John Wesley, in his sermon presented below, delves into what is Scriptural
Christianity. This is an enlightening sermon and I found it to be quite
interesting.
May God bless,
Carl
my website -- http://www.nettally.com/saints/
my blog -- http://www.anniemayhem.com/cgi-bin/wordpress/
---
Scriptural Christianity
by John Wesley
"Whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if
the
sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head."
Ezek.
33:4
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Acts 4:31
1. The same expression occurs in the second chapter, where we read, "When
the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all" (the Apostles, with
the
women, and the mother of Jesus, and his brethren) "with one accord in one
place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a ru****ng mighty
wind. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it
sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost:" one
immediate effect whereof was, they "began to speak with other tongues;"
insomuch that both the Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and the other strangers
who "came together, when this was noised abroad, heard them speak, in
their
several tongues, the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:1-6).
2. In this chapter we read, that when the Apostles and brethren had been
praying, and praising God, "the place was shaken where they were assembled
together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Not that we find
any visible appearance here, such as had been in the former instance: nor
are we informed that the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were then
given to all or any of them; such as the gifts of "healing, of working"
other "miracles, of prophecy, of discerning spirits, the speaking with
divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:9,
10).
3. Whether these gifts of the Holy Ghost were designed to remain in the
church throughout all ages, and whether or no they will be restored at the
nearer approach of the "restitution of all things," are questions which it
is not needful to decide. But it is needful to observe this, that, even in
the infancy of the church, God divided them with a sparing hand. Were all
even then prophets? Were all workers of miracles? Had all the gifts of
healing? Did all speak with tongues? No, in no wise. Perhaps not one in a
thousand. Probably none but the teachers in the church, and only some of
them (1 Cor. 12:28-30). It was therefore, for a more excellent purpose
than
this, that "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost."
4. It was, to give them (what none can deny to be essential to all
Christians in all ages) the mind which was in Christ, those holy fruits of
the Spirit, which whosoever hath not, is none of his; to fill them with
"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness" (Gal. 5:22-24);
to
endue them with faith (perhaps it might be rendered, fidelity), with
meekness and temperance; to enable them to crucify the flesh, with its
affections and lusts, its passions and desires; and in consequence of that
inward change, to fulfil all outward righteousness; to "walk as Christ
also
walked," in "the work of faith, in the patience of hope, the labour of
love"
(1 Thess. 1:3).
5. Without busying ourselves, then, in curious, needless inquiries,
touching
those extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, let us take a nearer view of
these
his ordinary fruits, which we are assured will remain throughout all
ages; -of that great work of God among the children of men, which we are
used to express by one word, "Christianity;" not as it implies a set of
opinions, a system of doctrines, but as it refers to men's hearts and
lives.
And this Christianity it may be useful to consider under three distinct
views:
I. As beginning to exist in individuals:
II. As spreading from one to another:
III. As covering the earth.
I design to close these considerations with a plain, practical
application.
I. 1. And, first, let us consider Christianity in its rise, as beginning
to
exist in individuals.
Suppose, then, one of those who heard the Apostle Peter preaching
repentance
and remission of sins, was pricked to the heart, was convinced of sin,
repented, and then believed in Jesus. By this faith of the operation of
God,
which was the very substance, or subsistence, of things hoped for (Heb.
11:1, ) the demonstrative evidence of invisible things, he instantly
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby he now cried, "Abba, Father"
(Rom.
8:15). Now first it was that he could call Jesus Lord, by the Holy Ghost
(1
Cor. 12:3), the Spirit itself bearing witness with his spirit, that he was
a
child of God (Rom. 8:16). Now it was that he could truly say, "I live not,
but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I
live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal.
2:20).
2. This, then, was the very essence of his faith, a divine elegchos
(evidence or conviction) of the love of God the Father, through the Son of
his love, to him a sinner, now accepted in the Beloved. And, being
justified
by faith, he had peace with God (Rom. 5:1), yea, the peace of God ruling
in
his heart; a peace, which passing all understanding (panta noun, all
barely
rational conception), kept his heart and mind from all doubt and fear,
through the knowledge of him in whom he had believed. he could not,
therefore, "be afraid of any evil tidings;" for his "heart stood fast,
believing in the Lord." he feared not what man could do unto him, knowing
the very hairs of his head were all numbered. he feared not all the powers
of darkness, whom God was daily bruising under his feet. Least of all was
he
afraid to die; nay, he desired to "depart, and to be with Christ" (Phil.
1:23); who, "through death, had destroyed him that had the power of death,
even the devil; and delivered them who, through fear of death, were all
their life-time," till then, "subject to bondage" (Heb. 2:15).
3. his soul, therefore, magnified the Lord, and his spirit rejoiced in God
his Saviour. "He rejoiced in him with joy unspeakable," who had reconciled
him to God, even the Father; "in whom he had redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins." he rejoiced in that witness of God's Spirit with
his spirit, that he was a child of God; and more abundantly, "in hope of
the
glory of God;" in hope of the glorious image of God, and full renewal of
his
soul in righteousness and true holiness, and in hope of that crown of
glory,
that "inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."
4. "The love of God was also shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost
which was given unto him" (Rom. 5:5). "Because he was a son God had sent
forth the Spirit of his Son into his heart, crying Abba, Father!" (Gal.
4:6). And that filial love of God was continually increased by the witness
he had in himself (1 John 5:10) of God's pardoning love to him; by
"beholding what manner of love it was which the Father had bestowed upon
him, that he should be called a child of God" (1 John 3:1). So that God
was
the. desire of his eyes, and the joy of his heart; his ****tion in time and
in eternity.
5. he that thus loved God could not but love his brother also; and "not in
word only, but in deed and in truth." "If God," said he, "so loved us, we
ought also to love one another" (1 John 4:11); yea, every soul of man, as
"the mercy of God is over all his works" (Ps. 145:9). Agreeably hereto,
the
affection of this lover of God embraced all mankind for his sake; not
excepting those whom he had never seen in the flesh, or those of whom he
knew nothing more than that they were "the offspring of God," for whose
souls his Son had died; not excepting the "evil" and "unthankful," and
least
of all his enemies, those who hated, or persecuted, or despitefully used
him
for his Master's sake. These had a peculiar place, both in his heart and
in
his prayers. he loved them "even as Christ loved us."
6. And "love is not puffed up" (1 Cor. 13:4). It abases to the dust every
soul wherein it dwells. Accordingly, he was lowly of heart, little, mean,
and vile in his own eyes. he neither sought nor received the praise of
men,
but that which cometh of God only. he was meek and long-suffering, gentle
to
all, and easy to be entreated. Faithfulness and truth never forsook him:
they were "bound about his neck, and wrote on the table of his heart." By
the same spirit he was enabled to be temperate in all things, refraining
his
soul even as a weaned child. he was "crucified to the world, and the world
crucified to him;" superior to "the desire of the flesh, the desire of the
eye, and the pride of life." By the same almighty love was he saved, both
from passion and pride; from lust and vanity; from ambition and
covetousness; and from every temper which was not in Christ.
7. It may be easily believed, he who had this love in his heart would work
no evil to his neighbour. It was impossible for him, knowingly and
designedly, to do harm to any man. he was at the greatest distance from
cruelty and wrong, from any unjust or unkind action. With the same care
did
he "set a watch before his mouth, and keep the door of his lips," lest he
should offend in tongue, either against justice, or against mercy or
truth.
he put away all lying, falsehood; and fraud; neither was guile found in
his
mouth. he spake evil of no man; nor did an unkind word ever come out of
his
lips.
8. And as he was deeply sensible of the truth of that word "Without me ye
can do nothing," and, consequently, of the need he had to be watered of
God
every moment; so he continued daily in all the ordinances of God, the
stated
channels of his grace to man: "in the Apostles' doctrine," or teaching,
receiving that food of the soul with all readiness of heart; in "the
breaking of bread," which he found to be the communion of the body of
Christ; and "in the prayers" and praises offered up by the great
congregation. And thus, he daily grew in grace, increasing in strength, in
the knowledge and love of God.
9. But it did not satisfy him, barely to abstain from doing evil. his soul
was athirst to do good. The language of his heart continually was, "'My
Father worketh hitherto, and I work.' My Lord went about doing good; and
shall not I tread in his steps?" As he had op****tunity therefore, if he
could do no good of a higher kind, he fed the hungry, clothed the ****d,
helped the fatherless or stranger, visited and assisted them that were
sick
or in prison. he gave all his goods to feed the poor. he rejoiced to
labour
or to suffer for them; and whereinsoever he might profit another, there
especially to "deny himself." he counted nothing too dear to part with for
them, as well remembering the word of his Lord, "Inasmuch as ye have done
it
unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me"
(Matt.
25:40).
10. Such was Christianity in its rise. Such was a Christian in ancient
days.
Such was every one of those who, when they heard the threatenings of the
chief priests and elders, "lifted up their voice to God with one accord,
and
were all filled with the Holy Ghost. The multitude of them that believed
were of one heart and of one soul:" So did the love of him in whom they
had
believed constrain them to love one another! "Neither said any of them
that
aught of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things
common:" So fully were they crucified to the world, and the world
crucified
to them! "And they continued steadfastly with one accord in the Apostles"
doctrine, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). "And
great grace was upon them all; neither was there any among them that
lacked:
for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought
the
prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the Apostles'
feet: And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
(Acts 4:31-35.)
II. 1. Let us take a view, in the Second place, of this Christianity, as
spreading from one to another, and so gradually making its way into the
world: For such was the will of God concerning it, who did not "light a
candle to put it under a bushel, but that it might give light to all that
were in the house." And this our Lord had declared to his first disciples,
"Ye are the salt of the earth," "the light of the world;" at the same time
that he gave that general command, "Let your light so ****ne before men,
that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matt. 5:13-16).
2. And, indeed, supposing a few of these lovers of mankind to see "the
whole
world lying in wickedness," can we believe they would be unconcerned at
the
sight, at the misery of those for whom their Lord died? Would not their
bowels yearn over them, and their hearts melt away for very trouble? Could
they then stand idle all the day long, even were there no command from him
whom they loved? Rather, would they not labour by all possible means, to
pluck some of these brands out of the burning? Undoubtedly they would:
they
would spare no pains to bring back whomsoever they could of those poor
"sheep that had gone astray, to the great Shepherd and Bishop of their
souls" (1 Pet. 2:25).
3. So the Christians of old did. They laboured, having op****tunity, "to do
good unto all men" (Gal. 6:10), warning them to flee from the wrath to
come;
now, now to escape the damnation of hell. They declared, "The times of
ignorance God winked at; but now he calleth all men everywhere to repent."
(Acts 17:30) They cried aloud, Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways: "so
iniquity shall not be your ruin" (Ezek. 18:30). They "reasoned" with them
of
"temperance, and righteousness," or justice-of the virtues opposite to
their
reigning sins; "and of judgement to come,"-of the wrath of God which would
surely be executed on evildoers in that day when he should judge the world
(Acts 24:25).
4. They endeavoured herein to speak to every man severally as he had need.
To the careless, to those who lay unconcerned in darkness and in the
shadow
of death, they thundered, "Awake thou that sleepest; arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give thee light." But to those who were already awakened
out of sleep, and groaning under a sense of the wrath of God, their
language
was, "We have an Advocate with the Father; he is the propitiation for our
sins." Meantime, those who had believed, they provoked to love and to good
works; to patient continuance in well-doing; and to abound more and more
in
that holiness without which no man can see the Lord. (Heb 12:14)
5. And their labour was not in vain in the Lord. his word ran and was
glorified. It grew mightily and prevailed. But so much the more did
offences
prevail also. The world in general were offended, "because they testified
of
it, that the works thereof were evil" (John 7:7). The men of pleasure were
offended, not only because these men were made, as it were, to reprove
their
thoughts ("He professeth," said they, "to have the knowledge of God; he
calleth himself the child of the Lord, his life is not like other men's;
his
ways are of another fa****on; he abstaineth from our ways, as from
filthiness; he maketh his boast, that God is his Father" Wis. 2:13-16; )
but
much more, because so many of their companions were taken away, and would
no
more run with them to "the same excess of riot." (1 Pet. 4:4.) The men of
reputation were offended, because, as the gospel spread, they declined in
the esteem of the people; and because many no longer dared to give them
flattering titles, or to pay man the homage due to God only. The men of
trade called one another together, and said, "Sirs, ye know that by this
craft we have our wealth: but ye see and hear that these men have
persuaded
and turned away much people; so that this our craft is in danger to be set
at nought" (Acts 19:25ff.). Above all, the men of religion, so called, the
men of outside religion, "the saints of the world," were offended, and
ready
at every op****tunity to cry out, "Men of Israel, help! We have found these
men pestilent fellows, movers of sedition throughout the world" (Acts
24:5).
"These are the men that teach all men everywhere against the people, and
against this place" (Acts 21:28).
6. Thus it was that the heavens grew black with clouds, and the storm
gathered amain. For the more Christianity spread, the more hurt was done,
in
the account of those who received it not; and the number increased of
those
who were more and more enraged at these "men who thus turned the world
upside down;" (Acts 17:6; ) insomuch that more and more cried out, "Away
with such fellows from the earth; it is not fit that they should live;"
yea,
and sincerely believed, that whosoever should kill them would do God
service.
7. Meanwhile they did not fail to cast out their name as evil; (Luke 6:22;
)
so that this "sect was everywhere spoken against." (Acts 27:22.) Men said
all manner of evil of them, even as had been done of the prophets that
were
before them (Matt. 5:12). And whatsoever any would affirm, others would
believe; so that offences grew as the stars of heaven for multitude. And
hence arose, at the time fore-ordained of the Father, persecution in all
its
forms. Some, for a season, suffered only shame and reproach; some, "the
spoiling of their goods;" "some had trial of mocking and scourging; some
of
bonds and imprisonment;" and others "resisted unto blood" (Heb. 10:34;
11:36ff.)
8. Now it was that the pillars of hell were shaken, and the kingdom of God
spread more and more. Sinners were everywhere "turned from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God." he gave his children "such a
mouth, and such wisdom, as all their adversaries could not resist;" and
their lives were of equal force with their words. But above all, their
sufferings spake to all the world. They "approved themselves the servants
of
God, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours; in perils in the sea, in perils in
the wilderness, in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst, in
cold
and ****dness" (2 Cor. 6:4ff.). And when, having fought the good fight,
they
were led as sheep to the slaughter, and offered up on the sacrifice and
service of their faith, then the blood of each found a voice, and the
heathen owned, "He being dead, yet speaketh."
9. Thus did Christianity spread itself in the earth. But how soon did the
tares appear with the wheat, and the mystery of iniquity work, as well as
the mystery of godliness! How soon did Satan find a seat, even in the
temple
of God, "till the woman fled into the wilderness," and "the faithful were
again minished from the children of men!" here we tread a beaten path: the
still unceasing corruptions of the succeeding generations have been
largely
described, from time to time, by those witnesses God raised up, to show
that
he had "built his church upon a rock, and the gates of hell should not"
wholly "prevail against her." (Matt. 16:18.)
III. 1. But shall we not see greater things than these? Yea, greater than
have been yet from the beginning of the world. Can Satan cause the truth
of
God to fail, or his promises to be of none effect? If not, the time will
come when Christianity will prevail over all, and cover the earth. Let us
stand a little, and survey (the Third thing which was proposed) this
strange
sight, a Christian World. Of this the Prophets of old inquired and
searched
diligently (1 Pet. 1:10, 11ff.:) of this the Spirit which was in them
testified: "It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of
the
Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall
be
exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And they
shall
beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn
war
any more." (Isa. 2:1-4.) "In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
which
shall stand for an Ensign of the people. To it shall the Gentiles seek:
and
his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that
the
Lord shall set his hand again to recover the remnant of his people; and he
shall set up an Ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of
Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah, from the four corners
of
the earth." (Isa. 11:10-12.) "The wolf shall then dwell with the lamb, and
the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion
and
the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. They shall not
hurt nor destroy, saith the Lord, in all my holy mountain. For the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea"
(Isa. 11:6-9).
2. To the same effect are the words of the great Apostle, which it is
evident have never yet been fulfilled. "Hath God cast away his people? God
forbid." "But through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles." "And
if
the dimini****ng of them be the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their
fullness?" "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness
of
the Gentiles be come in: And so all Israel shall be saved." (Rom. 11:1,
11,
25, 26.)
3. Suppose now the fullness of time to be come, and the prophecies to be
accomplished. What a prospect is this! All is peace, "quietness, and
assurance for ever." here is no din of arms, no "confused noise," no
"garments rolled in blood." "Destructions are come to a perpetual end."
Wars
are ceased from the earth. Neither are there any intestine jars remaining;
no brother rising up against brother; no country or city divided against
itself, and tearing out its own bowels. Civil discord is at an end for
evermore, and none is left either to destroy or hurt his neighbour. here
is
no oppression to "make" even "the wise man mad;" no extortion to "grind
the
face of the poor;" no robbery or wrong; no rapine or injustice; for all
are
"content with such things as they possess." Thus "righteousness and peace
have kissed each other;" (Ps. 85:10; ) they have "taken root and filled
the
land;" "righteousness flouri****ng out of the earth;" and "peace looking
down
from heaven."
4. And with righteousness or justice, mercy is also found. The earth is no
longer full of cruel habitations. The Lord hath destroyed both the
blood-thirsty and malicious, the envious and revengeful man. Were there
any
provocation, there is none that now knoweth to return evil for evil; but
indeed there is none that doeth evil, no, not one; for all are harmless as
doves. And being filled with peace and joy in believing, and united in one
body, by one Spirit, they all love as brethren, they are all of one heart
and of one soul. "Neither saith any of them, that aught of the things
which
he possesseth is his own." There is none among them that lacketh: for
every
man loveth his neighbour as himself. And all walk by one rule: "Whatever
ye
would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them."
5. It follows, that no unkind word can ever be heard among them, no strife
of tongues, no contention of any kind, no railing or evil-speaking, but
every one "opens his mouth with wisdom, and in his tongue there is the law
of kindness." Equally incapable are they of fraud or guile: their love is
without dissimulation: Their words are always the just expression of their
thoughts, opening a window into their breast, that whosoever desires may
look into their hearts, and see that only love and God are there.
6. Thus, where the Lord Omnipotent taketh to himself his mighty power and
reigneth, doth he "subdue all things to himself," cause every heart to
overflow with love, and fill every mouth with praise. "Happy are the
people
that are in such a case: yea, blessed are the people who have the Lord for
their God" (Psalm 144:15.) "Arise, ****ne;" (saith the Lord;) "for thy
light
is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." "Thou hast known
that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty God of Jacob.
I
have made thy officers peace, and thy exactors righteousness. Violence
shall
no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders;
but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation and thy gates Praise." "Thy people
are all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever; the branch of my
planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." "The sun shall
be
no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light
unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy
God
thy glory" (Isa. 60:1, 16-19).
IV. Having thus briefly considered Christianity, as beginning, as going
on,
and as covering the earth, it remains only that I should close the whole
with a plain, practical application.
1. And, first, I would ask, Where does this Christianity now exist? Where,
I
pray, do the Christians live? Which is the country, the inhabitants
whereof
are all thus filled with the Holy Ghost? -are all of one heart and of one
soul? cannot suffer one among them to lack anything, but continually give
to
every man as he hath need; who, one and all, have the love of God filling
their hearts, and constraining them to love their neighbour as themselves;
who have all "put on bowels of mercy, humbleness of mind, gentleness,
long-suffering?" who offend not in any kind, either by word or deed,
against
justice, mercy, or truth; but in every point do unto all men; as they
would
these should do unto them? With what propriety can we term any a Christian
country, which does not answer this description? Why then, let us confess
we
have never yet seen a Christian country upon earth.
2. I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, if ye do account me a
madman or a fool, yet, as a fool bear with me. It is utterly needful that
some one should use great plainness of speech towards you. It is more
especially needful at this time; for who knoweth but it is the last? Who
knoweth how soon the righteous Judge may say, "I will no more be entreated
for this people?" "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in this land, they
should but deliver their own souls." And who will use this plainness, if I
do not? Therefore I, even I, will speak. And I adjure you, by the living
God, that ye steel not your breasts against receiving a blessing at my
hands. Do not say in your hearts, Non persuadebis, etiamsi persuaseris;"
[Your persuasions shall not prevail with us, even though they should
really
convince us.-EDIT.] or, in other words, "Lord, thou shalt not send by whom
thou wilt send; let me rather perish in my blood, than be saved by this
man!"
3. Brethren, "I am persuaded better things of you, though I thus speak."
Let
me ask you then, in tender love, and in the spirit of meekness, Is this
city
a Christian city? Is Christianity, scriptural Christianity, found here?
Are
we, considered as a community of men, so "filled with the Holy Ghost," as
to
enjoy in our hearts, and show forth in our lives, the genuine fruits of
that
Spirit? Are all the Magistrates, all heads and Governors of Colleges and
Halls, and their respective Societies (not to speak of the inhabitants of
the town), "of one heart "and one soul?" Is "the love of God shed abroad
in
our hearts?" Are our tempers the same that were in him? And are our lives
agreeable thereto? Are we "holy as he who hath called us is holy in all
manner of conversation?"
4. I entreat you to observe, that here are no peculiar notions now under
consideration; that the question moved is not concerning doubtful opinions
of one kind or another, but concerning the undoubted, fundamental branches
(if there be any such) of our common Christianity. And for the decision
thereof, I appeal to your own conscience, guided by the Word of God. he
therefore that is not condemned by his own heart, let him go free.
5. In the fear, then, and in the presence of the great God, before whom
both
you and I shall shortly appear, I pray you that are in authority over us,
whom I reverence for your office sake, to consider (and not after the
manner
of dissemblers with God), are you "filled with the Holy Ghost?" Are you
lively ****traitures of him whom ye are appointed to represent among men?
"I
have said, Ye are gods," ye magistrates and rulers; ye are by office so
nearly allied to the God of heaven! In your several stations and degrees,
ye
are to show forth unto us "the Lord our Governor." Are all the thoughts of
your hearts, all your tempers and desires, suitable to your high calling?
Are all your words like unto those which come out of the mouth of God? Is
there in all your actions dignity and love? -a greatness which words
cannot
express, which can flow only from a heart "full of God;" and yet
consistent
with the character of "man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a
worm?"
6. Ye venerable men, who are more especially called to form the tender
minds
of youth, to dispel thence the shades of ignorance and error, and train
them
up to be wise unto salvation, are you "filled with the Holy Ghost?" with
all
those "fruits of the Spirit," which your im****tant office so indispensably
requires? Is your heart whole with God? full of love and zeal to set up
his
kingdom on earth? Do you continually remind those under your care, that
the
one rational end of all our studies, is to know, love and serve "the only
true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent?" Do you inculcate upon them
day by day, that love alone never faileth (whereas, whether there be
tongues, they shall fail, or philosophical knowledge, it shall vanish
away);
and that without love, all learning is but splendid ignorance, pompous
folly, vexation of spirit? Has all you teach an actual tendency to the
love
of God, and of all mankind for his sake? Have you an eye to this end in
whatever you prescribe, touching the kind, the manner, and the measure of
their studies; desiring and labouring that, wherever the lot of these
young
soldiers of Christ is cast, they may be so many burning and ****ning
lights,
adorning the gospel of Christ in all things? And permit me to ask, Do you
put forth all your strength in the vast work you have undertaken? Do you
labour herein with all your might? exerting every faculty of your soul,
using every talent which God hath lent you, and that to the uttermost of
your power?
7. Let it not be said, that I speak here, as if all under your care were
intended to be clergymen. Not so: I only speak as if they were all
intended
to be Christians. But what example is set them by us who enjoy the
beneficence of our forefathers? -by Fellows, Students, Scholars; more
especially those who are of some rank and eminence? Do ye, brethren,
abound
in the fruits of the Spirit, in lowliness of mind, in self-denial and
mortification, in seriousness and composure of spirit, in patience,
meekness, sobriety, temperance; and in unwearied, restless endeavours to
do
good in every kind unto all men, to relieve their outward wants, and to
bring their souls to the true knowledge and love of God? Is this the
general
character of Fellows of Colleges? I fear it is not. Rather, have not pride
and haughtiness of spirit, impatience and peevishness, sloth and
indolence,
gluttony and sensuality, and even a proverbial uselessness, been objected
to
us, perhaps not always by our enemies, nor wholly without ground? O that
God
would roll away this reproach from us, that the very memory of it might
perish for ever!
8. Many of us are more immediately consecrated to God, called to minister
in
holy things. Are we then patterns to the rest, "in word, in conversation,
in
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12)? Is there written
on
our forehead and on our heart, "Holiness to the Lord?" From what motives
did
we enter upon this office? Was it indeed with a single eye "to serve God,
trusting that we were inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon us
this
ministration, for the promoting of his glory, and the edifying of his
people?" And have we "clearly determined, by God's grace, to give
ourselves
wholly to this office?" Do we forsake and set aside, as much as in us
lies,
all worldly cares and studies? Do we apply ourselves wholly to this one
thing, and draw all our cares and studies this way? Are we apt to teach?
Are
we taught of God, that we may be able to teach others also? Do we know
God?
Do we know Jesus Christ? Hath "God revealed his Son in us?" And hath he
"made us able ministers of the new covenant?" Where then are the "seals of
our apostle****p?" Who, that were dead in tresp***** and sins, have been
quickened by our word? Have we a burning zeal to save souls from death, so
that for their sake we often forget even to eat our bread? Do we speak
plain, "by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 4:2)? Are we dead to the world,
and
the things of the world, "laying up all our treasure in heaven?" Do we
lord
over God's heritage? Or are we the least, the servants of all? When we
bear
the reproach of Christ, does it sit heavy upon us? Or do we rejoice
therein?
When we are smitten on the one cheek, do we resent it? Are we impatient of
affronts? Or do we turn the other also; not resisting the evil, but
overcoming evil with good? Have we a bitter zeal, inciting us to strive
sharply and passionately with them that are out of the way? Or is our zeal
the flame of love, so as to direct all our words with sweetness,
lowliness,
and meekness of wisdom?
9. Once more: what shall we say concerning the youth of this place? Have
you
either the form or the power of Christian godliness? Are you humble,
teachable, advisable; or stubborn, self-willed, heady, and highminded? Are
you obedient to your superiors as to parents? Or do you despise those to
whom you owe the tenderest reverence? Are you diligent in your easy
business, pursuing your studies with all your strength? Do you redeem the
time, crowding as much work into every day as it can contain? Rather, are
ye
not conscious to yourselves, that you waste away day after day, either in
reading what has no tendency to Christianity, or in gaming, or in-you know
not what? Are you better managers of your fortune than of your time? Do
you,
out of principle, take care to owe no man anything? Do you "remember the
Sabbath day, to keep it holy;" to spend it in the more immediate wor****p
of
God? When you are in his house, do you consider that God is there? Do you
behave "as seeing him that is invisible?" Do you know how to possess your
bodies in sanctification and honour?" Are not drunkenness and uncleanness
found among you? Yea, are there not of you who "glory in their shame?" Do
not many of you "take the name of God in vain," perhaps habitually,
without
either remorse or fear? Yea, are there not a multitude of you that are
forsworn? I fear, a swiftly-increasing multitude. Be not surprised,
brethren. Before God and this congregation, I own myself to have been of
the
number, solemnly swearing to observe all those customs, which I then knew
nothing of; and those statutes, which I did not so much as read over,
either
then, or for some years after. What is perjury, if this is not? But if it
be, O what a weight of sin, yea, sin of no common dye, lieth upon us! And
doth not the Most High regard it?
10. May it not be one of the consequences of this, that so many of you are
a
generation of triflers; triflers with God, with one another, and with your
own souls? For, how few of you spend, from one week to another, a single
hour in private prayer! How few have any thought of God in the general
tenor
of your conversation! Who of you is in any degree acquainted with the work
of his Spirit, his supernatural work in the souls of men? Can you bear,
unless now and then in a church, any talk of the Holy Ghost? Would you not
take it for granted, if one began such a conversation, that it was either
hypocrisy or enthusiasm? In the name of the Lord God Almighty, I ask, what
religion are you of? Even the talk of Christianity, ye cannot, will not
bear. O my brethren, what a Christian city is this! "It is time for Thee,
Lord, to lay to Thine hand!"
11. For, indeed, what probability, what possibility, rather (speaking
after
the manner of men), is there that Christianity, scriptural Christianity,
should be again the religion of this place? that all orders of men among
us
should speak and live as men "filled with the Holy Ghost?" By whom should
this Christianity be restored? By those of you that are in authority? Are
you convinced then that this is scriptural Christianity? Are you desirous
it
should be restored? And do ye not count your fortune, liberty, life, dear
unto yourselves, so ye may be instrumental in the restoring of it? But
suppose ye have this desire, who hath any power pro****tioned to the
effect?
Perhaps some of you have made a few faint attempts, but with how small
success! Shall Christianity then be restored by young, unknown,
inconsiderable men? I know not whether ye yourselves could suffer it.
Would
not some of you cry out, "Young man, in so doing thou reproachest us?" But
there is no danger of your being put to the proof; so hath iniquity
overspread us like a flood. Whom then shall God send? -the famine, the
pestilence (the last messengers of God to a guilty land), or the sword,
"the
armies of the" Romish "aliens," to reform us into our first love? Nay,
"rather let us fall into thy hand, O Lord, and let us not fall into the
hand
of man." Lord, save, or we perish! Take us out of the mire, that we sink
not! O help us against these enemies! for vain is the help of man. Unto
thee
all things are possible. According to the greatness of thy power, preserve
thou those that are appointed to die; and preserve us in the manner that
seemeth to thee good; not as we will, but as thou wilt!
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