Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

at his coming, Have we taken offence when no offence was given? Are pride, are selfishnefs and impropriety, in no degree chargeable upon us, in our conduct towards our Ministers? Have we counteracted their influence, vexed their spirits, circulated fufpicions against them, contributed to confufion and diforder, with their evil works? Have we offended and dishonoured the master, in his fervants?

"Go

CONSIDERED in itfelf, the advice, "wherever the Gospel is preached," cannot poffibly be objected to: but we have seen it propofed and explained, "go to the fectaries, "and leave the Minister of the parish ;" and introduced by a rash and self-sufficient condemnation on the one hand, and by a selfimportant approbation on the other. "We

66

[ocr errors]

are the people," is faid in effect, and "with

us wisdom dwells." See, my friends, that "Go seek the Gospel," be not, with some, leave your duty, difcourage the faithful fervants of GOD, injure the Gofpel. See, my friends, that you take not up a report or circulate it, which you do most effectually by infinuation that you believe it; and where

every fecurity for preaching the Gospel is given, think not it is lefs certainly found, than where there is little or none at all.

THERE is a maxim on the subject of innovations, which I am afraid is also much perverted and abused, "If this work be of GOD, "it will profper." It is perverted and abufed, affuredly, if it render men inattentive to present and evident duty.

THEY Who can justify themselves in taking no part in oppofing, or in zeal in forwarding and encouraging, a new course of things, by the observation of Gamaliel respecting the apostles, must be in circumstances fimilar to those in which he pronounced it, for perfuading the council to "refrain from the apof"tles, and let them alone." Caution and hefitation, and serious reflexion, in thwarting the work of God, or "fighting against "GOD," were recommended, with much reason, at a time when it was afferted that, interpofitions of GOD were vouchfafed to men; when a divine commiffion was claimed; when the state of the country, the expectations of the period, the consistency and intrepi

X

intrepidity, and fuccefs of the apostles, not to fay any thing of the predictions of the prophets, countenanced and fupported these claims and declarations. Gamaliel faid well "take heed to yourselves what ye intend to "do to these men:" but the firm belief of the all-ruling and over-ruling providence of heaven, and a full affurance that his purpose shall stand, will never justify us in indifference towards all projected fchemes and innovations, or in either favouring or oppofing them, of whatever nature they may be. Of whatever nature they are or can be, they will terminate as GOD wills. Events are of GOD, but they are judgments and vifitations, for reproof and for correction; as well as mercies, for the establishing of purity, peace and falvation. The very worft paffions of men may praise GoD, i. e. be over-ruled to manifeft his perfections, and forward, ultimately, the plans of his administration, who bringeth good out of evil, and makes a Pharoah's hard heart, and the infamous treachery of a Judas Ifcariot, to difplay his glory, and promote the happiness and falvation of mankind. "The wrath of man," and their wicked paffions "work not the righteousness of GOD:"

and

and much infamy and guilt attach to thofe who may, nevertheless, in fpite of themselves, forward the plans of Providence, at once inattentive to their duty, and the tendency and effects of their plans and enterprizes.

Alas! my friends, we have feen, in our times, new doctrines and systems in morals, and in politics. There have been, and there are, oppofing factions, oppofing nations, oppofing interefts. Supine indifference or zealous favour towards all, cannot be vindicated by the maxim, "If it is of GOD, it will profper," nor towards any, by referring to the councils and purposes of GOD. Our concern is to inquire, and discover, where lies our duty? what are we required to be and to do?" To the law " and the testimony," let us betake ourselves. "Secret things belong to God. What is re"vealed belongs to us." And is it not revealed, and known and preached, and inculcated, with all earneftnefs, that divifions are to be avoided, peace is to be followed, and the duties you owe to your Minifters to be performed?

I VERY much suspect also that leaving the Minifters of the Church, on account of not X 2 being

being pleased, not being edified, not being comforted, cannot always be justified. There can be no impropriety, at least, in observing that fuch pleas may be brought, and have been brought, by caprice, by weakness, by ignorance that there were men of "itch'ing ears," from the beginning. Let it be remembered, also, that such allegations have been brought against those who have miniftered to the fatisfaction, edification, and comfort, of judicious Chriftians. Let it efpecially be seriously confidered that, want of fuccefs and effect, in the ordinances, is as much to be afcribed to the hearers, as to the preachers, of the Gospel. So faid the apoftles they were to fome "the favour of death unto death." So faid our bleffed LORD. Read and confider the parable of the fower, in particular; and the expoftulation, "Woe "unto thee Chorazin; woe unto thee Beth"faida, for if the mighty works which were "done in you, had been done in Tyre and "Sidon, they would have repented long ago "in fackcloth and ashes, &c."

3.

I TURN your attention to another evil, to be avoided and carefully guarded against,

by

« AnteriorContinuar »