well know that it is commonly represented as at variance with every thing like pleasure; and nothing can be more injurious than such a representation, especially to the young, who are so alive to happiness. But can any thing be so unfounded and false as this vile and repulsive opinion? Surely God is able to make a man happy; and is it therefore reasonable to suppose that he will suffer one who neglects and hates him to be happier than one who loves and serves him? Has my hoping and believing that death is the gate of life, that heaven is my home, that God is my father, that all things are working together for my good, a tendency to prevent or diminish my enjoyment of the beauties of nature, and the bounties of providence, and the intercourses of life? But if the Scriptures are allowed to decide, and they contain the judgment of the only wise and true God, we know that wisdom's ways are the ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her, and happy is every one that retaineth her." And in this testimony every partaker of divine grace acquiesces. It would be in vain to appeal to others. They have not made the trial, but these have. And these will tell you that they know nothing of bondage, They find his service to be perfect freedom.. They find that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. They will tell you that they were strangers to real pleasure as long as they were without Christ; but since their knowledge of him, their common mercies have been sweetened, and their very sorrows blessed; and they prefer their own low estate, to all the glory and goodness of the world. 66 But -It says, What an inducement is here to seek the Lord and his strength, to seek his face evermore. Joy is a thing to which none are indifferent. All are contriving or labouring to acquire something in which they may rejoice. here the blessing is. Here is a joy that deserves the name. A joy soft as the ether of Paradise, and pure as the river of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb -the hidden manna-the bread of heaven-angel's foodyea, more-for "Never did angels taste above "Redeeming grace and dying love." And can you do without this joy? If you can dispense with it while every thing prospers-what will you do in the day of adversity? If you can dispense with it in the smiles of youth-what will you do in the decays and privations and depressions of age? If you can dispense with it in the excitements of society-what will you do in the dreariness of solitude? If you can dispense with it in the attractions of life-what will you do in the loneliness of death? If you can dispense with it in a world of engrossment and diversions "O ye gay dreamers of gay dreams, "How will you weather an eternal night -But do you not now feel your need of it? However successful, however indulged, however amused, do you not now feel a void within which this alone can fill-a craving which this alone can relieve-a restlessness which this alone can sooth and calm!-And is it not attainable? Is there not One, among all your dissatisfactions and disquietudes, now saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls ?" It says, Your religion is to be suspected, if you are habitually destitute of joy. Here we readily exclude all constitutional causes, such as we have admitted in the former Lecture; there is no reasoning from these. We also limit our intimation by observing, that it does not extend to that joy which springs from strong confidence, or the full assurance of hope. With regard to this, every one whose heart is right with God will prize it and desire it. But we have known many who have possessed very little of it through life, and yet have given undeniable proof that they are renewed in the spirit of their mind. But this is only one view of the Christian's joy, or rather one kind of it. There are other, and many other sources of sacred delight. There are the pleasures of Divine knowledge; the pleasures of hope; the pleasures of review, in looking back upon the way by which the Lord has led us; the pleasures arising from attendance on the means of grace; the pleasures arising from congeniality with the things of the Spirit, and which makes it our meat to do the will of our heavenly Father; the pleasures arising from the approbation of conscience; and the pleasures of usefulness. There are persons who are ready to exclude themselves from the gladness of God's nation, and yet their eye sparkles with pleasure when they see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and hear that the word of the Lord has free course and is glorified.— But are they strangers to the joy of the Lord? -It says, Let this joy be a peculiar object of attention to every Christian.-Let him never forget that it is his strength. If, therefore, he has lost it, let him not rest till he has regained it. Let him hasten back to the place where he slept and dropped his roll. Let him repent and do his first works. Though his state be secure, let him remember that his comfort may vary and decline; and therefore let him guard against every thing that may wound his peace, and grieve the Holy Spirit, and interrupt his communion with God. Some of you know the worth of this joy from the want, rather than from the experience. You are not strangers to the nature of it; but the degree in which you possess it, is far below your duty and your privilege. Let me beseech you, as you value your own welfare, and the honour of your God, to seek, immediately and earnestly, an increase of it. And for this purpose, suffer the word of exhortation. Commune with your own heart, and insist upon a reason for your distress-saying, with David, "Why 'art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me? -Maintain intercourse with the wise and experienced. Two are better than one. Jonathan went to David in the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. One Christian is frequently to another like the angel to Hagar-she was ready to die of thirst with water near; but he opened her eyes and showed her the well.-"Retire and read thy Bible, to be gay." Peruse much the Scriptures, which are filled with words good and comfortable. Acquaint yourselves with the method of salvation-the freeness and plenitude of divine grace-the ground of our acceptance-and all the provision made, not only for our safety but consolation.-Pay much attention to the ordinances of God. His ministers are helpers of your joys. He is known in his palaces for a refuge. According to your conduct here, you will be vouchers, both for the promise and the threatening; Them that honour me, I will honour; and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."-Be much in prayer. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. We read of the joy of faith. Look after more of this all-important principle. You can only be filled with all joy and peace, in believing. But believing, ye shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Follow these admonitions; and while the joy of the Lord is your strength, you shall not want the strength of the joy. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. You shall go on singing in the ways of the Lord; and you soon shall reach His presence, where there is fulness of joy; and his right hand where there are pleasures for evermore. Amen. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."—Psalm xxxvii. 37. You have heard of the manner in which a distinguished writer, and a Secretary of State, expired. "Come," said ADDISON, to a young nobleman of rather infidel principles, as he entered his dying chamber; "Come," said he, taking him softly by the hand; "Come, and SEE HOW A CHRISTIAN This has always been admired as a noble expression of composure, and faith, and zeal. And to this the Poet alludes when he says "He taught us how to live, and, O! too high "The price of knowledge, taught us how to die." If we object to any thing in the address, it is not that it came from a character whose religion some may think too undecided; for candour should lead us to conclude that he was what he professed to be-especially at a period so awful-but that the subject of the eulogy should have been the Author. "Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth; a stranger, and not thy own lips." The exclamation may indeed have been designed, not to glorify the man, but his religion: and to recommend from his own experience what could support and refresh, even when all other succours and comforts failed. Yet we would rather the friend or the minister had laid hold of the approaching observer, and leading him into the room said, "CoME, SEE HOW A CHRISTIAN CAN DIE. 99 Such an office your Lecturer has to perform this morning. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." |