Page images
PDF
EPUB

they would lead to an investigation far too extended. In all the circumstances of human life, no matter in what direction, or as applied to what subject our exertions may be made, the idea of the lawfulness and the intrinsic propriety of the effort we are making, gives a peculiar animation to those efforts; and yet on what an infinite variety of subjects may we well doubt whether our exertions have the approbation of God. In the inordinate pursuit of wealth, we know that they have not; for covetousness is pronounced by the eternal God to be idolatry; and a lesson severe in precept, and still more severe in experience, is furnished under the inspiration of God-"But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. If our pursuits are directed to the favour and the applause of men, we know that they are not approved of God, for characters such as these, are marked with his decided reprehension when he says "They loved the praise of men more than the the praise of God; verily they have their reward." If our pursuits are pleasure, we know that they are not approved of God; for persons whose main occupations are worldly pleasure, are placed in the most fearful catalogue of God's detestation, which is to be found on record-" This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their ownselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce

[blocks in formation]

breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." And if it were possible to add a deeper stigma, a more powerful expression of God's displeasure, it will be found in the declaration, that "she who liveth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth." Now turn from all this consideration of subjects against which the disapprobation of God is distinctly recorded, and fasten your attention for a moment on the great work which I have it so anxiously in hand to recommend. Here there can be no room for misapprehension. With God's approbation it is stamped in characters lustrous with the reflections of celestial glory-"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price."— "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls."— "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."-" The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."*

On this one work of religion, comprehending repentance from sin, conversion of heart, living faith in Jesus Christ, complete devotedness to him, God hath inscribed his approbation; on nothing else has he written it.

* Isaiah Iv. 1. St. Matthew xi. 28, 29. Acts xvi. 31. Revelation xxii. 17.

His eternal power and Godhead is traced on the sun's bright path, and in the moon's reflected lustre, and in the sparkling coronet which sits so brilliantly on night's sable brow. On all the monuments of art, and on all the achievements of science, you may read man's pride and vanity engraved. But on this work of religion, and on this work alone, is God's approbation written clearly, fully, perfect-written in his word; written in the experience of sinners; sung amidst the anthems of heaven. Is there an individual among you ready to give up your heart? Be on the Lord's side; set your face towards heaven and live for eternity. Amidst the hosts of earth and hell which are confederate against you, one consolation is yours, a consolation of which earth and hell cannot deprive you-God approves. Is there an individual, who, in a profession of religion, is zealously and perseveringly engaged, and living for the glory of God? What though you have the opposition of the devil, the world, the flesh? What though the Ammonites, and the Moabites, and the Samaritans, are displeased? The King, the King is pleased; the majesty of heaven approves. God says, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

SERMON XVIII.

THE GREAT WORK OF RELIGION.

NEHEMIAH vi. 3.

I AM now considering the greatness of the work of religion from the aids which may be resorted to in its prosecution. And in illustrating the subject I placed before you, in my last discourse, the circumstances of the history most deeply interesting to my own mind, and I trust to yours. I stated that in the great work which Nehemiah had in hand, he had the aid-1, of the king's decided approbation; 2, of the king's forces; 3, of the king's resources; and 4, of the friends of the cause. In carrying the subject into the great work of religion, I took up the proposition that it was a great work from its aids, and as a leading consideration, mentioned, 1, the decided approbation of God. To this one great point I then confined my remarks. I come now to take up the subject in another aspect. You will remember that I stated, Nehemiah had the aid of the king's forces. We are told in the second

chapter, 9th verse, that the king sent captains of the host and horsemen with him. This was to ensure him respect and security. Bear these things in mind, while I consider, in regular progression, what aid may be expected in the work of religion from the forces in the employ of the great God, King of kings. Who compose these forces? The subject leads me directly to the inconceivably interesting topic, the agency of the angelic host. These are the forces which the King of kings sends to the aid of those engaged in the great work of religion. This is the proposition; and this is a fact which can be maintained by the declarations of Scripture as clear as the very noon-day sun. You will observe a very remarkable correspondence in this division of my general subject, with the second general division, so far as it concerned one species of opposition, namely-the agency of apostate spirits. In that discourse I discussed the topic so far as was necessary in relation to the existence of angels generally. This doctrine is as clearly revealed in Scripture as any which can possibly be named; and I am utterly amazed that, with the Scriptures in their hands, any person, or set of persons, should venture to consider the subject as the vain and unsubstantial creature of poetry, allegory, and fiction. It ought to be remembered, observes Gurney in his most splendid essays on Christianity, "It ought to be remembered that the Holy Spirit can neither err nor feign; and although there is found in the Bible much of poetry, and something, perhaps, of allegory, yet as a guide to practice and to doctrine, it can be regarded only as a code of principles and a record of realities." The whole tenor of Scripture bears its most asto

« PreviousContinue »