“As things of this nature are generally subject to various opinions and reflections, so hath in particular this undertaking met with the same treatment since it came to be known in Europe. It hath been highly approved by some, and disliked by others. Some, who do not suppose an enterprize of this nature to be altogether impracticable, do, however, think it now very improper, when every one complains of hard tines, and is called upon by other expences nearer at home; and, for this reason, they are fur putting it off to a more convenient season. Others have been startled at the newness of the thing and are shy to venture into a road so little beaten in this age, and so much exposed to danger and difficulty. Others have been bare spectators in this matter, unwilling to judge of a work, which, like a tender blade, did but just appear above ground, not discovering as yet what its fruit might prove. Others again, have taken a transient view of the scheme, but declared their unwillingness to be farther concerned, till they should see some eminent men espouse it, and by their example encourage others to engage in the same. Others are displeased with the heathen themselves, who, for the sake of a little gain, will conform to the christian name, but, at the approach of danger, quit it again, and relapse into their former ways.
“It is not the design of this preface to examine at large the various opinions and judgments which hitherto have been passed on this affair, much less to determine how far they might be well-grounded, or how far, perhaps, they might be biassed by mistaken and prejudices. However, thus much may be said in answer to those, who, on the one hand, are so easily terrified by the common calamities of the times, and, on the other, by the expensiveness of the design, that they seem to be little acquainted with the ways and dispensations of Providence. For if we take a survey of the most considerable transactions, both under the law and the gospel, it will plainly appear, that, generally, the best of works have been carried on in the worst of times, and that they have triumphed at last (though after much toil and labour) over all the clamours and oppositions that wicked men and devils could raise against them.
“The prophet assures us, that Jerusalem was rebuilt in strait and troublous times. And another of the inspired writers tells us, that they were fain to work with one hand, and to hold their weapons in the other. And yet did the work gain ground in the midst of all those adversities; and the attempts made against it, were so far from disheartening the builders, that they did but more encourage them to go on with their labour, till they saw the design brought to a happy conclusion. However, it cannot be denied, that the opposition is then most destructive and fatal, when it comes from those that are WITHIN THE PALE OF THE CHURCH, AND WHO, UNDER AN EXTERNAL SHEW OF THE SAME CONFESSION, DESTROY THE VITALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
“How backward the Jews were in building the Lord’s temple, and under what frivolous pretences they put off so unwelcome a work, doth plainly appear from the reproof given them by the prophet. The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built, was the common plea for their sloth and drowsiness; but then the effect was, that whilst governors, priests, and people, were wholly bent on advancing their worldly interest, and shamefully neglected the Lord’s house, their vines and olives did not yield their increase, and the earth denied her fruits. All which may possibly convince us, that even outward prosperity doth in a great measure depend upon the care employed in the worship of God, and its enlargement among JEWS AND HEATHENS.
“Nor have those a sufficient plea for themselves, that undervalue a design because it is new, and because it hath been little attempted by protestants. Truly, this should rather be an inducement (not to stifle the work in its infancy, but) to inflame that little of the spirit of power and love, which is left among us. Should we be also willing to die, because we see so many dead about us? I mean, so many who are supine and negligent in the greatest concerns of life and happiness. Should we not rather strengthen the more the things which remain, but are ready to die, except they be supported betimes? Which consideration should make us shake off that natural drowsiness, which confineth the mind to narrow ends and purposes, and indisposeth it for any generous enterprise. Nothing is more common, even among those who call themselves christians, than to frame new ways and new methods for increasing their stock, and to improve every opportunity offered for that end. Almost every year produceth new schemes, and these new pursuits after the things of this world. Let a design be never so new and uncommon, it will soon be embraced, if it be but profitable, and conducive to some temporal end or other. Why should a christian, then, be shy of a work because it is new, when it may carry with it a never-fading reward? Should not he be as ready and watchful to lay up riches in heaven, as the profane worldling is to improve his income on earth?”
Such was the opposition once shown to this venerable Society, and by persons too within the pale of the church. Who these persons were signifies now as little to us, as the arguments which they advanced, and which have so happily failed of success. And such we hope will be the fate of all objections to the Bible Society.
Could these opposers of the Old Society, now contemplate its progress, how would they shrink within themselves, and condemn their own blindness and bigotry. Could they now see the fields trodden by Ziegenbalgh and Swartz, once “a waste howling wilderness,” now “rejoicing and blossoming as the rose,” with what anguish would they regard their own hostility, and how would they bless the author of all good, for having wrenched the weapons from their hands. Now every thing is seen by them in its proper colour and dimensions; now every object is merged in the one great object of the prevalence of truth. The triumphs of the gospel fills, if we may so speak, their whole field of vision. Let the opponents, then, of the Bible Society, learn a lesson from this. For with them, soon, all the hopes and fears of this world will have passed away; they will see every object in the light of the sanctuary, and measure every institution upon its sacred scale: the world will be nothing, and Christ will be all in all.
May these persons at that awful day be enabled to justify themselves before that God, who would not that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth; before that Saviour who has commanded us to preach his gospel to all nations, and who, in the glowing language of his own book, has shadowed out this and similar institutions, under the image of an angel carrying the everlasting gospel to every nation, and language, and tongue, and people; before those souls, who are now crying to us for help—for that help, which the British and Foreign Bible Society is seeking to impart.
FINIS.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR,
SERMON ON THE BIBLE SOCIETY,
PREACHED
AT BECCLES,
AND AT
ST. MARY’S CHURCH, BUNGAY.
Price 6d.