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OK TUF. AT
PRINCETON, N. J. SAMUEL AGNE^V,
OF PHILADELPHIA, PA.
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DISCOURSES
O N
VARIOUS SUBJECTS,
ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE
EVIDENCE, INFLUENCE, AND DOCTRINES
O F
C H R I S T I A N I T ¥•
By the Rev. ROBERT GRAY; m. a.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, N° 6z, ST. PAUL's CHURCH-YARD J AND J. ROBSON, NEW BOND-STREET.
M DCC XCIil.
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND
WILLIAM,
LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER,
MY LORD,
J1.NCOURAGED by your Lordfhip's very flattering Recommendation of a former Work, to the Clergy of your Diocefe, I prefume to folicit your Attention to the prefent Publica- tion. Proud of that, and of other Tefti- monies of your Notice, I cannot but feel imprefled with Sentiments of perfonal Obli- gation to your Lordfhip, and chearfully avail myfelf of this Occafion to profefs them.
a 2 The
[ iv ]
The Authority of your LordHiip's Judg- ment, could it be pleaded as affording any Sandion to the Appearance of the following Difcourfes, would fecure their Author from all Apprehenlion as to the Reception which they might experience from the Public. As he cannot boafl of that San<ftion, he in- fcribes them to you, not to ilielter them under the Protedlion of your Name, but to gratify himfelf in the Expreifion of that grateful Refped: v/hich he entertains for your Lordiliip. Although the prefent Produdion does not difplay that Solidity of Remark, and Accuracy of Difcrimination, which charaderife your Refearches on Subjeds of Theology and ancient Erudition, yet it will, I trulr, be accepted not unfa* vourably, fmce it was defigned at leaft to ailitl and promote the Influence of that Reli- gion, of which you are fo eminently an Ornament, and .of vvnich your Exertions and Writings fo fuccefsfuUy contribute to fupport the Authority and Dodrines.
That
[ V ]
That you, my Lord, amidfl the el&vatcd Stations which you fo honourably fill in the Church, and in the Univerfity, ftill find Time for very general and extenfive Enquiry, is well known ; and I hope it will not be confidered as too prefiimptuous to expert that a few of your leifure Moments may be allotted to the perufal of the following Pages. The unexpefted Inftance of your Lordflnp's Fa- vour in the Author's Behalf, already mani- fefted in the Courfe of your zealous Attention to the Caufe of facred Literature, renders him folicitous to obtain your Approbation of the prefent Work.
I have the honor to be. My Lord, With great Refped, Your obli<^ed and obedient Servant,
P.OBSRT GRAY.
Twickenham,
Jj>nl 20, 1793.
^
X HE follo^ving Difcourfes are offered to the public, upon a prefumption that the im- portance of their fubjeds may recomniend them to its attention, though they fhould be thought to promife but Uttle novelty of en- quiry. Every point conneded with the evi- dence and dodtrines of chriflianity has been frequently difcuifed j yet each, perhaps, is capable of farther illuftration. The atten- tion of mankind Ihouid be often drawn to themes of religious conlideration, difcuifed in a ilyle and manner adapted to the difpofi- tion of the age. It is neceffary, frequently, to viiit the ground on which chriifianity v/as iirfl eftablifhed, to afcertain the limits and
a 4 extent
vili P R- E F A C E.
extent of the primitive faith, and to recover the parts taken by unjuft violence, or loft by injudicious concefiion. It is ufeful to pre- fent, in a familiar and popular form, the befl fupported opinions, upon important topics and principles of our religion ; to vindicate its relations and dodtrines, by argument and authority, from thofe mifreprefentations which they may have luffered; to feparate them from fpuj'ious additions, and to relute the objedions raifed up, or revived againft them.
There is, perhaps, no more ufelui and compendious mode of communicating reli- gious inflrufticn than that of Sermons; which interefl very general attention, and convey, with occafional Gncd:} imprellive and perma- nent information.
Some of the fubjeds here felecled by the Author, are among thofe which appear to him to have been lefs frequently coniidered, under this form, than their importance merits. Difcourfcs, upon religious fubje6:s, being ufually written for oral communication,
are
PREFACE. IX
are conftrudled in fuch form as is deemed beft calculated for popular inftruftion ; and thofe fubjedls are commonly rejecfled which require the production of remote authority, or the difcuffion of intricate queflions, as being judged too abftrufe for ready conception.
The Sermons preached in this country, before and after the Reformation, were often fo perplexed with fubtle enquiries, and fo encumbered with fcholailic learning, that they do not appear to have been calculated for general inftrudtion. They were delivered, however, at a time when the doctrines of chriitianity were more generally canvailed than at prefent ; when, from prevailing con- troveriies, all ranks had colledted fome know- ledge on the important themes of difcuffion ; when divinity was the falhionable ftudy, and a competent acquaintance with its fubjecfts as , effential to thofe who would iliine in fociety, as to thofe who would triumph in tlie fchools. Wearied with controvecfies too far pushed, and mortified with the difcovery of the weak-
nefs
X PREFACE.
nefs of human reafon, from the frequent failure of its attempts, the prefent age would faftidiouily reject all difficult enquiries from public difcourfes. Admonitions are daily held out the Miniflers of our religion, to feled: fubjects of practical importance, to infift, principally, on the moral obligations of reli- gion, and to produce fuch Sermons as are calculated to make men better. The admo- nitions are, doubtlefs, grounded on juil con- lideration -, and, certainly, no greater criterion of the excellency of a Difcourfe can be laid down than that it fhould be contrived to im- prove the conduit of men. But the direc- tion may be pufhed too far ; and Difcourfes, modelled merely on the plan of communicating pradical precepts, would not always produce the defired effed:: and it mufi: be maintained, that moral leiTons, however eloquently re- commended, or judicioufly enforced, are not the only, or the greatefl proofs of the utility gf a Difcourfe.
Chriilianity
PREFACE. xi
Chriftianity was communicated not limply to recommepd the virtues, of which expe- rience and refieclion might approve the excel- lency, but to reveal to mankind a defcription of the divine perfections and attributes : a declaration of his nature and defigns, as far as they have relation to man's duties ; to un- fold a wife and benevolent plan of redemp- tion, effected by unprecedented means, and connedied with new and great confiderations; to inculcate a morality, not only fuperior to the deductions of human reafon, but enforced on new principles and motives, and ftrength- ened by freiGh confiderations, derived from the higheil fource, and direded to the nobleil end.
The pra(5tical directions of chriftianity are fo plain and obvious, that " he who runs *' may read them :" and the preacher who confines himfelf to a repetition of the fecial duties of men, will be heard with that in- difference which fcarcely attends to acknow- ledged truths ^ and which, though it may
depart
xii PREFACE.
depart with a cold commendation on the pro- priety of the lefTon, will be little afFeded by the detail of firft principles, and familiar maxims. The intention of public Sermons was not merely to recommend moral precepts for the benefit of the inferior ranks of life, but to communicate, to the general clafTes of fociety, fuch inform.ation, upon import- ant points, as a well-educated and enlight- ened Miniilry is enabled to furnifh j to draw forth the wifdom of revealed inflrudion from its facred fources ; to explain its concealed knowledge ; to illuflrate its remote accounts; to interpret and comm^ent on its figures and parables ; to £imiliarife what is difficult ; to elucidate what is obfcure j' to alTert its doc- trines i to vindicate its miracles, and to de- fcrlbe the accomplifhment of its prophecies ; to recommend its relations by collateral ac- counts, and to exhibit its influence by hifto- rical dedudion ; to detail, in fimple and un- afFe(5led language, fucli knowledge as enquiry ■^nd refle(5lion may procure.
Chrifcianity
P Pv E F A C E. xiii
Chi-iftianity will operate upon the heart in proportion as it fhall be accepted by the un- derftandin^. Men do not ne.gled theprac- tical laws of religion becaufe they diifpute, or are ignorant of them : they cannot enter the church without feeing them infcribed in large characters ; nor can they hear a fingk leiTon of fcripture that does not pathetically recom- mend them: but, generally, they are infenfible to the influence of religidn, becaufe it ope- rates not with the full force of convidion -, becaufe their reluftant afTent is founded rather on acquiefcence than on full perfuaiion ; be- caufe their faith is built rather on education and habit than on argument and refledtion : fome doubts, from i'l^norance of the evidence of chriftianity; fome hefitation fi-om mif- conception of its dodrines, deadens the fpirit of piety, or weakens the conftancy of obe- dience. The flightefb mifl: of incredulity that rifes in the mind, is Sufficient gradually to darken the underflanding, and to corrupt the afFedlions of men : and the preacher,
though
xiv PREFACE.
though he fhould *' fpeak with the tongues ** of men and of angels," will plead in vain for the excellency of Chriflian obedience, wdio has not firfl removed the fufpicions that impeach its authority, and the diftruft which rejeds its fand:ions and claims.
It is not necelTary, indeed, that the teacher who addrelTes a Chriflian audience, fhould be ever labourino: to demonftrate the truth of a religion which has been eftablidicd for ages, on unfhaken foundations; that he Hiould excite doubts by endeavours to remove them: but, certainly, it is incumbent on him, occa- fionally, to bring forward that foundation of evidence which fubfcantiates its pretenfions, and on which alone faith can be rationally built. It muil be ufeful to detail the fubor- dinate proofs which may be dravv^n from a confideration of its particular relations ; it muil be expedient, like wife, fometimes to refute thofe idle, or captious objedlions, which are perpetually raifed up by fanciful or evil- difpofed men ; which infinuate their mifchief
into 4
PREFACE. XV
into every department of fociety, and v^hich mav deceive and miilead the bell under- flandings.
Chriflianity, though it might reft on the balls of its own internal excellency, mull not be deprived of that luHre which is re- fle(5ted by its extrinlic proofs, by the demon- ftration of its prophetic teflimonies, and the defcription of its miraculous fupport and pro- pagation. Every imprellive point of evidence which confirms our belief in the truth of religion, difpofes us to receive and abide bj its inllruftions.
It deferves fericully to be conlidered, whe- ther the cry for pradical Difcourfes, and the objeilions raifed againll what are improperly called myfterious Subjeds, may not, if car- ried too far, tend to exclude all points of dodlrine from our enquiry, and to reduce chriftianity to a fyllem of ethics.
If the difquifitions on myllerious points of faith, as introduced in the Difcourfes of earlier times, were found to be produdive of
xvi PREFACE,
mifchievous effeds, it was becaufe they fub- jeOied, to the difcuffion of reafon. enquiries on v/hich it was not competent to decide. It is now well underllood, that the myfte- ^. ries of faith are to be accepted not on the ground of their being compatible with our notions of experience, but becaufe commu- nicated to us by Teachers evidently fent from God : by Writers confefTedly infpired -, and it is certainly incumbent on the Miniilers of the Gofpel to inculcate, and iniift on the truth of thefe dodlrines, that are evidently- delivered as the Revelations of God, how- ever fuperior they may be to the limited con- ceptions, and narrow experience of mankind; and not to fhrink from the communication of them, becaufe the popular wifli feems in- clined to wave their difcuffion, and to re- commend, that matters of faith fliould re- main undifcuiTed, while the moral excellen- cies of chriftianity are induftrioufly difplayed. A filence on the do<ft]lnes of Revelation can be vindicated only on a fuppofition, that
points
PREFACE. xvil
points of faith are indifferent, and that the external decorum of a good hfe is the chief objed: of attention : a notion frequently pro- pagated under the popular fentiments, and loofe opinions, of the day. But a difregard to the principles of faith is a difregard to the only principles which can enfure, or ren- der praife- worthy, the moral confiftency of a good life. God mufi: refpecfl the motives and grounds of mens adions ; and will re- gard, in his decifions, fomething beyond the political tendency of human condudt. Prac- tice ever mufl depend on opinions. To dif- card the principles of faith, is to deftroy the vital fpirit of religion ; to cut up the trunk on which true piety mufl be grafted, and to dry and wither the branches of bene- volence and charity to men. If the age is .to be indulged in difcarding dodrines which a fceptical pride is difpofed to reject, and to be flattered into a belief of the fufiiciency of moral virtues, fome of which are intermingled with, and brighten through the mifcondud: b of
xvili PREFACE.
of the worfl of Chriilians, religion miifl: be degraded to the charadler of an earthly moni^ tor, lifelefs in its inftrudions, and feeble in its influence. Upon this plan the motives tp Chriftian obedience are torn away ; the things of fcripture hard to be underflood, and which were inferted to exercife our enquiry : the docStrines which were revealed to elevate the conceptions of faith, and to abate the pride of reafon, are to be iliufHed over, or fup- preflfed as ufelefs^ points which were efla- blifhed as marks and boundaries of truth, arc to be given up and neglected, till the difciples of a reformed faith are feduced by fe<flaries, who take advantage pf their ignorance ; and real difficulties are not attended to till infidels officioufly obtrude them to fliake the faith of uninformed men. Chrift did not fo proceed, nor did his apoftles veil over the dodirines of chriftianity for fear of giving offence to ob-^ flinate or conceited men : leaving the prin- ciples of faith, they fought to go on unto perfedion. Let falfhood flirink from en- quiry,
PREFACE, icix
<^iiiry, and fuperflition abate, and recede from its claims ; but let chriftianity, which, at firfl:> prefented " flumbling blocks to the Jews, " and to the Greeks foolifhnefs," ftill continue to defpife the fiipercilious pride of human wifdom, and " to bring into captivity everj^ *' thought in fubjecftion to Chrift,"
Thefe remarks are defigned to counteradt, in fome degree, the effed: of thofe prevailing fentiments, with refpedl to the intention of public Difcourfes, which tend to degrade the importance of preaching, and to lefTen the charadler of its miniflry, reducing its mem- bers, from teachers of great and interefting truths, to mere moralifts. When fairly un- derftood they cannot be thought to have any tendency either to revive the fpirit of ufelefs controverfy, to r^^commend the difcuffion of abftrufe and abflra(5t€d fubje(Sts, or to com- mend the pedantry and afFed:ation of often- tatious learning. Whether they may or may not be thought juft, when applied to Sermons which are to be delivered in public preaching, b 2 it
XX PREFACE.
it cannot furely be difputed, that Difcourfes^ intended for private perufal, may be rendered more interefling by the introdudlion of fuch explanatory particulars as are drawn from re- -mote fources, which are illuftrative of the primitive faith, and tend to elucidate difficul- ties of ferious confideration. Extraordinary relations, detailed in the hiftorical parts of fcrip- ture, fuch as thofe of the temptation of Chrift, of the pool of Bethefda, and of the Dasmo- niacs, which, from their remarkable charac- ter, make an impreflion very forcible, and which muft prove ufeful or prejudicial in proportion as they are underflood or mifcon- ceived; which are, in themfelves, pregnant with inftrudtion, and tend to fubftantiate the claims of chriilianity, appear to be fubjeds extremely proper for full and diffulive exami- nation, and may be confidered with more advantage than dilTertations on moral quali- ties, however elegantly recommended.
Popular Difcourfes, on thefe and fimilar fubjedts, are not fufficiently frequent, fmcc
the
PREFACE. xxi
the difficulties attending them are daily ope- rating on the minds of wavering Chriftians, ♦ and often contribute to fhake the faith of the uninformed difciples of Chrifl. Thefe fub- jeO:s then, it was conceived by the Author, required to be fully difculTed : with pro- duction of authority, and reference to early opinions. The interpretations of antiquity are not fo much raifed above the eye of com- mon attention as to be inconfiflent with the , defign of thefe Difcourfes. The fcholar is not difpleafed to find the authorities, which he knows to be important, produced in evi- dence. He is thereby relieved from the trouble of refcarch, or the neceffity of ac- quiefcing with unfupported affertion j and the general reader is not infenfible to the weight conferred by fuch authorities on the queftions difcuffed. If deep learning be the poffeffion of but few, yet the notices and impreffions of it are very generally difperfed, and the dedudlions, or pretended deductions ©f it, operate very extenfively. The Dif- b 3 courfe
xxii PREFACE.
courfe on the Daemonlacs was particularly iiefip^ned to oppofe the notion laid down by the learned Dr. Farmer, in his ElTay on the Daemoniaps of Scripture ; a work in which, undoubtedly, much erudition is perverted and conflrained, to bend in fupport of his hypo- thefis. The book is popular, and its ten- dency is mifchievous, fmce it leads to a re- jedtion of the literal fenfe of fcripture, and to ftrengthen the opinion of thofe whofe idle and flrange mifconceptions would reduce the agency of the apoftate fpirit to the ope- ration of an evil, principle.
Other fubjedts chcfen by the Author, as that of the introdudory Difcourfe, thofe on the Refurredion, and on the Influence of Chrif- tianity, have been very fully, and very fre- quently difcufTed, in popular Difcourfes ; but whoever reads, with attention, the works of others, mufl occufionally remark fome defi- ciencies, which he will think ..might be fupplied; fome arguments which he muft conceive might be more ftrongly urged and
enforced.
T|ie
I^ R E F A C E. xxiii
'the fubjed of the Refurredion is fo important, that it cannot be too frequently- confidered j fince, as Bifhop Pearce has ob* ferved, it is a point on which the whole weight of chriftianity refts. The notion ot fome feeming inconliftencies in the dif- ferent relations of this great event, is very prevalent ; and though thefe are very fatis- fadtorily reconciled, in the judicious and dif- tind: deduction of particulars furnifhed by Mr. Weft, the detail is made at fome length; and the general reader might not be difpofed to follow up the chain of events, as drawn out with diffuiive defcription, and lengthened by collateral proofs. The Author then con- ceives, that no apology need be made for thd jntrodudlion of this fubje(5t,efpeciallyas it con- ftitutes a link in that chain of the evidence of chriftianity which he wiihed to prefent, by a difplay of fome of its miraculous proofs. Dr. Townfon's book, which has recently appeared as a pofthumous work, was not feen by the Author till thefe two Difcourfes were b 4 printed
xxiv PREFACE.
printed off, or fome notice might have been taken of thefe flight particulars, in which he differs from, and of the ingenious illuftration, by which he confirms the accounts of Mr. Weff.
The two Difcourfes on the Influence of Chriilianity, will, perhaps, be thought fuper- fluous by tliofe who have read the Sermons,, not long fince written on this fubjeiSt, by the Billiop of London, the Bifhop of St. David's, and Dr. Coombe ; but as the former of thefe writers has well obferved, " that chrif- tianity has been the parent of much mifery, is fo favourite an argument v/ith all our phi- lofophical fceptics, that it is every day drefled up in fome new form, and repeated, incef- fantly, with an air of peculiar triumph and exultation*;" and it may not, therefore, be inexpedient as frequently to counterad: the influence of the argument by a fair ftatement of the hiflorical truth. Thefe Difcourfes, however, as well indeed as moil of thofe in.
# Bifnop Poitcus's Sermons, p. 271. Serm. XII.
the
PREFACE. XXV
the prefent colle<5tion, were written, in great part, long ago; though, while they have re- mained with the Author, they have fome- times been extended, as the perufal of other works has fuggefted hints.
A view of the prefent ftate of the world, as illuftrating the accomplifhment of pro- phecy, might, it was conceived, be ufeful, if furnifhed in a compendious defcription; iince many, it was apprehended, in the prefent day, like Marihal Wade *, are more likely to be convinced by what they fee than by what they hear -, and will rather aflent to the truth of prophecy, when they witnefs its accom- plifhment, than when they read of the com- pletion of its predi(ftions, however flrongly authenticated. That the materials of the Difcourfe have been chiefly colled:ed from Mede, Sir Ifaac Newton, Bilhop Newton, . Lowman, and other commentators, is chear- fully acknowledged.
* See dedication prefixed to Bifliop Newton's Difler- tations on the Prophecies.
Th€
xxvi ' PREFACE.
The diflertation on the Millennium, it was thought, might be ufeful, when the attention of mankind is raifed to the difpen- fations of Providerjce, by the important revo- lutions that have recently occurred, with fuch unprecedented rapidity and effed,- and when vague and indiftind: notions on the fubjedl appear very generally to prevail.
The fuhjeds of the Difcourfes colledlively confidered, have, perhaps, more connedion than they may, at firft iight, appear to have. After the introdudory Difcourfe, which is deiigned to excite thofe jufc fentiments of humility, and of reverence for God, which- facilitate the attainment of truth in every purfuit, a regular chain of evidence, in defence of chriftianity, is exhibited in the hi^orical order of the miracles and refurrec- tion of Chrill:, of the influence, the prefent proofs, and promifes as to the future eflablifh- ment of that religion. In a difcuffion of religious fubjeds, there is, however, always fome connexion. No part of chriftianity^
can
PREFACE. xxvii
can be illuftrated without throwing light on all. Every ftar that appears, heightens by its rays, the general brilliancy.
The Author has endeavoured to feledl: thofe fubje6ls which he thought might prove moft important, and to render them as interefling as he could, by illuflrating them with fuch information as is connecfled with, and tends to explain the theme. If they fhould be judged of little value themfelves, he hopes that they will be confidered as a proof of his wifli to employ that leifure which he enjoys, ufefuUy to others -, and to fulfil, as far as he can, the objed: of the Chriftian miniftry: the .diffufion of ufeful and important knowledge.
C O N^
( XXlX J
C O N T E N T S-
DISCOURSE L
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROSECl;TI^fG OUR STUDIES AND ENQUIRIES UNDER RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS, AND WITH A VIEW TO MORAL IMPROVEMENT.
Job XXXVIII. 4 — 7.
Where waji thou when I laid the founda^ tions of the earth ? Declare^ if thou hajl iinderfianding. Who hath laid the meafures thereof if thou knoweji f or who hath Jir etched the line upon it f Whereupon are the foundations thereof fajienedf or who laid the corner fione thereof'. When the morning ftars fang together, and all thefofis of Godfiouted for joy ^ - Page i
D I S-
XXX CONTENTS*
DISCOURSE II.
on the temptation of christo
Matt. iv. 4.
Page But he anfioered mid faidy It is written,
Man Jhall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the
7?ioiith of God. - - - -- - 2^
DISCOURSE III.
on the pool of bethesda.
John v. 6 — 9.
When yefus Jaw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that cafe, he faith unto him, JVilt thou be made whole ? 'The impotent man anjwered him. Sir, I have no ?nan when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool : but while lam coining another feppeth down before me. Jefus faith unto him. Rife, take up thy led, and walk. Andi^pjjie- diately the ma?i was made whole, and took up his bedi and walked. - - - 4^
D I S-.
CONTENTS. xxxi DISCOURSE IV.
ON THE DEMONIACS.
Page
Matt. viii. 31, 32.
So the devils be fought him, faying. If thou caji us out, fiiff'er us to go away into the herd of fwine. And he faid unto them. Go: and when they were come out, they went into the herd of fwine ; and behold, the whole herd of fwine ran 'violently down a fie ep place into the fea, and perijhed in the waters, - ^ - tj
DISCOURSE V.
ON THE RESURRECTION.
For EASTER DAY. PART I.
Luke xxiv. 4 — 8.
And it came to pafs, as they were tnuch perplexed thereabout, behold two men food by them in flmiing garmeiits : And
as \
xxxii CONTENTS.
Page as they were afraid, and bowed down
their faces to the earth, they faid unto
them. Why feek ye the living among the
dead? He is not here, but is rifen:
remember how he /pake unto you when
he was yet in Galilee, faying. The Son
of man 7nufl be delivered ^ into the hands
of finful men, and be crucified, and the
third day rife again. And they remem^
bered his words, - - - - - -105
DISCOURSE VI.
ON THE RESURRECTION.
For EASTER DAY.
P A R T II.
I Cor. XV. 20.
Now is Chriji rifen from the dead, and become the firji fruits of them that Jlept. ---^ 135
D I S-
CONTENTS. xxxili
DISCOURSE VIL
on the influence of christianity.
Matt. x. 34.
Page ^hink not that I am come to fend peace on earth : I came not to fend peace , but afword, - - - - -- -i59
DISCOURSE VIII,
ON THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY.
Luke i. 78, 79.
Whereby the day-fpring from on high hath vfited us, to give light to them that fit in darknefs and in the P:)adow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace. - - -^ -, - ^ " - 187
D I S-
xxxlv CONTENTS.
DISCOURSE IX.
on the accomplishment of prophftct, as illustrated in the present circumstances of the world.
2 Peter i. 19.
Page We have alfo a more fiire word of pro^
fhecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take
heed. - - - - - - - - -219
DISCOURSE X.
ON THE MILLENNIUM, OR REIGN OF SAINTS.
Revel, xx. 4, 5, 6.
And I faw thrones, and they fat upon them, and judgement was given unto them : and I faw the fouls of them 'that were beheaded for the witnefs of fefus, and for the word of God, and which had not worfiipped the beaji, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands;
and
CONTENTS. XXXV
Page
and they lived and reigfied with Chrifi a thoiifand years. But the refi of the dead lived not again until the thoufand years were jinijhed: this is the jirji refurreBion. Blejfed and holy is he that hath part in the Jirfi refurrediion : on fuch the fecond death hath no power ^ but they fiall be priefis of God and of Chrifi ^^d Jhall reign with him a thoif and years, - - - - - -267
D I S^
2 DISCOURSE I.
decrees, and prefumptuoully decided on his judgments. An appeal to the glorious works which God had difplayed in the creation of the world, was indeed well calculated to Dluftrate the divine attributes, and ferved •; uft effecftually to difcountenance the exul- tation of human pride. The teflimonies of his wifdom and power, to which the Almighty refers, are flri kingly expreffive of thofe per- fediions, and cannot but awaken our admira- tion and refrard.
o
I'here are indeed no fubjedis on which the mind dwells with more affedting in te reft than oii thofe which lead us to meditate on the powers and excellencies of God -, hence it is that the attention of the thinking part of mankind is fo often employed in ccnfider- ing feparately^ or colledfively, the works of the creation ; and hence the efforts of induftry to explore, and the exertions of genius to defcnbe, th-e fcenes which furround them.
A contemplation of the works of nature, inafmuch as it excites emotions of admiration, and fublime enjoyment, is produdive of ad- van.ia';;e to the human mind, lince thefe are ieiJiatious, '.vhicli confpire with our implanted loYC of C5xcll;.nce, and elevate the afi^edions
to
DISCOURSE I. 3
to an adoration of the fupreme Being. The advantage, however, will be more confiderable as we regulate our inquiries on juft princi- ples; and it fhall be the obje<ft of the prefent difcourfe, after ftating the circumftances un- der which, in every purfuit, we muft ne- ceiTarily a(ft, to point out the fource from whence thofe juft principles of thinking may- be derived.
Of the impreffions on the mind, which would be proportionate to the vifible fplendor of God's works, as difplayed in the grand objefts of creation, we can form no adequate apprehenfion, fince the effed of their firft appearance is produced under unfavourable circumftances. Thefe objedts being prefented to the mind before the judgment can exercife its powers, are adverted to only as they affed immediate fenfations, of which the memory retains no recolledion . Enlarged experience, it is true, may open frefli objedts in nature, and the. contemplation of thefe feldom fails to excite emotions afFed:ing and important. But thefe objects, however great, are but different combinations of materials, of which the mind muft have previoufly formed fome eonceptioH from fmaller reprefentation. He B 2 t©
4 DISCOURSE I.
to whom the ocean firfb opens its expanfe, has at leaft heard of its waves, and beheld the accumulation of agitated waters on a fmaller fcale. If the mountain rear its fum- mit in fudden magnificence to the clouds, he has before marked the elevation of the hill, and therefore receives only inadequate fenfa- tions from a fecondary imprefTion. He that furveys the dark extent of the forefl, or pur- fues the river in its courfe which fpreadeth fertility in the valley, may admire indeed the grandeur or the beauty of the fcene, but he will admire them only as a more perfe(5l reprefentation of objeds already familiar to his imagination.
If farther we advert to the effed: produced on minds, matured by experience and reflec- tion, when, by the attainment of a new fenfe, any of the chief objedls of creation arc iirft difcovered, as when, for inftance, the films of natural blindnefs are removed, and the eye of manhood is firfl opened to the day, we ihall obferve, that however rapturous may be the enjoyment, the full and adequate eifed ii not produced. If the eye hath been clofed, the ear hath not been fhut. He who ftrained in vain to find that light which hath en- livened 5
DISCOURSEI. 5
livened the companions who furround him, hath at leafl felt the warmth of its rays ; his mind hath been prepared by defcription, flint though it may have been, to expect fome great difcovery of unknor/n perfection. The powers of fancy have been ftretched to form, from the combination of ideas elfe- where acquired, fome conception of fuperior excellence ; add likewife, that the eye hath, with cautious confideration, been expofed gradually to the admiffion of light in its fainter degrees. It hath not, with inftanta- neous enjoyment, beheld the enlivening dif- fufion of its fplendor, nor hath been dazzled to fecond blindnefs by the difplay of the glorious luminary from which that fplendor is derived. Of the full and adequate effed: therefore, which might be produced on rational mjnds, by the firft difcovery of the grand obje<n:s of nature, we can form no true judg- ment, becaufe no mind, matured to reflec- tion, exifts fo uninformed as to receive im- preffions from them intirely new.
Acquainted with the works of God before we have learnt to appreciate their import- ance, we in general contemplate the features of creation with indifference. Objed:s flamped B 3 with
ii D I S CO U RSE I.
with obvious marks of divine contrivance, are overlooked in habitual negled. How few are they, who in the ordinary courfe of life relied; on the order and excellent ftructure of the bodies w^ich furround them, on the re- lative proportions and entire harmony with which they are formed, on the rules which they obferve, and the principles on v^^hich they ad;. Even the regular arrangement of day and night, the fucceffion of the feafons, and the periodical return of the heavenly bo- dies, are, to the generality of mankind, the fubjed: but of cafuai remark. Some devia- tion from cuilomary order, or expeded event, muft awaken thought, fome fears for perfonal fecurity mufl: roufe attention, or othcrwife the daily wonders of God's providence are un- heeded; not when due and fufficient fuilenance is diftributed to every earthly creature, but when the drought prevails, and vegetation drops, do we call to mind that it is God who fendeth fertility by his iliowers, that it is he who " caufeth it to rain on the earth, to ** fatir.fy the defolate and wafte ground, and " to caufe the bud of the tender herb to fpring ** forth." Let the lightnings of the Al- inighty go forth, and his thunder roll abroad :
let
D I S C O U Pv S E I. >r
/
let the earth fhake with trembling and con- vulfive agitation, and all, in the apprehsnfion of inftantaneous danger, will call for protec- tion ©n him whofe providence, in the milder difpeniations of his power, they have difre- garded.
It is the privilege and the happinefs of thofe who feclude themfelves for occaiional reflec- tion, to raife their attention from that negli- gence into which it is apt to jQnk, to arreft and bring back the thoughts to obie(^ts of daily obfervation, to examine and reflect on fuch as are moH; pregnant with inflrudtion. The enjoyment of fuch reflediions is con- iiderable, the advantage derived from them in proportion to the intelligence which we polTefs concerning the conftitution and quali- ties of the objects with which we are con- cerned. Of this pleafure all are fufceptible ; excite but the attention, and all are intefefted. Shew to the peafant the plant on which he has trodden with indifference, and he will fee and acknowledge the perfeftioa of its ftruc- ture. Why has he not noticed that perfec- tion before ? not becaufe he was lefs ac- quainted with its internal arrangement, its botanical diftinctions, its efficacies .and its powers, for of thefe we may fuppofe him
B 4 mn
8 DISCOURSE I.
flill ignorant, attentive only to the fragrance, the form, or the colours of the plant; but becaufe he has walked through his daily path without thought, and looked around him on sfcenes too familiar for particular confidera- tion.
Men of more improved minds are flill more difpofed by the information which they poflefs to advert with profit to thofe hints which remind tliem of the wonders of the creation. In thofe reprefentations which are furnilhed by the imitative arts, they are often excited to admire objedls and fcenery, which, in their original cxiftence, they have palled unnoticed. In viewing thefe reprefentations, they remark not merely the fidelity of the copy, and the fkill of the artifl in the ar- rangement of his fubjedt, but they recall to mind likewife the real interefl of the things defcribed, and are pleafed at the difcovery as well of tranlient beauties to which art hath given permanency, as of inherent properties, on which they have often glanced an heedlefs and unconcerned regard.
The relations of the traveller, and the paintings of the poet, in their mofl fimple and unexaggerated defcriptions, never fail to
awaken
DISCOURSE I. 9
awaken a pleafing and ufeful recollecftion of fcenes familiar to the mind, though thofe fcenes had previoufly imprefled no deep trace, nor produced any moral coniideration.
From thefe reflections it is evident that the works of the creation are, in fadt, infi- nitely more glorious than they appear to be ; that they are feen by us under thofe circum- ftances and difadvantages which obfcure their true character and jntrinfic fplendor; that, in proportion as our attention is fixed upon them, their luftre brightens, and their excel- lencies become more confpicuous, as to the ftedfaft and perfevering eye, the ftars in the -firmament emerge and multiply, or as to the fludious and confiderate mind, the fublimity and wifdom of God's difpenfatlons become more manneft and clear. It is the province of the moralifi: to awaken fuch attention, and to avail himfelf of thofe fcnfations with which we are naturally moved at the difco- yery of any frefti proof of God's wifdom or pov/er. It is his duty to point out the attri- butes of the Creator in the perfection of his works. The benevolence of him who would inftrudt mankind in jufl apprehenfions of the Almighty, cannot be more furcefsfully em- ployed
lo DISCOURSE I.
ployed than in dilating on thofe arguments which may be drawn from a contemplation cf the feveral parts of creation. In this the facred writers are eminently great and inftruc- tive. In the plain and unafFefted account of the iirft formation of the world, with which Mofes opens the infpired book, how fub- limely are the attributes of God difplayed ! In the vivid defcriptions of the Pfalmift, what praifes and what thankfgivings are con- veyed ^l
The r^^reat and glorious works which God hath created, and the ftudies vvhich contri- bute to illuilrate their nature and perfection, then excite juft and proper ffr^timents in the mind, when they awaken religious affections. The awful leffons which are to be deduced from the contemplation of material objedts, are tranfcribed, as we have obferved in the inilru(5tive pages of the f^.cred volume. The vifible world is there depidted in a moral and reli!:^ious liffht, and the attributes of God
* See, for inftance, the fublime and admirable defcrip- tion of God's perfedlions, as illuRrated In his works, which is contained in the 104th Ffalm. From fo ani- mated a picture what object can we feled in preference ?
are
DISGOUP. SE I. II
are pourtrayed in the animated reprefentation of his works. This then is the primary fource of inflrudion, and as the mirror or the lake, it will refied: the fcenes of nature with new colours and enlivened imagery. It is no barren admiration which will refult from fuch attention to the works of nature, or to the facred commentary : hence will fpring not merely the convi6lion of the cxiflence of an all-wife and all-powerful God, which every carelefs remark, or accidental thought, muft fuggeft j but a lively fenfe of his perfections, a firm confidence in his prefence and piotec- tion, an holy reverence for, and defire to imi- tate his difcovered excellencies, an anxious and fteady zeal to attain to that approved in- nocence from which we have fallen, that declared refemblance to our Creator which conftitutea the original charad:er of man.
In proof of this we may obferve, that they v/ho have moft deeply Ihidied the cha- radter and principles of God's created works, have been ever mojQ: fincereiy imprefied with a fenie of his glory, mofc inclined to bow to his revealed inilruclions, and mofl folicitous to pradift; his laws. It may farther be re- marked as probable, that thofe who, in a
future
12 DISCOURSE I.
future life, will be admitted to a nearer con- teuiplation of the divine perfedlions, will de- rive no inconfiderable enjoyment from be- holding the emanations of his glory, as dif- played in the grandeur of his works, as illuflrated by the difcovery of fecret relations and latent excellencies, as manifefted in the great delign and final purpofe of every de- pendent fcene.
But if the facred writings depidl, in lively colours, the interefling fcenery of the vifible world, they open an inflrudive difplay of a more glorious and important oeconomy, in the manifeilation of a fpiritual fyftem, which irradiates the material world, as the foul of man beams through his corporeal frame. The revelation of the great fcheme of re- demption, from its firfl dawnings to its full fplendor in the advent of Chrift ; the gra- dual accomplifliment of the fugcefUve decla- rations of prophecy, of its promifes and threats ; the completion of its types, and the departure of its ceremonial figures before the prefence of things typified ; the hiflory of the incarnation and lowly birth of Chrift, proclaimed alfo " as good tidings of great *' joy" by the multitude of the heavenly hofl.
The
DISCOURSE I. 13
The defcription of the minillry, miracles, and inftrudions, of the fufferings and cruci-. fixion of the Lord and Redeemer of man- kind ; the teilimony of his refurreclion and afcenfion into heaven ; the affurance of the reftoration of mankind, and of the confum- mation of all things in the judgment and difpenfations of a future life, as detailed with infpired confidence, and unfhaken lincerit}", by the facred writers, furnifli fubjed: for the moil fublime and inftrudlive contemplations. They are themfelves the noblefl themes; and they enable us to afcertain the value of every other fubjed: : they point out the fources of knowledge, and teach us how to obtain it. The rife alfo and progrefs of religion ; its fmall beginning and rapid advancement ; its miraculous fuccefs in oppofition to human powers, and more than earthly adverfaries ; its eftablifhment and propagation amidft civi- lized nations, and in unenlightened countries ; its intriniic excellencies pra(5tically demon- flrated ; its mild influence and beneficial effedls, under different circumftances, and in different times, conilitute topics of interefting and inftrudive difcuffion,and lead to thedifco-
very
14 DISCOURSE I.
very of the divine wifdom and goodnefs t© mankind.
On the principles w^hich reh'gion commu- nicates, and under the influence of infpired fentiments, fhould every human purfuit be conducted. If we feek for knowledge upon any lov/er motive, we toil and labour for unproductive recompence. " We fow as it *' were to the v/ind, and fhall reap the whirl- ** wind." He who pants for that informa- tion which he may difplay with oftentation to others, afpires to what can confer no permanent J[atisfad:ion, which, inftead of re- verence, will often excite envy and difgufl, and which, while it enlightens the mind, eftedis not a correfpondent improvement of the heart, which delights to triumph in the depreffion of others, ami to ridicule rather than to remove the ignorance over which it exults.
He alfo who profecutes his fludies with indifcriminate and uncontrolled eagernefs after various knowledge, on abflrufe fub- je(fts, without regard to their utility, or re- fpect to the weaknefs of the human under- ftanding, will range with too excuriive fancy
over
DISCOURSE I. 15
over fields where he will cull no profit ; in- ftead of following that humble and fober fpirit v/hich it is the interefl of man to ob- ferve, which is the guide to knowledge, and the pledge of fafety, he will be led on by a daring and adventurous prefumption till lofh in errors, and overihadowed by darknefs, he will fink in fatal and unavailing defpair.
Such are the truths which obfervation may derive from experience 3 and we need only appeal in confirmation to the writings of thofe who have deferted an ufeful and unerrine light for the vifionary and unfi:eady meteors of their own imagination. What have they who have embarked in fearch of remote and me4:aphyfical difeoveries, obtained but chearlefs opinions and dreary profped:s ? What have they offered to mankind but barren and endlefs fpeculations, but princi- ples that weaken the obligations, deflroy the comfort, and undermine the hopes of man- kind ? Much time hath been mif-fpent but to " darken counfel by words without know- *' ledge," and great talents mifemployed but to generate idle difcufiions and irkfome con- troverfies -, what bitterncfs likewife has been provoked by a pertinacious adherence to no- 4 tions
i6 DISCOURSE I.
tions that pride hath generated, and error cherifhed! What weaknefs hath been be- trayed by evalive defertion of principles too unftable for defence, of which the propaga- tion has effeded mifchief that fubfequent retracftion cannot counterad, and for which tardy repentance can fcarce atone !
The precepts of revelation were furnifhed to affift mankind in every falutary and be- coming purfuit. They teach us with what motives to cultivate improvement, they feek to inflame us with the delire of rendering ourfelves more acceptable to the Deity, and more worthy to partake of eternal happinefs. If we walk under the direction of that light which they hold out, we ihall be led to con- template, like the fhepherds of Bethlehem, divine wifdom inveloped in human form, to worfhip God, and to reverence his glorious nature, though cloathed in fimplicity, or pre- fented under cuftom-ary and familiar objedls.
Religion, upon fubjecfts mofl: important to man, conveys every information which is eflential to the diredlion of his condud. If we adhere to the inflrudions of this great Teacher, we fhall be fecure from thofe prefumptuous and (liallow theories which
have
DISCOURSE I. f 7
have been fucceffively raifcd and fucceffively deflroyed. How many have been the fanci- ful fyilems concerning the origin of the world, built on bafelefs foundations by thofe who knew not, or rejected the accounts of .fcripture, • Ereded on principles of popular philofophy, and recommended with popular eloquence, they have dazzled the imagination for av/hile, and been received as if their authors had been prefent " when the foun- " daticns of the earth were laid ;" diflortcd relations have been forced to give teftimony to each fpecious hypothefis, till jufler ac- counts, and more faithful obfervation, have difpelled the deceitful fchemes, and have brought back, with the light of true philo- fophy, the authentic documents of revealed biftory.
In the invefligation of the feparate works of nature, they who have detailed its features, and analyzed its parts, have never queftioned the perfection of the contrivance without difplaying their own ignorance. The chafms which hafly pride Vv^ould point out, the de- fecfls which prefumptuous criticifm would expofe, have been found, on examination, to be imaginary and fiditious. Deeper refearch, C and
iS? DISCOURSE I.
and more accurate ftudy, hath developed thtf relative propriety of every part, the entire and coniiftent excellence of all. The diffi- Gulties likewife that have been excited in op- pofition to accepted dodlrincs of religion, drawn from wild and metaphyfical difcuffion, not to mention the futility of their charafter, have been refuted even upon their own ground, and by their own weapons. But whatever force and validity may have been» afcribed to fceptical objections, they can have •no preteniions to be liftened to in oppofitiork to the fure word of infpired inftruction.
He who in exalted ftudies extends hi* contemplations beyond the boundaries of the .earth, and confiders the heavens, and the fyllems which they contain j whofe imagina- tion is raifed by meditation on the afcertained proportions and acknowledged immenfity of the heavenly bodies ; who difcovers fyilem beyond fyfteir, and conilcliations multiplied^ with unbounded variety, will not, if he judge by the light of revelation, fuppofe this to be the refult of cafual production, or fortuitous combination, but with the greateft and mod enlightened of mankind, as well as with the
infpired
DISCOURSE I. tg
infpired writers, he will perceive, in the endlefs- multitude of the heavenly Hofl, an arrangement of infinite wifdom and of infinite power. Taught to cbnlider the difi:iti(5l and feparate importance of the world in which he breathes, and' from which he diflantly contemplates other created works, he will Hot fiiffer his admiration of larger bodies to lefiTen his belief in the dignity of that nature, for the falvation of which the Creator of the iiniverfe yielded up his only and beloved Son* If other beings, if Seraphim and Cherubim be more exalted, if uhknov/n efTences be lefs diilant from the perfecftion of the fupreme feeing, his comparative inferiority hath flill the intrinfic worth of a fpiritual natlire^ breathed irito us by God himfelf.
He who cbnfiders the condition of his owri body, the excellent proportion of its parts^ the entire harmony of its frame,, the organiza- tion of its nerves, arid the perceptive power of its fenfes, will acknovv'lcdge therein the con- trivance of a divine Creator, and, with the pious and confiderate David, confefs that " he i$
fearfully and wonderfully made *." If he
* Pf. cxxxix. 14.
€ 2 refk(5l
t(
20 D I S C O tr R S E I.
refle(5l on the Intimate union of the body with the foul, Its ready obedience to its fuggef- tions, its inexplicable power of conveying fenfations to it, he will find no difficulty in believing, that though its excellent ftrufture ihould bs diffolved, and its members moulder into duft, yet that the Almighty can, with the fame power by which he firft formed, re-alTemble and unite its fcattered parts, and raife up the fame body to the judgment of eternal life.
If farther he ihould meditate on the per- fecftions of that niind which now exifts ia intimate conjundllon with his body; if he Gonfider its faculties, and the excellent en-* dowments of which it is fufceptlble, he will find no difficulty in conceiving that it is conftriKfled for the inheritance of eternal life, and well calculated for the enjoyment of the divine prefcnce ; he will think that it is necefi!ary gradually to prepare it for fuch en- joyment, to flore it with fuch knowledge as> may meliorate its affcdilons, raife its afpiring thoughts, and be productive of fruits accep- table and fragrant to God, efteeming all at- tainments valuable only as^hey contribute to that purpofe. ,
Ading
D I S C O U R* S E I. 21
A(5ting under fuch impreffions, the difciple of Chrifl will derive profit from every circum- ftance and fcene of life. He will underftandj that every condition, profperous or afflidted, may be rendered fubfervicnt to the attainment of God's favour. He will confider this World as a fchool in which his obedience is to be proved, his virtues difciplined, his recom- pence to be earned. If he occafionally re- treat, it will be to flrengthen his faith and good refolutions, by prayer and holy medita- tion ; when he mingles with fociety, he will feek, by a conftant exercife pf focial and benevolent afFediions, to encourage the exer- tion of that charity which he is enjoined by Chrifl to cultivate. He will condu(5t every purfuit under ftrong impreffions of God's attributes, and with a becoming diffidence in his own powers. As the face of nature is iinveiled to his refearch, and as the volume of infpiratipn is explained to his underftand- ing, they will excite jufl affections, and dif- clofe ufeful and important knowledge. The features of the divine perfe(fi:ion, as difplayed in the natural or intelledrual world, cannot be revealed without awakening praife, and , the defire of humble imitation. The mind ' C 3 \vhen
tz DISCOURSE I.
when opened to receive true wifdom, becomej enlarged in its views ; familiarized with ex- cellency, it moulds itfelf in conformity to its pattern, and affumes a refemblance of its character. In proportion as the underftanding is improved, it becomes more fufceptible of genuine and permanent pleafures, and more difpofed for the enjoyment of eternal recom- pence. As we confult therefore our effential and lafting interefts, we fliall cultivate thofe qualities which, while pn earth they flouri(h, conciliate God's favour, and which will here-r after be permitted to unfold their mature^; excellencies, unto the glorious manifeflation of the divine prefence.
pis-
D I S C O U p. S E II.
en THE TEMPTATION OP CHRIST.
Matt. iv. 4.
But he anfwered and faidy It is written, Man Jhall not live by bread alone y but by ev^ry word that proceedetb out of the f?mith of God^
C UCH was the appofite and fufficient an- fwer of Chrift to the tempter, who had in vain endeavoured to feduce his conftancy. It appears, that our great Teacher, who de- ligned in all things to prefent us with an example of perfect and exalted righteoufnefs, did, in obedience to the fuggeflions of that fpirit, which had viftbly defcended on him at his baptifm, immediately withdraw himfelf from the public fcenes of life, that he might manifeft the felf- denial which he profefTed, encounter the temptations which he came to vanquifh, and fortify himfelf to fupport C 4. thofe
24 DISCOURSE II.
thofe afHicllons which he willingly fubmitted, in the execution of his miniftry, to endure.
In confidering the condud: of our Saviour, we are to contemplate him as a(fling in the union of the divine and human charadler. To the attributes and perfections of God were conjoined the paffions and infirmities of man. Capable, at all times, of exerting thofe divine powers which were infeparably annexed to his perfon, he appears to have occafionally fubmitted to their fufpenfion *. The divine and the human nature of Chrifl being intimately united, the relation of his condud: might be expeded to delineate a two-fold charader. The attributes and per- fedlions of God muft biirfl: forth in rays of glory. The reality of the manhood mufl: be proved by the wants and frailties of the flefh.
* Irenseus's Her. L. III. c. xx. p. ZS'^- Edit. Grabe. At our Lord's painon alfo there v^as a fufpenfion of the operation of the divine nature. Luke xxii. 53. At his temptation andcrucifixion, and at the beginning andcon- clufion of his miniftry, he appears in his unfupported human charadler to have been afluiled by the power of the prince of darknefs under a voluntary relinquifhment of his divine agency, and to 9 full demonftration that the devil " had nothing in him." See John xiv.
The
DISCOURSE II. 2|
The life of an incarnate God could only be the defcrlption of miraculous powers and human fufFerings, fometimes blended, fome- times feparately detailed, as conjointly they were manifefled, or individually exerted and fuflained.
Coniiftently with this theory, the facred writers pourtray the mingled features of per- fect God and perfedl man, defcribing actions fometimes without difcrimination of their appropriate reference to either charader, and developing the excellencies of the divine, and the integrity of the human nature, in confiftency with the fcope and delign of their leveral relations *.
* The words and a£i:ions attributed by the evangel ifts to Chrift, are fuch as could only be confident with the, double character which he aflumed. Some are obvioufly charadleriftic of God, and fome appropriate to, and defcriptive of man. The facred writers treat of them without difcrimination, in the fame manner as wp fpealc of the exertions of men, without thinking it neceffary to fpecify that the mental exertions proceed from the mind, or the corporeal acStions from the body ; and from a colledlive examination of the general condu6t of our Lord, as reprefented in fcripture; of his words apparently inconfiftent, and his actions feemingly incongruous, the moft irrefiilible evidence of his two-fold nature may be derived.
During
tS DISCOURSE ir.
During ^he period which preceded the public minifhration of Chrift, the authority ^nd excellence of the godhead were not often manifefled, unlefs indeed in the difplay of ex* traordinary virtues, and in the indications of early and unprecedented wifdom. When his commiffion was ratified by that voice from beaven, which pronounced him to be the ^' well -beloved Son of God, in whom he ** was well pleafed," he prepared in folitude to demonftrate himfelf worthy of that ap-, probation which he had received. Appointed to defeat the powers of darknefs, he figna- lized the commencement of his miniftry by a perfonal triumph over their apoilate leader, and prince.
From the account of St. Luke and St, Mark, we coUed:, that after Jefus had been led by the fpirit into the wildernefs, and, previouily to that temptation of which we are about to conlider the particulars, he was forty days expofed to temptations, of which the circumflances are fuppreffed, as too nu- nierous fo^ concife report *, or as lefs im^
* Origen fuppofes, that the fcripture omitted the ac- count of temptations in the wildeiiiefs more in number than the world could have contained. Homil. xxix. in Jjucam. John xxi. 25. Lightfo^t.
pprtant
DISCOURSE II. 27
pprtant for us to know, becaufe perhaps pecur jiar to the charadler and condition of Chrift.
The wildernefs in which Chrift dif-. played liis firft triumph, was, probably, the wildernefs of Judea, which is defcribed by travellers as a mountainous, rude, and cheerlefs folitude ^ i a fcene far different froni the paradife in which the firfl Adam had yielded to the fedudlion of the tempter. St. Mark tells us, that he was with the beafl^ of the field, abiding there in the fecurity of that innocence which Eliphaz defcribes a^ " laughing at deilrudiion and famine, and f* as not afi-aid of the beafts of the earth -f-.'* Here then, remote from focial intercourfe, and without the means even of partial fufle- nance, our Saviour firft exerted his fuper- patural powers, and failed miraculoufly forty days.
The conflitution of the human frame, which, by an admirable arrangement, derives
* Adjacent to this wildernefs is a mountain of fteep and dangerous afcent, which • is called (^larantania, in reference to our Saviour's faft: of forty days; and the tra- dition of the country reports it to be the mountain oij which Chrifl experienced his third temptation. See Maundrel's Journey to Jerufalem, p. 79.
f See Mark i. 13. Job v. 22, 23.
its
2S DISCOURSE 11.
its fupport from a due fupply of food, cannot, we know, long fuftain its vigor, and .exer-,- cife its functions, without its accuftomed fuftenance. The body of our Saviour, there-r fore, which was regulated by the fame ceco- nomy, could not have preferved its energies, during fo long an ^biliinence, without the operation of a divine power. And as Mofes and Elias had failed forty days, it might have furniilied fubjed: for invidious comparifon, to thofe who were difpofed to cavil, if Chrift had abftained for a fhorter period.
At the expiration of this time, when the .miraculous influence which counterad:ed the infirmities of the flefh, was withdrawn, our Saviour confented, for our example, to adl in the character of man, which he had deigned to take into the godhead, and to be tempted under the fame circumflances in which human nature is expofed to temptation. That when he had fafted forty days and forty nights, he fubmitted to feel the wants of human nature, we are pofitively told ; he confented to fuffer as a man, unfupported but by righteous mo- tives, and experienced the keen pangs of hunger, feeling, doubtlefs, that folicitude which humiaA nature muil feel for their
removal,.
DISCOURSE n. 2'9
removal *. Then It was that the great ad- verfary of mankind^ whofe terrors mufl have been excited by the circumftances that dif-- tinguiilied the appearance of Chrift, came unto him, with defign^ probably, to difcover whether he were that promifed feed who fhould effedl his deftrudiion, that expeded Meffiah whom fucceffive prophets foretold, and to whofe arrival he muft have looked forward with anxious apprehenfion and dif* may.
If, as we have feafon to believe, the intimations of divine mercy were obfcurCj even to " the principalities and powers ia " heaven," and the full extent of the pro- phetic promJfes concealed from the angels of light, till they witnefled the commencement of their accompli (hment in the birth of Chrift -f, we need not wonder that the devil (hould have been ignorant of the pre- cife time at which the Saviour of mankind
* Origen obferves, that the reafon why St. John does iiot mention the temptation of Ghrift is, becaufe be treats principally of his divine nature, and Chrill as God could not be tempted j but St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke, who difcourfe chiefly of his human n^vturej, all fpeak of the temptation. Homil. 29, in Lucam.
t I Pet. i, 12. Ephef. iii. iq.
fliould
^% b 1 s c o tj R ^ E ir.
ilioiild be born, or that he fliould be iiRfiif-i J>icious that the infallible perfeQions of ai! incarnate God Were veiled under the humaii perfon of Jeftis *. The heavenly hoft, it is triiei bad annoaneed his bif th a§ of a Saviour, a Meffiah, and Lord j arid the voice of God, at his baptifm, had proclaimed him as his well-beloved Son. Yet ft ill the fallen fpirit, tinenlightened. to coftipfehend the t\^6-fold thara(5ter of Chrift^ or impatient in reftleft folicitude for farther proofs of his authority^ imight infatuately prefume to flatter himfeif^ that the approved Minifter of God being afflicted v/ith hunger, was aflailable by hi§ arts; In deluiion, however, or in defpair^ he, who had revolted from the omnipotence' of the Father, approached, if it vv^ere poffible to deceive the wifdom of the Son, Or at leaf! to terminate the anxieties of doubt, by re- ceiving the eonvidiion of his approaehinst defeati
* Ignatius's Epift. ad Ephef. § 19. I^natltrs fuppofcS the virginity of Mary, the character of her Son, and his death, which he calls the three founding myfleries, to have been concealed from the Prince of this world ; And Origen approves and confirms the opinion. Vide Homil. 6. in Lucam.
Arid
DISCOURSE II. ^l
And when the tempter came to hlm> he faid, " If thou be the Son of God, com- " mand that thefe flones be made bread." Thus, by a taunting intimation, v/hich con- veyed a doubt of the reality of that charac- ter which had been conferred on Chrift, the wily and infidious counfellor endeavoured to provoke our Saviour to a demonftration of his divine power, fuggefling, at the fame time, the means of relieving that hunger which he fuffered. Chrift, however, whofe wifdom no artifice could deceive, and whofb appetites were fubjedled in fubferviency ta the laws of righteoufnefs, inftantly replied^ ** It is written, man ihall not live by bread " alone, but by eveiy word that proceedeth *' out of the mouth of God." By this well, adapted anfwer, our Redeemer, who fpake as never man yet fpake, indiredly pointed out the folly of that advice, which would prompt him toa<5t inconfiftently with his cha- rad:er; for if, indeed, he were the Son of God, it was efpecially incumbent on him as fuch, to ad: in obedience to thofe laws which God had revealed. He appealed to the authority of thofe lacred writings v/hich con-* tained the acknowledged words of the A1--
mighty^
32 D I S C O U R S E ir.
mighty, as to the eflabllllied rule of man's con- dud:. ** It is written", fays he, " man Ihall *' not live by bread alone, but by every word *' that proceedeth out of the mouth of ** God." It is written in the infallible page of God's law, that man's fupport depends not fo much on corporeal fuftenance as on an bbfervance of God's precepts and inftruftionSo The pafiage alluded to by our Saviour, is contained in the 8 th chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, on referring to which we find, that Mofes, when exhorting the people to obedience, in a commemorative detail of God's mercies, reminded them, that " whep *' the Lord had led them forty years in the ** wildernefs, to prove the lincerity of their " attachment, he had fuffered them to " hunger, and fed them with manna, that ** he might make them know, that man, *' doth not live by bread alone, but by every •* word (or, as in the original * it ftands, by every thing) " that proceedeth out of the ** mouth of the Lord doth man live," that
* In the Hebrew text it is not every word, but every thing. The Chaldee verfion renders it every thing that proceedeth from the mguth of God. Our Siiviour has fixed the knk.
he
DISCOURSE II. 33
Ke. might teach them their dependance on his will, and that the prefervatioii of man refts alone on the abfolute and uncontrolled power of God.
In contemplating the condu6t of our Sa- viour upon this occafion, we perceive it to be perfectly confiftent with the charader which he had afTumed, of God taking upon him the human nature, and exhibiting a pattern for the imitation of mankind. As God, he evinced the fuperiority of his di- vine nature, by fupporting, during fo long an abflinence, an unimpaired and unaltered frame, and by defeating that pov/er by which the world had been vanquiihed. As a man, he refilled every temptation by which his pafTions were ailailed, and profelfed obe- dience to that inftrudion which was addrelled to him as man*. As. a miniiler of the Lord, he difplayed unfubdued conftancy; with fubmiffion to the Father, he liftened only to his word ; with benevolence to man- kind, he allowed himfelf to be tempted in the fame circumftances under which man
* It is written, " man" (hall not live by bread alone. The anfwer would have been nugatory if Chrift had not ijpoken as a man.
D jnufi:
34 DISCOURSE IL
muft be tempted, that In the fympathy of limilar fufferings he might experience what man feels, and afFord fuitable help to us when we are tempted ; ** For in that he •* himfelf hath fufFered being tempted, he " is able to fuccour them that are tempted*."
Foiled and difappointed in his defign, the devil muil have perceived the wifdom of the rebuke, and have apprehended from whence it came. Unable to refift the efficacy of the reply, he fought not to urge the argument, but proceeded, by varying the temptation, to aflail our Saviour on a different ground, and to Vv^itnefs, after repeated trials, the afcen- dancy of heavenly wifdom, and the fad affu- ranee of his own defeat. With fatal convic- tion, he at length experienced that no induce- ment, no contrivance, could betray the Son of man to a momentary forge tfulnefs of his exalted duties, or feduce him into the flightefl conceffion to the powers of darknefs.
We, for whofe inftruclion the eventful hif- tory of Chrift is recorded, learn, from the re- lation here propofed to our reflediions, that re- ,tirement, abflinence, and felf-denial, areobU-«
* Heb, a. 17, 18. See alfo Heb. iv. 15.
gations
DISCOURSE IL 35
gatlons inipofed on the difciple of Clirifi, and contribute to enable hirn to fuftain thofe trials and temptations which he mufl en- counter in his progrefs through life. Ad- mitted by baptifm to the fcrvice of that God who " chafteneth whom he loveth/' we are taught to exped: temptations in our warfare, and fliould " count it all joy to fall *' into them *, that we may be thereby dif- ciplined to the perfedlion of the fervants of Chrift, and evince our unfhaken confidence in his word.
The appointed means v/hereby we mufl qualify ourfelves to fupport trials and tempta- tions are, a ferious application to the in- fpired writings, a faithful difcharge of reli-
* James i. 2. Heb. xii. ic, ii. The pafTages which •ncournge us to rejoice in thofe general temptations for trial and improvement, which are reprefented as falutary and affeftionate difpenfations of God, are not inconfiftent with our Saviour's direction to us, to pray viith becoming diftruft in ourfelves againft the feverai temptations which might endanger our faith ; that God would not fufFcr us to be led into temptations in which we might be over- powered ; or, in other words, that he would not remove thofe reftriitions by which our adverfary is circum- fcribed, or withdraw from us that grace by which we are enabled to refiil his attacks. See Matt. vi. 13. Chap. xxvi. 4.1. and Whitby.
D 2 giouc
36 DISCOURSE 11.
gious offices, and a frequent application for divine affiftance in that inflituted facrament by which God's grace is conveyed.
When Chrifl retired to the feclufion of the wildernefs, it was, doubtlefs, for the purpofes of fecret prayer and holy medita- tion. It was to return, however, with re- newed vigor and animated exertion to the ad;ive offices of his miniflry ; and the afcetick piety, which in after-times retreated to the defert, or to the cloifter, failed in its imitation of Chrifl, by neglecting the objed: after it had effi^died the preparation. The tempta- tions likewife over which we are to triumph, are to be encountered not only in folitude and fequeilered privacy, but alfo in the pub- lic fcenes and focial intercourfe of life.
When our Lord fafted, it was not to mortify corrupt affi^dions, or to reftrain rebelHous paf- lions,for fuch the fubdued purity and perfection of his nature "* difclaimed, but it was, by his own example, to recommend the propriety of occaiional reflridion and forbearance ; it was to teach us fometimes to forego the 'cudomary indulgencies of life, that we might
* John xiv. 30.
thereb}f
DISCOURSE II. 37
thereby demonflrate the difpofition to refign ouglit that interferes with religious obedience, or adminifters to the corruption of our na- ture. That by partial abflinence, v/e might confirm the habits of general refliraint, libe- rate the mind from fubjecStion to the body, and keep the paffions in temperate obedience to reafon, enlightened by revealed law.
In coniiftency with the fame views, he ap- proved, in precept, of that failing which is the refult of iincere humility and contrite afRidion of the foul^. While his cenfures were levelled againft the pharifaical hypocrify of forrow,and condemned the affectation of meritorious fer- vices, he uniformly commended that fpirit which exhibits a confcious fenfe of its own imworthinefs, which fubmits to voluntary abafement and felf- denial, and obferves fuch reflridions as facilitate the exercife of pure and unclouded piety. When Chrift failed forty days, he exceeded, as in every other inflance of miraculous and exalted piety, the limits and extent of human imitation. He however thereby, furnilhed occafjon for the obfervance of a flated period, which^
* Matt. vi. 1 6, 17;
D 3 without
3^ D I S C O U R S E 11.
without fupeiftitlon, and in conformity to the early practice of the church ^, may be confecrated to a more ftrid: and vigilant per- formance of rehgious offices.
If the duties of felf-denial and abflinence have been undervalued in the prefent age, it is becaufe the relaxed temper of the times is impatient of falutary reftraint. The laws of chriflianity are not, however, to be facrificed in compliance with the paffions of corrupted men ; ftill muft it be maintiiined, as it itill will be experienced, that he who adopts the difcipline of primitive chriftianity at this feafon, will derive from thence a falutary amendment, and find that abftinence, when not carried to rigorous and fuperftitious ex- cefs, when undebafed by trivial refinements, and when conjoined, as m the excellency of the Chriftlan chara(5^er, with prayer and charity, muf: operate to the improvement of our nature, and tend moft efi:edually to con- ciliccte the divine favour. That national cala- mities have been averted by public humilia- tion, we know as well from profane as from facred hiflory; ai.d that individual puniili-
* Can. Apofl. 69;
ments
DISCOURSE II. 39
merits may be avoided, by a fubmilTive and repentant forrow, we have the pofitive aflu- rance of God's w^ord.
Of the benefits that muft accrue from occalional retirement for reflection and felf- examination, for the perufal of revealed inflru(5tion, for prayer, and a performance of rehgious offices, of the advantage that muft refult from thefe, none can be ignorant who are apprifed of the frailties of human nature, or refled: on the condition and expectations of man. If, as foldiers of Chrifl, we would take up the fhield of faith, and the helmet of falvation *; if, like him, we would wield the fword of the fpirit, that we may ftand againfl the wiles of the devil, we mufl firft fortify ourfelves by private fup- plication, and by watching thereunto with all perfeverance -f* ; fo ihall we be ftrength- ened, like him, to baffle the fuggeftions of the tempter, and to refift the impulfes of in- temperate paffions. He who, like Chriil, is baptized but to confecrate his life to God's fervice, will refufe, however prompted by external or by inward folicitations, to yield in compliance to unlawful views. The fliarp
* Ephef. vi. 16, 17, t Ephef, vi. iS.
D 4 and
40 DISCOURSE 11.
and urgent prellure of necellity will not drive him to adopt any defperate or unlawful meafures for relief. To the evil fpirit, who fliall fuggeft that he hath the pow'er and op- portunity of removing his diifrefs, and that the means, though irregular, are at hand, he will reply by an appeal to thofe facred oracles which prohibit a diflrufl: in God's providence, and teach a fubmiffion to his W'ili ; which inculcate an abhorrence of all fraudulent or prefumptuous practices, and enjoin an unreferved and implicit obedience to that word which hath the promife of eternal life.
To the evil fuggeHion which prompts to a prefurnptuous reliance on God's favour, and which, with perverted application of fcripture, would lead to provoke him, by doubting the demonftrations of his power and prefence, and by requiring farther evi- dence than he has vouchfafed to give, he will produce the uncorrupted word of God's wifdom *. Should the profpecSt of unbounded profit be difpLiyed as the proffered reward of his bowing down to evil, he will, with in-
* See Whitby on Pvlatt. iv. 7.
dignation.
DISCOURSE II. 41
•dignation, rejecfl the bribe, confcious, that if a man fhould gain the whole world, and lofe his foul, he his bartered for the price of niifery ; and that as he cannot ferve two maftcrs, he n:uil worfhip the Lord his God, wlio has an exclafive claim to his adoration and obedience.
Such vTere tlie convi6lions, as far as they had reference to an uncreated being, which ftrengthened our Mailer, who is in heaven, firmly to repc;l the attacks of that enemy whom he bruifed. Such were the confidera- lions which encouraged his difciples to wreftle againfl principalities, againft powers, againd the rulers of the darknefs of this world, againfl fpi ritual wickednefs in high places *, to wander, like him, deftitute and afflided, to fupport labours, ftripes and imprifonment, in journeyings often -f-, in perils of waters, in foreign and domcflic dangers, in wearinefs and painrulnefs, in watchings often, in hunger and thirll, in faftings often, in cold and nakednefs, in incelTant cares for the churches which they planted ; as apoftles and martyrs for the propagation of the faith which they had received.
* Ephef. vi. 12. f 2 Cor. xi. 26—28.
The
42 DISCOURSE ir.
The fame confiderations fhould likewife animate us to a lively and uniform obedience. No views of prefent gratification, no feduc- tion of fenfual pleafure fliould be fufFered to interfere with the high purpofe and defigii of our exigence. No circum fiances of pre- fent afBidion fliould tempt us to forfake the patient and perfevering fubmifllon which we owe to the divine will. Neither tribulation, nor diflrefs, nor perfecution, nor famine, nor nakednefs, nor peril, nor the fword, fince the fufferings of this prefent time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which fhall be revealed in us. Where the temptations are flrong, and the fiefh is weak, there, if we feek, fhall we obtain affiflance from him, ■who in all things was tempted like as we, yet without fm. However powerful the enemy with whom we contend, God, if we ferioufly incline to him, and folicit his grace againfl the evil crafts and affaults of the devil, will fhield us from danger ; for ** God is faithful," fays the apoille, ** and will not fuf- fer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will, with the temptation alfo, make a way to efcape, that we may be able to bear it:" fo that by the fucqefsfal trial of our
faithj
DISCOURSE II. 43
faith, we may be found worthy of the in- heritance of that crown which is prepared for thofe who live and die in the Lord,
D I S-
[ 45 ] DISCOURSE III.
«N THE POOL OF BETHESDA*
John v. 6 — 9.
I'Vhen Jefus faw him lie^ and knew that he had been now a long time in that cafe^ he faith unto him. Wilt thou be made whole ? I^hc impotent man anfwered hi?n. Sir, I have no 7nan when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming another Jieppeth down before me, f^fus faith unto him. Rife, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was 7nadt whole, and took up his bed, and walked,
HE circumftances of the miracle above related are of very peculiar and im- portant confideration. The account, as more fully given by the evangelift, is interelling, not only from the principal fubjedl and event which it defcribeo, but from fome particu- lars
T
46 DISCOURSE III.
lars referred to, as it were, incidentally. It is the character of facred hiilory to in- volve, in its concife relations, many fummary points of a flriking and inflrudive nature, which, however conneded with the main purport and defign, are to be confidered as having a feparate and intrinfic value. In the account of St. John here alluded to, the flight mention which is made of the pool of Bethefda muft fuggeft to our reflection much fubjedt for ferious enquiry -, and the conclu- iions which may be drawn from an examina- tion of this fubjed:, mufl: tend to confirm the authority of other remarkable relations in fcripture. It is the efFed: of truth to be correfpondent in all its parts. The grace of confifl:ency brightens through every page of facred hifl:ory. If it be {etn. in the entire and connected harmony of the plan, it like- wife often burflis with unexpe<fted lufl:re from its minute and cafual reports.
The hiftory of the miracle which is now to be confidered, in its firfl: afpedt, bears teftimony to the accounts which are given in the Old Tefl:ament, of God's miraculous government of the Hebrew nation. It leads us likewife to conclude, that the open and
vifible
DISCOURSE III. 47
vifible effects of his immediate interference had not ceafed when the miniftry of our Saviour commenced ; for let us hear the re- lation by St. John, writing in the fpirit, and in the terms of an hifliorian, who lived in the time of which he fpeaks. " After this," fays the evangelift, " there was a feafl of the Jews, and Jefus went up to Jerufalem. Now there is at Jerufalem, by the flieep market, a pool, which is called, in the Hebrew tongue, Bethefda, having five porches ; in thefe lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel went down, at a certain feafon, into the pool, and troubled the water ; whofoever then firfl, after the troubling of the water, ilepped in, was made whole of whatfoever difeafe he had."
The account is very remarkable ; and ad- mitting it, as we necefTarily muft, to be in- difputably true, we cannot deny that the hand of Providence was, at this time, vifibly and miraculouily difplayed in frequent mani- feftation to the Jevvs. The relation, indeed, has been fometimes fuppofed to admit of two interpretations, founded on the, ambiguity of 8 th«
4S DISCOURSE III.
the word tranflated angel, which may imply either a cekftial, or an human meflenger ; whence feme have ilrangely imagined, that it imports here, fimply an human agent, de- puted by the high prieft, or council of the Jews, who flirred the pool, into which might be thrown the entrails of beails facri- iiced *, and other things, which they con- ceive might communicate a falutary influence to the WAter. But it cannot eafily be ad- mitted, that any ordinary means could im- part fuch powers to water, as to render it inftantaneouily efficacious to the removal of all diforders. Whereas, in the pool defcribed by the evangelifl, the water was univerfally efficacious, though definite and reil:rid:ed as to its extent ; a limitation made, doubtlefs, with defign to keep alive a conftant fenfe of God's providence, and to prevent any reli- ance on the v/ater as in itfelf operative. The effeds of the pool *vere not therefore
* Hammond on chap. v. of John. Theophyl. p. 623. Edit. Par. Chryfoft. c. xiii. 32. The entrails of the beafts facrificed were not waflied in this pool, but in an apartment of the temple, called Conclave Lavantium. Vide Cod. Middo c. v. b. iii. and if they had been vvaflied in it, what virtues could they polTefs or excite ?
derived
DISCOURSE III. 49
derived from any inherent principles, mineral or medicinal -, nor from any fanative proper- ties infufed into the water by natural means. Frequent and falutary are the fprings that flow, with availing power, in various parts of the earth. By the fecret chymiftry of na- ture, are prepared waters that ilTue around us with abundant and enlivening influence, but each has its fpecific limited efFedls, and is impregnated with principles favourable, or noxious, as well, or ill applied. That which lliall brace the flnews of weaknefs, v/ill, perhaps, accelerate the confumption of decline ; and that which can purify the cor- rupted veins of difeafe, may derange and darken the brightnefs of the intellectual power. As well might Naaman have hoped for relief from the rivers of Damafcus, as the difordered individual apply to flreams, not empowered by Providence, to operate againfl: his peculiar maladies.
In the account here confldered, we cannot fupoofe, that only particular infirmities were healed, or that the agitation of the waters did, by any natural means, ferve to promote their influence ; for the relation fl:ates, in un- f,eftrained terms, and with a preciflon, that E in
50 DISCOURSE III.
in fcripture will admit of no qualified inter- pretation, that whofoever firfl:, after the trou- bling of the water, flepped in, was made whole of whatfoever difeafe he had. If, then, as is moft reafonable, we fuppofe that the water was miraculoufly defigned to ope- rate by its effeds in the moft diftinguifhed manner ; and farther, in confiftency with the general ftyle of fcripture, underftand, by the angel, a divine meilenger, exprefsly dele- gated for the beneficial purpofe of conveying that miraculous power*, we muft immediately acknowledge, that a confpicuous demonftra- tion of divine providence was daily ;iiade for the feafon "f of the paifover, at leaft to the
* Some think, that no vifible angel appeared, but that a miraculoUvS effeci being produced, an angel was fup- pofcd, agreeably to the Jewifh notions, to be the agent.
f Whitby, after St. Chryfoftom, is of opinion, that this effect of the pool was experienced only during a fea-, ion KuJx Kaj/zdv, and, probably, at the time of the pafl> over. If this be admitted, it will furnifli an additional prefumption, that the virtue \^as miraculoufly imparted to the water. No expreffion correfpondent to *' a cer»- "tain feafon" was to be found in three Latin copies fpoken of by Calmet ; nor is there any thing equivalent to -^he words in the Coptic and other vcrfions. See Whitby and Pcarcc, ^
. ■ .. ..j'-f Jews ;
DISCOURSE III. 51
Jews ; and we perceive a confiftency in the divine proceedings, as defcribed by fucceffive hiflorians of different views, by prophets and evangeliflsj by Hebrew and Chrilfian writers.
The Hebrew nation being immediately fubjefted to the divine governmient, a difplay of the efpecial interference of God was fre- quently and conliflently made. Public mira- cles were performed by appointed agents and prophets ; divine inftrudion was communi- cated by human organs, and vifible adions were executed by angels and heavenly minif- ters. Accuitomed to thefe manifellations of God's ad:ual interpofition, the Jews witneiTed them without amazement, and fometimes with indifference. Even in the early periods of their hiflory, we find them heedlefs, and unconcerned at the tokens of God's imme- diate attention to th^m i or, at leafr, if roufed occafionally by their portentous dif- play, foon forgetful of their defign and inten- tion. Even when the thunder wiiich announced the divine prefence awakened icars, or the ac- knowledged evidence of a divine commiliioa excited refpedt to Goi's a.ents, the effecffc was tranfient. Though the long line of the E 2 pro-'
52 DISCOURSE III.
prophets hid linithcd abov<: three ccntiiffe> bcibre the preiching of the Baptiil, and though the omcular inllruftions conveyed by the Urim and Thummlm, and the miracu- lous lire thit conlumed the lacritices, had probably cealed long before the birth of Chriil;, yet. from the particulars introduced in the evangelical account, which ibggetled thele remarks, as well as from other r;irts of icripture, there is realbii to Tuppofe, that the open difplay of God's agency had not ter- minated ; and it is probable, that the eli^l: produced bv cur Saviour's miracles would ha^ been more contiderable if manifetled to a people who had been unaccultomed to the light of lupernatural works. If, we may lav, in imiration of Chriil's general reproach againft the blind obltinacy of the Jews, *' If •* the works which were cone in Jenilalem ** had bee p. dene in Tyre and Sidon, they " would have repented in lackcloth and " aihes.' If Jefus healed the fick, the prophets had done the ilane ; not like him^ indeed, in the prerogative of their own power ; but pervertenels feldoai attends to circumlrar.ce. If Jefus had raifed the dead, Elijuh had reilored the widow's fon ; and
evea 6
DISCOURSE III. 53
even the bones of Eiifha had revived him who vi'as buried in his fepulchre*. It re- quired difcririiination and iudgment to reile<S, that Chrift performed miracles in his own name, and with the manifeftation of a divine power, afiucied authority that Gcxi oaly could claim.
St. John is the only evangelift who de- fcribes the miraculous circumfbnces of the pool of Bethefda-f-, (or of the houfs of mere)', which the word fignifies) ; and we may therefore not unfairly prefumc, that fuch, or fimilar effects of God's power, were not un- common. St. John hirafelf mentions them only cafually, as connected with the hiflory of the miracle which he relates ; and other facred writers omit them, with many other important circumftances, which the volumes of the word would not contain. St. John fpeaks of the pool of Bethefda flightly, as a place well known, as a particular of contem- porary exiflence, of which enquiry might
* 2 Kings xiii. 21-
t St. John, who dilutes particularly on the proofs of ChrifFs divine nature, was the evangelift from whom fo ftrong a detnonftration of that di\ ine nature might moft narurally be expected.
E 3 afcertain
54 DISCOURSE III.
afcertain the truth, and involves its defcrip- tion v^ith the circumllances of a miracle which muH: have been judged untrue, if any allertion relative to it had been found fidli- tious ', and no reafonable doubt can be enter- tained of the ccmmunication of fuch mira- culous powers to the pool, though they ihould not appear to be mentioned by any other * than the facred writers.
* 2 lyings xviii. 17. Nqhem. iii. 15. Jofcphus, indeed, fpeaks of tv/o pools or baths, under the term K.oXvij.<^r,9fa^ ufed by St. John, one of which was in, or near Jerufalem, the other in the city, and, by fome, fuppofed to be that of Betherda. Bell. Jud. L. V. c. iii. .§ 2. and Lib. V. c. iv. § 2. It fliould be remembered, however, that Jofephus either never wrote the full ac- count of Jerufalem and its walls, which he promifed, and in which a defcription of Bethefda might have been expected i or if he did, the work is loft. The hiftorian might, indeed-, have deiignedly omitted to defcribe the pool, as it would h^ve naturally led him to fpeak of a miracle of Chrift. Tertuliian ftys, that the pool of Be- thefda, which, tin the advent of Chrift, cured diforders, ceafcd its bleffings when the Jews perfifted in the obfti- nacy of their madnefs in blafpheming the natr.e of our Lord. Tertull. cont. Jud. c. xiii. and therefore it was, perhaps, no longer extant, or operative, in the time of Jofephus. The reputed pool was ihewn at Jerufalem when Maundrell was there. See Maundrell's Journey, p. 107.
If;
DISCOURSE III. 55
<! If, now, we rejed on the particulars of the miracle itfelf, we are naturally led to a confideration of many interefting circum- fiances. It was the glorious privilege of Chrifl: to manifeft his divine commiflion, by a difplay of attributes as beneficial in their influence as they were exalted in their cha- rader. To human apprehenfions it was ac- ceptable and attradive, that the perfections of God fhould be veiled under human vir- tues ;. and the excellency of uncreated good- nefs was lliadowed out in intelligible features, when exemplified in circumftances familiar to obfervation. Yet lowly and tempered, as was the majefty of Chrift under earthly form and circumftances, the work of redemp- tion, by him difplayed, was not lefs defcrip- tive of divine power and goodncfs than the firft creation of man. The fame omnipotent word, which difperfed the darknefs from the face of the earth, was equally exerted in fcattering the intelleftual darknefs which pre- vailed at the appearance of Chrift, and in introducing the dawn of that light which gradually brightened into perfed day. The fame uncontrolled command, which efta- bliflied a firmament in the midft of the E 4 waters.
56 DISCOURSE IIL
waters, dividing the waters which were un- der the firmament from the waters v/hich were above the firmament, difplayed its effi- cacy with equal praife when it founded a firm and immoveable religion, which fhould be the boundary between exalted righteouf- nefs and the fioods of wickednefs, and on which the powers and adivity of the foul iliould be employed with adequate induilry, and with effed:, correfpondent to the exer- tions of our bodily powers on the material world. The fime fpirit which moved upon the face of the waters, and gathered them into one coUeded mafs, rolling by appointed laws, and governed by eftablidied influence, exhibited its exifting omnipotence in the perfon of Chrift, when he commanded the fi:ormy waves tO' ceafe, and they were filent, according to his word. Shall we continue the parallel, and remember, that when God faid, " Let the earth bring forth grafs, the ** herb yielding feed, and the fruit tree yield- " ing fruit after his kind, whofe feed is in <* itfelf," he fliewed a part only of the fame benevolent wifdom, which, when difplayed, withcounterpartefFe6t,in the perfon of Chrift, commanded and inilru<fted the immaterial
world.
DISCOURSE III. 57
world, that it might bring forth its fruits, and teem, with produ(fi:ive fulnefs, which, fliould fwell under the divine influence, and be refrefhed by the divine grace, which fhould offer up the fragrance of its produc-t tions to that heavenly light that called forth and enlivened their growth. Did the lights that at the firft creation were placed in the firmament, to divide the day from the night, and that were to be for figns and for feafons, and for days and for years, more evince the operation of a divine power than did the appointment of thofe feledied minifters who were commiffioned to feparate (he darknefs of paganifm from the light of chriftianity ; who fhould fpread wide the glory of their effulgence ; who fliould be for figns and demon ftrations of the divine good- nefs ; whofc memorials fhould be regiflered in records of celebration, and whofe example fhould be fet on high for the admiration and - diredion of mankind? If, laflly, God had CiXiated man in his own image, and breathed into his noftrils the breath of life, Chrifl evinced his participation of the fame power when he raifed up the Ufelefs frame, and re- called
S8 DISCOURSE III.
called to it the animation of that fpirit which had expired and departed.
Of the inefficacy of human art to reftorc that "which hath periflied, we all feel, and muil; acknowledge, the convicflion. After ages of refearch, and after accumulation of fucceffive remark ; after all that can be learnt from the colleded dedu(fl:ions of experience, we can as yet but alleviate, upon uncertain principles, a few of thofc diforders which weaken the frame, and fap the conftitution of man. We may cafually prolong the flame of life, and perchance, by judicious applica- tion, invigorate the finews of declining ilrength. But flow are the means, and pre- carious is the fuccefs. To Chrift only, and to the appointed minifliers of God, did it belong, by a word, to brace the withered frame, to revive the deadened fenfe, and to re-eftabliih the powers of intelledl deranged.
Let us mark the teilimonies of a heavenly power in the circumftances of the miracle that demandsourprefentattention. Let us contem- plate the affeding fpedacle of a man afflided with an infirmity of eight and thirty years, exhaiifted by continued fuiferings, and har- laffed, for a long time, by repeated difap-
pointment
DISCOURSE III. 59
pomtment of obtaining that relief which was daily fnatched from his reach, by fome more fortunate competitor. See him within a few- yards of that fuccour which no friendly hand would affift him to procure, and, with our Saviour, we muft compaffionate his impotent attempts to enter the troubled pool. Thus, helplefs and wretched, he was peculiarly an cbjed: to engage the attention of that God who conliders the unfupported ; and " when ** Jefus faw him lie, and knew that he had *' been now a long time in that cafe, he •* faith unto him. Wilt thou be made '* whole ?" Under fuch circumftances, to be afked if he would be made whole, was to hear words thrilling and awakening indeed to the ears of mifery, long unaccuftomed to the voice of fuccour, to the offers of confo- lation. It was to hear founds that mufl bave pierced to his very foul. Pie, however, in a tone of no impatience, related his iimple and interefting cafe, defcribing himfelf at the brink of the healthful water, baffled, in re- iterated attempts, with no man tq aiHil: him in bis helplefs jftate. And infliantly, as not flow to mercy, ** Jefus faith unto him. Rife, take up thy bed, and walk." Speaking then
as
#o DISCOURSE III.
as on€ having authority, and not as the fcribes, in a tone of power uncircumfcribed by human hmits, uncontrolled by earthly laws, and enjoining to the fufferer a condud: which Ihould bear a public and ftriking tefti- mony of the mercy which he had received, commanding him to prove his recovered ilrength, by carrying that which had fup- ported his weak and recumbent limbs. In conformity to the command, the man imme- diately was made whole from a diforder, which, in its confirmed ftate, admits of no cure from human affiflance *.
Was not fuch a miracle Jfo wrought a fuf- ficient teflimony of the truth of Chrift's pretenfions ? Could ought but a divine word operate a cure fo infhantaneous and effedlual ? It is defcribed, by the evangelill, Vv^ith the utmoil fmiplicity. Such it might have been conceived was a work, that if men had *' held their peace, the very flones would ** have cried out." But what faid the Jews to a miracle fo flupendous ? In the fpirit of
* Vide Bartholin, de Paralytic, M. VIII. L. vii. p. 338. It is probable, that the diforder ftyled by St. John c^Qavsia, was a confirmed paralyfis. See Matt. ix. 6. where the iame direction is given to a paralytic.
perverfe
DISCOURSE III. 6i
perverfe and chlldilh oblervatlon, they over- looked the greatnefs of the work, and cavilled, with petty objeftion, at its circumftances.
Many of Chrift's benevolent miracles were performed publicly on the fabbath-day, as if exprefsly to intimate, that it fhould be dif- tinguifhed by deeds of mercy, and that the day confecrated to God fliould be marked with the proofs of benevolence to man. The fabbath was that day which the Jews hallowed with well founded admiration, but with a fuperflitious obfervance, prejudicial to, and fubverfive of that fpirit of religion, which God's commandment was intended to excite. To their hafty objeftions, that his condud: was illegal *, the reflored paralytic anfwered, that he who had made him whole, had commanded him to take up his bed and walk, not doubting that he who could per- form fuch a miracle had fufficient authority to juftify a departure from the RriO: obfervance of the fabbath. The Tews, more ea^er to condemn than to praife and admire, enquired of him, " What man is that which faid unto ** thee. Take up thy bed ap.d walk ?" But
* Nehem. xiii. 19. Jerem. xvii. 21, 22.
he
62 DISCOURSE III.
he that was healed could not then gratrfy their ill-direded curlofity, for " he \vift not who it was," lince Jefus had conveyed himfelf away from the multitude, feeking the conviction of refiedion, and not the- murmurs of popular applaufe.
The miracles of Chrifl: were defigned chiefly to promote the fpiritual benefit of mankind. This was as effedually confulted in the cure of one difordered perfon, placed in fuch helplefs circumftances, as it could have been, had he extended his affiflance to others, who, probably, waited at the pool for the time when they fliould profit by the appointed means of recovery. Attentive farther to the higher interefts of him \\'hom he had thus fignally ferved, and knowing that the mind, when roufed by great events, and foftened to gratitude, by experienced mercies, was rendered fufceptible of good imprefiions, Chrift faid unto him in the temple, where Jefus, with accuftomed piety, and the paralytic, with awakened gratitude, repaired, " Behold, thou art made whole, ** fin no more, left a worfe thing come unto '* thee."
It
DISCOURSE III. 63
It Is not necelTary, from this exhortation, to fuppofe, that the patient had been thus afflided, in confequence of any extraordinary fins, though our Saviour, to whom the fecret tranfadions of every man were known, might poffibly allude to fome previous mifconducl that might have produced, or at leaft merited the puniQiment that it received. In any cafe it was confiftent with his benevolent fpirrt to inculcate that general reformation which might avert the divine wrath.
The man, colleding from the excellency of the admonition, or from the imprefTive appearance of our Saviour that he was Jefus;,; the prophet of Nazareth, departed, and told the Jews that it was Jefus that had made him whole, " and therefore did the Jews perfecute Jefus, and fought to flay him, be-- caufe he had done thofe things on the fabbath day. But Jefus anfwercd them. My Father wcrketh hitherto, and I work." To thefe, -and fuch like purpofes, does my Father, which is in heaven, and who gave this law, co-operate, and by his power and authority do I work. ** Therefore the Jews fought the more to kill him, becaufe," in their efli- mation, *' he had not only bioken the fab- bath,
64 DISCOURSE III.
bath, but faid alfo, that God was his Father*, making himfelf equal with God." From this it appears, that the Jews underllood the na- ture of Chrifl's pretenlions, and the import- ance of the chara<fl:er which he affumed* They were aware, that he who fo emphati- cally flyled God his Father, did make him- felf equal in majefty to God ; and Jefus, con- firming their apprehcnfions, faid, " Verily, " verily, I fay unto you, the Son can do no- ** thing of himfelf but what he feeth the ** Father do -, for what things foever he doth, " thofe alfo doth the Son likewife^ for the ** Father loveth the Son, and fliewxth him ** all 'things that himfelf doth." That is, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, and partaking of his nature, could do nothing of himfelf but what he knew to be confident with the Father's work. As the Son, he a<5ted in unity and invariable agreement with the Father. In conformity of aftion, as from coincidence of will, for the Father loveth the Son. In correfpondence of views, as the
* In a peculiar manner his Father, as the expreflion imports TloSkpa, i^iov sXeys rov 05ov, comp. with Rom. viii. 32. Matt. xxvi. 63 — 65. John x. 35 — 38, Hence did the Jews, for this aflutnption, accufe him of blafphemy.
Son
DISCOURSE III. 65
Son wknefTeth the defigns of the Father, who fheweth him all things that he doth ; " and he will flievv him," adds our Saviour, ** greater works than thcfe, that ye may ** marvel.'* He will dlfplay higher attri- butes of the godhead in the perfon of the Son, which may excite the admiration of the world. Foi" as the Father raifeth up the dead, and quickenefh them, even fo the Son quickeneth whom he will. Even the greait and exclufive power of God -, that of re- floring the departed fpirit, and of railing up the lifelefs frame, even that doth the Son partake with equal and undivided authority ; and ftill farther, the right of judging all men is affigned as the peculiar and diflinguiflied privilege of the Son, who died in atonement for the fins of mankind, and whofe friendly and merciful regard for their interefts mull render him the moft acceptable Judge ; ** For the Father judgeth no man, but hath " committed all judgment unto the Son, " that all men fliould honour the Son even ** as they honour the Father. He that " honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the " Father which hath fent him."
* Deut. xxxii. 39. i Sam. ii. 6. Rom. Iv, 17.
F Sudice
66 DISCOURSE III.
Suffice it thus to have (hewn, by an appestl to one of thofe works which bear witnefs of Chrift, that he v/as verily, and indeed, the ap- pointed MelTenger of God. Suffice it to have maintained, that the miracle of Bethefda fur- nifhed a glorious teftimony of the divine charad:er of Chrift; that, in oppofition to thofe who have had recourfe to myflical and allegorical expolition, its literal interpretation reflecfts glory on God's government; and lailly, fuffice it to have infifted, from the words of Chrifl:, that he who could not deceive, and who difplayed the powers of the Father, thought it not robbery to lay claim to equal honor with the Father.
C I s-
i 67 ]
DISCOURSE IV.
ON THE t)iEMONIACS.
Matt. viii. 31, 32.
So the de'vils be fought him, Jliying, If thou cafi us out, fuffer us to go away into the herd oj fwine. And he /did unto thefn. Go : and when they were come out, they went into the herd of fwine -, and behold^ the whole herd of fwine ran violently down a fleep place into the fea^ and perijhed in the waters.
'T^HE above relation conftitutes part of an "** account of a very remarkable miracle performed by our Saviour ; an account that has much interefled attention, and v^hich, however it may have been miilaken or mif- reprefented, contains, like ail other parts of facred hiftory, much that redounds to the praiie and glory of God.
Fa In
68 DISCOURSE IV.
In a confideration, however, of the fcrip- ture relations, it is often necelTary to advert to contemporary circumftances, and deHbe- rately to refled; on the important deiigns of God in communicating a revelation by his Son. It appears, that our Saviour, in the execution of his benevolent miniihy, v\dien employed in healing the difeafed, and in counteracting the various afflidions to w^hich mankind were expofed, did particularly mani- fell his power and his mercy in delivering thofe who were pofTeiTed of evil fpirits ; but on no occafion did he more exprefsly demon- flrate his divine attributes than in the per- formance of that miracle of which we are about to examine the circumftances, after we ihail have taken a view of fome particulars which may tend to illuftrate the account.
It may be colled:ed from many paiTages, both in the Old* and New Teflament -f-, that previouily to the creation of the v/orld,
* Gen. iil. iXhron. xxi. i. Job i. 6, 7.
Zechar. iii. i — 3. Ifaiah xiv, 12 — 15.
f 2 Pet. ii. 4. Jude vi. i John iii. 8. Rev. i. ii. 7 — 9. Ephef. ii. 2. iv. 27. i ThelT. ii. 18. Rev. xx. 2. James ii. 19, 1 Tim. iii. 6. Origen JJspi apx'^h L. I. c. vi.
fome
DISCOURSE IV. 69
fbme fuperior being, who had departed from his obedience to the Almighty, had been condemned with thefe affociate fpirits, who had been feduced to a fimilar mifcon- duft, to depart from the prefence of God, and to forfeit that glorious felicity which he had enjoyed, for a ftate of guilty difquictude and mifery. Concerning the motives and circumflances of this difobedience the facred writers have furnifhed us with no informa- tion ; and no fatisfadlory intelligence can be derived fromx the early traditions, or the my- thological fables, which reprefent a created being to have revolted in bold and extra- vagant defiance of omnipotence. It is certain only from the unqueftionable accounts of revelation, that fuch degraded fpirit did exift; that he direded his early malevolence againft man, the created obje(ft of God's favour; and that, from the time that Adam yielded to the • fedudions of the tempter, his defc^ndants became more obnoxious to the attacks ot their great enemy.
The title by which this apoflate fpirit is ufuaily defcribed in fcripture is, that of fatan, or the devil, which words, if not appropriate to, are emphatically applied to the great
F 3 ?idv^r'
70 DISCOURSE IV.
adverfary of mankind *. This evil fpirit appears to be fuffered by the Almighty to poflefs a reftrided influence over human affairs. Thus far, fays the divine permiffion, fhalt thou go, and exert dominion over thofe who have voluntarily fubmitted to thy fv^ay. And fubje(51: to the limitations laid down by that God, *' who formeth the light and ^' createth darknefs, who maketh peace and " createth evil," who allots the circum- ftances and regulates the temptations of men -f*, the devil may be coniidered as the immediate caufe and iniligator of that moral and intelledual evil that darkens the word.
That this evil power is controlled and cir- cumfcribed vi^ithin certain boundaries, we learn from the hiflory of Job's temptation : ^' Behold," faith the Lord, " he is in thine
* I Ghron. xxi. j. Job i. 6. Matt. iv. i. xii. 26. XXV. 41. Luke X. 18. John xiii. 2. Acls v. 3. xiii. 10. 2 Cor. xi. 14. Ephef. vi. 11. 1 ThefT. ii. 18. James iv. 7. I Pet. v. 8. Jude 9. Rev. xii. 9. XX. 2. Julliii Martyr, Apol. I. p. 46. Dial. II. p. 309, 310, 360. Edit. Thirlb.
f The fcripture condemns the notion of an indepen- ^giit principle of evil. Jfaiah xlv. 7. 1 Cor. xx. 13,
'* hand.
DISCOURSE IV. 71
^* hand, but fave his life:" and Satan went forth from the prcfence of the Lord to exer- cife only a reftrided power. But however reftridled, and however circumfcribed, the fad iproofs of his prevailing influence were too fatally experienced in the wickednefs and rebellious crimes which domineered in the earth. Hence it was that they who enjoyed not the light of revelation, and who were anxious, by the glimmerings of reafon and tradition, to comprehend the difpenfations which they witnelTed, and to underftand the nature of man, weie involved in difficulties which they could not folve, and harraffed by contradictions which they could not explain. Hence it was, that when they beheld the excellency of that reafon which occafionally broke out from amidft the corruptions of a faded nature, and contemplated amidft the benevolent difpenfations of God, the trivimph and afcendancy of the powers of darknefs, they attributed fuch apparent inconliftencies to the exigence of a good and of an evil principle; fo far miftaken in their notion as they fancied them of equal and independent power, and mutually engaged in defeating ^nd in counteradting the operation of each F 4 other,
72 DISCOURSE IV.
other, and uninftruded to difcern that the ex- igence of evil was a confequence of the lapfe of man, and permitted only to an extent compatible Vv^ith the benevolent defigns of God, and the ultimate welfare of mankind. . As the period of our Saviour's prefence drew* near, the power of the evil fpirit was demon- ftrated with ilill greater effect, and ferved to exhibit the neccffity for the coming of that Lord v/ho lliould " brnife the ferpent's head, a If in the ambitious contefts;, and in the un- reilrained depravity; if in the lufts, the falfiiood and oppreffion o^ the heathen world; if in the ambiguous prevarications of the Pagan oracles *, in the grofs delufions of Gentile theology, and the fuperftitious igno- rance of the Gentile worfhip ; if in thefe the agency cf Satan was fliewn, his power was manifefted only in a lefs degree among the Jews, who had experienced the peculiar at- tention of the Almighty -f- ; and the perverfe and idolatrous difpofitions, the rebellious ob- ftixiacy of this people, as Well as the corrup- tion introduced into the doctrines of their
* I/!;T\borch's Thcplog. Chrift. L. V. c. 35.
7 I Kings xxii. 20,21. 2 Chron. xviii. 19—21.
religion.
DISCOURSE IV. 73
religion, illuftrated, in ftriking charaders, the activity of an evil power.
But for the more confpicuous demon- ftration of the MefTiah's glory, and for the punifliment of the wickednefs of the Jews, and other nations, of which the meafure was now filled up, the diredl influence of Satan was frequently and fully Ihewn before the advent of our Lord. It appears, from many writers, facred and profane, that the devils were fuffered to maintain an open control over the perfons of men, and that the effects of their power were fubjed:ed to the external fenfes and obfervation of mankind. Many ancient Heathen writers mention da:moniacs* as perfons adiually pofleffed by evil fpirits, which fpirits the Heathens fuppofed to be the fhades or fouls of wicked men departed
* iEfchylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, fpeak of dae- moniacs. In the days of Herodotus, infanity was fup- pofed fometimes to proceed from pofleflion. L. VI. c. 84. and in the time of Hippocrates, epilenfy was ar- tributed to the fame caufe. Vide de Morb. Sacr. Dx- monology was a part of the Pythagorean and Platonic philofophy. Vide Plut. de Placit. Philol. Lib. V. c. i. Cicero de Divin. L. I. § 5. c. 82, 87. All antiquity, indeed, believed in pofTefTions, except the followers of Democritus, and the Sadducces among the Jews.
"'^ from
74 DISCOURSE IV.
from this life -, or beings of celeftial origin, and of a rank intermediate between gods and mtn *. Jofephus fpeaks of daemons, and afcribes to David -f- and Solomon the power of cafting them out ; and fays, when treating of Solomon, that the devils, by him ejected, were the fpirits of evil men J.
From the accounts of this hiflorian, it is evident that the abfolute piefcnce of fome
* Plato Sympos, p. 327. Among the different forts of dzennon?, of which the Heathens believed the exiftence, they fuppofed fome to be of an origin fuperior to that of the human race, and worfi:iipped them with fearful depre- cation. Vide Apuleius de Deo Socrat. p. 686, 687. Edit. Delph. Plutarch de Placit. Philof. L.I. c. viii. ^cDchdi. Orac. p. 431. Tom. II. Edit. Par. La6lan- tius tells us, that Trifmegiftus called daemons evil angels, aware that they had been celeflial beings. Mede main- tains, that the Heathen theologifts admitted the exillence of a kind of daemons more high and fublime than thofe which had been the fouls of menj dsemons who were from the beginning, or without beginning, always the fame, and whom he fuppofes to anfwer to the fpiritual powers which we call angels. B. HI. c. iv. i Cor. viii. 5.
t Antiq. L. VI. c, viii. § 2. c. xi. § 2. L. VIII. c. ii. § 5. Lib. VII. c. vi. § 3. Matt. xii. 27. Hie! on. in Loc.
:|; Jofephus attributes the fame power likewife to Eleazar, a contemporary, whom he reprefents to have ejcfted a devil in the prefence of Vefpafian, by ufing fhe n;ime of Solomonj and fome charms.
malig-
DISCOURSE IV. 75
malignant being was fuppofed; and whatever notions the Jews in general might have en- tertained as to the nature of thefe daemons, it is unqueftionable that they believed in their actual exigence.
But farther, there are ample grounds to maintain, that the Jews*, as well as all other nations, had fome apprehenfion of a fuperior order of fpiritual beings, who inter- fered with malignant enmity in the concerns of mankind. Their great and facred hifto- rian had recorded the fuccefsful contrivance of the firfl feducer to fin ; and their infpired prophets predided the defeat of the powers of darknefs ^ when, therefore, they refleded on the afcendancy of that evil, v/hich, through fucceffive ages, had prevailed ; when they beheld the fiercenefs and uncontrollable violence of the daemons who pofleiTed their
* Job i. and ii. i Chron. xxi. i. Zechar. iii. i — 3, 2 Kings xxiii. 5. The Jews confidered all difeafes as derived from the agency of a fpiritual being, afting in fubferviency to God. See Farmer's Eflay on the Daemo- niacs. Lightfoot on Luke xiii. 11,16. Hammond oa John vii. 20. See alfo Ifaiah xiv. 12, 14. Though this pafTage relates only to the king of Babylon, there is fin allufion to the fall of fatan in the cxpreffion.
country-
^6 DISCOURSE IV.
countrymen, it is probable that they often cn^ tertained conceptions of higher fpirits than thofe which had been releafed from earthly bodies : however, they might imagine that human fouls, of a depraved charadler, were employed likewife in tormenting mankind *; and there is no fufficient reafon to conclude, that when they fpoke of Beelzebub, and hi& angels, and the prince of the devils, they meant to defcribe the {hades of men -f ; but
* Calmet Dicfl. Art. Demon. Grotius on Matt. vlii.
f Farmer, after Jurieu, imagines Beelzebub to have been the fame as Pluto, and would lead us to fuppofe, that the Jews confidered him as the prince of evil fpirits; but Pluto Vt'as the ruler of the infernal fpirits in general; and if the Jev/s borrov/ed the title of an Heathen deity, why Ihould they be fuppofed to have ufed it in a more reftri£led fenfe than it was employed before ? Or why ihouJd they be thought at all to have adopted the mytho- logy becaufe they borrowed the name ? See Farmer's Letters to Worthington, Let. IL p. 42. note N. Selden informs us, that the Hebrew monuments reprefent Afmo- dcus as the prinjce of the demons, who was called alfo Samael, which is applied as a proper name to the devil, who deceived our firft parents. The prince of the tt^rr.ons, and the feducer, were therefore the fame perfon. In our Saviour's reafoning likewife, Beelzebub is appa- rently reprefented as the fame perfon with fatan, the apoftate leader of the fallen fpirits. See Matt. xii.
I rathev
DISCOURSE IV. ^y
rather it may be fiippofed that they employed thefe titles as defcriptlve of evil fpirits in general, and not as flridly appropriate to. any particular clafs or diflIn(ftion of invifible beings. The rabbinical conceits concerning the origin of daemons lead to.no precife and fatisfacuoty account of the opinions of the ancient Jews upon the fubje(5l, and cannot certainly be allowed to invalidate the proofs which demonftrate their belief in the exifl- ence of fuperior beings.
Our Saviour and his apoHles fpoke of thefe demons in the popular language of their time. Contented with ejecting powers, whofe fatal influence was fo obvious, they entered into no particular difcuffion of their charadier; and the evangelical writers, who fpeak of da?moniacs as common objed:s of attention, charaderize them only by their general ap- pellations, and by a general defcription of their power, v/hich, however, naturally leads us to a fuppofition of the a<51:ual interference of evil fpirits.
That the ghofls of men, departed this life, iliOLild have been permitted to enter into the bodies of other mortals, and there, by a per- fonal pofleffion, harrafs-and afBi<5t them, can-
not
73 DISCOURSE IV.
not now be fuppofed, lince fuch a fuppofitlori would be as inconliftent with the account of the ilate of departed fpirits given in fcrip- ture as with the arguments which reafon and reflection might fuggefl: *. But that the fallen fpirits might be allowed to make fuch ad:ual difplay of their malevolent power is confiftent with the reprefentations of their character in the facred writings, and with the acknowledged oeconomy of the divine govern- ment.
If the influence of fupernatural power "were really experienced in thofe hurtful in- flitutions of ancient times, in which it i» fufpe(fled to have prevailed, it mufl: have been deduced from the interference of thofe degraded fpirits who directed their earlieil efforts againft the peace of mankind. If the Heathen oracles were infpired with more than mortal knowledi^e, whence but from the powers of darknefs was that knowledge derived? Miftaken reverence might confe- crate its idols, and deluded worihip might diredt its attention to the deified lliades of
* Luke xvi. 26. I Peter iii. 19. Ecclef. ix. 6. Job xiv. 21. Farmer's Eflky on Daemon, p. 190, 191* Diflert. onMirac. p, 161. V/orthington, p. 17 r.
mortal
DISCOURSE IV. yc;
mortal men -, but if the gods of antiquity had ought beyond an imaginary and iid:itious exigence *, they were, doubtlefs, the apoflate angels who delighted to encourage fuperlli- tious ignorance, and to promote the delulions of idolatry.
If the miracles, performed in vain oppoli- tion to Mofes by the Egyptians, and if the magical and necromantic arts in general, which formerly excited the fuperftitious
* Cyprian reprefents the Heathen gods as falthlefs anJ wandering fpirits, whofe celeflial character was debafed by earthly contagion ; as fkulicing under confecrated images, as infpiring prophets, directing auguries, lots, and oracles, and taking poffefllon of men with defign to niiflead them to idolatry ; and affirms, that they were expelled by the adjuration of Chrlftians, and confefTed their charadter in prefence of their worfhippers. Vide de Idol. Vanit. § 4. Origen likewife declares, that Chriftians, by prayers and leflbns from icripture, drove daemons from the places in which they were eilablifhed as well as from men and be.ifls, whom he reprefents them to have often afTailed. Cont. Celf. Lib. VII, p. 376, Theophilus lays, that the feducing fpirits that
■ were exorcifed in the name of God, confeiTed themfelves to be the fame daemons who had infpired the Heathen prophets. Vide ad Autol. Lib. XXI. p. 87. Minut. Fel. Oa. p. 23. Laclan. Div. Inft. Lib. IL c. xvi.
. Plutarch de defed. Oracul. Juft. Mart. Apol. I. p. 10, 38, Dial. P. II. p. 318.
Wander
8o DISCOURSE IV,
wonder and credulous reliance of mankind ^, had ought of preternatural and miraculous eifed:, and were not merely the inventions of impofture, they muft have been fupported by the affiftance of fuperior fpirits, who v/ere permitted to harden the obduracy, and to confirm the delufions of a difobedient and wayward people.
Leaving, however, thefe uncertain and precarious grounds, and confining ourfelves to the immediate objed: of enquiry, it may be maintained, that there are fufficient proofs in the gofpel, that the powers and minifters of fatan did often pofiefs the bodies of men, fometimes with confederate malignity -f, and evinced the operation and efficacy of their power by the frantic geflures and extravagant ferocity of thofe whom they polTelTed.
It has been aiTerted, indeed, by writers of confiderable eminence and learning J, that
the
* Juft. Mart. ApoK I. p. 83, 84. Dial. P. I. p. 286, P. II. p. 318. Clem. Alex. Cohort, ad Gentil. p. ^2. Edit. Potter. Eufeb. Ecclef. Hift. Lib. il. c. xxiii.
f Mark iii. 15.
X Vide Plotinus, Ennead II. Lib. IX. c. xiv. Mede, B. I. Difc. VI, Dodwell in Iren. Lib. II, § 47. p. 175.
Dr.
DISCOURSE IV. 8i
the dseaioniacs, mentioned in fcripture, were psrlbns afFecfted only with epileptic diforders ; or with fome other fpecies of infanity, which might indicate its effcds by the convulfive motions and wild demeanor of the patient ; but though the divine power of Chrift would have been fufficiently demonftrated by the inftantaneous cure even of fuch diforders, and though poileffion was often accompanied with infanity, and diforders intelleftual and bodily *, it may be confidently maintained, that the fcripture accounts treat of ad:ual polleifions, and that the word daemon -f*, whether it fhould be tranflated devil or not, undoubtedly fometimes applies to the fpirit pofleffing the perfon, and not to the afflicted patient ;{:.
Dr. Richard Mead, Dr. Sykes, Dr. Arthur Young, Dr. Lardner. See Douglas's Criterion, p. 263. note. Boyle's Le(5lure, fol. edit. Vol. III. p. 265. Farmer's DilTert, ©n Mirac. and EfTay on Demoniacs.
* Matt. xvii. 15.
f Aai/ACtiv, A^i/xoviov. The words imply a deity, g^od or evil.
X Mark v. 12. ix. 22. Luke viii. 29. ix. 42.
G Chrift
2z DISCOURSE IV.
Chrill: and his difciplesfpeakof daemoniacs as dlftinct from lunatics or diibrdered perfons*; they addrefs the daemons as adlual beings, poiTelTing the perfoils of men -f ; they fpeak of calling out evil fpirits from the bodies of men as dilfind: beings Xy ^"d feme times as limited to a fpeciiic number §. The dsemons are reprefented, by the evangelills, as per- forming perfonal adions, and as fpeaking to our Saviour fometimes with clearer and more perfed apprehenfions of his charader than human and difordered perfons can be fuppofed to have acquired ||.
It has been before obferved, that many writers of Pagan and Jewifli antiquity fup- pofed that dasmoniacs were perfons under the influence of human fpirits, difpofed, and hbe- ratedbythedilfolution of human bodies, to mif- chievous condud. That the fuppofition was
* Matt. iv. 24. viii. 16. x. I. Mark i. 32, 34. Luke vi. 17, 18. vii. 21. viii. 2.
f Mat-k i. 25. ix. 25. V. 8. Luke iv. 35.
I Mark i. 26. Luke x. 17, 20. Afts xix. 16.
§ Luke viii. 2, 39. Matt. v. 20.
\\ Matt. viii. 29. Mark v. 7. Luke iv. 34, 41. viii. 28. Marki. 24, 34. iii. 11. v. 7.
8 erroneous.
DISCOURSE IV. 85
erroneous, few will queftlon : but It ferves to prove, that the external effecfts of thefe poflefllons were fufficient to demonftrate the adtual agency of a didind and fuperior being; and that they were very different from the fymptomsand phrenfies of common infanity. They were fuch as to fully authorize our belief in the perfonal prefence of the fallen fpirit, or of his angels, who occupied the whole man, and directed him in every funiSlion, fu- Derfedins:, as it were, his own faculties and powers, in a manner different from the effeds of common diforders, and with a control that no natural caufes could produce *.
The ancients, indeed, in general appear to have fuppofed that the fpirit was, upon thefe occafions, th.e intelligent and dirediing power, from which the words and adlions of the daemoniac proceeded -f-. Our Saviour and his apoftles generally countenance this idea, by addreffing the fpirit as the agent and
* Mark V. 3 — 5* Luke viii. 29. Origea 17;^* a;x^''> Lib. in. C. iii. § 4.
f Vide Plato ap. Clem. Alex. Strom. L p. 405. Lucian Philopfeud, p. 337. Tom. IL Edit. Amftcl. 1687. Philoft. Vit. Apol. p. 157. ,£dit. OJear. Com. M. c. i. 23 — 26.
G 2 prin-
S4 DISCOURSE IV.
principal, though, as in popular language, it was not neceflary accurately to dlfcriminate in every addrcfs the fpirit from the perfon pofTeffed, the daemonized perfon is fometimes fpoken of by the evangeliil as the organ of the evil fpirit*.
It has been difputed, whether the fathers of the four firft centuries attributed poiTtfiions as defcribed in fcripture, and as they beheld them, to human fpirits, or to the devil and his angels; and as their opinions may be fup- pofed to have much weight in afcertaining the truth, it may be worth while fhortly to confider the queftion.
It is univerfally confefled, that thefe fathers believed in the exiftence of evil fpirits of an higher origin than that of men -f -, and we
have
* Mark V. 6 — g. Luke xl. 14.
f Clemens Alexand. Psd. Lib. IIL c. li. p. 260. Irense. Hreres. Lib. IL c. v. "rertull. Apol. c. xxii. de Cult. Fsem. Laftant. Apol. p. 28. and c. xv. ii^ 15. Tatian. Orat*. cont. Grtiec. p. 148, 154. Alinuc. Felix> ^ 26. Wortlilngton's Impartial Enquiry. Some of the fathers, it is true, entertained idle notions of the nature of the demons, fuppoftng them enclofcd in ibmething of an ^ethereal mtrieriality of body, TertuK
CO J it.
DISCOURSE IV. 2s
have reafon to fiippofe, that in general they attributed the mahgnant efficacy, difplayed in thefe pofleffions, to fuperior beings, and
eoat. Marcion. Lib. 11. Origen, Ylspi af^wv, praf. § 8, inhabiting the denfe air near the earth, requiring food, inhaling odors, and being nourifhed vyith blood. See Origen. Exhort, ad Martyr. § 44. p. 303. Juftin Martyr, taking up, with other writers, a notion derived from judaical, or apocryphal accounts, and perhaps ori- ginally founded on a mifintcrpretation of a paffage in fcripture, [fee Gen. vi. 2.] fuppofes the demons, whofe a(5lions are afcribed to Heathen deities, and who tor- mented mankind with fms and diforders, to be the off- fpring of thofe angels to whom the charge of human aftairs was committed, and to women, with whom they had polluted themfelves. Apol. II. p. 112, 113. He reprefents them as fliut up in eternal fire j Apol, II. p. 119. and confiders the feqoent, or fatan, or the devil, as the chief of evil demons ; Apol. I. p. 46. and, upon a fuppofition that he was an apoftate fpirit, attempts to give a derivation of his name ; erroneous, indeed, from his ignorance of the Hebrew language. Dial. II. p. 360. Mr. Gibbon afTerts, that it was the univerfal fcntiment, both of the church and of heretics, that the demons -were the authors, the patrons, and the objefts of idolatry. Thofe rebellious jpirits, v/ho had been degraded from the rank of angels, and caft down into the infernal pit, were flill permitted to roam upon earth, to torment the bodies, and to feduce the minds of finful men. In proof of which he refers to Juftin Martyr, Laclantius, and Tertullian. Decline and t all of Rom. Emp. c. xv.
G 7 not
86 DISCOURSE IV.
not to the departed flmdes of men, in whofc licenfed interference they had no grounds to beheve. Of the power of the devil they entertained ferious apprehcnfions j they exor-» cifed and adjured him previoufly to baptifm ; and upon a fuppofition of his prefcnce, re- fufcd the eucharifl: to dxmoniacs. St. Chry- jfoflom, who oppofed the notion that human fpirits became daemons, reprefents it as en- tertained by the meaner fort * and the mul- titude-f- ; expreffions which, notwithfland- ing the forced conftruclions that have beea put upon them J, feem to import that it Was an opinion held only by the lower dalles, and rejected by the learned.
It appears then, upon a general confidera^ tion of the fentiments of antiquity, as well as from the obvious interpretation of the flicred accounts, that there is fufficient reafon to attribute the pofTefiions, mentioned in fcripture, to the agency of evil fpirits ; and this will be ftill farther demonftrated by a
* Uo'KXoi %y a'pO-ziZ(:c-j'^. de La?;. Ser. \\, Tom. I,
p. 727.
i TotJ rTo>.>.ojf,
;J^ See Farnier's Letters to Worthington, p. yij § 3.
trepre*
DISCOURSE IV. $j
reprefentation of the miracle now to be con- fidered.
St. Matthew relates, that when our Savi- our was come into the country of the Gerge- fenes, which was either, as fome verfions and manufcripts feem to prove, an erroneous tranfcription for the country of the Gada- renes *, mentioned by St. Mark and St. Luke, or, perhaps, a dillrid; of the province fpoken of by thofe eviingehfls, there met him two perfons pofTelTed with devils, one of which was particularly diftinguiihed, for one only is mentioned by St. Mark and St. Luke who likewife relate the particulars of this miracle with that confiftency which refults from truth, but with thofe minute differences which prove that there was no contrived agreement in their accounts.
It appears, from the facred hiHory, that the daemoniacs who met our Saviour, came out of the tombs ; and it may be colledted from other accounts concerning the daemons,
* Gadara, fo called from the tribe of Gad, to which It was allotted, was a part of Decapolis, the metropolis of Paraea, in Coelo-Syria, eaftward of the lake of Tibe- rias. Vid. Baron. Annal. p. 301. Lond. 1614. Reland, Palcfl. p. 2. Jofcph. dc Bdl. Jud. Lib. V. c. iii.
G 4 that
88 DISCOURSE IV.
that they compelled thofe whom they pof- fefTed, to the fepulchres of the dead : to places of gloomy and fequeffcered folitude *, where they might mofl fuccefsfully exercife their dominion, and where they might mofl pow- erfully operate on the fears of thofe who cafually encountered them. The dark and awful manfions of the dead, the fpots to which the corruptible remains of mortality are configned, have ever been the fcenes which awaken the paffions, and arrell the fears cf mankind. It is here that the con- iiderate refledt with fearful and inftrudivc meditation ; and it is here that the weak are appalled with indif{:in(£t and erroneous terrors. By exercifing their tyranny amxidll the de^ pofitaries of the dead, the minifters of Satan confirmed the delufions of thofe who ima- gined that daemons were hurjian fpirits -f,
and
* In eaftern countries, fepulchres were generally in the moft folitary and unfrequented places, where the vapours of infecStion might be leaft injurious. They were fometimes hewn out of i-ocics and mountains.
t Tertullian informs us, that evil fpirits fometimes endeavoured to delude men from the true doftrine by afl'erting themfelves to be men, in order to difturb the jaith of a judgment and refurredlion ; but that after- wards,
DISCOURSE IV. 89
and thereby mifled the attention, and height- ened the fuperftitions of mankind.
At the approach of Chrift, of him who was the expeded vidor of the pov/ers of darlc- nefs, they who had terrified others were themfelves alarmed, and cried out, faying, " What have we to do with thee, Jefus, thou ** Son of God r art thou come hither to tor- ** ment us before the time," before the judgment of the great day* ? The devils, who were fenfible of, and av/ed by the pre- fence of God, imagined, that as he had yet difplayed no proofs of triumph, they had fllll time to harrafs and afflict mankind. Though, with trembhng convidion, they looked for- ward to the accompli (hm.ent of the predided curfe, as Chrifl: had yet given no demonftra-
wards, overruled by the prefence of divine grace, they relu6lantly confefTed their chara6ler. Tertullian, de Anim. c. Ivii. which is not in contradiction, as Far- mer unjuftly affirms, with his former account, that fomie daemons viere the iflue of angels by the daughters of men, or that the Chriftians could compel daemons to declare what they truly were, as finally he fays they did. See Farmer's EfTay on Miracles, p. 226. See aJfo Chryfoft. de Lazar. Tom. I. p. 728.
* Jude vj. 6. 2 Peter ii. 4,
tion
90 DISCOURSE IV.
tion of his final vidory over fin, they flill, with malignant exultation, hoped to contrive againfl the happinefs of man *.
" And there was, a good v/ay off," conti- nues thee vangeliH:, ** an herd of fvvine feeding.'* The Jews were, by the precepts of the Le- vitical law, prohibited from eating fwine's fielh, or even from touching their carcafe -f, firft and principally, perhaps, becaufe it was chiefly offered up in idolatrous facrifices to Heathen deities J ; and alfo, among many other reafons, becaufe it contributed to pro- duce and aggravate the leprofy : a diforder which then prevailed confiderably in the eaftern countries, and of which unclean dif- cafe the Pvlofaic lav/, addreffed to a people cfpecially confecrated to God's fervice, incuU eated particular abhorrence.
It does not appear, from the relation, for what purpofe thefe fwlne were kept, as the evangeliils furnifh no fuperiluous information.
* The devils befought Chrift that he would not com- mand them' to go out into the deep, Luke viii. 31, meaning, probably, by the deep, a place allotted to evil fpirits. 2 Peter ii. 4. Revel, ix. i — 2. and Whitby.
f Levit. xi, 7, 8. Deut. xiv. 8.
% Ifaiah Ixv. 4. Ixvi, 3, 17,
Jt
DISCOURSE IV. 91
It Is probable, however, that they were kept either by the Jews, in defiance of the Levi- tical prohibition ; or by fome of thofe Hea- thens who inhabited the country of the Ga- darenes, with a view to feduce the Jews to a tranfgreffion of the law; a delign not unfre- quently difcovered in the enemies of this feled:ed people, and originating in a convic- tion, that as- they departed from fhe com- mandments, they forfeited the proted:ion of God. The devils might, therefore, with more confidence of fuccefs, folicit permiffion to enter the fwine as appertaining to perfons who contributed indiredlly, at leafl, to the violation of a revealed law. Their motive might probably be, to exert a malicious plea- fure in accomplifhing mifchief j and our Sa- viour, when they befought him, fuiFered them to effecftuate the puniiliment of the polTefiers of the fwine. ** He faid unto ** them. Go ; and when they were come ** out, they went into the herd of fv/ine ; and ** behold the whole herd ran violently down ** a fteep place, and periflied in the fea *."
To
•* A traditionary remembrance of this miracle was prefcrved in the time of Origen j and a rock, near the
lake
92 DISCO U R S E IV.
To fufier or to command evil fpirits to depart from men into fwine, Vv'as fiirely a work of mercy ; and it mnft be fuperfluous to obferve, that he who was Lord of all things had an unqueflionable right to difpofe of the properties of his creatures, as fliould feem good to him -, nor can the captious and frivolous objeclions of thofe who cavil at the decree, be thought to merit a ferious refuta- tion.
It is, at firft light, obvious to remark, that by this ejection of the evil fpirits, not by exorcifms and fantallic fhew, but by the efficacy of a word *, our Saviour dem.on- ilrated, as wi'ell the omnipotence of his con- trolling power as the acfluai and perfonal exiflence of thofe m.aiignant beings who bore teftimony to his godhead. The powers of darknefs could not willingly offer up evidence to truth, nor could they confpire, with eagernefs, to their own defeat, unlefs con- ftraincd by an overruling power. He then
lake of Tibeiias, was (hewn as the place from which the iwiue were precipitated. Origen. Com. in Matt. p. 311. Tom. 1. Edit. Huet.
* Matt. \\\\. 16, ix. 33. Mark i. 27.
who.
DISCOURSE IV. 93
who, while he exerted the authority of God, v/as acknowledged by the devils as the Son of God, mull: verily, and indeed, have been entitled to thofe attributes which he afllimed. The exprefs defign, likewife, of Chrifl, in complying with the requeft of the dsinons, was, doubtlefs, to evince, in the moil: appa- rent and unquellicnable manner, the real and pofitive exiftence of thofe evil beings whc* labour for the deflrudion of the human race. This miracle may, therefore, be produced among other parts of fcripture to prove the literal and abfolute operation of evil fpirits. The open effeds of their agency have, in- deed, now ceafed. The firfl fruits of Chrifii's victory were to check and circumfcribe their malignant power, " making a fliew of them openly, triumphing over them on (or by) his crofs.'* The apoftles likewife, and their im- mediate fucceflbrs *, whofe miniflry was
iignalized
* Thofe who difpute the exiftence cf miraculous powers in the church, after the death of the apoftles, are driven to a very fophiftical interpretation of pafia.^es in the vi^ritings of the apoftolic fathers, and are obliged to contradi^l and invalidate what they admit to be " ftrong, . explicit, and repeated atteftations of many extraordinary
gifts
94 DISCOURSE IV,
fignallzed by a miraculous authority, were invefted with a power of controlling and expelling evil fpirits *.
It appears, however, from the unanimous teftimony of the earlier fathers, that for three centuries after Chrill the vilible influ- ence of daemons was experienced; and that till the foundations of chriftianity were firmly eftablifhed, and our religion countenanced, under the proteiflion of the fecular power -f,
not
gifts and miraculous powers which were publicly exerted in Chriftian churches through each fucceeding age*** Middleton's free Enquiry.
* Luke ix. I. X. 17, 18.
f Whifton collecled teftimonies to prove, that the power of expelling daemons remained till the middle of the 4th century, llie chief difficulty that embarralFes theft; who admit the continuance of miracles in the pri- mitive church, is to afcertain the period of their cefi'ation. It is impoflible to difpute the teft-imonies of the exiftence of miraculous gifts during the three firft centuries, unlcfs. we overthrow all hiilorical evidence whatever; and thoufjh falfe accounts are mino-led with relations of mira- cles in the 4th century, it is prefumptuous to deny that they were then performed upon fome occafions, Dod- well fuppofes them to have continued till the time of Eufebius, who flouriftied towards the conclufion of the 3d century. Waterland feems inclined, from the autho- rity
DISCOURSE IV. 95
not only the teachers of religion, but others like wile, in the name of Chrift, were enabled, by divine affiftance, to deliver thofe who were pofleffed, as is inconteflably proved by thofe who had witncfled fuch difpolTefTions,
Jiiftin Martyr, in an apology to the Roman fenate, which muft have attrad:ed attention, and of which the intention muft have been evi- dently defeated, by the introdu<flion of falfe- hood, appealed to what was within the ob- fervation of all, that many Chriftians had. reftored, by invocation of the name of Chriil, and flill continued to reftore, by putting demons to flight, many perfons through the whole world, and in their chief city,
rity of Paullnus, to extend them till the latter end of the 4th century. If, however, we rejeft the forgeries of later times, which record fi<Sl{tious miracles in imitation of genuine accounts, we cannot properly difpute the evidence of the earlier fathers, fmce, though their zeal for chriflianity was fometimes tiniSlured vtith enthufiafm, -their uniform and united teilimonies are indifput: ble; and they could not be deluded, or intend to deceive, when they appeal to this exilling power of cafting out evil fpirits as to one of the flrongeft proofs of the truth of the Chriftian pretenfions. See Waterland's Importance of the l^rinity. The power of performing miracles was, in al! ^probability, gradually withdrawn. See Dodwell's DiiTert. oil ken. Lib. XXVI. § 62,
\^'^oin
96 DISCOURSE IV.
whom other exorcifls, whom forcerers and charmers could not cure *.
Tcrtulhan alfo, who lived towards the con- clufion of the fccond century, in his Apology addrefled to the Roman Government or Pricll- hood, offers to reft the truth of chriftianlty, and the fafcty of its difclples, on the power of Chriflians, to eje6l evil fpirits. He, in his de- fence publicly challenges his adverfaries to pro- duce, before the tribunals, any one poflelTed of a daemon; and defires, that immediate death may be inflicted on that unworthy Chriftian who riiould not be able to compel the da?mon to con- fefs his charader f . Origen J attefls likewife,
* Juftin Martyr, Apol. II. p. 1x6. Dial. Part II. p. 321. Iren. Lib. 11. c. 57. Euleb. Hilt. Lib. V. c. vii.
\ Tertull. Apol. c. xxiii. Minuc. Felix, c. xxvii. Cyprian ad Donat. p. 3, 13. De Idol. Vanit. p. 10. Ladant. Lib. 11. c. xii. Farmer on Miracles, p. 217. An order of men, called Exorciftf, was eftablilhed in the primitive church tor the adjuring of evil fpirits; and the real miracles performed iii the name of Chrift gave rife to many fictitious imitations in later times.
X Origen cont. Cels. Lib. L § 6, 25, 46, 67. L. VII. §4,67. Edit. Par. Vol.1. Clemen. Recog. L. IV. c. xxxii. xxxiii. p. 461- Cyprian, de Idol, Vanit. §4. JVlinuc. Felix. § 27.
that
DISCOURSE IV. 97
that there were many perfons among the meaneft Chriftians, who, without forcery of magic, did, by prayer and fimple adjurations, ejedt dasmons ; adding, agreeably to the au- thentic reprefehtations of fcripture *i that fo efficacious to this purpofe was the name of Chrift, that it fometimes availed when employed even by wicked men -f*.
When, however, chriftianity was too firmly cflablifhed to need any extraordinary evidence, the external operation of evil fpirits appears to have ceafed, as confequently the miracu- lous powers which were necefTary to control their ferocity : they were led captive at the departure of the appointed guardians of
* Matt. vll. 32. Markix. 38. Luke ix. 49. xi. 19. St. Auflin indeed, and others, underftand by the fons here mentioned the 70 difciples. Cyprian, de Idol. Van. p. 206. ad Donat. p. 14. Edit. Ox. La£lantius fays, that the followers of Chrift ejected evil fpirits by the name of Chrift, and the fign of his paflion. See alio "Tertul. ad Scap. c. ii. Theoph. ad Autol. L. II. p. 87. Juftin Martyr thought that if any fhould exorcife daemons in the name of the God of Abraham, Ifaac and Jacob, it would be efficacious, Dial. Part II. p. 321. and Irenasus fays, that even Jev^rs did ejeft daemons by invocation of God's name. Lib. II. c. v. p. 123. Pvlatt. xii. 27.
t Matt. vii. 22, 23.
H Chrid's
gS DISCOURSE IV.
Chiifl's church, and fuffered to affault man- kind only in thofe fpiritual conflicfts for which fpiritual prote<5lion is fupplied. Their appa- rent interference was fuppreffed *, and their public defeat is fuppofed to have been more fully manifefled by the ceflation -f of thofe oracles, which, however notorious for eva- five equivocations, are fometimes reprefented to have been infpired with more than human fagacity. The memory, however, of their open influence, was long retained j and has continued, in every age, to fliew itfelf in the traditionary fears, and popular relations, of all countries.
Among many eaflern nations, where fuper- flitious ignorance hath built largely on the foundations of truth, nothing is, at this day, fo common as a belief in diabolical pofleffions; and where, in Europe, is the country fo philofophical and enlightened as to retain no vefliges of a fimilar credulity "^ ?
In
* John xii. 31.
t Strabo, Lib. IX. p. 419. Plutarch dc Defect. Orac. p. 411. Eufeb. Praep. Evang. Lib. V. c. i.
X It fhould be obferved, that the learned bifhop of Worcefter has given forae countenance to the belief in
polIviTions
DISCOURSE IV. 99
In England, even after the light of refor- mation had broken through the mifts which fuperftition had raifed, a perfuafion of the operation of evil fpirits on the perfons of men, ftill continued to prevail, and was pro- ducftive of very ferious and extenfive mif- chiefs *.
Opinions are never univerfally ePcabliflied without fome bafis. It is the office of reafon to difcriminate truth from fiditious additions; and he who will ground his faith on revela- tion, will be fecure alike from caufelefs ap-
poflefllons at the prefent day, by faying, that he does not know on what certain grounds any man can deny them. But the Enquiry, fays he, is of lefs moment, becaufe, fince the gift of difcerning fpirits has ceafed in the church, we have no means of diftinguifhing between polTeffions and natural diforders j and becaufe, if we had, there is no known cure or antidote for them. See Bifliop Kurd's Sermon XIII. Vol. III. p. 239.
* About 146 perfons are reprefented to have incurred penalties and punifliments in England fmce the refor- mation, by Proteftant judges and juries, for fuppofed communication and pradice with evil fpirits ; and in al- moft every other country of Europe, perfecutions for witchcraft have been frequent aiid fanguinary. See Hutchinfon on Witchcraft.
H 2 prehenfion
100 DISCOURSE IV.
prehenfion and deflrudiive confidence. From a confideration of the fcripture accounts, lie will difcard Sadducean incredulity, and be convinced of the adual exigence of malig- nant fpirits, who labour, with unremitted induftry, to the prejudice of mankind. He will learn to fear them no longer as fiends, permitted in this world to terrify and torment the bodies of men, but as concealed and in- fidious enemies, who feek to effed: the eter- nal perdition of their fouls. He will guard .againfl them where they are really dangerous. Perfuaded that the adverfary, whom he fear- eth, " goeth to and fro," feeking whom he may injure and feduce, he will vigilantly flrive to defeat the purpofe : he will fuppli- cate afiiftance againfi: him, not merely as againft an evil principle, as they idly talk, who err, not knowing the fcriptures, but as againfl; a tempter, by whom Chrift himfelf w^as tempted ; as the fatal enemy, from whofe whifpers arife the evil fuggeftion, and the unholy thought * ; the wifh, and the occafion to fin -f*.
* John xiil. 2, 27. A6ls iii. 3.
f I Peter v. 8, i John iii. 8, Luke xxii. 31, Ivlark iv. 15. ^ Adis xv. 3. 2 Cor. ii. 11, Ephef. vi. 12.
Who,
DISCOURSE IV. loi
Who, indeed, that meditates on the way- ward propenfities, and finful appetites, that occafionally allure, or precipitate the mind to evil : who that has felt the impulfe of vanity, of avarice, of ambition, the fuggeftions of anger, and the didates of intemperance : who that, in profperity, has been feduced to pride ; and who that, in afflidlion, hath been tempted to defpair, but muft perceive, on reflexion, that he has been mifled by the arts and fuggeftions of the great advcrfiry of mankind ?
Who, likewife, that contemplates tlie pri- vate diffenfions and hateful contefts of fociety ; who that beholds the envyings, the frauds, the violence, the oppreffions and uncharitable deeds, which malignantly combine again ft the peace of mankind, but muft acknow- ledge that the fallen fpirit hath buficd him- felf in dilfeminating the feeds of difcord and mifery among the fons of men. " Surely " an enemy hath done this -," an enemy ever adiive to inflame the pafTions, and to aggra- vate the fuggeftions of a corrupted nature.
Againft the aftaults and evil endeavours
pf that enemy, we are inftrucSed to pray, in
H 3 that
102 DISCOURSE IV.
that compendious form of prayer, which our Saviour furniflied * j and it is only by unre- mitted vigilance, and by that affiflance which is to be obtained by prayer, that we can effediually counterad: his fuccefs -f-. It is piety alone, which, like the harp of David, {hall difpolTefs us of every evil quality. It is our important interefl: to cultivate the principles of religion, if we would raife up barriers againfl our dangerous and infidious enemies. If we clofe not every avenue againft their accefs, we fliall gradually be depraved to a refemblance of thofe wh^m we abhor, anci be finally involved in their deilrudlion J.
To encourage the growth of Chriftian pu- rity, is to difcountenance the powers of dark- nefs. It is to put to flight thofe who, like Judas, would betray innocence to danger. It is to qualify ourfelves hereafter to affociate with
* That by t» OTov?5f»j in our Lord's Prayer, we are to underftand the great adverfary of mankind, and not merely natural and moral evil, has been fufficiently proved by commentators, and, indeed, appears by the word of the text. Vide Matt. vi. 13. and Dr. Lort's Trcatife. Matt X. 28.
f James iv. 7. i Peter iii. 8.
■^ 2 Peter ii. 4. Jude 6.
I thofe
DISCOURSE IV. 10^
thofe righteous fplrits, who, devoid of all evil paffions, enjoy the contemplation of the divine perfections, and with whom v/e fiiall be permitted, if not unworthy of fuch tran- fcendent happinefs, to participate the glories of an immortal flate.
H 4 D I S.
[ 1^5 ]
DISCOURSE v;
ON THE RESURRECTION, JF'or EASTER DAY.
PART I,
Luke xxiv. 4 — 8.
^?td it came to pqfs, as they were much per-^ flexed thereabout, behold two men flood by them in pmiing garments : And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they faid unto them. Why feek ye the liviftg among the dead f He is not here, but is rifen : remember how he /pake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, faying, The Son of man miift be delivered into the hands of fmful men, and be crucified, and the third day rife again. And they remembered his words^
HP H E circumftances of the refurredion of
our Saviour, which are this day recalled
to our efpecial remembrance, are defcribed,
more
io6 DISCOURSE V.
more or lefs minutely, by ajl the evangelifts. In the feveral defcrlptions of this great event, there is fuch variation as might be expe6led from perfons not writing upon any plan of con- certed agreement, and relating, according to the fcope and delign of their gofpel, detached and independent events, while, at the fame time, there is fufficient correfpondence in the accounts to illuflrate their confiftency with truth.
Minute conformity is the plaufible glofs of artiiice , fmcerity labours not for fpecious and exadl coincidence. By accurately col- lating the evangelical relations, by noting the diftindions which, in a concife defcription, are not always marked, and by feparating the different particulars, which are often crowded into one eventful page, we fhall be- able to difcover a clear and confident hiflory, where hafty and prefumptuous readers have talked of miftakes and contradi<ftions, which could not fairly be charged on writers of the lowell charadter, much lefs be fufpeiSed to have cfcaped from the facred hiftorians.
From the collective accounts of the evan-<» gelifts, it appears, that " on the firft day of ** the v/eek/' towards the d^wn of the third
day.
DISCOURSE V. 107
day, after Chrift's burial, " before the dark* " nefs was yet difperfed *," Mary Magdalen, accompanied by Mary, the mother of James, fet off to view the fepulchre of Jefus. It fhould feem that Mary, whofe eager affec- tions might prompt her to the difplay of a more lively and earnefl zeal, fet off before the time -f- at which, on the preceding even- ing, it might have been agreed by her and the other women to alTemble, with prepared ipices, to anoint the body of their Lord^ She and Mary, however, being joined on
* St. Matthew fpeaks of the time at which St. Mary
fet out for the fepulchre, (-xiXOe, meaning, went as we came) as is evident from the order of his difcourfe, in which are afterwards related (as in order of time they occurred) the earthquake, and the defcent of the angel ; and, by this account, we are furniflied with the date of the refurredlion, which took place between the dawning of the day and the fun rifing. Vid. Auguft. de Confenf. Evang. Lib. III. § 65, 66. " As it began to dawn," the time mentioned by St. Matthew, correfponds with the exprefHon of St. John, '^' while it was yet dark."
■f Weft ingenioully remarks, thatlT^wjjufed by St. Mark and St. John, fhould be rendered, " over early," before the appointed time, as it is otherwife redundant, " while " it was yet dark," and " before the rifmg of the fun," being fufficient. See Mark xvi. 2. John xx. i.
theji:
io8 DISCOURSE V.
their way, arrived at the fepulchre at the rifing of the fan. About the time of their departure there had been a great earthquake ; and the angel of the Lord had defcended from heaven, and rolled back the ftone * with which the fufpicious traducers of Chriil had clofed the mouth of the fepulchre ; at whofe fearful appearance -f- the foldiers, ap- pointed to guard the fepulchre, had become *' as dead men -," and, probably, during their amazement, Chriil had rifen.
It appears that Mary Magdalene had no fooner obferved that the flone was moved from the fepulchre, than convinced that the body of Chrift muft have been taken away, {he hurried back with the intelligence to Peter, while the other Mary and Salome en-r tered the external enclofure of the fepul-
* The ftone, according to Beza's copy of the gofpel, yi'as fo large, that twenty men could hardly roll it.
f The angel appears to have defcended, not only to open the entrance to the fepulchre, but to terrify the foldiers from their poft, who might otherwife have ob- ftrU<Sled the approach of the difciples. The women were, poffibly, not apprifed of the Roman guard ; and when they were going to the fepulchre, they deliberated who fiiould remove the flone.
chrCa
DISCOURSE V. 109
chre*, and were addrefTed by the angel, who had removed the ftone, and who informed them that Chrift was rifen, inviting them to approach nearer, and fee the place where the Lord lay. Soon after, Peter and John, having received Mary's account, ran unto the fepulchre, and Peter having entered in, faw " the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itfelff," with a deliberate care, which proved that there was no hafty re- moval of the body.
* Mary, it fhould feem, did not fiay to enter the iepulchre. St. Matthew, who mentions not every minute particular, omits to fpeak of the reparation of the women; but it muft have taken place, fmce Mary had not beheld any vifion of angels before (he ran to Peter, otherwife fhe would have mentioned it to Peter ; and fiie would not have lamented, on account of the fuppofed removal of the body, or have enquired of Chrift (whom fhe jniftook for the gardener) where they had laid it. Yet as Mary, in her account to the apoftles, faid, in the joint name of thofe that were with her, " tue" know not where they have laid him, the report might be repre- fented by St. Peter and St. John as the joint report of the two Maries.
f They do not feem to have (een the angels, who were, probably; not always in continuance vifible.
Mary,
lid DISCOURSE V.
Mary, who, after the departure of the dlf- ciples, approached, flood without, at the fepulchre, weeping ; and ** as flie wept, fhe ** ftooped down, and looked into the fepul- ** chre, and feeth two angels in white, *' fitting *, one at the head, and the other ** at the feet, where the body of Jefus had " lain ', and they fay unto her. Woman, why ** weepefi: thou ? And Ihe faid, Becaufe they ** have taken away the body of my Lord, ** and I know not where they have laid him. *• And when flie had thus faid, flie turned her- ** felf back, and faw Jefus ftanding, and knew ** not that it was Jefus j" who foon, however, difclofed himfelf to her, and faid, " Touch •* me not, for I am not yet afcended unto my •* Father 5 but go to my brethren, and fay ** unto them, I afcend unto my Father, and " unto your Father, and to my God, and ** your God -[•."
Not
* Mary came after the departure of the difclples ; for file faw the angels, who did not appear to Peter and John ; and the angels afterwards ftood up ; for St. Luke reprefents them to have been feen ftanding.
t Weft thinks, that by thefe words Chrift defigned to allude to the promifes which he had made and would fulfil. Vid. John xiv, xv. xvi. and to intimate that Mary needed
not
DISCOURSE V. lit
Not long after, Chrifl appeared to the other Mary and Salome as they fled, joyful and affrighted, from the fepulchre, and faid unto them, " All hail :" and they came and held him by the feet, and worfliipped him. ** Then faid Jefus unto them. Be not afraid; " go Jell my brethren that they go into ** Galilee, and there Ihall they fee me."
After the departure of the women and the apoilles from the fepulchre, Joanna, with the Galilean women, and women of Jerufalem with them, came bringing the fpices which they had prepared, and entering into the fepulchre, beheld the two men in fhining garments, who addrefled them in the words feledled in my text, which, when the women reported unto the apoflles, their words feemed unto them as idle tales, and they believed them not : but Peter, who had been before at the fepulchre *", hearing from Joanna that
fhe
not to take leave of him ; but, perhaps, they imply only that Chrift, after his refurredion, muft firfl afccnd to God.
* St. Peter went twice to the fepulchre ; firfb, on the report of Mary Magdalene ; and, fecondly, on that of Joanna. It is certain, that St. Luke, in the 12th verfe
of
112 DISCOURSE V.
fhe had feen a vifiori of angels, who had affured her that Ghrift was rifen, again ran to the fepulchre, and ftooping down, looked in, but feeing only the linen clothes, and no appearance of angels, he departed, wondering in himfelf at that which was come to pafs i and either with Peter, or about that time, went fome other difciples, who were prefent when Joanna reported what fhe had feen, and found it even fo as the women had faid.
It appears, from a confideration of thefe particulars, that in confequence of the refort of feparate companies to the fepulchre, the proofs and aflurances of Chrift's refurredtion were multiplied ; and as all of thofe parties which had witneiTed the vifion, and heard the information of the angels, muil have
of the 24th chapter of his gofpel, fpeaks of a different vifit of St. Peter to the fepulchre from that mentioned by St. John. Comp. Luke xxiv. 12. v/ith John xxvl. 6, 7. St. Luke fays nothing of St. John's accompanying St. Peter ; and, in the latter inftance, St, Peter did not "enter, but only looked in, and might have feen the angels, had they then appeared, as Mary Magdalene did from the outfide. See John xx. 11. See this fully mad'e out by Weft, who explains the account, and points out the defign and benefit of the fucceflive circumllances that proved the refurredion of Chiift,
haftened
DISCOURSE y. 113
iiaflcried to communicate fuch important in- telligence to their feveral friends, the glad tidings were difperfed, and the attention of mankind was awakened to oblervation on the farther wonders which were about to appear.
It is clear, from all the accounts of the evangelifts who fpeak of our Lord's firft ap- pearance, that the penitent and afflicted Mary Magdalene was firfl honoured with the iight of him. He foon afterwards appeared to the other Mary and Salome * ; and, on the fame day, made himfclf known to two of his difci- ples, who were journeying to Emmaus-f*, after having communed with them, and, in affect- ing reafoning, explained to them the fcrip- tures, their eyes being at Erfl holden that
* Matt, xxviii. 9.
•f Lukexxiv. 13 — 32. The two difciples feem not to have heard Mary Magdalene's report, for (he had I'eeix Jefus i and the angels had not faid to her that he was alive J neither had the difciples received the report from the other Mary and Salome, to whom Jefus had appeared, as they were haftcning with the angel's meflagc to the difciples ; they had heard, therefore, probably, only the account of Joanna and her companion, which, though an account of events, later in point of time, muft have been delivered earlier than that of Mary, who migjit have mifled Peter.
I they
114 DISCOURSE V.
they fhould not know him, left their mlnd^ fhould be cohfufed, and their underftanding not have a free and unbiailed fcope, till he difcovered himfclf to them in breaking bread> probably, by fome peculiar adion and form of thankfgiving, as perhaps by that which he had ufed at the laft fupper.
Chrift afterwards appeared on fevcral occa- fions *. He appeared to Peter on the day of his refurredion, -f- though the evangelifts have not particularized the circumftances of his appearance. He appeared at the fea of Tibe- rias, or the fea of Galilee, as he had fore- told J ; and afterwards at an appointed moun- tain in Galilee §, He converfed with his
* I Cor. XV. 5 — 7. John xx. 19, 2.6. Mark xvi. 14. The evangelifts appear to have related only what was connefted with the fcope of their difcourfe. Thus St. Luke mentions the appearance to Joanna as connefted with the account of the appearance to the difciples jour- neying to Emmaus. St. Matthew fpeaks of two appear- ances ; St. Mark and St. Luke of three j and St. John of four.
f Luke xxiv. 34. ' X Matt. xxvi. 32. John xxi. I.
§ Matt, xxviii. 16. Galilee was the country of Chrift's birth, refidence, and miracles : he was therefore more known there. He did not, however, appear to all indil'criminately, but to witnelies chofen before pf God. Vid. Ads X. 41.
difciples.
DISCOURSE V. 115
difclples, at intervals, during forty days, till aft^r his final benedidion, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven *.
Such are the particulars of that refurrec- tion which we are called upon to confider, on this day, which is emphatically entitled the Lord's day, and which gives its denomi- nation to the Chriftian fabbath, which hath been obferved with efoecial devotion from the earlieft ages of the church, and is parti- cularly to be confecrated to thofe religious confiderations which it fuggefts.
If, in conformity to the order of the hi/lo- rical events, we begin with the dawn of day, and accompany Mary and her companions to the fepulchre of Chrift, we feel furprifed to find, that the confidential friends and allbciate difcipks of our Lord, fliould have conceived no hopes of that bleffed refurred:ion which
* Ac^s i. 3. Chrifl appears to ha^'e afcencled to his Father from Bethany, on the evening of the day of his refurrection. See Luke -x^uv. 50, 51. John xx. 17. to have afterwards converfed with his difciples, at intervals, during forty days, till he was finally parted from them by a cloud receiving him out of their fight from Mount Olivet. Ads i. 9. See Boyle's Lectures, Vol. II,
P' 343-
1 Z they
n6 DISCOURSE V,
they were about to witnefs. It appears, th^ the intellectual, like the natural darknefs, was not yet difperfed 5 and that they aiTem- bled at the fepulchre to anoint and honour the body of their Lord, not aware that they fought *' the living among the dead," " for ** as yet they knew not the fcriptures that ♦* he muil rife again from the dead."
The full dignity and fplendor of Chrifl's character was as yet concealed. The im- portant defign of his advent and fufferings was not completely difclofed. They who had received inflru(frions from the lips of Jefus himfelf, though their eyes had been, in fome meafure, ooened to admire the ac- complilhment of prophecy in him, as the cxped:ed Meffiah ; though they had witnefTed the miraculous circumflances that preceded, and accompanied his advent 3 though they had liftened to the wifdom of his difcourfe, and heard him proclaimed " the well-beloved ** Son of God," feem not to have underftood the neceffity of his death, or to have fore- f^en the glorious circumflances that would be thereby opened to mankind. The appa- rent inconfiftency of a Mefliah without fplen- dor, and the myflery of an incarnate God,
were
DISCOURSE V. 117 ''
■were not yet fully explained. They did not "underfland an exaltation to be derived from voluntary abafement, a victory to be obtained hy fufFerings, a religion to be fealed on the crofs, a triumph to be opened in the grave.
Hence it was, that though in the tranf- figuration of Chrift, fome of the difciples had witnefTed a viiible and fymbolical repre- fentation of his future glory * ; though they had heard frequent allulions to the expe(fled fufFerings of their Mafter ; though they had heard him tell the Jews that if they defliroyed ** the temple of his body," he would " raife •* it up in three days -f* 3 though they had been politively told by him, that he went up to Jerufalem in certain expectation of ** fuf- ** fering many things of the elders and chief ** priejfts, and fcribes, and of being betrayed,
■* "See the Biihop of London's EfTay on the Tranf- /iguration of Chrift. Our Saviour commanded the three difciples, who were prefent at the vifion, to tell it to no man till his refurredion, as, till then, its pro- phetic intention would not have been underftood, and its defign might have been mifconceived. Vid, Matt, pcvii. 9.
f John ii. ig — 21. Matt. xvii. 22. xxvi. 21 — 32* Mark xiv. 18. Luke xix, 22.
I 3 " iiilled.
iig DISCOURSE V.
** killed, and raifed the third day * ,*' and though they had heard Peter reproved, when with an afFeftion, miftaken, and favouring of earthly fentiments, he had faid, " Be it far " from thee. Lord ; this fhail not be unto " thee ;" yet did they entertain no diilindl convidtion, nor even, it fhould feem, any expeftation of the refurredion of their Lord.
When, therefore, Mary and her compa- nions approached the fepulchre, it was with reverence for the memory of a well-beloved Teacher and Lord^ wjih defire of giving every tefiiimony of regard to the remembrance of one who had been miraculoufly diflin- guifhed, and from v/hom they had expected ftill greater evidence and demonflration of power, till the termination of his life had cut off their prefent expeftations of deliverance. When Mary wept, it was becaufe (he. con- ceived that they had taken away the body which fhe came to indulge her grief in con- templating "[-. She knew not where they ** had laid him." When the angel had
* See alfo Matt. xvi. 21, 22. xx. 18. Mark ix. 31* ifohn xvi. 16.
•J- John x-x. II — 13.
aiTured
DISCOURSE V. 119
affured the other women, of his refurredion, and recalled the words which Chrlfl had fpoken, to their remembrance, and when they reported this to the apoflles, the apoftles be- lieved not the words of the women, which *' feemed to them as idle tales*." Cleopas was fo infenfible of the poflibility of a deliverance by a crucified Meffiah, that when Chrift com- muned with him and his companions, he lamented the crucifixion as an unexpecfted difappointment of their hopes of redemption to Ifrael "f*. Some of thofe, with the eleven, when they faw him at an appointed moun- tain in Galilee, " ftill doubted J 3" and Thomas, eight days after, would not believe till he had been fuffered to receive palpable evidence of Chrift's refurredion, and been convinced that he had the real properties of a body.
Great as had been the miracles which Chrift had difplayed, omnipotent as his power had been demonft rated to be, by the ad:ual reftoration of life, to thofe who had yielded up its breath ; precife alfo, and emphatic as
* Luke xxiv. ii. Mark xvi. 11.
I Luke xxiv. 21. X Matt, xxviii. 16, 17.
I 4 were
120 DISCOURSE V.
were the afliirances which he had given of his own refurred:ioD, yet fuch a reftoration of their blefled Lord was beyond what his friends had prefumed to hope, and fiiperior to what they could readily believe. However, when depreil'ed by afflidion, they might be fup- pofed to cherifh hope, and to call up the re- collection of any promife that might afford confolation to their dejefted minds ; they do not appear to have remembered, or to have underilood the promifed refurredlion, till reminded by the angel of the words of Chrift ^.
As the full fcheme of redemption was not yet underllood, and as all the traditions and opinions of the Jews led them to fuppofe that the Meffiah could not die •f', they muft
* The chief priefts and Pharifees recoUotfted Chrjft's declaration, that he would, after three days, rife again ; find their cold and fufpicious temper led them to expecSl fome contrivance on the part of the difciples to fupport the reputation of their Lord. Matt, xxvii. 63, 64. I'he difciples themfelves, abforbed by their forrow, clofed their eyes agaiiift the profped of confolation, mifcon- ceiving, or miftrulling the ailurances of Chrift, which they might confider as iigurativej and incapable of literal accomplilhmcnt,
•j. John xii, 34,.
havo
DISCOURSE V. 121
have confidered the crucifixion as a dark cloud, which overfhadowed a divine fcheme; and however the glories of their departed Mailer might be expedled to break forth in a future life, they muft have lamented that their prefent expeftations were buried in the grave : they muft have refledted on Chriil's death as on the departure of one who, how- ever exalted in charadler, and adorned by virtues i however commiffioned by God for benevolent purpofes, had fallen a facrifice to the millaken, or mifguided pafiions of thofe who underilood not, and refufed the excel- lence of his dodlrine. The knowledge of the divine plan was only gradually imparted ; nor did the apoftles comprehend the myftery of Chriil's death till he himfelf, after his refurredlion, had " opened their underiland- •* ing that they might underfland the fcrip- ** tures ;" and fhewed them, that ** thus it '* behoved Chrift to fuffer, and to rife from ** the dead the third day," and breathed on them that they might receive the Holy Ghofl*, who fhould condudl them to all wifdom.
f John XX. 22.
122 DISCOURSE V.
This gradual communication of knowledge to the difciple^ of our Lord, while it led them, by infenfible degrees, to a firm and perfec^l faith, was neceffary, as it admitted, by fucceffive revelations, a light too powerful for inftantaneous comprehenfion. VeVy fub- llantial proofs, likev/iie, were furniihed, by the incredulity of the difciples, to demon- ftrate that they were not deluded by any fuperflirious fancies ; and to fliew, that the evidence on wl}ich they built their convictions was fatisfa^ory and irrefragable ^ and whea WQ coniider under what variety of circum- ilances., and upon what different occafions our Saviour was fctn after his refurred:ion, it is impofTible to queflion the certainty of that event.
It may be proper, in conformity to the cuftomary divifion of the fubjeft, to contem- plate the refurredion of Chriil: under two points of view ; firft, as bearing a glorious, and confummate teftimony to the truth of our religion ; and, fecondly, as affording a pofitive and fatisfadtory affura nee of our own refurredion to an inheritance of its rewards. In the prefent difcourfe, it may be fufficient to examine it in the light of bearing evidence
: to
DISCOURSE V. • 123
to the truth of chriftiamty, referving the other confideration as a fubjcd; of future dilcuffion.
In the firfl: point of view which we pur- pofe to contemplate, it is obvious to remark, that the refurre(5tion of Chrift illuftrates the infpiration of the facred writings, as well of the Old, as of the New Teftament, inafmuch as it exhibits a ftriking accomplifliment of prophecy.
When our Saviour converfed with his wondering difciples, after his refurredlion, till *^ their hearts burned within them," at the jnftrudtive energy of his difcourfej he pointed out to them that his death and refur- rediion were in ftrid: conformity to what was written in the law of Mofes, and in the Pro- phets, and in the Pfalms, concerning him j expounding, probably, thofe pafTages v/hich had an efpecial reference to thefe events: un- ravelling the fpiritual alluiions of the law, and unfolding the full import of prophecy.
Doubtlefs, then, he explained to them the connexion which fubfifled between the two covenants 5 defcribing by what admirable con- trivance the ordinances and inftitutions of the law were concerted to be figurative of gofpel appointments , and illuftrating the reference
which
124 DISCOURSE V.
which the difpenfations of the Jewlfh hiftory bore to events under the Chriftian eflabliOi- mentj developing the typical charader of the Levitical facriiices, the prophetic afped of ceremonial inftitutions, the reprefentative na- ture of hifiiorical relations *.
But ftill farther, with imprefTive and con- vincing expofition, he muft have referred to die various and feemingly incompatible pre- di<5]:ions that could be fulfilled in him only, who was God and man, as particularly with reference to his recent fufferings and refur- recflion. He might have obferved, that David had clearly defcribed him as to be betrayed by his ** familiar friend -f 5" as circumvented and encompalTed by the wicked, who (hould give him *' gall to eat J," who fhould " pierce his fide," and " caft lots for his veflure." He might have added, that Ifaiah had, in exprefs terms, declared that " the Lord had laid on him the iniquity of all § ;" that he fliould be brought '* as a lamb to the flaughter," and
* Gen. xxii. i — 18. comp. with Heb. xi. 17—19, Jonah i. 17.
•f Pfalm xll. cix and cxix. comp. with Adls i. 16, 21,
X Pfalm Ixix. 21.
§ Ifaiah liii, 6, 7.
D IS C OURS jE V. 125
** be cut off out of the land of the llvins*," that " he fhould make his grave with the ** wicked, and with the rich in his death -f-, '* becaufe (or though) he had done no vio- ** lence, neither was any deceit in his ** mouth." He might have farther told them, that the Pfalmifl had forefhewn that the Lord " would not fiiiFer his foul to remain in hell, nor his holy one to fee corruption J."
That our Saviour pointed out the comple- tion of prophecy in thefe and other fignal inflances §, we have reafon, from the evan- gelical accounts, to conclude || ; and the en- lightening influence of the ipirit foon enabled hi^ difciples to difcern the full application of the reft.
The refurredtion of Chrift afforded flill farther a conclufive evidence of the truth of his pretenfions and religion, inafmuch as it
* Ifaiah liii. 8. Dan. ix. 26.
t Ifaiah liii. 9, coinp. with Luke xxiii. ^0, ^2* Matt, xxvii. 57, 60. Mark xv. 43 — ^46.
t Pfalm xvi. Pfalm x. comp. with A6ls ii. 27. A<£ls xiii. 35.
§ See Zechar. xii. 10. comp. with John xix,y/. and JRevel. i. 7.
H Luke xxiv, 44, 46.
was
ti6 DISCOURSE V.
was the higheil and moft convincing miracle which he difplayed in teilimony of his mif- lion, and that to which he appealed as to a ratification of his divine chara(5ter *. It dif- played, in full perfed-ion, the completion of the Mcifiah's glory ^ it proved his afliired claim to the dignity of King-f-, or vi<5tor over death and iin ; and ratified his preten- iions as the appointed Judge of the world, demonll:rating,airuredly,to the houfe of Ifracl, that God had m.ade that fame Jefus, whom they had crucified, both " Lord and Chrill."
* Matt. xii. 38, 39. Luke xvi. 27. xxxi. Dcut, xviii. 21, 22.
f Juftin Martyr ailerts, that after the words " fay among the Heathen that the Lord reigneth," in Pfahij xvi. lO. formerly followed " from the crofs or wood," aTTo TH ^uXh, and that thi Jews defigr.edly omitted them ; and other fathers cite the text with thefe words. Vide Tertul. adv. Jud. c. xi. Gregcr. Mag. Flom. IV, fup. Ezec. fol. 261. Leo. Scrm. IV. de Paffion Dom. p. 50. Ambrof. in i Cor. 15. col. 400. Scriptor. Lib. de Mont. Sina k Sion. Cypriano Olim. afcript. p. 37. and Auguftin. Arnob. k Cailiod. Com. but the words are not in the Vulgate, nor are noticed by Origen or Jerome, nor in any Hebrew or Greek manufcript ; and therefore, probably, they were not genuine, fince we have no grounds to believe that the Jews defignedly mutilated ihcir fcriptures. Vid. Juftin Martyf, Dial, p. 294. Edit. I'hirib.
8 • To
DISCOURSE V. 127
To raife up the dead is, we knew, the exciufive prerogative of him who is the fource of life ; of him who can " kill and make •' alive * i" to whom alone the ** iillies of " life" belong f . " The God of Abraham *^ it was who raifed Chrifl J : Chrift, who was himfelf ** the Prince of life," and who as One with the God of Abraham, raifed himfelf; and who, as God, declared that he had power " to lay down his life, and to •* take it up § •" who liveth, and was dead i who holdeth the ke3/s of hell and death |j.
When the lad glorious and affecting tefli-* mony of Ch rift's power was difplayed in his refarrecflion from the grave, and when the exalted dignity of his charavfler was evidenced by his vifible afcenfion into heaven, his dif- ciples received every convidion of the truth of his claims and pretentions. However they might have been difconcerted at the humility of his firft appearance, and at the termination of his righteous courfe, yet every doubt and fearful anxiety was difperied before this glo-
* Deut. xxxit. 39. I Sam. ii. 6. f Pfal. IxviiU
20. X Ads iii. 13, 15. § John x. 18,
ij Revel, i. 18.
rious
128 DISCOURSE V,
rious difplay of the immortality and attriblitcf of their Lord.
Then it was that confirmed likewife, by the influence of the Holy Ghoft, they were infpired with a zeal which ho hardihips could deter, no difficulties appal; then it was, as Clement, Bifhop of Rome, expreffes him- felf, that " receiving the commandments, ** and being confirmed in the faith by the " refurredion of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and " trufhing in the word of God, they went " out in the confidence of the Holy Spirit, ** preaching that the kingdom of God was " about to come *." Then it was that they encountered all trials and mockeries, and la- boured, with unremitted induflry, to effec- tuate the converfion of the world. Hence it proceeded, that amidft the foreft perfecu* tions, they maintained an unfubdued con- flancy, and prefented, to the admiration of mankind, illuftrious examples of every Chrif- tian virtue; and that with meeknefs and pati- ence ; " though deftitute, afflicted, and tor- *' mented," they maintained the caufe of a crucified Saviour in oppofition to every earthly-
* Clemen. Rom. Epift. I. ad Corin. xlii.
po^^ cr ;
DISCOURSE V. 129
power ; and many were the faints and martyrs who breathed out their laft words in acknow* ledgment of Chrift's faith ; and difplayed, in their laft moments, an animated reverence for the charitable and forgiving precepts which he had taught.
The religion of Chrift, like its Author, was weak and lowly at its firfl appearance. Preached under humble circumftances, it filed only a faint and obftrufted light over the circumfcribed limits of Judea. But when its great Teacher had completely defined its principles, and fully ratified its proofs, it rofe, as Chrift rofe, from the grave of dark-- nefs to exaltation and glory. Though Chrift himfelf had perfonally difappeared, yet did his facred influence continue to prefide over, aiid affifl: the iaterefts of his confecrated church *. By the unfolding of the prophetic teftimonies to which it appealed, a divine luftre was reflected on its caufe. By th« figns which were wrought as credentials, and by the fandions which co-operated with, and confirmed the preaching of Chrifl's difciples, aa irrefiHible effea: was given to their labours,
* Matt, xxxviii. 20. Mark xvi, 2o»
K while
130 DISCOURSE V.
while the excellent contexture which it dif- played, and the folid virtues which it pro- duced, enfured a firm foundation for its efta- blifhment.
Many, however, ° were the impediments which ignorance and prejudice raifed up to .obftru<^ its progrefs ; and the novelty and importance of its dodtrines excited fufpicion^ doubts, and incredulity among the learned and arrogant profelTors of human wifdom.
A refurredtion of the body from the gravc> was an event fo unprecedented to thofe who iiad not witnefTed the miracles of Chrift : fo repugnant to the experience, and fo fuperior to the contrivance and power of mankind, that the dod:rine might well be expeded to be liftened to with diftruft. To the Greeks, who proudly afpired to the fame of philofo- phical knowledge, the doftrine appeared foolifhnefs * ; though, had they deliberately •reflected on the infallible proofs and teftimo- nies on which it refted, had they impartially weighed its accumulated evidence ; they could not well have rejedted its belief.
Had thev confidered that Chrift, after his refurredtion, had appeared, at different inter-
* I Cor. i. 33. A£ls xvii. 18.
- V; „• ^ vals.
DISCOURSE V. I3t
Vals, and on appointed occafions,and for a con- tinuance of forty days, to perfons intimately acquainted with him, and to above five hun- dred perfons at one time"^- j that the magiflrates were not in concert with the difciples, but, on the contrary, watched their proceedings with the moft vigilant jealoufy ; that the foldiers, who had been appointed to guard the fepulchre* had fiiiewed thefe things to the high priefl, confirming the teflimony of the apoflles alike, where they agreed with, or with prepofterous inconfiftency differed from their account ; had they reflected that the graves had even been opened, and that the bodies of faints which flept arofe, and ap- peared to many ; that the afcenfion of our Lord was vifible and glorious at the time when the minds of the people were raifed to attend to, and earnefc to examine the truth of the reports that v/ere in circulation ; that it happened at Jerufalem, when crouded by
* John XV. 27. A*5ls i. 21, 22. St. Paul fays, that Chrift appeared to above 500 perfons at ouce, which, pofTibly, was at the time when he appeared to the difci- ples in Galilee. Matt, xxviii. 16, 17. Some of thofe perfons were living when St. Paul's ift Epiftle to the Corinthians was written. A. D. 57, See i Cor. xv. 6.
K 2 Jews
132 DISCOURSE V.
Jews of all nations, who came up from every part to keep the paflbver j had they farther re- maiked, that the difciples, who were eye wit- neiles of his Majefty, uniformly, peremptorily, and without wavering, or paying regard to idle objed:ions, perfifted in their account, which was involved with other fa6ls eafily to be afcertained, and complicated with charac- ters of men flill living ; that thie difciples were fimple and unlettered men, profefling dod:rines abhorrent from all falfhood ^, and inconliftent with all enthufiafm, or human "artifice, who could not be interefted for the fuccefs of their preaching in the prefent life; in which alone, if they had hope, they were fenfible that they were, of all men, moft 'wretched-^; w^ho, unlefs they were per- fuaded that they were hereafter to afcend to their crucified Lord, would never have fa gladly defpifed the prefent life, in fupport of a religion in which they were taught to exped: hazard, and perfecution, and death ; and for which they were prepared, and taught to lay down thfcir lives in imitation of their Re- deemer and Lord. Had thefe unconverted
* Ephef. iV. 25. Colof. iii. 9. Rom. iii. $, f I Cor. XV, 19. 2 Cor. iv, 11.
reafoners
DISCOURSE V. 133
reaibners obferved ftill farther, that the ac-^ count was not refuted, that the apoll:le§, with great power and confidence, had giveq witnefs to the refurredlon *, preaching, in various languages, with infpired tongues, and performing great miracles; that St. Paul, from whom they immediately derived the dodlrine, was himfelf miraculoully converted by the addrefs of Chrift to him, and from a zealous perfecutor, had become a flrenuous preacher of his religion: teaching, boldly, its dodrines with more than human elo- quence, and with a force of reafoning greater than they had admired in their noblcfl ora- tors : had they fairly and candidly coniidered thefe things, they could not, one would con- ceive, have remained incredulous. Num- bers, indeed, were converted by reflediing on them.
To us, who accept the hiftory of this great event as fubftantiated by the concurrent teftimonies of every evangeHll, it muft be re- ceived as the ftamp and unqueftionable proof of the divine charader of Chrift, and the
* A^s V. 32. xiv. 3. iv. 26, 30, 33. iii. 6. Jofeph. Ant. Lib. XVIII. c. iv.
K ^ full
134 DISCOURSE V.
full and conclufive argument of the truth of his religion. After Mofes and the pro- phets, Chrifl is rifen from the dead, and no. higher miracle can be Ihewn, no greater or more folemn teflimony can be given.
D I S-
[ US' I DISCOURSE VL
QN THE RESURRECTION. I'or EASTER DAY*
PART II.
I Cor. XV. 20.
Now is Chrifl rifen from the dead, and become the firjl fruits of them that Jlept,
TN a preceding difcourfe, the refurreftioa of Chrifh was confidered as bearing irre- fiflible evidence to the truth of chriftianityj it remains to contemplate it in another point of view, as it affords an afTurance of pur own refurreftion to immortal life.
Chrift, who is the head of that incor- porated fociety, which is flyled the church, by rifing from the dead, furnifhed a pledge I^ 4 a.nd
136 DISCOURSE VI.
and earneil of the future reftoration of its members *. He became ** the firfl: fruits ** of them that ilept," and illuftrated the poffibility and adual effed: of that re-union to which the devout difciples of chriflianity afpire.
While the immortality of the foul was a truth to be colle6led from the light of reafon, the fecret intimations of the human mind, or the popular traditions of mankind, it w^s rather an indiftind expectation than a full perfuafion. The anxious hopes, and the foli- citous appreheniions of men, bufied them- felves, indeed, in the fearch after whatever might produce confidence in this expectation. The fpeculations of reafon adverted with plea- fure to the univerfal affent of all nations, to the analogy of natural things, and to the aqknow^ iedged attributes of the fupreme Being. The Heathen philofophers dwelt, with fatisfac- tion -f, on the afcendant aod controlling, power of the intelied: over the body, on i^ Separate and independent nature, and reflec- tions, on its diftinCt powers and feelings, its
♦ I John li. 152.
ion
+ Cicero Quspftion, T^fculan. de Seneftutc.
facultieSa
DISCOURSE VL 137
faculties, and capability of improvement, and its afpiring after perfedion and immortality ; yet however general were the perfuafton of the future exiftence of the foul, it was rather a confolatory foothing hope than a firm* rooted convidion, and a conftant incitement to virtue in the Heathen world. It was mingled with doubts, and entangled with dif- ficulties, relative to the firffc principles and intended deftiny of the foulj it generated crude and fanciful theories concerning its na- ture, its pre-exiilence and future migration into other bodies. It was not a principle of feiignation, nor did it promote the cultiva- tion of permanent excellencies ; for it was. not accompanied by a full convidion of future rewards; lince philofophy often ridiculed the notion ; and the vulgar, who lamented de- ceafed merit as annihilated and loll, hung up cyprefs, or ftrewed it on the grave of departed friends, in remembrance pf virtues np more
to flourifti **
Among
* Durand's Ritual, L. VII. c. xxxv. The do£lrine of
a future ftate of rewards and punifhments was familiarly
inculcated, it is true, among the Heathens, but it was not
ftrmly and generally believ^. The learned, who had no
, . conception
iq§ DISCOURSE VI.
- J
, Among the Jews, who had no ftipulated and covenanted promife of immortality an-^ nexed to an obiervance of their law, though they had frequent intimations, and enter- tained earnefl: hopes of a future life, the ^(5tual forms and condition of immortality were not fully underftood * -, a.nd fuch as looked to the enjoyment of a future ftate, muft have grounded their expedations on the general exhortations of the prophets, which, while they held out the profped: of another life, only figuratively pourtrayed its bleffings, ^nd obfcurely intimated the refurredion of the body "f.. !^
The
conception of the refurre£lion of the body, defpifed. the vulgar notions and poetical fables on the fubje6l of afuture ftate, in which bodily actions v;ere incoherently attri- buted to departed fpirits. Some openly ridiculed them, and others fupported theni only as fancies ufeful to fo- ciety ; and a doitrine fometimes ridiculed, and feldom defended with fincerity, could not eftablifh itfelf to ah'y great extent, even with the vulgar. Vid. Juvenal. Sat. XIII. 1. 33 — 37. Sat. II. 1. 149 — 152. Cicero. Tufcul. Difput. Lib. 1. c. v. vi. Plin. II. 7. A6ts xvii. 32J1
* Luke X. 25.
:^.ii See Ezckiel's vifion of the refurrccllon of dry bones,
chap, xxxvii. Enoch and Elijah's tranfiation might have
' -''-^fld
DISCOURSE VI. 139
■ The dlredt afTurance of the reftoration of the body to participate with the foul the glories of immortality, was the peculiar and exclufive fandbion of the gofpel^ and the adtual illuftration of the doftrine, in the cafe of our Saviour, afforded the moil lively and affed:ing demonilration of the power and in^ tentions of God^^ Till Chrift had rifen, there was ftill diftruft, though his religiori had revealed its promifes; for we have feen-f- that the gloom and apprehenlion of doubt hung over the fepulchre of our Lord. It ^was Chrift's own refurreetion which ratified his affurance of giving us a title to that life, which, by his oblation of himfelf, he had made defirable, till when the Jews incredar loully denied his full power J, and even hi^ beloved and confidential friends expelled not his reftoration.
Inafmuch as Chrift is defcribed to be maa as well as God, a perfedt compofition of body
led to a (uppofition of the future exiftence of the body. Job feems to have conceived fome idea of the dodlrine. Job xxix. 26. xiv. i2«
* Philip iii. 21.
f In the preceding difcourfe.
:j: Matt, xxvii. 42. " He fayed others j himfelf he '* cannot fave." . .
J40 DISCOURSE VI.
and foul, independently of that divine fpirit to which the human nature was annexed, we j3auft confider his death as a departure pf the (bul from the body : as a feparation of the im- ixiortal and immaterial fpirit from the fubilanci^ of the fle/h, which, however, in the cafe of Chrift, miraculously preferved from corrupt tion, was in itfelf of a periihable nature. By the feparation of thefe, which took place on the erofs, when our Saviour gave up the ghoft, animation ceafed, and the body be- came a lifelefs mafs : its powers were flopped^ its refinement of fe«fe was loft. The foul cf our Saviour took its flight to thofe regions ©f intermediate exiftence, which he ftyled Pariidife *, and in which, probably, departed
fouls
* Luke Kxiii. 43. Dan. xli. 2, Deut, xxxi, 16. Jobiii. 13. Pfalm Ixxvi. 5. A6ts ii. 34. Rev^I, vi. 9. The {&u\s unjkr the altar, here inentijonejd, ^re, poflibly, the fouxs m a ft^e of fepargite exiftence. See Poji Synop, Here we fuppofe Chrift to have gone, when we JSay that he defcended into hell. Even the devils are feferved for the day of judgment ; and the guilty, doubt- lefs, in a feparate ftate, anticipate their future condemaa- ^on. The do6lrine of purgatory, and that of prayers for the dead, are derived, probably, from the belief in a ,i^2%e of feparate exiftenoe. Juiftin Martyr, in the place cited in the preceding^ difcourfe, fays, tha{ %he Jews »«-
fcinded
DISCOURSE VI. T4r
fouls remain in confcious exiftence, and fore-*- tafte of that happinefs or mifery which, after an univerfal and impartial judgment, fhall charaderife their future doom.
That the death of Chrift was a feparatiofi of the foul and body, we have grounds to conclude even from the prophetic declaration
fcinded the following paflage from Jeremiah : " Th«>- -" Lord God of Ifrael remembered his dead who flept la .^^,the earth of the fepulchre, and defcended to them that 1* he might preach his falvation," Juftin Martyr, Dial. I: ^p. 294. Edit. Thirlb. 1 Pet. iV. 6. The pafTage is alfo ' cited feveral times by Irenaeus ; and Ortce by him 'a% the words of Ifaiah. Vid.Iren. L.III. c.xxiii. L.IV. q.xkxI*, Ixvi. and L. V. c. xxxi. Edit. Grabe. Vid. alfoClerici, Hift. Ecclef. p. 526. but we cannot avail ourfelves of the paflage, as, probably, it was not genuine, fmce it was almoft impoffible for the Jews to mutilate their fctipturos with fuccefs, as copies were fo multiplied. The fathers often cite inaccurately; perhaps, fometimes, from tradi- tional prophecies. Irenaeus relates it as a tradition that Enoch and Elias were tranllated to the Paradlfe from which Adam was expelled, and that St. Paul " was " caught up" there. Lib. V. p. 405. The later fathers adopted the tradition, though Middleton treats the opi- , nion as falfe and abfurd : and the fathers and primitive Chriftians in general believed that the foul went to a feparate ftate, as is evident from the ancient Liturgies. See alfo Ambrofe. Orat. de Valent. Chryfoft. Homil. 23. in Matt. Epiphan. H<eres 75. Chryfoft Lit, in Matt.
• ' of
6
142 DISCOURSE VI.
of the Pfalmift, who forefhewed that " God •" would not leave the foul of Ghrift in hell, ** neither fufFer his Holj One to fee corrup- ** tion ;" for, as this prediction cannot be fuppofed to aflert two identical proportions, and to refer only to the body of our Lord, it mull be conlidered as defcriptive of the human charader of Chrifl, confifting of foul and body*. The foul was not finally fuffered to continue in a ftate of feparate exiftence, what- ever that {iate might be ^ neithel- was the body permitted to remain in the grave, by which it ** could not be held," or to fufFer the corruption, to which its perilhable materials were obnoxious.
It has been a fubjed: of important confide- ration, and generally admitted by men moft converfant with fcripture, and moft compe- tent to decide in fuch difquifitions, that not- withftanding the dilTolution which took place between the human foul and body of Chrift, each continued to maintain the hypoflatical union with the divine nature ; and the myf- terious conjundioh of the divine nature, and the mortal body, after feparation from the
* Pfalm xvi. lo. Adls ii. 31. xiii. 34.
foul.
DISCOURSE VI. H3
foul, is no more inconliflent with the perfec- tions of God, or inconceivable to humari reafon, than the general dodrine of the in- carnation and two-fold nature of Ghrift *.
It is unqiieftionable, both from reafon and revelation, that life or animation is the refult of the union of the foul and body. When God '^* breathed into rnan the breath of ** life," he became, at the fame time, ** a ** living foul." The communication of an. immortal fpirit was the principle or caufe of vitality -(-.
The CDnvi(5lion of the diftinft nature and ■feparate exiftence of the foul has been almoll viniverfally held by thofe who have believed its immortality, and refletfl-ed on its powers arid faculties. Among the Jews, the union of the foul and body mull have been con^ fidered as the caufe of life to the latter ; and the facred writers authorife us to abide by that opinion. When the child, reflored by Elijah, revived, his foul is faid to have " come to him again J." St. Luke, fpeak*
.* See Barrow's Sermon on the Refurreclion. t Gen. ii. 7. James ii. 26, Pfalm civ. 29. t I Kings Jcvii, 22,
ino-
0
144 DISCOURSE VI.
ing of the maiden raifed up by Chrift, fays, ** her fpirit came again * 5" the immortal Ipirit, which could not die, came again to re -animate her frame. St. Stephen, after a vilion of Chrift, in imitation of his blefled Mafter, commended his fpirit to God at his death -f-.
It would be extraneous to our prefent pur- pofe to entangle ourfelves with the various opinions that have been maintained with re- fped to the nature of the foul, as to its con- ftituent principles. The fcriptures give us iio information with regard to its elTence, ^becaufe, perhaps, with our reflridted faculties here on earth, where " we fee through a ** glafs darkly," and can judge of immaterial things only by abftradion, we are incapable of comprehending its charader.
What we colledt, however, from reafon, as difpaflionately exercifed is, that the foul is of a character eflentially different from that of a material fubftance, as endov/ed with faculties of confcioufnefs, perception, and reafon ing, and capable of qualities and per- fedions of an unperifliable nature. It does
* Luke viii. 55. t A^s vii. 55. Luke xkiii. 46.
not
DISCOURSE VL 145
mot change with the body, which undergoes daily mutations ; fince, if it did, it could not retain the memory of events w^iich have happened to the body, of which the parts have perifhed, and the fenfes have decayed. It exhibits a manifeft fuperiority in its incli- nations and powers. It checks the propen- fities, rejecfts the folicitations, and regulates the tendencies of the body. It derives exig- ence from a divine fource, and is indepen- dent of human power. It originates its own motions, and exercifes its unfettered will. It exerts its powers of fancy, of judgment, and of refledion, availing itfelf of thofe objetls which are prefented to it by the fenfes, yet ranging in its unconfined fpeculations, beyond the boundaries of the material v/orld, and grafp- ing, with comprehenlive intelled:, the chain and circumftances of the paft, the prefent, and the future time. It unravels, by fuccef- five dedud:ions, the contexture of its own excellencies ; and contemplates, in its elevated flights, the mylteries and wifdom of revela- tion, the heavenly things of faith, th- attri- butes and perfedions of God.
It appears farther, that if, in infancy, the foul
be inactive, it is becaufe few fubjeds are fug-
L gelled
146 DISCOURSE VI.
gefted to its refleftions by the fenfes yel feeble -, and that its energies are difplayed, as encreafing objed:s furniih employment for its excited powers ; that, in fieep, it is engaged on fubjedts of refledion, and that its imagi- nations are then rapid and unchained, though the impreffions of them, which the memory retains, are often faint, confufed, and imper- fed:. It is independent of every part of the body, which it controls ', and its agency dif- appears only when the vital connecflion ceafes. It is not injured, though a member perifh. It is not darkened, though an external faculty fhould fail. It improves often amidfl the im- pairment of fenfes, and rifes above the con- fumption of bodily decline. It is not enfeebled by the decay of outward flrength, and totters not with the debility of age, though its pow- ers appear to faulter with the imbeciility of its organs. Its energies may be eclipfcd, but not extinguillied : its faculties deranged, but not deftroyed. Its excellencies and endow- ments are difcovered under the difad vantages of perfonal deformity. It fhines bright amidfl the pains of difeafe j and if, on approaching death, it hath adverted to the fufferings of the body, it hath often been but to defpife
their
DISCOURSE VI. 147
their influence. It profits by what it receives, and brings forth adequate and proportioned fruits. It purfues its acquired knowledge to its utmoft limits. As it approaches eternity, it feems to catch the gleams of future light, ftnd hath often exulted with fomewhat of pro- phetic anticipation. It is the oracle of human wifdom, and fufceptible of the impreffions of divine knowledge. Its powers increafe with its acquifitions ; and, in a future life, it will, doubtlefs, difplay greater faculties, and partake of the interefh of furrounding fcenes.
Numberlefs proofs of the immateriality of the foul, and, confequently, of its immor- tality *, arife in every man's mind ; and
though
* The following unanfwerable argument of Dr. Clarke, in proof of the immateriality and natural immortality^ of the foul, though well known, deferves to be repeated, *' That the foul cannot be material," he fays, " is de- monftrable, from the fingle conlideration even of bare fenfe and confcioufnefs itfelf : for matter being a divifible fubftance, confifting always of feparable, nay, of actually feparate and diflinfl parts, it is plain, unlefs it were eflentially confcious, (in which cafe every particle of matter muft confift of innumerable, feparate, and diftinft confcioufnefies) no fyliem of it, in any poffible compofition or divifion, can be an individual confcious being ; for fup- gofe three, or three hundred particles of matter at a mile, or
L 2 - any
148 DISCOURSE VI.
though thefe, as feparately fuggefted, are often individually forgotten, yet the influence of their collective operation remains, and confirms our convictions ; hence we all know, and we all feel, that the foul is diftinCt from the body ; the righteous, with humble and joyful confidence; the wicked, with trem- bling and reludant apprehenfion. Hence has it been the almofi: univerfal creed, at all times, and in all countries, though fpecula- tive philofophy hath fometimes laboured to
any given diftance, one from another, is it poflible that all thofe feparate parts fhould, in that ftate, be one indi- vidual confcious being? Suppofe, then, all thefe parti» cles brought together, into one fyftem, fo as to touch one another, will they, thereby, or by any motion or compofition whatfoever, become any v/hit lefs truly dif- tindt beings than they were at the greateft diflance ? How then can their being difpofed, in any poiTible fyftem, make them one individual confcious being ? If you fup- pofe God, by his infinite power, fuperadding confciouf- nefs to the united particles, yet ftill thefe particles being really and neceflarily as diftincl beings as ever, cannot be .themfelves the fubjedt in which that individual confciouf- nefs inheres ; bat the confcicufnefs can only be fuperadded by the addition of fomething, which, in all the particles, muft ftilj itfelf be but one individual being. The foul, therefore, whofe power of thinking is, undeniably, one individual confcicufnefs, cannot, poiTibly, be a material fubftance,"
contradid
DISCOURSE VI. 149
contradid: the dodrine by fubtle refinements, which have been refuted even on the grounds of metaphyiical reafoning *.
* It has been obferved, that Dr. Prieftley, to prove that the foul is material, reje6ls the common and true defcription of matter as an abfolutely impenetrable, inert fubllance ; and, by fpiritualifmg matter, endeavours to reprefent it as capable of perception and thought. He maintains alfo, that fmce the powers, of perception and thought have never been obferved by us to exift but in conjunflion with a certain organized fyftem of matter, thofe powers muft neceffarily depend upon fuch a fyftem ; as if connection proved dependance. It would, on the contrary, be more reafonable to argue, that as matter exifts without thought and perception, it cannot, by any modification, be the caufe of them. He admits alfo, that God is, immaterial ; of whom, certainly, perception and thought are attributes. It is, befides, difficult to conceive how any man can be a materialift when he con- fiders the pafl'ages which prove the pre-exiftence of Chrift ; John viii. 58. the general do6lrine of fpirits ; Luke xxiv. 39. the diftindt and immortal nature of the foul, and its feparate exiftence in a future ftate. Matt. X. 28. Aiils vii. 59. Heb, iv. 12. Revel, vi. 9. We do not therefore wonder, that, as Mr. Gibbon obferves, the miraculous conception is one of the laft articles which Dr. Prieftley has curtailed from his fcanty Creed ; and we fufpeiV, that the notion of the materi- ality of the foul was taken up, becaufe, as Dr. Prieftley remarks, it is eminently fubfervient to the doctrine o^ the proper, or mere humanity of Chrift. See Prieftley on Matter and Spirit.
L ^ It
ISO DISCOURSE VL
It is happy for us, that our belief in the immortality of the foul, and of its future re- union to the body, refls not, however, on thefe grounds, but that our faith is built on the firm and immoveable bafis of the divine word ; on the pofitive affurance of that Lord^ who rofe from the grave that he might authen- ticate a religion grounded on the promifes of a future refurredion and judgment*.
By that revelation vv^hich Chrift fealed with Jiis blood, and ratified by his refurre6lion, we are taught, that the foul is an immortal fpirit, breathed into us by God himfeif, and marked with the impreffion of his image ; that it is elTentially different from the vital principle, which animates the brute creation; fmce animals are incapable of reafonji^g, hav- ing no iinderftanding, and enjoying only fuch fenfadons as refult from an organical difpo- fition of body -f-, and ading inftindively, as occafion and wants {uggcR. That it differs from it, in its final deftination, inafinuch as ** the fpirit of man goeth upward, and the ** fpirit of beafl downward to the earth J.-"
* A6ls xvii, 31. "j- Pralm xxxii. 9.
The
J Ecclef. iii. 21.
DISCOURSE VI. 151
The infpired writers uniformly fpeak of it as a diftind: fubflance over which man hath no power *, and to which the body is to be united at the refurredlion of the dead.
Of the immortality of the foul, therefore, we can entertain no doubt ; of an immor- tality, which Ihall furvive the deftrudtion of this material world, and all its fcenery of diverlified yet perifhable beauty -, *^ when " the fafhion of this world fhali pafs away-f- j'* of an immortality originally derived from God, and dependent on his will, but inca- pable of deftrudion, except from that om- nipotence which alone is of necefiary and in- dependent exigence % i ^nd therefore deftlned to flourifh with undiminished and unfaded luftre to eternity.
That at the general refurredion to a final judgment the foul fliall be re- united to the body, is a doctrine equally grounded on the infallible word of God §. Of the poffibility of fuch re-union by the power of omnipo- tence, no reafonable doubt can be enter-
* Matt. X. 28. Luke xii. 4, 5, f i Cor. vii.
31. X 1 Tim. vi. 16. § I Cor. xv.
42—44. 53, 54. Philipp. iii. 21.
L 4 tained ^
152 DISCOURSE VI.
tained j and though, in the cafe of Chrifl, no corruption of the body had taken place, it will not be thought more ftrange by thofe duly impreffed with a fenfe of God's power, that he fliould raife the dead : that he who firil compofed fhould colledt and again build up the fcattered materials of every earthly frame : that he who, in fublime language, defcribed himfelf as " the refurrecftion and *' the life," and who raifed up himfelf from the dead *, fliould, " when he cometh in the " clouds of heaven, with power and great *' glory, gather together his eled: from the *' four winds, from one end of heaven to ** the other -f*.
The fpeculative difficulties which have been raifed in objedion to this rcfurretlion, have been fufiiciently refuted ; but the fpirit of fober enquiry, which refls confidently on the unlimited power of God, will not range in ii^uefl: of difficulties which originate in our own
* Acts xxvi. 8. Rorn. viii. ii. God is here fasd to raife the dead, and to have raifed up Jefus from the <3ead ; and yet the fame power is afcribed to Chrift, who jnuft therefore be God. John xi. 25. I ThclT. iv. J4. — 17. 2 lim. ii. II, 12.
f Matt. xxlv. 30, 31,
mifcon-
DISCOURSE VI. 153
mifconceptions. Confcious, that in the con- fideration of thofe earthly ohjeds which fur- round him, there are many particulars which he is unable to underfland, and of which the confiilency is not obvious, he will not think that the difficulties which accompany a revealed doctrine, conftitute a rcafonable objedtion to its acceptation.
It is related, to the difcredit of Heathen wifdom and charity, that the enemies of chriftianity, having burnt the bodies of the martyrs whom they perfecuted, cafh their afhes into the river, that they might be difperfed by the winds, and feparately loft in the ocean, to which they were hurried by the flreams, and that fo all expecftation of the refurredion might be deftroyed in their furviving friends, and in the future difciples pf Chrift : as if omnipotence v/ere fettered by reflridiions, and extended not its power over the fea, which fliall hereafter ** give ** up its dead *." In truth, their malevolent delign was, in every refpedt, defeated and defpifed. The unfliaken faith of the primi- tive difciples of Chrift triumphed over fuch
* Rev. XX. 13.
weak
154 DISCOURSE VI.
weak obftrudions ; and the early Chriflians- almoil: univerfally believed in the refurreclion of the fame body, as we colled: from their writings, and alfo from many cuftoms, flrongly demonrtrative of that faith, fmce they not only lighted up lamps at the funerals of their friends, and fung hymns at their graves *, decorated with the unchanging emblems of immortality -j", but depofi ted their corpfes with the face towards the eaft, whence they ex- pected their Lord to appear j, as, eaftward from Mount Olivet, he was believed to have afcended §.
Contemplating, then, the refurredion of Chrifl, we receive a full demonllration of
* Chryfoft. Ser. 4. ad. Heb.
f As ivy, laurel, or rofemary.
:|: Matt. xxiv. 27.
§ Damaf. Orthod. Fid. Lib. IV. c. xiil. Hence, when we profefs a belief in Chrift's refurre«Stion, we turn, agreeably t-» an.ient cuftcm, towards the eafv. JewKh tradition repo'-ted Jefus to have been buried with hisfaqe towards the eaft. See firegory & Bedc in Die. San£l. tafchs. Tom. VII. Brand's Popul. Antiq. chap. v. p. ^4. — 53. The prim.j.ve church, after the example, |)robably, of .he apoftles, :lways prayed towards the eaftj and Chrift, in fcri, tare, is figuratively ftyled the eaft, (ccvaloXn) Luke i 78. the fource of light. Cave's Prim. Chrift. p. I., c. ix.
our
DISCOURSE VI. 155
our own revival to a future ftate v^^ith the fame bodies, however purified from that " corruption which inheriteth not the king- " dom of God," to a more glorious nature : however to be changed and fafhioned, like Chrifl's glorious body*, to an immutable perfe(5lion.
Chrifb, therefore, when he rofe from the dead, rofe like the fun of righteoufnefs, ** with healing in his wings ;" and having, by his refurrecSion, regenerated us to a lively hope of an incorruptible inheritance, furnifhed us at once with convi<5tions to enliven faith, and with a confolation to cheer us in every condition; in afflidions, however depreffing; in miferies, however complicated and fevere. ^ The falvation to which we earneftly look, is exprefsly afcribed to a belief in the refur- re<ftion of Chrift -f- ; as to the conclufion, v/ithout which all faith were vain J, and as to the completion of the glorious fcheme of
* I Cor. XV. 42 — 44. 50 — 54. Philip, iii. 21. JoJin XX. 27. Matt. xxii. 30.
f Rom. X. 6—9. 2 Cor. iv. 14. i Theff. W. 14. 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12.
% I Cor. XV. 14, 15, 19, 30, 31.
r^demp-
J56 DISCOURSE VI.
redemption *. By his vidory on the crofsr, he weakened the dominion, and leffened the terrors of death, (hevAng it to be the gate of life, not the opening to annihilation, not the paffport to forrow. Hence the apoflles and martyrs gloried in the crofs, when its mif- taken enemies deemed it difgracefa] and bafej hence the primitive Chriftians affumed it on all occafions, and at all times, as the badge of a faith of which they were not afhamed, till, by continued and encreafing reverence, it became the objed: of fuperftitious regard. Hence is furnifiied, to the difciples of Chrift in all ages, that animating incentive to righteoufnefs, which, if any motive can ope- rate, muft lead them to the cultivation and pradice of righteoufnefs ; fmce, " if the *' fpirit of him who raifed up Jefus from the ** dead dwell in them, he that raifed up ** Chrifl from the dead fliall alfo quicken ** their mortal bodies by his fpirit -f-."
The fpirit of God, of which the fruits and rewards are thus important, is that fpirit which infpires and invigorates every good defign 3 which excites in us lively piety and
•* I Cor. XV. 17, t Rom. viii. ii.
active
DISCOURSE Vf. 157
active benevolence; which, while it incul- cates the neceffity of uniform obedience, occafionally excites us to a more fervent and earnefl difplay of righteoufnefs ; which re- minds us, when we celebrate efpecial bene- fits, to demonftrate efpecial gratitude, as, upon this occafion, teaching us that the period of our Lord's refurrection is peculiarly adapted for the difplay of religious joy and thankf^ivinff.
The eve of the day in which the important event was celebrated, was anciently obferved with folemn watchings, by the light of torches, even to the break of day, in expec- tation of the hour in which the Redeemer of mankind rofe from the grave *. The day itfelf was regarded as a feafon of fignal cha- rity ; and imperial piety was then difpiayed, and confpicuoufly manifefced, by the releafe of prifoners from the graves, and dungeons of defpair, and by the liberal diftribu tion of eleem.ofynary affiilance to the wretched f . Religion, while it recalls the fcenes, and de-
* Nazar. Orat. in Pafch. Orat. 2. 19. 42.
t Eufeb. de Vit. Conftant. Lib. iv. c. xxil. Chryfoft. Horn. 20. ad Popul. Antioch. L. IX. Theod. Tit. 38. de Indul. L. VIII.
fcribes
15B DISCOURSE VL
fcribes the circumftances of primitive cele- bration, bids us bring prepared, and early, offerings to Chrifc's fepulchre, not ** to ** anoint the body of our Lord," but to hear of his afcenfion to the Father; exhorting us, with a view to general amendment, " that, like as Chrift v^as raifed from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even fo we alfo fhoyld walk in newnefs of life *," iince " the hour cometh that all that are in their graven (hall hear his voice -, that they that have done good, fhall come forth to the refurredion of life ; they that have done evil, to the refur- redion of damnation." ** Becaufe he hath ap- pointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteoufnefs, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given alTurance to all men, in that he hath raifed him from the dead "f-."
* Rom. ri. 4. f A£ls xvii. 3^1.
D 1 S-
i 159 ]
DISCOURSE VIT.
ON THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY,
Matt. x. 34.
TM?k 7iot that I am cotne to fend peace oil earth: I came not to fend peace, but a fword,
/^UR blefled Saviour, when he appointed his difciplcs to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, broke out into fome prophetic defcriptions of the immediate efFe<3:s which the introduction of that king- dom would produce. To the apoftles, hs held out the profped; of journies without cuftomary provifion, of rejedion from the unworthy, of danger from brutifli adverfa- rics, of perfecution and flight, and deftruc- tion to the body. " And the brother," fays our Lord, in f.irther anticipation of impend- ing fcenes, ** fhall deliver up the brother to
" death J
i6o DISCOURSE VII.
*' death, and the father the child, and the " children fhall rife up againfl: -their parents, *' and caufe them to be put to death ;" " for " I am come," continues he, ** to fet a ** man at variance againft his father, and the *' daughter againfl her mother, and the ** daughter-in-law againfl: her mother-in- " law*."
Such did Chrift fore fee would fometimes be the partial and perverted confequences of the preaching of that gofpel which was ufhered in by angels as a difpenfation of sood-will tov/ards mankind ; fuch the fhades and darknefs which fhould lower over that law which revealed the precepts of benevolence and Chriftian charity to man- kind. It may be interefting and inflrudivc in pointing out the accomplifliment of thefe predictions in feme important inftances, to
* The bifhop of London, in a difcourfe on the words of the text, maintains that they relate folely to the firft preachers of the gofpel. The learned bifhop does not, however, it is apprehended, mean to reftri£l the fubfe- quent paffages in the chapter merely to the apoftles. They appear at leaft to bear a more extended reference to fome general confequences which our Lord foreknew would refult from the paffions of men on the propagation of chriftianity.
confider
DISCOURSE VIL i6i
confider from what caufes it has happened, that a blefling f© real and fabftantial as that of chriftianity, fhould in fome rcfpeds have been made a pretext for diilenfion, and a fubjed: of forrow ', and farther, it may contribute to vindicate our rehgion from unjuft alperfiona, if we demonftrate that thofe evils which have been reprefented to flow from chriftianity, have derived their exigence from fources very remotely different, however unjuftly traced to that origin, however appearing to roll in one common tide with its efFedls.
It has been fuppofcd by fome commenta- tors, that Chrift, in the predictions above cited, alluded to the difcord and wars, as well civil as external, which preceded the deft:ru(ftion of Jerufalem, of which thtir hiftorian gives very ftriking and affeding ac- counts *, and of which Chrill: himfclf evi- dently prophefied upon another occaiion, in pathetic defcription of tribulation, famine, peftilcnce and warfj and, doubtlefs, his difcourfe had fome reference to thefe national diftrelTcs ; fince the converfioa of the Jews,
* Jofcph. Bell. Jud. L. IV.— VU, Eufeb.Kift.EccleC L. II. c. vi. t Matt. xxiv.
M who
i62 DISCOURSE VII.
who embraced chriftianlty, muft have tended to aggravate, by diffenfion, the calamities which affedted that people ; but it muft alfo be allowed, that our Saviour feems princi- pally to allude to thofe confequences which fhould be afcribed more immediately to the introdudioQ of his religion.
That fome partial evils did accompany the propagation of chriftianity, thofe who are ac- quainted with its hiftory will readily admit; though certainly the cavillers againft religion have as much exaggerated their extent, as they have miftaken their caufe, and reafoned falfely from their exiftence. The confefled adver- faries of revelation have accufed it of efFe(fts which it did not countenance ; and have tri- umphed, with falfe and prophane exultation, when they have pointed out the perverted application of an imparted bleffing; while the miftaken or infidious hiftorian hath minutely dwelt on the mifcondud:, and deliberately ao-orravatcd the crimes of thofe 'who have profelled themfelves the difciples of Jefus. The earher periods of chriftianity have been induftrioufly darkened, the fliades of igno- rance and fuperftition have been heightened by unfair reprefent.ition, and whole nations
and
DISCOURSE VII. 163
tnct aees have been condeained with unjuft and indifcriminate ccnfure. By fach con- trivance religion has been defcribed, like the fuperftition of antiquity *, as the oppreffive enemy of mankind, trampling on human life, and inftigating to evil ; and thofe who accept its revelations as divine, have been unable to conceive why the merciful difpenfation of God, ** clothed as it is v/ith the fun," and en- circled with the radiance of an heavenly crown t» fliould fometimes appear to lower with fo un- favourable an afped: to mankind. Rejeding, however, fuch mifreprefentations, and con- fidering religion in its true charader, as diftind: from thofe towering fpedres of fupsrftition which have alTumed its name, we fliall find that chriftianity, above evciy difpenfation in the natural or moral world, defcends from its author with a gentle and friendly influence.
Impartially indeed to flate the hiftory of
chriftianity, would not be to point out the
' mifiakcs and crimes of weak or artful men,
who have mifuaderftood its nature, or bor-
* Vide Lucretius, Lib. L 1. 63—102. f Rev. xii. i,
M 2 rov/ed
164 DISCOURSE VII.
rowed its femblance, but to exhibit its effecft. on the general opinion and con dud: of thofe converted to its inftrudions; and then would it be found that its feeds, where they have been fown, have produced good fruits, what- ever tares may have been fcattered with them; and that though it could not entirely change the manners, and extirpate the hurtful paflions of mankind, it hath improved the temper of every age on which it has fpread its princi- ples.
The evils which, agreeably to our Saviour's predi(flions, have been attributed to chrifli- anity, are either thofe which attended its firft propagation, or thofe which fprung up under its eflablifhment. Chriil himfelf, and his firfl followers, fuffered froip the intro- dudlion of that fword of which he predicted the efFeds, but forbad the ufe*. She evea *' who had found favour with God," and who was " blefled among women," was " pierced" as by *' a fword to the foul," as Simeon had foretold by that '* fruit of her womb," which the Holy Ghoft had pronounced to be bleffed. Jefus and his apoflles were attacked with
* Matt, xxvl. 52, 53. Luke xxiir 38.
fwoxds
DISCOURSE Vir. 165
fwords and with flaves. A fpear pierced the fide of our Redeemer on the crofs j and they who were fent forth " harmlefs as doves/* to communicate bleffings, and to impart the tidings of falvation to mankind, were taught to expedl every deflru(flion but that of the foul.
Scattered, after the death of their Lord, and filled with the Holy Ghoft, the difciples pub- liihed, every where, with infpired zeal and power, the dodlrines which they had received. As the proofs and excellency of the gofpel were difplayed, they excited the admiration of mankind j yet, as its advocates oppofcd predominant interefls, and attacked inveterate opinions, they fometimcs addreifed the^r argu- ments with little fuccefs to prejudiced and deluded men. Such as ignorantly or obfli- nately reje(fted the dodlrines propofed for their acceptance, entertained refentment againft teachers who attacked their deep-rooted paf- fions and immediate interefts. Here, then, the animated zeal with which they who were bap- tized into the faith were infpired, to propagate revelations, on which depended the happinefs and future falvation of mankind, ferved but to generate oppofition and conteft. As that zeal was, doubtlcfs, alfo in proportion to M 3 the
j66 DISCOURSE VIL
the ftrength of alTeclion which fuhfidedji and as exertions were mere incautious where eftablidied intimacies kilcncd reftraint, do- ineftic difienfions neceflarily arofe, and as Chrift hadforcfeen, " a man's foes were thofe " of his own houfhold."
The diiTenfions and afRiftions which Chrift and his difciples experienced, in their endea- vours to plant the faith, may be reprefcnted as the firft of thofe evils which refulted from the introdiidlion of religion. Yet who, with juftice, (hall accufe chriflianity of evils to "which it gave no countenance ; who, in con- templating the ceconomy of a divine difpen-- fation, which is to be completed in a future life, iliall murmur at the fate of thofe whofQ virtues were tried, and called forth in aiTlic- tion, and who " rejoiced^ and were exceed- ** ingly glad," in the expecftation of that " exceeding and eternal weight of glory," which had been promifed in recompence of their well- fuppor ted fuffc rings, confcious *V that their light afflidion was but for 3* ** moment; and looking not at the things ** which are feen, but at the things which ** are not [ctn ; for the things which are feen ** are temporal, but the things which are not ** feen are eternal."
The
DISCOURSE VII. 167
The pure and enlightened faith of the gofpel difdained to mingle its fervice with the pollutions of idolatry. The firft and felf-exifting caufe, and Creator of the uni- verfe, jealous of his exclufive pre-eminence and rights, accepted not a divided adoration ; nor could the worfliip of an holy and fupreme Lord be reconciled like that of any Heathen deity, with "" the bowifig down" to other gods. The difciples of that Teacher, who had ratified the command, " thou flialt wor- ** fhip the Lord thy God, and him only ihalt '* thou ferve," could not but fternly refufe to aflbciate, in religious communion, with the -votaries of Heathen deities. Their unaffecfted and lively zeal could not but exprcfs its deter- mined abhorrence of predom.inant idolatries, and feek to fhun the contagion of thofe prin- ciples which vitiated the whole conflitution of fociety ; which mixed themfelves with the general laws and inftitutions, with the civil ar- rangements and fecial liabits of life ^ and which difplayed their effecfts in common tranfad:ions, and in private intercourfe, in every fcene of public celebration or domeflic enjoyment. Hence the peculiar fe verity with which the Roman magiftrates perfecuted a religion, M 4. which
768 DISCOURSE VIL
which tended totally to fubvert the eftablilhcd fyftem of idolatry, thus intimately incorporated with every regulation of lociety; and hence the unjufl and determined averiion with which they viewed chriftianity *, which daily of- fendea the paffions, the opinions, and the prefumed interefls of mankind. Hence the iirfl cruelties which they exercifed on the difciples of a religion founded by a crucified Lord, and flrengthened by the fufFerings and martyrdom of his affli(fted difciples.
Mildnefs and perfuafion, gentle meafures, and conciliating argument, were the methods which Chrift commanded, and which his apoilles adopted. If the paffions of mankind were excited, and gradually mingled in the caufe ; if the introduction of light was op^ pofed by thofe Vv^ho loved darknefs, are w$ therefore to complain of the cffcCi of light ? Chriflianity introduced not perfecution into the world, though it became itfelf the objecft of perfecution. F^eligious bigotry had utter-ed its harfh decrees from Heathen tribunals -f,
and
♦ Vid. Tacit. Annal. Lib. XV. § 44. Sueton. Nero. c. xvi. Plin. Lib. X. 1. 97. A£ls xix. 25.
f That the fpirit of perftcution had introduced itfelf into the Reman councils, notwithftandiiig the genius of
Polytheifm
DISCOURSE VII. 169
and religious animofities had excited contefts among Pagan nations *. If the miniilers of chriftianity, when raifed from depreflion and
Polytheifm is certain, even from Mr. Gibbon's accounr, though he by no means ftates fully the a£ls of their in- tolerant power. He reprefents the Emperor Tiberius, and Claudius, to have only fupprefled the dangerous power of the Druids in Gaul ; and aflerts, that the priefts themfelves, their gods, and their altars, fubfifted till the final deftrudlion of paganifm, though " the accurate Suetonius," as he elfewhere ftiles him, in the place to which Mr. Gibbon refers, fays of the latter emperor, ♦' Druidarum religionem apud Gallos penitus abolevit," utterly aboliftied the religion of the Druids among the Gauls. Sueton. in Claud. § 25. See other proofs of Roman perfecution in the deftru6tion of the temple of Ifis and Serapis ; in the delegation cf 4000 freedmen, t© probable deftrudion in Sardinia ; and in the expulfion from Italy of all who profefTed the Hebrew or Egyptian religion, (an a£t of the juftice, as Mr. Gibbon ftiles it of Tiberius) as related by Dion. Caflius, Lib. XL. p. 252. and Tacitus Annal. c. ii. § 85. See Decline and Fall ot Rom Emp. Vol. L c. ii. See alfo Cicero de Legib, IL 8.
* See Juvenal's 15th Satire, where, in the excefTes and cannibal fury of fome Egyptian bigots, againft which Juvenal inveighs with the moll fpirited indignation, we may find what Mr. Gibbon calls " fome obfcure traces of an intolerant fpirit." The Magi, in the eaft, often flicA^ed a perfecuting temper,
contempt^
I/O DISCOURSE vri.
contempt, fometlmes pracStlfed a feverity which they had been taught * ; if its pro- tectors in the confidence of earthly power prefcribed its acceptance in a tone too impe- rious ', if, in difregard of the precepts of their divine Mafter, they fometimes employed the fecular arm where fpiritual weapons alone fhould have been employed, are we to forget that religion is not refponfible for a conduct which it condemned ? Such mifchief arofe, not becaufe chriftianity was introduced, but becaufe its true fpirit was weakened or ob- fcured.
•The chief perfecutions which have been carried on in the name of Chriil, have been
* See Bifliop Porteus's Twelfth Sermon, p. 273, Even Mr. Voltaire, iii fpeaking of fome perfecution, which the Chriftians carried on from refcntment in Syri^ and Paleiline, fays, that Ammianus Marcelliiius, who defcrih.es the perfecution, does not notice their great vir- tues which they had difplayed. " II y avoit de grandes " vercvis qu'Airjinian ne remarque pas; elles font prefque *' toujours cachees, fur-tout a des yeux ennemls ; et les " vices cclatent. Eflai fur I'Hiftoire generale." Vol. I. c. V. See alfo Livy, Lib. IV. c. xxx. Lib. XXVI, c. i. Lib. XXXIX. c. xvi. Dion. Caflius, Lib. LII. and Bifhop Waifon's Apol. for Chriflianity, annexed to fermons, p. 338.
thofe
.DISCOURSE VII. 171
thofe excited by a fuperflitlous and corrupted church*; and by that antichriftian power, which was prophetically charac^te riled as ** drunken with the blood of the faints." The pure and confiderate precepts of our Lord jibjure coercive and oppreliive condu(^ ; and where his church has been reformed to its true principles, all intolerant and compulfive rneafures have been condemned and abhorred. In the growth and extenfion of that power which gradually rofe into Papal pre-eminence, and fccular dominion, and which ered:ed a fu- pcrftitlon of unmeaning ceremonies and perni- cious tenets, on the ruins of the true faith, we t>ehold not the operation of religion, but the crafty defigns and fuccefsful ambition of un- righteous men, afluming the fpecious and attradive name of chriftianity, while they clofcd the volume of its laws, veiling their unhallowed pafTions under the preten- fions and mantle of apparent piety. Had
* As thofe clire£led againft the Waldenfcs and AIM- genfes ; thofe again-fl the Jews and Moors, (which, iii the latter inftance, were flin^ulated by political confidc- rations. See Watfon's Philip II. Vol. I. E. IX.) and thofe defigned to promote the re-eftabh'fhment of popery In this country. See Revel xvii. 6,
chriflianity
172 DISCOURSE VIL
chriftianity been unknown, fome pretended revelations might have been publiflied by crafty and ambitious men, and the inventions of impofture have been difclofed to affift the exertion of paffions that panted for gratifica- tion. Such, in the times of paganifm, often were contrived : fuch, in other countries, and in later periods, were fabricated and impofed by an enterprifing and afpiring conqueror, with defign to facilitate the eflablifhment of an earthly empire.
Let the hafty and fuperficial enquirer de- claim againfl the religion of Chrifl, when he contemplates the folly and enthufiafm of thofe who enlifted in confederate attempts, and unfolded the banners of the crofs, for the recovery of that land on which the Re- deemer of mankind converfed and was cru- cified * ; or when, in later times, he confiders
the
* Bifhop Porteus's twelfth Sermon, p. 286. Robert- fon, in another point of view, reprefents many beneficial effects to have been produced to Europe by the Crufades, which opened an intercourfe with countries where the knowledge of many uftful arts and improvements, of civilization and commerce, were preferved, an ac- quaintance which efFedied falutary and moft important cha.iges in the property and manners, and oppreflive
govern'-
DISCOURSE Vir. 173
the civil diflenfions, the unreftrained perfe- cuticns, or the intemperate enterprifes* which have been carried on under the name of Chrlft, and under the pretence of efta- blifhing his faith. In thefe, the confiderate mind will difcover rather the lurking paffions and fecret lufts, that the corruption of a de- praved nature generated; which, in barbarous and dark periods, broke out into excefles that no laws could control ; and which, by the infidious inftigation of the apoftate fpirit, cloathed themfelves in the garb and fanc^ions of that religion which was levelled againit their dominion.
For the eiFe<5ls of thefe paffions, the advo- cate of chriftianity has no apology to offer ; he contends only, that they are not the fruits of that law which God communicated, how- ever chargeable on thofe who profefTed an obedience to that law. Religious wars have
government of the feudal times. See Robertfon's View of the State of Europe prefixed to Hiftory of Charles V. Vol. I. § I. p. 23.
* It would be unjuft to attribute the condu6l of the Spaniards in America to religious zeal. The Tefuits every where^made religion a veil for political views.
been
174 DISCOURSE VIL
been excited by political interefts * ; religions difleniions have been provoked by civil ani- mofities "f*, and religious perlecutions have
been
* The perfecutions carried on by Charles the Fifth, and by Philip the Second, were heightened and regulated by ambitious views ; and, under the reign of the latter prince, by a fuperftitious veneration for the Ronnan fee. The inquifition, wherever it has'-been eftablifhed, hath been the inftruinent as much of political as of religious tyranny.
f Religion had fo little to do v/ith the civil wars and fadions carried on under the banners of religion in France, that we learn from their hiftorians, that the Conde's and Coligni's embraced the reformed faith, be- caufe the Guifes were of the Romiih church. The ac- count of Davila is very remarkable: he fays, that the admiral Andelot advifed the patronifing of the Calvinifts,- in order to fpur them, on to the deftrui51ion of the Houfe of Lorrain, which, (befides other advantages) would make it believed, for the future, by all the world, that the civil war was firft kindled, and blown up, not on the princes account, and their pretenfions to the government, but by diflenuons and controverfies in matters of reli- gion. He adds, that it was a counfel and refolution (o fatal and pernicious, that, as it opened a door to all thofe miferics and calamities which, with terrible example, for a long time, aSiiSted and didracled that kingdom, fo it brought to a miferable end both the perfon himfelf that advifed it, and all thofe who, led by their afFe6lions and prefent interefts, confented to it. See Farneworth's Tranflation of Davila, Book I, p. 33. Who would
think
DISCOURSE VII. 175
been railed by perfonal hatred *. Here, then, religion was the pretence, not the caufe 5 and the impartial enquirer Ihould not creduloufly aflent to every profeffion, and to every affed:ed motive, but candidly invefligate the latent fprings and concealed dedgns of them.
The vifionary fancies which philofophy firfl blended with religion -f ; the abfurd princi- ples
think of accufing religion, when he reprobates the hypo- crify and concealed ambition which operated in the fac- tious proceedings of the laft age in England ?
* Mr. Voltaire, fpeaking of the Duke of Buckingham, fays, " Cet Anglais fit declarer la guerre a la France uniquement parce qu'oa lui refufa d'y venir parler de fen amour, (for Ann of Auftria). Les affaires du monde font tellement melees tellement enchainees que les amours romanefques du Due de Buckingham proJuifirent une guerre de religion, & la prife de la Rochclle." Eflai fur I'Hift. Gen. Vol. IV. c. cxlv.
f The fchifms and herefies which difturbed the peace of the primitive church, and introduced endlefs contro- verfies and diflenfions, originated chiefly from the pre- judices of Jewifti fei^artes, or from the errors of Gentile converts, who adopted chriftianity without abjuring tbeif former opinions, which they blended with the fimple truths of the gofpel. The corruptions of the Jewifh fect^, and the follies of Heathen philofophy, were inter- woven and entangled with the doctrines of revelation ; and the Gaulanites, the Nazarenes, and the Gnoftics^-
and
6
176 DISCOURSE VIL
pics and extravagant errors gradually accu-» mulated; and the fcholaftic fubtletics, fpe- culations, and difputes, which were incor- porated with it, at the revival of literature, when fairly confidered, refled difcredit only on thofe who interwove fuch vanities with infpired wifdom, and debafe not the purity of truth.
The gradual departure from Chriflian righteoufnefs, in the pradice of its profeflbrs, which kept place with the corruption of the faith, and which, at laft, attained to that height of depravity that called loudly for reform, can be urged only to illuftrate the fad effefts of fuperflition, and impeach not the perfe(5lion and natural tendency of a law, which in every line inculcates holinefs, in every precept exhorts to purity. They prove that alliance which fubiifts between opinion and pra<ftice; and demon ftrate, that in proportion as the word of God is negle<51:ed and con- cealed, corrupt manners, and licentious con- dud, will prevail.
and all who were infecled with the reafoiiings of the Gentile wifdom, difputed for their peculiar tenets as if they had been the dodrines of Chrift. See Lardner's Hift. pf Heret. B. I. § 13.
In
DISCOURSE VII. 177
In the fanatic zeal, and in the degrading fuperllitions that have, in modern times, difgraced the profeilors of our holy rehgion, we behold the unhappy influence of human corruption, which, impatient of reilraint, and bafe in its fuggeftions, has mifapplied, and perverted the precepts of an all-perfed:^ law. The law itklf doth not authorife excefs, nor give fandiion to folly ; but men. of weak and impatient minds have blended their extravagant notions with its precepts, and been hurried, by heated imaginations, to erroneous and difreputable conduit. Every virtue hath its excefs ; and nothing ufeful can be prefcribed that is not capable of dan- gerous and extravagant application : but true piety is not lefs honorable becaufe inflamed paffions have engendered phrenlied and ex- tatic fancies : fmcere faith is not lefs falutary becaufe credulity hath jnclined to fiditious inventions and a fuperftitious creed.
If a zeal for God's fervice has been com- bined with an intolerant fpirit ; if a reverence for religion has been deemed compatible with inadlive and fecludcd abflracftion from its du- ties 3 if a fervent regard to the welfare of Chriil's church hath been counterfeited by N ambitious
178 DISCOURSE VIL
ambitious and cliffembling paflions, the mif- takes, or the evil deligrs of unrighteous men, refled: no difcredit on a temperate ^nd obedi- ent reverence for a revealed law. The hypo- crify which hath debafed devotion ^ the barren faith which hath been divorced from obedi- ence; the errors, corruptions, and mock- eries, which have been blended with religious worfliip, (liould be fevered, in the eftimation of confiderate men, from the genuine and undeiiled charader of Chrifliian ri^hteoufnefs.- The ancient fchifms, the numerous feds and Iierelies, which ftill prevail, which alienate the afFedions, and embitter the intercourfe of mankind, from whence come they, ** came they not hence, even of your luils ?" The- dodrines of Chrifl are iimple, and proffered in Iimple language to our acceptance : if our judgment err in the conception of them, it is becauie that judgment is, by the depravity of the heart, milled. DifTeniions and here- iies v/ere v/hat our infpired teachers foreiliw ^nd predided *' ; and their exiftence mufl be Urged in cftablifhment, not in detradion of
* Man. xvill. 7. I Cor. xi. 19. 2 Peter ii. ir 'A*^* XX. 29, 30. Luke ii. 34, 35. 1 Tim, iy. i.
our
DISCOURSE VIL tyg
our religion. The fiicrcd monitors, however^ by foretelling fuch divifions, furniflied not the dilbbedient with any plea or apology for their condudl. Confcious that fuch evih would happen, Chrifl:,neverthelefs, denounced wrath againfl their authors. ** It is impof- " fible," fays our divine Mailer, " but that ** offences muft come ; but woe unto that " man through whom they come/' They who maintain that God may be delighted with different principles, and various modes of worlliip, do not therefore fufhciently re- fiecft on the nature and claims of his attri- butes, nor on the intention and ultimate tendency of revealed truth. As prejudice fliall be difperfed, and reafon operate, the luflre and excellency of divine truth will ba difplayed ; and it is not, furely, a too fan- guine interpretation of prophetic promifes, which points out the profped: of a final efla- blifliment of chriflianity in its limple and uncorrupted purity.
The tendency of chriflianity, then, is not unfriendly to mankind. If, fometimes, like all other bleiiings that men have received from Providence, it hath been perverted and abufed, yet its general operation has been, N 2 and
i8o DISCOURSE VIL
and muft flill farther prove, falutary and good J if, as Chrift foretold, the fword of the Chriftian has been fometimes wielded in defiance of the reftridions of chriftianity, that fword Ihall ultimately be converted into an inllrument beneficial to mankind. The armour of God, furniihed to his difciples, is to enable them " to ftand againft the wiles of the devil j" to " wreflle, not againft flefh and blood, but againft principalities, againil powers, againfl: the rulers of the darknefs of this world, againfl fpiritual wickednefs in high places *." Variance and difcord may be the cafual refult of the introducftion of that law which rebukes the follies, and would corredt the fins of mankind ; but the ftill voice of infpired wifdom mufi: finally be heard 3 the admonitions of a peaceful monitor muft ultimately prevail. That which is " fet for the fall and rifing again of many, and for a fign, which fhall be fpoken againft," muft, in the end, overpower the ftrength of human oppofition, and confound the reafonings of human wifdom. The church, which has been afifailed by fo many difficulties, and againft
* Ephef. vi. II, 12.
which.
DISCOURSE VII. i8i
which, as founded on a rock, the gates of hell cannot prevail, will ultimately " be*lifted up," and unfold " its everlafting doors," in a triumphant ftate, when Chrill " the King of glory ihall come in ;" " and there fhall in no wife enter into it any thing that defileth, or worketh abomination, or a lie, but they which are written in the book of life *."
Chrift: himfelf was defpitefully infulted and mocked. He fuffered, and was cruci- fied, for tranfgreflions which he did not com- mit ; and his religion alio has been calum- niated and condemned for imputed evil, Amidfl reviling, however, and apparent igno- miny, our Saviour difplayed a triumph on the crofs i and appeared, after his vidtory, with gracious and friendly afpe(ft, to receive and to reflecSt honor and glory on mankind ; fo like- wife his religion fuftains its chara(fler, unde- graded by falfe accufation and malignant charges, and will hereafter exhibit to the world the unfullied majefty of its divine perfection.
Wherever fcience begins to dawn, there jchrifllanity alfo flieds its rifmg beams; where-
* Pfalm xxiv. 7 — 10. Rev. xxi, 26, 27.
N 7 ever
i82 DISCOURSE VII.
ever fcience has long flione, there chriftianity likewiie diffufcs a fteady light, which fhall linally difperfe every cloud and fhadow that jnifraken apprehenlions have raifed up to en- circle it ; ignorance and prejudice flee away from its prefence; defpotifm, and crijelty, and guilt, fhrink from its awful fight.
As the lefibr.s of chriftianity are admitted by gradual propagation in the weftern conti- nent, they awaken the rude and untutored Indians from tlie night of darknefs, raife them in the fcale of created beings, excite |heir highefi faculties, and call forth all thofe focial afFed;ions which tend to civilize and improve mankind. The cheerlefs regions of Africa glow at length with the imparted rays of revelation ; and the naked and har- raffed inhabitants of its defarts hail them as the fignal of freedom, and improvement to their unhappy tribes.
The more poliihed and enlightened inha-^, bitants of the eail, where revelations were firit communicated to mankind, and where the principles of divine truth ilill remain, interwoven with fpurious pretenlions, and ^pncumbcred with hdiitious additions, are pre- pared for the reception of the true faith, and
DISCOURSE VII. 183
muil: finally yield to its convincing pov/er*. T.hc abfurd and complicated theology of the Gentoos, with its painful aufterities, and pernicious fuperflitions, muft fade before the bright and reafonable evidence of chriflianity, when that evidence fhall be earnefily and judicioufly prefented. The dominion and tyranny of the falfe prophet, eftabliflied by the fword, fhail finally bow its impious and ambitious crcfcent to the crofs; and the fabrications of impofture fall from the folid edifice founded by Mofes, the Prophets, and the Redeemer of mankind.
* White's Bampton Le6lures, loth fermon. The re- ligion of Mahomet acknowledges the authority of Mofes and of Chrift as true prophets ; and the dofbrines of the Brahmans, which are eftabliftied from the Ganges, to the extremities of Japan and Turkey, with only fuch variations as time and climate, and accidental circum- fiances may have produced, admit the exifrence of one God ; the immortality of the foul ; many moral virtues, and many religious traditions, confiftent with, and rati- fied by chriftianity, which, when formerly introduced, made a r9pid progrefs in the eaft, and which, but for the mifconduft of its miflionaries, might apparently have been firmly eftabliflied. In 1558, there were 1,800,000 ^hriftians in Japan. See Sketches relating to Hiftory, Jleligion, &c. of the Hindoos, Vol. II. Sketch 13.
N 4. Chriftianity,
184 DISCOURSE VII.
Chriftianity, then, as it fpreads, will over- turn the fuperftitions and bigotry of other religions : it will difperie the fullen (hades and gloomy devotion of barbarous climes ; and it will vindicate its genuine truth from the fidions and inventions of more refined theologies.
Ih civilized and enlightened countries, the fabrics of human error have been under- mined, as the affumptions of human autho- rity,'in points of faith, have been difclaimed. The authentic records of our religion, col- lated, and reftored to their genuine charader, and exclufive pre-eminence, muft finally con- ciliate a general and fincere aflcnt. Then iliall truth triumph with unrefifted evidence, fcepticifm fhall be abafhed, and herefy Ihall be trodden under feet. That /harp and fpiritual fword, that goeth out of the mouth ** of " the word pf God," Ihall then difcomfit the nations affembled againft his faints. The beaft and the falfe prophet fhall be caft alive into a lake of fire, and Satan himfelf, the great infligator to evil, be cafi: into the bot- tomlefs pit. All nations fhall then join in united worfhip : all people fhall affemble with afibciate praife. Then, as the Pfalmifi:, in
pro.
DISCOURSE VII. 185
prophetic defcription, concludes his infpired prayers, Chrift (liall " judge the people with " righteoufnefs, and the poor with judgment. " He fhall beat In pieces the oppreffor. In " his days (hall the righteous flourifh. He " jQkiU have dominion from fea to fea, and " from the river to the ends of the earth. " They that dwell in the wildernefs fhall bow " before him; and his enemies fliall lick the " duft. All kings (hall fall before him; all " nations fhall ferve him. For he fhall de- " liver the needy when he crieth ; the poor *' alfo, and him that hath no helper. His ** name fhall endure for ever: his name fhall " be continued as long as the fun : and men ** fhall be bleffed in him : all nations fhall " call him bleffed. Blefled be the Lord ** God, the God of Ifrael, who only doeth " wondrous things. And bleffed be his glo- ** rious name for ever : and let the whole ** earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and " Amen*."
* See Pfalm Ixxii.
D I S-
[ iS7. 1
DISCOURSE viir.
ON THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
Luke i. 78, 79.
Whereby the day-fpring from on high hatb 'vifited usy to give light to them that Jit in darknefs and in the Pmdow of deaths to guide our feet in the way of peace,
TTAVING, in a former difcourfe, con- "*■ lidered the evils that appear to have at- tended the propagation and eflabhfhment of chriftianity, and fliewn that they cannot, with any truth or juftice, be afcribed to that reh- gion, but muft be attributed to the perverfe and corrupt paffions of men, it may be proper to point out in what refpeft chriftianity has been indifputably ferviceable to the world.
In the confidcration of this fubjecfl, it will be eafy, by an obvious diftindion, iirft, to illuftrate the beneficial effe<5ls of chriftianity
ia
iS3 D I SCO URS.E VIII.
in a defcription of the evils from which it has refcued us ; and, fecondly, to point out, by a reprefentation of the good that it has conferred, in how great and important inte- .refls.it has promoted the welfare and happi- nefs of mankind.
To have a complete and juft idea of the evils from which chriftianity has refcued us, we fliould take a view of the religion and manners which prevailed at its firll intro- dudlion. On a general and unprejudiced furvey of Pagan times, we find only reli- gions formed on imperfed: traditional infor- mation, and gradually degraded into abjed; fiiperftition and pernicious idolatries. The re- ligions which were founded on human terrors, and built up by artifice, with a fuperflrucflure of falfliood, of omens, auguries, prodigies, and oracles; which were fupported by the pretenfions of judicial aflrplogy, and the arts of conjedural divination, or the fuggefljons of evil fpirits, could excite only a p>eryerted and corrupt feryice. A mythology, woven and fpread put by fidion, could be difplayed but to generate, in its beholders, eiTOneous and prejudicial fen timents; and the fanciful ^nd attractive colourings in which it was
worked.
DISCOURSE VIII. i§9
worked, ferved but to increafe the mifchief of its deceptions : its familiar and corporeal imagery rendered it acceptable to vulgar appre- henlion, while the elegance and poetical or- nament of its contexture, and the philofo- phical explication of its allegories, foftened the groffnefs of the machinery to more re- fined imaginations. Fafcinated to reverence every objed: of capricious admiration, the judgment of men became vitiated : paHions were idolized, and popular vices were em- bodied and conlecrated for worship. In countries the moft civilized and inftru(fled, the objedts of adoration were deteftable; they were worfhipped with human facrifices *, and
* Eufeb. Le Laud. Conftant. c. xlli. Praep. Lib. IV". c. xvi. Liv. Lib. XXH. c. Ivii. Plutarch, in Marcel. Jnlt. Macrob. Satur. Lib. L c. vii. Alex, ab Alex. r>ib. VL c. xxvi. Human vi(5lims were immolated not only by barbarous nations, but by Greeks and Ro- mans, the " Prima Virorum." Ariftomenes a Miilenian flaughtercd three hundred, among whom was Theopom- "pus, in one facrifice. Among the Romans, human facri- fices were interdicted by a decree of the fenate, during the confulfliip of Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, and Pub. Lici- rjius Craflus ; but a ferocious fpirit of fuperftition claimed its victims till Adrian again forbad the continuance of the £avage cuftom.
honoured
igo DISCOURSE VIIL
honoured by fanguinary and favagefpedlacles** The confequence of fiich religions could i^ot but be an extreme corruption of man- ners ; and it is certain, that the fcripturc reprefentations of the Heathen wickednefs are not exaggerated -f. They are confirmed, indeed, by Heathen accounts, not only by thofe of poets and fatyrifts, but by the fair confeffions of hiftorical teftimony. The Pagan world, " given up unto vile affedlions," " committed all iniquity with greedinefs^" and the moft flagitious crimes that have ever dif- graced our nature, were difplayed, not by folitary and detefled individuals, but under the fandlion of a religion, of which the rites and myfteries were profligate, and the fefli- vals and public celebrations licentious X*
Neither
* Seneca, Eplft. 95,
f Rom. i. Ephef. iv. 17 — 19. and Grotlus. The defcriptions, by profane writers, are not lefs feverc. Tacitus reprefents his time as faeva et infefta virtutibus ;• and the hiftorian elfcwhere ftates, Magnitudinem infa- mise a nonnullis concupifci,, atque eju?, apud prodigos noviflimam efle voluptatem ; but it is vain to fele6l in- dividual p^flages in proof of what every page of hillory will demonflratc in glaring colours.
X The temples expofcd and demolifhed by Conflan- tine, were the fcenes of every fpecies of public debau- chery.
DISCOURSE VIII. 191
Neither was it the grofs and popular reli- gion done that mifled mankind to erroneous and corrupt condu<rt. Philofophy, v/hich appears fometimes to have ilolen its fire from heaven : to have borrowed from the fcattered pages of divine wifdom, yet, in its refined, and ftudied fpeculations, juftified, at different times, every folly and lin that corruption en- gendered. To riot in licentious indulgence, to wrap up in Mfiih apathy, to rejed: external control, to gratify perfonal refentment, and to reduce all morality to opinion, were, at diiFerent times, the maxims of different ie<5t5. The expofure of weak infants was publicly' authorifed, by theorifts, * ignorant of the true Value of human life, and regardlefs of the utility of mental exertions for the benefit of others *. Slaves, who had furvived the
chery. See Eufeb. de Vit. Conftant. Lib. III. c. 54'— 58. The hiftorian fpeaks of a temple of Venus, at the top of Mount Libanus, which was fuch a fchool of WicJcednefs,, that no refpedabie man dared to approach it. Above a thoufand proftitutes were kept at a temple at Corinth. Alexand. ab Alex. L. VI. c. xxvi. Origen, Cont. Celf. Lib. IV. Grotius de Verit. ^c.
* Gerard Noodt Julius Paulus, five de Partus Expo* f.tione.
I power
- (
192 DISCOURSE VIII.
power of adlive fervice, and the harfli cruel- ties of the treatment which they experienced, were calloufly left to perilh *. Unfeeling and infulting triumphs were difplayed with oftentatious emulation. Falfhood-f', fuicide, and polygamy, and many horrible and unna- tural vices, were allowed and vindicated.
In the fubverfion of a fyftem fo pernicious, chriftianity effedted immediate benefit. The few fages, whofe minds were enlightened by the dawn of true wifdom, were fenfible, that without a divine revelation, no general reform could be expedted ; and wherever chriftianity was communicated, it effeded its hoped-for benefit. It relieved mankind from wander- ing by the glimmerings of traditional know- ledge ; from a religion of ceremonies and fervile fuperftition to a religion of virtue, purity, and fubftantial reformation. It fub- dued the haughtinefs of human pride, re-
* Quintll. Inftit. Lib. III. c. viii. Grot, de Jur. Bel. B. III. IV. IX. Bp. Porteus's 13th Sermon, p. 312. The Roman mafters had the power of life and death over their flaves till the humanity of Adrian withdrew the dangerous authority. See Adrian in Hift. Aiiguft. Script. c. xviii. p. 169.
f Whitby on Ephef. iv. 25.
flralned
DISCOURSE VltL 193
flrained the licentious lenfuality of Heathen appetites, and expelled the groflhefs of Hea- then principles. It drew oVer the corrup- tion of mankind a veil of decency. It foft- ened the rugged and brutal paffions which prevailed, by introducing a courtefy and ur- banity of nianners. It brake the fetters of flavery, as it now defires to remove its re- maining chains *. It threw down the bar- riers of prejudice, and the narrow difl:in<ftions of national pride. It difcountenanced hatred and revenge, and brought forth the fpirit of univerfal charity, to move, as did the fpirit of
* The number of flaves is ftated, by fome hiftorians, to have been equal to that of the free inhabitants of the •-. Roman world. The Chriftian emperors enabled many laws to check the capricious tyranny of the mafters of the flaves. See inftitut. Lib. I. Tit. VIII. Digeft. Lib. I. Tit. VI. I, 2. Lib. XLVm. Tit. VIII. XL Novell. XXII. c. viii. kc. Robertfon obferves, that the humane fpirit of religion ftruggled long in this refpe6t with the maxims and manners of the world, arid con- tributed more than any other circumftance to introduce the pradice of manumifEon, and he proves this by a long dedudlion of particulars, and by a reference to many documents. See View of the State of Europe. Note 20.
O God
194 DISCOURSE VIIL
God at the firil creation, when the earth was without form, and void, on the face of the waves of a troubled world, overihadowed by darknefs, and agitated by ftorms.
Chriilianity, then, muft be allowed to have removed away the pollution of much evil, and to have compofed, from the confufion and jarring elements of diforder, a fyftem of arrangement and harmony that is ." very good." He who is not biaffed by any paf- lions to contemplate that religion in an un- favourable point of view, will, on examining its firil: origin, find it to have been alfo the caufe of genuine and efficient benefit to man- kind ; and farther tracing its operation in difix^rent periods, will fee it acting with pow- erful and beneficial effed: in every age.
Chriftianity, in its firft appearance, by un- folding the true charadler and infcrutable at- tributes of God^ and the real nature and con- dition of man, intruded mankind in a rea- fonable and acceptable fervice. By revealing the promifes of life and immortality, and by flamping the afiurance with pofitive ratifica- tion, in the refurredion of its Founder, chriftianity opened the profped; of a future 5 judgment^
DISCOURSE VIIL 195
judgment, and of a final dlfpenfation. It pointed out the means of obtaining eternal happinefs, and ilied a divine light on the OEconomy and arrangements of the prefent world. It confirmed the hopes, and enli- vened the exped:ations of mankind ; and furnifhed them with joyful confiderations, that might animate and fupport them in every viciffitude of life. It eflablifhed the only foundation on which refignatlon and content- ment can be built, removing the fandy bafis of a philofophy, defe(ftive in itfelf, and re- commended on inadequate motives.
As the light of religion was diffufed, its important influence was experienced. It at firft fhone brightly in the infpired zeal and fortitude, in the exemplary and diflinguiflied fand:ity of its apofiles, and early teachers, who contemplated the living example, and walked in the recent footfteps of their great leader. It difplayed its effeds in the internal concord, and in the unprecedented charities 'and affociate virtues of fmall communities, to an extent, proverbial and exemplary, and which excited the admiration of its enemies ; till at length, by gradual propagation, it fpread its efficacy through the conftitution O 2 of
J96 DISCOURSE VIII.
of every community, where its inftrudions were preached *.
In every country in which chriiiianity gradually reared its peaceful and conciliating form, we find it ftrengthen the pillars of fociety, confirming the relations, and invi- gorating the connexions of life; combining religious fantflions with civil obligations ^ in- troducing order, temperance, gratitude, fide- lity, forbearance, harmony ; giving energy to obedience ; enforcing, by confcience, what external regulations could not reach; exciting virtues which political authority could not claim ; uniting mankind in clofer ties, and animating them to the exertion of every focial, and every friendly affed:ion.
* Plin. Epi.ft. Lib. X. Epill. 97. Lticlan de Mort. Pefeg. p. 764. Tertull. Apol. chap, xxxix. Eufeb. Hift. Ecclef. Lib. VIL c. xxii. Jortin's Remarks, Tom. IL Even Julian commended the conduct of the Chriftians as exciting admiration i Miiapog. p. 99. and Mr. Gibbon mentions the pure and auftere morals of the Chriftians among the caufes which he fuppofes to have contributed to the growth of the Chriftian church. He elfewhere alfo obferves, that even the faults, or rather errors of the Chrifliansj were derived from an excefs of virtue.
Enquire
DISCOURSE VIII. 197
Enquire we of hiflorians, however partial, however unfriendly to our religion, however relu(5tant to reveal the virtues of thofe who profeiled the faith of Jefus, and wc fhall find that the difciples of chriftianity have been ever peaceable and patient fubjeds. Sub- miffive, even under governments the moft intolerant and oppreffive, they filently culti- vated a perfecuted faith, recommended it only by the prad:lfe and communication of its precepts, joined in no fa(ftious refinance to eftabliihed authorities, confpired in no tur- bulent or feditious fchemes, exaggerated no grievances, nor joined in the clamours of popular difcontent. From its firfl appear- ance, the Chriftian fpirit interferes with no lawful claims of human authority. It ren- ders to Casfar the things that arc Casfar's^ tribute, to whom tribute is due. The Roman magiftrate, in his perfecution, charges it with no factious contrivance. It confents to fuffer rather than excite dangerous commotions, or forfeit due and incumbent allegiance. It gains afcendancy by its own excellence ; and, when countenanced by imperial protediion, confers ornament and advantage on the powers with which it is combined.
O 3 Chrif.
198 DISCOURSE VIII.
Chriftianity, which firft publifhed its mild decrees in the flillnefs and calm of univerfal peace, endeavoured to ellablifli, on permanent principles, the concord and harmony of man- kind. It difcouraged the wild ardour of con- queft, teaching that victory is fubjed: to the control of the Lord of Hofts, before whorn " the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are " counted as the fmall duft of the balance ;" as " lefs than nothing, and vanity." It dif- countenanced the pride of power, exhibiting, in the inftrudive records to which it appealed, nations overthrown, and kingdoms deftroyed; and leading ambition to contemplate the broken image of dominion, confumed, in prophetic defcription, by that flone which
'lliall ultimately fill the earth *. It held up then awful inftrudion againft that luft of power which had led the fourth kingdom to ravage, and tyrannife over the earth, with its iron fway, and v/hich was then tottering, with its own bulk, to weaknefs and divilion.
Amidfl the deftrudion which overwhelmed the Roman world, involving flourifliing cities
' and dependent nations in its fate, when ** hail and lire, mingled with blood, were
* Dan. ii. 31 — 35.
f* caft
DISCOURSE VIiI. 199
" caft upon the earth," the Chriflian church alone prefented an hallowed and refpeded lancftuary ; firm in its foundations, it fell not with the furrounding powers 5 and though polluted by the introdudion of human in- ventions, it ftill preferved charafters of a divine original, which broke through the Gothic ftrudures of fuperftition, difcouraged the intrufion of violence within its peaceful boundaries, and kept alive that religious fpirit which alone could counteradl the ferocious paffions that then domineered in ihe earth.
The awful prefence of religion often op- pofed itfelf againft the fury of invading con- querors. Its merciful voice was heard feme- times to plead, with effeaual fupplication, againft the rapacious and exterminating rage of thofe barbarians who overran the empire. Amidft devaftation and rapine, the prelates of chriftianity were ad:ive to fpread their robes over the fallen, to refcue their pollef- fions from the flames of conquefl, and to raife up afylums for the wretched in fcenes of defolation and diftrefs *.
In
* The interpofition of Leo the Firft preferved the city of Rome from the deftruclive fword of the Huns.
O 4 The
200 DISCOURSE VIII.
In the ages which fucceeded the fubvcrfion of the Roman power, and in the barbarous governments erecfted on its ruins, we find no irays but what chriftianity difFufed, no virtues -but what chriftianity difclofed. If ought of knowledge, or of fcience fiourifhed, it was in rehgious feclufion. If equity or benevo* lence withheld the hand of pppreffion, it was becaufe they were enforced by the perfuafive voice of religion. If agriculture and ufeful arts were encouraged and commended, it was by the patronage and example of thofe mo- naftic inftitutions, of which many of the advantages, in dark periods, have been for-
The fame Pontiff obtained froni the Vandal Genferic, that in the fecond fack of Rome the perfons and houfes of the citizens fhould be fpared, which they were, as much as poffible, amidft the confufion and havock of a pillage, which continued for fourteen days. He diftin- guifhed himfelf alfo by endeavours to reftore the mif-p chief fuftained by the fufFcrers in the plunder, at the fame time that the bifhop of Carthage charitably fup- ported an immenfe number of Roman prifoners, carried into Africa, many of whom were afterwards redeemed, and returned to inhabit their ruined country. Sec other proofs of great and eminent virtues, which raifed eccle- fiaftics above their contemporaries in Dcnina delle Rivo- Juzioni D'ltalia, Lib. V. c. iv. and Cave's Primitive- Chriftianity, Part HI. c. ii,
gotten.
DISCOURSE VIII. 201
gotten, in indifcriminate cenfure of their cxcefs*. What but chriftianity was that fpirit of paternal regard which foftened the tiercenefs of the feudal feverity ! What were the courtefy and gentlenefs which mitigated the wild enthufiafm and ferocity of military ages, and introduced a generous forbearance to control the paflions of men ! What but the fuggeftions of Chriftian charity !
Chriftianity confpired, at thefe periods, to check private quarrels, and to foften revenge and hoflilities between individual chieftains ; to aboliih the abfurd trial by judicial coni- 'bat "f-, and to divell even war itfelf of cru- elty and of the half of its horrors.
The wifdom and benevolence likewife of our religion, in proportion as they were transfufed into the civil laws and regulations of fociety, introduced a more conciliating policy, and a more faithful attachment J ;
* Voltaire's Effai fur L'Hlftoire Generale, Vol. III. c. cxvii. and Robertfon's State of Europe, Vol. I. p. 53,
54»55- *' f DuGlofTar. Cange Voce Duellum, Vol. II. p. 1675 X The canon law was formed on principles of general equity, and directed by confident and determinate rules, when civil jurifprudence was eftablifiied on t|?e worft and moft exceptionable grounds.
202 DISCOURSE viin
for though chri/liaeity prefcribe no form of civil conftitution, nor would, by fubverting the various fy items that prevail, reduce all governments to the fame modification, yet in proportion as its principles are adopted, they meliorate and improve every conftitu- tion. The laws of chriftianity reilrain alike oppreffion and revolt ; religious and civil liberty combine in efTential union ; they fiou- riOi under the fame protection -, they perifh bv the fame wounds , a veneration of God, and a charity for man, are the great founda- tions on which jnllice, fubordination, and peace, mufl: be founded. The principles of relio-ion are fteady and unchangeable. The legiflator who refped:s them, will facrifice no lafting interefts for temporary objeds. The fchemes of policy, which have been devifed in oppofition to them, however they may have amufed the fancies of men, have been found tranfient and unfound. Reflexion hatli condemned, and experience hath be- wailed them.
Very interefting and important proofs ofn the divine character, and falutary operation pf chriftianity, may be derived from a cpn- ^deration of that wifdom by which it is
adapted
DISCOURSE Vlir. 203
adapted to univerfal eflabliOiraent, and con- tributes to promote the univerfal welfare. In comparing its influence with the effed:s of other religions, as Ihewn in the prefent ftate of the world, under every diverfity of cli- mate, government, and manners, we behold every where the bright evidence of heavenly truth contrafted with the dark and malignant features of faliliood and evil. The pure and upright fpirit of a divine law bends not like the contrivance of impolture in accommoda- tion to acquired habits, or to local cuftoms and temptations. It feeks to counterad: the fe^ dudion of pernicious example, and would , Hem the torrent of prevailing corruption. It flatters not the paflions, nor humours the prejudices of men, but inculcates a firm and fteady fortitude, unyielding to circumftance, jinfubdued by the infedion of furrounding manners.
The liberal and difliilive benevolence of univerfal charity, breathes fentiments far dif- ferent from the churlifli and contraded prin- jciples infpired by the fuperflitions of im- pofbure. The confiderate and friendly max- ims of chriftianity blend themielves with the policy of govf.rnments but to lower the pride
of
204 DISCOURSE VIIL
ot pre-eminence, and to plead the claims of fubjedion. The faith of the lowly and cru- cified Jefus, reje(fted by nations, where def- potifm and ignorance prevail, incorporates itfelf with the government of civilized and enlightened countries, confpiring with the temperate exertions of freedom, calling away the fetters which tyranny and fuperilition have impofed, and which flill confine in darknefs, the nations fubjedted to their control j pro- moting, with zealous induflry, that diffufion of knowledge which enables mankind to judge of its pretenfions -, exciting the free exerciie of the intelledlual powers to the dif- covery of truth ; raifing the mind to fublime fl:udies,and interefting contemplations; ftimu- lating it to the attainment of every moral and fpiritual perfeftion, and awakening the faculties of an immortal Being to an atten- tion to his eternal interefts.
It is the effed: of fuperftition to deaden the powers, and to deprefs the indullry of men -, but the religion of Chrift ftirs up its difciples to an adive and animated obedience; bids them mingle with fociety for the exertion of friendly offices, and for the communica- tion of afiiduous charities.
Since
DISCOURSE VIIL 205
Since the period when chriftianity was ref^ cued by the reformation from difgiiife, and reftored to its true charadler, its inftrudions have effeded the moft fakitary and important changes, in the opinions and condudt of eveiy people who have received its genuine oracles. The attributes and perfeiftions of God have been proclaimed with fidelity. The condi- tion and expectation, and duties of men, have been defcribed without flattery, or refped: to perlbns. Hence a worfliip in iincerity and in truth has been eftablifhed, undebafed by barren ceremonies, unencumbered by fuper- fluous parade ; and hence a pattern of the true church has been reftored on apoftolic principles. Hence the rights of humanity haVe been taught with a fuccefs that daily operates to alleviate the forrows, and to mul- tiply the enjoyments of life ; to harmonize the tempers, to reconcile the animolities, and to fubftantiate the concord of mankind.
The appropriation of a fabbath day to re- ligious retirement, from fecular concerns, and to a performance of the folemn offices <^f devotion, has a tendency to allay the too' great violence of human paffions, to abate
the
£o6 DISCOURSE VIIL
the ardour of felfidi competitions, and id raife the mind to rational piety. The in- flrudion on that day conveyed to ignorance j the reproof held out to fm ; the wholefome admonitions and falutary warnings, delivered to every rank of life, undoubtedly contribute to check the inroads of corruption o The reflri(5tions of the day j its referve and order ; its repofc and exemption from labour ^ its decent ornament, and quiet charadier, pro^ duce even, in a political point of viev^^, very beneficial and important difcipline andeffedis to fociety. Contemplate the appearance, and confider the confequences of the inftitution, not fo much in the diffipated and tumultuous town as in the fequeflered village; obferve the affociate worfliip, the decent chearful- nefs, the harmony and ufeful recreation of the day : the confolation which it affords to the aged, and the inflrudion which it pro- cures, by exhortation and difcipline, to the young ; and it mull be allowed, that much intrinfic good thence accrues to the com- munity.
The hallowed periods likewife, and the ftated obfervanGcs inflituted by the church,
in
DISCOURSE VIIL 207
in conformity with the fpirit, and intention of our religion, confpire certainly to the fame effed:. The days fet apart to celebrate the memory of diilinguiflied faints, or of events productive of important benefits to mankind, the feflivals of joy and gratitude, and the fails for penitence and contrite afflidtion of the foul, cannot but operate in fubferviency to the great defign of our exiftence; they awaken ferious reflexions, animate piety to its moft lively emotions, and exercife the virtues, of which they recal the confecrated remembrance and efFe<5l.
If, in communities, and extended circles of fociety, the influence of religion hath been (hewn thus falutary, its principles will be found to have been equally advantageous in private application. In the great difplay of hiftory we are not often prefented with the pidure of private life ; but in the particular detail of many eminent characters, who have ilouridied at different periods fince the dawn of the Chriftian sera, we find, in the fair defcription of their conduct, an exemplifica- tion of the efficacy of the Chriftian precepts. Whatever can be conceived of elevation and vidory over the world, of true greatnefs ia . . / adver-
2o8 DISCOURSE VIIL
adverfity *, and of forbearance in fuccefs ; whatever of generofity can be fancied in difinterefted exertion, in felf denial, in liberal and extenfive benevolence, bath been fre- quently difplayed in the difciples of Chrift. If faith in its holy and afpiring veneration of an all-perfe<fl and all-feeing God ; if hope in its humble and afliduous endeavours to ob- tain an immortal recompence j if charity, in its various and enlarged defigns ; if thefe be lovely in themfelves, and beneficial in their tendency to mankind, they have ever accom- panied and characfterifed the prefence of genuine chriftianity.
The natural operation of religion> in pri- vate as in public life, is to awaken and regu- late the afte(flions, and to encourage, on dif- interefted principles, the cultivation of focial virtues. In the various ties and complicated relations which refult from our connexion ia civilized life, it holds out a rule of conduct, of which all ages, fincp its revelation, have confpired to celebrate the excellence ; of
* The condu£b of thofe great men, who contributed to the eftablilhment of the reformation in this country, may be mentioned as among forne of the moft fignal proofs of thefe efFe<Sls.
which 6
DISCOURSE Vill. 209
which all defcriptiotis of men, however they may differ as to dod:rinal and fpeculative points of faith> agree to commend the mora- lity ; which addrelfes the inmoft fcntiments, and regulates the fecret thoughts -, which appeals to our judgment, and to our heart: not by a languid detail of fpeculative pre- cepts, but by the mofl animated and impref- five leifons, illuftrated by example, and en- forced by eVtry motive interefting and affe<fl:- ing to mankind j a rule which fluctuates not with the caprices of popular opinion, which bows to no prevalent principles, nor accom- modates itfelf in conformity to any fyftem, but which, on fteady and fecure grounds, defines the duties, and marks out the great and eifential interefls of man. Such a rule might be fuppofed, in theory ^ to promote fome good, where it fliould be eflablifhed ; and this, by experience, it hath been found to do. Men are not fo perverfely wicked as to recede from excellence in proportion as it is difcovered; or to turn to evil becaufe in- ftruded to forefee its confcquences and punifhment.
Still if it be enquired Why greater eifedls
have not been produced by chriftianity, and
P why
210 DISCOURSE VIII.
why a purity of manners, in fome degree correfpondent with the perfection of that law, does not generally prevail, it muft be anfwered, that it is owing to that corruption of our nature, of which chriftianity has re- vealed the fource, and pointed out the remedy. The amendment of our manners has not been in proportion to the excellency of the in- flru(3:ion which wc have received, but flill much amendment has been produced ; and if cur manners be compared with thofe of any unenlightened people that have formerly exifted, or that now do cxifl, they will be found to be eminently fuperior.
The condud: of individuals alfo will be allowed, on fair examination, to be in general more commendable in proportion as they have ferioufly and fmcerely accepted religion as an unerring teacher and guide. If thofe who moft loudly call themfelves Chrift's dif- ciples, have fometimes moft glaringly violated his laws, it is not difficult to diftinguifh affecfted reverence from real attachment : but ufually a faith in the merits of our Saviour, fhines forth in humble imitation of his excel- lences.
If
"DISCOURSE Vm. 211
If thofe who are profeffionally dedicated to the facred office of preaching the rehgion of Chrift, have been accufed of exhibiting no adequate hoUnefs of life, the accufation, though admitted, would not invalidate their claim to the reputation of higher, and more exemplary condud:, than any other defcrip- tion of meii has difplayed* What, if the perfection of the law, and of its great Teacher, will admit of no comparifon with the con- dud of their immediate fervants ! and, if the teachers of righteoufnefs, when jealoufly watched, are found wanting^ becaufe they are judged by the ftandard of undeviating rectitude, what conclufions can we thence draw but fuch as are rather favorable to the law than injurious to the charader of its miiiifters ?
They who, Unfubdued by the accumulated evidence of chriftianity, have rejedied it as a rule of life, have fufficiently betrayed the weaknefs of their judgtnent in deciding on the moft momentous principles of condu6t. They have fcoffed at excellence becaufe they have not underfiood its value ; or they have affedled fuperiority by cenfuring what all the irvftrudled part of mankind have agreed to P 2 approve ;
212 DISCOURSE VIII.
approve; and what, perhaps, they them- felves, in practice, delighted to dlfplay : thus refuting, by their condud:, the abfurdity of their own maxims *.
That men of enlarged underftandlngs are capable of forming erroneous opinions upon fubjeds moil interefling and important to mankind, is certain. Genius is accuftomed to confider, in an exaggerated point of view, whatever it generates or acquires. A love of new and ftrange opinions difpofes it to credulity. It adopts with eagernefs, and re- tains with pertinacious adherence. Hence the numberlefs theories which are daily en- gendered by adive imaginations. Hence the new fyftems which are daily ereded on hollow and unfubftantial grounds, and deco- rated with every embellilhment that partiality and invention can furnifh. Chriftianity, by difclofmg the criterion by which we may
* Celfus objected to chriftianity, that it taught pati- ence under infult j Bayle, upon fimilar grounds, vin- dicated revenge ; and Tyndal difapproved of the forgive- nefs of injuries. Hume thought humility and felf-denial ufelefs ; and we have often feen, that they who rejedl the evidence of chriftianity, are eafily led to difpute the moft obvious principles of natural religion.
judge
DISCOURSE VIII. 213
judge of thefe, enables us to guard againft the delufive reprefentations which men of great and captivating talents hold out. It teaches us to anticipate the fall of thofe fabrics which are ereded but for temporary effea:; and exhibits truth as alone retaining its permanent luftre and eftabliiliment.
If, in every great and momentous point which afFedis the happinefs of mankind, we are furniflied with clear and decided opinions, let us remember that it is to chriftianity we are indebted for the inftrudion. If falle vir- tues have been divefled of their impofing fplendor; if humble and decried qualities have been raifed to deferved eftimation; if charadters, which the miftaken admiration of mankind confecrated as glorious, have, by juft eflimation, been exhibited as objeds of horror, and the reverence of men been di- reded to ufeful and honorable examples, it was chriftianity that reformed the opinions of the world. If profperity hath been taught - to feel, and abafement encouraged to hope j if fuccefs has been tutored to ^moderation, and affliaion been cheered to patience, it hath been from the fuggeftions of that Coun- fel which threatens the elevation of the P 2 proud.
214 DISCOURSE VIII.
proud, and afTociates itfelf in friendly confo- lation with the diftrelTed. Where, then, is wifdom that religion hath not inspired ? Where is the virtue that religion hath not taught ?
The ftrengthened ties of kindred bear teili- mony to the efficacy of chriftianity. Its pre- cepts are tranfcrihed in the extenlion of the fecial charities; in the reciprocal deeds of filial and parental love; in the offices of kindnefs to neighbours and dependants ; in the attention to the difcipline of youth, and the virtues of rifing generations ; in the .condefcenfion of the great, and in the fub- miffion of the lowly ; in the exertions of manly and fraternal friendfliip ; in the chaf- tened affecftions, and mild affiduities of female tendernefs. What law but that of chriftianity can unite fociety in one extended bond of charity ? Where, but in Chriftian countries, has been kept alive the flame of univerfal love ? Where, elfe has been raifed the houfe for indigence, the hofpital for difeafe, the fchool for ignorance, the (helter for infirmity and age ?
Wherever chriftianity is obeyed, there it mufl awaken the bell fenfibilities of the human heart, call forth its virtues, and de-=
prefs
DISCOURSE VIIL 215
prefs its evil propenfities. In proportion as its influence is weakened on the minds of men, however civilized, fo much, as recent experience has too fadly proved, do they glide into depravity *. As the reftraint is with- drawn, the corruption of human nature ap- pears ; and we become difpofed to commit whatever fms our uncontrolled paffions fug- geft. If that corruption can be effedtually counteracted ; if refentment and envy can be foftenedj if pride, luft, and intemperance, can be controlled and reined in ; if the love of peac^ fhould feek to allay the paffions, and to calm the diilenfions of mankind, it muft be frorn the operation of that fpirit which he, who was the ** Prince of peace," communicated ; which philofophy rnay adopt, but did not generate.
* It is ^n obvious ^nd juft remark, that the revolution which has happened in a neighbourino; country would not have been diigraced with fuch wild phrenzy, or ftained with fuch atrocious cruelties, if the principles of all re- ligion had not been gradually deftroyed am,ong tbe people, by the inifchieyous writings of their favourite philofo- phers. If we can catch any gleam of returning order, Jt rpuft be in the hope of the eftabliiliment of pure reli- gion, of which impartial difcufllon mull demonllrate the evidence and value.
P 4 The
216 DISCOURSE VIII.
The full efficacy of religion, however, flill remains to be feen, and will be gradually experienced as it fhall be more extenfively and more perfectly eftablifhed. As " the " glory of the Lord fhines round about," " peace on earth, and good-will towards '* men," may be proclaimed. Wherever vigi- lance and fimplicity abide, there the good tidings of great joy are gladly received *. Wherever reafon and experience liften, there the power of the divine word muft produce its effect -f. The diffidence of the fhepherd accepts its communications with praife J. The wifdom of the fage bows in adoration of its Teacher §. As the precepts of chrif- tianity are delivered in fmcerity, and in truth, they fpread wide a diifufion of ufeful know- ledge. The benevolent fentiments of univer- fal philanthropy, which are now profeiTed by thofe who would recommend new theories, are derived from an acquaintance with the moral maxims of chriflianity. They are to be found in no earlier code than the infpired volume, and are iirft regiftered in facred
* Luke ii. 8 — 14. f Luke ii. 46, 47.
1 Luke ii. 20, § Matt. ii. i — ii.
characters,
^'^«
DISCOURSE VIIL 217
charaders. When the peaceful days which fpeculative philofophy, in imitation of pro- phetic defcription foretels, fhall be eflablifhed in the world, it mufl be by the extenfion of that Chriftian fpirit which fhall guide the pafTions, and reftrajn the lufls of mankind. If, as in new fchemes is promifed, " nation fhall no longer lift up fword againft nation, neither learn war any more," if** fwords fhall be beaten into ploughshares, and fpears into pruning hooks," it mull; be not by the ope- ration of a felf-fufficient and overweening phi- lefephy which would fuperfede the Teacher, from whom its knowledge has been derived, but by the gradual influence of that law which went forth from Zion, and from the word of the Lord, which proceeded from Jcrufalem *.
To the univerfal eftablifliment of that law in purity, and to its vital operation in fmce- rity and truth, it is the intereft and duty of every man to labour and co-operate. In the private example of its excellence, all may difplay their zeal -, in the public propagation of its principles, few are they who cannot
' * Ifaiah it. 3> 4.
contribute
2i8 DISCOURSE VIIL
contribute: by attention to domeflic inftruc- tion ; by encouragement of public femina- ries ; by diftribution of religious works, and by contribution to religious inflitutions. In proportion as chriftianity prevails, fo will righteoufnefs and peace be eftablifhed. As we labour to enlarge and confirm its autho- rity, we contribute to the advancement of that kingdom for which we daily pray ; and recommend ourfelves to the favour of that' Loid who hereafter fhall deal out righteous and inexorable Judgments to the world,.
D I S-
[ 219 ]
DISCOURSE IX.
ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF PROPHECT, AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE WORLD.
2 Peter i. 19.
We have alfo a more fure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
QT. PETER, under the convldlon of the ■ approach of that diffolution which his Lord had forefliewn unto him *, earneftly endeavours to imprefs his difciples with a remembrance of the great truths of chriftir anity, which they had been taught. The apoflle, on whom, as on a rock, our reHgion jiath, in part, ereded its foundations, aflures
* 2 Peter i. 14. John xxi. 18, 19.
his
220 DISCOURSE IX.
his converts, that the apoftles " had not ** followed cunningly devifed fables, when ** they made known the power and coming ** of our Lord Jefus Chrifl, but were eye- ** witnefTes of his glory; for he received " from God honour and glory, when there ** came fuch a voice to him from the excel- " lent glory, This is my beloved Son, in '* whom I am well pleafed."
The glorious atteflation alluded to by St. Peter, was that given to Chrifl at his tranf- iiguration, which, as an anticipated repre- fentation of our Lord's majefty, furnifhed a pledge of his future coming *.
But, continues St. Peter, to thofe w^ho might difpute the teftimony of the apoftles, we have alfo a more fure word of prophecy to convince us of the certainty of Chrift's future advent : alluding to the Hebrew pro- phecies in general that foretel that event, and perhaps particularly to the revelation of St, John, which opens with an enraptured viiion of his ** coming with clouds -f-, when
* See Biftiop Porteus's EiTay on the Transfiguration of Chrift.
f Revel, i. 7. Newton on the Prophecies, Vol. TIL p. 368 — 370. Sij Ifaac Newton on the Apocalypfe, ch, i.
he
DISCOURSE IX. 221
he fliould be feen by every eye ;" and clofes with a declaration, that he who teflified the things which his beloved difciple had re- vealed, had faid, " Surely, I come quickly*.'*
St. Peter then, without railing the word of prophecy above every other teftimony, as fome have erroneoufly imagined, only urges to thofe, who might rejea: his evidence, that there was alfo a furer word of what he had preached, the concurrent predidions of in- fpired writers, which, " as a light fhining " in a dark place," had pierced the clouds of futurity, and promifed the fecond advent of our Lord " to judge the world in righte- ** oufnefs."
St. Peter terms prophecy a more fure wordf. Its pofitive promifes muft have excited, indeed, more confidence than any typical pledge could produce. The charader of the ancient prophets had been long efta- bliflied. Their writings were acknowledged to have long exifted ; and they recorded fuc- cefTive revelations fuccellively fulfilled.
* Revel, xxii. 20.
t Bi^aio%pov Xo-yov, a furcr word, a more firm and un- exceptionable ground.
The
22^ t) I S C d U R ^ E IX.
The generation then extant, in a retrofped of the fcriptute hiftory, found humberlefs prophecies, of different nations, accurately fulfilled ', and could difcover no cireumftances that contradicted the truth of prophecy, though all its predidions were, by no means, yet accomplifhed. In the detail of the Jewifh hiftory, they might note the delineation of the promifes and threats of God; " the Amo- rite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebufite," were " driven out *." If they enquired for Moab, it was " fmitteri," and " cut off from beihg a nation ;" for ** the children of Sheth," they were " deftroyedf." " The remembrance '* of Amalek," the firft of nations, was " utterly put out from under heaven J ;" and
* Exod. iii. 8. xxxiii. 2.
f Exod. XV. 15. Numb, xxi, 24. xxiv. 18. Je^. xlviii. 2, 46. comp. with Jud. iii. 29, 30. i Sam. xiv. 47. 2 Sam. viii. 14. i Ciiron. iv. 22. Sheth is fup- pofed to have been the name of fome diftinguiflied per- fonj or place, among the Moabites. Newton, Vol. I. DilTert. V.
J Exod. xvii. 14. Numb. xxiv. 20. comp. with Jud. vii. 1 Sam. xv. i — 7. 2 Sam. i. i. i Chron. IV. 43,
Edom
DISCOURSE IX. 223
** Edom was become a pofleffion *." The tribes of Ifracl had flourifhed, or failed, as had been foretold. Benjamin and Judah were reflored at the completion of the feventy years -f ; and the other tribes were loft as a diftind: people. The fovereignty was efla-^ blifhed in Judah ; and the various and com- plicated, the apparently inconiiftent prophe- cies of the Meffiah, were literally and ftrikingly accomplifhed in the advent of Chrift. The hearers of the word had only, therefore, to fearch and judge; they had only to look and fee the event of prophecy, in its moil fignal circumftances, fubjeded to their own obfervation.
The Apoflle's converts, therefore, had ** a ** fure word of prophecy, to which they " were bound to take heed j" and we who live in thefe latter days are furniflied with an filmofl equal evidence of its infallible truth and certainty. The date of the production of thofe writings, with which the adverfaries of oar faith have furniilied us, is fufficiently
* Numb. xxiv. 18. Jerem.. xiix. 17. Amos i. ir, 12. Obad. X. I Kings xi. 16. t Jerem. xxv. 11.
known
S24 DISCOURSE IX.
known to prove that they were produced long before the events which they predidt. The prophecies deHvered by the patriarchs and the defcendants of Abraham could not have been received as facred oracles, if delivered fubfequent to the events which they defcribe* From Mofes to Malachi, revelations were mingled with hill:ory, and with the laws on which the Jewifh oeconomy was efed:ed and preferved 3 and no temptation could occur to fubftantiate preceding records by the inter- mixture of fidlitious predictions. No con* trivance could interweave fpurious prophecies in facred regifters, generally difperfed, and publicly received and read.
That the prophecies relative to the MefTiah were produced before the appearance of Chrift ; that they were tranflated into Greek, and difperfed abroad, near three centuries before the birth of Jefus, is notorious and allowed. Who then that has confidered the predidions and relations of the Old Tefta- ment, as recorded by fucceflive and uncon- nedled prophets and hiftorians, but is ftruck with the furety of prophecy, as exemplified in the completion of bleffings promifed, and curfes denounced, to individuals, and in the
foretold
DISCOURSE IX. ids
foretold defcription of national events ? Who that has compared the fate of the different go- vernments of the world, as forefhewn in the Old Teilament, with their revolutions and deftrudion, as defcribed by Heathen hifto- rians ; who, laftly, that has collated the pro-^ phets with the evangelifts; the types and figns, the figurative and the literal prophecies of the Hebrew fcriptures, with the circum- ftances and events recorded in the New Teftament, but mufl: acknowledge that " prophecy came not in old time by the will " of man, but holy men of God fpake as " they were moved by the Holy Ghoft."
Waving, however, a retrofped that has been often made ; waving enquiries that fometimes need the refearches of chronology, let us advert chiefly to thofe additional proofs of the truth of prophecy which have occurred lince the firfl preaching of chriftianlty, and turning to a fcene that lies before our eyes, confider its accomplifliment in the prefent ftate and circumftances of the world. Of thefe all can judge: we poffefs the predic- tions, and need but look to the event, and the prophecy and the accomplifhment have the fame evidence ; which he that hath ears mull hear ; he that hath eyes mufl fee.
(^ Be
226 t) I S C O U R S E IX.
Be it the objed: of the prefent difcourfe, ill a flight confideration of fome countries and nations as they now exiil, to point out the completion of many fignal prophecies, defcribing the world in its prefent (idle, with reference to the changes which it has under- gone, as well as to what it has loft, as to what it ftill retains. If the kingdoms againfl which revelation diredled its threats, are levelled with the dufl: ; if the Afiyrian, the Babylonian, the Perfian, the Grecian, and the Roman empires, have fucceffively va- nilhed, " like the chaff which the wind ** fcattereth away," it is not poffible to con- template the countries in which they flou- rifhed, changed, as they are, frcm feats df dominion to feats of defolation, and not to feel a convi^ion of the truth of thofe fcrip- tures w^hich predi6led their feveral fates as preparatory to the kingdom of the Meffiah.
Nineveh " the exceeding great and rejoicing " city," has " difappeared," and an utter end has been made of it *. Babylon, " the glory
* Nahum ii. 8. Zephan. ii. 13 — 15. Thevenot's Travels, Part II. Book I. c. xi. p. 50. Taverncr ia H^niSj Vcl, II. Book II. c. iv,
" of
blS^COU'RSE IX. 2^7
^' of the kingdoms, the beauty of the Chal- ** dees excellency," ** is become * a dwell- *' ing place for the wild beails of the defert, " which cry in her defolate houfes." The great image, " whofe brightnefs was excel- *' lent, is vaniflied." " The head of fine " gold, and the breail: and arms of filver," have been *' carried away." " The two horns ** of Media and Perfia" " are broken." " The third kingdom of brafs," which *• bore rule over all the earth,'* hath been ** broken" by the fourth kingdom, which " fubdued all things -f ." In other words, as again was prefigured under typical repreien- tation, " the leopard which had four heads," to whom winged victories and dominion was given, " has been devoured, and flamped " upon by the fourth bead ;" and his king- dom " divided toward the four winds of ** heaven, and not to his pofterity;" ** into ** four kingdoms, but not m his power J :"
and,
* Ifaiah xiii. 19 — 22. xiv. 22, 23. Jerem. 1. 13,23, 39, 40. li. 13, 26, 29, 37, 42, 43. Benjamin Tudela Itiner. p. 76. Calmet's Diet, in Babylon. Hanway's Travels, Vol. IV. Part III. chap. x. p. 78.
t Dan. ii. 39, 40.
% Dan. vii. 6, 7. viii. 5—8, 21, 22. xi. 3, 4. After Alexander's death, his four captains, Caflander, Ptolemy,
0^2 Lyfimachus,
228 DISCOURSE IX.
and, laftly, the fourth kingdom, though ** flrcng as iron," which " devoured the " whole earth," has, in turn, been difmem- bered into ten kingdonjs, pourtrayed by the ten horns, the emblems of ibvereignty*; and the God of heaven hath fet up that kingdom which (hall never be deftroyed.
Let the fphere be revolved on its axis, and fucceflively prefent to our view the various nations of the earth, and we {hall every where difcover circumftances forefliev/n in vifion, and no where everts inconfiftcnt vvi'h the iacred defcriptions. Lo ! the great objc<51: in the Chriftian's furvey, that firft interells his attention : the land of Judea " fpoiled, and
Lvnmachus, and Se'eucus, v/ho were not his defcendants, eftablidied four kingdoms, in Greece, in Egypt, in Thrace, and in Syria ; In the weft, in the fouth, in the north, and in the eaft. See Prid. Ant. Chrift. 301. '. * Dan. ii. 33 — 35. vii. 7. Sir I. Newton reprefents th« ten kingdoms into which the Roman empire was divided to have been thofe of the Vandals and Alans in Spain and Africa; of the Suevians in Spain ; of the Villgoths; of the Alans in Gallia ; of the Buigundians ; of the Franks ;■ of the Britons ; of the Huns j of the Lom- bards, and of Ravenna. See Obfervat. on Dan. ch. vi. "Whatever was their number afterwards, they were ftill called the ten kijigs.
" made
DISCOURSE IX. 229
" made defolate" by " the nation that came ** from far," as " fwlft as the eagle flieth." Jerufalem hath been " compaffed with ar- " mies," and " its pepple have fallen by the " edge of the fwor(^and been led away cap- " tive into all nations." It -is " trodden down ** of the Gentiles." " The fenced cities are *' impoveriflied." The fandluaries of Ifrael laid wafte. " The holy places defiled by the ** worfl of the Heathen." ** The days are " come" when ** the temple is utterly thrown ** down, and not one jftone left on another*." Thence let the eye wander to Arabia, where
the defcendants of Illimael authenticate th.e account, and verify the predictions of fcrip- ture. Still is the Arah " a wild man," as the angel of the Lord foretold. Still is " his " hand againft every man, and every man's " hand againfl him" f ; and ftill, thou jh every other country in the world hath witnefTed a revolution of empire, and a change of man- ners, ftill do the multiplied and unnumbered defcendants of Ifhmael, in conformity to the
* Levit. xxvi. 33. Deut. xxviii. Jerem. iv. 20 — 31. V. II. Amos vii. 9. Ezek. vii. 24. Matt. ^^iii'37>38- xxiv, 2. Luke xix. 41— 44, xxi.5,6j24. t Gen. xvi. ii, 12.
Q^ 3 divinq
2^0 DISCOURSE IX.
•J
divine decree, maintain an independent ftatc in the prefence of, and in defiance of the reft of mankind. The career of vidory hath been often checked on their frontiers ; and fucceffive conquerors, who have meditated their fubjedion, have been arrefted by the hand of Providence, or withheld by the grafp of death "*.
So hkewife confult the traveller, and thou fhalt learn that Tyre, " the proud city," *' whofe merchants v/ere princes, and which ** enriched the kings of the earth with the *' multitude of her riches j" " which heaped ** up fiiver as duft, and fine gold as the mire ■* of the fcreets," prefents, as the prophets forefaw, a fad fcene of broken walls and fuined towers -, and is inhabited but by a few wretches, v/ho feem to be preferved to fulfil, literally, the prophetic defcription, by fpread- ing their nets on the bare rocks that projed and overhang the fea "f*.
* Alexander, Pompey, Trajan, ^Elius Gallus, and ^everus. Vid. Diodor. Sic. Lib. II. p. 92. Edit. Ste- phan. Dionis Caff. Hift. Lib. LXVIII. p. 785. Lib. hXXV. p. 855. Lib. LV. p. 561. Edit. Leunclav.
f Zechar. ix. 3, 4. Ezek. xxvi. 3 — 5. 14. xxviii. .]j.§. Shaw's Travels, p. 330. MaundreU's Travels, p. 4§. Vplney, Vol. XL ch. xxix. Thevenot, p. 2. I. ch. XI.
Is
DISCOURSE IX. 231
Is not Egypt alfo become ** the bafeft of " kingdoms ?" Hath it any more " ruled ** over others ?" Have its llavifli people any more " exalted themfelves above the nations," in fcience, in exploit, or in worth * ? It has, on the contrary, invariably " diminillied," and degenerated under a fuccelTion of foreign defpots.
The pofterity of Canaan. The inhabitants of Syria and Paleftine, and Carthage, after having, agreeably to the prophecy of Noah -f-, been conquered by the Greeks and Romans J,
who
* Ezek. xxix. 14, 15.
t Gen. ix. 25. Hannibal, in aliufion, probably, to a traditional remembrance of this prophecy, pxclaimed, " Agnofco fortunam Cartiiaginis," i confefs the fate of Carthage. Livy, L. XXVIl. Mede, Book I. Difc. V. p. 284.
J Gen. ix. 25 — 27. If we adopt Newton's judicious and vvell-fupported conjecture, in emendation of the text, and read, " curfed be Ham the father of Canaan," the pro- phecy will include all the defcendants of Ham; and then wc muft confider that Egypt, the laud of Ham, was fub- dued by the Perfians, the defcendants of Shem ; after- wa-ds by the Grecians, the defcendants of Japheth ; and conflantly fince, by the progeny of one or of the other. All Africa ajfo, which was chiefly peopled by the defcendants
• 0,4 of
232 DISCOURSE IX.
Vv'ho derived their origin from Japheth j and fince, in conformity to the divine decree, by the Saracens, the defcendants of Shem, now groan in fubjedlon to the Turks, who fprang from the progeny of Japheth, thus remain- ing, in alternate fubjediion, " a fervant of ** fervants" to their brethren.
The pofterity of Japheth, vi^hom *' God ?* hath enlarged," has fpread itfelf in colo- nies, and numerous and victorious armies over Leffer iVfia, Media, part of Armenia, Iberia, Albania, Antient Scythia or Tartary, over ^Imoft all Europe, and, perhaps, has peopled even the weflern continent*.
No where can the curious enquirer turn his eyes, and not find llriking proofs of the accomphfhment of the fcripture prophecies. Proceed we farther to unfold the evidence of their truth, by opening the profped of other fcenes. Let us confider the defcendants of Abraham, " multiplied as the flars of hea- ^* ven, or as the find which is on the fea ?' fliore, yet " plucked off from their own
pf Ham, has been fucceiTively fubjeil to the Romans, Saracens and Turks. Vid. Bochart. Phaleg. Lib. I. phap. i. Lib, IlL chap. i. col. 149. Lib. IV. ch, vii.
f pl. 203-
« Qen. IX. 27.
«* land,"
DISCOURSE IX. 233
'* land," and fcattered and difperfed through all countries ; removed unto all the corners of the earth, " to the weft, to the eaft, to ** the north, and to the fouth *," marked out and {et apart in many places, to par- ticular obfervation, and every where known by the ftriking features of a peculiar charac- ter J yet, though difperfed, not deftroyed -f- ; unjuftly oppreffed, and cruelly fpoiled, have they been evermore in the hand of their ene- mies ; ** their life" often " hanging in ** doubt," while they have " feared day and ** night, and have had none affurance of ** their life J," as if punifhed to the extent of the curfe which they imprecated on them- felves and on their children § ; always harrafted, yet not utterly caft away. A full end hath been made of nations whither they have been fcattered, yet a full end hath not been made of them, " though they have been aflailed *' on all fides ||." Slaughtered have they been in uncomputed numbers, yet not exterminated; *' like the buili of Mofes, as a learned
* Gen. xxviii. 13 — 14, t Jerem. xlvi. 28.
Levit. xxvi. 34, 45. % Deut. xxviii. 66,
I Matt, xxvii. 25. 1| Jerem. iii. 11.
writer
234 DISCOURSE IX.
v/riter has obferved, " always burning, yet •* not confumed."
They are become " a proverb, a taunt, a " curfe, an allonifhment and a hifjing, and " a bye-word among nations where they have ** no eafe; neither hath the fole of their feet ** any rcll "*' :" ever defpifed, ever wander- ing: Their plagues are, indeed, v/onderful, and of long continuance: tbey are '* mad for *' the fight of their eycs -j- ;" and have bowed down, like Naamaa, in fubferviency to de- fpifed idols.
The Jevv's ftill then exifl: a living evidence of the truth of fcripture, and remain in the expeftation of the accooiphihiment of farther prophecies ; and however drfpifed, however defervcdly condemned for their obftinate re-
* Deut. xxviii. 65. Jerem. xxiv. 9, Newton on Prophecies, Vol. I. chap. vii. p. 191. BaCnage's Hift, of Jews, Book VI. chap. i. §1. Kennef, Echardj&c.
t Deut. xxviii. 34. Orofius defcribes tlie Jews, in the time of Trajan j with a remarkable correfpondence €>t' expreiTion, " as every wlieye mad with rage '* In-. credibili deindc motu, fiib uno tempore, Jud^i quafi Rabie efferatij per divcrfas (vel univerfas) terraruin partes ■ cxarferunt. Hift. Lib. VII. chap, xii. See farther proofs of their phrenfied defpair in R. Gadalias, and David GaiiZj and Newton, Vol. I. p. 195.
jection
DISCOURSE IX. 235
jedion of our Saviour's claim to the charadler of the MefTiah, they are entitled to our con- fideration, fince, to them, mankind is indebted for the confervation of thofe divine oracles which furnifh us with infpired wifdom, and bear relu(ftant and unfafpedted evidence to the truth of chriftianity,
Chriftian charity forbids us to deepen the ftains of guilt, difcernible in the chara(fler of a people ftletled for important purpofes, and from among whom the prophets and the apoftles, the mother of Chriil:, and the Re- deemer of mankind, were raifed up * : of a nation firft called to the light of the Chrif- tian faith, and in whom " the nations of the ** earth have been bleffed," whofe bleffers God will blefs, and whofe curfers he will curfc -f : who fl:ill are fubjedted to his efpe- cial care, " and kept in all places whither ** they go J ;" and who will finally be re- affembled, and converted, though they have ** abode many days without a prince, and - ** without a facrifice, and without an altar,
* Rom. ix. 5. xi. f Gen. xii. 3.
J Gen. xxviii. 13.
I '* and
236 DISCOURSE IX.
** and without an ephod, and without a tera- ** phim," or without divine miinifeftation *.
But let us advert to the difclofure of a Hill greater fcene, and contemplate the fetting up of that kingdom which was produced " without hands," or human power, which ** fhall {land for ever j" which was efta- bliilied in contempt of human pride, by that " fooliihnefs of preaching" which *' de- '* flroyed the wifdom of the wife, and ** brought to nothing the underilanding of ** the prudent;" which, under circumftances contrary to all experience, and with a fuccefs unprecedented and miraculous, was propa- gated by the " power cf that God," who chofe, as the apoflle forefaw, " the Vv^eak ** thin2:s of the world, to confound the
'O'
* Hofea iii. 4, 5. Dr. Clarke jiiftly remarks upon this pafTage, that it is an unparalleled miracle, that through all the changes which have happened in the kingdoms of the earth, from Mofes till the prcfent time, nothing fhould have occurred to prevent the poffibility of the accomplifhment of thefe prophecies ; but, on the con- trary, that the ftate of the Jevi^ifh and Chriftian churches, at this day, {hould be fuch, as renders them eafily capable, not only of a fgurative, but even of a literal completion, if the vi'ill of God be fo. See Clarke's Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion.
** things
D I S C O U Pv S E IX. 237
" things that are mighty; and bale things " of the world, and things which are de- *' fpifed; and things which are not, to bring " to nought things that are," that no flefh fhould " glory in his prefence," or exult in the prefumption of having effeded the pro- grefs of the faith, by " the enticing words " of man's wifdom, but in demonftration of ** the fi^irit and of power *." On turning to the predictions which foretold the eftabiifli- ment and encreafe of Chrift's kingdom, we find its fuccefs and feveral eventful periods defcribed, and its character and efrec^s mi- nutely delineated. Its dominion is confirmed, in defiance of all human oppofition. " The ** o-rain of muftard" is become " a p-reat " tree j" which, however obftruded in its growth and expanfion, will finally fpread its branches over every kingdom of the earth. The feed which our Saviour fowed, was *.* fcorched," or *' withered," or brought forth in abundance, according to the foil in which it fell-f. With the good feed, as Chrift in his parable forefhewed, the tares have
* I Cor. i. and ii, f Lulce^viii. 5, 15.
Matt. xiii. 31 J 32.
been
^3^ DISCOURSE IX.
been fown alfo ; and the difclples, as in exprefs language he foretold, have been " delivered ** to be afflided and killed, and hated," and " perfecuted, and delivered up to fynagogues " and prifons, being brought before kings ** and rulers for his name's fake,'' ** be- ** trayed" often, ** by parents and brethren, " and kinsfolk -" and many of them put to death *. Many alfo, as prophetically de- fcribed by Chrift, have been ** offended," or fcandalifed : many " have waxed cold :" many have " departed from the faith -f-."
The prophecies of the infpired author of the book of Revelation are ftrikingly fulfilled. If we feledt thofe addreffed to the feven churches of Afia, as they exifted in the time of the apoftle, are they not come to pafsj? They have been ruined by internal herefies and external enemies. The power of the Sara- cens has been eftablifhed over them, and the mofques of Mahomet, eredled on the ruins
* Matt. xxiv. 9. Luke xxi. 12. Matt. x. 34 — 36* t Matt. xxiv. 1 2. I Tim, iv. i. Jude 17 — 19.
2 ThefT. iii.
X Mede fuggefted, that the prophecies relating to the
feven churches might have fome farther reference to kvtn
analogous ages of the church.-
of
DISCOURSE IX. 239
of temples, confecrated to God and to his Chrifl.
Ephefus, the once glorious city, the em- porium of Alia Proper, and ftyled one of the eyes of Afia*, where St. John himfelf efta- blillied chriflianity, and where the temple of Diana was deferted for the apoflle's church, is now again funk into fuperflition, and re- duced to a village of cottages, /liaded under mafles of ruinous wails, amidft the defolation of fallen theatres, palaces, and temples. ** Her candlefiick is removed out of its " place," the light of the gofpel, thus figu- ratively defcribed, is withdrawn, and fcarce a Chriftian can be found to mourn over th<i fad change, or to meditate amidft fuch fcenes on the exa6l coa.pletion of prophecy -f.
Smyrna, after being afflid:ed under the Dioclefian perfecution ten years, as the pre- did:ed tribulation of ten days, in prophetic language, apparently foretold, now " fiou- *' rifhes," though the other cities are de-
* Smyrna was the other. Plin. Hift. Nat. Lib. V. chap. xxxi. p. 280. Edit. Hard.
t Rev. i. I — 6. Vitringa, p. 73, 74. Smith's Sept, Afise. Ecclef. Notit. Rycaut's prefent State of the Greek Church, chap. ii. Wheler and Spon's Voyage, B. III. Van Egir.ont and Heyman's Travels,
cayed ;
240 DISCOURSE IX.
cayed; and religion, which " giveth a crowri *' of life'J^ is, in fome degree, cultivated, and will, doubtlefs, hereafter triumph, when the clouds of impofture fliall diiappear, agree-^ ably to the confolatory ailurance of the apof- tolic prophet. " Fear none of thofe things " which thou Ihalt fuffer. Be thou faithful ** unto death, and I will give thee a crown " of life *."
Againfl Pergamos, " the feat of Satan,'* which held the dodrine of Balaam, and of the Nicolaitanes -f, " Chrift has fought." A few miferable families remain to groan, in abjed: fervitude, under the accomplifhment of the divine decrees, and retain only one church in which they can affemble, and de- precate farther puniiliment J.
Thyatira^
* Revel, li. 3, 10. Smith, Rycaut, kc.
f The Nicolaitanes were a licentious feet, who affeiled abftinence, but who acSted in defiance of the facred in- jundion, to abftain from meat offered to idols, and from blood, and from things flrangled, and from fornication : See Afls XV, 29. following the fui of Balaam, who en- ticed God's people to commit fornication with the Midi- anites. Numb. xxxi. 16, They, probably, adopted other errors, as St. John (peaks of their dodrine diltinclly from that of Balaam.
X That of St. Theodorus. A priefl is fent from Smyrna to ofJiciate there. The magnificent cburch of
Santa
DISCOURSE IX. 241
Thyatira, whofe inhabitant Lydia and her houfhold were among the early converts to chrillianity *, has " received according to " her works," and has now no veflige of any antient building, or of its churches, which were polluted by fpiritual fornication.
Sardis, ooce the rich capital of the Lydian kings, exhibits, amidil its grand and exten- five ruins, only the poor and unflieltered habitations of fhepherds and herdfmen, who feed their cattle in the neighbouring plains. The few defponding Chriftians who remain, have neither prieft, nor church in which to fupplicate the divine mercies -f.
Philadelphia, " which had a little ftrength," has " been kept from the hour of tempta- " tion;" and preferves near two hundred families of Chriftians, who are allowed to worfl:iip God in four churches, which the fu- perftition of Mahomet hath not prophaned J.
Santa Sophia is turned into a mofque, and the cathedral of St. John is buried in ruins. Vid. Smith, Rycaut, &:c. &c.
* Ads xvi. 14, 15. Revel, ii. 18—25, Smith, Rycaut, &c. Ibid.
t Smith, Rycaut, Heyman's Travels, chap. x. 5cc. Ibid.
t Revel, iii. 7—13. Smith, &c. Ibid.
R Laodicea,
242 DISCOURSE IX.
Laodicea, once the mother of fixtcen bishopries, and diftinguifhed for its extent and buildings, and riches, is now utterly ruined and forfaken, for its lukewarm indif- ference. It is fpit out, and the city is be- come an habitation for beafls *.
Such changes and deftrucftion, brought down upon feven cities, as minutely foretold, with gradation of circumftance, and difparity of event, fully evince the juftice of God's judgments, and the fidelity of his promifes, and inculcate afFed:ing lefTons of repentance to mankind.
The prefent difcourfe would exceed its intended boundaries were it to dilate in a confideration of all thofe minute particu- lars of different events revealed to St. John. In the feals, which the Lamb only could open, and in the little book fubjoined, as a remainder of the prophecies, are un- folded the viciffitudes and revolutions of the Roman empire, before and after its divilion^ the fuccefTion of its emperors diftindly charaderifed -f* 3 its calamities, and the accu- mulated * Revel, ill. 14 — 17.
\ Revel, vi. 2. Lowmanfuppofes Chrift to be repre- sented as fcated on the white horfe. See Pfalm xlv. 3.
and
DISCOURSE IX; 2^2
mulated efFeds of God's judgments in the efFefts of famine, peftilence, and the fvvord.
At the founding of the feven trumpets are revealed the mingled deftru<5lion of the Roman provinces by the barbarous nations * ; the cafting down of the weftern empire, finking in a deluge of blood -f-, with the fuccefTive flages of its fate, particularly defcribed in the fall of the dull and vapoury meteor J, and in the final darkening of the Roman fplendor§. With encreafing calamities and woe, is fhown the falling ftar from heaven of the impoflor
and Revel, xix. ii, 12. He dates the beginning of the fucceeding events from the time of Trajan ; and applies the remainder of the chapter to fucceflive events till the time of Conftantine. Bifliop Nev/ton begins the period with Vefpafian, and terminates the explication of the chapter with the vi6lories of Conftantine over his Heathen enemies.
* Revel, viii. 7. Philoftorg. Hift. Ecclef. Lib. XL chap. vii.
f Revel, viii. 8.
% Revel, viii. 10, ii. The great ftar, burning as a lamp, was probably Genferic.
§ Revel, viii. 12. The fun of theweftern empire was darkened when Odoacer, king of the Heruli, put an end even to its name. Soon after, the kingdom of the Oftro- goths was founded in Italy, by Theodoric.
R 2 Mahomet,
244 DISCOURSE IX.
Mahomet, who " opened the bottomlefs " pit," out of which " arofe fmoke," and whofe people have overfpread the earth like locufts *, which darken the atmofphere with their numbers -f-, and who were allowed to torment, with fcorpion flings, the unfealed members of the empire for five prophetic
months J.
The
* Rev. jx, 10. The locufts were fit emblems of the Arabians, fince the locufts fpoken of in fcripture came from Arabia. Exod. x. 13, 14. vii. 12. Joel ii. They are faid, in the charader of the troops which they re- prefent, not to " hurt the grafs of the earth, neither any " green thing, neither any tree." See Ockley's Hift. of the Saracens, Vol. I. p. 25. " Their faces were as the " faces of men, and their hair as the hair of women," a defcription which alludes to the feminine ftyle of trefled and braided hair adopted by the Arabians. See Plin. Nat. Hift. Lib. VI. chap, xxviii. Mede Clav. Apocal. Book III. Tub. V. and Waple. The Saracens have in- vaded only thofe parts of Europe which locufts infeft.
f It deferves to be noticed as a remarkable circum- ftance, that about the fourth or fifth year of the Hegira, the half of the fun is reported, by an Arabian hiftorian, to have been eclipfed : fo that the fun and air were literally darkened. See Abulpharag. Dyn. VIII. p. 199. Ver. Poco:k.
% The devaftation occafioned by locufts, as alfo that effedled by the Arabian incurftons, is during the fummer months. The five months have been, by fome, under-
flood
DISCOURSE IX. 245
The leaders of the Turks*, their four fuhanies, or the people alTembled from the four quarters of their empire, charaderifed as four angels prepared to execute, at all times, the divine will, and loofed, with re- flridled power, for deftrucftion, with their myriads, and myriads of horfemen, have overrun a third, or great part of the world, having breall: plates of fire, of jacinth, and brimftone -f- ; the heads of whofe horfes were terrible as the heads of lions, and out of whofe mouths ilTued fire, and fmoke, and brim Hone J.
flood to be prophetic months of thirty days, and to define the period of one hundred and fifty years, during which the Saracens vexed the empire. See Daubuz and Waple,
* Revel, ix. 13. Lowman, upon an idea that there would be too great an interval between the time of the preceding prophecy relative to Mahomet, and the period of the Turkifli vidlories, applies this prophecy to the Saracens, who invaded Spain about A. D. 713, and afterwards France. But the fpirit of prophecy is not chained down to the flow feries of hiftorical events ; it fcleits chiefly the moffc remarkable periods, and the vido- rfes of the Ottomans feem to correfpond more with the prophetic defcription than thofe of the Saracens.
f Red, blue, and yellow i the colours of the Ottoman uniform.
X This was, probably, an allufion to the Ottoman artillery, fo diftinguifhed for its fize and effeds,
R 3 Amidfl
246 DISCOURSE IX.
Amidft the defcription of thefe events thus prophetically detailed by St. John, as con- netled with the eftablifhment and interefts of chriftianity, we are fhewn a reprefentation of the fpiritual church, revealed with glorious circumftances *, and exhibited under every ftate, from its firft difplay to its final triumph under the univerfal dominion of Chrift. Its fuiferings and perfecutions under the Roman empire -f-, are particularly difplayed. The deflruftion of its adverfaries :}: ; its tranquillity and aggrandizement by the accefTion of mul- titudes of Hebrew and Gentile profelytes § ; the recompence of its pure members |1 ; the gracious acceptance of the fupplications of its faints**; the idolatry and corruption of its externa] members, who apoftate to Pagan rites, profane the fandtuary for 1260 years ff,
* Rev. iv. and v. f Rev. vi. i — 10.
X Rev. vi. 12 — 17. § Rev. vii. i — 12.
g Rev. viii. 3,4. ** Rev. vii. 13 — 17.
ft Prophetic days. See Ezek. iy. 6. The period coincides with the time, times, and half a time, or the three years and half of prophetic days of the woman's abode in the wildernefs, and with the forty two months of prophetic days of the continuance of the beaft, and of the treading down of the holy city.
during
DISCOURSE IX. 247
during which time two, or a few compe- tent * wituefles of the truth, preferve their fidelity, in pious afflidion, for the corrup- tions which they behold ; whofe denun- ciations of wrath will be fully accomplifhed ; whofe prayers operate efficacioufly to bring down God's judgments on tke earth -f-; who, during their teftimony J, are cruelly perfe- cuted by the antichriflian beaft, and martyred
* Rev. xi. The law required two witnefles. Deut. xlx. 15. Matt, xviii. 16. The defcription relating to the death and refurre6lion of the two witnefles has been referred, by different writers, to John Hufs and Jeroni of Prague ; to the Proteftants of the league of Smalcald ; to the fuff'erers on the eve of St. Bartholomew's day, and to other later martyrs. It appears to have an afpec^: to the perfecuted witnefles of the church in general, and cfpecially to refer to thofe who fhall give a concluding tefl:imony in its favour ; as fome imagine, by a literal refurre£lion. A modern commentator, who has difplayed much learning and ingenuity in explaining the book of Revelation as alluding to certain fervices of the Jewifh church, conflders the two witnefles as reprefen- tative of the Jewifh and Chriftian churches. See p. 134 — 141, and Rev. xiv. i — 6.
f Revel, xi. 5, 6. See Numb. xvi. 2 Kings i. Jerem. v. 12, 14.
% Orav TiXsacoffij xi. 7. while they perform their tefti- piony. See Matt. x. 19.
R 4 in
24S DISCOURSE IX.
in that city of Rome where Chrift was fpiri- tually crucified *, and fuffer every indignity, till the conclufion of the period of 1260 years : when God fhali vindicate their tefti- mcny, and raife them up in his fpirit, to the confufion of thofe, vv'ho, with unfeeling ex- ultation, triumphed over their unburied bo- dies ', when the church, which, for fo long a time, had been nouriflied and miraculoufly proteded in a fcate of banifhment, though the dragon had perfecuted her, and the rem- nant of her feed -f- ; and which had prefented her confecrated number of redeemed and uiv-
* Rev. vili. 8 — 10. xvii. 18.
f Rev. xii. Mede reclcons the period of the banifli- jnent of the church, and of the domination of the beaft, from the wound of the Imperial fovereignty of Rome ; and dates it to commence either from A. D. 365, when the northern nations attacked Rome, or from 455, \rhen they effected its deftruiStiun. Reckoning, however, from either of thofe periods, the term, is conipleated, and the banifnmeijt and beaft ftiU continue. Ne-vton and others compute from the time of the eftabilfhment of the tem- poral power of the Pope, about A. D- 756, when he tecrime properly a horn or fovereign power ; an.d if we adopt this aera, the conclufion of the 1260 years will coincide nearly with the termination of the fixth millen- nium, when, agreeably to ancient tradition, great changes have been expected.
defiled
DISCOURSE IX. 249
defiled members to the Lamb, as her firfl fruits, fhall at laft triumph over the fallen Babylon, and witnefs the bleffings of thofe who have died in the Lord *.
Contemporary with the period of the church, in a ftate of perfecution and banifh- ment, is defcribed the operation of that anti- chriftian power which raifed itfelf in oppoli- tion to the eftablifliment and continuance of chriftianity in the world. The prophecies of Daniel, and thofe of St. John, which more fully unfold the character of this hoflile power, have been very early and very gene- rally applied to the papal fee ; and been fup- pofed, as well as thofe prefumed to relate to the reputed type of antichrift, Antiochus Epiphanes, to have been very remarkably ful- filled f.
The firfi: features which the rifing power
difplayed, feemed to exhibit a correfpondence
with the infpired defcription ; and it muft be
confefied, that the fubfequent delineation of
'charader is fo conformable to the prophetic
* Rev. xiv.
t Dan. viii. 23, 25. Newton, Vol. 11. DifT. XV, chap. xvii. Hieron, col. 1127.
rep re-
250 DISCOURSE IX.
reprefentation, that we lliould not be jufiiiEed in difregarding the interpretation, counte- nanced as it is, by the fandlion of the mofl learned and judicious commentators, ancient and modern.
This " myftery of iniquity" is faid to have begun in the time of St. Paul : it v/as to be confirmed when another, that is, the Roman power, which reigned over the kings of the earth, fliould be removed : " only,'' fays the apoftle, ** he who now letteth mufl let, till *' he be taken out of the way *."
He
* 2 Theff. ii. 7, 8. The early fathers, who had not witnefled the difplay of the antlchriftian chara£lers in the fucceflbrs of St. Peter, expected the prophecies relative to Antichrift to be fuliilled at fome diftant time, and gene- rally in an individual perfon. Thofe prophecies were, indeed, in fome meafure, " fhut up and fealcd" till " the *' time of the end ;" and Mede is of opinion, that Antichrift was to be a myftery till the twelfth century. If wc admit this, all previous application of the prophecies to the Pope muft be confidered as pafllonate and conjectural. In the tenth century, at the fynod of Rheiirs, Arnulphus, bifhop of Orleans, reprefented that the Pope was Anti- chrift. Ufter. de Chrift. Ecclef. Succefs. & Stat. c. ii, p. 36. Lend. 1613. Illyr. Teft. Vet. p. 1558. Abbot Joachim, in 1191,- is faid to have averted, that the Pope was Antichrift. See Rapin, Vol. I. p. 247. WickJifF applied the defcription to the Pope j and the reformers
vindicated
DISCOURSE IX. 251
He is defcribed, by Daniel, under the figure of " the little horn," as ** coming up among .** the ten horns," of the fourth beafl, the reprefentative of the Roman empire, and as having " three of the firft horns plucked up by " the roots before him*," as " diverfe" from the firft horns ; as having " a mouth fpeak- ** ing very great things," and " a look more " ftout than his fellows;" as " making war '« with the faints, and prevailing againft ** them;" as " fpeaking great words againft *« the moft High-^-, and wearing out the
yindicated themfelves from the charge of fchifm, by main- taining, that Rome was the " Babylon" from which God's people were commanded to " come out." Revel, xviii. 4. Grotius, Thorndyke, Hammond, and others, have difputed the application; but, as Bifhop Hurd obferves, " that " the Pope is Antichrift is now to be confidered as the ,« univerfal voice of the Proteftant woild."
* Dan. vii. 8. Mcde fuppofes the three horns to re- prefent the Greeks, the Lombards, and the Franks ; but thefe powers could not well be Taid to " be plucked up" by the Pope, Sir Ifaac Newton confiders the emblems as defcriptive of the exarchate of Ravenna; the kingdom pf the Lombards ; and the fenatc and dukedom of Rome, )vhich, after revolting from Ravenna, might be enume- rated, by Daniel, as among the original number. Se? fVlede, Vol. IL Book IIL chap. xiv.
t Symmachus tranflates it " as the mofl: High."
** faints
252 DISCOURSE IX.
" faints of the mofl High," and " thinking " to change tinies and laws * -," as farther '* doing, according to his will, and exalting " himfelf, and magnifying himfelf, above ** every God, and fpeaking marvellous things " againft the God of gods ■/' as " not re- " garding the God of his fathers, nor the ** defire of women -f," but as " honouring, " in his eltate, the God of forces, and a God ** whom his fathers knew not, with gold and " filver, and with precious ftones, and plea- " fant things +," and as " acknowledging *' and encreafmg with glory" the Mahuzzimj
» Dan. vii. 7, 8, 19—25. t Dan. xi. 36, 37.
X Dan. xi. 38. The verfe is otherwife tranflated by Mede; " for to (or together with) God, in his feat, he fhali honour Mahuzzim," &:c. The original word Mahuzzim, (derived from mahoz, ftrength, or a fortrefs) which many verfions retain, means protetSlors, and defcribes here the confecrated faints of the Romifli church. The ^ fathers and others, fays Mede, even at the beginning of faint worfhip, by I know not what fatal inftinft, ufed to call faints and their reliques, towers, walls, bulwarks, fortrefles ; that is, Mahuzzim, in the prime and native fignification of the word. See Mede, Vol. II. Book III. chap. xvl. xvii.
(or
DISCOURSE IX. 253
(or the deified faints) together with God, in confcL^ated and ftrong holds, and as " caufing " them to rule over many, and divide the " land fpr gain *."
He is farther reprefented, by St. Paul, as ** the man of fin, the fon of perdition, who " oppofeth andexalteth himfelf above all that ** is called God, or that is worfhipped -[- ; fo " that he, as God, fitteth in the temple of " God, fhewing himfelf that he is God |, as
* Dan. xi. 39. and he fhall make the holds of the Mahuzzims withal (or jointly) to the foreign god, Mede, Book III. chap. xvii.
t Above all that is reverenced as great ; above all that is called God. See i Cor. viii. 5. AfTuming a pre-eminence above that vv^hich is afcribed to the " gods " of the earth," and derogatory from the honour of the true God, " the God of gods," as in Dan. xi. 36.
X This is applicable to the papal aflumptions without exaggeration. " The power of the Pope," fays Anto- ninus, " is greater than that of all created power, and " extends itfelf over all things celeftial, terreftrial, and *' infernal." The authority of the church, and therein of the Pope, has been fet up above the word of God, and been held competent to dlfpenfe with God's laws 'and precepts. The i-'opes have arrogated to themfelves worfliip, and the divine attributes of omnipotence and infallibility. In a gloflary of the canon law, publiflied under the fandlion of Gregory XIII. the Pope is called the Lord our God. Vid. Pol. Synop, in loc. and prightman on Revel, xiii. 3, 6.
coming
254 DISCOURSE IX.
* coming after the working of Satan, with
* all power, and figns, and lying wonders,
* and with all deceivablenefs of unrighteouf-
* nefs *." He is the chief among thofe who, ' in the latter times depart from the faith, ' giving heed to feducing fpirits, and doc- ' trines of devils -f-, fpeaking lies in hypo-
* crify;" " forbidding to marry, and com-
* manding to abftain from meats J, which ' God hath created, to be received with
* thankfgiving of them which believe, and
* know the truth."
Laflly, he is pourtrayed by St. John with full delineation of character, and with diftinc- tion of circumftance, from the imperial ftate of Rome to the full eftablifhment of papal fupremacy, as the agent of Statan, having ** feven heads §, and ten horns, and as ftand- ** ing before the church," ready to devour, as foon as it fhould be born, the man child,
* 2 ThefT. ii. 3 — to.
t I Tim. iv. I. and Mede, Vol. II. Book III. p. i. chap. i. — viii.
X I Tim. iv. 2, 3. and Mede, Vol. II. Book III. p. 2. chap. i. — viii.
§ Revel, xvii. 9, 18. and Propertius Septem Urbs alta Jugis toto quae praefidet orbi.
who
DISCOURSE IX. 255
who ftiould " rule over all nations with a " rod of iron, and as afterwards " perfe- ** cuting the woman for twelve hundred and " fixty years" after her flight into the wil- nefs *." As " a beafl rifmg out of the fea,"
and
* Revel, xii, i — 5. The man child feems, in the firft inftance, to be Chrift, brought forth of the Jewifh church. See Ifaiah Ixvi. 7. Micah v. 3. Revel, xii. 5. comp. with Pfalm xxix. and Revel, ii. 27. The dragon fought to devour the offspring of the women in the per- fccutions carried on by the Heathen emperors ; but he was foiled, and caft out by Michael, the angel of the Jewifh church, when idolatry was depofed from the Imperial throne, and chriftianity elevated in the perfon of Conftantine. The flight of the church may be the difperfion of the Jews, which was completed about A. D. 620, when they were interdicted from Judea. The dragon's agent had not (even heads and ten horns till the diffolution of the Roman empire ; but St. John defcribes the fucceilive proceedings of Satan by different infjruments, under one reprefentation, of a dragon cha- radterifed with fome diftin£lions, not difplayed till the latter times, of its exiftence. Antichrift was not an in- dividual perfon : fome features of the myftery were fhev/n in Pagan Rome, which the devil employed as his inftru- ment. When the Roman power, which hindered the full difplay of ^' that wicked" was, *' taken out of the " way ;" he whofe *' coming was after the working of " Satan" was revealed, in complete charader ; and the ether beaft, with the two horns like a Iamb : to be efta- I blifhed
2S^ DISCOURSE IX.
and troubles of the world, " with {Q'^cn '* heads and ten horns, and upon his horns '* ten crowns," as receiving from the " dra- '* gon his feat, and his power *," as wounded in one of his heads, as it were, wounded to death -f- ; as having " his deadly wound •' healed ;" " as worfhipped ;" as unpa- ralleled and irrcfiflible ^ as having ** a *' mouth, fpeaking greiit things and blafphe-
blifhed in the plenitude of the temporal and fpiritual power, gradually rofe out of the earth. See Revel, xiii. II — :8. 2 Thefl". ii. 7 — lO. i John ii. i8, 22. Anti- chrift is a fpirit of oppofition to Chrift, eminently per- fonified in the papal power, i John iv. 3. 2 John vii. See Daubuz.
* The beaft rifing out of the fea with ten crowned horns, €ould not be Pagan Rome already rifen, but muft reprefent the Roman ftate after the deftru6lion of the Imperial power, under the temporal government of the Popes. The fecond beaft pourtrays the Romifh church in particu- lar, the fubordinate hierarchy, or body of the clergy, regular and fecular. He is called alfo " the falfe prg- « phet."
f Five of the beafts heads were fallen in the time of St. John. Revel, xvii. 10. The fixth head, that of the emperor's, " was, as it were, wounded to death," when the Roman empire was overwhelmed, or when Rome was reduced to a dukedom, tributary to Ravenna. The wounded head was healed when Rome revolted from Ravenna, and again became formidable.
2^ " mies ;
DISCOURSE IX. 257
*^ mies ;" as *' continuing forty and two " months ;" as " opening his. mouth in ** bkfphemy againft God;" as " making " war with the faints, and overcoming ** them ;" as '* fucceeded and reinforced hy ** a fecond bcaft, gradually rifing from the ** earth," or a loWcilate, with '' two horns, *' like a lamb," denoting an hierarchy, with afTumption of fecular and eccleiiaftical power, under a meek appearance. This fecond bead united with the firft bead, " doeth great ** wonders, making fire to com.e down from *' heaven on the earth, in the light of men*, ** and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth ** by thofe miracles, which he had povver to ** do in the fight of the beaft." He relloreth and animateth the power of the idol image ; forbidding any man ** to buy or *** fell, fave he that hath the name of the ** beaft -fj or the number of his name, ** which is the number of a man, and' his " number is fix hundred, threcfcore, and
* This has been even literally pretended. See Brit^ht- man, and Poli Synopf. in loc.
f This appears to allude to the interdi61ion from traffic, which has been often the confequence of the papal excommunication.
S « fix."
258 DISCOURSE IX.
" fix." * Antichrifl is farther (hewn " as the *' great whore that fitteth upon many waters -j-,
* It muft be remarked, that the number 666, is con- tained in the appellative word Lateinos, as written by the Greeks j a circumftance not much to be infifted on, as not peculiar to the word, had it not been noticed by IrensEus, before the application o( the prophecies, relating to Antichrifl:, to the Roman power, and did not the Hebrew titles, for the Roman empire, contain the num- ber alfo, as n"»n, Romana Scil. Sedes, and lyupDl Ro- manus.
Romana, Scil. Scdes, Romanus vel Latinus. Lateinos.
^ 200 n 200 ?. 30
1 6 n 40 a I
s 40 V 70 r 300
♦ 10 : r 50 £ 5
» 10 1 6 t 10
f1 400 U! 300 V 50
. 0- 70
666 666 s 200
666 It is remarkable alfo, that the year 756, when the tem- poral power of the Popes was eftabiifhed, coincides with the year 666, if we reckon from the firffc year of Domi- tian's perfecution, v/h'ch began in the year 90, during which perfecution St. John law his vificns in the Ille of Patmos.
t Which waters are peoples, and multitudes, and na- tions, and tongues. See Rev. xvii. 19. Babylon, the type of Rome, is defcribed as " dwelling on many " waters," being fituated on the Euphrates. Jerem. li. 13.
8 ** with
DISCOURSE IX. 259
** with whom the kings of the earth have " committed fornication," and with the wine ** of whofe fornication the inhabitants of the " earth have been made drunken ;" as ** a *' woman fitting upon a fcarlet coloured beaft, " full of names of blafphemy *, having feven ** heads and ten horns j" as effeminately *^ arrayed in purple and fcarlet colour, and *' decked with gold and precious flones, and " pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, ** full of abominations and filthinefs of her " fornication ; and, upon her forehcc^d, a ** name written. My fiery -f*, Babylon the '* Great, the Mother of Harlots J, and Abo- " minations of the Earth;" as " drunkea ** with the blood of the faints, and with the '* blood of the martyrs of Jefus;" as ** fitting f* on kvQW mountains ;" as ** deriving power
* The woman, feated on the beaft, is the image of the church feated on the temporal power of the Pope.
f Rev. xvii. 5. The very word myfterium is faid to have been formerly written, in golden letters, on the papal mitre, as Monfieur de Montmorency allured Scali- ger, on good authority. Vid. Seal, in loc, ap. Crit. Sac. & Poli Synopf V/olf. Cur. Philol. & Crit. Tom V.
X The Romifh church is ityled " mother and miftrefs " of churches." Sec Concil. Trident.
S 2 ** and
26o D I S C O U Pv S E IX.
** and flrcngth" from the unanimous confent of the ten contemporary kings, and as after- wards " hated," and made " defolate and " naked," by thofe kings, v/ho had before fubmittcd their kingdom to the beaft, on which was fcated the woman who was ** the *' great city, which reigneth over the kings " of the earth *."
Such particulars, thus difplayed, compofe, it mull be confelled, a ftriking portraiture of the papal power ; and, without tracing pro- phecy to its further accomplifhment, in the
* Rev. i. 17. Thofe who would reprefent the cha- ra£ler of Antichrift to belong to Mahomet, are obliged to pafs over many features of the antichriftian power. The Romanifts themfelves, admit that the prophecies re- fpeciing Antichrift apply to Rome, but contend that it is to Pagan Rome : but Daniel defcribes the little horn as rifing after the ten horns or kingdoms, into which the fourth empire was to be divided: fee Dan. vii. and the beaft, with i'i:vi:n heads and ten horns, was to continue 1260 years, Rev. xiii. i — 5. which the Heathen empire did not. The primitive church was accuftomed to pray, in its Liturgy, for the prefervation of the Roman empire, that the coming of Antichrift vriight be delayed, as not expected to appear till after the deftrudion of that empire. Vid. Tertul. Apol. C. xxxii. &c xxxix. ad. Sciipul. C. ii. 2 ThcH. ii. 7. and when the Roman empire was deftroyed, they began to look for the appear- ance of A.utichrift.
predicted
DISCOURSE IX. 26f
predided deftrudion of this fpiritual Baby- lon *, Vv'e may wait the exphcation in the" event, which will certainly be as exad as that of every former predidion, of which the obfciirities vanifh in the completion.
The accomplifhment of the many predic- tions thus fucceffively fulfilled, a part of which only we have confidered, {hould lead us to look up, with aftonifhment and reve- rence, to that grand fcheme of prophecy, which, opening with the fird dawn of mercy, imparted to encourage the repentance of Adam, gradually unfolds the comprehenfive
* The feven vials, or the feven plagues, which fall under the feventh trumpet, and which are the fubjecl of the third woe, appear to belong to the period of tiie de- flrudion of Antichrift, of which they, perhaps, mark out the gradations, " till the wrath of God fiiall be acconi " plifhed." The explication of them is not here at- tempted, becaufe, probably, they are as yet future, as Bp. Newton and others have fuppofed them to be. Bright- man and Mede point out circumftances, fince the be- ginning of the reformation, in which they fuppofe them to have begun to receive their completion. Lovv'man ranfacks hiftory for earlier applications of fome of them. Robert Fleming, whofe calculations furprife us by fome conjeilures partially verified, fuppcfcs the firft vial to begin with the reformation, and the fourth to expire in in 1794. See Difcourfes by Robert Flen.ing, publillied in J 701.
S 3 ' plan
ja62 DISCOURSE IX.
plan of the redemption of mankind. A vaf!: and fyilematlc difpenfation, of which the parts are progreffively difplayed, and which pro- greffively develope new dependencies ; which derives fplendor from every detail, and exhi- bits conne(5lion in every burft of circum- flance ; w-hich pervades all time, and derives illuflration from each revolving sera, cannot be contemplated without exciting a firm con- fidence in the divine word, and a full con- vidlon of the final accomplilhment of the declared defigns of God. Obfcure as pro- phecy may be in its general character, we find that its revelations have been fufficiently intelligible to excite the hopes, and to confole the afflidions of the faithful in every gene- ration; to awaken the attention of mankind to a confideration of God's providence in the protedion of his church, and to lead them to forefce its ultimate ppofpcrity, after various changes and ftriking viciffitudes of event. We colled, from its general decla- rations, and efpecially from the revelation of St. John, to whom every ftate of Chrift's kingdom, from its beginning to its confum- rnation, was difclofed, that we may hope for the univerfal eflablilhment of that difpenfa-
DISCOURSE IX. 263
tion, with triumphant difplay of circum- flance, " when the kingdoms of this world ** lliall become the kingdoms of our Lord " and of his Chrift, and he fhall reign for " ever and ever."
All things, hitherto, have confpired and worked together in fubferviency to the divine decrees .; and the events and circumflances of. the prefent day may be ftated as tending far- ther to thexompletion of the declared deligns of God. The aflumptions and errors of a corrupted church have been fufficiently ex- pofed; and the dominion of the prefumcd Antichrifl feems falling rapidly to deftrucftion. Very great, and often fuccefsful, and extend- ing exertions, are daily made for the propa- gation of the gofpel, and for the promotion of Chriflian knowledge. The fpirit of re- fearch, encouraged on religious fubjedls, though often perverted and abufed by miftaken or evil difpofed men, mufl ultimately tend to the confirmation of truth, of which the proofs multiply on enquiry, and the evidence brightens by difcuffion. Who iliall fay that amidft the turbulent and deilrutflive changes, which have been lately witnelTed in the poli- tical world, a ground may not ultimately be S 4 pre-
264 DISCOURSE IX.
prepared, by God's providence, for the further eftablilhment of chriiHanity in reformed purity and truth ? " The people may imagine vain " things, and the rulers take counfel toge- ** ther againfl the Lord, and againft his " anointed," ** yet the decree of God ihall '* be declared." The meteors of faife phi- lofophy glare but to fall ; and whenever rea- fon and enquiry (hall return, then fliall the characters of truth be difcovered, though buried in the fall of fuperftition, or over- whelmed in the ruins of indifcriminate de- ftrudion. Diffidence, how^ever it may fhrink from the contemplation of fcenes where conjecture can have no clue from experi- ence, may yet fuggefl, in harmlefs fpecula- tion, that confuiion mud fearfully illuftrate the neceffity of order, and the deftruc^tive effeds of falfe principles fatally evince the excellency of revealed truth. The fame God who created an harmonious world from a formlefs chaos, and who fave'd Noah and his children in the ark, from that deftrudion which overwhelmed the earth, ** corrupt '* and filled Vv^ith violence," will ilill preferve his church. The floods of wickednefs may prevail and increafe, but they Ihall bear up
5 th^
DISCOURSE IX. 265
the ark. The unrighteous may perifh, but God's covenant fliall be eil-cibiiOied with his fervants. When the dove of peace, with its leaf of olive, fiiall return and fettle on the earth, the altars of the Lord fliall again be built * where they have been demolidied ; and the bow of God's evcrlafting covenant of mercy fhall be feen in the difperling clouds.
In fuch hope we are encouraged, by God's never-failing promifes, to confide; and further purfjing prophecy, beyond the boundaries of the prefent life, we look with confidence to the future refurreftion of the body, and to its re-union with the foul ; and to the fecond advent of Chrift, to judge the world : when a throne of unfullied purity fliall be difplayed ; and whoever is not found written in the book of life, fhall be rail into the lake of fire. Mindful, therefore, of the words which were fpoken before, by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of the apoftles of our ] ord and Saviour, let us not, with *' the fcoffers in the laft days," en- quire, with diflrufl, ** where is the promife of
* Gen. viii. ii, 12, 20.
" his
266 DISCOURSE IX.
** his coming;" " for the day of the Lgrd will " come as a thief in the night ;" but ** feeing ** that we look for fuch things, be we dili- ** gent, that we may be found of him in 5* peace, without fpot, and blamelefs -f*.
* Rev. XX. 15. f 2 Peter uL
D I S-
t 267 ]
DISCOURSE X.
ON THE MILLENNIUM, OR KEIGN Ot SAINTS.
Revel, xx. 4, 5, 6.
^nd I Jaw thrones y and they fat upon them, and judgement was given unto them : and I
Jaw the fouls of them that were beheaded for the witnefs of fefus, and for the word of God, and which had not worfoipped the beaft, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands-, and they lived and reigned with Chrift a thoifand years. But the reji of the dead lived 7iot again until the thoifand years were
fnifhed: this is the fir ji refurreBion, Blejfed and holy is he that hath part in the firft re^
furre5lion : on fuch the fecond death hath no power, but they Jhall be priefts of God and of Chrift, and jhall reign with him a thoufand years,
QT. JOHN, after revealing prophecies re- *^ lative to the ftate of the church, in various periods : to its perfecutions, its fuc-
ceffive
268 DISCOURSE X.
ceffive afflidions, its triumphant recoveries, and eftabliflied profperity, reprefents it after the fail of Antichrift, and the converlion of die Jews and Gentiles as " a bride ready for ** the marriage" of the Lamb : as purified from pollutions, and ** arrayed in the clean *' and white linen" of righteoufneis *. Pur- fuing his enraptured defcription, he contem- plates, in prophetic viiion, " the heavens " open," and him, v^ho is called the word of God, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, at the head of the heavenly armies, triumphant againil oppofing powers, and vidor over the old ferpent, which is the devil ; and then, as is exprefled in the text, he difclofes unto us appointed judges, fitting on thrones -f j and the* martyrs of Jefus, who
had
* Revel, xix. 7, 8. xxi. 2, 9, 10. comp. with Ifaiah Ixi. 10. See the prophetic allegory in the Canticles.
f Revel. XX. 4. com. with Dan. vii. 9. The thrones, (lefcribed in thefe places, relate to the fpiritual kingdom of Chrift on earth, and are confidered as different from thofe judicial thrones, promifed as the peculiar recom- penfe of a future life to the difinterefted fidelity of the apoftles, who had left all, and followed Chrift, and con- tinued with him in his temptation. See Matt. xix. 28. Luke xxii. 28 — 30. Mede reprefents the thrones, fpoken
of
DISCOURSE X. 269
had been unpolluted by fpiritual fornication, living and reigning with Chrift a thoufand years.
The paflage, and the following predidions connected with it, as more fully detailed in the text, have been erroneoufly interpreted to countenance fome very extravagant and per- nicious opinions relative to the future ftate of the church, by thofe who have not fuffi- ciently allowed for the figurative llyle of fcripture, nor accurately compared the vifi- ons of St. John with thofe of preceding prophets ; by thofe who have not cautioufly feparated the doctrines of fcripture from the traditions of antiquity, and who, in con-
■of by Daniel and St. John, to be defigned for the twenty- iour elders, who peribnate the bifliops and defenders of the church, and who correfpond with the Levites and priefts in the camp of Ifrael, as he imagines the whole fcene of this auguil feffion to be drawn up in conformity to the model of the caftrametation in the defert. Comp. ^evcl. XX. 4. with Numb. i. 52 — 54. and ch. ii. Mede Com. in Apocal. Part I. in Prophet I. Whitby con- ceives, that the promife made to the apoftles may re- fpe6l their governmeiit over the twelve tribes, at the clofe of the world, not by a refurrection of tlieir perfons, but by a revivei'cence of that fpirit which refided in them.
templation
27© DISCOURSE X.
templation of the glorious promifes of reve- lation, have too far indulged their fancies in carnal and fpeculatlve opinions. By a tem- perate furvey of the prophecies, delivered under the old difpenfation, which relate to the final eflablifhment of - chriflianity, we fhall be enabled to vindicate the genuine fenfe of St. John's promifes from the difficulties of a too literal conftrudion ; and, by an impar- tial examination of the fentiments of fome antient and modern writers, be dired:ed to form a fafe and reafonable judgment on the charadler and nature of that kingdom which we are inilrucfted to expedl.
Such difcuffion of preceding prophecies, and of the early and modern interpretations of them, is indeed neceflary, if we would underfland the vifions of St. John, who, in the fcene which he draws in the palTages above referred to, is allowed to repre- fent the fame glorious circumflances which the Hebrew prophets had difplayed, in the defcription of a fpiritual reign of Chrifl. " The teflimony of Jefus" is, we know, " the fpirit of prophecy 3" and the final eftablifliment of his kingdom is the great ob- ject on which every ray of revealed light
concenters.
DISCOURSE X. 271
concenters. The future return of the Jews, the converfion of the Gentiles, and the per- fect and univerfal effulgence of the gofpel, are the glad themes which every hallowed tongue proclaims, and which every enrap- tured flrain celebrates with accordant har- mony.
The firll prophecies in fcripture, even the afTurance that confoled Adam, in his expul- lion from Paradife, opened the profped; of that ultimate, triumph of the *' woman's " feed," till which the " ferpent's head" will not be fully bruifed. Promifes of the multiplication of the defcendants of Abraham to polTefs the earth in greater profperity than they have yet experienced, were conveyed to the patriarch himfelf, and to his immediate defcendants * -, and intimations of the general converfion of the Jews to the pure light of the gofpel, are to be found in the declarations of Mofes ; for thofe prophecies, in which he foretold the future return of his people from captivity, are juftly reprefented as too magniiicent to relate to their return from Babylon; and Mof:s particularly allured them,
* Gen. xiii. 14 — 17, comp. with Adls vii. 5.
that
2/2 DISCOURSE X.
that the Lord would " gather them from all '' nations whither he had fcattered them, and " bring them into the land which their fathers '* pofTefled, multiplying them above their " fathers," and effecting a fpiritual *' circum- *' cifion," and fmcere amendment of heart*.
David -f, and the prophets who fucceeded , him, and who were infpired to hold out confolation under great calamities, and more fully to declare the particulars and circum- ftances of the Meffiah's kingdom, did un- queftionably blend promifes of remote and fpiritual difpenfition with thofe of early and temporal accomplifliment ; and forefhew a perfect and univerfal reign of Chriil to fucceed the final illumination of the Jews and Gentiles, when " the Pleathcn fhail be " given to the Son for his inheritance, and *' the attermofi: parts oi the earth for his *' poffefiion J."
" It fliall come to pafs," fays Ifaiah, " in " the lafl days §, that the mountain of the.
Lord's
* Deut. XXX. 1 — 6. iv. 29 — 31.
-J P(al. Ixxii. Ixviii. xxii. Ixix. xxxv. xxxvi. cii. xiii. xxii. &c. and Aliix.
■^ Pfalm ii. viii.
.§ Triat is, in the time of the Meffiah, the circum- ftances of whofe kingdom, in its fucceUive Hates, are
often
DISCOURSE X. 273
** Lord's houfe fhall be eftablifhed on the '* top of the mountains, and fhall be exalted ** above the hills * ; and all nations fhall ** flow unto it;" " and he fhall- judge among *' the nations, and fhall rebuke many people;" when " the earth fhall be full of the know- *' ledge of the Lord, as the waters cover " the fea,'* And ** in that day there fliall " be a root of JefTe, which fhall ftand for " an enfign of the people; to it fhall the
often reprefented under one point of view. The laft times in general, which begin in the time of the fourth kingdom of Daniel, are the times of the kingdom of Chrift, from his paflion to the end of the world. 1 Pet, i. 20. The latter times are the times of the apoftafy of the antichriftian power. Mede, Vol. II. Book III. ch. xi. — xiv. Burton fuggefts, that when the prophets fpcak of the latter days, they refer to the times imme- diately preceding the coming of Chriil; and when of the latter years, or laft days, according to the Jewifh ac- count, they mean the latter part of the fuppofed king- dom of Chrift upon earth. Burton on Daniel, p. 37. But the latter days, fometimes, certainly do hgnify the latter ages of chriftianity, or of the world. Hofea iii. 5. Deut. iv. 30.
* Ifaiah ii. 2 — 4. Micah iv. i. The Jewifti temple was on Mount Moriah. 2 Chron. iii. i. See the fame metaphorical defcription of Chrift's kingdom in Dan. ii. 35.
T *' Gen-
274 DISCOURSE X.
'* Gentiles feek, and his reft fliall be glori- " ous. And " it fhall come to pafs, in that " day, that the Lord fliall fet his hand again, *' the fecond time, to recover the remnant " of his people which lliall be left i" " and " he fhall fet up an enfign for the nations, ** and fliall affemble the outcafts of Ilrael, ** and gather together the difperfed of Judah ** from the four corners of the earth *." And " kings fhall be nurfing fathers, and their " queens nurfmg mothers" to the church f; ** the glory of the Lord fhall rife upon it, ** and Gentiles fhall come to its light, and ** kings to the brightnefs of its rifmg J." " The people fhall be all righteous, and in- " herit the land for ever ;" and " nev^^ ** heavens and new earth fhall be created, in '* the glory of which the former fhall not *' be remembered§."
* Ifaiah xi. 9 — 16. See alfo ch. x. 20 — 22. xliii. 5. Micah ii. 12. Rev. v. 9, 10. f Ifaiah xlix. 23. Ix. 16. X Ifaiah Ix. i, 3, 20. xxxiii. 20, 21.
§ Ifaiah Ixv. 17. Burnet flyles the 65th chapter of Ifaiah the bulwark of the doftrine ©f the millennium, which never can be broken.
Purfuing
DISCOURSE X. 275
Purfuing the fame ft rain, Jeremiah foretells to the children of Ifrael, that when they fliall acknowledge their iniquity, God v/ill *' bring them to Zion, and give them paftors <* accordincT to his heart, which (hall feed " them with knowledge and underftanding;" that at that time they Ihall *' call Jerufaiem ** the throne of the Lord ; and all the na- " tions {hall be gathered unto it, to the name " of the Lord to Jerufaiem; neither fhall they " walk any more after the imagination of " their evil heart *i" that they (hall be " gathered out of all countries whither God " has driven them in his anger ;" and they ihall be *' his people, and he will be their ** Godf."
At this period, as Ezekiel prbmifed to his defponding countrymen in exile, v/hen the unftrung harps were hung, by the dejected captives, on the trees, by the rivers of Baby- lon X •> at that period, as well as by earlier de- liverances, God will take " them from among *« the Heathen, and gather them out of all ' f* countries, and bring them into their own
* Jerem. iii. 15— 17*
t Jerem. xxxii. 37-^44- X P^^lm cxxxvii.
T 2 " Isind,
276 DISCOURSE X.
** land, and fprlnkle clean water upon them, *« and they fliall be clean * ;" and " he *' will" then " give them a new heart and '* a new fpirit, and put his fpirit within them, *' and cauie them to walk in his ftatutes, ** and to keep his judgments, and do them j ** and caule them to dwell in the cities; and ** the waile places Ihall be builded-f." Then, as in allegoric vilion the prophet fore- fa w, " the whole houfe of Ifrael" lliall rife, as it were, by a refurrecftion, from its dead, and withered ftate; its " dry bones" fhall be again cloathed " with fmews and flefli," and be animated by "a breath," or fpirit, " breathed from the four winds" of heaven; and " live, and ftand up an exceeding great ** arm.y." The Lord fliall ** open the *' graves" in which they have been buried, and caufe them to come out, and bring them to the land of Ifrael and Judah ; and Jofeph and the tribes of Ifrael their fellows, Ihall be re-united as one nation upon the moun- tains of Ifrael, under one king, and one
* Ezek. xxxvi. 24. Tit. iii. 5. t Ezek. xxxvi. 10, 24 — ;i^, xxxix. 25 — 29. xx. 42-44.
8 Iliepherd;
DISCOURSE X. 277
fliepherd; " arid walk in God's judgments, *' and obferve his flatutes, and do them, and ** his fandluary fhall be in the mldfl of " them *." *' And after many days," as the prophet, in animated defcription foretels, ** in the latter years, when Ifrael fhall be at " reft," and dwell fafely " in unwalled vil- " lages," a congregated hofl of mighty ar- mies, " with bucklers and fhields, and fwords, ** Gog, the prince of Mefhech and Tubal -f-, ** Perfia, Ethiopia, and Lybia, Gomer, and ** and all his bands J : the houfe of To- •' garmah §, of the north quarters, and
* Ezek. xxxvii.
t Gog is reprefented, by Mede, to be the father of the Scythians that dwelt in the eafl and north-eafl: of the Euxine Sea. The northern nations of Europe and Afia were generally ftyled Gog and Mggog. Mefliech was Cappadocia ; Tubal was Iberia, the country to the fouth- eaft of the Euxine Sea. Gog and Magog are the fame name, for Mem is an Heemantick letter, and is applied to diftinguifh the land of Gog. Mede, Book I. Difc. V,
t Gomer, according to Mede's account, poffeffed the parts of Afia, which lie upon the JEge-an Sea, and Htl- lefpont northward ; Phrygia, Pontus, Uithynia, and parf of Galatia.
§ Togarmah, the fon of Gomer, had Phrygia Major, and part of Galatia. Thefe are myfterious names for fome future enemies of the church, poITibly the Turks, wljo are of Scythian defcent.
T 3 " all
27S
DISCOURSE X.
all his bands, and many people with bim," Ihall afccnd, and come like a florm, and like a cloud, to cover the land;" " to turn his hand upon the defolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations." " The Lord will fmite his bow out of his left hand, and will cauf^ his arrows to fall out of his right hand, and {hall give him up to the ravenous birds of every fort, and to the beads of the field, to be devoured ;" and unto Gog fhall be given a place of the graves of Ifrael, and they fhall bury Gog and all his multitude;" " and feven months fhall the houfe of Ifrael be in burying of them ;" and God will " fet his glory among the Heathen, and all the Heathen will fee his judgment that he hath exe- cuted ;" " and the Heathen ihall know that the houfe of Ifrael went into captivity for their iniquity, becaufe they trefpalled againfl him*."
* Ezek. xxxviii. xxxix Joel ii. iii. i, 2. Zephan. Hi. 8. Micah v. 5, 6, 9, 15. Dan. xii. i. Zechar. xii. 9.
Dan'el
DISCOURSE X. 279
Daniel alfo in captivity, in the profpedl of brighter Icenes, forefaw that " the faints of " the moft high Ihould" finally " take the " kingdom;" and that " the greatnefs of ** the kingdom under the whole heaven " fliould be given to the people of the faints " of the moft High, whofe kingdom is an " everlafting kingdom *."
" For behold," fays Joel, " in thofe " days, and in that time, when I fliall bring " again the captivity of Judah and Jerufalem, " I will alfo gather all nations, and will bring ** them down into the valley of Jehofiphat f, " and will plead with them there for my ** people, and for my heritage Ifrael, whom " they have fcattered among the nations ;" " and the Lord will be the hope of his peo- " pie, and the ftrength of the children of " Ifrael, and Judah fhall dwell for ever, " and Jerufalem from generation to genera-
" tionj."
« In that day," fays Amos, " I will raile • " up the tabernacle of David that is fallen,
* Dan. vii. 18, 27. Rev. v. 10. xx. i. Dan. ii. 4. t The valley of the Lord's judgment, from Jehovah and Shaphat to judge.
X Joel iii. I5 2, 14, 16, 20.
T 4 ** and
2So DISCOURSE X
j\.
** and clofe up the breaches thereof 5 and I ** will raifs up his ruin-^, a d I will build it " as in the days of old ;" " and the wafle " cities fhall be inhabited •/' " and the people '* of Ifrael fhall be no more pulled up out of " their land *."
" For then," fays Zephaniah, ** will I '*' turn to the people a pure language, that ** they may all call upon the name of the " Lord to ferve him with one confent -f-." " The remnant iliall not do iniquity, nor ** fpeak lies ^ neither fhall a deceitful tongue " be found in their mouth." When " the " daughter of Zion may rejoice," for the Lord " fhall be in the midft of her ;" and *^ he will gather them that are forrowful for ** the folemn afTembly ;" and " get them '* praife and fame in every land where they ** have been put to fhame ; a name and a *^* praife among all people of the earth J."
'* For behold," fays the Lord of hofls, by the mouth of Zechariah, " I will fave my ^' people from the eafl country and from the " weft country;" " and I will bring them,
* Amos ix. li — 15. t Zephan. iii. 9.
+ Chap. iii. i3— 20.
** and
DISCOURSE X. 281
" and they fhall dwell in the midfl of Jeru- ** falem, and they fliall be my people, and I *' will be their God, in truth and in righte- " oufnefs*."
From a collediive confederation of thefe and limilar prophecies, delivered under the old difpenfation, it is evident that they point to fome future eftablifhment of Chrifl's kingdom, in greater extent and perfection than it has yet difplayed ; that the full efFed: of them was not produced in the former reftoration of the Hebrew nation, or the converfion of the Gentiles, at the firfl: infti- tution of chriflianity, or at any fubfequent period, is certain ; and, from the earliefl explication given of them, it is manifefl that they were underftood to allude to fome re- mote and unfulfilled circumflances.
The Jews, from very early ages, believed that, at the conclufion of time, there fliould be to them a world full of joy and exultation, and a renewal of the heaven and earth -|- ;
when,
* Zechar. viii, 7, 8. See alfo 2 Efdras xiil. 25 — 51. Tobit XIV. 6, 7. Wifd. iii. 7, 8.
f R. Saadias Gaon Sepher Haemun. Rabbi Ketina in Gcmar. Sanhedrim, apud Mede, B. III. p. 667, Some
traces
282 DISCOURSE X.
when, agreeably to the afTurance of Ifaiah, " the children of Ifrael fhould feek the Lord " their God, and David their king, and " fliould fear the Lord their God, and his ^' goodncfs in the latter days."
The Hebrew fcripturcs then, it appears, did predidl an univerfal return of the tribes of Ifrael to their own land ; the future con- verfion of the Jews and Gentiles; and the eftablifliment of a dominion of righteoufnefs, which fliould extend its influence over the whole earth. Our Saviour and his apoftles frequently alluded to, and confirmed thefe
traces of the belief in a future renovation of the world, with greater glory, and more important bleflings, may be found in the Chaldaean and Egyptian theology ; in the writings of Orpheus, of the fybils, of Plato and Virgil : in the fragments of eaftern theology, in the ti anfcriptions of claflical mythology, and in the ancient and modern no- tions of the Brachmans and other nations. Vid. Suidas in voce -rvppmia Clem. Alex. Strom. V. Origen cont. Celf. Lib. IV. Eufeb. Praep. Evang. Lib. VIL chap, xxiii. Maffeis's Hift. Ind. Lib. VI. Daubuz on Rev. XX. 2. and Sketches relating to the Hiftory, Religion, &c. of the Hindoos, Vol. IL Sketch XIII. All nature feems to exhibit an analogy and pattern of a refurre^lion, and renewal of things; and the facred writers promife new heavens and a new earth to coincide with the reign of righteoufnefs, Ifaiah Ixvi. 17. 2 Peter iii. 13.
doctrines.
DISCOURSE X. 283
dodlrines. Chrift fpoke of a future king- dom r.ppointed to him by the father * ; and inftrud:ed his difciples to pray for the ad- vancement of a kingdom yet to come -f. He alTured his difciples, that the " gofpel *' of the kingdom fliould be preached in all ** the world, for a witnefs unto all nations :J: ;" and that then fhould " the end come/' con- fidently with which, in familiar illuflration, Jie compared the kingdom of heaven, the gofpel difpenfation, to a tree fliooting out great branches, under the ihadow of which the birds of the air might lodge § ; and to a concealed leaven, which leavened the whole meal II . In denunciation of wrath upon
♦ i-uke xxi. 31. xxii. 16, 29, 30. xvii, 20.
f Matt. vi. 10. The kingdom of God fometimes means " the kingdom of glory" in the heaven ; but it generally figr^ifies the gofpel difpenfation ; and, in an eminent fenfe, its perfect eftabHihment on earth, as in the place here cited. The kingdom of God was come in the time of Chrift; Matt. xii. 28. Luke x. 9, 11. but, in an higher import, it was yet to come.
% Matt. xxiv. 14. This was not completed before the deftru6tion of Jerufalem. It will be fulfilled before the deftrudion of the world,
§ Matt. iv. 32, Luke xiii. 19.
II Luke xiii. 21.
Jerufalem,
284 DISCOURSE X.
s
Jerufalem, he pronounced that it fhould " be *' trodden dov/n of the Gentiles, until the " times of the Gentiles be fulfilled :" and, in prophecies not to be fully accompliihed till the end of the world *, he declared, that the " generation," that is, the nation -|- of the Jews, " fhould not oafs away till all *' ihould be fulfilled."
* The predictions which Chrift uttered, on being Ihewn the temple, were not completely tulfilled at the deftrudion of Jerufalem. His final coming is to be " fudden, like lightning." The fign of the Son of man is to appear immediately (or foon) after the tribulation, which began with the deftruflion of Jerufalem, and which was to laft as long as it fhould " be trodden " down" " till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." See Matt. xxiv. Mark xiii. Lukexxi. The firft coming of Chrift, to deftroy Jerufalem, was a type of his fecond coming for the deftru(5lion of all his enemies ; and the defcription employed by our Saviour, is. admirably con- trived to comprehend both advents. See Dr. Trapp's Difcourfe on Matt. xvi. 27, 28. Mcde, Vol. II. Book IV. Epift. Xir.
t Matt. xxiv. 30. 7£Vca, means nation, or race, as well as generation. See Matt. xxiv. 36. Luke xvli. 25. Chryfoftom ftyles the whole body of the Chriftians y^^za. : we might, perhaps, tranflate icos av Zja.\\a. ravla. yswfliy.i ; till all things fhall be, or fhall begin, yifjo^ai is nafcor, orior or fio ; or otherwife the verfe niuft be underftood to relate only to the deftru»5tion of Jerufalem.
St. Paul
DISCOURSE X. 285
St. Paul a]fo, in alTedlionate concern for the Ifrr.elites, *' to whom pertaineth the ** adoption and the glory, and the covenants, ** and the giving of the law, and the fervice ** of God, and the promifes; whofe are the ** fathers, and of whom, as concerning the " ilefh, Chrift came," declareth, that " God ** hath not cad away his people," but " that ** blindnefs, in part, is happened to Ifrael, ** until the fulnels of the Gentiles be come ** in, and fo all Ifrael fhall be favcd *."
The lame apoftlc is, by fome, fuppofcd to fpeak of the ftate of Chrifl's dominion on earth, when he treats of ** the manifeflatioii ** of the Sons of God, which fliall be made, ** and in which the creature Hiall be deli- " vered from the bondage of corruption into ** the glorious liberty of the children of '* Godf."
He reveals to us, as a myftery, that " all " lliall not flccp + ;" and fpeaks of fome that fliall " be alive," and remain unto the coming ** of our Lord§ ;" and tells us, that as often as
* Rom. ix. 4, 5. xi. 2, 25, 26. -|- Rom. viii. 19, 21. X I Cor. XV. 51. ^ I Theft", iv. 15.
286 DISCOURSE X.
we do participate of the communion of the body and blood of Chrift, we " do fhew forth '* the Lord till his coming ;" meaning, poffi- bly, at that time when Chrift is to partake of it new in his kingdom *.
The author of the epiftle to the Hebrews, treats of " a reft that remaineth to the people ** of God -f ;" and is fuppofed to fpeak of the kingdom of Chrift, under the expreffion of the world to come, " whicii is not put in '* fubjeftion to angels +."
St. Peter, preaching concerning ** the *' Prince of Life," reprefents him as " received *' by the heavens till the times of the reftitu- " tion," or the accomplifhment of all things, in which account he has been conceived, by fome writers, to allude to the period of the reign of faints, at the confummation of which, Chrift may be expeded to appear §, " re-
* I Cor. xi. 26.
t Heb. iv. 9. alfo chap. ii. 5. and Mede, Vol. II. Book III. p. 716. Lib. XII. ch. 22—24.
X Heb. ii. 5. and Mede in loc. Vol. II. Book HI. p. 1129, and Heb. i. 5.
§ Ails iii. 21. The paffage, perhaps, no farther alludes to the millennium than that the accomplifliment ©f all things muft be at the conclufion of that period.
** vealed
DISCOURSE X. 287
« vealed from heaven, with his mighty an- *« gels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance of " them that know not God, and that obey " not the gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift ; " who fhaU be punifhed with everlafting " deftrudion from the prefence of the Lord, «* and from the glory of his power, when- " he fliall come to be glorified in his faints, ** and admired in all them that believe, in " that day *."
He profeffes alfo to look, according to God's promife, ** for new heaveis, and a ** new earth, wherein dwelleth righteouf- *' nefs," which are to take place apparently, before the diflblution of the world, by firef. The promifes written by St. John, to the churches of Afia, are fometimes confidered as allufive to the ftate of the faints, who are to participate of the reign of Chrift %. Thefe pafFages, if they have fingly been contro- verted, and confidered as faint or ambiguous teftimonies, muft coUedively be thought to refled: fome evidence on the general dodrine of the future reign of Chrift, the further
* 2 ThefT. i. 7, 8. t 2 Peter iii. 13.
X Rev. ii. II. iii. 21.
circum-
28S D I S C O U Pv S E X.
circumflances of which are dired:ly revealed in other parts of the book from which the text has been extradted.
From the earliefl writings of the Chriiii- ans, we find that the fcriptures were inter- preted by them as authorifing a behef in a future reign of Chrill ; and the expofitors of the primitive faith appear very generally to have maintained the dod:rine of the future eftdbliiliment of Chrift's kingdom, with cir- cumftances of exultation and glory.
The firfl notice which we have of the opinion entertained upon this fubjedt, by the primitive church, is that furnifhed by Bar- nabas, who was a contemporary of the apoftles, and who is defcribed, by St. Luke, as ** a good man, and full of the Holy ** Ghoil, and of faith *." This writer, from the facred account of the creation of the world in iix days, ilates an opinion of an analogous difpenlation, which is to take place of a cor- refpondent number of 6ogo years, previous to the introdudlion of the fabbath, in which all things are to be accomplifhed -f.
* Luke xi. 24. A£ls xiv. 14.
t Barnabas's Epift. § 15. See alfo § 11, and R. David Kimchi in Kaiah xxxvi. 6. Pfalm xc. 4.
Juflin
DISCOURSE X; 289
Juftin Martyr, who flourifhed in the fecond feentury, profefTes himfelf, " with all orthodox ** Chrillians, to believe in a future refurrec- ** tion of the flefh, and a reign of a thouland ** years in the fame Jerufalem reftored, adorn- ** ed, and enlarged, for an influx of Gentiles " and Jews ;" atid reprefents the words of Ifaiah, ** for as the days of a tree are the " days of my people, and mine eled; ihall " long enjoy the work of their hands *," to intimate myflierioully the thoufand years -f-.
Irenaeus, who lived fomewhat later, repre- fents the " myflery of the refurredion of the " juft and of the reign J, as the beginning of ** incorruption 5 by which reign, thofe who " fhall be worthy, will, by degrees, become " accuftomed to, receive God ;" that, ** in ** this renewed ftate, the j ufl, firft rifing at the *' appearance of God, v/ill receive the promife " of their inheritance:" "for,' fays he, " in " that condition in which they laboured, or ** were afflid:ed, approved in all things by -*' fufferance, it is juft that they fhould, in
" * Ifaiah \xv. 22.
t Juft. Martyr, Part II. p. 313—315. Edit. Thirlb. X That is, the reign of a thoufand years.
U " that
290 -DISCOURSE X.
** that fame, receive the fruits of their fuffer- ** ings 5 and in that ftate, in which they *' were llain for the love of God, in the fame " they ihould revive j and in the fame con- *' dition in which they fuftained fervitude, ** in that they iliould reign." In confirma- tion of which he refers to many palTages in fcripture *.
Tertullian, a writer alfo of the fecond cen- tury, alTerts, " that the Chriftians confefled ** that an earthly kingdom was promifed to ** them before the heaven, and in another " ftate, after the refurred:ion for a thoufand ** years, in a city of divine conllrudion, an ** heavenly Jeruialem, as defcribed by Eze- ** kiel, and St. Paul and St. John, which is " defigned for the reception of the faints, to ** be Gompenfated by abundance of fpiritual ** bleffings, for the afilidions which on earth ** they fuftained." " After the thoufand " years of this period," continues Tertullian, '* within which the refurrediion of the juft ** rifmg fooner or later, according to their
* Iren. Hser. Lib. V. c. xxxii — xxxv. and Lib. V»
C, XXX.
f Tertul. adver. Marcion, Lib. Ill, c. xxiv. X Galat. iv. 26.
" merits.
Discourse x. 291
*^* merits, will be completed 5 and after the ** deflrudtion of the World, and the confla- ** gratlon of the judgment, the faints changed ** in an inftant, into angelical fubftances, will ** be tranflated, in the. putting on of that in- " corruption, into an heavenly kingdom ;" when, as he elfewhere expreffes himfelf, " the temporal appearance of the world lliali ** be renewed, which, as a curtain, is fpread " over the difpenfations of eternity * ; and ** the whole human race fhall be reflored to ** expunge what it fliall have deferved, of ** good or evil, in this life :" ** that Chrifl, *' the high Prieft of the circumcifed priefl:- ** hood, will then honor the circumcifion and ** the race of Abraham with acceptance and *' bleffing-f-."
Lad:antius alfo contends, afterwards, for the analogous fabbath, at the confummation. of the fix thoufand years J : and elfewhere affirms, " that the Son of God, after having *' abolifhed injuflice, eftabliffied judgment, ^' and reflored to life the jufl, who have
* Tertul. Apol.
f Tertul. adv. Marcion, Lib. V. c. Ix.
t La<5lant. de Vita Beata, Lib. VIL c. xir.
U 2 *' exifled-
292 DISCOURSE X.
*' exliled from the beginning, will live in
" intercourfe with men a thoufand years, and
** govern them with a jufl empire, agreeably
" to what he reprefents the Cumasan Sybil
*' to have foretold; that then thcfe who fhall
** live in bodies fliall not die, but fliall, during
'* the thoufand years, beget an infinite mul-
" titude; and their progeny fljiall be holy and
" dear to God ; and that they who lliall be
** raifed lliall prefide over the living as judges;
*' that fome Gentiles fliall be left to be van-
♦* quidied by God, triumphed over by the
" faints, and fubjecled to perpetual fervitudej"
that, " at the lame time, the prince of daemons,
" who is the contriver of all evil, fhall be
-** bound in culiody the thoufand years of the
*' heavenly reign, in which juftice Ihall flourilh
" in the earth, left any evil Ihould be at-
" tempted againft the people of God, after
** whofe coming the juft Ihall be coUedled
** from every land, and the judgment being
*' nnillied, the holy city fliall be ellablillied in
" the midft of the earth, in which God, the
*' architedt, fl:iall abide with the juft, who
*' ftiall then reign." After the completion
of the thoufand years, he affirms, ** that
*' there will be a renewal of the world, and
*' that
DISCOURSE X. 293
" that God fhall transform men into the " fimilitude of angels, for the eternal enjoy- " ment of the divine prefence ; and the un- *' jufl be condemned, after a general refur- ** recftion, to eternal torments *." He pro- fefles to ground thefe accounts on the tefti- mony of the prophets.
Thefe early writers, then, who refer to the fcriptures in fupport of the docHirine of the millennium, did not derive it, as has been unjuftly afierted -f-, merely from the tradition of Papias J, the friend of Poly carp,
* La6lant. de Vita Beata, Lib. VIT. c. xxiv. — xxvil.
f Wotton Praef. in Clement. Epift. p. 14.
% Eufebius reprefents Papias, who was bifliop of Hiera- polis, to have been a man of very flender underftanding, (though he elfewhere defcribes him as eloquent, and well verfed in fcripture) as, he fays, might appear from his writings. In the pafTage which this hiftorian cites from them, Papias profefles to have derived traditionary intelligence from thofe who had converfed as well vv'ith John, whom he ftyles the Prefbyter, as with St. John the evangelift, and other difciples of Chrift. Eufebius conceives him to have derived the grofs notion of the millennium which mifled Irenaeus and others from a too literal conftrudicn of the myftical accounts of the difci- ples ; and appears to intimate, that the notion of a thou- fand years was derived from John the Prefbyter, arjd Ariilion. Eufcb. Ecclef. Hift. Lib. IIL ch. xxxix.
U 3 who
294 D I S C O U R S p X.
who is reprefented, by Eufebius, to have affirmed, that, on enquiring diligently frora each of thofe who converfed with the apof- tles, what they might have been taught by them, he had colled:ed, that Chrift, returning from heaven, would perfonally reign a thou- fand years on earth with his faints. The facred writings had certainly laid the founda- tion of the dodtrine. The fathers, perhaps, interpreted the prophetic defcriptions too literally ; and they adopted notions refpedting the future kingdom of Chrift, which a juft and reafonable conftrudion of the infpired promlfes will not authorife.
In fome inftances they certainly feem to have given too great a fcope to their imagina- tions, in the defcrlption of this kingdom i but we muft remember, that it was a fubjed: on which the fancy could not but dwell, which genius muft have delighted to con- template, and eloquence, with defcriptive cmbellifhment, to detail.
Where, indeed, thefe writers adopt the defcriptions, and employ the figures which the prophets ufed, however glowing thofe ^efcriptlons, however ftrong thofe figures piay be, we have no right, in candour, to
fuppofe
DISCOURSE X. 295
fuppofe that they defigned them to be under- ftood in a more literal and carnal fenfe than did the prophets themfelves.
The facred writers pourtray the period with every luxuriancy of painting, with diverlified imagery, and lively colours. In profpe^fl of the joyful return of the Jews to their long deferted land, they invoke all nature, animate and inanimate, the heavens and earth to begin the fongs of exultation and joy *. " The mountains, and the hills, *' break forth into fmging, and ail the trees ** of the field clap their hands -f. They ** call on Zion to awake, on the holy city to ** fhake itfelf from the dull:, and to put on ** the garments of triumph and redemp- '' tion +."
They welcome, in prophetic raptures, the meifengers that appear with glad tidings, on the diflant hills, and are defcried by the watchmen from afar, who lift up their voice to proclaim the tidings of falvation, the arrival of thofe, who publifli unto Zion, " that her *' God reigneth §."
* Ifaiah xlix. 13. HI. 9. f Ifaiah Iv. 12. Ix. i.
^ Ifaiah lii. § Ifaiah lii, 7.
U 4 They
±g6 DISCOURSE X,
They defcribe the holy city, when built up, perfonified " as a virgin of Ifrael, adorned with tabrets, and going forth in the dances of them that make merry * ;" ** and as a virgin married to a youthful and rejoicing bridegroom -f-." A fhouting is heard among the chief of the nations, &nd *' the remnant of Ifrael" is " gathered from the coafls of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child, and her that travaileth with child toge- ther ; a great company returning," with foiigs, to " the height of Zion, and flowing together to the goodnefs of Zion, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock, and of the herd J." Bringing their fons in their arms, and carrying their daughters upon their fhoul- ders §, to a land too narrow, by reafon of the inhabitants," ** though their ad- verfarics are far away ||." *' They bring all their brethren for an offering to the Lord, out of all nations, upon horfes, and
* Jerem. xxxi. 4. f Ifaiah Ixii. 5.
It Jerem. xxxi. 7-— 14c § Jfaiah xlix. 22.
ifaiah xiix.
f^
in
DISCOURSE X. 297
'« in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules,
" and upon fwift beafts *." The land is
" covered with the multitude of camels "f-."
" The fhips of Tarfhiih + fail, laden with
*' the riches of the people :" ** the fons of
" Grangers build up their walls, and kings
*' miniiler unto them §." Judea is defcribed
as become " a delightfome land |1." *' Her
" wildernefs is made like Eden, and her
" defer t like the garden of the Lord ; joy
** and gladnefs are found therein, thankf-
*' giving, and the voice of melody**."
" The glory of Lebanon again appears : its
" forefts afcend in luxuriant vegetation, to
** beautify the fandluary of the Lord -f-f ;"
** and the thorn and the brier give place to
* Ifaiah Ixvi. 20. t U^^^h. Ix. 6.
t Ifaiah Ix. 9. The fliips of Tarfliifh, which precede in the return, are the fhips of the Mediterranean Sea ; the fea which wafhed the ftiores of Tarfus, in Cilicia. If Bochart were right, in placing Tarfliifli near Ophir in India, the fhips of Tarfhifli may mean only fhips from the mofl diftant parts. It was, in any cafe, a place famous for trade, and therefore fhips of Tarfhifh may mean only fhips of trade. See Bochart. Phaleg, Lib. II.
c. xxvii,
§ Ifaiah Ix. 10. || Malachi ill. iQ,
** Ifaiah li. 3, tt If^iiah Ix. 13.
'' the
298 DISCOURSE X.
** the fir tree and the myrtle*/' Plenty waves in the barren valleys. ** The paf- " tures of the v^^ildernefs do fpring," and the vines mantle and clufter on the ** moun- *' tains of Samaria *." « The floors are full ** of wheat, and the fats overflov/ with wine and oil f." '* The remnant of Jacob is in the midft of many people, as a dew from the Lord, as the Ihowers upon the grafs, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the fons of men J." " The remnant of Jacob is among the Gentiles in the midil: of many people as a lion among the hearts *' of the foreft, as a young lion among the ** flocks of flieep §." The enemies of the people "•'lick the duft like a ferpent, and ** move out of their holes like worms of the '* earth || ;" " and are trodden down, like *' afhes, under the foles of their feet **.'* Chrifl:, " mighty to fave" them, treadeth the wineprefs of the fiercenefs and wrath of Almighty God; and his garments are fprinkled
* Jerem. xxxl. 5. f Joel ii. 24. Amos ix.
U— 15- + MIcah V. 7. § Micah v. 7, 8.
.{) Micah vii. 17, ** Malachi iv. 3.
and
((
<<
it
r««
DISCOURSE X. 299
and ftained with the blood of his adver- faries *".
What then if, in imitation of the enrap^ tured prophets, the early writers of the church enliven the facred theme with the glowing tints of allegory ! What, if they defcribe the earth as voluntarily opening its plenty, and pouring out its abundant fruits, the rocks fweating with honey, wines running down in ilreams, and rivers flowing with milk -f- ! they do but catch the eflablifhed images of infpired defcription, and pourtray natural and Spiritual blefTmgs, under authorifed and poetic expreffions. What, if in contemplation of the perfecftions of the New Jerufalem, they defcribe its fplendor under reprefentations of earthly and material ornament, as compofed of pure gold, and garniihed with all manner of precious ftones ; and as watered by rivers of life, clear as cryftal, proceeding from the throne of God :{: ; at a period at which no
* Ifaiah Ixiii. 3. and Lowth*s notes to new tranflation of Ifaiah. Rev. xix. 15.
f Ladlant. Lib. VII. ch. xxiv. comp. with Joel ii. |8. Amos ix. 11.
% Revel, xxi. 10—21. xxii. i. Zechar, xiv. 8, I/aiaJi liy. 11,12. Tobit yiii. j6— 18,
light
300 DISCOURSE X.
light fhall be required '^- ; they do but em- blematically delineate the fame edifice that St. John had eredied, and may be underftood, in candid and fair conftruilion, to defign only the fplendid difpenfations of a fpi- ritual kingdom.
Faith and piety, doubtlefs, gazed fome- times on the enraptured vificn, till they re- alifed its figures, and forgot its allegory. The infpired writers had, in figurative lan- guage, foretold, that, at the period of the expected peace, men fliould hunger no more, nor thirft ; neither fhould the heat nor fun fmite them -f- -, that every man fhould live, in unfufpicious fecurity, under the fhadow of his own vine J -, that they fhould build houfes, and inhabit them, and plant vine- yards and gardens, and eat the fruit of them § : and our Saviour figuratively afTured the apoflles, that they fhould " eat and '* drink at his table in his kingdom, and fit " on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
'■•^ Revel, xxil. 5. xxi. 2,3. xxv. 26. Ifaiah Ix. ii,i9«
t Ifaiah xlix. 10. Revel, vii. 16.
•4; Ifaiah Ix. 11. jxv. 21.
§ Micah iv. 4.
'' Ifracl i
DISCOURSE X. 3^1
" Ifrael * ;" and too fenlually the unre- ftrained imaginations of the early writers con- templates, in grcfs and carnal interpretation, a table literally prepared by God, and covered with artificial dainties. The fruit of the vine, of which Chrifl: himfelf is to partake with his difciples, in fpiritual communion in his kingdom, is explained as literally to be enjoyed -f in the convivial hilarity of an earthly jubilee J. Fallen cities are pofltively to be rebuilt by aliens and kings, who are to be given to the faints as minlfcers of their delights §. Goods and lands are to be en- creafed an hundred fold ; and vineyards, and trees, and grains, branch out and bend, with unprecedented abundance, and fpontaneoully offer their produdions with rival competition for acceptance ||,
* Luke xxii. 30.
t Eufeb. Ecclef. Hift. Lib. VIL cap. xxiv. xxv. Apollin. ap Epiphan. Kaeref. 77. p. 732.
X Even it we admit Chrift's perfonal prefence in this reign, we cannot fuppofe him to be again fubje6ted to the wants and infirmities of the flefb.
§ Origcn rie^i apx^y. Lib. II. c. xii. Kaiah Ix. ro. Ixi. 4.
U Irenseus, Lib. V. c, xxxiii.
Such
302 DISCOURSE X.
Such notions, carried to an extravagant excefs, appear to have brought the dodtrine into fome difcredit and reproach : that it was never univerfally received in the primitive church, has been contended by fome, from the confeffion of its advocates *, though it has been maintained by others that it was very generally admitted till the fourth cen- tury -f-. The truth feems to be, that a fpiri- tual reign of Chrift was believed by all who carefully examined the fcriptures, though the popular notions of the millennium were often rejected % '> and ancient, as well as mo- dern writers, aflailed the extravagant fuper- llrudure, not the fcriptural foundation of the dodlrine.
* Whitby's Treatife on-the Millennium.
t Burnet maintains, that the millennium kingdom of Chrift was the general dodlrine of the church, from the times of the apoftles to the Nicene council, which was held about A. D. 325. He fuppofes Dionyfms of Alex- andria, who wrote againft Nepos, an Egyptian bifhop, before the middle of the third ccjitury, to have been the lirft who attacked the dodlrine ; but Origen had previ- oufly alTailed it in many of its fiditious additions.
X Gennad. Ecclef. Dog. c. Iv. Eufeb. Hift. Eeclef, Lib. VII. c. xxiv. Phot. Cod. 232. p. 894..
Coh-
DISCOURSE X. 303
Confidently with this account, Juftin Martyr admits that fome Chriftians, of a pure and pious judgment, did not acknowledge (that is, in a literal fenfe) the reftoration of Jerufalem, and the afiemblage of Chrifbians with Patriarchs, and Prophets, and Profelytes, before Chrifh*; and Irenasus intimates, that the dodtrine which he maintained, in its full extent, was not the univerfal fentiment of the church, but that the promifes were meta- phorically underflood -f.
Origen, who was extravagantly devoted to allegorical interpretations of fcripture, treats the carnal expofition of the prophetic pro- mifes, relating to this dodlrine, as received only by fome, and thofe of the fimpler part of mankind, and as difgraceful to chrifti- anity J : and, agreeably alfo to this repre- fentation, St. Jerom oppofed the do(5trIne, which, he fays, many ecclefiaftics and mar- tyrs maintained § ; and St. Auftin, who ad- mitted the reign of faints, obferves, that it
* Dialog. Part 11. p. 310, 311.
t Iren. Hser. Lib. V. c. xxxii. xxxiii.
X Philocal. c. xxvi, p. 99. Prolegom. in Cant. fol. 69.
§ Hieron. Com. in Hierem. i & 10. in Efaiam, c. xxx, Tom. III. p. 262. Edit. Bened. 478.
J might
364 DISCOURSE X.
might be tolerable, if the advocates for tha dodtrine mentioned only fpiri.tual delights, which the faints might enjoy by Chrift's prefence, but objects to the notions of carnal and immoderate banquets of meat and drink, maintained by fome * ; and other writers, with equal propriety and confiftency, de- claimed againft the dreams and fanciful fpe- culations which were indulged in defcribing the folemnities of marriage, the produdion of children, and the fenfual enjoyments to be partaken of in this reftored Eden, wantonly embelliflied with the alluring fidions of a golden age, or llored with the voluptuous pleafures of a Mahometan paradife -f-.
The dodrine then was a fubjecft of dif- cuffion in the primitive church, and main- tained and attacked, as at prefent, on very different grounds. It was fometimes impro- perly defended on literal and judaical expli- cations, but, probably, feldom or never en-
* Auguft. de Civlt. Dei. Lib. XX. c. vii. & ix.
f Origen Ilfp ccpxuv, Lib. IL ch. xxii. Com. in Matt. Edit. Hiiet. p. 498. Eufeb. Ecclef. Hilh Lib. VIL c. xxiv. Gennad. Ecclef. Dog. Phot. Cod. 232. p, 894. as cited by Whitby. Hieron. Prooem. Lib. XVIiL Com. in Ei'aiam.
tirely
DISCOURSE X. 305
tirely rejeded. We have feen that the fcrip^ tures do predid: a fpiritual reign of Chrifl yet unaccomplifhed ; and if we admit the earlier writers to have been capable of un- derftanding thofe fcriptures, we muft fuppofe them generally to have received the dod:rinej however they might have loaded it with fidi- tious additions, unfupported but by preten- lions to unknown antiquity.
If, now, we defne to confine the dodrine within its juft boundaries, and to determine upon what grounds we are authorifcd to de- fend it, we find, that after rejeding fuch particulars as are merely tfaditional or ima* ginary, fome points mufl remain doubtful, in confequence of the ambiguity of thofe pafiTages in fcripture which relate to them. The principal queflion upon which a differ- ence of opinion has been maintained on this fubjed:, is. Whether, in this predided reign of Chrift, we may exped: his perfonal pre- fence on earth j or only the full and fplendid eftablifhment of his religion. Allowmg for the figurative ftyle of fcripture, all the paf- Higes in the Old Teftament, which forefhew extraordinary blefTmgs at this period, may be confidered as defcriptive only of that happi- X nefs
3o6 DISCOURSE X.
tiefs which may be expeded under the influ- ence of the divine favour, to re fait from the operation of rehgion, and the eifeds of uni- verfal peace and harmony among mankind, when w2Lrs fhali ceafe, " when fwords fhall ** be turned into ploughshares, and fpears '* into pruning hooks *." They do not, at leaft, feem to require the fuppofition of the perfonal prefence of our Lord, even though ■we fhould allow them to promife a miracu- lous bounty, conveying, by divine favour, aa unprecedented felicity to the righteous.
In the New Teftament, indeed, in paf- fages, fome of which have been before cited, Ch'rift fpeaks of drinking of the fruit of the vine in God's kingdom f, and of appointing a kingdom to his apoilles, that they may cat and drink at his table, and fit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Ifrael; and affures, to his faithful followers, that in the regeneration, when the Son of man fhall fit on the throne of his glory, they fliall alfo fit upon twelve thrones |. Thefe, and other
* Tfalah ii. 4, Micah iv. 3.
f Matt. xxvi. 29. Mark xiv. 25. Luke xxii. 18.
X Matt. xix. 28. See Whitby.
paflages.
DISCOURSE X. 307
paflages, have been produced to prove, that Chrift will literally re -appear, preceded, as has been fuppofed again, by his melTenger * John, or Elias, to reign with his faints, who iikeivife are reprefented as to be then adually raifed from the dead.
It may be queftioned, however,, whether Chrift, in thefe places, does not refer to fome fpiritaal appointments, accommodated to our conceptions by earthly reprefentations; or he probably alludes to particulars to be difplayed in heaven, in the difpenfations of eternity.
* Some writers maintain, that Elias, or fome mef- fenger in his fpirit and power, is to precede the fecond advent of Chrift. They affirm, that the prophecies of Malachi, with regard to the meirenger, principally relate to this fecond coming of Elias, fmce he is to be fent before " the great and dreadful day of the Lord," when Chrift fliall come, not in the meeknefs of his firft appear- ance, " not breaking a bruifed reed," but when he Ihall appear " like a refiner's fire." Malachi iii. i — 3. iv. 5, 6. They obferve that Chrift, after the death of the Baptift, faid, that " Elias fhould come and reftore all *' things," though Elias, as he affirmed, was " come *' already." See Matt. xvii. 10 — 13. and thr.:: Elias was to convert and reform the people, fee Malachi iv. 6, and was ordained, according to the Son of Sirach, " to *' turn the heart of the father unto the fon, and to reftore *' the tribes of Jacob." Eccluf. xlviii. 10. See Mede, B. I. Difc. XXV. and Eyre on ProphecleSj p. 86—92 »
X z The
3o8 DISCOURSE X.
The ftrongefl pafTage which has been al- ledged in proof of the doflrine of the millen- nium, in its general acceptation, as fuppofing a perfonal reiidence of Chrift, and a pofitive refurreftion of his faints, to reign with him on earth, is, probably, that produced in the text, which is ufually brought forward for that purpofe by ancient and modern com- mentators. The cuftomary interpretation of the pafTage, when adduced with this view, reprefents St. John to fpeak of a fn-fl and proper refurre<5tion of thofe who were be- headed * for the witnefs of Jefus, and who had not v/orfliipped the beall ; which refur- recftion is, in this explanation, fuppofed to be antecedent to the general refurreclion for a thoufand years, during which the privileged and triumphant army of martyrs are to reign on earth.
In fupport of this literal expofition, it has been urged, that the promifes made to the patriarchs and faints -f, under the old
* Beheading was a Roman punifliment. See alfo Revel, vi. 9 — ii. where the recompence of the millen- nium is apparently promifed to the fouls of them that were flain.
f Gen. xiii. 15. xv. 7. xxxv. i2, Sec,
difpen-^
DISCOURSE X. 309
difpenfatlon, will not be fully accompliflied but by the pofitive refurredlon of their per- fons, to inhabit the appointed land*; that the Jews, from the earlieft time, believed in a literal refurre(5lion of their righteous fore- fathers tD reign in Ifrael in the days of the MefTiah, the beginning of which reign they did not exped: till the day of judgment ; that the primitive church looked for an abfolute re- furredion f ; that there is no difficulty in the fuppofition, fmce it is certain, that after the refurredlion of Chrift, many bodies of the faints which llept, arofe, and appeared to many % ; that the fcripture feems, in plain terms, to fpeak of a literal refurredion of the faints § ; and that many very judicious writers do maintain a double refurredion [],
* Matt. xxii. 31, 32. and Mede's Letter to Dr.Twifs, Epift. XLIII. Rom. Iv. 3. Gal. iii. 6. Afts vii. 5.
\ Juftin Martyr, Ladant. Lib. VIL c. xxiv. Mede fuppoles, that from this cxpeaation of the primitive church, might originate the pradice of praying for the dead, as founded upon a hope that they might have a part in the firft refurrecSlion.
X Matt, xxvii. 52, 53.
§ Revel. V. 10. xx. 4. Wifd. iii. 8.
II Mede, Vol. IL Book IV. Eplft. 20. Daubuz in Rev. XX. 4.
X 3 agree-
:^io DISCOURSE X.
agreeably to the declaration of St. Paul ; that " the dead in Chrift fliall rife firft*;" that ** every man fhall be made alive in his own ** order, Chrifl; the firft fruits, afterward ** they that are Chrift's at his coming, and ** then Cometh the end -f ;" and to what St. John faw, " that the reft of the dead lived not again until the thoufand years were finiihed J." A learned writer, however, whofe difcourfe on the millennium has been received as a very judicious explication of the docftrine, and who oppofes the notion of a literal de- fcent of Chrifl, and a literal refurreilion of his faints, maintains, that St. John fpeaks not of the bodies, but of the fouls of them that are beheaded §, who are faid to live,
contrary,
* I Their, iv. t6, 17. St. Paul may, however, by the dead in Chrifl, mean only the faithful in general ; and may ufe the word " firft" with relation to thofe that remain, and fha!I be caught up.
t I Cor. XV. 23.
X Rev. XX. 5. Whitby and Lowman underfland, by " the retl of the dead," the opponents of chriftianity ; thofe flain by the fv/ord, in chap. xix. 21. who fhall not recover their power till the thoufand years fhall be accompliihed, when their fpirit may revive in an anti- chriflian party for a little feafon.
§ Whitby fays, that the word xj/yx'w, which he flates to occur fix times in the biok of Revelation, fignlfies
always,
DISCOURSE X. 311
contrary, as this writer aiTerts, to the gene- ral ftyle of fcripture, when it fpeaks of the refurreaiion of the dead, of their perfons or bodies. He admits that, indeed, a firft re- furredion is mentioned, in which thofe who are blelTed and holy, and over whom the fecond death hath no power*, have a part ; a refurredion before the day of judg- ment, and before the fea, and death, and the grave, deliver up their dead t ; and before Chrifl's coming, to render to every man as his works (hall be +. But he main- tains, that the privileged partakers of this firft refurredion need not neceffarily be coa- fidered as martyrs, and unpolluted worfliippers of God, adually recalled from the ftate of departed fpirits to the earth ; a notion, as he reprefents, feemingly inconfiftent with the known flate of the dead § ; and apparently
always, either the foul in a ftate of feparation, or the living foul ; and that a literal refurreaion is never repre- fented in the New Teftapfient by expreffions of " the *' living of the foul," but by that of " the raifing of « the dead," or " the bodies of them that flept."
* XX. 6. t XX. 12, 13.
$ Revel, xxii. 12.
§ 2 Cor. V. viii. Philip, i. 23. Luke xxiii. 43-
X 4 repug-
312 DISCOURSE X.
repugnant to the general dodlrine of the refurrediion * : but rather perfons in whom the fpirit and zeal which animated the mar- tyrs fhall be revived, as is declared, agreeably to that mode of expreffion by which St. John the Baptift is defcribed as Elias, whom he refembied in circumftance, office, and cha- radler ; perfons, then, on whom the undefiled features of Chriftian perfedtion fliall be exhi- bited, and who fhall then be priefls of God and of Chrift j -, that the reign of Chrifl is defcribed as preceding the general judgment, and the'efore cannot well be fuppofed to be a flate of refurredtion to departed faints, who rather may be conceived to await, in fome intermediate ftate, the decifion of their final doom X 'f and the learned writer, therefore,
* The generd refurreftion is to be fudden. See Matt. 3cxiv. 39. Revel, xx. 12. i Cor. xv. 21, 51, 52. St. Jerom obferves upon this laft verfe, that it " excludes •^^ the whole fable of a firft and fecond refurre£lion," Epiih XX. Tom. III. fol. 66.
t I Peter ii. 5, 6. Exod. xix. 6. Ifaiah Ixv. 20.
% It is alledged alfo, thgt they who fhall be revived with Chrift will partake of the enjoyment of his pre- fence, not only for a thoufand years, but for ever ; and Job is cited, where he fays, " j\ian rifeth not till the l^eavens be no more." Job xiv, 12.
thinks
DISCOURSE X. 313
thinks that the ftate may be confidered only as a condition of unprecedented triumph to the righteous perfons, who fhall be then living examples of Chriflian perfed:ion; when ** he that overcometh, and keepeth God's *' works unto the end, to him will he give ** power over the nations *," and " grant ** to fit with him on his throne *!•,'' a mem- ber of that church, which fhall then flourifli, as it were, by a refurredlion J, in purity and power on earth, where it hath been often feen harrafled, and buried, as it were, in affli(fl:ion.
This figurative expofition of a pafTage, ia a book highly figurative, is at leafl plaufible. Without prefuming pofitively to decide on a point, upon which fuch oppofite opinions have been maintained, it may be remarked, that a firfl refurred:ion of the faints to reign with Chrifl,'that is, in the profefTion of his faith, and in the enjoyment of his favour, may, perhaps, be admitted without the ne-
* Revel, ii. 26. f iii. 21.
% Ifaiahxxvi. ig. Jercm. xxxi. 15, 16. Ezek. xxxvii. Hofea vi. i, 2. Rom. xi. 15. vi. i, 2. St. John employs the fame expreflions ufed by the prophets to defcribe the glory of the Jevvilh church.
ceflity
^14 DISCOURSE X.
ceffity of fuppofing our Lord's perfonal pre- fence, any farther than by ths manifeflation of a divine authority, and in the more evi- dent difplay of proted:ion to the church, over v^^hich, from the beginning, he promifed "to prefide *.
The idea of Ch rift's perfonal appearance, in the vifible fupremacy of his church, in its glorious llate, may, indeed, be conceived abflrad:edly from the intermixture of thofe earthly circumftances, vv^hich fuggefl them- felves to our grofs imaginations, and which might appear to degrade the dignity of his exalted charader. We know alfo, that the divine majefty was not contaminated by an in- tercourfe with his creatures in Paradife ; and Chrill voluntarily fubmitted himfelf, without injury to the godhead, to fuflain the infir- mities of the flefh ; but though " the fun ** of righteoufnefs" might again rife,on earth, unobfcured by its vapours, we are not, it is conceived, fully authorifed to expedt its appearance " till the heavens and earth fhall " pafs away, and melt with fervent heat 5" fince, we are told, that the heavens mufl
* Matt, xxviii. 20.
receive
DISCOURSE X. 2^5
receive him until the lafl day of confumma- tion, the times of reftitution, or reftoration of all things * : and it may be diffidently maintained, that no fufficient proofs can be drawn, either from the Old or the New Teftament, of the pofitive appearance of Chrift till that of his final advent to judge the vvorld in righteoufnefs, when he {hall come, not for abode on earth, but, like light- ning out of the eaft ; with fudden and full difplay of power, when the *' fign of the " Son of man fhall appear in heaven," and *' the Son of man fhall be feen coming in the ** clouds of heaven, with power and great *' glory," at the end of the world, as was ex- peded by the difciples -f-, to difcomfit thole enemies whom Satan releafed for a fhort period, fhall feduce to deflrudion J ; and,
* A6ls iii. 21.
f Matt. xxiv. 39. Chrifl, indeed, informs us, that he is to appear in portentous circumftances immediately after the tribulation, which is fuppofed to fuccecd the deltruclion of Jcrufalem. The period of his reign, which is the prelude of his fecond advent, being included in the confideratioo of this final difpenfation.
J If Chrift were perfonally to abide on earth, it would be difficult to conceive by what infatuation the enemies of the church could be dvawn to encompafs and aflail his faints.
finally.
3i6 DIS.COURSE X.
finally, to diftribute impartial judgment to the world.
Whatever decifion may be approved upon this fubje6t, it is clear that the prophetic declarations promifc the univerfal eftablifh- ment of chriftianity, in purity and truth, to be preceded by the fall of that antichriflian power, of vv'hich the character is defcribed as fo repugnant and hoflile to the fpirit of the church * ; as alfo by the general conver- fion of the Jews, to whom, in an efpecial fcnfe, the promifes belong; to whom, as to *' the loft flieep," the minifter of the cir- cumcifion -j- was firfl fent, and the remnant
* 2 ThefT. ii. 8. Rcvd. -x'ix. 20. Dan. vii. 26. Hence, perhaps, we may collect the reafon why the Ronrianifts rejected the general dodtrinc of the reign of faints, which iJaronius treats as heretical. They con- fidcred Chrift as already reigning in a triumphant church by his vicar.
■\ Rom. XV. 8. Acts xi. 19. xv. 46. Rom. ii. 10. Mr. Mcdc fuggcfls, that the condition of St. Paul, pre- vioufly to his convcrflon, refcmbles that of the Jews, in their obftinacy agairift Chrift and the Chriftians ; and that his convcrfion, fo differing from that o! all other men that ever v/ere, might be a pledge or pattern of fornething that fhould be vouchfafctl to his nation. See J 'I'im. i. j6. and Mcdc's Anfwcr to I^r. Twifs, Vol. [I. Book IV. hpifl. 14.
of
DISCOURSE X. 317
of whom ilkUl be ;i Iccond time ailcmblcd from the four corners of the earth, an enlign for the nations * ; that, as ** through tlieir *' fall, falvation came unto the Gentiles t;" ** as the calliuiT away of them was the re- " conciling of the world, io the receiving ** of them ihould be life from the dead J ," fliould be the me.ins of concdiating the Gen- tiles, whofe univerfil converllon is then alfo to take pl.ice, W'hen incredulity Ihall at lall yield to the futiVage of general convidion, and the light of revealed wifdom be dittufed in tranfcendent fplendor ||.
It has been thought to admit of fome dif- pute**, whether the promifes of the future relloration of the Jews ihoull lead us to expeO:^ their lirend return to Jerufalem, poii- tively to be rebuilt ; or whether they ihould
* Ilai;\h xi. K^ — i:. \Iv. 2.1. xwiii. 01. 1\. 4, g, Ixi. 6, 7, 10.
t Ztvhar. viti, 13. Rom. \i. 11. Mace. x. 5, 6. XV. ,14. " X Roai. xi, 10! — 15.
§ Rotn. xi. 25, 2r. llaiah Ix. J3. Iw i. iS.
H ir.uah !x. 19. Revel, xxi. 23.
** Dr. Gregory Sharpc Jcnicvl the future reftor.uiv'jn of the Jews. Sec the Rife anJ Fill of the Holv City 2i\\\ I^Muplo of Tcruulcm.
i be
31? DISCOURSE X.
be underftood to import only their general converfion, in an improved flate of the church, defcribed as a New Jeriifalem ; bui thefe promifes are fo flrong, and fo frequently- repeated, fo apparently pofitive, and literal in their meaning, fo detailed with local cir- cumflance and allotment *, and, at the fame time, fo capable of literal accomplifhment, that if colledlively and maturely confidered, they will, probably, be allowed to juftify a beUef in the abfolute return of the Jews, to dwell in the land which God gave to their fathers ; " to repair the wafte places, the *' defolations of many generations f/' *' that ** the redeemed of the Lord may return, and *^ come with finging to Zion, with fong'and *' everlafling joy on their head J ;" to raife Mp Jerufalem itfelf as the metropolis of the church, *' in the light of which the Gen- ** tiles fhall walk ;" in which a vifible church, and fpiritual temple, may be expeftedi, as beheld in vifion by Ezekiel§; that " upon
* Obadiah 17, 21. Ezek. xxxvi. 28. Jerem. xxxi, 38 — 41. Zechar. xiv. 10, n. Tobit xiii. 19. t Ifaiah Ixi. 4. Luke xxi. 24. % Ifaiah li. 11, § Ezek. xlviii.
'' Mount
DISCOURSE X. 319
** Mount Zion there {hould be deliverance ; ** and there fiiould be holinefs; and the houfc ** of Jacob fhould poflefs their poilefllons ; *' and that they fliould vvorfhip the Lord in " his holy mount at Jerufalem*."
At this period, then, " the fpirit of grace " fliall be opened upon the houfe of David, ** and upon the inhabitants of Jerufalem, *^ the fpirit of grace and of fupplications : ** and they fhall look upon him whom they '* have pierced, and they fhall mourn for ** him as one mourneth for his only fon^ ** and fhall be in bitternefs as one that ** is in bitternefs for his firflborn -f-. And it is reafonable to fuppofe, that at Jerufalem, which was the fcene of our Redeemer's fuf- ferings, there he fliould difplay his triumph: that where the peculiar people of God fuf- tained his wrath, there they fliould experi- ence his mercy J, when " the city which ** has been forfaken, and hated, and trodden '* down, fliall be made an eternal excellency, *' a joy of many generations §."
* Ifaiah xxvii. 13. f Zechar. xii. 10. John
xix. 37. Revel, i. y.
:j: Joeliii. I, 2. II — 14. Ifaiah Ix. 10. Zech. xii, 12, § Ifaiah Ix. 15.
This 8
320 DISCOURSE X.
This account is confiftcnt with the earliefl opinions entertained by the churchy and there are no difficulties attending the expec- tation that require a more miraculous inter- pofition in favour of the Jews, than has already been difplayed in their wonderful prefervation.
It is, notwithflanding, evident, that the divine promifes do not, as the Jews fuppofe, extend to any reftoration of the Mofaic fer- vice, with its rites and ceremonies : a pre- paratory fervice, typical only of better things ; nor to any re-eflablifhment of the Jewifli temple : the tranfient figure of a more per- fed; ** tabernacle, which the Lord pitched* ;" nor to a renewal of the Jewifh polity, infli- tuted for temporary purpofes. The fhadows are now rejected behind the brightnefs of the fubflance : the glory of the former temple will be forgotten in the fuperior fplendor of the Chriftian church, when the righteoufnefs of " Zion fhall go forth a^ brightnefs, and *' the falvation thereof as the lamp that ** burneth -f-." God will reflore to his people
* Haggai ii. 6 — 9. Amos ix. 11 — 15. 2 Cor. iii. 3 — II. Heb. viii. 2, 13. ix. 2, ii, 24. Tobit xiv. 51, 67. t Ilaiah Ixii. i.
their
DISCOURSE X. 321
«* fheir judges as at firft, and their counfel- « lors as at the beginning *," when " Zion '* fhall be redeemed with judgment, and her " converts with righteoufnefs :" when he fhall eftabUfh the fubflantial equity of his laws, and the concerted wifdom of his de- crees; then, indeed, we fhall behold not a re- floration of the reftrided ordinances of a peculiar people, but the comprehenfive dif- penfatlon of an univerfal government: in the eftablifliment of the Chriftian church, of which the congregated members fhall confti- tute one fociety of kings and priefls f ; and the tabernacle of God Ihall be with men, and he will ** dwell with them,'' by his influ- ence, and they fhall be his people, and God himfelf fhall be with them, and be their God; in that New Jerufalem in which St. John law no temple, no local refort of worfhip j for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb,
* Ifaiah i. 26, 27. The Jews retain the words of this prophecy in their fynagogue lervice, in the prayer for the reftoration of their tribes, expelling its future literal accomplifhment.
f Exod. xix. 6. Ifaiah Ixi. 6. Rev. v. 10. xx. 6.
X Rev. XX. 3. comp. with Ezekiel xxxvii. 26, 27.
arc
322 DISCOURSE X.
are the temple of it * ; when a reign of faints fhall take place, compofed of faithful fervants of God, a(flually raifed from the grave, or of perfons in whom the fpirit of the anti- ent martyrs fhall be revived -, to whom pri- moEval longevity is promifed for the duration of a thoufand years -f-, v/hile Satan fhall be fhut up, fecurely debarred from malevolent exertion and deception.
Were we farther to dilate on the defcrip- tion of this period, we might reprefent it as a flate in which the higheft effedis of earthly recompence will be experienced; in which, though an abfolute theocracy may not pre- vail,- the more immediate fuperin tendance of God will be experienced, as well in the open teflimonies of his power, as perchance by
* Revel, xxi. 22. The temple will then be fpiritual, as Barnabas explains it, mrc^i yaos ojKo^o/xa poevoj tw Kvpioj. Epift. § 16.
t The thoufand years may apply to the period of the continuance of the church in a ftate of profperity: lon- gevity vi'ill, probably, be then granted to all ; but Ifaidh fpeaks of a fhorter duration of life to individuals than the term of a thoufand years. Ixv. 20. A thoufand years fnay, perhaps, be a definite term, to be underftood in an indefnite fenfe, as importing only a long time. 2 Pet. iii. 8.
the
DISCOURSE X. 323
the vifible irradiation of the divine glory ; a fchechinah which, in the farpaffing fplendor of its everlafting light, may, like the fun, impart its beams without relinquifhing its exalted ftation in the heavens * j which may jftream out in more plentiful effufion of the fpirit -fy to the illumination of thofe faints, whofe minds fhall* be fpiritualifed for the re- ception of higher communications : a ftate, in which the paffions fliall be calmed in fub- jedlion to the control of the Lord ; m which, releafed from anxious cares, and fecular foil- tude, the privileged poflefTors of the king- dom may gather the firft fruits of the tree of life reftored ; from which the other tree, that ftood in the midft of Paradife, the occafion of fm, fhall be removed ; and in which men may, perhaps, as in Paradife, enjoy fome exalted communications with God, and expe-
* Ifaiah XXX. 26. Ix. 19, 21. Revel, xxi. 23, 24. Precife and accurate defcription, on a fubjed fo fpecula- tive, cannot be given ; general and conjectural illuftra- tions may be offered with becoming diffidence. The divine prefence is to be reftored in the fpiritual temple, defcribed byEzekiel xliii. 2 — 5. Spiritual facrifices alfo are to be there offered. ■ t Joel ii. 29, 30. Ifaiah xliv. 3. Ix. 19.
Y a rience
324 DISCOURSE X.
rience his apparent and immediate counte- tenance ; " when mercy and truth Ihall meet ** together, righteoufnefs and peace fhall kifs ** each other ;" when offenlive paffions fhall ceafe, and abhorrent tempers coalefce and agree * -, " when there Ihall be no more ** death "f*, neither forrow, nor {bedding of ** tears -, neither fliall there be any more ** pain j" " when violence lliall be no more ** heard in the land, nor wafting and deftruc- " tion within its borders ; but they {hall call ** the walls of Zion Salvation, and its gates ** Praife J ," when, confiftently with the progreffive difplay of God's power, fom^ portentous and more glorious manifeftation of his attributes may be made ; and fome image of his final difpenfations, in a future judgment, may be furnifhed in the elevation
* Ifalah xi. 6—8.
t Revel, xxi. 4. If the exprefiion " of no more « death," be not figurative, St. John will, probably, be thought, in this place, to fpeak of the Nev/ Jerufalem in the Jftate in which it fhall exift after the final defcru^lion of the world ; for Ifaiah f?ems to reprefent the inha- bitants of the New Jerufalem of the millennium, as liable to death. See Ifaiah Ixv. 20.
+ IduaUlx. 18.
of
DISCOURSE X. 325
of the meek, and in the recompence of the deferving; when " the lofty looks of man ■ ** fliall be humbled, and the haughtinefs of ** men fhall be bowed down, and the Lord ** alone fliall be exalted in that day *," in which the efficacy, and full intention of chrif- tianity, will be triumphantly (hewn ; when, in a more eminent fenfe, men fhall '* come '* unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the '* living God, the heavenly Jerufalem, and " to an innumerable company of angels, ** to the general aflembly and church of the " firft-born, which are written in heaven ; " to God the judge of all, and to the fpirits ** of juft men made perfed:, and to Jefus the ** m^ediator of a new covenant, and to the ** blood of fprinkling that fpeaketh better " things than that of Abel f ."
* Kiiah ii. ir.
f Heb. xii. 22 — 24. This pafTage is defcriptive of the Chriftian difpenfation, as difplaycd at the firft advent of Chrift. It has a farther reference to the final efta- bli(hment of that difpenfation ; and it refpects, in an eminent fenfe, the circumfl-ances to be enjoyed in the eternal manfions of the blclTed. The defcriptions of fcripture have fuccelTivc gradations in their advancement to completion.
Y 3 The
326 D I S C O U R S £ X,
The true church of Chrift, the New Jeru^ falem, is reprefented with fome apparent am- biguity by St. John, " as coming down from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her huf- band*," after he has given an account of the new heavens and the new earth being efta- bhflied, and of the firft heaven ^nd firft earth being paffed away -f- ; though in a preceding account, relating to the period of the reign of faints, the church is reprefented as a bride ready, and arrayed for the reception of the Lamb, before the defcription of the renewal of the material world. Hence it has been difputed, whether the apoflle, in defcribing the new heaven and the new earth, in which there fhall be no more fea, |ior death, treat of the circumfrances which are to fucceed the final refurredion to an eternal fabbath, or whether he iliil fpeak of the reign of faints on eartl;.
* Revel, xxi. 2. " Coming down from God out of ^' heaven," means only adorned with heavenly graces. See Ephef. i. 3. So it is ft}'!ed *' Jerufalem, which is *' above," in Gal. iv. 26. and " the heavenly Jerufa- " lem," Heb. xii. 22. See alfo Mark xi, 30.
+ Rev. xxi. 2. ccmp. with Ifaiah Ixv. 17. Ixvi. 22.
Thofe
DISCOURSE X. 327
Thofe who fuppofe the apoftle to obferve a ftrid: order in the fucceffion of events, and contend that the new heaven and the new earth are not to take place till after the gene- ral judgment, fupport their opinion by ob- ferving, that if, in the new earth, there is to be no more fea, nor death, it muft be after the general judgment, when the fea is to give up its dead, and when death, the laft enemy, is to be fubdued ; and farther, by contending for the literal explication of the defcription, which reprefents the New Jeru- falem as coming down from God out of hea- ven ; but as the expreffions of no fea *, and no death -f, may, perhaps, be underftood in a figurative fenfe j and as the New Jerufalem, however defcending and adorned, is defcribed
* Bp. Newton on Prophecies, Vol. III. on Rev. c. 21. The expreflion of " no fea," has been underflood, as ths learned writer obferves by many, to imply, figuratively, no troubles or commotions in the new world. The other arguments urged by him difappear, if the explica- tions, offered in the courfe of this difcourfe, are received.
f ** No death," may imply no terrors of death. See p. 324. note f . Or St. John may be fuppofed to fpeak of the millennium, as typically comprehending the ftate which is to follow the general refurredlion.
Y 4 as
328 DISCOURSE X.
as reiiding on earth, we may agree rather with thofe who maintain that St. John ftill fpeaks of the period of the reign of faints, fmce he defcribes the New Jerufalcm in the fame manner as the prophets had pourtrayed the Hebrew church in its glorified Hate ; and we may underftand, by the new heaven and the new earth, thofe alterations in the mate- rial world, which, agreeably to the opinion of antiquity, may then be exped:ed to take place * ', or conceive the expreffions to im- port
* Burnet fuppofes the millennium to take place under the new heaven and the new earth, after the con- flagration of the world ; and endeavours to eftabliih his opinion by the paflage from St. Peter, in which the apoftle profeffes to look for a new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteoufnefs, to take place, in Burnet's apprehenfion, after the diffolution of the world by hre. 2 Peter iii. 12, 13. and, by obferving farther, that the prefent conftitution of nature will not bear, nor be con- fiftent with the happinefs promifed in the millennium ; as alfo that the kingdom v/ill not take place till Antichrift be deftroyed : an event not to happen, as he conceives, till the appearance of Chriil, before the beginning of the millennium, and not till the end of the world. See Kevel. xix. 20. 2 Theff. i. 7, 8. ii. 8. Ads iii. 21. At the fame time, Burnet imagines, that a firft partial judgment will take place ; in proof of which he refers to Dan. vii. 26. Revel, xi. 15 — iS. 2 Tim. iv. i. The
laj
DISCOURSE X. 329
port only fome moral changes, thus figura- tively depi(5led, and reprelented by St. John, in the order of his difcourfe, as taking place towards the end of the millennium, becaufe then difplayed in their full completion.
Upon this fuppofition it muft alfo be ad- mitted, that St. John, after detailing prolep- tically the circumftances of the laft judg- ment, reverts to the fubjed of the reign of a thoufand years, thus glancing in the un- controlled fpirit of prophecy, with defultory tranfition, from period to period, and occa- fionally reverting to dilate on fubjeds firft curforily brought forward : prefenting, in one grand difplay, the beginning and end of the day of judgment *, which, extending through
a thou-
laft enemies to appear towards the conclufion of the mil- lennium, he ftrangely conceives, may be fons of the earth, generated from the flime of the ground, and the heat of the fun, as he rcprefents brute creatures to have been originally raifed. Burnet's Theory, Vol. II. Book iV. Others have thought, that the eternal manfions of the blefled will be on earth. See Hody of the Refurreaion. * A day with God is a day of a thoufand years, a day of eternity. 2 Peter iii. 8. The whole time of Chi ill's firft coming is called a day ; fo alfo the time of the abode in the wildernefs. Heb. iii. 8, 9. See alfo Deut. xxxii. 35, Mede is of opinion, that the kingdom of the Son • ~- '• of
330 DISCOURSE X.
a thoufand years, comprehends the com- jnencement of the deftrudiion of Chrift's enemies, and the final annihilation of all oppofing powers in the ultimate difpenfation of his wrath; ** when cometh the end when ** he ihall have delivered up the kingdom to ** God even the Father ; when he fliall have ** put down all rule and all authority, and all *' power ; for he muft reign until he hath ** put all enemies under his feet ; the lall ** enemy that (hall be deflroyed is death."
of man, and of the faints of the moft High, fpokcn of hy Daniel and St. John, begins with the deftrudtion of the great beaft, and the feffion of judgment. Dan. vii. o — 22. John XX. 4. but that as the judgment is not to be confummate till the end of the thoufand years, the •whole thoufand years is called the day of judgment, the period which is to begin with the founding of the feventh trumpet. Revel, xi. 15. in which the appear- ance of Chrift is to be ufhered in by fome preparatory circumftances. The Jews fpoke of the day of judgment with this latitude, fuppofmg it to mjean a period of long pontinuance j and fome believed of a thoufand years.. This opinion of Mede differs from that of the Chiliafts, who thought that the reign of faints would fucceed the judgment, fince it reprefents the two difpenfations a^ contemporary. See Mede, Vol. II. Book IV. Epiit. ^V. Book III. c. xi.
Th«
DISCOURSE X. 331
The prophets, in general, feem to fpeak of the New Jerufalem as of an earthly Hate, contemporary with the peaceful and profpe- rous dominion of Chriil * ; and if, agreeably
* It may be obferved, in agreement with Mr. Mede's opinion, that the marriage of the Lamb, and the reign of Chrift, begin with the deftrudtion of Babylon (Rome) ; that the period of the New Jerufalem correfponds with the founding of the feventh trumpet, and that the New JerufaUm muft coincide with the reign of faints, fince the period of the palm-bearing tribe, who are defcribed in the fame manner as the citizens of the New Jerufalem, is to fucceed that of the tribe of the 144,000 who are figned, and who were contemporary with the beaft; Rev. vii. g— 17. and fince, after the 1000 years, the New Jerufalem is to be encompafled with enemies. Rev. xx. 9. It fhould be remarked farther, that after the feventh vial is poured our, by which the beaft is deftroyed, a voice comes from the throne ; and he who fits on the throne fays to St. John, who is looking at the New Jerufalem, ♦' Behold, I make all things new." Ch. iii. 16, 17, xxi, 5,6. The New Jerufalem, then, begins with the laft period of the vial, the whore being deftroyed j and it therefore fynchronifes with the interval from the deftruc- tion of the beaft. Laftly, one of the angels fhews the New Jerufalem, the Bride of the Lamb, as about to ap- pear immeJiately after the pouring out of the vials, and the deftrutSlion of the beaft, and of Babylon, ch. xxi. 20. It therefore coincides with the time of the reign of faints. See Mede's Clavis Apocalypt. Book III, p. 2. Syn- chron. 6, 7.
to
332 DISCOURSE X.
to the fentiments of antient writers *, we admit the renovation of the world to coincide with the reign of faints, we may fuppofe, as was before obferved, the new heaven and the new earth, fpoken of by Ifaiah and St. John, either to be defcriptive of a Kteral renovation of the material world, to be effecfted in the analogous extent of that refurre(fl:ion which all things intimate -, and in conformity with the beneficial chara6ler of the expeded period, when the earth may be releafed from the curfe pronounced upon it -f, and recover, under the influence of more friendly fkies, the vigor of its original fertility, and undergo fuch mutations as may correfpond with the
* See p. 289 — 292. Iren. Lib. V. c. xxxv. Tertul, de Speclac. c. xxx. La6tantius, indeed, with fome am- biguit)', appears to reprefent the renovation as fucceedirtg the millennium. Lib. VK. c. xxvi.
-J- Rev. xxii. 3, 2 Peter iii. 10 — 13. St. Peter, by the order of his difcourfe, may appear to have looked for new heavens and a new earth at the day of judgment, and the difTolution of the world ; but if, agreeably to Dr. More's interpretation, we fuppofe the apoflle, by new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwellethrighte- ournefs, to fpeak. of a change to take place before the general conflagration, his declaration may be adduced in fupport of the doctrine of the fpiritual reign of Chrift,
improved
DISCOURSE X. 3--
j>j>
improved condition of the moral world ; or we may conceive the new heaven and the new earth* to imply, allegorically, fome great and glorious circumftances of an undefined and fpiritual nature, thus figuratively pro- mifed, which is confiftent with St. Peter's declaration, " that the heaven and the earth, " which are now, are kept in flore, referved " unto fire againil the day of judgment and « perdition of ungodly men -[-."
In conformity with both opinions above ftated, the reign of faints may be fuppofed to exhibit, on earth, an anticipated repre- fentation of the difpenfations of eternity, and
• * The expreffions may, perhaps, mean a new govern- ment and a new people. Maimonides underftood the new heaven and the new earth to be defcriptive of the perpetual joy, to take place of former forrow, at the period here fpoken of. See More Nevoch. Part II. c. xxix. p. 268. Mede, upon an interpretation of the expreffions of heaven and earth, as oriental metaphors, for .the exalted perfonages, and lower ranks of the political world, fiightly fuggefts, that the predicted de- ftrudion of thefe may import the demolition of the world, of wicked itates, and men high and low. Sec fimilar modes of exproil.on in Haggai ii. 6, 7, 21, 22. Ifaiah xxxiv. 4, 5. and Mede, Vol. II. Book lii. p. 761,
t 2 Peter iii. 7.
what
334 DISCOURSE X.
what is applicable to the type is more emi- nently defcriptive of the thing typified -, and, on this ground, the New Jerufalem may be confidered, while on earth, as a figure of the habitation of the righteous in the ftate of final reward. It is a portraiture of that church, which, exifting firll in fplendid cir- cumflances on earth, fhall furvive, with un- fhaken fecurity, and increafing luflre, the changes and wreck of the fublunary world, fafe amidil conflagration *, and unimpaired by the deftrutSion of the material elements, as defigned to be tranilated into heaven, and to flourifli in a purified and exalted flate, harmonifed and fitly joined in the union of its confiflent parts, and crowned with the vifible glory of its head, from eternity to eternity -f.
The conclufion of the reign of faints is to be difbinguifhed by their general victory over thofe confederate enemies, whom Satan re- leafed for a fhort time, fiiall feduce to de-
* That the world is to be finally deftroyed by ilre, is a tradition of the remoteft antiquity, and ratified, we have ieen, by the facred writings,
•f Dan. vii. 14. Luke i. 33. i Cor. xv. 24. Rev, xi. 15.
flru(flion<.
DISCOURSE X. 335
{lru<ftion "*. A vid:ory, to be efFeded by miraculous interpofition, in favour of the faints, who;::! they fhall encompafs -f- j after which, the devil and the beaft, and the falfe prophet, fhall be cafl into eternal torments. An univerfal rekirredionihall take place :J;, and the white throne of judgment {hall be dii- played v/ith him that fitteth on it for judg- ment i before whofe face the earth and the
heaven*
♦ Hence Chrift fays, neverthelefs, when the Son of man cometh, lliall he find faith on the earth ? See Luke xviii. 8.
f Revel. XX. 8. Ezekiel's prophecies, relative to fome future enemies of the church, are fuppofed tc relate to earlier and lefs important adverfaries than thofe de- fcribed under the fame myflerious titles by St. John : they, perhaps, refer to the Turks, who were of Scythian extrafliori ; and the Ottoman empire cannot well be fuppofed to laft till the conclufion of the millennium. Fuller and Mede hazard a conjecture, that the Gog and Magog of St. John may be the nations of America, who were, probably, colonies, or defcendants of the Scythians. St. John fpeaks of the laft enemies of the Jews aflem- blcd from all qitarters of the earth for tinal tleftru<2ion. See Biftiop Newton^ on the Prophecies, Vol. III. c. xx. p. 343— 348. Mede, Vol.11. Book 111. ; 7x3.
:|: Rev. XX. II — 13. Brightman fuppofes, that the refurredlion here fpokcn of, is but a fhadow of the full seftoration of the Jewifli nation j but the general cur- rent
336 DISCOURSE X.
heavens fhall fly away and vanifh, and the dead, fmall and great, fhall ftand before God; and the book (of judgment) which is the book of life, fhall be opened, and the dead fhall be judged out of thofe things which were WTitten in the books, according to their works ; and the fea fhall give up the dead which are in it ; and death and hell fhall de- liver up the dead which are in them ; and they fhall be judged, every man, according to their works ; and death and hell, thofe fubjec^ to their powers, fhall be caft into the lake of fire, and be condemned to the fecond death * ; and whoever fhall not be found written in the book of life, fhall be cafl into the lake of f>re -f.
Such are fome of the particulars relating to the glorious reign of Chrift, of which the
rent of the interpreters authorifes us to confider it as the clear defcription of the final judgment. See Brightman in Revel, xx. ii.
* Rev. XX. 14. xxi. 8. The fecond death Is a phrafe for the punilhment of the wicked, in the Chaldee paraphrafe of Onkelos, and thofe of Jonathan Ben LJz- ziel, and of Jerufalem.
t Revel. XX. 4 — 15. where the detail runs in this order of events.
prophets
DISCOURSE X. 337
prophets reprefent the particulars, whether of its commencement or conlummation, ia one general account. The ftages and appro- priate circumftances of each period, it is not poflible to define; for the pi-ophecies relating to the fubject, are involved in an obfcurity which time only can difperk ; as, previoully to the advent of Chrill:, many predictions relating to the Meffiah were dark, and appa- rently inconfiflent ; and as through every part of fcripture there are palTages of obfcure allufion to future circumilances, which can be elucidated only in their accomplilliment : lliadows which gradually dilappear, and fuc- cefTively vaniih, before the brightucfs of thofe difperilations which they deicribe.
The doctrine of the fpiritual reign of Chrifl, as difcreetly maintained, as built on the expectation of a glorious and triumphant flate of the church, may tend to encourage a confidence in God's wed, and a reliance on the accomplifhment of prophecy in its -refeience to future events. xA.s that doctrine has been perverted, and mixed with intem- perate fancies, it has often led to very mif- chievous and fat-il confequences. In the firl^ -ages of chriitianitv, and even in the days of Z our
538 DISCOURSE X.
our Saviour, the notion of the immediate eftablifliment of a temporal kingdom, by Chrift, appears to have prevailed : from an expedation of the full completion of the prophecies concerning the Meffiah, at the firft coming of our Lord ; from want of dif- crimination of the predidions v^hich related refpe(ftively to the firfl or fecond advent -, and from an aggregate contemplation of the accu- mulated particulars, from the commence- ment till the confummation of Chrift's king- dom. Hence, in confequence of fuch con- fufed notions, we find even the difciples en- quiring of Chrift, immediately after his re- furred:ion, v/hcther he would, at that time, reftore again (or rather grant, or eftablifli) * the kingdom to Ifrael : the kingdom in which, probably, not yet awake from the dreams of temporal power, they fuppofed that their crucified Lord would avenge him- felf of his enemies, vindicate his infulted dignity, and eftablifh the earthly fovereignty, to which they beUeved him to be entitled ; the kingdom, in which, the mother of Zebedec's children, knowing not what flie
* A9!-ox«0is"«v£tfj A6ls i. 6.
afked.
DISCOURSE X, 339
ftlked, had petitioned for rank and precedency fbt her Tons *.
When Chrift, however, after his refar- redtion, had opened the minds of his difci- ples, that they might understand the fcrip- tures, and when the Ploly Ghofl: had de- fcended upon them, for the communication of divine wifdom, the nature of Chrifl's kingdom became better underiloodj the peri- ods of his advents were dillinguifhed ; the full confummation of the perfeflions of his kingdom appeared removed to a gr-ater dif- tance, and the eye of faith contemplated the bleffings of a remoter proipedt, to be realifed in the univerfal eflablifbm.ent of chriftianity -j-.
* Matt. XX. 21, 22. Luke xxiii. 42.
f When the facred writers afHrmeJ that the coming of the Lcrd drew nigh, they fpoke of his coming to the deftru«Rion of Jerulalenn. James v. 8, Heb. x. 37, Philip, iv. 5. So when St. Peter faid, that the end of all things was at hand, he meant all things relating to the Jewifh polity, i Peter iv. 7. St. Paul, confiftently with rhis, aiTured the Thellaloniahs, that with refpe6l to them, the day of Cliriil, that day in which all Chriftians were to be gathered to him, was not immediately at hand, svislr.Ksyy and that it fliould not come till after the reve- lation of the man of fin, whom the Lord would deflroy finally with the brightnefs of his coming. 2 ThefT. ii. 1-8,
Z 2 . Chrift,
340 DISCOURSE X.
Chrift, when enquired of concerning the period of the coming of this kingdom, told his difciples, that it was not for them to know the times and the feafons, which the Father had put in his own power * j and in the defcription of his future advent, he blended with the particulars of his appearance a final judgment, the circumftances of his coming to the deftrudion of Jerufalem -f-. Of the day, and of the hour of his ultimate coming, " no man knoweth -, no, not the *' angels which are in heaven ; neither the *' Son, (in his human charad:er) but the Fa- ** ther J." We know only, that fome pre- paratory circumftances muft take place.
The notion that the continuance of the world is limited to fix thoufand years, is de- rived from a tradition of uncertain authority, though of the higheil antiquity. It is ufually traced up to Elias, a rabbinical writer, who flourifhed about two centuries before the birth of Chrift ; and, by fome, even to Elias the Tifhbite. It certainly obtained among
-* A6ls i. 6, 7. t Matt. xxiv.
J See Mark xiii. 32. and Whitby,
the
DISCOURSE X. 341
the Chaldeans, from the earliefl times*; and is countenanced by Barnabas f, Irenteus,' and other primitive writers J • yet, as it has not fanftion from the fcriptares, we are not bound to refped: it any farther than as a doubtful tradition. But though the period of the fetting up of Chrifl's kingdom was not adually defined, the converts to the faith of Chrift were intruded to pray for its ad- vancement 3 though the time of his appear- ance, to conclude that difpenfation with his
* Plutarch, de Ifid. & Ofirid. p. 408. Sixt. Senens. Bibhoth. Lib. II. Vocab. Elias. Gemar. Abed. Zareh IV'. ^- t^^^'^- Sebah. inGen.i. 2 Efdras vii. 30. Mede and Burnet's Theory, Lib. III. c. v. The flory of die Phoenix is fuppofed to have been framed, with fymbohcal allufion, to the expeded renovation of the world. The bird is ufua!]y reprefented as livino- xooo
r"; jZ ^!n' ""''• ""'''' ^^'- ^- '■ - -^'J Tacitus. Annal. L,b. VI. § 28. Ch^remon the Egyptian, fuo-
pofes It to hve 6000, or 7000 years. See VoiT. Sibyl] Orac. c. V. ex Tzek. Chiliad, v. Hift. VI. The fathers' produce the phoenix as an argument of the refurreclion Clement. Epift. I. c. xxv.
t Barnabas, § 15.
Z Iren^us, Lib. V. c. 28, 30. Ladtant. Lib VlI C.XXIV. Cyprian. Exhortat. ad Martyr, c.xviii. Auguft.' de Civit. Dei. Lib. XX. c. vii.
^ 3 judg-
342 DISCOURSE X.
judgments, was concealed, his difciples were taught to watch for, and to obferve its figns.
The doftrine of the reign of faints, as very generally beheved daring the three firft centuries of the, church, certainly animated the zeal and fortitude of the primitive Chrif- tians, who, perhaps, hoped too literally to participate of a fpeedy and earthly refurrec- tion *, though inftrucfted by their infpired teachers, " to fet their afFedions on things " above, where Chrill fitteth at the right ** hand of God f ."'
A modern hiftorian, whofe want of can- dour and mifreprefentations have been fre-^ quently expofed J, and who is particularly un- fuccefsful in hisflatement of fome of the fecon- dary caufes, v/hich he fuppofes to have con- tributed to the growth of the Chriftian church,
* Dcdwel. Differt. Cyprian Diflert. XII. § 19—21.
f Coloff. iii. 1—3. I Cor. xv. 19.
X Gibbon's Decline and Fall of Rom. Emp. c. xv. Mr. Gibbon prefumes not to infmuate ouglit againft the fundamental evidence of chriflianity, though he de- tracSls from its influence, and fneers at its fubordinate teftimonies. The \vriters who, profefling a general reve- rence for religion, er.deavour, by artful infuiuation, to difparage its proofs, difplay the malevolence, without jthe courage of its open adverfaries.
affertSa
DISCOURSE X. 343
aflerts, ** that the dodrine of the millennium, as adapted to the defires and apprehenfions of mankind, contributed, in a confiderablc de- gree, to the progrefs of the Chriftian faith." If, fo far, we allent to his afTertion, we muft obferve that he betrays fome defign to miftate the truth, when he intimates, that the doc- trine was propagated with defign to affifl the caufe of religion, and that it was laid afide when the edifice of the church was almoft completed ; reporting it to have been iirffc treated as a profound allegory, to have been confidered, by degrees, as a doubtful and ufe- lefs opinion, and to have been at length re- jed:ed as an abfurd invention of herefy *. Whereas the truth is, as we have feen, that the do(5lrine was, at firfl:, received as grounded on the fure word of fcripture, and as fup- ported by antient tradition; that it was after- wards mingled with, and debafed by fpurious additions, which tended to leiTen its autho- rity, and even to refled: difcredit on the bool^ of Revelation, in the opinion of thofe who
* The Romanifts, indeed, from the time of Damarfus, decried the doctrine, ^nd r{;prefented the reign of faints
as an idolatrous notion.
344 DISCOURSE X.
did not accurately difcriminate its accounts from the extravagant notions of the millen- narians -, and which could not, as Origen ob- ferves, but bring an imputation upon chrif- tianity itfelf v/ith the Heathens, who had better opinions *.
* The do6lrine of the millennium, blended with ex- travagant notions, was branded as an error of Cerin- thus ; and by thofe who did not feparate the fpurious from the facred dcfcription, was thought to refledl fome dif- credit on the book of revelation itfelf, in the time of Eufebius ; and even to render it fufpe6led as the v/ork of Cerinthus. Eufebius admitted it to be the work of John ; but, for fome frivolous reafons, not of John the JEvangelift. If the book is not enumerated in the pre- fent copies of the council of Laodicgea, among books ta be read^ it was, not long after its appearance, received by the churches of Afia, of Syria, of Samaria, of Africa, Egypt, and Rome j and is reckoned as canonical by later councils, upon the teftimony of the earlieft writers, from the time of Juftin Martyr and Irenaeus. It is fingular that any writer fhould now prefume to im- peach its authority, after the full inveiligation by which that authority has been pronounced by Sir Ifaac Newton, to be more fully attefted than that of any other book of the New Teftament ; not to mention the internal proofs of its infpiration, derived from the completion of its pro- phecies. See Newton, chap. i. on Apocal. Twell's Critic. Exam, of New Teft. and Cofm's Can. of Script, J 62.
That
DISCOURSE X. 54^
That the doftrine has fometimes been made a fubje<5l of unprofitable fpeculation, and a pretext for unjuftifiable condii(5t, cannot, with truth, be denied. The wild enthufiafts, who have, at different times, been inflamed with the hopes of its promifed bleffings, have clamoured, with unbecoming intemperance, for the eftablidiment of the expedled em* pire. They whom heated imaginations, and felfifli views, have milled; they who have fancied, and they who have hypocritically profeffed themfclves " the meek, who fhalt " inherit the earth," have often fought to eftablifh their community, and fchemes of equal participation, on the pretence of con- tributing to facilitate the coming of Chrift's . kingdom. The dawn of the reformation was pbfcured by the proceedings of thofe men who pretended an heavenly commiflion, to cred: the dominion of Chrill ; and who, in the attempt to realife their wild and vifionary fchemes, introduced popular commotions, ■and fcenes of the wildeft anarchy and de- firud;ion *.
* See the account of the Munfter Anabaptifts of the fixtcenth century in rvlofiieim, Vol. IV. o. 27. and 139. 17 Centur. § 2. Part II. ^ 22. Burnet's Hift. of his ©wli Time, Tom. 1. p. 67.
6 The
346 DISCOURSE X.
The faftions of the laft age, even in our own country, artfully availed themfelves of popu- lar delufions on this fubjed * ; and in the feditious commotions of later periods, we may fee a tinge derived from the infufion of a fimilar fpirit.
A defire to be the humble inllrument of God, in the furtherance of his defigns, is praife- worthy and good; we muft be careful, however, to diftinguifli this delire from the fuggeftion of any intemperate motive, which, like the evil fpirit that enticed Ahab, may lead us to deftrudtion. We cannot confpire with God's views but by a conliderate and circumfpe^t obfervance of his laws. That no man can accelerate or retard the approach of the expedled kingdom is certain, however adiive righteoufnefs may be made fubfervient
* « All the civil blood," fays Thorndyke ; « all that abominable defolation in religion, which we have feen, our late ufurper feemeth to have accounted meer godli- nefs, in order to that work which God had defigned him for, as he thought himfelf inspired to believe : nay, did not fome of the reformation prick up their ears, and^ begin to think well of his chriftianity for that work fake." See Juft Weights and Meafures, page ii, 12.
to
DISCOURSE X. 347
to its advancement. They who are led by in- diflindl fancies and prefumptuous confidence, to predict its coming from the changes and revolutions which they behold, fliould be careful, left they contribute, however unde- fignedly, to inflame the enthufiafm of the credulous, and to flir up the adiivity of the foolifli. We " muft ftand flill, and fee the " falvation of God," not infenfible to the progrefs of the divine decrees, but not im- patient to anticipate their completion *. The moft pofitive computations have often proved erroneous -f- ; but ilill, " though the vifion be " yet for an appointed time, at the end it will ** fpeak; though it tarry, wait for it, becaufe it ** willfurely come J." ** The kingdom of God " is alrcady within us § ;" and many prepa- ratory circumftances have already taken place. When its final eftablifhment fhall be eifedied, it muft be by the demonftration of that pov/er which muft c haraderife every immediate dif-
.* James iv. 7-. Dan. xii. 4,
t Laflantius Div. Inftit. Lib. VII. c. xxv. Whiflon, Sec.
I Habakkuk jj. 2. § Luke xvii. 21.
penfatiori
348 DISCOURSE X.
penfation of God. It will be a kingdom^ \ve know, " not of this world ;" not of worldly power, and ambitious precedence ; not of temporal fplendor, or earthly aggran- difement. It will be " the ftone cut out of " the mountain without hands ;" without human aid or human power. It will be the perfe6t eflablifhment of God's laws ; the glorious manifeftation of his power, the fplendid exemplification of the excellency and rewards of his religion.
THE END.
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