Sermon at Ordination of David Brainerd, Sermon
AN Ordination-SERMON.
LUKE XIV. 23.
And the Lord ſaid unto the Servant, Go out into the high-ways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my houſe may be filled.
GOD erected this viſible world as a monument of his Glory,— a theatre for the diſplay of his adorable perfections.—The Heavens proclaim his wiſdom and power in ſhining characters, and the whole Earth is full of his goodneſs. Man was in his original creation excellently fitted for the ſervice of GOD, and for perfect happineſs in the enjoyment of the divine favour.
BUT Sin has diſturbed the order of nature, defaced the beauty of the creation, and involved Man, the Lord of this lower world, in the moſt diſconſolate circumſtances of guilt and miſery.
THE all-ſeeing eye of GOD beheld our deplorable ſtate; infinite pity touched the heart of the Father of mercies; and infinite wiſdom laid the plan of our recovery. The Majeſty of heaven did not ſee meet to ſuffer the Enemy of mankind, eternally to triumph in his ſucceſs; nor leave his favourite workmanſhip, irrecoverably to periſh in the ruins of the Apoſtacy. By a method, which at once aſtoniſhes and delights the ſublimeſt ſpirits above, he opened a way for the diſplay of his mercy, without any violation of the ſacred claims of his juſtice; in which, the honour of the Law is vindicated, and the guilty Offender acquitted; Sin is condemned, and the Sinner eternally ſaved. To accompliſh this bleſſed deſign, the beloved SON OF GOD aſſumed the nature of man,— in our nature died a ſpotleſs ſacrifice for ſin,— by the atoning virtue of his blood he made reconciliation for iniquity, — and by his perfect obedience to the law of GOD, brought in everlaſting righteouſneſs.
HAVING finiſhed his work upon Earth, before he aſcended to his heavenly Father, he commiſſioned the miniſters of his kingdom, to preach the goſpel to every creature. He ſent them forth to make the moſt extenſive offers of ſalvation to rebellious ſinners, and by all the methods of holy violence to compel them to come in, and accept the invitations of his grace. — We have a lively repreſentation of this in the Parable, in which our text is contained.
THE evident deſign of which is, under the figure of a Marriage-Supper, to ſet forth the plentiful proviſion, which is made in our LORD JESUS CHRIST for the reception of his People, and the freedom and riches of divine grace, which invites the moſt unworthy and miſerable Sinners, to partake of this ſacred Entertainment. The firſt invited Gueſts were the Jews, the favourite people of GOD, who were heirs of divine love, while the reſt of the world were Aliens from the commonwealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers from the covenants of promiſe: But theſe through the power of prevailing prejudice, and the influence of carnal affections, obſtinately rejected the invitation, and were therefore finally excluded from theſe invaluable bleſſings.
BUT it was not the deſign of infinite wiſdom, that theſe coſtly preparations ſhould be loſt, and the table he had ſpread, remain unfurniſhed with Gueſts. Therefore he ſent forth his Servant into the ſtreets and lanes of the city, and commanded him to bring in the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind,—i, e. the moſt neceſſitous and miſerable of mankind;—yea, to go out into the high-ways and hedges, to the wretched and periſhing Gentiles, and not only invite, but even compel them to come in, that his houſe might be filled.
The words of the Text repreſent to us,
I. THE melancholy ſtate of the Gentile world. They are deſcribed as in the high-ways and hedges, in the moſt periſhing and helpleſs condition.
II. THE compaſſionate care, which the Bleſſed Redeemer takes of them in theſe their deplorable circumſtances. He ſends out his Servants to them, to invite them to partake of the entertainments of his houſe.
III. THE duty of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, to compel them to come in, and accept of his gracious invitation.
Theſe I ſhall conſider in their order, and then apply them to the preſent occaſion.
FIRST PART.
I AM to conſider the melancholy ſtate of the Heathen world, while in the darkneſs of nature, and deſtitute of divine revelation. — It is eaſy to harangue upon the excellency and advantage of the light of nature. 'Tis agreeable to the pride of mankind, to exalt the powers of human reaſon, and pronounce it a ſufficient guide to eternal happineſs. But let us enquire into the records of Antiquity, let us conſult the experience of all ages; and we ſhall find that thoſe who had no guide but the light of nature, no inſtructor but unaſſiſted reaſon, have wandered in perpetual uncertainty, darkneſs, and error. Or let us take a view of the preſent ſtate of thoſe Countries that have not been illuminated by the Goſpel; and we ſhall ſee, that notwithſtanding the improvements of near ſix thouſand years, they remain to this day covered with the groſſeſt darkneſs, and abandoned to the moſt immoral and vitious practices.
The beauty and good order, every where diſcovered in the viſible frame of nature, evidences beyond all reaſonable diſpute, the exiſtence of an infinite and almighty Cauſe, who firſt gave being to the Univerſe, and ſtill preſerves it by his powerful providence. Says the Apoſtle to the Gentiles, (Rom. 1.20.) The inviſible Things of GOD, from the creation of the world, are clearly ſeen, being underſtood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead. And yet many, even among the Philoſophers of the Gentile nations, impiouſly denied the eternal Deity, from whoſe hands they received their exiſtence; and blaſphemed his infinite perfections, when ſurrounded with the cleareſt demonſtrations of his power and goodneſs.—Thoſe who acknowledged a Deity, entertained the moſt unworthy conceptions of his nature and attributes, and worſhiped the Creature, in the place of the Creator, who is GOD bleſſed for ever. — Not only the illuſtrious heroes of Antiquity, and the public Benefactors of Mankind, but even the moſt deſpicable beings in the order of nature, were enrolled in the catalogue of their gods, and became the object of their impious adoration. They changed the Glory of the incorruptible God, into an image made like to corruptible man, to birds and four-footed beaſts, and creeping things, Rom. 1.23.
A FEW of the ſublimeſt genius's of ROME and ATHENS, had ſome faint diſcoveries of the ſpiritual nature of the human Soul, and formed ſome probable conjectures, that man was deſigned for a future ſtate of exiſtence. When they conſidered the extenſive Capacities of the humane mind, and the deep impreſſions of futurity, engraven in every Breaſt; they could not but infer, that the Soul was immortal, and at death would be tranſlated to ſome new and unknown ſtate. When they ſaw the Virtuous oppreſſed with various and ſucceſſive Calamities; and the vileſt of men triumphing in proſperity and pleaſure; they entertained diſtant hopes, that in a future revolution, theſe ſeeming inequalities would be rectified, theſe inconſiſtencies removed,—the Righteous diſtinguiſhingly rewarded, and the Wicked remarkably puniſhed.—But after all their inquiries upon this important ſubject, they attained no higher, than ſome probable conjectures, ſome uncertain expectations. — And when they came to deſcribe the nature and ſituation of theſe inviſible regions of happineſs or miſery, they made the wildeſt gueſſes, and run into the moſt abſurd and vain imaginations. The Heaven they contrived for the entertainment of the virtuous, was made up of ſenſual pleaſures, beneath the dignity of human nature, and inconſiſtent with perfect felicity: The Hell they deſcribed for the puniſhment of the vitious, conſiſted in ridiculous terrors, unworthy the belief of a rational and religious Creature.
THEIR practices were equally corrupt with their principles. As the moſt extravagant errors were received among the eſtabliſhed articles of their faith, ſo the moſt infamous vices obtained in their practice, and were indulged not only with impunity, but authoriſed by the ſanction of their laws. They ſtupidly erected altars to idols of wood and ſtone; paid divine honours to thoſe, who in their lives had been the greateſt monſters of luſt and cruelty; yea, offered up their Sons and Daughters as ſacrifices to Devils. The principles of honour, the reſtraints of ſhame, the precepts of their Philoſophers were all too weak, to keep their corruptions within any tolerable bounds. The wickedneſs of their hearts broke through every incloſure, and deluged the Earth with rapine and violence, blood and ſlaughter, and all manner of brutiſh and deteſtable impurities.—It is hardly poſſible to read the melancholy deſcription of the principles and manners of the heathen world, given us by St. Paul, without horror and ſurpriſe. To think, that man once the friend of GOD, and the Lord of this lower world, ſhould thus deny the GOD that made him, and bow down to dumb idols; ſhould thus by luſt and intemperance, degrade himſelf into the character of the Beaſt, which hath no underſtanding; and by pride, malice, and revenge, transform himſelf into the very image of the Devil, who was a murderer from the beginning.
THIS was the ſtate of the gentile nations, when the light of the Goſpel appeared, to ſcatter the darkneſs that overſpread the face of the Earth. And this has been the caſe, ſo far as has yet appeared, of all the nations ever ſince, upon whom the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS has not aroſe with healing in his wings. Every new-diſcovered Country opens a new ſcene of aſtoniſhing ignorance and barbarity; and gives us freſh evidence of the univerſal corruption of human nature.
SECOND PART.
I PROCEED now to conſider the compaſſionate Care and Kindneſs of our Bleſſed REDEEMER towards mankind, in theſe their deplorable circumſtances. He ſends out his Servants, to invite them to come in, and accept the entertainments of his houſe.
GOD might have left his guilty creatures, to have eternally ſuffered the diſmal effects of their apoſtacy, without the leaſt imputation of injuſtice, or violence of his infinite perfections. The fall was the conſequence of man's criminal choice, and attended with the higheſt aggravations. —The Angels that ſinned, were made examples of GOD's righteous ſeverity, and are reſerved in chains of guilt to the Judgment of the great day. Mercy, that tender, attribute of the divine nature, did not interpoſe in their behalf, to ſuſpend the execution of their ſentence, or avert GOD's threatned diſpleaſure: their puniſhment is, unalterably decreed, their Judgment is irreverſible; they are the awful monuments of revenging wrath, and are condemned to blackneſs of darkneſs for ever.— Now Juſtice might have ſhewn the ſame inflexible ſeverity to rebellious man, and have left the univerſal progeny of Adam, to periſh in their guilt and miſery. It was unmerited mercy, that diſtinguiſhed the human race, in providing a Saviour for us; and the moſt ſignal compaſſion that revealed the counſels of heaven for our recovery.
BUT though Juſtice did not oblige the divine Being to provide for our relief, yet the Goodneſs of the indulgent Father of the univerſe inclined him to ſhew pity to his guilty Creatures, who fell from their innocence, through the ſubtilty and malice of ſeducing and apoſtate Spirits. It was agreeable to the divine wiſdom, to diſappoint the devices of Satan, the enemy of GOD and Goodneſs, and recover the creatures he had made, from their ſubjection to the powers of darkneſs.
HE therefore gave early diſcoveries of his deſigns of mercy to our firſt Parents, and immediately upon the apoſtacy opened a door of hope for their recovery. He revealed a SAVIOUR to the antient Patriarchs, under dark types, and by diſtant promiſes; made clearer declarations of his will, as the appointed time drew near, for the accompliſhment of the promiſes, and the manifeſtation of the Son of GOD in human fleſh.— And when the fulneſs of time was come, GOD ſent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of ſons.
THIS divine and illuſtrious Perſon left the boſom of his Father, that he might put on the Character of a ſervant; — deſcended from the glories of heaven, that he might dwell on this inferior earth;— was made under the law, that he might fulfill all righteouſneſs;— ſubmitted to the infirmities of human nature, to the ſorrows and ſufferings of an afflicted life, and to the agonies of a painful ignominious death on a croſs, that he might deſtroy the power of ſin, aboliſh the empire of death, and purchaſe immortality and glory for periſhing Man.
WHILE our LORD JESUS reſided in this lower world, he preached the glad tidings of ſalvation, and publiſhed the kingdom of GOD; confirming his doctrine by numerous and undoubted miracles, and recommending his inſtructions by the charms of a ſpotleſs life and converſation. He ſent forth his Apoſtles to purſue the ſame gracious deſign of goſpelliſing the people, and furniſhed them with ſufficient powers to proſelyte the nations to the faith. He alſo appointed a ſtanding miniſtry, to carry on a treaty of peace with rebellious …ners, in the ſucceſſive ages of the Church; to continue, till the number of the redeeem'd is completed, and the whole election of grace placed in circumſtances of ſpotleſs purity and perfect happineſs.
THESE miniſters are ſtyled the Servants of CHRIST, by way of eminence: They are in a peculiar manner devoted to the Service of their divine maſter; from him they receive their commiſſion; by him they are appointed to repreſent his perſon, preſide in his worſhip, and teach the laws of his Kingdom.— To aſſume this character without being divinely called, and regularly introduced into this ſacred office, is a bold invaſion of CHRIST's royal authority, and an open violation of that order, which he has eſtabliſhed in his Church.— Theſe not only derive their miſſion from CHRIST, but it is his doctrine they are to preach, and not the inventions of their own brain:—it is his glory they are to promote, and not their own intereſt or honor:—their buſineſs is not to propagate the deſigns of a party, but the common ſalvation, and to beſeech all, in CHRIST's name, to be reconciled unto GOD.
THE Apoſtles, the primitive heralds of the everlaſting Goſpel, were ſent to make the firſt Tender of ſalvation to the loſt ſheep of the houſe of ISRAEL; they were commanded to begin at JERUSALEM, the centre of the Jewiſh Commonwealth: But when the Jews obſtinately perſiſted in their impenitence and unbelief, they were commiſſioned to preach the goſpel to every Creature under heaven:— The ſinners of the Gentiles were invited to come in, and accept of the offers of ſalvation.
THE Prophets pointed out a Meſſiah that was to come, and proclaimed the joyful approach of a Redeemer, at the time appointed in the ſovereign counſels of heaven. The miniſters of the Goſpel now are ſent to declare, that the prophecies are accompliſhed, the promiſe fulfilled, juſtice ſatisfied, ſalvation purchaſed; and all that will come in, ſhall receive the bleſſings of the goſpel. They are not only freely to invite Sinners, of all orders and degrees, of all ages and nations; but to aſſure them, that all things are now ready, and to uſe the moſt powerful and perſuaſive methods, that they may engage them to comply with the heavenly Call.— Which brings me to the third thing propoſed.
THIRD PART.
I AM next to ſhew, that it is the great duty of the Miniſters of the goſpel to compel ſinners to come in, and accept of the bleſſings of the Goſpel.— This is ſo plainly contained in my text, that I ſhall not multiply arguments to confirm it. My only buſineſs ſhall be to explain the nature of this compulſion, or ſhew in what manner ſinners are to be compelled to come in to the Chriſtian Church.— And ſure I am, I muſt anſwer, negatively, not by the deceitful methods of fraud and diſguiſe, — nor the inhuman practices of perſecution and violence. This text indeed has often been alledged by the perſecuting bigots of all ages, and apply'd to ſupport the cauſe of religious tyranny; to the infinite ſcandal of the chriſtian name, and the unſpeakable detriment of the chriſtian intereſt. — By this means the Enemies of our moſt holy faith have been ſtrengthen'd in their infidelity, the weak have been turned aſide from the truth, as it is in JESUS, and the peaceable kingdom of the Meſſiah tranſformed into a field of blood,—a ſcene of helliſh and horrid cruelties. If this were the compulſion recommended in the goſpel, then abſolute unrelenting tyrants would be the proper and moſt infallible teachers; then racks and tortures would be the genuine and moſt ſucceſsful method of propagating the faith. But ſurely every thing of this kind, every violent and driving meaſure, is in direct oppoſition to the precepts and example of our bleſſed Saviour, and contrary to the very genius of his goſpel, — which proclaims, *Luk. 2.14.Glory to GOD in the higheſt, on earth peace, good-will towards men
THE Princes of this world exerciſe a temporal dominion over mankind, and by fines levied on their eſtates and puniſhments inflicted upon their bodies, force men to an outward ſubjection to their authority and government.— But the kingdom of our Lord is of a ſpiritual nature: He erects his empire in the hearts of men, and reigns ever a willing people in the day of his power. External violence may neceſſitate men to an external profeſſion of the truth, and procure a diſſembled compliance with the inſtitutions of CHRIST; but can never enlighten the darkneſs of the mind, conquer the rebellion of the will, nor ſanctify and ſave the ſoul. It may transfigure men into accompliſh'd hypocrites; but will never convert them into real ſaints.
THE Goſpel was originally propagated by the powerful preaching of CHRIST and his Apoſtles, by the aſtoniſhing miracles which they wrought in confirmation of their doctrine, and the exemplary lives by which they adorned their profeſſion and character. Inſtead of propagating their religion by the deſtructive methods of fire and ſword, they ſubmitted to the rage and cruelty of a malignant world with ſurpriſing patience, and ſacrificed their very lives in the cauſe of GOD, without any intemperate diſcoveries of anger and reſentment:— inſtead of calling for fire from heaven to deſtroy their oppoſers, they compaſſionated their ignorance, inſtructed them with meekneſs, counſel'd and exhorted them with all long-ſuffering and doctrine, and even ſpent their dying breath in praying for their conviction and converſion, that they might be ſaved in the day of the LORD JESUS.
Now in imitation of theſe primitive Doctors of the chriſtian church, theſe wiſe and ſucceſsful preachers of the Goſpel, it is the duty of the miniſters of the preſent day, to uſe the ſame methods of compaſſion and friendly violence. A diſintereſted zeal for the glory of God, a ſtedfaſt adherence to the truth, and unſhaken fidelity in our Maſter's cauſe, with univerſal benevolence to mankind, muſt conſtantly animate our public diſcourſes, and be conſpicuous in our private converſation and behaviour. — We muſt diligently indeavour to convince the underſtandings, engage the affections, and direct the practice of our hearers.—Upon this head, it may not be amiſs to deſcend to a few particulars.
1. MINISTERS are to compel ſinners to come in, by ſetting before them their guilty and periſhing condition by nature.— Sinners are naturally fond of carnal eaſe and ſecurity; they are delighted with their pleaſant and profitable ſins; they even drink in iniquity like water, with great greedineſs, with inſatiable thirſt, and inceſſant gratification, but without fear or remorſe. Upon this account, there is the higheſt neceſſity, to ſound an alarm in their ears, that they may be awaken'd, to ſee and conſider their dangerous ſtate; or elſe they will never be excited to flee from the wrath to come. The ſecure Sinner is inſenſible of this want of a Saviour:— the whole need not a Phyſician, but they that are ſick.
To this end, the miniſters of the goſpel are to ſet the terrors of the LORD in array againſt the ſinner, and let him hear the thunder of divine curſes, that utter their voice againſt the unbelieving. They are to repreſent in the cleareſt light, and with the moſt convincing evidence, the evil of ſin, and the danger it expoſes to; that wrath from heaven is revealed againſt all ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs of men †Rom. 1.18.; that the flaming ſword of incenſed juſtice is unſheathed, and the arm of the Almighty ready to deſtroy ſuch as are going on ſtill in their treſpaſſes, impenitent and ſecure.— They are not only thus to ſhew 'em their danger; but to ſet before them at the ſame time their wretched and helpleſs circumſtances:—that there's no human eye can ſucceſsfully pity them, nor any created arm can bring them effectual deliverance;— that, while in a ſtate of unregenerate nature, they are deſtitute of ſtrength to perform any acceptable ſervice to the bleſſed GOD, and unable to make any adequate ſatisfaction to his offended Juſtice; — that indeed they can neither avoid the divine diſpleaſure, nor endure the puniſhment that is due to their crimes.— Thus by a faithful application of the law and its threatnings, we ſhould endeavour, by GOD's bleſſing, to make way for the reception of the goſpel and its promiſes.— This was the wiſe method obſerved by our bleſſed Saviour, the firſt preacher of the goſpel; and by the Apoſtles, his inſpired ſucceſſors. So John the baptiſt, who ſerved as the morning ſtar, to uſher in the appearance of the Sun of righteouſneſs, did thus prepare the way of the LORD, by enlightning the minds of men, in the knowledge of their guilt and miſery, and inciting them to flee from the damnation of hell. — The three thouſand that were converted to the faith at one ſermon, in the infancy of the chriſtian church, were firſt awakened with a ſenſe of their aggravated guilt, in crucifying the LORD of Glory, and brought in agony and diſtreſs to cry out, *Acts 2.36, 37.Men and brethren, what ſhall we do?
THIS method, I confeſs, is diſagreeable to the ſentiments and inclinations of a ſecure world; and may expoſe us to the reproach of thoſe that are at eaſe in Zion: but is agreeable the dictates of an enlightned mind, conformable to the plan laid down in the ſacred Scriptures, and has in all ages approved itſelf the moſt ſucceſsful method of promoting the intereſts of real and vital religion.
2. THEY are to compel ſinners to come in, by a lively repreſentation of the power and grace of our almighty Redeemer.—Not all the thunder and terror of curſes from mount Ebal, not all the tremendous wrath revealed from heaven againſt the ungodly, not all the anguiſh and horror of a wounded ſpirit in an awaken'd ſinner, are able to produce an unfeigned and effectual compliance with the goſpel-terms of mercy. The miniſtry of the Law can only give the knowledge of ſin, rouſe the ſinner's conſcience, and alarm his fears: it is the diſpenſation of Grace, that ſanctifies and ſaves the ſoul. Nor is the former needful but in order to the latter. So much conviction, as gives us a ſight of our ſin and miſery, as inclines us to flee from the wrath to come, and diſpoſes us to ſubmit to the goſpel-method of ſalvation by grace through faith, by ſovereign mercy through the mediator, ſo much is neceſſary; and more is neither requiſite, nor uſeful, or deſirable.
IT is not the office of preachers to be perpetually employed in the language of terror, or exhauſt their ſtrength and zeal in awakening and diſtreſſing ſubjects. No, but as it is their diſtinguiſhing character, that they are miniſters of the goſpel, ſo it is their peculiar buſineſs to preach the unſearchable riches of CHRIST. The Perſon and offices and love of the great Redeemer, the merits of his obedience and purchaſes of his croſs, the victories of his reſurrection, the triumphs of his aſcenſion, and prevalence of his interceſſion, the power of his Spirit, greatneſs of his ſalvation, freeneſs of his grace, &c. Theſe are to be the choſen and delightful ſubjects of their diſcourſes. — They are to repreſent him as one —Who has completely anſwered the demands of the law, rendered the Deity propitious to the ſinner, and upon this account is able eternally to ſave us from the vengeance of an offended GOD; — Who is cloathed with almighty power, to ſubdue the inveterate habits of ſin, ſanctify our polluted nature, and reſtore us to ſpiritual health and purity;— Who is LORD OF THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE WORLDS, who knows how to defeat the moſt artful devices of Satan, and will finally render his people victorious over their moſt malicious and implacable adverſaries;— Who having made reconciliation for iniquity upon the croſs, is pleading the merits of his blood in heaven, and powerfully interceeding for all ſuitable bleſſings in behalf of his people; — Who is there exalted as a prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remiſſion of ſins †Acts 5.31., and is able to ſave unto the uttermoſt all thoſe that come to GOD in and thro him; *Heb. 7.25.— in fine, Who from his illuſtrious throne in glory ſtoops to look down with pity upon guilty and periſhing ſinners, ſtretches forth the ſceptre of grace, and opens the everlaſting arms of his mercy to receive them.— Theſe peculiar doctrines of the goſpel they are frequently to teach, upon theſe they are to dwell with conſtant pleaſure, that ſinners may be perſwaded to hearken to the inviting voice of divine love, and put their truſt in this almighty and compaſſionate Saviour. — In order to which,
3. THEY are to ſhew ſinners the mighty encouragement, that the goſpel gives them to accept of CHRIST, and Salvation through his merits and righteouſneſs.— As for ignorant preſumers, theſe hear the glad tidings of the goſpel with a fatal indifference; and ſay in their hearts, they ſhall have peace, though they go on in their evil way, ſtupidly neglecting ſo great ſalvation, and regardleſs of eternal things. But awaken'd minds are rather apt to draw the darkeſt concluſions with reſpect to their caſe, and to judge themſelves excluded from the invitations of the goſpel.—Sometimes they imagine, that the number and aggravations of their ſins exceed the deſigns of pardoning mercy:— At other times, that they have ſo long reſiſted the heavenly call, that now the gate of heaven is irrecoverably barred againſt them:— And Satan further ſuggeſts, that it would be the height of preſumption in them to lay claim to the bleſſings of the goſpel, till better prepared for the divine reception. — Upon ſuch imaginary and falſe grounds as theſe, multitudes of the invited gueſts make excuſes, and exclude themſelves from the marriage-ſupper of the Lamb. It is therefore the buſineſs of the ſervants of CHRIST to ſhew, that there is yet room, even for the greateſt and vileſt ſinners to come in, and partake of the goſpel-feſtival; that all things are now ready, for their welcome entertainment;— that the door is ſtill open, and there's free acceſs, not only for thoſe who have eſcaped the groſſer pollutions of the world, but even for the chief of ſinners, whoſe guilt is of a crimſon colour and a ſcarlet dye; that neither the number nor aggravations of their iniquities will exclude them a ſhare in the divine mercy, if now they ſubmit to the ſceptre of grace; — that whatever their condition and circumſtances may be, it is of preſent obligation upon them to accept the goſpel-call, and their inſtant duty to come in; the Maſter invites them to come to him, that they may have life: and whoſoever do ſo, the Maſter of the houſe has aſſured them, that he will in no wiſe caſt them out.†Joh. 6.37.
4. THEY are to exhibit the unſpeakable advantages, that will attend a compliance with the goſpel-call. — I know indeed, the religion of JESUS is by its enemies often repreſented in the moſt frightful and hideous colours, — particularly as laying an unreaſonable reſtraint on the liberties of mankind, and ſinking them into melancholy enthuſiaſts. It becomes us therefore, who are ſet for the defence of the Goſpel, to endeavour the removing this groundleſs prejudice, and to convince mankind by the light of reaſon and ſcripture, that the ways of wiſdom are ways of pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are peace: that verily a life of faith in the bleſſed Redeemer is the way to be happy, both here and hereafter.
O WHAT more honourable, than to be a child of GOD, an heir of the kingdom of heaven? What more pleaſing, than to look back, and behold our paſt iniquities all buried in the depths of eternal oblivion;— than to look forward, and view our dear Saviour acknowledging us his friends and favourites, and adjudging us to a ſtate of unperiſhing glory? What more advantageous, than to have the divine favour engaged for our protection, the promiſes of divine grace for our conſolation, and an aſſured title to an inheritance undefiled, incorruptible, and eternal? This is the portion of the true Believer. Theſe the privileges, that attend a compliance with the goſpel-call.
THESE things are to be repreſented in ſuch a manner as may tend to captivate the hearts of men, and engage them in a ſolicitous care and reſolution to renounce the degrading ſervitude of ſin, and reſign themſelves to the power of redeeming grace. Thus by the moſt effectual and perſwaſive methods, the miniſters of JESUS are to compel ſinners to come in, that his houſe may be filled.
IT was not in my deſign, to conſider the duty of the miniſtry in its juſt extent; but only to inſiſt upon thoſe things that more properly belong to my ſubject and lie directly in the view of my text.
IT will now doubtleſs be expected, that I APPLY my diſcourſe, more immediately to the preſent occaſion.
AND ſuffer me, DEAR SIR, in the firſt place to addreſs myſelf to you, who are this day coming under a publick conſecration to the ſervice of CHRIST, to bear his name among the Gentiles; to whom the Maſter is now ſending you forth, to compel them to come in, that his houſe may be filled. We truſt, you are a choſen veſſel, deſigned for extenſive ſervice in this honourable, though difficult employment. We adore the GOD of nature, who has furniſhed you with ſuch endowments as ſuit you to this important charge. We adore the great Head of the church for the nobler gifts and graces of his SPIRIT; by which, we truſt, you are enabled to engage in this miſſion with an ardent love to GOD, the univerſal Father of mankind, wiih a diſintereſted zeal for the honour of CHRIST, the compaſſionate friend of ſinners, and with tender concern for the periſhing Souls of a People that ſit in darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of death; who have for ſo many ages been wandring out of the way of ſalvation, without CHRIST, and without GOD in the world.
THE work of the miniſtry, in every place, has its difficulties and dangers, and requires much wiſdom, fortitude, patience, and ſelf-denial, to diſcharge it in a right manner, with an encouraging proſpect of ſucceſs: But greater degrees of prudence, humility and meekneſs, mortification to the preſent world, holy courage, and zeal for the honour of GOD our SAVIOUR, are neceſſary where any are call'd to miniſter the Goſpel unto thoſe, who through a long ſucceſſion of ages have dwelt in the darkneſs of heatheniſm, have from their infancy imbibed inveterate prejudices againſt the chriſtian faith, and from time immemorial been inured to many ſuperſtitious and idolatrous practices, directly oppoſite to the nature and deſign of the goſpel.
WHAT heavenly ſkill is required, to convey the ſupernatural myſteries of the goſpel into the Minds of uninſtructed Pagans, who are a people of a ſtrange ſpeech and hard language?— What deep ſelf-denial is neceſſary, to enable you chearfully to forſake the pleaſures of your native Country, with the agreeable ſociety of your friends and acquaintance, to dwell among thoſe who inhabit not indeed the high-ways and hedges, but uncultivated deſarts, and the remoteſt receſſes of the wilderneſs?— What unwearied zeal and diligence, to proſelyte thoſe to the faith of the goſpel, who have quenched the light of reaſon, and by their inhumane and barbarous practices have placed themſelves upon a level with the brute-creation?
METHINKS, I hear you crying out, Who is ſufficient for theſe things!— And indeed, if you had no ſtrength to depend upon, but only your own, — no encouragement, but from human aſſiſtance, you might juſtly ſink down in a diſconſolate deſpair, and utter the paſſionate language of MOSES, O my LORD, ſend, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt ſend: Thy ſervant is inſufficient for ſo great a work.—But it is at the command of CHRIST, the great Head of the church, that you go forth; who by a train of ſurpriſing providences, has been preparing your way for this important embaſſy; and therefore you may be aſſured, that he will ſupport you in the faithful diſcharge of your duty, accept your unfeigned deſires to promote the intereſts of his kingdom, and finally reward your imperfect ſervices with his gracious approbation. You have his divine promiſe for your ſecurity and conſolation; Lo! I am with you alway, even to the end of the world. This will afford you light in every darkneſs,—defence in every danger, —ſtrength in every weakneſs,—a final victory over every temptation. If CHRIST be with you, in vain do the heathen rage, in vain will their confederated tribes unite their forces to obſtruct and diſcourage you. Infinite wiſdom will be your guide,— Almighty power your ſhield,— and GOD himſelf your exceeding great reward. The preſence of your divine Maſter will make amends for the abſence of your deareſt friends and relatives. This will transform a wild and uncultivated deſart into a paradiſe of joy and pleaſure; and the lonely hutts of ſavages into more delightful habitations than the palaces of Princes.
LET not then any difficulties diſcourage, any dangers affright you. Go forth in the name and ſtrength of the Lord JESUS, to whom you are now to be devoted in the ſacred office of the miniſtry. Be not aſhamed of the goſpel of CHRIST; for it is the power of GOD unto ſalvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew firſt, and alſo to the Gentile. Let zeal for the honour of GOD, and compaſſion for the ſouls of men, animate your publick diſcourſes and private addreſſes to the people committed to your charge. Always remember, that your character is A MINISTER OF JESUS; and therefore with the inſpired Doctor of the Gentiles, you are to know nothing among them, ſave CHRIST and him crucified. Frequently conſider, that the goſpel is a divine diſcipline to purify the heart, and ſet up the kingdom of the Redeemer in the ſouls of men: And therefore it is not ſufficient to bring ſinners to a profeſſion of the name of CHRIST, and an outward ſubjection to the inſtitutions of divine worſhip. You are ſent to turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God — that they may receive forgiveneſs of ſins, and an inheritance among them that are ſanctified by faith that is in CHRIST. Unleſs this be effected (whatever other improvements they gain) they are left under the dominion of ſin, and expoſed to the wrath of GOD; and their ſuperior degrees of knowledge will only ſerve to light them down to the regions of death and miſery.— This then is to be the principal deſign of your miniſtry: For this you are to labour with unwearied application,— and with inceſſant importunity to encompaſs the throne of that God, whoſe peculiar prerogative it is to teach us to profit; whoſe grace alone can make them a willing people in the day of his power
AND for your encouragement, I will only add,—When I conſider the many prophecies, in ſacred ſcripture, of the triumphant progreſs of the goſpel in the laſt ages of the world, I cannot but lift up my head with joy in an humble expectation, that the day draws near, yea, is even at hand, when the promiſes made to the Son of God ſhall be more illuſtriouſly fulfilled: — When he ſhall have the heathen for his inheritance, amd the utmoſt ends of the earth for his poſſeſſion; — When his name ſhall be great among the gentiles, and be honoured and adored from the riſing of the ſun to the going down of the ſame.— But if the appointed time is not yet come, and the attempts made to introduce this glorious day, fail of deſired ſucceſs,—your judgment will be with the Lord, and your Reward with your God. If the gentiles be not gathered in; you will be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, who accepts and rewards his ſervants according to the ſincerity of their deſires, and not according to the ſucceſs of their endeavours.
I ſhall CONCLUDE, with a few words to the Body of the People.
GOD our Saviour, in infinite condeſcenſion, hath ſent his ſervants to invite you to come in, and receive the bleſſings, which infinite wiſdom has contrived, and aſtoniſhing grace prepared, for your entertainment. And ſurely MY BRETHREN, it is your important duty, and incomparable intereſt, not to deſpiſe the ſalvation of God ſent unto the gentiles, nor make light of the goſpel-meſſage to you.
GÒD has been pleaſed to employ us the meſſengers of his grace, Men of like paſſions with yourſelves, ſubject to the common infirmities of human nature: But the meſſage comes from Him, who is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS; whom you are under the ſtrongeſt obligations to hear and obey, in point of intereſt, gratitude, and duty.
WHAT gracious and condeſcending methods has he taken, to allure and invite you! Has he not deſcended from heaven to earth; from the boundleſs glories of eternity, to all the ſufferings and afflictions of this mortal life, that he might purchaſe and reveal ſalvation; that he might engage your love, and perſwade you to comply with his ſaving deſigns! Does he not ſend his Embaſſadors to beſeech you in his ſtead, to be reconciled to God!
WHAT excuſes have you to make, that will ſtand the trial of an enlightned conſcience, or juſtify you at the awful tribunal of God? Will the vaniſhing enjoyments of ſin and ſenſe, or the periſhing riches of this tranſitory world, make amends for the loſs of the divine favour, or ſupport you under the terrors of eternal damnation?
ARE there any honours comparable to the dignity and character of a child of God, — a title to the privileges of his houſe and family? Are there any pleaſures equal to the ſmiles of God's reconciled face,— the refreſhing viſits of his love,— the immortal joys of his ſalvation!
BUT how deplorable, how deſperate will be your caſe, if you finally refuſe the goſpel-invitation, and periſh in your natural ſtate of guilt and miſery? The compaſſionate JESUS, who now addreſſes you in the inviting language of love, will then ſpeak to you with the voice of terror, and ſwear in his wrath, that you ſhall never enter into his reſt, that you ſhall never taſte of his ſupper, the rich proviſion which he has made for the eternal entertainment of his gueſts. When once the Maſter of the houſe is riſen up and hath ſhut to the door, you will in vain ſtand without, and knock for admiſſion.
IN a word, Now, he declares by his ſervants, that all things are ready, — and all that are bidden, ſhall be welcome, upon their coming in, to be partakers of the benefit. The blood of Chriſt is now ready, to cleanſe you from all your guilt and pollution; — His righteouſneſs is now ready, to adorn your naked ſouls with the garment of ſalvation; — His Spirit is now ready, to take poſſeſſion of you, and make you eternal monuments of victorious and redeeming grace. The Spirit and the Pride ſay, Come; and whoſoever (of the loſt and periſhing ſons of Adam) will, let him come, and participate of the bleſſings of the goſpel freely, without money and without price. The arms of everlaſting mercy are open, to receive you: The treaſures of divine grace are open, to ſupply your wants: And every one of you that now ſincerely accepts this gracious invitation, ſhall hereafter be admitted to ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.
For which, God of his infinite mercy prepare us all, thro' Jeſus Chriſt: to whom be glory and dominion world without end.
AMEN.