beings; but it applies the remedies of parliamentary commissioners be seriously principle; it does good in its immediate pondered. Of all the manufacturing dissphere, and extends that sphere simply tricts which they had visited during a by the moral expansion of its useful-season of unexampled distress, Lanark was the most demoralized and the most wretched. The unhappy co-operatives had gained nothing by their compact but a community of unsatiated appetites, excited passions, disappointed hopes, and a reckless disregard of the future.

SERMON XXXI.

ON THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD.

PREACHED

BY THE VERY REV. G. H. BAIRD, D.D.,

PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY, AND SENIOR MINISTER OF THE HIGH CHURCH, EDINBURGH.

When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isaiah xxvi. 9.

these accompanying one another—the sin and the punishment.

I BEGIN, my friends, with remarking that by the term "judgments of God" the Scriptures sometimes denote the de- But, my friends, there are many cases cisions, whether favourable or adverse, where the precise object of the divine which God passes upon the conduct of visitation is unknown and invisible to us. men. But more frequently this phrase is In many cases the Lord holdeth back his employed to denote the effect of such de- face in his dealings with his creatures, cisions, when they are unfavourable-to and spreadeth a cloud of darkness over denote those remarkable punishments by it: men behold the effects only of his inwhich the Almighty chastises the wick- terposition, without perceiving the partiedness of guilty individuals, and the cular end for which these visitations were crimes of guilty nations. In the course produced. For instance, in the material of God's providential procedure we often world we sometimes witness famine, and see his judgments; we see misfortune the raging tempest, consuming all and and distress following so closely and visi- blasting the hopes of men—and so it is to bly the conduct of men, that we can have this day in our land. At other times we no doubt whatever concerning the con- behold a terrible pestilence thinning, by its nexion that, by his appointment, subsists ravages, the numbers of the people. And between them. Thus when poverty, like in the establishments of social life, too, an armed man, rusheth on the prodigal do we not often see deep distress brought when a failing of eyes, and trembling of on the inhabitants of whole kingdoms joints, and rottenness of bones afflict the through political revolutions and war? sensualist-when a dissolution of all the Now, we know from the Scriptures, and moral bonds that uphold governments the suggestions of our own hearts, that sweeps from a once high place among these also are the scourges of nations in the nations an ungodly, and profligate, and the hands of the Almighty. We are at effeminate people, we see in such cases the same time but seldom able to point an obvious relation between sin and pun- out the individuals whose sin these judgishment-between the sin and the judgments were sent more immediately to ment of God passed against it. They are punish. The individual sufferers, like connected as cause and effect by the ori- the eighteen men upon whom the tower ginal constitution which the Almighty of Siloam fell, are often not more guilty has imposed on man, and on the world in than other people. Let it not, however, which man is placed, and where he acts; be overlooked, that the promiscuous caand we feel no surprise when we see lamities which happen to them, if they 2 B2 293

do not come as punishments, come in ful maintenance of their condition. But, divine wisdom as salutary general warn- above all, we can trace the watchful proings, or as improving tests and trials of vidence of God in the history of our race their faith, or as exercises of their forti- -we can trace the watchful providence tude and patience. In all such cases it of God communicating to man, at his first would, therefore, be rash and uncharita- formation, the instincts and powers reble to interpret particularly, and with re- quired for the new condition he was to ference to individuals, the views of divine fill-we can trace the watchful provijudgment when affecting a multitude.dence of God mingling men in society, It is enough for us to know that these and adjusting their talents to the situa judgments, whatever be their kind, what- tion which each of them has been destined ever be their nature, or whatever their to fill in it-and, through a most complidegree, are instruments of God's govern- cated series of arrangements, we can see ment of his moral and rational offspring, the watchful providence of God renderand that the inhabitants of the earth may ing men, in their respective spheres, the learn from them lessons of righteousness. instruments of promoting the destined This is the view, you will remark, in and ultimate perfection of our race. which the text represents the judgments of God to our consideration; and, therefore, in conformity with the pious purpose for which we are assembled this day, I shall endeavour to suggest, briefly, two of the righteous lessons which the judgments of God ought to teach us.

In the first place, the judgments of God, whatever their form, and whatever their degree may be, when they are contemplated by an enlightened and devout mind, are found powerfully to excite within it sentiments of warm piety and deep devotion toward that God from whom these judgments proceed. My friends, that God continues to govern the world which he has made, and that his rational subjects owe to him reverence and obedience, are truths which scarcely admit of doubt. God has impressed so visibly on all his works the signature of that unceasing care which he exercises for their preservation, that we have only to open our eyes on his works and behold it. When we look up to the heavens which his fingers have framed-when we see the sun, and the moon, and the stars observing order and regularity in all their movements, we are at once convinced of the powerful superintendence and energy of their Creator; and when we turn our view to this earth, we meet every where indications of a similar kind. It is by the energies of his hand that all the things of this world are maintained, each of them in their due season and proportion, and it is upon him they depend for the wonder

Now, to a man capable of reflecting on these marks of divine government, the Almighty surely presents an object most worthy of unbounded veneration-a Being whose mercies in all things are conspicuous, and who has an unquestionable title to receive from his rational creatures the worship and homage which he requires. But, alas! my brethren, while things observe their ordinary course, how seldom do we permit our thoughts to rise from them to the power by which they are conducted? Alas! alas! the beauty and benignity which our Father in heaven has spread around us in the world, where he has given us our situation, detain our attention on themselves, without suggesting the source from which they flow. Nay, that very order, that very regularity which is the effect of his present power and care, lulls our mind asleep, and renders us insensible to the workings of his hand. It is, in truth, only when the general order of events seems to be sensibly interrupted-it is only when the elements composing the world and the frame of divine government seem to jostle, as it were, against each other-it is only when the pillars that support the society of men are suddenly shaken or broken down-or when some public or personal misfortune crosses the path of life, that the thoughtless multitude-and, alas! are we not all to be considered too much members of the thoughtless multitude?arise to reflection, and feel the presence of their God.

methods have failed, our gracious Father, desirous of our reformation and eternal safety, employs, and employs reluctantly, as the last efforts to recall us to the paths of obedience. And if we return not-if we still harden our hearts more and more, what must be the consequence! You all know what must be the consequence. This consequence may follow, and follow most certainly under the divine government it will, that our wickedness must be avenged by signal calamity. The denunciations made by the mouth of Isaiah must come: This "people turn not to him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts. Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day; for through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother." (Isaiah ix. 13, 14. 19.)

My friends, there are various principles | judgments is a means of moral reformain our constitution, by which the judg-tion for which we are accountable. They ments of heaven contribute to a salutary are chastisements which, after all gentler effect upon the minds of a thoughtless world. Unexpected revolutions, either in the natural or moral world, naturally arrest our attention. They demonstrate, in the most sensible manner, to our consciences our own weakness, and the incompetency of our powers either to produce or control the changing events around us; and to every mind that is not totally enfeebled and darkened through corruption, such revolutions suggest with irresistible force the notion of a powerful Supreme Ruler, they alarm our fears at his displays, and awaken all those sentiments-(this is at least their natural tendency, or ought to be their constant effect) of humility and penitence which form the beginning of a pious and devout temper. And I would especially call your attention to this view of the case, that we learn from Scripture that this is not only the tendency of the divine judgments when rightly improved, but often the very purpose for which they were sent by the providence of God. The early record of Moses proclaims, repeatedly, that strange punishments came upon the disobedient. And why? That the people may hear, and feel, and do no more their iniquities. The plagues were sent upon Egypt that the Egyptians might know that God is the Lord. When Sennacherib was pursuing his severe conquests, and wickedly railing against the God of Israel, an angel of the Lord slew in one night a hundred and fourscore and five thousand men. And why? It was that all the kingdoms of the earth might know that he is the Lord God, even he alone! And the psalmist in express terms asserts the general proposition, that God maketh himself known by the judgments which he executeth, and snareth the wicked in the work of his own hands.

If, then, my beloved Christian friends, the judgments of God be both fitted and designed to awaken us to the ways of his providence, how should we labour to regard and improve them! Never let it be forgotten that the prevalence of these

From these remarks, my friends, it will appear that the divine judgments have as their first and general purpose, whatever their kind and form may be, to rouse the attention of sinners to the proofs of divine government, and to recall them, before it be too late, from their sleep of inconsideration, and from the criminal practices of irreligion and vice. These purposes of the divine judgments which we have affirmed in so many portions of Scripture, and which so heavily afflict our land, let us carefully improve. Let us remember that, amid the calamity that is committing its ravages among our brethren, all is the doing of the Lord; and considering that, let us then, with habitual and awful reverence, bow before him in submission to his will.

But, my brethren, the judgment which has, by the divine permission, visited our land, and which has this day brought us, professing humiliation, to the house of prayer-a judgment as appalling in its effects as it is novel in its circumstancesnot only powerfully impresses the general lesson of righteousness, which all the divine judgments are calculated to do,

but with a fatal and a loud voice reminds the dying. Ye opulent-ye professional

men.

raen, to whom I have now alluded-let not the unfounded and insane prejudices, as I must term them, of some ignorant and misguided individuals damp your ardour, or relax your efforts, in your godlike work of well-doing. All that are enlightened and generous approve and applaud; and even the ignorant will eventually feel shame, as they ought, for their uncharitableness and folly, while it is yours to enjoy, above all the praises of men, the gracious approbation of your consciences and your God.

But still, again the startling question recurs, under all that opulence and medical labour and skill have contributed to ward off the evil from our gates, are our houses, I ask again, are we ourselves for the future, with entire certainty, secure from the desolating disease, and that frightful rapidity with which it hurries its victim to the grave? Never let it be forgotten that opulence and medical skill are but secondary means and causes, and that their efficiency depends on the influ

us, in the second place, of this other peculiar lesson, the uncertainty of life, and the necessity and wisdom, therefore, of instant preparation for a Christian death of peace and hope. For, my friends, what judgment has ever taught so widely and so alarmingly the truth that we know not what a day or a night may bring forth? What judgment has ever so terrified the land with the similitude of the psalmist "thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, ye children of Thou carriest them away as with a flood: they are as a sleep-in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth and groweth -in the evening it is cut down and withereth." Yes, my brethren, how many are the dwellings around us, where the inmates, healthy and light-hearted when the sun arose, have, ere the sun descended, given the dust to dust, and their spirit to God? Oh! how alarming to unprepared and sinful men is a fate like this! No time is there for review-no time for repentance no time for making assu-ential co-operation and blessing of our rance of peace with God. Who prays not earnestly at this moment for himself from a fate like this" O God, of thy good mercy save and deliver me." O, my brethren, confine not your feelings to a-let us thrust our tears and supplications brief momentary prayer. Let them have a permanent and practical influence on your hearts and lives. The disastrous inroads of the pestilential malady into the bosom of our own city have hitherto been, But then, my people, let me impress through the divine forbearance in mercy, on every conscience and heart, if we hope comparatively limited; but who will say for success to our supplications, that it is that our dwellings-who will say that not enough that in a momentary feeling our persons are for the future secure? of devoutness we lift our hearts to the Signal benevolence has been manifested throne of the Most High, but we must for averting the mischief by the opulence carefully add to our supplications the acamong us. No labour of love has been ceptable incense of penitent hearts and spared; and as to the professional mem- holy lives-for thus only, let us be asbers of the healing art, they have by their sured, can our hope be on rational and conduct most richly deserved the grati- safe grounds. What is the language of tude of their fellow-citizens, and have Britons here this day? If it has any won for themselves indelible reputation. meaning, it is that you believe in the They have won it by the fearless expo- great truth of the constant superintendsure of their own persons to the perils of ence of God over human affairs;—if it infection in the discharge of their hazard- has any meaning, it is that he, by the geous duty, in their unwearied and watch- neral tenor of his laws, manifests favour ful toils at the beds of the diseased and to the godly; but that he does, and ever

heavenly Father. Let, then, our devout, sincere, and ardent aspirations-let the devout, sincere, and ardent aspirations of every inhabitant of our city ascend to him

before the footstool of his throne, before the great Mediator, that he will be pleased still to be around us, and deliver us from our threatening dangers and troubles.