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And First. If there be a moral governor of the universe, sin must provoke him. A righteous God must love righteousness; a holy God, holiness; a God of order, order; and a God of benevolence, benevolence: and accordingly he must abhor all that is opposite to these. And hence it is said, that "God is angry with the wicked every day; the wicked shall not stand in his sight: he hateth all workers of iniquity." And this is essential to every lovely and reverential view we can take of God. For who could adore a being who professed to govern the world, and suffered the wicked to go on with impunity!

From the moment the Gospel enters a coun- than yourselves no security from brutal pastry, the importance of it commences in the sions. Think of the temples of God burnt eye of angels; and then-then it is said-up, or converted to other purposes. Think "Arise, shine, for thy light is come; and the -But let us not pursue this lamentable train glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." And of reflection-but consider a few remarks, when it withdraws from a place, "Ichabod” tending both to illustrate and confirm the may be written upon the walls--"The glory danger of a wicked kingdom, and then to inis departed." At a very early period this quire after the state of our own. inestimable blessing reached our highly favoured isle. And while it has been withdrawn from countries once blessed with the same privilege, it has been continued to us, notwithstanding all our unworthiness and provocation. Popery had indeed obscured the glory of the Gospel, locked up the Scriptures in an unknown language, and sacrificed thousands of victims to superstitious rage. But the Reformation gave us the Bible; and said, Read, and live! And the glorious Revolution fixing liberty on a firm and legal basis, said, Assemble together; Preach and hear; Worship God according to the dictates of your own consciences, and "he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye!" Thus ever since we have sat under our own vine and fig-tree, and none have made us afraid. We have filled our sanc-ture obeys his nod, from an archangel to a tuaries; we have enjoyed our Sabbaths; and though he has given us the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet has he not removed our teachers into a corner, but "our eyes behold our teachers, and our ears hear a voice behind us, saying-This is the way, walk ye in it, when we turn aside to the right hand or to the left."

Ah! think of the want of all this!"But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear: for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

And to secure all these civil and religious advantages-how often has he made our cause his own! How seasonably and signally has he interposed to save us from the designs of our enemies! When brought low, he has helped us: “at even-tide it has been light."

Can we be insensible to all this?—If there were any ingenuousness in us, this motive alone would be sufficient.

But fear has its use-and it is necessary to tell you not only that you are bound by gratitude-but interest. "If ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be destroyed, both you and your king." This is dreadful.-Think of a king you love, as well as honour, and "whose life is a lesson to the land he sways" -driven from his throne. Think of liberty exchanged for slavery. Think of property rapaciously plundered, or devoured by tyrannical exaction. Think of your private dwellings affording those who are dearer to you

Second. If sin provoke God, he is able to punish it. He is the Lord of hosts, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. All the elements are his. Every crea

worm. How idle is it, in a case like thisto talk of armies and navies, and allianceshow absurd is it to compare force with force, and to say, after flattering calculations, "Oh! the enemy cannot come!" He cannot come unless God send him; but he can come easily enough if he should. Is any thing too hard for the Lord-when he would either show mercy or execute wrath?

Third. Bodies of men are punishable in this world only. In eternity there are no families, churches, nations. If therefore a country is to be destroyed, it is tried and condemned and executed here. When we see an individual sinner prospering in the world, and not immediately punished-our faith is not staggered; for we "know that his day is coming." But if a wicked people were allowed to escape-we should be confounded-we should ask, “Where is the God of judgment?" For in this case, they are not punished now. And they cannot be punished hereafter.

Fourth. There is a tendency in the very nature of sin to injure and ruin a country. It violates all the duties of relative life. It destroys subordination. It relaxes the ties which bind mankind together, and makes them selfish and mean. It renders men enemies to each other.-Social welfare cannot survive the death of morals and virtue.

Fifth. God's dealings with guilty nations are confirmed by his word, and indeed by all history. He has invariably punished them in due time. Witness the state of Nineveh, Babylon, and others. Thus the nation Samuel addressed put his declaration to the trial-and found it true. A succession of

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severe judgments befel them-till at last | tinguished a people by singular instances of

wrath came upon them to the uttermost, and "the Romans came and took away both their place and nation."

Finally, to enable us to draw the conclusion, he often-he always gives previous intimation of his displeasure-so that were not men blind and deaf they must see and hear his coming. When you see the body wasting away by disease, and every complaint growing more inveterate, you suspect that death will be the consequence-it is already begun. "When the fig-tree, and all the trees, put forth leaves, we know that summer is nigh." Our Saviour said unto the people, "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, can ye discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" And how is it that we do not perceive that God is angry with us that he is contending with us?-Are none of his forerunners arrived?-Has he not more than spoken? Has he not smitten us-and more than once? And if lighter judgments do not reform, will not heavier ones destroy? The consequence is infallible. "If ye still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both you and your king."

But you ask-Have we any cause to fear this?-I answer, just in proportion to the degree of our sin. Now there are two ways by which we may judge of our national guilt. The first is to enumerate the sins which reign predominant among us. To do this would not only be shocking, but endless. For what vice can be named that is not constantly committed through the land!-The other method is to lay down criterions, by which we may estimate the prevalency and the aggravations of sin in a country. And what test has ever been devised that is not alarming when applied to ourselves?

Divines have told us-That if God has favoured a nation with the revelation of his will, their sins are aggravated by means of this light-For "where much is given, much will be required; and he that knew his Lord's will, and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." Thus a heathen country, committing the very same sins with a country enlightened with the Gospel, is far less criminal. Thus, a country overspread with superstition, where the Bible is scarcely known, and its contents can be only viewed through a depraved and disfiguring medium-such a country, committing the very same sins, would be far less guilty than a country favoured with a purer worship, and where evangelical instruction is open to all. And does not this apply to us?

They have told us, That when God has dis

his favour, that people will be proportionably criminal, unless they distinguish themselves by their devotedness to him. Thus God from time to time aggravated the sins of the Jews. "He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.” And is not this our case?

They have told us, That when a nation is under the corrections of the Almighty, they are eminently sinful if they disregard the tokens of his wrath, and go on careless and insensible. Hence, says Isaiah, "In that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts." In like manner, says Jeremiah, "Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return."—And what impressions have his judgments made upon us? Have they restrained us from any of our pride and luxury? Have they reduced the number of worldly amusements; or chilled the ardour of dissipation? If a stranger were to come among us and observe our manners, would he think we were in any distress, or had received any unfavourable omens ?"

They tell us to mention no more-That shamelessness in sinning is a sure proof of general corruption. And where is the man among us who is not more afraid of a threadbare coat, than of a dishonest action? To fail in business, and defraud innocent sufferers of their lawful property, is no longer scandalous; never excites a blush. Impurity is gloried in-and a young man, in most companies, who should profess himself virtuous, would be turned into ridicule! Much-every thing depends upon the character of females. See how many of the barriers of virtue they have permitted to be removed! Behold the experiments which fashion has tried upon

their reserve, their decency, their purity- | fulfil his word to his servants upon which he

See how they have adorned themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety!

If such tests prove the degree of national guilt our guilt is great; and if sin destroys kingdoms-1 say, we have reason to fear.

It is not indeed for us to determine when the iniquity of a nation is full: and it seems that God sometimes prolongs the duration of a country for some providential purposes. They may be instruments in his hand of mercy or of wrath. But such a destiny does not hinder their final ruin. Though they are his instruments, they are not his favourites. He may use them and still punish them.

has caused them to hope-but he is also engaged to render vengeance to his adversaries" he will not spare the guilty."

"What then, would you have us despair!" I would-If we are resolved still to do wickedly. If we are not brought to national repentance, I would wish every individual to expect that we shall be destroyed, both we and our king. "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a king. dom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then will I repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them."

But the reverse is true. "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation against whom I have pronounced turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." Blessed be God for this welcome intelligence. For by this he assures us-and the Scripture cannot be broken-that not only innocence and righteousness will save a country-but also repentance and reformation. Oh that our country may be led to make trial of this encouraging truth! May we search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord. May we seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near-" for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."

We learn therefore who is the worst enemy of his country-the sinner; and who is the best friend-the Christian. 66 By the bless ing of the upright, the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked!"

There is one thing of which we hear very much, and many seem to consider it as a counterpoise to all our fears, that there are so many good people among us. Blessed be God this is true, and they certainly afford us encouragement. Ten righteous men would have saved Sodom. And God says of the Jews, "I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God." Let us therefore rejoice in this encouragement. But let us rejoice with trembling. Let us remember that it is a hopeful circumstancebut that it does not absolutely insure the salvation of a country. Let us recollect that there was a time when God used the following language to Jeremiah and Ezekiel concerning the Jews: "Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God." What learn we from all this?-That there are cases in the history of nations-when the Divine forbearance is exhausted, and then the cries of the righteous will avail no more than those of the wicked. Were there not in Judea some of the best inen that ever lived We are called upon to confess and bewail when the Babylonians invaded and conquered our national wickedness, and on such an oc them? Have there not been pious people in casion as this we should feel ourselves to be every Christian country when destroyed? parts of one great whole. But no man will Does God love his followers now better than ever be properly affected with the sins of formerly, when he suffered them to share in a others till he is impressed with his own. thousand public calamities?-While he pun- Here then our concern is to begin. We are ishes his enemies, may he not correct his individually to look backward-and inquire, friends? Or cannot he indemnify them?" What have I done?"—and to look forwardOr hide them? Or deliver them? He must and ask, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to

Let us all therefore seek after divine grace to renew our own souls, and to sanctify our own lives; and do all in our power to promote godliness around us. Let us endeavour to hinder all the sin we can-in our families and neighbourhood-by prayer, by example, by influence. As much sin as we hinder, so much misery and danger shall we prevent.

Let us prize those institutions which are favourable to the morality and sanctification of mankind. Especially let us value the GOSPEL. It is the grand, and the only ef fectual means of "teaching men to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world."

do?" We find the builders, in Nehemiah, | me." But what would he have them believe? "labouring every one over against his own You have heard-"In my Father's house are house." And it is a plain but an expressive image, of an old writer-" that the best way to have a clean street is for every one to sweep before his own door."

Let us therefore personally "cease to do evil, and learn to do well." Let us fear the Lord and serve him. Let us mourn and weep for the abominations that are done in the land-and if we are not the repairers of the breach, the restorers of paths to dwell in-let us remember, it shall be well with us. If we suffer with others, we shall not suffer like them. And we shall soon reach Immanuel's land, where the din of war will be heard no

more!

And oh! remember, if your country should be saved, and you as an individual continue impenitent-you-you will be certainly destroyed! And what is any national calamity to" everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power!"

DISCOURSE LIII. THE SAVIOUR COMFORTING HIS

DISCIPLES.

(AFTER A FUNERAL.)

In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.—John | xiv. 2, 3.

NEVER man spake like this man! Grace was poured into his lips! And in him were accomplished in the highest sense the words of the prophet-"He hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary."

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Having assembled with his disciples in an upper room, and administered to them the memorials of his death-he announced his approaching departure. Sorrow filled their hearts. Perhaps they expressed it in words; perhaps it was visible in their countenances. However this may be he perceived it, and said, "Let not your heart be troubled."

But what can bear them up under such a loss?-We grieve when we lose a good man, a friend, a common benefactor. But they were to lose their Lord and Saviour, their teacher, the resolver of their doubts, their comforter in every affliction. How then would he relieve them? What is the remedy he applies?-It is faith!-The discoveries of faith are the best support under the evils of sense. "I had fainted," says David, "unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."- "Ye believe in God," says our Saviour, "believe also in

many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you: and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Let us consider the various particulars of this intelligence; and the certainty of the whole.

I. THE DECLARATION OF OUR SAVIOUR CONTAINS EVERY THING THAT CAN FEED THE CONTEMPLATION, AND ENLIVEN THE HOPE OF THE CHRISTIAN.

In describing heaven, he calls it his "Father's house"-as much as to say, I am only going home. Now he is not ashamed to call his people brethren. "Behold," says he, after his resurrection, "behold, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God." Heaven therefore is their home also. The world knoweth them notit knew him not. They are only strangers and pilgrims on earth. They take many a weary step; and often meet with rough usage and trying weather. But when tempted to complain, they are prevented by the reflection that this is not their home-better entertainment awaits them at their journey's endheaven will make amends for all. Dr. Rowland Taylor, when drawing near the tower of Hadley, in Suffolk, where he had been a minister, and was now going to be a martyrbeing asked how he did-answered, "Never better; for now I know that I am almost at home!"-And looking over the meadow between him and the place where he was to be immediately burnt, he said, "Only two stiles more to get over, and I am at my Father's house." And when the venerable Mr. Mede was asked how he did, replied, “I am going home as fast as I can, as every honest man ought to do when his day's work is over; and I bless God I have a good home to go to."

Yes-a good home indeed! Think of a building of God and for him; think of an edifice in which he resides; and which is worthy of his infinite Majesty!-We have seen splendid palaces. We have read of others, the magnificence of which seems to exceed belief. The Scripture tells us that Solomon's palace was the wonder of the earth; and that when the queen of Sheba had surveyed it, "there remained no more spirit in her." But what is all this to heaven! "The palace of the great King." No man could see it and live. But all this is your home-it is your "Father's house."

Our Lord tells us that in this house there "are many mansions." No inconsiderable number will be required. For if it be asked, are there few that shall be saved?-taking them all, eventually and collectively, we answer, No. The Captain of our salvation is

leading "many sons" unto glory. And John | us. He appeared in the presence of God for saw before the throne "a great multitude us, pleading his sacrifice, and claiming the which no man could number," from all the purchase of the Cross: "Father, I will that diversities of the human race. But there is room enough in the house of God to accommodate all his immense family. There is therefore nothing to justify monopoly. There is enough and to spare.

they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” He has taken possession of heaven in our name, and he holds it for us. And we read that he entered within the vail as our forerunner, whose office it is to prepare for the reception, and to announce the approach of those to whom he belongs.

Again. "If," says the Saviour, "I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself. This is fulfilled in two cases. He comes again at death. And this is infinitely desirable. It is an awful thing to die. And many a Christian has found himself in such a frame of mind as to say

But the expression implies not only multiplicity, but variety. Though the house is one, the apartments are many. There is something in the heavenly state suited to the circumstances, and character, and taste of every inhabitant. The land of Canaan was given to the Jews; but each tribe had its own division, and the lots of no two of them were in all respects alike. In the world of nature we see "one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory." Among the angels we read of thrones and dominions; principalities and powers: they have their orders and degrees. This also we have reason to believe will be the case with glorified saints. We see endless diversity in all God's works and ways. And will heaven be an exception? All will be perfectly blessed-but why should all be similarly employed; or equally endowed? Plunge a number of vessels into the sea-gree of rapturous confidence, have equally they are all alike filled-but, various in their dimensions, they hold unequal proportions. Further; he tells them, "I go to prepare a place for you.' You are coming too-but I must go first-to remove every impediment; to perform every condition; to secure every advantage."

For this happiness is not such as Adam would have obtained after a proper trial of his obedience in Paradise. It is the happiness of a lost creature, in whose restoration difficulties were found which the Saviour alone could remove. And before He can remove them-see how much it was necessary for him to accomplish! It was necessary for him to come down from heaven to earth, and return from earth to heaven. To your complete happiness-his death was necessaryhis resurrection was necessary-his ascension and intercession were necessary-his universal empire, and his dispensation of the Holy Ghost were necessary.

He went away, not only to possess a personal reward, but to assume a relative dignity -not only to live a life of glory, but also a life of office; and hence says the Apostle, "If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his Life!" Hence he said to his disciples, "It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him unto you." With his own blood he entered into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for

"Oh! if my Lord would come and meet, My soul should stretch her wings in haste; Fly fearless through death's iron gate, Nor feel the terrors as she pass'd!" He does this. He is peculiarly near to his people in their expiring moments. Many of them have confessed his presence in words; while others who have not had the same de

proved it by effects. Yes, he comes to irradiate the dark valley; he comes to establish their faith, and to enliven their hope, and to make all grace to abound towards them in this time of need. He comes to take them in from this world of storms to their everlasting refuge-to receive them to himselfas you would go to the door to receive a beloved friend from a distance, or hasten to embrace a dear child returning, after a long absence, from school.

He also comes again at the last day to receive them to himself. And this coming differs very much from the former. The one is spiritual, but the other will be personal. The one is private, and invisible; the other will be public and obvious, for every eye shall see him. The one is to receive his people individually; the other will be to receive them collectively. The one is to receive their souls, but the other is also to receive their bodies. This is a grand article of our faith and hope. "To them that look for him, will he appear a second time, without sin, unto salvation. Our conversation is in heaven; from whence we also look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Finally he adds, "That where I am, there ye may be also." Whatever situation were prepared to receive the Christian, he would feel himself more than disappointed if when

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