WHITEFIELD'S DOCTRINE. 263 Thee, O Lord!"-nor do any thing for the sake of which they should be raised to life. Whatever, therefore, God does, He does it merely for the sake of His well-beloved Son : "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquiHe himself bore all our sins in His own body upon the ties. tree. He was delivered for our offences, and rose again for our justification." Here then is the sole meritorious cause of every blessing we do or can enjoy. In particular, of our pardon and acceptance with God, of our full and free justification. But by what mean do we become interested in what Christ has done and suffered ? "Not by works, lest any man should boast;" but by faith alone. "We conclude," says the apostle, "that a man is justified by faith, without the works of the law." And "to as many as thus receive him, giveth he power to become the sons of God: Even to those that believe in his name, who are born, not of the will of man, but of God." 4. And "except a man be" thus "born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." But all who are thus "born of the Spirit," have "the kingdom of God within them." Christ sets up His kingdom in their heart; "Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." That "mind is in them, which was in Christ Jesus," enabling them "to walk as Christ also walked." His indwelling Spirit makes them both holy in heart, and "holy in all manner of conversation." But still, seeing all this is a free gift, through the righteousness and blood of Christ, there is eternally the same reason to remember-"He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 5. You are not ignorant that these are the fundamental doctrines which He everywhere insisted on. And may they not be summed up, as it were, in two words: "The new-birth," and "justification by faith"? These let us insist upon with all boldness, at all times, and in all places: in public (those of us who are called thereto), and, at all opportunities, in private. Keep close to these good, old, unfashionable doctrines, how many soever contradict and blaspheme. Go on, my brethren, in the name of the Lord, and in the power of His might. With all care and diligence, "Keep that safe which is committed to your trust:" knowing that "Heaven and earth shall pass away; but this truth shall not pass away." 6. But will it be sufficient to keep close to his doctrines, how pure soever they are? Is there not a point of still greater importance than this, namely, to drink into his spirit? Herein to be a follower of him, even as he was of Christ? Without this, the purity of our doctrines would only increase our condemnation. This, therefore, is the principal thing-to copy after his spirit. And allowing that in some points we must be content to admire what we cannot imitate, yet in many others we may, through the same grace, be partakers of the same blessing. Conscious, then, of your own wants, and of His bounteous love, who "giveth liberally and upbraideth not," cry to Him that worketh all in all, for a measure of the same precious faith of the same zeal and activity, the same tender-heartedness, charitableness, bowels of mercies. Wrestle with God for some degree of the same grateful, friendly, affectionate temper, of the same openness, simplicity, and godly sincerity-" Love without dissimulation." Wrestle on, till the Power from on high works in you the same steady courage and patience: and, above all, because it is the crown of all, the same invariable integrity. 7. Is there any other fruit of the grace of God, with which he was eminently endowed, and the want of which, among the children of God, he frequently and passionately lamented? There is one, that is, catholic love; that sincere and tender affection, which is due to all those who, we have reason to believe, are the children of God by faith in other words, all those, in every persuasion, who "fear God and work righteousness. He longed to see all who had "tasted of the good word," of a truly catholic spirit (a word little understood, and : WHITEFIELD'S SPIRIT. 265 still less experienced, by many who have it frequently in their mouths). Who is he that answers this character? Who is a man of a catholic spirit? One who loves as friends, as brethren in the Lord, as joint-partakers of the present kingdom of heaven, and fellow-heirs of His eternal kingdom-all, of whatever opinion, mode of worship, or congregation, who believe in the Lord Jesus; who love God and man; who, rejoicing to please and fearing to offend God, are careful to abstain from evil, and zealous of good works. He is a man of a truly catholic spirit, who bears all these continually upon his heart; who, having an unspeakable tenderness for their persons, and an earnest desire for their welfare, does not cease to commend them to God in prayer, as well as to plead their cause before men; who speaks comfortably to them, and labours, by all his words, to strengthen their hands in God. He assists them to the uttermost of his power, in all things, spiritual and temporal. He is ready to spend and be spent for them; yea, to lay down his life for his brethren. How desirable to every rarely found? How is Indeed, supposing we any of us rest till it is 8. How amiable a character is this! child of God! But why is it, then, so it that there are so few instances of it? have tasted of the love of God, how can our own? Why, there is a delicate device, whereby Satan persuades thousands that they may stop short of it, guiltless. It is well, if many here present are 66 snare of the devil, taken captive at his will." and yet be not in this "O yes," says one, "I have all this love for those I believe to be the children of God. But I will never believe he is a child of God, who belongs to that vile congregation! Can he, do you think, be a child of God, who holds such detestable opinions? Or he that joins in such senseless and superstitious, if not idolatrous worship?" So we justify ourselves in one sin, by adding a second to it! We excuse the want of love in ourselves, by laying the blame on others. To colour our own devilish temper, we pro nounce our brethren children of the devil. O beware of this! And if you are already taken in the snare, escape out of it as soon as possible. Go and learn that truly catholic love, which is not rash or hasty in judging;-that love which thinketh no evil, which believeth and hopeth all things:—which makes all the allowance for others, that we desire others should make for Then we shall take knowledge of the grace of God which is in every man, whatever be his opinion or mode of worship. Then will all that fear God be near and dear unto us in the bowels of Jesus Christ. us. 9. Was not this the spirit of our dear friend? And why should it not be ours? O thou God of Love, how long shall Thy people be a by-word among the heathen? How long shall they laugh us to scorn, and say-" See how these Christians love one another"? When wilt Thou roll away our reproach? "Shall the sword devour for ever? How long will it be ere Thou bid Thy people return from following each other?" Now, at least, "let all the people stand still, and pursue after their brethren no more!" But whatever others do, let all of us, my brethren, hear the voice of him that "being dead, yet speaketh!" Suppose ye hear him say—" Now at least, 'be ye followers of me as I was of Christ!' Let brother 'no more lift up sword' against brother, neither 'know ye war any more!' Rather put ye on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, humbleness of mind, brotherly kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.' Let the time past suffice for strife, envy, contention; for 'biting and devouring one another.' Blessed be God, that ye have not long ago been 'consumed one of another!' From henceforth hold ye 'the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."" 10. O God, with Thee no word is impossible: Thou dost whatsoever pleaseth Thee! O that Thou wouldst cause the mantle of Thy prophet, whom Thou hast taken up, now to fall upon us that remain! "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" A FUNERAL HYMN. 267 Let his spirit rest upon these thy servants! Shew Thou art the God that answerest by fire! Let the fire of Thy love fall on every heart! And because we love Thee, let us love one another with a love stronger than death. Take away from us "all anger, and wrath, and bitterness; all clamour and evilspeaking." Let Thy Spirit so rest upon us, that from this hour we may be "kind to each other, tender-hearted: forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven us!" A Hymn. 1 Servant of God, well done! Thy glorious warfare 's past, Lodged by the ministerial choir 2 In condescending love Thy ceaseless prayer He heard, Thy beauteous feet were shod, 3 With saints enthroned on high, In cestasies of praise, Long as eternal ages roll, Thou seest thy Saviour's face. |