USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > The ministry of Taunton, with incidental notices of other professions > Part 5
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sacrifices to him. Rome and Greece, whose laws are ven- erated in this enlightened age, and whose authors are stud- ied in our learned universities, tenaciously held to idolatry. Rome papal, the savage tribes of America, and the exten- sive kingdoms of Asia and Africa, are even at this day idolaters.
THIS gross delusion of mankind is not owing to the want of the means of knowledge. While men have been kneel- ing before their idols, God has been holding up light. Neither is it owing to the want of mental abilities : God has given them rational souls capable of knowing him. Neither is it owing to the want of persuasive considera- tions : Every possible motive to worship God, is exhibited in a blaze of light. To what then can the cause of idola- try be attributed ? It must be attributed to a strong incli- nation to forsake God. Which shows, that they are disaf- fected to him ; for they would not be inclined to idolatry, if they were his friends.
THE Apostle Paul considered idolatry, as an evidence of disaffection to God. Speaking of idolatry, he signified that men become idolaters, because " They did not like to retain God in their knowledge."
A ROYAL family, suppose, in a succession of Kings, reigns for several thousand years, over a great empire, composed of many nations ; the subjects revolt in every age ; and against the clearest light -the most solemn threatenings - the fullest promises of protection and hap- piness- and the highest evidence of a disposition and ability in their Sovereigns to promote the interest of those who are loyal. Their revolt proves that they are disaffect- ed to their Sovereigns.
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GOD is the rightful sovereign of the world : He has reigned over man several thousand years ; gives the chil- dren of men the clearest light ; promises his worshippers the greatest blessings ; threatens idolaters with the most tremendous woes ; expresses the kindest disposition to- ward men ; and gives the highest evidence of his ability to protect them. Men revolt from him ; but an infinitely small part worship God ; they go after idol vanities ; they kneel to a stock. This proves that they do not like their holy Sovereign.
(3.) IT appears, that mankind are enemies to God from their ignorance of God and divine things. When a man is ignorant of any branch of science ; who is possessed of good abilities, and favored with happy advantages to apply his mind, and urged to attention by every motive of duty and interest ; it is an evidence, that he is disaffected to it. If a youth of sprightly abilities, at a seminary of learning, under good instructors, be ignorant of every branch of lit- erature ; it is an evidence that he hates his books. If a Minister of the Gospel does not understand the Bible ; it is an evidence that he has a distaste to religion. It shews that his heart is not engaged in his calling. Love to a
thing is the greatest spur to attention ; and by attention the mind acquires knowledge. If men had love to God, they would attend to his character ; and get acquainted with him. They have sufficient abilities to get a good doctrinal knowledge of the great things of his kingdom. They have the best instruction. Light blazes from the cross. They have every advantage that can be wished. The things of God are explained in the best manner. All the motives from Heaven and Earth conspire to call up their attention.
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It is their duty and interest to acquaint themselves with eternal things. Yet men are ignorant of God. Sinai thunders ; but they will not hearken. Christ weeps over them ; but they will not attend. Death with the solemni- ties of eternity draws near ; but they will not mind. They will not be instructed. They will not pay attention ; and acquaint themselves with divine things. Inattention and ignorance prevail among all classes of people. If they think a few moments on God, they find it painful. They understand the various branches of business, and tread the circle of science with pleasure ; but they will not at- tend to the things of God. This manifests an internal dis- like to him. If any one should be as inattentive to the world, and carnal pleasures, as men are to divine things, it would be evidence enough that he hated the world. If you knew as little about your fields, and the various occu- pations of life, as you do about religion, it would be an evidence that your poor heart is opposed to the world. If it should give you as much pain to attend to your pleasures, as it does to pray and to meditate on the things of eterni- ty, it would be a convincing proof, that you hated your pleasures. You seldom attend to God, and divine things ; and when you do, it gives you disagreeable sensations. This is because you are inimical to God.
(4.) IT appears that they are enemies to God from their ill treatment of one another.
THEIR conduct toward one another manifests an un- friendly disposition. They defraud and cheat, and seek to get advantage ; they backbite and devour one another. Multitudes are compelled to wear out a miserable life in slavery ; great numbers employ themselves in making in-
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struments of death: Mighty armies are employed in offen- sive wars, to slay their poor fellow-mortals : Every age produces fields of blood : Garrisons have been massacred : Elegant Cities have been made like burnt Mountains : The cruelty of man is beyond description. It shows that there is the seed of enmity lurking in the heart. They act like enemies ; and by actions we learn the dispositions of men.
THE same disposition that is inimical to man, is inimical to God. The same selfish disposition that is opposed to a finite being, is opposed to the infinite Being. Therefore the enmity toward one another is an evidence, that they are enemies to God.
(5.) IT appears that mankind are enemies to God from the hard treatment that good men have received from the world.
MULTITUDES of good men have been persecuted and slain. Studied tortures have been inflicted on the servants of Christ. Not because they exalt themselves above their fellow-mortals : They are humble, and confess their enmity of heart. Not because they seek the hurt of mankind : They are harmless and inoffensive. Not be- cause they are persons of vicious lives : They are virtuous and sober. The Apostles were little images of their Lord. Every Christian exhibits a degree of kindness similar to that, which shone in the conduct of the Saviour : But men have hated them, and put them to death. That disposition which is hatred to the servant, is hatred to the Lord also ; for there is such a likeness between God and his children, that there cannot be hatred to one, and not to the other. Therefore, the enmity that they have shown to the ser- vants of God proves that they hate him.
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(6.) IT appears that they are enemies, from the treat- ment Christ received, when he was on earth.
IN ancient days, men said, as they do now, that they did not hate God. God gave them an opportunity to shew whether they did or did not hate him, by putting his Son into their hands ; who came among men, and drew his own character, and the character of his Father before the peo- ple. The temper of Heaven shone in every step of his conduct. Christ on the Cross illuminated the eternal throne of the triune God ; and brought him down to earth; and set him in clear light before men. Did they receive God on earth with warm affection ? Did love catch from heart to heart wherever he went ? The people saw him ; and they saw his Father : But they hated him and his Father. Christ himself said, " Ye have seen and hated both me and my Father." This testimony they verified by their cruel conduct toward Christ. Before the tragi- cal scene of the cross, men had given a specimen of their enmity to God by their cruel treatment of the Prophets and good men : And they have given the same sad speci- men ever since, by their treatment of the followers of Christ. But in erecting the cross they gave a most evi- dent proof of their enmity. While Christ was expressing the deepest humility - While he was expressing every act of kindness - While he was expressing tokens of his mis- sion and divinity - While he was stating the triune God in the most amiable light - While he was laying open the glories of the Deity - While he was agonizing for the sal- vation of men - While, with melting tears and groans, he was praying for them ; they were cursing him - they were nailing him to the cross - they were insulting him -they
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were rejoicing in his misery. Glaring expressions of en- mity ! God gave them opportunity to shew themselves ; He put himself into their hands ; and the heart poured forth a torrent of enmity. Here mankind stand on mount Cal- vary giving their own picture. Blush, and never open thy mouth in vindication of thyself !
(7.) IT appears that they are enemies from the office of Ambassadors of Christ.
AMBASSADORS of our Lord are to call on men to be rec- onciled, as may appear in considering the last general head.
WHEN Ministers of Kings sue for peace, it supposes war. The proposals of reconciliation made by Ministers of Christ suppose enmity. Why should an order of men be set apart by Jesus Christ, to spend their days in call- ing on men to become friendly to God, if they are not un- friendly ?
A NATION in the east was governed by a wise Monarch of a most benevolent disposition, who sent Messengers in- to various parts of his realm, to exhort people to turn to their allegiance. Near the dissolution of his kingdom, he sent a Messenger of an extraordinary character, that devoted his life, in calling on men to repent, and be recon- ciled to their Sovereign. At the same time he sent his Son. He had but one Son. Him he sent. The Son spent the time he lived, in calling the Citizens to be recon- ciled. The Son appointed others to go on the same er- rand. He likewise sent Messengers to other States and kingdoms, to invite them to be reconciled to his Father ; for his Father was their rightful Sovereign. He continued sending them many ages. On rational principles, we con-
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clude that there was a rebellious spirit among the subjects of that Monarch. The united call of his Messengers to the people to return to their duty is evidential of disobedi- ence. For why should a constant call be kept up during ages, to repent of rebellion, and be reconciled ; unless there was a rebellious spirit among them ?
THE relation now given is so descriptive of God-and of the Israelites - of the Prophets- Christ - his Apos- tles and Ministers, that the meaning is not doubtful.
MORE than fifteen hundred years the Prophets called on men to turn to God : More than seventeen hundred years the ministers of Christ have been calling on men : Multi- tudes have been raised up, and commissioned to go and say, " be reconciled to God," which shows that men are unreconciled.
Soon after the fall of man Ambassadors began to call for reconciliation ; which shews that enmity began early among mankind. They call, as soon as we are capable of understanding what they say ; which shews, that this sin- ful disposition is in us, in our early age. Multitudes have been sent ; but they have been unable to remove the en- mity ; grace divine, and nothing else can take it away ; which shews that it is deeply rooted. They are sent to all people, to whom they can go. In modern ages some whole nations have been addressed on the subject of rec- onciliation. And a future day will open a treaty of recon- ciliation among all people. When two hundred sorrowful years have carried on the church through trouble and af-
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fliction, the millenium will commence, [NOTE] at which time the Gospel will be preached to every creature ; which shews that the whole race of men is affected with this evil disposition. Though they may differ much in other res- pects ; yet they agree in this bad disposition. Even the best saint has a degree of it remaining, that will lurk in his heart, till he dies, and taint all his religious performances.
IF any one should say, that he feels no opposition to God; and therefore he concludes, that there is no such thing in human nature : I beg leave to offer a few reasons to shew why men are not sensible of the enmity of the heart.
First. - INATTENTION may be a reason, that you do not see the enmity of your heart. Many eat and drink, and follow the busy scenes of life, and never attend to the exercises of their minds, to see whether they are friends or enemies to God. And if this is your case, it is no evi- dence that you are not an enemy, because you do not see it. You never will see it, unless you open an attentive eye, and look into your heart.
NOTE .- WE are led by the 2300 days in Daniel,* to find when the millennium will commence. He prophesied that the sanctuary should lie polluted 2300 days, and that then it should be cleansed. Sanctuary means the church of God. A day in Daniel, signifies a year. The pol- lution that he speaks of began a little more than 300 years before Christ came, to which add the time since Christ came, it makes about 2100 years. All this long time the Church has been low, afflicted and pollut- ed by sin. When it has been in this low state about 200 years more, the 2300 years will be accomplished : then it will be cleansed : and enjoy an happy glorious season, one thousand years.
We are led by another period predicted by Daniel and John to find when the millennium will begin. Prophesying of the papal power that would arise, Daniel tells us, that the saints should be " Given into his
Dan. 7: 14.
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Secondly. - FALSE ideas of God may be a reason that you do not see your enmity. Men are inclined to reject the true God. " They do not like to retain God in their knowledge." They form a character of God agreeably
hand, a time, and times, and the dividing of time."* And that he would " scatter the people of God, a time, times and an half."t John in his reve- lations prophesying of this anti-christian power ; says that the church should be secured in the wilderness from the face of Antichrist, " For a time, and times, and half a time."# Again speaking of this power, he says, that it shall tread under foot the holy city 42 months.§ " And " that " power was given unto him to continue 42 months." !! And that " dur- ing that time the witnesses should prophesy 1260 days clothed in sackcloth." T All these numbers agree, and fix the duration of Antichrist. A time is one year, times, two years, half a time is half a year. Which makes three years and a half. Counting 30 days to the month, as was usual among the people, with whom Daniel and John lived, make 1260 days; 42 months, counting 30 days to a month, make the same number. That is, 1260 years ; for a day in those prophecies signifies a year. The time therefore of the reign of Antichrist is fixed to 1260 years. When this term is expired he will fall, and the millenium will take place. He be- came the oppressive Antichrist in the sense of these prophecies, in the year 756, when he usurped civil power. He has reigned ever since, which is 1032, years which taken from the whole time he is to reign leaves 228 years, for him to reign. But as they counted only 360 days to the year, we must deduct about 17 years from the 228, which leaves but a little more than 200 years for him to continue. Then he will be overthrown : and then the glorious thousand years will begin. Should any one smile at these calculations, he is asked whether he has studied the prophecies respecting the time of the commencement of the millen- ium.
PROBABLY, the sabbath days, and sabbatical years among the Israel- ites typified the rest of the spiritual Israel, in the millenium. They were to labor six days, and rest on the seventh : they were to labour six years, and rest from labour on the seventh, probably to signify, among other reasons, that after the spiritual Israel had been afflicted six thous- and years, it should rest from trouble the seventh. If so, then it will be about two hundred years to the millenium, for there is wanting but about two hundred years to compleat six thousand years, since the crea- tion.
IF we should suppose him to be as long in falling, as he was in rising, it will bring the millenium about the same time. He was 700 years in rising. " The mystery of iniquity" began "to work" ** in the days of Paul about the year 60. The Pope obtained ecclesiastical power over all the christian world in 606. He obtained civil power in 756. So that he was 700 years in rising. He has been declining ever since the year 1260, which is about 500 years. If he should be as long in falling as he was in rising, about 200 years will bring him to ruin ; and bring on the hap- py millennial state.
* Dan. vii. 25. t Dan. xii. 7. # Rev. xii. 14. § Rev. xi. 2. || Rev. xii. 5. " Rev. xi. 3. ** Thess. ii. 7.
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to their taste, and love it. Hence think they love God. Whereas they love only a false character. But this is not love to the true God. It is so far from true love that it is enmity. For love to a false God, is enmity to the true God. At least it implies enmity. Men are not friendly to opposite characters. Therefore though you feel friend- ly, as you think to God, it may be only friendship to a false character, which implies opposition to the very God. And if you have not seen enmity, it is very evident you are an enemy, for all those who know true religion, know the enmity of the heart. The Jews loved Christ, when they mistook his character and design; but when they were led to look at his true character, and real design, ex- pressed in his life, preaching and works, they hated him. When they supposed he came to erect an earthly kingdom, they cried hosanna. But when they found worldly great- ness was not his object - that he despised wealth- that he had no honorary titles and pensions to bestow on his friends - that he did not appear to save them from the tyranny of their enemies. When they found that an hum- ble, holy life- the glory of God, and deliverance from a self-righteous spirit, were objects of his mission, they cried, crucify him. Similar to this is sometimes the case of oth- ers. While they misunderstand the character and design of God, they feel friendly and think they love God. But when their mistaken ideas are removed, and the truth pre- sented, and in a degree realized, they hate him. Paul was not sensible that he was opposed to God, while he had wrong ideas of God ; but when God made himself known to him by the law, sin awoke and he saw it. The bloody enemy of Christ, who supposed himself a zealous worthy friend of God, found himself a bitter enemy ; and felt a
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degree of it remaining in his heart to his dying moment. The same reason may perhaps apply to you. It may be you have false notions of God, and so think you love him. Whereas should you be brought to see and realize his char- acter, you would feel so much opposition, that you would find yourself a real enemy to God.
Thirdly. - IT may be that you are so hard-hearted that although you get some just speculations of God, you feel quite indifferent about him. Some men contemplate on God with as much indifference, as a Philosopher does on his supposed inhabitants of the Moon. They feel as little about him, as we do about some great personage that lived in ancient days. They care as little about heaven, as we do about elegant Cities in China. All their thoughts about God, are dry speculations. Their hearts are as un- moved as stones. When this is the case, they will not feel enmity. If you belong to this class, it is no wonder, that you feel no opposition to God.
Fourthly. - INFIDELITY of heart may be another rea- son, that you do not see your enmity. There is much in- fidelity in the depraved heart of man. When the heart loves an idol, or a false character, or has no sense of the moral beauty of God, it is an heart of infidelity. " The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." While he feels thus, no sensible opposition rises against God. Should your heart be brought to feel, you would be sensible of opposition.
Fifthly. - MEN try to keep their enmity out of their own sight. The thought of being an enemy to God ap- pears so dreadful, that they do not love to see it.
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SELF-RIGHTEOUS men build their hope of salvation on their goodness. A sight of their enmity kills their hope. Hence they choose to keep it out of sight; and think as well of themselves as they can.
AWAKENED sinners mean to prepare themselves to go to Christ, by making themselves better. A sight of their hearts shews them, that they are not growing better. This gives them distress. Therefore they try to smother and hide enmity from a painful eye.
SECURE sinners love their ease : They wish to be quiet : the idea that they are enemies disturbs their rest; and gives painful apprehensions of futurity. And therefore they wish to keep the enmity of the heart buried out of sight.
IT is not the least evidence, that you are not an enemy, because you do not see it. No man loves to see his own depraved picture. It is disagreeable to see himself an enemy, exposed to the pains of hell. He wishes to hide it from himself and from God.
4. WE shall consider the design of sending Ambassa- dors.
THE design may be comprised in two things: - First, In teaching mankind the things of religion. They are to teach men the character and perfections of God. The existence of God lies at the foundation of religion. The religion of men will be according to their ideas of God. Just ideas of God will lead men to just conclusions in re- ligion. Wrong ideas will lead to false conclusions of the nature of religion. It is needful that mankind should be
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well informed in this leading idea. Ambassadors are sent for this purpose. They are to explain the character of God, as it is revealed in nature and redemption. And, they are to explain his law. By the law is the knowledge of sin. Without the law they can never understand their fallen sinful state. Therefore Ambassadors must teach it : They must enter into the spirit of the law ; and shew what it requires and forbids; what the rewards and curses are.
AND, they are to exhibit the character of man. Men must be informed, that they are in a sinful ruined state ; or they cannot repent ; neither can they see their need of a Saviour. Ambassadors must shew them their sin. They must endeavour to strip sinners of their refuge of lies, and shew them their true character. In doing this, it is need- ful to explain the nature of sin; and how fixed sinners are in their own destruction. They must tell them plainly, that they are inimical to God, and exposed to the pains of hell.
AND, they must preach a crucified Redeemer. A cru- cified Saviour is the alone foundation of the hope of a guilty creature. Every other foundation of hope will leave a man in ruin. The Preacher must point men to Calvary -to a bleeding Saviour. He must display him in a just light. He must explain his exalted character-The na- ture of his mediation-The design he had- his moral character-The satisfaction he made by bearing the curse of the Law.
AND, the Preacher must explain the nature of repen- tance, and faith ; and direct the wounded in spirit to the cross. He must explain the nature of reconciliation. IIo must get clear ideas himself, and preach them in the plain-
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est light. General terms, without any precise meaning, will not give instruction. A declamatory discourse may please the vanity of an auditory, for a moment ; but it will not inform the mind; nor sting the conscience of the sin- ner; nor edify the christian; nor entertain the sensible man. Secondly, When the Ambassador has informed the mind, he must exhort them to right exercises of heart. Having stated the character of God, and the nature of reconciliation, he must call on them to be reconciled to God. A rebellious world have no reason to hate God. Ilis character is most amiable; and all his conduct most righteous.
THEY have no reason to hate his omniscience: God knows how to dispose of them in the great chain of his providence, to promote the best design.
THEY have no reason to hate his wisdom: He knows what is best to be done with them; and with the whole universe-And how to lay out the best plan of govern- ment; and how to execute it in the best way.
THEY have no reason to hate his eternal purposes : he knows how to contrive all things now ; and he knew as well how to determine things from eternity. And it was as right to determine them from eternity, as it is at present. His eternal determinations are under the dictates of infi- nite wisdom and goodness. Who can wish that infinite wisdom and goodness should not dictate ?
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