SER. VI.] sion there, in behalf of all believers, he has we have no heart to consult, or to value, this Many inquiries, more curious than useful, IV. It remains, therefore, in the fourth and last place, that I add a few words to recommend and enforce the command in the text, "Search the scriptures," from the argument there subjoined, "for in them ye think ye have eternal life;" and we think right; for it "is eternal life to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent:" (John xvii.) and every article of this knowledge is contained in the Old and New Testament; nor can any part of it be met Yet let conscience with any where else. Some of us, I hope, do already make conjudge this day, as in the presence of the living God, the searcher of hearts, before whom science of frequent reading the scriptures; our private judgments must shortly come un- but let us remember the force of the word der a review has any book a smaller share search. It is not a careless superficial readof the time, the memory, or the affections of ing, or despatching such a number of chapters many of us, than this book of God? Do not in a day, as a task, that will answer the end. the successive returns of business and amuse- I have already reminded you, that it is a bument so far engross our time and our thoughts, siness will need your best application; a sethat we have either no leisure, or no disposi-rious, impartial, humble, persevering inquiry, tion, to attend to the things which pertain to our peace? Consider, "in them we think we have eternal life." We know we are posting to eternity as fast as the wings of time can carry us; we know that the consequences of our behaviour in this span of life will attend us into an invisible unalterable state; and we confess, that the necessary directions for our conduct in these most important and precarious circumstances, are to be found only in the Bible; what words then can describe our fatal insensibility, if, all this acknowledged, accompanied with earnest prayer for the light and assistance of God's Holy Spirit. When we set about it in this method, we shall soon find happy effects; pleasure and instruction will go hand in hand; and our knowledge advance as the growing light. The precepts shall inspire us with true wisdom; teach us how to order all our affairs, respecting both worlds; to fill up our several stations in life with propriety, usefulness, and comfort; and to avoid the numerous evils and distresses which those who live by no rule, or by any other rule than God's word, are perpetually I have believed," 2 Tim. i. Every thing we running into. The promises shall be a sup- see shall be at once a memorial to remind port in every trouble, a medicine in every us of our Redeemer, and a motive to animate sickness, a supply in every need. Above us in his service. And at length we shall all, the scriptures will repay our trouble, as be removed to see him as he is, without a they testify of Christ. The more we read cloud, and without a vail; to be for ever of his person, offices, power, love, doctrine, with him; to behold and to share the glories life, and death, the more our hearts will of that heavenly kingdom "which (Matt. cleave to him: we shall, by insensible de- xxv.) he has prepared (for his followers) grees, be transformed into his image. We from before the foundation of the world." shall, with the apostle, say, "I know in whom Amen. SERMONS PREACHED IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF OLNEY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.-PSALM lxxxix. 15, 16. TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE PARISH OF OLNEY. MY DEAR FRIENDS:-I have principally two motives for publishing these Discourses. The one is, to exhibit a specimen of the doctrine that is taught and most surely believed amongst us, to satisfy those who desire information, and to stop, if possible, the mouth of Slander. I cheerfully submit them to examination, in full confidence that they contain nothing of moment which is not agreeable to the general strain of the word of God, and to the principles of the church whereof I am a minister, as specified in the Articles, Liturgy, and Homilies. And that what I now print is to the same purport with the usual course of my preaching, I doubt not but all who statedly hear me, will do me the justice to acknowledge. My other motive is, a desire of promoting your edification. It is my comfort that many of you live by the truths of the gospel, and highly prize them. You will not, therefore, be unwilling to view the substance of what you once heard with acceptance. But it is to be feared, that the far greater part of the congregation have need to have the things pertaining to their peace pressed upon them again and again, for a different reason; not because they know them, and therefore love to have them brought to their remembrance, but because they have hitherto heard them without effect. For the sake of both, therefore, I am willing to leave an abiding testimony amongst you. I hereby take each of your consciences to witness, that I am clear of your blood; and that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. In the choice of the subjects I have selected for publication, I have not been solicitous to comprise a succinct scheme of gospel-doctrine, but have given the preference to such topics, which the peculiar circumstances of the times, and of my hearers, make me desirous might be had in continual remembrance. The exposition of the third commandment, which was first delivered in your hearing, I afterwards preached (nearer the form in which it now appears) at London; and as it led me to touch on some particulars of a very public and interesting concern, I have given it a place in this volume. And I shall think myself happy indeed, if it may please God to give weight to the testimony of so obscure a person, with respect to a grievance under which the nation groans. As long discourses are in many respects inconvenient, I have chosen to publish no more than a brief summary of what you heard more at large from the pulpit. And as I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people, I have purposely avoided any studied ornaments in point of expression, being desirous to accommodate myself to the apprehensions of the most ignorant. May it please the God of all grace to accompany my feeble endeavours to promote the knowledge of his truth, with the powerful influence of his Holy Spirit! And I earnestly entreat all who know how to draw near to a throne of grace by Jesus Christ, to strive mightily in prayer for me, that I may stand fast in the faith, and increase in the knowledge of Jesus the Saviour; and that, for his sake, I may labour, without fear of fainting, in the service to which he has been pleased to call me. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!—I am your affectionate friend, and servant in the gospel of Christ, JOHN NEWTON. Olney, January 20, 1767. 413 SERMONS, &c. SERMON I. THE SMALL SUCCESS OF A GOSPEL-MINISTRY. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.-Matt. xi. 25. OUR blessed Lord perfectly knew beforehand the persons who would profit by his ministry: but his observations, conduct, and discourses, were intended as a pattern and instruction to his followers. He is said to have marvelled at the unbelief of some, and at the faith of others; not as though either was strange to him, who was acquainted with all hearts, and always knew what he himself could do; but it is spoken of him as a man, and to show how his ministers and people should be affected upon the like occasions. In the preceding verses he had been speaking of Capernaum, and other places, where his mighty works had been performed in vain. He had denounced a sentence against them; and foretold that their punishment would be heavier in proportion to the greatness of the privileges they had abused. But this was not his pleasing work. Mercy and grace were his delight, and he usually expressed sorrow and pain for the obstinacy of sinners. He wept for his avowed enemies, and prayed for the murderers who nailed him to the cross. It was not without grief that he declared the approaching doom of these cities; yet raising his thoughts from earth to heaven, he acquiesced in the will of his heavenly Father, and expressed the highest satisfaction in his appointment. He knew, that however some would harden themselves, there was a remnant who would receive the truth, and that the riches and glory of the divine sovereignty and grace would be magnified. Before I enter upon the particulars, this connexion of the words will afford us ground for some observations. I. That the small success and efficacy of the preached gospel upon multitudes who hear it, is a subject of wonder and grief to the ministers and people of God. It was so to our Lord Jesus, considered as a preacher 41 and messenger; and they, so far as they have received his Spirit, judge and act as be did. 1. Those who have indeed tasted that the Lord is gracious, have had such a powerful experienee in their own souls of the necessity and value of the gospel, that in their first warmth, and till painful experience has convinced them of the contrary, they can hardly think it possible that sinners should stand out against its evidence. They are ready to say, "Surely it is because they are ignorant: they have not had opportunity of considering the evil of sin, the curse of the law and the immense goodness of God manifested in his Son; but when these things shall be plainly and faithfully set before them, surely they will submit, and thankfully receive the glad tidings." With such sanguine hopes Melancthon entered the ministry at the dawn of the Reformation: he thought he had only to speak and to be heard, in order to convince; but he soon found himself mistaken, and that the love of sin, the power of prejudice, and the devices of Satan, were such obstacles in his way, as nothing less than the mighty operations of the Spirit of God could break through. And all who preach upon his principles, and with his views, have known something of his disappointment Speaking from the feelings of a full heart, they are ready to expect that others should be no less affected than themselves. But when they find that they are heard with indifference, perhaps with contempt; that those whose salvation they long for, are enraged against them for their labour of love; and that they cannot prevail upon even their dearest friends, and nearest relatives,-this grieves and wounds them to the heart. 2. They have been convinced themselves, that unbelief was the worst of all their sing and therefore, though they pity all who live in the practice of sin, yet they have a double grief to see them reject the only means of salvation: and that this contempt will lie Inore heavily upon them, than any thing they can be charged with besides. It gladdens the heart of a minister to see a large and attentive assembly; but how is this joy damped by a just fear, lest any, lest many of them should receive this grace of God in vain, and have cause at last to bewail the day when the name of Jesus was first sounded in their ears! the knowledge of grace and the practice of holiness, fail of success, yet they shall be accepted. The servants of Christ may in their humble measure adopt the words of their Lord and Master, in the prophet: "Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength," Isaiah xlix. 5. When he sent forth his first disciples, he directed them, whenever they entered, to say, "Peace be to this house! and if a son of peace be there," if there be any who thankfully accept your salutation and message, "your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall return to you again," Luke x. 6. That is, your good wishes and endeavours shall not be lost for want of proper objects, but, when they seem to be without effect on others, shall be productive of the happiest consequences to yourselves: you shall receive all you were desirous to communicate. Thus his ministers are to declare his whole will, whether men will hear, or whether they shall forbear. And if they do this with a single eye to his glory, and in humble dependence upon his blessing, they are not answerable for the event; they shall in no wise lose their reward. It seems plain then, that those who are indifferent about the event of the gospel, who satisfy themselves with this thought, that the elect shall be saved, and feel no concern for unawakened sinners, make a wrong inference from a true doctrine, and know not what spirit they are of. Jesus wept for those who perished in their sins. St. Paul had great grief and sorrow of heart for the Jews, though he gave them this character, "That they pleased not God, and were contrary to all men." It well becomes us, while we admire distinguishing grace to ourselves, to mourn over others: and inasmuch as secret things belong to the Lord, and we know not 2. Faithful endeavours in the service of but some, of whom we have at present but the gospel shall not wholly fail. Though all little hopes, may at last be brought to the will not hear, some certainly shall both hear knowledge of the truth, we should be patient and obey. Though all are by nature equally and forbearing after the pattern of our hea-averse and incapable, yet there shall be "a venly Father, and endeavour, by every probable and prudent means, to stir them up to repentance, remembering that they cannot be more distant from God, than by nature we were ourselves. II. The best relief against those discouragements we meet with from men, is to raise our thoughts to God and heaven. For this the Lord Jesus is our precedent here. He said, "I thank thee, O Father." The word* signifies, to confess, to promise, or consent, and to praise. As if it had been said, "I glorify thy wisdom in this respect, I acknowledge, and declare that it is thy will, and I express my own consent and approbation." Our Lord's views of the divine counsels were perfect, and therefore his satisfaction was complete. It is said, "He rejoiced in spirit," (Luke x. 21,) when he uttered these words. And the more we increase in faith and in the knowledge of God, the more we shall be satisfied in his appointments, and shall see and say, "He hath done all things well." It is needful for our comfort to be well established in the truth suggested in my text, That the Lord hath provided for the accomplishment of his own purposes, and that his counsels shall surely stand. From this doctrine we may infer, 1. That were the faithful labours and endeavours of ministers and others, to promote • The original word, Ekoуμ¤, occurs Matt. iii. Luke xxii. 6, and Rom. xv. 9. willing people in the day of God's power," Psalm cx. 3. If the wise and prudent turn away from the truth, there are babes to whom it shall be revealed. The Lord renews unto us a pledge of his faithfulness in this concern every time the rain descends. For thus he has promised, "As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it," Isaiah lv. 10. 3. The divine sovereignty is the best thought we can retreat to for composing and strengthening our minds under the difficulties, discouragements, and disappointments which attend the publication of the gospel. The more we give way to reasonings and cu rious inquiries, the more we shall be perplexed and baffled. When Jeremiah had been complaining of some things that were too hard for him, the Lord sent him to the potter's house, and taught him to infer, from the potter's power over the clay, the just right which the Lord of all hath to do what he will with his own, Jer. xviii. 6. It is only the pride of our own hearts that prevents this consideration from being perfectly conclusive and satisfactory. How many schemes dero |