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after death, however slighted be- we sure of having one day of spifore, plead powerfully in behalf of ritual light and comfort, and no religion, in the consciences of those more, during our continuance on whom they leave behind. As they earth, it would be very desirable to have honoured God, he will thus reserve that cordial for the last seahonour them by answering their son of conflict. But a loose and prayers and prospering their endea- slothful conduct, even if gross sins vours: and if they leave any of their are avoided, prepares distress for children or beloved relatives in an the closing scene; and the Chrisunconverted state, they may even tian who habitually yields to indoat their departure possess a peace-lence, or, in other words, does not ful hope, that the Lord will yet grow in grace, makes, as it were, an think upon them for good, and at assignation with terror to meet him length gather them into his fold, on his deathbed. While, on the perhaps by means of their dying ex- other hand, evangelical principles, hortations. In general, however, it a "conversation becoming our prois certain that Christianity of this fession," and diligence in our proper kind is not easily or speedily eradi-work and in the great business of cated: the fruit produced by such religion, constitute an habitual and believers, as has here been imper- actual preparation for that solemn fectly described, will remain in its scene. Our loins are thus girded, effects, from generation to genera- our lamps burning, and we are like tion; and indeed, in one respect or men waiting for the coming of their another, to the end of the world, Lord. We may not indeed beforeand to all eternity. "All the na- hand be able wholly to discard our tions of the earth shall be blessed apprehensions; nor ought we to in him," saith the Lord concerning perplex ourselves on that account: Abraham; "for I know him that he but we are indisputably safe; and will command his children, and his at whatever time or manner we may household after him, and they shall be summoned hence, that day will keep the way of the Lord, to do not overtake us as a thief, with ter justice and judgment: that the Lord rible surprise or fatal consequences, may bring upon Abraham that which but we shall be graciously addressed he hath spoken of him." Gen. xviii. in these most condescending words, Well done, good and faithful serV. Growth in grace is peculiarly vant, enter thou into the joy of thy desirable, in order that we may pos-Lord."

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sess an assured hope and strong con- It would be wholly superfluous solation at the approach of death. to speak particularly concerning the This last enemy is indeed the king day of judgment in this inquiry; but of terrors, in his original nature and we may very properly close it with consequences: and though he is the apostle's words to the Philipdisarmed of his sting, when he ap- pians, "Be blameless and harmless, proaches as a friend to release the as the sons of God, without rebuke believer from his uneasy situation in the midst of a crooked and perin this evil world, and convey him verse generation; among whom shine to his Father's house, yet our nature ye as lights in the world; holding is apt to recoil; and when faith and forth the word of life: that I may hope waver, we cannot but look for- rejoice in the day of Christ that I ward to the solemn season with have not run in vain, neither labourtrembling anxiety. Indeed, were ed in vain." Phil. ii. 15, 16.

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If the things we have considered what is commonly attained: that it be indeed the principles of the gos- is their bounden duty to " press forpel reduced to practice, and accord ward-forgetting the things which to their genuine tendency, what an are behind, and reaching forward excellent religion is Christianity! to the things which are before:" how base must they be, who oppose, that they have great cause for deep insult, and reproach it, for the faults humiliation, on account of their unof many of its professors! and how fruitfulness in times past, and yet inexcusable are those persons who ought not to be discouraged from give them such an occasion!-It is expecting more effectual help in indeed a most palpable falsehood to their future endeavours: if, I say, pretend that the doctrines of grace men could be thus induced, heartily diminish our obligations to obedi- to set themselves to seek and pray ence, or supersede the necessity of for more abundant growth in grace, good works: but the holy lives of as the most important and desirable those who embrace them is the best, of all blessings, there can be no and, in fact, the only effectual con- doubt but they would make greater futation of this slander. If then progress than they generally do. the advantages and consequences of Yet it should also be observed, that growth in grace be so important, Christians would not therefore beand the nature of it so evident, little come better satisfied with themneed be said concerning the way in selves, or their attainments; perwhich we ought to seek so great haps, through self-acquaintance, tenand desirable a blessing. The mo- derness of conscience, and deep hutives and encouragements of the mility, they might not be sensible gospel are abundantly sufficient to of making any advances in grace; animate those who duly attend to but assuredly they will more and them: we have free access to the more hunger and thirst after righthrone of grace; exceedingly great teousness, till they come to the and precious promises to plead with fountain above, when they shall our merciful God and Father; and drink, and thirst no more for ever. an inexhaustible fulness from which But to such persons the words of to draw all things "pertaining to the apostle are peculiarly suitable life and godliness." We are di- and encouraging. "Therefore, my rected and commanded to "ask and beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, receive, that our joy may be full :" unmoveable, always abounding in God hath appointed various means, the work of the Lord: forasmuch which he hath engaged to render as ye know, that your labour is not effectual to all those who diligently in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. xv. attend on them in humble faith; 58. " Now, the God of peace, that and every person may soon learn brought again from the dead our for himself, if he duly watch, and Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepkeep his own heart, what employ- herd of the sheep, through the blood ments or companions prove helps or of the everlasting covenant, make us hinderances to his soul, in this grand perfect in every good work to do concern. Could we therefore suc- his will, working in us that which ceed in convincing men that it is is well pleasing in his sight, through possible, even in this world, to ar- Jesus Christ: to whom be glory, for rive at degrees of spirituality, fruit-ever and ever. Amen." fulness, and stability, far beyond

147

THE DOCTRINES

OF

ELECTION AND FINAL PERSEVERANCE,

STATED FROM SCRIPTURE,

AND SHOWN CONSISTENT WITH EXHORTATORY AND PRACTICAL PREACHING, AND CONDUCIVE TO HOLINESS of life.

A SERMON,

PREACHED AT THE LOCK CHAPEL, NOV. 26, 1786.,

PREFACE.

THE Sermon, originally published | this, while he adheres strictly to the under this title, was written on a arrangement and sentiments of the very particular occasion, and in too original Sermon, he deems himself great haste for the difficulty and at liberty to omit some things perimportance of the subject. The sonal or occasional, to revise the author's mind likewise was agitated style, and to make several additions at the time, by the circumstances and alterations, in order to render in which he was placed: yet, amidst it something more adequate to the these disadvantages, it was deemed ends proposed by the publication. necessary to print it verbatim as The reader will perceive, that preached, except as some notes were the principal difference betwixt the added. statement here given of the docWhen therefore the occasion trines in question, and that of many which required the publication was modern Calvinists, relates to Repassed, and the second Edition, demption by the death of Christ, which had been called for in a few as being of infinite sufficiency, and days, was disposed of, he dropped therefore, in some respects, the comall thoughts of reprinting it; deem- mon benefit of mankind. This view ing it too personal, and too much of the subject makes not the least adapted to special circumstances, to difference, in respect of the entire answer the permanent purposes of freeness of salvation by the sovea calm, deliberate, matured, and reign purpose and grace of God, impartial treatise on the deep and made known in the effectual calling mysterious subject. of his chosen remnant: while it gives

He finds, however, that the Ser- the preacher an immense advantage mon is frequently inquired for: and in fulfilling the ministry of reconthis has made him apprehensive lest ciliation, and yields the awakened the circumstance of its being out of sinner the greatest encouragement print should be considered as a de- in applying to Christ for salvation. reliction of his principles. He has, On this ground we may say to any therefore, at length, determined to human being, "Believe in the Lord publish another edition: but in doing Jesus, and thou shalt be saved."

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But, on the other plan, no sinner Christianity and that the objeccan know, previously to conversion, tions commonly urged against them, whether he has any more right to originate in misapprehension of their rely on the merits and mediation of nature and tendency and may geChrist, than fallen angels have. nerally be traced back to distorted The Author earnestly desires the views given of them, or scandalous candid inquirer after truth, and all perversions made of them. who dare to think for themselves, In some few places, however, the to examine the passages quoted from terms Calvinist and Calvinism, ArScripture in this Sermon, and to ob-minian and Arminianism are retainserve accurately whether they do ed; not as invidious distinctions, not fully establish his statement. but for convenience, and to prevent Then let them weigh all the other circumlocution. It is a great mistestimonies of holy writ with the take to suppose, that self-righteous same design; and finally let them pride is peculiar to Arminians, or consider what immense pains and Antinomian laxity to Calvinists. ingenuity it requires, to explain a Pride and dislike to the holy law variety of texts in consistency with of God are alike congenial to our the other scheme; with what con- fallen nature: so that every man is fidence and plausibility opponents radically of himself both self-righurge them against our doctrine; and teous and Antinomian. No creed, yet how naturally they coincide with as such, will cure either of these the view here given. To the author distempers; but regeneration renthey give no trouble; they express ders us convalescent. Yet even true his sentiments, and in similar cir-Christians frequently hold and concumstances he should use the same tend for doctrines, which very inadlanguage. The statement here given, equately influence their own hearts is by no means new or peculiar. He and lives; nay, they often maintain has proved that the compilers of our errors, without being proportionably Liturgy held the same sentiments. injured by them. Hence many CalMany of his brethren at present vinists are prone to pride and selfcoincide with him. The most emi- preference, and many Arminians nent Calvinist divines in North evidently humble. But the ChrisAmerica, who have lived during the tian temper, wherever found, even present century, view the subject in though a man express himself, as the same light; and abundance of we think, inaccurately, is vastly testimonies of this kind, from every more valuable than the most exact quarter, might easily be adduced: notions without "the mind which but let the word of God decide. was in Christ Jesus." On the other

The author is not anxious about hand, the Arminian is not at all sethe class of professed Christians cured from Antinomianism, nor the among whom his brethren may rank Calvinist exposed to it, by their sehim. No one of them is either right veral tenets; seeing both of them or wrong in every thing; and that are Antinomian just as far as they which in one situation is disgrace- are unsanctified, and no further: ful, in another is deemed honour-" because the carnal mind is enmity able. But it appears to him of great against God; for it is not subject to consequence to show, that these the law of God, neither indeed can despised doctrines are scriptural, be." Perhaps speculating Antinorational, holy, consolatory, and con- mians abound most among persons sistent with every other part of professing to be Calvinists: but

Antinomians, whose sentiments in- their notions concerning the mercy fluence their practice, swarm among of God, to encourage themselves in such as are really Arminians. Does impenitent wickedness. It would, the reader doubt this? Let him ask therefore, be unspeakably better for any of those multitudes, who openly all parties to examine such subjects trample on God's commandments, with impartiality, meekness, and what they think of predestination brotherly love; than reciprocally to and election, and he will speedily censure, despise, and condemn one be convinced that they are Armi- another. nians: yet they take occasion from May 2, 1798.

ON

ELECTION AND FINAL PERSEVERANCE. JOHN VI. 37-40.-All that the Fa- glory of the divine perfections in the ther giveth me shall come unto me; dispensations of Providence in this and him that cometh unto me I will world, and the final distribution of in no wise cast out. For I came rewards and punishments in the down from heaven, not to do mine world to come. And though these own will, but the will of him that constituent parts of holy writ do not sent me. And this is the Father's in all respects answer the same purwill which hath sent me, that of all poses, each has its distinct imporwhich he hath given me I should tant use in the accomplishment of lose nothing, but should raise it up one vast and uniform design. again at the last day. And this is But though the Scriptures are in the will of him that sent me, that themselves completely harmonious, every one which seeth the Son, and yet men do not readily perceive this believeth on him, may have ever-harmony. Many imagine they see lasting life; and I will raise him in them numerous inconsistencies up at the last day. and contradictions: others, judging it impracticable to reconcile the THE holy Scriptures, being the word sacred writers, give a partial preof God, are doubtless perfectly con- ference to one above another, and sistent. Moses and Samuel, David set them in opposition to each other, and Isaiah, Paul and James, being according to their several opinions. merely the penmen of the Holy The various sects and parties proSpirit, must perfectly harmonize in fessing Christianity appeal to Scripthe truths which they inculcate. ture in proof of their discordant tePrecepts, threatenings, warnings, nets; and multitudes, content with judgments, counsels, exhortations, those passages which seem to speak invitations, promises, privileges, his- the language of the favourite system, tories, examples, types, and para-pass over all the rest as if nothing bles, in divers methods, subserve to the purpose, or nothing to them; the same great ends of instruction. a mere caput mortuum* in divinity. They all display and illustrate the These things are notorious; but same character of God, and of man; whence do they arise? We allow and impress the same ideas of sin that the vastness of the design reand of holiness, of time and of eternity, of happiness and of misery. They all concur in displaying the metals.

The worthless insipid mass that remains when the spirits are all drawn off by distillation; or the mere dross left in refining

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