved the efficacy of almost every thing under the Sun to
aid the increase ot his happiness, he returns to God and
declares, that all that is contrary to a hfe of godliness is but

5

34 ON FAITH.

vanity and vexation of spirit, and that to '•' Fear God and
keep his commandments, is the whole duty of man." " Kor
God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret
thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." [Excles'.
last chapter ] And since then, my dear readers, how many
individuals, how many hundreds of persons that have lived
in sin and iniquity, have sought in a career of criminal in-
dulgences, peace and comfort for their poor souls, but that
were never able to obtani rest for their troubled Fpirits, until
they found it at the foot of the cross, until through the atone-
ment of Jesus, through faith in the Lamb of God and his
blood, they were purified from all "fillhniess of flesi) and
spirit;" were born again, renovated and thoroughly regener-
ated, enabled to lay oft" the old man of sm, and put on the
new man of righteousness and holiness; became froeiy jus-
tified and sanctified through faith in Him who, through His
boundless love to degraded man, became emphatically the
propitiation for the sms of the world, that the blessed God
*'-might be just and the jusliher of him that believeth in Jesus."
Thus thousands were through the forbearance, goodness and
mercy of God, and through our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ,
reinstated to favor and the holy Image of our tieavenly
Father, became sons by adoption, and heirs of glory; even
joint heirs with Christ himself of inheritances incorruptible?
undefiled, and that never, no never fade away; eternal in the
heavens. Thus these peculiar, excentric, as the blind world
calls christians, people were endued from on high with the
blessings of salvation; love, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost,
that peace that passeth all understanding, which is not to
be found in the world; which the carnal man is a stranger to,
and which confounds the worldly-wise in their wisdom, and
the fools in their vain imaginations, particularly those who
say in their hearts '*There is no God."

These holy champions of the cross, comprising a holy na-
tion, within maiiy nations; a royal priesthood, zealous of
good works, to glorify God their Saviour and King, and to

ON FAITH. 35

benefit their fellow beings sojourning in tins vale of tears, on
the brink of eternity. They were therefore, emphatically
the salt of the earth, the excellent of the earth, the lights of
the world, and in their glory was manifest the image of Je-
hovah, and the world could take knowledge that they had
been with Jesus, for none can impart wit;dom and every
grace like He, neither did they love their lives, but rather
hated them for Christ's sake, so that they might keep them
throu^,hout the endless ages of eternity.

They were decided heroes under the Lord of Hosts —
uncomprom'sii)g patriots for the truth, who nobly stood in
the most exalted cause and fought manfully under the ban-
ner of their King; permitted their blood to flow in purple
streams for His glory, and the cause of truth, and their fellow
beings' eternal welfare, and to confound the powers of dark-
ness and hell; they could depart rejoicing, aud some could
triumphantly sing in the heat of the battle, with the apostle
could say, "for them to live was Christ, and to die was gain,"
and that they would rather be absent from the body and
present with the Lord, they being filled with the blessedness
of heaven, could contribute to the glory of their Maker and
Saviour, and the establishment of the true Church of Christ,
vital Christianity upon the earth; and to depart like men and
not as fools die.

All ages have been thus blessed by the Most High, have
had some of these constellations sojourning among them, to
illuminate the dark places of the earth; who in the wisdom
and love of God through the salvation of Jesus, were as lights,
as beacons to the wayfaring man, to the wanderers out of
Sion, to direct their steps into the path of holiness by urging
them to repentance and admonishing them to believe in Jesus
for the saUation of their immortal souls. Consequently the
true church, the church of Christ, flourished to a greater or
less degree during every period from the foundation of the
world, and the blessed Lord had a people with whom his
honor dwelled, with whom his name abided; who were a joy.

S6 ON FAITH.

a praise, and a ^lory to Him, and contributed to the joy of
the holy hosts of heaven; the glorious angels are not ashamed
to own the followers of Christ as their brethren, nor think
tliemselves degtaded by administering unto us, accoiding to
the will and commands of our Heavenly Father. " Are
they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation." [Heb. L 14.

Faith Cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,
therefore as for tiiose that sit in " Moses^ seat," their words
are to be believed and examples imitated so far as they
agsee with the revealed will of God, w^ith the "word and
the testimony," and they in righteousness and holiness fol-
low Christ. As St. Paul admonishes, "Be ye followers of
me as I am also of Christ;" and also cautions Timothy to
bew are of men in sheep's clothing, wdiich should abound in
the latter days; his admonitory lessons are on this wise, "Now
the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart Irom the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits?
and doctrin'^^s of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having
their conscience seared with an hot iron." And further,
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For men shall be lovers of their ownselves, covet-
ous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
untiiankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers,
fal&e accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are
good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more
jthan lovers of God; having a form cf godliness, but denying
the power thereof; from such turn away."

[1st. & 2d. Timothy.

After all this estrangement and departure from the living
God, yet at the coming of the blessed Christ "will he find faith
on the earth." However small the number may be, yet
there will be some who will be the holy temples of Christ
and watch unto the coming of the Lord and desire the King
of heaven and earth to descend; " Even so come Lord Jesus."
Do not these times indicate that the period is near at hand,

ON FAITH. 37

when all the wicked shall be destroyed from the face of the
earth, and "all the nations that forget God be turned into
hell." Kepent, repent, repent, therefore, for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand; repent and have faith in Jesus; hear the
words of the Lord to your edification and immortal souls sal-
vation; manifest your love and obedience by keeping the
commandments of God, and walking with him unbiameably,
in holiness; for without holiness none shall ever behold his
glorious majesty, or enter into his eternal kingdom of glory.
iVJay many yet in the eleventh hour, find remission of sins
through the merits of Jesus; be justified and sanctified by the
blessed God; through the Holy Ghost, become meet to be
made partakers of the inheritances of the Saints in light, and
to have th ir joy and rejoicing with God and his holy angels
forevermore. Now unto the Triune Father, be endless
praise, thanks and blessings, dominion, majesty and power.
Amen and A men.

Di8corR8i: III.

THE GLORY OF GOD.

Father^ glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from

heaven^ sayings I have both glorified it, and will glorify it

again.

John, 12M Chap. 2Qth verse.

The preceding words of our text our bles-ed Lora spake
some time after his ministry, soon after Mary anointed his
feet, and his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, welcomed and
escorted by hosts of his saints and followers, who spread
their garments in the way, crying Hosanna! Hosanna'.I —
Blessed is the Kins^ of Israel that comcth in the name of
the Lord. Glory to God in the highest.

Aware of being near the end of his mission, when the
great object should be accomplished for which our blessed
Lord was made manifest in the flesh, suffered shame, per-
secution and distress, a man of sorrow and acquainted with
grief, who had committed no sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth, but for the glory of God and the salvation of sin-
ful men, had left his high and glorious abode to sojourn on
this distorted earlhly ball, subject to iieat and cold, earth-
quakes, storms and tempests, with no certain dwelling place
here below, and no place where to lay his devoted head;
hear himself on the subject: "The foxes have holes, and the
birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not
where to lay his head." Which deprivation he endured
without a murmur, although his sou! was frequently in
trouble, as we see in the preceding verse and elsewhere, for
God had laid upon him the iniquity of us all, from the begin-
ning of the world to the end of time, that none might be lost,
but that all might obtain a knowledge of salvation through
bis obedience.

THE GLORY OF GOD. 39

While the Eternal Father was looking abroad upon the
sons of njen, and unable to discover any o.ie with whom to
entrust this mighty work of redemption, lo! the Saviour
said, "I come to do thy will, O God;" and in due time
through the wisdom of the all-wise and ever blessed God,
became incarnate, when the sons of light again shouted for
joy and sang " Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace
and to men good will." And he grew up in wisdom and
stafure, and became emphatically the Prince of Peace and
the Saviour of the wojld. For at the age of twelve he began
to persuade men to leave their folly and endeavored to turn
the ignorant to the wisdom of tiie just.

Behold him with his holy band of twelve devoted cham-
pions, traversing deserts and through forests, wandering to
reclaim the lost sheep of the house of Israel and collect them
into his lold ; and when thousands upon ihousa.ids were
gathered together to hear his Angehc voice in strains celes-
tial meander through the dense multitude in sweetest ac-
cents of love and sympathy for the weal of lh(^-ir immortal
souls; and then when ihe blind, through his vntue, received
their sight, the broken and lame were made whole, the deaf
restoied, the devils cast out, and the sick healed, the toils of
several days ministraiion nearly over, lie commanded the
fatigued multitu(*e to be seated in companies upon the green
grass, he took a few loaves and two fishes, blessed and
brake and had them distributed through this vast congre-
gation, miraculously multiplying it uniil all were filled and
baskets full of fragments remained; many were roiivii»ced
of their unbelief, and constrained to exclaim, " Emmanuel,
God with us,"

Thus the Lord of life and gloiy went abroad doing good
and ministering unto dying men, in a humihtating way, as
a servant among servants. O boundless love! O the depth
both of the rtches and grace of God, his ways are past find-
ing out. Truly he is every where in his glory, through
heaven, air, earth and oceans all, and when the tempest

40 THE GLORY OF GOD.

hovv!s and the sea loars, threatening death and destruction
to puny man, vvilh the few words, "peace, be still," he siayS
the storm and cahns the sea; the winds steal away and the
waves which raged furiously, croucit beneath his ft et, and all
is still. 7'he same he efifects in the repenting sinner against
the devil's work in his soid, when he foams and rages furi-
ously, he casts him out and a sweet calm ensues, with joy
unspeakable and full of glory, with thanks and blessings to
God the Prince of Peace. Thus the works of the devil are
destroyed and the Lord God is glorified.

The whole career of our blessed Saviour on earth re-
dounded to the gloiy of his heavenly Father and the welfare
of human kij.d and also to the brute creation, for as men be-
come civilized, truly refined and exalted in holiness, they
are more merciful, because the blessed Christ incuh ates
mercy, ''be ye merciful as your F'ather in heaven is merci-
ful;' by consequence every living thing about a true christian
will fare the better, and thaiiks be to the Lord for it; for
where is the difference between savages, and even some mis-
called cfiri>.tians, and the wild beasts, unless it be on the side
of the latter, who scarcely ever destroy one another until
compelled by hunger. But not so with those whose hearis are
tlie habitation of devils, even legions of foul spirits, thirsting
for blood, whose cravings are never satisfied, tormenting and
inventing torments for their fellow beings that are not of their
abonjinable caste ; even their accomplices are not permitted
to escape, but they tear each other as dog?, with hellish
malice full; and then the iiinocent brutes will, at times, be
made partakers of their cruel mercies; surely there is no
peace for the wicked, as declared m holy writ. They know
not the Prince of Peace who dwells in the sons of light, and
causes all things to contribute to their happiness for time and
eternity; but are full of the evil one, whom Christ came to
biuise and destroy, and whom he bound in chains until the

11 >f the great day, when the wrath of God will be
revealed against him and his ungodly followers to doom

THE GLORY OF GOD. 41

them to misery and torments, to blackness and darkness
forever.

As the ambassador of the high and holy God, I call upon
you through these pages, to make your peace with him ; to
be reconciled at the foot of the cross, through faith in Jesus
and his precious blood, which cleanses from all sin, and
which is yet offered as a purifier of the affections and lusts
of the flesh; all vile, unholy propensities ever at variance
with godliness, and the life of God in the soul, for the carnal
muid is at enmity with God, therefore cast ye out this bond-
man with all his filthiness and take m the fee ; be con-
verted, justified through faith in Jesus; persevere in prayer
to our heavenly P'ather through Jesus our Mediator, that ye
be sanctified and established in holiness, and may glorify God
in your souls and bodies, for they of right are his.

Every follower of Christ will thus contribute to the glory
of our Holy Father, whom Christ came to glorify, and did
gloiify in all his ways, among the children of men, as Jeho-
vah himself testified in our text, and that he would glorify
his name again; alluding, doubtless, to the further progress
and final triumph of our blessed Saviour's passion.

That to him belongeth all glory who is himself all glorious,
dwelling in transcendent glory, and being the King of Glory,
none of an enlightened understanding will, we presume, dare
to deny. O the mo.4 excellent glory, from whence cometh
every good and perfect gift ; every thing lovely, amiable and
deliohtful, for God is love, and they that dwell in God dwell
in love; in love unspeakable and full of glory, being the tem-
ple of the Holy Ghost, the comforter who instils into the
soul joys celeslial and full of bliss; joys of Angeis surround-
ing the glorious throne of the Majesty on High, to be par-
takers with them of the happiness of heaven while pilgrims
yet on earth ; thus Christ has glorified the name ol Jehovah,
and in his saints he is glorified.

The voice 1 have glorified and will glorify it again, came
from the same holy source as that heard by his devoted

42 THE GLORY OF GOD.

disriples, when visited by Moses and Klijah in glorious
chariots from the celestial regions, and the blessed Jesus was
tra- sfigured and the holy trio shone in heaven's resplendent
gloiy. Will unbelievers still continue contrary and deny
that this was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Sa-
viour of the world, and not hear htrn and believe in him as
all are commanded, to the saving of their immortal souls;
for verily, there is no other name given whereby they can be
made partakeis of the joys of Angels in heaven; to inherit
with the saints, the mansions which he has prepared on high
for all that love him, and who anxiously watch unto prayer
unto his return. O' will ye forfeit the joys of heaven for
those on earth, uhich are no joys at all, for the wretched-
ness and misery attendant even in this life, of carnal desires
gratified, far over-balance the joy they afford ; and then the
dread of an eternity of banishment from every thing glorious
and holy, to a place of darkness, torment and despair, which
must inevitably be the burden of every soul alienated from a
life of holiness and godlmess, unless given over to hardness
of heart and reprobateness of mind, which is infimtel v worse,
to be able to commit the most filthy and horrid crimes with-
out repup^nance of conscience.

O what a magnificent and glorious place heaven is, the
New Jerusalen., Paradise, where the Holy God is enthroned
in effulgent glory, surrounded by innumerable hosts of Arch-
Angels and Angels, Cherubims and Seraphims, and Saints in
white, who are ever singing. Holy! Holy!! Holy!!! Lord
God Almighty, who wast and art, and art to come, thou King
of Saints. " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hiith
it entered into the heart of man to conceive the joys there
pre])ared for those that love him." Now we see him with
a veil between, but then face to face, as he is, so shall we see
the bless'd God, enjoy him and commune with him with
greater pleasure and closer intimacy than even Moses did,
because all human and worldly thoughts and cares wil be
banished from our souls, and we shall be exalted and be like

THE GLORY OF GOD. 43

unto the Angels, glorious and holy, reflecting the splendour
of our Eternal Father. If Moses lace shone, reflecting the
glory of the Deity, after having been only forty days and
nights uith God on the Mount, so that the children of Israel
could not behold his face without a veil between, O! how
much greater must have been the luster and glory of the
transfiguration of our blessed Saviour on the Mount, having
this same Moses who had been for thousands of years ia
the presence of the Majesty on High, serving God in his
Holy Temple, on the one side, and the indefatigable, holy
and faithful Elijah, who walked with God until it pleased the
Lord to end his ministration and send his chariot and horses
of fire, all glorious as the resplendent sun, to convey him to
the court of his Eternal H9rmess, where he has been exalted
for hundreds of years on the other side. Ol what a trio of
luminaries, even obscuring the Sun in his meridian splendor.
No wonder then that this combination of glory would over-
power and cause the three favorite disciples, although divine-
ly taught, but inhabiting earthly forms, to fall prostrate to
the ground.

Thus have we been trying to present to your minds a
glimpse of the beatific glory of the Majesty on High, where
none can enter without holiness, for the King who reigns
there Omnipotent in power, commnnds, " be ye Holy as T
am Holy," and swears in his wrath that none other shall enter
into his rest. It is therefore, absolutely necessary to be
inured in a life of godliness to be paitakers of the bliss of
Angels, which shall never retrograde but progress through
endless ages ; as so limited a degree of glory as shone in the
face of Moses, or even at the transfiguration on the Mount
was overpowering; how much more would the perfection
then^of in the courts of God be to the carnal and earthly
minded, who never through faith in Jesus beheld through a
veil his glory, nor been exercised in the paths of virtue and
holiness, but been all their lives averse thereunto, hating
God and serving the devil ; dishonoring their creator and

44 THE GLORY OF GOD.

bountiful benefjictor instead of contributing to his glory;
they sHbII never enter into his kingdom without being regen-
erated, for our God, to all such is a consuming fire.

''' 1 will glorify it again f alluding no doubt to our blessed
Lord's passion in Getlisemane and triumph on Calvary, as
the name of the Father had ber^n glorified hitherto by the
humble and obedient course of our blessed Saviour ; his
victory when permitted to be tempted t)y satan ; the mira-
cles he wrought by the power of God, upon the souls and
bodies of men; surely the spirit of God was in an abundant
degree upon him, to preach the gospel to the poor, cheer the
broken hearted and set the captives free, and bre?k every
band of the devil which held them in misory and wretched-
ness, and fear and torment; the torment of death and the
fear to appear before a just and offended Judge, and of hav-
ing to meet their doom in hell, where there is no rest, but
despair and torment forever and ever. Beware all ye sin-
ners how ye mispend in the service of satan, the tmie allot-
ted you here; to the dishonor of God and the neglect of
your soul's salvation, for verily there is a day of retribution
near at hand to every one of you ; may your blood be upon
your own heuds if you continue in your sinful course of
wickedness ; disregard the warning voice of Christ and his
true embassadors, and die in your sins, when you should
have w^orked out your souls salvation through Jesus the
Redeemer, the author and finisher of faith; who has glori-
fied God through obedience to death, even the death of the
cross, to achieve salvation for sinful creatures — but you do
despite and dishonor his holy spirit by your apostate lives :
O why will ye die, ye wretched sinners.

The name of the glorious and holy God will again be glo-
rified at the utter destruction of the works of the devil, when
the old beast will be chained and cast into hell and all his
followers with him, to their dismay and confusion, and
gnashing of teeth forever; and when King Jesus will take

THE GLORY OF GOD. 45

the kingdom to himself, descend with the New Jerusalem,
and reign with his holy saints on earth a thousand years.

J'inaJly, when the blessed God will judge the earth by that
man whom he has ordained; when the Son of Man shall
come in his glory and all the Holy Angels with Him, then
shall he sit upon the throne of His Glory. And before Him
shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them
one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
goats; and He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the
goats on the left. For the fearful, and unbelieving, and the
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators,
and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone. Then shall the King say unto
them on his right hand, come ye blessed of My Father, in-
herit the Kingdom prepared (or you from the foundation of
the world, and we shad inherit the J\ew Heaven and Earth,
and Glorify God for ever and ever. Amen.

BISCOUKSE IV.
CHRIST'S WITNESSES.

And we are Ms ivitnesses of these things, and so is also the

Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that chey him.
When they heard that^ they were cut to the heart, and took

counsel to slay them,

[Acts, 5th chop., 32d ^ 33d, verse.

Our blessed Saviour did not sojouin on (^arth in dark or
obscure places, as infidels would have us believe; yea they
v/ould even have us deny thit there ever was such a person
as the Son of God; who left his father's throne to be born of
a Virgin, rocked in a cradle, sheltered from the dampness of
the season by the roof of a stable at a cosiimon Inn. It is
scarcely to be wondered at, by viewing the folly of the world
through all ages down to this present time, which has ever
been inflated with vanity and pride, indulging in luxuries of
all description, as at this day, that many would thus cojijec-
ture, and aid in the delusion of their souls by their greatest
enemy, contrary to the prophecy of an infinitely wise and
holy God, who saw proper and was graciously pleased thus
to ordain, and in due time to fulfil his revelation in the above
described manner. Thou Bethlehem though least among
the thousands of Judea, yet out of thee shall the sceptre
arise. Hundreds and thousands knew the predictions of our
Lord's coming, and there was a general expectation ar the
time the Moroing Star arose in Bethlehem, to enlighten
them that sit in darkness and give glory to his church.

Holy Simeon testified that he was the I^ord's Christ, when
he prayed that he might now depart in peace, for says he "I
have seen thy salvation."" It was revealed unto him that
he should remain until his eyes were thus Hessed. Anna
the prophetess, likewise testified and spake of him to all
that looked for redemption in Israel. These w^ere under

CHRIST'S WITNESSES 47

the influence of the Holy Ghost, a^; recorded in our text, as
well as those precreding who walked with God, in love and
ohedience, and who saw the glory of tiie only begotten of
the Feather afar off; and rejoiced in the light of the glory of
the Sun of Kighieousness, which was to illuminate the earth
in a future day. Through him they ended their course with
joy, and departed to be with him whom their souls loved.

It does therefore fully appear that the blessed Jesus was not
without witnesses from almost the beginning of the world,
until his manifestation in the flesh. The career of his
apostles from thence to the present time, nor shall be to the
consummation of all things, and his coming to judge the
world in righteousness, — " many shall wax cold, and fall off
yet at the coming of the Son of Man shall he find faith on
the earth."" From these words we infer that he will always
have a name on the earth— a church — a few followers and
true witnesses, however corrupt the rest of mankind may be;
yea, they shall even be as at the time of Noah, and the des-
truction of Sodom and Gomorrah. iVJy readers, ye can dis-
cern the face of the sky, can ye discern the signs of liiese
present times?

The apostles from an humble occupation, were chosen to
be initiated and instructed, to walk with their Lord in the
same path of holiness, yet not with the same mountain's
burden as the iniquity of the whole world presents to our
view, upon their souls. Jesus was truly the Lamb of God;
an offering for sinners in one sense of the wo^d, yet not to
the extent of the Universalist's creed — iiood, bad and indif-
erent, to live with him through eternity; a miscellaneous and
congruous mass, like unto the one which he came to purify
and sift; the wheat to be gathered into his garner and the
chaff to be burned with fire unquenchable. Has his word
then fallen to the ground, or been wiihdrawn? Impossible!
firm as the throne of God they remain. Hear the Saviour,
Judge, himself, " Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but
my words shall not pass away."

48 CHRIST'S WITNESSES.

These privileged men were constantly about our Lord.
When the multitudes had been dismissed and gone to their
homrs, these were found to tarry in deserts and on mountains,
to minister unto then' master; listening to his instructive les-
sons, and drinking deep into the fountain of holiness. I^hey
were acquainted with his oppression, travail and gnef; the
shame he endured, his agony in Gethsemane, and his death
on Mount Calvary; his buri;il, the caution taken to prevent
his resurrection. jNotwithstanding he arose, they saw him
after his resurrection, spake with him, received further in-
struction from him, were confirmed in their faith, instructed
to preach the gospel to all nations, "And lo' I am with you
always even unto the end of the world," was the promise of
the blessed Saviour to all his peculiar people, his true follow-
ers. They finally accompanied and surrounded him at
Bethany, where they received his blessing and saw him as-
cendifjg to heaven from out of the midst of them. With the
assurance of his return in due time, the apostles returned to
Jerusalem glorifying and praising God.

They continued in prayer and watching day and night
until peniecost was come, when they were fully ordain-
ed by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the promised com-
forter, divine guide and instructor; speaking in different lan-
guages, all Jesusalem was astonished; some mocked, and
accused them of intemperance, but Peter arose with the
eleven and boldly vindicated his honor with those of his com-
panions, and showed from scripture that the piophecies were
now fulfilling before their eyes, and that Christ whom they
had crucified and slew, God had raised from the dead, for he
would not suffer his Holy One to see corruption, but exalted
him to his own right hand, until he would make all his foes
his footstool. Many felt the weight of these words and be-
came concerned about their eternal welfare, inquiring, "what
must we do to be saved;" and many were added unto the
church, continuing in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in
breaking of bread and prayers; their number increased daily

CHRIST^S WITNESSES. 49

in consequence of their importunity and power to heal the
sick, cause the lame to leap for joy, and to praise God.

These holy additions to the church alarmed the powers of
hell and darkness, which slew their master, whose words
were now fulfilled, *' If they have persecuted me, they will
persecute you, if they have kept my sayings they will keep
yours also." So it was, they laid hands upon them and put
them into the hold until the next day*, when the High Priest
with all his household were assembled, they were brought
before them and questioned concerning the power by which
they wrought. Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, again jus-
tified their doings, and that thmugh Jesus of Nazareth whom
they crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. The
man stood whole before them; it was the impotent man that
formerly begged at the beautiful gate of the temple, whom
Peter and John had healed, which provoked this ado among
the rulers and Satan their master; they however, took knowl-
edge that the apostles had been with Jesus; they were per-
suaded in their minds that a higher power than that belong-
ing to man operated through them, and confessed to one
another that they could not deny but that a notable miracle
had been done, and that it spread no further, commanded
them to speak to no man in the name of Jesus. The apos-
tles departed unmindful of the threats of their enemies, to
obey God rather than these wretched men; they triumphed
and rejoiced in their God and Saviour, laboring with more
eeal in his vineyard and for his glory, signs and wonders
following them. The good work of the Lord continued, so
that it was sufficient for only the shadow of Peter to pass
over the sick lo restore them to health; this again inflamed
with anger the High Priest and Rulers, seeing such multi-
tudes coming from all cities, bringing their sick with them. —
They confined the disciples in the common prison, but the
Angel of the Lord that night delived them, and told them to
"go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words
of life;'' which they did accordingly, and were found there

6

so CHRIST^S WITNESSES

teaching in the morning by their persecutors, after having
searched the prison house in vain for them; the captains and
officers brought them before their superiors without violence,
for they feared the people lest they be stoned by them — they
were set before the council and reminded by the High Priest
that they weie told previously not to speak in that name, and
"behold," he exclaimed, "ye have filled Jerusalem with your
doctrine, and intend to brmg this man's blood upon us." —
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We
ought to obey God rather than men." "The God of our
fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree*
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and
a Saviou!, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of
sins." Here follow the words of our text, "And we are
his witnesses of thes'^ things," &c.

The rulers would fain have cleared themselves of the in-
nocent blood which stained their garments and clave to their
souls, but this was impossible: the deed was done, in mad-
ness they had slain the Lamb of God, and were justly accu-
sed of their crime, which cut them to the heart; "a guilty
conscience who can bear?" They gnashed their teeth upon
the apostles, and took counsel to slay them, thinking no
doubt, by putting them out ol the way they would quiet the
matter, and ease their minds of the shame and guilt which
haunted their wretched souls; but in this rash act they were
opposed by one Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, who was of
a more elevated spirit, who reasoned with them on the pro-
priety of desisting from their hellish design; to refrain, and to
let these men alone; sf their work was of men it would come
to nought, but if it was of God they could not overthrow it —
and would put themselves in a hostile attitude, be found fight-
ing against God; the awful and inevitable consequence v\hich
would be the result, if their rage continued and they murder-
ed these men, he could easily anticipate from the justice of
God, and the history of former limes. " Touch not mire
annointed and do my children no harm, saith the Lord."

CHRIST'S WITNESSES. 51

Surely the wicked cannot stand against God, for he will turn
them with all the nations that forget him into hell; or can
they really fight against him who is Omnipotent? can they
thunder with a voice hke his? can they invent torments like
those he has prepared for his enemies? are they versed in
destruction? He who sitteth in the heavens, the High and
Holy One who inhabiteth eternity, laugheth them to scorn;
yea the Lord of Hosts holdeth them in derision.

God, however, permitted them to abuse his disciples fur-
ther ; after hearing Gamaliel, they agreed among themselves
to beat the apostles and charge them henceforth not to speak
in the name of the Lord Jesus; which they accordingly did,
and then suffered them to depart. The disciples hastened
out from among them rejoicing that they were accounted
worthy to suffer shame and be persecuted for Christ's name;
doubtless remembering his words, "great shall be your re-
ward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets that were
before you." And probably, " Be not afraid, be not afraid
of their terror, which is to them a sure sign of perdition, but
to you of salvation and that of God; for to you it is not only
given to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for his name's
sake, so that when his glory is revealed from above ye may
likewise rejoice with him in glory, for the spirit of Christ and
of glory is upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, on
your part he is glorified."

These gracious words must have been a sweet balm and
at the same time a powerful stimulous to remain faithful and
devoted followers of their master, and obey him rather than
men; for we are informed that straightway they were again in
the temple teaching the people, and preaching Jesus Christ
with increased zeal, for the glory of him whom they delighted
to serve and honor, and for the welfare of their fellow beings.
They extended their mission from house to house; taught,
preached, and alleviated the miserable and wretched; healed
their souls and bodies in the name of the Lord Jesus. The
church increased and believers were multiplied; hundreds

52 CHRIST'S WITNESSES,

and thousands rejoiced in the knowledge of the remission
of their sins, of being born again, of having the witness of
the Holy Spirit to testify with their spirits that they were
sons and heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, and could
bear indubitable testimony of the salvation which is through
him, and also that Christ was he which was to come, the
Messiah. That God had raised him from the dead and ex-
alted him to his right hand a Prince and a Saviour, to give
repentance and forgiveness of sins; now the word ol the
Lord had free course and was glorified. The enemies of the
cross being somewhat conquered, the saints went on their
way rejoicing, this was but a momentary respite; he who
was cast out from the presence of the Holy God, the prince
of darkness, could not suffer his children to remain inactive,
for verily the word of God is against them. " There is no
rest for the wicked," saith our God. Still the children of
light, the followers of the Prince of Peace, had abundance
of peace amid sufferings and persecutions: read the words of
the Lord, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation,
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." But for
the children of darkness there is no peace even in the w@rld,
which ihey take for their portion; while permitted to creep on
the dunghill of iniquity, commit all lewdness and abomina-
tion with greediness, to be bastards on the earth and a stink
in the nose of holiness, until God's mercy is exhausted, jus"
tice vindicated, and his judgments doom them to endless per-
dition and misery in hell!! There is no peace for devils, or
men which have become such.

Rejoice therefore, lift up your heads and leap for joy, all
ye sons of God, even in the fiery furnace of persecution, for
your redemption draweth nigh; when ye are wading in the
waters, when the floods come nigh your souls, be not dismay-
ed, your God is about your path, he will uphold you with
the right hand of his majesty, and when ye walk in the fire
it shall not burn unto your souls, "for 1 am your God, 1 have

CHRIST'S WITNESSES. 53

called you by your name, ye are mine; 1 will deliver and
honor you and ye shall glorify me." O what glorious, sweet
and heavenly words are these! What love to poor mortals!
What condescension, what kindness! Although cast out as
evil-doers, and killed all the day long by our fellow-men;
hunted as sheep by wolves, but yet not destroyed nor forsa-
ken by our Heavenly Father; no! now is the time he arises
to plead our cause against our enemies, to hurl their pre-
sumption to the ground, and make them before him as the
chaff of the midsummer's threshing floor. O the value of
such a friend, to stop the mouths of Lions, to beat down our
enemies, and finally bring us into the haven of eternal rest
and felicity. O that we could love him better, honor and
glorify him more and more.

My dear brethren, ye who walk in the spirit of God, being
the temples of the Holy Ghost, be not weary in well-doing;
keep your reins tight, that ye give not freedom to your natu-
ral affections and passions which are lying dormant in your
bodies, having been conquered through the captain of our
salvation, the conqueror of devils, sin, death and hell. Be
therefore not enticed or provoked by these powers to do evil;
they will beset you on either hand, and when they find you
inflexible will revile and upbraid you —disregard all these
trifles as our brethren the apostles did; neither turn to the
right hand nor the left, but keep straight on your way, with
your faces Zion-ward. Be dilligent in watching, fasting, and
above all, prayer, that ye fall not into temptation, and when
permitted to be tempted that ye come off innocent and v\ith
honor, as our Lord and Master also did, who was permitted
to be thus assaulted — and like him let not the frowns nor
smiles of the world influence you against the discharge oi
your duty to God, and should they be even permitted to exe-
cute their threats, ye all know what St. Paul saith, "For me
to live is Christ and to die is gain." Be ye therefore of the
same mind, for death is in the catalogue of the blessings of
the saints of the Most High; every one is not privileged thus

54 CHRIST'S WITNESSES.

to glorify our God and Saviour and wear a martyr s crown
in the courts above. 1 urge you finally my brethren, pray,
pray without ceasing, pray day and night that your faith be
confirmed and your confidence increased ; that you may
grow in the knowledge of our blessed God, m his wisdom,
understanding and holiness; that when it pleases him, and
in such a manner as he may deem proper, to call you from
this tottering world, ye may be found perfect, wanting noth-
ing, end your course with joy, and your immortal souls be
wafted by Holy Angels into the realms of eternal glory>
there to join them with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all
the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and saints of the Lamb, in
singing praises and hallelujahs to the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost, the Everlasting Triune Deity, forever and ever.
Amen.

DISCOURSE T.

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.

Jesus Christy the same yesttrday^ and to-day ^ and forever.
Be not carried about loith divers and strange doctrines^ for it
is a good thing that the heart he established with grace, not
with meats, jchich have not profited them that have been oc-
cupied therein,

Hebrews, 1 3/A chapter, Sth S^ 9th verses.
From Everlasting to Everlasting Thou art God ; God ovet
all and blessed forevermore ; Thou ineffable, infallibie Po-
tentate ; Thou King of King's and Lord of Lord's ; be Thou
alone worshipped, and adored ; be Thou by Thy great name
Jehovah feared, reverenced, and honored ; be Thou alone
praised; be Thou praised by Thy glorious Angels in heaven
and by their brethren, the holy saints and martyrs on the
earth ; be Thou praised by the whole creation ; be Thou
alone praised, O Lord ; to Thee, O God, be all the worship
and praise forevermore. Amen.

Jesus our blessed Redeemer, while here below, sojourning
among creatures of the dust, who, although vile, sensual and
develishjhad under their Satanic master, clothed themselves
in self-righteousness and a ficticious garb of holiness ; exalt-
ed themselves above all that was of God or Godfy, were
consequently dreadfully averse to " The Lord our Right-
eousness," and diametrically opposed to his holiness ; who
bad set up their idols in their hearts, and were under the
influence of him who is the father of all iniquity, abomina-
tion and crime, and who has great delight to seat himself in
the temple of God as though he were God, and to get fools
to cringe to him, worship and bestow that honor upon him
which alone belongs to the Eternal Father of life and glory,
the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday^ and to-
day, and forever.

56 THE E'llERNlTY OF CHRIST.

Yea, verily, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the Be-
ginning and the Ending ; He in whom all things hve, move,
and have their being; the power Omnipotent, who by His word
spoke into being the whole universe ; the Holy of Holies,
where his Glory is man. lest to perfection, where the Cheru-
bims and Seraphims worship the mystic lieity in the beau-
ties of Holiness ; in the effulgence of His Glory, veil their
faces with their wings and cry, "Holyl Holy!U Holyl'.l
Lord God Almighty! which was, and is, and is to come-y
Great and marvelous are Thy works, just and true are thy
ways Thou Kmg of Saints;" Hosanna! Hosanna!! Halle-
lujah!!! Hallelujah!!! Amen, Amen; "Blessing, and glory,
and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and
might, be unto our God, forever and ever. Amen! Amen!l

" Who shall not fear Thee, O i^ord, and Glorify Thy
name? for 77zgz/ only ar^ Holy : for all nations shall come
and worship be lore Thee ; for Thy judgments are made man-
ifest.*' "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!! Salvation, and glory, and
honor, and powder, unto tlie Lord our God," forever and ever,
Amen; Hallelujah! Amen!! Amen!!! Amen!!!!

And when Jesus, the Everlasting Father said, " let there
be light," the resplendant sun slept into the firmanent, all
glorious in appearance, reflecting partially, the Creator's
Glory, followed by the milder moon, comets, planets and
stars innumerable, all contributing to their Maker's praise:.

God, all-wise, great and infinite,

We behold Thee on Thy glor'ous throne,,

The Sun, thy great representative^
Traverses the a3rial doome.

Diffuses a gold'n bloom,

Drives on the nightly gloom.

The moon leads on the nocturnal van^

Planets and comets, all display,
The eth'real, aeriel fan,

And circumvolving, sing Thy lay;,
The stars, the chorus array,
Sweetly thro' the milky way.

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST. 57

The train' passes thro' the Heaven;

'Gain the golden orb comes in glory,
Darkness from the earth is driven,

All nature live and adore Thee,
In fragrant gloom and beauty,
And songs and melody.

The earth also, which we inhabit, was created of nothing
by His Almighty power; the mountains and the oceans ; the
bills and the rivers; the rocks and the limped streams; the
vast treasures of gold and silver, and of other minerals, &c.
&c. All living creatures moving thereupon, the blessed
God created of the dust, and imparted life temporal, and to
man eternal, to whom he conferred dominion over all the
other animals, reptiles, and creeping things, in all the waters
and moving on the face of all the earth. " For by him were
all things created that are in heaven, and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers ; all things were created by him,
and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all
thinj^s consist." Christ is therefore, the true and ever living
God, who upholds the universe by the word of his power;
the Father of light, from whom comes every good and per-
fect gift, and with whom there is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning, "Who is the same yesterday, and to-day?
and forever."

Jesus Christ, the mysterious, the Eternal 1 AM, the won-
derful, Councellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace, the self-existing Jehovah, who weigh-
eth the hills in a balance and the mountains in scales — who
comprehendeth the dust of the earth in a measure, and me-
teth out the heavens with a span, and the waters in the hollow
of his hand — who stretcheth out the north over the empty
place and hangs the earth upon nothing — who sets bounds
to the sea, saying, " thus far shall thy waters rage, and here
thy proud waves be stayed." " Before whom all nations
are as dust, the small dust of the balance ; they are even
lighter than vanity, and are as nothing before Him." Christ

58 THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.

is the Lord of Hosts and the God of battles; and woe be to
them that strive with Him, and woe be to all nations that
disregard his smiles and his frowns, and depart from his
counsel, and that put away the fear of Him from before their
eyes ; that set up the stumbhng block of iniquity in their
hearts; that go a whoring after strange gods; that have
their pleasure in serving the devil in all manner of abom-
inations, pride, vain glory and worldly ambition, murders,
adulteries, fornications, witch-crafts, and all manner of filthy
lewdness, and have the impudence to glory in their shame, as
though there was no heaven of holiness nor Holy God in all
the universe.' Dearth! earth!! earth!!! hear the word of the
Lord, " I, Jehovah, 1 am the Lord God, I am Holy, the high
and lofty one who inhabits eternity, and there is no God else
besides me ; a just God and a Saviour ; there is none besides
me. LiOok unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the
earth ; for I am God, and there is none else. 1 have sworn
by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness,
and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every
tongue shall swear." "And my name alone shall be glorifi-
ed." "He that believeth and is baptised, shall be saved, and
he that believeth not shall be damned." " Turn ye, turn ye,
for why will ye die!" " Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away." "From dust ye are, and
to dust ye shall return " " All flesh is as grass and the glory of
man as the flower thereof, the grass withers, the flower thereof
fadeth away, but the word of the Lord endureth forever."

Emmanuel, in this character Jesus Christ sojourned upon
earth to become the Saviour of the world, a propitiation for
sinful men ; his God-like love was made abundantly mani-
fest during his ministration of mercy here below, in innumer-
able instances in Gethsemane, before Pilate, and on Mount
Calvary, where in love to us he laid down his life, and after-
wards took it again. " I have power to lay down my life,
and 1 have power to take it again." Christ arose victorious,
conquered the devil, all hell and darkness ; triumphed over
all principalities and powers, overthrew them and made an

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST. 59

open show of them. " Who is this that cometh from Edom
with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in
His apparel, travehng in the greatness of His strength?"
" I that speak in righteousness, Mighty to save." " Where-
fore art thou red in thy apparel, and thy garments like him
that treadeth in the wine fat?" " I have trodden the wme
press alone, and of the people there was none with me ; for
1 will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my
fury ; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments,
and f will stain all my raiment : For the day of vengeance
is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come." "And
I looked, and there was none to help ; and I wondered that
there was none to uphold ; therefore, mine own arm brought
salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me." "Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever."

Jesus Christ is the Rock of our Salvation, the exalted
Prince and Saviour, who gives repentance and remission of
sins. He all day long holds out his wounded hands and in-
vites sinners to come to him and be saved.

Come, 0 come, you all unto me,

That weary and heavy laden are,
I will set you forever free,

And joys eternal you shall share.

Take my yoke upon you all,

And learn of me, for I am meek,
O be obedient to my call,

Your endless happiness I seek.

From captivity I would fain

Release you all, O then have faith ;
And with me you shall ever reign,

And see Jehovah face to face.

In high heaven's eternal day,

'Mid cherubims and seraphims,
Who their holy powers display,

In perpetual songs and hymns.

With them exalted you shall be,

And shme as the firmanent bright,
Infeverlasting feUcity,

In Paradise walk with me in white.

60 THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.

E This sweet invitation, breathed forth in mercy and love to
apostate, rebellious sinners, who are all their lives held m
chains of slavery and darkness, misery and wretchedness,
by the devil, subject to inevitable death and eternal torment,
if not liberated through Christ the Lord of life and Glory,
who is mighty to save to the uttermost, all that come unto
him, " Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden,
take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek, and
ye shall have rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy and my
burden is light." O you simple ones how long will you suf-
fer Satan to deceive you? how long will you remain the
slaves of sin? how long will you procrastinate with the
time allotted you to work out your salvation? O that you
would mend your hearts ; that you would humble your-
selves into the dust before Christ, so that through his great
salvation, which is alone in him, you may be exalted
unto holiness ; for he that humbles himself shall be exalted ;
shall find grace in the sight of God ; shall have forgiveness
of sins ; shall be re-instated to the holy image of Jehovah,
and finally, live with him in Eternal Glory. But not so with
the proud, with those that harden their hearts and stiffen
their necks ; all such the Lord knows a-far off, and visits
them in their abominations from on high by his Omnipo-
tence, and will bring their pride down to the dung hill, and
themselves, with their father the devil, into hell. And alas I
this sin, with many others, pervades this nation to an awful
degree, and if the example of Ninevah, at the preaching of
Jonah, is not followed, the judgments of the Most High God
will sooner or later come down to the uttermost, and who
can tell the issues of the destruction, of the extirpation,
after Divine wrath is appeased: but O how little people are
concerned in preventing the suspended judgments from com-
ing down ; in preventing the vials of the wrath of Jehovah
from being poured out to the dregs upon them. The light
judgments which were sent in mercy to warn you to flee
from the wrath to come, you seem to despise, and remain
dead in trespasses and sins, and if ever the words of our

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST. 61

blessed Lord, " let the dead bury the dead," were applicable
to any people, it is to this now — and are their hearts rent ; will
they begin to turn in love to Go 1 ; in love to Him that smites
them? alas, no! Will they then in fear cease from their
abominations, lest his Almighty arm smites them with seve-
rerjudgments? alas! the contrary, as daily experience and
observations show. When tle4ntends the many judgments
which he is sending on this land for blessings, ihey are a
curse to this ungodly people, for they really seem to harden
their hearts and stiffen their necks accordingly, and exhibit
the rage and enmity of the old serpent, with which they deal
so extensively and familiarly; the handmaid to their abom-
ination : high and low, rich and poor, are wallowing thus
together in the mire; and' should it be, therefore, any wonder
if the holy God, who is over all blessed forevermore, should
speedily send more and heavier judgments upon the world,
until it becomes entirely depopulated and desolate. The land
would then enjoy her Sabbalhs ; inhale purer air, and from
it would ascend sweeter odours to the holy God on High,
with whom is no valuableness, neither shadow of turning,
but who is the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.

" Liet the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth,
but wo! be to hmi that striveth with his maker." There
may be some little reason at times in striving with one
another, and of nations conquering one another, and of
gaining something by the conquest; extension of territory,
or what is worth more, freedom from oppresriion and liberty
of conscience, to worship God without restraint or perse
cution; which was the case of our forefathers, for whom
God, by his Divine Providence, broke every foreign yoke,
and set them free in this land flowing with milk and honey;
that they might love Him, worship and honor him in spirit
and in truth, and walk with him, unblamably, in holiness ;
which many, no doubt, for a time, did, and had inward peace
and joy through faith in our God and Saviour, and success-
fully fought, as they now had leisure, the greater battles of

62 THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.

the s^ul with the powers of hell and darkness, and in due
time triumphed over all their adversaries, ended their course
with joy, and are now inheriting brighter and more lasting
mansions in the happy Canaan above, where they can never
be oppressed by Satan and his children, but rejoice in the
liberty of all the Angels of God ; and this greater than sun-
shine is, not only for a time, but an eternal day of glory. —
Earthly things fade and decay ; men, the most honorable,
wither as the grass* and the glory of nations disappears as
the floWers of the field, under the displeasure and wrath
of the Almighty; wo! therefore, to them that strive agaiast
their Maker. Where is Pharoh, Scenesherib and Nebuchad-
nezzer ; where are their valient hosts, and where is their glo-
ry; fallen! fallen!! are the mighty, and their glory is gone as
the vapor from the mountain's top. And so it came to pass to
many who since moved in earthly splendor and had a radia of
timely glory encircling them ; they are no more : the car of
time rolls speedily towards the verge of eternity ; others are
now on the stage of action, but must soon pass away ; others
may again follow, but will soon disappear, as the misty clouds
of the morning, and time will be no more: yea, the very heav-
ens and the earth depart, but Jesus Christ endures; he is
the same yesterday, and to-day, and foreveri

Be not carried about ivith divers and strange doctrines,
&c. Behold! how from the very beginning Satan worked
in his servants, telling smooth and strange things pleasing
to flesh and blood, to please the ears of the innocent and
unwary, and to impart his hellish doctrines. Even the very
first pair, Adam and Eve, who were pure and holy, were
thus assaulted by him through his servant the serpent, and
how far he succeeded you may read in the 2d Chapter of
Genesis; through his subtilty, the awful consequences entail-
ed upon mankind to the latest generation ; who have ever
since been groaning and travailing in pain together; and not
only they, but the whole living creation has been and is sub-
ject to the same, and to return together to dust again, save

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST. 6S

wicked, rebellious sinners, who, although endowed with
reason, choose not only temporal, but eternal deaths in the
error of their ways, the dreadful doom pronounced against
all such beings in consequence of Adam's fall, in whom all
are dead and meet for hell, until in Christ, the second Adam,
we live and are meet for heaven.

1 say that sinners choose death in the error of their way,
because they believe not the words of our blessed Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, which set life and death before them,
but give heed to the seducing doctrines of devils, of which
the scriptures particularly caution us to beware ; as many
false prophets and lying spirits shall be abroad in these last
days, which shall deceive if possible the "very elect." From
hence we may infer that Satan, who has been powerful
enough to deceive and ensnare multitudes of every genera-
tion hitherto, has been permitted to replenish his force : men
ought, also therefore, be more vigilent and zealous in the
good cause, the cause of their own soul's salvation, through
faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whom remains
still plentious redemption, notwithstanding the increase of
Satan's force ; it is now only more absolutely necessary to
listen and hold to sound doctrine, " the doctrine which was
once dehvered to the Saints;" how that Jesus Christ was
born, lived and ministered upon earth ; was crucified, died,
arose fiom the dead, ascended to heaven ; whom God has
exalted to his own right hand a Prince and a Saviour, to
give repentance and remission of sins. Through his death
he has become a propitiation for the sins of the world, that
all that believe in him should not die but live through all
eternity; and also, that God might be just, and the justifier of
those that believe in Jesus.

The signs of the times show how dreadful a fabric these
lying devils and seducing spirits have erected ; how wide
they have extended it ; and how high they have reared it :
they are ever busy as ants on a mole hill, and when the
general crash takes place, language will fail to describe ;

G4 THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.

and the painter's pencil to depict the thou«?anth part of the
wreck of matter, and the destruction of soul's to the bottom-
less pit. Yes, the devil has not been idle, but has been
awfully at work through his servants, some of the principal
ones were Voltair, Paine, and Hume, still further to diffuse
his poison over poor fallen nature, and infuse in into the
hearts of the weak and unwary to destroy their souls. These
champions of infidelity, so pernicious and murderous, have,
therefore, not merely a few discjples but millions are lulled
asleep as respects their soul's salvation, but awake to gain
more converts — by their smooth, flesh pleasing, but strange
and hell securing doctrines, which together with hypocrisy,
pervade all societies, high and low, rich and poor, and are
without doubt, greatly the cause of the pi evading sins of this
age, and under which this land is groaning.

For it is a good thing that the, heart be established with
grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that
have been occnjiied therein. O that ye were wise, that ye
would seek this blessing with all your might, that your hearts
might know salvation and be established in him from whom
this greatest oi blessings flows; which brings sweet peace
and holy love and joy to the soul, and fills the heart with un-
utterable comfort and bliss, and causes it to leap with joy
unspeakable and full of glory, and rejoice in Jesus Christ
our God and Saviour, crying, "Abba, Abba, F'ather." The
highest privilege to the christian on earth, is to know himself
a child of God, an adopted son, and an heir of the mansions
of bliss and glory, reserved eternal in the heavens for all them
that love our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and
that wait with desire his coming from above, to be glorified in
his saints, and admired in all them that believe. " By grace
are we saved through faith — not of works, it is the gift of
God — lest an} man should boast." O that ye would then
go directly to God for this blessing, that ye would seek it
Irom him through a crucified Saviour, with all your might; he
is ever willing to satiate the longing desire of a soul thirsting

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST, 65

for salvation; that ye would therefore long after him as a
hart panteth after a water brook; that ye would be constrain-
ed to come to him who so condesceniiingly invites, and in
kindness would fain persuade you to partake of the greatest
of blessings, without money and without price. O hear for
your eternal well-being, his pressing invitation, "And the
Spirit and the Bride say come. And let him that heaieth
say come. And let him that is athirst come, and whosoever
will let him take the water of life freely."

Rev. last chap., ITthvor.

Othat ye would no longer be dazzled by these foul pools
of infidelity and inhale the miasma arising therefrom and
wafted on the breeze by the lying spirits of darkness, to con-
taminate your immortal souls, and cause them to die —
" The death that never, never dies ! "

O how dreadful and awful it is that so many pass contin-
ually over the verge separating timo from eternity, and in
this terrible state are ushered into the presence of tiie Holy
Judge.

Equally pernicious is the result to those which are lulled
asleep by the smooth sayings and example of those which
feign to wear the prophet's mantel, and to administer in the
things of God, but hate the cross of Christ and walk not in
the paths of holiness; preaching the word of God while they
themselves are the servants of Satan, and mislead the un-
wary by portions of scripture to glaze over the horrid defor-
mity of their souls and hide tiieir iniquity; preaching peace,
peace, when there is no peace, but a curse still suspended
over iheir heads; which is the case of every one that lives in
a carnal state, that is not reconciled unto God, that has not
a saving interest in the atoning blood of ChrisL; to Christ
therefore flee, flee imniediately, flee without delay to him
who so graciously invites you; cast yourselves at his dear
feet, behold the blood flowing from them and his hands and
side; implore the cleansing, the efficacious merit of t'lat pre-
cious blood, that ye may come forth as the infirm and lepers

7

86 THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST.

out of the pool of Siloam, clean, and in a sound stale of re-
ligion, salvation, and faith. Then ye will be new creatures
in Chnst Jesus, and ^o on your way rejoicing, and mock at
dauber ni^h, saying "for us to hve is Christ and to die is gain;"
and also triumph in «!eath, and glorify God, and fall sweetly
aslef p in Jesus to live with him in another and a better
world.

Have your hearts therefore established in grace and not in
viPats, which have not prof ted them that have been occu-
pied (hfreiiu No verdy, the righteousness of God does not
consist in eating, drniking and merriment, but in faith, peace
and joy in the Holy Ghost; man does not live by bread alone
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God*
But "Behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing
sheep, eating flesh and drmking wine; let us eat and drink
for to-morrow we die." Isatah, 23(i chap. 13th verse. Bel-
shazzarwas not spared untd to-morrow, but died the self-
same night he v\ as feasting, and so have many others since.
If they were not all Kings and rulers they all had immortal
souls to be saved for heaven or doomed to hell; and may it not
be likely from appearances — ^ye can discern the face of the
sky, buti:an ye not as well discern the signs of the times? —
that Mene 7>/(t7, stand opposite this nation. Tekel applying
to the principal rulers thereof; lighteousness exalteth a
nation, but sin and shame cause the downfall thereof; there-
fore, while ye are not yet entirely consumed, for it will not
take the Almighty long to do it when he brings sword, fa-
mine and pestih nee upon you — surrender yourselves to him^
make a treaty with him, yea above all ye do or intend doing,
make your peace with Jehovah; exercise wisdom, be speed-
ily at peace with the eternal God of Hosts, or else ye may
very soon be domg but very litlle as a nation. Ye know how
others have fared, down to the present, which had departed
from the true and living God, and he is the same immutable
— as proven in the first part of this discourse — as he was then
so will he lemain from Everlasting to Everlasting.

THE ETERNITY OF CHRIST. 67

" Woe to them that sit at ease in Zion, that eat the choice
of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stalls;
drink wine in bowls, and dance to the tabret and harp, and
are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph!" The true church
of Christ in tliis country, has been and is yet, greatly afflict-
ed and persecuted; professors and non -professors are truly
yoke-fellows in this work of trampling down the Lord's vine-
yard; and noue lay it to heart, or are afflicted, and therefore
the above woe may be justly applied to them. They delight
in the good things of this life, eating and drinking and the
refined — as they please to call them — amusements of this age
of degenerateness and abominations and crimes; notwith-
standing all the outward show, which cannot stand the test
of Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire. There are none
that really wish to come out of the world, leave off all its
sinful amusements, and take up the yoke of Jesus and attach
themselves to a few true, but persecuted followers of the
Lamb. But their religion seems to consist altogether in
hypocrisy and deception; a form of godliness while they know
nothing of the power; and woe will be their end and eternal
destiny, if they die thus in their sins. But ye my brethren
who have your delight in God and the beauties of holiness,
whom he has seated in high and heavenly places in Christ
Jesus, remain steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in
sound doctrine, and every good work of the Lord, rejoice
evermore, and pray without ceasing, that we be found at his
coming, perfect, wanting nothing, and be welcomed into the
kingdom of our Lord, to live with him and all the Holy An-
gels and Saints, in all joy, glory, felicity and happiness, forever
and ever. Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Immuta-
ble, Invisible, the only wise God, be all honor and glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

BIISCOIJR8E VI.

THE LOVE OF GOD.

If yd. love me keep my commandments :

And I will pray the Father^ and he shall give you another

Comforter^ that he may abide with you forever',
Even the Spirit of trtith^ whom the world cannot receive
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him, but ye know
him, for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you.

l^St. John, \Uh chap. 1 5th, I6th, Sf llth verses.
These words of our blessed Lord are some of the most
pathetic and consoling to his disciples, in the New Testa-
ment. Indeed the whole chapter, and the two following,
abound in affectionate promises, full of consolation to his
sorrowing companions, his disciples whom he had just made
acquainted with his passion, which was to separate them for
awhile, in the interval however, the comforter should take
his piace, and also to abide forever. He was thus instructing
them in their duty to him, and one another, and the whole
church of God. The strains of admonitions, of persuasions,
desires, and promises, are lovely, sweet, and most precious;
then comes his fervent, holy, heart-strengthening and soul-
relreshing prayer, (in the 17th chap.) for his devoted disciples
and faithful followers, and all them that would believe on
him through their word; in short for his true church on earth.
This inimitable prayer, so full of heavenly love and divinity,
and the importunity that the blessing supplicated for might
not be withheld, but conferred upon his disciples and ail true
believers; it likewise shows how indefatigable he was in his
exertions, and how full his soul was, yea to overflowing, to
accomplish the work he was engaged in to perfection. *'A
man (he was God-man) will lay down his life for his friends;
ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." —

THE LOVE OF GOD 69

" If ye love me keep my commandments."

O how sweet, how beautiful, amiable, and delightful are
the affections when they are all congenial and harmonize in
love; love to the Supreme being, and love to our fellow-men;
for the very first commandment enjoins love to God and love
to our neighbors; and surely therefore, no one can please him
who is of a contrary disposition; who is disobedient, self-wil-
led, full of pride, hatred, malice and revenge: these qualities
are not of God, for God is Love, and also a consuming fire,
to consume all such characters, if they end their probationary
state thus, with fire unquenchable in the gulph of despair,
provided for the devil and his angels. No my readers, these
tempers are earthly, sensual and devilish, and the more any
one delights and lives in these wicked passions, the more he is
under the influence and control of Satan; and yet if he sliould
say an hundred times "I love God," these, his deeds, would
cause his words to rebound and seal the lie upon him; there-
fore also Christ saith, " If ye love me keep my command-
ments."

How strenuous our blessed Lord was with Peter on ac-
count of his weakness before Pilate, by denying his master;
he asked him thrice whether he loved him, and Peter twice
replied, yea Lord; and the third time, " Thou knowest all
things, thou knowest that 1 love thee." He then command-
ed him to feed his sheep, to feed his lambs, which is likewise
the duty of every lover of God and his neighbor, less or more,
if not to the extent of Peter, yet in some measure as oppor-
tunity offers, to engage in the holy cause, to lift up the hands
that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees, through
the power of God working in us, and convince our Lord by
obedience, holy affections and tempers, by fruits of righte-
ousness and godliness, that we now in reality love him, what-
ever our misconduct and infidelity might have been previous-
ly; that we have now become converted and have returned
to him to serve him in holiness and righteousness all our
days.

70 THE LOVE OF GOD.

*' Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God, and
every one that loveth is born of God, and know^eth God."
"He that iovelh not knoweth not God, for God is love." —
[Isi General Epistle of John, 4th chap., 7th & 8th ver.

How amiable, O how full this disciple was of that holy-
attribute of God, and all deserving of the appropriate title,
'''' Beloved.'*'* His sweetness and heavenly dispositions pro-
cured for him a place in the bosom of our blessed Lord, so
as at meals to lean on his master's breast, while his brethren
were not thus highly favored, although perhaps equally be-
loved by the Lord; as we have some proof, for instance,
Christ's charge to Peter; and in othe»- places we are infor-
med that God is no respecter of persons; all are accepted of
him that love him and work righteousness, but they ihat hate
him shall be lightly esteemed, because they are on the side
of the enemy, on the side of the devil, and devils cannot love;
consequently they are diametrically opposed to this high and
holy attribute of the Deity, and at variance with his church
and people. In this awful state are all unregenerate persons,
and whatever their ideas of love and affection may be, they
are all a lie, and so it is with all hypocrites and deceivers, as
it is also written in this epistle, 2d chap. 4th verse : " He that
saith I know- him and keepeth not his commandments is a
liar and the truth is not in him," Be ye therefore admonish-
ed from the same source, chapter eleventh, 8th & 9th verses:
" Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righte-
ousness is righteous even as he is righteous. He that com-
milteth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever
IS born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth
in him, and he cannot sin, for he is born of God. In this the
children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil;
whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he
that loveth not his brother." From hence we may know by
examining ourselves whether we are born of and are in God

THE LOVE OF GOD. 71

and he in us: for this purpose also our blessed Saviour says,
** If ye love me keep my commaudineiit^."

This thing of professing love to God, so peculiar to this
generation, as it also was to the Pharisees in the time of our
blessed Saviour; but unbelief and haired tJ his son an I his
true followers, his annointed and peculiar people, \^ a total
contradiction and gross perversion of the truth; at variance
with and tramples under the holy designs of Jehovah to effect
the salvation of their souls, as they remain in their old state
of sin and iniquity; notwithstanding the accomplishment of
salvation on Mount Calvary, through the love and obedience
of his son, whose blood, 1 say, is trampled upon by them and
they crucify the son of God anew. " Saul! Saul 'I why per-
secutest thou me? I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." O
that they would but behold him whom they pierced and nailed
to the cross on Calvary, hear amid his dying groans the
prayers ascend that his murderers might be forgiven. O that
they would behold his bleeding hands and feet, his precious
blood trickling to the ground and cease trampling it under;
but use it through faith, for the purifying themselves withal,
for his blood cleanseth from all sins. O that they would re-
flect that it was not for any worldly consideration that men
could bestow upon him, for God ownetli the heavens and the
earth and the fulness thereof — nor for his own guilt that he
came to suffer upon earth, to die on the cross, to become a
propitiation for the sms of the world, "that God might be
Just and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus.'' O that
they w^ould but be constrained and persuaded to love him
who first loved us, and be conformed to the image of his son;
put on the new man of love, which after him is created in
righteousnes and J rue holiness, so that they might love him
who is worthy of the love of their hearts, minds, souls,
spirits and strength; a id be free from fear and the bondage
of the Wicked One, in which they have been kept all
their lives; for fear I ath torment, but perfect love casteth
out fear. " JLove not the world, neither the things that are m

72 THE LOVE OF GOD.

the world. If any man lovo the world, the love of the Fath-
er is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the
flesh, and the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of
the Father but is of the world. And the world passeib
away, and the lusts thereof, but he that doelh the will ol
God abideth forever.*" [St. John's 1st epistle, 2d chapter.}
if we have become perfectly loosened from the world and
these murdering things, and have a delight in God and his
words to do them, then the following portion of scripture
will apply to us and will be most sweet and precious to our
souls: ''He that hath my commandments and keepeth
them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me will be
loved of my Father, and 1 will love him, and we will come
onto him and make our abode with him."— Consequently
the next portion of our text : —

Qd. And I loili pray the Father and he shall give you an-
other comforter^ that he may abide mth you forever:
The time of our blessed Lord's sojourn upon earth was
hastening to a close; it was striding apacsto the period when
his sufferings should be brought to an end and he be taken
away from his dear disciples and followers, to a dearer father
in heaven — his bowels yearned in love and compassion for
them, while he prepared their hearts and souls to withstand-
and endure the great shock which would necessarily be given
to their faith, and to console them he tells them that he would
pray the Father to give them another comforter, and also
that it was expedient for them that he did go away; for if he
did not go away the comforter would not come unto them,
but if he depaiied he would send him unto them. He thus?-
as the great physician, administered sweet balm, precious
promises, to alleviate their sorrows and ccHisole their discon-
solate hearts; and well knowing the persecution which they
would meet with, he makes it known to them in language like
to the following, — The servant is not greater than his Lord;
if they have persecuted me they will persecute you; if they

THE LOVE OF GOD. 73

have kept my sayings they will keep yours also. These
words must have had the desired effect upon the hearts of
his disciples, that since he, their Lord and Master was per-
secuted and reviled, and bore it with patience, it became
them not to think too highly of themselves, to place them-
selves above their master, but to prepare their minds in hu-
mility to endure similar or even greater scoffs and persecu-
tions through love to him, and for his name's sake, and the
reward attending their obedience, to inherit the mansions
which he was going to prepare, eternal in the heavens.

The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, proceedeth
from the Father and the Son, moved on the face of the wa-
ters at the foundation of the earth, and was soon to descend
and move in the souls of the spiritual foundation of Christ's
church, to build it up to a higher state of perfection; to excite
the followers of Jesus to persevere in holiness, to perform
the duties of their high and holy calling, to adorn the doc-
trine of God their Saviour in all things; to enable them to
rejoice on their pilgrimage among a sinful and adulterous
generation, which were destitute of the love of God in their
hearts, and at enmity with his high and holy purpose of sa-
ving their souls through the atonement of Christ. The
spirit of God was therefore of all importance to his disciples,
to increase their hope and confidence, and confirm their faith
in their Divine Master, amid this gainsaying, crooked, and
perverse people, so that they might be as lights, shining and
reflecting the love and glory of the Sun of Righteousness out
of dark places, yea the dark places of the earth, where the
beast has his habitations and workings of abomination, to
deceive the souls of the unwary, of men, yea, ihe very elect
if possible; but God in his wisdom, has erected a standard
against the powers of darkness, in his Son, the King of
Saints, the conqueror of sin, death, hell and the devil; thro'
faith in him, through faith in Jesus, his saints shall overcome,
quench every fiery dart of their enemies, and come off in

74 THE LOVE OF GOD.

triumph and rejoicing: and this faith which removes moun-
tains and overcomes all opposition, is fanned into a flame by
the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, to the destruction of all the
works of Satan in the soul, and cause it to shine with increas-
ed luster and glory, to the honor of the King of Glory. —
VVe shall now consider the last part of our discourse : —
Even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive^ be-
cause it seeth him not, neither knoweth him, hut ye know
him, for he dwelleth with you and shall he in you.

The Holy Ghost is emphatically the spirit of truth, for
he Cometh from the God of truth, and his Son, who is the
Way, the Truth, and the Life, and applies and urges the
offers of salvation upon the soul, continues the work therein,
by aiding to combat the lying suggestions of Satan to nullify
his desception, by referring the soul to the ti uth of the scrip-
ture, to certain texts or portions suitable for the occasion
to bruise the serpent's head. That scripture which was also
indited by the Almighty through his instrumentality, dwelling
in his prophets, who spake as they were moved by him, and
whose words therefore always bore the impress of truth, and
have nearly all been fulfilled: for instance, the prophecies
concerning our blessed Saviour have been chiefly fulfilled,
that is those in the Old Testament in relation to him; and how
many thousands have been fulfilled and are daily before our
eyes, such as relate to sinners and their relationship to God,
and the judgments visited upon them. How remarkable was
his influence in the prophet Elijah and his successor iVJiciah
to detect the lying spirit in four hundred men who liad proph-
ecied lies unto Ahab, and how sudden and exact were his
words fulfilled upon the King. Abraham had much of this
blessed spirit lo confirm his faith and build him up in holiness,
and David the Psalmist possessed him in an eminent degree,
as his psalms abundantly testify; and Isaiah to be prompt
with King Hezekiah in his sickness, to acquaint him with
the will of the Lord concerning his health and prolongation

THE LOVE OF GOD. 75-

of life, and to waft on his holy pinions the sonl of the proph-
et to I he regions of glory, to acquaint him more fully of the
designs of God concerning his people Israel; and to present
the same to them in language the most beautiful and sublime.
His peculiar workings in Daniel, excite also our admiration.
The interpreting of dreams, which the contrary powers were
unable to do, and fortify him against the threats of the King;
to obey his God rather than man— and of peculiar dreams
which he dreamed, and visions which he beheld; the same
with Ezra, and many others that might be named, who
were all shining constellations in the spiritual hemisphere,
pervaded and illuminated by the light and presence of this
blessed spirit of Glory.

]n due time, after their master had left them, had been
exalted a Prince and a Saviour at the right hand of the ma-
jesty on high, the promised Comforter was sent down upon
his disciples, and sat upon them as cloven tongues of fire; and
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak
w^ith other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance, [read
Acts, 2d chapter.] which confounded the world, and induced
them to rail upon the Apostles, as it is written they could not
receive him, because they saw him not neither knew him;
they knew that he was far above the spirit they were in the
habit of seeing, and had familiarity with; therefore, they were
enraged, and because he was from above and of godly origin,
railed upon the disciples; some mocked, others accused them
of drunkenness; but by the boldness of Peter, by his fearless
language in accusing them of the murder of his Master,
whom they slew and hung on a tree, and that God had rais-
ed his Holy One that he should not see corruption, and seated
him at his own right hand eternal in the heavens— and that
through him was this shed abroad into their hearts and souls,
the effects they saw, bat could not comprehend, and no mar-
vel, since many were utter strangers to God, and ignorant
of the many means he makes use of to bruise Satan under
the feet of the Saints; many however, were pricked in their

76 THE LOVE OF GOD.

hearts and exclaimed, " What must we do to be saved." —
But ihe greater part coniinued in the slavery of the devil,
their father; working, and conjuring and whoring with his
filthy spirits, which they, knew and could see, being akin to
them; which has been one of the grossest prevailing sins of
almost every generation from the commencement of the
world; and of kindling the anger of God against them, and
destroying myriads of miserable wretches from the face of
the earth, as unworthy of the ground which bear them; to
wit : at the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah; for the same offence,
together with their filthy abominable lewdness, of working
one with another, men with men, that which is a shame
even to think of, and also using their women in the same
way, against nature, the most hellish and disgusting crime
for which people were ever punished; under the law of Mo-
ses such filthy creatures were to be stoned to death, immedi-
ately, under two witnesses. These bloody, stinking Sodom
ites wanted even to know in that way, in preference to holy
Lot's daughters, two Virgins — two of our, that is Christ's
saint's brethren— two holy angels, directly from the courts
of heaven, whom Almighty God sent to inquire particularly
into the case of these filthy creatures, whether the report of
their abominations was true, which had reached heaven —
they were thus set upon by these filthy revellers, and God to
cleanse his nostrils of these stinking beasts, sent fire and
brimstone from heaven in ihe morning and consumed them
with every thing belonging to them, from out of his sight,
from off the face of the earth, and cursed the ground, that no
one iihould walk over it and live forever. Since then one
of the tribes of Israel was destroyed, save a few hundred —
for a similar ciime, when a Levite, a sojourner with his con-
cubine, came into one of their towns to lodge, and was shel-
tered by an humble, but God-fearing man — similar filthy
devils in human shape, made an attack upon him at night,
and wanted, right or wrong, lost to all decency, shame and
fear of God this old Levite to know him, (as they termed

THE LOVE OF GOD. 77

it,) and could scarcely be put off by the offer of his wife or
concubine, or even the man's daughter, a virgin, where he
lodged; however, at last, when they found they could not
succeed on account of a higher power in opposition to their
puny carcasses and fihhy spirits of hell, they were contented
to take the concubine, and did take her and use her about
town ail night; in the morning she was dead, & that in a more
filthy and beastly way than dogs, puppies, or swine would
have intercourse with those of their own species; which were
never known to do against nature or be so dirty, although
their season is but once a year — at least i have never heard
or read of it; 1 beheve 1 may safely defy the leaders under
the devil, of this abomination, to sliow satisfactorily, that
swme or dogs, or any other of God's animals, or creeping
things on the face of the earth, are so infernal dirty, and
abominably fiUhy; they cannot do it, I defy them befoie God
and Christ, the judge before whom they luust appear shortly.
The light judgments which the Lord God sert upon the earth
from time to time, only excited the hatred and malice of men
and caused them, if possible, to be more dirty and abomina-
ble, more filthy in his nose, and caused the land to mourn on
account of their slink, their abusing each others bodies, —
he-dog with hedog. Undoubtedly they were, and still are,
those doing so, the very swine and dogs mentioned in our
Lord, the Judge's sermon on the Mount, because they tram-
ple his blood and the holy things under, and have the biasCs
mark upon their foreheads; and therefore, no wonder they
know not Christ nor his blessed spirit, dwelling in his saints,
of whom, thank God my Saviour, 1 am one; and should 1 be
the only one in this wicked nation, (as some of them at times
intimate) despised and persecuted — as also my master was,
by the powers of darkness and hell — for his righteousness
and holy name's sake, they may know, (if it affords them any
comfort,) that 1 shall remain firm and faithful to my Lord
and Master, and as heretofore, yea even to a greater degree,
rejoice m him, serve him in holiness and righteousness all my

78 THE LOVE OF GOD.

days here on earth, and then in heaven 1 will do it to still
greaier perfection forever and ever, where no devil and such
filthy creatures combined, can vex the saints of the Most
Hi^h by their cursed filthiness; and may this also confirm
my brethren, they that follow Christ in holiness, if there are
any surh, that when these rebellious creatures say unto them
"S-ek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards
that peep and that mutter." They may answer, *'should
not a people seek unto their God for the living to the dead."
[Isaiah, 8th chap. 1 9th verse.] They may also bring to their
minds the parts above and hundreds of others, of the des-
truction of such characters, if it will afford them any com-
fort, since they seem to thir.st after hell, to become as dung
upon the earth. This and every other nation, proud and up-
lift td as they are, shall be brought down to the ground— i^
they continue in abominable idolatry, sorcery, &c. — they
shall ail be brought even into hell, where there is wailing and
gnashing of teeih forever and ever; without any thing to eat
or drink, or cool the scorched blasphemous tongues of her
inmates, where there is no rest day nor night, no Sabbath to
pollute by their wickedness, but where the devil and all his
filthy legions have their polluted, bloody carcasses and souls
tormented with fire and briiTistone forever and ever; they will
there receive due reward for their stinking like dung in Christ's
and his saint's noses, and delighting in their filthiness. Be-
ware my brethren that ye partake not of their sins; let our
hands be clean, let their blood be upon their own heads that
we come not with them into that place of torment. We
know in whom we believe, and we know his spirit also which
keepeth our hearts in that peace which passeth all under,
standing, which the world cannot give nor take from us, and
which shall endure and increase in heaven forevermore. Be
not deceived by these lying and conjuring spirits of devils, of
which the earth is full; this Anti-Chnst,of the last days; this
universal wickedness as at the time of the destruction of the
ungodly by the flood, and Sodom and Gomorrah with fire

THE LOVE OF GOD. 79

and brimstone. Stand aloof, and cr}^ woe unto all that do
these things. "Wo unto the rebellious children, saith the
Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with*
a coveritig, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to
sin." [Isaiah, 30th chap. 10th ver. Wo!! Wo!!! Wo!!!!
to all that put the Lord God out of their hearts, and will
have none of his holiness, that will not flee from the wrath
to come, for the day of Jehovah is near at hand. He is
coming! He is coming to judge the earth; in righteousness he
will judge the world. Then shall he say unto his Saints
and Annointed enter into the joy of your Lord, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the commencement of the
world. A nd to them that never sought or cared to know him
or his spirit, that they might be saved — Depart from me ye
cursed into the fire and torments prepared for the devil and
his angels, from the foundation of the world. Amen.

DISCOURSE VII.

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS.

^5 it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:

There is none that under standeth, there is none that seeketh

after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become un-

profitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans, 3d chapter, lOth, Wth ^^ \'2th verses.

I have shown in former discourses the impossibility of
pleasing God without hoUness, for he expressly says, be ye
as 1 am, ''Holy;''' and as for any other righteousness than the
righteousness of Chript, it is all a fable; diametrically oppo-
sed to the tenor of Divine Revelation, as respects honor
and worship to God, hateful to him who is a pure and holy
Being, worthy of all adoration and praise, and cannot, there-
fore, be reverenced and worshipped contraiy to his known
will and express declaration, which is, through the righte-
ousness in Christ, " Even the righteousness of God, which is
by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that be-
lieve; for there is no difference; for all have sinned, and
come short of the Glory of God." God is no respecter of
persons, but every soul that sir.neth it shall die; but now
there is a remedy provided in the righteousness of Christ,
that every soul that sinneth may live, by timely repentance
unto God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. God has in-
cluded all under sin, in consequence of Adam's transgres-
sion— that the whole world might become guilty before
Him. Therefore, by self-righteousness and the deeds of the
law — no one even does'lhem — shall no flesh be justified
in his sight ; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. " But
now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. 81

being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Although
hundreds may think themselves good and moral men, be-
cause they attend to some outward things enjoined upon all
as (ar as may be in their power, such as to hear the word of
God on the Sabbaths, giving a trifle to the poor, and many
other minor things which they attend to even with strict-
ness ; but at the same time pass over the weightier matter
of their soul's justification before God, through the righteous-
ness which is in Christ ; because they commit no gross out-
ward sin, they are induced to rely on their own morality,
consisting in deeds of charity and formality in religion ; flat-
tering their souPs with the hope that they may even stand
before Christ in the judgment, contrary to the word of God,
"there is none righteous, no, not one."

In these dreadful times of degeneration, of mere formality
in the church, without the spirit and power of godliness, bat
amalgamation with the spirit of the infidelity of the world.
It may not be amiss to dwell on this fundamental doctrine,
'* the righteousness of Christ," which is so Ireely promised
to justify the truly repenting sinner before God; when he
loaihes himself, and abhors sin, and accounts himself un-
worthy with all his deeds and self-righteousness to appear
before so holy and pure a Being, in comparison of whom he
is as filthy as dung; when he thus knows himself to be vile
and undone, a child of hell, and under the wrath of the
Almighty, to be sent thither at his option or spared by his
mercy ; he casts himself, in humility, in the dust before his
Maker, and implores his divine clemency; confesses as just
mentioned, his sms, filthiness, and undone state, cries inces-
santly for mercy! mercy!! pardon! pardon!! and for forgive-
ness of sins for Jesus' sake; pleading his merit, and righte-
ousness, and the virtue of his precious blood, to be cleansed
from all sins and iniquity ; purified unto God one of his pe-
culiar people ; fully justified, and the righteousness of Christ
imputed unto him. Then he will find himself a new crea-
ture 5 one who has put off the old man and put on the new,

8

82 ON RIGGTEOUSNESS.

whicli after God, through Christ, is created in righteousness
and true holiness.

The sinner thus renovated, regenerated and justified be-
fore God, will find himself agreeably relieved from the
mountain load of iniquity and guilt which before pressed
his wretched soul and caused him to groan under it. He
moves, as it were, in a holier atmosphere, breathing a sweet-
er air — and as the sky-lark in the morning sun — breaks forth
in singing the high praises of God his Saviour, in the light
of the Sun of Righteousness shining in his heart and illumin-
ating his soul ; and through faith in the Son of God he beholds
the luster and glory of heaven, of the holy of holies, with all
his brethren, the sons of light surrounding the throne of Je-
hovah. Yes, verily, he can now claim kindred to the Holy
Angels and Saints on high; being born and adopted into the
household of God, a son and an heir of glory. His delight
is in the things pertaining to eternal life and profitable unto
godliness, and his conversation is in heaven, where also his
treasure is, an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that
never, never fades away.

Thus you see the unspeakable advantage the true chris-
tion has over the sinner and the infidel ; he is at once sure
of the "hfe that now is and of that which is to come ;" and
stands unmoved at the occurrences which make the unbe-
lievers tremble and quake by beholding : he knows that he
who has the destiny of the earth, world, of the universe,
at the wink of his eye, is his brother, is his Father, and
therelore, nothing can harm him. The untoward appearance
of every thing will be over-ruled by his Almighty friend to
work for him a '' far more exceednig and eternal weight of
glory, whilst he looks not at the things that are seen, but at
the things that are not seen ; for the things that are seen are
temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal."

As it is with one individual, so with a whole community,
and likewise so with a whole nation, who after having put
away the fear and reverence of God, disliking to keep him

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS S3

in remembrance until they become utterly estranged from
him, and confirmed in their unbelief and wickedness, God
sees proper to send judgments upon them to turn them from
the error of their ways; and if then they humble themselves
individually, as stated already, or collectively as a commu-
nity or nation, they may be blessed with the same pardon
and justification through our blessed Saviotir Jesus Christ,
and be re- instated to the favor and holy image of God, and
flourish in the light of his countenance, and walk with him
in righteousness and holiness, and have the same interest in
Him ; and therefore, as little to fear at the commotion of
other nations when the Lord sends war, pestilence and fam-
ine to shake terribly the earth, " because they have made the
Lord their refuge, and the most High their habitation."

The true christian can always triumph and rejoice on his
pilgrimage here below ; following in the foot steps of his
Divine Master: led on by the holy spirit of God, conquering
and to conquer He will now^ have |more fighting to do
than he ever had in his Me before — against his spiritual ene-
mies, however, which will be all arrayed against him; led on
by Satan, the Prince of hell and darkness, in whose train fol-
low all that are not born from above — a vast number in these
times ot infidelity and ungodliness of eighteen hundred and
thirty-nine, three hundred years after the reformation, when
bibles and testaments are so abundant, two or three to be
found in almost every family ; yet, where are the Saints?
where are the men after God's own heart? where are they
that delight in God and hate Satan, that are grieved at the
wickedness of the age, and walk with God in holiness, and
seek to do all for his glory, and to extend the Kedeemer's
church and kingdom over the whole earth ? There are
some surh, but the probability is the number is very small.
Has then the word of God lost its healing and saving effi-
cacy, and the costly, the holy blood of Jesus, its virtue, its
power to cleanse from all iniquity? Ah, no! It is yet as pow-
erful as at the very beginning when it was sounded forth,

^4 ON RrGHTEOTJSNESU

''LET THERE BE LIGHT! ' and there was LIGHTS
and since then unto the present time hundreds and thou-
sands, yea millions have been by it, applied by the holy
spirit, called out of the spiritual darkness into this marvel-
lous light, 'Uke light of the gospel ^''^ to know their sins for-
given through Jesus and his righteousness, and that he was
their Saviour, and beside him there is none other ; and they
eould exclaim, " My Lord and My Godl" And thanks be
to my blessed God and Saviour, so can some now, even
now; but as mentioned before, they are undoubtedly very
few. But why now so few? Because Satan always had some
champions in the field, and in these latter days they have
made dreadful work by sowing tares among the wheat, and
as the Lord gathered some of the slieaves of wheat into his
garner, but the tares remained — as there shall only be a final
separation on the last day— the general ingathering of the
Lord's own — and have multiplied awfully since, so that the
wheat is now scattered, and not so many in sheaves as there
have been at times ; but that which now remains, some how-
ever, is of the firmest quality, having been tried as by fire and
water, and it still endures, and what is more, it improves in
quality ; a sure proof that the word of the {food Lord is
as efficacious and powerful as ever. Now therefore, my
brethren, if there be any in Christ, be undismayed, be firm
and persevering in the hfe of Godliness, and the blessed
spirit will perfect you by sanctificalion and all the blessings
of the redemption of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
And if any shall or have just set out — have put their hands
to the plough, let them not look back that they be unworthy
of the Lord, but be your course onward under the banner
of Jesus, and in the strength of the Almighty, ye shall do
valiently» He it is that subdues our enemies, internal as
well as external ; by creating within us holy tempers from
time to time by his holy spirit, enabling us to progress con-
tinually in holiness, and to love him with a perfect heart
find bring every affection into the obedience of Christ, so

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. S$

msto be crucified with him unto the world, but aUve unto God.
And being thus estabhshed, strengthened and fortified by the
everlasting arms, we are secure as to the outward enemies,
whose threats fall harmless at our feet; and should they be
even permittei to persecute us wi!h vigor, with hellish ma-
lice full; even to the extent of depriving us of an earihly
existence " Fear not him that has power only to destroy
the body and can do no more; but continue to fear him
who, when he has destroyed, has power to cast into hell ;
yea, I say unto you, fear him." says our blessed Master, to
warn us not to faint by the way at such trifles. If our love
should become low, perfect love casts out all fear, persecu-
tion has a tendency to fan it into a flame to burn more fer-
vently, so that our hearts desire will rather be, to be absent
from the body, and to be present with the Lord ; who dwel-
ling in us, will enable us to exult and rejoice that we are
accounted worthy to suffer for his name's sake and to glorify
him; and we shall t'iumph even in death itself, and holy
Angels shall escort our redeemed souls into the regions of
light, life, and bliss, to live with our Holy Father in heaven
forevermore.

" There is none that under standeth^ there is none that seeketk
after God.'''' The all-wise, beneficent Creator and Ruler of
the universe, when he formed man of the dust of the earthy
he endowed him with faculties far above the most intelligent
of his earthly creatures, and after breathing into his nostrils
the breath of life, man became a living soul ; an immortal
spirit; an intelligent being to hold sweet converse with his
Maker, with his Father, which was a privdege the other
creatures were not blessed with, but were subordinate to
him, and he reigned over them as their Lord and Master,
and called them by name in his wisdom and understanding,
well pleasing to his Creator. He was holy and intelligent,
and flourished in the sun-shine and glory of his Almighty
Father ; and while he thus continued to exercise his supe-
rior intellect to the obedience of God, he remained in his

86 ON RIGHTEOUSNESS.

favor and was altogether holy and happy ; but as soon as he
failed in this his duty, he fell ; his understanding became
confused, and he becauje degraded below the perfect, holy
Iniage of God, whom to know, to love, and to obey with all
the heart, and to depart from all iniquity, is true wisdom
and understanding — ^which ho now found himself unable to
do, but prone to do evd, and that continually ; the conse-
quence of which was, his expulsion out of Paradise ; yes,
God drove him out of his presence, and entailed a curse
upon him to the latest posterity. In mercy, he however,
also ordained ways and means through which, by the exer-
cise of his understanding he might again return to God; be
re-instated to his favor and holy Image, and finally, be re-
ceived into a Paradise, even greater than the one he had
forfeited ; which privilege was also extended to his descend-
ants to the latest posterity.

As in Adam all die, so in Christ are all made alive. "F'of
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." Yea, Jesus has become the propitiation
that through faith in Him we may live in an eternal Para-
dise with Him, be even more blessed then Adam was ere
the fall, because we shall be in the immediate presence cf
our P'ather with the holy Angels, surrounding him in his
glory ; play on golden harps and lyres, and sing HosannasI
and Hallelujahs!! unto God and the Liamb forever and ever.

I have been reviewing the present state of mankind in
my former discourses, apj^lying some portions of scripture,
as my blessed Father aided me by his holy spirit, for their
instruction and benefit ; and may my labor noi be altogeth-
er in vain in the Lord to excite this people, this nation, to a
right course of action to save themselves singly and com-
bined from disgrace and ruin — not only temporal but eternal.
How is it that none understand, that none seek after God ?
Is it because understanding consists in love, fear, holiness
and obedience unto God? and ye are prone to evil and delight

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. 87

in inquity, and will not have him to reign over you because
your deeds are evil — ye love darkness rather than light, and
will not come to the light lest your deeds of darkness will
be reproved, made manifest, and ye might become convict-
ed of your abominable crimes ; made ashamed, yea, ye
might become converted, and Christ might heal you ; and if
so, would this be a great disparagement to your poor miser-
able souls, to be thus snatched as brands from everlasting
burnings ; "h'om hell, which hath enlarged herself, and opened
her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multi-
tude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend
into it." — Isaiah. Because the blessed God is all light, and
there is no darkness at all in him, ye must needs hate himi
persecute him in his followers ; and serve Satan with all
your might — who has been the cause of all the misery and
wretchedness the whole creation has been groaning under
ever since he succeeded m deceiving our first parents in
Paradise. Are ye therefore reasonable in doing so? Cer-
tainly not. Ye abuse the intellectual faculties inherent in
you, and awful will be your predicament when the Lord the
Judge, will summons you to give account for the talent he
had vested in you — he will be unable to invite you into the
joy of our Lord with those that improved their talent to his
glory ; but will be compelled to command that you be as
wicked and slothful servants, " cast into outer darkness,
where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

God is no respecter of persons ; the soul that sinneth it
shall die. But now there is a remedy through our blessed
Saviour Jesus Christ, which is on this wise — the soul that
believes it shall live ; that is not as devils believe, for it
makes them tremble — but a lively faith in him that he is the
only and the all-sufficient Saviour of mankind ; that his
blood cleanses from all sin ; a faith which works by love
and casts out all fear ; because through him is a deadness
to sin and perfect reconciliation with God, and they that

88 ON RIGHTEOUSNESS.

have him as their friend and Father, have not much to be
afraid of neither in time nor in eternity.

" Through w^isdom is a house builded ; and by under-
standing it is established; and by knowledge shall the
chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." —
(Prov., 24th chap., 3d & 4th verses.) Now this nation may
be likened unto a house, being divided into states, answer-
ing to the chambers thereof. Therefore, let every slate
learn its duty from these words of Solomon, and aid in'
building up this house, this nation, which is on the decline
and must be re-established, or it will totter until it finally
falls, and its destruction be complete. And now if any man
lacks wisdom, according to the Apostle, ''let him ask of
God, who gives liberally and upbraideth not." This, there-
fore, and understanding, are the two articles or qualities
absolutely necessary to save this house, this nation from
utter, trom eternal ruin. And as " the fear of the Lord is
wisdom, and to depart fiom iniquity is understanding"-^-
why not speedily attend to these things? Why not cease
trampling your own laws under foot? applied to every state
in the nation. But, awful 1 awful!! the laws of the Omnip-
otent, holy God, and the precious blood of Jesus — which was
shed for the remission of your sins — but which you thus
dispose of, and glory in your shame ; you may rest assured
the Almighty does not wink at your dreadful course of
wickedness — of having put him out of your remembrance
and bowing to strange gods, unto Baal. There is no other
alternative but for you to repent, and humble yourselves
under the mighty arm of God. Implore the clemency of the
King of Kings, that he may mercifully and graciously spare
you and teach you true wisdom, understanding and knowl-
edge, that ye may endure; be firmly established on the Rock
of Ages ; and that your chambers (sub-divided into every
heart of each state,) may be filled with the truly precious
and pleasant riches ; the knowledge of salvation in the re-
mission of your sins, through the riches of the redemption of

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. 89

our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the fruits thereof;
faith, love, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

^''They are all gone out of the way^ they are together become
unprofitable'^ there^s none that doeth good^ no, not one.'''' Jesus
Christ our blessed Saviour declares,"! am the Way, the
Truth, and the Life." Therefore, to love him, believe in him,
keep his words and commandments, is to walk in the \vB,y
to eternal life and felicity ; but to deny him, disregard his
words and commands and be ungrateful for the salvation
he accomplished on Mount Calvary ; live in a course of sin
and iniquity, is certainly a gross departure out of the true
way as laid down and pointed out in Holy Writ; which
is a way of holiness, and its paths are peace, and lead into
the Paradise of God, described in such glowing language,
the reality of the beauties of which enrapture us, but are far
above our comprehension, to conceive them with anything
like perfection; wherein also is the *' Holy of Holies," where
the Mystic Deity is enthroned in Gloiy, surrounded by the
sons of light, reflecting his transcendent lustre, and with
golden harps cause the etherial dome to resound with his
praise. Here in this hallowed and sanctified expanse is the
eternal home of all the redeempd of the Lord, the Saints of
God, which have come thither by the true way and entered
in at the straight gate, which is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ. To be contrary and deny him, as 1 slated before, is
to be far, far out of the way, and on the broad road leading
into the dark and horrible gulph of despair, where Sataa
the infernal demon, has his abode, surrounded by his legions
of dark spirits, and all that wander on this dangerous way,
until ushered over the verge of time, and plunged inio this
pit of fire and brimstone, this home of devils where there is
no rest day nor night, forever and ever.

They are altogether become unprofitable; Even the most
holy, zealous, and faithful christians, by walking with God
unblameably, do nothing more than that which is enjoined
upon them and their duty, and are but little more than un-

90 ON RIGHTEOUSNESS.

profitable servants; they are however welcomed into the joy
of our Lord, not because of their works, but through faith
in Jesus, who is the true and only way to glory, and if they
who have his righteousness imputed unto them are scarcely
saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinners appear? who
abuse the talents he committed unto them; they not only sup-
press them or cause them to lay obscure; without doing good
to the Lord for the extension of his kingdom throughout the
earth, but they employ them in the cause of his adversary,
and their own decided, bitter, and cruel enemy, the murder-
er of their souls; they serve him day and night with all their
might; and this is so general throughout the land, that the
words are very appropriate, "they are together become un-
profitable, there is none that doeth good, no, not one." And
therefore I do not marvel at the slight judgments of famine*
or at least half-crops for the last five or six years; so that year
before last hundreds and tliousands were fed by the Almigh-
ty with the production of other countries; which in itself
ought to humble the pride of this nation and every one be-
longing to it. What the merciful Lord (his mercy spared
you thus) will farther do, a few years will reveal; certain it
is that he is not yet satisfied w ith you, and never can be un-
til you repent.

Let me, who wishes you well, for your soul's sake, unde-
ceive you by informing you of these things, and that you
cannot deceive Him who, although invisible, is present
everywhere, and knows all things in heaven and on earth,
even "your heat ts afar off;" and that tiie thoughts of them
are evil and that continually, and that there is no good in
you. Therefore your cold, formal worship, and cry of re-
vival here and revival there, will avail you nothing, but
increase your damnation which slumbers not; for if ye have
made the trees ^ood how comes it that they bear evil and
pernicious fruit? Be not deceived, God is not mocked; these
things may do to deceive at a distance, and serve the devil a
good turn, which may be your object, but you will not quite

ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. 91

deceive the "very elect," much less their Father, to whose
further mercj 1 must now again commend you, and pray
that through the merit which is in and througli Jesus Christ
our Lord, as Saviour and Mediator, ye may j^et be spared —
awhile at least — and if not all, hundreds and thousands, yea
millions may find through Him, salvation and joy, and peace,
and a final rest for their souls in the Paradise ol God. —
To whom be the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen, Amen.

DISCOURSE VIII.

ON REPENTANCE.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptised
of him^ O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to
fee from the wrath to come ?

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin
not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our
Father', for I say untoyou^ That God is able of these stones
to raise up children unto Abraham,

And now also the axe is laid at the root of the trees, every tree
therefore, that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down
and cast into the f re. [Luke, 3d Chapter,

John, the forerunner of our blessed Lord, by the providence
of God, was born some months prior to the Prince of life,
and hke him, his parents had to leave Judea to save his life
in consequence of the decree of King Herod, for the des-
truction of all the male population of two years an 1 under.
After his parent's death he continued his sojourn in the des-
ert, subsisting upon locusts and wild honey, his raiment being
of camel's hair with a leathern girdle about his loins accord-
ing to custom — some writers, however, affirm that he was
miraculously fed and clothed by the angels ol the Lord, that
they were his companions and administered unto him. Be
that as it may, the blessed God supported and matured him,
by his divine providence, for a great v*^ork and to suffer in
his cause; and we also know, because the word of the God
of truth informs us — " That the Holy Angels are minister-
ing spirits sent forth to minister unto them that shall be heirs
of salvation:" and that they personally, visibly and vision-
arily appeared to some of the patriarchs, prophets and apos-
tles, and many holy men of the true church of Christ, and

ON REPENTANCE. 9$

those that were earnestly and faithfully seeking to become
such; and we know that they befriend in errands of mercy,
if not visibly, invisibly, those who truly seek conversion, and
every one walking already in the path of holiness.

God in due time sent this burning and shining light to
preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,
and to inform the people that the kingdom of heaven was at
hand. He came forth as one fully vested with power and
authority from the Majesty on High, but in humilit3% and as
a light shining in darkness, and as Isaiah saitb, " The voice
of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the
crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places shall be
made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

The Baptist, although a pilgrim and instructed in the wil-
derness, was well aware of the utter neglect and abuse of
vital Christianity among his countrymen, and particularly
among certain sects that pervaded the land, which were in-
flated with pride, and self-conceit of their superior holiness,
when at the same time they were destitute of the saving
grace and influences of the Holy Spirit, alienated from, and
without a knowledge of God in their hearts. Multitudes
from Jerusalem, Judea and the surrounding country, went
to the preaching of John and to be baptised of him, and he
exhorted the people to righteousness, mercy, and judgment;
to be good citizens, contented in their seveial callings, and to
contribute to the poor according to their respective abilities;
and many were also baptised by him. But when many of
the Pharisees and Sadducees came to his baptism -^as St.
Luke relates it— he said " O generation of vipers, who
hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" It ap-
pears, therefore, that he applied our text more particularly
to these self-righteous and austere combinations, who knew
not God, but were full of mischief and subtlety, given to
adultery and their slavish passions; in fact the devil was their

94 ON EEPENTANCE.

father, and they were his children, their hearts were therefore
full of filthy qualities of the old serpent, which was a deceiv-
er, liar, and murderer from the beginning. Such being their
disposition they went in and out in their own righteousness,
and would have the world believe they were the '''■peciiliar
;fewf^ they seated themselves into Moses' seat, and there-
fore presumptiously laid heavy burdens — too heavy to bear —
upon men's shoulders, when they themselves would not touch
them with one of their fingers. Thus they pretended to lead
the blind while they themselves were far Jrom the true way,
bewildered in darkness, and therefore justly called "bhnd
leaders of the blind."

John, through the infallible spirit of God, could see into
their hearts, and from their high pretensions to holiness and
teachers in Israel knew them to be hypocrites, which indu-
ced him to exclaim, " O generation of vipers, who hath
warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" He well
knew that our blessed Lord had not yet entered upon his
ministry, and that no prophet of the Lord had preached un-
to them, he therefore asked them "who had warned them;"
because they came not to him v^^ith the necessary prepera-
tion for baptism, a broken heart and contrite spirit; sorrow
on account of their sins, a loathing of themselves and a de-
sire after the righteousness which is from above, and to be
"washed and made clenn," and freed from an evil heart of
unbelief, and be inured in the paths of holiness and godli-
ness— but they came just as they were, in their self-iighte-
ous state; with all the pollution and leprosy of sin upon them^
delighting in iniquity, and as swine to wallow in the mire,
and about as fit to be baptised; therefore the Baptist, instead
of washing them, commanded them to bring forth fruits
worthy of repentance, such we presume as we have stated
they were destitute of when they presented themselves; an
upbraiding of heart with "unclean, unclean," an utter ab-
horrence of their former course of iniquity, a knowledge of

ON REPENTANCE. 96

being altogether polluted and sick and in want of a physi-
cian. Had they come thus prepared to receive the blessing
of salvation, the balm might have been applied by the agent
of the great physician of souls and bodies, and they might
have been cleansed, as Naaman the Syrian, from their sin
and unrighteousness.

Their glorying in Abraham and thinking within them-
selves "We have Abraham for our Father," was to be an
antidote to the words of John, and a balm to heal their
wounded pride and self-conceit, but he soon stript them of
this resource and exposed them in their filthiness and of their
unfitness of the privilege which they claimed, and to shelter
under his wing, by saying, " God is able of these stones to
raise up children unto Abraham." Their claim of being
kindred to Abraham was fallaceous and of no avail to their
proud hearts, for they knew him not, were entirely destitute
of the living faith, the faith working by love, which Abra-
ham so eminently possessed, and also of his long suffering,
humility, and heavenly-mindedness; consequently they could
not be his children; none can claim kindred to Abraham
or any other member of Christ's church, without being in
the same faith and holiness, and through the spirit of Christ
in him, in one allied. They were therefore as far from being
the children of faithful Abraham, as heaven is from hell,
because through Christ was his life hid in God; he dwelled
in God and God in him; and the}'^ were vipers, and the devil
was their father.

Dreadfully hardened and corrupt were the hearts of the
Pharise 's; full of hypocrisy and deception, making broad
their phylacteries and long prayers at the corners of the
streets and in the markets, to be seen and heard of men, as
our blt'ssed Saviour assures them — whose coming, John, in
the spirit of Elijah was sent to announce to them. As it is
written in the prophets, " Behold 1 send my messenger be-
fore thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee; he
shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the

m ON REPENTANCE.

disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a peo-
ple prepared for the Lord. " But notwithstanding this proph-
ecy, and the preaching of John the Baptist, they remained
in their old state of unbehef and self-righteousness, yea if
anything they grew worse and became more hardened, and
began with more zeal to persecute the holy messengers of
the Lord; particularly the Messiah, who soon after entered
on his ministry. They would not recognize him asthean-
nointed of the Lord, sent to deliver them that sat in darkness
and in the shadow of death; to set the captives free, and
preach the acceptable year of the Lord; to accomplish sal-
vation, to become the Saviour of the world; him they follow-
ed from place to place, not indeed to become convinced of
the error of their ways and converted through faith in him,
as the Messiah, unto God, but with all hatred, malice, and
revenge; full of subtlety to ensnare him in his preaching and
conversation, to have wherewith to accuse him before the
civil tribunal.

While the blessed Jesus endeavored to liberate them from
the bondage of sin and death, they trampled all his holy
efforts under their feet and boasted in having Abraham for
their father, and of never having been in bondage to any
man; and yet he said "ye shall be made free." Jesus replied
"verily, verily I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is
the servant of sin," and that the servant could not abide in
the house forever, but that the Son abideth forever. He ad-
mitted that they were the seed of Abraham, but that they
sought to kill him because his words had no place in them.
What he meant by saying they were the seed of Abraham
must be considered in a natural way; they were his children
by nature; as God had told Abraham "from thy loins shall
come forth a people, in multitude as sand on the sea-shore,
innumerable." They thus had a claim to Abraham as their
father, but in the spiritual way they were of the bond-wo-
man; were altogether estranged from him, they knew him
not as a spiritual father, as all the faithful do who are set at

ON REPENTANCE, 97

liberty through Christ, who also told them if they were
children of Abraham they would do his works; but because
they were not of Abraham, but of the devil they sought to
kill him; which they soon after effected by nailing him to the
cross and thus confirmed the words of John, and proved
themselves a generation of vipers.

Let us consider the part we have gone through before we
proceed to the last portion of the text. All infidels and un-
believers; all that delight themselves m the lusts of the flesh,
the pride of life, and wordly ambition, the wisdom which is
not from above, but which is of the serpent; all hypocrites,
and hoards of modern pharisees, and self-righteous dema-
gogues, and abusers of themselves with mankind, which a
person might think was not applicable to any in these times
of Bible, Tract, and Missionary Societies, and when Bibles
and Testaments are so plenty, found in every house, and
when churches are so numerous and almost daily building
throughout the country; m this age of preteipsions to such a
high state of civilization and refinement. I say a person
would scarcely think that it could be possible, when it really
is one of the prevailing sins of the land and causes it to groan
and mourn under it. Where have we got to? the lowest
depth of degradation and heathenism, or the middle ages of
darkness, infidelity and corruption? yea even to a worse
case in relation to God for his great mercies and blessings
abused. O earth! earth!! earth!!! mourn and be astonished
at the shamelessness and degeneratedness of thy children. —
O ye generation of vipers, how long do you think God will
bear with you? Be warned, be warned speedily to flee from
the wrath to come; see ye not the awful judgments which the
Almighty is bringing upon you for your filthy abominations;
will ye remain blind to them until ye are crushed into hell.
O that ye were wise, that ye saw the judgments of our
Father ushering so many of your fellows into eternity, to their
own home, that you understood this, that ye would consider
your latter end.

9

98 ON REPENTANCE.

And say not within your hearts that ye have Abrahim for
your father, "for God is able of these stones to rais-* up
better children unto Abraham;" neither say ye are of Pnul
or of Appollos, or of Luther, or of Calvin, or of Wesley;
the usefulness and piety, the holiness and devotedness to
God, of these men can avad you nothing, if ye remain yet
in your sins and abominations. If ye value your souls, bring
forth therefore fruits meet for repentance, and through Christ
who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, be ye converted
unto God. Christ is the foundation and way of salvation —
and there is no other name given whereby ye can be saved,
and escape the wrath to come, which has even already com-
menced. Remember the flood upon the uiigodly, remember
Sodom and Gomorrah, and remember other nations uhich
had not the fear of God before then' eyes; they were c;ist as
dung upon the earth, removed out of the sight and nostrils
of Jehovah, and where do you think they are in eternity? ah
that you knew; that you would believe when you are infor-
med by Him who is enthroned in the Holy Place, when he
swears in his wrath that all that do these things, shall not
enter into his rest, and that all the wicked and the nauons
that forget him shall be turned into hell. And therefore the
conclusion of our text ;-—

Amd now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees,
every tree therefore which hringeth not forth good fruity is
heion down and cast into the fire. Johns*' exposing their
wickedness, and preaching the baptism of repentance ior the
remission of sins; offering the terms of life and laying the
articles of death before them; thus was the axe laid unto
the root of the trees, they were thefefore to choose whether
they would serve God or mammon, and bring forth fruits ac-
cordingly, so as to be known by their fruits, and if they bore
evil fruit they were to be cut down and cast into the fire, as
they no doubt were all that died or were cut down in their
sins, for to heaven they could not psssibly come without
holiness, without having beea trees of righteousness, the
planting of the Lord that he might be glorified.

ON REPENTANCE. 99

Soon after this preaching and warning of John, they
exhibited by their fruits what sort of trees they were, by
crucifying the Lord of Life and Glory, and further, by con-
tinuing in their national unbelief despising all the promises,
and disregarding all the threats of the Almighty, and perse-
cuting the messengers of the Most High ; their works were
only evil continually, and an abomination in the sight of
God; he therefore, visited them with awful judgments; cut
them down as cumberers of the ground ; destroyed them as
a nation, and scattered them abroad upon the face of the
earth.

I would now also apply it to this nation which indulges
so grossly in this pollution, this filthy abomination in the
sight of the Omnipotent, Holy God, for which the land has
been mourning and groaning for some years, on account of
his displeasure, and the judgments which he sent upon it to
teach you wisdom and cause you to follow the example of
Ninevah, to repent and do away the evil from before his eyes.
And have you so repented and amended your ways as to
walk more humbly and upright with God? alas, no! if any-
thing ye are plunged deeper into the mire, and continue a
hardened, at)ominable and stiff-necked people, from whom
the wrath of an angry God will not be averted until ye re-
pent and do away the evil, or until he chastise you to the
uttermost, even to the destroying you as a nation from the
face of the earth; and at this I am greatly astonished, that it
has not been done already; but then when I remember how
merciful Jesus the Saviour and Intercessor is, who probably
interceded that the barren tree inighi be spared yet a little
while. Ye are not only a barren tree as respects the fruit ye
should bear so as to glorify God, and be his delight; but ye
are a polluted tree, your fruit is abominable, and ye are a
dishonor to God, and he abhors you, and must of necessity
for he is holy and cannot possibly delight in such as ye are,
for ye are filthy; and therefore 1 forewarn you to flee from the
wrath to come.

100 ON REPENTANCE.

A word to the wise, if there be any such, that are heartily
tired and loath this beast of abominations, and wish to come
out from amongst them, do so with all possible speed that ye
partake not of their sins. Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose
blood cleanseth from all sins, stands ready to receive yoUc
" Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and
1 will give you rest: take my yoke upon you and learn of me,
for I am meek and lowly, and ye shall have rest unto your
souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." O what
precious words are these of our blessed Saviour, to miserable
sinners, that have even fought against him, lived in gross
sins and persecuted Christ in his people; but have seen their
folly and madness in time, and are sensible of the awful
state they are in, the wretchedness and misery of a life of
sin and debauchery, and abhor themselves on account of
their iniquity, and long after peace and rest for their souls. —
Jesus yet mercifully invites all such in those gracious w®rds
of love and many others. *' Knock and it shall be opened,
seek and ye shall find;" ''believe and ye shall be saved," as
the apostle also saith, "with the heart men believe unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation; therefore repent ye and believe the gospel; believe
in Jesus the author and finisher of faith and salvation, that
ye may be hid under his Almighty wings when the general
destruction takes place, and finally live with him forever in
heaven, in glory.

To my brethren, the faithful, the holy, who are truly the
children of faithful Abraham, because we do his works and
delight therein, therefore are we his spiritual children, and
we know God through the same faith that he also knew him
and walked with him, through Jesus Christ our Lord. I
would say to them, my brethren, be not weary in well-doing,
be faithful to the end, watch, fast and pray without ceasing,
that ye may abound in grace, in love, peace and joy in the
Holy Ghost; and that ye be not enticed to do evil, but be
enabled to disregard the smiles and frowns of the world, its

ON REPENTANCE. 101

promises and threats, malice, hatred, and revenge; for ye are
a peculiar people, the chosen of the Lord, a holy nation
within many nations, a royal priesthood; great is our high and
holy privilege, let us not abuse it, but keep the devil the old
beast with all his filthiness under our feet, and should he
rage with ten thousand times more fury in the air, and in
his filthy children, my beloved be nothing dismayed, which
is to them a sure sign of destruction, but to us of salvation
and that of God. For to us is given not only to believe in
Christ, but also to suffer for his name's sake; rejoice therefore
and be exceeding glad, we shall also reign with Christ when
he in his glory is revealed from above, and have an entrance
administered unto us abundantly into his everlasting king-
dom of glory, to reign with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and
all the Holy Angels, with our blessed Father in the New
Jerusalem, in Paradise, and finally in the New Heavens and
New Earth, in all joy, glory, felicity, happiness and bliss,
forever and ever. Amen.

DISCOCR^E IX.

THE MERIT OF CHRIST.

Jesus Christ has become to us Wisdom^ Righteousness^
Sanctijication^ and Redemption,

[\st Corinthians^ ]st chap., 30th ver»

Christ our Wisdom.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God; and the same was in the be-
ginning with God. Ail things were made by him, and with-
out him was not any thing made that was made." [St. John,
1st, Chap.] Jesus was therefore mysteriously and incompre-
hensibly, One with the Father from all eternity. By him
w^ere the heavens ordained and the foundations of the earth
kid, and the light spoke into being; the waters divided and
the dry land made to appear; clothed with verdure, the herb
yielding seed, and the tree yielding fruit after his kind; the
Sun, Moon and Stars placed in the fiman<^ni; the Sun to
rule the day, and the iVloon and Stars to give light by night;
the seas he filled with fish, and created birds to fly in the air
in the midst of heaven, and also the beast after his kind, and
the cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth up-
on the earth, afier his kind; beholding these things God in his
w^isdom, pronounced them all good Then God said, "Let
us make man in our own image," in His image therefore,
created he him, and gave him dominion over all the fishes of
the sea, fowls of the air, and beasts of the field, and every
living thing that creepeth upon the earth. God formed a
help-meet to the man whom he had formed from the dust of
the earth, and into whom he breathed the breath of life, so
that he became a living soul, and he brought every living
thmg on the face of the earth to be named by him, and Adam

THE MERIT OF CHRIST. 103

distinguished them by diflerent appellations to the entire ap-
probation of his Father, who deemed it rij^ht that their names
shculd j-o »emain. In whose wisdom did Adam thus perfect-
ly name the living creation? Certainly in the wisdow of
Chii^t. For being the first and only human being upon the
face of the whole earth he could have had no visible instruc-
tor, and to have been prompted by an apostate spirit he would
have faltered in his stupendous task, and could not possibly
havr pleased God. It is iherefore self-evident that the Holy
Ghost was his instructor, proceeding from the Father and
the Snn, through the Mystic Trinity. In Christ's wisdom
then (hd he act,

Afier this God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam,
and while he slept, he opened his side and took therefrom a
rib and formed it into a partner for the man, and brought her
to him, whom Adam, in the aforesaid wisdom, called Wo-
man, being bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, being
taken out of man; and God placed them both mto the garden
of Eden and gave them pern)ission to eat of every tree there-
in, save the one in the midst of the garden, of the knowledge
of ^ood and evi) — now they were perfect, innocent, and
holy, and walked with God in wisdom and through their
obedi«M)ce every thing went on well, until the devil, that
arch apostate, who had previously fallen from an Ai'gel's
exalted state in heaven, and consequently brought upon liim-
self the wrath of God, and he together with all the rebel-
lious spirits under him, were cast out from the presence of
the blessed and Holy God, into the earth, where they are
held in chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great
day, when the wrath of Almighty Gud shall be more fully
revealed against him, with all his ungodly followers and after
havnig been judged by Saints and Angels, and heard their
sentence pronounced by Jesus Christ, the Judge, will be all
immediately cast into hell, to be tormented with fire and
brimstone forever and ever.

This foul spirit being exasperated at his expulsion from

104 THE MERIT OF CHRIST.

heaven, and an impossibility of returning thither, set to work
to destroy the innocence, peace and happiness of this holy
pair, and through his subtlety, entered the serpent — which
was more cunning than any other of the creatures which
God created on all the earth, and by a tact of lying — of
which he is the Father, and wisdom of deception, he indu-
ced them to take and persuaded them to eat of the forbidden
fruit, the consequence was their immediate fall from the ho-
liness of God and his wisdom, into ignorance and corruption
of soul and body. The anger of God was kindled against
them and they were driven out of Paradise, to obtain a liv-
ing by their ow^n hands, and to eat their bread by the sweat
of their brow. But God, who is love, had pity and compas-
sion upon them, and provided a remedy, thai through Christ
they and their seed might again return to him, be restored to
his holy image, and walk with him in wisdom and holiness.

They now knew good from evil — that there was a wisdom
that is from God, and one so called, that is from the devil ;
and their hearts were hardened. God saw that iniquity grew
upon them, and he therefore framed and gave laws to them,
that were " holy, just and good," and commandments that
were also good ; that by the observing of these, they might
live together in peace, and end their course with joy, and re-
turn to his, our Father's home and rest.

But, O! bow recklessly and depraved have men lived since
then, in all ages of the world. In putting aside the wisdom
of God ; they have hewn out cisterns ; broken cisterns that
can hold no water; their foolish hearts were darkened, and
their delight was in the inventions of Satan, which all lead
to destruction and death, and the endless torments of hell ;
and how applicable is this to the present generation! God
at first created man upright, but they have sought out many
inventions; but in the face of this from the godly wise-men, to
justify themselves, and quiet their consciences, many of the
fools say in their hearts " there is no God ;" can it be possible
that ihey are so hardened and blinded by ignorance and Sa-
tan, that they cannot see the finger of God in every thing

THE MERIT OB^ CHRIST. 105

teeming with life around them ; their own bodies, bones and
muscles; fibres, tendons and nerves, &c.; the curiously
wrought ear and eye ; the blood circulating through the sys-
tem to sustain the whole ; and by beholding over their heads
the stupendous expanse of glittering luminaries ; the won-
derful and sublime arch of suns, moons, and blazing stars,
circumvolving in their course with such beautiful harmony
and nice exactness — can they really not behold in all these
things, superior wisdom to their own ; stand astonishec), and
exclaim with the child that was shut up in a dark dungeon
until manhood, "who has placed those things there ?".and
be informed through the inspired page, and instructed by
those who are in the wisdom of Christ, of the true source
from whence every blessing emanates, aad be convinced of
the fallaciousness of their reasoning, and utter groundlessness
of their wisdom — for this wisdom is not of God, but is earth-
ly, sensual and devilish, and the wretched and unchangeable
state their infidelity will finally bring them to, if they are not
arrested in their madness, and persuaded from their delusion,
and converted unto God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. " But the bible and our preaching is to them that
perish foolishnes; to us that are saved, the power of God
and the wisdom of God.'* " For it is written, I will destroy
the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the under-
standing of the prudent." " Where is the wise? where is the
scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? has not God
made foolishness the wisdom of this world ?" " For after
that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not
God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save
them that believe." [1st Cor. 1st Chap, verses 19, 20, and
21.] Be ye therefore constrained by one who loves your souls
no longer to live in darkness, vanity, and the foolishness of
this world; but be as honest to yourselves, as the Corint lians
to whom St. Paul preached; Many also of them which used
curious arts brought their books together, and burned them
before all men.''' [Acts, 19c. 19v.] Thus they showed to the

106 THE MERIT OF CHRIST.

world that theirviews w^re changed and thoy dreaded the aw-
ful consequences of a life spent in vice and iniquity, and hence-
forth they would walk in the righteousness and wisdom of
God. (/! that every sinner would go and do likewise. "For
the fear of the Lord that is wisdom ; and to depart from ini-
quity that is understanding."
Chiist our Bighteo?/sness.

It is very deplorable to know that thousands, yea millions
of those that have the name of being christians, and that
belong to some visible church on earth, among whom are
many ministers, are utterly at variance with this grt^at grace
and blessing, and are going about to establish in the face of
it, their own righteousness; every one in his respective calling;
preaching, going to church, alms deeds, and in many differ-
ent v\ ays; they arrogate to themselves praise far above that
which is due to unregenerate persons, because they do thes3
things with eye service and not to the glory of God, and then
assume much comfort and ease, and on the strength of these
things thirik themselves at liberty to indulge even in gross
sins — building on a slippery foundation, while fiery billows
roll beneath; erect a fabric that may be blown away almost
by a breath. V\ hat need of a Saviour if men can save
their own souls in their respective ways? — the impossibility
of which will however appear to every candid, reflecting mind
as God is the source of every good and perfect gift, by con-
sequence Salvation, that great blessing is from him, and Christ
through liis obedience, merit and righteousness has become
the Saviour, and wliere his righteousness is not imputed,
there is no salvation and men remain still in their sins.

" The Lord our righteousnesss," from Jeremiah, 23d ch.
6th ver., comports with this part of our subject; the inspired
writer while predicting the coming of our blessed Saviour,
honors him with the preceeding title, and instructs his hear-
ers and the world in the way of Salvation; all the redeemed
from all nations, through all ages are saved through the mer-
it of his blood, through his righteousness; all other righteous-
ness is but as filthy rags, but where that of Christ is imputed

THE MERIT OF CHRIST. 107

every good fruit is apparent, such as have been mentioned
already, done in a different temper than when the person
was in a natural state, and calculated the bearing of these
things according to his ambitioii in regard to his siiualion
in this life, and the influence they might exercise upon the
views of the world, to his own aggrandisement. The natu-
ral state is not congenial to the holy attributes of God, which
require truth in the innermost parts; and a holy purpose that
whatever we do may redound to his glory, and heighten the
joy of the Ang(^ls in heaven, who know our trials here be-
low, and are either sorrowful or abound in joy according to
our triumph over the old Adam, and progress in the new;
repentance, therefore is the first meritorions act, and the first
step towards a sinner's conversion, lo break up the fallow
ground; then comes the miry clay, the broken heart, the
wounded spirit, the deep anguish and agony of a distressed
soul; the cries for mercy, mercy, pleading with God for
forgiveness of sins for Jesus' sake, for what he had done and
suffered, through his most precious blood, through his death,
resurrection and ascension, and through his mediatorial pow
er at the right hand of the Father.

This weight of anguish and sorrow of soul, this travail
and agonizing to be delivered from the load of sin and cor-
ruption which so severely presses the soul, and causes the
body to sink under it; yea it even causes in some the very
bones to partake of the general prostration, and to ache as
though they had been bruised by some natural pressure; as
also David, the King, complained when in affliction, saying,
"my bones cleave to my skin," and that his soul loathed to
eat bread; here is proof from scripture authority, and many
since were abie to testify that the whole man must become
sick and in want of a physician; then, and not till then will
he inquire, ''is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician
there?" And having become acquainted with his wants, and
having made application to the Great Physician of Souls,
to Jesus — who came not to call the righteous but sinners to

108 THE MERIT OF CHRIST.

repentance — in the foregoing language of humility and sin-
cerity, and if the night of doubt and darkness continues long;
if ye cannot immediately behold him when ye wish, be ye
not therefore tempted to give over the struggle, for Satan
will persuade you to it if possible; listen not to his lies — but
contmue your importunate prayers and supplications for sal-
vation, so as not to let the blessed God go until he blesses
you, and you may rest assured that sooner or later he will
pay attention to your unuttered groans and louder cries. —
Head the following texts for your comfort, "He that plant-
ed the ear shall he not hear? he that formed the eye shall he
not see?" A bruised reed will he not break? smoking flax
will he not quench, until he send forth judgment unto victo-
ry?" " Knock and it shall be opened, seek and ye shall find."
These are all precious and refreshing promises to every re-
penting soul after a night of trouble, the day-spring appears
and the Sun of Righteousness arises in your hearts and souls;
then ye have fought and attained the victory in the first battle
of the good fight — now the mist and darkness has disappear-
ed, your blindness has been taken away, and your sins par-
doned; your names recorded in the Lamb's book of life; now
also you have received this blessing of our Lord. " I am
come to give to them that mourn in Zion; to give them beau-
ty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be
glorified." Your souls therefore now rejoice in the righteous-
ness of your God and Saviour, your hearts leap for joy, and
are full of thanks and praise to him who has done this thing
for you, and ready to shout with Isaiah — ''Sing O ye heavens
for the Lord has done it; shout ye lower parts of the earth;
break forth into singing ye mountains, O forests and every
tree therein, for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified
himself in Israel."

Christ has become the end of the law, for righteousness
unto you, because of your living faith, and you are now un-
der the covenant of his grace. Manifest therefore, by holy

THE MERIT OF CHRIST. 109

tempers and Godliness, that ye are passed from death unto
life, have put off the old man, and have put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holi-
ness; that the world may take knowledge that ye have been
with Jesus, and have his righteousness imputed to you; by
your hatred of Satan and all his unrighteous inventions and
deeds, and by your love to God and every thing heavenly and
that may contribute to his glory, by your delight in whatso-
ever things are true, whatsot^ver things are honest, whatso-
ever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; and
by your delight to serve and honor our blessed Father, and
keep yourselves pure and unspotted from the world, and at
all times being holy and acceptable sacrifices unto God,
which is your most reasonable service; thus your confidence
will increase, your faith be confirmed, and you will grow in
the knowledge of God, in his righteousness, p^ace and joy
in the Holy Ghost, to the fulness of the stature of Christ.
Christ our Sanctification and Redemption:
In the righteousness of Christ you will, by remaining faith-
ful, and persevering, grow in the knowledge of God, even to
the fullness of the stature of Christ, and as justification, or
his wisdom and imputed righteousness goes before sanctifi-
cation, you may have forgiveness of sin, and peace with God,
yet this latter blessing may be withheld for a time, in the
wisdom best known to hinxself; but as even this is to work
together for good to them that love and fear God, the young
christian has nothing to cause him to dispair, but to strive
in his duty for this blessing also, and no doubt it will be
granted; in due time, the operations of the Holy Spiiit will
be more clear and sensible to your undei standings and souls,
and ye will freely cry Abba, Abba, Father, and have a near-
er intercourse with God, and your joy will more and more
abound; your souls will be as watered gardens, by the re-
freshings from the presence of the Lord, the great Fountain

no THE MERIT OF CHRIST.

of love and goodness, and they will be as rivers meandering
and shining in the oc< an of his love, »eflectiug the beams of
the glorious Sun of Righteousness. All now is peace, love
and gladness within your heaits, and your spirits are hfted
up and your souls sing for joy. And well may ye rejoice,
seated in high and heavenly places — the abode of Holy An-
gels—ihough Christ Jesus, the author, finisher, sanctifier and
rewarder of our faith, whose promises are sanctified to your
souls and his words are no longer a terror, as they are to
to the unconverted ; no, his words and commands are your
delight, and with Holy King David you can say, "Lord, your
commands are holy, just and good, and the rejoicing of my
heart;" you will delight in often walking in this gaiden of
Eden, to meditate in the inspired pages, to be refreshed and
pluck the flowers— promises to christians — to cheer you on
your pilgrimage through this desert world, to brighten
your souls to contemplate the beauties of Paradise, and soar
to the regions of glory, to behold our brethren the sanctified
and redeemed of the Lord, blooming in the efiulgent glory of
God, and reflecting the beatific Deity, and listen to the An-
gelic chorus singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, and giv-
ing vent to their praise in their most divine and holy strains,
crying Holy! Holy'l Holy!!' Lord God Almi^^hty, Jehovah,
Thou King of Saints, Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! ! the Lord
God Omnipotent reigneth.'"

Such is the life of God in the soul, the having Christ for wis-
dom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, to walk
with God in holiness; in his holy temple, where his honor
dwelleth ; to be the children whom he delights to honor and
bless with every choice blessing from Mount Zion; " Because
he hath set his love upon me, therefore will 1 deliver him, 1
will set him on high, because he has known My name, he
shall call upon me and 1 will {\nswer him, 1 will be with
him in trouble, 1 will deliver and honer him. With long
life will T satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

O; but these are precious promises to the sanctified and
redeemed of the Lord, who ever beholds us from his high

THE MERIT OF CHRIST. Ul

and holy throne; supplies our wants and blesses us vvitli love,
peace and joy in the Hloy Ghost. Yea, God doth in his
Saints delight:

" He looks mid circumvolving spheres,

Complaisant on his ransom'd heirs,
More dear than all his works beside,

Bless'd souls for whom the Saviour died."

We have considered the creation to behold the wisdom of
God displayed, and were astonished at the stupendous inag-
nificence presented to the natural eye, and his goodiioss to
man in the productions and fruits of the earth, and the unlim-
ited power over every other creature conferred upon him. But
in the work of redemption we view him far above the work
of creation. O his love manifested through his condescen-
sion to appear in human form on ihis earthly ball, to become
a sacrificial Lamb, to atone for the sins and iniquity of an
urgrateful, miserable and wretched human beings. Tinough
Emmanuel, God with us, did he out of love to our souls ac-
complish this, so great a work on Calvary, then bruised the
serpent's head and took away the sting of death, and tri-
umphed over the grave; now may all the redeemed of the
Lord sing and rejoice in our God and Saviour, and say to
death, "O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy
victory? thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." Yea our blerised
Father will redeem our souls from the power of the grave;
therefore with the psalmist David we may exult and ex-
claim, " Our hearts are glad, and our glory rejoiceih; our
flesh also shall rest in hope, for we know that our Redeemer
liveth, and that he shall stand on the latter day upon the
earth." Yea verily, the blessed Jesus is coming again, He
is coming! He is coming 1! arrayed in glory and majesty,
and power; in his own glory and the glory of the Father,
surrounded by all the shining, holy, heavenly hosts, of Angels
and his redeemed Saints, when He will hold a general res-
urrection; and we, his saints, shall have our bodies redeemed

112 THE MERIT OF CHRIST.

and glorified like unto his jolorious body, and then shall the
love of Jehovah and the glorious work of redemption be re-
plete in gracious relief to the manifestation of both parties;
the redeemed and holy, and to the unsanctified and unholy;
when all the w^orld from beginning to end shall stand before
Him; the redeemed with the Holy Angels sing with joy un-
speakable and full of glory; and rejoice in their God and
Saviour, but the rest, those who slightrd his Jove and would
have none of his redemption and holiness, are, with their
fathrr the devil .sentenced to wretchedness, and will be
cast by the King of Saints and of Glory, into endless tor-
ments, into hell, where the worm dieth not and the fire is
not quenched. Then also shall the redeemed, with the holy
angels, inherit the new heavens and the new earth, and sing
praises and hallelujahs, unto the Father and unto the Lamb
forever and ever. Amen

BI8COIJR8E X.

TFIE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.

Therefore said thry vnto him, How were thine eyes opened^
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus, made clay
and anointed mine eyes, and said nnto me, Go to the poo!
X)f Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, afid I re*
ceived sight, [John, 9th Chap. lOth Sf I Uh verses,

O how numerous and lamentable are the afiflictions of the
human family in consequence of the wrath of God, entail-
ed upon the same, on the disobedence of our first parents.
Dreadful are the issues flowmg from the vials, even in this
life, but how much more terrible and awful to those who
neglect the salvation of their immortal souls, who die in
their sins, in that which is to come; in that of endless dura-
tion, where the worm dielh not and the fire is not quenched.
jVlan, created at the beginning innocent and holy, like unto
the Angels of Heaven, without those concomitant evils to
which he is heir to now, and has been throughout all ages of
the world, from the time Jehovah pronounced the curse, "in
the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread;" and also,
" dust thou art and unto dust shall thou return." From
this period the whole creation has been travailing in pain
together until now; the earth bringing forth thorns and this-
tles, and groaning and languishing on account of the mis-
deeds of her inhabitants, who in the goodness and mercy of
God, were, and are btill visited by severe judgments; burdens
of gracious plagues and sores are laid upon the children of
men, which in the wisdom and providence of God, are to
redound to their temporal and eternal welfare, and also to
the glory of the Most High; for God, who is over all and
blessed forevermore. is a jealous God and will never permit
his glory to pass from him, neither will he give it to anotbei*.

10

114 THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.

In rorisequpiJce thereforp, of His Omnipotence, the devil, his
advpisaiy, ran never rob hinn — alihongh be is a robber and
murderer — but wiH alwa3S b • confounded, ovc rthrovvn, and
tran^pl-d under as be was when in the ^lory of Heaven he
esayed lobe as the Most Hi^h, when bn became the vilest
of all creation; the father of li 's, sin, and iniquity, and alt
abomination and crime; and the Lord God bound him in
chains of ignorance and darkness, and cast him out into the
earth, and l»ere on earth he has been the cause of all this es-
trangement from our heavenly Father, contempt of his w-ord,
and consequently, misery and wretchedness of poor, frail
hunmn nature; darkness and bhndness, and death temporal^
as v\ellas spnituai and eternal.

O how much more awful would have been the state of our
forefathers and also ours, had not our blessed God piomised
a Naviour immediately alter the fall' had he not sent Him
to our relief in due time as predicted; had not Jesus passed
to and fro among us, as a physician, to alleviate our misery,
lo cleanse us from the leprosy of sin and iniquity; for when
we were dead in tresspasser and crime, the blessed Lord ap-
peared among us to prepare a balm to heal our wounds; to
cause the blinil to see, the lame to walk, the possessed of dev-
ils to rejoice in God, and to raise the dead to life. Christ
was emphatically the light of the world; the day-spring from
on High, lo those who satin the shadow of death; the glori-
ous Sun of Righteousness to illuminate the dark places of
the earth; to shine into the hearts where cruel devils had their
habitation, and cause them to flee belore his presence; then
imparted hi? miraculous grace, illuminated the souls and un-
derstandings, and erected his temple of holiness in their
hearts, and shrine of praise in their bu asls, and sinners coidd
}eap, rejoice ar.d praise God; who were before blind, lame,
impotent, and deaf and dumb.

As by one man sin entered int'^ the world, and death by sin,
so by one man, Christ Jesus came also salvation; righteous-
ness ana holiness, love, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost;

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT. 115

eternal life; the promise of the lile that now is, and of that
wh'n h is to come; through faith in Him as a Prince and a
Saviour, in whom alor^e is remission of sins, jusiifi' alion,
sanctification, Rud rverlasttvg hfe : who is indubHably "the
Way, the Truth and the Lile;" hikI none can ever come inUo
the Father but by him, for our blessed God sent him invo the
world to become a pntpitialion thereof, so that *'He might
be just and the Justifier of him that believelh in Jesus "

It is evident that by faith we are made vvLoli', eNen saved
from our sins; to live and move and have our being in holi-
ness in Christ, '* Who is the re^urreciiou and the life, and
whosoever believeth in Him though lie wer« dead yet shall
he live, and whosoever iiveth and believeth on Him shall
never die." As therefore faith, and only faith, l)rings the
blessings fiom above, the astonishing miracles which Christ
wrought, were thus awarded to those who had confidence ia
and believingly came unto Him, craving the boon which
they stood in need of to inci^ase then- comlort in this life,
and some for their eternal well-being, and none that ev er
came thus were ever sent empty away by the blessed i^m-
manuel, but had their wishes gratified, and thus this blinJ
man received his sight :

Stupendous miracles are wrought,

And water into wine does flow;
At the Omnipotence of his word

The lame are lieal'd in soundness go.

Behold the blind their sight receive,

The lepers cleans' d and freed from stain,
The possess'd of devils does relieve,

And deaf to hear restores again.

The sick and the dying he heals,

And to life again the dead does call,
Thus his power divine reveals,

And with compassion looks on all.

O mark his virtue at the tomb,

Of him with whom he was intimate,
Overpower'd and weeping, cries, "comei'*

Behold dead Lazarus' whole made.

ne THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.

The blessed J^aviour constrained by Infinite love, s(yjourR'
ed as a stranger and pilgrim on the earth to befriond poor,
wretched sinners, to do them good; lo become their Redeem-
er, and also to glorify God the Father, in whom the works
which he did were wrought; as he informed his disciples,
that his doings might be made ntanrfest, and that for this
purpose this man was born blind, and that it was not on ac-
count of the sins of his parent?, althougii sin and iniquity
are the pnmary cause of all blindness, distortion, di.-ease,
and death.

It appears that our blessed Lord made an ointment of clay
moistened by his spittle, and put it on the eyes of the blind
man and commanded him to go and wash in the pool of Si-
loam; he went as he was bid by the Lord, washed m the
pvol and came seeing. His neighbors were greatly astonish-
ed, knowing that he had been blind from his birth. *'There-
fore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?"—
Pie informed them by saying that, "A man that is called
Jesus, made clay and anointed n.ine eyes, and said unto me,
Go to the pool of >iloam, and wash, and 1 went and washed,
and ] received sight."

Jesus after having anointed his eyes, passed on his way to
administer to others, progressing in bis mission towards its fi-
nal accomplishment, when he should bruise the devd's filthy
head, break the chains of hell, and set the captives free; when
he should acconjpfish full salvation, by his atonement on
Calvarv, by satisfying divine justice on the cross; behold him
on Calvary's heights, his tender hands and feet pierced by
rugged nails; thus pinioned to the accursed tree, he hangs be-
tween heaven and earth amid the vilest of the vile- amid mur-
derers— and he himself accused as viler still, although inno-
cent and holy, and without auile in his mouth; with love, pity,
and compassion, he looks down upon his enemies; his perse-
cutors, blasphemers, and his murderers, and prays, '^Father
forgive them for (hey know not what they do." O that you
would contemplate the sufferings he endured, that you would

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT. 117

behold the groat change in his countenance in consequence
of th(^ ag;ony he is in for your sins; yea for your sins he then ag-
onises and groans inspirit. O the awful, the terrible death he
endures for you ;0 shall his unbounded, boundless love, his
dying love, avaii Frothing with you miserable wreched sinners
just on the brink of hell, ready to drop into the pit prepared
for the devil and the damned, from the foundation of the
world? Shall 1 repeat, has h«s holy, angelic, god-like, dying
love, which induced him to come to your relief so that you
might not die, but live, avail you nothing? will you remain
in your hard, impenitent state, your dreadful aversion of ho-
liness; of a life of Godliness, your very hatred of God and
his words, while he dc^es all for your conversion, for your de-
liverance from the bondage of the d-evil ami his filthiness,
and from death and hell; will you still continue to resist the
blessed God in his merciful and indescribable efforts to save
you fiojii b 'ing cast into the lake of fire and brimstone; do
despite to his holy spirit of grace, to apply the blood of Je-
sus, to cleansi^ you hom your sins; behold how it flows in
healing streams from his hands and side, and feet and head.
O how precious it is to cleanse from all sins, as all know
who walk in holiness with God; and O will you, O wretched
creatures, will you trample this holy, this sanctified blood of
the Lauib of God under foot, and like stubborn swine and
dogs run headlong into hell! O how can you be so ungrate-
ful to yourselves, your poor dying souls, and your Maker's
love, who also wishes to be your Saviour, to pluck you as
brands from everlasting burnings! How^ can you be thus
unfeeling? ^our hearts be like the nether millstone, against
the love, the mercy, and the goodness of our beloved God;
not kno vvi.ig that his goodness has a tendency to lead you to
repentance, but go on in your folly and madness, unt>l like
Dives, you are brought to feel for your poor souls in hell, al-
though you never could this side of it.

God is essentially Love, as is abundantly manifest thro"*
this, his atonement on calvary, in the character of his only

118 THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.

begotten Son Emnianud, and also in many works wrought
previous, and since, to convince sinners that he had no de-
light in their death, hut rather that they would repent and
live. "Turn ye, Turn ye, for why wdl ye die," is the Jan-
guHge of Jehovah, constiained by Divine Love, and made
manifest to poor dying sinners, to warn you to flee froai the
wrath to come; to work out your souPs salvation ere death
puts a period to your mortal beingvere you are cut down as
the grass, and your glory perishes as the flower thereof; ere
you are summoned out of time into a never, no never ending
eternit\; ere you are called to the bar of Christ, the Judge
of all the earth, so that you be not doomed by him to end-
less perdition; be expelled from the presence of His glory
and Majesty forever and e\'er, into the place prepared for
foul spirits, for devils, where neither love nor peace can pos-
sibly exist, for devils cannot love, neither is there any peace
for them nor the wicked, says Almi^iity God; for those who'
have their delight in all manner of abominations, who d ink
down iniquity as an ox diiuks dow,n water; wlio revel in
darkness and things pertaining to death; who commit the
grossest crimes, and are not sorry for their hellish deeds, but
liavp the effrontery a. id impudence to glory in their shame,
presumptiously mock God in his glory, and mouthe the very
heavens; chikiren of darkness who shun the light like the
owl, lest their robberies, their murdrrs, their whoredoms?
their witchcrafts, thfir workings with familiar spirits, their
drunkenness, their abusing each others bodies by the hellish
abominations and infernal inventions of filthy devils, their
adulteries, their fornications, their extortion, and other crimes.
1 say who shun the light lest their doings of darkness and
death be made manifest and reproved, and who harden their
hearts and stiffen their necks, lest they become converted
and Christ should heal them; who love darkness rather than
light because their deeds are evil; whose consciences are
seared as with an hot iron; to whom blindness has happened
and who wallow in filth as svvintf in the mire; the odours of

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT, 119

their abominations ascends up continually unto the throne
of the Eternal, and o(feniis the nostrils of Jehovah; in con-
sequence of whose wrath —for God is angry with the wic^ked
every day — "their destruction lingercth not, and their dam-
nation slumbereth not/'' Such a people as above pervaded
the earth at the time of our blessed Saviour, ihey hardened
their hearts, stiffened their necks, and shut their eyes — (hat
is blinded their understanding, lest they should Ije brouglit
to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, whom they per
secuted from city to city, and would have none fJ his re-
proofs, nor admonitions, denying that he was the predi< ted
Emmanuel — God with us — and his prerogative of the \les-
siahship; his exalte.! commission from the Majesty on High,
from Jehovah, "to heal the broken-hearted, liberate the cap-
tives, set the prisoners free, proclaim the acceptable year of
the Lord, and comfort the mourners in Sion; to give them
beauty for ashes, the o»l of joy lor mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called
trees of Kighteousness, the plantmg of the Lord, that he
might l>e glorified. Notwithstanding all the exertions of our
ado able Lord to enlio;hten the peo[>le, for saith he, " As
long as I am in the world I am the light of the world." —
Darkness ren\ained covering the earth, and gross darkness
the people— inflated with pride and anrbition, the leaders
were ever busy inflaming by their conveisalion t :h
multitude to acts of ungratefulness against the giver of
every good and perfect gift; who now sojourned among them
in human form, although iJivine in his nature, to effect the
salvation of the world. Stupendous miracles were wrought
to alleviate the v^ retchedness of men; it was also apparent
from ail his works that they were from above, and no one
could open the eyes of the blind unless be was from God;
but they denied the Divinity of Christ, *' Therefore said they
unto him, How^ were thine eyes opened?'"

Jesus having finished his course; having ended his mission
on earth; having accomplished salvation for the world, and

120 THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT,

having assumed his Eternal Glory in Heaven, from wh^re he
rules the Universe and from whence he dispenses blessings
temporal and spiritual, salvation and remission of sins to all
that come unto him; a^d from w^hence he calls upon all men
every where to repent, to do away all evil from before his
glorious eyes, to work out their souls sanation wh^le it is day
ere eternal darkness and death comes upon tnem, ere they
are turned into hell, to make their calling and election sure,
so as to escape the evil which shall come upon all the earth
to try men's souls; when thf^ righteous shall be received into
the joy of our Lord, and the wicked destroyed by his fury
from the earth and the presence of hia glory

"O ye blind straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel;"
"ye blind leaders of the blind," why will ye not turn ere ye
all fall into the ditch? why will ye not repent and live? Turn
ye. Turn ye, for wijy will ye die? Repent, repent, the king-
dom of heaven is at hand! " How were thine eyes opened?"
is a question which the spiritual Wind would do well to ask
of those who had tlieir understandings, their souls, through
Jesus illuminated by the sanctifying influences of the Holy
Spirit, applying his merit and righteousness for our regener-
ation, sanctification, and redemption; of us who have been
thus reconciled to God and his holy image, and now have
the mark of Christ upon our foreheads^ give evidence that
we have been with Jesus, been taught of him; have Christ
in us the hope of glory, and are not ashamed to suffer re-
proach and persecution for his Name's sake. They would
do well to ask, " What must we do to be saved?" and all
the Saints of the Most High God will admonish them to re-
pent of all their sins and to believe in Jesus, so that the day-
star arise in their hearts, and the day spring to give light to
them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to
cause the mist and the darkness to disappear, and their un-
derstandings to become enlightened, so that the glorious Sua
of Righteousness may illuminate their pathway, and they be
brouglit to see clearly that they have beea fools and slaves

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT. 121

of hell all their lives, and now have foiinrl life, light, love, joy
and peace in him of whom the prophets spake, even in Je-
sus (he author, finisher and rewarder of faith.
ffe answered and said, A man that is called Jpsi/s, made clay,

and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me. Go to the pool of

Siloam and wash: and I uent and washed, and I received

sight.

Now, this man Jesus, spoken of by this poor man that
had been blind, has opf-ned a fountain from whenco flow re-
pentance and forgiveness of sins, a fountain much more effi-
cacious than the pool of >iloam was at the moving of the
waters by the Angel of the Lord, which descended at certain
seasons for that purpose, so that he that first stepped into the
water was healed of whatsoever disease or plague he was
opp essed with. But the atonement of Jesus, the fountain
of ever-living waters, is not only possessed of healing virtues
at certain seasons, but at all times the restoring qualities are
apparent, and sinners aie invited to plunge into the purple
stream and be purified from all iniquity; that is, repent to
God, and have faith in Jesus Christ and his blood, which
cleanses from all sin.

Perfect salvation is therefore attainable, and sinners may
escape damnation if they will apply the remedy. God and
his true ambassadors will clear themselves of their blood; if
they die in their sins be their blood upon their own heads. —
God has done his part to all nations from the beginning of
the world, and will do so to the end of time, and swears
" As I live, 1 have no pleasure in the death of sinners, but
rather that they repent and live." J<hovah therefore, calls
upon all men, everywhere, to niake their peace with him; ''to
come and reason with him, and their sins, though they were
as scarlet, shall become white as snow; and though they are
as crimson, shall become white as wool." I, as the ambas-
sador of the High and Holy God, make these things known
unto you, and warn you to flee from the wrath to come, "for
your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your

122 THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.

agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing
scourge shall pas^ through, then ye shall be trodden down
by it; for the Lord shall rise up as in xMount Peraznn; he
shail bj wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do
his work, his stiange work, and bring to pass his acts, his
strange acts. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your
bands be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God
of Hosts, a consumption, even determined upon the whole
earth." [Isaiah, 27th. chap.

The Lord Jesus made an ointment of clay and command-
ed the blind to go and wash; he did so and received his sight.
Jesus has also acconiplished salvation for the whole world;
there is therefore now a balm in Gilead, there is a physician
there, and all are also commanded to cnme to him to be
healed, that they may see, hear, understand, be holy, a;id
live. But say some, if Christ died for the sins of the whole
world, then all will be saved, and there is no more condem-
nation to the wicked, and all vvdl enter through the sirait
gate into heaven — swine and dogs along with the holy saints,
these infidels would have it. i\ay verily, but you are aw-
fully deceived by your Father the devil, whose habitation
you are; he speaks through you. Impossible! what! the ha-
ters of God and the persecutors of his dear children, his
bfaints, from city to city, until their lif^^'s blood is worried
out of them, live together in a never-endmg eternity! impos-
sible! in a place too where all righteousness, holiness, and
glory abound, where the Holy God, Jehovah, is enthroned,
who can never, no never bear iniquity, and where holy an-
gels minister unto him in His courts of Glory; worshipping
andptaising, and before whose effulgence the Cherubims
and Seraphims veil their fac es, worshipping and singing, Ho-
ly, Holy, Holy, Art thou Lord God Almighty, who was, and
is to come; great and marvellous are thy works, just and true
are thy ways, thou King of Saints; Hallelujah, the Lord
God Omnipotent reigneth. Agaai, I repeat it, impossible
that the vile, the abominable, the unbeliever, the scoffer at

THE BLIND RESTOR 'D TO SIGHT. 123

God's word, the adulterer, the fornicator, the whoremonger,
and the more filthy than swine, the beastly buggurer^ the mur-
derer, the robber, the drunkard, the extortioner, the witch-
craft workers, the dealer with lamiliar spirit-:, with devils,
which were cast out of heaven; to ihe end of the listol evil
doers of one class or another. Never! no never!! But
they shall all be destroyed with an everlasting destruction,
from the face of the whole earth, and with their Father the
devil, and all the apostate spirits, be cast into the lake of fire
and brimstone, where the worm dieth not and the fire is nev-
er quenched, and where there shall be weeping and wailing,
and gnashing of teeth forever and ever.

How dreadfully dark and benighted the understandings of
the people are all ovei the world in this present century;
averse to all that has a tendency to impart true wisdom and
understanduig, refinement and exaltation of soul, are given
to all filthy lewdness. Even this nation, the most highly
favored under heaven, has become, on account of the abom-
inations of the people, a stink in Jehovah''s nostiils, a huge
dunghill of iniquity, therefore the following texts are very
applicable to them, " Wherefore the Lord said. Forasmuch
as this people d.'-aw near me with their mouth, with their
lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me,
and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men —
Therefore behold I will proceed to do a marvellous work and
a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and
the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. VVo
unto them ihat seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord,
and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth
us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turnmg of things up-
side down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay; for shall the
work say of him that made it, He made me not! or shall the
thing framed say of him that framed it. He had no under-
standing.'' And while the Lord calls for mourning and repent-
ance, the following texts apply pretty closely, " Behold joy,
and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh and

124 THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.

drinking wine; let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall
die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts,
surfly this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die,
saith the Lord of Hosts." [Isaiah.]

*'i^et the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth,
but woe unto him thntstriveth with his maker." Thus saith
the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel; ''Ah
1 will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine
eiiemi(^s."

The salvation of Jesus avails nothing to those who are the
enemies of his cross, who are the rebellious (children, ever
learning and never abl » to come to the knowledge of the
truth, speaking evil of vital Christianity, and the powers of
true Godliness, which are a mystery to them; but what they
know naturally as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt
themselves. *'Woe unto them, for they have gone in the
way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Baalam for
reward, and perished in the gainsaying of C^re. Raging
waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering
stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."
Nay verily, all they that trample underfoot the words and
blood of our dear Saviour, cannot reasonably expect to be
cleansed from their filth. Suppose you were sick — as you
really all are that are unconverted — according to the gosp^*l,
"impotent, lame and blind, and naked;" and a ctlt-brated
physician had a remedy that might, under the blessing of
God, restore you to s:>undness, but for hatred against the
physician, or some other cause, you will not call upon him
for his cureall, you will not knock at his door to be relieved
from your malady, and when he brings the medicine, or sends
it to you, you trample it under foot instead of applying it as
per his directions, you cannot certainly expect to be bene-
fitted by It in restoring you to health; exactly so it is in the
case o( your salvation, you are diseased sinners, you are all
dying mortals, and the blessed Christ is continually calling
upon you to have faith in him, to knock at his merciful door

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT. 125

and it should be opened, to ask and you should receive free
salvation, without money and price; be restored to soundness
of niind and soul, so as to enjoy the blessedness of heaven,
sweet communion with our blessed. Heavenly Father, and
thus partly experience the peace and bliss of our brethren,
the Holy Angels, and in due time be numbrred with them m
Jehovah's Glory, to serve, adore and praise hrni forever and
ever. The bhnd man had to go as he was bid and wash; he
did so and received his sight, and so will every one receive
remission of sins that humbles himself, and does according
to the words of Christ, and his true ambassadors. Proud Na-
man,aslongas he remained stubborn, as long as he stiffened
his neck, his leprosy remained upon him, but when he hum-
bh»d himself and did as he was counnanded he became pu-
rified, free from his disease; but had he not obeyed, he would
have died in his filth; and so shall it be with every one of
you; repent and live; disregard the call and you perish ever-
lastingly, and be doomed into the lake of fire and brimstone.
O, I therefore now warn you to be wiic, to flee to the out-
stretched arms of mercy, extended by Jesus whose Hood
cleanses from all sins; to make your peace speedily with
God, who wishes you well, who desires that you should be
saved through the bloody sweat and agony of Jesus; which
his boundless love caused him to endure for your soul's sal-
vation, and who has no pleasure in your death, but rather
that you would repent to God, have a vital faith in him
and live. May hundreds and thousands yet in the eleventh
hour, find forgiveness of sins, and be saved through Je^ius. —
and may all my brethren in Christ find abundance of re-
freshings from the presence of the Lord, whose "grace, may
it be sufficient for our day," and "his strength be made per-
fect in our weakness;" and we may thus glorify his name,
and depart rejoicing in our God and Saviour; have part in
the first resurrection, and after the judgment morning inherit
the i\ew Heavens and New Earth, with the Holy Angels,
and all the Redeemed from the earth, to worship God in his
glory, sing his praise forever and ever. Amen and Amen.

DiscorRSE :ki.

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a ves-
sel, or p-utteth it under a bed ; but setteth it on a candle&tick,
that ihey which enter in may see the light.

For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest ', neither
anything hid that shall not be known, and come abroad.

Take heed therefore, how ye hear : for whosoever hath, to him
shall be given ; avd whosoever hath not, from him shall be
takm even that which he seemeth to have.

[Luke, Sth Chap, \eth,\'7th §" ^Sth verses.

In this world of sin and darkness, where day and night
reign ahernately, artificial lights are absolutely necessary,
for the convenience of man, and for the comfort and happi-
ness ol society ; our blessed Saviour, therefore, refers to the
lighting of a candle, and of placing it upon a candlestick,
not hiding it under a bed, that those entering in may see the
light. 1-1 ow much more miserable would the state of the
human family be, were it not for this blessing from Him, from
whom comes every good and perfect gift, the Father of light
and giory. In Lapland, and other parts of the world, the
people would be in almost total darkness — the sun shining
upon them only a few hours a day, while darkness reigns
predominant — the melancholy and forlorn state of the in-
habitants dwelling in those regions may be easily imagined,
even with the means and use of artificial light, their condi-
tion must be wretched in the extreme ; and to add to this
tempoial, external night, the internal, the spiritual darkness
of their souls, without a ray of light from the Eternal re-
gions of Glory — as was the case until lately — to brighten up
the prospects of a more glorious state after this was ended.

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT. |27

But within late years the glorious gospel light dawned upon
those benighted people, and the Day Spring from on High,
to enlighten them that sit in the shadow of dt^ath ; conse-
quently, the Day Star arose in many hearts, and illuminated
many understandings, so that they now have joy and rejoic-
ing in the glorious Sun ol Kighteousness, our blessed Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the knowledge of the remission
of sins through him, in being reconciled to the holy Image
of Jehovah, who is not ashamed to be their F'ather, and
honor them even above many of christian nations — so called
— who, while they have the light will not walk therein, that
they may be children of light, but love darkness rather than
light because of their evil deeds; their abominations and
crime.

Christ, in whom shone the glory of our Heavenly Father,
" was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh
into the world ;" yea verily, for there is no other light than
his in the whole Universe: when he said, " let their be light,"
while in the act of creating all things, and darkness held do-
minion, immediately, the resplendent Sun reflected his glory,
wilh the n)ilder moon ; planets, and comets, and stars inim-
mr-rable ; all dazzling in splendor and brilliancy, exhibiting
the effulgent glory and sinjjing the praise of their great Cre-
ator, v.'ho is all *" l/ight, and in Him there is no darkness
at all ;" in the perfection of His glory in heaven, no gloom
or darkness can possibly exist ; the glorious Ch» rubims and
Seraphims veil their fares, while worshipping in Jehovah's
glory, and the Holy Angels are all glorious as suns and stars;
and as lor human bein^^s, they could not behold with their
eyes of flesh the one thousandth part thereof, for none can
behold God, as he is, and live.

'j'he blessed Christ, when here below, was emphatically
the light of the world; for says he himself, " Vv hih^ I am in
the world 1 am the light of the world;" 1 therefore, forwarn
you all to beware of false lights, whether directly from the
devil, the old beast and infernal conjurur, through his magic

128 ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

and witchcraft-workings, or whether by men, who pretend to
reflpct the light and glory o? the Deity, but are wolves in
sheep's clothing ; by scrutinizing them a Utile you will easily
discern their hypocrasy, for they cannot bear to be examin-
ed closely, particularly by the chosen of the Lord, because
of the perniciousness of their fruit, " for," as it is written,
" by their fruits ye shall know them ;" be ye, therefore, not
deceived, 1 caution you, be ye not deceived by them, for the
scripture says expressly that in the last days there shall be
many surh abroad, and that if possible, they would deceive
the " very elect ;" by looking at men and things liow do you
conclude as respects the indication of the present times ;
earthquakes, famines, pestilences, wars and rumors of wars ;
men's hearts failitig them for fear, and by beholding the
things that are coming upon the earth -, there shall be a great
falling off in the church, and it shall be as at the time of
Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorah ; and are
not these signs predominent now, and the abominations and
crimes perpetrated by the people like unto those of the old
world, and particularly of Sodom and Gomorah.

Our adorable Saviour while going about doing good to
the children of men, healing their sick, restoring their blind,
cleant^ing their leapers, liberating their possessed of devils,
thus setting the captives free, preachmg the acceptable year
of I he Lord and urging men to repentance, to a holy walk
and conver.=aiion, to have faith in him as the true Messiah
and only Saviour, thus have the promise of the life that now
is and that which is to come, for says he, " None cometh
unto the Father but by me." "In him," therefore, "was
Life, and the Life was the Light of men;" and the light
shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not."
Yea, verily, darkness covered the earth and gross darkness
the people, who indulged in all manner of idolatries, were
given to bigotry and superstition ; ahenau d from a life of
godliness ; living without hope and without God in the
woild; who were strangers to the covenant of promise ;

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT. 129

self willed, perverse and stiff necked ; whose hearts were as
adamant or the " nether millstone ;" who went about estab-
lishing their own righteousness in the face of ths glorious
Sun of Righteousness, who was now sojourning upon and
illuminating the earth ; but these deluded creatures of dark-
ness could not comprehend nor understand the wisdom of
God in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ ; O the riches both
of the love and wisdom of God, in sending his only begotten
Son to atone for the sins of the world.

Notwithstanding his miraculous deeds, his heavenly les-
sons, his instructions in the way of life, enlightening the dark
souls of men which sat in the region and shadow of death ;
his deeds thus wrought in God reflecting his glory produced
a fame which could not be suppressed, but spread into all
lands. Notwithstanding 1 repeat, all his virtues thus made
manifest, the world knew him not^ and "He came unto his
own and his own received him not." " But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name."

All christians are compared to lights : "ye are the lights
of the world," says our blessed Saviour, and " let your light
so shine before men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Some chris-
tians may be compared to suns, others to stars of greater or
less magnitude, shining and reflecting the glory of their God
and Saviour, in love to him and our fellow men, in keeping
his commandments, and worshipping Jehovah in the b auiies
of holiness, attributing all the praise to him, who is God over
all, blessed forevermore ; in bringing forth fruit unto holi-
ness, thirty, Mxty and an hundred fold. We are likewise,
" the excellent o( the earth and the salt of the earth ;" let
us, therefore, walk worthy of our high and holy calling, re-
deeming the time for the days are evil, not minding the
things of time, which are perishable, but those more endu-
ring which pertain to eternal life. "For all flesh is as grass
and all the glory thereof as the flower of the field, the grass

11

130 ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

withers, tiie flower thereof fadeth away, but the word of the
Lord endureth forever." O that we may always have a
living faith in our blessed God, the Rock of our Salvation,
and tremble to disobey his words and commandments, but by
keeping them, evince our love to our Heavenly Father, as
our blessed Saviour says : "Fie that hath my comnmnd-
ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he
that loveth me, shall be loved of my Faiher, and I will I've
him, and will manifest myself to him," St. John, 14th chap.
We are, therefore, the temples of the Holy Ghost, let us
walk unblamably in holiness with God as our brethren be-
fore us also did, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Kljah
and David and all »he other prophets and glorious Apostles
of the Lamb, and the noble company of Saints and Marlyrs
who suffered for his name's sake and testified to the truth
as it is in Jesus, and who ended their course with joy and
are now rejoicing in the blessedness of heaven. O that we
may tread the paths of peace and holiness, that our delight
be more and moie in God, and to meditate in his word to
be, through faith in Jesus, refreshed from his immediate
presence, so that by the accompanying duties of fastings,
prayer and praise, our souls may always be as watered gar-
dens; as cities on hills and lights that cannot be hid, eleva-
ted through Jesus, into high and heavenly places, reflecting
at all times and in all places the glory of our dear Saviour;
that the language of our hearts may be at all times like
unto our brother St. PauPs : " for us to live is Christ and to
die is gain," and " that we would rather be absent from the
body and present with the Lord," and finally, " that we have
fought the good fight, have finished our course, have kept the
faith." " Henceforth there is laid up for us a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, ihe righteous Judge, shall
give us at that day : and not to us only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing." iVlay we be thus prepared
with the loins of our minds girded, our lamps with oil sup-
phed, trimmed and ready to meet our glorious Heavenly

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT, 131

Bridegroom, to enter wiih the Holy Angels and all the re-
deenjed Sainls, into the marriage supper of the Lamb, and
sing with them the high praises of our blessed God and
Saviour, forever and ever.

I'he above refers to individual members of Christ's churcfr,
descriptions of the lummaries contributing to her glory, and
are the real glory of nations, that wtnch is esteejned and
appreciated in the courts of light on high, by the King of
Glory, Jehovah, who is all glorious and attended by mujis-
ters reflectmg his splendor; their heaven is the perfection
of grandeur, pomp and dignity, majesty and glory, where no
darkness at all exists, but inde-cribable dazzling brilliancy;
righteousness, holiness and eternal glory; therefore the earth-
ly glory ol nations is nothing, less then vanity in comparison
to the perfection ot beauty displayed in the third heavens
where the Deity is perfect, where the King of Kings is en-
throned and holds his ievees; where the God of battles has
his shining hosts all in glorious array, where the Cherubims
and Seraphims, Angels and A rch-Angels, together with hosts
ol Sainls and Martyrs, are attending on Jehovah in his re-
splendent glory; the nearer the nations of the world approach
the splendor on high the more exalted they are, as the Most
High is all light, lustre and glory, and apnit from Him is all
darkness; the sun, moon and stars which illuminate the earth
reflect only part of the blessed God's glory, and was n, not
for this we should be in utter darkness, therefore all the na-
tions of the earth rombined cannot compete with the glory
of the Lord God, they are absolutely insignificant and can-
not possibly pretend thereunto, except only by practicing
righteousness and holiness, for all their other gaudiness,
show, and trappings are perishable as the fading leaf of
autumn and their glory disappears as the misty cloud of
the morning, their fleshly bodies turn to corruption and their
never dying souls descend into the never ending gulph of
despair and torment, where darkness reigns supreme and
foul demons have their habitation.

132 QN SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

Thus the lying vanities of earthly nations are disposed of
by Jehovah — who reigns supreme — from the presence of his
glo.y; the souls and bodies of Kings and Queens, Lords,
high Captains and mighty men; high and low, rich and poor
indiscnminately into the bottomless pit, for God is liO res.
pecterof persons; *'the soul that sinneth it shall die.'' The
greater number of true christians, the lights of the world,
an)ong the nations of the earth, the greater also the heaven-
ly radia, and therefore by consequence the nation havmg the
the largest number of the most dexoted and zealous men in
the cause of Christ, of the most righteous and holy champi-
ons for the truth; heroes to fight the battle.^ of the Lord; —
"Curse ye, curse ye bitterly the inhabiters of Vleroz, because
thf'y come not up to fight the battles ol the Lord;— the bat-
tles of the Lord against the Mighty." Christ, our blessed
Saviour, inculcates mercy and that we should pray for our
enemies; I introduce theiefore, the above curse not to bear
particularly upon this nation, but to put persons in mind
that the battles of their souls and for the glory of our blessed
Heavenly Father are the most impoitant. I'he nation
oui numbering in this respect, has some cause to boast
of and to glory and recei\e the approbation of the Lord
of Hosts; while those that make earthly things their pride,
glory in tb ir shame and are an abomination in the sight of
heaven, and less than the small dust of the ballance, and
lighter than vanity.

The champions of the cross, the true hghts of this nations,
seem to be very few in number, and far, very far apart, al-
though the land is full of churches, and churchgoing people,
but when you examine them closely you will find the greatest
number to be like unto the Jack-o-lanthorn, or mysterious
lights arising from marshes,all deception, and whose glory em-
anates from the bottomless pit: the real fact is, they have none
are under the control of the old deceiver, Satan, and conse-
quently hate the Feather of light and glory, from whom com-
elh every good and perfect gift; because of their evil deeds
and works of darkness, they ever shun the light, lest theiff

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT. 13S

deeds should be made manifest and reproved; therefore, per-
sons at a distance are often misled, and made to beheve that
this and timt nation are truly refined and exalted, when
alas, their righteousness and hohness is but too much like
the chaff of the mid-summer's threshing floor, w lich the
wind drives away ; it is all a fictiiious fabrication, like unto
filthy rays, akin to theirs who slew the ''Lord ourRighteous-
ness," and can never be approved of by him who is altogeth-
er Holy, and commands all men every where to repent
and be Holy as he is Holy, and whose eyes are as flames of
fire; it is therefore impossible to mock or deceive him with
a foreign article, with self-righteouness, and finally enter his
kingdom by saying, " Lord, Loid, we have prophesied in thy
name, we have cast out devils in thy name, and done many
wonderful works," when he shall reply and say, "1 never
knew you, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity, into
the lake of fire and brimstone prepared for the devil and his
angels, from the loundation of the world."

For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest ; neither
anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
The disgraceful deeds, the humiliating acts, to human
nature, which filthy sinners have the baseness to commit
with one another in the dark, although apart "from the ex-
cellent of the earth,'' and obscured from mortal sight, from
those that are " the lights of the world ;" yet they are sur-
veyed by the Eye o( Omniscience, by the Eye of Him with
whom we have to do, and who seeth into th** dark cham-
bers of the earth, who is every where present; yea, the Holy-
God beholds the midnight murderer with his bands imbued
in blood, and hears th(? screams of the innocent victim that
fell his prey; the brutish drunkard in his night reveilings at
some brothel, while his wife and children are neglected and
in want, he only too often spends their hard earmngs togeth-
er with his own, and then insults and beats them about like
a foul demon; the yet more beastly buggurer at his dirty work,

134 ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

disgracing human nature by his low, filthy operations ; drs-
gusiing the nostrils of Jehovah who is every where present,
aiid although he may thnik no one kriows it or sees him, yet
hiS abomination shall be made manifest ; to all these, w^rse
than bi'astly creatures, 1 would say, yet not 1 but the Lord
in uif', remember Sodom and Gomorrah \ the unprincipled
adulterei, destroyer of domestic peace, family comlort and
happiness, by defiling his neighbour's wife, who was esteenied
sacied to him before God and man; the fornicator and vile
S' du'er of virgin innocence, by his sly artifices ruining for
life the fair prospects of many a one, who like a lovely fiow-
ei , auii;ible and sweet as the lilley, and that might have been
th<^ joy of her parents and afi()ided many happy hours of An-
gt'lic bliss to a kind husband, is thus blasted in her early
bloom and d()on)ed to wither and d(^cay, and end her days
in despair, surely a just God will speedily biing such wretch-
es to account ; the roi)ber and the thief, who too lazy to earn
an honest livelihood, rob the sojourning stranger and plunder
thi ii neighbour's houses ; the gambler at his midnight board,
surrounded by his brethren, think they have excluded them-
sef es Irom all eyes, not reflecting that there is one which
scans the nethermost parts of the earth and hell, which they
camiot possibly escape, for God looks throughout all worlds
and beholds the minutest objects in the most distait part of
the Universe, let them dread his vengeance ; the oppressor ;
the extortioner; the spoiler of widows and orphans; the pro-
fane swearer and Sabbath-breaker, with many other abomi-
nable crimes which men commit openly and in secret, they
•shall all be made manifest, for the mouth of the Lord hath
spoken it. And last though not least, but of enormous mag-
nitude, the witchcraft worker and dealer with familiar spirits^
who IS in direct intercourse with the spirits of hell and
darkness, in league with the devil, the greatest enemy of his
soul, yet he puts himself upon a level with him, and has con-
tinual communion with these foul spirits to annoy and tor-
ment his fellow-beings, and commit ali manner of filty lewd-

ON SPIRITUAL LTGHr. 135

ness, abominations and whoredoms, and thinks he is secure
in 8t'( retly co-vvorkmg with the.- e infernal demons, yet his
works of darkness shall be known, and his nasty deeds shall
come abroad.

But when a nation is thus degraded that this last crime
is considered as wisdom, and est(emed rather an accom-
phshment than otherwise, so that the children of parents are
instructed in this hellish '''black art,''' and the whole country
is t^nshrined in its infernal and pernicous influences, v\hen a
nation has become thus beastly, like unto ihe Sodomites lost
to al' decency and sliame, committing iniquity with greedi-
ness, and glorying in their shame, having put the lear of Uod
awHv from before them, from out of their hearts, trample
under his holy words and commandments, and the laws of
their own country, which no doubt good men, under the in-
flux nee of the Holy God, have framed for the punishment
of evil-doers, and preservaiion o( tlx* peace, comfort, and
hapi)iness of the people it requir( s but little sagacity to be
convinced that their downfall is near at hand, and a just God
will avenge himself upon a iiation like this. The following
therefore may not b^^ much amiss, ^'Wherefore hear the
word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people,
because ye have said. We have made a covenant with
deaiii, and with hell are we at agreement; when the over-
flowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto
us: for we have made him our refuge, and under falsehood
have we hid ourselves; and your covenant with death shall
be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand;
when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye
shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth
forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass
over; by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to
understand the report.'' [Isaiah, 28th chap.]

136 ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

Take heed therefore how ye hear] for whosoever hath, to him
shall be given-, and whosoever hath not^ from him shall be
taken even that ijjhich he seemeth to have.
As in ihe beginning part of this discourse, so here again, i
caution you to beware of " fals^ hghts :" for all men havt^ not
a living faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour, and Media-
tor, but give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,
according to the written word of our dear Lord, that so it
should be in the last days ; it is stamped upon the features
of the times, and their indication is, that verily we are in
them now, and that this is ihe period to try men''ssui(ls — I ord
Jesus be merciful — when all the world have gone astray,
have gone a whoreing, with strange inventions — with famdiar
spnits — are therefore on the ssde of the devil, in league w ith
legions of these wicked spirits, and in open rebellion and war
against the Lord of Hosts, who will, in due time, bring all
their pride, ihf ir pomp and their glory, unto the dung-heai ;
and " the abomination and the mouse shall be destroyed to-
gether;" he.l from beneath, is opening wide her mouth, and
all the wicked, with the nations that forget God, with their
Father the devil, and all his leg'.ons in the air, shall de-
scend into it forever and ever. Tdke heed therfore how ijt
hear. " Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
of God," very many are fonH of novelty, in these times, have
an ambi ion to create a fame lor themselves and families at
the hazard of then- souls, and the ill effects upon society,
upon their fellow beings, who suffer themselves to be lead
about by them, whirh it is to be feared too many do, having
itchmg ears for something new ; tt> all such the text applies
particularly, " Take heed how ye hear," keep yourselves to
sound doctrine ; the doctrine once delivered to the ^'aints,
and if they speak not according to the " word and the testi-
mony" reject them, and let the spirit ofour Heavenly Father
speaking in the Bible, particularly in the testament, teach
you •, and if any man teach any other doctrine than that
taught in that holy volume of inspitation, "let him be ac-
cursed." Therefore, be ye aware how ye hear, compare the

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT. 137

language of men with the word of the hlessed God and de-
cide accordingly, lay hold on eternal life through faith in
Jesus Christ, " for by grace are we saved through faith, and
not of ourselves, it is the gift of God lest any man should
boast," repent, therefore, repent spt^edily to God and b<l;eve
in Jesus, and do his commandments, thus manifest your
love to our God and Saviour, and lay up for yourselves treas-
ures in heaven, " where moths cannot corrupt nor thieves
break through and steal," but where, in the joy o* our Dear
Lord and Father, it shall endure asd increase foreverm're.
For ichosoever hath, to him sh dl he givnij and whosoever hath

not, from him shall be taken even that which ht seemeth to

have.

in temporals as well as spirituals we are commanded by
our heavenly Father to be libeial to our f How bein^is so-
journing with us towards eternity ; the rich are particularly
admonished to practice humility and charity, tod«stribine to
the poor, to minister to the sick and afflicted such things as
they may want, to relieve them in their disiressed states, and
add to their comfort and happiness in this world, so that
their hearts may beconje lifted up, inspired with gfatitude,
love, reverence and praise lo their heaveidy Feather, the au-
thor of every good and perfect gift; who supplies the waists
of all living creatures, and " not a sparrow fallelh to the
ground without his knowledge ;" the earth is his, and the
fulness thereof, the gold and the sdver and the cattle on a
thousand hills. The Lord of Life and Glory, therrfore. has
a right to command and expect worsliip and obedience iVom
all his subjects, whom he assures that they shall be re[)aid
with an increase, *'with good measure, pressed down, heaped
up and running over ;" and that they that " cast their bn ad
upon the wa'ers shall find i( agaiii after many days;" these
promises, fraught with such condescension and kindness
from Jehovah, who is abundantly able to reward, in time
and eternitv, every one would do well to heed, for when-
ever h- pleasi s he can send leanness upon the earth, into
the soms of the children of men, and whenever he pleas-

138 ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT.

es ran cause the earth to abound, and also the souls of the
children of men, spiritually, from .Viount Sion, with love,
psaise, and joy in the Holy Ghost; with wisdom, lighteous-
ness, sancttfication and redeniption; yea verily, with (ull sal-
vation, if they apply properly for the blessing, by repentance
to our blessed God and by believing in Jesus Christ, mani-
festing love unfained, by keeping his words and command-
ments, and walking unblamably with him in holiness; an
increase of grace shall be given to all such, for the mouth of
the Lord hath spoken it, and by enduring to the end eternal
life and felicity, in Jehovah's kingdom of glory.

The Almighty Father blesses all his children more or less
with earthly substance, with treasure to be sure, that is per-
ishable, and doomed to decay as the grass of the field, but
th^'U for a season, for timely use, it is very desirable for the
preservation of the life that now is, for the comfort and hap-
piness of the human family; therefore, those that have much
are commanded to be libejal to those that have none, for the
Good Lord delights in the cheerful giver; as for instance,
the Widc^w's mite, who with a cheerful heart threw into the
treasury all her living, and thus manifested her love to God
and her neighbors, and laid up treasure in heaven. "He
that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that
loveth abundance; the earth is for all; the king hijnse/f\s served
by the field." It i^, therefore, wisdom not to over value the
things of time, the riches of this world, for they are not last-
ing treasures like unto those from above ; the salvation of the
soul through the exercise of faith in Jesus Christ our L.ord, for
by our faith we overcome the world, its riches, pleasures,
pomp and vanity, and quench every fiery dart of Satan. Let
us always covet the best gifts, read and hear the word under-
standingly, so that we may aboufid and have increase of
knowledge, wisdom and understanding ; faith, hope, peace*
love and joy in the Holy Ghost ; thus employ our talents to
the very best advantage ; " for whosoever hath to him shall
be given" — according to our text, shall we have greater and
continual blessings flowing to us from our Heavenly Father,

ON SPIRITUAL LIGHT. 139

the Most High God, while those who bury their talents, or
make use of ihem hypocritical ;y, despising the true gtlis of
God, although they may seeni to have, yei are they but as
" Sfujnding brass and a tinkling cyml)a ," " and whosoever
hath not, from iiim shall be 'aken even that which he seemeth
to have." Hear! Hear!! O ye dying mortals, hear the words
of the Lord, " 1 am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live : and
whosoever livelh, and believeth in me, shall never die."
"Turn ye, therefore,Turn ye, for why will ye ilie," "He that
believeth not shall be damned ;" Surely no one, according to
reason, ought to desire damnation in preference to the bles-
sings of salvation ; theiefore abstain fium all the works of
the former and flee from the wrath to come, "for it shall be a
vexation only to understanding the leport," when Jehovah
arises to shake terribly the earth : P'lee, theiefore, flee from
the wrath near at hand; be reconciled to the Lord God,
make, speedily make your peace with the Almighty, so that
shortly, when he coir^es to make up his jewels, ye may, with
all the redeemed of the Land, have an entrance admimster-
ed abundantly, into his everlasting kingdom of Glory, through
Jesus Christ our blessed- Lord and Saviour, there with Abra-
ham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the Holy Angels, and redeem-
ed Saints and Marty is, unite in songs of praise to our (ilori-
ous Eternal Father, to whom be aL worship, thanks and ad"
oration, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen*
Amen.

DI«>^€OVR8E XII.

ON OBEDIENCE.

See that ye refuse not him that speaketL For if they es-
caped not who refused him that spake on earth\ much wore
shall not ive escape^ if we turn away f om him that speuketh
from heaven.

Whose voice then shook the earth-, but now he hath promised
sayings Yet once more I shake not the earth only^ but also
heaven, [Hebrews, \2th, chap. '25th ^ 26th ver.

Our blessed Father mercilully befriended our first parents
immediately after their sinful transgression, although he drove
them out of Paradise, and deemed it necessary to lay a curse
upon them and their posterity to the end of time; yet never-
theless his Almighty love constramed him graciously to con-
descend to acts of kindness and mercy for their comfort and
happiness here below, and giving them laws which were
"good, and just and holy;" so that by the observing of them,
they might again return to our blessed God, and know him
as a reconciled Father, be fully reinstated to his H0I3 Im-
age, to love and enjoy him in the beauties of holiness and
worship him in spirit and in truth, by reverence and obedience
draw down the blessings of the Most High upon themselves
and their offspring, whom they were commanded by the
Lord to instruct in the path of wisdom and understanding;
when they sat in their houses, when they walked by the way,
when they laid themselves down, and when they arose up;
their mouths were to talk of the love of their Heavenly
Father, make known to their children his mandates and
train them up to repeat the word of the Lord, fear, honor,
love, and reverence the Deity, so that prosperity might at-
tend them, and they might have peace in their borders, and

ON OBEDIENCE. 141

their ij;ates might be praise, and at the destruction of the
wicked they might take refuge in the Hock of their salva-
tion. Thus Abraham instructed his son Isaac, and Isaac
taught Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs, and they
their offspring, and every good and wise man his children,
so that the rod of the wicked may not come nigh them, when
the wrath of the Lord God of Hosts is kisidled to destroy
the seed of the serpent.

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh, Pharoah the
proud, the haughty and uplifted monarch of Egypt, whose
grievous oppressions of the children of Israel, the dear peo-
ple of the Lord of Hosts, his perseverance therein, and lay-
ing even heavier burdens upon their shoulders, too heavy to
be borne, after Moses the n\aM of God reproved him for his
rebellion against bis maker and preserver, he disregarded the
words of Moses, and went on in his hardened and stififi»eck-
ed course, sinning and drinking down iniquity as an ox
drinks down water, and thus became more and more obnox-
ious in the eyes of Jehovah, who deemed it therefore neces-
sary from time to time to admonish him by sendmg Moses
and Aaron to desire him to let tlie children of Israel depart
out of his country, to serve the Lord their God, to sacrifice
unto Him and worship and praise Him as they were com-
manded; but none of the words of Moses and Aaron were
heeded by the stubborn Pharoah, consequently the judg-
ments of the Almighty descended upon him and his people,
and he was dreadfully tormented, and his people were pres-
sed sore by different plagues, until at length he consented to
their departure, but soon followed them with his hosts, when
all were overthrown and perished in the Red Sea; their poor
souls thus descended and found an asylum in hell; and so it
was with the Sodomites who disregarded all the words of
holy Lot, and fire and brimstone was sent down by the
Lord God out of heaven and devoured them, and thus they
went to their own home; and so also many proud, cruel,
wicked and filthy Sovereigns, nations, and peoplesince,among

142 ON OBEDIENCE.

whom was the worse than beastly Nero. O Lord God Al-
mighty, deliver us speedily from such abominable creatures.
And also the Ron>ans, akin in their infernal work to the
Sodomites, and the devils in hell, who were therefore their
brethren, and they shall likewise have one home, the lake of
fire and brimstone forever and ever, with all others that lead
similar abominable lives, and disregard the warning voice,
flee!! flee I!! flee!!'! from the wrath to come.

For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earthy
much ii'ore shall not we escape^ if we turn away from him that
speakelh from heaven, Jehovaii, when he speaks let all the
insignificant nations of the earth stand in awe, and if it is
not in love, but rather in wrath on account of the departure
of the people from him, the only true, living, and everlasting
God, let them bow, let them fall down before their Maker.

" Before Jehovah's awful throne,

Ye nations bow with sacred awe ;
Know that the Lord is God alone,

He can create and He destroy."

Yea, verily, when the word of the King Eternal, Immor-
tal and Invisible is against them, then let them fall down and
howl on account of their abominations, let them lay their
mouths in the dust, rend their hearts and clothe themselves in
sacloih and ashes, and repent them of all their filthy abom-
inations and crime; let them weep, be afflicted, and distress-
ed for their sins of enormous magnitude; f^r their abomina-
ble, hell-deserving iniquity; let them speeddy follow the ex-
ample of Ninevah, and roll themselves in the dust and be
sorrowful, weep, and lament for their mis-doings, for their
mad rebellion against the Most High. " Enter into the
rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for
the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be
humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down,
and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." The times
at present indicate that the period is near at hand, wdien Je-
hovah will arise in his strength to plead the cause of his cho-

ON OBEDIENCE. 143

sen— of his peculiar people, royal priesthood, and Holy Na
tion, which includes all those who love God, have a living
failh in Jej-us, keep his words and commandments, work
righteousness, are the temples of the Holy Ghost, worship
our blessed Father in spirit and in the beauties of holiness;
have their delight in "whatsoever things are true, whatsoev-
er things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever thmgs are of good report ac-
cordmg to Godhness, and which contribute to the virtue and
refinement of the human family, to the exaUation, through
Jesus Christ, of the souls of the children of men; for their
comfort and happiness here in time, and felicity and bliss in
heaven for ever and ever.

Much more shall not we escape^ if we turn away from him
that spraketh from, heaven. The Almighty is ever jealous of
his glory, and will never give it to another. He alone is the
Lord God, and besides him there is none else; therefore v\ hen
he thunders with his voice, let all the people quake, let them
tremble and fear to do evil; let them stand aloof and sin not,
let their idle talk be turned into seriousness; let their merri-
ment and mad rejoicing be turned into sorrow and mourn-
ing; for when the whole earth commit all manner of ini-
quity, abomination, and crime, and glory in their shame,
then the Lord God will make it barren, "For thus saith the
Lord God; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make tiiee
desolate."

Be ye not deceived, for our blessed God is not mocked in
these times of degenerateness, of tramplii g under fool the
word of the Lord, and of leagueing with the devil against
the kiwgdom of heaven, against the JVJost High God, for
verily, indue time the Lord God will "ease himself of his
adversaries, and avenge himself of his enemies." It is self-
evident thai Jehovah has a controversy with all the nations
of the earth, that his wrath is kindled and ready to consume
to the uttermost, to tread them down as the mire of the
streets; "for it is in his heart to destroy, and cut off nations

144 ON OBEDIENCE.

not a few;" " How can ye escape if ye neglect so great
salvation." "If the righteous scarcely are saved, where will
the ungodly and the sinners appear?" but in the flames of
hell, in the lake of fire and brimstone prepared for all
devils from the founation of the world.

I\!uch more shall not we escape if we turn away from him
that speaketh from hravea, "Wo to the rebellious children,
saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that
cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may
add sin to sin. Now go, write it before them in a table, and
note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ev-
er and ever, that this is a rebellious people; lying children,
that will not hear the law of the Lord; which say to their
seers. See not; and to the propheis; Prophecy not unto us
right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits;
get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the
Holy One of l-rael to cease from before us." [Is.iiah, 30th
chap.] O the dreadftd darkness of soul when there is a
general aversion to the blessed God, to his words, to his
great salvation; when "darkness covers the earth, and gross
darkness the people," as it seems to be the case at present
all the earth abroad; awfijl and disgraceful to humanity as
such rebellions to the Almighty are, the fact of a general
degradedness and depravity pervading at times all classes,
high and low, rich and poor, free and bond, is well establish-
ed, and however painful the thought may be to the truly re-
fined, good, and virtuous, it is nevertheless true, for at the
time of the flood there were but eight persons after our be-
loved Heavenly Father's heart, righteous Noah and family,
and the waters deluged the w hole earth and destroyed all
the wicked, together with all fiving things, save those that
were m the ark with the venerable Patriarch; and so with
Sodom and Gonorrah, and ihe surromiding plains, upon
which the Lord God shook down fire and brimstone, delu-
ged the country over, and destroyed the worse than beastly
people from out of his sight, from ofT the face of the earth,

ON OBEDIENCE. 145

except holy Lot and family, whom God found just and holy,
averse to the abominable lewdness of their filthy neighbors.
Since then the nations of Canaan, the tribe of Benjamin,
besides many other nations, kindreds, and people, for their
departure from HIM who spcaketh from Heaven, JEHO-
VAH, for having put away the fear of him from before their
eyes, and set up the stumbling block of iniquity in their
hearts, so that their foolish hearts became darkened, their
souls benighted, and their spirits degraded to a level, if not
beneath the four-footed animals, so that they could delight
themselves in the works of darkness and damnation, revel
with devils in all manner of abominations, working with
familiar spirits, the works pertaining to death, "the death
that never, never dies." And where are they now? but m
yonder gulph of despair, where foul demons have their habi-
tation; where the worm dieth not and where the fire is never
quenched.

fVhose voice then shook the earth* Jehovah the Eternal
God, when he thunders with his Almighty voice, causes the
earth to tremble and shake to the centre, and the people,
poor, puny creatures, to be dreadfully dismayed and fright-
ened, so that they would flee and hide themseb'es in dens
and the caverns of rock, from his presence, from the sound of
his voice; for who can stand before the Omnipotent God of
Hosts, when his wrath is fully kindled and he arises to plead
his own cause, "to shake terribly the earth." At the giving
of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, Jeho-
vah descended in awlul majesty, amid thunders and light-
nings, and the mighty soundings of a trumpet; so that the
Mount quaked; the people trembled greatly, even Moses —
the man of God himself said, "1 exceedingly fear and
quake." Then and thus the Lord God spake from heaven
to the children of Israel, his chosen people, who were dear
to him as the apple to the eye, and to whom he manifested
his love in innumerable instances, and to a degree above all
other nations of the earth; his presence encamped about

12

146 ON OBEDIENCE.

them as the God of Battles, he fought for them, and slew
their enemies, the first-born of Egypt, and then the remain-
ing hosts with Pharoah as in his glory, at their head, whom
he overthrew in the red sea, so that on the side of the Egyp-
tians none was left to tell it: no wonder therefore after
having seen this dreadful destruction of the Egyptians, that
the children of Israel, and even Moses himself, feared great-
ly, for they had previously rebelled and murmured about
the water, and also hankered after the flesh pots of Egypt;
even wished that they had died there when they had fulness
of bread; the Almighty God, in love for their temporal and
eternal welfare — but in severe majesty, descended from
heaven to commune with them, to furnish them with right,
just, and good laws, to contribute to their comfort and hap-
piness, exaltation and holiness, to their entire sanctification,
so that they might be always reconciled to their Father,
walk in the light of his countenance, and by loving him with
all the heart, partake of the joys of the Angels of Heaven;
for this purpose therefore, the Ten Commandments were
written by the finger of the blessed God himself during this
awful solemnity, which continued for forty days and nights,
while a vast cloud surrounded the mountain. Moses was
with Jehovah within, by whom he was miraculously sus-
tamed the whole period without food, and received the com-
mandments from the Altpighty, for the refinement of the
people withal, and which are still valid and not to be viola-
ted with impunity, although we are under the new cove-
nant of grace, through Jesus Christ, our dear Saviour and
•^lediator, at whose atonement on Mount Calvary, Jehovah
shook the earth again; brought darkness upon it; rent the
rocks, and the temple veil from top to bottom, opened the
graves and caused the dead bodies of Saints to appear to
many of the living. God thus testified thai Jesus was the
true Messiah, the Saviour of sinners, and also that there is
a resurrection of the dead, to take place according to our
blessed Saviour's words, " 1 am the resurrection and th

ON OBEDIENCE. 147

life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall
he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall nev-
er die;" shall, as St. Paul has it "fall sweetly asleep in Je-
sus," and have part in the first resurrection. "Blessed and
holy is he thai hath part in the first resuirection; on such the
secorjd death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God
and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

The promise of a part in the first resurrection of life and
happiness, is to all true christians, the chosen of the Lord,
w ho love and obey him, serve him in righteousness and holi-
ness, walk unblamably with God, onr Heavenly Father, as
Enoch also did with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles
and Saints and Martys of Jesus, who for the joy that was
set before them, endured the cross, despised the shame, and
are now seated in high heaven's eternal glory, in the efful-
gence of the Deity, singing with the holy hosts of Cheru-
bims and Seraphims, Angels and Arch- Angels, the high
praises of our blessed God and Saviour; Hallelujah! Halle-
lujah!! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, the King of
Saints. Therefore my brethren in Christ, as they only who
endure unto the end shall be saved, let me, in love to your
souls, admonish you to watch against the subtlety of Satan,
to watch and to pray, to pray in spirit and in truth, as only
such are heard by the hearer and answerer of prayer, our
heavenly P'ather, so that like unto holy David's, our love
may increase and be perfect. " I love the Lord because he
hath heard my voice and my supplications; because he hath
inclined his ear unto me, therefore will 1 call upon him as
long as I live." May our resolutions be similar, so that we
may be mindful of the things pertaining lo our peace, and
"press continually toward the mark of the prize of our high
calling in Christ Jesus," so that "no man take our crown ;'
and our souls be continually as watered gardens, the name
of the Lord our God glorified, and through our blessed Sa-
viour, Christ, w^e may be able to stand when " he shakes ter-
ribly the earth," and as the blessed of his Father, have an

us ON OBEDIENCE.

entrance administered unto iis, abundantly into his everlas-
ting kingdom of glory, to sing with the celestial throng tl^
high praises of our Holy Father lorever and ever.

Bvf now he hath piomised, saying, Yet once more I shake not

the earth only, but aho heaven.

The promises of Jehovah are all Yea and Amen, that is
they shall be positively fulfilled; "I have spoken and shall I
not do it? and he that hath my word, let him speak my word
faithfully : what is the chaff to ihe wheat? saith the I .ord. —
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a
hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?'* O that it would
break the stony hearts of this people, and influence the in-
habitants of this tottering world to repent, and look at the
things conung upon tlie earth; 'Hhey can discern the face of
the sky, but why can they not discern the signs of the times?"
O that they would exeicise their superior faculties to scruti-
nize the appearances of the times and regulate their lives
accordingly. " Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon
theCs O inhabitant of the earth, And it shall come to pass^
that he who fleelh from the noise of the fear sh:\ll fall into
the pit; and he that comcth up out of the midst of the pit,
shall be taken in the snare; for the windows from on high are
open, and the lonndat'tons of the earth do shake." O earth I
eartSi!! earth!", hear the words of the Lord, O you people
flee, fiee from the wrath to come; be reconciled to the Most
Hi^h God, for he is coming, he is coming to judge the earth,
to judge theeaith in righteousness and the people in equity.
Prej)are you all, prepare to meet your God, through Jesus
Christ ne may yet be found by you in the eleventh hour; he
may }et be willing to receive you as prodigals; after having
bec! (eedmg (;n the husks and wallowing as swine in the mire
of siii and iniquity, the blessed God may be yet willing to be
your Kather, to adopt you into his family of Kings and
Frit sis, and feed you with the bread of life; for the biood of
Jesjs Christ cleanses from all sins, and through faith in him

ON OBEDIENCE. 149

^nd love to God the true christians overcome the world, the
flesh and the devil, and beconie the temples of the Holy
Ghost, and consequently enabled to live sober, righteous,
and holy lives, to the honor and glory of our Eternal Kather,
and our immortal souPs pprfection in holiness, and final re-
ception into the mansions of the blessed, to enjoy the bliss of
heaven forevermore.
Yet once more 1 shake not the earth only^ hut also heaven.

The peri )d is near at hand when Jehovah will destroy the
whole Universe, which \\\ created in the short spa(ie of six
days, he can therefore destroy it in much less time; in the
twinkling of an eye our blessed God will consume the earth
with fire, with all its filthy inhabitants.

"And 1 beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo!
there was a great earthquake, and the Sun became bla<-k: as
Sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the
stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth
her untimely figs when she is shaken by a mighty wind.—
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rilled togeth-
er; and every mountain and island were moved out of their
places." Then shall there be distress, lamentation and woe
to the extent that never has been known before; then the
Kings, Chief-Captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-
man and every free-man shall be dismayed and terrified, and
fly to hide themselves in dens and in the rocks of the moun-
tains. "And say to the mountains and rocks. Fall on us
and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his
wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the
Sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and
the stars shall fall from heave i, and the p wej s of the heav-
ens shall be shake-i; and then shall appear the sign of the
Son of man m heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the
ear h mourn, and they shall se-3 the on of man coming in
the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he

150 ON OBEDIENCE.

shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trmnpet, and
they shall gather together his t'lect from the four winds, from
one end of heaven to the other." And then also shall the
King say to us, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
prepared kingdom and be crowned with gloty forever; but to
the wicked and all devils, he shall say. Depart from me for
1 never knew you, ye workers of iniquity, and will cast them
into the lake of fire and brimstone, prepared for the devil
and his angels from the foundation of the world, where there
is weeping and gnashing of teeth forever and ever. Then
the glorious God will immediately create a New Heaven and
a JXew Earth, which shall abide forevermore, where all right-
eousness, holiness and glory shall abound, wherein the glo-
rious Chevubims and Seraphims, Angels and Arch-angels^
with all the redeemed of the Ljamb, shall minister unto Je-
hovah, and we shall worship in the Beauties of Holiness,^
our glorious, holy Father, and adoringly sing his praise for-
ever and ever. Amen and Amen.

J\"ote. — The three preceedmg Discourses are not printed in the
table of contents, having been written since. The reader will oc-
casionally discover typographical errors throughout the work, u

bi8€Ovri§e: xeii,

on the first resurrection.

On the first resurrection and thonsand years reign of Christ
with his Saints on earth. [Rev, I9th 4* 20//i Chaps.

John, the amiable and the beloved of the Lord ; the
holy, and the Divine; the Angelic Evangelist ; O how nna-
ture in holy tempers was this devoted disciple ; how perfect
did the love of God shine in his heart and soul, and was by
him reflected to the honor and glory of his Divine Master, as
manifested in his gospel and his epistles : and this last reve-
lation and conclusion of the Divine dispensation to mankind,
of FTim who was, and is, and is to come, the Almighty. How
highly was he also honored in this work of the Lord, who
appeared with Mystic figures unto him, and spake as it were
personally with him, explaining the meaning of the same — ►
then again he spake to them out of heaven, inviting him to
come up, and immediately he was wafted in the spirit into
these resplendant regions of glorv, and beheld the beauties
of heaven and Him who sitieth on the Throne. Thus he
was alternately in heaven and on the earth, to accomplish
this wonderful and sublime work, which excites our admira-
tion and influences our hopes and fears, according to our
state and relation with the Deity, O the blessed views he
had of the glorious New Jerusalem, and the shining liosts
surrounding the Most High in glory, and their happiness and
bliss ; \\ ith some of whom he had frequent intercourse and
conversation to accomplish this work, and never was any one
of earthly mould more worthy of the appellation of brother
from these Angelic holy Beings ; with whom he is now, in
this Paradise of God, in closer communion ; and shall be so
forever and ever. And so shall likewise all who follow him

152 ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

as he followed Christ ; walked with God as he did ; as we
shall see as we proceed in this subject.

John informs us of the great Jubilee there was in heaven,
of the singing and rejoicing of Saints and Angels, saying
" Alleluia ; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto
the Lord our God :" For true and righteous are his judge-
ments ; for he hath judged the great whore, which did cor-
rupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the
blood of his servants at his hand." " And again they said
Alleluia. And her smoke rose up forever and ever." This
was the overflow of joy of the souls which had been under
the Altar — the martyrs of Jesus — and their brethren, the
holy Angels, in anticipation of the destruction of their ene-
mies, who persecuted them and shed their innocent blood ;
and also many of their brethren after them, up to this time
of retribution, as stated in chapter six* were pleading their
cause before the Judge, vsaying, " How long, O Lord, holy
and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them
that dwell on the earth ?" " And white robes were given
unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they
should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants
also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,
should be fulfilled. " This period had now arrived, and a
voice was heard coming out of the throne saying, " Praise
our God, all ye his servants, and ye thai fear him, both small
and great," and the voice of multitudes, and the voice of
many waters, and the voice of mighty thunderings were heard
by our blessed brother John, saying, '^Alleluia; for the Lord
God Omnipotent reigneth." As the Holy Lord enjoined on
his followers and dear people, his Saints, not to return evil
for evil, but contrary wise, blessings, and has also said that
vengeance belonged to Him and that he would repay — we
are constrained in this, als-o, to obey; and indeed if we even
thought otherwise, and our zeal would hurry us — with Ptter
— to smite our enimies and cut off some ears, we should
make but little progress — with an arm of flesh — as there are

ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 153

always millions against us, particularly now, many millions
against one true follower of the Lamb, who will strive law-
fully unto blood, persevere llirough fire and water, to get into
the wealtliy Holy Place, where we shall shortly, with the
holy throng assembled — lift up our voice and say, " Let us
be glad a5)d rejoice, and give honor to Him; for the marriage
of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready,'
and with them be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white '
which is the righteousness of saints." Thus shall we be
blessed with all that are called unto the marriage supper
of the Lamb.

"And I saw heaven open, and beheld a white horse ; and
he that sat upon him called Faithful and True, and in right-
eousness he doth judge and make war." He comes forth
in dreadful array; in the majesty of the Almighty; with
eyes as flames of fire, and ma y crow is on his head ;
clothed with a vesture dipped in blood ; and his nam:*, is
called " the Word of God;" followed by the whole hosts
of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine Imen, white and
clean. And he will smite all nations with the word of his
mouth, and rule them with a rod of iron ; and he treads the
winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,
" KING OF KLNGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

Let the earth stand amazed and in awe, and ponder the
things which must shortly come upon her; when the wicked
shall be overthrown with an everlasting destruction and all
the fowls be filled with their^flesh. " 1 saw an Angel stand-
ing in the sun ; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all
the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, come and gather
yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; "That
ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and
the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them
that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond,
both small and great."

There will be, therefore, such a slaughter on the ea th

154 ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

that \ as never approached before; as she drank the blood
of tlii baints of the Most Hi^h, so shall she drink in that of
their jnseculors and murderers, upon whom 'vill, mosi like-
ly, be found all the blood from rigliteous Abel to Za( hariah,
and fiOin him to the laiest saint ; even to this destruction.
This cleansing of the earth will be the evening preceeding
the daw n of the glorious Sabbath which the saints shall en-
joy with their L.ord on the earth; when the kid, the bear,
and ox shall feed together, and the lion lie down with the
lamb, and a little child shall lead them ; when there will be
no more v\ ar or fightings on the earth during this blessed
time. But the Prince of Peace will be Sovereign Ruler,
and all will acknowledge his sway; love, reverence, and
hono'* and adore him.

By all appearances the time is not far hence, when these
things will be accomplished. Some persons have placed it
even in this year, others the next; and again others the fol-
lowing, and several as far out as eighteen hundred and fifty,
when the millenial year is to commence, and all profess to
have examined the prophesies and calculated accordingly,
and concluded as stated ; others again say, " as soon as you
please you may have it" — addressing, 1 presume, all who are
desirous that this glorious era should commence — that is,
they say "convert all the heathens and you have it," Affec-
ting ignorance and bhndness to the dreadful course of wick-
edness, and all things considered, worse than heathen iniqui-
ty, in which nearly all revel that have the name of christians.
As it was in the beginning of Wesley's career, so it is
now, or if anything worsa ; who in writing that very likely

Mr. (a person who said he believed he had never seen

one,) would never see a true christian — intimating that they
were very scarce and far between — to use a familiar phrase;
and so it is at present, the plural will scarcely apply to the
true church of Christ on earth. However, I have or will
affect more charity — and indulge the hope that there are sev-
en thousand belonging to it, as at the time of Elijah. Then

ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 155

according to the reasoning of this last class — these uncon-
vertr'd christians must likewise become converted, which
will b(^ an hercnlian ta^k, before we have the glorious dawn
of the millenial — lor it would be otherwise impossible that
the lion could lie down with the lamb, and persecution cease,
and love and peace pervade all — unite them in holiness —
from sea to sea and from the rivers unto the ends of the earth.
.No! this is not the way it is to be accomplished, lor as long
as Satan remains loose he will have his followers, and there
will be division, contention, strife and persecution. But how,
is he not to be chained ? He is, as 1 shall show you pres-
ently.

This Hiissionary work and preaching the word of life to the
heathen, is all, according to prophecy, to the design of Jeho-
vah, and praiseworthy to all who contribute to enlighten the
heathen, and effect their salvation; and a great reward to all
those who walked with God blameless, and thus hon-
ored him, and glorified his name, with their substance and
talents and souls, which arc all his ; and those who had
some worldly or other object in view, shall also be recom-
pensed accordingly. Doubtless many souls have been con-
verted, and have already entered into the joy of our Lord
to rejoice with the redeemed forever, and have thus escaped
the terrible times coming on, when all the seed of the ser-
pent shall be entirely destroyed over the whole earth, by Him
on the White Horse, followed by a flaming host. Whether
this is only figurative, and the Lord will destroy the wicked
by sword, pestilence and famine, or whether it will be effect-
ed something like the Angel passing at midnight over the
land of Egypt, and destroying as many as the Lord com-
missioned or empowered him, "even all the first born of man
and beast, belonging to the wicked Egyptians, 1 say whether
this way or that — he can do it many ways — it matters not to
the culprits which are to be destroyed for their crime of
serving Satan rather than God, and the heathens will also be
Llameable, because they had the words of life preached

156 ON THK FIRST RESURRECTION.

unto them, which will testify against them; "the harvest will
be over, the summer ended, and they hkewise will not
have been saved." But the Lord has redeemed his promise
that the word of life should be preached to all nations, -^for
a testimony against them," that is, against all that will not
hear to the saving of their souls, by embracing the offers of
salvation thus made known unto them, but adhere to their
idolatry, iniquity and abomination, they shall then likewise
perish in their sins without further remedy.

As at the time of Noah and at the time of Sodom and
Gomorrah, so siiall it be at our blessed Lord's second advent.
Is there not t;ovv stampt on the face of the times forebodings
of a similar era of wickedness and abomination, and an
utter contempt of the blessed God? Has not the love of
many waxed cold, and has there not been a great falling off?
Certainly, every body knows it, and few are afflicted on ac-
count thereof, and therefore these are the very symptoms of
the approaching crisis, when Beelzebub with his followers
shall have their last struggle on the earth — until after the
thousand years — and they will not be able to fight with
success the royal cavalry from the celestial regions, under
the Lord of Hosts, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Let us consider the issues of the battle a little further. St.
John says, "And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth
a Id their armies, gathered together to make war against him
that sat on the horse, and against his army. "And the beast
\ as taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had
received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped
his in age. They both were cast alive into a lake of fire
burning with brimstone; and the remnant were slain with
the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword pro-
c e ded out of his mouth; and all the fowls were filled with
their flesh.*"

Such a general devastation and utter destruction of all
the wicked upon the earth has never been known before,

ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 1 57

save at the time of Noah; but that is not to be compared to
the terribleness of the result of this epoch. Therefore let me
for warn you, each and all, to flee from the wrath to come;
flee to the outstretched arms of mercy; make your peace
with Uod; through a crucified Saviour be reconciled to him;
be restored to his favor and holy image, that ye may be found
in holiness, and be hid under his wings, and thus escape the
doom of the wicked; for surely the rod of the wicked shall
not come unto the righteous as long as ihey walk faithful in
hohness with God. No! verily, now is the time our heads
will be elevated in gettmg this Sabbath and Jubilee for a
thousand years; the mom of which js near at hand. 1 con-
sider the six thousand years since the begummg of the world
nearly expired, and that ihe seveiith uill be this Sabbath —
accordmg to the Jev\ish dispensation — duiing which Christ
widi his Saints will reign on die eanh. Then^fore, (or the
etetnal welfare of your souls and bodies, be persuatled to
make your peace with this l^ince of Peace, ere he comes,
and yoti wdl find him in war as an araiy with banners; terri.
ble as an earthquake with thunder and hghtning; wlvn none
of you shall escape his vengeanct^ even your father the devil,
the prmce of darkness, shall be captured, with all his legions
of dark spirits, and be cast into hell; as we read from the
same authority. "And I saw an angel come down from
heaven, having the k*^y of the bottomless pit and a preat
chain in his hand; and he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years, and cast him into the boitondess pit, and
shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive
the nations no more, till the thousand yeais should be fulfill-
ed; and after that he must be loosed a little season."

As 1 said before as long as ."^atan is loose ihere will be
iniquity on the eatth, and his followers, they that love dark-
ness rather than light, because their deeds are evd, and
therefore rather serve hnn than God, wdl always outnuml)er
the true christians — the sons of light and followers of the

158 ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

Prince of Peace, until this general defeat takes place, and
he, the source of all evil, will be shut up. What foolishness!
yea vvtiat madness, to serve such a master, openly or secretly
— seeing he cannot save himself — much less those thai trust
in hiu), serve hmi, and dc^lighl in his filthiness. jNol they
shall be destroyed first on this day, and then the air shall be
purged of all devils, which siiall be cast into hell for a iliou-
sand years; where there is hunger and thirst, weeping, wail-
ing, and gnashing of teeth foiever, and where tiie worm dieth
not and the fire is not quenched.

Now the earth bemg cleansed from all fillhiness and de-
vils, the glorious Jubilee and Sabbath of a thousand years will
commence, when the Saints and all the Redeemed of the
jVJost tJigli will reign Kings and Priests, with our Liessed
and Divine Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory.
According to John, "And 1 saw thrones, and they that sat
upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and 1 saw
the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Je-
sus, and for the word of God, and which had not v\oi ship-
ped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his
mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived
and reigned with Christ a thousand years.'' This will be a
glorious era for the Church of Christ upon earth, when per-
secution, contention and strife will rage no more against it;
when wai sand the evil consequences thereof shall not be
known during this period, no sin nor iniquity possibly
exist, consequently no need of the Judgments from the Al-
mighty, but in their stead will flow from the Holy of Holies
blessings in

Rivers refreshing all
On this terrestrial ball:

Of peace, love, joy, glory, happiness and bliss. We shall
then be filled with the holy qualities of Angels and sing in
divine strains the praise of our King Emmanuel, who will
be to us a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty. O what
a glorious and happy company, all of one mind and soul in

ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 159

Christ in one allied; these verses of holy King David will
apply so perfectly to this holy and peculiar nation, "Behold
how pleasant it is for brethren to dvv« II together in unity." —
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down
upon ihe beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down lo the
skirts of his garmenis. As the dew of Hermon, and as the
dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for these
the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. —
And these also will be fulfilled, when every one will be em-
ployed singing praise, "Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the
name of the Lord, praise him, O ye servants of the Lord. —
Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the
house of our God; praise the Lord for it is good; sing praise
unto him for it is pleasant. For God has chosen Jacob unto
himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. For 1 know
that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods."
Blessed is the Lord henceforth and forevermore. 1 shall
conclude with the following lines, which beautifully describe
the heavenly period :

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace,

Omnipotent thou art;
O may ihy love in us increase,

Reign thou in every heart:
All knees bow, and tongues proclaim
Thy high, exalted, holy Name.

Lord in thy peace the earth abound,

Exult in thee alone,
Sing thy praise and echoing round,

Does centre in thy throne;
All kindreds, tongues, and people sing
And worship thee Eternal King.

And all in mystic union join

In thee O God, below,
A perfect holiness combine,

And glory in thy glow:
All kindreds, tongues, and people sing
And worship thee Eternal King.

160 ON THE FIRST RESURRECTION.

All now as Saints and Angels praise,

In holy strains divine,
And heaven and earth sing thy lays.

Submissive at thy shrine;
All kindreds, tongues, and people sing
And worship thee Eternal King.

Hallelujah'! Hallelujah!!! The Lord God Omnipotent
reigiieth. The King of Saints. Amen and Amen.

mSCOURSE xtv.

THE JUDGMENT MORNING.

In my preceding discourses I have been showing the glo-
fious dawn of the millenium and the resurrection of the
Saints, the first resurrection — as it is termed — and the peace,
joy, and happiness we shall be blessed with during our reign
with Christ, our anointed Saviour, God and King. After
this holy, heavenly Jubilee and Sabbath of a thousand years
is ended, the Almighty Father will invite and receive to his
holy court all these terrestrial sons of light; and therefore,
by consequence we shall ail be wafted into the regions of
Eternal Light, and administered unto the Most High in the
Holy of Holies.

Alter this being accomplished Satan shall be liberated, ac-
cording to the words of inspiration, by the blessed St. John,
" And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be
loosed out of his prison." And quite likely with him those
apostate spirits that fell with him from their first estate, and
which were together with him cast into the earth, bound in
chains in darkness unto the judgment of the great day; and
which made such dreadful havoc among the children of men
alienating them from their iViaker and leading them into the
way of all sin, and iniquity, and abomination, so that in all
ages, with few exceptions, these was an apostate race, a
degraded people, delighting in committing depredation and
crime, and in their estrangement from the exalted Image in
which man was created, to be a praise and a glory to his
Maker. And instead of returning to him they severed the
ties that bound them yet further, and under the influence of
their satanic master, plunged at times into ocean depth of
iniquity, as at the flood, and at the time of Sodom and Go-
morrah,

IS

162 THE JUDGMENT MORNING,

The devil has been the cause of all the evil from the be-
ginning of the world; of the wars, cruel fightings, persecu-
tions and bloodshed; of wrath, malice and hatred, of pride,
envy and revenge, and all contention and strife; not only by
exciting the passions of his followers to persecute and commit
these crimes upon the Saints of the Most High, but among
his own children, these crimes were always more or less de-
veloped, and put into practice; nation against nation, and
individual against individual; if not murder in every case, its
concomitant qualities were exercised, in almost every in-
stance, to traduce and defame one another.

Thus wretchedness and misery were the general inmates
of the abodes of men on the earth; peace had fled far from
their dwellings — verily it is a precious ingredient, not conge-
nial to the cause of depravity and ungodliness, and therefore
not attributed by the Prince of Peace to wicked men, but
the contrary is denounced, "there is no peace for the wicked,
saith our God." Our God, with the inspired writer, is *'^He
who inhabits Eternity, whose name is Holy, who dwelleth
in the High and Holy Place, also in the hearts of those who
are of broken hearts and contrite spirits, to bind up the bro-
ken hearts and to revive the contrite spirits." Thus, herein
is made manifest the source of the stream of peace, which
in all ages pervaded the saints of the Most High, and uni-
ted them in love and salvation, through Christ in Plim in one;
and thus they had peace, although in the world they had
tribulation; as the same beloved disciple, for our consolation,
informs us, in his gospel, in the words of our blessed Sa-
viour, "Peace 1 leave with you, my peace I give unto you,
not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart
be troubled, neither let it be afraid." And also, " These
things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of
good cheer, I have overcome the world "

In the Prince of Peace, therefore, all his followers had
peace and salvation from the beginning of the world to the

THE JUDGMENT MORNING. 1 63

end of time; for he expressly says, "I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the ending, and the first and the last;" by
consequence he is the Judge, and all will be judged and re-
warded according to their works by him; therefore be ye all
warned if ye value your souls and eternal welfare, to make
your peace with him, otherwise you will shortly be ushered
before him, and find in him, not the mild and easy-to-be-en-
treated Saviour— as he might have been to you — while in
time — but the inexorable judge, who will have you quickly
banished out of his presence, and cast into outer darkness,
where there shall be eternal torments, as I shall show \ou
more fully as I proceed. Abraham had peace in this glori-
ous Prince, he saw him afar off, and believed in him, which
was counted unto bim for righteousness; so had Moses, "who
choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the re-
proach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt,
for he had respect unto the recompence of reward;" and so
had David, who sang so sweetly; Isaiah, who prophesied so
full and clear of his advent and mission, and final triumph
over the powers of darkness, and accomplishment of salva-
tion: these, together with all the Did and New Testament
Saiiits, rejoiced in him, and through the riches of his salva-
tion, ended their course with joy, and are now inheriting in
common with the Holy Angels, the mansions on high; and
likewise thousands since have been blessed through him,
with the same richness of grace, love, joy, peace, in short,
full salvation, and all the fruits of the spirit, and are now
likewise partaking of the same blessings with the blessed on
High; and we who remain by a retrograde faith, can behold,
wiih this amiable disciple, "his glory, the glory as of the on-
ly begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth," and
follow him the whole round of his obedient pilgrimage — for
we possess a chart where his way is laid down and described,
and are privileged far above the ancients, and by consequence
there will be less excuse for those that die in their sins; as

IC4 THE JUDGMENT MORNING.

his words, which we have so abundantly, and which shall
judge every one on the last day, have been unheeded, his
blood trampled under foot, his love, his great love, wherewith
he loved us so as to lay down his life on Calvary, been
slighted, and despite done to his Holy Spirit; all that have
thus lived and thus died, have; nothing to expect from him in
the eternal world but his fiery indignation, which shall con-
sume his adversaries. "Ah, 1 will ease me of my adversa-
ries, and avenge me of mine enemies," sailh the Lord, the
Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. Therefore I
would persuade you again be reconciled unto Jehovah; m
making of frienrls make liim your h'iend above all others,
he will be a friend in need, a friend in time, on the judgment
morning, and through all eternit> ; and verily a friend in word
and in deed, for his words and his deeds are all "Yea and
Amen."

Yes verily, we are favored far above the ancients in the
clearness of oit blessed Saviour's deeds, his sufferings, his
death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming to judge
the world in righteousness. We have his own words, which
spejik life and everything desirable that could contribute to
the happiness ef tnse believers in time and in eternity, and
aho his words which speak death aud excruciating torments
to the unbelievers forever ^nd ever. As the tree falls so it
lifs; as the sinner dies so he must appear before the judgment
seat of Christ.

"It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after that
the ju('gmeui;''' and as the uords of Christ shall judge all,
therefore v^ e whojudae ourselves by those words in time,
that i«, repent of all t)ur pins and ungodly deeds, which we
have ungodly romrintted, and love the Lord God with all
our hearts and walk with him through faith in Christ, in per-
fect holiness, thus die (jff from the old man and put on the
new, which after G( d is rieat('d in righteousness and true
holiness, become thus dead to the world, the lusts of the
ilesh, and the pride of life, and alive unto God; have our

THE JUDGMENT MORNING. 165

names written in the Lamb's book of life; a part in the first
resurrection, on whom the second death hath no power, be-
cause we keep his words and commandments to do them;
thus we fulfill both laws, that of works, and that of faith
and love unto our God and Saviour, and shall therefore reign
with him as Kings and Priests, forever and ever.

"But the wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the
nations that forget God." F^or behold the Lord will come
with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render
his anger with fury, and his rebukes with flames of fire." He
is thus coming at the end of time, after Satan shall have-
gone forth "to deceive the nations in the four quarters of
the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle,
the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." We may
well supnose that the devil will be raving mad— after being
liberated out of his dungeon — and will rush over the earth
as a foaming torrent, with redoubled violence and hatred
against God, and his peculiar people, which shall then be
pilgrims on earth, and not content by persecutmg the true
church of Christ, going about as a roaring Lion seeking
whom he may devour, he will even ascend with his slaves
"on the breadth of the earth, and compass the camp of the
Saints about, and beloved city; and fire shall come down
from God out of heaven and devour them." And the devil
that deceived them shall be cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophets are, and
shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." Thus
we find to the end that the God of the wicked is not our
God, JEHOVAH! as he shall be quickly overthrown and
cast back into hell with all his followers, shortly after to be
brought forth and judged by saints and angels, and Christ,
who is God over all, blessed forevermore.

Yes verily, the wheels of time are hastening on apace, are
rolling rapidly towards the verge of eternity, when the great
^•Arch-Angel shall stand with one foot on the seaard the
other on the land, lift up his hand towards heaven, and swear

166 THE JUDGMENT MORNING.

by Him who liveth forever and ever, that time shall be no
longer." Then the earth shall quake, be rent, and roll to and
fro, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken; the sun shall
become black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon as blood;
the stars of heaven shall be precipitated upon the earth, ''as
a fig tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a
mighty wind;" even the very heavens shall depart as a
scroll when it is roiled together; the whole firmament shall
be shaken to the centre; the mountains shall tremble, be
rent and tumble to the earth, and the islands be moved out
of their places. Then shall there be distress, lamentation?
and woe, such as has never been heard upon the earth be-
fore, "When the Kings of the earth, and the great men, and
the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men,
and every bond-man, and every free-man, shall hide thenv
selves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, and
say to the mountains and rocks fall on us, and hide us
from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from
the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is
come, and who shall be able to stand?" Thanks be to
God, we shall be able to stand who have previously made
our peace with him; washed our robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb; and have "kept his command-
ments, therefore, we sha 1 have a right to the tree of Life
and enter in through the gates into the city:

*' The city so holy and clean,

No sorrow can breathe in the air;
No gloom of afilction or sin,

No shadow of evil is there !
The Saints in His favor receive

Their great and eternal reward,
In Jesus, in heaven they live,

They reign in the smile of their Lord."

We therefore shall be able to endure and ever to rejoice,
because we have made God our refuge, through Christ the
Judge, who is now our friend, and saves us from standing in
the judgment with the wicked; yea he even first opens all

THE JUDGMENT MORNING, l-G?

the graves of his Saints, trains and transforms us into An-
gels, and gathers us around his throne to pass testimony
against his enemies, our persecutors, who would have none
of our reproofs, nor the holmess of our Divine Master, and
consequently are thus overtaken and overw^helmed in con-
fusion and dismay, consternation and terror; running about
to hide themselves from his glorious appearing; when the
heavens shall disappear, and the elements melt with fervent
heat, the earth, the earth also be burned with fire. And
when the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the
holy angels with Him, then sliall He sit upon the throne of
His Glory. For the Lord Himself shall descend from
Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Arch-angel, and
with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,
who will say unto us, "Come ye blessed of my F'ather, in-
herit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world. And so shall we be ever with the Lord because
we have overcome, be seated within his throne, while all the
wicked at the word of His power will be gathered before
us; the graves open, the dead come forth to stand before
Christ, the Judge, and the devil with all his legions from hell
shall be assembled before the Jehovah-judge and his Saints
and Angels, to hear their last doom pronounced upon them,
O what an enormous multitude will then be assembled; all
the hosts of heaven. Angels and Saints on etherial thrones
suspended around the King of Glory, the Judge of the wick-
ed, while the conflagration of the earth will be going on be-
neath, and the devils and all their co-workers, from Cain to
the very last of them in despair, trembling om the brink ot
fire and brimstone, the earth nearly dissolved; the judge will
seal their doom in words of thunder, "Depart from me ye
cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
Angels." And immediately they will all be cast together
into the furnace of fire, where there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth forever and ever.

les THE JUDGMENT MORNING.

Hear also what St John says, "And 1 saw a great white-
throne and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heavens fled away, and there was found no place for
them. And 1 saw the dead small and great stand before
God; and the books were opened, and another book was
opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books accord-
ing to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it; and death and hell dehvered up the dead which
were in them, and they w^ere judged every man according
to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake
of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was
not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake
of fire.*" And thus these awful words of our Lord are made
manifest upon them, "They that worship the beast and his
image, and receive his mark in their foreheads or in their
bands, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,
which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his in-
dignation, and they shall be tormented with fire and brim-
stone in the presence of the Holy Angels, and in the pres-
ence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torments ascend-
ethup forever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night,
who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever re-
ceiveth the mark of his name." Yea verily, these things
will all come to pass, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken
it, and the time is near at hand when

The blowing of the last trumpet,
Come to judgment to be judged!
Like thunder through the air abounds,
Amid the commingling of sounds
Of burning things and falling mounts.

The judge comes long way through clusters
Of worlds and planets whose lustres,
Dim'd by his superior glory,
And his celestial company,
All resplendent in briUiancy.

THE JUDGMENT MORNING. 161>

While the trump continues sounding,
Are changing to immortality
All in the twinkling of an eye,
All the righteous that did not die,
And those from graves does glorify.

The Angels flying all about

To receive us up in the cloud,

* 'Welcome, welcome with our King go,

To the land where milk and honey flow,

And nothing but sweet pleasures know.'*

O ye gates swing apart, the most
The King of Glory comes with his host,
Who is the King of Glory? Who?
The God infinite that all foreknew,
Jesus, who worlds to atoms threw.

Let in, ye pearly gates! 'part swing.
The lovely train with Glory's King;
O who is Glory's King, O who?
The Word by whom all things came new,
Lord of Hosts and Holy One too.

And swings the gates and passes through.
The King of Glory with retinue;
Who is the King of Glory ? Who ?
The Almighty that all things can do.
All praise and blessings him are due.

Glory, honor, dominion and power,
To God our Omnipotent Father,
And our Prince of Peace Almighty;
With the Holy Ghost, O Glory!
Hallelujah!! to the One Three.

Holy !! Holy !!! Holy !!!! Holy !!!!!
Art Thou Glorious;
Hosanna! Hosanna!! Hosan'a!!!
Hallelujah!!! Hallelujah!!!!
Hallelujah ! ! ! ! Hallelujah ! ! ! ! !
Amen ! Amen !! Amen !!! Amen !!!!

Ere the departure of the host,
Surround'ng the Lord of Canaan's coast,
On clouds all around suspended.
More solemn and shrill blasts the trumpet,
Arise! 'rise to be judged, judg'd.

170 THE JUDGMENT MORNING.

Satan, and from the depths of hell

They come, with hideous looks and tremble,

And from the graves, caverns, and rocks,

And Oceans all, in woeful flocks.

To receive reward for their mocks.

The world, which was all their delight;
Burning falls before Jesus' might;
The King of Glory who was slain
For the world's guilt, is here again,
And will forever, ever reign.

The book of life does not contain,
Of the dejected crowd, a name;
Christ with justice imperative.
And solemn tone, His sentence give.
Ye cannot and ye shall not live.

Depart from me, I ne'er knew ye.
With the devils forever be;
To hell's blackness and darkness doom.
Amid burning sulphur'cus fume,
Solid night and eternal gloom.

Be forever driven to and fro.
With gnashing and weeping and woe.
And excruciating torment.
The frame unceasmgly rend,
And smoke perpetually ascend.

DISCOURSE XV.

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earthy for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away^ and they were no
more. \_Rev.^\st chap. \st verse.

We frequently read in the Old Testament, in the language
of Jehovah, that at some future day the heavens and the
earth shall be destroyed with a complete, entire, and ever-
lasting destruction, so that not a vestige of the old fabric
should remain, wherein and whereupon Satan, ihe old beast,
practiced his abominations; the glorious heavens wh^re he
commenced his career of rebellion against the blessed God,
creator of the Universe, who called into being the glorious
Cherubims and Seraphims, Angels and Arch angels, all the
holy hosts, to attend his Omnipotent, Divine Majesty, lu the
Courts of his glory; here in heaven, in the holy of holies, in
the effulgence of the Most High, King of all worlds, this
spirit of the morning began his conjuring among his fellow
beings of light to undermine and overthrow if possibl<i^, the
throne of the eternal; but in this he failed, his subtle in-
ventions and plans were frustrated; although legions of an-
gels had been seduced by his artifice and were now under his
control. The eye of Omniscience however, saw through
the huge edifice they were erecting, traced it to the centre,
and discovered him who laid the foundation of this daring,
this monstrous abomination; and the finger of the Almighty
pointed him out in derision to his shining hosts, who kept
their first estate, adhered to him, and willingly and obediently
served their Master in love and holiness; remaining faithful
and honorable ambassadors to the King of Glory, who also
honored and exalted them in turn, while this foul spirit, this

172 TEE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH.

devil, was looked upon with scorn and contempt, was a de-
graded wretch, and an abhorrence to all the innocent in the
Holy Place, and the Lord God bound him in chains of dark-
ness, with all his followers, and cast them out of his presence.

The devil with all the apostate spirits being cast out of
Jieaven, were permitted to take refuge in the earth until the
great and notable day of the Lord, then to be cast into
the Lake of fire and brimstone, prepared for them from
the foundation of the world. No sooner had the Almighty
created man to inhabit the earth, whom he created in
his own Image, innocent and holy as the angels in
heaven, than this arch fiend went to work to deface
this the fairest and most celestial of all the creatures
upon earth, and succeeded but too well, as all know who are
conversant with the revelations of God, who read and med-
itate on the word of truth as recorded in the Bible; and all
may also learn the awful consequences of the fall of our
first parents, the curse entailed by Jehovah upon them and
all their posterity to the end of time, and the dreadful de-
pravity which immediately ensued under this Satanic prince
of darkness; the crimes which were perpetrated under his
instigation; even the very first ofifspring of Adam and Eve
became a murderer under Beelzebub his father, who is dread-
fully averse to every thing holy and divine, and thus at the
very beginning gave vent to his malice against God and his
saints, and through Cain he slew Abel.

As the earth became more populous his bloody crimes
became more frequent, and sin and iniquity and abomination
to abound, so that man, whom the Lord God created for an
honor and a praise, became an abhorrence in his sight, and
it grieved the Lord that he had made him at all on the earth.
So it was at the flood when the Lord destroyed them all save
Noah and his family; if he did not destroy the earth upon
which they revelled — but kept it for a future day — he des-
troyed the whole world, that is, all the serpent's seed; so at
the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, with

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH. 173

all the plains; and since then the terrible depopulating of
countries by the Ahiiighty. Overthrow of nations and des-
truction of people testify to the truth of his words: "The
wicked shall be destroyed with an everlasting destruction,
and all the nations that forget God shall be turned into hell/'

The earth, as in my last discourse, the earth shall posi-
tively be destroyed, for the mouth of Him who cannot lie,
the Lord, has spoken it. The heavens shall depart, and the
earth melt with fervent heat. Then the lofty looks of men
shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed
down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted;'^ and then also
shall vengeance be taken upon the devil, the old serpent, and
satan, and all his wicked and degraded folio *vers, which
shall all be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, to be
tormented forever and ever. Consult Isaiah, 1 4th chapter,
for the following: How art thou conquered and destroyed
O Lucifer, how art thou cut down which didst weaken the
nations! ''for thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into
heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I
will sit also upon the mount in the congregation, in the sides
of the north; 1 will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
Twill be like the Most High;" and now art thou brought down
even into the pit, and Jehovah alone is elevated, worshi])ped,
and adored, and his nan.e glorified.

The heavens being disposed of wherein Satan first trans-
gressed, and the earth whereon he had his career of filthi-
ness, and which was saturated with blood, and the beast
was permitted to persecute the saints of the IVJost High, and
slay them as sheep, and whereon the wicked revelled, fought
and tore each other like wild beasts; robbed, oppressed, de-
frauded and murdered one another, revelled in adulteries,
fornications, and that which is almost a shame to mention —
abuse one another's bodies between themselves — he-dog
with he-dog, in acts that were unseemly and against nature.
O the stmk which used to ascend from their filthy abomina-
tions to offend the nostrils of Jehovah and all holiness,

174 THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH.

instead of holy praise, thanks and blessings. I marvel not
therefore that it grieved my blessed, holy father, that he had
made man upon the earth, since by tiieir filthy father, the
devil's mventions, they became debased below the most filthy
of all his other animals, and consequently a disgrace to the
upright stature in which they were created, and no wonder
that God who is altogether holy, and can never bear iniquity,
crushed the stinking wretches with their filthy father into
fire and brimstone, as a more suitable place than this earth,
to say nothing of heaven, where all glory abounds, and burnt
the earth upon which they wallowed in filthiness beneath
the swine.

Verily the Lord God has at length redeemed his pledge,
"Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
pass away until they are all fulfilled.*" The wicked with
their master, which had a desire to doubt that the Lord
could really destroy this (to them) so fair a fabric, by saying
"where is the promise of his commg, for the heavens were of
old and the earth stood out of the water and in the water!"
but now they can no more sneer at the words of Christ, for
are they not now overthrown and confounded, are they not
banished out of the glory of Christ? yea verily, Christ is now
also ashamed to own them, as they while in time, were asha-
med to follow him in the regeneration, believe in him, love
him, and keep his commandments to do them. O ye infidels
and criminal persons, where is now the earth whereon you
revelled and which you took for your portion? it has under
the curse of the Almighty, vanished as a vision, and your
career upon it will be remembered by you in sorrow and
despair, and cause unutterable pangs of anguish of soul,
cries and torment, throughout a never, no never-ending eter-
nity, and what will aid to increase your eternal hell of soul
will be the recollection of the joys you have wilfully and
madly forfeited; the joys and glory of the New Jerusalem;
the joys and blessedness of the saints and holy angels in Je-
hovah's glory, whom you will now behold above on a throne

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH, 175

of dazzling splendour, surrounded by his Kings and Priests,
the Holy Angels and Saints, all shining and reflecting like
suns and stars the lustre and effulgence of the Deity; shed-
ding great glory all around, and into the pit, upon the devil
and you his poor, miserable and subdued legions, but for
which you would be in outer, in utter darkness; your eyes
of flesh will be dimmed by the resplendent, beatific vision,
and increased horror will fill your poor souls, and this will
be yet more and more heightened by the sweet, heavenly,
Angelic music from millions and millions of glorified Beings
celebrating the triumphs of our Glorious King; the vibrations
and resoundings of innumerable harps, lyres, and golden
instruments, set in motion by the most exquisite, superlative,
seraphic touches, accompanied by th^^ melodious singing of
the celestial Bride, rejoicing in her triumphant and glorious
Bridegroom.

Jehovah having completed his designs as respects the old
world and its inhabitants, the devil and his followers are
shut up and sealed in the lake of fire and brimstone forever.
By the word of the Omnipotent a new heavens and a new
earth will be immediately created for the Holy Angels and
Saints, all the redeemed from the earth, wherein all right-
eousness and holiness shall abound, and it shall differ
in other respects from the old heavens and earth, inasmuch
as there shall be neither sun, moon, nor stars, &c. for the
effulgent Glory of the Deity shall illuminate the same, nei-
ther shall there be darkness nor night, but one eternal noon.
"And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty
and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no
need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the
glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there-
of. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in
the light of it. And there shall be no more curse, but the
throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his ser-
vants shall serve him, and they shall see his face, and his name
shall be in their foreheads, and they shall reign forever and

176 THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH.

Eye hath not seen, neither hath ear heard the joys prepa-
red for those that love God, for those who were the called
and chosen according to his purpose, all the redeemed of
the Lamb, who washed and made themselves clean through
faith in his blood; we shall all be like unto the Holy Angels,
and together contribute the constellation of the New Heav-
ens and the New Earth. Yea verily, we shall all be burn-
ing luminaries, suns, and stars, reflecting the splendor o( Je-
hovah; forever behold his glorious lace and dwell in his glori-
ous presence, and minister unto him in the courts of his glory.
There shall be joy and rejoicing forevermore, the most exqui-
site, soul-exalting, and perfect music on innumerable harps,
lyres, and other golden instruments, accompanied by num-
berless millions of angelic voices, melodiously singing the
high praises of our God and Saviour; the whole expanse
shall resound with the adoration and praise, with the thanks
and blessings of the holy throng, to Jehovah, our God and
King, who alone shall be worshipped, and that by all in
spirit and in truth and in the beauties of holiness. He alone
shall reign supreme in the hearts of all the glorious inhabit-
ants of this Canaan and Celestial Paradise of superlative
holiness, happiness and bliss. Jehovah alone shall be sole
Monarch, and all shall love, honor, and obey him; manifest
their reverence and obedience in the fulfilling of his words
and commands; lauding, applauding, magnifying, and attrib-
uting all the glory to his name. A perfect bond of love, joy,
and peace shall pervade all, unite and combine them through
Christ and the Holy Spirit in God, our Holy Father, in one.
The praise and worship of all these glorious hosts shall com-
mingle in one harmonious whole, and everlastingly ascend
in oderiferous incense before the glorious Throne of Jeho-
vah: "And they shall sing the song of Moses the servant of
God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvel-
ous are thy works Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy
ways, thou King of Saints. Who shall not fear thee, O
Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy. And

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH. . 177

cry with a loud voice saying, Salvation to our God which sit-
teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." And all the re-
deemed shall be about the throne and serve God in his holy
temple forevermore, in holiness and righteousness, worship-
ping and singing, crying, Holy! Holy!! Holy!!! Lord God
Almighty; Hosanna! Hosannal! Hallelujah! Hallelujah II
Hallelujah'.!! The Lord God Omnipotent, the King of Glory
reigneth; all blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiv-
ing, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for-
ever and ever. Amen.

Angels who are thy peculiar care,

Adore thee, and harps and lyres string,
Fill harmoniously the air,

Cause the etherial domes to ring,
Melodiously sing,
Jehovah, God and King.

Commingle all Celestial Choirs,

Emulate with divine powers.
With Angelic and Seraphic Lyres,

Continue 'neath Golden towers,
Thro' etherial bowers,

Heavenly fields and flowers.

Re-echoed by circling Jasper,

To our Alpha and Omega,
To whom be glory, thanks, dominion,

With Fath'r, Spirit, and JEHOVAH^
Hosanna ! Hosanna !!
HaUelujah ! Hallelujah ! !

THE END.