A Tender Heart Pleasing to God and Profitable, Sermon 2 – Errata

A Tender Heart Pleasing to God and Profitable · Sermon 2 – Errata

The Character of Caleb.

NUMB. XIV. 24.

But my Servant Caleb had another Spirit with him, and hath followed me fully.

THE profeſſing People of GOD are thoſe who profeſs, either by Ward or Conduct, that they believe there is a GOD, infinite, unchangeable and eternal in Being, Excellence and Bleſſedneſs; that He is the Creator, Upholder, abſolute Proprietor and Ruler of all Things; that the Scriptures commonly called the Bible, are given by Inſpiration from Him; that they are under indiſpenſable Obligations to ſearch and live according to them, as a perfect and perpetual Rule, in the whole of their Conduct; and that this is their Reſolution and Endeavour.

Theſe are the profeſſing People of GOD. But it is highly probable, there always was & is among them, a Number who diſbelieve his Being or Perfections, and his Works of Creation or Providence; who are commonly called Atheiſts: Others, who tho' they believe theſe Things, yet diſbelieve the Scriptures to have been given by Inspiration from p. 2Him; who are commonly called Deiſts: Others who doubt of this Inſpiraticn from Him; who are commonly called Skepticks, i. c. Doubters: Other, tho' they believe it, yet commonly neglect the plain Duties therein required; who are the Ung…r: and others who commonly commit the known Sins therein forbidden; and theſe are the Wicked.

Where the pr…feſſing People of GOD are the ruling Party; thoſe Atheiſts, Deiſts, Scepticks, Ungodly and Wicked, may for worldly Ends, either in a greater or leſs Degree, conceal themſelves, or more boldly and openly ſhow themſelves, according to their various Intereſts, Encouragements or Tempers: But tho' they live among the profeſſing People of God; yet thoſe who thus openly ſhow themſelves, are not properly of them, but a People really ſeparate from them.

Among this profeſſing People of GOD, ſome are ſincere and others hypocritical. And of thoſe who are ſincere, ſome have a Faith ariſing from the meer Impreſſions of Education: Others a Faith proceeding from the irreſiſtible Convictions of Reaſon only, ſuch as even the fallen Agels have: and Others a Faith produced by the mighty SPIRIT of GOD in the Change of their Hearts; which they find to be a vital, active, powerful, conſtant and prevailing Principle, exciting them to labour after a univerſal Conformity to the moral Nature of GOD in Holineſs, and to his revealed Will in Submiſſion and Obedience.

Yea of this higheſt and moſt exceller Sort of Believers, ſome are more lively, … victorious in the Power and Exerciſe of … Others. And of this Sort of Believers was the moſt excellent CALEB repreſented, even by GOD Himſelf in the Text before us. Yea, GOD was pleas'd … give this high and conſummate Character of him, p. 3even in the Sight and Hearing of all the Tribes of Iſrael. They were now in die ſecond Year after their leaving Egypt in the Wildeneſs of Paran near Kade…, eleven Days Joursey from Mount Sinai, and Fourteen from the Red-Sea, and not far from the Southern Border of the Land of Canaan. And the Occaſion was—

That at the Motion of the People and the Divine Allowance and Direction, MOSES had ſent thence a Principl Ruler of every Tribe, excepting Levi;††The firſt … came from the … as … obſerves from D…. I. And the Tribe … was excepted, becauſe they were to have no Inherance as a ſeparate Tribe in … xviii.De…. the chief Man from Epl…aim being JOSHUA, and for Judah, CALES, to ſearch the land of Promiſe: and after forty Days, returning; and all but J…ſtua and Caleb magnifying the Cities for their prodigious Strength, and the Inhabitants for their giantly Stature; and repreſenting to the Tribes, that the Canaanites were vaſtly mighter than they, and that the Iſraelites were utterly unable to go up againſt them;— all is now Confuſion in the Camp of Iſrael.—Firſt they lift up their Voice and cry all that Night: then they murmur againſt Moſes and Aaron, yea againſt the LORD Himſelf, for bringing them out of the Land of Egypt, to fall by the Sword, that their Wives & Children ſhould be a Prey:—they wiſe they had died in Egypt or in the Wilderneſs; and talk of chuſing a Captain to lead them back to Egypt again.

In ſo aſtoniſhing a Manner did their Unbelief prevail, notwithſtanding all the miraculous Diſplays of the ſupream Power and Faithfulneſs of GOD among them—yet, their Unbelief of his Ability and Faithfulneſs p. 4to overcome the Obſtacles before them, and put them in Poſſeſſion of the Land he had ſo ſolemnly and ſo often promiſed them. Unbelief moſt awfully debaſes the glorious GOD, and magnifies the Creature.

Then MOSES and AARON fall on their Faces before the Aſſembly of the Congregation: and JOSHUA and CALEB rend their Clothes, and venture among and ſpeak to all the mutinous and raging Multitude, endeavour to pacify their Spirits, and excite them to Faith, Obedience and Courage, by ſaying — The Land which we paſſed through to ſearch it, is an exceeding good Land: if the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this Land, & give it us, a Land which floweth with Milk and Honey: Only rebel not ye againſt the LORD, neither fear ye the People of the Land; for they are Bread for us; their Defence is departed from them; and the LORD is with us; fear them not. But all the Congregation calling out to ſtone them; the Glory of the LORD appeareth in [and over] the Tabernacle before all the Children of Iſrael; when he expreſſes his high Reſentment, and denounces their univerſal Deſtruction in the Wilderneſs, for their Diſbelief, Murmuring and Rebellion, excepting Joſhua and Caleb: and of the illuſtrious Perſon in our Text, he gives this diſtinguiſhing and exalted Character— But my Servant CALEB had another Spirit with him, and hath followed me fully &c.

And this I ſhall endeavour to clear under theſe two general Heads—

I. The eminent Perſon here diſtinguiſhed.

… Character the LORD … loved me fully.

p. 5I. The eminent Perſon here diſtinguiſhed.

By 1 Chron ii, He appears to be of honourable Extract; being the Son of He…ron, otherwiſe called Jep…ned, the Son of Phare…, the Son of Judah. And in the Chapter before our Text, he was thus diſtinguiſhed by GOD Himſelf, … 1—6. And the LORD ſpake to Moſes, ſaying, Send thou Men, that they may ſearch the Land of Canaan which I give into the Children of Iſrael: of every Tribe of their Fathers ſhall ye ſend a Man, every one A RULER††Heb—Naſhia. among them. And Moſes by the Commandment of the LORD ſent them from the Wilderneſs of Paran: all theſe Men were HEADS ‡‡Hebr—Raſhi.of the Children of Iſrael: of the Tribe of Judah, CALEB the Son of Jep…ned; &c.

Tho' they were not the Princes of their ſeveral Tribes, in the higheſt Place of Civil Dignity next to Moſes, whoſe twelve Names we have in the viith Chapter before our Text; yet they are ſaid to be Heads and Rulers among their ſeveral Tribes, or ſome of the principal Magiſtrates over them. And it ſeems highly probable, they were ſome of thoſe eminent Men of the ſeveral Tribes, who are ſtiled Able Men, Fearers of GOD, Men of Truth, Haters of Coveteouſneſs, whom Moſes, upon the wiſe Advice of his Father in Law JETHRO Prince of Midian, with the Divine Approbation and Direction, choſe out of all Iſrael; and made them Heads **Hebr—Raſbi…n.over the People, RULERS‖‖Hebr—Shari. of Thouſands, RULERS‖‖Hebr—Shari. of Hundreds, RULERS‖‖Hebr—Shari. of Fifties, and RULERS‖‖Hebr—Shari. of Tens; i. e. of Families, or thoſe who dwelt in the ſame Tents; who Judged the People at all Seaſons, referring p. 6the border Matters to MOSES—as we read in Ex…d. xviii.

Of the ſame Perſons MOSES ſpake to all Iſrael Deut. i 13—17. Take ye wiſe Men and … ſtanding, and known among your Tribes, and … make them RULERS I over you; and ye … and ſaid, the Thing which thou haſt … good for us to do: ſo I took the CHIEF … of your Tribes wiſe Men, and known; and made them … you; CAPTAINS,††Shari; tranſlated more accurately—RULERS in Ex…. xviii. [i. e. not military Officer,… but Rulers and Judges; in Civil and Criminal Caſes] over Thouſands &c. and OFFICERS: [i. e. Men to put the Sentences in Execution ||Hebr —Sh…ri…. See Pag…&Mo…, S…, Rei…]Take ye,—In the Hebrew it is— Give ye; i.e. Look out and … among you Thoſe you know to be the moſt ſuitable Perſons, and then bring and preſent them to me that I … may chooſe, and then appoint and give them to you for this publick and important Service. The … nation was made by the People, as being beſt … with them; but the deſ…itive Choice and the authorizing Appointment was made by MOSES, who under GOD was King in Jesh…, when the Heads of the People and the Tribes of Iſrael were gathered together; Deut. xxxiii. 5.

By comparing theſe Scripture Paſſages, it ſeems highly probable, that CALEB was One of the Judges, Heads and Rulers of the higher Civil Order under MOSES; i. e. at leaſt of a Thouſand Families in the Tribe of Judah; there being then of that Tribe ſeventy four Thouſand and ſix Hundred Men from twenty Years old & upward, that were able to go forth to War beſides Women and Children. Numb. i. 26, 27.

p. 7And as no Doubt, the Wiſdom of MOSES would lead him to the Choice of thoſe he judged beſt qualified for this dangerous and important Buſineſs of ſerveying the Land; we muſt conclude, that CALEB was one of thoſe who were moſt eminently fitted for this difficult Employment. And his Faith, his Judgment, his In…y, his Courage, Piety and Steadineſs, appear'd and ſhone with diſtinguiſh'd Luſtre on this great Occaſion.

The ſeventy-two Jewiſh Rabbies, who tranſlated the OLD Teſtament out of Hebrew into Greek, about two Hundred & ſeventy ſeven Years before the Birth of CHRIST, **See Uſher's Annals.ſtrangely turn the Hebrew [AUBDI] my Servent into [PAISMOU] my Youth or Child. But if they meant this Term with reſpect to his Age, they were undoubtedly miſtaken. For by comparing his Hiſtory in this Book, of Numbers with the xivth Chapter of …, where he ſays himſelf, he was then eighty-five Years old: it appears, that he was thirty-nine or forty Years of Age, when he was made a principal Ruler, and a few Months after receiv'd from GOD this glorious Character.

But our

II. General Head is now to conſider this three-fold Character the LORD here gave him.

1. But MY SERVANT Caleb.

In ſome Reſpects indeed, the whole Creation, both Intelligent and Unintelligent, both animate and inanimate, may be ſtiled his Servants;—as he perpetually improves and over-rules them, to accompliſh his wiſe Deſigns, and ſhow the Glory and advance the Honour of ſome or other of his Perfections. So the Scripture repreſents in Pſal. cxix. 89—91. For ever O Lord thy Word is ſettled in Heaven: thy Faithfulneſs p. 8is to all Generations: Thou haſt eſtabliſhed the Earth, and it abideth: They continue this Day according to thine Ordinances: for ALL are thy SERVENTS. And ſo the Sovereign GOD is pleaſed to call even Nebuchadnezzer King of Babylon, MY SERVANT, three times over in the ſame inſpired Book, Jer. xxv. 9; xxvii. 6; and xliii. 10. The Word in Hebrew being the ſame, as in our Text, in all theſe Places.

But the Senſe of the Term here plainly means, both his intelligent, free, voluntary, devoted, active, faithful, and approved SERVANT. Such a one in general as the Apoſtle Paul writes of in Rom. vi. 22. Being now made free from Sin, and become SERVANTS to GOD, ye have your Fruit unto Holineſs, and the End everlaſting Life.

In Particular—One whoſe Heart or Nature was ſanctfied in ſome Degree by his All-mighty Spirit—whoſe Principles or Diſpoſitions of Enmity to or Averſion from the holy Nature, Laws, Will, Sovereignty, Authority and Government of God, were in ſome Degree ſubdued or mortified—whoſe Heart or Nature was ſo renewed or changed; as to have a ſweet, pleaſant and predominant Reliſh for the Contemplation of his holy Nature, Perfections, Laws, Word of Inſpiration, Will, Deſigns, Authority, Sovereignty, Government Bleſſedneſs, and glory:—of his Word of Inſpiration, eſpecially the Doctrines, Hiſtories, Promiſes, and Prophecies reſpecting the Work of Redemption by the MESSIAH, the Work of Sanctification by the HOLY SPIRIT, with all the inviſible and wonderful Realities therein revealed.

One who therefore clearly ſaw the tranſcendant Amiableneſs, Excellence, and Importance of all theſe Things: as alſo the exceeding Suitableneſs, the Excellence, p. 9the Happineſs, the great Deſireableneſs of having his Nature intirely, perfectly, and perpetually, conformed to the holy Nature of GOD in all his moral Excellencies; and of having his Heart, his whole Spirit, Soul, Body and Life, thus conformed alſo to his Sovereign Will both in Submiſſion, Patience and Obedience.

Laſtly, One who therefore clearly ſaw the tranſcendent Honour, Excellence and Bleſſedneſs of ſerving Him, and of employing all his Opportunities, Powers and Talents in his faithful Service, and to promote his Glory:—who intirely heartily, abſolutely and eternally devoted himſelf and all he had thereto:—who had habitual and predominant Deſires, Longings, Prayers, Reſolutions, Labours, Strivings, and Preſſings after all this Honour, Excellence and Bleſſedneſs:—And who exceedingly rejoyced, and grew in Thankfulneſs and Love to GOD, for every Meaſure of attaining to them.

Such a One was CALEB: and no doubt but that He, as well as his Anceſtor ABRAHAM who lived above three Hundred Years before him, **A. Bp. Uſher, Bp Lleyd, &c.by the ſame Faith, ſaw the Day of CHRIST, and rejoyced therein; as our bleſſed SAVIOUR ſaid to the Jews in Joh. viii 56. Your Father ABRAHAM rejoyced to ſee my Day; and he ſaw it and was glad: Tho' ABRAHAM died above Eighteen Hundred Years before CHRIST was born.**A. Bp. Uſher, Bp Lleyd, &c.

And ſuch a One is every Real Chriſtian; but with this complex and great Advantage—That abundantly more of the tranſcendent Glories and Amiableneſs of the bleſſed GOD are ſince revealed in the Goſpel:—They are vaſtly more diſplayed in and through CHRIST, in his wondrous Perſon, Natures, p. 10Offices and Benefits:—In The Face or Perſon of CHRIST they ſurprizingly appear, who is the Brightneſs or Effulgence of the Divine Glory:—The Ways and the higher Degrees of ſerving the Bleſſed GOD, are more clearly ſhown:—The Obligations, the Allurements and the Motives exceedingly increaſed:—And the Souls of thoſe who are ſavingly renewed and enlightned, are therefore vaſtly more engaged, entertained and delighted in his Service than before.

But the

2d Part of his Character, yet more diſtinguiſhing, was, that he had another Spirit with him.

i. e. A Spirit different, not only from what was in die other Spies, excepting Joſhua, but alſo from what appeared in the Generality of the Congregation of Iſrael.

Thoſe learned Men who near the Apoſtles Days cranſlated the Old Teſtament out of Hebrew into Syriack, tho't, the Meaning of the Hebrew was— My Spirit was with him. And indeed they ſo far rightly tho't; that unleſs the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD was working with and in him, as a Spirit producing and exciting Holineſs; he would not have differed from the Reſt of the unbelieving, murmuring & rebellious Congregation.**See Iſai iv. 4. xi. 2. xxviii. 6.Isa 4:4 It was the SPIRIT of GOD, as a SPIRIT of communicative Holineſs, now in the Goſpel revealed to be alſo the SPIRIT of CHRIST; which made the Spirit or active Temper of the Soul of CALEB to be, and at that Time appear exceeding different from the Spirit of the Reſt of the People. And I ſaid the SPIRIT of CHRIST;—as all his gracious Workings are Purchaſed by Him, and are the Effect both of his gracious, mediatorial Interceſſion, and then of his conjunct Authority and p. 11Miſſion with the Divine Father, in the agreed Oeconomy, and Order of our Salvation.

But then as the Hebrew Words more preciſely ſignify— Another Spirit with Him—as all the other ancient Perſons render them;—it ſeems plain to me, that this other Spirit with him, was the actual Temper of the Soul of CALEB: and as it was in it ſelf, ſo on that Occaſion it remarkably appeared exceeding different from the unbelieving, murmuring and rebellious Spirit which then ſurprizingly wrought and appeared in the tumultuous Congregation.

I can't tell how to think, that all the Congregation, excepting Moſes, Aaron, Joſhua and Caleb, were combin'd in the Mutiny: For it appears clear to me, that the whole Tribe of Levi, were diſtinguiſh'd from the Reſt in Mutiny; as a late learned Writer of our own, a curious Searcher of the holy Scriptures,††The late Hon. Chief Juſtice Dudley. has, I think, ſufficiently made evident: and to me it ſeems alſo highly probable, that they were then, in, around & neareſt to the Tabernacle, where their Tribe was ſtationed, and with Moſes and Aaron diſtinguiſh'd from the Reſt in Company, with ſome Vacancy between them and the Reſt of the Congregation: but they were only the other twelve Tribes, Ephraim and Manaſſeh being two of the twelve, out of whom the twelve Spies were ſent, who were the murmuring Multitude.

Of theſe other twelve Tribes only, it is ſaid that— All the Congregation liſted up their Voice and cried—And all the Children of Iſrael murmured—And the whole Congregation ſaid—Would God we had died in the Land of Egypt—And they ſaid one to another, Let us make a Captain, and let us return into Egypt. Nor were the Children under twenty Years of Age, who were in all Probability, as Mr. Saurin well computes p. 12at leaſt Twelve Hundred Thouſand, involv'd either in the threatened Deſtruction in the Wilderneſs, nor among the guilty Murmurers.

Nor can I think that all the MEN of this Congregation, excepting Caleb and Joſhua, were … deſtitute of real habitual Holineſs; or what is commonly called ſpecial ſanctifying, ſaving Grace. For the Word all, Scripture, often ſignifies ſo many, ſuch a Generality, as to a Spectator the Others made no Appearance; but the whole Congregation ſeem'd to be agitated by the ſame rebellious Spirit No doubt great Numbers among that vaſt Multitude, compos'd of above Six Hundred Thouſand Men beſides Women and Children, were greatly grieved with what they heard and ſaw, all round about them: but the Uproar of the Multitude was ſo great, as to overwhelm and cover them.

Yea, I am apt to think that great Numbers even of the Murmurers themſelves, might yet have Principles of Holineſs or Grace in the Bottom of their Hearts; tho' then dreadfully overwhelmed with ſudden Floods of Paſſion and Corruption:—as in the Bottom of the Heart of Peter, when he profanely curs'd and ſwore, and deny'd his Divine and dear Maſter. And if CHRIST had not ſo ſoon beſtowed ſuch a melting Look upon Him, he would not have ſo ſoon gone out and wept ſo bitterly.

It is both grievous and aſtoniſhing to think how the habitual and vital Principles of Grace, may lie deep in the Hearts of the Renewed, or thoſe who are begun to be ſanctified; and yet ſometimes by the awful Permiſſion of GOD, be overwhelmed by Temptations and Corruptions, which over-power and for a while ſuppreſs the predominant Exerciſe of thoſe vital Principles; and the Renewed are ſadly left to act and look like the Reſt of the ungodly and wicked p. 13World. And this I apprehend was the Caſe of many blended with that tumultuous Multitude.

But CALEB had in Himſelf, and on that Occaſſion ſhewed quite another Spirit: i. e. a Spirit, not only totally different from thoſe who were habitually Wicked and Ungodly but alſo vaſtly different from thoſe who were Religious at the Bottom, but in that Seaſon of Temptation murmured with the Reſt of the Congregation.

But in what Reſpect had lie Another Sprit?

To this I anſwer—

The active Temper of his Heart or Soul, were not only ſanctified with holy Reliſhes and Bents, whereby he differ'd from all the Ungodly; But this ſanctified Temper alſo ar…ſe and acted in a predominant and eminent Degree, whereby he likewiſe differed from the Reſt of the Religious among the murmuring Multitude.

The ſeveral Branches of this ſanctified Temper are in the holy Scripture commonly called Graces, And all theſe Graces dwelt and acted in him in a lively, reigning, apparent and ſteady Manner. Thus we read of the Spirit of Wiſdom, which his Companion Joſhua was ſaid to be full of, Deut. xxxiv. 9. The Spirit of Meekneſs, which the Apoſtle Paul ſuppoſed the Chriſtian Galatians had; Chap. vi 1. And the ſame Apoſtle writes in 2 Tim. i. 7 For God hath given us, not the Spirit of Fear [i. e. of cowardly Fear of Men] but of power, Love, and of a found Mind.

All theſe and other Graces CALEB had, and liv'd in the powerful, eminent and ſteady Exerciſe of. And among his other Graces, he had of eſpecially the Spirit of Faith, as the Apoſtle Paul ſaid, that he and the other Apoſtles had in their Day, in 2 Cor. iv 13. And CALEB had not only the vital Principle of this active p. 14Grace, but alſo the lively, powerful, and victorious Excerciſe thereof; in which he eminently liv'd continually, and eſpecialy in a diſtinguiſhing Degree diſplayed in this dreadful Hour of Temptation.

He diſtinguiſhingly ſhow'd, that he had not only That Faith in GOD and in his Inſpirations which he derived from Education & Rational Conviction; but alſo That vaſtly more vital, active and victorious Faith wrought by the DIVINE SPIRIT, when he changes or begins to ſanctify the Hearts of Sinners. And by this vital Principle, as the Fundamental Power in him, with the Help of wiſe Conſideration and thoſe concurring lively Ideas of thoſe moſt important Objects and Truths which GOD had then revealed—I would ſay. with the Help of thoſe concurring lively Ideas of them which the HOLY SPIRIT gave him, and which the Scriptures call his inward Illumination, or ſhining in the Hearts of Men:—He lived in a conſtant, believing View of thoſe Truths and Objects, as real, certain, and of the greateſt Moment.

In Particular, He lived in the believing and lively Views of GOD, his Being and Perfections, Sovereignty. Authority, Laws, Predictions, Threatnings. Promiſes; his ſupream, univerſal, actual and perpetual Providence; his continual Omnipreſence and Obſervance; his inviolable Faithfulneſs, and nis future Judgment.

And as GOD had promiſed to bring the Nation of Iſrael out of Egypt, and put them in the Poſſeſſion of Canaan; and CALEB knew this Promiſe, and had ſeen the Begining of its Fulfilment in a moſt wond… Manner in Egypt, in the Red-Sea, and in the Wilderneſs hitherto; He had a believing & certain View of his Fulfilling all the Remainder, over every Obſtacle and Oppoſition. And by this believing p. 15View excited, he with an amazing Courage, along with Joſhua ran among the mutinous and raging Multitude; to ſtay them from their mad Deſign of turning back to Egypt, and encourage them to truſt in GOD to fulfil all his Promiſe and put them into the Poſſeſſion of the Land before them. From his Faith, his public Zeal and Courage, he ran the moſt deſperate Riſk among them: And in their Rage they had quickly ſtoned Him and Joſhua to Death, had not the Glory of the LORD at that Moment blazed out and ſaved them.

But we muſt come to conſider the

III. and laſt Part of the extraordinary Character the Lord here further gave him— And hath followed me fully.

And indeed, as this is the final Part; it is ſo conſummate that nothing can be added conſiſtent with the preſent State of Humane Imperfection and Infirmity.

The Hebrew litterally render'd, is— He hath filled, or fulfilled after me: ‖‖So Mosi…s; and ſo … the … Verſions, and Gratius in Pal. Synopſ.The Syriack— He hath perfected after me: The Samaritane and Septuagint, —He hath followed me: And the Chaldee—He hath perfectly followed my Fear: But Tremeillius and our moſt excellent Engliſh Verſion— He hath followed me fully: Which no doubt is the plain Sentiment, and which the Apoſtle Paul ſeems to have had in View, when he thus exhorted the Chriſtians at Epheſus, in Chapter v. 1. Be ye Followers of GOD as dear Children.

But as the Idea of Following the LORD is moſt clearly implied in the Hebrew Prepoſition; ſo likewiſe p. 16are the complex Ideas of Following him Fully or I…tirely, in Connection with the Verb.

But what may be the Import of this illuſtrious and comprehenſive Character?

To this I may but briefly Anſwer —

That in That other ſanctified Spirit, with, or in Him, there was an eminently ſtrong, active, prevailing and ſteady Bent, Deſire, Reſolution and Endeavour, to Follow the LORD in the fulleſt Manner poſſible. And from this Spirit in him (allowing for the remaining Corruptions, Imperfections and Infirmities within, as well as various Avocations and Temptations from without) there was in the main a conſtant Aim and Labour to ſee and know as much as may be of the Nature, Excellence, Inſpirations, Laws, Will, Works, and Promiſes of GOD, with the Fulfilment of them;—To imitate Him in all his moral Excellencies, and wiſe, righteous, holy, gracious and faithful Operations; to grow more and more in Conformity to the Nature and Excellence of that moſt perfect Being; reſting nothing ſhort of as perfect a Likeneſs to Him, as the Humane Nature is capable of—

As alſo to view and aim at his declarative Glory, as the moſt righteous, worthy, fit and excellent, and therefore the higheſt End of all;—To devote himſelf and all he had. abſolutely to Him, and improve them for Him;—To ſtudy to know his whole Will concerning Him revealed in his Works of Creation, and Providence, and yet more clearly and fully in his written Inſpirations: And then humbly looking to Him for his undeſerved and kind Aſſiſtance; to labour an intire and continual Conformity thereto;—To avoid every Sin both of Commiſſion & Omiſſion, both in Heart and Life;—Reſiſt all Temptations; deny and mortify all corrupt Inclinations; wait on p. 17every Inſtitution; obſerve every Duty, both with Reſpect more immediately to GOD, his Neighbour and Himſelf; and in Particular, to fulfil the Duties of every Office and Relation, both of a publick and private Nature;—ſubmitively, meekly and patiently to bare every Affliction, as the wiſe and kind Correction of his heavenly Father: Doing and ſuffering all, not in the leaſt to merit at the Hands of GOD, but in lively Gratitude and ſupream Affection to Him, to perform his Will and promote his Glory; with an holy Pleaſure and Gladneſs for his gracious Help and Acceptance, from the free Benignity of his own Nature, as well as his inſpired Declarations;—and in all retaining an humble Senſe of his own utter Unworthineſs of the ſmalleſt Mercy.

In fine, Labouring after a Life of delightful and ſteady Communion with Him in his Ordinances, Reading and Hearing his Word, Meditating, Praying, confeſſing Faults, Thanking, Praiſing; and in all his Providences both comfortable & corrective;—Riſing up into believing, lively and delightful Views of GOD; and by beholding his Glory, receiving its transforming Influence, changing the viewing Soul into his Image from Glory to Glory; as alſo raiſing it above all Things here below, to the tranſporting Views of Him in the World above, and the moſt ardent Aſpirations after the immediate Viſion and Enjoyment of Him There for ever.

And if CALEB had lived in the glorious Light of the Goſpel we behold; O how tranſported would he have been to ſee all this Glory of GOD in the Face of CHRIST, and thro' CHRIST receiving all theſe happy Influences & Emanations! How would his Soul have burned with more glowing Ardours of Gratitude and Love to the Divine FATHER, SON and SPIRIT, for all their various and united Works p. 18of Grace and Kindneſs to the ſinful vile and wretched Race of Men! And how would he have exceeded the moſt of Chriſtians …, as he did the moſt of the Saints then, in that leſs lightſome Diſperſation, in his Service of GOD, in his exalted Spirit of Faith and Piety, in flaming Zeal for his Glory, and in the Fulneſs of his Following after Him!

And thus have we briefly conſidered the diſtinguiſhing Character of this Publick and eminent Perſon, as given by GOD Himſelf; and put in the ſacred Records, not only to his own exceeding great & eternal Honour, but alſo to excite our Praiſe to the MOST HIGH for beſtowing ſuch great Grace on Man, and ſtir us up to the aſpiring Imitation.

But have there been no other Perſons like the Scripture CALEB in the ſucceeding Ages?

As the Reſidue of the ſame equal Power and Influence of the HOLY SPIRIT who thus ſanctfied and adorned Him, is eternally the ſame with the infinite GOD; He has ſince in every Age been forming & raiſing Others like Him, and even Perſons of Publick Figure and Influence.

Yea in this happy Land in every Generation from the Arrival of the Firſt of our New-England Colonies in 1620, He has form'd a glorious Succeſion of ſuch eminent Perſions. The paſſing Generation of the Ancient Here have happily ſeeen many ſuch, to our abundant Joy and Admiration. Nor has the preſent Aſſembly been without the pleaſing and recent Sight of ſuch a One among us; who juſt now brightly filled and adorned one of the chief Places before our Eyes, and us'd to appear with an amiable Luſtre of Piety and Goodneſs: but alas for us, is gone for ever.

p. 19One exceeding like to the Scripture CALEB: and while I have been deſcribing his eminent Graces, yon have lately had the lovely EXAMPLE before your Eyes.

His Father was a Reverend, pious and learned Paſter of this Church for near Thirty Years, and as highly eſteemed and beloved both in the Town and Land, for his eminent Grace, Wiſdom, Goodneſs, and uſefulneſs, I ſuppoſe, as any in his Day. His Grand-father was one of the religious and courageous … of the ancient Maſſar-…etts Colony. Nor may I forget his Mother, becauſe ſhe was a Gentle-woman of Piety, help'd to form his Youth for Publick Service; and liv'd to ſee him to her great Joy anſwering all her Cares, advanced to his Place of Publick Honour, and to receive from him the grateful Returns of his moſt tender and filial Affection towards her. She was alſo a Daughter of another of our religious Councellor. And if all theſe had not been noted in their Day for Piety; I ſhould not have mentioned them. But the Memory of the Juſt is Bleſſed: and it is a greater Privilege to deſcend from religious Anceſtors, and to grow up under their Nurture, Examples and Prayers, than to derive from the greateſt Emperors and Empreſſes on Earth.

In this Town he was born in May 1681. And the GOD of Nature was pleas'd to give him very valuable natural Powers; a clear and ready Underſtanding, faithful Memory, lively Temper, a kind, generous and manly Spirit, a judicious Taſte; with a regular Ambition to excel, and make a uſeful and ornamental Figure in the World

To the common Attainments of Learning at the Grammar-School and College; He added the diligent Reading of the politeſt and moſt uſeful Authors: And in his younger Days delighted & greatly improved in the Knowledge of the ancient Roman Hiſtory.

p. 20When I went to College in 1703, I found him there a worthy and eſteemed Tutor; while his FATHER was our venerable Vice-Preſident. And there I remember This Son of his then ſhined in the Politeneſe, Freeneſs, Openeſs and Pleaſancy of his Converſation, and in a very generous and manly Sort of Conduct; but in all religious Exerciſes with grear Seriouſneſs and Solemnity.

From the College he travelled Abroad both to the Weſt-Indies and England; improved ſtill in genteel Accompliſhments; but maintained unſullied his moral Character; and religious Sentiments and Diſpoſitions. And indeed the more a ſerious and judicious New-England Youth ſees of the depraved World Abroad; the more will he riſe in his Eſteem of the ſolid Religion of his native Land, which renders it the happieſt for good Order and Sobriety, at this Day on the Earth.

In June 1717, King GEORGE I. exceedingly gratified and bleſs'd this Province, by appointing Him our Secretary. And in this publick Poſt he has ever ſince appeared a bright and moſt amiable Example of Care, Diligence, Integrity, Publick Spirit, Wiſdom, Goodneſs and Generoſity; to the great Honour and Advantage, and to the univerſal Pleaſure of his Country.

In Dec. 1731, He was made Judge of Probates for this County of Suffolk; and in May 1734, choſen into HIS MAJESTY'S Council for the Province: and held all theſe Places at the ſame Time, till from his great Increaſe of Buſieſs in the Secretary's Office, He of his own Motion laid down the Probacy in 1745; and from his advanced Age, apprehended it his Duty to give up his Place the laſt Year at the Council-Board, to the Publick Sorrow; and tho' earneſtly follicited to ſtay, with Offers of great Indulgence to his growing Infirmities p. 21yet he declared,He could not in Conſcience take the Publick Monies as a Councellor, when he was grown unable to give a conſtant and due Attendance in that Capacity, to the Publick Buſineſs. And in all his Fees, he was exceeding kind; giving many to the Poor, and to Others being very moderate.

But it was his diſtinguiſhing, unaffected and yet ſhining Piety, which ſpread a pleaſing Luſtre on all his other Endowments, and render'd him ſo exceeding amiable and delightful to us. And without preferring him to many Others; I may freely ſay, that among his Brethren and Fathers in Place of Civil Dignity, I don't remember that I ever ſaw any Man, in whom ſo many Accompliſhments, with the unaffected Gentleman, and the eminent Chriſtian, were more happily united.

There ſeem'd to be a great deal of Sincerity, Openeſs and Freeneſs in his natural Temper; tho' his Openeſs and Freeneſs were agreably tempered with Innocence and Prudence. And when he couragiouſly open'd himſelf with any Meaſure of Anger; it proceeded from Diſpleaſure at the Evil, and not Enmity to the Perſon, and from a Conſciencious Zeal for the Glory of GOD, and Good of Men. But his Sincerity, by the humbling and breaking Influences of the SPIRIT of GOD on his enlightned Heart, became in an eminent Degree a Grace of the Holy Spirit.

His more eminent Piety began with this humbling and breaking Operation. He had ſuch lively Views given Him of the Glorious Holineſs, and Majeſty of GOD, the Extenſiveneſs and Strictneſs of his holy Law; his own Vileneſs, the horrible Corruptions in him, his utter Inability to ſuppreſs them, the horrid Averſeneſs of hi Heart to holy Meditations on GOD and CHRIST, his utter Inability ſo to change his p. 22Heart as to think upon them with Delight, together with thoſe baſe and carnal Motives which put him on and mixed with, and ſo defiled all his Duties; with the perfectly and perpetually holy and all-ſeeing Eye of GOD upon him;—that his Heart was broken to Pieces with the deepeſt Shame, Abaſement, and Self-Abhorrence: All his Confidence in his own Strength and Righteouſneſs or Worthineſs, was utterly deſtroyed: He could ſay with the inlightened Joh in Chap. xl. 3—5. Then Joh anſwered the LORD and ſaid, Behold I am vile; what ſhall I anſwer Thee? I will lay my Hand upon my Mouth: once have I ſpoken, but I will not Anſwer; yea twice, but I will proceed no further. And in Chap. xlii. 1. Then JOB anſwered the LORD and ſaid, I know that thou canſt do every Thing, and that no Thought can be with-holden from Thee: I have heard of Thee by the heard of the Ear; but now mine Eye ſeeth Thee: Wherefore I abhor my ſelf, and repent in Duſt and Aſhes. And from this Time, deep Humility, Lowlineſs and Brokenneſs of Heart, with a thoro' gracious, eminent Sincerity, became more apparently the habitual, reigning Principles or Diſpoſitions in Him.

Now he alſo more clearly ſaw the abſolute Neceſſity of the Divine SPIRIT to ſanctify, enlighten, help and govern him; of the perfect and moſt meritorious Righteouſneſs of CHRIST to juſtify him; and of the infinite Grace of GOD to abound thro' CHRIST and by the HOLY SPIRIT, infinitely to him. CHRIST as GOD and Man Mediator appeared in his perfect Excellency, All-ſufficiency, and Suitableneſs, to ſave and make him happy: And to the glorious GOD in CHRIST he looked, and on Him truſted, and this continually, to ſave him from his Sins, his Sinfulneſs and Miſeries; and by his Holy SPIRIT to give p. 23him ſaving Light & Grace; ſpiritual Wiſdom, Strength, Victories and Comforts; and prepare him for, & bring Him for the heavenly Glory.

He was a diligent Searcher of the Holy Scriptures; had a deep Impreſſion on his Heart of their Divine Inſpiration and Authority; even by his own continual Experience, whereby his Faith in them was abundantly confirmed: He clearly ſaw their exceeding Preciouſneſs: and the Truths and Promiſes therein were his delightful Contemplation.

He was well acquainted with the Meaning of thoſe Divine Truths revealed in the Scriptures, which are compatible to the humane Underſtanding: And for thoſe above it; He reverentially ſubmitted to the Divine Authority, & as firmly believed them, becauſe declar'd by GOD, as any Others.

He believed all the Doctrines of the Churches commonly called Reformed to be wonderfully agreeable to the HOLY SCRIPTURES. For he could not but account it a wondrous Thing indeed, that tho' they differed about the Worſhip, Form and Government of Churches; yet all the Martyrs and Reformers in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Palatinate, & the Netherlands, as ſoon as they had the SCRIPTURES tranſlated into their ſeveral Languages, without conſulting with each other; yet harmoniouſly agreed in the very ſame Doctrines, by which they liv'd and dy'd, on which their extraordinary Piety was founded, and which great Numbers ſealed in the glowing Fire: which the moſt pious Founders of New-England brought over hither, and to which the pious Miniſters and People of our Churches have ſtedfaſtly adhered to the preſent Day.

In Particular, He firmly believed with them, that the unſearchable Doctrine of the Divine Trinity, is moſt plainly revealed in SCRIPTURE; and ſo interwoven p. 24with the entire Frame of the Chriſtian Revelation and Religion, that if this Divine Doctrine be taken away, the wondrous Fabrick of Chriſtianity would fall to Pieces, and the utmoſt Confuſion introduced in the Minds of its Profeſſors. And he was ſo much grieved, that he could fearce enjoy any Reſt, at the pernicious Attempts of ſome among us to undermine this great and fundamental Doctrine.

He would never perplex his Mind with Metaphyſical or ſubtil Attempts to explain it; which he apprehended a vain Intruſion into Things above our Reach, and not revealed. He clearly ſaw the inſpired Oracles aſcribe the ſame Divine Perfections, Titles, Works, and Worſhip to the Divine FATHER, WORD and SPIRIT, which belong only to the One true GOD: That they abſolutely forbid devine Worſhip to be paid to any other; that the FATHER is the One GOD, the WORD is the One GOD, and the SPIRIT is the One GOD; but that there is ſame Sort of Diſtinction which the Scripture represents under the Form of a Perſonal Diſtinction; ſo that it would be highly improper to ſay that either the Divine FATHER, or the Divine SPIRIT were made Fleſh or became Incarnate; and yet that Theſe Three are wondrouſly united; but what that Diſtinction is preciſely, is not yet revealed, and without a further Revelation we can never find it.

With the concurring Help of the Divine SPIRIT, He felt the quickning and ſanctifying Power, and reliſhed the Sweetneſs of the DOCTRINES of the Goſpel preached in our NEW-ENGLAND Churches, which he found to be the very ſame which were commonly taught in the Church of ENGLAND in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth, King James I, and King Charles I And as he advanced in Sanctity, the more the Goſpel Doctrines and pious Spirit of thoſe ancient p. 25Writers became ageeable to him. He had a mighty and juſt Senſe of Eternity, and of his eternal Intereſt; wiſely apprehended all others were Trifles in Companion, and that he could not be too much concerned or careful to ſecure it:—was therefore greatly afraid leaſt he ſhould be fatally miſtaken in a Matter of ſuch infinite Importance:—moſt diligently therefore ſearched his own Heart—chiefly valued the moſt ſearching Miniſters and Writers; thoſe who moſtly treat of the Religion of the Heart; i. e. the Work of the HOLY SPIRIT on the Hearts of Men, with the inward Workings of their own Spirits, and the Fruit of both; or which is the ſame, of vital or experimental Piety!

And tho' he ſometimes walked in Darkneſs; yet he has told me, He dare not deny the gracious Influence of the HOLY SPIRIT in him; the hopeful Appearances of a ſaving Change; of the Exerciſe of internal Graces;—in Particular high and endearing Apprehensions of GOD, as he appears in CHRIST; earneſt Thirſtings after Him, delightful Views of Him, and therein ſenſible Communion with Him, But his own Deficiencies in Obedience and Holineſs, with the ſinful Workings in him, and the Body of Sin, were his continual Burden: And of theſe, with his Imperfections and the Dulneſs in the Frames and Motions of his Heart towards the bleſſed GOD, as diſplaying himſelf in CHRIST, he was continually complaining, and even groaning to be delivered from them.

The Doctrine of Original Sin, he ſaw plainly deſcribed in Scripture, moſt clearly evident in the univerſal Depravation of Mankind, moſt bitterly complained of by all the Pious he converſed with: And he knew it to be true from his own continual Experience. Yea the more he grew in Sanctity, the more he ſaw with Grief the odious Fountain in him. For p. 26the ſtronger he grew in his Aſpirations after perfect Holineſs; every Inclination, every Frame, and every Tho't of a ſinful Nature, grew more grievous to him; and ſo did every Indiſpoſition to think on GOD, on CHRIST, on Heaven, on the Word of GOD, with Engagedneſs and Pleaſure. When he could not Sleep in the Night; O how ardent were his Thirſtings after GOD, as in a dry and parched Land, where is no Water! How earneſt his Deſires of having his Heart and Meditation fixed on thoſe Divine and holy Objects with ſupream Delight! How grievous to feel the miſerable Indiſpoſedneſs of his Heart often Times thereto: And the more he felt and ſaw of the wretched Depravation and Corruption of his Nature.

And indeed, for above theſe fifty Years, I have conſtantly obſerved, that the more any Perſons have grown in Piety; the more ſtrong were their Deſires after perfect Holineſs, the more ſenſible they grew of the Corruption of their Nature, the more burdenſome it grew, and they more heavily complained with the holy Apoſtle PAUL in Rom. vii. 22—24. I find then a Law, that when I would do Good, Evil is preſent with me: For I delight in the Law of the GOD after the inward Man: But I ſee another Law in my Members warring againſt the Law of my Mind, and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin which is in my Members: O wretched Man that I am! Who ſhall deliver me from the Body of this Death!

Thus have I often heard this pious Perſon complaining with great Affiction: as alſo often repeating the greater Part of the xlii, xliii, & lxiii Pſalms, with the like ardent Thirſtings of Soul, as David expreſſed in his Day. And when he came into his Final Illneſs, which held about a Fortnight, the ſame grievous Complaints, ardent Longings, and earneſt Prayers, p. 27continued Day and Night without Ceſſation in Him. Yea, they were ſo deeply fixed in his Heart; as that when the Power of Reaſon grew quite broken, yet he conſtantly repeated, tho' without Connection, the ſame ſenſible Petitions both for Himſelf and Others, and with like Earneſtneſs of Soul as uſual, both Day and Night, till he could ſpeak no more.

Tho' by his tall and erect Stature till Age began to bow him, the majeſtick Appearance of his Countnance, the native and improved Grandeur of his Mind, vaſtly rais'd above mean and little Things, with his Powers, Accompliſhments and exalted Station; He ſeem'd to be formed to ſpread a Reverence in all about him; yet the Generoſity and Goodneſs of his natural Tmper, and eſpecially ſanctified by the Grace of GOD, made him exceeding courteous and condeſeending to the meaneſt Perſon: And when he ſmil'd upon them, it was with the moſt engaging Sweetneſs, and Air of cordial Amity.

In his Houſe he walked uprightly and with a perfect Heart, catechizing, inſtructing, counſelling, praying, reading in his Family; and recommending all his Counſels and Inſtructions with his amiable Example—a ſtrict Obſerver of the Chriſtian Sabbath—a reverent Attender on the Public Worſhip, both in and out of the Seaſons of ſtated Appointment—continually appeared at our Lectures, as well as our Lord's-Day Worſhip, as our Eyes have long ſeen with Pleaſure; tho' now with Sorrow ſhall ſee no more.

His Heart was not only exceeding tender and humble, like JOSIAH'S; but aiſo exceeding large, liberal, beneficent and bountiful both to the Needy and Afflicted, both in Body and Soul: And he had a great and extenſive View and Concern for the Good of the Church, the Town, the College, the Land, the Nation, and all the World.

p. 28When he ſaw or heard of any grievouſly afflicted, eſpecially with Soul-Diſtreſſes; he could not forbear expreſſing his tender Pity and Wiſhes for them: and where he was acquainted, yea ſometimes where he was not, he would kindly viſit and encourage them: And I have heard of ſome in great Diſtreſs of Soul, who have received more Encouragement and Comfort from Him, than from any other.

Tho' Nothing was more diſagreeable to him than Oſtentation in Religion; yet his Heart ſeem'd ſo full of Grace, that from its very efficacious Nature, it could not but overflow in all Companies wherever it might, with Freedom and Acceptance:—Abounding in ſuitable Obſervations on the Works or Word of GOD, or on his Dealings with the Souls of Men; or on the lamentable and abaſing Corruptions, Sins and Miſeries of the humane Nature: And he ſaw ſo much of Sin within himſelf as made him think himſelf in many Reſpects to be worſe than Others; increas'd his Charity for them and his own Humility.

But his Concern for the Truths and Ways of CHRIST, the Advancement of his Goſpel Kingdom in the Hearts and Lives of Men, and for the Publick Good, both Temporal and eſpecially Spiritual, was very great and zealous in him.

He deeply mourned our Publick Sins and Declenſions:—He carried the Apprehenſions of them with a heavy Heart:—was Couragious to bare his Teſtimony againſt them; and to ſtand up for and promote: the Truths and Ways of CHRIST, which are the Cauſe of GOD, as an Overſeer of the College, as a Commiſſioner for the Propagation of the Gopel among the Indians, and as a Publick Magiſtrate in the General Aſſembly.—For theſe he prayed, projected, and joined with Others to promote: and to Him is in a p. 29great Meaſure owing ſome of our excellent Laws, wherein we are diſtinguiſhed above the Reſt of the World, againſt all Kinds of Prophaneſs, Immorality and Licenciouſneſs, & for the Preſervation of Religion, Juſtice, Temperance, and good Order among us.

In ſhort, like the Scripture CALEB—To the LORD he heartily devoted Himſelf intirely, and was his diligent and faithful Servant—had another and more excellent Spirit in him, than the Generality of the World, yea, than the greater Part of Chriſtians—and Followed the LORD as fully as any among us, and as is well conſiſtent with the preſent State of humane Nature. And I believe all that knew him apprehend that in Him a great Part of the Glory both of this Congregation, Town and Land is departed from us.

To Conclude, then—

Let us abſcribe the Glory of all his Graces, Accompliſhments and Services to GOD the bounteous Giver. And let us thank and praiſe Him for them, and for continuing them ſo long among us.

Let us be deeply humbled under his awful Frown in taking them away; eſpecially at ſuch a dark and threatning Time as This, when we need his … Prayers, his bright Example, and his Publick Influence: Tho' it is ſome Comfort, that no ſmall Part of his dying Hours were employed in moſt importunate Petitions for us.

With Pleaſure let us ever remember his lovely Example, labour to copy after it, and repreſent it in the moſt agreeable Light to Others.

Laſtly, Let us earneſtly look up and pray to the GOD of all Grace in CHRIST; with whom is the p. 30eternal Reſidue of At ſame Spirit In infinite and everflowing Fulneſs; whoſe Influences he ſo plentifully ſhowered on This and Others of our departed Fathers; that he would pour them out in the like Degree and even greater, both on Us, our Offspring and Others;—yea univerſally on this Congregation, town and Land, the whole Britiſh Empire, and even every Nation;—that this vile and ſinful Earth may be intirely purified; and filled with Divine Light and Knowledge, Truth and Holineſs, Love and Peace;—the LORD our GOD may reign gloriouſly over all Nations, make them happy in Him, receive their grateful Praiſes:—And let every Soul among us earneſtly conſpire to ſay, AMEN! AMEN!

FINIS.

CORRECTIONS.

End of the text · Joseph Sewall, A Tender Heart Pleasing to God and Profitable (1756)