Sayfadaki görseller
PDF
ePub

Christendom, supported by all the policy and pride of Rome, aided by all the civil power of the world, how impossible did it appear that the great Reformer should be delivered from the hand of his enemies-every avenue of escape shut against him, the whole civilized world armed in opposition to an obscure monk-yet God prepared a retreat from whence Luther sent forth books for the encouragement of his disciples and the advancement of the glorious cause of the Reformation.

And what, my brethren, can account for the existence of the Church itself through so many ages? What could have guided this little bark, scarcely visible on the ocean? What guarded or preserved it but the hand of God, "which taketh away the speech. of the trusty, which maketh diviners mad, and wise men foolish, and bringeth the counsel of the wicked to naught? who straiteneth the nations and enlargeth them again?" Permit me to mention some of those events which God foretold, and has fulfilled, and which are distinctly recorded in the Scriptures. Though the truth of the histories in the word of God may be required to be supported by other evidence, yet, when we see coming to pass before our own eyes those secret events contained in it, they become the history of Providence, for there is scarcely any revolution in the Church or the world, but there is some prediction to be found of it in the sacred book.

We find in the word of God a sketch of those leading events which the Divine Being has thought fit to bring to pass, such as the downfall of all empires and kingdoms in Europe and the world, which is there clearly revealed. Infidelity, we are sure, never had such a source from whence to derive its weapons of defence; but the truth of the sacred record flashes, like lightning, through these successive events, or as the sun at the approach of day, confirming this experimental truth, "the Lord reigneth." It is putting his own seal to the truth of his own word. It is a providence that is not active at one time and asleep at another, but which takes away our notice from second causes, to lift up the veil, and display his own almighty arm, in order to make himself manifest.

In this light, we may consider prophecy and miracles as so many proofs of natural religion, and also as establishing that which is not their primary intention. Thus natural religion aids the triumph of Christianity, to the astonishment and confusion of its enemies.

These are views of our religion, my brethren, that we cannot too often meditate upon, as we are very often required to contemplate some sensible proofs of the divine government for the encouragement of our own hearts; for there is nothing of which we are more in danger, in the hurry of human concerns and the tumult of human passions, than to forget this truth, "the Lord reigneth." This we must frequently do in order to lead us to hope and to fear, that we may rejoice and be glad, and never

despair, as though no superior power reigned. Let us, therefore, frequently reflect on the evidence that we derive from miracles, and from prophecies in their fulfilment, that "the Lord reigneth."

Lastly, the abundant source of consolation which this truth furnishes. It affords three sources of consolation.

First. It gratifies and consoles the best feelings of the human heart. And what are these but compassion for the afflicted, pity for the poor and oppressed, a virtuous indignation at all injustice and violence, a tender concern for the Divine honour, a devout sorrow to discover any who are enemies to the best of Beings, to see his authority despised, his laws trodden under foot? But these feelings meet with very imperfect gratification in the indulgence of any hope of redress by human governments. There are innumerable oppressions which they cannot or will not correct. There are constantly recurring instances of violence and injustice which no human law has sufficient precision to define, much less sufficient energy to punish. This makes out a reason for the good man to be in love with justice and rectitude, and he is consoled with the thought that God, "the King of kings, and Lord of lords, reigneth;" that he executeth "righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed."

A good man sees, in many instances, the wicked triumphant; "he looks for judgment, but beholds oppression; for righteousness, but beholds a cry." Even in this Christian country he sees many crimes sanctioned by law. He knows there are multitudes of unhappy beings carried away captives from their homes and native country, loaded with chains, into slavery. Though he were to entreat with strong cries and tears, he cannot stop this inhuman traffic, nor can he bring those audacious criminals to his bar; but he can look unto that “ Lord who reigneth," and his virtuous indignation is sustained. He looks to that day when every one will gather blackness at the voice of Omnipotence calling for judgment, when he will afford to the oppressed a hearing for their complaints of justice perverted and laws trampled upon; and when his enemies will be put to silence. In that day when the "father of the fatherless, and the husband of the widow," will avenge their cause-for that time will come-the heavens will awaken into pity for the afflictions and oppressions they have endured.

Secondly. The doctrine of our text-the dominion of God-furnishes an assurance of the final happiness of the just. This is a most reasonable cause for satisfaction amid all the discouragements and afflictions of this life. By the just, I do not mean those that are satisfied with the superficial honours and possessions of this world, in the possession of mere morality, or nominal Christianity; but those who are truly devoted to the fear and love of God, making it their great care and concern to please him, who tremble at his word, who revere his majesty, and do his will; and though "all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, shall pass away, they shall abide forever.”

How is it possible, my brethren, that those who do the will of God

This sermon was delivered long before the slave TRADE was made illegal.

should utterly fail? How is it possible, when the Father, the universal Ruler, has once enlisted them into his service, whose commands they obey, whose friendship is their solace, and who has all other beings in his hands and under his control? How is it possible but that they should triumph? For he hath said, "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." In human governments, a wide distinction is made between enemies and friends. They are accustomed to make a great difference between those who are faithfully attached to them, and those who are secretly or openly disaffected. Can you suppose that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will make no distinction between "him that serveth him, and him that serveth him not ?" Between "him that feareth, and him that loveth an oath ?"

A good man, my brethren, knows" that he will return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked;" that he will put between them a lasting distinction: "For they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Yes, "then shall the righteous shine forth as the stars in the firmament of heaven, forever and ever." Then, apart from this earth, placed under the immediate smiles of their Father, united to Jesus Christ as their elder brother, placed before the throne of God and the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; crying, "with a loud voice, saying, salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Yes, my brethren, this is the great support of true piety; this glorious truth deeply impresses the hearts of true Christians; this keeps them steady to their purpose, and arms them against persecution and the fear of death; for they know that if God be Lord, they are not bound by the narrow limits of time or death; they have a possession and riches, bounded by nothing but the limits of eternity and the infinity of God.

Lastly, this subject furnishes the strongest assurance of the perpetuity, the enlargement, and prosperity of the Church of God in the world, which, next to the salvation of his own soul, is the first desire of a good man to see; when the will of God "shall be done on earth as it is in heaven;" to see that kingdom which Jesus Christ has foretold, and which is written in prophecy, established in the earth. We have seen some beginnings of this glorious day. Its dominion and perpetuity was first in the Saviour's heart, and occupied a chief part of his attention when on earth. To establish no other kingdom did God manifest himself to men : "For thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Yet once it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the dry land, and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come." For what purpose but this was the Roman power, which shadowed the earth, removed, and no notice taken of it but in the word of God? But the desire of all nations was to come, even the Messenger of his covenant, and God has given him the heathen for his inheritance, and all people are to serve and obey him. Earth

is to be turned into a nursery for heaven, a nursery for his kingdom, which every Christian has at heart. For we are assured by the word of God that it is his design this kingdom should be established, that it has been given to Jesus Christ in prophecy; and "hath he said, and will he not do it, or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?" It is true, you see appearances dark and untoward, you see errors and wickedness every where prevail, but he has the "hearts of all men in his hands, and turneth them whithersoever he pleases." He can divert the counsels of princes, even as streams of water. He causes thrones to fall, and sets them up again; he "enlarges the nations, and straitens them again," and makes all creatures to submit to his hands. We are assured that religion will finally prevail, the wickedness of the wicked will come to an end, God shall establish the just, and the Church of God" shall arise and shine."

Let those, my brethren, who are attached to the cause of Christ, rejoice that the Lord reigneth ;" and since all events are at his disposal, let us lift up our voice, and give him no rest till he establish,

and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep silence;" let us pray that he would "rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might flow down at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth," at the presence of that Spirit which first animated the universe, and which rested upon the apostles of his blessed gospel; for the residue of the Spirit is with him. "His arm is not shortened that he cannot save, nor his ear heavy that he cannot hear."

Finally, my brethren, let each of us see to it that we love him, and serve him, and seek an interest in his favour. "Let the Lord reign, let the earth tremble :" these words bear a different aspect to the righteous and to the wicked. "The Lord reigneth," they must perish. "The Lord reigneth," therefore piety is the highest wisdom, folly and vice the greatest madness; for it is madness to expect to succeed, or to be happy, in spite of him.

Look forward, my brethren, to those realms of glory and happiness prepared for those that love and serve him; "for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for those that love him," and wait for him.

XIV.

TRUST IN GOD, THE SUPPORT OF CHRISTIANS.*

1 TIMOTHY, iv., 10: Therefore we both labour and suffer reproach; because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe."

[Preached at Broadmead, Bristol, Thursday evening, Feb. 5, 1829, preparatory to the Lord's Supper.1

NOTHING is more powerful on the mind, in exciting pious desires, than the remembrance of the examples of those who, after a life of holy exertions, have received the stamp of immortality. Pre-eminent among these are the apostles of the Lamb, to whom we are indebted for all the light which we possess in reference to the mysteries of the gospel; and, among the apostles, preeminent is Paul. He is here addressing Timothy, whom he exhorts to set aside "profane and old wives' fables" (the Gnostic doctrines concerning demons), and to "exercise himself in godliness," in true piety; for" godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to some." He then adds the stimulus of his own example, and reminds Timothy of the course of labours and sufferings which he had himself pursued, and of the ground by which he had been sustained in that course. "Therefore we both labour, and suffer reproach; because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe."

I. The course pursued by the apostle and his brethren was one of labours and sufferings.

His own labours are recorded in the Acts; they were greater and more varied than those of any other apostle. In addition to the work of the ministry, he laboured with his own hands, in order that he might be able to preach the gospel gratuitously. It is almost incredible that any one man could have done all that he did.

Besides labouring, he suffered reproach. The Jews were enraged against him for his opposition to their law, and his preaching to the Gentiles; they reproached him as an apostate, who had reversed his former steps. He was reproached at the same time by the Gentiles, whose apostle he peculiarly became. The philosophers at Athens ridiculed him, saying, "What will this babbler say?" To minds of such a character as his, reproach, accumulated from both these parties, must have been even more painful than bodily suffering.

Thus he lived in an element of reproach; contempt followed hita wherever he went: he was held up as a disturber of the order of society. All this arose from the holy nature of that gospel which he preached, and which came into counteraction with

* From the notes of the Rev. T. Grinfield.

« ÖncekiDevam »