The sin and danger of insensibility under the calls of God to repentance: two sermons, delivered in the Reformed Dutch church, at Greenwich

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THE SIN AND DANGER

Cr

INSENSIBILITY

Sunder the calls of god to repentance

TWO SERMONS,

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

ON THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1812,

THE DAY SET APART BY THE JOINT RECOMMENDATXOH OF TJBE

GENERAL SYNOD OP THE R. D. CHURCH,

AMD or

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

A3 A DAY OF

FASTING, HUMILIATION, AND PRAYER.

BY STEPHEN N. ROWAN, A. 31.

— ' ' ■■ ■■ »

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

\ I. sr.YMOURj PRI

1812.

'r^^^

Conyregational Thpological Library.

WHITIXG & ^VATSON,

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

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

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

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

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

•Vfw-rorJl, .J;.'ri/«, 181C.

/

THE SIN AND DANG15R

or ....7i III I

7 i" y

INSENSIBILITY ^

UNDER THE CALLS OF GOD TO REPENTANCE :

TWO SERMONS,

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

ON THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1812,

THE DAY SET APART BY THE JOINT RECOMMENDATION OF THE

GENEUAL SYNOD OF THE R. U. CHURCH,

AND OF

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

AS A DAY or

FASTING, HU311L1AT10N, AND PRAYER.

BY STEPHEN N. ROWAN, A. M.

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

J. SEYMOUR, PRINTER.

lHl-2.

^Tg-i

•7-

ADYERTISE3IENT.

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

STEPHEN N. R0^^ AN.

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

SERMON I.

Isaiah xxii. 12, 13, 11.

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

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

• Dan. iv. 25.

( « )

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

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

" Sec Scotl's Commentary on this passage.

( ' )

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

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

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

* Ver. 10, n.

( 8 )

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

( y )

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

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

• Chap. I.
S

( 10 )

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

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

1st. The state of the norld.

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

* xsvii. 31.

( 11 )

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

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

( 12 )

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

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

I Thu iiulhor would not be undeislood as deciding upon

{ l'> )

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

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

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

( 14 )

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

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

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

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

( 15 )

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

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

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

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

( !<' )

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

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

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

• Kom. y.iii. 4. t Piov. xxix. 2.

( 17 )

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

c

( 1^ )

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

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

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

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

( 19 )

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

♦ Amos vi. 4-^fi.

( 20 )

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

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

* ver. 1§ — 20.

( 21 )

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

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

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

( 2-2 )

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

( 2!t )

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

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

( 2« )

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

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

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

( 2.-, )

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

The want of Gospel Ministers.

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

j>

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

Zion calls upon us to mourn the want of Union.

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

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

( 27 )

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

TNION MUST ONE DAY TAKE PLACE. The liamCS

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

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

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

( 28 )

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

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

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

( 29 )

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

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

* 2 Pet. ii. 1.

( 80 )

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

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

• Acts ii. 37—41.

+ Acts X. 42—44

( -n )

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

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

( 32 )

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

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

* See note, page 28.

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

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

SERMON II.

Isaiah xxii. 12, 13, 14.

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

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

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

*

vcr. 1.1.

( 36 )

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

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

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

( 37 )

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

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

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

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

( '3« )

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

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

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

( =w )

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

* Buck's TheoloGfical Dictionary.

( 40 )

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

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

( 11 )

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

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

F

( 42 ;

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

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

* xii. 1^

( 43 )

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

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

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

( 44 )

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

( 45 )

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

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

* The Rev. Abraham Taylor.

( 40 )

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

III. The sin and danger of our state.

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

• Vcr. 14,

{ 47 )

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

( 48 )

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

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

• Amos iv. 9. t Lev. xxvi. 16;

( 4!) )

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

* Ilev. ii. 1. iii. 1 — 4.

( 50 )

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

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

• Jcr. vii. 15.

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

( ^l )

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

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

* Ps. ii. 10.

( 52 )

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

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

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

( 53 )

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

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

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

( 54 )

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

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

Anie)i>
* Isaiah Iviii, 6 — 9.

WHITING .§' WATSON

Will put to press in a few days, and publish, in one largi
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I. Observations on the History and Evidences of the Re-
surrection of Jksus Christ. By Gilbert West, Esq.

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sms."

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

, of the most interesting and solemn inquiry to every rational

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

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th, who may read this volume, will be constrained

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

!"

Observations of Lord Lyttleton on the Conversion of
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