Page images
PDF
EPUB

ists not a more unhappy being than a man abandoned to himself. But let him go to Jesus, and imbibe a portion of his Spirit, the lion becomes a lamb, the man of pleasure becomes the man of GOD,-the persecuting Saul the terror of young and old, haling them to prison and to bonds, is converted into the loving, affectionate, faithful apostle, Paul,-so that, in the striking language of the prophet," the wolf dwells with the lamb, and the leopard lies down with kid; the calf and the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them." In plain terms, such is the transforming efficacy of the grace of God, that characters the most opposite will be made to assimilate; those who regarded each other as objects of aversion, become united in the closest bonds of friendship; those who once appeared to have no community of sentiment or feeling, now have scarcely a discordant string which can be touched; all is harmony and sympathy, their hearts tuned alike to one common song, commemorative of redeeming love and sanctifying grace: but all the result of their having "been with Jesus."

Again, there is a multitude of conflicting struggles and conflicts in the soul, which the united strength of unassisted man can neither overcome nor subdue. What is equal to sustain the soul groaning under the burden of its natural corruption, when the flesh is rebelling against the spirit: what can either uphold it, or administer the consolatory balm when agonizing under the weight of sin actually committed; wounded, bleeding, looking for peace, but finding none in itself or in the world. O! the burden of sin is intolerable; it creates a foretaste of eternal torment; nay, many have conjectured that the never dying worm is intended only to

represent the perpetual remembrance of our iniquities. This made the guilty murderer Cain, the first homicide, declare, that "his punishment was greater than he could bear." Then again, take all those trials of faith-those little minor persecutions for the word's sake,-the calumny of the world,-the ridicule of our companions, the misrepresentations of friends,-the malice of enemies, which have forced from many an eye a tear, and many a heart a groan,-the power to act with firmness and decision in observing the rule of christianity, in resisting even unto death, should it be required, the temptation of satan, in following our Master through scenes of tribulation and sufferings; surely, all this requires something more than what is called natural fortitude. The man of the strongest nerve would betray all the impotency of a child before such a combined force. He who has defied a whole army of soldiers in the field of battle, after all is often slain at home by the force of a single temptation; he commits a suicidal act under the influence of a raging lust. Would you seek for a complete sufficient remedy for all these evils, grace to withstand in time of need? seek it in Jesus Christ, go to him; he alone can equip you for the combat, and crown you the triumphant warrior.

But the whole of the effects attributable to this association with Jesus, may be summed up in a few words; it will produce newness of life. This was conspicuous in the Apostles Peter and John; and it will be equally manifest in all those who, like them, "join themselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant." The outward man, it is true, will retain all its former features; but indeed even these will be beautified by divine grace; for Christianity diffuses a lustre even over the animal frame; but the in

ward man will undergo a complete | tian; and if nothing else were required transformation, and be remodelled of us, than merely to bear the name after the divine image. New faculties, of a Christian, thousands would renew desires, new energies, will be im-joice in and adopt the appellation. parted to it; it will be strengthened But let a man give evidence that he and invigorated for a holy warfare; has some other title to this name, stimulated to the performance of every than such as is afforded only by being religious enterprise; there will be a admitted by baptism into the visible resurrection from a death of sin to a church of Christ; let him also put on life of righteousness. Touched by the Christ; let him prove that he has hand of an omnipotent Saviour the imbibed his principles, and is influinanimate soul long entombed in the enced by his precepts; let his desepulchre of its iniquities, springs up portment and conversation be of that with all the freshness of a new crea- marked and decided character, as tion, to the wonder of surrounding that all on beholding him will say, multitudes, who cannot account for "surely thou art one of them, for thy the transaction, but can only bear speech betrayeth thee;" he will intestimony that it has been with Jesus. fallibly draw down upon himself the Since then all that is precious in time secret obloquy and condemnation of and eternity is involved in this as the world, it will be compelled to sociation with our blessed Redeemer, respect him, but it will tacitly censure should we not all wish to be iden- him for the striking contrast which is tified as His disciples by the same exhibited to itself: so that in fact tokens which distinguished the cha- what is his greatest glory, will be imracters of Peter and John? Yet is puted to him as his greatest shame. this the case? I fear the name of Can any thing in a stronger degree Jesus is still a reproach, that by many confirm the Apostle's declaration, it is deemed as disgraceful an act to "that the heart of man is enmity be his companion and follower now, against GOD." as it was by the Pharisees of old. Although there is no open act of violence displayed to terrify the man from the pursuit of his divine master; the laws of society forbid it; still we fear the natural desire to impede his progress remains unsubdued. There are many who delight to bear testi-Christ. We live in an age, when not mony against those who have been with Jesus, for no other purpose than of holding them up as objects of ridicule, or at least of pity; they call to their aid the smile of contempt, in order to effect by the sneer, what they have failed to produce by the threat; they would level their victim by the gibe or the jeer, when they have failed to allure him by the endearing look, or deter him by the menacing frown. What more honourable name than that of a Chris

It is among the crying evils of the day, that although there are multitudes who "name the name of Christ,” perhaps scarcely ever was there a period when that number was greater; yet how few comparatively speaking give evidence of having been with

to make a profession of religion, would injure a man's reputation and character, for who would wish to have any dealings with an infidel or atheist? So far all is well-but here is the lamentable cause of complaint, this outward profession is too often substituted for the vital principle; many adhere scrupulously to the forms of religion, who are strangers to the power thereof; many name the name of Christ who do not depart from iniquity; many of the religionists of the

present day, not only tread on the borders of the world, but overstep them, and are actually associated with its maxims and customs: so that notwithstanding crowded places of worship, large communions, and numerous religious meetings, we fear we have too much reason to ask, " will the Lord when he comes find faith on earth."

Surely it is the duty of a minister, if he would be found faithful, to "lift up his voice like a trumpet" against a temporizing spirit, and remind his hearers, though they may dislike the admonition and the monitor, that a period is fast approaching when all must be stripped of those false but glaring colours, which may have gained them a reputation for piety among men, but cannot endure the scrutinizing eye of an omniscient GOD; when it will be apparent to all that not the nominal professor, but that he only who has the mind and spirit of Christ, who has been with Christ here on earth, shall be eternally with him in heaven. It is not the mere Sabbatical assembling ourselves together, when our engagements will permit an hour to be snatched from business or pleasure; it is not the mere mention of Christ in the creed, in the prayer, or in the thanksgiving with unbended knee and unhumbled bosom, which He will accept as the honour due unto his name; multitudes do so, whom he will be compelled to reject as workers of iniquity, never having known them. Though they may profess allegiance to him, their conduct proves that they have never been with him; that they have been associated with him only in name to serve their own purposes, and not in reality to promote his glory. Suffer me then in love and affection for your souls, as one who would wish to be made instrumental in promoting

your best interests, to admonish you of that delusion so common yet so fatal, which leads men to suppose that their salvation is secured, beyond the possibility of its being forfeited, because of the privileges they enjoy as members of a Christian com munity; though perhaps these privileges are regarded with indifference, or treated with absolute contempt: so that they do not act up even to that slender profession, which they have erected for themselves as the standard of their religion; measuring themselves therefore by themselves they are found miserably wanting. Here it is that we are at issue with you. While the object of most persons is to aggrandize themselves by being associated with some of the great men of the earth, the noble, the rich, or the learned, we have no greater desire than that it should be recorded of you that you have been with him, who alone can invest you with true dignity of character, and make you really great,-great by enabling you to rise superior, and not yield to the solicitations of an ungodly world. We would see the lustre of the Redeemer's character reflected in your conduct; we would have it exemplified by the consistency of your deportment, that the religion of the Bible is the only one which comes from GOD, and will lead to GOD; we wish that your lives should be such, as speak the praises of God, rather than your lips; we wish that instead of the fulsome and sometimes almost impious adulation too often engraven on tomb stones, proclaiming deeds never performed, and virtues never displayed, that your monumental inscription may simply record the fact, that you have been with Jesus; this will afford the strongest hope that you are still with Jesus.

An Entroductory Sermon,

DELIVERED BY THE REV. W. CURLING, M. A.

IN THE CHURCH OF ST. SAVIOUR, SOUTHWARK, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 13, 1833.

2 Corinthians, iv. 5.—“ We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants, for Jesus' sake.”

us all. My preaching! that is the point of principal concern: by that, is it too much to say you will be lost or saved, I shall be acquitted or condemned? by that I shall prove myself either your worst enemy, or your best friend; and it will cause you, in the world of ruined or of ransomed spirits, either to bless or curse my memory. Oh, the sacred solemn nature of the christian ministry! I brought it before you when I last addressed you, and endeavoured to speak of it in some such way as I thought befitting a subject so great and glorious. Pardon me if, again adverting to the point, I use the language of Saint Paul, with reference to my connexion with you this day. Bear with me, if in this my introductory discourse, I speak more fully of my duty and then of yours, than I shall afterwards have

THERE are two occasions on which the interest, felt both by the preacher and his audience, is more than usually great: the first, when he enters on his ministry, and the second, when he lays down his charge. I have just done the latter in a neighbouring parish, where the gospel, which I trust I preached faithfully, was heard gladly by the people; and, I am here to-day commencing my labours in that important sphere of action to which GOD, in his providence, has called me. My brethren, you have chosen me for your minister, and it is highly gratifying to my feelings to stand before you as the minister of your choice, but allow me to say, that the pleasure which I feel on the present occasion is derived chiefly from the sweet consideration that I have now the privilege of preaching in this pulpit that precious everlasting gos-occasion to do. May self be abased. pel, which, with God's blessing at tending it, will be the means of bringing those to heaven, for whom, as for the flock committed to my care, I must, of course, feel a very peculiar regard. Our connexion is important, as it relates to matters merely of a temporal local nature; but it is principally important as it involves the highest interest-interests whose real character and overwhelming magnitude are developed only in eternity. Beyond the reach of popular censure or applause, there is a destiny that awaits

Christ exalted, you instructed, edified, and saved: and, in all, GOD glorified. “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord."

We have here a negative and a positive declaration, something which the apostle disclaims, something in which he glories, something which every minister should studiously shun, something which every minister should constantly practise, his preaching and his character are beautifully set before us. Now there are three things that our text expresses.»>

First, something which the apos

66

WE

Second, something enforced by the apostle's precept and example, namely, THE PREACHING JESUS CHRIST.

First, then, our text expresses something which the apostle, in his own name and in that of other christian ministers, disclaims, PREACH NOt ourselves."

66 WE

66

comes from

tle, in his own name and in that shall presently see, he wished only of others, probably disclaims, Christ to reign: but no, we preach PREACH NOT ourselves." not ourselves," we bear a very honourable office, but we are not proud of it, and we do not build upon it our own reputation: true, we are Christ's ambassadors, but still we are flesh and blood, still we are erring, sinful, dying men: true, we are invested with the high and holy office of the priesthood, but we ought not on that account to think more highly of ourselves than others, for we shall very soon drop the sacerdotal garments with which we are clad, and our anointed heads will presently lie as low in the dust of death as those of the meanest of our brethren: true, we bring to man the greatest 'treasure he can have, but we are not therefore worthy of any praise, we are only the "earthen vessels" that contain it, the treasure Christ: true, by the faithful preaching of the word, we may be the means of making man a happy creature in this world and the next, but we do not take credit to ourselves for any thing we do or any thing we effect-we are only instruments of doing good to others, the gift of repentance and the gift of salvation comes from Christ, and the power of making a creature holy, and thus of making a creature happy, Self-exaltation, rests with GOD. therefore, is a thing that we we preach not ourselves." Behold, my brethren, the model which every minister should imitate; yes, we must follow Paul, even as he followed Christ; we may not preach from the sordid motive of securing earthly emolument, or from the selfish motive of gaining a short lived reputation; we may not vent in the pulpit our own passions, prejudices, or private opinions, instead of the doctrine of Christ; with a single eye and a single aim, it be

Faithful to his trust, the apostle of the gentiles never betrayed it; conscious of its dignity, he never tarnished its glory in the dust. Remembering from whom he received it, and to whom he would presently surrender it, he never made an improper use of it; keeping the end of his ministry in view, he never allowed any feeling of an earthly ambition to intervene between him and that; subservient to the good of men and the glory of God, he never made his ministry subservient to himself. The once proud Pharisee had learned, in the school of Christ, the first, the hardest lesson of christian orthodoxy-humility. A wide field for display was open before him, and the exhibition of his natural powers might have gained for him a reward, alas! too dearly prized,-popular renown: yes, by keeping back that in his doctrine which was chiefly unpopular, by preaching Christ as some preached him afterwards and as many preach him now, by a cautious prudence, carefully avoiding whatever might offend, by a temporising policy, shunning "to declare the whole counsel of GOD," by giving way to certain prejudices, by flattering human pride, and by blending the law and the gospel together when he pointed out the way to heaven, he might easily have made a conquest of his hearers' hearts, and have gained for himself that throne in their affections upon which, as we

nounce,

re

« PreviousContinue »