Discourses on various subjects, illustrative of the evidence, influence, and doctrines of Christianity

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OK TUF.
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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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